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!
Monday 31 July 2006
Saturday 29 July 2006
Ainsdale Beach
We took the Hobbits out to Ainsdale Beach (between Formby and Southport) early this morning. Early for us that is i.e. we set off at 10:30 and got there about 11:00.
A long hike down to the sea for a paddle in the surf. The tide was coming in fast. Our first sandcastle was drowned by the waves in less than a minute.
As well as the sea and beach the Hobbits got to see boats, a tractor, an oil rig (offshore in the distance), kites and a small radio monster truck that was whizzing around the hard sound.
I think that the next time we go I might take the Dragon Kite that I bought a couple of months ago, and haven't had the opportunity to fly.
We caught the last of the good weather, it was bright, hot but with a very strong breeze. The rain started coming down when we got home around 13:30.
The fresh air got to all of us, so it was a good long snooze for everyone this afternoon.
A long hike down to the sea for a paddle in the surf. The tide was coming in fast. Our first sandcastle was drowned by the waves in less than a minute.
As well as the sea and beach the Hobbits got to see boats, a tractor, an oil rig (offshore in the distance), kites and a small radio monster truck that was whizzing around the hard sound.
I think that the next time we go I might take the Dragon Kite that I bought a couple of months ago, and haven't had the opportunity to fly.
We caught the last of the good weather, it was bright, hot but with a very strong breeze. The rain started coming down when we got home around 13:30.
The fresh air got to all of us, so it was a good long snooze for everyone this afternoon.
Friday 28 July 2006
Jedi in Training 2
Frodo and Samwise were up early this morning, so I got them to clean their teeth whilst I was getting ready.
This resulted in a "Fighting with Lightsabres" cry from the pair of them, and a duel with the toothbrushes commenced. Frodo has a blue toothbrush and Samwise has a red one, so I guess that light sabre colour convention puts Samwise on the Dark Side.
The forces of good reigned supreme however, as Daddy had the ultimate weapon of a blue electric toothbrush, with which he intervened and saved the day...
This resulted in a "Fighting with Lightsabres" cry from the pair of them, and a duel with the toothbrushes commenced. Frodo has a blue toothbrush and Samwise has a red one, so I guess that light sabre colour convention puts Samwise on the Dark Side.
The forces of good reigned supreme however, as Daddy had the ultimate weapon of a blue electric toothbrush, with which he intervened and saved the day...
Thursday 27 July 2006
Superman and Teppanyaki
Enjoyed the film last night. I've not been to the pictures for a while so I'd forgotten what a difference THX Surround Sound can make to the special effects. Feeling the cinema shake and shudder whilst watching the destruction of planes, ships and tall buildings does put you on the edge of your seat.
Not that the middle of the seat was any more comfortable than the edge. After all these years cinema's still haven't come up with a seat that doesn't give you "cauliflower arse" after an hour or so.
I didn't think that Superman was going to be that entertaining, but I was pleasantly surprised. Superman's abilities still defied all logic, and just seemed to be whatever the script writer wants him to do at the time. However you could soon forget this, as they seemed to be trying to go for more "cause and effect" than usual e.g. you can't just stop a plane dead in mid air without some sort of equal and opposite reaction.
Bizarrely the special effect that I enjoyed the most was the destruction of a large model train set. You'll have to see the film to see how well this was done.
The plot got a bit too mushy at the end for my liking, but Kevin Spacey did a great show-stealer as Lex Luthor. There's also a great scene with a set of terrifying hair pieces.
Following the film we went on to the Teppanyaki Sapporo on Duke Street for food.
I've not done Teppanyaki before. It turned out to be one of those places where you're seated around a large hotplate and the chef's cook the food in front of you.
The chef's provide some great additional entertainment i.e. juggling cutlery, spinning eggs, flipping eggs up with a spatula and catching in their pocket or hat, or producing a bowl and cracking with the spatula into the bowl as gravity brings the egg back down, flipping fried potatoes towards customers to catch in their mouths, getting customers to try the egg catching for themselves, making an omelette and igniting oil on the hotplate at the same time with an eyebrow singeing burst of flame.
With the hot weather, all that burning oil and a full restaurant it soon got pretty warm.
Top night out.
Not that the middle of the seat was any more comfortable than the edge. After all these years cinema's still haven't come up with a seat that doesn't give you "cauliflower arse" after an hour or so.
I didn't think that Superman was going to be that entertaining, but I was pleasantly surprised. Superman's abilities still defied all logic, and just seemed to be whatever the script writer wants him to do at the time. However you could soon forget this, as they seemed to be trying to go for more "cause and effect" than usual e.g. you can't just stop a plane dead in mid air without some sort of equal and opposite reaction.
Bizarrely the special effect that I enjoyed the most was the destruction of a large model train set. You'll have to see the film to see how well this was done.
The plot got a bit too mushy at the end for my liking, but Kevin Spacey did a great show-stealer as Lex Luthor. There's also a great scene with a set of terrifying hair pieces.
