We continued the festive season with a few more gatherings. We had our good friends Chris and Carole and their girls around for sausage, liver, bacon mash and bubble-and-squeak the next day and on the following day Sue and I visited old friends from a previous company we worked with for an annual walk in the park and meal out gathering.
Needless to say we were quite happy for a quieter day after that so we did a bit of shopping, watched the box and then made our way with Jamie into London. He was heading back to Hull, not that Uni’ starts yet, but he had an invite to a New Years bash and the booze is so much cheaper up north. We did manage to fit another meal in, this time Jaime’s favourite of Chinese in China Town.
We came home and collapsed in front of the television.
Next it is the New Years celebrations…
Friday, December 31, 2004
A family gathering…
Jamie returned from Spain on the 27th and we had arranged for many of Sue’s family to come over to our place for another Christmas Dinner. We had a dozen family members squeezed around our table (we did the party borrowing-chairs-from-the-neighbours dash to gather enough seats).
Sue made a superb traditional spread and with the exception of the carrots (ours are a little too deformed) the veggies were all our own (we are still picking plenty of roots and winter greens even now). It was all very jolly and Sue even managed to talk to the only missing sibling, her sister, who called from Australia where she was on holiday.
Exactly what Christmas is all about; family.
Sue made a superb traditional spread and with the exception of the carrots (ours are a little too deformed) the veggies were all our own (we are still picking plenty of roots and winter greens even now). It was all very jolly and Sue even managed to talk to the only missing sibling, her sister, who called from Australia where she was on holiday.
Exactly what Christmas is all about; family.
Merry Christmas…
We often arrange to see Joyce and Terry at Christmas and they certainly know how to overindulge in style. This year Jamie was in Spain visiting his father (He hadn’t seen him since his birthday after moving to University in Hull) – we had seen him for a few hours as he travelled down on his way to catch his plane. Sue and I travelled up to my Aunt and Uncle's on Christmas Eve after I finished work, and we started as we meant to carry on; toasting the festive season with a glass or two of champagne. We had a wonderful evening eating and drinking and managed a few, semi-coherent, words with my family in New Zealand when they rang.
On Christmas day we exchanged presents and later in the morning, after breakfast, we walked along the canal to the Grand Junction Arms where we relaxed with a couple of revivers before walking back. We were accompanied on our way back by a kingfisher that skimmed the surface of the canal from branch to overhanging branch.
Having kept of the sauce, so far, I drove us down to our mutual friends Brian and Julie’s where we were having our traditional dinner with them and their two young daughters. Brian is very creative in the kitchen and enjoys making the most mouth watering meals. This year he had arranged for his butcher to stuff a boned turkey with a ham covered in stuffing.
Many hours of eating and drinking later, we staggered into the freezing winter’s night and weaved and giggled our way home.
Not having the endurance to continue at that pace (and knowing we had much more of the same to come), Sue and I left on Boxing Day to return home where we had ham, egg and chips with Sue’s mum at her place (glory be - a favourite meal of mine).
Ah yes! Loosen the belt… here we go again…
On Christmas day we exchanged presents and later in the morning, after breakfast, we walked along the canal to the Grand Junction Arms where we relaxed with a couple of revivers before walking back. We were accompanied on our way back by a kingfisher that skimmed the surface of the canal from branch to overhanging branch.
Having kept of the sauce, so far, I drove us down to our mutual friends Brian and Julie’s where we were having our traditional dinner with them and their two young daughters. Brian is very creative in the kitchen and enjoys making the most mouth watering meals. This year he had arranged for his butcher to stuff a boned turkey with a ham covered in stuffing.
Many hours of eating and drinking later, we staggered into the freezing winter’s night and weaved and giggled our way home.
Not having the endurance to continue at that pace (and knowing we had much more of the same to come), Sue and I left on Boxing Day to return home where we had ham, egg and chips with Sue’s mum at her place (glory be - a favourite meal of mine).
Ah yes! Loosen the belt… here we go again…
Tin and Aluminium…
Apparently the 10th wedding anniversary is either tin or aluminium and for us it was on the 23rd of December. I was at work that day so we had arranged to spend the evening at a posh hotel is East Sussex.
Sue came with me in the morning and spent the day in Crawley battling with the last minute Christmas shoppers until she could face it no more and took shelter in a coffee shop. I managed to get away from work at three as I had worked late the day before and my boss couldn’t refuse once he knew of our arrangements. So I picked Sue up from town and we drove off into the countryside to the wonderful Alexander House Hotel.
