Well it's that time of year again.
Spent a couple of hours trying to get Frodo and Samwise to settle down and go to sleep (they're still thinking that because there's a Christmas tree downstairs somebody might leave some more presents for them under it).
Sitting around with a few drinks waiting for Jools Holland to start the "Hootenanny".
Where did 2006 go eh?
80mph winds predicted tonight, so the fireworks might not be so good tonight - they've already cancelled the ones in town.
Having said that, I can hear a few early starters going off already.
Happy New Year everybody! - hope 2007 goes well for you all.
Sunday 31 December 2006
Fish Husbandry
Have changed 2 buckets of water and used the bacterial infection control medicine in the fish tank.
The fish are looking "chirpier" already - No that's wrong, fish can't look "chirpy" - how about "bloopier"?
Odin swam about a bit and settled down at the bottom of the tank again. He comes out now and again. Doesn't look great, but at least he survived the night, and looks a bit better than he did yesterday.
Have to wait 4 days for the medicine to do it's stuff, before applying any more.
I've also renewed the filter-pad on the air-filter (although I did have to buy a pad for another brand of air-filter and cut it down to size, since they didn't stock one that fitted my 'Tetratec' air filter.
Spent 23 quid on fish medicine, air filter pads, water quality indicator strips and a new book on goldfish husbandry.
The fish are looking "chirpier" already - No that's wrong, fish can't look "chirpy" - how about "bloopier"?
Odin swam about a bit and settled down at the bottom of the tank again. He comes out now and again. Doesn't look great, but at least he survived the night, and looks a bit better than he did yesterday.
Have to wait 4 days for the medicine to do it's stuff, before applying any more.
I've also renewed the filter-pad on the air-filter (although I did have to buy a pad for another brand of air-filter and cut it down to size, since they didn't stock one that fitted my 'Tetratec' air filter.
Spent 23 quid on fish medicine, air filter pads, water quality indicator strips and a new book on goldfish husbandry.
Odin doesn't look well.
Odin is looking a little unwell. He's lurking around the bottom of the tank under the Mangrove Swamp Root feature. His tail is riddled with veiny blood streaks. His face looks off-colour and the base of his fins look red. He doesn't appear to be feeding very well - he's not darting after the food but half heartedly looking around for it. Not a good sign at all. Half expected him to have croaked when we returned home tonight but he's still OK and having the occasional swim about.
Fenrir has a sizeable, red, infected sore on his side, and I think that this isn't healing quickly and may be infecting the other fish.
Hopefully Odin will last the night. I'll do a partial water change and buy some serious fish medicine for bacterial infection control in the morning.
This medicine is labelled "carcinogenic" and contains formaldehyde so I've been somewhat reluctant to take this step as although it may cure the fish, it seems likely to polish me off too (rather them than me).
Fenrir has a sizeable, red, infected sore on his side, and I think that this isn't healing quickly and may be infecting the other fish.
Hopefully Odin will last the night. I'll do a partial water change and buy some serious fish medicine for bacterial infection control in the morning.
This medicine is labelled "carcinogenic" and contains formaldehyde so I've been somewhat reluctant to take this step as although it may cure the fish, it seems likely to polish me off too (rather them than me).
Pre New Year Night Out
No baby-sitter tomorrow night, so we had a night out tonight instead at "Vinci's" on Allerton road.
Trendy bar - recently done up to expand into what was the corner shop next door, so it's now got a huge door and some great big windows designed to open fully in the summer. The result is that it's bloody freezing in the winter.
Spent a pleasant few hours chatting, and observing
1.) A drunk man who couldn't get a lift home.
2.) A couple of women who were dropped off by a bloke in a 4x4. They waltzed in and headed for the bar. They didn't buy any drinks as 60 seconds later when the coast was clear (i.e. the 4x4 had gone) they waltzed out again, and straight into a taxi. Dunno what they were up to, but had some fun speculating.
3.) Several people who on a night out with friend spend most of their time talking to other people on their mobile phones.
Trendy bar - recently done up to expand into what was the corner shop next door, so it's now got a huge door and some great big windows designed to open fully in the summer. The result is that it's bloody freezing in the winter.
Spent a pleasant few hours chatting, and observing
1.) A drunk man who couldn't get a lift home.
2.) A couple of women who were dropped off by a bloke in a 4x4. They waltzed in and headed for the bar. They didn't buy any drinks as 60 seconds later when the coast was clear (i.e. the 4x4 had gone) they waltzed out again, and straight into a taxi. Dunno what they were up to, but had some fun speculating.
3.) Several people who on a night out with friend spend most of their time talking to other people on their mobile phones.
Saturday 30 December 2006
Is this Firefox I see before me?
Just installed a bunch of Windows updates, which included Internet Explorer 7.
Clicked it up to try it out, to find tabbed browsing, security warnings, RSS feed detection. All seems very familiar...
Clicked it up to try it out, to find tabbed browsing, security warnings, RSS feed detection. All seems very familiar...
Friday 29 December 2006
Haven't you had enough yet?
Nipped out this morning to get some petrol and buy a loaf of bread.
Why were the shops full of people buying food? I don't mean just a couple of small items, but huge cartloads stuff, several joints of meat etc. Didn't they get enough to eat at Christmas? Why aren't they munching their way through a fridgeful of everything that was bought in "too much" quantities?
Why were the shops full of people buying food? I don't mean just a couple of small items, but huge cartloads stuff, several joints of meat etc. Didn't they get enough to eat at Christmas? Why aren't they munching their way through a fridgeful of everything that was bought in "too much" quantities?
Wednesday 27 December 2006
Demise of Loki
I've been fighting a breakout of a nasty fungal infection in the fish tank all week i.e. water changes, filter media changes, dosing with fish medicine etc.
Unfortunately none of this has helped Loki, who appeared to be the worst affected. Found him dead at the bottom of the tank when we returned from a visit to my younger step-bro's today. I must admit I was expecting this, since Loki's condition hadn't improved much when I checked him this morning.
So alas the Bug Eyed Trickster is no more(Loki's fishy incarnation was as a "Black Moor"). Held another fishy funeral in the garden tonight - buried him next to the grave of Grendel (see previous posts below).
Unfortunately none of this has helped Loki, who appeared to be the worst affected. Found him dead at the bottom of the tank when we returned from a visit to my younger step-bro's today. I must admit I was expecting this, since Loki's condition hadn't improved much when I checked him this morning.
So alas the Bug Eyed Trickster is no more(Loki's fishy incarnation was as a "Black Moor"). Held another fishy funeral in the garden tonight - buried him next to the grave of Grendel (see previous posts below).
Tuesday 26 December 2006
Boxing Day TV laughs.
Parents left this morning. Followed them to my Bro's in Blackburn for a Boxing Day get-together.
Got back home a little knackered, and full of good food. Thirty minutes after putting two tired hobbits to bed we were having another glass of wine, and tucking into a Ham sandwich.
Two little gems that were shown tonight on lennyhenry.tv Both made us laugh - a lot.
The first one, "Daniel Chesterfield" is a magician with extraordinary powers, mostly involving mind over matter. How does he do it?
The second "OK Go Treadmill Dance" is a bunch of guys who have taken "Dad Dancing" to a new level. Don't try this one at home (do try it in the gym though).
Daniel Chesterfield
OK Go Treadmill Dance
Got back home a little knackered, and full of good food. Thirty minutes after putting two tired hobbits to bed we were having another glass of wine, and tucking into a Ham sandwich.
Two little gems that were shown tonight on lennyhenry.tv Both made us laugh - a lot.
The first one, "Daniel Chesterfield" is a magician with extraordinary powers, mostly involving mind over matter. How does he do it?
The second "OK Go Treadmill Dance" is a bunch of guys who have taken "Dad Dancing" to a new level. Don't try this one at home (do try it in the gym though).
Daniel Chesterfield
OK Go Treadmill Dance
Monday 25 December 2006
Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas to all of my readers!
Both Frodo and Samwise had been given pyjamas and nightlights on Christmas Eve, but this didn't help them get to sleep.
We put out a carrot for Rudolph, plus a mince pie and a large glass of Bourbon Whiskey for Santa.
Frodo got out of bed at 22:00, so I got him to scatter a bag of "Reindeer Food" on the front path to guide Santa's Reindeer to our house.
We were woken this morning at 03:30 by an excited Frodo.
We managed to get him back to bed another 2 or 3 times, but eventually we had to give in when Samwise awake at 05:00. They got to open the torches that they'd asked Father Christmas for, and spent an hour playing with them, waving the lights about the ceiling, before we got up.
06:00 and downstairs to discover that Santa had left a wooden castle, with a number of knights on the coffee table. A frenzy of present unwrapping followed.
Goose and Ham went in the oven at 10:00. Grandma and Grandad Saruman arrived at 11:00, and I went off to fetch Grandma Gandalf. Little Blister had stayed with us last night (she was awoken by powerful torches being shone in her face).
Kitchen hectic activity for a few hours, resulting in a pleasant family meal, further present unwrapping, Christmas pud and after taking Grandma Gandalf home, booze and Dr Who. Snoring on the couch for half an hour, then a spot of any old program that happens to be on telly with wine, snacks and chocolate.
Finally a bit of blogging before bed.
Visits to relatives for the next 2 days, then it's all over, bar the consumption of the cold meats and remainder of the veg.
Both Frodo and Samwise had been given pyjamas and nightlights on Christmas Eve, but this didn't help them get to sleep.
We put out a carrot for Rudolph, plus a mince pie and a large glass of Bourbon Whiskey for Santa.
Frodo got out of bed at 22:00, so I got him to scatter a bag of "Reindeer Food" on the front path to guide Santa's Reindeer to our house.
We were woken this morning at 03:30 by an excited Frodo.
We managed to get him back to bed another 2 or 3 times, but eventually we had to give in when Samwise awake at 05:00. They got to open the torches that they'd asked Father Christmas for, and spent an hour playing with them, waving the lights about the ceiling, before we got up.
06:00 and downstairs to discover that Santa had left a wooden castle, with a number of knights on the coffee table. A frenzy of present unwrapping followed.
Goose and Ham went in the oven at 10:00. Grandma and Grandad Saruman arrived at 11:00, and I went off to fetch Grandma Gandalf. Little Blister had stayed with us last night (she was awoken by powerful torches being shone in her face).
Kitchen hectic activity for a few hours, resulting in a pleasant family meal, further present unwrapping, Christmas pud and after taking Grandma Gandalf home, booze and Dr Who. Snoring on the couch for half an hour, then a spot of any old program that happens to be on telly with wine, snacks and chocolate.
Finally a bit of blogging before bed.
Visits to relatives for the next 2 days, then it's all over, bar the consumption of the cold meats and remainder of the veg.
Sunday 24 December 2006
Electric Six
Jolly good afternoon yesterday. Went to the pub for a couple of hours.
Followed management instructions to return to the office, so that they could do the magnaminous management gesture thingumy of saying officially that we could go for the afternoon. Stayed a whole 10 minutes at work before we left again for the pub.
We tried a couple of other pubs too. Must return to "The Lion" on Tithebarn Street sometime, as the beer selection was **excellent**
Phoned home and checked the expiry time of my "pass out". Good until 17:00. Everywhere
was absolutely jam packed with Christmas drinkers so we ended up in a gay bar just off Dale Street that wasn't as crowded as the run-of-the-mill pubs. Wished everybody a Merry Christmas and headed for the bus stop at 17:30 full of Christmas joy (hic!)
Followed management instructions to return to the office, so that they could do the magnaminous management gesture thingumy of saying officially that we could go for the afternoon. Stayed a whole 10 minutes at work before we left again for the pub.
We tried a couple of other pubs too. Must return to "The Lion" on Tithebarn Street sometime, as the beer selection was **excellent**
Phoned home and checked the expiry time of my "pass out". Good until 17:00. Everywhere
was absolutely jam packed with Christmas drinkers so we ended up in a gay bar just off Dale Street that wasn't as crowded as the run-of-the-mill pubs. Wished everybody a Merry Christmas and headed for the bus stop at 17:30 full of Christmas joy (hic!)
Friday 22 December 2006
Busy Last Day at the Office.
Last day at work before Xmas, so very heavy schedule putting things in order before I'm off for a couple of weeks (I've got Xmas week and the first week of January off).
Will probably be tied up in important business meetings all afternoon ;-)
Will probably be tied up in important business meetings all afternoon ;-)
Thursday 21 December 2006
Veg, Fruit and Nuts
Got the lot today, ready for Xmas from the stall outside the Ann Summers Shop*, just off Church/Lord Street near the entrance to Matthew Street.
In my humble opinion this is the best/freshest fruit and veg stall in Liverpool City Centre.
*Historical note - the Ann Summers shop was once a record shop, and this was where Brian Epstein was working when he discovered the Beatles.
In my humble opinion this is the best/freshest fruit and veg stall in Liverpool City Centre.
*Historical note - the Ann Summers shop was once a record shop, and this was where Brian Epstein was working when he discovered the Beatles.
Wednesday 20 December 2006
Space 1889
Drifting past the office window right now is this little mechanical monster, reminiscent of HG Wells "Ooolah!"
(actually it's the "Irish Sea Pioneer" an operations support vessel, heading for the Douglas Platform).
(actually it's the "Irish Sea Pioneer" an operations support vessel, heading for the Douglas Platform).
Monday 18 December 2006
Light Fitting Frustration
Did the bulk of the Christmas food shopping on Saturday, followed by a second expedition on Sunday to locate a Goose. We've had goose (rather than Turkey or other festive meat) for a number of years now, and though these days a lot dearer (gone are the days when you could send out a small urchin to fetch you one) than the alternatives, I still think that it's worth it. (The checkout girl shrieked when she saw that it was 30 quid, then asked me if it was nice, with the comment "it should be at that price").
Spent the best part of Sunday replacing the light fitting that shorted itself out last week. Bought what we thought looked like a nice fitting from B&Q. The fitting was called "ORBIT". Spent about 5 hours fitting it!
There was the usual trouble with drilling holes in crumbly ceilings, and trying to work out how the household wiring relates to the given circuit diagram. I took these problems as par for the course.
What I wasn't expecting was having to assemble in place on the ceiling, what can only be described as a large dalek eyepiece crafted in glass, joined together with screw-in metal rods and plastic transparent washers.
The joys of trying not to shatter the glass, make the rods fit into the holes drilled into the glass, find the transparent washers dropped on the floor, hold the whole thing in one hand whilst trying to do up a nut with the other.
To top this, if when I need to change one of the two bulbs I'll have to disassemble all 3 glass rings of the "dalek eyepiece", remove the glass eye/diffuser, change the bulb(s) then fit the whole lot back together again without breaking anything. Not looking forward to this.
I'm also going to have to remember to be very careful when swinging ladders around to get into the loft hatch, or there'll be a shower of broken glass, reminiscent of scenes from the first Superman film.
Spent the best part of Sunday replacing the light fitting that shorted itself out last week. Bought what we thought looked like a nice fitting from B&Q. The fitting was called "ORBIT". Spent about 5 hours fitting it!
There was the usual trouble with drilling holes in crumbly ceilings, and trying to work out how the household wiring relates to the given circuit diagram. I took these problems as par for the course.
What I wasn't expecting was having to assemble in place on the ceiling, what can only be described as a large dalek eyepiece crafted in glass, joined together with screw-in metal rods and plastic transparent washers.
The joys of trying not to shatter the glass, make the rods fit into the holes drilled into the glass, find the transparent washers dropped on the floor, hold the whole thing in one hand whilst trying to do up a nut with the other.
To top this, if when I need to change one of the two bulbs I'll have to disassemble all 3 glass rings of the "dalek eyepiece", remove the glass eye/diffuser, change the bulb(s) then fit the whole lot back together again without breaking anything. Not looking forward to this.
I'm also going to have to remember to be very careful when swinging ladders around to get into the loft hatch, or there'll be a shower of broken glass, reminiscent of scenes from the first Superman film.
Friday 15 December 2006
Amateur Drinkers
Met Novelist Supermum in town at lunchtime to get some photos and pop our passport renewals into the check and send service at the Post Office.
Decided to have lunch in "The Cornmarket". Food was OK, but we were slightly delayed by amateur drinkers at Christmas time. The sort who never usually come into a pub at lunchtime, or socialise with the other bods in suits that they are out with, so stand around in large groups at the bar, being indecisive and generally getting in the way.
Decided to have lunch in "The Cornmarket". Food was OK, but we were slightly delayed by amateur drinkers at Christmas time. The sort who never usually come into a pub at lunchtime, or socialise with the other bods in suits that they are out with, so stand around in large groups at the bar, being indecisive and generally getting in the way.
Wednesday 13 December 2006
Christmas Cards
Mostly done, apart from the odd few stragglers, people who have moved and I don't have the new address or for various reasons I've lost touch with, or only talk to them in cyberspace. Popped 29 cards into the postbox today.
All are made from recycled card, and have a message on the back saying where you can recycle them again.
