It's been a busy weekend!
I've recovered after Friday's tense wait for the European Wii press conference. We are getting it this year (Dec 8th), it won't be too expensive (£179) and it'll come with a free game (Wii Sports). I've booked the day off and am just waiting for Gameplay or Amazon to open their preorder services so I can get it and a load of games and accessories in. You can get the full low down here.
The internet community has gone a little crazy over it though. Penny Arcade sums it up best I think. I especially like the phrase "retard rodeo". This was all because Nintendo have decided to make a profit on their hardware this time round instead of making a loss in the hopes of recouping it on software sales. This isn't how the console market traditionally works. It interesting to note that you can only try this strategy (i.e. make a loss on hardware) if you're a large company with other divisions that are making profit (see Microsoft & Sony) which Ninteno isn't and also that through the life of the Xbox it never broke even!!!
We had a very short notice visit from Mum who needed a place to stay for a golf tournament even though we were going to be away in Nottingham celebrating Mr. Palmer's 31st birthday. Great to see everyone and decided to put the diet on hold for one meal. Ate quite a lot but nowhere near what we would usually eat which is good. In fact the scales show a loss of 7 pounds this week, although I think this is partly due to faulty scales and the fact I would have lost some anyway as I was no longer on constant gorge mode like I was on holiday. Anyway we're giving it another week as we've discovered some more really nice things I can make and we're able to eat for free on the diet!
While in Nottingham I also managed to snag a pair of sky blue flared cords and a lime green silky seventies shirt! It's for the show, not because I like those things!
Although having said that I did have a penchant for Knots Landing! Radio 2s betamax challenge quiz on the Stuart Maconie show reminded me...here's a clip for your delight...
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Wii-news galore!
Not the full proper european version (Nintendo has been holding press conferences all over the world yesterday & today) quite yet but lots about the North America and Japanese launches here.
Scarily the same site references a rumour that we won't get it unitl March 2007, like the PS3. Please say it isn't so!! It wouldn't make much sense to be honest as the thing is supposed to be region free, if Nintendo don't release it here at the same time everyone will just import it!
Scarily the same site references a rumour that we won't get it unitl March 2007, like the PS3. Please say it isn't so!! It wouldn't make much sense to be honest as the thing is supposed to be region free, if Nintendo don't release it here at the same time everyone will just import it!
It's finished!!
And we love it!
Aside from a few little leaks it's all done and not a moment too soon. The man ruined another meal plan on Tuesday night (don't try and cook gammon in 5 mins under the grill) but it's finally all done.
Tidied up and painted bits last night and I've just finished the second coats this evening. The chap is back in the morning to collect his cheque and tighten the pipes again...just in time for a visitation by mother!
Aside from a few little leaks it's all done and not a moment too soon. The man ruined another meal plan on Tuesday night (don't try and cook gammon in 5 mins under the grill) but it's finally all done.
Tidied up and painted bits last night and I've just finished the second coats this evening. The chap is back in the morning to collect his cheque and tighten the pipes again...just in time for a visitation by mother!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Master of magic, spells and illusion
I think it was at Emma & Paul's birthday bash that I was singing the theme to this TV show. Not sure why I was exactly but it might have been that someone mentioned it or didn't believe I could.
Anyway here it is for you to enjoy....
It also looks like they'll be releasing this on DVD soon...hmm might be tempted!
Anyway here it is for you to enjoy....
It also looks like they'll be releasing this on DVD soon...hmm might be tempted!
I can hear sawing
Despite claims that the bathroom would be finished today I can hear sawing coming from downstairs and there's still a builder in my house!
They turned up at 7.20am this morning while I was frying a 'Red' day breakfast (bacon & mushroom omelettes) and returning at 5pm tonight I can't tell if they've done anything. The mirror, shelf, bath panels, radiator, cupboard & loo holder are still in the dining in their boxes. I suppose he might have been boxing things in but I'm not about to start poking my nose in.
There were here quite late last night at well, only leaving at 6.55pm. Normally this would be fine but since we were due to go to a rehearsal at 7.10pm and the kitchen was full of tools I couldn't cook dinner. My carefully thought of 'Green' day meal (vegetable stirfry) had to be hastily replaced with a pan of quick cook pasta with some peas and a stock cube thrown in for good measure and then swirled with olive oil and parmesan. To be fair it didn't taste all that bad but I'd got my mind set on something else.
It's only day 2 and to be honest I haven't been thrown into a massive depression about it. I even managed to fit in some exercise as well! I shan't mention that I had to do this as my normal step class had to be shoved aside while I got brow-beaten over the phone by a team that wants some new reports.
They turned up at 7.20am this morning while I was frying a 'Red' day breakfast (bacon & mushroom omelettes) and returning at 5pm tonight I can't tell if they've done anything. The mirror, shelf, bath panels, radiator, cupboard & loo holder are still in the dining in their boxes. I suppose he might have been boxing things in but I'm not about to start poking my nose in.
There were here quite late last night at well, only leaving at 6.55pm. Normally this would be fine but since we were due to go to a rehearsal at 7.10pm and the kitchen was full of tools I couldn't cook dinner. My carefully thought of 'Green' day meal (vegetable stirfry) had to be hastily replaced with a pan of quick cook pasta with some peas and a stock cube thrown in for good measure and then swirled with olive oil and parmesan. To be fair it didn't taste all that bad but I'd got my mind set on something else.
It's only day 2 and to be honest I haven't been thrown into a massive depression about it. I even managed to fit in some exercise as well! I shan't mention that I had to do this as my normal step class had to be shoved aside while I got brow-beaten over the phone by a team that wants some new reports.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Woohoo!
Finished Super Princess Peach tonight! Perhaps I achieved something on my holiday after all!
Another Survey
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  7.3 |
| Mind: |  6.1 |
| Body: | 6.1 |
| Spirit: | 6.7 |
| Friends/Family: |  5.3 |
| Love: |  9.1 |
| Finance: |  8.1 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
Ack
Despite the many walks on our holiday, I've come back half a stone heavier. Hmm the copious pasta meals, chocolate and cream teas may have something to do with that!
Anyway it would appear I am approaching the dreaded 13 stone mark and I don't want to!!!
Hmm...options....
FitDay tracks your food and excercise and shows where you're going wrong. Pros: Free, seem easy to use. Cons: Not sure it actually offers you advice on what you need to do. It's American, so has US measures, food names etc.
WeightWatchers Online Pros: It's run by the pros. I lost 1 stone on this last time I did it. Cons: It seems pretty pricey, £40 for month one, then £10 for each month after. Can I bear to count points? Or live off the 'Free' menu?
Slimming World Online bodyOPTIMISE Pros: It's run by the pros. Their online tools look pretty snazzy. It's something new. Apparently I could lose 10lbs by this time next month. Cons: It's pricey as well, no initial fee but £20 a month (with a minimum 3 month subscription).
Hmm...decisions, decisions!
Anyway it would appear I am approaching the dreaded 13 stone mark and I don't want to!!!
Hmm...options....
FitDay tracks your food and excercise and shows where you're going wrong. Pros: Free, seem easy to use. Cons: Not sure it actually offers you advice on what you need to do. It's American, so has US measures, food names etc.
WeightWatchers Online Pros: It's run by the pros. I lost 1 stone on this last time I did it. Cons: It seems pretty pricey, £40 for month one, then £10 for each month after. Can I bear to count points? Or live off the 'Free' menu?
Slimming World Online bodyOPTIMISE Pros: It's run by the pros. Their online tools look pretty snazzy. It's something new. Apparently I could lose 10lbs by this time next month. Cons: It's pricey as well, no initial fee but £20 a month (with a minimum 3 month subscription).
Hmm...decisions, decisions!
We made it back!
Got back yesterday from a great trip to The Lakes!
The holiday started off OK but on the way up we visited Mum who talked mysteriously about an email and my brother and so far I'm none the wiser. Hopefully that'll clear itself up in the next few days. We then had a tortuous journey up to Cumbria as it seemed that every rroad I wanted to use was somehow hampered with problems. I hadn't realised that England were playing at Old Trafford and half the country was on teh same road as us trying to get to Manchester! That'll teach me for not keeping up with current affairs!
We got their safely in the end and settled into our new home for the next week. Now, don't get me wrong the cottage was very nice but the owners seemed a bit funny. There were little notessaying things like "Please don't leave the tidying up until Saturday morning", "If you break anything leave the appropriate remuneration on the dining table", "There are 2 plastic beakers in the kitchen cupboard that you could use for your toothbrushes. If you do use them please put them back in the kitchen cupboard before you leave" and so on.
The biggest thing that annoyed me was a little leaflet about their water problems (their tank is nearly empty) and that we should refrain from taking long showers, using the washing machine or dishwasher or even having baths, but (rather magnanimously of them) we shouldn't let it ruin our holiday too much and if we must do any of the aforementioned things we could. It just seemed so patronising and unnecessary. And quite frankly the kind of people who could afford to stay in a place like this (its wasn't exactly budget friendly) would be doing those things anyway! Also if you're going to shoehorn 4 flats into a single building (that being my other complaint, the living room was tiny) and install incredibly powerful showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers in them all then you should have been better prepared for water difficulties!
Besides, given the almost constant rain we had I think it was a bit rich! For the first few days each morning was greeted with a couple hours of rain but actually it didn't bother us too much. I don't think either of us had realised how much we needed this holiday. Until Tuesday I think we were asleep until at least 10 every morning. I know that doesn't sound late but for me & K it is. Fortunately this sleeping time coincided with the rain so we were OK.
We took it really easy the first couple of days. The position of the cottage was great as it was a leisurely mile stroll into Grasmere village which, much to our delight was full of tea shops and places selling cake.
We did a fairly easy walk around Grasmere (the lake) itself and then enjoyed a cream tea.
The nexy few days were raining so we did a mix of short walks and visits to other towns (Windemere, Keswich, Ambleside) in the area. To be honest they were all a bit towny so we didn't stay long. We did visit a place called Lucy's in Ambleside which took itself a bit seriously but did do a nice lunch!
We did also manage to go into the flagship Lakeland store at Windemere and visit a museum called the Puzzling Place in Keswick that was pretty cool. Most of the rest of the time was spent reading, watching TV or playing on the DS. Managed to finish The Eyre Affair and got stuck on both Final Fantasy 4 and Super Princess Peach, sigh!
Thursday rolled around and we kinda realised that we had not much time left so we should make the most of it! Fortunately the rain had completely stopped by this point of we had 2 great days of sunshine. We started with a visit to Greystoke Gill Pottery where we were both able to have a go on a potter's wheel and create something. I made a bowl and K made a vase. Once the potter has glazed and fired them for us, he'll pop them in the post. I'll take some pictures when they arrive!
We then did a walk up to Alcock Tarn near Grasmere. Strenuous to say the least but it was a great view! We finished the day with a meal and cinema visit at Zeffirellis. We didn't quite realise it was vegetarian until we were seated but it was highly enjoyable nonetheless. My Rain Forest pizza was delicious! This was followed by The Sentinel which was actually not too bad at all.
Friday was a no car day and we did 2 walks. the first a strenuous climb to Easedale Tarn and then a more sedate (but not much) trek around Rydal Water. Also of note is the fact that Rydal Mount is a house and not a hill! Didn't we feel stupid! We also managed to pop into Williams of Grasmere for breakfast AND lunch (although you can't really call a bowl of fries and a cream tea lunch, can you??)
We then tidied the flat and left nice and early on Saturday. The journey back was going great until we discovered that junctions 1 & 2 of the M6 were shut. Our detour via Coventry and the A45 turned into a nightmare when the A45 was closed. When we did finally get around that diversion we discovered that the M45 only joins the M1 going southbound (we wanted it northbound). Fortunately it worked out OK in the end and we diverted through Northampton and finally rejoined the A14 at Huntingdon. Phew!
Oh and despite being away for a week the bathroom isn't finished. I can't be too cross however as the new toilet, bath and shower are all in and usable. Just waiting for the sink, extractor, boxing in and cupboards to be done. I must say the floor and walls do look pretty damn good though!
The holiday started off OK but on the way up we visited Mum who talked mysteriously about an email and my brother and so far I'm none the wiser. Hopefully that'll clear itself up in the next few days. We then had a tortuous journey up to Cumbria as it seemed that every rroad I wanted to use was somehow hampered with problems. I hadn't realised that England were playing at Old Trafford and half the country was on teh same road as us trying to get to Manchester! That'll teach me for not keeping up with current affairs!
We got their safely in the end and settled into our new home for the next week. Now, don't get me wrong the cottage was very nice but the owners seemed a bit funny. There were little notessaying things like "Please don't leave the tidying up until Saturday morning", "If you break anything leave the appropriate remuneration on the dining table", "There are 2 plastic beakers in the kitchen cupboard that you could use for your toothbrushes. If you do use them please put them back in the kitchen cupboard before you leave" and so on.The biggest thing that annoyed me was a little leaflet about their water problems (their tank is nearly empty) and that we should refrain from taking long showers, using the washing machine or dishwasher or even having baths, but (rather magnanimously of them) we shouldn't let it ruin our holiday too much and if we must do any of the aforementioned things we could. It just seemed so patronising and unnecessary. And quite frankly the kind of people who could afford to stay in a place like this (its wasn't exactly budget friendly) would be doing those things anyway! Also if you're going to shoehorn 4 flats into a single building (that being my other complaint, the living room was tiny) and install incredibly powerful showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers in them all then you should have been better prepared for water difficulties!