Following the film we went on to the Teppanyaki Sapporo on Duke Street for food.
I've not done Teppanyaki before. It turned out to be one of those places where you're seated around a large hotplate and the chef's cook the food in front of you.
The chef's provide some great additional entertainment i.e. juggling cutlery, spinning eggs, flipping eggs up with a spatula and catching in their pocket or hat, or producing a bowl and cracking with the spatula into the bowl as gravity brings the egg back down, flipping fried potatoes towards customers to catch in their mouths, getting customers to try the egg catching for themselves, making an omelette and igniting oil on the hotplate at the same time with an eyebrow singeing burst of flame.
With the hot weather, all that burning oil and a full restaurant it soon got pretty warm.
Top night out.
Wednesday 26 July 2006
Barney Bodger
In a previous blog entry I was seeking a resin/fibre glass like compound, as mentioned in the Readers Digest book of dangerous DIY knowledge, that can be used to fill holes that I've drilled which have mysteriously enlarged themselves and are now too big, and will act as a wallplug for the screw.
B&Q don't appear to have heard of this.
I think that I've found the stuff (or at least something similar).
fischer wet-n-fix
Hopefully this will help to rectify the latest DIY disaster.
B&Q don't appear to have heard of this.
I think that I've found the stuff (or at least something similar).
fischer wet-n-fix
Hopefully this will help to rectify the latest DIY disaster.
A Meeting with the Arch Assassin
Just had an "informal chat" at work with the Arch Assassin (a newish guy who was hired sometime last year after the last one was done away with).
I must admit that I was a little nervous about this, since none of the previous Arch Assassins had done this "getting to know the lackeys" stuff. It turned out to be OK, and we chatted for about half an hour on anything but work.
Which reminds me, I'm off out with Novelist Supermum's writing group tonight. A group who regularly get together to discuss anything but writing.
We're off to see Superman, followed by a Japanese meal (will we have to sit cross legged on the floor and conduct a tea ceremony?).
I must admit that I was a little nervous about this, since none of the previous Arch Assassins had done this "getting to know the lackeys" stuff. It turned out to be OK, and we chatted for about half an hour on anything but work.
Which reminds me, I'm off out with Novelist Supermum's writing group tonight. A group who regularly get together to discuss anything but writing.
We're off to see Superman, followed by a Japanese meal (will we have to sit cross legged on the floor and conduct a tea ceremony?).
Tuesday 25 July 2006
Jedi in Training
Frodo's into building small Lego spaceships (usually 2 pieces of lego in a 'T' shaped arrangement.
I've shown him how to shoot them down, and then take the pieces apart, spinning in opposite directions whilst making an explosive noise (OK, so you wouldn't hear this in the vacuum of space, but this is OUR reality where the laws of physics are modified for entertainment purposes).
These early foundations should set him up in later life for a career as
i) A Special Effects Artist.
or
ii) A Starfighter Pilot.
Frodo believes that all spaceships go BOOM!. Probably because his knowledge of spacecraft is based on TV and films, and this will happen to most spaceships at some point in the plot.
I've shown him how to shoot them down, and then take the pieces apart, spinning in opposite directions whilst making an explosive noise (OK, so you wouldn't hear this in the vacuum of space, but this is OUR reality where the laws of physics are modified for entertainment purposes).
These early foundations should set him up in later life for a career as
i) A Special Effects Artist.
or
ii) A Starfighter Pilot.
Frodo believes that all spaceships go BOOM!. Probably because his knowledge of spacecraft is based on TV and films, and this will happen to most spaceships at some point in the plot.
Sunday 23 July 2006
I love Open Source software.
I don't have a copy of Microsoft Office. I haven't needed to use it until recently, so I was going to either blag a copy from work, or purchase one of those Student/Home editions. Then I remember reading in the dim and distant past about "Star Office" from Sun. It's now called OpenOffice.
I downloaded it on Friday night, and I was up and running, using it straight away. Does everything I need, and I can exchange info with folk who are using Microsoft Office.
And best of all it's free!
I downloaded it on Friday night, and I was up and running, using it straight away. Does everything I need, and I can exchange info with folk who are using Microsoft Office.
And best of all it's free!
Samwise has a new bedroom.
Spent Saturday failing to put up shelves in back bedroom. Failed at the first bracket - managed to use screws that were too small for the job, and to create two holes that started off small, but got bigger as each attempt to plug them with a wallplug failed, until they were too big for my biggest plug. Now searching for a resin/fibre glass like compound, as mentioned in the Readers Digest book of dangerous DIY knowledge, that can be used to fill the holes, and will act as a wallplug for the screw. B&Q don't appear to have heard of this.
The hobbits didn't learn any new words, since they were at Grandma Gandalf's for the night.
Meanwhile Novelist Supermum has been swinging a paintbrush in Samwise's new bedroom, and has painted the walls, his new bed, toy shelves, stuck robot stickers on the bed and shelves, moved the junk and cupboards out of the room, then painted the woodwork in the hall and one of the 2 doors, and moved Samwise's moved toys into bedroom.