Took me 3 evenings to write them. Still wondering why I keep on with this tradition (A Victorian Post Office promotional activity from the 1840's). Actually I know why I do - it's a way of just saying "Hi I'm still here" to old pals. I've got back in touch with a few people this way.
All are made from recycled card, and have a message on the back saying where you can recycle them again.
Took me 3 evenings to write them. Still wondering why I keep on with this tradition (A Victorian Post Office promotional activity from the 1840's). Actually I know why I do - it's a way of just saying "Hi I'm still here" to old pals. I've got back in touch with a few people this way.
Sunday 10 December 2006
Great Start to the Day
Exploding light fittings, grumpy-screamy-contrary Samwise at breakfast, window cleaning lorry preventing access to the car park at work, system diagnostic checking panic ("Captain I'm running diagnostics". "Arrrroooooghaaa!"), only 1 buttie in the machine worth eating, trip to B&Q if I ever get out of work today to buy a new light fitting. Roll on bedtime....
On the plus side I won the EuroMillions lottery draw on Friday.
"We have some exciting news about the ticket that you bought for the Friday 08
December draw. Please sign in to your account."
I signed in to see a huge banner image saying "YOU HAVE WON!". Scrolling down there was my prize =£8.50.
On the plus side I won the EuroMillions lottery draw on Friday.
"We have some exciting news about the ticket that you bought for the Friday 08
December draw. Please sign in to your account."
I signed in to see a huge banner image saying "YOU HAVE WON!". Scrolling down there was my prize =£8.50.
Saturday 9 December 2006
Proof of the Existence of God
The Gods of Booze were favouring me last night.
I got out of the taxi from my Xmas do, and whilst walking past the local restaurants I discovered a full, unopened bottle of Shiraz that somebody had left on the pavement.
This sort of thing has happened to me at least twice before.
Once on a very, very hot day, whilst traversing the Pennine Way an unopened bottle of coca-cola appeared in the middle of the path.
On another occasion a housemate reported that he'd seen a full bottle of whiskey in the phonebox. (He didn't touch it due to having his stomach pumped as a child from consuming a large amount of the water of life). Cha0tic and myself legged it to the phonebox to retrieve it.
I got out of the taxi from my Xmas do, and whilst walking past the local restaurants I discovered a full, unopened bottle of Shiraz that somebody had left on the pavement.
This sort of thing has happened to me at least twice before.
Once on a very, very hot day, whilst traversing the Pennine Way an unopened bottle of coca-cola appeared in the middle of the path.
On another occasion a housemate reported that he'd seen a full bottle of whiskey in the phonebox. (He didn't touch it due to having his stomach pumped as a child from consuming a large amount of the water of life). Cha0tic and myself legged it to the phonebox to retrieve it.
Not a Good Idea
Working until after midnight tonight on a major system release tonight. Still "Hanging Over" from the Xmas do the night before. Not a good combination....
Friday 8 December 2006
Office Party
Office "Party" tomorrow. A meal at the Pan-American bar in the Albert Dock, followed by a visit to the Comedy Club in the basement of "Blue" just across the way.
I'll probably heading back after that, rather than trawling various Dance Bars with the die-hards to end up with "Flanagan's and Flares to pick up a one-eyed hunchback." - as one of our contractors described the end of a typical Liverpool night out a couple of years ago.
Come to think of it, I've only ever been to one Offic Party that was actually held in the office - That was a really good one held on Xmas Eve when I was doing the industrial year of my Sandwich Course.
Reason being that I've got to take Frodo to a Sports Party on Saturday afternoon.
Following the sports I'm carrying out my first major production code release at work, so I'm in for a 7 hour stint.
In addition, we have our first ever web-enabled system going online on Sunday, so I'm in again at 10 am for 3 or 4 hours to switch this on and support the user acceptance tests.
All of this overtime of course will help to pay Santa's bill when he comes round with some threatening elves in January.
Speaking of Santa, we took Samwise to Alder Hey hospital for a 6 monthly checkup and saw Father Christmas visit the hospital in an RAF Helicopter. (Perhaps his reindeer are on strike).
I'll probably heading back after that, rather than trawling various Dance Bars with the die-hards to end up with "Flanagan's and Flares to pick up a one-eyed hunchback." - as one of our contractors described the end of a typical Liverpool night out a couple of years ago.
Come to think of it, I've only ever been to one Offic Party that was actually held in the office - That was a really good one held on Xmas Eve when I was doing the industrial year of my Sandwich Course.
Reason being that I've got to take Frodo to a Sports Party on Saturday afternoon.
Following the sports I'm carrying out my first major production code release at work, so I'm in for a 7 hour stint.
In addition, we have our first ever web-enabled system going online on Sunday, so I'm in again at 10 am for 3 or 4 hours to switch this on and support the user acceptance tests.
All of this overtime of course will help to pay Santa's bill when he comes round with some threatening elves in January.
Speaking of Santa, we took Samwise to Alder Hey hospital for a 6 monthly checkup and saw Father Christmas visit the hospital in an RAF Helicopter. (Perhaps his reindeer are on strike).
Wednesday 6 December 2006
Frodo's Nativity
Frodo really enjoyed being a shepherd in his school nativity. He was grinning away and waving from the stage and acted out his part in the story in his costume (shepherds robes and head-dress).
He didn't have to learn lines, as there were several children acting as narrators passing a mike between them.
They sang a number of songs based on nursery rhymes and other childrens songs. The best one was "no room at the inn" done to the tune of the "Hokey Cokey". They did this as an encore.
At one point Frodo was stood in the "Bethlehem hills (lots of different shades of green drapes) " surrounded by a heavenly-host of angels.
So I've got him on video, wearing a dress with a mob of girls. One to show him up with when he's older :-)
He didn't have to learn lines, as there were several children acting as narrators passing a mike between them.
They sang a number of songs based on nursery rhymes and other childrens songs. The best one was "no room at the inn" done to the tune of the "Hokey Cokey". They did this as an encore.
At one point Frodo was stood in the "Bethlehem hills (lots of different shades of green drapes) " surrounded by a heavenly-host of angels.
So I've got him on video, wearing a dress with a mob of girls. One to show him up with when he's older :-)
Pax Romana
Just booked a short break holiday in Rome. Getting all slushy in my old age as we're going around Valentines day, but this appears to be keeping Novelist Supermum happy.
Looking forward to standing in the middle of the Colosseum and shouting
"Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together, we survive"
"Single column!, single column!"
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?!"
"Those giraffes you sold me, they won't mate. They just walk around eating, and not mating. You sold me queer giraffes!"
etc
Looking forward to standing in the middle of the Colosseum and shouting
"Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together, we survive"
"Single column!, single column!"
"Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?!"
"Those giraffes you sold me, they won't mate. They just walk around eating, and not mating. You sold me queer giraffes!"
etc
2nd Santa Trip
Samwise had a second opportunity to visit Santa yesterday, as his nursery school had a trip to the same grotto.
He happily trotted in again, pointed out to Santa which sack the chocolate was kept in, clutched his chocolate gift tightly, stopped listening to Santa and stared longingly at the chocolate then asked for a torch for Christmas again, quick photo and trotted out.
He happily trotted in again, pointed out to Santa which sack the chocolate was kept in, clutched his chocolate gift tightly, stopped listening to Santa and stared longingly at the chocolate then asked for a torch for Christmas again, quick photo and trotted out.
Monday 4 December 2006
Mello Yello
Mello was OK, but a little small as it used to be a dry cleaners and a butty shop, which doesn't give a lot of floor space.
Nice little tables to sit at, but with large designer chairs, which means that you're not particularly separated from the crowd standing at the bar.
Will probably try the place again, as it's about 1 minutes walk away, and opening night is probably representative of a typical evening there. There were others from our street in there, and I suspect that the blokes jawing at the bar had wandered over from "Crichtons".
They'd obviously rushed to get the place open in time for the December punters. We noticed that the kitchen door didn't appear to fit the door frame, and that fire extinguishers were just standing in corners - they haven't been attached to the walls yet.
Plus the staff were a little OVER attentive. Then there was the great British "waitress service" dilemma. She's brought me my change on a tray - do I tip/not tip? Why doesn't she just let me go to the bar anyway?
Sunday afternoon, we collected the Hobbits from Grandma Gandalf's and took them to see Father Christmas at our local riding stables (not that we ride horses there, but we might book the kids in for some lessons sometime soon).
They weren't fooled by the so-called reindeer - a horse with a pair of "stag" antlers, but they trotted in to see Father Christmas in his grotto, sat down beside him, told him their names, each asked for a torch, had their photo taken then trotted out again, clutching selection boxes of chocolate. Very cute in an "ahhhh" sort of way, so I suppose it was worth the 1 hour wait in the freezing cold gale that was blowing on Sunday afternoon.
I completed my "plastering job" on Sunday night. Good job it's just a temporary repair, since I'll never make a living out of this particular "skill".
Nice little tables to sit at, but with large designer chairs, which means that you're not particularly separated from the crowd standing at the bar.
Will probably try the place again, as it's about 1 minutes walk away, and opening night is probably representative of a typical evening there. There were others from our street in there, and I suspect that the blokes jawing at the bar had wandered over from "Crichtons".
They'd obviously rushed to get the place open in time for the December punters. We noticed that the kitchen door didn't appear to fit the door frame, and that fire extinguishers were just standing in corners - they haven't been attached to the walls yet.
Plus the staff were a little OVER attentive. Then there was the great British "waitress service" dilemma. She's brought me my change on a tray - do I tip/not tip? Why doesn't she just let me go to the bar anyway?
Sunday afternoon, we collected the Hobbits from Grandma Gandalf's and took them to see Father Christmas at our local riding stables (not that we ride horses there, but we might book the kids in for some lessons sometime soon).
They weren't fooled by the so-called reindeer - a horse with a pair of "stag" antlers, but they trotted in to see Father Christmas in his grotto, sat down beside him, told him their names, each asked for a torch, had their photo taken then trotted out again, clutching selection boxes of chocolate. Very cute in an "ahhhh" sort of way, so I suppose it was worth the 1 hour wait in the freezing cold gale that was blowing on Sunday afternoon.
I completed my "plastering job" on Sunday night. Good job it's just a temporary repair, since I'll never make a living out of this particular "skill".
Saturday 2 December 2006
Mello
Saturday night. Hobbits have had their haircuts and are now keeping Grandma Gandalf company at her house.
I've spent the afternoon wrestling with the last piece of shed roof, so we're now chilling out after a tasty Chinese take-away.
It's the opening night of a new Cafe-bar/bistro on Allerton Road called "Mello". Looks like it's not the sort of place that's going to be full of rowdy yoofs, so we're going to try it out later on this evening.
Went past it on the way to the chinese and it was full of middle aged women who looked like they'd just parked up their "Chelsea Tractors" for an after-shopping G&T.
I've spent the afternoon wrestling with the last piece of shed roof, so we're now chilling out after a tasty Chinese take-away.
It's the opening night of a new Cafe-bar/bistro on Allerton Road called "Mello". Looks like it's not the sort of place that's going to be full of rowdy yoofs, so we're going to try it out later on this evening.
Went past it on the way to the chinese and it was full of middle aged women who looked like they'd just parked up their "Chelsea Tractors" for an after-shopping G&T.
Friday 1 December 2006
Friday On My Mind
The end of the week, and the end of my first full weeks stint of early morning system checks (07:00 am start).
Currently yawning my head off.
Another action packed weekend approaches. Haircuts for small boys, removing the last really awkward piece of shed roof, a Barney Bodger temporary plastering job to a wall that's gradually crumbling away, Xmas present wrapping ready for posting, and a visit to see Santa at our local riding stables.
Speaking of Santa, my Christmas present from the family arrived via one of his little helpers yesterday - a nice new NAD C542 CD player to replace the ageing hi-fi component that gave up the ghost last year.
I gave it a quick test, without hooking it up to any speakers or amplification and it looks like it's working OK. Need to dust off the amplifier and speakers, find a child-free zone and give it a sound test, before putting it away until Xmas day.
Currently yawning my head off.
Another action packed weekend approaches. Haircuts for small boys, removing the last really awkward piece of shed roof, a Barney Bodger temporary plastering job to a wall that's gradually crumbling away, Xmas present wrapping ready for posting, and a visit to see Santa at our local riding stables.
Speaking of Santa, my Christmas present from the family arrived via one of his little helpers yesterday - a nice new NAD C542 CD player to replace the ageing hi-fi component that gave up the ghost last year.
I gave it a quick test, without hooking it up to any speakers or amplification and it looks like it's working OK. Need to dust off the amplifier and speakers, find a child-free zone and give it a sound test, before putting it away until Xmas day.
Thursday 30 November 2006
Thwock! Thwock! Budda! Budda! Budda! Kaboom!
The new Bond film "Casino Royale" is ace!
Daniel Craig portrays a ROCK HARD Bond as the sort of Brutal, Vicious Nasty Thug that a paid assassin should be.
Action scenes are superbly done. There was probably some cgi in there, but very difficult to spot.
None of that martial arts crap either. Lots from the school of dirty tricks instead.
A lot of the "old genre" cliches were completely knocked on the head, or if alluded to the Mick was taken in a "this guys not like that any more" sort of way.
Dave Arnold did the music and as always did a job worthy of John Barry. Mainly incidental rather than a big musical score, but fitted the action well.
On the downside Novelist Supermum thought that the opening credits were cheesy. I thought they were OK - no women, but they could have tried something different from silhouettes.
There was also a long drawn out romantic bit, that could have been a lot shorter. At this point you were basically waiting for a character who'm you'd sussed was soon to be "Deadmeat" to come to whatever sticky end might be waiting.
Loved the end. Simple but very, very effective.
Found myself whistling the theme tune this morning, zooming into work, and booting the door of the office in :-)
Daniel Craig portrays a ROCK HARD Bond as the sort of Brutal, Vicious Nasty Thug that a paid assassin should be.
Action scenes are superbly done. There was probably some cgi in there, but very difficult to spot.
None of that martial arts crap either. Lots from the school of dirty tricks instead.
A lot of the "old genre" cliches were completely knocked on the head, or if alluded to the Mick was taken in a "this guys not like that any more" sort of way.
Dave Arnold did the music and as always did a job worthy of John Barry. Mainly incidental rather than a big musical score, but fitted the action well.
On the downside Novelist Supermum thought that the opening credits were cheesy. I thought they were OK - no women, but they could have tried something different from silhouettes.
There was also a long drawn out romantic bit, that could have been a lot shorter. At this point you were basically waiting for a character who'm you'd sussed was soon to be "Deadmeat" to come to whatever sticky end might be waiting.
Loved the end. Simple but very, very effective.
Found myself whistling the theme tune this morning, zooming into work, and booting the door of the office in :-)
Wednesday 29 November 2006
My name is Dwarf, Dark Dwarf
Looking forward to seeing Casino Royale at "the flicks" tonight.
I think that I saw my first James Bond Film when I was 8 or 9 years old (Live and Let Die). The chap who took us to see it was a bit of a Sean Connory fan, and was disappointed at Roger Moore's "reliance on gadgets" as he put it.
So he treated my Brother and I to a double-bill showing of Dr No and Goldfinger the following week. I can still remember our chuckles and "what did you say about gadgets" comments as the Aston Martin was taken through it's paces, with revolving number plates, bullet proof shield, oil slicks, machine guns, rotating knives in the wheels and ejector seat.
Having said that Goldfinger is probably still my favourite Bond film.
Incidentally, more evidence that the future is here, satellite navigation used to be issued only to 00 agents by Q department. Now you can buy them in Halfords. Perhaps they'll be selling Giro-copters next week?
I think that I saw my first James Bond Film when I was 8 or 9 years old (Live and Let Die). The chap who took us to see it was a bit of a Sean Connory fan, and was disappointed at Roger Moore's "reliance on gadgets" as he put it.
So he treated my Brother and I to a double-bill showing of Dr No and Goldfinger the following week. I can still remember our chuckles and "what did you say about gadgets" comments as the Aston Martin was taken through it's paces, with revolving number plates, bullet proof shield, oil slicks, machine guns, rotating knives in the wheels and ejector seat.
Having said that Goldfinger is probably still my favourite Bond film.
Incidentally, more evidence that the future is here, satellite navigation used to be issued only to 00 agents by Q department. Now you can buy them in Halfords. Perhaps they'll be selling Giro-copters next week?
Tuesday 28 November 2006
Full House
Early start at work 07:00am to check the system before the start of business all this week. Usually a lonely job, but plenty of company this morning as a number of colleagues had done an "all nighter" to resolve a system problem.
Chim chiminee chim chiminee chim chim cheroo
I added "Chimney Sweep" to my skillset on Sunday.
We've got an open fire, which we put into service for the first time around this time last year, but it was smelling a little smokey.
I was going to call a Professional Chimney Sweep to do the job, but didn't get around to it since the fire isn't our main source of heating (but nice to have at Xmas time, since you can't roast chestnuts on an open radiator).
