Turned out to be a good night last night after all. The weather was great, which helped.
My team had a joint equal overall top score with the Desktop team in the events. We won the competition by winning a tiebreaker (catching thrown eggs - see below).
The events were
Twenty-Pin Bowling
Egg 'n' Spoon Relay
A Load of Balls (team standing in cardboard boxes and throwing 20 different shaped and sized balls from person to person, then into a scoring box).
Five Legged Slalom Race
Welly Chucking
The Yolks on You (Throwing Eggs at each other. Points being scored based on distance and catching the thrown egg unbroken).
The Indian chaps that we work with, being keen cricketers, were brilliant at the last event.
Our prize was a bottle of wine each, and a trophy in the shape of an Ugly Ceramic Frog.
We finished off, using up the remaining eggs by throwing them at the boss, which then turned into an egg-missile free for all.
Friday 30 June 2006
Thursday 29 June 2006
Hoyin' a Welly
Tonight's after work - team bonding activity is some "fun" sporting activities in Sefton Park, followed by an outdoor buffet (i.e. a picnic).
The sporting activities include Egg and Spoon Race, Five Legged Race and seeing how far you can throw a Wellington Boot (the subject line is the Geordie description of the last activity).
So if tomorrow the headline is "IT Manager Severely Beaten in Merseyside Park Gumboot Attack", you'll know who the culprit is :-)
The sporting activities include Egg and Spoon Race, Five Legged Race and seeing how far you can throw a Wellington Boot (the subject line is the Geordie description of the last activity).
So if tomorrow the headline is "IT Manager Severely Beaten in Merseyside Park Gumboot Attack", you'll know who the culprit is :-)
Money Matters
Scrapping over on-call allowance, overtime and expenses claims at work yesterday and today.
Won the expenses battle, since I'd bothered to keep a copy of the rules of war.
Lost the on-call standby allowance/overtime battle - can't claim the former if I'm doing the latter, even though the latter is non-callout work.
Cest' la vie - not entirely shafted by the Assassination Bureau Bean Counters (who are now hastily revising the rules), since I've still earned a pretty extra penny this month, but a slight reduction in the expected extra dosh all the same.
Won the expenses battle, since I'd bothered to keep a copy of the rules of war.
Lost the on-call standby allowance/overtime battle - can't claim the former if I'm doing the latter, even though the latter is non-callout work.
Cest' la vie - not entirely shafted by the Assassination Bureau Bean Counters (who are now hastily revising the rules), since I've still earned a pretty extra penny this month, but a slight reduction in the expected extra dosh all the same.
Kelly's Heroes
The subject line is for impworks .
Novelist Supermum told me that he'd forgotten the name of a film last night i.e. "The one with Donald Sutherland as the Nutty Tank Commander".
Novelist Supermum told me that he'd forgotten the name of a film last night i.e. "The one with Donald Sutherland as the Nutty Tank Commander".
Wednesday 28 June 2006
DarkDwarf Blog
Text from a friend yesterday who's been trying to have children for some time (even a visit by Frodo and Samwise last year didn't put her off). She's in the early stages of pregnancy again, so fingers crossed and hope it all goes well.
Frodo and Samwise really enjoyed their trip to London last year. We took them to see a real dinosaur in a castle (The T-Rex at the natural history museum, didn't seem to phase them too much, but it certainly scared me!). Frodo really enjoyed the "Tunnel Trains" as he called them. We set out from Ealing, which is above ground, and he had everybody in the Tube carriage laughing when he shouted "Daddy, a Tunnel!" on the first underground stretch.
Frodo and Samwise really enjoyed their trip to London last year. We took them to see a real dinosaur in a castle (The T-Rex at the natural history museum, didn't seem to phase them too much, but it certainly scared me!). Frodo really enjoyed the "Tunnel Trains" as he called them. We set out from Ealing, which is above ground, and he had everybody in the Tube carriage laughing when he shouted "Daddy, a Tunnel!" on the first underground stretch.
Tuesday 27 June 2006
Burned Out
Novelist Supermum called me at work yesterday afternoon suffering from general knackeredness following a disease contracted from a Halfling, and unable to face the Hobbit Harrassment of the early evening asked me to come home early - i.e. on time.
Helped feed Frodo and Samwise, put them to bed then fell asleep on a very comfy couch until 22:00. Took about an hour to wake up - then it was time for bed!
