back from Hols
OKi, I'm back... naaasty weather here though!...
free code dreamboxOK i actually arrived last week, but we've been sorting out the house, getting painters and electricians sorted out.
Anywho, the review of the hotel we staying in near Alicante was published, heres the link >>> it's pretty damning, but honest.
I also got some business cards made up, super red ones, with a nice blocky font. I called myself a 'Web Consultant - Designer' 'cause lots of people seem quite interested in that side of my work.
DJing again at the Hard Rock cafe tonight, last week went REALLY well, and I got invites to play at a few private parties and mbee return to the HR itself... woOt!
signing out for now.
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Holiday - day 3
Well as you can see the weather is superb, HOT, HOT, HOT!
Yesterday mrsmule and I went for a sunbathe on a quiet local beach and went skinnydipping.. YAY!
As usual over here, sleeping patterns are all over the place. This morning mrsmule and I went down to the same beach to watch the red moon go down and see a beautiful tigerstripe sunrise lift over the horizon, SWEET!
.... todays plans?.. well, I gotta work on the old tan.. so back to the beach for some hardcore sun, sand n sea!.... woOt!!!
hasta manana amigos!
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holiday
Made it away at last, we're (mrs mule and I) are in San Pedro at her fathers, just outside Murcia... check the weather!!
All is good here, spent last night in a tapas bar, then back to the house for drinkie poos and chewing the fat.
Due to circumstances beyond our control we hired a car at Alicante airport for the week, mrsmule got us down here confidently and safely, the car is a nice Toyata Yaris, I had a go in it this morning to do some shopping for us, it's a nice little motor as they say, nippy little 1.5 I think.
Last time we were here I had just found out my kidney was packing in, I spend the first five days in bed, and the rest chewing pain killers, its really nice to be pain free and enjoying the sun/food and company (thanks Nat&Sal!).. oooo while I'm thanking people, I also have to say Happy Fathers Day to my Dad, Howerd.. and a Happy Fathers Day to my new Father-in-law, Nathan!
woOt! for holidayz!
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laparoscopic nephrectomy
Well continuing from my last post
I (had) kidney stones as you may know,
OK so my Urinary system is something that Dr. Mengele would be most 'interested' in.
I'm a freak of nature, perhaps the next step in the urinary evolution of man?! WTF!.. read on!
The results of the renogram showed that my left kidney had almost died, it was running at 12% and showed signes of damage beyond repair. I also (had) a smaller than normal tube running from my kidney to my bladder. (No stones could pass through) The CT scans also showed that the inside of my bladder , instead of being nice and smooth was all nobbley.
OK not so freaky, however, I also have an 'extra' bladder, like a small balloon, attached on my right, it conveniently stores about 50cl of fluid... COOL!
So, on Wednesday 23rd Feb, I was booked into our local hospital. On Thursday I had my left kidney removed by laparoscopic nephrectomy.
The operation was due to last about 3 hours max, however I went under about midday and was still in theatre at 17.00 when mrsmule came to see me. Apparently the doctors were putting out paging calls over the tannoy for her, they couldn't find her, but she found me!
I don't remember much of Thursday!
Friday 25th, I find lots of tubes dangling everywhere!
I have 3 tubes going into the main artery in my neck, 2 tubes in the back of my left hand and 1 big tube going up my willy! 
By Friday mid morning I had the tubes from my neck out (and the 2 stiches) and my willy tube (catheta) was also out... she was a very kind nurse!
The nurse gives me a shower 
and I'm safely back in my bed.
..It was now just the big bag of Saline fluid and the morphine with the 'click me' for pain releif button.
Friday evening came, and friends from work came to visit, I get to show off my cool new scars
I got excited and started throwing up all over the place, freaked a few mates out I can tell you!!...LOL, mrsmule stepped in as cheif matron and I got cleaned up and settled down again.
Saturday, well by this time I've been on the morphine for 2 nights, happily clicking away, I can go to the toilet (for a whizz) and shower on my own. (awwww how nice) The Surgeon comes to visit me again and suggests that if I can go to the toilet (#2) I can go home, well.. with that kind of incentive, I grabbed the enema and scuttled off giggling. Mrsmule gets a call Saturday morning (everything happens early in hospitals) and she comes and gets me and takes me home to my bed.
