I have an early morning tomorrow I should be in bed already but I am tired and upset. I an really angry with myself it seems like all I can managed to do at the minute is screw things up. I have lost a little faith in myself to be honest. It hasnt helped that someone that I really felt were going to be a big part of my life have let me down pretty badly, I suppose I should have known better.
Work is not much better, today I overheard a conversation in which some new guy at the customer site was getting heaps of praise. Now that is great only a big part of what he was being cited for is actually partly my work on top of the whole award mess last week it really made my blood boil.
Japanese class was inteteresting this evening though I am worried its not strong enough for my travels, not long until I leave now. I aam really looking forward to it, in fact its one of the very few good things on the horizon.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
I Feel It All
I went house viewing this evening, saw 4 Houses. 2 in Edgeley, one in Adswood and one in Shaw Heath. Amazing the differences really, all had major pros and cons, the first was next to a take away and due to the enlarged bath the occupants had put in it was impossible to open the door, answer remove the door to their bathroom.
Next place was OK in the reservoir area but was mostly un-modernised and struck me as far too much of a project for me to take on.
The third place I had almost dismissed before walking through the door. On a main road opposite a petrol station and next to a newsagents. We were joking about how much of a waste of time it was. Only when we actually walked into the place we we both pleasantly surprised. It was really spacious especially with both the cellar and attic converted, it also required next to no work to move in. Really the lounge is the only room that need attention. I was also toying with the idea of renting one room out to help fund the place [that is only an idea at this stage] There are some more details to be worked out yet but a promising prospect never the less.
Next place was OK in the reservoir area but was mostly un-modernised and struck me as far too much of a project for me to take on.
The third place I had almost dismissed before walking through the door. On a main road opposite a petrol station and next to a newsagents. We were joking about how much of a waste of time it was. Only when we actually walked into the place we we both pleasantly surprised. It was really spacious especially with both the cellar and attic converted, it also required next to no work to move in. Really the lounge is the only room that need attention. I was also toying with the idea of renting one room out to help fund the place [that is only an idea at this stage] There are some more details to be worked out yet but a promising prospect never the less.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Tupelo
Well last week was truly awful, work ate into my personal life to such an extent life away from work was virtually none existent.
Two very late nights and the general slog, pressure really got the better of me by Friday I was worked out.
Before I left work though there was one last kicker. Over the last months of 2007 there was a large reorganisation at the customers site. The ICT department (where I am based) all worked really hard and it seems the management realised this and came to commend everyone. Well everyone apart from me. Now I realise I am not an employee, but I do work there everyday and have don't for years, and I worked hard really hard getting things done, a word of thanks would have been nice. Plus the knowledge that the whole rest of the department get to go out on a company paid for piss up is rather galling.
I had arranged to go and see the new Paul Thomas Anderson film with Martina on Friday night. I enjoyed it, though I found it like all his films strong on acting and visuals but without a really strong story to back it up. I mean the general story was OK but to personally I really enjoy watching the charaters develop rather than just seeing them as they are. Either way though it was a well worth a watch even though I was so tired I found it difficult to concentrate.
Saturday I went shopping, I really wanted to buy a new coat to replace my aging leather one. The wares on offer were not to my tastes though so I ended up getting some new trainers instead.
Today I spent the morning looking at someones PC, it was pretty stressful as he likes to talk and not listen so sometimes its difficult to put a point across.
After that it was round to Nick's, his ADSL router had finally arrived so I attempted to install it. I failed at the first obstacle though, as the DSL service hadn't been enabled on the phone line.
I tried to sort out my accounts afterwards but ended up getting distracted, I am pretty useless at chasing money from people. There are at least 5 people that owe over 50 enough to keep the server running for months but I having been able to get them to hand over the cash.
After that defeat I helped my dad finaly get his site fully running. We had to experiment a lot but finally got the initial webservice running.
After finally getting it up and going I rewarded myself with a pint down at the Thieves with Nick, Phil and Bruce. It was the first alcohol I drunk this weekend. If I can start getting back to the gym next week and retake control of my life everything will be fine.
I have 4 viewing booked tomorrow, hopefully it should give me a better insight into Edgeley. My mum came up with some crazy scheme today for me to take over their house, but I don't think it would be possible unless I either shaft them or bankrupt myself so I think its a none starter.
Two very late nights and the general slog, pressure really got the better of me by Friday I was worked out.
Before I left work though there was one last kicker. Over the last months of 2007 there was a large reorganisation at the customers site. The ICT department (where I am based) all worked really hard and it seems the management realised this and came to commend everyone. Well everyone apart from me. Now I realise I am not an employee, but I do work there everyday and have don't for years, and I worked hard really hard getting things done, a word of thanks would have been nice. Plus the knowledge that the whole rest of the department get to go out on a company paid for piss up is rather galling.
I had arranged to go and see the new Paul Thomas Anderson film with Martina on Friday night. I enjoyed it, though I found it like all his films strong on acting and visuals but without a really strong story to back it up. I mean the general story was OK but to personally I really enjoy watching the charaters develop rather than just seeing them as they are. Either way though it was a well worth a watch even though I was so tired I found it difficult to concentrate.
Saturday I went shopping, I really wanted to buy a new coat to replace my aging leather one. The wares on offer were not to my tastes though so I ended up getting some new trainers instead.
Today I spent the morning looking at someones PC, it was pretty stressful as he likes to talk and not listen so sometimes its difficult to put a point across.
After that it was round to Nick's, his ADSL router had finally arrived so I attempted to install it. I failed at the first obstacle though, as the DSL service hadn't been enabled on the phone line.
I tried to sort out my accounts afterwards but ended up getting distracted, I am pretty useless at chasing money from people. There are at least 5 people that owe over 50 enough to keep the server running for months but I having been able to get them to hand over the cash.
After that defeat I helped my dad finaly get his site fully running. We had to experiment a lot but finally got the initial webservice running.
After finally getting it up and going I rewarded myself with a pint down at the Thieves with Nick, Phil and Bruce. It was the first alcohol I drunk this weekend. If I can start getting back to the gym next week and retake control of my life everything will be fine.
