No, not the awful celebrity TV show where has-beens try and kick start their careers by doing pointless things on TV but my obsession with these kind of pastimes. I just love games! The most obvious manifestation of this (as in evidenced by my multiple posts on the subject) is video games. Sometimes I just can’t get enough of them. My passion for WoW has been re-ignited when I finally finished of a string of Mage quests which resulted in me getting a swanky new wand, but that’s not what I want to type about today.
I’m talking classic games, board games if you will. Now I have a friend who proclaims to absolutely hate them (although I’m sure it’s all a front) to the extent that whenever he gives one to me as a present it’s on the condition that he never has to play it! But I just love ‘em! I currently have in my house 4 versions of Monopoly (I think, it might be 3 actually) including Nottingham and Justice League of America. The problem with these games is that they have pretty complex rules and no-one (except me) wants to play them as they can take ages. Although the only time I am able to convince my mother to play, she beats me every time!
Current game favourites at the moment are Perudo , no complicated rules, no boards, just some dice. This was a present from R&R and everyone we’ve had play it, really enjoys it. It’s about bluffing, lying and odds.
Milles Bourne is another favourite. Originally we were introduced to this by the chap above (which seems odd given his aversion to games, it’s all a front, I tell you) who would only let us play with his ancient set if we washed our hands first. It’s essentially a team game about traffic and its all in French! Pretty good though one you get the hang on it!
Another one I want to get (as soon as I'm paid) is called Fluxx. Its a card game where the cards that are played chane the rules of the game! Sounds like there only one rule to learn at the start and then new rules are introduced by playing certain cards...sounds like fun! This same company makes one called Chrononauts as well, which looks pretty good.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Thursday, March 09, 2006
A bit bored
Feeling a little bit bored this evening...I had assumed with the concert out of the way, Kath would be in of an evening and we could perhaps what a film or something. Turns out the rehearsals just carry on ready for the next one!
Tiring of World of Warcraft...getting to a high level and running out of stuff I want to do. There are some other games to catch up on, on the DS or the Cube but I can't really be bothered tbh.
Found these on the web today, pretty cool attempts to recreate the public information films. The pantomime dame one is great!
This is great as well for any Simpsons fans.
Tiring of World of Warcraft...getting to a high level and running out of stuff I want to do. There are some other games to catch up on, on the DS or the Cube but I can't really be bothered tbh.
Found these on the web today, pretty cool attempts to recreate the public information films. The pantomime dame one is great!
This is great as well for any Simpsons fans.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Another day
Another day of writing lots of reports and manipulating data…am I starting to get jaded? I don’t know but my upper arms ache, that I do know!
Spent some of today looking at frying pans on the ‘net, god, isn’t my life just chock full of thrills? Anyway I do want to get a new one as the non-stick is starting to go a bit funny on mine. In hindsight we should have put more expensive pans on the wedding list, but we didn’t think anyone would want to buy them. As it was the whole list went and we ended up with loads of vouchers as well, maybe next time….
I can’t decide between the Circulon 2 or the Anolon Professional. What I did find surprising is that almost all the different pans I looked at are made by the same company! Meyer UK. The ones we have at home and both of the ones mentioned here are all made by the same firm. I wonder if its like washing machines where they are all the same inside and just look fancier on the outside to capture a different market? I’m not sure that applies to frying pans though. It’s a shame there’s no way to try them out before hand. Anyway not sure why I’m looking as because of my furious spending I’ve got no money left until pay day.
BT shares seem to be doing bizarrely well at the moment. Usually whenever we announce results they take a nosedive but they’re hovering around £2.30 at the moment. This is good as I own a few shares outright and significantly more as Options at £1.99. Hopefully they’ll keep on rising!
Spent some of today looking at frying pans on the ‘net, god, isn’t my life just chock full of thrills? Anyway I do want to get a new one as the non-stick is starting to go a bit funny on mine. In hindsight we should have put more expensive pans on the wedding list, but we didn’t think anyone would want to buy them. As it was the whole list went and we ended up with loads of vouchers as well, maybe next time….
I can’t decide between the Circulon 2 or the Anolon Professional. What I did find surprising is that almost all the different pans I looked at are made by the same company! Meyer UK. The ones we have at home and both of the ones mentioned here are all made by the same firm. I wonder if its like washing machines where they are all the same inside and just look fancier on the outside to capture a different market? I’m not sure that applies to frying pans though. It’s a shame there’s no way to try them out before hand. Anyway not sure why I’m looking as because of my furious spending I’ve got no money left until pay day.