I have been steadily repairing now for 4 days now, I can walk around (a little), but spend most of my time laying down on my back drinking water and eating paracetamol.
Tuesday I had my first full meal for nearly a week, I couldn't stop eating!!!!... we had ordered takeout (Suriname curry) and I thought I'd probably do as I have for the last few days which is pick at everyone elses food... but I felt brave and got my own dish, well I cleared my plate and started picking at others!.. so I know now I'm really on the mend!...
OK I'm kackered now.. this took 3 days to write BTW!..
I will have a conclusion for you soon, I'll let you know how I'm feeling and my thoughts about the differences in the medical service here in the Nehterlands versus UK... where by now I'd still be waiting for a CT scan....LOLOLOL!..
Thank you mrsmule 
for being my Florence Nightingale (yet again!)
But also a HUGE thanks to all the surgery staff, Doctors/Surgeons K.W.H. Gisolf and A.R. Meyer and the nurses and carers on the 4th floor all from ziekenhuis oudenrijn,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!
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UAF supporters arrested at weekend
This came in the post from friends in Bridlington, UK (both pictured). I also have family living in Brid, so although I wouldn't normally comment about such extreem issues here on mrmule.com, I feel that this is too close to home.
"The two guys pictured above Mr Samms and Mr Meulen took great delight the previous Saturday in threatening to cut the throats of the BNP paper sellers - some of them retired women. These brave lads then proceeded to scream racial abuse at passers by, claiming they were doing so, “to educate people, and to illustrate what the BNP really stands for.”
Both were arrested for ‘making racial comments and intimidating people in the streets’ after police arrived following a complaint from a local shopper. Both were later released without charge. "
I won't link to the disgusting website that reported the article.. but.. nice one Mr Samms and Mr Meulen!
Please do not let Bridlington turn into a racist community, do not support the BNP, challenge their ethics, but most of all tell them they are not welcome anywhere in any civilised community.
Please Please Please read this BBC Panorama news special and the Going undercover in the BNP both about the BNP and it's far right attitudes
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mrmule gets plastered
oo crikey Mrs, your ever friendly mrmule has landed the frontpage of our wedding photographers website!
Lock, Stock, the f**king lot!
LOL, never thought I had it in me!...anywho.. go and check out his website
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Tis the season
Well, it had to happen, mrsmule is all excited about our first Christmas in our new house, specially as all the family is coming over. We have a tree! It's up and decorated and the spirits are in the freezer. So I offer you this little pic from our tree and wish you all a very happy and season of warmth and cheer!
fa la la la laaaaaa, la la, la, la!
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Apologies
Firstly I have to apologise for not blogging much over the past 4/5 weeks. My head has been in turmoil since I received the news that I have Kidney Stones and to make make it worse I have a Bladder Diverticulum with is blocking the tube from my kidney.
About 4 weeks ago I checked myself into the emergency clinic at the hospital, with pains in my right side. After a urine test, blood test and x-ray they said I have 7-8 stones in my left kidney.. so why the pain in the right?
I then had ultra-sound and a CAT scan which revealed the an abnormality in my bladder.
I was asked to come into the hospital again the next day to see the consultant. Well I thought it was going to be a pleasant chat, ooh no, far from a chat I was asked to remove my clothing and get up on the stirrup.. CRIKEY!.. Now when he said he wanted to look at my bladder, I didn't expect him to be looking from the inside!.. so up went the lube, and up went the camera for the Ureteroscopy.. my eyebrows must have been at the back my neck I tell you!
So the consultant says that I'm not relaxed enough (I wonder why?!) and they're going to have to put me under and have a proper look.. and while they're doing that they'll probably put in a Stent.
So into the hospital I go and a day later I'm in serious pain after having the said 'stent' put in.
It has been 2 weeks of pure pain.. The best way to describe it is having a sumo wrestler squeezing your kidneys constantly. i have to go for a whizz hourly so my bladder doesn't fill up and backwashes into my kidney..f**k is that painful.. you can hear me cursing in the bathroom!
So last week I go back to see the consultant and he's asking how/where is the pain.. I tell him its really just the stent that hurts now. So he says he can take it out now, my eyebrows disappear again, he smiles and suggests I come back in a couple of days and take some Diazipam before I see him.
The idea is that they are now going to do a renogram to see if the tubes from my kidneys are blocked.