I have 4 viewing booked tomorrow, hopefully it should give me a better insight into Edgeley. My mum came up with some crazy scheme today for me to take over their house, but I don't think it would be possible unless I either shaft them or bankrupt myself so I think its a none starter.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Destroy Everything You Touch
This has been a very, very long week. Its gone so fast that its almost a blur. On Tuesday the address lookup system we used expired, it has a built in self destruct if new files aren't loaded within a cut off period. It isn't normally a problem, simple insert the update CD and run a script. The only problem was nobody could locate the CD. No problem though the customer has a support contract so they can download the update, just one quick phonecall... The tech who called up received a recorded message telling him to a download site. I thought this sounded a little suspect, and I really thought so when the download speed was so slow, only attributable to the number of people downloading.
Along side the lack of automated address lookups strange errors started to be reported. With a greater and greater frequency a rather weird "Unexpected operating system error" kept appearing all over the place. More and more users reported the error, I couldn't really explain it and contacted so of my colleagues. They all suggested either hardware going wrong or corrupt data.
The problems escalated at pace, the first reports came in the morning when I got in at 9 but by 1 the system had ground to a halt. That meant the entire companies main CRM system stopped running during the middle of a busy day. I was sat at my desk surrounded by a group of staff and managers peering over my shoulder and asking when it was going to be fixed. Only I didn't have a clue what the problem is.
Actually I am doing myself a disservice, I did manage to locate the problem within a reasonable time, the main data file for customer enquiries was corrupted. I also managed to convince a colleague to get me a copy of the address lookup software. A reboot restore and data copy later and we were able to get users back onto the system.
Unfortunately the backup system was broken, so after this frantic day I had to go home, then log in after hours and copy back the live system to the backup. It took until 3am, I was like a ghost coaxing the copy.
I got the morning off to recover, I even managed to go swimming. Unfortunately the problems well still reoccurring, though they were more isolated. I spent the afternoon looking into it on the phone to various people.
It bothered me all night, I went round to Martinas to watch a film. I was so tired i found it really hard to concentrate on the film. To be honest I didn't enjoy the film much at all. It was called a cock and bull story its based on some famous book. Martina and Annika seemed to enjoy it having read the book at university. I found it to knowing and too much packed full of the usual lovees of the British comedy scene.
Today I really hunkered down on the errors, and finally found another data file which had corruption for a number of cases. I felt really good about locating and finding a solution to the problem even though it meant more out of hours work.
I felt much better about going out for lunch having a solution under my belt. I met Sarah at the Slug and lettuce. We had a nice chat about houses
I stayed up tonight cleansing the data of all the bad records. I still have no real idea what caused the initial problem, it seems to have been the names software maybe corrupting memory space, but I cant prove it. I suppose unless it happens again I will never know, maybe that is best.
I got called into see one of the managers, he started by complimenting the way I handled the problems on Tuesday. It was nice to hear, though the overarching message was one of we have more work to do and we need you to concentrate to get it done. One moment was very pleasing he questioned the wisdom of putting me in the middle of the room, whether it was leading to me getting distracted.
I got a valentines card which was somewhat surprising to be honest. In fact I think its only the second one I have ever received. The thing is, the postal stamp is south east, I don't know anyone in the South East. Well at least no single women, at least that I can think of.
Along side the lack of automated address lookups strange errors started to be reported. With a greater and greater frequency a rather weird "Unexpected operating system error" kept appearing all over the place. More and more users reported the error, I couldn't really explain it and contacted so of my colleagues. They all suggested either hardware going wrong or corrupt data.
The problems escalated at pace, the first reports came in the morning when I got in at 9 but by 1 the system had ground to a halt. That meant the entire companies main CRM system stopped running during the middle of a busy day. I was sat at my desk surrounded by a group of staff and managers peering over my shoulder and asking when it was going to be fixed. Only I didn't have a clue what the problem is.
Actually I am doing myself a disservice, I did manage to locate the problem within a reasonable time, the main data file for customer enquiries was corrupted. I also managed to convince a colleague to get me a copy of the address lookup software. A reboot restore and data copy later and we were able to get users back onto the system.
Unfortunately the backup system was broken, so after this frantic day I had to go home, then log in after hours and copy back the live system to the backup. It took until 3am, I was like a ghost coaxing the copy.
I got the morning off to recover, I even managed to go swimming. Unfortunately the problems well still reoccurring, though they were more isolated. I spent the afternoon looking into it on the phone to various people.
It bothered me all night, I went round to Martinas to watch a film. I was so tired i found it really hard to concentrate on the film. To be honest I didn't enjoy the film much at all. It was called a cock and bull story its based on some famous book. Martina and Annika seemed to enjoy it having read the book at university. I found it to knowing and too much packed full of the usual lovees of the British comedy scene.
Today I really hunkered down on the errors, and finally found another data file which had corruption for a number of cases. I felt really good about locating and finding a solution to the problem even though it meant more out of hours work.
I felt much better about going out for lunch having a solution under my belt. I met Sarah at the Slug and lettuce. We had a nice chat about houses
I stayed up tonight cleansing the data of all the bad records. I still have no real idea what caused the initial problem, it seems to have been the names software maybe corrupting memory space, but I cant prove it. I suppose unless it happens again I will never know, maybe that is best.
I got called into see one of the managers, he started by complimenting the way I handled the problems on Tuesday. It was nice to hear, though the overarching message was one of we have more work to do and we need you to concentrate to get it done. One moment was very pleasing he questioned the wisdom of putting me in the middle of the room, whether it was leading to me getting distracted.
I got a valentines card which was somewhat surprising to be honest. In fact I think its only the second one I have ever received. The thing is, the postal stamp is south east, I don't know anyone in the South East. Well at least no single women, at least that I can think of.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
In Between Dreams
I went to look round a house this evening. It is a little 2 bedroom terrace in Edgeley near to Stockport rail station. I quiet liked it, apart from the decor the place is in pretty good condition.
I am not entirely sure about the area, there are a couple of tower blocks down the end of the road.
I also found out that one of the flat I look round in Handforth which was in the process of having a new kitchen now has the kitchen finished and has come down by a couple of thousand pounds. I have arranged another viewing for later in the week.
After the viewing I went to Rusholme for a curry with Martina, her friend from Germany and a trio of French assistants. We tried out Pink Garlic, its a pretty big restaurant on the first floor. They have a joint Chinese and Indian menu which is quiet unique. We all eat Indian though.
The place is pretty impressive they have spent a lot of time on the decor it looks the part. Unfortunately neither the service or the food lives up to the grandeur of the place. I was extremely underwhelmed by the food, it wasn't bad, just not as good as a lot of other restaurants I have tried.
I am not entirely sure about the area, there are a couple of tower blocks down the end of the road.