I bought a set of drain cleaning rods last year, with which came a Chimney Brush giving the rods a dual purpose.
So I decided to save a little money and do the job myself. With me those are usually famous last words before having to call in a professional to sort out the mess I've made.
This time however I made a "clean sweep" of it. I didn't get the brush stuck in the chimney (as expected - although it did get a bit loose on the end) and there was only a light coating of soot to remove from the mantelpiece and ornaments on it - which I hadn't bothered to shift.
I cleaned out about half a bin bag of soot.
The soot was mainly on me, and not on the carpet so job done.
Told the kids that I was "cleaning the chimney for Father Christmas". I think they believed me - guess I'll have to do this job every year at this time for a while.
We've got an open fire, which we put into service for the first time around this time last year, but it was smelling a little smokey.
I was going to call a Professional Chimney Sweep to do the job, but didn't get around to it since the fire isn't our main source of heating (but nice to have at Xmas time, since you can't roast chestnuts on an open radiator).
I bought a set of drain cleaning rods last year, with which came a Chimney Brush giving the rods a dual purpose.
So I decided to save a little money and do the job myself. With me those are usually famous last words before having to call in a professional to sort out the mess I've made.
This time however I made a "clean sweep" of it. I didn't get the brush stuck in the chimney (as expected - although it did get a bit loose on the end) and there was only a light coating of soot to remove from the mantelpiece and ornaments on it - which I hadn't bothered to shift.
I cleaned out about half a bin bag of soot.
The soot was mainly on me, and not on the carpet so job done.
Told the kids that I was "cleaning the chimney for Father Christmas". I think they believed me - guess I'll have to do this job every year at this time for a while.
Friday 24 November 2006
Profiterolemania
The same chaps who were having a Cucumber Eating Contest a few weeks ago are today having a profiterole eating contest.
They've bought a catering box of profiteroles each (60 profiteroles in each box) from the Cash 'n Carry, defrosted them, added 8 sachets of chocolate sauce and have started to eat.
Comments so far are:
"Know we know why they only give you six on your plate".
"25 left and I'm hitting the wall!".
"How are we going to explain the chocolate stains?"
"Groooarrrgh!"
Our new manager (who is unaware of the competition) has just walked in with complimentary cream cakes for our efforts this week! ROTFLMAO!!!
They've bought a catering box of profiteroles each (60 profiteroles in each box) from the Cash 'n Carry, defrosted them, added 8 sachets of chocolate sauce and have started to eat.
Comments so far are:
"Know we know why they only give you six on your plate".
"25 left and I'm hitting the wall!".
"How are we going to explain the chocolate stains?"
"Groooarrrgh!"
Our new manager (who is unaware of the competition) has just walked in with complimentary cream cakes for our efforts this week! ROTFLMAO!!!
Thursday 23 November 2006
Firefoxed at Work
I've managed to find a way of getting Firefox onto my Internet PC at work. Hooray! Makes life a little easier than it was yesterday.
Wednesday 22 November 2006
New Moby
I've been given a company mobile again.
"Free" calls again, hooray! - Actually not quite free, the payment is that they expect to be able to get hold of me any time of the day or night.
Comes with a set of cheesy polyphonic ringtones. Tried to download something that suits me a little more but discovered that they've blocked most of the popular download places.
Most of the so-called "Rock" tones sound like Jan Hammer covering Heavy Metal hits on a Bontempi organ, anyway.
I did come across a rather amusing instrumental version of Motorhead's "Ace of Spades", which sounds like it's being covered by a keyboard based Bluegrass band.
I'll make that one my main tone, if I can get hold of it.
"Free" calls again, hooray! - Actually not quite free, the payment is that they expect to be able to get hold of me any time of the day or night.
Comes with a set of cheesy polyphonic ringtones. Tried to download something that suits me a little more but discovered that they've blocked most of the popular download places.
Most of the so-called "Rock" tones sound like Jan Hammer covering Heavy Metal hits on a Bontempi organ, anyway.
I did come across a rather amusing instrumental version of Motorhead's "Ace of Spades", which sounds like it's being covered by a keyboard based Bluegrass band.
I'll make that one my main tone, if I can get hold of it.
Tuesday 21 November 2006
Character Assassination
My previous team leader finally wrote up my first quarterly appraisal - which has been outstanding since early August.
I've long suspected that the run up to Xmas is the time of year that the bean counters REALLY decide what rise you're going to get next year (and that the end of year review in April is just lip service), since the review comments always appear to be a little harsher than usual at this time of year.
This one was a classic. Apparently it's a problem that my "behaviour is strongly influenced by financial goals"!!!
(They must want me to work for free?).
My current team leader isn't doing appraisals yet. Hopefully this gives me a chance to write my own towards the end of the year.
I've long suspected that the run up to Xmas is the time of year that the bean counters REALLY decide what rise you're going to get next year (and that the end of year review in April is just lip service), since the review comments always appear to be a little harsher than usual at this time of year.
This one was a classic. Apparently it's a problem that my "behaviour is strongly influenced by financial goals"!!!
(They must want me to work for free?).
My current team leader isn't doing appraisals yet. Hopefully this gives me a chance to write my own towards the end of the year.
Monday 20 November 2006
The Goose is Getting Fat...
This weekend we have been mostly... Xmas shopping.
By some organisational quirk we've managed to get the bulk of our Xmas shopping done.
It probably helped that we started early for a change - trying to spread out the cost a little, rather than having a big hit on the wallet in December.
Usually I only just start to think about it in the second week of December, then it's all a last minute panic.
Now I can be one of those annoying people who's all prepared by the end of November.
(Not quite actually. Still got 3 or 4 to get for the rest of the family - plus Novelist Supermum's pressies).
By some organisational quirk we've managed to get the bulk of our Xmas shopping done.
It probably helped that we started early for a change - trying to spread out the cost a little, rather than having a big hit on the wallet in December.
Usually I only just start to think about it in the second week of December, then it's all a last minute panic.
Now I can be one of those annoying people who's all prepared by the end of November.
(Not quite actually. Still got 3 or 4 to get for the rest of the family - plus Novelist Supermum's pressies).
Thursday 16 November 2006
Have you been called by a Bum?
I managed to text a number of people today by sitting on my phone - which I'd left in my pocket.
One of my pal's can't imagine how I managed this - he thinks it would make a great circus act.
One of my pal's can't imagine how I managed this - he thinks it would make a great circus act.
Wednesday 15 November 2006
Motorhead Sponsorship
I wonder which Motorhead track this kids football team come running out to? Hope it's not "Iron Horse/Born to Lose" :-)
Tuesday 14 November 2006
Urban Fox
Saw a young fox last night. It was standing on the grass verge on the corner of the street. I stopped the car and watched it trot up the verge, hugging the trees, before crossing the road and disappearing into a garden.
Saturday 11 November 2006
Return of the King
We finally found a spare 4.5 hours or so to watch the final DVD in the Lord of the Rings trilogy last night.
They've done a spectacular job again. Still a bit peeved that they dispensed with "The Raising of the Shire", which I've always thought was a great twist at the end of the book. When you've watched something for 4.5 hours, what's an extra half hour? They could have cut some of the long slow boring elf scenes.
At least they did do the pipeweed scene at Isengard (although because of the dropped section of the book nobody mentioned where the pipeweed had come from, which should be the second hint that Saruman is up to something in the Shire).
Watch it again? we certainly will, but probably not as much as "The Fellowship of the Ring".
They've done a spectacular job again. Still a bit peeved that they dispensed with "The Raising of the Shire", which I've always thought was a great twist at the end of the book. When you've watched something for 4.5 hours, what's an extra half hour? They could have cut some of the long slow boring elf scenes.
At least they did do the pipeweed scene at Isengard (although because of the dropped section of the book nobody mentioned where the pipeweed had come from, which should be the second hint that Saruman is up to something in the Shire).
Watch it again? we certainly will, but probably not as much as "The Fellowship of the Ring".
Thursday 9 November 2006
On Safari
cha0tic has just bought a Mac Mini, so I've asked him to check how Novelist Supermum's wesbite looks in Safari.
Looks like all is OK -
cha0tic on November 8, 2006 at 3:09 PM
Looks fine in Safari to me. Nothing looks out of place or obviously wrong. Links work etc.
Looks like all is OK -
cha0tic on November 8, 2006 at 3:09 PM
Looks fine in Safari to me. Nothing looks out of place or obviously wrong. Links work etc.
Sunday 5 November 2006
Dr Who Trip and Bonfire Night
Old friends, and their kids arrived as expected on Saturday, so after a bite to eat we all set off via bus and ferry the Dr Who Up Close Exhibition at the Spaceport.
Glad we didn't go when the Dr Who exhibition wasn't on as although the Spaceport was OK I think it was trying to educate, rather than to entertain, so on the whole I found it a little dull. Having said that, the planetarium show was good - they went through the planets and Frodo was transfixed by this - especially the asteroid belt (he loves asteroids). Samwise was tired by this point, so got a bit tearful half way through, but luckily calmed down quickly, so I got to see all of the show.
There's also a simulator which lets you experience the thrills of a simulated pod race (similar to Star Wars Episode I). Frodo really enjoyed this one and is still talking about "riding in the spaceship that crashed into the water".
The Dr Who bit wasn't disappointing. They had an Auton, an Ood, a Slitheen, a Clockwork Robot, and of course a Dalek and a Cyberman, plus a few others. You had to go right up to the Dalek and press a large black button to activate it. Samwise didn't mind at all, but Frodo was much more wary of being ExTeRmInAtEd!
We missed the ferry back by 5 minutes, and had to wait an hour for the next one. To justify the charge the ferry cruises up the river to Woodside and Rockferry before turning round and heading back down to the Pier Head. Still it was a good evening for a night-time ferry trip, with fireworks going off on both sides of the river.
Walked past the Liver Buildings and across town back to the bus stop, carrying exhausted kids on our shoulders.
Back home for a cup of tea, and waved our pals goodbye, with a promise to visit them at their place in the New Year.
Tonight's the night that the British public show their disdain for terrorists i.e. we hang, draw and quarter them and 400 years later we're still burning their effigy.
Samwise is a little too young for fireworks, so as he was being put to bed tonight, I sneaked out with Frodo and took a taxi to the display at Sefton park. We took Frodo to a children's display when he was still in a pushchair, and he bawled all the way through it. This time he was really excited about going to see them.
The music accompanying the display started out with "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet, which I thought worked rather well. A full half hour of spectacular pyrotechnics. Frodo was absolutely gobsmacked. He was a little tearful at the end, but only because it had finished - he said he wants to go again next year.
The only thing that spoilt things a little was the number of idiots setting off fireworks amongst the departing crowd after the event. I'm sure that there's a correlation between the number of idiots and the location of this years event, which had moved across the park from last year.
The traffic was solid leaving the park, so it wasn't worth getting a taxi back. We walked back to the main road, but as the buses were all full I carried on all the way home with Frodo on my shoulders (had some practice at this the day before).
I bought Frodo a battery operated, fibre optic novelty toy to wave about in the dark. I also remembered to buy one for Samwise too. We had fun waving them at people sitting down in the restaurants and wine bars that we passed on the way back.
We scored at least 6 returned waves, including two double wave bonuses from the barman in Crichton's, and a waitress in the Eastern Diner.
Glad we didn't go when the Dr Who exhibition wasn't on as although the Spaceport was OK I think it was trying to educate, rather than to entertain, so on the whole I found it a little dull. Having said that, the planetarium show was good - they went through the planets and Frodo was transfixed by this - especially the asteroid belt (he loves asteroids). Samwise was tired by this point, so got a bit tearful half way through, but luckily calmed down quickly, so I got to see all of the show.
There's also a simulator which lets you experience the thrills of a simulated pod race (similar to Star Wars Episode I). Frodo really enjoyed this one and is still talking about "riding in the spaceship that crashed into the water".
The Dr Who bit wasn't disappointing. They had an Auton, an Ood, a Slitheen, a Clockwork Robot, and of course a Dalek and a Cyberman, plus a few others. You had to go right up to the Dalek and press a large black button to activate it. Samwise didn't mind at all, but Frodo was much more wary of being ExTeRmInAtEd!
We missed the ferry back by 5 minutes, and had to wait an hour for the next one. To justify the charge the ferry cruises up the river to Woodside and Rockferry before turning round and heading back down to the Pier Head. Still it was a good evening for a night-time ferry trip, with fireworks going off on both sides of the river.
Walked past the Liver Buildings and across town back to the bus stop, carrying exhausted kids on our shoulders.
Back home for a cup of tea, and waved our pals goodbye, with a promise to visit them at their place in the New Year.
Tonight's the night that the British public show their disdain for terrorists i.e. we hang, draw and quarter them and 400 years later we're still burning their effigy.
Samwise is a little too young for fireworks, so as he was being put to bed tonight, I sneaked out with Frodo and took a taxi to the display at Sefton park. We took Frodo to a children's display when he was still in a pushchair, and he bawled all the way through it. This time he was really excited about going to see them.
The music accompanying the display started out with "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet, which I thought worked rather well. A full half hour of spectacular pyrotechnics. Frodo was absolutely gobsmacked. He was a little tearful at the end, but only because it had finished - he said he wants to go again next year.
The only thing that spoilt things a little was the number of idiots setting off fireworks amongst the departing crowd after the event. I'm sure that there's a correlation between the number of idiots and the location of this years event, which had moved across the park from last year.
The traffic was solid leaving the park, so it wasn't worth getting a taxi back. We walked back to the main road, but as the buses were all full I carried on all the way home with Frodo on my shoulders (had some practice at this the day before).
I bought Frodo a battery operated, fibre optic novelty toy to wave about in the dark. I also remembered to buy one for Samwise too. We had fun waving them at people sitting down in the restaurants and wine bars that we passed on the way back.
We scored at least 6 returned waves, including two double wave bonuses from the barman in Crichton's, and a waitress in the Eastern Diner.
Friday 3 November 2006
Ship Spotting Geekiness
Ever wondered what that passing ship is called?
Where is it going?
How fast is it going?
What is it carrying?
Then this website is for you.
There's a page to tell you what it's about and how it works.
I can spot ships out of the window and then followed their progress on the map.
It only shows ships of a certain size i.e. the one's required to provide Automatic Identification Data.
If you click around the site you can find several views. The best summary view that I've found appears to use Google Maps (click the flags option, rather than popups).
Pretty cool I think, in a geeky ship spotting way.
Sorry cha0tic, but, for some reason it doesn't work in the Wolverhampton area ;-)
Where is it going?
How fast is it going?
What is it carrying?
Then this website is for you.
There's a page to tell you what it's about and how it works.
I can spot ships out of the window and then followed their progress on the map.
It only shows ships of a certain size i.e. the one's required to provide Automatic Identification Data.
If you click around the site you can find several views. The best summary view that I've found appears to use Google Maps (click the flags option, rather than popups).
Pretty cool I think, in a geeky ship spotting way.
Sorry cha0tic, but, for some reason it doesn't work in the Wolverhampton area ;-)
Wednesday 1 November 2006
Reasons to be Cheerful
Old Friends have confirmed that their visiting us on Saturday. We're going to take a Ferry 'cross the Mersey with her kids and ours for a trip to the Dr Who Up Close Exhibition at the Spaceport at Seacombe on the Wirral, so looking forward to that.
We've also booked two family holiday breaks next year, at the "Holiday House" that we went to earlier this year.
We're also thinking of booking a short break in Rome, just for Mummy and Daddy, with the Hobbits staying at Grandma's - although we'll have to get our finger out and sort this soon.
And finally - I've got to be in work at 07:20 to learn how to do the morning system checks. Why am I cheerful about this? Because I get to leave at 14:30 of course (although I have to pick up Frodo who's leaving school early - we have to go back to the school for parent's evening later).
We've also booked two family holiday breaks next year, at the "Holiday House" that we went to earlier this year.
We're also thinking of booking a short break in Rome, just for Mummy and Daddy, with the Hobbits staying at Grandma's - although we'll have to get our finger out and sort this soon.
And finally - I've got to be in work at 07:20 to learn how to do the morning system checks. Why am I cheerful about this? Because I get to leave at 14:30 of course (although I have to pick up Frodo who's leaving school early - we have to go back to the school for parent's evening later).
Tuesday 31 October 2006
DO Judge a Book by it's Cover
Novelist Supermum has been designing some book covers for her novellas (there's a couple of examples at the top of her blog, and another on her other blog.
I think they look rather good, considering the tools that she has to work with (and the constant interruptions).
I think they look rather good, considering the tools that she has to work with (and the constant interruptions).
Monday 30 October 2006
Clock Change and Hallowe'en Vegetables.
My Uncle, who is a farmer, used to say "They change the clocks, but nobody tells The Beast" - Meaning that the cows don't realise that they've turned up an hour early to be fed.
Similarly nobody tells the children. It was a long day for Frodo and Samwise on Sunday.