Samwise is now happily cuddling Ratty and snoring in his new bed. Frodo had a few planet stickers stuck onto the side of his bed to keep him happy.
Sunday morning was spent hastily trimming hedges at the side of the house, as 2 blokes from the Council are visiting tomorrow to look at how alleygates could be fitted to the awkwardly shaped alley on this side of the house. It was far too hot for protective clothing, so now my arms are scratched to bits.
The hobbits didn't learn any new words, since they were at Grandma Gandalf's for the night.
Meanwhile Novelist Supermum has been swinging a paintbrush in Samwise's new bedroom, and has painted the walls, his new bed, toy shelves, stuck robot stickers on the bed and shelves, moved the junk and cupboards out of the room, then painted the woodwork in the hall and one of the 2 doors, and moved Samwise's moved toys into bedroom.
Samwise is now happily cuddling Ratty and snoring in his new bed. Frodo had a few planet stickers stuck onto the side of his bed to keep him happy.
Sunday morning was spent hastily trimming hedges at the side of the house, as 2 blokes from the Council are visiting tomorrow to look at how alleygates could be fitted to the awkwardly shaped alley on this side of the house. It was far too hot for protective clothing, so now my arms are scratched to bits.
What kind of Pirate are you?
After reading impworks post I would appear to be Blackbeard, I decided to give it a go.
I've discovered that I appear to be Captain Jack Sparrow - damn! I wanted to be the Dread Pirate Roberts.
I've discovered that I appear to be Captain Jack Sparrow - damn! I wanted to be the Dread Pirate Roberts.
 |
| You scored as Captain Jack Sparrow. You are definitely quirky and often mistaken for mad but if anyone is truly paying attention they can see there is method to your madness. You try really hard to be bad but in the end you tend to do the right thing. |
What kind of Pirate are you? created with QuizFarm.com |
Friday 21 July 2006
You know that it's really hot when...
You get OUT of the car, and your glasses steam up.
(Happened to me yesterday and today - mind you I've been driving to work with the air-con set so icy cool that I can see my breath inside the car)
(Happened to me yesterday and today - mind you I've been driving to work with the air-con set so icy cool that I can see my breath inside the car)
Thursday 20 July 2006
On Safari 2
I do believe that I've managed to knock up a version of Novelist Supermum's website which will be viewable via Safari (as well as IE, Firefox, Opera and Netscape)
The cool thing is (cool for nurdy computer geekheads that is) is that
i) All I had to do was change the CSS file - which is the whole point of using CSS in the first place
ii) I'm now using the content-box model rather than the border-box model, as per the W3C standard, and forcing IE to use this. I'm happier with forcing IE to fit the W3C standards, rather than forcing all other browsers to fit in with IE.
I've done a limited test for Safari compatibility using the iCapture website.
Novelist Supermum is going to ask her web-pal-with-a-mac (which sounds like the sort of person that you wouldn't want to meet in an internet chatroom) to surf around the site and see how it looks.
The cool thing is (cool for nurdy computer geekheads that is) is that
i) All I had to do was change the CSS file - which is the whole point of using CSS in the first place
ii) I'm now using the content-box model rather than the border-box model, as per the W3C standard, and forcing IE to use this. I'm happier with forcing IE to fit the W3C standards, rather than forcing all other browsers to fit in with IE.
I've done a limited test for Safari compatibility using the iCapture website.
Novelist Supermum is going to ask her web-pal-with-a-mac (which sounds like the sort of person that you wouldn't want to meet in an internet chatroom) to surf around the site and see how it looks.
On Safari
The good news is that I've found a website via which I can submit a URL. It then processes the URL and renders an image of how that URL will look when viewed in a Safari web browser (this is the web browser that comes with the Apple Mac Operating System).
This means that I can get at least some sort of test for Safari without having to:
i) Go out and buy an Apple Mac.
ii) Ask a friend with an Apple Mac to take a look.
iii) Pop down the local Apple shop and spend an hour or so surfing the web whilst the sales assistants hover behind me.
The website is:
iCapture
The bad news is that when I submit Novelist Supermum's website the main content renders OK, but the Navigation Bar on the Right of the page is too small, with only the ends of the menu links showing.
I think that next I need to ensure that the CSS and HTML for the website is valid (I know that there's a few outstanding bugs) then try this again.
This means that I can get at least some sort of test for Safari without having to:
i) Go out and buy an Apple Mac.
ii) Ask a friend with an Apple Mac to take a look.
iii) Pop down the local Apple shop and spend an hour or so surfing the web whilst the sales assistants hover behind me.
The website is:
iCapture
The bad news is that when I submit Novelist Supermum's website the main content renders OK, but the Navigation Bar on the Right of the page is too small, with only the ends of the menu links showing.
I think that next I need to ensure that the CSS and HTML for the website is valid (I know that there's a few outstanding bugs) then try this again.
