Travelling to work by Bus for the past week or so has given me the opportunity to catch up with some reading.
I bought a couple of books in February to read on holiday in Rome.
One was The Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko, a sequel to The Night Watch.
This is the second book in a different take on the struggle of supernatural good vs evil. The author is Russian so it is set in Moscow. As with the first book, it was an excellent read. I'm pleased to discover that there's another two books in the "Tetralogy" - I must get hold of them. I'm not sure if they're out in this country yet (they are Russian translations).
I finished this one whilst on holiday, then moved onto The Malice Box by Martin Langfield.
This one looked promising at first, but a few chapters into it I discovered that it's about treasure hunt around New York, relating to a spiritual quest based on the Kabbalah. Interesting insights into the Architecture of New York on the way around "The Path". Unfortunately I found the spiritual mysticism somewhat tedious early on in the book, and this has continued up to the last chapter. Just about finished it now, thanks to the bus journey to work, but it's taken me a good few months to get through it, since I'd lost interest at an early stage.
The main character has his own blog so that you can follow the sights on his journey of spiritual/supernatural enlightenment, and the subsequent awakening of his powers with which to combat evil as he treks around New York.
Glad that I've finished that one now. I can get back to reading some of the easy-reading children's books that I got for my Birthday in May, but were interrupted by the much inferior, but over-hyped, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
No more reading on the bus next week.
The Volkswagen Dealer called me at 18:00 today to tell me that the car has been repaired! (Looks like the 3-week possible wait was a worse case scenario).
The part arrived from Germany this morning, and they've fitted and tested it today.
I'll have to trek over to Bootle (using my all-week bus ticket) and pick up the car tomorrow morning.
Friday, 31 August 2007
Saturday, 25 August 2007
Police in Force
Standing in my local Chinese Takeaway on Allerton Road, waiting for my order to arrive I noticed a police motorbike and a police car go past.
Nothing unusual in this on a Saturday night, since they appeared to be heading in the direction of Allerton Police station.
Then another police car went past, followed by a police CCTV equipped "riot" van full of policemen, then another similar van, and another, another police car, and a police motorbike. No sirens, but all had blue lights flashing.
I picked up my order and went outside. The police vehicles had turned at the roundabout that's in front of the local Library and Police Station, and had gathered in a long line on the opposite side of the dual carriageway.
There are 3 bars on that side of the road, in this order - Yates's, The "New York" bar and Mezz.
The police vehicles had gathered in a long line outside of these bars.
Several policemen had left the vans and entered the "New York" bar. These policemen were all wearing traditional flat peaked caps and white shirts.
The occupants of the police cars were all out of their cars and standing guard, looking up and down the street and across the road, whilst this took place. They were wearing heavy flak jackets and "SWAT" style police baseball caps. I don't know if they were armed, but their flak jackets seemed to be full of equipment (could have been batons, handcuffs, radio etc). If they were armed then weapons weren't drawn.
I walked a short way down the road, heading back home, whilst keeping an eye on what was going on. I noticed that they also had 2 police "trials" motorbikes waiting, with riders revving them, in the car park next to the Yates's bar. Looked like they were prepared for a possible off-road chase.
I reached a point on my side of the road between the "Pod" bar and "Crichtons" bar, and paused for another look. Another police van, car and motorbike arrived and parked up. Whatever was going on they definitely weren't taking any chances.
The 2 bars on my side of the road have tables outside, so that smokers driven outside by the recent Government smoking ban can sit down and have a drink too.
At this point one of the smokers piped up with a piece of Scouse wit.
"Somebody's lit a ciggie in the New York!"
Both bars on my side of the road erupted in laughter, causing the chaps in the flak jackets on the opposite side of the road to "meerkat" in our direction.
As I headed home I noticed the policeman from the vans leaving the "New York" bar. It didn't look like they'd made an arrest.
A lady came up to me and asked if there'd be another shooting. Another shooting? She told me that there'd been an incident on Penny Lane last night.
We looked this up when I got home. The news says that 2 doormen were shot at a night-club on Penny Lane last night, so the police activity could have been related to this. (Having had a meal at the Alma de Santiago for my Birthday earlier this year, I'd hardly call it a night club, but it does have a sizeable bar.)
Nothing unusual in this on a Saturday night, since they appeared to be heading in the direction of Allerton Police station.
Then another police car went past, followed by a police CCTV equipped "riot" van full of policemen, then another similar van, and another, another police car, and a police motorbike. No sirens, but all had blue lights flashing.
I picked up my order and went outside. The police vehicles had turned at the roundabout that's in front of the local Library and Police Station, and had gathered in a long line on the opposite side of the dual carriageway.
There are 3 bars on that side of the road, in this order - Yates's, The "New York" bar and Mezz.
The police vehicles had gathered in a long line outside of these bars.
Several policemen had left the vans and entered the "New York" bar. These policemen were all wearing traditional flat peaked caps and white shirts.
The occupants of the police cars were all out of their cars and standing guard, looking up and down the street and across the road, whilst this took place. They were wearing heavy flak jackets and "SWAT" style police baseball caps. I don't know if they were armed, but their flak jackets seemed to be full of equipment (could have been batons, handcuffs, radio etc). If they were armed then weapons weren't drawn.
I walked a short way down the road, heading back home, whilst keeping an eye on what was going on. I noticed that they also had 2 police "trials" motorbikes waiting, with riders revving them, in the car park next to the Yates's bar. Looked like they were prepared for a possible off-road chase.
I reached a point on my side of the road between the "Pod" bar and "Crichtons" bar, and paused for another look. Another police van, car and motorbike arrived and parked up. Whatever was going on they definitely weren't taking any chances.
The 2 bars on my side of the road have tables outside, so that smokers driven outside by the recent Government smoking ban can sit down and have a drink too.
At this point one of the smokers piped up with a piece of Scouse wit.
"Somebody's lit a ciggie in the New York!"
Both bars on my side of the road erupted in laughter, causing the chaps in the flak jackets on the opposite side of the road to "meerkat" in our direction.
As I headed home I noticed the policeman from the vans leaving the "New York" bar. It didn't look like they'd made an arrest.
A lady came up to me and asked if there'd be another shooting. Another shooting? She told me that there'd been an incident on Penny Lane last night.
We looked this up when I got home. The news says that 2 doormen were shot at a night-club on Penny Lane last night, so the police activity could have been related to this. (Having had a meal at the Alma de Santiago for my Birthday earlier this year, I'd hardly call it a night club, but it does have a sizeable bar.)
Friday, 24 August 2007
Frodo's 6th Birthday
It's Frodo's 6th Birthday today.
Here's some other memorable dates that Frodo shares his Birthday with:
I've already mentioned the Eruption of Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum on 24 August 79 AD
Also it's bloggers eight birthday today
I stop here, as I've discovered that good old Wikipedia can produce a far more comprehensive list for 24 August than I ever can.
Scived off work this morning - I'm on the late shift, so I just got in a little later than usual - and we took Frodo and Samwise to the Yellow Sub childrens activity centre.
We called Davy Liver Taxis to get there and back. Both times the taxi arrived within 10 minutes of calling them. They gave my phone a single ring when they were getting near, and we were charged a reasonable price for the journey.
I've already sent this firm an email of praise when they rescued us following Frodo's Birthday Party after South Liverpool Taxi's let us down badly on the outward journey. I doubt that anyone from South Liverpool Taxi's cares, but if they ever come across this blog entry, then they might realise that a quality service generates repeat business, and a piss-poor one doesn't!
We bumped into a few of Frodo's school-chums, who were also spending the moring at Yellow Sub The kids romped on the play equipment whilst Mummy had toast, and worked on the design of her latest novel cover, whilst Daddy tucked into scrambled egg and poached salmon on toasted muffins. "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" (to quote Dora the Explorer).
Home again and we put together a quick Birthday feast for Frodo, Samwise and Grandma Gandalf. I inflated 6 coloured helium balloons, and tied them to the back of Frodo's chair. Had to inflate an extra red one for Samwise.
After we'd munched through the main snacks we lit 6 candles on Frodo's Optimus Prime Transformers Birthday cake. A gentle chorus of "Happy Birthday to you" and Frodo blew all the candles out.
The cake looks a bit like this. Actually it's about half of this size now "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" :)
No it doesn't change into a Mac-Truck when you cut into the icing.
You've probably guessed what Frodo's main present was this year.
3 Transformer "fast action battler" toys. 2 autobots that transform into a car and a truck, and a decepticon that transforms into a tank.
Autobot Jazz
Autobot Ratchet
Decepticon Brawl
Spent a good half hour or so figuring out how to transform them this morning. Once we'd "transformed" them out of the super-tied down security packaging (why are so many toys hellishly "security wrapped" these days? i.e. tied down to the packaging with loads of plastic wiring and hard to see rubber bands) Always a tricky one when their are impatient children waiting.
So that the other child doesn't feel too left out, we've made it a family tradition that the Birthday Boy gives one present to his brother. Frodo gave Samwise a Dr Who Clockwork Robot - or "Tick Tock Robot" as Samwise likes to call them, to add to their growing collection of Dr Who action figures.
We're also busy opening the presents that Frodo got from his Birthday party, one by one each day when I get home Last night's was good - Hot Wheels "Hyper Wheels" Racing Motorbikes. No batteries requires. Pop each motorbike into the slots, crank up the revs with the handle then press a switch and the bikes scoot across the floor.
So there'll be a couple of boys jumping up and down waiting for the next present tonight. (Almost as excited as Dad!)
Here's some other memorable dates that Frodo shares his Birthday with:
I've already mentioned the Eruption of Vesuvius that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum on 24 August 79 AD
Also it's bloggers eight birthday today
I stop here, as I've discovered that good old Wikipedia can produce a far more comprehensive list for 24 August than I ever can.
Scived off work this morning - I'm on the late shift, so I just got in a little later than usual - and we took Frodo and Samwise to the Yellow Sub childrens activity centre.
We called Davy Liver Taxis to get there and back. Both times the taxi arrived within 10 minutes of calling them. They gave my phone a single ring when they were getting near, and we were charged a reasonable price for the journey.
I've already sent this firm an email of praise when they rescued us following Frodo's Birthday Party after South Liverpool Taxi's let us down badly on the outward journey. I doubt that anyone from South Liverpool Taxi's cares, but if they ever come across this blog entry, then they might realise that a quality service generates repeat business, and a piss-poor one doesn't!
We bumped into a few of Frodo's school-chums, who were also spending the moring at Yellow Sub The kids romped on the play equipment whilst Mummy had toast, and worked on the design of her latest novel cover, whilst Daddy tucked into scrambled egg and poached salmon on toasted muffins. "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" (to quote Dora the Explorer).
Home again and we put together a quick Birthday feast for Frodo, Samwise and Grandma Gandalf. I inflated 6 coloured helium balloons, and tied them to the back of Frodo's chair. Had to inflate an extra red one for Samwise.
After we'd munched through the main snacks we lit 6 candles on Frodo's Optimus Prime Transformers Birthday cake. A gentle chorus of "Happy Birthday to you" and Frodo blew all the candles out.
The cake looks a bit like this. Actually it's about half of this size now "Yum! Yum!!, "Delicioso" :)
No it doesn't change into a Mac-Truck when you cut into the icing.
You've probably guessed what Frodo's main present was this year.
3 Transformer "fast action battler" toys. 2 autobots that transform into a car and a truck, and a decepticon that transforms into a tank.
Spent a good half hour or so figuring out how to transform them this morning. Once we'd "transformed" them out of the super-tied down security packaging (why are so many toys hellishly "security wrapped" these days? i.e. tied down to the packaging with loads of plastic wiring and hard to see rubber bands) Always a tricky one when their are impatient children waiting.
So that the other child doesn't feel too left out, we've made it a family tradition that the Birthday Boy gives one present to his brother. Frodo gave Samwise a Dr Who Clockwork Robot - or "Tick Tock Robot" as Samwise likes to call them, to add to their growing collection of Dr Who action figures.
We're also busy opening the presents that Frodo got from his Birthday party, one by one each day when I get home Last night's was good - Hot Wheels "Hyper Wheels" Racing Motorbikes. No batteries requires. Pop each motorbike into the slots, crank up the revs with the handle then press a switch and the bikes scoot across the floor.
So there'll be a couple of boys jumping up and down waiting for the next present tonight. (Almost as excited as Dad!)
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Car Breakdown 3
The VW Dealership called me this afternoon.
The service desk lady said that she had some "bad news".
The car (a Volkswagen Touran by the way) needs a new fuel unit - 375 quid to replace, plus 40 quid to diagnose the problem using their test kit.
This, however, wasn't all of the bad news!
The part is on "Back Order" from Germany which means I will have up to a 3 week wait. Aaaargh!
I also checked to see if there was any "good will" with the Warranty (it expired 5 months ago, but it could be a "known fault"), for a possible discount on the repair. The Warranty Manager said "No".
When I asked what the "fuel unit" did I was told that it was an "electrical" component. Sounds very much to me like they're replacing a chip?
Why have they run out of spare parts? Either it's a very rare fault, or a very common one and there's been a rush for parts. Couldn't find anything that indicated this on the Web. I don't think it's related to the Tesco contaminated fuel scare that happened in March, but I'll keep a lookout just in case.
I last topped up the tank at a Shell Filling station in Betwys-y-Coed, and before that it was mainly at Tesco's and occasionally Asda.
It could be just Murphy's Law in operation, since the 3 year Warranty on the car has expired.
So it's "Shanks Pony" and public transport for the next 3 weeks for me. I'll have to get a bus pass for next week, and think about possibly hiring a car for a trip to London at the end of the month.
It's Frodo's actual Birthday tomorrow (although he had his party last Sunday) - so we'll have to get a Taxi to the play centre that we were going to, for an on-the-day treat tomorrow morning.
The service desk lady said that she had some "bad news".
The car (a Volkswagen Touran by the way) needs a new fuel unit - 375 quid to replace, plus 40 quid to diagnose the problem using their test kit.
This, however, wasn't all of the bad news!
The part is on "Back Order" from Germany which means I will have up to a 3 week wait. Aaaargh!
I also checked to see if there was any "good will" with the Warranty (it expired 5 months ago, but it could be a "known fault"), for a possible discount on the repair. The Warranty Manager said "No".
When I asked what the "fuel unit" did I was told that it was an "electrical" component. Sounds very much to me like they're replacing a chip?
Why have they run out of spare parts? Either it's a very rare fault, or a very common one and there's been a rush for parts. Couldn't find anything that indicated this on the Web. I don't think it's related to the Tesco contaminated fuel scare that happened in March, but I'll keep a lookout just in case.
I last topped up the tank at a Shell Filling station in Betwys-y-Coed, and before that it was mainly at Tesco's and occasionally Asda.
It could be just Murphy's Law in operation, since the 3 year Warranty on the car has expired.