Took them to the Aztec themed Children's Play Area again. Samwise was feeling a bit under the weather, which he demonstrated by throwing up just after he got in the car. Luckily my jacket and his car seat cover caught most of it before I whipped him out of the car, so both of these were washed and the car doesn't smell any worse than usual.
It's Hallowe'en tomorrow, so I bought a pumpkin from ASDA. My attempts to carve Scooby Doo's face on this hollowed out gourd have resulted in a truly evil effigy that bears little resemblance to the talking Great Dane. Should keep the nasty spirits away tomorrow night.
I've been using pumpkins for a few years now, rather than the turnips (or "bagies") that we used in my youth (Southerners would call these "Swedes"). Turnips are really tough to hollow out and carve so this always resulted in colourful language and bleeding fingers, whereas pumpkins are fairly soft and quicker and easier to scoop out and carve.
I've just Googled "Turnip or Swede" and came up with the Swedish word "Rutabaga". I wonder if this where the Northumbrian / North East word "Bagies" comes from?
Similarly nobody tells the children. It was a long day for Frodo and Samwise on Sunday.
Took them to the Aztec themed Children's Play Area again. Samwise was feeling a bit under the weather, which he demonstrated by throwing up just after he got in the car. Luckily my jacket and his car seat cover caught most of it before I whipped him out of the car, so both of these were washed and the car doesn't smell any worse than usual.
It's Hallowe'en tomorrow, so I bought a pumpkin from ASDA. My attempts to carve Scooby Doo's face on this hollowed out gourd have resulted in a truly evil effigy that bears little resemblance to the talking Great Dane. Should keep the nasty spirits away tomorrow night.
I've been using pumpkins for a few years now, rather than the turnips (or "bagies") that we used in my youth (Southerners would call these "Swedes"). Turnips are really tough to hollow out and carve so this always resulted in colourful language and bleeding fingers, whereas pumpkins are fairly soft and quicker and easier to scoop out and carve.
I've just Googled "Turnip or Swede" and came up with the Swedish word "Rutabaga". I wonder if this where the Northumbrian / North East word "Bagies" comes from?
Friday 27 October 2006
Demolition Man
Spent the best part of the day doing an impression of an Imperial Storm Trooper as I donned Mask and Goggles and removed 15 roof panels off the old shed/garage roof.
Unfortunately my blaster let me down, and I had to resort to claw hammer and mole grips to prise the panels off, rather than disentegrating them with a burst of laser fire.
I also had the added danger factor of having to wave to children who were looking out of their bedroom window, whilst balancing atop a ladder.
Another danger factor was the fogging up of my glasses and goggles, until I remembered the old trick of polishing them with washing up liquid. This means that the moisture is spread out to a thin film, rather than condensing, resulting in wet goggles, but at least you can see.
Unfortunately my blaster let me down, and I had to resort to claw hammer and mole grips to prise the panels off, rather than disentegrating them with a burst of laser fire.
I also had the added danger factor of having to wave to children who were looking out of their bedroom window, whilst balancing atop a ladder.
Another danger factor was the fogging up of my glasses and goggles, until I remembered the old trick of polishing them with washing up liquid. This means that the moisture is spread out to a thin film, rather than condensing, resulting in wet goggles, but at least you can see.
Half Term
Half term this week, so I've taken 3 days off work to spend quality time with children. So far this has involved mopping up pools of puke and disinfecting the house - since Frodo has fallen ill with some sort of "tummy-bug".
Trip to Ikea today, followed by the usual fun of flatpack furniture assembly. Who needs to read the instructions anyway? As Bob the Builder once said "Instructions are for people who don't know what they're doing".
Trip to Ikea today, followed by the usual fun of flatpack furniture assembly. Who needs to read the instructions anyway? As Bob the Builder once said "Instructions are for people who don't know what they're doing".
Tuesday 24 October 2006
Wasting time.
Don't tell me there's a problem with the environment - first check your code!
Wasted my second day on this "issue" today.
Wasted my second day on this "issue" today.
Monday 23 October 2006
Quality Time with Children
Novelist Supermum has blown some of her first sizeable royalty check on a Dana Alphasmart Wireless portable computing laptop alternative. (It's a palmOS based device with built in keyboard that a lot of writers and journalist use).
Whilst she was out on Friday with her writing buddies, I had a go at configuring the wireless connection. I managed to do it in an hour and a half, which must be some kind of record for me! I discovered that in fact I'd got the configuration right first time, but had forgotten to set the Wanadoo 'Livebox' wireless router into "pairing mode" before making my first connection.
All diy plans for the weekend went out of the window, as Grandma Gandalf wasn't available for baby-sitting.
Saturday morning I called the old friend, who gave me the stunning news a couple of weeks ago, and we've arranged a visit in a couple of weeks. We're going to take a Ferry 'cross the Mersey with her kids and ours for a trip to the Dr Who Up Close Exhibition at the Spaceport at Seacombe on the Wirral.
Took the hobbits for a bike ride in the park. No accidents this time - I've started to teach Frodo about the back brake, he knows how to squeeze the lever but hasn't quite got that this helps you to stop yet. He still wanted to try the hill that he crashed and burned on last time. I held the handlebar for him this time until he was almost at the bottom.
Frodo had another sports party in the afternoon. He played indoor hockey and football. At the age of 5 or 6 this is a mob of children chasing a ball - no concept of passing so I was impressed that Frodo managed to get a quite a few swipes and kicks of the ball in - since the odds were against him.
Sunday morning took the hobbits Aztec themed Children's Play Area at Grandma's - Adventures in the Lost Kingdom in order to wear them out, as it's half term next week. This worked, with the side effect of wearing me out too, chasing after them to make sure that they were playing safely, and stopping them so they could get a drink.
Whilst she was out on Friday with her writing buddies, I had a go at configuring the wireless connection. I managed to do it in an hour and a half, which must be some kind of record for me! I discovered that in fact I'd got the configuration right first time, but had forgotten to set the Wanadoo 'Livebox' wireless router into "pairing mode" before making my first connection.
All diy plans for the weekend went out of the window, as Grandma Gandalf wasn't available for baby-sitting.
Saturday morning I called the old friend, who gave me the stunning news a couple of weeks ago, and we've arranged a visit in a couple of weeks. We're going to take a Ferry 'cross the Mersey with her kids and ours for a trip to the Dr Who Up Close Exhibition at the Spaceport at Seacombe on the Wirral.
Took the hobbits for a bike ride in the park. No accidents this time - I've started to teach Frodo about the back brake, he knows how to squeeze the lever but hasn't quite got that this helps you to stop yet. He still wanted to try the hill that he crashed and burned on last time. I held the handlebar for him this time until he was almost at the bottom.
Frodo had another sports party in the afternoon. He played indoor hockey and football. At the age of 5 or 6 this is a mob of children chasing a ball - no concept of passing so I was impressed that Frodo managed to get a quite a few swipes and kicks of the ball in - since the odds were against him.
Sunday morning took the hobbits Aztec themed Children's Play Area at Grandma's - Adventures in the Lost Kingdom in order to wear them out, as it's half term next week. This worked, with the side effect of wearing me out too, chasing after them to make sure that they were playing safely, and stopping them so they could get a drink.
Saturday 21 October 2006
No Comment?
I've heard that comments aren't working on my blog, so I've just republished the entire blog to see if this fixes it.
Wednesday 18 October 2006
Tyred
I appear to have been driving on a rather smooth tyre on one of my front wheels for the past few hundred miles.
(Which may explain a slight skid whilst leaving a very wet car park last week).
Shopped around the usual tyre centres, and the cost of buying and fitting it seemed to be coming in at about 80 to 90 quid.
Then I remembered my good old local cash and carry - Costco. 58 quid.
For some 'Michelin' reason they swapped the rear tyre to the front, and put the new one on the rear. They didn't replace the wheel trims though, and I had to put them back on myself (maybe this is the 30 quids worth of work that the others charge for?). I was told that this was to remind me to check that the wheel nuts are still tight after 25 miles.
Costco won't do a wheel alignment or "tracking" adjustment though, which I think is needed given the pattern of wear, and only on one tyre. All they do is fit tyres. I'll have to get this done elsewhere.
(Which may explain a slight skid whilst leaving a very wet car park last week).
Shopped around the usual tyre centres, and the cost of buying and fitting it seemed to be coming in at about 80 to 90 quid.
Then I remembered my good old local cash and carry - Costco. 58 quid.
For some 'Michelin' reason they swapped the rear tyre to the front, and put the new one on the rear. They didn't replace the wheel trims though, and I had to put them back on myself (maybe this is the 30 quids worth of work that the others charge for?). I was told that this was to remind me to check that the wheel nuts are still tight after 25 miles.
Costco won't do a wheel alignment or "tracking" adjustment though, which I think is needed given the pattern of wear, and only on one tyre. All they do is fit tyres. I'll have to get this done elsewhere.
Tuesday 17 October 2006
BMB Sales
Novelist Supermum has found out that in September initial sales of her book Buying Mackenzie's Baby totalled 377, so no doubt she'll be "yay'ing" about this on her blog later (she just rang me at work to tell me).
This is pretty good for a book that she thought she'd be lucky to make 40 quid on.
This is pretty good for a book that she thought she'd be lucky to make 40 quid on.
Monday 16 October 2006
Thomas the Tank Engine
Visited Grandma Saruman this weekend.
Took us about 5 hours to get there on Friday night. A lorry had crashed into the central reservation on the M62 causing massive tailbacks in both directions. I know that you shouldn't laugh at others misfortunes, but the lorry was called "The Flying Fridge".
On Saturday morning we took Frodo and Samwise to see the REAL Thomas the Tank Engine, who was visiting the wensleydale railway that day.
They took it all pretty matter of factly (well of course he's real). Even the Fat Controller was there, who for political correctness now prefers his actual name of "Sir Topham Hat".
In the afternoon we went to Whitby. Saw Whitby Abbey in the fog (but no vampires) Then went to the beach to skim stones and pick up some decorative pebbles.
Got back home in good time today - everybody's knackered.
Took us about 5 hours to get there on Friday night. A lorry had crashed into the central reservation on the M62 causing massive tailbacks in both directions. I know that you shouldn't laugh at others misfortunes, but the lorry was called "The Flying Fridge".
On Saturday morning we took Frodo and Samwise to see the REAL Thomas the Tank Engine, who was visiting the wensleydale railway that day.
They took it all pretty matter of factly (well of course he's real). Even the Fat Controller was there, who for political correctness now prefers his actual name of "Sir Topham Hat".
In the afternoon we went to Whitby. Saw Whitby Abbey in the fog (but no vampires) Then went to the beach to skim stones and pick up some decorative pebbles.
Got back home in good time today - everybody's knackered.
Thursday 12 October 2006
Donkey Ears
More emergency patching last night. I was in work until 00:30 and got to drive home along the waterfront late at night - which is always quite pleasant.
Got the patches done and prevented a delay on an important project, so I'm in the good books at work. Even remembered to take a back up so they don't lose my changes.
Short lived celebrations of self-importance though. Received my first "Donkey Ears" award today for a mistake I'd made when setting up a scheduled database refresh (so it wasn't actually refreshing) =:)
Devised an emoticon for Donkey Ears
=:)
I'm printing one off and sticking it on my PC every time I get another Donkey Ears award (a bit like a WWII fighter pilot marking his kills).
We're taking the Hobbits to Grandma Saruman's this weekend for a visit. Also popping in to see YoungerBruvva on the way.
Got the patches done and prevented a delay on an important project, so I'm in the good books at work. Even remembered to take a back up so they don't lose my changes.
Short lived celebrations of self-importance though. Received my first "Donkey Ears" award today for a mistake I'd made when setting up a scheduled database refresh (so it wasn't actually refreshing) =:)
Devised an emoticon for Donkey Ears
=:)
I'm printing one off and sticking it on my PC every time I get another Donkey Ears award (a bit like a WWII fighter pilot marking his kills).
We're taking the Hobbits to Grandma Saruman's this weekend for a visit. Also popping in to see YoungerBruvva on the way.
Tuesday 10 October 2006
Late Night Patching
Volunteered to return to work tonight to do a little late night environment patching. Now where's my electronic needle and thread gone?
Waiting for a restore to complete so I took the opportunity to take a look through the team binoculars at the 18 metre high yellow neon question mark on the Cammell Laird shipyard doors that was put up recently as part of the Liverpool Arts Biennial.
It looks best at night
Waiting for a restore to complete so I took the opportunity to take a look through the team binoculars at the 18 metre high yellow neon question mark on the Cammell Laird shipyard doors that was put up recently as part of the Liverpool Arts Biennial.
It looks best at night
Kites
I took Frodo for an Educational trip to the rubbish tip on Sunday i.e. he hadn't been to a rubbish tip before, and he enjoys watching diggers and lorries, and hearing things go crash! thump!, plus he gets to learn about recycling. I also got rid of a rotten old garage door that I've just dismantled.
We noticed loads of kites flying above Otterspool promenade. The kites were all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Parachutes, teddy bears, dogs, snow flakes, stunt kites, 2 sets of 5-at-a-time stunt kites, box kites, japanes fighting kites etc. Otterspool prom is just opposite the tip site, so we drove over for a look.
The Northern Kite Group were hosting an event. Apparently it was some sort of international kite day, on which kite groups from all over the world gather, fly their kites, record how many they've flown and then tot up the score to make some sort of world record.
We spent a pleasant hour walking under all the kites, looking up and avoiding the strings (many were staked into the ground). One particularly nice bloke gave Frodo a go at flying his kite - which was shaped like an Octopus. I was a little worried that Frodo would let go, but he held on OK.
I didn't have a camera with me, but I've found some pictures of the sort of stuff that we saw on the group's website.
Bought a couple of ice-creams and sat munching them, watching the kites. Lots more arrived whilst we did this, as people were being encouraged to bring their own and join in. I noticed that a lot of the amateurs were getting their lines tangled with "the professionals". Decided not to nip home and bring our as yet unflown Dragon kite, but made a mental note that the prom looks like the ideal spot for it's maiden flight, when there's not so many other kites about.
We noticed loads of kites flying above Otterspool promenade. The kites were all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Parachutes, teddy bears, dogs, snow flakes, stunt kites, 2 sets of 5-at-a-time stunt kites, box kites, japanes fighting kites etc. Otterspool prom is just opposite the tip site, so we drove over for a look.
The Northern Kite Group were hosting an event. Apparently it was some sort of international kite day, on which kite groups from all over the world gather, fly their kites, record how many they've flown and then tot up the score to make some sort of world record.
We spent a pleasant hour walking under all the kites, looking up and avoiding the strings (many were staked into the ground). One particularly nice bloke gave Frodo a go at flying his kite - which was shaped like an Octopus. I was a little worried that Frodo would let go, but he held on OK.
I didn't have a camera with me, but I've found some pictures of the sort of stuff that we saw on the group's website.
Bought a couple of ice-creams and sat munching them, watching the kites. Lots more arrived whilst we did this, as people were being encouraged to bring their own and join in. I noticed that a lot of the amateurs were getting their lines tangled with "the professionals". Decided not to nip home and bring our as yet unflown Dragon kite, but made a mental note that the prom looks like the ideal spot for it's maiden flight, when there's not so many other kites about.
Sunday 8 October 2006
Stunned.
An old friend called this morning to let me know some rather depressing news. I've not heard from her since last year. Still a bit dazed to hear that she's got what could be a terminal illness - diagnosed this summer. Sounds like it's been caught early and she's battling against it. Gutsy of her to ring up out of the blue and let me know - glad that she did. We still managed to joke about it - don't know how she can be so positive, but good for her. Makes my problems pale into insignificance. Hope she beats it. Still a bit stunned.
Saturday 7 October 2006
Virgin Trains - Indian Attack
This post is for people like cha0tic, who do not have access to the medium known as "telly" and are therefore missing out on one of the greatest TV adverts of all times - the
Virgin Trains - Indian Attack
Virgin Trains - Indian Attack
Friday 6 October 2006
Lotto
Both Lotto and the Euromillions are on a rollover, so I've had a go at both.
This is just about the only gambling that I ever do.
I usually only do the rollovers for two reasons:
1) Greed - If I win, then it's likely to be a big win.
2) Thriftiness - By limiting myself to rollovers I'm not forking out every week.
The most I've ever won is 43 quid on Euromillions, and I've definitely put more into the Lottery than I've got out.
This is just about the only gambling that I ever do.
I usually only do the rollovers for two reasons:
1) Greed - If I win, then it's likely to be a big win.
2) Thriftiness - By limiting myself to rollovers I'm not forking out every week.
The most I've ever won is 43 quid on Euromillions, and I've definitely put more into the Lottery than I've got out.
Wednesday 4 October 2006
Sunday 1 October 2006
Busy Weekend
Swimming with Samwise on Saturday morning, who's still throwing himself into the big pool and expecting me to catch him. Like Frodo he swims better out of his depth, but can't do it without assistance yet - he kicks his legs, but doesn't move his arms much so ends up rolling in the water.