BT shares seem to be doing bizarrely well at the moment. Usually whenever we announce results they take a nosedive but they’re hovering around £2.30 at the moment. This is good as I own a few shares outright and significantly more as Options at £1.99. Hopefully they’ll keep on rising!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Mondays
Work was deathly dull today, I hadn’t realised quite how much time I spent on the phone to my colleague. She’s off and now I’m languishing a bit. You can tell we’ve managed to get more organised as this week is supposed to be the busiest of the month but I spent a lot of it doing admin-y things like responding to very old email and checking out links I should have looked at ages ago.
It’s frustrating because it’s clear that I thrive on the havoc of setting something up from scratch and find it hard to get motivated about the documentation and stuff. I want problems to fix! The big problem is that the problems I want to fix are most definitely the responsibility of another team and I have to keep my nose out!
Had a great if very tiring weekend. Three birthdays in March (Emma, Paul & Rachel) and we hadn’t bought a single thing. Up early on Saturday and trawling the shops, we had to buy something today as the main reason I’m so tired is that we went to Nottingham to see the aforementioned birthday people. The presents were all bought and Kath had managed to find a top to buy to wear and I was mooching around trying to get enthused. The shirt I wanted to wear is bizarre and just won’t get clean! Each time it goes through the machine it comes out dirtier!
In an effort to get excited about it picked up 5 things I kinda liked and went to try them on. 10 minutes later and I’d spent £220 on a jacket, 2 shirts, a jumper and some jeans! Eeek! My little early month spending spree (the clothes were just part of it…got a little carried way online) has wiped me out and so I’ll be buying very little at the supermarket this week. Kath seems a bit put out that my spending extravagance means we’ll be eating ‘Value’ food this week but my view is that it’s a good opportunity to use up some of the stuff that is bulging from my store-cupboard and freezer.
Went and had cocktails at Santa Fe at the Corner House in Nottingham. Mohita, Chocolate covered strawberry and Carrot Cake for me and lots of other lovely things for the others. Then had a great meal at a place called Punchinello’s (apparently the oldest restaurant in Nottingham). Made the mistake I always do of ordering too much wine and was very hungover. This in itself wouldn’t usually be a problem but we had to be up at 6.30am the next morning to drive back to Ipswich to get Kath to a concert rehearsal for 10am. Fortunately the roads were clear and we managed to squeeze in tea, toast and an episode of Arrested Development season 2 before I had to take Kath to the rehearsal.
Attended said concert in the afternoon with Becks & Ralph and spent most of the time trying to persuade Rebecca to go to the doctors/dentist to get her swollen cheek looked at (apparently calling her ‘Becky Big Mouth’ didn’t help). The concert was good and then it was home for a chance to sit on my backside and snooze. ‘Watched’ (tried to stay awake and missed 5 minutes of the finale) Elektra on Sunday evening and was a bit disappointed to be honest. Jennifer Garner was good (although can’t shake the feeling that she was just Sydney Bristow on a slightly longer mission) but the story was a bit weak and having Goran Visnjic playing an all American dad with his own eastern European accent was just odd. Can’t he do any other accents?
Went to bed and read The Ultimates vol 2: Gods and Monsters and was left with a massive cliffhanger, hope I won’t have to wait too long for some sort of resolution. Felt knackered this morning and going to a step class at lunchtime didn’t help!
It’s frustrating because it’s clear that I thrive on the havoc of setting something up from scratch and find it hard to get motivated about the documentation and stuff. I want problems to fix! The big problem is that the problems I want to fix are most definitely the responsibility of another team and I have to keep my nose out!
Had a great if very tiring weekend. Three birthdays in March (Emma, Paul & Rachel) and we hadn’t bought a single thing. Up early on Saturday and trawling the shops, we had to buy something today as the main reason I’m so tired is that we went to Nottingham to see the aforementioned birthday people. The presents were all bought and Kath had managed to find a top to buy to wear and I was mooching around trying to get enthused. The shirt I wanted to wear is bizarre and just won’t get clean! Each time it goes through the machine it comes out dirtier!
In an effort to get excited about it picked up 5 things I kinda liked and went to try them on. 10 minutes later and I’d spent £220 on a jacket, 2 shirts, a jumper and some jeans! Eeek! My little early month spending spree (the clothes were just part of it…got a little carried way online) has wiped me out and so I’ll be buying very little at the supermarket this week. Kath seems a bit put out that my spending extravagance means we’ll be eating ‘Value’ food this week but my view is that it’s a good opportunity to use up some of the stuff that is bulging from my store-cupboard and freezer.