Besides, given the almost constant rain we had I think it was a bit rich! For the first few days each morning was greeted with a couple hours of rain but actually it didn't bother us too much. I don't think either of us had realised how much we needed this holiday. Until Tuesday I think we were asleep until at least 10 every morning. I know that doesn't sound late but for me & K it is. Fortunately this sleeping time coincided with the rain so we were OK.
We took it really easy the first couple of days. The position of the cottage was great as it was a leisurely mile stroll into Grasmere village which, much to our delight was full of tea shops and places selling cake.We did a fairly easy walk around Grasmere (the lake) itself and then enjoyed a cream tea.
The nexy few days were raining so we did a mix of short walks and visits to other towns (Windemere, Keswich, Ambleside) in the area. To be honest they were all a bit towny so we didn't stay long. We did visit a place called Lucy's in Ambleside which took itself a bit seriously but did do a nice lunch!
We did also manage to go into the flagship Lakeland store at Windemere and visit a museum called the Puzzling Place in Keswick that was pretty cool. Most of the rest of the time was spent reading, watching TV or playing on the DS. Managed to finish The Eyre Affair and got stuck on both Final Fantasy 4 and Super Princess Peach, sigh!
Thursday rolled around and we kinda realised that we had not much time left so we should make the most of it! Fortunately the rain had completely stopped by this point of we had 2 great days of sunshine. We started with a visit to Greystoke Gill Pottery where we were both able to have a go on a potter's wheel and create something. I made a bowl and K made a vase. Once the potter has glazed and fired them for us, he'll pop them in the post. I'll take some pictures when they arrive!
We then did a walk up to Alcock Tarn near Grasmere. Strenuous to say the least but it was a great view! We finished the day with a meal and cinema visit at Zeffirellis. We didn't quite realise it was vegetarian until we were seated but it was highly enjoyable nonetheless. My Rain Forest pizza was delicious! This was followed by The Sentinel which was actually not too bad at all.
Friday was a no car day and we did 2 walks. the first a strenuous climb to Easedale Tarn and then a more sedate (but not much) trek around Rydal Water. Also of note is the fact that Rydal Mount is a house and not a hill! Didn't we feel stupid! We also managed to pop into Williams of Grasmere for breakfast AND lunch (although you can't really call a bowl of fries and a cream tea lunch, can you??)
We then tidied the flat and left nice and early on Saturday. The journey back was going great until we discovered that junctions 1 & 2 of the M6 were shut. Our detour via Coventry and the A45 turned into a nightmare when the A45 was closed. When we did finally get around that diversion we discovered that the M45 only joins the M1 going southbound (we wanted it northbound). Fortunately it worked out OK in the end and we diverted through Northampton and finally rejoined the A14 at Huntingdon. Phew!
Oh and despite being away for a week the bathroom isn't finished. I can't be too cross however as the new toilet, bath and shower are all in and usable. Just waiting for the sink, extractor, boxing in and cupboards to be done. I must say the floor and walls do look pretty damn good though!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Friday, September 01, 2006
They've started
The bathroom men I mean. And with pretty good timing as we're about to head off for our hols...that means no updates for all of my 3 readers. I'm sure you'll cope!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Number One
Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" was apparently at the top of the chart's when I was born according to here.
And I share my birthday with David Essex, "Its sweet and clean down 'ere. Ahfter the rain".
And I share my birthday with David Essex, "Its sweet and clean down 'ere. Ahfter the rain".
A (not so) Nice Dilemma!
I've got a bit of a financial dilemma...
If someone offered you, say, £1 with no strings attached you'd take it straight away, right?
What if they then offered you the chance that it might be £2 in 2 years time but it could also be £0. What would you do then?
Would you risk it as you didn't have anything in the first place or would you play it safe and take the offer?
What if you had low short term expectations of getting the £2 but a wild dream that it could turn into something like £5 if you were prepared to wait 5 years?
And what would you do if the £1 was actually £10 to begin with? £50, £100, £1000, £2000? What would be the cut off before you took the money without risking it?
Help!
If someone offered you, say, £1 with no strings attached you'd take it straight away, right?
What if they then offered you the chance that it might be £2 in 2 years time but it could also be £0. What would you do then?
Would you risk it as you didn't have anything in the first place or would you play it safe and take the offer?
What if you had low short term expectations of getting the £2 but a wild dream that it could turn into something like £5 if you were prepared to wait 5 years?
And what would you do if the £1 was actually £10 to begin with? £50, £100, £1000, £2000? What would be the cut off before you took the money without risking it?
Help!
Book worm
Managed to get through a few books of late and realised I'd not been keeping my blog upto date. So far, my piles are only getting bigger because K is adding to them. I don't think I've bought a new book since my resolution (can only buy one if I've read one).
Anyway, managed to read through The Pure in Heart over the weekend. Having 6 empty hours on Eurostar certainly helped. It was good but not as good as her first in this series, The Various Haunts of Men. Looking forward to the next which is out in hardback so should be coming to paperback soon.
Also managed to read The Oxford Murders which was pretty good. Quite short which was nice for a change as most of the extraneous filler had been removed.
Just started The Eyre Affair which promises to be good after The Big Over Easy.
And there's still no sign of the bathroom men.
Anyway, managed to read through The Pure in Heart over the weekend. Having 6 empty hours on Eurostar certainly helped. It was good but not as good as her first in this series, The Various Haunts of Men. Looking forward to the next which is out in hardback so should be coming to paperback soon.
Also managed to read The Oxford Murders which was pretty good. Quite short which was nice for a change as most of the extraneous filler had been removed.
Just started The Eyre Affair which promises to be good after The Big Over Easy.
And there's still no sign of the bathroom men.
Monday, August 28, 2006
I found this highly amusing
Just the thought of someone going round with something pointy in the museum....maybe its just me?
La Grand Aventure
Viva La France!
Just spent a great long weekend living it up in Paris to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. I can't believe we've been married so long or that the past few days have flown by so quickly.
By the time work finishd on Thursday I was just tired and not in the right frame of mind for our break. Slowly, through the evening, I got more excited and by the time we went to bed was properly relaxed and looking forward to it.
Clothes and packing, as ever, caused us some degree of stress and we just weren't sure what to take. The miserable weather here and the not too promising 5 day forecast for Paris meant I packed jeans instead of shorts. Halfway walking to the train station with jacket around waist and long sleeves rolled up we realised we might have made a mistake. Fortunately while the weather was nice most of the time, trousers were the right choice as when the clouds came out it was fairly brisk.
K covered what we did on her blog so you can get the specifics there. Paris for me shall be known as the city of tall things to climb. Not that we climbed too many of them in the end. Our massive walk across town from Notre Dame to Arc de Triomphe (due to the metro line being out) was great as we got to see stuff we would have missed but also very tiring. Factor in a climb up the Eiffel Tower and a walk back and we were pooped.
We did mange to go into Fauchon though. It all looked yum and I got a natty new apron as a souvenir.
I must admit though, Paris, along with Brussels has given me something of an enthusiasm to visit some other places. Madrid, Rome, Venice, Florence, Iceland, Athens. There's even talk of Christmas shopping in New York. In the meantime though I just have to remember that there's only 4 more days at work and then we're off to the Lake District for a week!
Oh and FFIV has so far engrossed me for more than 10 minutes and even went so far as giving me a migraine this afternoon because I couldn't put it down. Well they do say the old ones are the best ones....
And we're still waiting for the the bathroom men to visit...
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Free at last....
...well for a few days at least. Off to sample the delights of Paris tomorrow and not coming back until Sunday...and we've got a bank holiday!
K is frantically packing as I type but I haven't even started. I guess I'll be a bit more relaxed about it that Brussels and just throw some stuff in a bag! Back to work on Tuesday but only for 4 days before off again for a week in the Lakes. Can't wait for it, work is so draining at the moment.
In other news K got a pay rise and finally earns more than I do! According to a long standing agreement this means I should get her pregnant and she'd be forced to return to work while I stay at home with the kids. Can't see it happening really...
K is frantically packing as I type but I haven't even started. I guess I'll be a bit more relaxed about it that Brussels and just throw some stuff in a bag! Back to work on Tuesday but only for 4 days before off again for a week in the Lakes. Can't wait for it, work is so draining at the moment.
In other news K got a pay rise and finally earns more than I do! According to a long standing agreement this means I should get her pregnant and she'd be forced to return to work while I stay at home with the kids. Can't see it happening really...
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Damp Squib
Nintendo's 'big' announcements weren't really earth shattering after all. A Wii version of Super Mario Strikers & Battalion Wars and the pink DS for Europe in October. Where was the price, launch date info, where was somethign bigger and juicier? Oh well, I was reading a comment on the CVG website and someone had said that even if they announced the date, it wouldn't bring it any closer and they've got a point. I just need to keep 'em peeled and get my pre-order in as soon as I can.
One highlight though is that there's a new Red Steel video over on IGN that looks pretty good. We'll perhaps get more stuff as the days go on.
Still no sign of the bathroom men.....
One highlight though is that there's a new Red Steel video over on IGN that looks pretty good. We'll perhaps get more stuff as the days go on.
Still no sign of the bathroom men.....
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
And yet more changes!
Ooooh...just found this template (you're looking at it now) that stretches to fit the screen size you're viewing it on...nifty!
Back to the grindstone!
Was quite a hectic day today, especially with the massive deadline hanging over me. As I said before I've agreed to deliver somethign that usually takes 12 days in a mere 3. This wouldn't be so bad if everyone else did their bit. One time recording system hadn't been shut prior to my automated report running so I had to wait around anxiously until they shut it so I can run my report (90 minutes wasted). The other problem is that data we thought would be ready for us at 9am today isn't actually available until 9am on deadline day...oops! Should be OK though, we made some good progress with what we've got. I just hope the numbers show them what they want!
Onto other things, I had thought the bathroom people were coming to de-tile us today. As far as I can tell no-one has been...this is quite good as K has a 'nowhere to shower' problem (I'm fine, showers at the office) and if the builders don't come until Thursday or Friday we'll be in Paris anyway. Speaking of which I'm very much looking forward to that!
Also you may have notice the template update on my blog. Blogger has finally made it easy to bugger about with the layout as they've launched beta blogger which requires less knowledge of HTML and is MUCH easier to use.
The only problem is that Flickr doesn't seem compatible so I'm having to include pictures via the blog entry instead of clicking the 'blog this' button in Flickr. To be honest its OK though as beta blogger has made it sooo much easier to insert pictures from anywhere (I think if you give it a picture on your PC it uploads it somewhere for you so you don't even need hosting!)
Ok thats it for now...off to play Final Fantasy 4 on the GBA for 10 minutes until I get bored and put it in my 'to finish' pile along with everything else!
Finally there is the GC 2006 running this week in Germany and tomorrow is Nintendo's press conference. I'm hoping there'll be lots of juicy Wii gossip with a price and release date so I can get my preorder in...I shouldn't be this excited!
Onto other things, I had thought the bathroom people were coming to de-tile us today. As far as I can tell no-one has been...this is quite good as K has a 'nowhere to shower' problem (I'm fine, showers at the office) and if the builders don't come until Thursday or Friday we'll be in Paris anyway. Speaking of which I'm very much looking forward to that!
Also you may have notice the template update on my blog. Blogger has finally made it easy to bugger about with the layout as they've launched beta blogger which requires less knowledge of HTML and is MUCH easier to use.
The only problem is that Flickr doesn't seem compatible so I'm having to include pictures via the blog entry instead of clicking the 'blog this' button in Flickr. To be honest its OK though as beta blogger has made it sooo much easier to insert pictures from anywhere (I think if you give it a picture on your PC it uploads it somewhere for you so you don't even need hosting!)
Ok thats it for now...off to play Final Fantasy 4 on the GBA for 10 minutes until I get bored and put it in my 'to finish' pile along with everything else!
Finally there is the GC 2006 running this week in Germany and tomorrow is Nintendo's press conference. I'm hoping there'll be lots of juicy Wii gossip with a price and release date so I can get my preorder in...I shouldn't be this excited!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Pretty accurate actually
 | |||
Your travel type: Culture Buff  The culture buff needs to see a museum, an art gallery, a 16-th century church every day during his holiday. When he travels he is always well prepared. He has read history books, speaks a few words of the lingo, knows about the strange habits the locals have. |  | ||
top destinations:AmsterdamNew York Venice | stay away from:North KoreaCiudad Perdida Darien Gap | ||
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Games
Not sure what it is about Games that makes me love them so much.
I was going to try and differentiate between different games and what I meant by my first sentence in the context of me, but as I tried to think of the types of games I didn't like I realised I couldn't think of any!
