Like a good and obedient little puppy dog, I followed the advice when ( with that friendly sense of "sure and certain") my friend Mr Wackybacky told me I should just update my programme of Windows XP Pro to the one provided. It wouldn't take more than 15 minutes, and all would be well! This is an account of what happened: At 1645hrs, I raised my weary body after my siesta, and slurping on a coffee, I turned the PC on. I inserted - carefully - the new golden disc into the right hole, and waited. Finally, the thing asked me if I wanted just to update (recommended) or install brand new! Taking the advice of my two sources (Wacky and now XP Pro) I pressed update, and off we went. Some 57 minutes later, the screen went blank, and finally started up again with the new updated version, that would only take 15 minutes! Armed with this new weapon, I started to see what difference it would make, and indeed, there were a number of different things, none of which meant anything to ...

There are periods in every year which are more agreeable than other. Anyone who has been following the events on this site knows that the month of November is not a favourite in the Chateau de Mr le Marquis, to say the least! This year (2006) it appears that my message has converted many others, who up until now had no particular problems with November. At least I know I am not alone! No - no, it's not really about those times of the year I want to talk about, but more about the times of year when goodwill and pleasure should be on the menu, and in fact........................ It all starts with the first seconds of the year, whe one has passed hours and hours listening to eternal bleatings about the dismerits of this family member, or that friend. Why this one, or that one had ever been invited and had "I known he/she was coming then I wouldn't be here!" etc. etc....... All you can say is "pass the foi-gras, please" and do your best to ignore totally what i...

Ron leant back and savoured the moment. Here he was, leaning back in front of a lovely big fireplace, roaring fir, albeit artificial, just getting into the Christmas Eve spirits, after the aperos. Surrounded by his friends and his wife, he felt pleased with life. Rocking back and fore on his comfortable chair, he said to Eff,"Even if I nearly got killed by that little blue thing on the crazy golf course, I must say that for once, something you've won has done me good!" Eff didn't bite the carrot - she knew that her chunk of manhood was feeling rather pleased with himself as well as life, and "long may it last" thought She! On the other hand, she felt it was her duty to point out to Ron that, if he continued to rock back and fro on his chair, he risked finding himself up ended. It had happened before, but Ron simply said"Oh Eff, you see problems everywhere, you're getting more and more like that Marquis fellow!" Eff gave a loud squeak, startling...

Don't forget - when you're reading an article in various parts, it's best to go down to the start, otherwise you'll be reading it backwards, and you won't understand a thing! (use the archives on the right of this page - don't forget there was a preface to "Ron & Eff Christmas 2006" - called simply "Christmas 2006" published on the 26th November 2006 - that's the starting point for Ron & Effs adventures this Christmas!!) This advice is given to those of my readers who truly celebrate the "Festive Season". (iwmpop) Mr. le Marquis.

"Well, that all turned out all right," said Ron, relieved that no further disasters had arrived during the day! "We got a little something for everybody, we had a nice, peaceful Lunch, we even saw off that funny "Creche" thing, with live figures. Actually, Eff, I thought Wackie's daughter looked lovely and very convincing as Mary. I just wish they would stop taking me for a bloody elf, I'm getting a bit fed up with it!" "Yes, Ron," said Eff," and even I got my "little something" - it really is Christmas this year! I'm not sure that you should try and wear those green paper hats we got out of our Christmas crackers though, I think it was that which gave them the idea you were playing the part of an Elf! Never mind, it all went down ever so well, and we had a good time, didn't we?" "Yeah," replied Ron,"even when that horse doing the tram job suddenly took a dislike to us, and lifted it's tail -...

If you want to read all about my problems with Google-click on the link/title (near the little orange arrow)!(iwmpop) Wow! I found an address where I was able to unblock my Account! Why can't Google simply suggest doing this in the first place? I didn't even know they were blockable, much less that it was blocked, and even less where to go to unblock the thing! As you can see, I got part III or IV (I've forgotten, with all the goings on) of Christmas 2006 Ron & Eff onto the site (by email) but with only a smiley as illustration! I'll put the other illustrations (all prepared and no place to go) onto the last part, or maybe in between the parts! (Always assuming that no buggar from Blogger locks me out again!) I'm a little bit happier, but by no way ecstatic about all this, but then, it's Christmas, folks, and I'm a forgiving type of guy! I'm even going to give Blogger a chance to reinsert himself in our society, by posting a photo for you all! Ron ...