Went and had cocktails at Santa Fe at the Corner House in Nottingham. Mohita, Chocolate covered strawberry and Carrot Cake for me and lots of other lovely things for the others. Then had a great meal at a place called Punchinello’s (apparently the oldest restaurant in Nottingham). Made the mistake I always do of ordering too much wine and was very hungover. This in itself wouldn’t usually be a problem but we had to be up at 6.30am the next morning to drive back to Ipswich to get Kath to a concert rehearsal for 10am. Fortunately the roads were clear and we managed to squeeze in tea, toast and an episode of Arrested Development season 2 before I had to take Kath to the rehearsal.
Attended said concert in the afternoon with Becks & Ralph and spent most of the time trying to persuade Rebecca to go to the doctors/dentist to get her swollen cheek looked at (apparently calling her ‘Becky Big Mouth’ didn’t help). The concert was good and then it was home for a chance to sit on my backside and snooze. ‘Watched’ (tried to stay awake and missed 5 minutes of the finale) Elektra on Sunday evening and was a bit disappointed to be honest. Jennifer Garner was good (although can’t shake the feeling that she was just Sydney Bristow on a slightly longer mission) but the story was a bit weak and having Goran Visnjic playing an all American dad with his own eastern European accent was just odd. Can’t he do any other accents?
Went to bed and read The Ultimates vol 2: Gods and Monsters and was left with a massive cliffhanger, hope I won’t have to wait too long for some sort of resolution. Felt knackered this morning and going to a step class at lunchtime didn’t help!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Leigh’s Offline Blog
Monday, February 13, 2006
Spend spend spend!
I'm currently fighting an urge to spend some money. An overspend in January (the excess christmas credit cards and the wife's birthday) have left me with little disposable income for February (two weeks to go and only £150 in my account).
The problem is the rather sizable chunk of cash in my savings that seems to alternate between willing me to spend it and saying "Save me, save me!". I'm not really sure how it has happened but I seem to be saving a frankly large amount of money each month. It might be that the house is so full of crap that I can't buy big items (nowhere to put them) or that once I have started to save I never want to be in debt again. Either way I'm finding hard to justify buying something unless I really want it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of it is due to boredom...hopefully spending will give me a thrill....but if I can just make it 2 more weeks then I will have been paid and I can spend my usual disposable income instead of my savings...I wonder if I'll make it.
Just in case you're wondering I'm only likely to spend it on DVDs, books, video games and comics. Perhaps I should focus my efforts on the games unfinished, the pile of books not started and the DVDs yet to be watced since Christmas. That might be a better use of my time instead of thinking of new shiny things. Although an iPod Nano is looking quite attractive at the moment.....
The problem is the rather sizable chunk of cash in my savings that seems to alternate between willing me to spend it and saying "Save me, save me!". I'm not really sure how it has happened but I seem to be saving a frankly large amount of money each month. It might be that the house is so full of crap that I can't buy big items (nowhere to put them) or that once I have started to save I never want to be in debt again. Either way I'm finding hard to justify buying something unless I really want it.
I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of it is due to boredom...hopefully spending will give me a thrill....but if I can just make it 2 more weeks then I will have been paid and I can spend my usual disposable income instead of my savings...I wonder if I'll make it.
Just in case you're wondering I'm only likely to spend it on DVDs, books, video games and comics. Perhaps I should focus my efforts on the games unfinished, the pile of books not started and the DVDs yet to be watced since Christmas. That might be a better use of my time instead of thinking of new shiny things. Although an iPod Nano is looking quite attractive at the moment.....
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Buttery Boxers
Ok so I’m finally putting in a blog entry that is meaningful and longer than a couple of sentences!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sharing
I'm off work today with a persistant headache that won't go away...my neck and shoulders hurt as well...god I feel old.
Just thought you'd like to know....
Just thought you'd like to know....
Friday, December 09, 2005
Nothing to say really
I wish I could be more motivated to fill in my blog! My wife has all but given up on her's which is a shame as she does come up with some gems. Think kind thoughts so she'll tell us all about 'Textures of Pears'. I would but I think I got a little hysterical about it and I don't trust myself not to go off on one!
You have the pleasure of my blog as I'm waiting for the weekend to start...my boss IMed me (I know IMisn't a verb but I can't be arsed to type the whole thing) and said he would call me at 16:50 just before I shut my PC down. I'm at home now and its 17:15 and still no call...the weekend can't start until I can relax!
Although I do need to leap into action and make dinner as soon as I'm finished. We wasted our one takeway a week on pizza last night as I didn't get home from work 'til 7 and nothing was gonna make me cook after the shitty day I'd had. Especially as the journey home from Leavseden gave me ample oppurtunity to fester on it and then Kath's Textures of Pears debacle topped it all off.