Take the Olympic Games. I'm not really one for sport to be honest and wouldn't watch the athletics usually but when its part of the Olympics something happens to me. I watch it and enjoy it. The same with the Commonwealth Games. There's just something about the bringing together of people from around the world in friendly competition. This may be countries who are at war, physically or with words, but when they are on that field or in the pool or whatever, they are just people united by a dream. I know that sounds weird but it's something about the word 'Games' tacked on the end that make them so special to me. Pretty pleased with London hosting the Olympics in 2012 and I am hoping that we'll be able to go to some event in 6 years time (assuming they'll built everything of course!)
The other one that sprang straight to mind (pardon the repitition) is Mind Games. Just you ask K, my 30 year old wife how much I like those.
As I type this I'm waiting for an opponent in an online game called PoxNora. It's kind of like Magic The Gathering but with a map and pieces that you move around. Its free to try but then you buy online expansions and play other people. Great fun but a bit temperamental at the moment, I'm sure they'll iron out all the bugs. The only free game is with someone of rank 5, so I'm avoiding it as my rank of 9000 suggests he'll spank me good! Hmm just played a rank 300 and was forced to surrender...not very good at this game!
We went to Coleens garage sale this morning and although we didn't buy anything I was offered a soup tureen (spelling?), a marble rolling pin and some other tat. In the end we just liberated a cribbage board, Pass the Pigs and a game called Verbosity. My collection keeps on growing!
I was going to try and differentiate between different games and what I meant by my first sentence in the context of me, but as I tried to think of the types of games I didn't like I realised I couldn't think of any!
Take the Olympic Games. I'm not really one for sport to be honest and wouldn't watch the athletics usually but when its part of the Olympics something happens to me. I watch it and enjoy it. The same with the Commonwealth Games. There's just something about the bringing together of people from around the world in friendly competition. This may be countries who are at war, physically or with words, but when they are on that field or in the pool or whatever, they are just people united by a dream. I know that sounds weird but it's something about the word 'Games' tacked on the end that make them so special to me. Pretty pleased with London hosting the Olympics in 2012 and I am hoping that we'll be able to go to some event in 6 years time (assuming they'll built everything of course!)
The other one that sprang straight to mind (pardon the repitition) is Mind Games. Just you ask K, my 30 year old wife how much I like those.
As I type this I'm waiting for an opponent in an online game called PoxNora. It's kind of like Magic The Gathering but with a map and pieces that you move around. Its free to try but then you buy online expansions and play other people. Great fun but a bit temperamental at the moment, I'm sure they'll iron out all the bugs. The only free game is with someone of rank 5, so I'm avoiding it as my rank of 9000 suggests he'll spank me good! Hmm just played a rank 300 and was forced to surrender...not very good at this game!
We went to Coleens garage sale this morning and although we didn't buy anything I was offered a soup tureen (spelling?), a marble rolling pin and some other tat. In the end we just liberated a cribbage board, Pass the Pigs and a game called Verbosity. My collection keeps on growing!
And still it continues
Ok...so Terry should be back on Monday but I can see no end in sight for the work I'm doing. The stuff I was hoping to hand back has now been given to me permanently and we're going to have to deal with the fall out of my usual work load not getting done on monday morning.
Was in the office until 6.45pm (highly unusual for me) and was punctuated with texts from K mking sure I was still alive.
Not sure how it happened but I've agreed to deliver something in 3 days that usually takes us 12. In effect I'm going to be incommunicado (no email and phone switched off) for the whole week. Hmm first I'm going to have interesting conversations with my customers on Monday telling them all that the can expect all of their reports either very late or not at all....joy!
Was in the office until 6.45pm (highly unusual for me) and was punctuated with texts from K mking sure I was still alive.
Not sure how it happened but I've agreed to deliver something in 3 days that usually takes us 12. In effect I'm going to be incommunicado (no email and phone switched off) for the whole week. Hmm first I'm going to have interesting conversations with my customers on Monday telling them all that the can expect all of their reports either very late or not at all....joy!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Sad
I've posted about it a few times before but I will say it again, Six Feet Under is great!
Having finally watched the last few episodes of the series over the last 2 days it has firmly cemented itself in my list of all time greats. But boy, was it emotional! K was blubbing almost the entire time and I had a tough job not to join her!
Also suprised that I managed to get through week 1 of Terry's absence, only one more week to go!
Having finally watched the last few episodes of the series over the last 2 days it has firmly cemented itself in my list of all time greats. But boy, was it emotional! K was blubbing almost the entire time and I had a tough job not to join her!
Also suprised that I managed to get through week 1 of Terry's absence, only one more week to go!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Ack!
So very tired....
Terry is away and I'm trying to do his job and my job. Barely had time to eat today but I think its slowly getting better. Either way its thursday tomorrow so the week is nearly over.
Must learn my music for our rehearsal tomorrow. As I said before I really have been singing these songs all wrong for years.
Better go, still got the dinner to make!
Terry is away and I'm trying to do his job and my job. Barely had time to eat today but I think its slowly getting better. Either way its thursday tomorrow so the week is nearly over.
Must learn my music for our rehearsal tomorrow. As I said before I really have been singing these songs all wrong for years.
Better go, still got the dinner to make!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
K has berated me for blogging about boring things when I have a wealth of slightly more humourous things I could blog about.
I had my first principals rehearsal for Trial by Jury on Thursday and it was ok. I discovered that the tunes I thought I knew I'd been singing wrong for years and I'm simply rubbish at harmonising without flipping to someone else's part. I've set aside some time today to practice. Half my bits have circles round them to draw my attention to the fact they need work.
Fortunately everyone else seems to be having similar problems. What tends to happen is that everyone listens to a commercially available recording to learn their songs but frequently either the timing/rhythm is way off, they are singing something completely different or our conductor has decided to change it anyway. I'm sure it'll all work out. I just have to remember to sing Dye-lemna instead of Dee-lemna and not listen too carefully when the Counsel is singing "Far Cologne". The way she does it maes it sound like "Fark alone" and it just puts a picture, in my mind, of a posh person masturbating. (Un)Fortunately I wasn't the only one to think this at the rehearsal and we should all be grateful that the person singing the Plaintiff only has to sob uncontrollably at this point and not sing.
As I blogged yesterday I said we were going to Somersham and we did. Had a great time and managed to buy a pile of tat (most of which was stuff K had left in Yarmo anyway) from Coleen's bric-a-brac stall and won big-stylee on the tombola. And by big-stylee I mean lots rather than anything impressive (a tea pot shaped like a cottage, a flannel and soap, a bottle of cola etc). Coleen swiped most of it back to redo on a future tombola! What with the stalls and the tea/coffee (all in Christine's back garden) and donations I think they made about £275 for charity so not a bad day's work!
We also managed to finish Xmen 2 - Age of Apocolype last night. Now need to fin another game that K & I can play together.
I had my first principals rehearsal for Trial by Jury on Thursday and it was ok. I discovered that the tunes I thought I knew I'd been singing wrong for years and I'm simply rubbish at harmonising without flipping to someone else's part. I've set aside some time today to practice. Half my bits have circles round them to draw my attention to the fact they need work.
Fortunately everyone else seems to be having similar problems. What tends to happen is that everyone listens to a commercially available recording to learn their songs but frequently either the timing/rhythm is way off, they are singing something completely different or our conductor has decided to change it anyway. I'm sure it'll all work out. I just have to remember to sing Dye-lemna instead of Dee-lemna and not listen too carefully when the Counsel is singing "Far Cologne". The way she does it maes it sound like "Fark alone" and it just puts a picture, in my mind, of a posh person masturbating. (Un)Fortunately I wasn't the only one to think this at the rehearsal and we should all be grateful that the person singing the Plaintiff only has to sob uncontrollably at this point and not sing.
As I blogged yesterday I said we were going to Somersham and we did. Had a great time and managed to buy a pile of tat (most of which was stuff K had left in Yarmo anyway) from Coleen's bric-a-brac stall and won big-stylee on the tombola. And by big-stylee I mean lots rather than anything impressive (a tea pot shaped like a cottage, a flannel and soap, a bottle of cola etc). Coleen swiped most of it back to redo on a future tombola! What with the stalls and the tea/coffee (all in Christine's back garden) and donations I think they made about £275 for charity so not a bad day's work!
We also managed to finish Xmen 2 - Age of Apocolype last night. Now need to fin another game that K & I can play together.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Proper post
Had a manic day on Friday and finally managed to get something approaching a handover at 17:30 last night! Trying not to think about the freakishly large and scary spreadhseet that I will have to sort out and manage for the next few weeks.
Quite a few people are on leave so it should be fairly quiet but I'm not trying to think about it as I'll get all panicky.
We're off to Somersham later to see Kath's family for some kind of gathering, which should be quite nice and apparently we'll be meeting the cousin's boyfriend for the first time, poor chap! Although I can't really have sympathy as I took Kath to a family christening within a fortnight of us getting together!
Quite a few people are on leave so it should be fairly quiet but I'm not trying to think about it as I'll get all panicky.
We're off to Somersham later to see Kath's family for some kind of gathering, which should be quite nice and apparently we'll be meeting the cousin's boyfriend for the first time, poor chap! Although I can't really have sympathy as I took Kath to a family christening within a fortnight of us getting together!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Since I last blogged....
...I've discovered my jam hasn't set properly so I've got 3 jars of mixed fruit sauce instead of jam.
...that 2 good days at work are always followed by a shitty one.
...we've had our last dancing lesson for a month or so. It'll be nice to have free tuesdays for a bit.
...I can't stop buying random video games I know I haven't got time to play but can't resist the rock bottom prices I'm spotting them at (Bust a Move DS, The Bard's Tale, Lego Star Wars).
...I reiterated the fact that I'll agree to almost anything if I'm door-stepped. We have a woman coming on Friday to see if K wants to start karate lessons at a local hall. Don't ask!
...I discovered that K is much better at Bohnanza than me. 2 games played, 2 wins to her! Boo!
...I found out that as if work weren't bad enough, I'll be covering my boss's leave for the next 2 weeks. I'm already starting to play conversations with our VP in my head ("Yes I can do that new, very urgent report for you today but it means the other very slightly less urgent business as usual report you want me to do won't be done. Why is that you say? Because while I'm covering for him, no-one is covering for me!!")
Roll on the 25th...Paris are you ready for us??
...that 2 good days at work are always followed by a shitty one.
...we've had our last dancing lesson for a month or so. It'll be nice to have free tuesdays for a bit.
...I can't stop buying random video games I know I haven't got time to play but can't resist the rock bottom prices I'm spotting them at (Bust a Move DS, The Bard's Tale, Lego Star Wars).
...I reiterated the fact that I'll agree to almost anything if I'm door-stepped. We have a woman coming on Friday to see if K wants to start karate lessons at a local hall. Don't ask!
...I discovered that K is much better at Bohnanza than me. 2 games played, 2 wins to her! Boo!
...I found out that as if work weren't bad enough, I'll be covering my boss's leave for the next 2 weeks. I'm already starting to play conversations with our VP in my head ("Yes I can do that new, very urgent report for you today but it means the other very slightly less urgent business as usual report you want me to do won't be done. Why is that you say? Because while I'm covering for him, no-one is covering for me!!")
Roll on the 25th...Paris are you ready for us??
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Productive
Some weekends you get abslutely nothing done and then go to work on Monday feeling like it was a waste...but not this weekend!
Up early on Saturday and the house was cleaned and a lot of tidying up was done. Then managed to do the shopping, bought some fruit at the pick your own, bought various anniversary cards in town and then made some lemon curd (hint: never freeze then defrost lemons to use as normal, they were strangely rubbery). I also made a Raspberry Ripple Terrine and some marinated chops for the BBQ. The weather looked vaguely threatening so we had them on the grill instead!
Today we sorted and boxed some books, bought the lino for the bathroom and I made some jam from yesterday's pickings.
I've also managed to squeeze in a fair amount of video game playing and most of Season 2 of Scrubs, which is now finished! Also watched Howl's Moving Castle which was great.
Up early on Saturday and the house was cleaned and a lot of tidying up was done. Then managed to do the shopping, bought some fruit at the pick your own, bought various anniversary cards in town and then made some lemon curd (hint: never freeze then defrost lemons to use as normal, they were strangely rubbery). I also made a Raspberry Ripple Terrine and some marinated chops for the BBQ. The weather looked vaguely threatening so we had them on the grill instead!
Today we sorted and boxed some books, bought the lino for the bathroom and I made some jam from yesterday's pickings.
I've also managed to squeeze in a fair amount of video game playing and most of Season 2 of Scrubs, which is now finished! Also watched Howl's Moving Castle which was great.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Hot!
I've really been trying not to complain about the hot weather, we moan when its cold and wet so we should be glad that its warm.
But I just can't help myself. It's 10.30pm and the temperature in my study (and the rest of the house) is 32 friggin' degrees!
But I just can't help myself. It's 10.30pm and the temperature in my study (and the rest of the house) is 32 friggin' degrees!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Top Marks!
To all those who got me fantastic presents I got for my birthday!
Special mention should go to K who, in addition to getting me some great gifts, organised the Belgium trip.
I also especially liked my 2 game related presents, Chronology and Bohnanza! Thank you guys, you know who you are!