So it's "Shanks Pony" and public transport for the next 3 weeks for me. I'll have to get a bus pass for next week, and think about possibly hiring a car for a trip to London at the end of the month.
It's Frodo's actual Birthday tomorrow (although he had his party last Sunday) - so we'll have to get a Taxi to the play centre that we were going to, for an on-the-day treat tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Car Breakdown 2
The car breakdown saga continues (see the end of Summer Holiday)
The local Nationwide garage where the car had been towed to by the AA called me on Monday afternoon to say that they had investigated and road tested the car. Their computer diagnostics were showing "no fault" and it was starting and driving OK.
Giving that we're thinking of trading in the car in a couple of months I decided to give it a try and see if the fault had somehow rectified itself, or if it would develop again.
I picked it up on Tuesday morning and drove it out of the garage. Two corners around the block on Penny Lane the car broke down again! Again it wouldn't start.
I walked back to the garage and they sent a mechanic to investigate. He took his computer diagnostic equipment and plugged it in. Again, as with Saturdays AA man, the computer was showing "No Fault" even though the car wouldn't start.
I was advised to take it to the main VW dealer, who would have better diagnostic equipment. So after walking home and picking up my stuff for work, I caught a bus back to the car and called the AA. A very nice man towed me 8 miles or so to the main VW dealership in Bootle.
Although they said that they probably wouldn't get to look at it on the same day, that afternoon they called me, and said that it appeared to be working OK, and their diagnostic equipment was showing "No Fault" (they are charging me 40 quid to run diagnostics on their kit).
I explained the two breakdowns to them, so they've decided to investigate further.
This is the same place that when I took the car in for a brake check, they told me that they'd had all the wheels off the car. None of my hub cap ties had been cut!, so all they'd done was drive it and try the brakes.
Therefore I suspect that at this point they'd just tried to start the car, and had found that it started.
They called me back to get my permission for a mechanic to drive the car home to St Helens and see if the breakdown happens again. I said that they could do this.
Haven't heard from them today, so hopefully he broke down and is now looking for the cause of the problem.
I'll give them a call tomorrow if I haven't heard by then.
I'm now rediscovering the joys of public transport.
The local Nationwide garage where the car had been towed to by the AA called me on Monday afternoon to say that they had investigated and road tested the car. Their computer diagnostics were showing "no fault" and it was starting and driving OK.
Giving that we're thinking of trading in the car in a couple of months I decided to give it a try and see if the fault had somehow rectified itself, or if it would develop again.
I picked it up on Tuesday morning and drove it out of the garage. Two corners around the block on Penny Lane the car broke down again! Again it wouldn't start.
I walked back to the garage and they sent a mechanic to investigate. He took his computer diagnostic equipment and plugged it in. Again, as with Saturdays AA man, the computer was showing "No Fault" even though the car wouldn't start.
I was advised to take it to the main VW dealer, who would have better diagnostic equipment. So after walking home and picking up my stuff for work, I caught a bus back to the car and called the AA. A very nice man towed me 8 miles or so to the main VW dealership in Bootle.
Although they said that they probably wouldn't get to look at it on the same day, that afternoon they called me, and said that it appeared to be working OK, and their diagnostic equipment was showing "No Fault" (they are charging me 40 quid to run diagnostics on their kit).
I explained the two breakdowns to them, so they've decided to investigate further.
This is the same place that when I took the car in for a brake check, they told me that they'd had all the wheels off the car. None of my hub cap ties had been cut!, so all they'd done was drive it and try the brakes.
Therefore I suspect that at this point they'd just tried to start the car, and had found that it started.
They called me back to get my permission for a mechanic to drive the car home to St Helens and see if the breakdown happens again. I said that they could do this.
Haven't heard from them today, so hopefully he broke down and is now looking for the cause of the problem.
I'll give them a call tomorrow if I haven't heard by then.
I'm now rediscovering the joys of public transport.
Monday, 20 August 2007
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party
With the car in the garage being repaired (see Summer Holiday) yesterday we had to get a taxi to the venue for Frodo's 6th Birthday Party.
We needed a 5 seater, that could take 3 adults, two children and the the food, balloons and party gift boxes.
I arranged the taxi at about 09:15 on Sunday morning with South Liverpool Cars to pick us up at 13:30 so we could get to the party venue in good time for 14:00. The operator didn't seem too bothered when I confirmed our address and the time back to her. The operator also told me that I should arrange the return journey with the driver.
At 13:35 the taxi hadn't turned up. I called South Liverpool Cars, who took some time to answer. Different operator this time. "Oh you wanted a 'bus' didn't you?", "Errr, there'll be one in 10 minutes".
I called the party venue (the I.M. Marsh Campus of John Moores University) to explain that we could be a little late, and to let the arriving parents and children know this. They told us that due to a double booking they'd had to switch the hall that the party was in at the last minute! Just to the building next door, but enough of a change to add to the confusion. They reckoned that they'd tried to call us about this - but if they hadn't they hadn't left a voicemail or answerphone message.
At 13:50 the taxi still hadn't turned up. I called again. Again a long time to answer. When they did reply I heard them radioing in the background to ask if there was anyone in the area. I was then told that one was on it's way but had gone to a similarly named street in the area - distinct smell of bullshit here.
At 13:55 Novelist Supermum set off to find a Hackney Cab on the high street, just as the South Liverpool Cars taxi arrived.
Bundled 2 children, Grandma, ourselves and all the clobber into the taxi and arrived at 14:05. Asked the driver about arranging the return journey only to be told "The operator shouldn't have told you that, I could be in Manchester or anywhere?". He then offered to give me his private number so I could check if he was in the area when the party finished. I declined and said that I would call his base to arrange the return. Handed him the six quid that they said the journey would cost.
Strongly suspect that he's into doing 'foreigners'. The operators are either aware of this, or don't care.
The hall switch meant that there were a few other late arrivals, so it all turned out OK in the end and the party got underway.
The kids were great, and all got into the swing of the party games with the 2 staff that we'd hired whilst we laid out party food tables, and inflated the baloons with helium (I'd covered up the box containing the canister in case the taxi driver objected to taking it on board).
Once we'd tied 18 or so balloons each to a party gift box we got to watch the party. I had time to shoot quite a bit of video of the activities. Frodo was really enjoying himself, and Samwise did very well, joining in and understanding most of the games.
The games included Grandmas footsteps, Duck and Goose, a tag variation (the 'caught' people have to stop still and pretend to be a toilet, only being released when somebody flushes them), plus the ever-popular parachute games. Cat and mouse - one 'mouse' underneath the parachute, one 'cat' on top and everyone else waves the parachute whilst the cat tries to catch the mouse underneath that is obscured by the waves. Fruit Salad - each child is assigned the name of a fruit. Fruits are called out and if it's your fruit you charge underneath the parachute, and out again. If "Fruit Salad" is called then it's a free for all and everybody goes under the parachute. Finally the washing machine game. Four 'dirty smelly' children sit back to back in the centre of the parachute whilst the others walk around and wrap them up in the parachute. "I'm Smelly" shouted Frodo, volunteering for this one. The parachute is now a washing machine. Everybody else grabs the parachute and runs backwards quickly, pulling the parachute. The four children in the middle are spun around very quickly. Being the birthday boy, Frodo had two goes at this. Samwise also had a go.
The staff said that they were having a good time, and that the children were really good and co-operative. I think that they actually meant this since they let the fun over-run for about 15 minutes, which made up for us being slightly late.
Part way through we stopped for food and drink. For the party we'd bought a Racing Car cake. Everbody sang Happy Birthday and Frodo blew all the candles out. He usually bursts into tears at this point, but seems to be getting over this now.
We finished off by all getting under the parachute and making a 'tent' with Frodo as the tent pole in the middle. A final chorus of "Happy Birthday" and time to go home. Handed out the gift boxes, and slices of cake wrapped in paper napkins.
A few tears from Frodo at the end, because it was all over, but he quickly got over this as he did have a very good time. Everyone else, including the staff, said that they'd thoroughly enjoyed it too. A boy in Frodo's class who has cerebal palsy, and doesn't usually join in much even joined in the parachute games at the end.
We asked the staff at the venue if they had the number of a reliable taxi company for the return journey and they gave us the number of Davy Liver Taxi's. They were excellent. The girl who answered said that the operator wasn't in the room, but suggested possibly sending two taxis. I called again a few minutes later and spoke to the operator who had already sent a single Hackney carriage, which was exactly what we needed.
It turned up about 10 minutes later and we all piled in, with the remains of the stuff we'd bought, plus a few sacks full of presents for Frodo, and a few inflated balloons. We had a fun ride chugging home, with one of the balloons flying out of the taxi window, and the rest filling up the taxi. The taxi driver kindly slowed down, so that we didn't lose the flying balloon. It cost less than a fiver to get back, so I tipped the driver a couple of quid.
Turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable party in the end. Lesson learned - we're not going to use South Liverpool Cars ever again. Top marks to Davy Liver Taxi's who'll be getting our future business.
Frodo will be opening one present a day until Friday, which is the actual date of his Birthday (also the anniversary of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum). Then he can open the rest. He'll get another Birthday Cake on the day - I've found a Transformers Optimus Prime cake, which I bought this morning, that will go with the theme of his main presents from us.
We needed a 5 seater, that could take 3 adults, two children and the the food, balloons and party gift boxes.
I arranged the taxi at about 09:15 on Sunday morning with South Liverpool Cars to pick us up at 13:30 so we could get to the party venue in good time for 14:00. The operator didn't seem too bothered when I confirmed our address and the time back to her. The operator also told me that I should arrange the return journey with the driver.
At 13:35 the taxi hadn't turned up. I called South Liverpool Cars, who took some time to answer. Different operator this time. "Oh you wanted a 'bus' didn't you?", "Errr, there'll be one in 10 minutes".
I called the party venue (the I.M. Marsh Campus of John Moores University) to explain that we could be a little late, and to let the arriving parents and children know this. They told us that due to a double booking they'd had to switch the hall that the party was in at the last minute! Just to the building next door, but enough of a change to add to the confusion. They reckoned that they'd tried to call us about this - but if they hadn't they hadn't left a voicemail or answerphone message.
At 13:50 the taxi still hadn't turned up. I called again. Again a long time to answer. When they did reply I heard them radioing in the background to ask if there was anyone in the area. I was then told that one was on it's way but had gone to a similarly named street in the area - distinct smell of bullshit here.
At 13:55 Novelist Supermum set off to find a Hackney Cab on the high street, just as the South Liverpool Cars taxi arrived.
Bundled 2 children, Grandma, ourselves and all the clobber into the taxi and arrived at 14:05. Asked the driver about arranging the return journey only to be told "The operator shouldn't have told you that, I could be in Manchester or anywhere?". He then offered to give me his private number so I could check if he was in the area when the party finished. I declined and said that I would call his base to arrange the return. Handed him the six quid that they said the journey would cost.
Strongly suspect that he's into doing 'foreigners'. The operators are either aware of this, or don't care.
The hall switch meant that there were a few other late arrivals, so it all turned out OK in the end and the party got underway.
The kids were great, and all got into the swing of the party games with the 2 staff that we'd hired whilst we laid out party food tables, and inflated the baloons with helium (I'd covered up the box containing the canister in case the taxi driver objected to taking it on board).
Once we'd tied 18 or so balloons each to a party gift box we got to watch the party. I had time to shoot quite a bit of video of the activities. Frodo was really enjoying himself, and Samwise did very well, joining in and understanding most of the games.
The games included Grandmas footsteps, Duck and Goose, a tag variation (the 'caught' people have to stop still and pretend to be a toilet, only being released when somebody flushes them), plus the ever-popular parachute games. Cat and mouse - one 'mouse' underneath the parachute, one 'cat' on top and everyone else waves the parachute whilst the cat tries to catch the mouse underneath that is obscured by the waves. Fruit Salad - each child is assigned the name of a fruit. Fruits are called out and if it's your fruit you charge underneath the parachute, and out again. If "Fruit Salad" is called then it's a free for all and everybody goes under the parachute. Finally the washing machine game. Four 'dirty smelly' children sit back to back in the centre of the parachute whilst the others walk around and wrap them up in the parachute. "I'm Smelly" shouted Frodo, volunteering for this one. The parachute is now a washing machine. Everybody else grabs the parachute and runs backwards quickly, pulling the parachute. The four children in the middle are spun around very quickly. Being the birthday boy, Frodo had two goes at this. Samwise also had a go.
The staff said that they were having a good time, and that the children were really good and co-operative. I think that they actually meant this since they let the fun over-run for about 15 minutes, which made up for us being slightly late.
Part way through we stopped for food and drink. For the party we'd bought a Racing Car cake. Everbody sang Happy Birthday and Frodo blew all the candles out. He usually bursts into tears at this point, but seems to be getting over this now.
We finished off by all getting under the parachute and making a 'tent' with Frodo as the tent pole in the middle. A final chorus of "Happy Birthday" and time to go home. Handed out the gift boxes, and slices of cake wrapped in paper napkins.
A few tears from Frodo at the end, because it was all over, but he quickly got over this as he did have a very good time. Everyone else, including the staff, said that they'd thoroughly enjoyed it too. A boy in Frodo's class who has cerebal palsy, and doesn't usually join in much even joined in the parachute games at the end.
We asked the staff at the venue if they had the number of a reliable taxi company for the return journey and they gave us the number of Davy Liver Taxi's. They were excellent. The girl who answered said that the operator wasn't in the room, but suggested possibly sending two taxis. I called again a few minutes later and spoke to the operator who had already sent a single Hackney carriage, which was exactly what we needed.
It turned up about 10 minutes later and we all piled in, with the remains of the stuff we'd bought, plus a few sacks full of presents for Frodo, and a few inflated balloons. We had a fun ride chugging home, with one of the balloons flying out of the taxi window, and the rest filling up the taxi. The taxi driver kindly slowed down, so that we didn't lose the flying balloon. It cost less than a fiver to get back, so I tipped the driver a couple of quid.
Turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable party in the end. Lesson learned - we're not going to use South Liverpool Cars ever again. Top marks to Davy Liver Taxi's who'll be getting our future business.
Frodo will be opening one present a day until Friday, which is the actual date of his Birthday (also the anniversary of the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum). Then he can open the rest. He'll get another Birthday Cake on the day - I've found a Transformers Optimus Prime cake, which I bought this morning, that will go with the theme of his main presents from us.
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Summer Holiday
Saturday - Arrived at the Holiday Cottage in "Ysbyty Ifans"
Sunday - Bright and Sunny today. We drove to Harlech, where we had tea, milk and toasted teacakes in our favourite tea room (soon to be featured in one of Novelist Supermum's stories).
Then down from Harlech to spend the rest of the day on Harlech Beach, which has got to be one of the best beaches in the area.