Set in its own private gardens this secluded hotel was once a grand estate with family connections to Bysshe and Shelly. Later additions were made by William Campbell, a Governor of the Bank of England. The place is currently undergoing further extensions to include Spa facilities.
While we were checking we were asked if we were there for the Christmas Party and we told them that we were there for our 10th wedding anniversary. The man at the desk asked if we had requested this particular room specially and when we said we hadn’t (we just asked for a standard room), he pick up another key and escorted through the lovely Georgian hall and up the grand stairs to a door that he opened, and said with a smile “I hope you like this room. If you have a problem with it I am sure we can change it for you…” We looked into the master bedroom with its canopied bed and managed to squeak “Oh! It’s fine, thank you” We had been upgraded to a Luxury Feature Suite which consisted of a fabulous bedroom, a drawing room, a large bathroom with a claw-footed free-standing bath and a dressing room with chaise lounge and his and hers sinks. As we collected our bags from the car our bottle of chilled champagne followed. We had a wonderful few hours relaxing in the luxury and slowly preparing for the evening meal.
When we came down we found the bar full of the Christmas Party guests so we were shown to a sumptuous leather suite in front of a log fire where our drinks were brought to us along with canapés of quails eggs topped with caviar and slivers of duck breast on hand made biscuits (this is the way to live). We listened to the birds singing in the large Victorian birdcage while we chose our meal and wine and then we were escorted through to the dinning room. We were given another little entrée, this time a slice of beef Wellington in gravy, before our food was served. Sue had Ravioli of Lobster and Crab, Celeriac Puree and Armagnac Sauce to start, followed by Roasted Wild Sea Bass and Hand Dived Scallop, Pomme Fondant, Asian Greens and Artichoke Sauce, and finished with Selection of Home County and Continental Cheeses, with Chutney. I had Warm Goats Cheese, Mediterranean Vegetable Fondue and Wild Rocket and Pistachio Pesto to start, followed by medallions of monkfish and finished with raspberry cheesecake. We had our coffees and petit-fours in the library.
The next day I dropped Sue off at the train station so that she could go home as I had to back into work for a few hours. That evening we packed up our pressies and headed of to Joyce and Terry’s for the start of our Christmas.
Sue came with me in the morning and spent the day in Crawley battling with the last minute Christmas shoppers until she could face it no more and took shelter in a coffee shop. I managed to get away from work at three as I had worked late the day before and my boss couldn’t refuse once he knew of our arrangements. So I picked Sue up from town and we drove off into the countryside to the wonderful Alexander House Hotel.
Set in its own private gardens this secluded hotel was once a grand estate with family connections to Bysshe and Shelly. Later additions were made by William Campbell, a Governor of the Bank of England. The place is currently undergoing further extensions to include Spa facilities.
While we were checking we were asked if we were there for the Christmas Party and we told them that we were there for our 10th wedding anniversary. The man at the desk asked if we had requested this particular room specially and when we said we hadn’t (we just asked for a standard room), he pick up another key and escorted through the lovely Georgian hall and up the grand stairs to a door that he opened, and said with a smile “I hope you like this room. If you have a problem with it I am sure we can change it for you…” We looked into the master bedroom with its canopied bed and managed to squeak “Oh! It’s fine, thank you” We had been upgraded to a Luxury Feature Suite which consisted of a fabulous bedroom, a drawing room, a large bathroom with a claw-footed free-standing bath and a dressing room with chaise lounge and his and hers sinks. As we collected our bags from the car our bottle of chilled champagne followed. We had a wonderful few hours relaxing in the luxury and slowly preparing for the evening meal.
When we came down we found the bar full of the Christmas Party guests so we were shown to a sumptuous leather suite in front of a log fire where our drinks were brought to us along with canapés of quails eggs topped with caviar and slivers of duck breast on hand made biscuits (this is the way to live). We listened to the birds singing in the large Victorian birdcage while we chose our meal and wine and then we were escorted through to the dinning room. We were given another little entrée, this time a slice of beef Wellington in gravy, before our food was served. Sue had Ravioli of Lobster and Crab, Celeriac Puree and Armagnac Sauce to start, followed by Roasted Wild Sea Bass and Hand Dived Scallop, Pomme Fondant, Asian Greens and Artichoke Sauce, and finished with Selection of Home County and Continental Cheeses, with Chutney. I had Warm Goats Cheese, Mediterranean Vegetable Fondue and Wild Rocket and Pistachio Pesto to start, followed by medallions of monkfish and finished with raspberry cheesecake. We had our coffees and petit-fours in the library.