Tuesday 18 July 2006
DIY Blues
Samwise' bedroom is currently being decorated. Novelist Supermum had painted one of the walls blue, but the line in the corner where one colour meets the other was a bit wobbly.
So to help out I painted in a straighter line last night.
Unfortunately I used the eggshell blue paint, rather than the matt blue - now we have a nice shiny stripe! Oops!
So to help out I painted in a straighter line last night.
Unfortunately I used the eggshell blue paint, rather than the matt blue - now we have a nice shiny stripe! Oops!
Monday 17 July 2006
Weekend
Friday night: Home from work, fairly knackered - put Hobbits to bed, walked around the corner and picked up a Chinese take-away. Ate it. Fell asleep for the rest of the night...
Saturday: Took Samwise swimming - he's now up to jumping into the big pool. He shows no fear about this, but does expect me to catch him, and will leap without warning. Taught him how to spit out the water to prevent swallowing.
Spot of tidying up and hoovering with both Hobbits helping/hindering.
Novelist Supermum went out for the evening to a Wedding Do with Grandma Gandalf. Hobbits were jealous that they hadn't been invited - they think that Weddings involve pass the parcel, musical chairs and blowing candles out.
Downloaded the latest versions of Opera and Netscape and Novelist Supermum's Website looks OK in both of them. Checking out the CSS and HTML validation in Firefox there's some tweaks to do. Also there's some content changes to make from Novelist Supermum
Started playing around with Oracle Express Edition 10g. Free version of the Oracle database. I think this has been distributed because of the impact that mySQL is having on the "gimme a free database to use" world. Should be useful for practice if I ever getting around to sitting the Oracle Certification exams - which I've been procrastinating over for the last 3 years.
Sunday: Took Frodo to the latest party. This one had a bouncy castle inside a church hall, which meant a hard landing when bouncing out of the castle. He was dripping with sweat after about half an hour of bouncing.
Saturday: Took Samwise swimming - he's now up to jumping into the big pool. He shows no fear about this, but does expect me to catch him, and will leap without warning. Taught him how to spit out the water to prevent swallowing.
Spot of tidying up and hoovering with both Hobbits helping/hindering.
Novelist Supermum went out for the evening to a Wedding Do with Grandma Gandalf. Hobbits were jealous that they hadn't been invited - they think that Weddings involve pass the parcel, musical chairs and blowing candles out.
Downloaded the latest versions of Opera and Netscape and Novelist Supermum's Website looks OK in both of them. Checking out the CSS and HTML validation in Firefox there's some tweaks to do. Also there's some content changes to make from Novelist Supermum
Started playing around with Oracle Express Edition 10g. Free version of the Oracle database. I think this has been distributed because of the impact that mySQL is having on the "gimme a free database to use" world. Should be useful for practice if I ever getting around to sitting the Oracle Certification exams - which I've been procrastinating over for the last 3 years.
Sunday: Took Frodo to the latest party. This one had a bouncy castle inside a church hall, which meant a hard landing when bouncing out of the castle. He was dripping with sweat after about half an hour of bouncing.
Friday 14 July 2006
Bastille Day
Novelist Supermum reminded me this morning of the date. Not the historical event in the title, but the fact that this happens to coincide with one of my nephews Birthdays. I'm usually good at remembering these things, but this year I've completely forgotten.
Hasty visit to WH Smiths this lunchtime for a card and book tokens. Also bought more of the same, as Frodo is off to yet another party on Sunday.
Samwise had a last day of Nursery School morning out and visited the venue where Frodo is to have his party today. Sounds like he enjoyed it. Hopefully it will have tired him out a little.
Still debating what to do over Frodo's schooling. We're certain that the school are acting in the interests of saving money for other things, and not in Frodo's best interests. We're going to investigate the options they've suggested (i.e. send him somewhere else), but our intention is not to do this unless it's absolutely necessary.
Hasty visit to WH Smiths this lunchtime for a card and book tokens. Also bought more of the same, as Frodo is off to yet another party on Sunday.
Samwise had a last day of Nursery School morning out and visited the venue where Frodo is to have his party today. Sounds like he enjoyed it. Hopefully it will have tired him out a little.
Still debating what to do over Frodo's schooling. We're certain that the school are acting in the interests of saving money for other things, and not in Frodo's best interests. We're going to investigate the options they've suggested (i.e. send him somewhere else), but our intention is not to do this unless it's absolutely necessary.
Thursday 13 July 2006
Nursery School Concert
Just got back from Samwise's Nursery School concert.
Mummy and Daddy hid in the middle of the audience so that he wouldn't see us and want to "go home" immediately. Some of the other kids got stage fright in front of the audience of parents, started bawling and left the stage.
Surprisingly no such problem for Samwise. He just sat there, not singing very much at all, even though he knows all of the songs, but good as gold, clutching "Ratty" his cuddly Rat.