I also found out that one of the flat I look round in Handforth which was in the process of having a new kitchen now has the kitchen finished and has come down by a couple of thousand pounds. I have arranged another viewing for later in the week.
After the viewing I went to Rusholme for a curry with Martina, her friend from Germany and a trio of French assistants. We tried out Pink Garlic, its a pretty big restaurant on the first floor. They have a joint Chinese and Indian menu which is quiet unique. We all eat Indian though.
The place is pretty impressive they have spent a lot of time on the decor it looks the part. Unfortunately neither the service or the food lives up to the grandeur of the place. I was extremely underwhelmed by the food, it wasn't bad, just not as good as a lot of other restaurants I have tried.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Wizard
This weekend was very up and down, and extremely busy.
Friday night after a manic week at work I was already feeling tired, unfortunately for me I had to do a weird split shift and go back onto the system after the call centre closed. So after dinner and watching an episode of Lost (which is getting more and more obscure) at 10.30 I logged in remotely and ran a tidy up program, I then had to wait for 1.5 million records to convert.
The reason for this out of hours working was an accidental deletion of a database job which broke all sorts of things that are needed to move data between the software I work on and the clients databases.
As well as running a data conversion, I also had to do some extra system modifications which meant I had a very early Saturday morning session. By the time I got home at 10 I was feeling pretty tired. I decided the best plan was to head to the gym. I decided to print off a workout and give it a good bash, having not going properly regularly for a couple of months I find it very difficult, in fact I felt very weak. I will certainly have to find some more time to go.
Saturday evening it was the comedy night at the British Legion. I asked Martina to join us as she had previously told me that she hadn't ever been to a live comedy show. Bruce and Nina came along, also Phil turned up despite having travelled to Scotland and back to take part in an Aikido session there. Also present were Nick and Becky, yes that's not a typo somehow the experiences apart (and with over people) have conspired to bring them back together again. I don't know if it will last but I hope that they are both able to be happy.
I think Martina enjoyed the evening, it certainly caused a little controversy, somehow Becky seemed to think that there was something going on between Martina and Phil. This amused me greatly when she proposed it. I drove so I got to watch Martina and Phil drink whilst I supped coke. She was very drunk and I pretty much poured her home.
At least the actual comedy was good, apart from the first rather strange American comedian finished talking about Bush, the next two were brilliant observational comedians. The guy who finished up had me in complete stitches. As usual a day later and I can't even remember the jokes!
Sunday was another hard day, I went to visit someone to look at his PC. I tried my best but this computer has been played with by several people and has a ton of conflicting (and useless) software on it. I did my best but I felt guilty taking his money, even after hours there I hadn't really achieved very much.
Friday night after a manic week at work I was already feeling tired, unfortunately for me I had to do a weird split shift and go back onto the system after the call centre closed. So after dinner and watching an episode of Lost (which is getting more and more obscure) at 10.30 I logged in remotely and ran a tidy up program, I then had to wait for 1.5 million records to convert.
The reason for this out of hours working was an accidental deletion of a database job which broke all sorts of things that are needed to move data between the software I work on and the clients databases.
As well as running a data conversion, I also had to do some extra system modifications which meant I had a very early Saturday morning session. By the time I got home at 10 I was feeling pretty tired. I decided the best plan was to head to the gym. I decided to print off a workout and give it a good bash, having not going properly regularly for a couple of months I find it very difficult, in fact I felt very weak. I will certainly have to find some more time to go.
Saturday evening it was the comedy night at the British Legion. I asked Martina to join us as she had previously told me that she hadn't ever been to a live comedy show. Bruce and Nina came along, also Phil turned up despite having travelled to Scotland and back to take part in an Aikido session there. Also present were Nick and Becky, yes that's not a typo somehow the experiences apart (and with over people) have conspired to bring them back together again. I don't know if it will last but I hope that they are both able to be happy.
I think Martina enjoyed the evening, it certainly caused a little controversy, somehow Becky seemed to think that there was something going on between Martina and Phil. This amused me greatly when she proposed it. I drove so I got to watch Martina and Phil drink whilst I supped coke. She was very drunk and I pretty much poured her home.
At least the actual comedy was good, apart from the first rather strange American comedian finished talking about Bush, the next two were brilliant observational comedians. The guy who finished up had me in complete stitches. As usual a day later and I can't even remember the jokes!
Sunday was another hard day, I went to visit someone to look at his PC. I tried my best but this computer has been played with by several people and has a ton of conflicting (and useless) software on it. I did my best but I felt guilty taking his money, even after hours there I hadn't really achieved very much.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Ready for the Floor
It's been a strange kind of week, I have worked really hard putting in early mornings and late nights to get a project finished. It taught me a valuable lesson, despite my best efforts rather than praise for hard work and a job done, there was simply more work and harsh words for not "being positive" and completing everything (an impossible task).
It made me feel rather demotivated today, if I try hard and its not enough what the point really?
Another blow came from an unexpected quarter. I usually stay in the office or go home or eat with my parents which is nice but very typical, thought sometime it can be painful. I had planned another lunchtime getaway with Sarah. The last few meetings have been a a lovely and interesting change. It has been nice to get out and spend time with somebody interesting and different. Unfortunately today she had a migraine, and so went home, I really hope she feel better soon.
Tonight I planned to go to the gym but I felt tired, and instead ended up at Nicks house. I ordered a new computer for him last week and it was sat in its boxes in his entrance hall. It took a couple of hours to sort out, transferring the data from his old computer.
We drank cans of Carling as I fiddled with settings and watched progress bars. It was an interesting evening I think we got closer than we have been for a long time. I felt pretty shut out during the whole Brie period, perhaps because I had my doubts from the get go (about the speed things moved, I only ever met her twice, and always in group setting so I cannot pass comment).
Nick's internet connection isn't in place yet so I was limited in the scope of what I could practically do. Beyond setting up and transferring data I managed to get rid of a lot of the junk programs installed by default. When I finished we went to the Thieves Neck, it felt like the old days having a Tete-A-Tete about relationships past and present (and future). I really missed his company, it strange how hard it is to identify things until they are gone.
It made me feel rather demotivated today, if I try hard and its not enough what the point really?
Another blow came from an unexpected quarter. I usually stay in the office or go home or eat with my parents which is nice but very typical, thought sometime it can be painful. I had planned another lunchtime getaway with Sarah. The last few meetings have been a a lovely and interesting change. It has been nice to get out and spend time with somebody interesting and different. Unfortunately today she had a migraine, and so went home, I really hope she feel better soon.