Great day out.
Monday - Wet morning, but turned bright and sunny in the afternoon.
Went to the Greenwood Forest Adventure Park. An eco-friendly theme park. We all rode the "Green Dragon" roller coaster. To power this first you all walk up a hill and get into a large box car. Everybody's weight takes this car down the hill, and acts as a counter-weight to bring the roller coaster cars up the hill (it also generates electricity for the ride). You then all walk up the hill again and get into the roller coaster cars that are now at the top of the hill. Then off you go at breakneck speed whizzing round the track and down to the bottom.
This was Frodo and Samwise's first roller coaster. Samwise just made the height restriction, and I wasn't sure how he would take it. Luckily they both thought it was great fun, laughing and shrieking all the way to the bottom, and both wanted to go again.
Other attractions were some slides made out of matting that you whizzed down on plastic "tea trays", several rope, chain and log climbs and bridges, some large tubular slides, and "jungle boats" that you had to navigate through the "jungle" yourself by paddling and pulling on overhead ropes.
Great day out.
Tuesday - A rainy day for a drive around Snowdon to the Llanberis Lake Railway
An hour or so's ride on these little chuff chuffs was the higlight of the day. There was a stop at a picnic area, but since the nearby cafe and playground were both shut for repairs it wasn't worth staying.
We ate some of our pic-nic in the little rail carriage. Samwise got into the groove and started dancing to the "clickety clack" sound.
There's a slate museum next to the main station, so we had a quick tour of this since it was free. Then a walk into Llanberis for a look at the start of the mountain railway (have decided to do this on a special trip another year, since it's expensive, and you can't get to the top at present as they're improving the last section - it's a building site at the moment).
Wednesday - A wet start to the day, but turned bright and sunny again as we drove out to the Anglesey Sea Zoo
Had a spot of trouble finding this, due to a very small, almost unnoticeable direction sign that we missed with a lobster on it. We were distracted at the time by the larger sign for the small, but largely named town of llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
The Sea Zoo was OK, but wasn't very big. For twenty notes I would have been disappointed if we hadn't got to see a diver "maintaining" one of the tanks. All the kids sat at the front while he took his aqualung out and pulled faces at them. They were supposed to ask him questions by writing on a board and holding him up. This quickly deteriorated into asking him to do tricks. This included a forward somersault, backward somersault and a cartwheel.
Outside was a bouncy castle and an adventure play area, so we spent a good hour or two here and had our lunch.
We then went in search of the nearest, and found it just outside the Sea View Centre.
Spent the afternoon throwing stones into the sea with Frodo and Samwise.
Great day out.
Thursday - Another wet day, so we visited Gormenghast aka Penhrhyn Castle Not mediaeval this time, but built in the 1800's from the profits of Welsh slate mines and Jamaican sugar plantations.
Fantastic place to wander around. Magnificent neo-Norman architecture - i.e. like an overdecorated film set, combined with interiors ranging from the Victorian period to the 1930's. Bakelite lamp stands. Water closets - flush toilets with hand pump action, a collection of steam engines, early electric lighting and power, enormous kitchens with vast arrays of copper pans and larders where the carcases of a whole herd of cows could hang, an early fridge in the form of "the ice tower" and the most fantastic arrangement of servant summoning bells - a labelled bell ringing in the servants quarters for every room in the castle.
The weather remained wet, so we had tea and cake in the castle tea rooms before wandering around the stables, the stalls of which now form the gift shop.
There was a walled garden which was worth a visit, particularly for the bog garden, which had some huge foliage in it, due to the heavy rains.
A quick go on the adventure playground in the castle woods before it got too wet, then we had our pic-nic in the car.
Friday - Again a wet start, but bright and sunny later.
Visited the town of Conwy. Here there is a fabulous toyshop where we bought an essential addition to the boys toy castle - a tavern. Every castle needs a pub! We also bought a wizard and a queen figure to add to the castle population.
Another shop in Conwy sells mediaeval weapons and armour. Novelist Supermum bought this sword. I have sword envy.
We found a quiet cove beyond the tourist filled sea front (the so-called smallest house in the UK is here), just outside the town wall. Had our lunch here. Frodo and Samwise indulged in their favourite pastime of throwing stones in the water.
We went for a vertigo-inducing walk around the fortified town walls. Great views, but a bit scary in places, taking two small excited boys above the rooftops balancing on top of a mediaeval wall. There was a safety rail - but the gap was a bit worrying.
Great day out.
Saturday - Packed up and headed home.
Great holiday.
---------------
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party is tomorrow (his Birthday is next Friday, but we're having the party in advance as a lot of his school friends will be on holiday next week).
The party has been booked at a local college campus. 2 of the staff provide the kids with party fun and games. We just provide the food, balloons and party gift bags.
I've bought a cylinder of helium from the local cash and carry to inflate the balloons. The party gift bags are little boxes full of gifts and sweets that we got for a couple of quid each.
Bought the food from Asda this afternoon. Drove out of Asda and whilst putting the car into second gear it stalled in mid gear-change. The engine just cut out completely and I couldn't restart it.
Called the AA and a "very very nice man" did his best to fix it on the spot, but had to tow me to a local repair centre, where they'll take a closer look on Monday. Suspected "cam sensor failure" causing an intermittent fault. They started it again immediately at the garage - but they want to keep it and check it out since the computer chip was reporting "no fault" even when it wouldn't start!
The AA man gave me a lift home with all of my shopping.
We'll have to take a taxi to Frodo's party tomorrow.
Sunday - Bright and Sunny today. We drove to Harlech, where we had tea, milk and toasted teacakes in our favourite tea room (soon to be featured in one of Novelist Supermum's stories).
Then down from Harlech to spend the rest of the day on Harlech Beach, which has got to be one of the best beaches in the area.
Great day out.
Monday - Wet morning, but turned bright and sunny in the afternoon.
Went to the Greenwood Forest Adventure Park. An eco-friendly theme park. We all rode the "Green Dragon" roller coaster. To power this first you all walk up a hill and get into a large box car. Everybody's weight takes this car down the hill, and acts as a counter-weight to bring the roller coaster cars up the hill (it also generates electricity for the ride). You then all walk up the hill again and get into the roller coaster cars that are now at the top of the hill. Then off you go at breakneck speed whizzing round the track and down to the bottom.
This was Frodo and Samwise's first roller coaster. Samwise just made the height restriction, and I wasn't sure how he would take it. Luckily they both thought it was great fun, laughing and shrieking all the way to the bottom, and both wanted to go again.
Other attractions were some slides made out of matting that you whizzed down on plastic "tea trays", several rope, chain and log climbs and bridges, some large tubular slides, and "jungle boats" that you had to navigate through the "jungle" yourself by paddling and pulling on overhead ropes.
Great day out.
Tuesday - A rainy day for a drive around Snowdon to the Llanberis Lake Railway
An hour or so's ride on these little chuff chuffs was the higlight of the day. There was a stop at a picnic area, but since the nearby cafe and playground were both shut for repairs it wasn't worth staying.
We ate some of our pic-nic in the little rail carriage. Samwise got into the groove and started dancing to the "clickety clack" sound.
There's a slate museum next to the main station, so we had a quick tour of this since it was free. Then a walk into Llanberis for a look at the start of the mountain railway (have decided to do this on a special trip another year, since it's expensive, and you can't get to the top at present as they're improving the last section - it's a building site at the moment).
Wednesday - A wet start to the day, but turned bright and sunny again as we drove out to the Anglesey Sea Zoo
Had a spot of trouble finding this, due to a very small, almost unnoticeable direction sign that we missed with a lobster on it. We were distracted at the time by the larger sign for the small, but largely named town of llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
The Sea Zoo was OK, but wasn't very big. For twenty notes I would have been disappointed if we hadn't got to see a diver "maintaining" one of the tanks. All the kids sat at the front while he took his aqualung out and pulled faces at them. They were supposed to ask him questions by writing on a board and holding him up. This quickly deteriorated into asking him to do tricks. This included a forward somersault, backward somersault and a cartwheel.
Outside was a bouncy castle and an adventure play area, so we spent a good hour or two here and had our lunch.
We then went in search of the nearest, and found it just outside the Sea View Centre.
Spent the afternoon throwing stones into the sea with Frodo and Samwise.
Great day out.
Thursday - Another wet day, so we visited Gormenghast aka Penhrhyn Castle Not mediaeval this time, but built in the 1800's from the profits of Welsh slate mines and Jamaican sugar plantations.
Fantastic place to wander around. Magnificent neo-Norman architecture - i.e. like an overdecorated film set, combined with interiors ranging from the Victorian period to the 1930's. Bakelite lamp stands. Water closets - flush toilets with hand pump action, a collection of steam engines, early electric lighting and power, enormous kitchens with vast arrays of copper pans and larders where the carcases of a whole herd of cows could hang, an early fridge in the form of "the ice tower" and the most fantastic arrangement of servant summoning bells - a labelled bell ringing in the servants quarters for every room in the castle.
The weather remained wet, so we had tea and cake in the castle tea rooms before wandering around the stables, the stalls of which now form the gift shop.
There was a walled garden which was worth a visit, particularly for the bog garden, which had some huge foliage in it, due to the heavy rains.
A quick go on the adventure playground in the castle woods before it got too wet, then we had our pic-nic in the car.
Friday - Again a wet start, but bright and sunny later.
Visited the town of Conwy. Here there is a fabulous toyshop where we bought an essential addition to the boys toy castle - a tavern. Every castle needs a pub! We also bought a wizard and a queen figure to add to the castle population.
Another shop in Conwy sells mediaeval weapons and armour. Novelist Supermum bought this sword. I have sword envy.
We found a quiet cove beyond the tourist filled sea front (the so-called smallest house in the UK is here), just outside the town wall. Had our lunch here. Frodo and Samwise indulged in their favourite pastime of throwing stones in the water.
We went for a vertigo-inducing walk around the fortified town walls. Great views, but a bit scary in places, taking two small excited boys above the rooftops balancing on top of a mediaeval wall. There was a safety rail - but the gap was a bit worrying.
Great day out.
Saturday - Packed up and headed home.
Great holiday.
---------------
Frodo's 6th Birthday Party is tomorrow (his Birthday is next Friday, but we're having the party in advance as a lot of his school friends will be on holiday next week).
The party has been booked at a local college campus. 2 of the staff provide the kids with party fun and games. We just provide the food, balloons and party gift bags.
I've bought a cylinder of helium from the local cash and carry to inflate the balloons. The party gift bags are little boxes full of gifts and sweets that we got for a couple of quid each.
Bought the food from Asda this afternoon. Drove out of Asda and whilst putting the car into second gear it stalled in mid gear-change. The engine just cut out completely and I couldn't restart it.
Called the AA and a "very very nice man" did his best to fix it on the spot, but had to tow me to a local repair centre, where they'll take a closer look on Monday. Suspected "cam sensor failure" causing an intermittent fault. They started it again immediately at the garage - but they want to keep it and check it out since the computer chip was reporting "no fault" even when it wouldn't start!
The AA man gave me a lift home with all of my shopping.
We'll have to take a taxi to Frodo's party tomorrow.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Tooth fairy
Frodo is about to lose his second tooth. It's been loose for about a week, and this morning it looks like it's almost ready to drop out.
The Tooth Fairy that visits our house tends to deliver small toys, rather than money, in exchange for children's milk teeth (she did this the last time).
I've had a word with her, and instead of £2.99 she's going to leave this:
The Tooth Fairy that visits our house tends to deliver small toys, rather than money, in exchange for children's milk teeth (she did this the last time).
I've had a word with her, and instead of £2.99 she's going to leave this:
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Bizarre Building
I went for a walk at lunchtime. I was passing Moorfields station when I came across an empty office building with a hole cut in it. The section that had been cut out of the front of the building was rotating in the hole.
I'd heard about this before, but hadn't been to see it for myself. It's very surreal. Pity it's going to be demolished and taken down next year.
Here's some info on the building/artwork from the BBC.
I'd heard about this before, but hadn't been to see it for myself. It's very surreal. Pity it's going to be demolished and taken down next year.
Here's some info on the building/artwork from the BBC.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
I'm a Database Administrator, not a Bricklayer
Today I have been mostly cementing reclaimed bricks back into the spaces which were created in my garden wall when I tore down the old garage/shed.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Robots in Disguise
Another first for Frodo yesterday. I took him to the cinema for the first time, to see Transformers.
We're very lucky in that we have a local one screen cinema that is a 2 minute walk around the corner from our house. This meant that I could take Frodo straight there when I got back from work.
We decided that to keep his attention he would need to see something with a lot of action, that was easy to follow, and few slow bits, or mushy scenes in between the action - ideally, if possible, with some spaceships. Transformers seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
The only reservation that I had, was that the rating was a 12A. This means that under 12's can see the film, but must be accompanied by an adult. The description was 'Moderate Violence'. We'd decided against Spiderman 3, which had the same rating, when we saw a trailer, since Venom looked a bit scary. The transformers trailer looked a bit wham, bang, pow, crash, wallop, budda budda budda (that's a machine gun sound for those who don't know), but that should be fine for an almost six year old.
It turned out to be the right decision. I think that I enjoyed the film almost as much as Frodo did. I expected the plot to be really trite, but although it was uncomplicated, it turned out to be really well thought out. Perhaps it also helped that I was watching it with a small, very excited boy, which added to the fun.
The opening scenes really grabbed his attention before anything got blown up. The introduction of the Geek, and the girl he'd be trying to get didn't drag on too long before the inevitable "Dad - the car's a robot". I hadn't told him beforehand what was going to happen :-)
The effects were great - the Autobots and Decepticons were really convincing.
The 12A rating was about right, but I think that we made the right decision. One word was used in a comic moment, that I might not have wanted Frodo to repeat, but he didn't pick up on it. Lots of violence and destruction, but a lot less gore than in the average Dr Who episode. It was demonstrated that people were getting hurt, although it was made very clear that the Autobots were trying to prevent this from happening.
Frodo jumped right out of his seat at one unexpected collision. Rather than being scared - he found this hilarious.
He was leaping up and pointing at the screen during the final scenes, pointing out where the bad guys were, and shouting out this information to the good guys.
There was only about 20 people in the cinema, and I'd deliberately chosen a seat towards the back near the aisle, in case Frodo needed to leave for any reason.
We came out of the dark cinema, blinking in the bright sunlight. I grabbed a free poster on the way out, which is now on Frodo's bedroom wall.
On the way home I asked him which cars on the street were going to turn into robots. He said "No they're not!", so I guess that he understands it's all just pretend.
I think that we've solved the problem of what to get him for his Birthday. Just hope that I can figure out how to transform the toys.
Verdict - This film is not just for the kids, and if you like action films it's well worth seeing.