The next day I dropped Sue off at the train station so that she could go home as I had to back into work for a few hours. That evening we packed up our pressies and headed of to Joyce and Terry’s for the start of our Christmas.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Middle of winter…
It is the Winter Solstice today, which means it will probably start getting dark not long after lunchtime.
On the other hand it does mean it's downhill towards summer from now on.
On the other hand it does mean it's downhill towards summer from now on.
The best way to see a film…
Last night we went to see the Polar Express at the IMAX theatre at Waterloo.
The overwhelming consensus of our party (Chris, Carole and their three girls and Sue and me) was that this was the best way to see this film.
The Polar Express 3D has been designed just for this type of experience and it feels as if you are in some sort of theme park ride.
The only down side was having to wear uncomfortable 3D glasses (over my normal pair). This made the whole audience look like they were part of some bizarre Timmy Mallet convention.
The movie is supposed to be very good as it is, but if you have a choice go for 3D.
The overwhelming consensus of our party (Chris, Carole and their three girls and Sue and me) was that this was the best way to see this film.
The Polar Express 3D has been designed just for this type of experience and it feels as if you are in some sort of theme park ride.
The only down side was having to wear uncomfortable 3D glasses (over my normal pair). This made the whole audience look like they were part of some bizarre Timmy Mallet convention.
The movie is supposed to be very good as it is, but if you have a choice go for 3D.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
A busy time of year…
It is becoming like a military operation organising our selves at this time of year. We have almost every day planned - visiting family and friends, Christmas shopping, decorating Jamie's room, taking the cat to the vets…
We saw Jamie for a few hours last night and again this morning as he passed by on his way to Spain for Christmas. He has just finished his first lot of exams, which he was positive about (he is still finding Maths a challenge). We are in the process of fixing his room up and have just finished painting (just some touching up to do) and hanging new curtains. We still have the carpet fitters coming in the beginning of next year. Then we can move some more furniture in.
I find shopping a struggle at the best of times and I do not like large crowds, so at Christmas it can become even worse. There is so much 'junk' out there that it is difficult to find anything special in amongst it all.
We saw Jamie for a few hours last night and again this morning as he passed by on his way to Spain for Christmas. He has just finished his first lot of exams, which he was positive about (he is still finding Maths a challenge). We are in the process of fixing his room up and have just finished painting (just some touching up to do) and hanging new curtains. We still have the carpet fitters coming in the beginning of next year. Then we can move some more furniture in.
I find shopping a struggle at the best of times and I do not like large crowds, so at Christmas it can become even worse. There is so much 'junk' out there that it is difficult to find anything special in amongst it all.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Soon be Christmas...
On Friday we visited Dean and Michelle for dinner with Marc and Heather. We had a lovely meal of roast lamb and veggies with gravy and mint sauce, followed with by a choice (both is a choice!) of puddings with brandy butter and custard. It was all washed down by a couple of fine wines and helped along with some sparkling conversation (after a few wines it all seems sparkling). It was late when we left and we only just made the last train out of London (which was full to the gunwales with merry office workers and tired shoppers). Still it was fun.
Saturday and Sunday we spent most of our time redecorating Jamie's old room. A builder friend patched up the walls earlier in the week. Sue painted the woodwork while I went to the allotment for veggies for our Sunday dinner. Due to my natural height advantage (?) I painted the ceiling down to the picture rail.
On Sunday I put up the lining paper while Sue cleaned the rest of the house and put up the Christmas decorations. The walls will be painted during the week and then we can arrange for the carpet to be fitted (probably in the New Year). Later on our neighbours, Deb (of the broken leg), Dave and young Tom all came over for drinks and nibbles. Tom has way too much energy for his own good, but being cute he gets away with almost everything.
We are almost ready for Christmas, having bought most of the pressies, wrapped and posted some, written and posted most of our cards, and have almost filled our calendar with social events.
Saturday and Sunday we spent most of our time redecorating Jamie's old room. A builder friend patched up the walls earlier in the week. Sue painted the woodwork while I went to the allotment for veggies for our Sunday dinner. Due to my natural height advantage (?) I painted the ceiling down to the picture rail.
On Sunday I put up the lining paper while Sue cleaned the rest of the house and put up the Christmas decorations. The walls will be painted during the week and then we can arrange for the carpet to be fitted (probably in the New Year). Later on our neighbours, Deb (of the broken leg), Dave and young Tom all came over for drinks and nibbles. Tom has way too much energy for his own good, but being cute he gets away with almost everything.