Tonight I planned to go to the gym but I felt tired, and instead ended up at Nicks house. I ordered a new computer for him last week and it was sat in its boxes in his entrance hall. It took a couple of hours to sort out, transferring the data from his old computer.
We drank cans of Carling as I fiddled with settings and watched progress bars. It was an interesting evening I think we got closer than we have been for a long time. I felt pretty shut out during the whole Brie period, perhaps because I had my doubts from the get go (about the speed things moved, I only ever met her twice, and always in group setting so I cannot pass comment).
Nick's internet connection isn't in place yet so I was limited in the scope of what I could practically do. Beyond setting up and transferring data I managed to get rid of a lot of the junk programs installed by default. When I finished we went to the Thieves Neck, it felt like the old days having a Tete-A-Tete about relationships past and present (and future). I really missed his company, it strange how hard it is to identify things until they are gone.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Avalon
I spoke to someone today and asked a question about a mutual friend, she answered that they dont see each other anymore. I wondered why she told me the mutual friend dissapeared when she met a guy. I find it really sad that people who are so close can so easily drift apart.
The real reason I find it so sad is because I know who easy it is despite the best intentions to drift apart form people. Relationships (friendships included) take work to maintain, as soon as you abandon them they decay. I am really going to try and make an effort not to let that happen, I really value my friendships.
The real reason I find it so sad is because I know who easy it is despite the best intentions to drift apart form people. Relationships (friendships included) take work to maintain, as soon as you abandon them they decay. I am really going to try and make an effort not to let that happen, I really value my friendships.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Country Death Song
I had an good Saturday. This morning I went for a walk round Style woods with Martina. It was a cold but clear day and if felt nice to be outside enjoying the air. We talked a lot about dogs, most of the people walking had dogs and she misses hers.
This afternoon I watched the Rugby, it the first England match of the 6 nations. It was on BBC HD so Phil and I went round to Bruce's to see it on his big telly. I nearly lost my mind in apoplectic rage as the England threw away a half time lead with stupid play. There is something missing from English sport some killer instinct that the Aussies or Kwis have, we make chances and throw them away, the Aussies go for the kill.
After the match we relaxed and dined on Costco lasagna.
Afterwards we ate doughnuts and watched No country for old men. Its a bit of a strange film it reminded me of a history of violence a little. The story is a fairly simple one a red neck finds a bag full of money after a drug deal goes wrong. He is then tracked by the Mexicans, sheriff and a psychotic killer. The sheriff character is played by Tommy Lee Jones, he does a great part disturbed by his advancing age and the violence surrounding the drug trade. I liked the movie but it was a little depressing and there was no real resolution at the end.
This afternoon I watched the Rugby, it the first England match of the 6 nations. It was on BBC HD so Phil and I went round to Bruce's to see it on his big telly. I nearly lost my mind in apoplectic rage as the England threw away a half time lead with stupid play. There is something missing from English sport some killer instinct that the Aussies or Kwis have, we make chances and throw them away, the Aussies go for the kill.
After the match we relaxed and dined on Costco lasagna.
Afterwards we ate doughnuts and watched No country for old men. Its a bit of a strange film it reminded me of a history of violence a little. The story is a fairly simple one a red neck finds a bag full of money after a drug deal goes wrong. He is then tracked by the Mexicans, sheriff and a psychotic killer. The sheriff character is played by Tommy Lee Jones, he does a great part disturbed by his advancing age and the violence surrounding the drug trade. I liked the movie but it was a little depressing and there was no real resolution at the end.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
When Under Ether
I managed to finish work early today I was owed some time after coming in early yesterday and being phoned after work. Never the less I got some weird looks leaving work. Its always the same they are happy to burn into my spare time but when I try and take something back its met with derision.
It was lucky as I planned to go visit a friend in York.
She invited me for the evening as she works weekend and I work in the week its hard to catch up with each other. With leaving early I was able to make it to York for 6 so we were able to have a nice evening together. She cooked a really tasty Polish dish, I couldn't even pronounce it!
Travelling back I was faced with snow, ice and wind, it made the journey very interesting.
It was lucky as I planned to go visit a friend in York.
She invited me for the evening as she works weekend and I work in the week its hard to catch up with each other. With leaving early I was able to make it to York for 6 so we were able to have a nice evening together. She cooked a really tasty Polish dish, I couldn't even pronounce it!
Travelling back I was faced with snow, ice and wind, it made the journey very interesting.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Munich
One on the weird and beautiful things about life is peoples constant capacity to surprise. Psychologist an anthropologists can predict the behaviour of the masses, prediction a specific persons actual behaviour in life verges on the impossible.
There is a point to my assertion, today I discovered I lost another reader today, fortunately its not a sad event, in fact in this case it is in a roundabout way a happy one. I met Sarah for lunch and she warned informed me that she no longer read my blog. It was a weird feeling, hard to explain. I am glad and upset at the same time. Clearly I spoke to her in a way through the internet but it nicer to make friends in the real world.
It is interesting to me that while some people like to read about themselves, others prefer to read only when they know that they wont be a playing a starring role. Sarah isn't the only person that has told me they prefer not to read about themselves so much so that it stopped the reading the blog all together. Part of my wants to be read, but this blog has morphed a lot since the early days when it was just for me, I am a little more careful about what I say. I wouldn't say its constrained me much, but perhaps I think twice about shooting my mouth off preferring sometimes to wait until the dust has settled.
There is a point to my assertion, today I discovered I lost another reader today, fortunately its not a sad event, in fact in this case it is in a roundabout way a happy one. I met Sarah for lunch and she warned informed me that she no longer read my blog. It was a weird feeling, hard to explain. I am glad and upset at the same time. Clearly I spoke to her in a way through the internet but it nicer to make friends in the real world.
It is interesting to me that while some people like to read about themselves, others prefer to read only when they know that they wont be a playing a starring role. Sarah isn't the only person that has told me they prefer not to read about themselves so much so that it stopped the reading the blog all together. Part of my wants to be read, but this blog has morphed a lot since the early days when it was just for me, I am a little more careful about what I say. I wouldn't say its constrained me much, but perhaps I think twice about shooting my mouth off preferring sometimes to wait until the dust has settled.
How far is the Rectory to the Bollin Fee in Wilmslow?
According to Google this is one of the top questions people tap into google to find Cookies World, so being a helpful fellow,
Question
How far is the Rectory to the Bollin Fee in Wilmslow?
