Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Second vinyl
Second vinyl
Originally uploaded by j0hncooke
Amzing what some people do, I lifted one piece of vinyl only to find another, lifted that only to find tiles, and under the tiles, more tiles.
Island of Domination
Strange Days, work was difficult today, I feel like nothing I can do is right. I found a way to save potentially hundreds of pounds a year today and it was greeted with derision. I went to lunch with a colleague and we had a good bitch about it all.
After work I went with my dad to pull some more rubbish out of my house (see the following pictures). Managed to take out all the builders tiles in the living room and most of the kitchen floor.
This evening I walked down to the unicorn with Nick. I have finally finished my antibiotics so I could finally enjoy a drink. It was a very humid and muggy night so we sat outside. There were a group of girls on the table across from us having a good time, at least seemingly. A guy came over to them, and a few minutes later they were having a full blown row, it transpired that is was her 40th birthday and she felt he wasn't bothered, to be honest hearing them I didn't feel either of them deserved sympathy.
After work I went with my dad to pull some more rubbish out of my house (see the following pictures). Managed to take out all the builders tiles in the living room and most of the kitchen floor.
This evening I walked down to the unicorn with Nick. I have finally finished my antibiotics so I could finally enjoy a drink. It was a very humid and muggy night so we sat outside. There were a group of girls on the table across from us having a good time, at least seemingly. A guy came over to them, and a few minutes later they were having a full blown row, it transpired that is was her 40th birthday and she felt he wasn't bothered, to be honest hearing them I didn't feel either of them deserved sympathy.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Hole in the floor
Hole in the floor
Originally uploaded by j0hncooke
Nick cut a hole in the floor to investigate why its sinking
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Googlebombing
I just read this brilliant article on El Reg. It shows what can happen to people when they write about things they do not really understand which happen to also piss off people who do. A web search (on Google at least) for the offending columnist Julie Moult now returns this blog. Which shows two things really, annoying technical people can lead to problems and Googles ranking system is clearly manipulable by the internet masses.
Dumped Tyres
Dumped Tyres
Originally uploaded by j0hncooke
On the way to Sundays concert I saw this pile of dumped tyres with a note from the council on. I would have thought clearing up the mess would have been preferable to putting a big yellow notice on it.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The end of the world as we know it
"and I feel fine" Michael Stipe wrapped up the R.E.M. concert in Manchester last night with that iconic song. Despite being a fan for years I have never seen R.E.M. live. I remember being in France years ago on a rugby tour a listening to Monster, what's the frequency Kenneth was just so brilliant. I was really happy when they played it right at the beginning of the set. They played a real mixture of songs a lot from the new album but interspersed with bits from throughout their career. Michael Stipe addressed the crowd several times dedicating a couple of songs to the gay pride festival going on in Manchester over the weekend. They called on the encore by the video guy putting his iphone with a scrolling "Encore?". I really enjoyed the concert a lot, more than I expected in fact. I think that there recent material works a heck of a lot better live than recorded.
The set up swas a lot smaller than for Radiohead, with parts of teh field cut off. Another weird thing was we were actually stood on the cricket pitch at LCCC. Everytime I had been to concerts there previously the pitch had been covered with plastic. I guess they must be resurfacing or something.
Supporting R.E.M. were the Guilimots who were on form, and a lot better than when I saw them at the Academy but really not my kind of thing.
The second support band were the Editors who I have to say were excellent, and one of the best support acts I have ever seen. They pretty much played everything off their albums which was great.
The concert was notable for one other feature, we found a food stand selling gourmet buffalo burgers, which tasted excellent, the best food I have ever eaten at a concert by some margin.
The set up swas a lot smaller than for Radiohead, with parts of teh field cut off. Another weird thing was we were actually stood on the cricket pitch at LCCC. Everytime I had been to concerts there previously the pitch had been covered with plastic. I guess they must be resurfacing or something.
Supporting R.E.M. were the Guilimots who were on form, and a lot better than when I saw them at the Academy but really not my kind of thing.
The second support band were the Editors who I have to say were excellent, and one of the best support acts I have ever seen. They pretty much played everything off their albums which was great.