We're very lucky in that we have a local one screen cinema that is a 2 minute walk around the corner from our house. This meant that I could take Frodo straight there when I got back from work.
We decided that to keep his attention he would need to see something with a lot of action, that was easy to follow, and few slow bits, or mushy scenes in between the action - ideally, if possible, with some spaceships. Transformers seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
The only reservation that I had, was that the rating was a 12A. This means that under 12's can see the film, but must be accompanied by an adult. The description was 'Moderate Violence'. We'd decided against Spiderman 3, which had the same rating, when we saw a trailer, since Venom looked a bit scary. The transformers trailer looked a bit wham, bang, pow, crash, wallop, budda budda budda (that's a machine gun sound for those who don't know), but that should be fine for an almost six year old.
It turned out to be the right decision. I think that I enjoyed the film almost as much as Frodo did. I expected the plot to be really trite, but although it was uncomplicated, it turned out to be really well thought out. Perhaps it also helped that I was watching it with a small, very excited boy, which added to the fun.
The opening scenes really grabbed his attention before anything got blown up. The introduction of the Geek, and the girl he'd be trying to get didn't drag on too long before the inevitable "Dad - the car's a robot". I hadn't told him beforehand what was going to happen :-)
The effects were great - the Autobots and Decepticons were really convincing.
The 12A rating was about right, but I think that we made the right decision. One word was used in a comic moment, that I might not have wanted Frodo to repeat, but he didn't pick up on it. Lots of violence and destruction, but a lot less gore than in the average Dr Who episode. It was demonstrated that people were getting hurt, although it was made very clear that the Autobots were trying to prevent this from happening.
Frodo jumped right out of his seat at one unexpected collision. Rather than being scared - he found this hilarious.
He was leaping up and pointing at the screen during the final scenes, pointing out where the bad guys were, and shouting out this information to the good guys.
There was only about 20 people in the cinema, and I'd deliberately chosen a seat towards the back near the aisle, in case Frodo needed to leave for any reason.
We came out of the dark cinema, blinking in the bright sunlight. I grabbed a free poster on the way out, which is now on Frodo's bedroom wall.
On the way home I asked him which cars on the street were going to turn into robots. He said "No they're not!", so I guess that he understands it's all just pretend.
I think that we've solved the problem of what to get him for his Birthday. Just hope that I can figure out how to transform the toys.
Verdict - This film is not just for the kids, and if you like action films it's well worth seeing.
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Subterranean Urban Exploration - Niagara's Confluence tailrace tunnel
The internet is a great place for getting side-tracked.
In a search for diy materials to refurbish my hi-fi speaker covers (i.e. "steel" "mesh") Google provided me with an exciting, fascinating, dangerous and spectacular tale of Urban Exploration.
Three blokes breaking into a disused hydro-electric power station under cover of darkness at Niagara falls, to explore the Confluence tailrace tunnel that leads out behind the waterfall.
Intrepid Subterranean Urban Explorers, or Thrill Seeking Nutters with no regard to their own, or others, safety? - you decide.
In a search for diy materials to refurbish my hi-fi speaker covers (i.e. "steel" "mesh") Google provided me with an exciting, fascinating, dangerous and spectacular tale of Urban Exploration.
Three blokes breaking into a disused hydro-electric power station under cover of darkness at Niagara falls, to explore the Confluence tailrace tunnel that leads out behind the waterfall.
Intrepid Subterranean Urban Explorers, or Thrill Seeking Nutters with no regard to their own, or others, safety? - you decide.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Dasher
I've been using the Dvorak Keyboard for typing both at work and at home for over 12 years, therefore I'm interested in alternative methods of typing, or entering text.
The latest one that I've come across is called Dasher.
This is the weirdest alternative that I've come across for a long time. I've downloaded the free software and have given it a try or two.
It does appear to work, but looks like it'll take a little bit of practice. I don't think that this will ever be as fast as typing, but does provide an acceptable speed rate for the sci-fi like method of entering information using no hands e.g. eye movements, or breath control.
Could come in handy when we've all evolved into giant couch potatoes, with a couple of huge eyes, and a single button pressing digit :-)
The latest one that I've come across is called Dasher.
This is the weirdest alternative that I've come across for a long time. I've downloaded the free software and have given it a try or two.
It does appear to work, but looks like it'll take a little bit of practice. I don't think that this will ever be as fast as typing, but does provide an acceptable speed rate for the sci-fi like method of entering information using no hands e.g. eye movements, or breath control.
Could come in handy when we've all evolved into giant couch potatoes, with a couple of huge eyes, and a single button pressing digit :-)
Spotty Boy
Frodo decided to play with a felt pen tonight after he'd gone to bed.
We found that he'd decorated his forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, throat hands, chest, stomach, wrists and arms with hundreds of purple spots and strokes.
The overall result was vaguely reminiscent of Maori tattoos.
We think that he took about 15 minutes to do this.
We found him hiding in his bed under a sheet (he knew that he'd done something naughty). After a telling off, and much scrubbing with baby wipes we managed to get the worst of it off him - although his fingers are still a little spotty.
We found that he'd decorated his forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, throat hands, chest, stomach, wrists and arms with hundreds of purple spots and strokes.
The overall result was vaguely reminiscent of Maori tattoos.
We think that he took about 15 minutes to do this.
We found him hiding in his bed under a sheet (he knew that he'd done something naughty). After a telling off, and much scrubbing with baby wipes we managed to get the worst of it off him - although his fingers are still a little spotty.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
New Blogger Template
Time for a change of background.
The Blogger template that I'm using here is "Parchment" by www.blogcrowds.com
The Blogger template that I'm using here is "Parchment" by www.blogcrowds.com
Disaster!
At 14:00 today our main server and data centre caught fire.
The police set an 800 metre exclusion zone around the area.
We had to copy the operating system to disaster stand by servers at a remote site, then retrieve and recover the databases from the latest backups, and bring up the recovered system.
At least that was the scenario for today's disaster recovery test.
This meant that I had the day off work today, until my services were required at 16:00.
Finished early today (due to some hardware that needed fixing before we can proceed) and was back home by 19:00. In a real disaster we'd have to urgently source some replacement hardware, but since we're just measuring timings we're repeating the exercise again, same time tomorrow - I expect that this time it'll take until after midnight.
The police set an 800 metre exclusion zone around the area.
We had to copy the operating system to disaster stand by servers at a remote site, then retrieve and recover the databases from the latest backups, and bring up the recovered system.
At least that was the scenario for today's disaster recovery test.
This meant that I had the day off work today, until my services were required at 16:00.
Finished early today (due to some hardware that needed fixing before we can proceed) and was back home by 19:00. In a real disaster we'd have to urgently source some replacement hardware, but since we're just measuring timings we're repeating the exercise again, same time tomorrow - I expect that this time it'll take until after midnight.
Monday, 23 July 2007
Bring out the Gimp
"But the Gimp's sleeping."
"Well, I guess you're gonna have to go wake him up now, won't you?"
Tonight I have mostly been playing with the GIMP, albeit at a very basic beginners level.
Here's the result - a stickman with a knotty pine complexion, and his shadow.
"Well, I guess you're gonna have to go wake him up now, won't you?"
Tonight I have mostly been playing with the GIMP, albeit at a very basic beginners level.
Here's the result - a stickman with a knotty pine complexion, and his shadow.
Sunday, 22 July 2007
We All Live in a Yellow Submarine
Of course we don't, but we have discovered a new kids themed activity centre called Yellow Sub.
Samwise went there for his last day of Nursery School treat on Thursday. We decided to go again on Sunday morning, and take Frodo along too.
It's in a converted warehouse in Brunswick Dock, so the apparatus is about 20 feet high at the very top. This makes the slides a bit daunting for the smaller kids. Samwise was OK with the long blue slide on Friday, however on Sunday they seem to have polished it a bit, so children were flying down the slide and then off the end - which put him off a bit.
He didn't like the idea of the vertical spiral snake slide - although Frodo had no trouble at all with this on Sunday, and did about 30 circuits of the apparatus to go down this one.
The equipment is all fairly new. I think that they've only been open for a few months, plus it's off the beaten track with nothing else about other than warehouses, so a lot of people haven't discovered it yet.
The smaller children's area is a lot better equipped than most, including a touch screen computer and a small "little tykes" car racing track. Samwise found this a good area to rest in when he'd had enough on the big apparatus. Super vigilant staff wouldn't let Frodo into this area - fair enough I suppose if they're trying to stop the boisterous older kids from knocking the younger ones over.
They serve decent coffee (we had a couple of lattes), cakes and croissants. The breakfast menu is a little pretentious, but not too pricey. I tried the Manx Kippers - which for £2.50 turned out to be what looked like a "boil in the bag" kipper with a quartered slice of buttered toast. It was quite tasty though.
The only downside was that we usually take our own bottles of water for the kids to drink. As we left the chap on the door (who I believe might also be the owner or manager) pointed out to us that for our future reference no food or drink is allowed to be brought in. We could buy bottles of water from their restaurant area.
Bringing your own water isn't a problem with other similar places that we go to. For future reference we'll make sure that any bottles we may have aren't visible when we leave ;-)
Samwise went there for his last day of Nursery School treat on Thursday. We decided to go again on Sunday morning, and take Frodo along too.
It's in a converted warehouse in Brunswick Dock, so the apparatus is about 20 feet high at the very top. This makes the slides a bit daunting for the smaller kids. Samwise was OK with the long blue slide on Friday, however on Sunday they seem to have polished it a bit, so children were flying down the slide and then off the end - which put him off a bit.
He didn't like the idea of the vertical spiral snake slide - although Frodo had no trouble at all with this on Sunday, and did about 30 circuits of the apparatus to go down this one.
The equipment is all fairly new. I think that they've only been open for a few months, plus it's off the beaten track with nothing else about other than warehouses, so a lot of people haven't discovered it yet.
The smaller children's area is a lot better equipped than most, including a touch screen computer and a small "little tykes" car racing track. Samwise found this a good area to rest in when he'd had enough on the big apparatus. Super vigilant staff wouldn't let Frodo into this area - fair enough I suppose if they're trying to stop the boisterous older kids from knocking the younger ones over.
They serve decent coffee (we had a couple of lattes), cakes and croissants. The breakfast menu is a little pretentious, but not too pricey. I tried the Manx Kippers - which for £2.50 turned out to be what looked like a "boil in the bag" kipper with a quartered slice of buttered toast. It was quite tasty though.
The only downside was that we usually take our own bottles of water for the kids to drink. As we left the chap on the door (who I believe might also be the owner or manager) pointed out to us that for our future reference no food or drink is allowed to be brought in. We could buy bottles of water from their restaurant area.
Bringing your own water isn't a problem with other similar places that we go to. For future reference we'll make sure that any bottles we may have aren't visible when we leave ;-)
Saturday, 21 July 2007
A Couple of Days off Sick
Turned out to be a short week at work this week, since on Tuesday afternoon I felt some flu-like symptoms coming on. Felt really queasy as I set off for home. Called the boss to tell him that I wouldn't be in the next day. Drove carefully home. Walked in the door, threw up. Rang one of my colleagues to get him to cover my early shift. Cleaned up and went to bed.
Still a bit rough on Wednesday, and recovering on Thursday, so I didn't get back to work until Friday.
Still feeling pretty lethargic this weekend (what's new). Have begun to tidy the house but not get very far. My illness could have been due to a severe housework allergy reaction since I cleaned the bathroom on Monday night (although it's more likely to be something I caught off the kids - I should inform the military about their ability to regularly create personnel disabling germs.
Still a bit rough on Wednesday, and recovering on Thursday, so I didn't get back to work until Friday.
Still feeling pretty lethargic this weekend (what's new). Have begun to tidy the house but not get very far. My illness could have been due to a severe housework allergy reaction since I cleaned the bathroom on Monday night (although it's more likely to be something I caught off the kids - I should inform the military about their ability to regularly create personnel disabling germs.
Sunday, 15 July 2007
Warning Sign
In work again on a Sunday taking systems down and up again, whilst somebody else patches the operating system.
Watching the oil tankers go past the window, I noticed that one of them (according to AIS Liverpool it's the "Juanita") has what must rank amongst the biggest "No Smoking" signs in the world. You would think that you wouldn't need to be reminded with all of that inflammable stuff on board.
Watching the oil tankers go past the window, I noticed that one of them (according to AIS Liverpool it's the "Juanita") has what must rank amongst the biggest "No Smoking" signs in the world. You would think that you wouldn't need to be reminded with all of that inflammable stuff on board.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Badger Soldiers
Do you believe the Military spokesman? i.e. "We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area."
I reckon that there's been a top secret program to breed Mutant Badger Warriors for the war in Iraq.
I reckon that there's been a top secret program to breed Mutant Badger Warriors for the war in Iraq.
The next Dr Who?
Samwise having a great time being Dr Who at the wedding we went to last weekend.
And here's The Master...
Explaining his evil plan...
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Skyscraper City
This Skyscraper City forum is a great collection of images showing what's proposed and planned with ongoing construction projects in Liverpool.
Reminds me of a scene in The Rutles film where Eric Idle says "Here in Liverpool" with the New York skyline in the background.
Reminds me of a scene in The Rutles film where Eric Idle says "Here in Liverpool" with the New York skyline in the background.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Frodo - New School?
We had a meeting at Frodo's school yesterday to help determine whether or not Frodo will be going to a new school.
It looks like he might be attending a school that has a Language Unit, but that can also address any social and behavioural problems.
We think that at this stage he needs the intensive help that such a school can provide.
As always the schools with specialised resource units are located in the scummiest areas in the city, because that's how they can get the funding - although the kids attending the units can come from anywhere else in the city.
If we live far enough away from the school then the council will provide daily transport for him - probably a taxi.
It's taken us three months to get the finalised report from his last assessment sorted out i.e. so that it's accurate.
We're still left a bit in the air, since the final decision as to whether this is right for him lies with someone who is in charge of special needs admissions.
If the decision is "No" then he'll stay at his current school and have a further assessment at a later date.
Hopefully we'll find out soon.
It looks like he might be attending a school that has a Language Unit, but that can also address any social and behavioural problems.
We think that at this stage he needs the intensive help that such a school can provide.
As always the schools with specialised resource units are located in the scummiest areas in the city, because that's how they can get the funding - although the kids attending the units can come from anywhere else in the city.
If we live far enough away from the school then the council will provide daily transport for him - probably a taxi.
It's taken us three months to get the finalised report from his last assessment sorted out i.e. so that it's accurate.
We're still left a bit in the air, since the final decision as to whether this is right for him lies with someone who is in charge of special needs admissions.
If the decision is "No" then he'll stay at his current school and have a further assessment at a later date.
Hopefully we'll find out soon.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Colonies
It's the anniversary of the Revolution of the 13 Colonies again today. Do we want to claim them back?