I think I needed the extra rest, as I've been overdoing it on the overtime - feel very refreshed this morning, fit and ready for blogging ;-)
I've just handed in this month's claim form, so They'll probably pull the plug on the "ovies" soon, when they see how much of the project budget has been apportioned to me.
An ex-colleague, who I shall refer to as "Shrek" also called me yesterday. Shrek went off contracting a couple of years ago and has had 3 North West contracts since. One was a real money spinner, 3 office buildngs away from the Assassination Bureau, until the company realised they were in the red, and booted all of the contractors off site on the same day. He's worked for a couple of small outfits since, and is now with a Music/Muzak distributor in sunny Warrington. Swapped gossip on various colleagues and ex-colleagues. Nice to hear that there's life after the Assassination Bureau, and that the grass is not necessarily greener in pastures new.
Helped feed Frodo and Samwise, put them to bed then fell asleep on a very comfy couch until 22:00. Took about an hour to wake up - then it was time for bed!
I think I needed the extra rest, as I've been overdoing it on the overtime - feel very refreshed this morning, fit and ready for blogging ;-)
I've just handed in this month's claim form, so They'll probably pull the plug on the "ovies" soon, when they see how much of the project budget has been apportioned to me.
An ex-colleague, who I shall refer to as "Shrek" also called me yesterday. Shrek went off contracting a couple of years ago and has had 3 North West contracts since. One was a real money spinner, 3 office buildngs away from the Assassination Bureau, until the company realised they were in the red, and booted all of the contractors off site on the same day. He's worked for a couple of small outfits since, and is now with a Music/Muzak distributor in sunny Warrington. Swapped gossip on various colleagues and ex-colleagues. Nice to hear that there's life after the Assassination Bureau, and that the grass is not necessarily greener in pastures new.
Monday 26 June 2006
Air smiles
Trundling into work this morning in the car I drove past a billboard poster advert for a film.
I was just thinking that Johnny Depp looked a bit clean cut, when I realised that it was an advert for an airline (bmi). They'd done "Pilots of the Caribbean" in the style of a film with a similar name.
Just googled "Pilots of the Caribbean" and found that they're also doing "Chicago" and "Viva Las Vegas". Couldn't find any web versions of the adverts though.
I was just thinking that Johnny Depp looked a bit clean cut, when I realised that it was an advert for an airline (bmi). They'd done "Pilots of the Caribbean" in the style of a film with a similar name.
Just googled "Pilots of the Caribbean" and found that they're also doing "Chicago" and "Viva Las Vegas". Couldn't find any web versions of the adverts though.
Sunday 25 June 2006
Party Time for Frodo
Managed to survive the sanitisation. My telephone, keyboard and screens are no longer the bio-hazard that they were.
Had a chat with one of the little-old-ladies. She had the same accent as Thora Hird. The whole bunch of them reminded me of Victoria Wood's "Dinner Ladies", they were all cleaning and gossiping away at the same time. I could hear several machine's death throes as they scrubbed away at the keyboards.
Two of them got into a whispering hudlle. The lady that I was talking to said that "You know that they're talking about somebody when their voices go low". She saw Frodo's picture and remarked about how good looking he is, and how we should put him to work as a child model. Then said "He must take after his Mum!".
She also told me that friends of hers had a child at the age of 44. Their 15 and 16 year old children wouldn't talk to them because they'd "Been having sex". "Those children have got a shock coming when their parents are 72", she added.
Yesterday afternoon Novelist Supermum finished painting the spare room at Grandma Gandalf's. I took Frodo off shopping at Asda (he has to buy the ingredients for a fruit salad for school, then we have to take photo's of him making the "juice salad", as he first described it to me).
Then I did a shuttle run, dismantled some a set of long freestanding Ikea shelves and turned them into two sets of shelves, wrestled them out of the house, pressed the button on the car that turned it into a van (I wish, in reality there's 6 tags to pull, 6 buttons to press, 3 seats to fold up and remove and one bar to remove), wrestled the shelves into the back of the "van", round to Grandma's only to discover we couldn't get them up the stairs. Break to watch Dr Who. Dismantled them again, up the stairs, reassembled them. Both Hobbits acting up by this point, as it was 21:30. Drove home, commiserated with neighbour over the road, who has had his front window stoved in by passing yobbos, Hobbits to bed. Flopped about knackered, read paper bed ZZZZZZZZZ.