Visited Borders bookshop to buy the O'Reilly DBA pocketfor me and The Hippo-Not-Amus for Samwise, as well as a birthday present.
Frodo had another sports party on Saturday afternoon, so two hours of helping out with this.
Whizzed the hobbits around to Grandma Gandalf's and then headed back home again so that we could catch a bus into town to meet up with impworks and another member of "Write Club" at Weatherspoons, followed by an Eyetie meal at the Casa d'Italia restaurant on Stanley Street. Food was tasty, and the waiter can be forgiven for giving me ice-cream instead of cream with my banoffee pie - since the ice-cream was delicious.
Finished off with a beer in The Head of Steam then a taxi home.
We both fell asleep in the front room, each on our own settees.
Novelist Supermum found her way upstairs to bed before I did.
I woke at 02:30 am to the sounds of Judas Priest on TOTP2 bashing out "Living after Midnight". Unlike Rob Halford and Co I was too tired to stay up "Rockin' till the dawn" and "Lovin' 'till the morning" was definitely out so went up to bed and crashed.
This morning was another trip to take all of the scrap wood and other junk that I'd found stored under the roof in our soon to be demolished garage/garden shed.
Round to Grandma Gandalf's this afternoon and retrieved the hobbits.
Just finished updating Novelist Supermum's website www.romancefiction.co.uk with the ' as published' excerpts from her books, plus some other updates. Buying Mackenzie's Baby is still at Number 1 in her publishers (Samhain) best sellers list. Must be the well-constructed website that's helping to keep it there ;-)
Visited Borders bookshop to buy the O'Reilly DBA pocketfor me and The Hippo-Not-Amus for Samwise, as well as a birthday present.
Frodo had another sports party on Saturday afternoon, so two hours of helping out with this.
Whizzed the hobbits around to Grandma Gandalf's and then headed back home again so that we could catch a bus into town to meet up with impworks and another member of "Write Club" at Weatherspoons, followed by an Eyetie meal at the Casa d'Italia restaurant on Stanley Street. Food was tasty, and the waiter can be forgiven for giving me ice-cream instead of cream with my banoffee pie - since the ice-cream was delicious.
Finished off with a beer in The Head of Steam then a taxi home.
We both fell asleep in the front room, each on our own settees.
Novelist Supermum found her way upstairs to bed before I did.
I woke at 02:30 am to the sounds of Judas Priest on TOTP2 bashing out "Living after Midnight". Unlike Rob Halford and Co I was too tired to stay up "Rockin' till the dawn" and "Lovin' 'till the morning" was definitely out so went up to bed and crashed.
This morning was another trip to take all of the scrap wood and other junk that I'd found stored under the roof in our soon to be demolished garage/garden shed.
Round to Grandma Gandalf's this afternoon and retrieved the hobbits.
Just finished updating Novelist Supermum's website www.romancefiction.co.uk with the ' as published' excerpts from her books, plus some other updates. Buying Mackenzie's Baby is still at Number 1 in her publishers (Samhain) best sellers list. Must be the well-constructed website that's helping to keep it there ;-)
Thursday 28 September 2006
BMB is Top of the Samhain Hit Parade!
Novelist Supermum's latest book Buying Mackenzie's Baby has reached Number 1 in her publishers (Samhain) best sellers list!!!!!!.
Crashed in at number 4 then climbed steadily to Number 1 in about a week.
She's still not sure how - maybe it's just a good book for it's genre.
She's beavering away (fnaar!, fnaar!) at another one in a similar vein, whilst she's on a roll.
Crashed in at number 4 then climbed steadily to Number 1 in about a week.
She's still not sure how - maybe it's just a good book for it's genre.
She's beavering away (fnaar!, fnaar!) at another one in a similar vein, whilst she's on a roll.
Sunday 24 September 2006
Lock and (Front)Load
Frodo was playing with the controls of our washing machine today - it has a child lock mechanism so he can press the buttons without upsetting the wash cycle.
I heard him say that he was "using the computer".
Then after pressing a few buttons he said
"Weapons Online..."
Either TV is having an influence, or he's discovered a feature that Mr Dyson forgot to tell us about.
I heard him say that he was "using the computer".
Then after pressing a few buttons he said
"Weapons Online..."
Either TV is having an influence, or he's discovered a feature that Mr Dyson forgot to tell us about.
Friday 22 September 2006
Cucumber Race Result
"I'm sorry but my manager can't come to the phone right now. He's too busy stuffing a cucumber into his mouth".
Results were:
Cucumber 1 - 2 mins 48 secs
Cucumber 2 - 4 mins 5 secs
Cucumber 3 - still being consumed after 5 mins - switched to "leisurely eating mode" to finish, total time 16 mins.
Office stinks of cucumber. Contestant number 2 has only just thought to google to find out the effects of eating too much cucumber, since he's on the train tonight.
Results were:
Cucumber 1 - 2 mins 48 secs
Cucumber 2 - 4 mins 5 secs
Cucumber 3 - still being consumed after 5 mins - switched to "leisurely eating mode" to finish, total time 16 mins.
Office stinks of cucumber. Contestant number 2 has only just thought to google to find out the effects of eating too much cucumber, since he's on the train tonight.
You don't have to be mad to work here...
3 of my colleagues are currently about to conduct a cucumber eating contest.
They are currently each wielding a whole cucumber, still in the plastic wrapping.
On the word "Go" they will have to remove the wrapping and devour the cucumber - the fastest to consume the whole cucumber being the winner.
(No way am I joining in with this one!).
They are currently each wielding a whole cucumber, still in the plastic wrapping.
On the word "Go" they will have to remove the wrapping and devour the cucumber - the fastest to consume the whole cucumber being the winner.
(No way am I joining in with this one!).
Thursday 21 September 2006
Fame Beckons
Novelist Supermum is currently bouncing about the house because her latest book has reached Number 3 in her publishers best sellers list.
Hopefully this means that it's sold a lot and the money will start rolling in...
Speaking of claims to fame, our Desktop Team Leader is just working here between gigs, and his real job is with his band The Suns. They have a couple of videos on You Tube.
Hopefully this means that it's sold a lot and the money will start rolling in...
Speaking of claims to fame, our Desktop Team Leader is just working here between gigs, and his real job is with his band The Suns. They have a couple of videos on You Tube.
Monday 18 September 2006
A night at the races
Another wedding on Saturday Night. This time it was a relatives wedding, and we were invited to the evening do.
This was in a suite of the Princess Royal Stand at Aintree race course, which meant that whilst the party was in full swing we could walk outside to the stands terracing to cool off. Chilling out leaning on the railings looking out over a night time view of the course used for the Grand National.
Frodo and Samwise needless to say wore themselves out by running around the room. The band was two guys and a backing tape, but they weren't too bad at what they did, and the choice of music was right for the crowd.
Just about to set off back for home, and I had to go back in to retrieve the balloons off the table for Samwise, who had been promised them (and Samwise never forgets a promise).
This was in a suite of the Princess Royal Stand at Aintree race course, which meant that whilst the party was in full swing we could walk outside to the stands terracing to cool off. Chilling out leaning on the railings looking out over a night time view of the course used for the Grand National.
Frodo and Samwise needless to say wore themselves out by running around the room. The band was two guys and a backing tape, but they weren't too bad at what they did, and the choice of music was right for the crowd.
Just about to set off back for home, and I had to go back in to retrieve the balloons off the table for Samwise, who had been promised them (and Samwise never forgets a promise).
Thursday 14 September 2006
Dvorak Keyboard Comic
I know that I've mentioned before that I use a Dvorak Keyboard layout for typing.
Whilst setting up this layout on a new PC at work, and explaining to somebody what the layout was about, I came across this website, which provides a history and explanation in comic strip form.
It's a bit lengthy, and corny in places, but makes a different kind of explanation. There's a lot of other useful related info too.
The website is http://www.dvzine.org/
Whilst setting up this layout on a new PC at work, and explaining to somebody what the layout was about, I came across this website, which provides a history and explanation in comic strip form.
It's a bit lengthy, and corny in places, but makes a different kind of explanation. There's a lot of other useful related info too.
The website is http://www.dvzine.org/
Wednesday 13 September 2006
Asleep on the job
Discovered today that my colleagues keep a hammock (the sort that comes with it's own portable frame to sling it from) in a cupboard in our room at work.
It's for long, late shifts when waiting to restart or check the system whilst a 3rd party is modifying or fixing a vital component.
Apparently our higher level management (who are highly unlikely to be in work at 04:00 AM themselves) disapprove of this - "this is a place of work, not of sleep", but we haven't actually been told not to use it, hence it's discretely tucked away.
I've been told that it works quite well, and is reasonably comfortable once you've got used to it's swinging and the "at sea" feeling this induces.
It's for long, late shifts when waiting to restart or check the system whilst a 3rd party is modifying or fixing a vital component.
Apparently our higher level management (who are highly unlikely to be in work at 04:00 AM themselves) disapprove of this - "this is a place of work, not of sleep", but we haven't actually been told not to use it, hence it's discretely tucked away.
I've been told that it works quite well, and is reasonably comfortable once you've got used to it's swinging and the "at sea" feeling this induces.
Monday 11 September 2006
Sunshine, Booze and Good Food
Still knackered after the wedding in Brum on Saturday. It was held in the Conference Centre/Park at Brum University, and the weather was excellent so the Party spilled out onto the lawns. Frisbee's, footballs and croquet had been provided, so there was plenty to entertain drunken adults - and the kids.
Caught up with a few faces that we hadn't seen for some time, and drank far too much Tetley's.
Samwise got bored with some of the readings at the ceremony, and started shouting "The End!" half way through them.
It's been a few years since we've been back to Brum (we used to live there). There's a huge great Radisson Hotel at one end of New Street now, and a number of other developments. They haven't got rid of the so-called "concrete collar" as some of the redevelopment schemes promised, this is an inner ring road that circles the city centre and dips underground in a few places. Great for whizzing around town in a car. Frodo loved the tunnels.
The conference park is just behind "The Gun Barrels" pub, just past Pebble Mill off the Bristol Road. The wedding was in "Hornton Grange" and we stayed over the road in the accomodation at "Lucas House".
Managed to make breakfast, and got back home at mid-day. One of our neighbours invited us to an impromptu barbecue, so it was more booze and food in the Sun for the afternoon. Got to meet and chat with a few more of the neighbours.
Thoroughly good weekend.
Back to work today to discover, as expected, no flooding whatsoever. I noticed that some sandbags had been placed near our building and around the Liver Building, so the flood warning was being taken seriously.
Very busy day at work today. Little time to think, let alone blog.
Caught up with a few faces that we hadn't seen for some time, and drank far too much Tetley's.
Samwise got bored with some of the readings at the ceremony, and started shouting "The End!" half way through them.
It's been a few years since we've been back to Brum (we used to live there). There's a huge great Radisson Hotel at one end of New Street now, and a number of other developments. They haven't got rid of the so-called "concrete collar" as some of the redevelopment schemes promised, this is an inner ring road that circles the city centre and dips underground in a few places. Great for whizzing around town in a car. Frodo loved the tunnels.
The conference park is just behind "The Gun Barrels" pub, just past Pebble Mill off the Bristol Road. The wedding was in "Hornton Grange" and we stayed over the road in the accomodation at "Lucas House".
Managed to make breakfast, and got back home at mid-day. One of our neighbours invited us to an impromptu barbecue, so it was more booze and food in the Sun for the afternoon. Got to meet and chat with a few more of the neighbours.
Thoroughly good weekend.
Back to work today to discover, as expected, no flooding whatsoever. I noticed that some sandbags had been placed near our building and around the Liver Building, so the flood warning was being taken seriously.
Very busy day at work today. Little time to think, let alone blog.
Friday 8 September 2006
Flood Warning!
A warning has been issued today at work regarding possible flooding due to what could be the highest tides for the next 20 years. This particular disaster scenario originated from the Environment Agency.
Being right on the banks of the Mersey the Assassination Bureau is in a high risk area.
We've been asked not to leave cars in the car park overnight this weekend - presumably to prevent them from being smashed into the side of the building by the flood waters.
Luckily we're off to Brum this weekend to a friends wedding. Can't get more inland than that, and no river to speak of, so we should survive the deluge.
Also the weather is looking OK at the moment. There's only a risk if the higher than normal high tides (due to a spring tide coinciding with the September equinox) are combined with severe weather conditions.
Being right on the banks of the Mersey the Assassination Bureau is in a high risk area.
We've been asked not to leave cars in the car park overnight this weekend - presumably to prevent them from being smashed into the side of the building by the flood waters.
Luckily we're off to Brum this weekend to a friends wedding. Can't get more inland than that, and no river to speak of, so we should survive the deluge.
Also the weather is looking OK at the moment. There's only a risk if the higher than normal high tides (due to a spring tide coinciding with the September equinox) are combined with severe weather conditions.
Tuesday 5 September 2006
Scissor Brothers
Frodo was insisting on having a "small spoon" for breakfast this morning. I think I know why.
He did well with the Occupational Therapist yesterday, practising similar concepts, as well as drawing lines and cutting along them.
We've been giving him scissors at home to practice with, and have discovered ourselves shouting the immortal warning "Don't run with scissors!" to both children.
Sad to hear about the death of the Crocodile Hunter. Cha0tic has already received the first sick jokes on the subject.
He did well with the Occupational Therapist yesterday, practising similar concepts, as well as drawing lines and cutting along them.
We've been giving him scissors at home to practice with, and have discovered ourselves shouting the immortal warning "Don't run with scissors!" to both children.
Sad to hear about the death of the Crocodile Hunter. Cha0tic has already received the first sick jokes on the subject.
Sunday 3 September 2006
Sci Fi / Sci Fact
I've just read about the European Smart 1 Probe, which we deliberately smashed into the lunar surface early this morning in the interests of science and space exploration.
I discovered that it's powered by a Single Ion Engine. Given that we've just "attacked" the moon, then I would suggest that this makes it our first working SIE fighter. One more engine (Twin Ion Engine) and we would have had a TIE fighter.
I discovered that it's powered by a Single Ion Engine. Given that we've just "attacked" the moon, then I would suggest that this makes it our first working SIE fighter. One more engine (Twin Ion Engine) and we would have had a TIE fighter.
Saturday 2 September 2006
Young Jedi
Trip with Frodo to Toys 'R' Us today to buy a Birthday present for nephew "Little Boots" who we're visiting tomorrow. (His Birthday is 31 August, the same as Caligula hence "Little Boots").
Little Boots is into GeoMag, so I bought him a 46 piece set of flat panels, a 42 piece glow in the dark set and 2 20 piece red and blue sets.
I also purchased a Millenium Falcon from the Hasbro Star Wars "Galactic Heroes" range. These are realistic but chunky models, without too many fiddly pieces, so ideal for small playful hands. Frodo already has Luke Skywalkers X-Wing from the same range, which he loves. The MF is being put away for Christmas (early shopping saves disappointment). Also bought a small Obi Wan and Darth Vader figure set from the same range.
Thought Frodo wasn't paying attention when I bought them, but this afternoon he was sitting with a towel on his head saying "I'm Obi Wan Kenobi". (It was a green towel, so he looked more like Yoda to me).
Little Boots is into GeoMag, so I bought him a 46 piece set of flat panels, a 42 piece glow in the dark set and 2 20 piece red and blue sets.
I also purchased a Millenium Falcon from the Hasbro Star Wars "Galactic Heroes" range. These are realistic but chunky models, without too many fiddly pieces, so ideal for small playful hands. Frodo already has Luke Skywalkers X-Wing from the same range, which he loves. The MF is being put away for Christmas (early shopping saves disappointment). Also bought a small Obi Wan and Darth Vader figure set from the same range.
Thought Frodo wasn't paying attention when I bought them, but this afternoon he was sitting with a towel on his head saying "I'm Obi Wan Kenobi". (It was a green towel, so he looked more like Yoda to me).
Friday 1 September 2006
To the dump
Cleared out the big shed formerly known as the garage - I say this because it used to be a garage, but as the access gates to the back yard were bricked up some time ago you cannot get a car to it, let alone attempt to put one in it.
Pressed the button that converts the car into a Bin Wagon.
It only took 2 runs to the Otterspool Waste Recycling Centre (aka the local dump / tip) to get rid of all the scrap wood, metal, old dustsheets, rolls of carpet remnants, broken tools, rusty ornamental sword, broken traffic cone, burnt out kettle, old pan set, swing bin that's no longer swinging, alumininum loft ladders from Grandma Saruman's old house, wall ties, broken bricks, cement, rubble, roof tiles, broken wooden step ladders etc that had gathered there since we moved in 4 years ago. OK some of this was left by the previous occupants of the property e.g. the rusty ornamental sword, but the majority of it was ours.
Tonto: "Kimu Sabi, where are you riding to with that bin strapped to your back?"
Lone Ranger: "To the dump, to the dump, to the dump, dump dump!"