Special mention should go to K who, in addition to getting me some great gifts, organised the Belgium trip.
I also especially liked my 2 game related presents, Chronology and Bohnanza! Thank you guys, you know who you are!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Happy Belgium Day!
We had the great fortune (entirely by chance) to arrive at Belgium on Belgium Day, one of belgium's national holidays.
What this meant for us was that as we arrived at the train station and went in the wrong direction we ended up seeing part of a parade and our eventual trip to the hotel was punctuated with numerous fly bys of the Belgian air force, great stuff!
Also it meant that we were able to see what was quite possibly the best fireworks display I have ever seen! Constant barrage of spectacular fireworks for the full 20 minutes of Bolero (god that piece of music gets old very quick!). This was after we'd had a traditional Belgian meal of Mussel casserole for me and Flemish stew for Kath (both served with French Fries of course!)
What was slightly strange however was that there were trucks giving away plastic bags of water. Clearly Belgium takes its public health very seriously but you can't fault em for it...I didn't see anyone passed out because of the heat!
What this meant for us was that as we arrived at the train station and went in the wrong direction we ended up seeing part of a parade and our eventual trip to the hotel was punctuated with numerous fly bys of the Belgian air force, great stuff!
Also it meant that we were able to see what was quite possibly the best fireworks display I have ever seen! Constant barrage of spectacular fireworks for the full 20 minutes of Bolero (god that piece of music gets old very quick!). This was after we'd had a traditional Belgian meal of Mussel casserole for me and Flemish stew for Kath (both served with French Fries of course!)
What was slightly strange however was that there were trucks giving away plastic bags of water. Clearly Belgium takes its public health very seriously but you can't fault em for it...I didn't see anyone passed out because of the heat!
Stormy Weather
A picture of the Hotel de Ville in the Grande Place in Brussels. I was trying to be arty and use the B&W setting on the camera. This was actually taken at about 8.30pm I think. The sky suddenly went dark and wind started howling through the square.
We went around the corner for waffles and by the time we'd finished the streets were deserted and there was a torrential dowpour! It was strange as it seemed very apocolyptic. One minute we were eating waffles and the next people were running through the streets screaming. We dashed back to the hotel and got thoroughly drenched in the process (although several kind shop keepers offered us their doorways).
This storm (with full thunder and ligntning effects) carried on for about 2 hours.
We went around the corner for waffles and by the time we'd finished the streets were deserted and there was a torrential dowpour! It was strange as it seemed very apocolyptic. One minute we were eating waffles and the next people were running through the streets screaming. We dashed back to the hotel and got thoroughly drenched in the process (although several kind shop keepers offered us their doorways).
This storm (with full thunder and ligntning effects) carried on for about 2 hours.
Back from Brussels
And it was fantastic!
This is just a quick post to say that my new camera i ace and the battery lasts a very long time, very pleased. The only downside is my 1 gig SD card is rather full...I may have been over zealous with my picture taking. Will post again later, need to unpack and put my feet up for a bit.
This is just a quick post to say that my new camera i ace and the battery lasts a very long time, very pleased. The only downside is my 1 gig SD card is rather full...I may have been over zealous with my picture taking. Will post again later, need to unpack and put my feet up for a bit.
Monday, July 17, 2006
My evil plans....
....for domination can begin now that K has left me alone in the house! Mwa ha ha ha!
Ermmm...not really. A lovely big headache has prevented me from venturing out this evening and K has gone to rehearsal on her own. Not sure what brought it on to be honest. Had quite a stress free day actually. Went to aerobics for the first time in months (good but sweaty!) and had to dash to the doctor's for an appointment I'd forgottten about. Went to the shops and did the shopping then, wham, headache central after I'd put everything away.
Sat with a ridiculous cool mask thing on my forehead and when K arrived home she said I looked awful! Oh well. I'll perhaps do a bit of reading and try to remember to record Part 2 of Silent Witness for K. Fingers crossed!
Ermmm...not really. A lovely big headache has prevented me from venturing out this evening and K has gone to rehearsal on her own. Not sure what brought it on to be honest. Had quite a stress free day actually. Went to aerobics for the first time in months (good but sweaty!) and had to dash to the doctor's for an appointment I'd forgottten about. Went to the shops and did the shopping then, wham, headache central after I'd put everything away.
Sat with a ridiculous cool mask thing on my forehead and when K arrived home she said I looked awful! Oh well. I'll perhaps do a bit of reading and try to remember to record Part 2 of Silent Witness for K. Fingers crossed!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
BBQ
Had a great time at Emma & Paul's birthday bbq in Derby this weekend, 2 whole lambs roasting on a spit, cous-cous, ice cream, fizzy wine, a WWII parachute being used as a gazebo and a collection of interesting music (we were all asked to rpovide some MP3s, mine seemed to have got lost in the mail!).
I also managed to pick up some of my birthday presents and get lost in mum & dad's huge new sofa. The only downside really is that we had to travel 3 hours each way to get there. My thoughts, of late, have been increasingly turning to when and if we need to move house and I can't help but think however nice Suffolk is our friends just aren't here.
The new camera is great as well...managed to get a good video of Kath, Emma, Alex & Paul dancing when they thought I was just messing about with settings...I'll try and find a way to post it soon!
I also managed to pick up some of my birthday presents and get lost in mum & dad's huge new sofa. The only downside really is that we had to travel 3 hours each way to get there. My thoughts, of late, have been increasingly turning to when and if we need to move house and I can't help but think however nice Suffolk is our friends just aren't here.
The new camera is great as well...managed to get a good video of Kath, Emma, Alex & Paul dancing when they thought I was just messing about with settings...I'll try and find a way to post it soon!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Bleh!
Had a terrible day at work today....the week started with so much possibility. No deadlines to meet and plenty of time to focus on the good stuff and the improvment actions to make my job easier.
It descended into pointless last minute requests and doing work that should be done by someone else but they're too stupid or lazy to do it. Shouted at my boss a couple of times and had to leave the office to go for a walk around site to calm down!
At least its the weekend now though....going to a BBQ to Derby tomorrow and doing some more birthday shopping in the morning.
It descended into pointless last minute requests and doing work that should be done by someone else but they're too stupid or lazy to do it. Shouted at my boss a couple of times and had to leave the office to go for a walk around site to calm down!
At least its the weekend now though....going to a BBQ to Derby tomorrow and doing some more birthday shopping in the morning.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Revelations
It’s been a weekend of revelations in one form or another so I thought I’d share some of them. They range from the mundane to even more mundane but it’s a chance to glance inside my head!
1. Colleen’s Loft – After a stressful beginning we managed to clear it out. Very dusty but we did find award winning poetry by K (she was such a school girl swot) and minutes of NUT district meetings running back as far as 1920.
2. The Carphone Warehouse’s Broadband Package isn’t as easy to install as it seems. Ambushed into installing it for K’s dad…it didn’t work but I’m not sure if the problem was the package or the frankly bizarre amount of phone lines and sockets in his house.
3. K’s taking me to Brussels, I’m taking her to Paris. Hooray! And the luggage we’ve bought is great!
4. I really like Six Feet Under. Started to watch Series 3 that K bought me for Christmas (there was literally nothing on and we’d exhausted our July supply of DVDs, except for Ripley’s Game which we started to watch and couldn’t get into) and managed to find Series 4 for £25 in Virgin so bought that too. Must remember to remove it from my Amazon wishlist, so close to my birthday!
5. There’s an online ‘Theme Park’ for Origami. Lots of exciting looking models with a fairy tale appearance.
6. What happens to Rose Tyler. I was convinced the Daleks needed her DNA to make a Queen Dalek and she willingly trapped herself in the void ship for eternity to stop the Daleks ruling the universe. That didn’t happen in the end but it was a bloody good (and emotional episode). Thank goodness for the levity at the end. Can’t wait for the Christmas episode now.
7. My new digital camera is super. A significant upgrade on the old model (Nikon Coolpix 2100) and super slim ready for our hols. Just need to buy a bigger SD card and a spare battery.
8. We’ve run out of Leigh’s Super Lemon Curd (well its not mine but from a great book about preserving). I must remember to buy some lemons.
9. The world is full of freaks.
1. Colleen’s Loft – After a stressful beginning we managed to clear it out. Very dusty but we did find award winning poetry by K (she was such a school girl swot) and minutes of NUT district meetings running back as far as 1920.
2. The Carphone Warehouse’s Broadband Package isn’t as easy to install as it seems. Ambushed into installing it for K’s dad…it didn’t work but I’m not sure if the problem was the package or the frankly bizarre amount of phone lines and sockets in his house.
3. K’s taking me to Brussels, I’m taking her to Paris. Hooray! And the luggage we’ve bought is great!
4. I really like Six Feet Under. Started to watch Series 3 that K bought me for Christmas (there was literally nothing on and we’d exhausted our July supply of DVDs, except for Ripley’s Game which we started to watch and couldn’t get into) and managed to find Series 4 for £25 in Virgin so bought that too. Must remember to remove it from my Amazon wishlist, so close to my birthday!
5. There’s an online ‘Theme Park’ for Origami. Lots of exciting looking models with a fairy tale appearance.
6. What happens to Rose Tyler. I was convinced the Daleks needed her DNA to make a Queen Dalek and she willingly trapped herself in the void ship for eternity to stop the Daleks ruling the universe. That didn’t happen in the end but it was a bloody good (and emotional episode). Thank goodness for the levity at the end. Can’t wait for the Christmas episode now.
7. My new digital camera is super. A significant upgrade on the old model (Nikon Coolpix 2100) and super slim ready for our hols. Just need to buy a bigger SD card and a spare battery.
8. We’ve run out of Leigh’s Super Lemon Curd (well its not mine but from a great book about preserving). I must remember to buy some lemons.
9. The world is full of freaks.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Dusty
We're off to Colleen's today to clear out the loft...which should be fun...and dusty. By all accounts the loft has not been entered for 16 years (I think it was something K's dad did but didn't teach K before he left, unlike the central heating timer switch).
It should be quite interesting but probably more so for K & B as each long forgotten toy gets squeals of delight (Playskool Pick-a-pair) and a lot of junk emerges....I might take a book.
Did very well on the Stalk market this week and have managed to pay off another mortgage! Hooray!
It should be quite interesting but probably more so for K & B as each long forgotten toy gets squeals of delight (Playskool Pick-a-pair) and a lot of junk emerges....I might take a book.
Did very well on the Stalk market this week and have managed to pay off another mortgage! Hooray!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
It's been a while...
...so this post might be quite long as I desparately try to cram everything in before having to go and make dinner for K.
Been a bit down to be honest and don't really know what's causing it. Work is OK, money is fine and K is great as usual but I just feel a bit limbo-ish. Hopefully I'll snap out of this fugg and be back to my tip top self soon enough, anyway onto an update!
Decided against buying a wormery and an iPod in the end but did manage to completely sort out the garden and buy the bathroom ready for the man coming soon. Although that was a bit of a nightmare as one B&Q didn't have all of the suite and the other had just the missing bit. Fortunately we got it all for much cheaper than we thought which is just as well as the shower broke last week and we need to get that fixed at the same time.
My birthday is in a few weeks and so the presents have been rolling in already. Mum has been and bought me some shoes (I bought a pair as well) and my stash is slightly embarrasing. Imelda Marcos eat your heart out! I did give 3 pairs away to charity though so hopefully it evens out a bit. Got my presents from Gerry & Becks but won't open them until the day. Well the evening of the day as we'll be away in some exotic foreign location (K's present to me). I don't know where we're going but I'm sure she'll tell me in plenty of time!
I also spent a few days trying to decide whether to book a long weekend for us August bank holiday. This time a surprise for K, can't wait! However this did cause some problems as on Sunday I discovered my passport had expired. 2 years ago!!! OH. MY. GOD. I always thought peopel who didn't keep on top of things like this are complete thickos and now its happened to me!
Anyway, had this afternoon off and pootled down to Peterborough to get it sorted. The RAC lied and it took me 1 and a half hours insteadof 2 and a half so I sat in my car in the multi-storey car park playing Animal Crossing for 45 minutes. The office is very strict about arriving too early and won't let you in until 10 minutes before your appointment. As far as I can tell there are 2 sorts of people in there...the genuine ones who discover that they need a passpot at short notice and are prepared to pay a premium and the losers who can't read fucking forms! Queued for an extra 10 minutes at reception as someone thought they could get a new passport without new pictures and someone else thought they'd be able to take their new passport away that day despite the MASSIVE signs saying that this is only possible if you have your appointment before 12 (this was at 2pm). Went through without a hitch and my new passport is guaranteed to arrive by next thursday which leave another clear week until we go away. Phew!
Been a bit down to be honest and don't really know what's causing it. Work is OK, money is fine and K is great as usual but I just feel a bit limbo-ish. Hopefully I'll snap out of this fugg and be back to my tip top self soon enough, anyway onto an update!
Decided against buying a wormery and an iPod in the end but did manage to completely sort out the garden and buy the bathroom ready for the man coming soon. Although that was a bit of a nightmare as one B&Q didn't have all of the suite and the other had just the missing bit. Fortunately we got it all for much cheaper than we thought which is just as well as the shower broke last week and we need to get that fixed at the same time.