7am Sunday and back at work for the morning. No big ships out on the Mersey this morning. It looks like the river is at low tide. I can see the ferry landing stage that we watched sink earlier this year, stuck in the silt.
Have to take Frodo to a kid's party in a Church Hall this afternoon. He's been getting excited about it all week. Should finish by about 15:30, since the Engerland match is at 16:00.
9am - work interrupted by a fire alarm. Rushed out of the fire exit and down the stairs. Two fire tenders turned up. Half an hour of standing about chatting before we were allowed back in. As suspected the workmen tiling the reception floor this weekend have raised so much dust that they've set the alarm off. None of them are wearing dust masks - one of them has an extensive beard which he must be using as a filter.
11 am - Tide has come in now, and a bunch of little sailing boats with red sails are beetling about on the Mersey.
Off to take Frodo to the party soon. Called home earlier: Frodo was singing "Amarillo". Samwise was joining in with the "Boom Boom's!" in between Frodo's "Sha la la, la la la, la la's".
Had a chat with one of the little-old-ladies. She had the same accent as Thora Hird. The whole bunch of them reminded me of Victoria Wood's "Dinner Ladies", they were all cleaning and gossiping away at the same time. I could hear several machine's death throes as they scrubbed away at the keyboards.
Two of them got into a whispering hudlle. The lady that I was talking to said that "You know that they're talking about somebody when their voices go low". She saw Frodo's picture and remarked about how good looking he is, and how we should put him to work as a child model. Then said "He must take after his Mum!".
She also told me that friends of hers had a child at the age of 44. Their 15 and 16 year old children wouldn't talk to them because they'd "Been having sex". "Those children have got a shock coming when their parents are 72", she added.
Yesterday afternoon Novelist Supermum finished painting the spare room at Grandma Gandalf's. I took Frodo off shopping at Asda (he has to buy the ingredients for a fruit salad for school, then we have to take photo's of him making the "juice salad", as he first described it to me).
Then I did a shuttle run, dismantled some a set of long freestanding Ikea shelves and turned them into two sets of shelves, wrestled them out of the house, pressed the button on the car that turned it into a van (I wish, in reality there's 6 tags to pull, 6 buttons to press, 3 seats to fold up and remove and one bar to remove), wrestled the shelves into the back of the "van", round to Grandma's only to discover we couldn't get them up the stairs. Break to watch Dr Who. Dismantled them again, up the stairs, reassembled them. Both Hobbits acting up by this point, as it was 21:30. Drove home, commiserated with neighbour over the road, who has had his front window stoved in by passing yobbos, Hobbits to bed. Flopped about knackered, read paper bed ZZZZZZZZZ.
7am Sunday and back at work for the morning. No big ships out on the Mersey this morning. It looks like the river is at low tide. I can see the ferry landing stage that we watched sink earlier this year, stuck in the silt.
Have to take Frodo to a kid's party in a Church Hall this afternoon. He's been getting excited about it all week. Should finish by about 15:30, since the Engerland match is at 16:00.
9am - work interrupted by a fire alarm. Rushed out of the fire exit and down the stairs. Two fire tenders turned up. Half an hour of standing about chatting before we were allowed back in. As suspected the workmen tiling the reception floor this weekend have raised so much dust that they've set the alarm off. None of them are wearing dust masks - one of them has an extensive beard which he must be using as a filter.
11 am - Tide has come in now, and a bunch of little sailing boats with red sails are beetling about on the Mersey.
Off to take Frodo to the party soon. Called home earlier: Frodo was singing "Amarillo". Samwise was joining in with the "Boom Boom's!" in between Frodo's "Sha la la, la la la, la la's".
Saturday 24 June 2006
Missed the Golgafrinchan "B" Ark
Help! This is surreal
A gang of 5 little-old-ladies dressed in blue smocks have charged through the door of the office and, starting with the first set of desks are madly sanitising all of the telephones, PC's and other equipment.
They're getting closer... I could be swept away in the frenzy...
Swish! Swash! Mop! Wipe! Aaaaarghhhhh!
A gang of 5 little-old-ladies dressed in blue smocks have charged through the door of the office and, starting with the first set of desks are madly sanitising all of the telephones, PC's and other equipment.
They're getting closer... I could be swept away in the frenzy...
Swish! Swash! Mop! Wipe! Aaaaarghhhhh!
Early Start
Early morning start for a half day at work again today.