Answer
0.06 Miles, walk out the door of the Bollin Fee, Cross the main road at the traffic lights, carry on down station road, the Rectory is first on the left.
Question
How far is the Rectory to the Bollin Fee in Wilmslow?
Answer
0.06 Miles, walk out the door of the Bollin Fee, Cross the main road at the traffic lights, carry on down station road, the Rectory is first on the left.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Videotape
Despite my worst fears I managed to make it through the day. In fact it was a lot better than I hoped for. I still had a hard day, but I tried hard to be civil to everyone and make it a more pleasant atmosphere. It worked to an extent, it didn't stop people from dumping work and the blame for things on me, regardless of whether it was my fault or not.
This evening I did some Japanese study with Phil, I am starting to improve, we both are. There is a long way to go yet neither of us can successfully build complicated sentences and I still haven't been able to memorise the list of adjective Emi gave to us. After studying we went to the pub, Phil had been to a diving pool session last night and it started us reminiscing about diving in Australia. I was sat there remembering what a great time it was, I really think I should go back, go scuba diving, surfing and carousing on the streets of Sydney.
This evening I did some Japanese study with Phil, I am starting to improve, we both are. There is a long way to go yet neither of us can successfully build complicated sentences and I still haven't been able to memorise the list of adjective Emi gave to us. After studying we went to the pub, Phil had been to a diving pool session last night and it started us reminiscing about diving in Australia. I was sat there remembering what a great time it was, I really think I should go back, go scuba diving, surfing and carousing on the streets of Sydney.
Black hole sun
Its been a pretty enjoyable weekend, though through it all I have been dreading one thing Monday morning. More about that later though, the weekend started with a trip to the cinema.
Martina invited me to go and see a film called Drawing Restraint 9 at the corner house theater in Manchester. Its an art house film starring Bjork, she also did the score. There is a little dialog the "action" takes place mostly on a Japanese whaling ship. Its all a little strange, but basically Bjork and another guy make a ritualistic sacrifice to cleanse the ship, its fine though, as they end up transforming into whales. Martina found it nice, I was mostly nonplussed.
Saturday, I went to the gym, restarted my program because I haven't really been going regularly for a while. It was good to get back into it though I really felt a little out of shape.
In the evening I met up with Phil, Paul, Pippa and Ian. Paul and Pippa were up for the night. They stopped off on their way to Edinburgh. We all went for a curry together, it was a really nice meal, we chilled out had a chat and enjoyed each others company. After the meal we went to Graze in Bramhall for a few drinks. Ian's friend Gilly joined us. It wasn't very busy so we had a chat and shared a few jokes. All in all a very pleasant evening.
Paul wanted to get back to Wollers house where he was staying for the night before he got back. He and Michelle had headed to Manchester to watch a play, Oscar Wild. It struck me as a very unwoller thing to do. We just arrived back before them. They seemed to enjoy the play, Woller was in high spirits.
Today [Sunday], I lazed around the house, cleanout the fish then went for a swim (at the swimming baths not in the fish tank!). I expected to meet up with Phil in the afternoon but he seemed busy with something. I think he went diving this evening, I was a bit annoyed he didn#39;t invited me but I suppose he is busy with his martial arts friends these days.
This evening Martina invited me round along with her French friends. They were good fun we played some games and ate dinner, it was enjoyable but very different to my English friends, I wanted to say English chums in an Anton De Cannes Eurotrash accent but it dosn't really work in a blog.
Anyway its late and I am sat blogging when i should be in bed, but I feel pretty depressed about work. I just feel betrayed, I think I have worked really hard but instead of a pat on the back I get lots more stress and moved to the crappiest desk int the office. Its pretty petty I know, but then why I am treated worse than all the in house staff? Why am I constantly questioned about things and given a larger workload? I better go to bed or Ill be fit for nothing tomorrow, I think I am going to speak to my boss in the morning and have a moan, I mean I feel really demotivated right now and I think its completely undeserved.
Martina invited me to go and see a film called Drawing Restraint 9 at the corner house theater in Manchester. Its an art house film starring Bjork, she also did the score. There is a little dialog the "action" takes place mostly on a Japanese whaling ship. Its all a little strange, but basically Bjork and another guy make a ritualistic sacrifice to cleanse the ship, its fine though, as they end up transforming into whales. Martina found it nice, I was mostly nonplussed.
Saturday, I went to the gym, restarted my program because I haven't really been going regularly for a while. It was good to get back into it though I really felt a little out of shape.
In the evening I met up with Phil, Paul, Pippa and Ian. Paul and Pippa were up for the night. They stopped off on their way to Edinburgh. We all went for a curry together, it was a really nice meal, we chilled out had a chat and enjoyed each others company. After the meal we went to Graze in Bramhall for a few drinks. Ian's friend Gilly joined us. It wasn't very busy so we had a chat and shared a few jokes. All in all a very pleasant evening.
Paul wanted to get back to Wollers house where he was staying for the night before he got back. He and Michelle had headed to Manchester to watch a play, Oscar Wild. It struck me as a very unwoller thing to do. We just arrived back before them. They seemed to enjoy the play, Woller was in high spirits.
Today [Sunday], I lazed around the house, cleanout the fish then went for a swim (at the swimming baths not in the fish tank!). I expected to meet up with Phil in the afternoon but he seemed busy with something. I think he went diving this evening, I was a bit annoyed he didn#39;t invited me but I suppose he is busy with his martial arts friends these days.
This evening Martina invited me round along with her French friends. They were good fun we played some games and ate dinner, it was enjoyable but very different to my English friends, I wanted to say English chums in an Anton De Cannes Eurotrash accent but it dosn't really work in a blog.
Anyway its late and I am sat blogging when i should be in bed, but I feel pretty depressed about work. I just feel betrayed, I think I have worked really hard but instead of a pat on the back I get lots more stress and moved to the crappiest desk int the office. Its pretty petty I know, but then why I am treated worse than all the in house staff? Why am I constantly questioned about things and given a larger workload? I better go to bed or Ill be fit for nothing tomorrow, I think I am going to speak to my boss in the morning and have a moan, I mean I feel really demotivated right now and I think its completely undeserved.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
The more I think about things the more I realise most everything in life is a balancing act. We all try to find the right mix for ourselves, some of us focus on careers some on happiness, either choice is really a mixture. Very few people are totally business focussed to the point of missing out on the important things in life like friends and family. Yet that is my point and point of view in one, perhaps I am tainted by my own balance to consider friend and family the top of my agenda to the detriment of career (amongst other things).