If the tubes are clear then they can blast the stones with ultra-sound and I can whizz them out, if my tubes are blocked then they have to do some 'orrible surgery on my bladder/tubes.
So here's to clear tubes.. I'm off to take another pill and try not to think about tomorrows appointment with Dr. Geiger and his long rubber camera.
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more 80s nostalgia
So after being slightly nostalgic about old 70s weather presenters, I was reminded of this great clip from ITVs 'Rainbow' Kids T.V program... and if you thought Dick n Dom was a bit risque, you wanna hear these guys go at it.
Zippy was of course the badboy role model for all kids my age.. but it never seemed like they were being rude at the time.
Rod (to Jane): "Do you want to blow on my pipe while I'm twanging away?"
Jane: "Oh no Rod, I was blowing a lot with Roger last night. But would you like to play with my maracas?"
Zippy: "No, let's just pluck away with our twangers."
Bungle: "Yes, it doesn't matter what size your twanger is."
Zippy: "I've got a big red one."
George: "I've only got a tiny twanger. But it works well and I like to play with it."
Geoffrey (to viewers): "Well, have you got your twangers out? And remember, you can bounce your balls at the same time. If you haven't got any balls, ask a friend if you can play with his.
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Army of Plastic
25 piece 100% Unkle Kubrick set. Very limited 500 sets. "Never, Never Land." Supervisor James Lavelle: character created by Futura. 2004 Mowax Arts & UNKLE
Watch out neighbours... you will be PAWN3d by my UNKLE invaders!
(If I ever get them out of the box)
James Lavelle Unkle Futura google search :bom
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Mule Boy in Action
Luurvly photo of your host mrmule in action - Saturday during the Street Party
I got asked by the guy in the coffeeshop downstairs if I would play in his window sometime over the summer - YAY!! for shameless self promotion!
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Moved House
So mrsmule and I are safe and well in our new abode!
We had a heap of friends help us with getting all our sh*t moved... so big thanks to
(in order of appearance)
Yves
Phill
Chris
Rob
Katinka
Michelle
Alison
Sterling work done by (nearly) all!!!!!!
Food for a small Army
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House move thingy
Incase you didn't know me n mrsmule are moving house this weekend..to Chez Mule
Stuff to done:
Buildings Insurance
Contents Insurance
Life Insurances
Personal liability Insurance
Holiday Insurance
Health Insurance
(thx Ben!)
2 days off work.. Friday & Monday
Hired a van for Friday afternoon & friends will be helping with the move on Saturday
BILLS etc.
KPN Phone (number staying same connects Mon 02 08)
Zonnet Internet (3weeks after phone)
Stuff to do:
FINISH PACKING 
Final House viewing - friday am
Sign Deeds - friday am
change address with City Council, Vodaphone, AGIS, Eneco, Rabobank, Postbank, Work, Dentist, Godaddy, UKReg, WebhostXL, Ebay, Paypal.
Write change of address letters for family/friends.
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Qees
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staff party
me on the far right...
Looking superFab.. no? (yes it's a wig!)
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Collection begins here
©2004 Maharishi Hardy Blechman Ltd
Camo lovers, go nuts! The first series of maharishi x Kubrick DPM identifiers from UK clothing label, Maharishi. 6 different camouflage variants, each of which comes with an identifying card explaining the design history of each camouflage. Camouflage designs include Bonsai Forest DPM, Desert Hex DPM, maharishi x Futura Splinter DPM, mhi Sikh DPM, Bonsai Step DPM and maharishi Tigerstripe DPM. Each kubrick can stand on their heads like Hardy himself!
My personal favorites are the Desert Hex & Futura Splinter (of course)!
Check this out this book...DPM - Disruptive Pattern Material: An Encyclopedia of Camouflage in Nature, Military and Culture also in the DPM collection.
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Happy Solstice
Seasons Greetings!
Today the sun reaches its northernmost point in planet Earth's sky marking a season change and the first solstice of the year 2004. In celebration Astronomy Picture of the Day has a detailed, brightly colored image of the active Sun. From the EIT instrument onboard the space-based SOHO observatory, the tantalizing picture is a false-color composite of three images all made in extreme ultraviolet light. Each individual image highlights a different temperature regime in the upper solar atmosphere and was assigned a specific color; red at 2 million, green at 1.5 million, and blue at 1 million degrees C. The combined image shows bright active regions strewn across the solar disk, which would otherwise appear as dark groups of sunspots in visible light images, along with some magnificent plasma loops and an immense prominence at the right hand solar limb.