Only me up, and the sailors in a huge container ship going past, heading out to sea.
Didn't catch it's name, otherwise I would have found a pic.
It looked a bit like this, but without the helicopter landing pad. I think the name on the side was the "Stena Tekay" but I've probably got that wrong - it was too early in the morning and the lettering was only 30 feet tall!
Only me up, and the sailors in a huge container ship going past, heading out to sea.
Didn't catch it's name, otherwise I would have found a pic.
It looked a bit like this, but without the helicopter landing pad. I think the name on the side was the "Stena Tekay" but I've probably got that wrong - it was too early in the morning and the lettering was only 30 feet tall!
Friday 23 June 2006
Samwise First
Another milestone event to celebrate yesterday was that Samwise did his first wee in a potty. Clever lad.
He's had is photograph taken at Nursery School today, and they managed to get a good one for a change - he usually cries about the flash, but didn't this time.
Not much to report today after the euphoria of yesterday. The news is out on the rumour-mill, so I've had a few words of congratulations with several people.
It'll take a few weeks before I switch across to the new role.
Nice sunny day, so a quick stroll in front of the Liver Buildings and around the Albert Dock at lunchtime. A small gang of schoolkids, some Japanese Beatles fans and a few elderly couples about, but not the usual summertime hordes.
Discovered a card crafts shop where for an outlay of fifty quid or so you can buy the materials to make a card that would cost you 2 quid in the shops. Looks like it's the latest hobby-fashion because the shop was huge and all it sold was various greetings card making materials.
They're currently revamping the city centre. A shopping centre and loads of new buildings going up. Counted about 30 cranes on the way back, one building site looks like a crane forest. It'l like the early stages of Sim-City at the moment. Hopefully it'll look better when they've finished. All this urban renovation is completely screwing up the journey home through the traffic.
He's had is photograph taken at Nursery School today, and they managed to get a good one for a change - he usually cries about the flash, but didn't this time.
Not much to report today after the euphoria of yesterday. The news is out on the rumour-mill, so I've had a few words of congratulations with several people.
It'll take a few weeks before I switch across to the new role.
Nice sunny day, so a quick stroll in front of the Liver Buildings and around the Albert Dock at lunchtime. A small gang of schoolkids, some Japanese Beatles fans and a few elderly couples about, but not the usual summertime hordes.
Discovered a card crafts shop where for an outlay of fifty quid or so you can buy the materials to make a card that would cost you 2 quid in the shops. Looks like it's the latest hobby-fashion because the shop was huge and all it sold was various greetings card making materials.
They're currently revamping the city centre. A shopping centre and loads of new buildings going up. Counted about 30 cranes on the way back, one building site looks like a crane forest. It'l like the early stages of Sim-City at the moment. Hopefully it'll look better when they've finished. All this urban renovation is completely screwing up the journey home through the traffic.
Thursday 22 June 2006
DarkDwarf DBA!!!
The main interviewing manager, who's off on Holiday tomorrow has just informed me that I've got the job!
Official confirmation, terms and conditions, transition from current position etc to follow when he's back from his hols in a week's time.
Methinks that a rebel yell will not be out of place here ...
YEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
and since I'm not from the Southern States of the USA, here's a similar celebratory exclamation in my own vernacular
"WHEYYERBUGGAMAN!"
Can't blog any more today, much too busy bouncing around the room.
Official confirmation, terms and conditions, transition from current position etc to follow when he's back from his hols in a week's time.
Methinks that a rebel yell will not be out of place here ...
YEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
and since I'm not from the Southern States of the USA, here's a similar celebratory exclamation in my own vernacular
"WHEYYERBUGGAMAN!"
Can't blog any more today, much too busy bouncing around the room.
DBA Interview 2
Thanks for the well wishes from Dr Denzil Dexter.
As for Novelist Supermum - I was somebody else today. Turning up for work in a suit rather than the usual shirt, tie, trousers and coat resulted in about 7 "what's the occasion" comments, so I can't have been my normal self.
Interview all done and dusted by 12 noon.
I was given a 3 person grilling by 2 managers and a DBA, all of whom already know me (so that's probably a point against me).
They waived the technical test! All that swotting gone to waste - I've just pulled the knowledge retention plug on my brain - there it goes, forgotten already. I suspect this could have been because they'd been lazy and were still using last years technical test - which I did quite well on.
Think I told them what they wanted to hear. Will just have to wait and see....