Monday, 2 July 2007
In Penny Lane there is an Extremist Terror Cell.
Happily sitting in on Saturday night, watching the Doctor defeat the Master in a titanic struggle of Good versus Evil.
We could hear a few sirens and the sound of a helicopter going overhead outside, but thought nothing of it.
Tuning into the news later on we found that a bigger drama had been unfolding in real life, about half a mile down the road.
We could hear a few sirens and the sound of a helicopter going overhead outside, but thought nothing of it.
Tuning into the news later on we found that a bigger drama had been unfolding in real life, about half a mile down the road.
Friday, 29 June 2007
Joke
This is probably an old one - but I hadn't heard it before:
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude
and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted,
"Excuse me,can you help me ? I promised a friend I would meet him an
hour ago but I don't know where I am."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering
approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41
degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be in Information Technology," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the woman, "how did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically
correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact
is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If
anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're
going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot
air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you
expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in
exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's
my
f**king fault."
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude
and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted,
"Excuse me,can you help me ? I promised a friend I would meet him an
hour ago but I don't know where I am."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering
approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41
degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."
"You must be in Information Technology," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the woman, "how did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically
correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information and the fact
is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If
anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in Management."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're
going. You have risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot
air. You made a promise, which you've no idea how to keep, and you
expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in
exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's
my
f**king fault."
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Farmer Ted's
Frodo's off on a school trip today to Farmer Ted's.
My uncle has a farm - and we stayed there a lot when I was younger. I got caught starting up a combine harvester when I was Frodo's age. It looks like the nanny state has set up this sort of place so that farm tomfoolery can now be carried out in relative safety.
My uncle has a farm - and we stayed there a lot when I was younger. I got caught starting up a combine harvester when I was Frodo's age. It looks like the nanny state has set up this sort of place so that farm tomfoolery can now be carried out in relative safety.
Sunday, 24 June 2007
DarkDwarf Law no 1.
When in work on your own, and you need to go to the toilet for a number two, a manager will ring your mobile for a progress update a few seconds after you've sat down.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
A Bit of Blather whilst waiting for a Backup
In work again for a Saturday night release.
Thought I would blog whilst I'm waiting for some backups to finish.
I'll be in again tomorrow for for a 9 hour stint stopping and starting processes whilst some hardware maintenance is carried out.
Nice little earner, but it means that Novelist Supermum has to mind the hobbits on her own for most of Sunday.
We've got a family wedding to go to in a couple of weeks time - up in Northumberland.
This morning we went shopping, to get some smart new clothes for the boys.
Frodo got a shirt and waistcoat. We couldn't resist buying a Samwise sized pinstripe suit. We're now going to have to get a Sonic Screwdriver to go with it.
Speaking of Frodo - we've booked his Birthday Party for August - he'll be Six on the anniversary of the last eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
This year we've booked a sports hall for a "Fun and Games" party. We'll be inviting about 40 kids from his year at school. Luckily we don't have to organise the party games, since the booking comes with two or three Party staff (the number depends on how many accept the invitation) - who lead the activities.
All we have to do is provide the food and drinks, and dish out the lucky bags and slices of Birthday Cake.
Speaking of Birthday Cake - the diet isn't going too badly. Had a mega-vegetable overload tea last night, with a bit of stewing steak. In fact I probably overdid it with the vegetables (and may have undercooked some of them).
I've probably lost about half a stone - it's a bit difficult to tell since either or bathroom scales don't work very well - or there's variable strength gravitational forces under our bathroom floor.
If anything I'm feeling a little healthier for the detoxification aspect - even though I didn't give up tea and coffee. Hopefully I've also trained myself to be a little less greedy i.e. usually I'd celebrate the end of the week with a Mars Bar or two - but not this time.
Thought I would blog whilst I'm waiting for some backups to finish.
I'll be in again tomorrow for for a 9 hour stint stopping and starting processes whilst some hardware maintenance is carried out.
Nice little earner, but it means that Novelist Supermum has to mind the hobbits on her own for most of Sunday.
We've got a family wedding to go to in a couple of weeks time - up in Northumberland.
This morning we went shopping, to get some smart new clothes for the boys.
Frodo got a shirt and waistcoat. We couldn't resist buying a Samwise sized pinstripe suit. We're now going to have to get a Sonic Screwdriver to go with it.
Speaking of Frodo - we've booked his Birthday Party for August - he'll be Six on the anniversary of the last eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
This year we've booked a sports hall for a "Fun and Games" party. We'll be inviting about 40 kids from his year at school. Luckily we don't have to organise the party games, since the booking comes with two or three Party staff (the number depends on how many accept the invitation) - who lead the activities.
All we have to do is provide the food and drinks, and dish out the lucky bags and slices of Birthday Cake.
Speaking of Birthday Cake - the diet isn't going too badly. Had a mega-vegetable overload tea last night, with a bit of stewing steak. In fact I probably overdid it with the vegetables (and may have undercooked some of them).
I've probably lost about half a stone - it's a bit difficult to tell since either or bathroom scales don't work very well - or there's variable strength gravitational forces under our bathroom floor.
If anything I'm feeling a little healthier for the detoxification aspect - even though I didn't give up tea and coffee. Hopefully I've also trained myself to be a little less greedy i.e. usually I'd celebrate the end of the week with a Mars Bar or two - but not this time.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Lift Shaft Fire
Driving to work this morning around 10:30 (I'm on the late shift) I saw a large cloud of black smoke billowing out of a building that's under construction for the Paradise Project. The building is just a lift shaft at the moment - a few storeys high.
The car in front of me pulled over, the chap driving jumped out, took a camera with a telephoto lens from his boot and started snapping. Either a well prepared opportunist or a reporter methinks.
Despite the thick black smoke there appeared to be at least 10 construction workers, nonchalently standing on the scaffolding/platform around the lift shaft that was ablaze, watching the progress of the fire.
I was slightly delayed, but from the news on the local radio it sounds like I just beat a temporary road closure when the fire brigade turned up.
The car in front of me pulled over, the chap driving jumped out, took a camera with a telephoto lens from his boot and started snapping. Either a well prepared opportunist or a reporter methinks.
Despite the thick black smoke there appeared to be at least 10 construction workers, nonchalently standing on the scaffolding/platform around the lift shaft that was ablaze, watching the progress of the fire.
I was slightly delayed, but from the news on the local radio it sounds like I just beat a temporary road closure when the fire brigade turned up.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
One Banana, Two Banana, Three Banana Four
Discovered that today is either semi-skimmed Milk to drink and 8 bananas, or 6 bananas and some tuna.
Went for the tuna option - never has a tin of tuna tasted so good!
Tomorrow is veg and meat (beef, chicken or fish) and potato.
The next day is veg and meat - no potato.
I think that the last day is brown rice and veg.
Not doing too badly. Definitely shedding a few pounds and coping with the diet regime. I reckon that I should make it to the day before the brown rice.
I'm in work doing "ovies" for 6 hours on Saturday night and 9 hours on Sunday, so I reckon that I'll probably crack on Sunday and get a buttie from Subway - since the Company will be paying for it.
Went for the tuna option - never has a tin of tuna tasted so good!
Tomorrow is veg and meat (beef, chicken or fish) and potato.
The next day is veg and meat - no potato.
I think that the last day is brown rice and veg.
Not doing too badly. Definitely shedding a few pounds and coping with the diet regime. I reckon that I should make it to the day before the brown rice.
I'm in work doing "ovies" for 6 hours on Saturday night and 9 hours on Sunday, so I reckon that I'll probably crack on Sunday and get a buttie from Subway - since the Company will be paying for it.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Going Banana's by Thursday.
In a bid to be a little less lardy I've embarked on a diet.
"I have been a dieter for three days"...
The driving reason is that there's a family wedding coming up in a couple of weeks - and I'd rather not have to buy a new suit. Although I'm not exactly fat, I'm not as thin as I once was - and my weight is creeping up a bit.
The diet (courtesy of Novelist Supermum) is:
Eat as much as you like (or as can bear) of the following.
Monday - Fruit
Tuesday - Vegetables - with potato
Wednesday - Fruit and Vegetables - no potato
Thursday - Banana's and Milk
Friday - Meat Meat Meat!
Saturday - Brown Rice and Meat - no veg (I think) I can't quite remember if this is right, and what your mean't to have on Sunday (Brown Rice and Veg?) - but by then I'll probably have completely lost the plot by then and will have cheated.
Drinks are water and fruit juice.
I've tried this before and by the end of the week I'd lost a fair bit of weight and felt better for it. Having said that there's no way I could manage a second week, particularly when I got to the Brown Rice days.
So the following week I will switch to the 'cornflake' diet.
i.e. every day.
3 meals a day. One a normal, sensible, meal of whatever you like. The other two meals are replaced by a bowl of breakfast cereal.
My resolution is that once I've reached the weight I want to be, and feel thin enough (or once I give in) then I'll try to be bit less greedy in future.
No more multiple trips to the machine that dispenses Mars Bars at work. (No comments about just sending somebody else for me please!)
"I have been a dieter for three days"...
The driving reason is that there's a family wedding coming up in a couple of weeks - and I'd rather not have to buy a new suit. Although I'm not exactly fat, I'm not as thin as I once was - and my weight is creeping up a bit.
The diet (courtesy of Novelist Supermum) is:
Eat as much as you like (or as can bear) of the following.
Monday - Fruit
Tuesday - Vegetables - with potato
Wednesday - Fruit and Vegetables - no potato
Thursday - Banana's and Milk
Friday - Meat Meat Meat!
Saturday - Brown Rice and Meat - no veg (I think) I can't quite remember if this is right, and what your mean't to have on Sunday (Brown Rice and Veg?) - but by then I'll probably have completely lost the plot by then and will have cheated.
Drinks are water and fruit juice.
I've tried this before and by the end of the week I'd lost a fair bit of weight and felt better for it. Having said that there's no way I could manage a second week, particularly when I got to the Brown Rice days.
So the following week I will switch to the 'cornflake' diet.
i.e. every day.
3 meals a day. One a normal, sensible, meal of whatever you like. The other two meals are replaced by a bowl of breakfast cereal.
My resolution is that once I've reached the weight I want to be, and feel thin enough (or once I give in) then I'll try to be bit less greedy in future.
No more multiple trips to the machine that dispenses Mars Bars at work. (No comments about just sending somebody else for me please!)
Monday, 18 June 2007
Canal Boat Flotilla
There's a flotilla of about 30 or so canal boats heading up the Mersey right now.
The Mersey River festival was on this weekend - so they've come out of the Albert Dock and are heading towards the entrance to the Liverpool-Leeds canal.
They're being escorted by some inshore rescue and RNLI boats.
It's quite a sight. Pity I'm not allowed to take pictures from here (The Assassination Bureau has a ban on the use of photographic equipment on the premises).
The Mersey River festival was on this weekend - so they've come out of the Albert Dock and are heading towards the entrance to the Liverpool-Leeds canal.
They're being escorted by some inshore rescue and RNLI boats.
It's quite a sight. Pity I'm not allowed to take pictures from here (The Assassination Bureau has a ban on the use of photographic equipment on the premises).
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Friday, 15 June 2007
Polish Sailing Ship
A Polish Sailing ship Dar Mlodziezy just sailed past the office window.
When I say "sailed", all the sails were rolled up and it was using it's engines to go against the current. Bit of a cheat for what's supposed to be a sailing training ship.
When I say "sailed", all the sails were rolled up and it was using it's engines to go against the current. Bit of a cheat for what's supposed to be a sailing training ship.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
DarkDwarf Blog - 1st Anniversary
I started this blog a year ago today.
Surprised myself by managing to keep on blogging for a whole year. Admittedly the frequency of the posts has dwindled to two or three a week, rather than the enthusiastic daily posting of the early days.
Fairly mundane stuff that will NEVER be as good as this inspired website/blog/business/international social relationship and network enhancing tool by Padge. So why will I carry on blogging?
1) Gives me an opportunity to let off steam and rant at the world.
2) Helps me keep in touch with people. Lets friends and family know what's going on in my life. As well as the few people who regularly read my posts (cha0tic,impworks and Novelist Supermum, where did DrDenzilDexter go?) it's a handy way of composing a reply when I get a "Hi there, long time no hear from you" email - I can point them to a few sections of the blog.
3) It's a break from work.
My first post was about a submarine that I'd spotted going past the office window.
Selected highlights of the year:
The demise of the Goldfish
Frodo reads his first book
Trip to Rome
A week in Wales
Various DIY triumphs and disasters. (Incredibly somebody followed instructions from my blog for their own household wiring!)
Typical Morning
DarkDwarf DBA
To quote Rik Mayall "That's the wacky sort of person I am..."
Ah well, anything for a sad life..
And to all of you lurkers out there (you know who you are) - "POST SOME COMMENTS!".
Let's see if I can keep this up for another year...
Surprised myself by managing to keep on blogging for a whole year. Admittedly the frequency of the posts has dwindled to two or three a week, rather than the enthusiastic daily posting of the early days.
Fairly mundane stuff that will NEVER be as good as this inspired website/blog/business/international social relationship and network enhancing tool by Padge. So why will I carry on blogging?
1) Gives me an opportunity to let off steam and rant at the world.
2) Helps me keep in touch with people. Lets friends and family know what's going on in my life. As well as the few people who regularly read my posts (cha0tic,impworks and Novelist Supermum, where did DrDenzilDexter go?) it's a handy way of composing a reply when I get a "Hi there, long time no hear from you" email - I can point them to a few sections of the blog.
3) It's a break from work.
My first post was about a submarine that I'd spotted going past the office window.
Selected highlights of the year:
The demise of the Goldfish
Frodo reads his first book
Trip to Rome
A week in Wales
Various DIY triumphs and disasters. (Incredibly somebody followed instructions from my blog for their own household wiring!)
Typical Morning
DarkDwarf DBA
To quote Rik Mayall "That's the wacky sort of person I am..."
Ah well, anything for a sad life..
And to all of you lurkers out there (you know who you are) - "POST SOME COMMENTS!".
Let's see if I can keep this up for another year...
Monday, 11 June 2007
Another Place
It was a brilliant sunny day on Saturday, so we took the kids to Crosby Beach for some fun in the sand and sea. Also this gave us the chance to see Antony Gormley's Another Place.
Standing on the beach amongst 100 iron mannequins made it very difficult to tell just how many other people were on the beach with us.
Samwise correctly spotted that the iron men weren't wearing any clothes. Well they do go for a dip in the sea every high tide.
Took a few photo's, including a couple showing how much entertainment can be derived from 1 sculpture and a sun hat.
Standing on the beach amongst 100 iron mannequins made it very difficult to tell just how many other people were on the beach with us.
Samwise correctly spotted that the iron men weren't wearing any clothes. Well they do go for a dip in the sea every high tide.