The concert was notable for one other feature, we found a food stand selling gourmet buffalo burgers, which tasted excellent, the best food I have ever eaten at a concert by some margin.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Love Is Noise
Something I don't seem to have enough of at the moment is time. I try and do as much as I can see as many people as possible, only somewhere along the way I keep letting everyone down. The last few weeks have passed in a blur. Since I became a homeowner I have tried to get there as much as possible even if its only to do one small job. That had been my plan yesterday, but over the course of the day my arm had swollen up to the point where at 3m it was so painful I had to take a trip to the doctors. Dr Ali informed me that I had cellulitus and prescribed a course of antibiotics.
I went to the pharmacy bought the horse tranquilliser sized tablets then came home to eat pizza and watch Interstate 60. A lovefilm recommendation starring Gary Oldman and James Marsden, its an interesting take on the voyage of discovery.
I wanted to do so much today, work on the house, go to the gym, see friends, write my blog. Some how maybe because of the fact my body is fighting off an infection I just felt too tired to do any work on the house. Instead I took my mum shopping she needed a new washing machine so we went to several places looking for the right model at the best price.
In the evening I collected Phil, Bruce Martina and headed to the March Hair for a quite drink and chat. Afterwards we went round to Bruce's to watch the Reading festival coverage. They drank scrumpy while I sat and eat pringles, it was a pleasant evening though.
I went to the pharmacy bought the horse tranquilliser sized tablets then came home to eat pizza and watch Interstate 60. A lovefilm recommendation starring Gary Oldman and James Marsden, its an interesting take on the voyage of discovery.
I wanted to do so much today, work on the house, go to the gym, see friends, write my blog. Some how maybe because of the fact my body is fighting off an infection I just felt too tired to do any work on the house. Instead I took my mum shopping she needed a new washing machine so we went to several places looking for the right model at the best price.
In the evening I collected Phil, Bruce Martina and headed to the March Hair for a quite drink and chat. Afterwards we went round to Bruce's to watch the Reading festival coverage. They drank scrumpy while I sat and eat pringles, it was a pleasant evening though.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Are the batterys dead?
These were the batteries I found inside the doorbell housing, they look like they are from the 1970's needless to say the bell dosn't work
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Foaming at the mouth
I went to see Cine this evening at Moho live in Manchester. I picked Nick up early, my gran and parents were monopolising the house so I needed to get out.
As we were so early Nick and I went for a drink and a chat in Dry Bar. As we talk a seat a surreal moment happened as a guy entered the bar with his dog, he sat outside to smoke with a beer and the barman brought the dog a bucket of water to drink from.
Nick is an inspiration to me, I have only been working on my house for a couple of weeks and already I feel worn out, I have no idea how he manages it day after day. Ian Faye and Danny joined us for a quick drink. Ian an Faye were looking tanned and happy after their sojourn in the US. We didn't have long to chat before we had to make a move to the club.
Danny pointed out that Moho is actually in what was the Lazy Pig. It brought back some memories of college days.
Inside Moho met up with Andy Gilmore, Emily, Jo Berger, Alex Humphrey, Paul Fletcher (who had something to do with holding the event). Cine played a good set, Paul was really hyped up, James was awesome on the guitar I really like the keyboard effects creating an almost door's like sound which was a suitable adjunct to Paul songs.
I really enjoyed the performance but afterwards the next band was way way too loud I couldn't talk to anyone properly so I hung around for a bit before making an exit about 11.
As we were so early Nick and I went for a drink and a chat in Dry Bar. As we talk a seat a surreal moment happened as a guy entered the bar with his dog, he sat outside to smoke with a beer and the barman brought the dog a bucket of water to drink from.
Nick is an inspiration to me, I have only been working on my house for a couple of weeks and already I feel worn out, I have no idea how he manages it day after day. Ian Faye and Danny joined us for a quick drink. Ian an Faye were looking tanned and happy after their sojourn in the US. We didn't have long to chat before we had to make a move to the club.
Danny pointed out that Moho is actually in what was the Lazy Pig. It brought back some memories of college days.
Inside Moho met up with Andy Gilmore, Emily, Jo Berger, Alex Humphrey, Paul Fletcher (who had something to do with holding the event). Cine played a good set, Paul was really hyped up, James was awesome on the guitar I really like the keyboard effects creating an almost door's like sound which was a suitable adjunct to Paul songs.
I really enjoyed the performance but afterwards the next band was way way too loud I couldn't talk to anyone properly so I hung around for a bit before making an exit about 11.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Violent Cop
Phil told me some interesting news last night. He is planning to go to Japan for a year, apparently he can get a working holiday Visa there. I am really Jealous if he is, Japan is an amazing place I would love to spend more time there. I am not sure if I could work there though, the super long hours would really put a drain on me. On a plus note I really want to go again and if Phil's over there is would be a great reason to visit.