As for Novelist Supermum - I was somebody else today. Turning up for work in a suit rather than the usual shirt, tie, trousers and coat resulted in about 7 "what's the occasion" comments, so I can't have been my normal self.
Interview all done and dusted by 12 noon.
I was given a 3 person grilling by 2 managers and a DBA, all of whom already know me (so that's probably a point against me).
They waived the technical test! All that swotting gone to waste - I've just pulled the knowledge retention plug on my brain - there it goes, forgotten already. I suspect this could have been because they'd been lazy and were still using last years technical test - which I did quite well on.
Think I told them what they wanted to hear. Will just have to wait and see....
Too much Peppa Pig
Quick call to Novelist Supermum and a brief chat with Samwise.
Samwise has been watching "Peppa Pig" and has decided that today he is to be called "George", after one of the characters. Novelist Supermum will have to warn the Nursery, in case they get confused.
Samwise has been watching "Peppa Pig" and has decided that today he is to be called "George", after one of the characters. Novelist Supermum will have to warn the Nursery, in case they get confused.
DBA Interview
Got into the Assassination Bureau bright and early this morning ready for a 9:00 am interview, only to discover that due to one of the interviewers not being available first thing (perhaps he was working late last night) my interview time has been moved to 11:00 am.
Also due to the lack of available rooms at short notice the interview is now in the lobby of a nearby hotel.
At least this gives me 2 hours extra swotting up time. All that I can remember at the moment is that DBA stands for "Does Bu**er All", which may not help!
Also due to the lack of available rooms at short notice the interview is now in the lobby of a nearby hotel.
At least this gives me 2 hours extra swotting up time. All that I can remember at the moment is that DBA stands for "Does Bu**er All", which may not help!
Wednesday 21 June 2006
Week Old Blog
A week old blog for a weak old blogger :-)
I've been blogging for a whole week now.
Not much to report today. Trying to combine work with swotting for the
DBA Interview, here at the Assassination Bureau tomorrow.
Novelist Supermum has
caught a raging cold, therefore I was in the bad books for not getting
back from work early last night. Unfortunately I'd already promised the
Project Obermeister that I would complete the section of work I was doing
that night. No late shift tonight, if that's any compensation
Packed Frodo off to School this morning. He's getting excited about a
Birthday Party that he's going to on Sunday. He was telling me about the
wedding that we went to a few weeks ago - his concept of this event is
that it was a party with "no candles" (i.e. no Birthday Cake).
Tuesday 20 June 2006
Unlosable Pen - Lost
Looks like I've finally lost my "Unlosable Pen".
It was small, gold coloured Parker Biro that I'd been given as a gift for being Best Man at my Brother's wedding.
I didn't use it for a couple of years for fear of losing it, then I thought what's the point of having a pen that never gets used, so I decided to use it for work.
I've lost it in and around the office on numerous occasions, but because it looks like a decent pen it usually finds it's way back to me, despite having no identifying markings.
I think this time it's slipped from my pocket during a trip to the shops. I tried a couple of shops that I visited, but nobody's handed it in.
Looks like it's a gonner.
C'est la vie.
It was small, gold coloured Parker Biro that I'd been given as a gift for being Best Man at my Brother's wedding.
I didn't use it for a couple of years for fear of losing it, then I thought what's the point of having a pen that never gets used, so I decided to use it for work.
I've lost it in and around the office on numerous occasions, but because it looks like a decent pen it usually finds it's way back to me, despite having no identifying markings.
I think this time it's slipped from my pocket during a trip to the shops. I tried a couple of shops that I visited, but nobody's handed it in.
Looks like it's a gonner.
C'est la vie.
Mirror Mirror 3...
I reported the incident at my local police station, which is only a stones throw from our house. Hopefully it wasn't the police who were throwing stones!
The copper on the desk took the details, asked a few questions, then asked if I needed a crime number.
I decided to say yes, to ensure that the incident was logged. If crime's aren't recorded then there are no stats, and stats is what they base the number of bobby's on the beat required etc.
He told me that the computer was down and he would call back in half an hour or so with the crime number.
3 days later Novelist Supermum get's a call from another Plod, asking much the same questions and in addition "are you sure it wasn't another car?".
Only if the other car was driving up the pavement at the time! It was the passenger side mirror and I was parked against the kerb.
I suspect that they don't want to do the paperwork...