Took a few photo's, including a couple showing how much entertainment can be derived from 1 sculpture and a sun hat.
Friday, 8 June 2007
Knackered
A week of doing the early shift at work, half a bottle of wine and I can hardly keep my eyes open (yawn)...
"Time for bed" said Zebedee.
"Time for bed" said Zebedee.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Free and Open Source Software for Windows
Here's a little link that I came across to some free and opensource software for Windows
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Mind Mapping
Not much blogging this week.
I've discovered some open source "mind mapping" software - Freemind so I've been playing with this.
At first I wasn't sure that it would be of any use, and probably just an interesting exercise. I've found that I can use it as a structured "To Do" list, annotated with notes and a selection of symbols.
It only took half an hour to figure out how to "drive" the software and I was away.
I've found it useful at work today, since I've built up a pictorial representation of all of the tasks that I've got 'on my plate' at the moment, how they link together and where they're at. The next time that the boss asks me what my workload is I'll just print off a copy (or publish it as HTML).
I've also built up a 'DIY' jobs to do map for home - a somewhat sprawling network of uncompleted tasks!
I reckon that it's useful for keeping notes and track of anything that has a loose structure (or where the structure is not known in advance) and is subject to a lot of change.
I've discovered some open source "mind mapping" software - Freemind so I've been playing with this.
At first I wasn't sure that it would be of any use, and probably just an interesting exercise. I've found that I can use it as a structured "To Do" list, annotated with notes and a selection of symbols.
It only took half an hour to figure out how to "drive" the software and I was away.
I've found it useful at work today, since I've built up a pictorial representation of all of the tasks that I've got 'on my plate' at the moment, how they link together and where they're at. The next time that the boss asks me what my workload is I'll just print off a copy (or publish it as HTML).
I've also built up a 'DIY' jobs to do map for home - a somewhat sprawling network of uncompleted tasks!
I reckon that it's useful for keeping notes and track of anything that has a loose structure (or where the structure is not known in advance) and is subject to a lot of change.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Bank Holiday Weekend
Had a fairly uneventful Bank Holiday weekend.
I was in work on Saturday night, applying datafixes to the system. This was only a four hour job so I was home by 20:30.
Much of the rest of our time was taken up with more Macfoolery:
1) Setting up NeoOffice. This is free open source software based on OpenOffice, but with more regular improvements targeted specifically for the Mac.
I use OpenOffice for Windows and find it perfectly adequate for my needs.
Novelist Supermum is a more demanding user however, and was unhappy with the way it tracked changes, comments and notes. She's ordered a copy of Word for Mac.
2) During trying out the above we discovered that:
There is no DEL key on the Mac. Solution - Use Fn Backspace.
There is no right mouseclick on the Mac (we did know this, obviously as there's only a single mouse button. We didn't know how to obtain the equivalent functionality in an application). Solution - Use Ctrl Mouseclick.
3) Seeking out, downloading and installing the latest printer drivers for our ageing HP psc 750 printer/scanner. Printer is still stuttering and stopping. Need to understand how to access and troubleshoot the printer queues in Mac OS X. Perhaps I should just get down to the Unix shell and use lpstat?
Sister phoned me on Sunday to check that I'd got the Birthday card she sent me earlier in the week and for a general chat. Chatted for half an hour, but was cut short by having to deal with Samwise who had gone to the toilet in his underpants (He's still got L plates when it comes to remembering that he's no longer in nappies - but he's getting there).
Entertained the hobbits with two trips to the Aztec play area.
We bought Spiderman 2 on DVD, and then sought out a copy of Spiderman 1. Looped through both a couple of times - the hobbits were only really interested in the action sequences. Samwise liked "The Green Gobbler Upper" - he refused to say "Goblin" for a while. Frodo's favourite bad guy is Dr Octopus - I got grabbed by pretend robotic arms a few times afterwards.
Typical Bank Holiday weather on Monday. First of all a hailstorm. Later a downpour with a single flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder.
Blogging before bed. Back to work tomorrow. It's half term, so I'm going in early so that I can get back sooner to assist with unruly children.
I was in work on Saturday night, applying datafixes to the system. This was only a four hour job so I was home by 20:30.
Much of the rest of our time was taken up with more Macfoolery:
1) Setting up NeoOffice. This is free open source software based on OpenOffice, but with more regular improvements targeted specifically for the Mac.
I use OpenOffice for Windows and find it perfectly adequate for my needs.
Novelist Supermum is a more demanding user however, and was unhappy with the way it tracked changes, comments and notes. She's ordered a copy of Word for Mac.
2) During trying out the above we discovered that:
There is no DEL key on the Mac. Solution - Use Fn Backspace.
There is no right mouseclick on the Mac (we did know this, obviously as there's only a single mouse button. We didn't know how to obtain the equivalent functionality in an application). Solution - Use Ctrl Mouseclick.
3) Seeking out, downloading and installing the latest printer drivers for our ageing HP psc 750 printer/scanner. Printer is still stuttering and stopping. Need to understand how to access and troubleshoot the printer queues in Mac OS X. Perhaps I should just get down to the Unix shell and use lpstat?
Sister phoned me on Sunday to check that I'd got the Birthday card she sent me earlier in the week and for a general chat. Chatted for half an hour, but was cut short by having to deal with Samwise who had gone to the toilet in his underpants (He's still got L plates when it comes to remembering that he's no longer in nappies - but he's getting there).
Entertained the hobbits with two trips to the Aztec play area.
We bought Spiderman 2 on DVD, and then sought out a copy of Spiderman 1. Looped through both a couple of times - the hobbits were only really interested in the action sequences. Samwise liked "The Green Gobbler Upper" - he refused to say "Goblin" for a while. Frodo's favourite bad guy is Dr Octopus - I got grabbed by pretend robotic arms a few times afterwards.
Typical Bank Holiday weather on Monday. First of all a hailstorm. Later a downpour with a single flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder.
Blogging before bed. Back to work tomorrow. It's half term, so I'm going in early so that I can get back sooner to assist with unruly children.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
Get on your bad motor scooter and ride...
I'm in work for a Saturday evening release. Tonight my view out of the office window is hundreds of bikes and bikers queueing for the Isle of Man ferry. Must be that TT race time of year again.
Friday, 25 May 2007
Apple Mac Airport Extreme Wireless => Inventel Livebox Orange ( Wanadoo ). WEP Key Problem and Solution.
Novelist Supermum has invested her book royalties in alien technology. Therefore I'm rapidly gaining experience as an alien technologist whilst we set the glowing white device up with everything she needs.
Some advice for getting an Apple MacBook fitted with an Airport Extreme wireless card to connect to an Inventel Livebox wireless broadband router (as supplied by Orange, formerly Wanadoo).
Here's the Orange help for this type of connection.
At the point where it says type your WEP key into the 'Password field' - your AirPort password is your WEP key which you'll find on a sticker on the base of your Livebox)
I found that I was getting connection errors.
The solution was to simply place a $ sign at the start of the WEP key in the Password field !!!!
I dredged this arcane advice from a forum on the 'net, but can't for the life of me remember which one to acknowledge this.
The reason behind this is that the livebox is expecting a hexadecimal WEP key (as is printed on the livebox) whereas the Apple Mack Airport software / card is using a decimal key. Putting the $ sign in front of the WEP key in the password field tells it that a hexadecimal key has been entered.
All working fine now.
Some advice for getting an Apple MacBook fitted with an Airport Extreme wireless card to connect to an Inventel Livebox wireless broadband router (as supplied by Orange, formerly Wanadoo).
Here's the Orange help for this type of connection.
At the point where it says type your WEP key into the 'Password field' - your AirPort password is your WEP key which you'll find on a sticker on the base of your Livebox)
I found that I was getting connection errors.
The solution was to simply place a $ sign at the start of the WEP key in the Password field !!!!
I dredged this arcane advice from a forum on the 'net, but can't for the life of me remember which one to acknowledge this.
The reason behind this is that the livebox is expecting a hexadecimal WEP key (as is printed on the livebox) whereas the Apple Mack Airport software / card is using a decimal key. Putting the $ sign in front of the WEP key in the password field tells it that a hexadecimal key has been entered.
All working fine now.
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Asuka II
Currently at anchor in the Mersey, in view of our office window is a Japanese cruise liner - the Asuka II. The picture came from the internet as I don't have anything to take a photo with right now.
The new landing stage is nowhere near finished yet, so a couple of ferries have been requisitioned to ferry the Jap tourists from ship to shore.
The first wave has landed and is charging towards the Beatles Museum with a cry of Banzai!
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Birthday Meal
Off out for a meal with Novelist Supermum tomorrow night to celebrate my Birthday. Grandma Gandalf is baby sitting.
Hopefully we've found a restaurant that doesn't have Sky TV. Hopefully there'll be enough staff on who don't have an interest in the football match that's going on in Athens. Hopefully we'll get some decent service.
Hopefully we've found a restaurant that doesn't have Sky TV. Hopefully there'll be enough staff on who don't have an interest in the football match that's going on in Athens. Hopefully we'll get some decent service.
Yellow Ribbons
We've had a few ITN van's and reporters outside our local library recently, which over the past week or so has had hundreds of yellow ribbons and balloons tied to the railings and trees.
It's becoming a local focal point for the Find Madeleine campaign. Her grandparents and friends of the family live in the area.
I've seen some pictures of the missing girl on the climbing frame in the "Linda McCartney" playground at our local park.
Last night the yellow ribbons had spread to the railings on the main road, and to the lamposts and trees all around. The two lamp posts at the entrance to our street have yellow ribbons on them.
There's some green ribbons and balloons too - I'm not quite sure what the significance of these means. Good old wikipedia tells me that in Canada it's a symbol for missing children so presumably this is true of some other countries too. Hopefully it's got nothing to do with some of the other possibilities that wikipedia provides.
A crowd of about 200 people had gathered when I arrived home at 19:00. I went to see what was going on at about 19:30 - apparently it was a vigil, which meant prayers and people playing acoustic guitars.
I stopped for a few minutes to take a look, then left them to it. One of the community policemen didn't half give me a funny look - perhaps they're keeping an eye out for pervs - hopefully I don't look like one.
Met a neighbour on the way back who'd gone to take a look just like me - although he seemed a bit nervous about going over. I don't think that anybody minded.
Luckily it didn't go on all night (that would have been a difficult complaint to make). I suppose that this gives people who are feeling helpless something to do an some sort of focus.
I've heard a lot of people making judgements about the parents being too tight to get a child minder, and leaving the kids alone whilst they went out. With hindsight it looks like a stupid thing to do - but I've done similar things when staying at a hotel myself, albeit at a family wedding.
I took both boys to see the ribbons this morning on their way to school / nursery this morning. I explained to them what they were about and made sure that Frodo at least could tell me his name, address and phone number in case he ever gets lost. I'll have to get Samwise to practice the same.
I really do hope that they find her, and find her alive before the public interest and sympathy wears off.
It's becoming a local focal point for the Find Madeleine campaign. Her grandparents and friends of the family live in the area.
I've seen some pictures of the missing girl on the climbing frame in the "Linda McCartney" playground at our local park.
Last night the yellow ribbons had spread to the railings on the main road, and to the lamposts and trees all around. The two lamp posts at the entrance to our street have yellow ribbons on them.
There's some green ribbons and balloons too - I'm not quite sure what the significance of these means. Good old wikipedia tells me that in Canada it's a symbol for missing children so presumably this is true of some other countries too. Hopefully it's got nothing to do with some of the other possibilities that wikipedia provides.
A crowd of about 200 people had gathered when I arrived home at 19:00. I went to see what was going on at about 19:30 - apparently it was a vigil, which meant prayers and people playing acoustic guitars.
I stopped for a few minutes to take a look, then left them to it. One of the community policemen didn't half give me a funny look - perhaps they're keeping an eye out for pervs - hopefully I don't look like one.
Met a neighbour on the way back who'd gone to take a look just like me - although he seemed a bit nervous about going over. I don't think that anybody minded.
Luckily it didn't go on all night (that would have been a difficult complaint to make). I suppose that this gives people who are feeling helpless something to do an some sort of focus.
I've heard a lot of people making judgements about the parents being too tight to get a child minder, and leaving the kids alone whilst they went out. With hindsight it looks like a stupid thing to do - but I've done similar things when staying at a hotel myself, albeit at a family wedding.
I took both boys to see the ribbons this morning on their way to school / nursery this morning. I explained to them what they were about and made sure that Frodo at least could tell me his name, address and phone number in case he ever gets lost. I'll have to get Samwise to practice the same.
I really do hope that they find her, and find her alive before the public interest and sympathy wears off.
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Fine Art
A pal of mine who lives in Cornwall and paints pictures for a living has sent me an invitation to a private view of an exhibition in a gallery in Bristol.
Unfortunately it's a bit far away, and on a Thursday night, so I won't be able to make it - however I've now got a nice glossy pamphlet showing the paintings - which is nice.
I've just checked out the Innocent Gallery website and found a few more paintings.
Great to see that his selling price has gone up - looks like he's doing well. I'll have to drop him a line to thank him for the invitation.
Unfortunately it's a bit far away, and on a Thursday night, so I won't be able to make it - however I've now got a nice glossy pamphlet showing the paintings - which is nice.
I've just checked out the Innocent Gallery website and found a few more paintings.
Great to see that his selling price has gone up - looks like he's doing well. I'll have to drop him a line to thank him for the invitation.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Spider Man 3
Food at Tso's (all you can eat Chinese Buffet) followed by Spiderman 3 at the FACT Cinema last night.
Our decision not to take Frodo to see this was right (the rating is 12A) - too violent and scary for a 5 year old - (although nothing I think that the average 8 to 10 year old couldn't handle). So I guess that his first cinema experience is likely to be Shrek 3 when that comes out.
Enjoyed Spiderman 3 on the whole. We weren't too close to the screen, but I found my head darting about trying to follow the rapid action scenes.
There were a lot of shaking camera "steadicam" effects - perhaps to help hide the CGI.
Some critics had complained that there were too many villains. I didn't think so. The only downside was that it took a while for "Venom" to fully appear, which was fairly quickly followed by his demise.
I did think that they could have cut back on the slushy scenes - far too many of them and too long for most people's liking.
Also Mary Jane - is she fickle or what? The super_geeky PP should dump her and go for the skinny foreign girl who lives across the corridor - she's much more his type.
There were a few laughable plot events - the sort of corny coincidences that you'd expect from a comic.
I give it a 7 out of 10
Our decision not to take Frodo to see this was right (the rating is 12A) - too violent and scary for a 5 year old - (although nothing I think that the average 8 to 10 year old couldn't handle). So I guess that his first cinema experience is likely to be Shrek 3 when that comes out.