We are almost ready for Christmas, having bought most of the pressies, wrapped and posted some, written and posted most of our cards, and have almost filled our calendar with social events.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
More of wot I have read…
Kiwis Might Fly: Around New Zealand On Two Big Wheels, by Polly Evans
This is not a great book, but it is mildly diverting, which was the reason I bought it when I saw it in the airport recently. Something light to read on a subject I know something about. Nothing new in this book for Kiwi's and no great insights for non-Kiwi's either.
'When Polly Evans read a survey claiming that the last bastion of masculinity, the real Kiwi bloke, was about to breathe his last, she was seized by a sense of foreboding. Abandoning the London winter she took off on a motorbike for the windswept beaches and golden plains of New Zealand, hoping to root out some examples of this endangered species for posterity. But her challenges didn’t stop at the men.
Just weeks after passing her bike test, Polly rode from Auckland’s glitzy Viaduct Basin to the vineyards of Hawkes Bay and on to the Southern Alps. She found wild kiwis in the dead of night, kayaked among dolphins at dawn, and spent an evening on a remote hillside with a sheep-shearing gang. As she travelled, Polly reflected on the Maori warriors who carved their enemies’ bones into cutlery, the pioneer family who lived in a tree, and the flamboyant gold miners who lit their pipes with five-pound notes, and wondered how their descendents could have become pathologically obsessed with helpfulness and Coronation Street.
The author of the highly acclaimed It’s Not About the Tapas reaches some unexpected conclusions about the new New Zealand man – and finds that evolution has taken an unlikely twist.'
I know Terry Pratchett is one of those authors that can inspire total fanatic support or hatred, but I just like his books. I like the style of writing, his humour and sensitivities. They are a rollicking good read and the Monstrous Regiment is no exception.
'War has come to Discworld…again.
And, to no one's great surprise, the conflict centres around the small, insufferably arrogant, strictly fundamentalist duchy of Borogravia, which has long prided itself on its ability to beat up on its neighbours. This time, however, it's Borogravia that's getting its long-overdue comeuppance, which has left the country severely drained of young men.
Ever since her brother Paul marched off to battle a year ago, Polly Perks has been running The Duchess, her family's inn -- even though the revered national deity, Nuggan, has decreed that female ownership of a business is an Abomination. To keep The Duchess in the family, Polly must find her missing sibling. So she cuts off her hair, dons masculine garb, and sets out to join him in this man's army.
Polly is afraid that someone will see through her disguise; a fear that proves groundless when the legendary Sergeant Jackrum accepts her without question. Or perhaps the sergeant is too desperate to discriminate -- which would explain why a vampire, a troll, a zombie, a religious fanatic, and two uncommonly close "friends" are also eagerly welcomed into the fighting fold. Soon, Polly finds herself wondering about the myriad peculiarities of her new brothers-in-arms. It would appear that Polly "Ozzer" Perks is not the only grunt with a secret.'
This is not a great book, but it is mildly diverting, which was the reason I bought it when I saw it in the airport recently. Something light to read on a subject I know something about. Nothing new in this book for Kiwi's and no great insights for non-Kiwi's either.
'When Polly Evans read a survey claiming that the last bastion of masculinity, the real Kiwi bloke, was about to breathe his last, she was seized by a sense of foreboding. Abandoning the London winter she took off on a motorbike for the windswept beaches and golden plains of New Zealand, hoping to root out some examples of this endangered species for posterity. But her challenges didn’t stop at the men.
Just weeks after passing her bike test, Polly rode from Auckland’s glitzy Viaduct Basin to the vineyards of Hawkes Bay and on to the Southern Alps. She found wild kiwis in the dead of night, kayaked among dolphins at dawn, and spent an evening on a remote hillside with a sheep-shearing gang. As she travelled, Polly reflected on the Maori warriors who carved their enemies’ bones into cutlery, the pioneer family who lived in a tree, and the flamboyant gold miners who lit their pipes with five-pound notes, and wondered how their descendents could have become pathologically obsessed with helpfulness and Coronation Street.
The author of the highly acclaimed It’s Not About the Tapas reaches some unexpected conclusions about the new New Zealand man – and finds that evolution has taken an unlikely twist.'
Monstrous Regiment, by Terry Pratchett
I know Terry Pratchett is one of those authors that can inspire total fanatic support or hatred, but I just like his books. I like the style of writing, his humour and sensitivities. They are a rollicking good read and the Monstrous Regiment is no exception.