Of course I had to throw in the traditional mattress, that will always appear in any skip if left to it's own devices (OK so this one was an old secondhand cot mattress, given to us by a relative).
The dumpcombers / scavengers who work at this particular place have large extendable gaff hooks, which they use for fishing choice items from out of the skips. I noticed that one of them retrieved the loft ladders with such a device.
Pressed the button that converts the car into a Bin Wagon.
It only took 2 runs to the Otterspool Waste Recycling Centre (aka the local dump / tip) to get rid of all the scrap wood, metal, old dustsheets, rolls of carpet remnants, broken tools, rusty ornamental sword, broken traffic cone, burnt out kettle, old pan set, swing bin that's no longer swinging, alumininum loft ladders from Grandma Saruman's old house, wall ties, broken bricks, cement, rubble, roof tiles, broken wooden step ladders etc that had gathered there since we moved in 4 years ago. OK some of this was left by the previous occupants of the property e.g. the rusty ornamental sword, but the majority of it was ours.
Tonto: "Kimu Sabi, where are you riding to with that bin strapped to your back?"
Lone Ranger: "To the dump, to the dump, to the dump, dump dump!"
Of course I had to throw in the traditional mattress, that will always appear in any skip if left to it's own devices (OK so this one was an old secondhand cot mattress, given to us by a relative).
The dumpcombers / scavengers who work at this particular place have large extendable gaff hooks, which they use for fishing choice items from out of the skips. I noticed that one of them retrieved the loft ladders with such a device.
Battle for Wesnoth
Just downloaded the Open Source (i.e. freeware) game Battle for Wesnoth and tried out the tutorial / introductory game.
Quite a good turn based, hex map strategy game. Got to grips with it fairly quickly and defeated the Orcs in a cross-river battle with my elvish recruits within an hour or so. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Nice little touches, such as Orcs get more powerful at night, and elves are stronger during the day (hint - don't try to defeat the Orc leader at night).
I'll have to try one of the beginners campaigns when I've got an hour or two to spare.
I took a risk and downloaded the unstable beta release, rather than the stable release. No problems until I saved and tried to run a replay of the game that I'd just completed. 'File is corrupt' messages appeared now and again, although the replay continued OK.
Guess that the stable version is a safer bet. Apart from this I didn't experience any problems with the actual gameplay.
Quite a good turn based, hex map strategy game. Got to grips with it fairly quickly and defeated the Orcs in a cross-river battle with my elvish recruits within an hour or so. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Nice little touches, such as Orcs get more powerful at night, and elves are stronger during the day (hint - don't try to defeat the Orc leader at night).
I'll have to try one of the beginners campaigns when I've got an hour or two to spare.
I took a risk and downloaded the unstable beta release, rather than the stable release. No problems until I saved and tried to run a replay of the game that I'd just completed. 'File is corrupt' messages appeared now and again, although the replay continued OK.
Guess that the stable version is a safer bet. Apart from this I didn't experience any problems with the actual gameplay.
Thursday 31 August 2006
Hadrian's Wall
Novelist Supermum came back from a shopping expedition in town with a few new books - she'd also bought me an Osprey book on Hadrian's Wall today.
Osprey do those thin paperback books on military uniforms . This one is about the History and Archaeology on Hadrian's Wall.
This is an area that I've long had an interest in, since I grew up about quarter of a mile north of "The Waall", and my school was built on top of, or is very close to Milecastle 13. One of my best 'O' levels was a grade 'A' in "The History and Archaeology of Roman Britain" - most other schools did Greek Archaeology at the time, however we had some very good teachers who didn't want to waste the historical resources that were literally on our doorstep.
The book is a relatively new publication, and has new illustrations by a couple of Italian Artists - rather than the usual colour plates by an artist who's name I 've forgotten, but a quick search on Google reveals that I'm thinking of the late "Ronald Embleton" (now there's a fine Northumbrian surname).
Here's one of Ronald Embleton's classic pictures of Romans wiping their bum's with publicly shared sponges on sticks
Osprey do those thin paperback books on military uniforms . This one is about the History and Archaeology on Hadrian's Wall.
This is an area that I've long had an interest in, since I grew up about quarter of a mile north of "The Waall", and my school was built on top of, or is very close to Milecastle 13. One of my best 'O' levels was a grade 'A' in "The History and Archaeology of Roman Britain" - most other schools did Greek Archaeology at the time, however we had some very good teachers who didn't want to waste the historical resources that were literally on our doorstep.
The book is a relatively new publication, and has new illustrations by a couple of Italian Artists - rather than the usual colour plates by an artist who's name I 've forgotten, but a quick search on Google reveals that I'm thinking of the late "Ronald Embleton" (now there's a fine Northumbrian surname).
Here's one of Ronald Embleton's classic pictures of Romans wiping their bum's with publicly shared sponges on sticks
Less Wires 2
Yipee it works!
Checked the phase of the moon, lit 7 black candles, stripped naked, took a bowl of fresh goats blood and smeared on the symbols of power, danced widdershin's around the device of electrickery until commune with the daemons of the internet was achieved. Cleared up the ectoplasm afterwards...
Or I may as well have done - somehow I got the thing working in just over an hour. Not bad for me.
Bought the card from PC world for 20 notes. Asked a dishwasher salesman if I could get a refund if I discovered that I'd bought a device that wasn't suitable. He told me that they would, but would keep 10 percent. Got a second opinion off a car salesman to check the compatibility of a Belkin Wireless card with an Orange/Wanadoo livebox ADSL modem/router. He started with "think of your router as Radio City, and the cards as different makes of radio that you tune in with". Actually that's not too bad an analogy now that I think about it. Basically he was saying that any brand of card should connect.
I ran the installation disk (which installed the driver for the card) and invoked the Belkin Wireless Utility.
Using the utility I entered the name of our Wireless Network, and the WEP key.
The utility detected our network, but surprise surprise it wouldn't connect.
I ensured that the "Windows Zero Configuration Service" was running, set it to 'Automatic' and restarted it. Still no joy.
Then I discovered the most useful part of the Belkin Wireless Utility - checkbox that says - "Windows Wireless Network Configuration".
I ticked this, then with the aid of the Orange (ex-Wanadoo) online support guide (via another connected machine) I ran through the configuration process for 3rd party (i.e. not supplied by Orange/Wanadoo) wireless devices that I used the last time.
First of all I wasn't connecting. Then after a couple of double checks, and re-entering of the WEP key I rebooted. This time I was connecting, but the connection message said 'Limited or no Connectivity'.
Hmmmmm - ponder ponder....
Rebooted again - not connected at first. This could have been a coincident but under Wireless Network Connection=>Change Advanced Settings=>Wireless Networks there's a field called 'key index' which defaults to 1. I flicked this to 2 then back to 1 again. Just as I did this the connection was made!
On rebooting again I'm connecting on startup every time. Passed the machine back to it's owner.
We're now surfing the web wirelessly from opposite ends of the couch, so we can swap insults by electronic media as well as verbally.
Checked the phase of the moon, lit 7 black candles, stripped naked, took a bowl of fresh goats blood and smeared on the symbols of power, danced widdershin's around the device of electrickery until commune with the daemons of the internet was achieved. Cleared up the ectoplasm afterwards...
Or I may as well have done - somehow I got the thing working in just over an hour. Not bad for me.
Bought the card from PC world for 20 notes. Asked a dishwasher salesman if I could get a refund if I discovered that I'd bought a device that wasn't suitable. He told me that they would, but would keep 10 percent. Got a second opinion off a car salesman to check the compatibility of a Belkin Wireless card with an Orange/Wanadoo livebox ADSL modem/router. He started with "think of your router as Radio City, and the cards as different makes of radio that you tune in with". Actually that's not too bad an analogy now that I think about it. Basically he was saying that any brand of card should connect.
I ran the installation disk (which installed the driver for the card) and invoked the Belkin Wireless Utility.
Using the utility I entered the name of our Wireless Network, and the WEP key.
The utility detected our network, but surprise surprise it wouldn't connect.
I ensured that the "Windows Zero Configuration Service" was running, set it to 'Automatic' and restarted it. Still no joy.
Then I discovered the most useful part of the Belkin Wireless Utility - checkbox that says - "Windows Wireless Network Configuration".
I ticked this, then with the aid of the Orange (ex-Wanadoo) online support guide (via another connected machine) I ran through the configuration process for 3rd party (i.e. not supplied by Orange/Wanadoo) wireless devices that I used the last time.
First of all I wasn't connecting. Then after a couple of double checks, and re-entering of the WEP key I rebooted. This time I was connecting, but the connection message said 'Limited or no Connectivity'.
Hmmmmm - ponder ponder....
Rebooted again - not connected at first. This could have been a coincident but under Wireless Network Connection=>Change Advanced Settings=>Wireless Networks there's a field called 'key index' which defaults to 1. I flicked this to 2 then back to 1 again. Just as I did this the connection was made!
On rebooting again I'm connecting on startup every time. Passed the machine back to it's owner.
We're now surfing the web wirelessly from opposite ends of the couch, so we can swap insults by electronic media as well as verbally.
Wednesday 30 August 2006
Less Wires
Not much blogging tonight as I'm about to set up Novelist Supermum with a wireless connection to our Broadband Wireless router (rather than her plugging directly into the router).
Will rant tomorrow about the success/failure of this.
Will rant tomorrow about the success/failure of this.
Tuesday 29 August 2006
Not So Lazy Tuesday
Made a couple of phone calls this morning - sorting out Frodo's start of term at his school. He's repeating his reception year to see if this helps him cope better with school, and gives him a chance to catch up, so we weren't sure of his exact start date, or if he was to attend all day.
Also called the Tax Credits renewal line, to inform them of a couple of changes of circumstance. I knew that we hadn't done this when we should have done, and that any changes to our payments would only be backdated 3 months. The Scottish chap I was speaking to at the call centre started to berate me for not informing them of each change as it happened. That got me off onto a rant about how come the government is spending millions of pounds on computer systems, yet none of them can speak to each other and they rely on the public to act as the communications link between systems? Also I normally carry out these updates online, however the reason that I was calling is that the online system has been taken down because it isn't secure enough.
At this point he started to agree with me (perhaps he was wary of being monitored) and logged the changes. He did admit that it's more difficult for him to alter anything for the previous year (even though this is in the same financial year), as the system fires warning messages at him.
Spot of essential shopping, then I began sorting out the garage.
Will also make a start on the big paperwork sortout later tonight.
A good start I think - except that the whole family appears to be going down with a cold. Everyone is snuffling and sneezing except me, guess I'm next...
Also called the Tax Credits renewal line, to inform them of a couple of changes of circumstance. I knew that we hadn't done this when we should have done, and that any changes to our payments would only be backdated 3 months. The Scottish chap I was speaking to at the call centre started to berate me for not informing them of each change as it happened. That got me off onto a rant about how come the government is spending millions of pounds on computer systems, yet none of them can speak to each other and they rely on the public to act as the communications link between systems? Also I normally carry out these updates online, however the reason that I was calling is that the online system has been taken down because it isn't secure enough.
At this point he started to agree with me (perhaps he was wary of being monitored) and logged the changes. He did admit that it's more difficult for him to alter anything for the previous year (even though this is in the same financial year), as the system fires warning messages at him.
Spot of essential shopping, then I began sorting out the garage.
Will also make a start on the big paperwork sortout later tonight.
A good start I think - except that the whole family appears to be going down with a cold. Everyone is snuffling and sneezing except me, guess I'm next...
Monday 28 August 2006
Lazy Bank Holiday Monday
Living up to the subtitle of my blog - all of those vague plans that I had to get on with something have not materialized today. Instead I've caught up on sleep, entertained Frodo and Samwise, watched the entire set of Samwise's Peppa Pig DVD's, caught up on more sleep, watched "Mystery Men" on the box, dined, wined, pigged out on hot apple pie and ice cream/single cream and finally chilled out with some blogging.
Cue the sarcastic comments from Novelist Supermum about why change the habits of a lifetime...
Week off work next week, so perhaps I'll clear out the garage ready for it's demolition, and also sort out 4 years of unfiled letters, bank statements and other paperwork...
Cue the sarcastic comments from Novelist Supermum about why change the habits of a lifetime...
Week off work next week, so perhaps I'll clear out the garage ready for it's demolition, and also sort out 4 years of unfiled letters, bank statements and other paperwork...
Sunday 27 August 2006
Little Blister Visit
Frodo had the rest of his Birthday presents, that were given to him at the party open by yesterday afternoon.
One of them was a set of Superman pyjamas (blue, Superman logo and built in external underpants), which meant that we could finally peeled him out of his cyberman pyjamas, which he's been wearing since Wednesday night.
Little Blister visited as promised on Saturday afternoon and entertained the hobbits until it was time for bed. I cooked a meal, we opened a few bottles of wine and got chatting until we started passing out.
She had to sleep on the sofa bed, since the spare room is currently full of junk waiting to be sorted. I tried to hold the halflings back as long as possible upstairs, but by 08:00 they were downstairs and entertaining her with their tumbling skills.
Frodo's present from Little Blister was a large cyberman figure. This went down well as he already had a smaller cyberman from us, so he can now play bigger than and smaller than comparison's (which is something that we're supposed to be working on with him). Samwise is calling them "Daddy Cyberman" and "Samwise Cyberman".
One of them was a set of Superman pyjamas (blue, Superman logo and built in external underpants), which meant that we could finally peeled him out of his cyberman pyjamas, which he's been wearing since Wednesday night.
Little Blister visited as promised on Saturday afternoon and entertained the hobbits until it was time for bed. I cooked a meal, we opened a few bottles of wine and got chatting until we started passing out.
She had to sleep on the sofa bed, since the spare room is currently full of junk waiting to be sorted. I tried to hold the halflings back as long as possible upstairs, but by 08:00 they were downstairs and entertaining her with their tumbling skills.
Frodo's present from Little Blister was a large cyberman figure. This went down well as he already had a smaller cyberman from us, so he can now play bigger than and smaller than comparison's (which is something that we're supposed to be working on with him). Samwise is calling them "Daddy Cyberman" and "Samwise Cyberman".
Friday 25 August 2006
Frodo's Birthday
Frodo started to stir at about 06:15 this morning.
I say he was stirring. Novelist Supermum insists that he wasn't and that we could have had another hour in bed, but somebody was too excited about playing with Frodo's presents.
I got up quickly, lifted the Dalek and control unit from out of it's box, switched both on and steered the Dalek into Frodo's room. "You will obey the Daleks! Obey! Obey!"
"Daddy!" "On the floor!" "In my room!"
"What is it Frodo?"
"A Dalek!"
"We are Supreme Beings!" "Seek! Locate! Annihilate!"
"Daddy, that's from Dr Who!" shouts Samwise from his room.
Soon both of the hobbits were in Frodo's bedroom, jumping up and down and pointing excitedly whilst the Dalek paraded around in front of them.
They discovered that the Supreme Beings plans to conquer the Universe could be thwarted by standing on a rug, that's thicker than the carpet.
We moved downstairs. Most of the presents were opened by 07:30. Soon a Cyberman and a Tardis (together with a "The Doctor" action figure that belongs to Samwise) were helping form a Dr Who Universe on the living room floor.
Frodo had breakfast, then played with the Dalek a little more. We usually allow the hobbit who's birthday it is to give a little gift to the other hobbit (to compensate for all the attention not being on them) so Samwise got a Peppa Pig DVD box set from Frodo. He also got a smaller Dalek to play with too (this used to belong to Frodo).
We were up far too early, so Novelist Supermum and Frodo went back to bed for a bit, before we opened the remaining presents - mostly musical/percussion instruments that I'd bought from a local music shop.
Onto the party at 13:00. This went well and all the kids who came had a great time for 2 hours or so at the Aztec themed play centre. Samwise wouldn't stick to the toddlers section, and he climbed to the top of the play area a few times. He went down both snake slides, and at one point I saw him happily wandering through a maze of stalactites and stalagmites before crossing a lava flow by himself.
Following the food and Birthday cake the staff let everybody have a go at the Ball Shooting gallery. This is two rows of air powered cannons which one child aims at the targets, whilst the others load up with foam balls, that are blasted out immediately after loading. Loads of fun trying to knock down Quetzacoatl.
Home again to see Grandma Gandalf and eat more of the giant football pitch Birthday cake before bedtime. Everybody absolutely knackered, and the hobbits went straight off to sleep at around 18:30 - although Frodo was disturbed by Auntie Crystal Healer who called to sing "Happy Birthday" to him down the phone.
Frodo has 14 extra presents, which he's going to open over the next few days.
He's definitely had the Birthday that he's been looking forward to, and went to bed an extremely happy hobbit. Only 365 days to the next one.
Little Blister called to say that she's visiting us at the weekend, although she's got a free ticket for a Rolling Stones gig so she can't stay on Sunday night as originally planned.
Just nodded off at the keyboard. It's now way past my bedtime and I'm well knackered so time for bed...