I met Sarah again for lunch today we arranged to meet up for the Cine gig tomorrow. She said something pretty interesting we were talking about some of the people I know and she said "they are like characters in a book". I suppose I never thought about it before but while my blog is a diary for me it is a story to other people. It is always interesting for me to learn other points of view.
I met Sarah again for lunch today we arranged to meet up for the Cine gig tomorrow. She said something pretty interesting we were talking about some of the people I know and she said "they are like characters in a book". I suppose I never thought about it before but while my blog is a diary for me it is a story to other people. It is always interesting for me to learn other points of view.
Gatekeeper
I made it through another Monday. It was actually a pretty good day for a Monday. I managed to fix a problem that has been taxing me for some time. Unfortunately in the current times of downsizing and credit crunching moral is pretty low. The office was like a ghost town today after the recent crop of staff leaving.
I was very glad whenSarah sent me a message to see if I was free for lunch. I BLT and a chat in the Swan was just the job.
After work I headed to my house took out the horrible carpet in the master bedroom and changed a couple of the lights removing the 1960s pendants. For the moment in most rooms I am just putting up cheap and cheerful fittings Ill get nice lights int eh fullness of time.
I borrowed Phils laptop to do my accounts, while I was tapping away I we watched the family guy Jo B gave me. It was called Blue Harvest a take on Star Wars a New Hope. Apparently the Blue Harvest moniker was the code name George Lukas used when making Star Wars. It was a hilarious take on the film I especially liked the dirty old man as OB1 I laughed out loud several times.
I was very glad whenSarah sent me a message to see if I was free for lunch. I BLT and a chat in the Swan was just the job.
After work I headed to my house took out the horrible carpet in the master bedroom and changed a couple of the lights removing the 1960s pendants. For the moment in most rooms I am just putting up cheap and cheerful fittings Ill get nice lights int eh fullness of time.
I borrowed Phils laptop to do my accounts, while I was tapping away I we watched the family guy Jo B gave me. It was called Blue Harvest a take on Star Wars a New Hope. Apparently the Blue Harvest moniker was the code name George Lukas used when making Star Wars. It was a hilarious take on the film I especially liked the dirty old man as OB1 I laughed out loud several times.
Monday, August 18, 2008
It has been a long long weekend I feel like a lot has happened. On Friday I set off for work got to the end of my road only for my car to cut out. I called my dad got a lift to work and he called the AA for me. The AA man found something quiet worrying. When the mechanic started to investigate he found an access panel had been cut to gain access to a relay (which was stuck causing the problem). One tap later and the car was running. I do think that its time for a change, I am going to use this to take everything to the tip and when the house is done look for a new vehicle.
After work I headed out for a drink with Nick Phil and Bruce at the unicorn. I felt pretty tired but it was an enjoyable evening.
Saturday I spent most of the day stripping paper off the wall of my house. It was woodchip, hard to remove and when it did come off was really sharp. My hands are covered in little nicks, war wounds from paper stripping. I started to become a little overawed with the whole job. I have spent quiet a bit of time there now and thought things are progressing there is an awful lot to do yet. Martina popped round in the afternoon to give me a hand, which was useful as she is quiet a bit taller than me and I don't have any step ladders yet she was able to do some of the higher bits on the wall.
Nick and Phil had arranged to go out for a few drinks in Wilmslow in the evening but I felt so tired that I ended up watching Monty Python's Holy Grail with Martina then had an early night.
Today I went to B&Q to have a look at the kitchens and pick up some supplies. I spent the morning removing more of the kitchen, just have to wait for the gas to be capped so I can remove the rest of the work top. I was meant to help out Jo and Holly with their allotment but after getting a bit carried away I didn&39;t arrive until they had nearly finished.
I spent the evening ordering bits from Screfix then went round to Phils to watch a film. We watched the Pathfinder, it was pretty dreadful, one to avoid.
After work I headed out for a drink with Nick Phil and Bruce at the unicorn. I felt pretty tired but it was an enjoyable evening.