(Yes a Rat - it's cute, it's cuddly, it looks like a Rat. Favourite comfort toy at the moment - we've had to buy another two spare Ratty's to stash away in case the original gets lost or damaged).
Got the songs on video, so he can join in with them at home later.
Much debate over Frodo's schooling at the moment, but we're getting in touch with all of the people and departments who can help and should be able to sort this out with the Headmistress soon.
Mummy and Daddy hid in the middle of the audience so that he wouldn't see us and want to "go home" immediately. Some of the other kids got stage fright in front of the audience of parents, started bawling and left the stage.
Surprisingly no such problem for Samwise. He just sat there, not singing very much at all, even though he knows all of the songs, but good as gold, clutching "Ratty" his cuddly Rat.
(Yes a Rat - it's cute, it's cuddly, it looks like a Rat. Favourite comfort toy at the moment - we've had to buy another two spare Ratty's to stash away in case the original gets lost or damaged).
Got the songs on video, so he can join in with them at home later.
Much debate over Frodo's schooling at the moment, but we're getting in touch with all of the people and departments who can help and should be able to sort this out with the Headmistress soon.
Frodo's School
Went to a meeting at Frodo's School today with his special needs one to one teacher. Discovered that the Headmistress and several other members of staff were also at the meeting (which we hadn't quite expected) to give us several "options" as to how they are to progress his Education next year, given the "Global Development Delay" that he has been diagnosed with.
The main option that the school appears to be pushing for is to send him out of his mainstream school to a "specialist" school (although they did have some other suggestions to consider) Although he needs the individual attention we don't think that completely excluding him from his current mainstream school is entirely in his best interest.
Novelist Supermum is making a number of phonecalls so that we can seek advice.
We had a bit of a battle with similar issues last year when he started school, and a lot of these were overcome. I suspect that we're going to have to do this every year, until it's clear how he's progressing.
We have a feeling that budgets may be taking precedence over best interests. We've got quite a bit of work to do on this, and quickly, since the school breaks up for Summer Hols at the end of next week.
The main option that the school appears to be pushing for is to send him out of his mainstream school to a "specialist" school (although they did have some other suggestions to consider) Although he needs the individual attention we don't think that completely excluding him from his current mainstream school is entirely in his best interest.
Novelist Supermum is making a number of phonecalls so that we can seek advice.
We had a bit of a battle with similar issues last year when he started school, and a lot of these were overcome. I suspect that we're going to have to do this every year, until it's clear how he's progressing.
We have a feeling that budgets may be taking precedence over best interests. We've got quite a bit of work to do on this, and quickly, since the school breaks up for Summer Hols at the end of next week.
Firefoxed
I've been beavering away at sorting out Novelist Supermum's Website so that it works in both Internet Explorer and Firefox.
It was originally developed in IE only (since restrictions at work mean that I can't download other browsers). Later I discovered that the W3C standards compliant Firefox doesn't measure
It was originally developed in IE only (since restrictions at work mean that I can't download other browsers). Later I discovered that the W3C standards compliant Firefox doesn't measure
's (i.e. boxes) in the same way as IE - thus throwing all the sections on the page out.
Finally got a result that works at quarter past midnight - it's only taken a year to get this far! I've learnt a lot about Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) on the way, by trial and error (mostly by error). HTML/CSS Reference book supplied by the good old Oxfam shop at the end of Penny Lane.
Thanks to impworks for all of his advice, some of which I've taken on board and some of which I've completely ignored!
Novelist Supermum is happy with the Navbar as it is, so I haven't bothered messing with the resizable images - which get more jagged as they grow in size.
My next step will be to carry out any tidy ups, or additions to the text that may be wanted - then try it out in a few other browsers. IE and Firefox were the most important ones as we're getting the most hits from these.
Finally got a result that works at quarter past midnight - it's only taken a year to get this far! I've learnt a lot about Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) on the way, by trial and error (mostly by error). HTML/CSS Reference book supplied by the good old Oxfam shop at the end of Penny Lane.
Thanks to impworks for all of his advice, some of which I've taken on board and some of which I've completely ignored!
Novelist Supermum is happy with the Navbar as it is, so I haven't bothered messing with the resizable images - which get more jagged as they grow in size.
My next step will be to carry out any tidy ups, or additions to the text that may be wanted - then try it out in a few other browsers. IE and Firefox were the most important ones as we're getting the most hits from these.
Tuesday 11 July 2006
Frodo's Sports Day
Frodo had a sports day at school today. I couldn't attend, since we've got to go to a meeting at the school tomorrow about Frodo's progress, and Samwise's Nursery School concert on Thursday.
Novelist Supermum went along and said that Frodo enjoyed himself. His "house" colour is blue, which handily meant that he could wear his Everton kit.
We didn't know how much Frodo was going to take part, but it sounds like all of the kids took part in the events.
He did OK at dribbling a ball, and also at the sack race - which due to the dilapidation of the sacks involved sticking your feet through the holes in the bottom and running.
