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.
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