The frail sunlight filtered through the fashionable Venetian blinds of Ron & Effs little turret room at Disneyland, Paris. It had been a long and hard day, yesterday, reflected Ron, who was awake first, due to the feeble sunrays which hit him full in the eyeballs. Agreeable, pleasant, but tiring! "Wonder what awaits me today ," mused Ron to himself,"It's Christmas Eve, and the first one for years,when we don't really have to do anything, except be waited upon!"   ************** Ron had never considered arranging his wine cellar for Christmas as a job of work, anyway. Too much pleasure was had before the holidays, to consider this as "work". As far as the baking, cooking and all that was concerned, he didn't do a great deal anyway, and he supposed that Eff enjoyed doing all that, just as he enjoyed his wine cellar stuff.    "Oh Ron", said Eff, in traditional fashion,"All this fairy stuff puts you i...

Copy of Vauvert-Telethon sunset , originally uploaded by iwmpop . Hello to you all, particularly Ron & Eff! Blogger doesn't want to work for the moment, I think Google is getting too big for it's boots! I'm trying to send something, so I'm trying this way! As soon as I can I'll get Part III onto the blog, be patient with me until then!

Hello! I'm sending you this because you have something, somewhere to do with Google/Blogger etc! Nothing seems to work, Blogger tells me "out of Beta" (very proudly!) which only means I can't get INTO blogger, to publish on my blogs. The "Write to my Blogs" doesn't work either, giving error messages from Google - probably due to the same problem, whatever it is! Google help groups (somebody from the staff of Blogger) gives a link to find out more about "out of Beta" which doesn't open, I.Explorer simply announcing a problem, and closing down. On Mozilla browser the same! If Google and Google or Blogger things don't work, then have the decency to tell us - we can get out and forget them! Documents and Broadsheets from Google don't work either, impossible to open "new document", for  example! Don't talk to me about sending photos - impossible!  Gmail account inbox refuses to open incoming messages with t...

"I'm so ashamed, Ron," said Eff."How could you let yourself be taken like that?" "Well. Eff, it all started with that piece of cress stuck on my nose. They took me for an elf, or something else in Santa's group. I didn't have a chance to say anything. I've never heard anything so daft - Santa speaking French! Everybody knows he speaks English anyway! Not even the rest of his elf's and fairies and all the rest were any use either! Anyway, it doesn't matter, we're here, it's Christmas - let's try and enjoy it, Eff! Mind you, I did think it was going a bit far to try and get me to climb up on that bloody Santa's lap. I know they were trying to make up for their mistake, but even so!" "I know, my love," crooned Eff,"and did you see the sparkle in that Santa's eyes at the thought? I've seen that look somewhere else, but I can't place it". "Right then, Eff. Where are we going to start?...

As you will see from the letter which follows this one, I seem to have been the subject of a "hacker" or something! Whilst personally being opened minded and relatively tolerant, I dislike very much that NORMAL people who check in to my Sites should be bothered by such intrusions. They are not used to such themes, although I do say what I think, should I feel that it is necessary. I simply do not like to have something imposed upon me and my other readers. I have no particular wish to be rude or inconsiderate, but the subject (as I understand it), and the methods employes are not my cup of tea. If any of my readers should be interested, I will leave the article on this Blog, until the next time I start to post anything else, which I hope will be tomorrow! After this time, I trust that the instigator of this farce will leave people, who have no interest or wish to involve themselves, at PEACE - PAX- SHALOM and what other words I don't know, meaning the same thing! It is...