'War has come to Discworld…again.
And, to no one's great surprise, the conflict centres around the small, insufferably arrogant, strictly fundamentalist duchy of Borogravia, which has long prided itself on its ability to beat up on its neighbours. This time, however, it's Borogravia that's getting its long-overdue comeuppance, which has left the country severely drained of young men.
Ever since her brother Paul marched off to battle a year ago, Polly Perks has been running The Duchess, her family's inn -- even though the revered national deity, Nuggan, has decreed that female ownership of a business is an Abomination. To keep The Duchess in the family, Polly must find her missing sibling. So she cuts off her hair, dons masculine garb, and sets out to join him in this man's army.
Polly is afraid that someone will see through her disguise; a fear that proves groundless when the legendary Sergeant Jackrum accepts her without question. Or perhaps the sergeant is too desperate to discriminate -- which would explain why a vampire, a troll, a zombie, a religious fanatic, and two uncommonly close "friends" are also eagerly welcomed into the fighting fold. Soon, Polly finds herself wondering about the myriad peculiarities of her new brothers-in-arms. It would appear that Polly "Ozzer" Perks is not the only grunt with a secret.'
Birthday treats…
On the Sunday we returned into London this time to meet Joyce and Terry at the Victoria & Albert
It was Joyce's birthday, so we had a bit of culture (not too much - you can overdo those sort of things) and then we went and found a nice Italian restaurant near South Kensington where we could indulge our mutual passion for food and wine. We did revisit the museum later for a while to walk off some of the excesses before bidding each other farewell arranging to meet again at Christmas for more overindulgence.
It was Joyce's birthday, so we had a bit of culture (not too much - you can overdo those sort of things) and then we went and found a nice Italian restaurant near South Kensington where we could indulge our mutual passion for food and wine. We did revisit the museum later for a while to walk off some of the excesses before bidding each other farewell arranging to meet again at Christmas for more overindulgence.
Gig guide…
On Monday evening Sue and I went out to a 'gig' in North London. We went to see the Willard Grant Conspiracy play at the Garage in Highbury. The concert was opened by Rachel Goswell who is new to me but definitely has a lovely voice. I bought her CD at the gig, her first solo album since leaving the Mojave 3.
WGC came on later and played some old and new songs from their extensive back catalogue. Unfortunately they had too much amplification (you could feel your chest vibrate with the base). It really didn't suit their style of music. The venue also was too smoky, noisy and uncomfortable for us so this along with Sue's jet lag made us decide to leave before the end. We are just getting too old for going out on a 'school night'...
On Saturday we went out to a very different concert, this time at the Barbican. Before hand we went to Warterloo and the IMAX theatre to buy tickets for the new 3D film Polar Express. We are going to go with Chris, Carol and their three girls. It is supposed to be absolutely magical, even better in 3D.
After buying the tickets we wandered along the south bank of the Thames past the Millennium Wheel and to the Marriott for a glass of wine whilst sitting and watching Big Ben. Everything about London in winter at night is bright and sparkly and very picturesque.
Before the concert we went looking for a different place to eat, and we found it in a tiny vegetarian-Mediterranean restaurant towards Old Street. I think I am surprising myself, as it wasn't bad.
We went to see one of our favourite bands, Lambchop, play accompaniment to a silent movie, Sunrise - A Song of two Humans. The band came on and sat facing the screen in front of the audience. They had an eight-piece band, which is a small part of the overall loose collective that they can draw upon. The film was absolutely wonderful, both modern and archaic at the same time. Stunningly filmed in a stylish and uncomplicated way that shows how the skill of the director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau overcame the limitations of the technology in 1927.
The music of Lambchop initially seemed out of place with and old film, but soon you realised that it actually complemented the way the film was not about a particular place or time, but about the people involved. Much of the music written for this film became the basis for their double album AWCMONNOYOUCMON.
This was more our kind of scene...
WGC came on later and played some old and new songs from their extensive back catalogue. Unfortunately they had too much amplification (you could feel your chest vibrate with the base). It really didn't suit their style of music. The venue also was too smoky, noisy and uncomfortable for us so this along with Sue's jet lag made us decide to leave before the end. We are just getting too old for going out on a 'school night'...
On Saturday we went out to a very different concert, this time at the Barbican. Before hand we went to Warterloo and the IMAX theatre to buy tickets for the new 3D film Polar Express. We are going to go with Chris, Carol and their three girls. It is supposed to be absolutely magical, even better in 3D.
