Blogging Occasion.

I've neglected the blog recently, through a combination of partial busyness, a somewhat lack of subject and mainly laziness.
Although now I have a cause for posting.
My gorgeous man and I have been together around half a year now. Already! Seems crazy, but I've never been happier. Anyway, today he is 24! Haha I tease him about being old but I forget that I'm growing up too...
I feel bad that today couldn't be more special but we'll make sure next year is better.
I pretty much just want to say how much he means to me and how much I love him. He treats me like his Princess and I've never been looked after so well.
I'll include the first ever photo of us together cause it makes me smile.
I love you Jake, Happy Birthday bubba. Xo

UFC 143

So ESPN had a free weekend this weekend :D !!
That meant I got to watch the UFC on an actual TV for a change, and thankfully because I had no internet access to be able to stream anyways. The only downfall of this was that I didn't get to see the preliminary fights, which judging by play by plays and peoples tweets, was a big miss.

The fights I did get to see were mainly good, lacking many big finishes though.
Starting with Ed Herman v Clifford Starks with the first and only submission of the main card, (my pick) Herman finished 1.43 into round 2 after just losing the first round to Starks after a great 5min exchange.

Next up (I was right again when) Renan Barao made good use of his jab and mixed it up with kicks for the full 15minutes to beat Scott Jorgensen to a unanimous decision.

Josh Koscheck v Mike Pierce was a pretty even fight ending in Koscheck edging the split decision (chalking up another victory for me) , leading to the fight I was most hyped for - Fabricio Werdum v Roy 'Big Country' Nelson. After seeing Werdum compete in the 2011 ADCC in Nottingham I decided Is be backing the Brazilian.
First thing to mention in this contest was the apparent change to Nelsons appearance. It was quite obvious that he has made an effort to slim down his famous 'physique' and I think it made a big difference as I predicted Werdum would have been a little more dominant. Excitingly I thought it was all over, super early into the 1st, when Werdum took it to the ground looking for the rear naked choke but Nelson managed an escape and got to his feet. At this point Nelsons face is attacked by some big knees, making it clear he can take more than take a hit but the fight is paused for a doctor to check the bloody mess.
The round restarts and Werdum again connects with another knee, then they drop to the ground with Nelson this time defending the BJJ champs arm bar attempt.
The fight makes it to the third where Big Country grabs a standing guillotine, though it isn't on tight and as Werdum stands up bringing the round to a close still landing the more substantial shots. Winner by Unanimous decision, Fabricio Werdum!

Finally Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz step up to compete for the interim welterweight belt.
Which also went the distance, unfortunatly with a very unpopular result. For the full 5 five minute rounds Condit backed up and ran away from Diaz constantly throwing ineffective leg kicks, a typical product of Greg Jacksons camp.
At the end of the fight Nick Diaz proclaimed to Joe Rogan that he 'doesn't need this shit' and declared his retirement from MMA.
A huge disappointment to a lot of MMA fans and fighters alike and defiantly a sign that the judging system needs to be revised.
BJ retires after being beat by Diaz, Diaz retires after being beat by Condit...will Condit retire after his likely defeat by GSP?

Animals > Humans.

Consider this an introduction to my newest family member; little miss Mousen Eskdale. :)

I have been an animal lover as long as I can remember and have up until now had 3 rabbits, 1 Guinea Pig and 8 hamsters (alongside numerous fish, even though they freak me the hell out).

They are defiantly considered a friend and family member by me. I talk more to pets than I do to people most of the time, as there is no worry of any sort of let down with a cute tiny fluff ball. 

Most of my babys have had, what I consider to be, cool names! :P And my new Syrian, Mousen, is no exception. Dubbed 'Moo' for short the name first came from her having markings similar to that of a cow, hence 'Moo', then it evolved to 'Mousen' and inside joke about a small place I drive past on the road up to my parents. 

I agree with the 'never work with children' quote but I think working with animals is brilliant! I've always tried to get some interesting photos of my hammies and even though they hardly stop moving when you get a great shot its so worth it! Ive also been explored on flickr for one of Scamp. :)  

Here are a couple of my hamster army past and present - 

                                   Minnie (Disney girl)                               Dusty (My rescue girl)

                                    Travis (Blink 182 boy) R.I.P           Scamp (Cheeky boy) R.I.P

                             Pepsi (Cola girl)  R.I.P                              Halo (Gamer girl) R.I.P

I also had a gorgeous tan and white smooth haired Syrian called baby bear who unfortunately passed away after only a fortnight of living with me due to breathing complications :(
This group of beauties are better friends than any person could ever be! Just wait until I win the lottery and buy my farm! :D