Hi. My name is Eugene Gershin. Perhaps we have met online, but more probably you don't know me from Adam. I monitor blogs for SamsonBlinded, and came across your post. I'd like to welcome you to look at Obadiah Shoher's blog. Obadiah - an anonymous Israeli politician - writes extremely controversial articles about Israel, the Middle East politics, and terrorism. Shoher is equally critical of Jewish and Muslim myths, and advocates political rationalism instead of moralizing. Google banned our site from the AdWords, Yahoo blocked most pages, and Amazon deleted all reviews of Obadiah's book, Samson Blinded: A Machiavellian Perspective on the Middle East Conflict. Nevertheless, 170,000 people from 78 countries read the book. Various Internet providers ban us periodically, but you can look up the site on search engines. The mirror www.terrorismisrael.org/blog currently works. Please help us spread Obadiah's message, and mention the blog in one of your posts, or link...

Mr le Marquis wishes you all a "Happy Christmas" and "New Year"!       Mr le Marquis wünscht Alle "Frohes Fest" und "Gutes Neues Jahr"!       -- Links to other iwmpop pages: http://www.webspawner.com/users/mrlemarquis/index.html

Mr le Marquis (iwmpop) vous souhaite "Bonne Fetes" et "Bonne Annee" 2007.    -- Links to other iwmpop pages: http://www.webspawner.com/users/mrlemarquis/index.html

Copy of Vauvert-Tour at sunset , originally uploaded by iwmpop . This is the clock tower in the village, dressed up for Christmas! No flash! You can see more photos from the "Telethon" in the village this weekend, by visiting "vauvertvillages" - one of your favourite blog sites - I'M SURE!! Or-if you prefer, just click on this photo to go to "Flickr" photo sharing, where some 200 photos of all types from "iwmpop" await you. You can download them in various sizes, for your own personal use, FREE of charge. (iwmpop)

Eff leaned back, stretched, and emitted a contented little sigh. "You know, Ron," said she,"It's not all bad using this Chunnel train. At least you can relax as well, and I don't have to keep turning the maps upside down, 'cos you don't know where we are!" Ron, reflecting on his position, simply said nothing. He knew that he always knew where he was, even when the map was upside down, he knew that when he was aiming in the direction of Southern France, signs for Paris and other northerly areas, like Brussels, were not what he wanted to see on the roadside signs, despite what Eff said- ("must be a shortcut, love"). Now, of course, due to his newly installed satellite direction system, he had no such problems, and he presumed (reasonably) that even this bloody Chunnel train between Britain and Paris had tracks which led to the destination required. "All roads lead to Rome," he thought, and then decided that if Eff had been the train...

(This article is not translated-the other countries involved don't have the same attitudes) ********************************** If you've got to have war (and that seems to be the case) then you've got to have soldiers to fight it! In cases of war, then the can celebrate his peace only through the actions of the said soldiers. Now - those soldiers, some of whom will unfortunately leave their lives in obtaining that peace, have no need of unhelpful critiscism, or lack of backup, from home. Goes really without saying that a good team (soldiers or otherwise) needs a solid base to fight from. It also needs the knowledge, in the background, that the employers have, or will, take the necessary action to ensure that in case of death or injury, they (and their families) will not be left high and dry. After all the interviews with the employer of the British soldiers killed over the years (ie The British Government, and therefore, DIRECTLY, the British people) this would ...

Ecliptic , originally uploaded by iwmpop . As you can see from the next posting, there have been problems in posting photos through Google Blogger. This is a test (after the test) to make sure it works - ready for the Christmas photos which you are all going to send me! Il y a eu des problèmes avec Google Bloggers pour les photos, donc ceci est un test du système. Es hat Problemen gegeben beim Posten von photos via Google Blogger. Dieses ist einfach ein versuch. Happy Christmas/Bonnes Fêtes/Frohes Fest (iwmpop) Mr le Marquis.

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Off we go again! Nearly "amnesty" time. It's one of those things that people "in the know" use once every so often here in France. Around Presidential Election time, the number of parking tickets go up astronomically, it's almost impossible to stroll in the towns and city streets due to the badly parked cars. Why? Well, after each election, an amnesty is called, and all the parking tickets are annuled, tax evaders,illegal immigrants and other "minor" criminals are pardonned. Of course, there are the "refined" people who profit to a maximum, probably first of all those politicians who have enriched themselves in various ways, followed by those who park their cars badly all the time anyway (it represents about 99% of the population) and use the amnesty to have a little bit more pocket money! This only works if you are aware of how to use the system, but it's nice to know that when I have my problems because the State has demanded, wrong...