The copper on the desk took the details, asked a few questions, then asked if I needed a crime number.
I decided to say yes, to ensure that the incident was logged. If crime's aren't recorded then there are no stats, and stats is what they base the number of bobby's on the beat required etc.
He told me that the computer was down and he would call back in half an hour or so with the crime number.
3 days later Novelist Supermum get's a call from another Plod, asking much the same questions and in addition "are you sure it wasn't another car?".
Only if the other car was driving up the pavement at the time! It was the passenger side mirror and I was parked against the kerb.
I suspect that they don't want to do the paperwork...
Monday 19 June 2006
Job Interview
In the pursuit of earning more pennies, I've been thinking of changing jobs. I had an interview a month or so ago, and was offered a new position, but although the money was good, the travel wasn't, and the opportunities seemed a little limited.
Therefore I decided to stay at the Assassination Bureau.
An internal position (Data Base Administrator) that I applied for last month has resulted in an interview on Thursday, so much swotting to do between now and then.
Therefore I decided to stay at the Assassination Bureau.
An internal position (Data Base Administrator) that I applied for last month has resulted in an interview on Thursday, so much swotting to do between now and then.
Mirror Mirror 2...
VW's price for the mirror glass is 25 quid (includes VAT), plus 15 quid to fit it. So with a total cost of 40 quid, my earlier guestimate wasn't far out was it?
Looks like I'll probably have to go back to Halfords. I've just thought - these mirrors have a demister. Not sure how this works - hopefully they don't need special glass? Can't find much on the web on the subject.
Looks like I'll probably have to go back to Halfords. I've just thought - these mirrors have a demister. Not sure how this works - hopefully they don't need special glass? Can't find much on the web on the subject.
Sunday 18 June 2006
Fathers Day Pressies
I did get some gifts from the Hobbits after all. Excellent choices for halflings aged four and two.
Samwise gave me "The Dangerous Book for Boys". This book is superb! I'm sure he'll be borrowing it as soon as he's old enough to wield a Swiss Army Knife with deadly accuracy (those tweezers can be deadly). There's a review by the Daily Telegraph which explains what this book is all about...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/13/boboy13.xml
Frodo bought me a Neil Gaiman book - "Neverwhere".
http://www.neilgaiman.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
I usually enjoy Neil Gaiman's work, so looking forward to reading this one.
Quality time today involved transplanting the Sunflowers that we've been growing from seed into pots, with supporting canes. An over enthusiastic Samwise managed to pluck at one of the plants, snapping the stem and leaving the roots behind. 6 plants now potted and watered. Frodo did well at shovelling the soil into the pots, and also into Samwise's hair.
Samwise gave me "The Dangerous Book for Boys". This book is superb! I'm sure he'll be borrowing it as soon as he's old enough to wield a Swiss Army Knife with deadly accuracy (those tweezers can be deadly). There's a review by the Daily Telegraph which explains what this book is all about...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/13/boboy13.xml
Frodo bought me a Neil Gaiman book - "Neverwhere".
http://www.neilgaiman.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
I usually enjoy Neil Gaiman's work, so looking forward to reading this one.
Quality time today involved transplanting the Sunflowers that we've been growing from seed into pots, with supporting canes. An over enthusiastic Samwise managed to pluck at one of the plants, snapping the stem and leaving the roots behind. 6 plants now potted and watered. Frodo did well at shovelling the soil into the pots, and also into Samwise's hair.
Fathers Day
In work at 07:00 AM today. Double time, hence the brevity of this blog.
Looking out of the window I see that a bunch of yachters have got up early too - there's a bit of an early morning regatta out on the Mersey today. I wonder if the Mersey River festival is on again soon? No wrong, Googled "Mersey River Festival" 2006 and discovered that was last weekend - must be some hangers on, or another event.
Father's Day today, which probably means that I've got to spend some quality time with Frodo and Samwise. (Strange that Mother's day usually means the same? I'm don't think I'm getting the right deal here).
I haven't asked for a pressie - 1) Because they're meagre pocket money won't stretch to it and 2) Because Novelist Supermum splashed out far too much money on my Birthday Pressie in May.
Samwise's turn for swimming later. Frodo will have to make do with the shops, as I can only take one at a time to the pool - his turn next week.
Looking out of the window I see that a bunch of yachters have got up early too - there's a bit of an early morning regatta out on the Mersey today. I wonder if the Mersey River festival is on again soon? No wrong, Googled "Mersey River Festival" 2006 and discovered that was last weekend - must be some hangers on, or another event.