On the bright side barring 3 gifts Christmas shopping all done and we're really swinging into the Christmas season. We have the KCJ works Christams do tomorrow and in a break from tradition is actually near to Christmas. Not sure what I'm going to wear but I'll have to have a look!
Better go and find out if the boss still wants to talk to me!
You have the pleasure of my blog as I'm waiting for the weekend to start...my boss IMed me (I know IMisn't a verb but I can't be arsed to type the whole thing) and said he would call me at 16:50 just before I shut my PC down. I'm at home now and its 17:15 and still no call...the weekend can't start until I can relax!
Although I do need to leap into action and make dinner as soon as I'm finished. We wasted our one takeway a week on pizza last night as I didn't get home from work 'til 7 and nothing was gonna make me cook after the shitty day I'd had. Especially as the journey home from Leavseden gave me ample oppurtunity to fester on it and then Kath's Textures of Pears debacle topped it all off.
On the bright side barring 3 gifts Christmas shopping all done and we're really swinging into the Christmas season. We have the KCJ works Christams do tomorrow and in a break from tradition is actually near to Christmas. Not sure what I'm going to wear but I'll have to have a look!
Better go and find out if the boss still wants to talk to me!
Friday, November 25, 2005
Another Blog Filler
| Your Inner Child Is Surprised |
 You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things. |
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Update pt 3
Oops...been a bit lax with updates...I could say its because of the heady euphoria we're feeling because the show has been doing so well (and it has) but the real reason is because I'm lazy! And exhausted...doing the show really takes it out of me. Coupled with the last few months of work I have spent most of the time lolling around the house!
The reviews from the press have been fantastic and we're looking forward to another 2 good shows...although today is quite tough with a matinee and a regular performance.
The central heating has been a godsend! I don't know how we managed without it before.
Also we had an exciting trip to a violin shop to get Kath a new bow and case for her viola. Lovely shop and a lovely man who, when we realised we didn't have a cheque book with us, waved us out of the shop with over £200 of goods saying "Not to worry, juss pop me a cheque in the post"! Now that's good service!
The reviews from the press have been fantastic and we're looking forward to another 2 good shows...although today is quite tough with a matinee and a regular performance.
The central heating has been a godsend! I don't know how we managed without it before.
Also we had an exciting trip to a violin shop to get Kath a new bow and case for her viola. Lovely shop and a lovely man who, when we realised we didn't have a cheque book with us, waved us out of the shop with over £200 of goods saying "Not to worry, juss pop me a cheque in the post"! Now that's good service!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Diary of a Show pt 2
The first theatre rehearsal is either great or terrible depending on whether the good outweighs the bad.
Fortunately in this case the good DID outweigh the bad!
Yes, it took some getting used to with the sloped stage, the setting is different than in the village hall, not being able to see the conductor is a pain but on the other hand, the entrances are easier, there's more room and you get to see everyone's costumes! The attached photo is me as a runner in the Overture...not sure how much you'll be able to see as I'm behin a screen but it should be OK.
Its 1pm and I've done nothing but play half-life 2 so far today! I need to go out to the supermarket so I'd better dash. I'll post another update tomorrow but between you and me I'm expecting it to be awful!
Fortunately in this case the good DID outweigh the bad!
Yes, it took some getting used to with the sloped stage, the setting is different than in the village hall, not being able to see the conductor is a pain but on the other hand, the entrances are easier, there's more room and you get to see everyone's costumes! The attached photo is me as a runner in the Overture...not sure how much you'll be able to see as I'm behin a screen but it should be OK.
Its 1pm and I've done nothing but play half-life 2 so far today! I need to go out to the supermarket so I'd better dash. I'll post another update tomorrow but between you and me I'm expecting it to be awful!
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Diary of the Show pt 1
I'm off work for a week! Hooray! Had a truly terrible day at work on friday so am very glad to be off for the next 7 days. The reason? It's show week!
We're performing in The Mikado at the Ipswich Corn Exchange and I thought I would keep a track of the week using my blog and so provide blog updates at the same time...something which I've neglected over the past weeks.
First things first...show week starts the friday before with the lovely costume pickup...my wife is modelling her wig so beautifully in the photo you see here. For the full set of Mikado photos, including my wig and costume click here.
This week will also give me a good opportunity to relax and put in some serious videogame time. My plan is to try and finish as many as I can so that the inevitable onslaught of new christmas titles can be bought and enjoyed!
I'm currently enjoying Half-life 2, Nintendogs, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, X-Men 2: Rise of Apocolypse, Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones, James Bond: Everything or Nothing plus I've still got to finish Baten Kaitos. If I'm very good I might even play Resident Evil 4 again!