He didn't do so well at an event which involved jumping from a standing start - which is something he does all the time at home! The thumps from upstairs as he lands sound like he's about to come through the bedroom ceiling, and last night he got told off for jumping into the bath off the side.
Novelist Supermum went along and said that Frodo enjoyed himself. His "house" colour is blue, which handily meant that he could wear his Everton kit.
We didn't know how much Frodo was going to take part, but it sounds like all of the kids took part in the events.
He did OK at dribbling a ball, and also at the sack race - which due to the dilapidation of the sacks involved sticking your feet through the holes in the bottom and running.
He didn't do so well at an event which involved jumping from a standing start - which is something he does all the time at home! The thumps from upstairs as he lands sound like he's about to come through the bedroom ceiling, and last night he got told off for jumping into the bath off the side.
Monday 10 July 2006
Ghost Ship
A tall ship has just sailed out of the Albert Dock, and is heading out of the Mersey.
It's hull is white, and when I say "sailed" all of it's mast are furled, yet it's still moving at speed.
I can't see any crew on deck either.
OK, so they're using a motor to get around quickly. I've seen a few of these before - they always look a little spooky when they're not using wind power.
Here's a picture of the same ship on another river.
This weekend was spent as follows.
Friday - Delivered Frodo to a Children's Party. Managed to get him to allow his face to be painted for the first time ever. He had a spiderman mask painted, which he insisted on not washing off before bed. even though it had smudged itself into a black and red mess, with only the forehead left resembling Spidey. Many tears the next morning when we had to wash it off. Promised him to do it again next time.
Samwise was calling him "Frodo Spiderman" when he came home and "Where's Frodo Spiderman gone?" when we'd cleaned him up the next day.
Trip to Ikea on Saturday morning to buy shelves, then the hobbits stayed at Grandma Gandalf's on Saturday night whilst we got on with decorating what will be Samwise's bedroom.
Dispute over gating off alley by house continues with a neighbour (we both want it gated, but we want the gates to be put in a sensible place where they'll have most effect), so another letter to the council sent to see if there's any funding yet.
It's hull is white, and when I say "sailed" all of it's mast are furled, yet it's still moving at speed.
I can't see any crew on deck either.
OK, so they're using a motor to get around quickly. I've seen a few of these before - they always look a little spooky when they're not using wind power.
Here's a picture of the same ship on another river.
This weekend was spent as follows.
Friday - Delivered Frodo to a Children's Party. Managed to get him to allow his face to be painted for the first time ever. He had a spiderman mask painted, which he insisted on not washing off before bed. even though it had smudged itself into a black and red mess, with only the forehead left resembling Spidey. Many tears the next morning when we had to wash it off. Promised him to do it again next time.
Samwise was calling him "Frodo Spiderman" when he came home and "Where's Frodo Spiderman gone?" when we'd cleaned him up the next day.
Trip to Ikea on Saturday morning to buy shelves, then the hobbits stayed at Grandma Gandalf's on Saturday night whilst we got on with decorating what will be Samwise's bedroom.
Dispute over gating off alley by house continues with a neighbour (we both want it gated, but we want the gates to be put in a sensible place where they'll have most effect), so another letter to the council sent to see if there's any funding yet.
Sunday 9 July 2006
Fish Rescue Drama 2
I had to rescue Odin today, as he'd got stuck head first in the darkest recess of a mangrove swamp root decorative feature (if you can call a mangrove swamp root decorative that is?)
Tried to shake him out - no joy. Then I gently grabbed him by the base of his tail and carefully pulled - out he plopped looking shaken and stirred, but otherwise OK.
Perhaps he was just trying to live up to his own mythos, and had reached the point where he is hanged from the world tree?
Spent 45 quid on new pump/filter unit, new air pump, electrical connection box and spare filters. If only they also had a gadget that automatically cleans and changes the water too, so I wouldn't forget, or put it off until it's too late......
Tried to shake him out - no joy. Then I gently grabbed him by the base of his tail and carefully pulled - out he plopped looking shaken and stirred, but otherwise OK.
Perhaps he was just trying to live up to his own mythos, and had reached the point where he is hanged from the world tree?
Spent 45 quid on new pump/filter unit, new air pump, electrical connection box and spare filters. If only they also had a gadget that automatically cleans and changes the water too, so I wouldn't forget, or put it off until it's too late......
Friday 7 July 2006
Survivors
Look like the water change and complete tank clean out worked, the other fish have survived the night and appear to be OK this morning.
The only way that I can get the pump/filter to operate with any degree of efficiency is to take the lid off the tank and have the pump half sticking out of the water.
I'll invest in a new pump this weekend. I think I'll also add an air pump as well as a filtration unit to boost the oxygen levels.
Frodo's got a "Teddy Bears Picnic" at school today. Managed to remember this and ensured he took a small Teddy (this one is Andy Pandy's pal) with him this morning.
No overtime this weekend, since the Chief Assassins are busy arguing over which Agency will foot the bill for next month.
This means that we can enjoy a traditional family day out on Saturday - to IKEA!