Enjoyed Spiderman 3 on the whole. We weren't too close to the screen, but I found my head darting about trying to follow the rapid action scenes.
There were a lot of shaking camera "steadicam" effects - perhaps to help hide the CGI.
Some critics had complained that there were too many villains. I didn't think so. The only downside was that it took a while for "Venom" to fully appear, which was fairly quickly followed by his demise.
I did think that they could have cut back on the slushy scenes - far too many of them and too long for most people's liking.
Also Mary Jane - is she fickle or what? The super_geeky PP should dump her and go for the skinny foreign girl who lives across the corridor - she's much more his type.
There were a few laughable plot events - the sort of corny coincidences that you'd expect from a comic.
I give it a 7 out of 10
Thursday, 17 May 2007
White Van Man
Hired a "transit" van today (oops! look at the time - yesterday) and took the wrapped and sealed roof panels that have been stashed in my back garden to the waste disposal facility in Huyton - I had a pre-arranged appointment for this, since the panels are cement-asbestos.
The blokes who were sitting around on the gate were extremely helpful. I think that one of them was trying to prove that he was fitter than a younger man. He said he was 58, and that too heavy was a state of mind. He helped me lift all of the roof panels and rubble sacks into the disposal container.
This took two trips. I finished off by taking a pile of wooden beams and old drainpipes to a more local tip at Otterspool - then a quick dash over to Frodo's school to pick him up.
Frodo was well pleased with his ride in the van. I couldn't help thinking that we were short of the old guy who sits at the window for the traditional "three men in a van" configuration.
(Middle aged chap driving, young lad in the middle, old boy by the window. If they see a hitchhiker they all stick their thumbs up at him and drive past).
The blokes who were sitting around on the gate were extremely helpful. I think that one of them was trying to prove that he was fitter than a younger man. He said he was 58, and that too heavy was a state of mind. He helped me lift all of the roof panels and rubble sacks into the disposal container.
This took two trips. I finished off by taking a pile of wooden beams and old drainpipes to a more local tip at Otterspool - then a quick dash over to Frodo's school to pick him up.
Frodo was well pleased with his ride in the van. I couldn't help thinking that we were short of the old guy who sits at the window for the traditional "three men in a van" configuration.
(Middle aged chap driving, young lad in the middle, old boy by the window. If they see a hitchhiker they all stick their thumbs up at him and drive past).
Saturday, 12 May 2007
And the winner is...
Serbia won it - thanks to the Eastern Block Alliances Voting Consortium.
A dreadful ballad sung by a female Lou Costello lookalike.
Ukraine came second (shame).
UK came second last, Ireland came last - no chance of having to host it again.
Wogan quotes of the night:
1. (On appearance of Russian voting representative) "Hello Mrs Putin".
2. "It's been a wonderful, wonderful evening." "Well not musically, of course".
3. "Is that a traditional Serbian cucumber you've got there?"
4. "Arguably the most memorable music you've ever heard in your life".
A dreadful ballad sung by a female Lou Costello lookalike.
Ukraine came second (shame).
UK came second last, Ireland came last - no chance of having to host it again.
Wogan quotes of the night:
1. (On appearance of Russian voting representative) "Hello Mrs Putin".
2. "It's been a wonderful, wonderful evening." "Well not musically, of course".
3. "Is that a traditional Serbian cucumber you've got there?"
4. "Arguably the most memorable music you've ever heard in your life".
Eurovision Song Contest
It's that time of year again when we traditionally crack open a bottle of wine and sit down for a good laugh in front of Eurovison Song Contest
Yes, we've got to be some of the only people in Europe who actually admit to watching this.
France's Les Fatals Picards were trying (and succeeding) to be funny. They were all wearing pink, the drummer had a pair of angels wings protruding from his back, and the bald guy with the position of "man with no talent"*1 ran in circles around the stage with a fake cat strapped to his neck.
Russian entry - Girls Aloud in school uniform. (I feel the need to quote Zirk, a lecherous egg-shaped alien featured in Axel Pressbutton - "Hubba hubba hubba").
Ukrainian Entry - probably the most camp entry this year - Verka Serduchka looked like Christopher Biggins in a Star Spangled suit - with a massive silver star on his head. This one's probably going to get our vote.
Bulgarian entry - loads of atmospheric wailing and drums. Kind of liked this one, but then I am polishing off the wine.
All of the belly dancers in the Turkish entry are British!
The UK entry is appalling - but then we don't want to win it, and fork out the bill for hosting the event next year, do we?
None of them are as good as last years winners - Finland's Zombie Death Metal band Lordi (first time we've helped vote in a winner).
It's voting time, so we've voted for the Ukraine.
Finland has never hosted the event before, so they've really gone for it. To entertain us whilst they're adding up we have 3 Goth Metal Cellists, a man swallowing a flourescent tube, some cycling trapeze artists, a man spinning inside a metal ring that's not attached to anything and Darth Maul juggling fire sticks.
Now they're announcing the results. This bit's great. Old political alliances and regional disuputes are reflected in the voting year after year.
*1 This is the guy who dances, vaguely provides backing vocals, may occasionally tap a tambourine etc. examples are Andrew Ridgely, Linda McCartney, Bez, that bloke from Frankie goes to Hollywood, the chap in Soft Cell who wasn't Marc Almond...
Yes, we've got to be some of the only people in Europe who actually admit to watching this.
France's Les Fatals Picards were trying (and succeeding) to be funny. They were all wearing pink, the drummer had a pair of angels wings protruding from his back, and the bald guy with the position of "man with no talent"*1 ran in circles around the stage with a fake cat strapped to his neck.
Russian entry - Girls Aloud in school uniform. (I feel the need to quote Zirk, a lecherous egg-shaped alien featured in Axel Pressbutton - "Hubba hubba hubba").
Ukrainian Entry - probably the most camp entry this year - Verka Serduchka looked like Christopher Biggins in a Star Spangled suit - with a massive silver star on his head. This one's probably going to get our vote.
Bulgarian entry - loads of atmospheric wailing and drums. Kind of liked this one, but then I am polishing off the wine.
All of the belly dancers in the Turkish entry are British!
The UK entry is appalling - but then we don't want to win it, and fork out the bill for hosting the event next year, do we?
None of them are as good as last years winners - Finland's Zombie Death Metal band Lordi (first time we've helped vote in a winner).
It's voting time, so we've voted for the Ukraine.
Finland has never hosted the event before, so they've really gone for it. To entertain us whilst they're adding up we have 3 Goth Metal Cellists, a man swallowing a flourescent tube, some cycling trapeze artists, a man spinning inside a metal ring that's not attached to anything and Darth Maul juggling fire sticks.
Now they're announcing the results. This bit's great. Old political alliances and regional disuputes are reflected in the voting year after year.
*1 This is the guy who dances, vaguely provides backing vocals, may occasionally tap a tambourine etc. examples are Andrew Ridgely, Linda McCartney, Bez, that bloke from Frankie goes to Hollywood, the chap in Soft Cell who wasn't Marc Almond...
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
A Walk In The Park
Working late tonight, because I spent this morning going on a nature stroll in the park with Samwise' pre-school (that's a nursery school for us old-fashioned folk).
Despite having a group of about 20 very noisy 2-3 year olds charging around the park we managed to spot several magpies, fed some geese, ducks and pigeons, saw a moor-hen and terrorised a squirrel.
Samwise was looking for ants, peering through a large magnifying glass. I think I'll hold back on showing the burning properties of a magnifying glass for a while. He switched to a pair of binoculars, with which he managed to spot a kite trapped in a tree. Well and truly stuck, no way could anybody get it down.
Headed for the picnic area to discover a gang of green-clad park rangers moving the benches around. We'd all sat down at one bench, and were about to move to another when they carried it away almost from underneath us to a spot further away.
They then came back for the bench that everybody was sitting at - only to be told by several irate parents and nursery-school teachers to go away and move the bench when we'd finished with it.
Cup of coffee and a sneaky Kit-Kat (so the health conscious kiddies couldn't see us scoffing chocolate). Then off to the Linda McCartney playground for swings, slides and roundabouts, before heading home with a tired Samwise.
Weather was just right for us, so quite a pleasant morning before work. Tipping it down now.
Despite having a group of about 20 very noisy 2-3 year olds charging around the park we managed to spot several magpies, fed some geese, ducks and pigeons, saw a moor-hen and terrorised a squirrel.
Samwise was looking for ants, peering through a large magnifying glass. I think I'll hold back on showing the burning properties of a magnifying glass for a while. He switched to a pair of binoculars, with which he managed to spot a kite trapped in a tree. Well and truly stuck, no way could anybody get it down.
Headed for the picnic area to discover a gang of green-clad park rangers moving the benches around. We'd all sat down at one bench, and were about to move to another when they carried it away almost from underneath us to a spot further away.
They then came back for the bench that everybody was sitting at - only to be told by several irate parents and nursery-school teachers to go away and move the bench when we'd finished with it.
Cup of coffee and a sneaky Kit-Kat (so the health conscious kiddies couldn't see us scoffing chocolate). Then off to the Linda McCartney playground for swings, slides and roundabouts, before heading home with a tired Samwise.
Weather was just right for us, so quite a pleasant morning before work. Tipping it down now.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Imaginative Play
Work went OK yesterday and the system is up and running well.
Got back home to find Frodo and Samwise charging around the house brandishing guns fashioned from lego bricks and waving a small battery powered torch/radio. "We're Superhero Explorers" said Samwise.
The game changed to "Monsters on the ceiling" - inspired by Saturday night's Dr Who episode, and then finally "Pirates looking for treasure".
I pointed out to Pirate Samwise that he didn't have a treasure map. He went off to find a Pirate Activity Colouring book, which Pirate Frodo coloured in to make the map.
Pirate Frodo's bed became the pirate ship. I had to board it, sink it and capture Pirate Samwise in order to get them to bed.
Got back home to find Frodo and Samwise charging around the house brandishing guns fashioned from lego bricks and waving a small battery powered torch/radio. "We're Superhero Explorers" said Samwise.
The game changed to "Monsters on the ceiling" - inspired by Saturday night's Dr Who episode, and then finally "Pirates looking for treasure".
I pointed out to Pirate Samwise that he didn't have a treasure map. He went off to find a Pirate Activity Colouring book, which Pirate Frodo coloured in to make the map.
Pirate Frodo's bed became the pirate ship. I had to board it, sink it and capture Pirate Samwise in order to get them to bed.
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Bank Holiday Weekend
Meant to do much - as usual did very little. Spent some quality time with the hobbits. Went shopping. Did sod all in the way of DIY. Started filling out the long and complicated forms for a claim we can make for extra cash for Frodo.
Speaking of extra cash - since Bank Holidays are the time when the system is least used at work so this means that we can take the opportunity to earn some overtime at double the usual pay rate, and take the thing down for an overhaul.
I'm in for a 9 hour stint tomorrow.
No doubt the hobbits will be thrown at me when I get home - "These are your children!", "Bath them and put them to bed!".
Speaking of extra cash - since Bank Holidays are the time when the system is least used at work so this means that we can take the opportunity to earn some overtime at double the usual pay rate, and take the thing down for an overhaul.
I'm in for a 9 hour stint tomorrow.
No doubt the hobbits will be thrown at me when I get home - "These are your children!", "Bath them and put them to bed!".
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Frodo's Latest Assessment
We finally got the report from the Paediatrician for Frodo's latest assessment, which took place last month.
Decision's were made in the meeting which we agreed with, and should help get Frodo into the school that can help his language difficulty most.
Unfortunately the Dickhead Paediatrician chaired the meeting. He hasn't seen Frodo himself for three years, fobbing this off to another doctor when he forgot to arrange an assessment.
Now he muscles in making assumptions, inaccuracies, and trying to suggest drugs that aren't suitable for Frodo's condition. He has put his own spin on the report to suggest that Frodo has the problem that his favourite drug company can address. He refers to reports from two or three years ago, rather than the recent findings. Worst of all he writes a different conclusion to that which was agreed between himself, the Educational Psychologist and Speech and Language Therapy.
The report is full of spelling and grammar mistakes, contradictions, inaccuracies and other holes. It looks like he was probably chased for it, since it was overdue, and has completed it as a rush job.
We blasted a letter off detailing what was wrong with the report earlier in the week, copying the Headmistress of the school that provided Frodo with a one to one teaching asssistant last year. We think that she has set off a few rockets, so it looks like this one is on the way to being sorted out.
Novelist Supermum is ranting about this too.
Decision's were made in the meeting which we agreed with, and should help get Frodo into the school that can help his language difficulty most.
Unfortunately the Dickhead Paediatrician chaired the meeting. He hasn't seen Frodo himself for three years, fobbing this off to another doctor when he forgot to arrange an assessment.
Now he muscles in making assumptions, inaccuracies, and trying to suggest drugs that aren't suitable for Frodo's condition. He has put his own spin on the report to suggest that Frodo has the problem that his favourite drug company can address. He refers to reports from two or three years ago, rather than the recent findings. Worst of all he writes a different conclusion to that which was agreed between himself, the Educational Psychologist and Speech and Language Therapy.
The report is full of spelling and grammar mistakes, contradictions, inaccuracies and other holes. It looks like he was probably chased for it, since it was overdue, and has completed it as a rush job.
We blasted a letter off detailing what was wrong with the report earlier in the week, copying the Headmistress of the school that provided Frodo with a one to one teaching asssistant last year. We think that she has set off a few rockets, so it looks like this one is on the way to being sorted out.
Novelist Supermum is ranting about this too.
Monday, 30 April 2007
Recycling
Late night blogging on the 'puter and I've just remembered that I've got to put out the recycling bin tonight.
We only got this a couple of weeks ago. It takes card, cans, plastic bottles, glass jars and bottles.
It's surprising how much "throwaway" stuff we generate that can be recycled - we easily fill a wheelie bin full every fortnight.
We only got this a couple of weeks ago. It takes card, cans, plastic bottles, glass jars and bottles.
It's surprising how much "throwaway" stuff we generate that can be recycled - we easily fill a wheelie bin full every fortnight.
Friday, 27 April 2007
Fighting off Ninjas in the Workplace
Every week I recieve a couple of "professional" magazines Computing and Computer Weekly
This weeks editions both have an advert for a Microsoft Anti-Virus product, that contains advice for fighting off a Ninja attack in the workplace.
1. Avoid Ninjas in the first place
Ask yourself - why have Ninjas chosen your company? Did you do something to offend a powerful warlord? Answer this question and you'll be ready for next time.
2. Use your phone (to call for help)
Ninjas are tough, and no one will judge if you call for help. Reinforcements from branch offices, even the warehouse crew, can make the difference when Ninjas attack.
3. Use office plants as weapons
Those dusty-looking palms around your office may look harmless, but they can make formidable weapons. Use the fronds as pokers; aim for the Ninja's sensitive spots. Cacti are useful for the Ninja-beseiged enterprise. Throw them, pot and all, like grenades.