Father's Day today, which probably means that I've got to spend some quality time with Frodo and Samwise. (Strange that Mother's day usually means the same? I'm don't think I'm getting the right deal here).
I haven't asked for a pressie - 1) Because they're meagre pocket money won't stretch to it and 2) Because Novelist Supermum splashed out far too much money on my Birthday Pressie in May.
Samwise's turn for swimming later. Frodo will have to make do with the shops, as I can only take one at a time to the pool - his turn next week.
Saturday 17 June 2006
Mirror Mirror...
OK, so our VW Touran is too new a model (2004) for Halfords to stock replacement wing mirror glass for it. The nearest they had was VW Golf Mk4 wing mirror glass, which would have worked at a pinch, but is a slightly different shape.
Top marks to Halfords very helpful and trusting staff. When they looked up the part and couldn't find it I suggested the Golf mirror might be close. They let me take it out to the car park, so that I could check the shape - unpaid for, and unaccompanied and no security left with them (e.g. my debit card).
Halfords do a cut to order service - although I did had to convince the staff that they really did advertise this, as nobody had ever asked before, for 20 quid. However there's a four week wait once ordered. I'll try some other suppliers first, and also see how much VW charge for the part (from past experience this is likely to be 50p for the part and 40 quid for labour).
Took Frodo and Samwise round to Grandma Gandalf's this afternoon so that Novelist Supermum could get on with decorating the spare room. The plan is that when this is finished Frodo and Samwise can stay overnight, so that we can get on with decorating our own place (Samwise needs a room of his own).
Home again - Hobbits have been put to bed, although Samwise woke up twice to tell me that he "Watched Snow White at Grandma's" and "Staaar Wars when Snow White finished".
Watched Dr Who - inspired by this I've just fought off an insectoid invasion (ants threatening to overrun the living room).
Just settled down to blogging, and working on fixing Novelist Supermum's website to work in both IE and Mozilla.
It's just gone dark - better go and turn a light on, as the only illumination in the room is the glow of the laptop screen and the reflection on my pasty face. Oi! that's pasty as in "pale and white", not as in "Cornish pastie", although Novelist Supermum will probably beg to differ.
Top marks to Halfords very helpful and trusting staff. When they looked up the part and couldn't find it I suggested the Golf mirror might be close. They let me take it out to the car park, so that I could check the shape - unpaid for, and unaccompanied and no security left with them (e.g. my debit card).
Halfords do a cut to order service - although I did had to convince the staff that they really did advertise this, as nobody had ever asked before, for 20 quid. However there's a four week wait once ordered. I'll try some other suppliers first, and also see how much VW charge for the part (from past experience this is likely to be 50p for the part and 40 quid for labour).
Took Frodo and Samwise round to Grandma Gandalf's this afternoon so that Novelist Supermum could get on with decorating the spare room. The plan is that when this is finished Frodo and Samwise can stay overnight, so that we can get on with decorating our own place (Samwise needs a room of his own).
Home again - Hobbits have been put to bed, although Samwise woke up twice to tell me that he "Watched Snow White at Grandma's" and "Staaar Wars when Snow White finished".
Watched Dr Who - inspired by this I've just fought off an insectoid invasion (ants threatening to overrun the living room).
Just settled down to blogging, and working on fixing Novelist Supermum's website to work in both IE and Mozilla.
It's just gone dark - better go and turn a light on, as the only illumination in the room is the glow of the laptop screen and the reflection on my pasty face. Oi! that's pasty as in "pale and white", not as in "Cornish pastie", although Novelist Supermum will probably beg to differ.
Up with the Ducks
Some b****d t**t smashed my car wing mirror last night. Heard a couple of thumps and looked out onto the street to see a yoof leaning against my vehicle. He appeared to be waiting for a couple of pals to catch up with him. Since I wasn't sure if that was all he was doing I went to fetch my car keys, thinking that if I went out to the car, and made as if to drive off he would move on.
Once I'd got my keys the three of them had gone up the street, discovered that the glass on my passenger side wing mirror had been cracked - b******s!
Surveying the damage this morning I appear to have got off lightly. A neighbours van has had most of the mirror ripped out of it's fixings. Happens every now and again on our street, - I've lost a small screw on ariel and a car badge in the past. Just mindless/drunk vandalism. Trip to Halfords for a new bit of mirror glass this afternoon.