My birthday is in a few weeks and so the presents have been rolling in already. Mum has been and bought me some shoes (I bought a pair as well) and my stash is slightly embarrasing. Imelda Marcos eat your heart out! I did give 3 pairs away to charity though so hopefully it evens out a bit. Got my presents from Gerry & Becks but won't open them until the day. Well the evening of the day as we'll be away in some exotic foreign location (K's present to me). I don't know where we're going but I'm sure she'll tell me in plenty of time!
I also spent a few days trying to decide whether to book a long weekend for us August bank holiday. This time a surprise for K, can't wait! However this did cause some problems as on Sunday I discovered my passport had expired. 2 years ago!!! OH. MY. GOD. I always thought peopel who didn't keep on top of things like this are complete thickos and now its happened to me!
Anyway, had this afternoon off and pootled down to Peterborough to get it sorted. The RAC lied and it took me 1 and a half hours insteadof 2 and a half so I sat in my car in the multi-storey car park playing Animal Crossing for 45 minutes. The office is very strict about arriving too early and won't let you in until 10 minutes before your appointment. As far as I can tell there are 2 sorts of people in there...the genuine ones who discover that they need a passpot at short notice and are prepared to pay a premium and the losers who can't read fucking forms! Queued for an extra 10 minutes at reception as someone thought they could get a new passport without new pictures and someone else thought they'd be able to take their new passport away that day despite the MASSIVE signs saying that this is only possible if you have your appointment before 12 (this was at 2pm). Went through without a hitch and my new passport is guaranteed to arrive by next thursday which leave another clear week until we go away. Phew!
Monday, June 26, 2006
A whole new me
They say that money changes people and I have to agree that it does. It certainly affects our spending habits although not necessarily in the obvious ways. I remember a time when I was a student and then just after where I had barely any money and large debts as well. To be honest I didn’t really care, I kept spending. I’d inherited the Mother C spending vision of “if you’ve got it, spend it”. Although in this case it should be more like “if they’ll let you borrow it, spend it”.
Those of you who know me would probably find this quite surprising as in my family I am the ‘sensible’ one. The one who doesn’t drink at family parties, who follows the rules to the letter and generally does what is expected. That is certainly the view of my family, anyway. To my friends I’m the one who drinks, swears, says inappropriate things at parties. I still follow the rules but only where I think they apply to me and I have been known to flash my cash about. I remember buying 6 bottles of wine at Sainsbury’s and then only noticing that I got an extra discount for 6!
Anyway, the point is I used to spend money that I didn’t have. Now though I have money (including savings accounts!!) I dither over every decision about spending it! I’ve gone from easy street to penny pinching miser in the time it took my account to flip from red to black. There was no real change in my overall wealth but suddenly my attitude switched. There is something about watching a little pile of money grow on the internet to a pile a little bigger and something inside says “No!…if you don’t spend me I’ll get a little bigger”. I don’t know whether the Mother B ethic of “Save everything, you can’t spend your money!” has finally asserted itself via K (although interestingly Colleen seems intent on spending all of her money in the shortest amount of time possible at the moment) or whether my true sensibilities (allowed to flourish away from Home C) have stopped me in my tracks.
Either way it’s making purchasing this iPod a bloody nightmare!
Those of you who know me would probably find this quite surprising as in my family I am the ‘sensible’ one. The one who doesn’t drink at family parties, who follows the rules to the letter and generally does what is expected. That is certainly the view of my family, anyway. To my friends I’m the one who drinks, swears, says inappropriate things at parties. I still follow the rules but only where I think they apply to me and I have been known to flash my cash about. I remember buying 6 bottles of wine at Sainsbury’s and then only noticing that I got an extra discount for 6!
Anyway, the point is I used to spend money that I didn’t have. Now though I have money (including savings accounts!!) I dither over every decision about spending it! I’ve gone from easy street to penny pinching miser in the time it took my account to flip from red to black. There was no real change in my overall wealth but suddenly my attitude switched. There is something about watching a little pile of money grow on the internet to a pile a little bigger and something inside says “No!…if you don’t spend me I’ll get a little bigger”. I don’t know whether the Mother B ethic of “Save everything, you can’t spend your money!” has finally asserted itself via K (although interestingly Colleen seems intent on spending all of her money in the shortest amount of time possible at the moment) or whether my true sensibilities (allowed to flourish away from Home C) have stopped me in my tracks.
Either way it’s making purchasing this iPod a bloody nightmare!
3.25am
So the weekend has gone again and it’s another rainy Monday. Which is quite a relief to be honest as my garden really needed a good water! Spent the weekend engaged in valuable pursuits. Sorted the garden out big style…lots of weeding, mending next doors fence, constructing a new garden box (yes I bought one) and rearranging my garden. The best bit is that I’ve now got room for a wormery! Unfortunately I discovered that I can actually put my veg peelings and rotten fruit in the brown bin! So my primary reason for the wormery has gone…will have to ponder further.
Went to bed quite late as usual on a Sunday (and despite the fact we didn’t have our usual DM we had quite a bit of fun!) but woke up with a very tickly cough at about 3.15am. Went downstairs and returned with a juice drink (and trying to climb our stairs with a drink and no banister is tricky) to try and calm my throat. K was dead to the world and laying entirely on top of the duvet, oblivious to everything. Lay there coughing a bit more and decided to try cough medicine instead.
Then went and sat in the lounge to give it chance to work before returning to bed. I managed to learn the following things…
a) The light from a DS lite is enough to fill an entire room
b) It gets misty at night in Waterloo
c) Gwen, Chief & Mathilda are the only animals awake at 3.30am
d) I caught my cough from Gwen as she was having real difficulty. Shame Nookington’s is closed at night or I would have bought her some medicine.
e) The milkman makes a very scary shape as he looms by the front door delivering milk at 3.40am in the morning…WTF!!!
Staggered back to bed and K had managed to right herself and ask me if I was OK…although knowing her she has probably forgotten that we talked!
Went to bed quite late as usual on a Sunday (and despite the fact we didn’t have our usual DM we had quite a bit of fun!) but woke up with a very tickly cough at about 3.15am. Went downstairs and returned with a juice drink (and trying to climb our stairs with a drink and no banister is tricky) to try and calm my throat. K was dead to the world and laying entirely on top of the duvet, oblivious to everything. Lay there coughing a bit more and decided to try cough medicine instead.
Then went and sat in the lounge to give it chance to work before returning to bed. I managed to learn the following things…
a) The light from a DS lite is enough to fill an entire room
b) It gets misty at night in Waterloo
c) Gwen, Chief & Mathilda are the only animals awake at 3.30am
d) I caught my cough from Gwen as she was having real difficulty. Shame Nookington’s is closed at night or I would have bought her some medicine.
e) The milkman makes a very scary shape as he looms by the front door delivering milk at 3.40am in the morning…WTF!!!
Staggered back to bed and K had managed to right herself and ask me if I was OK…although knowing her she has probably forgotten that we talked!
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Weekend
Hooray the weekend beckons!
Gardening to do and games to play...BBQs to have and lovely food to eat...
Er...that's it I think.....
Gardening to do and games to play...BBQs to have and lovely food to eat...
Er...that's it I think.....
Thursday, June 22, 2006
And then He said "Let there be Lite!"
Wahey! My DS Lite arrived today...impossibly small, all white and stylish with screens soo bright they hurt my eyes (no kidding!) A nice fat stylus too...very very pleased. One downside is a stupid blown pixel on the touch screen. Only really visible when the screen is black (and its glaring red at me) but I'm not sure if I can put up with it....Nintendo are very good at exchanging them though so I think I'll wait until the initial release window has passed and then get a new one.
I've also got to update my friends lists and codes though because of the whole paired gamecard/system thing....bum!
In other news I finally finished Metroid Prime 2....hooray! Very enjoyable. You kinda take for granted a good game sometimes and expect all games to be top notch but this was truly great all the way through. I sometimes just boggle at how damn clever these people are who can firstly think up something like this and then translate it into pictures. Then someone else can make those pictures move and be controllable! Its just awesome! P.S. I love videogames!
And to celebrate I bought some new games (even though I have a stash waiting to be played on the Xbox). Chibi Robo and Prince of Persia Two Thrones are on their way. I loved the first new PoP and spotted the end of the tilogy on sale at Gameplay for £14.99. Bargain!
I've also got to update my friends lists and codes though because of the whole paired gamecard/system thing....bum!
In other news I finally finished Metroid Prime 2....hooray! Very enjoyable. You kinda take for granted a good game sometimes and expect all games to be top notch but this was truly great all the way through. I sometimes just boggle at how damn clever these people are who can firstly think up something like this and then translate it into pictures. Then someone else can make those pictures move and be controllable! Its just awesome! P.S. I love videogames!
And to celebrate I bought some new games (even though I have a stash waiting to be played on the Xbox). Chibi Robo and Prince of Persia Two Thrones are on their way. I loved the first new PoP and spotted the end of the tilogy on sale at Gameplay for £14.99. Bargain!
Monday, June 19, 2006
*yawn*
I had an odd day at work today. My main memory is the pain across my stomach when I had an accident with a baking tray and a wall yesterday. I have a nice long red scratch and bruise that I can feel pretty much constantly. Other than that it was bizarrely quiet with one whole team out of the office (for various reasons I believe).
Added to which my eyes are hurting and I’m quite tired (although going to bed at 12:30 is probably the cause of that). Got another cabbage in the veg box and boiled a ham on Sunday evening which means I can make my newly discovered ham/bacon & cabbage pasta dish…yum! Sounds odd but when you add onions, garlic, crème fraiche and parmesan it becomes something quite lovely.
Still scouting around for what to spend my money on…got thinking about my current garden storage situation and it might be time to expand from a basic chest where everything is piled on top of each other, to something with doors so I can stand stuff up in it. Just not sure about the price as the web is being pretty unhelpful to be honest. I don’t think I paid THAT much for the one I have at the moment but I need to have a wander around B&Q to check…
Added to which my eyes are hurting and I’m quite tired (although going to bed at 12:30 is probably the cause of that). Got another cabbage in the veg box and boiled a ham on Sunday evening which means I can make my newly discovered ham/bacon & cabbage pasta dish…yum! Sounds odd but when you add onions, garlic, crème fraiche and parmesan it becomes something quite lovely.
Still scouting around for what to spend my money on…got thinking about my current garden storage situation and it might be time to expand from a basic chest where everything is piled on top of each other, to something with doors so I can stand stuff up in it. Just not sure about the price as the web is being pretty unhelpful to be honest. I don’t think I paid THAT much for the one I have at the moment but I need to have a wander around B&Q to check…
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Too drunk to care
Have had a great weekend so far...it started on Friday with K passing her exam with flying colours and the going out to the Chinese with Becks & Ralph. The delay in their arrival meant that we could catch up on taped TV and even watch some more Life on Mars, which I'm really liking. Had a nice meal with very friednly waiters altough I te far too much and felt a little ill the next day, not great for a trip to London.
We got up very early and got on a early train (although still quite full...everyone clearly having the same idea as us) and thanks to some ticket jiggery pokery got a return to London for use on any trains for £13! Brilliant!
The sun was shining as we arrived and we then ate quite an expensive breakfast for 4 at the Tate Modern. To be fair it was expensive but not overpriced. Good tea and delicious bacon sandwiches! Spent a couple of hours in the Tate which is always good value (as its free!) and then headed over to Vinopolis. Again ticket jiggery pokery (and vouchers from Tesco's) meant we got the premium package for £13 each! I really like that place as after you'vehad the 'How to taste' wine session you suddenly turn into a wine snob and really do think you kow it all! You also start the audio tour vey interested but by the time you tasted wine at the first coupe of tables you stop listening because you're too mellow to care.
The premium table is always a favourite and you can really taste the difference. We also managed ot taste beers, whiskey's, absinthe and some Bombay Sapphire cocktails! Managed to avoid buying any wine at th Majestic wine merchants at the end of the tour and then had lunch in Pizza Express. We were fortunate to get a table outside and managed to squeeze in 3 courses, more wine and a lot of people watching. The drink and my natural generosity allowed me to pay for lunch (that and the frankly ridiculous bonus I got this year) which was spent lazily and in the sunshine. We stopped at the Globe to watch some morris dancing and then a brief stop at St. Pauls and then we were on the way home. Too drunk for driving and too lazy to wait for a taxi and we had a pleasent stroll back home from the station.
The camera had been packed to take some lovely summer shots in London but didn't make it out of the bag all day but when the weather and company were so great the title of the post says it all.
We got up very early and got on a early train (although still quite full...everyone clearly having the same idea as us) and thanks to some ticket jiggery pokery got a return to London for use on any trains for £13! Brilliant!
The sun was shining as we arrived and we then ate quite an expensive breakfast for 4 at the Tate Modern. To be fair it was expensive but not overpriced. Good tea and delicious bacon sandwiches! Spent a couple of hours in the Tate which is always good value (as its free!) and then headed over to Vinopolis. Again ticket jiggery pokery (and vouchers from Tesco's) meant we got the premium package for £13 each! I really like that place as after you'vehad the 'How to taste' wine session you suddenly turn into a wine snob and really do think you kow it all! You also start the audio tour vey interested but by the time you tasted wine at the first coupe of tables you stop listening because you're too mellow to care.