I have been thinking about balance a lot recently, I think possibly because a few things are going on which affect mine. My dads illness has made me feel more vulnerable, when I see me parents ill it brings home to me my ultimate mortality. Combined with this is a more uncertain world, work is no longer the fixed target changes in the market and companies mean I no longer have so much of a safety net. Finally searching for a house, and thinking about changing my life to do so has made me focus a lot. Reconciling the idea that I will be more limited in so many ways, certainly I won't be able to take so many holidays is quite scary, its even more scary that the many practical concerns like having to pay all the bills and look after myself.
I made some bad decisions recently, I need to take back control of a few things that I have let slide I think I still have time to change and adapt, find some new balances.
On a more positive note I had a really nice lunch today, I met up with Sarah. She someone who has always been on the periphery of my circle of friends. I am sad that I didn't spend more time and get to know her, she proved to be very good company hopefully it will be the first of many lunch time diversion. The catalyst for our meeting proved to be her change of jobs placing her working life into central Wilmslow. She posed me an interesting question which got me thinking about the blog / life balance. She wondered if it was weird when people who didnt know me very well knew about my life via this blog. It was the first couple of times it happened, and especially when Patrick walked up to me and started talking to me as if I had known him for ages. I got used to it though and over time could start to tell who were reading me. The odd thing I noticed was my closest friends with whom I spend the most time with were the least likely too read me. At first I was a little hurt but then I realised I spend half my life talking to them its no wonder then dont want to read my random chatter as well.
This evening I spent a few hours trying hard to help my dad out with some software he wants to put out on the internet see it anyone is interested. Its something he started over 10 years ago, he even came runner up in a DTi competition but has never quiet finished. I tried my best to do something and who knows perhaps its still got potential, I hope so its pretty clever (if you need to cut gears). We struggle to work together though, I guess t because we are family but neither of us has any patients with each other, whereas we would both give someone else a chane we are the first to jump down each others throats./ Fortunately we can still get things done, on occasion, with a following wind.
On a final note well done to my friend K for passing her driving theory test, hope you'll be terrorising the streets of York soon.
I have been thinking about balance a lot recently, I think possibly because a few things are going on which affect mine. My dads illness has made me feel more vulnerable, when I see me parents ill it brings home to me my ultimate mortality. Combined with this is a more uncertain world, work is no longer the fixed target changes in the market and companies mean I no longer have so much of a safety net. Finally searching for a house, and thinking about changing my life to do so has made me focus a lot. Reconciling the idea that I will be more limited in so many ways, certainly I won't be able to take so many holidays is quite scary, its even more scary that the many practical concerns like having to pay all the bills and look after myself.
I made some bad decisions recently, I need to take back control of a few things that I have let slide I think I still have time to change and adapt, find some new balances.
On a more positive note I had a really nice lunch today, I met up with Sarah. She someone who has always been on the periphery of my circle of friends. I am sad that I didn't spend more time and get to know her, she proved to be very good company hopefully it will be the first of many lunch time diversion. The catalyst for our meeting proved to be her change of jobs placing her working life into central Wilmslow. She posed me an interesting question which got me thinking about the blog / life balance. She wondered if it was weird when people who didnt know me very well knew about my life via this blog. It was the first couple of times it happened, and especially when Patrick walked up to me and started talking to me as if I had known him for ages. I got used to it though and over time could start to tell who were reading me. The odd thing I noticed was my closest friends with whom I spend the most time with were the least likely too read me. At first I was a little hurt but then I realised I spend half my life talking to them its no wonder then dont want to read my random chatter as well.
This evening I spent a few hours trying hard to help my dad out with some software he wants to put out on the internet see it anyone is interested. Its something he started over 10 years ago, he even came runner up in a DTi competition but has never quiet finished. I tried my best to do something and who knows perhaps its still got potential, I hope so its pretty clever (if you need to cut gears). We struggle to work together though, I guess t because we are family but neither of us has any patients with each other, whereas we would both give someone else a chane we are the first to jump down each others throats./ Fortunately we can still get things done, on occasion, with a following wind.
On a final note well done to my friend K for passing her driving theory test, hope you'll be terrorising the streets of York soon.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Racing rats
It has been a long day, I woke up early this morning because I had agreed to go to Yoga with Martina. I was a bit of a random experience, she invited me ages go to this special 3 hours session I got steadily more worried as the day approached.
I met Martina and her house mate at her house at 9.30. Her house mate is another German, though she is somewhat older than Martina. I think she fitted the group much better than either of us. There was a class of about 36 people, it was all girls expect for me and one other man.
Yoga actually turned out to be a lot of fun, but very hard work. The first section was stretches and poses, they really got a sweat on and stretched muscles I didn't know I enjoyed the stretches and exercises, I found the meditation and relaxation OK but a little boring. Either I am incapable of transcending the thoughtful mind or I just find it impossible to free myself from the corporal being. It was a very interesting experience though, I was a little sad when the class ended, I walked by with Martina to her place, then she started backing so I bailed.
I the evening I went out with Phil, Andy Gilmore, Emily and her friend K for a meal. We were going to order Chinese but Emily thought we should go out into the big bad world for a change. So we headed out to the Printworks. The Printworks complex is only 10 minutes walk away, unfortunately it was pouring down and as we choose pretty much the busiest time of day for eating. We wondered from place to place being told the wait was at least 30 minutes, not what 5 hungry people want to hear.
Eventually we decided Chiquito it had the shortest queue and a wonderful offer on buckets of Corona. The meal was really enjoyable I had Chicken skewers which were really tasty. Emily ordered something which arrived on a hot sizzling plate, it looked really tasty only she had to manoeuvre it around, unknown to her the oven glove affair had a hole in it so she ended up burning her thumb. She then had to eat the meal with her left hand (easy for me not so much for her). We did complain but all the response we got was a pot of sour cream which was claimed (and seemed to) be a good ointment for burns; Photos here.
I met Martina and her house mate at her house at 9.30. Her house mate is another German, though she is somewhat older than Martina. I think she fitted the group much better than either of us. There was a class of about 36 people, it was all girls expect for me and one other man.