The only way that I can get the pump/filter to operate with any degree of efficiency is to take the lid off the tank and have the pump half sticking out of the water.
I'll invest in a new pump this weekend. I think I'll also add an air pump as well as a filtration unit to boost the oxygen levels.
Frodo's got a "Teddy Bears Picnic" at school today. Managed to remember this and ensured he took a small Teddy (this one is Andy Pandy's pal) with him this morning.
No overtime this weekend, since the Chief Assassins are busy arguing over which Agency will foot the bill for next month.
This means that we can enjoy a traditional family day out on Saturday - to IKEA!
Thursday 6 July 2006
Fishy Tragedy
Went to feed Frodo and Samwise's Goldfish this morning and discovered that one of them was floating lifeless on the surface of the water in the tank.
So I had to dash about this morning to remove the corpse - check for any signs of life, perform a quick post-mortem/fishy CSI investigation and then take a few quick preventative measures to (hopefully) prevent any further fishy tragedy.
I think it was a combination of 6 fish growing larger in a basic sized (i.e not tiny, but not huge either), overdue water change, pump/filter packing in, various fishy diseases such as white spot and fin rot, and the current heatwave. They are all coldwater fantail fish and the one that died was about 3 inches across. We've had them for about 2 years.
The fish are called Odin, Thor, Loki, Fenrir and Angroboda. Alas Grendel is no more and is off to a fishy Valhalla - Viking Funeral tonight, although as I don't have a fishy-sized longboat to ignite it may be a burial.
I'll carry out a major water change tonight, which will hopefully rescue the others. May have to invest in a new pump/filter.
So I had to dash about this morning to remove the corpse - check for any signs of life, perform a quick post-mortem/fishy CSI investigation and then take a few quick preventative measures to (hopefully) prevent any further fishy tragedy.
I think it was a combination of 6 fish growing larger in a basic sized (i.e not tiny, but not huge either), overdue water change, pump/filter packing in, various fishy diseases such as white spot and fin rot, and the current heatwave. They are all coldwater fantail fish and the one that died was about 3 inches across. We've had them for about 2 years.
The fish are called Odin, Thor, Loki, Fenrir and Angroboda. Alas Grendel is no more and is off to a fishy Valhalla - Viking Funeral tonight, although as I don't have a fishy-sized longboat to ignite it may be a burial.
I'll carry out a major water change tonight, which will hopefully rescue the others. May have to invest in a new pump/filter.
Wednesday 5 July 2006
Typical Morning
What's that noise? - it's the alarm. Get up. Shave. Shower etc. Open Frodo's curtains. Shake Frodo. Get dressed - no shirt needs ironing. Drag Frodo out of bed. Carry Frodo downstairs. Establish Frodo's choice of Breakfast Cereal. Suppy Frodo with this - add a couple of strawberries as I'm getting my own at the same time. Eat. Tell Frodo to hurry up and eat his. Start ironing shirts for self and Frodo. Call from upstairs - have forgotten to get Samwise his Milk. Get Milk. Deliver to Samwise upstairs. Switch bedroom telly on to "Milkshake" for Samwise. Downstairs again. Finish ironing shirts. Empty dishwasher. Start helping Frodo Dress. No Socks. Upstairs to check - no socks in any drawers. Root through laundry for "freshest" socks for Frodo. Remember to pick up mobile phones (2 as I'm on-call this week). Make butties for Frodo (mental note to buy him a new lunch box as the zip is knackered). Sort bag of fruit for me. Check Frodo's progress - underpants on backwards and socks near ankles. Shorts on Frodo followed by usual fight over shirt. He wants long sleeves. It's over 30 degrees Centigrade/ 90 Farenheit outside. Apply suncream to Frodo. Rollup Frodo's sleeves. Much tears and complaining. Show him my rolled up sleeves. Apply suncream to me. Check Frodo's bookbag. He needs 1 quid for "Teddy Bears Picnic" on Friday (bring own Teddy - will have to remember that). Only have a 2 quid coin. Shout around house looking for permission slip/envelope/pen/pound coins. Novelist Supermum suggest I raid moneybox. Spend 10 minutes raiding moneybox - wrong one only copper coins. Can't get into other money box. Novelist Supermum sorts this and supplies 1 quid (hey where's my other quid?). Frodo has calmed down and seems happier about the shirt. Supply Frodo with shoes. No he wants to go the toilet. He does so and comes downstairs with shirt untucked. Tuck it all in again. Frodo attempts to roll sleeves down. Roll them back up again. Locate pass for work. Find car keys. Check Frodo's shoes. Drop sunhat on Frodo's head. Shout "Bye to Mummy!", "Bye to Samwise". Out of door. Strap Frodo into car. Throw briefcase and bag of fruit in boot. Whizz off to school - deliver Frodo to breakfast club - Aaahh's from lady school visitor as Frodo rounds corner with floppy sunhat, rolled up sleeves, skinny leg revealing shorts, crooked tie, scuffed shoes and chimney sweep brush eyelashes. Then off to work for a rest...