The premium table is always a favourite and you can really taste the difference. We also managed ot taste beers, whiskey's, absinthe and some Bombay Sapphire cocktails! Managed to avoid buying any wine at th Majestic wine merchants at the end of the tour and then had lunch in Pizza Express. We were fortunate to get a table outside and managed to squeeze in 3 courses, more wine and a lot of people watching. The drink and my natural generosity allowed me to pay for lunch (that and the frankly ridiculous bonus I got this year) which was spent lazily and in the sunshine. We stopped at the Globe to watch some morris dancing and then a brief stop at St. Pauls and then we were on the way home. Too drunk for driving and too lazy to wait for a taxi and we had a pleasent stroll back home from the station.
The camera had been packed to take some lovely summer shots in London but didn't make it out of the bag all day but when the weather and company were so great the title of the post says it all.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Weekend
What I forgot to mention in my previous post is that the match I watched was dull as anything! I had to go out three quarters of the way through so I missed the goals! Instead I got to watch half arsed attempts!
Anyway, my brain age is sticking around 30...I thought I'd done really well but I'm still being caught out by that damn Stroop test! Plasterer all done now and was even left on his own to let himself out...see I can trust some people!
Got the inlaws coiming over tonight...R&R...I think we're going to the Chinese then off into London tomorrow...fingers crossed the weather stays nice!
Anyway, my brain age is sticking around 30...I thought I'd done really well but I'm still being caught out by that damn Stroop test! Plasterer all done now and was even left on his own to let himself out...see I can trust some people!
Got the inlaws coiming over tonight...R&R...I think we're going to the Chinese then off into London tomorrow...fingers crossed the weather stays nice!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Football
On the instructions of my boss at work I did watch the England match today. He'd ben spreading rumours that the only reaosn I was working from home today was so I could watch the match but in fact it was so I could make sure the plasterer didn't steal my stuff. Which is really unfair and judgemental as he was a nice chap who has done a good job so far.
I don't know what it is but I think we've stopped trusting people, society in general I mean. I think there are many things to blame but ultimately I think we get what we deserve, civic karma, if you will. We want to be able to move to and work from where we want, consequently we don't know or trust our neighbours. We want to be able to know what's going on from our newspapers, hence we live in fear of crime that statistically happens to barely anyone. We want to earn lots of money, and so we feel bad when someone earns more than us. We want to have children but we feel we need more money to support them although our parents managed just fine with barely half what we have now.
Don't get me wrong I'm not sure I'd want to live in another time but I can't help feel sad for what we've lost. The obvious benefits are that I don't have to worry about how I'm going to feed and clothe myself, I can eat food from all around the world, I can find out just about anything about anything without 14 volumes of Encyclopeadia Brittanica weighing down my bookcase, I can play games with people in the US & Scotland as if they were in the next room. All in all I don't think I'd live anywhen else!
I don't know what it is but I think we've stopped trusting people, society in general I mean. I think there are many things to blame but ultimately I think we get what we deserve, civic karma, if you will. We want to be able to move to and work from where we want, consequently we don't know or trust our neighbours. We want to be able to know what's going on from our newspapers, hence we live in fear of crime that statistically happens to barely anyone. We want to earn lots of money, and so we feel bad when someone earns more than us. We want to have children but we feel we need more money to support them although our parents managed just fine with barely half what we have now.
Don't get me wrong I'm not sure I'd want to live in another time but I can't help feel sad for what we've lost. The obvious benefits are that I don't have to worry about how I'm going to feed and clothe myself, I can eat food from all around the world, I can find out just about anything about anything without 14 volumes of Encyclopeadia Brittanica weighing down my bookcase, I can play games with people in the US & Scotland as if they were in the next room. All in all I don't think I'd live anywhen else!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Memo to self.....
.....only test my brain early in the day and before drinking wine! After achieving 30 over the weekend I've now slumped back to 38! The Prof. seems unperturbed however, telling me to try again tomorrow. This is against K with a consistent score of around 25! Curses...competitiveness rising, sabotage thoughts whirling.
Onto other news you can tell the summer's here (besides the glorious weather that makes leaning on my desk with bare arms not pleasant) as all the good telly is about to finish. ER ended last week and (as with all good cliffhangers) left Kath shouting at the TV "That's just wrong!!" as the end credits rolled.
House, & Desparate Housewives are about to finish as well and I get the sense CSI is about done too. That leaves CSI: Miami which hopefully will start soon and the last half of Lost. Good job we've got the DVD rentals to keep us going....just watching Prison Break & Life on Mars...both great. We also still need to wtach the end of Six Feet Under but that might take longer as there are 3 seasons to get through!
Good news though is that I've discovered a fellow Animal Crosser at work and his town has Apples...Yay! The last fruit I need! We've got Peaches so he'll finish his set too! Brilliant!
Onto other news you can tell the summer's here (besides the glorious weather that makes leaning on my desk with bare arms not pleasant) as all the good telly is about to finish. ER ended last week and (as with all good cliffhangers) left Kath shouting at the TV "That's just wrong!!" as the end credits rolled.
House, & Desparate Housewives are about to finish as well and I get the sense CSI is about done too. That leaves CSI: Miami which hopefully will start soon and the last half of Lost. Good job we've got the DVD rentals to keep us going....just watching Prison Break & Life on Mars...both great. We also still need to wtach the end of Six Feet Under but that might take longer as there are 3 seasons to get through!
Good news though is that I've discovered a fellow Animal Crosser at work and his town has Apples...Yay! The last fruit I need! We've got Peaches so he'll finish his set too! Brilliant!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
72!!
This apparently is the age of my brain!
I got home after a long day on Thursday and "Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain?" had arrived.
After a quick introduction of the science behind I got my first Brain Age check....I though I'd been doing OK, shouting out the colours of the words and not the word itself but alas no...my brain age is 72! Which is not good as I am the right side of 30 still!
Firtunately the daily exercise programme and the new tasks has helped me score a brain age of 30 this morning...not as good as Kath's 25 however...must train brain better!
I got home after a long day on Thursday and "Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain?" had arrived.
After a quick introduction of the science behind I got my first Brain Age check....I though I'd been doing OK, shouting out the colours of the words and not the word itself but alas no...my brain age is 72! Which is not good as I am the right side of 30 still!
Firtunately the daily exercise programme and the new tasks has helped me score a brain age of 30 this morning...not as good as Kath's 25 however...must train brain better!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Finally
Ok so I've finally posted my photos of the break over on Flickr. Had a great time and it was good to see everyone again.
The house was fantastic and Emma is a star! (she organised the whole thing). The length of time was jus about right as well as I managed not to fall out with anyone..although I think there were points for us all where it could have gone either way.
A highlight for me was the outdoor hottub...especially as it has the ability to sooth away my aches and pains. The problem is I have the twin demands and laziness and extreme competiveness at work. This is fine when it comes to Boggle (which I won) and Triv (which we won but it went on far too long!) but not so for Rounders. In Claire's absence I was the captain of the Idiots (having served this role in 1997 when I was skewered on stage and stayed put bleeding into a puddle) and I wanted to win. Picking my wife as the first choice was a shwo of loyaylty but I though it was going to be my downfall...not realising Chris was still available was my second mistake.
4 of my team were out and we'd only scored 3 runs. Somehow, out of nowhere Emma, Rachel and I stepped up to the mark and finished with 9 runs! Amazing! After a very long rest the other team had their innings and after their star players were knocked out with only 2 runs scored I was confident of success. A bit of unfair play kept us going for a further 20 minutes by which time we caught em all out with 3 runs...Yay!!!
Then played vigourous 'Extreme Frisbee' and then hiked the hard way back to Monsal Head....to be honest my body has only stopped aching today!
The house was fantastic and Emma is a star! (she organised the whole thing). The length of time was jus about right as well as I managed not to fall out with anyone..although I think there were points for us all where it could have gone either way.
A highlight for me was the outdoor hottub...especially as it has the ability to sooth away my aches and pains. The problem is I have the twin demands and laziness and extreme competiveness at work. This is fine when it comes to Boggle (which I won) and Triv (which we won but it went on far too long!) but not so for Rounders. In Claire's absence I was the captain of the Idiots (having served this role in 1997 when I was skewered on stage and stayed put bleeding into a puddle) and I wanted to win. Picking my wife as the first choice was a shwo of loyaylty but I though it was going to be my downfall...not realising Chris was still available was my second mistake.
4 of my team were out and we'd only scored 3 runs. Somehow, out of nowhere Emma, Rachel and I stepped up to the mark and finished with 9 runs! Amazing! After a very long rest the other team had their innings and after their star players were knocked out with only 2 runs scored I was confident of success. A bit of unfair play kept us going for a further 20 minutes by which time we caught em all out with 3 runs...Yay!!!
Then played vigourous 'Extreme Frisbee' and then hiked the hard way back to Monsal Head....to be honest my body has only stopped aching today!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Madness
After a hectic few days at work I'm now enjoying a day off prior to our weekend away in Derbyshire. Our friend Emma has done a fantastic job organising it all and I need to make a big list of things we need to take...including what we need to make starters for 20 people!
I was actually playing on teh XBOX but I've switched to doing this as I'm avoiding the window cleaner....I get uncomfortable in a room when the window cleaner is cleaning the windows! Good job I got up early and got dressed!
Givin blood this afternoon so might treat myself in town with a new pair of shoes...well I have just been paid after all! Annoyingly K caught me out with first of the month shenanigans this morning when I was still half asleep. My record was running at 3/4 months as well! Just wait until the 1st July!
Also the start of the month means my pickled shallots are ready....bit of pork pie and salad should do for tea then!
I was actually playing on teh XBOX but I've switched to doing this as I'm avoiding the window cleaner....I get uncomfortable in a room when the window cleaner is cleaning the windows! Good job I got up early and got dressed!
Givin blood this afternoon so might treat myself in town with a new pair of shoes...well I have just been paid after all! Annoyingly K caught me out with first of the month shenanigans this morning when I was still half asleep. My record was running at 3/4 months as well! Just wait until the 1st July!
Also the start of the month means my pickled shallots are ready....bit of pork pie and salad should do for tea then!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Bank Holiday Monday
Phew...its 3pm and already we've packed loads in! We were away on Saturday & Sunday visiting Colleen and getting into argumets about wormeries.
She thinks I shouldn't waste my money but I see it as helping the environment! I think she felt pretty bad about it in the end and offered to buy it me for my birthday...politely declined (as its expensive) but I'll definitely be putting the money towards it. I don't know whether I should wait until my birthday or get it now....
Anyway back to today...we were supposed to be looking at bathrooms but we've decided that as we haven't confirmed the man yet it might be premature to buy a new suite in the B&Q sale! Instead we went to see Xmen : The Last Stand and it was great! Usually I end up seeing spoilers for films and ruin the endings but I didn't this time and it was great! I won't spoil anything by writing about it here but it really was a great film. I think that because I'd been hearing mixed reviews I went in with lower expectations which helped.
After much toing & froing my XBOX is going back and I'll be getting a refund...had decided to forego getting a replacement until I'd cleared some of my game backlog but then saw a brand new one in Game for £80! So now I have a new XBOX and my game pile has suddenly got much larger!
Fortunately K is watching Diagnosis Murder at the moment so it means that I get chance to update my blog when i would otherwise be playing videogames. In a way its good that we only have 1 TV in the house...means we tend to do things together instead of one person in one room and one in another!
Better go as I can probably squeeze in some Animal Crossing before the XBOX gets set up!
She thinks I shouldn't waste my money but I see it as helping the environment! I think she felt pretty bad about it in the end and offered to buy it me for my birthday...politely declined (as its expensive) but I'll definitely be putting the money towards it. I don't know whether I should wait until my birthday or get it now....
Anyway back to today...we were supposed to be looking at bathrooms but we've decided that as we haven't confirmed the man yet it might be premature to buy a new suite in the B&Q sale! Instead we went to see Xmen : The Last Stand and it was great! Usually I end up seeing spoilers for films and ruin the endings but I didn't this time and it was great! I won't spoil anything by writing about it here but it really was a great film. I think that because I'd been hearing mixed reviews I went in with lower expectations which helped.
After much toing & froing my XBOX is going back and I'll be getting a refund...had decided to forego getting a replacement until I'd cleared some of my game backlog but then saw a brand new one in Game for £80! So now I have a new XBOX and my game pile has suddenly got much larger!
Fortunately K is watching Diagnosis Murder at the moment so it means that I get chance to update my blog when i would otherwise be playing videogames. In a way its good that we only have 1 TV in the house...means we tend to do things together instead of one person in one room and one in another!
Better go as I can probably squeeze in some Animal Crossing before the XBOX gets set up!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Man of Steel!
Your results:
You are Superman
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
You are Superman
| You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.  |
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Argjghgh!
Work is nightmarish at the moment. Spent all monday desparately trying to ru reports because all tuesday I was in Fleet (3 hours there, full day 3 hours back). Got into an argument with my department head in a meeting when I actually agreed with him but was trying to point out the flaw in a plan that had been put into place.