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buddies online
My best buddy Wally has now got his own website... HUZZAH!
He's gonna be my best man at our wedding in December.
I know he'll enlighten the world, once the site gets going!
Hasn't he got nice eyes!
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my own personal cameltoe
I got some new natty trainers yesterday, with a rather nice design.
Nike Rift maharishi dragon, with split toe (camel toe)
GO WITH THE TOE YOU KNOW!
I like getting new trainers.. even more now mrsmule works for Nike... wooyay!
urban dictionary definitions of camel toe LINK
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The Raven?
Once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.
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photoshopping
Taking pictures around town again, but couldn't resist photoshopping Ugly onto the billboards.
Non-vandalising graffiti...YAY!
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DVDs and Wishlists
Today I made a few online orders for DVDs.
I purchased the channel4 series "JAM" and also "Spaced" series 1 & 2
I have also started an AMAZON WISHLIST to help me remember what else I wanted to get.
I'll be adding stuff to the list as time goes by, purchasing the odd item as wages allow.
Trouble is over here in NL we don't get channel4, so I miss out on some of the great comedies. Good job BBC has all their radio shows online, I get to listen to the Now Show & Little Britain etc.
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Our House...
... in the middle of our street, our house, is our castle and our keep.
So finally mrs mule and myself have found our home for the next XX years.
There's very little to do on the property, so we can just move in and relax.
We have a great view of the canal and a few house boats out front, the best bit is the heated flooring on the whole of the ground floor.
We sign the papers this week and move in on August 1st. YAY
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Got my new camera
So after a getting burgled in February, I have finally managed to replace the digi camera mrsmule got me for my birthday back in 2000. I used to have a Nikon coolpix 775, tres nice it was too, lots of cool settings and enough gubbings for me to play with exposure and white light etc.
So.. what did I get this time round?
A Nikon 4300 in black
and I couldn't resist a wide-angle lens converter (also in black)
I'm not telling you how much i spent... that would be wrong.
I havn't even taken any pics with it yet either!
Needless to say I am happy with the specs, I get 4 megapixels now and some more advanced features like appeture, 5-Area Multi Autofocus, Slow Sync. Flash, Auto Bracketing, Metering and a couple more shooting modes like Copy and Back Light.
I'm off to Egypt next month, so expect an update to the gallery end of April, I've also spotted a few new stencil graffitis around town, so I'll have to get them snapped too.
Link to Nikon 4300 features page
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Looking for houses
So the big hunt for a home has started, essesntially we're looking for something recently renovated (full price) or a complete mess that we can do up as we please. I like the idea of the latter idea.. but it could be more hassle than it's actually worth.
Wants:
Garden preferably rear
Moderate sized bathroom (preferably with bath)
Double glazing
Central Heating
City location
The big plan is to move in for 5 to 10 years, then rent it out. If you didn't know renting a property o over here in NL is waaay expensive. So there's some good cold hard cash to be earned if we play our cards right.
Looking for a house is a daily chore, seeing what's new checking to see what you've missed, translating.
I use the following websites to help me:
www.funda.nl to search houses
WorldLingo to tramslate.
MSN Maps incase the one at funda isn't clear enough.
Any other links to buying houses in the Netherlands would be great, but we got until the end of May to get out of our nice but rented hole.
We have already found a few houses we like.. but there were too many 'buts'.. and you don't need 'buts' when your buying a house.. well maybe you do.. but this is my first go at this house buying malarky so wish me/us luck!
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Desk Audit
Company: XXXXXXX XXX
Desk Audit:
1x Inspiron 8500 laptop
2x empty placcy coffee cups
1x obligatory phone
1x 6/8 digested pack of rich tea biccies
1xglasses case
1x headphones
2xspeakers
1x21" monitor
2x desk tidies plus pens/pencils
1xsuperman mousemat
1xweired plant
1xjar of assorted jelly sweets
1xempty strwaberry yoghurt pot
1xempty can of SPA red
1xsticki note thing
1xmouse
1xdesk calendar
1xpaper tidy (with random paper)