I say he was stirring. Novelist Supermum insists that he wasn't and that we could have had another hour in bed, but somebody was too excited about playing with Frodo's presents.
I got up quickly, lifted the Dalek and control unit from out of it's box, switched both on and steered the Dalek into Frodo's room. "You will obey the Daleks! Obey! Obey!"
"Daddy!" "On the floor!" "In my room!"
"What is it Frodo?"
"A Dalek!"
"We are Supreme Beings!" "Seek! Locate! Annihilate!"
"Daddy, that's from Dr Who!" shouts Samwise from his room.
Soon both of the hobbits were in Frodo's bedroom, jumping up and down and pointing excitedly whilst the Dalek paraded around in front of them.
They discovered that the Supreme Beings plans to conquer the Universe could be thwarted by standing on a rug, that's thicker than the carpet.
We moved downstairs. Most of the presents were opened by 07:30. Soon a Cyberman and a Tardis (together with a "The Doctor" action figure that belongs to Samwise) were helping form a Dr Who Universe on the living room floor.
Frodo had breakfast, then played with the Dalek a little more. We usually allow the hobbit who's birthday it is to give a little gift to the other hobbit (to compensate for all the attention not being on them) so Samwise got a Peppa Pig DVD box set from Frodo. He also got a smaller Dalek to play with too (this used to belong to Frodo).
We were up far too early, so Novelist Supermum and Frodo went back to bed for a bit, before we opened the remaining presents - mostly musical/percussion instruments that I'd bought from a local music shop.
Onto the party at 13:00. This went well and all the kids who came had a great time for 2 hours or so at the Aztec themed play centre. Samwise wouldn't stick to the toddlers section, and he climbed to the top of the play area a few times. He went down both snake slides, and at one point I saw him happily wandering through a maze of stalactites and stalagmites before crossing a lava flow by himself.
Following the food and Birthday cake the staff let everybody have a go at the Ball Shooting gallery. This is two rows of air powered cannons which one child aims at the targets, whilst the others load up with foam balls, that are blasted out immediately after loading. Loads of fun trying to knock down Quetzacoatl.
Home again to see Grandma Gandalf and eat more of the giant football pitch Birthday cake before bedtime. Everybody absolutely knackered, and the hobbits went straight off to sleep at around 18:30 - although Frodo was disturbed by Auntie Crystal Healer who called to sing "Happy Birthday" to him down the phone.
Frodo has 14 extra presents, which he's going to open over the next few days.
He's definitely had the Birthday that he's been looking forward to, and went to bed an extremely happy hobbit. Only 365 days to the next one.
Little Blister called to say that she's visiting us at the weekend, although she's got a free ticket for a Rolling Stones gig so she can't stay on Sunday night as originally planned.
Just nodded off at the keyboard. It's now way past my bedtime and I'm well knackered so time for bed...
Wednesday 23 August 2006
Dalek Mission Preparation
Leaving for work this morning an intergalactic battle was taking place in the front room. Frodo had constructed a "lazer beam" from lego and was "shooting Replicators". Samwise was doing likewise, except that he was "shooting Alligators".
Samwise then made a twin engined spaceship from 4 pieces of lego and flew it around the room whilst Frodo took potshots at it with his beam weapon.
Frodo's 5th Birthday is tomorrow. We wrapped his presents - a Tardis/moneybox, a Cyberman, some books and several musical/percussion instruments.
We didn't wrap the 2 foot tall, radio controlled Dalek, but took it out of it's box instead. Took us about an hour to get through all of the security ties and safety packaging. Why are there so many blooming plastic wire ties on kids toys these days? Surely if anybody's going to nick the thing then they'll just take the whole box?
We set the Dalek up and took it for a test drive, voice, voice lights, eye stalk light, weapons, battle body and radio control all working OK.
The plan is to get up early tomorrow morning and steer the Dalek into Frodo's bedroom for an "Exterminate!" Birthday surprise. (Hope that we don't traumatise him for life).
Have to pick up a large Birthday Cake today for the Birthday Party tomorrow.
Samwise then made a twin engined spaceship from 4 pieces of lego and flew it around the room whilst Frodo took potshots at it with his beam weapon.
Frodo's 5th Birthday is tomorrow. We wrapped his presents - a Tardis/moneybox, a Cyberman, some books and several musical/percussion instruments.
We didn't wrap the 2 foot tall, radio controlled Dalek, but took it out of it's box instead. Took us about an hour to get through all of the security ties and safety packaging. Why are there so many blooming plastic wire ties on kids toys these days? Surely if anybody's going to nick the thing then they'll just take the whole box?
We set the Dalek up and took it for a test drive, voice, voice lights, eye stalk light, weapons, battle body and radio control all working OK.
The plan is to get up early tomorrow morning and steer the Dalek into Frodo's bedroom for an "Exterminate!" Birthday surprise. (Hope that we don't traumatise him for life).
Have to pick up a large Birthday Cake today for the Birthday Party tomorrow.
Monday 21 August 2006
Revenge of the Sith
Saturday night was DIY night, which this week involved swapping the cabinet that the fish tank is standing on for another taller cabinet. Discovered that the fish were too fat to all fit in their holding tank. Novelist Supermum describes
the moving of the fat fish in her blog.
The hobbits spent the night at Grandma Gandalf's, where apparently they watched "I Robot". Frodo is now leaping around doing "jumping robot" impressions.
Sunday was another sports party for Frodo. This time the kids got their first taste of indoor hockey. Much high swinging of the sticks, but fortunately no injuries. I think that Frodo must have tried this before at his Holiday Activity Centre, since he seemed to know how to hold the stick to hit the ball (and also how to balance the stick in his hand).
We walked to the party, and just missed a bus on the way back, which meant that I had to carry Frodo home on by shoulders for almost a mile.
Borrowed "Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" from Grandma Gandalf and watched it on Sunday night. As expected I was as disappointed with this as I was with episodes I and II. I've got a leaflet from the cinema when I first saw episode IV (1977 I think) explaining that Obi Wan chucked Darth Vader into a Volcano - so that went as expected. I guess that's what the problem is, no surprises. You know what's going to happen, you've spotted in Episode I that the actor who plays the Chancellor is the same one who played the emperor in the earlier trilogy, and you know that Anakin Skywalker is going to turn to the Dark Side - just a matter of when and how. You also find yourself rooting for the bad guys all the way, since they're more fun than the Jedi Council, and have better theme tunes.
the moving of the fat fish in her blog.
The hobbits spent the night at Grandma Gandalf's, where apparently they watched "I Robot". Frodo is now leaping around doing "jumping robot" impressions.
Sunday was another sports party for Frodo. This time the kids got their first taste of indoor hockey. Much high swinging of the sticks, but fortunately no injuries. I think that Frodo must have tried this before at his Holiday Activity Centre, since he seemed to know how to hold the stick to hit the ball (and also how to balance the stick in his hand).
We walked to the party, and just missed a bus on the way back, which meant that I had to carry Frodo home on by shoulders for almost a mile.
Borrowed "Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" from Grandma Gandalf and watched it on Sunday night. As expected I was as disappointed with this as I was with episodes I and II. I've got a leaflet from the cinema when I first saw episode IV (1977 I think) explaining that Obi Wan chucked Darth Vader into a Volcano - so that went as expected. I guess that's what the problem is, no surprises. You know what's going to happen, you've spotted in Episode I that the actor who plays the Chancellor is the same one who played the emperor in the earlier trilogy, and you know that Anakin Skywalker is going to turn to the Dark Side - just a matter of when and how. You also find yourself rooting for the bad guys all the way, since they're more fun than the Jedi Council, and have better theme tunes.
Saturday 19 August 2006
Too many drinks on a Friday night...
... result in much suffering on Saturday. Groan... Never again (until the next time).
Friday 18 August 2006
First Cycle Accident
One of the advantages of my Study day and "working from home" yesterday was that I got to take the Hobbits out to the park first thing in the morning.
(I did do some studying for a few hours in the afternoon when they were knackered and resting upstairs).
I was pushing Samwise along on his trike, using the "parent handle" and Frodo was ahead of me pedalling furiously on his shiny 2-wheeler pro-bike, with stabilisers, when he came to a steep hill.
He decided to tackle the hill, so down the hill he went. I shouted to two old ladies, who were on the crest of the hill to stop him, but they either didn't hear, or didn't understand, and parted to let him through.
He would have been all right, charging off the path and onto a grassy bit, where he would have probably fallen off at speed - he hasn't learnt how to use the brakes yet.
Unfortunately the park rangers have staked a few wooden posts into the soil to act as route markers for nature trails.
Frodo lost control as he hit the grass, and the nearest wooden post acted as a small-boy-on-bike magnet.
KERRASSSHHH!
By the time I'd parked Samwise and got to Frodo the accident was over. Frodo had picked himself up, he wasn't crying but looked rather shocked, and winded.
I think that the bike took most of the force. Judging by the scrapes and bruising Frodo hit the handlebars or post with his chest and top of his leg.
I don't think that he'd hit his head at all - he does wear a bike helmet, just in case.
When I got to him he started crying and wanted a cuddle. When I looked at him he asked if he could "go to hospital". I must have had the sort of look on my face that is usually followed by a visit to Alder Hey.
The old ladies just said "Oh Dear" and walked past.
5 minutes of cuddling, a check over for any obvious injuries, and a post-accident wee against a tree and he was all sorted. I expected that he would want to walk, but the brave lad climbed back on the bike and started pedalling again (I didn't make him, he wanted to carry on).
So a first for Frodo - a cycle accident. Hopefully it hasn't put him off. On the next cycling trip he'll be having braking (hopefully not breaking) lessons.
Oh, and the bike was OK. Not a mark on it and nothing bent.
(I did do some studying for a few hours in the afternoon when they were knackered and resting upstairs).
I was pushing Samwise along on his trike, using the "parent handle" and Frodo was ahead of me pedalling furiously on his shiny 2-wheeler pro-bike, with stabilisers, when he came to a steep hill.
He decided to tackle the hill, so down the hill he went. I shouted to two old ladies, who were on the crest of the hill to stop him, but they either didn't hear, or didn't understand, and parted to let him through.
He would have been all right, charging off the path and onto a grassy bit, where he would have probably fallen off at speed - he hasn't learnt how to use the brakes yet.
Unfortunately the park rangers have staked a few wooden posts into the soil to act as route markers for nature trails.
Frodo lost control as he hit the grass, and the nearest wooden post acted as a small-boy-on-bike magnet.
KERRASSSHHH!
By the time I'd parked Samwise and got to Frodo the accident was over. Frodo had picked himself up, he wasn't crying but looked rather shocked, and winded.
I think that the bike took most of the force. Judging by the scrapes and bruising Frodo hit the handlebars or post with his chest and top of his leg.
I don't think that he'd hit his head at all - he does wear a bike helmet, just in case.
When I got to him he started crying and wanted a cuddle. When I looked at him he asked if he could "go to hospital". I must have had the sort of look on my face that is usually followed by a visit to Alder Hey.
The old ladies just said "Oh Dear" and walked past.
5 minutes of cuddling, a check over for any obvious injuries, and a post-accident wee against a tree and he was all sorted. I expected that he would want to walk, but the brave lad climbed back on the bike and started pedalling again (I didn't make him, he wanted to carry on).
So a first for Frodo - a cycle accident. Hopefully it hasn't put him off. On the next cycling trip he'll be having braking (hopefully not breaking) lessons.
Oh, and the bike was OK. Not a mark on it and nothing bent.
Wednesday 16 August 2006
Hope the phone doesn't ring
Bugger! I'm on call this week (I'm remaining on the on-call rota for my previous team [Applications Support], whilst I learn the DBA team ropes), so I've got the out of hours support mobile phone.
Novelist Supermum has gone out to her regular "Write Club" meeting. Our usual arrangement is that if I'm called out, then I'll give her a ring and she'll head for home. As soon as she's back I can set off. If we have to do this I reckon that I should be within the required response time.
Unfortunately this week she's forgotten her mobile. Bugger! (again).
I guess that if I am called in then I'll just have to wake the Hobbit's and take them round to Grandma Gandalf's, before I head into work.
Speaking of DBA team ropes, I discovered that my colleagues had played a little initiation trick on me. They'd physically swapped the 'o' and the 'p' keys on my keyboard. However the joke was on them. I didn't notice for a few days, mainly because I touch type using a Dvorak keyboard layout, as I'm not looking at the keyboard when I type (I'm looking at the screen) I didn't notice that the labels had been swapped.
Novelist Supermum has gone out to her regular "Write Club" meeting. Our usual arrangement is that if I'm called out, then I'll give her a ring and she'll head for home. As soon as she's back I can set off. If we have to do this I reckon that I should be within the required response time.
Unfortunately this week she's forgotten her mobile. Bugger! (again).
I guess that if I am called in then I'll just have to wake the Hobbit's and take them round to Grandma Gandalf's, before I head into work.
Speaking of DBA team ropes, I discovered that my colleagues had played a little initiation trick on me. They'd physically swapped the 'o' and the 'p' keys on my keyboard. However the joke was on them. I didn't notice for a few days, mainly because I touch type using a Dvorak keyboard layout, as I'm not looking at the keyboard when I type (I'm looking at the screen) I didn't notice that the labels had been swapped.
Tuesday 15 August 2006
Liverpool Evil Cabal
This site has been in the news recently.
Looked interesting, but it looks like it's been taken down for investigation, whilst the council are trying to ban it.
Looked interesting, but it looks like it's been taken down for investigation, whilst the council are trying to ban it.
Busy
Yes I'm into the second week of my new position (DBA) at work, and I've been given stuff to do i.e. backing up an environment and patching it ready for integration testing - therefore no time to blog on Monday.
2 pieces of good news today.
The first is that the new position will result in me obtaining a company mobile phone again (my last one was taken off me when I stepped down from what was effectively a helpdesk manager role).
Upsides and downsides to having one of these I know from past experience i.e. they expect you to use it for work as well, and to be able to contact you on it :-)
The other good news is that I'm allowed a day away from the office every now and again to concentrate on uninterrupted studies in order to acquire essential skills for the job. So I'll be working from home on Thursday.
Not sure how frequent this will be, as it seems to be on an informal trial basis at the moment, but it could be at least once a month.
2 pieces of good news today.
The first is that the new position will result in me obtaining a company mobile phone again (my last one was taken off me when I stepped down from what was effectively a helpdesk manager role).
Upsides and downsides to having one of these I know from past experience i.e. they expect you to use it for work as well, and to be able to contact you on it :-)
The other good news is that I'm allowed a day away from the office every now and again to concentrate on uninterrupted studies in order to acquire essential skills for the job. So I'll be working from home on Thursday.
Not sure how frequent this will be, as it seems to be on an informal trial basis at the moment, but it could be at least once a month.
Sunday 13 August 2006
Sports Party Games and World of Knights (Schleich Models)
Another party for Frodo on Saturday. This one was a "sports party" in the sports hall at Hope University.
This meant that rather than the usual pass the parcel the kids got to play "cat and mouse" (half the kids stick a sports bib in the back of their shorts, the other half chase them and try to pull out the bibs), relay races, duck and goose (sit in a circle whilst one child walks round the outside, tapping each person on the head and saying "duck". When they say "goose" the goose has to get up and chase them around the circle, trying to catch them before they get back to their seat).
Also a couple of games involving a multi-coloured parachute. One kid on top of the parachute trying to catch another kid underneath, which sounds easy, except that the parachute is being flapped by everybody else. Throwing balls in the middle of the parachute and sending them flying out again by flapping the parachute up and down.
Novelist Supermum has been doing some research into Xmas presents already! We've been buying a few Schleich model Knights, and putting them away for the day we get a suitable wooden or similar castle. The Edix modular mediaeval village stuff looks good.
We've come across
this site which shows the full Schleich range, and will be useful for the harder to find models. I like the Arabian Knights in particular.
So that's my present sorted - I wonder what Frodo and Samwise are getting ;-)
This meant that rather than the usual pass the parcel the kids got to play "cat and mouse" (half the kids stick a sports bib in the back of their shorts, the other half chase them and try to pull out the bibs), relay races, duck and goose (sit in a circle whilst one child walks round the outside, tapping each person on the head and saying "duck". When they say "goose" the goose has to get up and chase them around the circle, trying to catch them before they get back to their seat).
Also a couple of games involving a multi-coloured parachute. One kid on top of the parachute trying to catch another kid underneath, which sounds easy, except that the parachute is being flapped by everybody else. Throwing balls in the middle of the parachute and sending them flying out again by flapping the parachute up and down.
Novelist Supermum has been doing some research into Xmas presents already! We've been buying a few Schleich model Knights, and putting them away for the day we get a suitable wooden or similar castle. The Edix modular mediaeval village stuff looks good.
We've come across
this site which shows the full Schleich range, and will be useful for the harder to find models. I like the Arabian Knights in particular.