Saturday I spent most of the day stripping paper off the wall of my house. It was woodchip, hard to remove and when it did come off was really sharp. My hands are covered in little nicks, war wounds from paper stripping. I started to become a little overawed with the whole job. I have spent quiet a bit of time there now and thought things are progressing there is an awful lot to do yet. Martina popped round in the afternoon to give me a hand, which was useful as she is quiet a bit taller than me and I don't have any step ladders yet she was able to do some of the higher bits on the wall.
Nick and Phil had arranged to go out for a few drinks in Wilmslow in the evening but I felt so tired that I ended up watching Monty Python's Holy Grail with Martina then had an early night.
Today I went to B&Q to have a look at the kitchens and pick up some supplies. I spent the morning removing more of the kitchen, just have to wait for the gas to be capped so I can remove the rest of the work top. I was meant to help out Jo and Holly with their allotment but after getting a bit carried away I didn&39;t arrive until they had nearly finished.
I spent the evening ordering bits from Screfix then went round to Phils to watch a film. We watched the Pathfinder, it was pretty dreadful, one to avoid.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Look Out Sunshine!
It has been a long long weekend I feel like a lot has happened. On Friday I set off for work got to the end of my road only for my car to cut out. I called my dad got a lift to work and he called the AA for me. The AA man found something quiet worrying. When the mechanic started to investigate he found an access panel had been cut to gain access to a relay (which was stuck causing the problem.
After work I headed out for a drink with Nick, Phil and Bruce at the unicorn. I felt pretty tired but it was an enjoyable evening.
Saturday I spent most of the day stripping paper off the wall of my house. It was woodchip, hard to remove and when it did come off was really sharp. My hands are covered in little nicks, war wounds from paper stripping. I started to become a little overawed with the whole job. I have spent quiet a bit of time there now and thought things are progressing there is an awful lot to do yet.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Break And Enter
I have been so busy recently I hardly can tell where the time has gone. I have removed most of my kitchen, started stripping the walls. My mum has been really great and made a real start in the garden. To be honest I think she has quiet enjoyed herself pottering around in the garden. My garden is a lot more manageable than my parents.
There have been lots of things I have really wanted to blog, but I am rubbish at takings notes and the stories have already escaped my head. I hope soon to return to more regular posts.
Now my parents new kitchen is nearing completion they had there old washing machine and fridge freezer which Nick helped me to transport to my house. Washing machines are really, really heavy! I offered to buy Nick a drink for his efforts so he walked round to my parents house about 10, out of nowhere the nice evening went very nasty and the rain came down in a monsoon type downpour. I elected to drive but even walking to the car we got we and the visibility was only 20 meters.
It was quizz night in the Unicorn so conversation was difficult and e both felt tired so after a drink we came home.
There have been lots of things I have really wanted to blog, but I am rubbish at takings notes and the stories have already escaped my head. I hope soon to return to more regular posts.
Now my parents new kitchen is nearing completion they had there old washing machine and fridge freezer which Nick helped me to transport to my house. Washing machines are really, really heavy! I offered to buy Nick a drink for his efforts so he walked round to my parents house about 10, out of nowhere the nice evening went very nasty and the rain came down in a monsoon type downpour. I elected to drive but even walking to the car we got we and the visibility was only 20 meters.
It was quizz night in the Unicorn so conversation was difficult and e both felt tired so after a drink we came home.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
The Bridge
"Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated". I am still alive and kicking though the last few weeks have been a trying time. My parents house is in bits, its been stressful not having anything to cook on or even a sink for a few days. I have tried being an electrician which worked a little but proved harder than it looked.
Yesterday I put down my house deposit, the single most expensive transaction I have ever made by a long long way. I was pretty scared in the moment on the phone to the women from accounts reading this big number that was my deposit, fees to the solicitors and stamp duty. I do think that it is a positive step getting somewhere to live rather than rely on my parents forever.
Today was an awful day for me at work unfortunately I can't talk about it here, suffice to say the credit crunch is taking few prisoners amoungs't our customers which obviously is eventually going to feed into our companies finances.
Yesterday I put down my house deposit, the single most expensive transaction I have ever made by a long long way. I was pretty scared in the moment on the phone to the women from accounts reading this big number that was my deposit, fees to the solicitors and stamp duty. I do think that it is a positive step getting somewhere to live rather than rely on my parents forever.
Today was an awful day for me at work unfortunately I can't talk about it here, suffice to say the credit crunch is taking few prisoners amoungs't our customers which obviously is eventually going to feed into our companies finances.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)