Up bright and early this morning for a 7am to 12 noon Saturday work stint, to help bring the current project in on time. 3 ducks (or to be correct I should say drakes) we're waddling across the car park, fresh from an early morning dip in the Mersey.
Once I'd got my keys the three of them had gone up the street, discovered that the glass on my passenger side wing mirror had been cracked - b******s!
Surveying the damage this morning I appear to have got off lightly. A neighbours van has had most of the mirror ripped out of it's fixings. Happens every now and again on our street, - I've lost a small screw on ariel and a car badge in the past. Just mindless/drunk vandalism. Trip to Halfords for a new bit of mirror glass this afternoon.
Up bright and early this morning for a 7am to 12 noon Saturday work stint, to help bring the current project in on time. 3 ducks (or to be correct I should say drakes) we're waddling across the car park, fresh from an early morning dip in the Mersey.
Friday 16 June 2006
Diet Coke Rocket
Good night out last night. Crap football match, but good result and great atmosphere in a crowded "Sports Bar". Met up with an ex-work colleague that I hadn't seen for a while, more drinking at Rigby's then lager and curry at Shah's and a Taxi home.
Tuning in to Radio 4's Today program on the way into work this morning they were reporting on the "latest craze that's sweeping the internet". Apparently to make a rocket or fountain that shoots up to 40 feet into the air all you need is a bottle of diet coke and a packet of mentos (other sweeties will do, but mentos are supposed to be the best).
http://mrscienceteacher.blogspot.com/2006/06/rocketry-on-budget-diet-coke-mentos.html
One to try at home I think (or perhaps in the Park).
Tuning in to Radio 4's Today program on the way into work this morning they were reporting on the "latest craze that's sweeping the internet". Apparently to make a rocket or fountain that shoots up to 40 feet into the air all you need is a bottle of diet coke and a packet of mentos (other sweeties will do, but mentos are supposed to be the best).
http://mrscienceteacher.blogspot.com/2006/06/rocketry-on-budget-diet-coke-mentos.html
One to try at home I think (or perhaps in the Park).
Thursday 15 June 2006
Ultimate i-Pod Accessory?
Dayuh two of the DarkDwarf Blog, and the blogga is hard at work (blogging that is, not working).
Looking for something to Blog about today.
This alien shuttlecraft from the British SpaceFleet docks outside the office everyday. I think it looks pretty cool in a "Britannia Rules the Waves" sort of way.
http://www.p-oostcards.nl/F%20Seacat%20Diamant%20(1).jpg
Then I realised that this could be rapidly becoming a boat-spotting blog, so to counteract that, for all of you i-Pod lovers, here's the ultimate accessory?
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1879278.html
Today I'm putting in a couple of hours extra code cutting, then catching up with the latest leaving do from work, which will be combined with footy match lager and curry (not necessarily in that order). Looking forward to it, as I've not had a night out since the last one.
This of course means that Novelist SuperMum will have to put Frodo and Samwise to bed tonight - they're bound to act up 6 times as much as usual because I'm not there (not that I have any calming fatherly influence, they do it just to wind her up).
Looking for something to Blog about today.
This alien shuttlecraft from the British SpaceFleet docks outside the office everyday. I think it looks pretty cool in a "Britannia Rules the Waves" sort of way.
http://www.p-oostcards.nl/F%20Seacat%20Diamant%20(1).jpg
.jpg){kind=link}
Then I realised that this could be rapidly becoming a boat-spotting blog, so to counteract that, for all of you i-Pod lovers, here's the ultimate accessory?
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1879278.html
Today I'm putting in a couple of hours extra code cutting, then catching up with the latest leaving do from work, which will be combined with footy match lager and curry (not necessarily in that order). Looking forward to it, as I've not had a night out since the last one.
This of course means that Novelist SuperMum will have to put Frodo and Samwise to bed tonight - they're bound to act up 6 times as much as usual because I'm not there (not that I have any calming fatherly influence, they do it just to wind her up).
Wednesday 14 June 2006
Submarine!
Slaving away at the codeface yesterday, and my day was brightened up by a submarine passing the office window...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5076168.stm
New to this blogging lark - this is my first entry.
Let's see how long I can keep this up for......
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5076168.stm
New to this blogging lark - this is my first entry.
Let's see how long I can keep this up for......
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