So that's my present sorted - I wonder what Frodo and Samwise are getting ;-)
Friday 11 August 2006
Quality News Item
Good to see that amongst all of the current panic and speculation that some reporters have got a grip on what's important in the world and are putting out
quality news items.
quality news items.
Thursday 10 August 2006
Impulsive Shopping at Toys 'R' Us
Went out to Toys 'R' Us on my lunch break to buy a £9.99 3xdisc box set of Peppa Pig DVD's and came back with this, plus 'Robots' & 'Sharks Tale' DVD's, a Dr Who Pencil case and a 7 inch high Cyber Controller figure. "Like you do"....
Wednesday 9 August 2006
Dr Frodo and Dr Samwise
Stepbro' and his family appeared to enjoy their visit to Liverpool. They commented on the "lovely big houses" that they saw as they navigated their way to my place (I think that they went via Princes Park).
They were surprised when I told them that they'd been through Toxteth. I think that they were expecting something different.
The hobbits enjoyed playing with their cousins. They've been playing at Doctor's recently, using bits of other toys for medical equipment. So Novelist Supermum has been out today and bought them a Doctor's dressing up outfit.
I was given a thorough checkup yesterday, and prescribed a cure of "Juice and a Book".
We had dips for tea.
They were surprised when I told them that they'd been through Toxteth. I think that they were expecting something different.
The hobbits enjoyed playing with their cousins. They've been playing at Doctor's recently, using bits of other toys for medical equipment. So Novelist Supermum has been out today and bought them a Doctor's dressing up outfit.
I was given a thorough checkup yesterday, and prescribed a cure of "Juice and a Book".
We had dips for tea.
Tuesday 8 August 2006
Liverpool Pyramid
Stepbro' and his family are visiting this afternoon, so I'm taking the afternoon off work. They have an appointment for their daughter on Rodney Street (this is the Harley Street of Liverpool).
It's the first time that he's visited Liverpool so I've told him that Rodney Street is the area where they filmed some of the last series of Sherlock Holmes. (I believe that they may have used cha0tic's front lobby too, which is in another town).
I've also told him to look out for the pyramid that is on Rodney Street. He doesn't believe me, but there is one there. I think it's fab.
I always presumed that it was the tomb of an archaeologist, since it looks very like the mud brick pyramid builders tombs we saw at Deir el-Medina in Egypt. Google tells me that the tomb belongs to W. Mackenzie, a real gambler, who wanted to be buried upright at a card table holding the winning hand. So they built him a pyramid grave!
But I digress. Of course this visit by Stepbro' meant that most of Sunday night, and last night was spent scrubbing, cleaning and tidying. We tend to clean the house once every visitor, so you can tell how popular we are by examining the level of mess.
It's the first time that he's visited Liverpool so I've told him that Rodney Street is the area where they filmed some of the last series of Sherlock Holmes. (I believe that they may have used cha0tic's front lobby too, which is in another town).
I've also told him to look out for the pyramid that is on Rodney Street. He doesn't believe me, but there is one there. I think it's fab.
I always presumed that it was the tomb of an archaeologist, since it looks very like the mud brick pyramid builders tombs we saw at Deir el-Medina in Egypt. Google tells me that the tomb belongs to W. Mackenzie, a real gambler, who wanted to be buried upright at a card table holding the winning hand. So they built him a pyramid grave!
But I digress. Of course this visit by Stepbro' meant that most of Sunday night, and last night was spent scrubbing, cleaning and tidying. We tend to clean the house once every visitor, so you can tell how popular we are by examining the level of mess.
Monday 7 August 2006
New Job
Started in my new role as a Database Administrator at the Assassination Bureau today.
As you can see from the number of posts I'm making, there's *loads* to do to start with. Time to read some documents, ho hum. No doubt they'll catch up with me later in the day/week.
As you can see from the number of posts I'm making, there's *loads* to do to start with. Time to read some documents, ho hum. No doubt they'll catch up with me later in the day/week.
Martians
Tried out the War of the Worlds Download in Celestia.
It worked OK. The fighting machines looked good, and the script worked, with some nice ideas on the recreation of the scenes at Horsell Common.
I used the .jpg version, of the download, rather than the .dds (which I think is a Microsoft only file format).
However the overall feeling was "a bit naff" - no point in trying to do something that's already been done with far better special effects elsewhere, but still a bit of fun all the same. The script has been written by a German chap, and I think that this shows.
On the whole the flying/orbiting spacecraft look better.
It worked OK. The fighting machines looked good, and the script worked, with some nice ideas on the recreation of the scenes at Horsell Common.
I used the .jpg version, of the download, rather than the .dds (which I think is a Microsoft only file format).
However the overall feeling was "a bit naff" - no point in trying to do something that's already been done with far better special effects elsewhere, but still a bit of fun all the same. The script has been written by a German chap, and I think that this shows.
On the whole the flying/orbiting spacecraft look better.
Barney Bodger 2
That wet-n-fix stuff really worked!
(See previous post on hole drilling/wall fixing/shelving disaster).
I just wet a pad and wrapped it around the wall plug, then inserted it into the hole that I'd drilled that is too big. Admittedly oversized hole number 1 took 3 pads, and super oversized hole number 2 took 8 pads.
Both set solid in 5 minutes and the shelf bracket screwed on nice and securely.
Learning my lesson for the remaining 16 holes that I had to drill I started off by deliberately using an undersized drill bit. This got the hole through the plaster and accurately into the brick without going off kilter.
I then resized the hole with the drill bit of the correct sized.
Only one hole went slightly oversized, and I correct this with a single pad of wet-n-fix
Three rows of shelves, two shelves per row, with a little bit of sawing to cut each corner wall shelf to size only took me 7 hours to complete! (Novelist Supermum) will tell you that's a quick job for me).
I'm pleased with the result. Novelist Supermum has already loaded the shelves up with boxes of our junk, and they appear to be taking the weight.
(See previous post on hole drilling/wall fixing/shelving disaster).
I just wet a pad and wrapped it around the wall plug, then inserted it into the hole that I'd drilled that is too big. Admittedly oversized hole number 1 took 3 pads, and super oversized hole number 2 took 8 pads.
Both set solid in 5 minutes and the shelf bracket screwed on nice and securely.
Learning my lesson for the remaining 16 holes that I had to drill I started off by deliberately using an undersized drill bit. This got the hole through the plaster and accurately into the brick without going off kilter.
I then resized the hole with the drill bit of the correct sized.
Only one hole went slightly oversized, and I correct this with a single pad of wet-n-fix
Three rows of shelves, two shelves per row, with a little bit of sawing to cut each corner wall shelf to size only took me 7 hours to complete! (Novelist Supermum) will tell you that's a quick job for me).
I'm pleased with the result. Novelist Supermum has already loaded the shelves up with boxes of our junk, and they appear to be taking the weight.
Friday 4 August 2006
Late Night Work and Play
Done about half of the essential updates to Novelist Supermum's website (but not put online yet).
Couldn't resist having adding some more stuff to Celestia. Added a low resolution Star Destroyer, and the Planet Coruscant to the Star Wars stuff.
The Star Destroyer is actually chasing down Princess Leia's Corvette around Tatooine, just like the start of Episode IV (but without the gunfire).
Discovered a Star Wars tour script in the scripts area. This gives you a nice little tour of all the Star Wars eye candy, and saves you having to fly about yourself.
Samwise was amusing at tea last night. Answering "Yip" to every question. "Say, Yes Samwise" says Daddy. "Yes", says Samwise. "That's better". "Yip", says Samwise. I think that when he starts school the reports are going to contain the word "impudent".
Bought Frodo a Tardis Moneybox for part of his Birthday present yesterday. Also a toy knight - we're putting together a collection of some really good knights-in-armour/mediaeval figures for when the Hobbits are older.
I was also very tempted by the Cyberman voice changing helmet. But it was about 30 quid and wouldn't fit an adult :-( Quite scary too!
Both Samwise and Frodo enjoy stomping around the house shouting that they are "Cidermen" (wasn't that a Viz character?), however I think that this one would freak them out - plus it was helmet only, you'd have to make a silver suit to go with it (or borrow Cha0tic's).
Couldn't resist having adding some more stuff to Celestia. Added a low resolution Star Destroyer, and the Planet Coruscant to the Star Wars stuff.
The Star Destroyer is actually chasing down Princess Leia's Corvette around Tatooine, just like the start of Episode IV (but without the gunfire).
Discovered a Star Wars tour script in the scripts area. This gives you a nice little tour of all the Star Wars eye candy, and saves you having to fly about yourself.
Samwise was amusing at tea last night. Answering "Yip" to every question. "Say, Yes Samwise" says Daddy. "Yes", says Samwise. "That's better". "Yip", says Samwise. I think that when he starts school the reports are going to contain the word "impudent".
Bought Frodo a Tardis Moneybox for part of his Birthday present yesterday. Also a toy knight - we're putting together a collection of some really good knights-in-armour/mediaeval figures for when the Hobbits are older.
I was also very tempted by the Cyberman voice changing helmet. But it was about 30 quid and wouldn't fit an adult :-( Quite scary too!
Both Samwise and Frodo enjoy stomping around the house shouting that they are "Cidermen" (wasn't that a Viz character?), however I think that this one would freak them out - plus it was helmet only, you'd have to make a silver suit to go with it (or borrow Cha0tic's).
Thursday 3 August 2006
Spaceships, DIY and Musical Instruments
Filled in the cracks in 3 of the downstairs doors last night ready for painting.
Following this I loaded up most of the rest of the Star Wars spacecraft into Celestia. Most of them looked pretty good. Because this is essentially planetarium software you can't fly the spaceships around, or start blasting away at them - one for future enhancements on the Open Source Project.
Best to start with the First Death Star, since this also loads Endor and Tatooine, around which the rest of the spaceships orbit. The X-wing looked pretty good because it had been put in an orbit so that it flies into, along and then out of the Death Star's trench.
Will have to put this toy away for a while, as updates are required on Novelist Supermum's website, and there's DIY planned for the weekend.
Been getting ready for Frodo's Birthday at the end of the month. We decided to get him some "proper" musical instruments that he can play i.e. one's that are designed to be played, and not as toys for kids. Nipped out to a local music shop and purchased a tambourine, guiro, castanets and a pair of maracas. The young lad who served me asked if I was having a Samba party.
We also need to get some more Dr Who figures to go with the large Radio Controlled Dalek (the plan is to wake him up on his Birthday by sending this into his room), so I reckon that it's a trip to Toys 'R' Us today.
Following this I loaded up most of the rest of the Star Wars spacecraft into Celestia. Most of them looked pretty good. Because this is essentially planetarium software you can't fly the spaceships around, or start blasting away at them - one for future enhancements on the Open Source Project.
Best to start with the First Death Star, since this also loads Endor and Tatooine, around which the rest of the spaceships orbit. The X-wing looked pretty good because it had been put in an orbit so that it flies into, along and then out of the Death Star's trench.
Will have to put this toy away for a while, as updates are required on Novelist Supermum's website, and there's DIY planned for the weekend.
Been getting ready for Frodo's Birthday at the end of the month. We decided to get him some "proper" musical instruments that he can play i.e. one's that are designed to be played, and not as toys for kids. Nipped out to a local music shop and purchased a tambourine, guiro, castanets and a pair of maracas. The young lad who served me asked if I was having a Samba party.
We also need to get some more Dr Who figures to go with the large Radio Controlled Dalek (the plan is to wake him up on his Birthday by sending this into his room), so I reckon that it's a trip to Toys 'R' Us today.
Wednesday 2 August 2006
More Celestia stuff
Cleaned the fish tank last night. Happy clean little fish so did some more stuff with Celestia. (Note for Novelist Supermum, will tackle your website tomorrow, after a little DIY).
The Celestia add-ons don't always come with the greatest of instructions as to where to copy the files.
I'd started by putting them into the existing directories based on directories of the same name being suppiled in the downloads. This works, but means that you cannot rapidly see what you've added, and what came with the original install.
I've changed this to just using the extras directory, however you have to use a bit of interpretation.
For instance for Death Star 1 and 2 the .ssc files go into the top level extras directory (a subdirectory that is also called extras doesn't seem to work) and then the models and textures/medres directories can be copied as they are into the extras directory. However for the imperial shuttle I just had to copy the whole supplied SW-tyderiumshuttle directory into extras.
So now I've got two Death Stars. I realised that last night I'd missed out copying the DSBODY file, so my Death Star was a bit on the smooth side.
To see Death Star 2 I had to edit the .ssc file so that it is in orbit around the planet called b in the RHO Crb solar system, otherwise I think that they're occupying the same space/orbit (I wonder if this is why the 'b' planet was created in the first place).
The Imperial shuttle worked first time. I've found that the one of the best ways to view a spacecraft, or even a planet is to select it, go to it, back off a bit, or get closer as necessary with END and HOME, speed up time so things are moving quickly and the Track the object.
When you're looking at a spacecraft that's in planetary orbit you get a great sensation of space sickness as you spin around the planet, and other features whizz past around you.
The Celestia add-ons don't always come with the greatest of instructions as to where to copy the files.
I'd started by putting them into the existing directories based on directories of the same name being suppiled in the downloads. This works, but means that you cannot rapidly see what you've added, and what came with the original install.
I've changed this to just using the extras directory, however you have to use a bit of interpretation.
For instance for Death Star 1 and 2 the .ssc files go into the top level extras directory (a subdirectory that is also called extras doesn't seem to work) and then the models and textures/medres directories can be copied as they are into the extras directory. However for the imperial shuttle I just had to copy the whole supplied SW-tyderiumshuttle directory into extras.
So now I've got two Death Stars. I realised that last night I'd missed out copying the DSBODY file, so my Death Star was a bit on the smooth side.
To see Death Star 2 I had to edit the .ssc file so that it is in orbit around the planet called b in the RHO Crb solar system, otherwise I think that they're occupying the same space/orbit (I wonder if this is why the 'b' planet was created in the first place).
The Imperial shuttle worked first time. I've found that the one of the best ways to view a spacecraft, or even a planet is to select it, go to it, back off a bit, or get closer as necessary with END and HOME, speed up time so things are moving quickly and the Track the object.
When you're looking at a spacecraft that's in planetary orbit you get a great sensation of space sickness as you spin around the planet, and other features whizz past around you.
Tuesday 1 August 2006
Tired Space Explorer
Feeling somewhat tired this morning. Guess why? See previous post. Playing with this new toy meant that I didn't get to bed until 01:00 AM.
Can't wait to load up the rest of the Star Wars add ons and show Frodo :-) Unfortunately it's Fish Tank Cleaning and Filling cracks in doors ready for painting scheduled for the rest of the week :-(
Speaking of Frodo, we had a meeting with Parent Partnership yesterday, where we decided that the best course of action for Frodo was to arrange for him to have a Statutory Assessment. This should assess his educational needs and determine whether or not he can cope and make progress in a mainstream school (which at the moment he is doing). If he can, then his school will HAVE to provide the resources. If he can't then this should help decide what's best for him. This will all take a while to arrange (i.e. the assessment won't be until after he goes back to school) but at least we've started the ball rolling.
Can't wait to load up the rest of the Star Wars add ons and show Frodo :-) Unfortunately it's Fish Tank Cleaning and Filling cracks in doors ready for painting scheduled for the rest of the week :-(
Speaking of Frodo, we had a meeting with Parent Partnership yesterday, where we decided that the best course of action for Frodo was to arrange for him to have a Statutory Assessment. This should assess his educational needs and determine whether or not he can cope and make progress in a mainstream school (which at the moment he is doing). If he can, then his school will HAVE to provide the resources. If he can't then this should help decide what's best for him. This will all take a while to arrange (i.e. the assessment won't be until after he goes back to school) but at least we've started the ball rolling.
Monday 31 July 2006
Celestia Space Simulation
I discovered this little Open Source Software Gem yesterday. Celestia is a free space simulation that lets you explore space from the solar system to over 10,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.
I downloaded it last night, half expecting it not to work, or be somewhat slow and clunky. No, I was not disappointed, this is a great piece of educational/entertainment software. And it's free!
The best thing about it is the Add Ons, so that once you're bored with stars, galaxies, planets moons, asteroids, comets and run-of-the mill spacecraft you can add more exotic spacecraft from 2001 a space odyssey, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Star Trek and others.
There's even a "War of the Worlds" add on feature, so that you can simulate a Martian invasion of Earth to Jeff Waynes soundtrack. I'll be trying this one later.
Ulah!
I downloaded it last night, half expecting it not to work, or be somewhat slow and clunky. No, I was not disappointed, this is a great piece of educational/entertainment software. And it's free!
The best thing about it is the Add Ons, so that once you're bored with stars, galaxies, planets moons, asteroids, comets and run-of-the mill spacecraft you can add more exotic spacecraft from 2001 a space odyssey, Star Wars, Babylon 5, Star Trek and others.
There's even a "War of the Worlds" add on feature, so that you can simulate a Martian invasion of Earth to Jeff Waynes soundtrack. I'll be trying this one later.
Ulah!
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