Tuesday 4 July 2006
Lost Aztec Kingdom
Frodo has been to a few Children's Birthday Parties recently. He's going to one on Friday, and he's got another a couple of weeks later.
As a consequence he's aware that his Birthday is coming up soon (end of August) and he's been "pestering" us in his own way to host a party for him.
Yesterday I put a deposit down on a Birthday Party event at "Grandma's - Adventures of the Lost Kingdom" which is an Indiana Jones Style/Aztec Exploration/Indoor Adventure Playground/Party Rooms for Children at a local shopping centre.
They have a website at
www.grandmasadventures.co.uk
but this doesn't show any pictures of the Lost Aztec Kingdom.
I've discovered on the Web that it was designed by an American firm, and have managed to locate some photo's of the adventurous terrain that 20 or so children will be exploring for 2 hours.
Here's some photo's of the Lost Aztec Kingdom.
I just wish that I was small enough to explore it myself.
As a consequence he's aware that his Birthday is coming up soon (end of August) and he's been "pestering" us in his own way to host a party for him.
Yesterday I put a deposit down on a Birthday Party event at "Grandma's - Adventures of the Lost Kingdom" which is an Indiana Jones Style/Aztec Exploration/Indoor Adventure Playground/Party Rooms for Children at a local shopping centre.
They have a website at
www.grandmasadventures.co.uk
but this doesn't show any pictures of the Lost Aztec Kingdom.
I've discovered on the Web that it was designed by an American firm, and have managed to locate some photo's of the adventurous terrain that 20 or so children will be exploring for 2 hours.
Here's some photo's of the Lost Aztec Kingdom.
I just wish that I was small enough to explore it myself.
Monday 3 July 2006
I Predict a Riot
Driving in to work this morning I counted around 9 police vans, all fully loaded with policemen/women heading out of the city along Smithdown Road. The vans were the sort that are kitted out with wire mesh on the windows.
Most were going at a leisurely pace in groups of two or three, but a bunch of three of them, plus a squad car had "music and lights" in operation and were travelling at speed.
I wonder what's going on? It looked like the sort of operation normally reserved for arresting bomb-factory suspects. We're getting close to the anniversary of last years atrocities in London.
Perhaps it was just the morning shift for the Toxteth Police Station on their way to work?, or is it the welcoming committee for Steve Gerrard after not scoring his penalty?
Most were going at a leisurely pace in groups of two or three, but a bunch of three of them, plus a squad car had "music and lights" in operation and were travelling at speed.
I wonder what's going on? It looked like the sort of operation normally reserved for arresting bomb-factory suspects. We're getting close to the anniversary of last years atrocities in London.
Perhaps it was just the morning shift for the Toxteth Police Station on their way to work?, or is it the welcoming committee for Steve Gerrard after not scoring his penalty?
Sunday 2 July 2006
"40 years of hurt"
Driving into work at 06:45 this morning I noticed lots of England flags hanging limply in the breeze - bunting and car flags hanging abandoned in the gutter.
Some of the commentary on the England-Portugal match last night made me smile.
"Even with being down to 10 men, the captain being taken off and one of our star players sent off we still could win this..."
"Oh no, we're heading for the inevitable again..."
"If he scores this penalty then we'll be one ahead with a chance of getting through to the semi-final. " "So no pressure there then?".
Some of the commentary on the England-Portugal match last night made me smile.
"Even with being down to 10 men, the captain being taken off and one of our star players sent off we still could win this..."
"Oh no, we're heading for the inevitable again..."
"If he scores this penalty then we'll be one ahead with a chance of getting through to the semi-final. " "So no pressure there then?".
Saturday 1 July 2006
School Report
Sunny, bright and slightly hazy over the Mersey early this morning. In work again. Going to keep this weekend early bird lark up until the overtime budget runs out, which should be about the middle to end of this month.
Frodo's school report has been issued. He's got a language, development and communication delay, however it looks like he's been coming on leaps and bounds since getting regular one to one assistance with a teacher who comes in from a specialist school 3 or 4 mornings a week.
It took us the best part of last year meeting and campaigning with the various departments, specialists and the school to get this assistance. Looks like it was worth all the hassle in the end.
At the other end of the spectrum Samwise is streets of ahead of the average 2 year old. He's behaving like a teenager already i.e. "it's not fair!".
Time to stop blogging and start working...
Frodo's school report has been issued. He's got a language, development and communication delay, however it looks like he's been coming on leaps and bounds since getting regular one to one assistance with a teacher who comes in from a specialist school 3 or 4 mornings a week.
It took us the best part of last year meeting and campaigning with the various departments, specialists and the school to get this assistance. Looks like it was worth all the hassle in the end.
At the other end of the spectrum Samwise is streets of ahead of the average 2 year old. He's behaving like a teenager already i.e. "it's not fair!".
Time to stop blogging and start working...
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