Yesterday was at Brentwood discovering that something I'm expected to do is in fact impossible to do (although meeting the person that helped me realise this was a highlight, another person doing the same crap I do and knowing that she'll be in BT for the next 30 years because its too damn cushy!)
Today was just long...had a fall out with another general manager and exchanged snipy comments over email. Also expecting department head to drown us in requests for reports my boss has already sent him before he went on leave...added to that I need to finish my actual routine work and some of next week's as well as I'm off for 3 days!
The good news is that the XBOX seller has agreed to give me a refund so I just need to parcel up and post. In a way its been good as I'm hoping to finish Metroid Prime 2 before I get a replacement XBOX. Not sure where I'm going to get it from though...I may just bite the bullet and buy a new one...less hassle methinks although due to the fact I didn't win my award I may have to spend some bathroom-earmarked-bonus to do it.
Yesterday was at Brentwood discovering that something I'm expected to do is in fact impossible to do (although meeting the person that helped me realise this was a highlight, another person doing the same crap I do and knowing that she'll be in BT for the next 30 years because its too damn cushy!)
Today was just long...had a fall out with another general manager and exchanged snipy comments over email. Also expecting department head to drown us in requests for reports my boss has already sent him before he went on leave...added to that I need to finish my actual routine work and some of next week's as well as I'm off for 3 days!
The good news is that the XBOX seller has agreed to give me a refund so I just need to parcel up and post. In a way its been good as I'm hoping to finish Metroid Prime 2 before I get a replacement XBOX. Not sure where I'm going to get it from though...I may just bite the bullet and buy a new one...less hassle methinks although due to the fact I didn't win my award I may have to spend some bathroom-earmarked-bonus to do it.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Bum!
My eBay XBOX arrived and worked for 10 minutes before refusing to read any discs! Waiting to see how the seller responds to my poilte enquiry...
I reckon I'll be going for my money back...eitehr the seller has sold me a duff product or their courier broke it in transit. Either way I think I want my dosh back...I only hope they are going to be reasonable...I don't want to leave arsey feedback and lose my £60!
I reckon I'll be going for my money back...eitehr the seller has sold me a duff product or their courier broke it in transit. Either way I think I want my dosh back...I only hope they are going to be reasonable...I don't want to leave arsey feedback and lose my £60!
Good Food Summer Festival
Had a great time at the above mentioned event despite turning up late and my dad falling asleep at the show. It kicked off with Gordon Ramsay in fine form and us discovering that he doesn't just swear for the camera!
Managed to eat and drink a lot and thought I'd share some of the highlights of the show (also known as the stalls that I remembered to get fliers from!)
Sammy's Couscous : Almost the first thing we had to eat (but not the first stall, most of the initial ones were alcohol based!) and subsequently purchased. Not really sure why to be honest. The cupboard at home is now bursting with extra couscous. It must have been the desire ot spend money I guess.
Cusquena : The only beer I tried at the show and surprisingly I really like it! I've going to use the six pack I bought to train myself to like beer. I'm sure it's just an acquired taste. Never again will I need to order a VAT or a wine in a bar!
Jewel Isle Rum Punch: Surprisingly strong beverage that looks like an alcopop! Reminds me of my honeymoon in St. Lucia where we went on an excursion and strated drinking very strong rum punch only to realise it was only 9.15am in the morning!
Revive Power Paste: Wonder cleaner that Kath really likes...watched the whole presentation because we didn't want to stop teh man mid flow to say that we'd bought the stuff before and was going to buy it again anyway!
Thatcher's Cider: Missed out on buying some lovely cider because I didn't want to carry it around...must remember to buy some from their website.
Fatboy BeanBag: The show tickets got us free entry to BBC GoodHomes Live It! exhibition and these caught my eye. Surprisingly comfy and expensive and its only because we don't have space that I stopped myself buying one. Almost the only good thing in the Live It! show that seemed to want us to buy property abroad and not much else!
Dickinson & Morris Pork Pie: Mail order pork pie! Brilliant (and tasty!)
Toffoc: There seemed to be an over representation of welsh liquer drinks at the show...this one was pretty tasty but you could probably make it yourself.
Greek Yoghurt & Honey Ice-cream: Now I don't like honey or greek yoghurt but together and cold this was a real treat!
Rose Wine: This man did a lovely tasting session...we basically stood round for 20 minutes drinking 6 different rose wines and getting a history of the region of origin and some insight into wine making!
Snowdonia Cheese: Wales again, but they can be forgive for a lovely selection of cheese...4 of which are sat in my fridge as I type...Pickled Onion cheese? Yes please. Stem ginger cheese? Why thank you!
The show was sadly lacking in BBQs of any shape or from so I picked up my dream BBQ at the gareden centre when we got back....now we just need some good weather!
Managed to eat and drink a lot and thought I'd share some of the highlights of the show (also known as the stalls that I remembered to get fliers from!)
Sammy's Couscous : Almost the first thing we had to eat (but not the first stall, most of the initial ones were alcohol based!) and subsequently purchased. Not really sure why to be honest. The cupboard at home is now bursting with extra couscous. It must have been the desire ot spend money I guess.
Cusquena : The only beer I tried at the show and surprisingly I really like it! I've going to use the six pack I bought to train myself to like beer. I'm sure it's just an acquired taste. Never again will I need to order a VAT or a wine in a bar!
Jewel Isle Rum Punch: Surprisingly strong beverage that looks like an alcopop! Reminds me of my honeymoon in St. Lucia where we went on an excursion and strated drinking very strong rum punch only to realise it was only 9.15am in the morning!
Revive Power Paste: Wonder cleaner that Kath really likes...watched the whole presentation because we didn't want to stop teh man mid flow to say that we'd bought the stuff before and was going to buy it again anyway!
Thatcher's Cider: Missed out on buying some lovely cider because I didn't want to carry it around...must remember to buy some from their website.
Fatboy BeanBag: The show tickets got us free entry to BBC GoodHomes Live It! exhibition and these caught my eye. Surprisingly comfy and expensive and its only because we don't have space that I stopped myself buying one. Almost the only good thing in the Live It! show that seemed to want us to buy property abroad and not much else!
Dickinson & Morris Pork Pie: Mail order pork pie! Brilliant (and tasty!)
Toffoc: There seemed to be an over representation of welsh liquer drinks at the show...this one was pretty tasty but you could probably make it yourself.
Greek Yoghurt & Honey Ice-cream: Now I don't like honey or greek yoghurt but together and cold this was a real treat!
Rose Wine: This man did a lovely tasting session...we basically stood round for 20 minutes drinking 6 different rose wines and getting a history of the region of origin and some insight into wine making!
Snowdonia Cheese: Wales again, but they can be forgive for a lovely selection of cheese...4 of which are sat in my fridge as I type...Pickled Onion cheese? Yes please. Stem ginger cheese? Why thank you!
The show was sadly lacking in BBQs of any shape or from so I picked up my dream BBQ at the gareden centre when we got back....now we just need some good weather!
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Samus
Managed to get into Metroid prime 2 and am working my way through it at a fair old lick. Good job as my Xbox is sat in a DHL warehouse and will be collected tomorrow...and then its bye bye Samus until I get tired of Halo 2 & Jade Empire...and I still need to do the proper shopping as well...see my previous post on Lidl!
Lidl
Now I didn't think anything could be worse than Asda in terms of white trashiness but I've found it...Lidl! Just tried to do the week's shopping in there and was expecing it to be quirky, cheap and interesting. Instead I found it to be awful. From my list I managed to get juice and butter, that's it! The fruit and veg section was non-existent and it was full of pikey people!
I do realise I'm a snob...I just can't help it...
I do realise I'm a snob...I just can't help it...
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Samus & Pork Pies
You ever have those days at work where you set yourself a goal only to know that you probably won’t achieve it and it won’t matter and you only set the goal to stop you browsing the internet all day anyway?
The work I do contains a bit of ‘black magic’ i.e. stuff that only I understand or can do…this means sometimes you can get away with not doing as much as you should and still appearing to be a miracle worker. Hey, if it worked for Scotty!
Despite this I did manage to complete the thing I'd set for myself so it wasn't all bad....
I’ve also discovered that I really like pork pie. Ask me a week ago and I’d have said “No thanks, greasy pastry, nasty meat and too much jelly” but now I’d be “Yes please…have you got any more?” Still not too keen on the jelly but the meat is tasty and very savoury, the pastry is lovely and the overall experience is a good one. Morrison’s snack pork pies have only fuelled this further and I keep thinking of them when I should be working.
Further to my post yesterday I have made an effort to get re-acquainted with Samus Aran by playing Metroid Prime 2. I had already started this game but decided that as I was only 6 hours in to start a new game. Enjoying it so far and hopefully will get enthused enough to finish it this time. Well at least until my Xbox arrives. Annoyingly there has still been no contact with the seller despite me having already paid so it may be a while before I get it…which is a shame as I’ve already received 2 games from Amazon for it!
K is away tonight so my routine is likely to be all over the shop. I didn’t realise how much of a routine I had until K is not there. There’ll be no reason for me to have dinner at 6.30pm because that’s when K gets home. Last night she was at a course so I didn’t really have a meal…I just had pork pies, cereal and toast spread over a couple of hours. Perhaps I will make a meal tonight…we’ve got enough veg to use up!
The work I do contains a bit of ‘black magic’ i.e. stuff that only I understand or can do…this means sometimes you can get away with not doing as much as you should and still appearing to be a miracle worker. Hey, if it worked for Scotty!
Despite this I did manage to complete the thing I'd set for myself so it wasn't all bad....
I’ve also discovered that I really like pork pie. Ask me a week ago and I’d have said “No thanks, greasy pastry, nasty meat and too much jelly” but now I’d be “Yes please…have you got any more?” Still not too keen on the jelly but the meat is tasty and very savoury, the pastry is lovely and the overall experience is a good one. Morrison’s snack pork pies have only fuelled this further and I keep thinking of them when I should be working.
Further to my post yesterday I have made an effort to get re-acquainted with Samus Aran by playing Metroid Prime 2. I had already started this game but decided that as I was only 6 hours in to start a new game. Enjoying it so far and hopefully will get enthused enough to finish it this time. Well at least until my Xbox arrives. Annoyingly there has still been no contact with the seller despite me having already paid so it may be a while before I get it…which is a shame as I’ve already received 2 games from Amazon for it!
K is away tonight so my routine is likely to be all over the shop. I didn’t realise how much of a routine I had until K is not there. There’ll be no reason for me to have dinner at 6.30pm because that’s when K gets home. Last night she was at a course so I didn’t really have a meal…I just had pork pies, cereal and toast spread over a couple of hours. Perhaps I will make a meal tonight…we’ve got enough veg to use up!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Ooooops!
eBay can be a very dangerous thing….Sunday night I was suffering through the post-E3 drought of information and was starting to think what a good idea it would be to get an Xbox 360. Some of the games coming for it look great. Oblivion, Mass Effect and Gears of War look brilliant. A reality check later says that it’s not a good idea to spend £300 on a console for only 1 game that is currently available.
My mind then strayed to the Xbox. Not really the most attractive of consoles aesthetically but well into its life and there are some great looking games. I watched some video reviews over on IGN (Ninja Gaiden, Halo 2 & Jade Empire) and started to get excited about the types of games I could get on an Xbox that I don’t own.
I happened to visit eBay and noticed that there was a second-hand Xbox for sale for £45 with a reserve and lots of bids. Not thinking that my bid would be the highest one or would meet the reserve I plonked down a bid of £50. Hmm so now I’ve got the current winning bid that HAS met the reserve and there only appears to be 16 minutes left on the auction (and its 11:30pm). Needless to say I won the auction and emboldened by this I ordered a couple of Xbox games from Amazon. My only problems now are realising that I didn’t have quite as much money left in my account as I thought (fingers crossed I’ll win my GS Award for Excellence) so I’m going to have a lean couple of weeks, the fact that a hulking great Xbox isn’t going to fit into my sleek entertainment centre (guffaw!) and that I don’t know when I’m actually going to play the thing!
I really do have to focus on completing games before I buy any others….currently waiting in my uncompleted stack are….
Baiten Kaitos (GC)
Metroid Prime 2 (GC)
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (GC)
Xmen Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (GC)
Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
Sonic Rush (DS)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
Trauma Center: Under the Knife (DS)
Metroid Prime Hunters (DS)
Ultimate Spiderman (DS)
Kirby: Power Paintbrush (DS)
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (DS)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Soon to be added are Jade Empire & Halo 2…oh the joy! And this list doesn’t include games that I still play but don’t require ’finishing’ like Tetris DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World and Meteos. In preparation I’ve been spending only a brief amount of time in my village each day and cracking on with Phoenix Wright. Finished Chapter 4 last night and only have one chapter left! The last chapter took K ages if I remember rightly *sigh*.
The problem is there are games coming on the horizon that I might just have to buy….Super Princess Peach, Brain Age, Chibi-Robo, and New SUPER MARIO BROS all come in the next couple of months. Added to which its summer and I should be making the most of it!