Other things that need doing include my time recording and expenses for work (forgot to do them on Friday) and a lot of origami for the show.
We have the first rehearsal in the Corn Exchnage tonight so I'll post my impressions later.
We're performing in The Mikado at the Ipswich Corn Exchange and I thought I would keep a track of the week using my blog and so provide blog updates at the same time...something which I've neglected over the past weeks.
First things first...show week starts the friday before with the lovely costume pickup...my wife is modelling her wig so beautifully in the photo you see here. For the full set of Mikado photos, including my wig and costume click here.
This week will also give me a good opportunity to relax and put in some serious videogame time. My plan is to try and finish as many as I can so that the inevitable onslaught of new christmas titles can be bought and enjoyed!
I'm currently enjoying Half-life 2, Nintendogs, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, X-Men 2: Rise of Apocolypse, Fire Emblem: Sacred Stones, James Bond: Everything or Nothing plus I've still got to finish Baten Kaitos. If I'm very good I might even play Resident Evil 4 again!
Other things that need doing include my time recording and expenses for work (forgot to do them on Friday) and a lot of origami for the show.
We have the first rehearsal in the Corn Exchnage tonight so I'll post my impressions later.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
This is me, apparently....
Ahh, the ever-cynical and sarcastic speechwriter. Gutsy and not afraid to speak up or clash with authority, his dry wit is amusing. But under it all he's just a big teddy bear... and the world's biggest Yankees fan.
:: Which West Wing character are you? ::
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
A bit of time
It seems that I've actually got home at a decent time for once and have the energy to update my blog! Woo hoo!
My brother has finally taken the plunge and is joining the 21st Century! By this I mean he has finally bought himself a computer and I got him hooked up to Broadband last week! No doubt this will be an avenue for him to spend more money on video games and potentially get hooked on computer gambling! The upside is I'll be in more regular contact with him and he can find information about stuff more easily! It's odd that its taken him so long to be honest...it was him that led technology when we were living with my parents. he convinced them to get satellite TV (for the wrestling) and then get a computer...funny how things turn out.
Got stuck looking at origami paper websites today! www.origamipapers.co.uk looks quite good but I need to do a bit more browsing! The reason is I want to make some fancy models as cast gifts for the show we're doing next month.
I also ended up buying sushi rice from a web site yesterday too. I can't believe that I can't buy it at a supermarket! I personally blame Tesco as it seems the other supermarkets copy what Tesco sell. And if Tesco decide they can't sell it then its tough! Bastards! I eventually found a site called Japanese Kitchen which is sending me a parcel load of interesting Japanese foodstuffs! thats hould make my Sushi meal for frieds at the weekend much easier to make.
Gone video game crazy this month! I bought kath her own DS and we've both got copies on Nintendogs! I also got another couple of games as well. What with the central heating as well my accounts have taken a battering! Once all the cheques clear we'll have a clearer view of whats what!
Right better go and make the dinner before K gets home and the plumbers comes round to fix the leaky radiator!
Bye!
My brother has finally taken the plunge and is joining the 21st Century! By this I mean he has finally bought himself a computer and I got him hooked up to Broadband last week! No doubt this will be an avenue for him to spend more money on video games and potentially get hooked on computer gambling! The upside is I'll be in more regular contact with him and he can find information about stuff more easily! It's odd that its taken him so long to be honest...it was him that led technology when we were living with my parents. he convinced them to get satellite TV (for the wrestling) and then get a computer...funny how things turn out.
Got stuck looking at origami paper websites today! www.origamipapers.co.uk looks quite good but I need to do a bit more browsing! The reason is I want to make some fancy models as cast gifts for the show we're doing next month.
I also ended up buying sushi rice from a web site yesterday too. I can't believe that I can't buy it at a supermarket! I personally blame Tesco as it seems the other supermarkets copy what Tesco sell. And if Tesco decide they can't sell it then its tough! Bastards! I eventually found a site called Japanese Kitchen which is sending me a parcel load of interesting Japanese foodstuffs! thats hould make my Sushi meal for frieds at the weekend much easier to make.
Gone video game crazy this month! I bought kath her own DS and we've both got copies on Nintendogs! I also got another couple of games as well. What with the central heating as well my accounts have taken a battering! Once all the cheques clear we'll have a clearer view of whats what!
Right better go and make the dinner before K gets home and the plumbers comes round to fix the leaky radiator!
Bye!
Sunday, October 09, 2005
I'll show you mine
I'll show you mine
Originally uploaded by Leighbob.
Alex threw down the gauntlet so here is my response.....using the lovely Flickr to provide the commentary.
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