Yoga actually turned out to be a lot of fun, but very hard work. The first section was stretches and poses, they really got a sweat on and stretched muscles I didn't know I enjoyed the stretches and exercises, I found the meditation and relaxation OK but a little boring. Either I am incapable of transcending the thoughtful mind or I just find it impossible to free myself from the corporal being. It was a very interesting experience though, I was a little sad when the class ended, I walked by with Martina to her place, then she started backing so I bailed.
I the evening I went out with Phil, Andy Gilmore, Emily and her friend K for a meal. We were going to order Chinese but Emily thought we should go out into the big bad world for a change. So we headed out to the Printworks. The Printworks complex is only 10 minutes walk away, unfortunately it was pouring down and as we choose pretty much the busiest time of day for eating. We wondered from place to place being told the wait was at least 30 minutes, not what 5 hungry people want to hear.
Eventually we decided Chiquito it had the shortest queue and a wonderful offer on buckets of Corona. The meal was really enjoyable I had Chicken skewers which were really tasty. Emily ordered something which arrived on a hot sizzling plate, it looked really tasty only she had to manoeuvre it around, unknown to her the oven glove affair had a hole in it so she ended up burning her thumb. She then had to eat the meal with her left hand (easy for me not so much for her). We did complain but all the response we got was a pot of sour cream which was claimed (and seemed to) be a good ointment for burns; Photos here.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Poison Dart
Today was my third day working on the so called new projects. I am finding it a little difficult to adjust to both new working practises and learn a new programming language. The trouble is just at a time when I want to prove myself, I am forced to work a lot slower because I am ploughing into uncharted territory. I often the same when I start something new, at first there is a sense of fun because its new different and therefore interesting. Then I start to realise that all the tricks I have built up need to be relearned, modified or even forgotten to achieve anything new (so downside if the so called paradigm shift). Therefore it takes forever to do a simple task the new way. Actually that is not quiet correct, I usually find some things are more simple others more complex. In time I am sure I will grow to understand and work more productively but for now I am getting steadily more frustrated by a lack of progress. My second problem s slightly more serious, I have been pretty much left to my own devices, somehow I am supposed to get to a point where I will be able to support a piece of software which I currently have only limited access to. I feel a little bit at sea, I am not sure how to proceed. For the moment I have a task I can plough ahead with. At least to an extent without being an expert on the other software.
Due to all this work related frustration my mood was not the greatest. I had arranged to meet Martina for dinner so she could show me her accommodation, and so she could blag a lift home from Northern Moor. Fortunately she is a reasonable (if vegetarian) cook. We listened to Radiohead radio 1 take over, which was mostly good though I wasn't a fan of at least some of Thom's choices. Her new abode is very nice, a room in a detached house in Bramhall.
I took home a huge pile of CD I have been instructed to listen too, its going to take me the a while to work though them. At least its something to do while constructing my property searches.
Due to all this work related frustration my mood was not the greatest. I had arranged to meet Martina for dinner so she could show me her accommodation, and so she could blag a lift home from Northern Moor. Fortunately she is a reasonable (if vegetarian) cook. We listened to Radiohead radio 1 take over, which was mostly good though I wasn't a fan of at least some of Thom's choices. Her new abode is very nice, a room in a detached house in Bramhall.
I took home a huge pile of CD I have been instructed to listen too, its going to take me the a while to work though them. At least its something to do while constructing my property searches.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Some Might Say
I went to see the mortgage advisor tonight, it was a very depressing meeting totting up where I spent my money (mostly on going out and holidays) then being given the hard sell on a range of insurance products. I began to wonder whether I can actually afford to have any sort of life, I suppose I will just have to change my habits at least for a few years until.
It's all very depressing but the old I get and the more used to my lifestyle the hard the sacrifice will be so I suppose I really need to make the jump now.
The trouble is with all the goings on and work recently I have really lost touch with property searches, I will have to start afresh later this week.
I have Japanese class tomorrow, I haven't looked at my books for a while, I tried tonight but I felt too tired to take it all in. I hope its not too tricky a lesson tomorrow!
It's all very depressing but the old I get and the more used to my lifestyle the hard the sacrifice will be so I suppose I really need to make the jump now.
The trouble is with all the goings on and work recently I have really lost touch with property searches, I will have to start afresh later this week.
I have Japanese class tomorrow, I haven't looked at my books for a while, I tried tonight but I felt too tired to take it all in. I hope its not too tricky a lesson tomorrow!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Boxbackup
For a long while I have pondered and tried to find an elegant way to backup my co-located server. I tried and failed with Amanda and several home-brew scripts. I finally stumbled across boxbackup.
Boxbackup is a multi platform network backup device. One system acts a a server to which clients (windows mac linux bsd) can connect to and backup files.
Boxbackup uses libsync (think rsync) to only synchronise files that have changed. Also because there is both a server and client agent its should be more efficient than rsync alone.
Security is assured through the use of Tsig certificates. Certificates are used to encrypt the data transmission and secure files as they are transferred.
wget http://www.backports.org/debian/pool/main/b/boxbackup/boxbackup-server_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
then install
dpkg -i boxbackup-server_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
The debian installer didnt work out very well for me so I manually ran. Replace server1.example.tld with the name of your server.
bbstored-config /etc/boxbackup server1.example.tld bbstored
Change directory
cd /etc/boxbackup/bbstored
Create a certificate authority
bbstored-certs ca init
Sign the server key
bbstored-certs ca sign-server server1.example.tld-csr.pem
copy the certificates into the bbstored directory
cp ca/servers/server1.example.tld-cert.pem .
copy the server cert
ca/roots/clientCA.pem .
My server is behind a NAT firewall so I had to open port 2100 and edit /etc/boxbackup/bbstored.conf from
ListenAddresses = inet:server1.example.tld
to
ListenAddresses = inet:10.0.0.254
Create a client account, each client is identified with a unique hex code 75AB59D
bbstoreaccounts create 75AB59D 0 20480M 20480M
The numbers with M following are the soft and hard limits for the amount of space on the server to allow for backups.
Start the server
/etc/init.d/boxbackup-server start
wget http://www.backports.org/debian/pool/main/b/boxbackup/boxbackup-client_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
and install
dpkg -i boxbackup-client_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
You will be prompted to let Debian guide you, it didn't work for me. Change to the boxconfig directory
cd /etc/boxbackup/bbackupd
and run the config generator
bbackupd-config /etc/boxbackup/ lazy 75AB59D server1.example.tld /var/bbackupd /home /var/www
The final entries are the directories to backup.
