I have been watching with a mixture of anger and revulsion the treatment of the Visteon workers betrayed by Ford Motor Company. All these people have worked long and hard and are now being told that there is nothing that comes close to a fair redundancy or indeed pension package. 210 employees lost their jobs after Visteon closed the Belfast plant on the 31st March 2009, giving the employees 6 minutes notice. The employees of Visteon (formerly Ford Motor Company) were promised lifetime terms and conditions by Ford after their creation of Visteon in 2000. As yet, no pension or redundancy has been given by Ford. The ex-employees continue to occupy the Belfast plant to fight for the pension and redundancy payments they are owed. I think its clear, particularly in this 'economic climate' - that actions will speak louder that words, until these hardworking men and women see the deal they are entitled to, EVERY person should avoid anything to do with the FORD motor company. Victory to the Visteon Workers!

Its been a while since the last update - so first off apologies. What have I been upto? Well firstly a nice trip back home during the Easter holidays, the highlight of which was catching up with Andy and Yonca! Both looked like they had just stepped off the set of Home and Away, I was expecting Alf Stewert to make an appearance, but sadly my wishes weren't to be realised this time round. I did however enjoy the delights of 'Tim Tams' - and Yonca demonstrated to myself and Lianne the intricacies of doing a Tim Tam 'Slam', while fun in theory I can't see the slam taking off with Lianne or Phil, too much hard work and delay in being able to actually eat the biscuit.

While home it was also good to catch up with the big tinker & co, a fun evening was had by myself and the bonny Scot with his new and improved daiquirís, some music and of course Meadhbh, Caitrin, Jason and Tracey! Really sad to have missed Mavis's big birthday bash - 21?! God Meadhbh - thats a big one! Hope you had a great night - sorry I couldn't be there!

In other world news, a Pyrrhic victory for the music and recording industry against The Pirate Bay in Sweden. Whatever your politics or stance on music, film and other media copyright, the bigger picture needs to be looked at, this site does nothing more that what Google does, in fact it does far less. Will we see the music and recording industry attempt such a move with Google? The double standard is startling and frankly rather sickening, what people need to realise is that moves such as this are just the thin edge of the wedge, where does it stop? Lack of competition in all areas of life is something to be avoided at all costs - as is stifling freedom of expression. Appeal is the next move by the defendants and I'll be watching closely how they fare, it seems absolutely ridiculous that people are being duped into believing these individuals are single handedly ruining the music industry, the only thing that is ruining the music industry is its own greed (recall its failed attempts to criminalise ordinary people?). Im all for paying for a product, why shouldn't people get paid for the work they do? But why should people pay the same price sometimes more for a digital product that is crippled and poorer sounding than its physical cheaper equivalent? Information should as much as possible remain free and open, not in the hands of two or three large companies, power to the people and victory to The Pirate Bay.

Some photos of the trip home and of the architecture and changing face of Belfast are now up in the gallery.

As always more to follow shortly. Stay tuned

Sean

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AYUSH!

Well it's been a very long and busy few weeks! March has been a very tough month in terms of work and for the fact that St Patrick's Day for the first time for me ultimately consisted of work and more work. Not fun, not fun at all......

Looking to the positive however; another hurdle has successfully been jumped. Indeed the academic year has started to draw closer and closer to a finish, meaning things like weddings and employment are looming on the horizon much like the hazy late spring/ early summer weather.

Yes the weather has finally started to turn the corner and not being one to waste an opportunity for a few photos yours truly and the bonny Scot got the hiking boots on ( just kidding - got into the Note) and went to Girdle Ness Lighthouse (designed by Robert Stevenson - Grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson),Greyhope Bay and the delightful and idyllic Torry. A few photos of our day trip have been added to the gallery along with some of the long and windey road to Tomatin. Enjoy.

"Every day - it's a gettin' closer
goin' faster than a roller coaster"


More to follow. As always stay tuned.

Sean

As February draws to a close things are busy and quiet - too quiet. Only 24 days to go though, Ill just keep that in mind.

Anyway more photos up for your perusal of a flying visit home, the view and some ice cream down at the beach just a few days after a blizzard in Aberdeen.

"Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new"

More to follow shortly. As always stay tuned.

Sean

Things I have learned. Children will ask the strangest of questions, for instance "Mr Fitzsimons do your glasses say Ted Baker because that's your name?" Its been a good weekend, one which has involved a copious amount of relaxing, reading, cinema going and asda visiting. The updates have been slow in coming as I've been very busy the past few weeks, however a temporary reprieve has arrived and I intend to make amends for the neglecting of my loyal followers.

The next month or so will see a big shift for the wee Scot as she heads to Tomatin (Population: 183). I have no doubt she'll have a great time and will do brilliantly. Being a city girl though I think she might not like having to get up at 6am to help farmer Dan milk the cows....on the other hand she may love it - only time will tell I guess. I on the other hand am going just up the road. Fun and games. Its going to be a long and lonely 5 weeks.

Back to Uni tomorrow - thank God! Time to let the foot off the pedal for a short while. I have included a selection of photos covering some of the happenings of January in the photo gallery including a lovely Burns Supper at Andy and Pat's, the preparations for making an African Drum and some cooking. Feel free to check them out!

More to follow shortly. As always stay tuned.

Sean

P.S. - In case you were wondering my response to the individual who asked the question in the title was - "Because I'm special".

We're now into the third week of 2009 and its rather scary just how quick time passes. All the hard work so far has paid off and things are moving steadily closer to achieving what I set out to do when I made the move over to the silver city.

The 'Mighty Boosh live was as strange as it first was when I was introduced to it by Patrick way back in the summer of 08. It was definitely great though to see the effort made by so many fans who came dressed up as a wide range of weird and wonderful (mostly weird) characters. A fun evening out with the little Boosh fan - who seemed to go completely mental at the appearance of every character on stage....who really knows what goes on in that head?!

Roll on the inauguration of Barack - I like millions of others have very high hopes for you. Time to change things for the better. Self serving leaders who commit war crimes should be arrested - regardless of who they are.

More to follow. Ive just been very busy. As always stay tuned.

Sean