Thankfully K has been thoughtful and managed to be out for the next couple of evenings so I’ll have some free time to fill with gaming goodness. Although I tend to enjoy games less when I’m forced to complete them! The spell World of Warcraft had on me has thankfully waned, I know if I log in again I’ll be drawn back so I’ve done the sensible thing and cancelled my subscription! I am now saving £8.99 a month and can concentrate on the rest of my list!
On a completely unrelated subject K and I got parts in the upcoming shows we’re doing. I’ll be playing Edwin and K is the interestingly titled ‘Groupie’.
Also we go to the BBC Good Food Summer Food Festival on Friday with my parents. This is handy as they’ll be driving so that I can get sloshed on free wine! I’ll be on the lookout for a new BBQ and because we’ll be in the car I can buy loads of stuff that I wouldn’t usually be able to carry! Hooray! I’m actually slightly surprised that my Dad is still coming. Usually something (work or golf) comes up which scuppers any plans. Not this time it seems. Although he is managing to get in a game on Thursday night when we’re driving over…I’ll not repeat what K said when she found out Dad was going to be at the golf course on Thursday night (mainly because I can’t really remember what she said, only that it was funny!)
My mind then strayed to the Xbox. Not really the most attractive of consoles aesthetically but well into its life and there are some great looking games. I watched some video reviews over on IGN (Ninja Gaiden, Halo 2 & Jade Empire) and started to get excited about the types of games I could get on an Xbox that I don’t own.
I happened to visit eBay and noticed that there was a second-hand Xbox for sale for £45 with a reserve and lots of bids. Not thinking that my bid would be the highest one or would meet the reserve I plonked down a bid of £50. Hmm so now I’ve got the current winning bid that HAS met the reserve and there only appears to be 16 minutes left on the auction (and its 11:30pm). Needless to say I won the auction and emboldened by this I ordered a couple of Xbox games from Amazon. My only problems now are realising that I didn’t have quite as much money left in my account as I thought (fingers crossed I’ll win my GS Award for Excellence) so I’m going to have a lean couple of weeks, the fact that a hulking great Xbox isn’t going to fit into my sleek entertainment centre (guffaw!) and that I don’t know when I’m actually going to play the thing!
I really do have to focus on completing games before I buy any others….currently waiting in my uncompleted stack are….
Baiten Kaitos (GC)
Metroid Prime 2 (GC)
Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat (GC)
Xmen Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (GC)
Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls (GBA)
Sonic Rush (DS)
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
Trauma Center: Under the Knife (DS)
Metroid Prime Hunters (DS)
Ultimate Spiderman (DS)
Kirby: Power Paintbrush (DS)
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (DS)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Soon to be added are Jade Empire & Halo 2…oh the joy! And this list doesn’t include games that I still play but don’t require ’finishing’ like Tetris DS, Animal Crossing: Wild World and Meteos. In preparation I’ve been spending only a brief amount of time in my village each day and cracking on with Phoenix Wright. Finished Chapter 4 last night and only have one chapter left! The last chapter took K ages if I remember rightly *sigh*.
The problem is there are games coming on the horizon that I might just have to buy….Super Princess Peach, Brain Age, Chibi-Robo, and New SUPER MARIO BROS all come in the next couple of months. Added to which its summer and I should be making the most of it!
Thankfully K has been thoughtful and managed to be out for the next couple of evenings so I’ll have some free time to fill with gaming goodness. Although I tend to enjoy games less when I’m forced to complete them! The spell World of Warcraft had on me has thankfully waned, I know if I log in again I’ll be drawn back so I’ve done the sensible thing and cancelled my subscription! I am now saving £8.99 a month and can concentrate on the rest of my list!
On a completely unrelated subject K and I got parts in the upcoming shows we’re doing. I’ll be playing Edwin and K is the interestingly titled ‘Groupie’.
Also we go to the BBC Good Food Summer Food Festival on Friday with my parents. This is handy as they’ll be driving so that I can get sloshed on free wine! I’ll be on the lookout for a new BBQ and because we’ll be in the car I can buy loads of stuff that I wouldn’t usually be able to carry! Hooray! I’m actually slightly surprised that my Dad is still coming. Usually something (work or golf) comes up which scuppers any plans. Not this time it seems. Although he is managing to get in a game on Thursday night when we’re driving over…I’ll not repeat what K said when she found out Dad was going to be at the golf course on Thursday night (mainly because I can’t really remember what she said, only that it was funny!)
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Well worth the effort!
Going to the trouble of making a stake for K to be tied to was well worth it....that alon with our other costume bits and pieces and we had a great time! Obviously it was good to see everyone else and their costume efforts as well!
Now I'm very tired so I'm going to play some video games and hopefully have a nap!
Now I'm very tired so I'm going to play some video games and hopefully have a nap!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
It's over
Well K is on the train after her exam and sounding well relieved! Afetr all the revision and study days this past month I know she's well and truly fed up of exams! I'm sure she'll have done great , so we just need to sit back and wait for the results to come.
We're also waiting for the results of the auditions for the upcoming shows we're doing...long old evening with a scarily few amount of men auditioning but hopefully thy'll pick up a few more before rehearsals start. We should find out any day now.
E3 is in full swing as well and I enjoyed watching the Nintendo conference live on the internet. Wii will only be the second console I will be buying at launch! I got a DS even before they came out in teh UK but I'll be pre-ordering a Wii just as soon as we know when the damn thing is going to be released. I guess that's the beauty of savings and having spare disposable income! I know a lot of people have been going on about the graphics but I can't remember any game I've bought because the graphics were good. Sure graphics can help but I'd rather have something that is enjoyable to play. Super Mario Galaxy looks ace as do a lot of the other games on show. Hopefully once the journalists get out and play some of them we'll get a proper feel for what its gonna be like.
I'm hoping it'll be a chance to get more peoeple I know hooked on games but we'll have to wait and see.
Had a frantic day and ended up staying late but in the end it was quite good because it meant I felt like I achieved something. We're in a down cycle and I can't get motivated to do the long list of stuff that needs doing but isn't really that important.
I also need to do some stuff to get together our costumes for the fancy dress party we're going to at the weekend. The theme is heroes & villains but we're doing somethign a little different that what I expect everybody else is doing. The real reaosn behind this is we've left it woefully late to get proper hero/villain costumes so we're going to have to make do.....it should be good though. I just hope I don't have to explain to everyone what K and I are....
We're also waiting for the results of the auditions for the upcoming shows we're doing...long old evening with a scarily few amount of men auditioning but hopefully thy'll pick up a few more before rehearsals start. We should find out any day now.
E3 is in full swing as well and I enjoyed watching the Nintendo conference live on the internet. Wii will only be the second console I will be buying at launch! I got a DS even before they came out in teh UK but I'll be pre-ordering a Wii just as soon as we know when the damn thing is going to be released. I guess that's the beauty of savings and having spare disposable income! I know a lot of people have been going on about the graphics but I can't remember any game I've bought because the graphics were good. Sure graphics can help but I'd rather have something that is enjoyable to play. Super Mario Galaxy looks ace as do a lot of the other games on show. Hopefully once the journalists get out and play some of them we'll get a proper feel for what its gonna be like.
I'm hoping it'll be a chance to get more peoeple I know hooked on games but we'll have to wait and see.
Had a frantic day and ended up staying late but in the end it was quite good because it meant I felt like I achieved something. We're in a down cycle and I can't get motivated to do the long list of stuff that needs doing but isn't really that important.
I also need to do some stuff to get together our costumes for the fancy dress party we're going to at the weekend. The theme is heroes & villains but we're doing somethign a little different that what I expect everybody else is doing. The real reaosn behind this is we've left it woefully late to get proper hero/villain costumes so we're going to have to make do.....it should be good though. I just hope I don't have to explain to everyone what K and I are....
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Damn good read
Finished To Kill A Mocking Bird a few days ago (memo to self: remove it from my links). That was a great book! There are books hanging around that I just don't seem to have read and I'm always suprised when I read them juts how good they are. TKAMB is one of them. Great story, excellent dialogue and the ability to make you feel like you're there....highly recommended.
Just attacking my book pile and reading the latest Kathy Reich paperback, cross bones, next. Nice spaced out big writing so I should be finished in no time.
Waterloo is starting to drive me crazy...the animals cleared out my house at the flea market yesterday and it now looks bare and empty. My whole town seems like an orchard and I'm finding it hard to keep on top of selling all the fruit. As well as this I've managed to pay off another mortgage and now have an extra room to contend with...not sure how I should deck my pad out...am tempted to sell everything I own and start from scratch with partial sets of furniture...keeping only the stuff I can't buy anywhere else (my mario pipe and animal pics for example). Also need to expand my museum collection so better get fishing! *sigh*
Also played my first few games on Metroid Prime Hunters WiFi...needless to say I sucked big stylee...must practise more....
Just attacking my book pile and reading the latest Kathy Reich paperback, cross bones, next. Nice spaced out big writing so I should be finished in no time.
Waterloo is starting to drive me crazy...the animals cleared out my house at the flea market yesterday and it now looks bare and empty. My whole town seems like an orchard and I'm finding it hard to keep on top of selling all the fruit. As well as this I've managed to pay off another mortgage and now have an extra room to contend with...not sure how I should deck my pad out...am tempted to sell everything I own and start from scratch with partial sets of furniture...keeping only the stuff I can't buy anywhere else (my mario pipe and animal pics for example). Also need to expand my museum collection so better get fishing! *sigh*
Also played my first few games on Metroid Prime Hunters WiFi...needless to say I sucked big stylee...must practise more....
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Heady days of summer
We've just enjoyed a few days on sunshine and it made me remember how much I like it in thsi country when the sun is out!
If only we could have a guaranteed 4 weeks of sunny weather each year then no-one would need to go abroad on holiday. This country is full of great places which are REALLY great when the sun's shining and not that great when its pissing down with rain....like it is now. Although since its late I'm not too bothered.
Fortunately the rain held off for K and her sister and aunt when they ran 5km for Cancer Research this afternoon. They even managed it in a respectable 41 mins...I was very impressed! Well done!
Did something foolish a few days ago and now I have yet another brand new game in my DS pile to play...Metroid Prime:Hunters.
Also starting to get quite excited as E3 is coming around this week. This is where the video game world goes crazy and we get to see a load of new cool stuff. Nintendo should finally be revealing its games for Wii and hopefully we'll see a load of new stuff for DS as well.
If only we could have a guaranteed 4 weeks of sunny weather each year then no-one would need to go abroad on holiday. This country is full of great places which are REALLY great when the sun's shining and not that great when its pissing down with rain....like it is now. Although since its late I'm not too bothered.
Fortunately the rain held off for K and her sister and aunt when they ran 5km for Cancer Research this afternoon. They even managed it in a respectable 41 mins...I was very impressed! Well done!
Did something foolish a few days ago and now I have yet another brand new game in my DS pile to play...Metroid Prime:Hunters.
Also starting to get quite excited as E3 is coming around this week. This is where the video game world goes crazy and we get to see a load of new cool stuff. Nintendo should finally be revealing its games for Wii and hopefully we'll see a load of new stuff for DS as well.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Not bad, as bank holidays go...
Even though we didn't really do anything, it didn't feel like a total wash out!
The weather was even good enough to finish off my planting and chnage the exterior light fitting. Now the light sill doesn't work but at least it looks classy! Since the other fitting had rusted shut and the bulb had blown we assumed that chnaging the whole lot would fix it. We were even lucky enough to pick a new fitting by the same manufacturer which meant I didn't need to drill new holes in the brickwork. Wired it all up correctly....I think, but still no light. Will need to get Tricky the electronical engineer to come and have a look!
Popped into town today and managed to buy 8 paperback books! Well I have just been paid and it was better than buying a single pair of jeans for £60! I managed to pick up Ultimate Spiderman for the DS for £15 too...not bad.
Had an enjoyable lunch at the Food Company shop in Marks Tey and bought 3 small items and it came to a tenner! That shop is pricey but nice. Spent the rest of the day baking and have got a lovely lemon curd sponge wth 2 jars of curd left over for another day. Brill!
Back to work tomorrow but it's only a 4 day week so it can't be all bad.
The weather was even good enough to finish off my planting and chnage the exterior light fitting. Now the light sill doesn't work but at least it looks classy! Since the other fitting had rusted shut and the bulb had blown we assumed that chnaging the whole lot would fix it. We were even lucky enough to pick a new fitting by the same manufacturer which meant I didn't need to drill new holes in the brickwork. Wired it all up correctly....I think, but still no light. Will need to get Tricky the electronical engineer to come and have a look!
Popped into town today and managed to buy 8 paperback books! Well I have just been paid and it was better than buying a single pair of jeans for £60! I managed to pick up Ultimate Spiderman for the DS for £15 too...not bad.
Had an enjoyable lunch at the Food Company shop in Marks Tey and bought 3 small items and it came to a tenner! That shop is pricey but nice. Spent the rest of the day baking and have got a lovely lemon curd sponge wth 2 jars of curd left over for another day. Brill!
Back to work tomorrow but it's only a 4 day week so it can't be all bad.
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