Copy 75AB59D-csr.pem to the main server /etc/boxbackup/bbstored/ and sign with your server certificate.
bbstored-certs ca sign 75AB59D-csr.pem
This will create 2 files ca/roots/serverCA.pem and ca/ clients/75AB59D-cert.pem. Copy these to the client in /etc/boxbackup/bbackupd/
Start the client
/etc/init.d/boxbackup-client start
Check its running
grep bb /var/log/syslog
You should see something like
Good Luck!
Boxbackup is a multi platform network backup device. One system acts a a server to which clients (windows mac linux bsd) can connect to and backup files.
Boxbackup uses libsync (think rsync) to only synchronise files that have changed. Also because there is both a server and client agent its should be more efficient than rsync alone.
Security is assured through the use of Tsig certificates. Certificates are used to encrypt the data transmission and secure files as they are transferred.
Server Setup
There are Debian packages available here Downloadwget http://www.backports.org/debian/pool/main/b/boxbackup/boxbackup-server_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
then install
dpkg -i boxbackup-server_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
The debian installer didnt work out very well for me so I manually ran. Replace server1.example.tld with the name of your server.
bbstored-config /etc/boxbackup server1.example.tld bbstored
Change directory
cd /etc/boxbackup/bbstored
Create a certificate authority
bbstored-certs ca init
Sign the server key
bbstored-certs ca sign-server server1.example.tld-csr.pem
copy the certificates into the bbstored directory
cp ca/servers/server1.example.tld-cert.pem .
copy the server cert
ca/roots/clientCA.pem .
My server is behind a NAT firewall so I had to open port 2100 and edit /etc/boxbackup/bbstored.conf from
ListenAddresses = inet:server1.example.tld
to
ListenAddresses = inet:10.0.0.254
Create a client account, each client is identified with a unique hex code 75AB59D
bbstoreaccounts create 75AB59D 0 20480M 20480M
The numbers with M following are the soft and hard limits for the amount of space on the server to allow for backups.
Start the server
/etc/init.d/boxbackup-server start
Client Setup
Log into the client computer, download boxbackup-clientwget http://www.backports.org/debian/pool/main/b/boxbackup/boxbackup-client_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
and install
dpkg -i boxbackup-client_0.10-1~bpo.1_i386.deb
You will be prompted to let Debian guide you, it didn't work for me. Change to the boxconfig directory
cd /etc/boxbackup/bbackupd
and run the config generator
bbackupd-config /etc/boxbackup/ lazy 75AB59D server1.example.tld /var/bbackupd /home /var/www
The final entries are the directories to backup.
Copy 75AB59D-csr.pem to the main server /etc/boxbackup/bbstored/ and sign with your server certificate.
bbstored-certs ca sign 75AB59D-csr.pem
This will create 2 files ca/roots/serverCA.pem and ca/ clients/75AB59D-cert.pem. Copy these to the client in /etc/boxbackup/bbackupd/
Start the client
/etc/init.d/boxbackup-client start
Check its running
grep bb /var/log/syslog
You should see something like
Jan 14 22:53:54 client bbackupd[3540]: Starting daemon (config: /etc/boxbackup/bbackupd.conf) (version 0.10)
Jan 14 22:53:55 client bbackupd[3540]: Beginning scan of local files
Jan 14 22:53:55 beta bbackupd[3540]: Opening connection to server server1.example.tld...
Jan 14 22:53:56 beta bbackupd[3540]: Connection made, login successful
Good Luck!
Planet Telex
I woke up coughing this morning felt really awful, the boozing last night only served to further dent my immune system.
I eventually managed to drink enough fluids to rehydrate myself and get back on track.
Endo had invited me around to his place. He and Jo have been living there for a while but he has been busy redecorating. Apparently I missed the worse of the chaos. Having left Wilmslow they now live near Warrington, so it was just a 30 minute blast down the M56 (and some weird little roads thank goodness for GPS) and I arrived in the Cul-de-sac they now call home. I must admit I was impressed with his handy work its going to look ace when its done. The 46 inch plasma fitted to the wall and all the associated gear tucked away under the stairs. He did have a bit of an issue though we hung the tv turned it on and attempted to change the channel then realised the magic eye was hidden behind the panel he just cemented into place. He had to act as a human remote control.
We chatted and played some Unreal 3, Jo made dinner a really tasty prawn curry. She asked if I liked hot food and I replied yes. Little did I realise this meant I would be eating whole raw chillies it was a bit of a surprise nearly taking my head off. Still very tasty meal.
I left after nine and was going to have an early night, but I got a message from Ian he and Nick were in the Thieves neck so I joined them for last orders. Nick looked dreadful apparently has been struck down with the vomiting bug and only just recovered. I thought he was supposed to be in Thailand with Brie, but from the sounds of it things had taken a turn for the worst. Both he and Ian were celebrating being single. Apparently Ian briefly refreshed his carnal relations with one of his ex's he decided not to continue, a wise move I feel. From my own experiences it never really worked out going over the same ground again, its better to lok forward rather than back, YMMV.
I eventually managed to drink enough fluids to rehydrate myself and get back on track.
Endo had invited me around to his place. He and Jo have been living there for a while but he has been busy redecorating. Apparently I missed the worse of the chaos. Having left Wilmslow they now live near Warrington, so it was just a 30 minute blast down the M56 (and some weird little roads thank goodness for GPS) and I arrived in the Cul-de-sac they now call home. I must admit I was impressed with his handy work its going to look ace when its done. The 46 inch plasma fitted to the wall and all the associated gear tucked away under the stairs. He did have a bit of an issue though we hung the tv turned it on and attempted to change the channel then realised the magic eye was hidden behind the panel he just cemented into place. He had to act as a human remote control.
We chatted and played some Unreal 3, Jo made dinner a really tasty prawn curry. She asked if I liked hot food and I replied yes. Little did I realise this meant I would be eating whole raw chillies it was a bit of a surprise nearly taking my head off. Still very tasty meal.
I left after nine and was going to have an early night, but I got a message from Ian he and Nick were in the Thieves neck so I joined them for last orders. Nick looked dreadful apparently has been struck down with the vomiting bug and only just recovered. I thought he was supposed to be in Thailand with Brie, but from the sounds of it things had taken a turn for the worst. Both he and Ian were celebrating being single. Apparently Ian briefly refreshed his carnal relations with one of his ex's he decided not to continue, a wise move I feel. From my own experiences it never really worked out going over the same ground again, its better to lok forward rather than back, YMMV.
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