4. Use your whiteboard as a shield.
Ninjas love throwing stars, known as shuriken. They are sharp, and pointy, and when thrown they stick in deep and hurt a lot. Grab the nearest whiteboard and use it as a shield. Yes, it'll ruin the whiteboard, but you can explain later.
5. Find a weapon, any weapon
Ninjas are deadly. In an office setting, however, their Ninja skills are at a disadvantage. Use what's at hand to take them by surprise. Hot coffee flung at a Ninja will get his attention. Or simply dump your wastebasket on his head - both disabling and humiliating.
I guess that it's funnier with the pictures (which I don't have the ability to reproduce at the moment).
Of course this is teaching your grandmother-to-suck-eggs for those of you office workers who regularly have to fend-off the Crimson Permanent Assurance :)
Could come in handy. I'm doing my first major system release all on my own tomorrow evening, which means stopping, patching and (hopefully) restarting the system. Naturally I'm feeling a litte nervous about this, but at least I don't need to worry too much about an unexpected Ninja attack!
This weeks editions both have an advert for a Microsoft Anti-Virus product, that contains advice for fighting off a Ninja attack in the workplace.
1. Avoid Ninjas in the first place
Ask yourself - why have Ninjas chosen your company? Did you do something to offend a powerful warlord? Answer this question and you'll be ready for next time.
2. Use your phone (to call for help)
Ninjas are tough, and no one will judge if you call for help. Reinforcements from branch offices, even the warehouse crew, can make the difference when Ninjas attack.
3. Use office plants as weapons
Those dusty-looking palms around your office may look harmless, but they can make formidable weapons. Use the fronds as pokers; aim for the Ninja's sensitive spots. Cacti are useful for the Ninja-beseiged enterprise. Throw them, pot and all, like grenades.
4. Use your whiteboard as a shield.
Ninjas love throwing stars, known as shuriken. They are sharp, and pointy, and when thrown they stick in deep and hurt a lot. Grab the nearest whiteboard and use it as a shield. Yes, it'll ruin the whiteboard, but you can explain later.
5. Find a weapon, any weapon
Ninjas are deadly. In an office setting, however, their Ninja skills are at a disadvantage. Use what's at hand to take them by surprise. Hot coffee flung at a Ninja will get his attention. Or simply dump your wastebasket on his head - both disabling and humiliating.
I guess that it's funnier with the pictures (which I don't have the ability to reproduce at the moment).
Of course this is teaching your grandmother-to-suck-eggs for those of you office workers who regularly have to fend-off the Crimson Permanent Assurance :)
Could come in handy. I'm doing my first major system release all on my own tomorrow evening, which means stopping, patching and (hopefully) restarting the system. Naturally I'm feeling a litte nervous about this, but at least I don't need to worry too much about an unexpected Ninja attack!
Thursday, 26 April 2007
I wonder how much of my life is spent...
Watching counters creep up to a certain value, and little bars increase in size from left to right until they've filled 100% of the available space.
Currently carrying out a data fix validation run, and checking the progress of the records being processed yawn...
Currently carrying out a data fix validation run, and checking the progress of the records being processed yawn...
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Logic of a Three Year Old.
"Don't play with that pen Samwise, you might spill the Ink".
"Ink Daddy?" "That's the same as Monsters Inc, isn't it?"
"Ink Daddy?" "That's the same as Monsters Inc, isn't it?"
Tuesday, 24 April 2007
Annual Appraisal and Pay Rise
It's that appraisal / pay-rise time of year again.
Had the appraisal meeting with my boss first thing this morning, where he went through my contribution to the team, progress against objectives, strength's and weaknesses, communications yada yada yada yada...
On the whole the appraisal was good, with mostly positive feedback. I was only partially listening towards the end.
This was mainly because he was reading from an appraisal form. Written in biro on the back sheet, facing me, was my current salary plus an additional figure.
This of course was the info that I really wanted to know i.e. my pay rise for this year.
As usual the appraisal itself has little to do with how they carve up the cash. I'm convinced they set this during budgeting at the start of the year and stick with it. So much for perfomance related pay and meritocracy!
Got a better rise than most that I know of, but not the greatest increase I've ever had.
Had the appraisal meeting with my boss first thing this morning, where he went through my contribution to the team, progress against objectives, strength's and weaknesses, communications yada yada yada yada...
On the whole the appraisal was good, with mostly positive feedback. I was only partially listening towards the end.
This was mainly because he was reading from an appraisal form. Written in biro on the back sheet, facing me, was my current salary plus an additional figure.
This of course was the info that I really wanted to know i.e. my pay rise for this year.
As usual the appraisal itself has little to do with how they carve up the cash. I'm convinced they set this during budgeting at the start of the year and stick with it. So much for perfomance related pay and meritocracy!
Got a better rise than most that I know of, but not the greatest increase I've ever had.
Monday, 23 April 2007
St George's Day
It was pretty noisy on and around the Mersey earlier today. Between 13:00 and 15:00 all the ships and ferries going passed were sounding their hooters like crazy - plus the nearby churchbells were ringing away.
This was all in aid of St George's Day - at least somebody is celebrating the event. Now why aren't we allowed a day off work for this?
Mind you, looking up St George on Wikipedia shows that he's a bit of a patron Saint ho - being the patron Saint of everywhere-else too.
Apparently Moscow has more statues of him than any other city.
Perhaps we should go back to St Edmund?
This was all in aid of St George's Day - at least somebody is celebrating the event. Now why aren't we allowed a day off work for this?
Mind you, looking up St George on Wikipedia shows that he's a bit of a patron Saint ho - being the patron Saint of everywhere-else too.
Apparently Moscow has more statues of him than any other city.
Perhaps we should go back to St Edmund?
Sunday, 22 April 2007
Let them eat Cake!
Food and Drink with some pals in the Everyman Bistro on Friday.
Couldn't resist following the main course with a slice of Burgundy Chocolate Cake, which meant that I was so full I could barely walk to the taxi afterwards.
Sister came over on Saturday - so manic cleaning and tidying of the house (it only gets cleaned when we have visitors) followed by food, wine and falling asleep on the living room furniture on Saturday night.
Samwise's cousins came over early Sunday morning, so that we could take them all for a post-Birthday treat at the Aztec temple themed play area.
Then a walk in the park, followed by more cake. Birthday cake number 3 for Samwise - who demonstrated the principle of the flip-top head when trying to devour a piece of chocolate cake larger than his face.
Couldn't resist following the main course with a slice of Burgundy Chocolate Cake, which meant that I was so full I could barely walk to the taxi afterwards.
Sister came over on Saturday - so manic cleaning and tidying of the house (it only gets cleaned when we have visitors) followed by food, wine and falling asleep on the living room furniture on Saturday night.
Samwise's cousins came over early Sunday morning, so that we could take them all for a post-Birthday treat at the Aztec temple themed play area.
Then a walk in the park, followed by more cake. Birthday cake number 3 for Samwise - who demonstrated the principle of the flip-top head when trying to devour a piece of chocolate cake larger than his face.
Thursday, 19 April 2007
Tooth Fairy
Frodo lost his first baby tooth yesterday.
He left it under his pillow - in an envelope - and found that the Tooth Fairy had replaced it in the morning for a pound coin and a playmobil footballer figure.
He says that he saw the Tooth Fairy, and that it had wings.
Strange? - I don't remember dressing up in a costume last night.
Perhaps he had a visit from the real Tooth Fairy after I left?
He left it under his pillow - in an envelope - and found that the Tooth Fairy had replaced it in the morning for a pound coin and a playmobil footballer figure.
He says that he saw the Tooth Fairy, and that it had wings.
Strange? - I don't remember dressing up in a costume last night.
Perhaps he had a visit from the real Tooth Fairy after I left?
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Samwise Birthday.
Samwise had a good third Birthday yesterday.
He had a cake and sweets at his nursery school and the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
He then came home for a Birthday feast with us. His Thomas the Tank Engine cake was adorned with "Happy Birthday" in the form of candles, so we almost incinerated the cake before he blew them out.
His main presents were two Playmobil vehicles plus figures, - a
Fire Engine and a Caterpillar Track Digger.
Guess what his favourite present was?
Two pencil erasers from a Dr Who pencil case that came free with a 2 quid Dr Who magazine!
I suppose it's a step up from the cardboard box that the presents came in (which also got a good bit of attention later in the day).
He had a cake and sweets at his nursery school and the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
He then came home for a Birthday feast with us. His Thomas the Tank Engine cake was adorned with "Happy Birthday" in the form of candles, so we almost incinerated the cake before he blew them out.
His main presents were two Playmobil vehicles plus figures, - a
Fire Engine and a Caterpillar Track Digger.
Guess what his favourite present was?
Two pencil erasers from a Dr Who pencil case that came free with a 2 quid Dr Who magazine!
I suppose it's a step up from the cardboard box that the presents came in (which also got a good bit of attention later in the day).
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Growing up Fast
It's Samwise' third Birthday tomorrow.
He's celebrating with cake and sweets at his nursery in the morning, so I'm taking tomorrow afternoon off work to light the candles on his Thomas the Tank Engine cake*, sing Happy Birthday and see him open his presents.
* Had fun buying this. Samwise was with me, sitting in the shopping trolley - so I had to grab the cake when he wasn't looking and slip it into the trolley under cover of a pack of kitchen rolls. Going through the checkout I lifted him out of the trolley, and allowed him to sit and wait on the seats by the store window, whilst a helpful Tesco's checkout lady helped me smuggle the cake past him, hidden in a double layer of carrier bags.
He's celebrating with cake and sweets at his nursery in the morning, so I'm taking tomorrow afternoon off work to light the candles on his Thomas the Tank Engine cake*, sing Happy Birthday and see him open his presents.
* Had fun buying this. Samwise was with me, sitting in the shopping trolley - so I had to grab the cake when he wasn't looking and slip it into the trolley under cover of a pack of kitchen rolls. Going through the checkout I lifted him out of the trolley, and allowed him to sit and wait on the seats by the store window, whilst a helpful Tesco's checkout lady helped me smuggle the cake past him, hidden in a double layer of carrier bags.
Saturday, 14 April 2007
And here's one I prepared earlier...
Frodo has been harping on about wanting some " 'noculars when I'm older" after seeing binoculars in use on several TV programmes.
Having been brought up watching Blue Peter we've made him some by taping two toilet roll tubes together.
He's been carrying them around all day. We went out to B&Q in the car; he spent the journey peering through them out of the car window "spotting things", and wandered around the store holding them to his eyes.
We've just him to bed after the weekly family fix of Dr Who. He's holding couple of bricks of lego - which he says is a flying car from tonight's episode, being caught by a giant crab - and is still clutching the cardboard binoculars.
Having been brought up watching Blue Peter we've made him some by taping two toilet roll tubes together.
He's been carrying them around all day. We went out to B&Q in the car; he spent the journey peering through them out of the car window "spotting things", and wandered around the store holding them to his eyes.
We've just him to bed after the weekly family fix of Dr Who. He's holding couple of bricks of lego - which he says is a flying car from tonight's episode, being caught by a giant crab - and is still clutching the cardboard binoculars.
Thursday, 12 April 2007
Wednesday, 11 April 2007
Car Park Nazi
Swiping my car park pass into the machine this morning I got a "Ticket Blocked" message. Pressed the button to speak to the Car Park attendant who told me that my company hadn't paid the bill, and could I please leave the car park.
Spotted the boss on my way out, who told me to park in a nearby NCP for the day, and claim the fee back on expenses.
It turned out that the fault lay with the jobsworth who had decided to bar us from the car park until the bill was paid. He'd sent the invoice to a different part of our company - somewhere in Blackburn, rather than the office building opposite the car park, thus delaying the processing of the payment. He's been doing this every 3 months - despite repeated requests for him not to do so.
Looks like today he finally snapped.
So did our area head, who also found himself locked out of the car park. He's sending a stern letter or two to the directors of the car park company.
I've just had a text to say that we should be OK tomorrow. Maybe I should go green and get the bus.
Spotted the boss on my way out, who told me to park in a nearby NCP for the day, and claim the fee back on expenses.
It turned out that the fault lay with the jobsworth who had decided to bar us from the car park until the bill was paid. He'd sent the invoice to a different part of our company - somewhere in Blackburn, rather than the office building opposite the car park, thus delaying the processing of the payment. He's been doing this every 3 months - despite repeated requests for him not to do so.
Looks like today he finally snapped.
So did our area head, who also found himself locked out of the car park. He's sending a stern letter or two to the directors of the car park company.
I've just had a text to say that we should be OK tomorrow. Maybe I should go green and get the bus.
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Demolition Man
Spent Easter Sunday/Monday knocking down the walls of the old garage/shed in our back yard in order to turn it into a garden / playspace.
Managed to get the whole thing down armed only with a lump hammer and a bolster chisel. Quite enjoyable smashing out brick after brick.
Of course I got carried away and created a huge mess of brickwork which I then had to clear out of the way and pile up neatly brick by brick at the back of the garden - in order to leave a safe space for the hobbits to play in. "Aaaargh! - Me backs knacking!".
Worst part was the huge, heavy concrete lintel that sat above what was once a set of double garage doors, but had been bricked up. Had a tricky time removing the brick work one row at a time beneath this monolith, without it crashing onto my head. I tried using my 1100W drill at this point, but it barely dented the concrete, so I used it to drill out the cement beneath the lintel instead. It came down with a thump, taking a small upper part of the garden wall with it - but nothing that can't be repaired.
Now all the bricks and rubble need to be removed - and somehow I've got to break up that lintel. Novelist Supermum has suggested an ancient method which involves vinegar. Hannibal did this when crossing the Alps - I reckon he probably heated and rapidly cooled the rocks as well.
Managed to get the whole thing down armed only with a lump hammer and a bolster chisel. Quite enjoyable smashing out brick after brick.
Of course I got carried away and created a huge mess of brickwork which I then had to clear out of the way and pile up neatly brick by brick at the back of the garden - in order to leave a safe space for the hobbits to play in. "Aaaargh! - Me backs knacking!".
Worst part was the huge, heavy concrete lintel that sat above what was once a set of double garage doors, but had been bricked up. Had a tricky time removing the brick work one row at a time beneath this monolith, without it crashing onto my head. I tried using my 1100W drill at this point, but it barely dented the concrete, so I used it to drill out the cement beneath the lintel instead. It came down with a thump, taking a small upper part of the garden wall with it - but nothing that can't be repaired.
Now all the bricks and rubble need to be removed - and somehow I've got to break up that lintel. Novelist Supermum has suggested an ancient method which involves vinegar. Hannibal did this when crossing the Alps - I reckon he probably heated and rapidly cooled the rocks as well.
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