After buying the tickets we wandered along the south bank of the Thames past the Millennium Wheel and to the Marriott for a glass of wine whilst sitting and watching Big Ben. Everything about London in winter at night is bright and sparkly and very picturesque.
Before the concert we went looking for a different place to eat, and we found it in a tiny vegetarian-Mediterranean restaurant towards Old Street. I think I am surprising myself, as it wasn't bad.
We went to see one of our favourite bands, Lambchop, play accompaniment to a silent movie, Sunrise - A Song of two Humans. The band came on and sat facing the screen in front of the audience. They had an eight-piece band, which is a small part of the overall loose collective that they can draw upon. The film was absolutely wonderful, both modern and archaic at the same time. Stunningly filmed in a stylish and uncomplicated way that shows how the skill of the director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau overcame the limitations of the technology in 1927.
The music of Lambchop initially seemed out of place with and old film, but soon you realised that it actually complemented the way the film was not about a particular place or time, but about the people involved. Much of the music written for this film became the basis for their double album AWCMONNOYOUCMON.
This was more our kind of scene...
A short break in New York…
Someone ought to have warned the Americans. Sue and five other girls went to New York for a Lilo's hen weekend. Sue shouted her sister Deb as a birthday present, and along with our godson's mum (another) Deb and a couple of Lilo's nursing friends they all headed off on Thursday.
Sleep was the last thing on their minds as they flew across the Atlantic and into JFK as they took advantage of the liquid refreshments. Sue did take on the role of group 'mum' to try and mitigate some of the possible excesses that may have ensued. When they did get to their hotel they found that the Quality Hotel was anything but. The offensive smell and damp and mouldy patches were totally unacceptable, so Sue rounded the girls up and got them re-housed in the Edison Hotel (a wonderful art-deco hotel right on Times Square).
The girls had a good time shopping as the current exchange rate is greatly in our favour and they enjoyed the nearby Christmas Market at Bryant Park. They enjoyed eating at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station and to a posh place called 8½ which was located between 6th & 7th Ave and had the number 9 outside (recommended by a passing local), the food was delightful. A few drinks were had in the Piano Bar at the Hotel (they were the last ones to leave the hotel bar at four in the morning).
The Staten Island ferry is highly recommended as a free alternative way to see the views from the harbour.
The queues for the Empire State were too long on the Saturday, so they decided to go ice skating under the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center
After an hour in the line they managed to get on the ice hour 10 or 15 minutes before Sue's friend Deb fell badly and broke her leg. She was very brave and didn't complain as they waited for the paramedics to arrive. A short journey to the hospital and long wait later Sue told the other girls to go back to the hotel so that they would be fit enough to do some more sightseeing on Sunday. It took a long time for Deb to be fixed up and sent back to the hotel where Sue stayed with her.
While the other girls went up the Empire State on Sunday Sue stayed and acted as nurse getting things ready for their flight home. The airline upgraded both Deb and Sue to the flight beds which they both made the most of catching up on some their lost sleep.
They arrived back in the UK on the Monday morning.
Sleep was the last thing on their minds as they flew across the Atlantic and into JFK as they took advantage of the liquid refreshments. Sue did take on the role of group 'mum' to try and mitigate some of the possible excesses that may have ensued. When they did get to their hotel they found that the Quality Hotel was anything but. The offensive smell and damp and mouldy patches were totally unacceptable, so Sue rounded the girls up and got them re-housed in the Edison Hotel (a wonderful art-deco hotel right on Times Square).
The girls had a good time shopping as the current exchange rate is greatly in our favour and they enjoyed the nearby Christmas Market at Bryant Park. They enjoyed eating at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station and to a posh place called 8½ which was located between 6th & 7th Ave and had the number 9 outside (recommended by a passing local), the food was delightful. A few drinks were had in the Piano Bar at the Hotel (they were the last ones to leave the hotel bar at four in the morning).
The Staten Island ferry is highly recommended as a free alternative way to see the views from the harbour.
The queues for the Empire State were too long on the Saturday, so they decided to go ice skating under the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center
After an hour in the line they managed to get on the ice hour 10 or 15 minutes before Sue's friend Deb fell badly and broke her leg. She was very brave and didn't complain as they waited for the paramedics to arrive. A short journey to the hospital and long wait later Sue told the other girls to go back to the hotel so that they would be fit enough to do some more sightseeing on Sunday. It took a long time for Deb to be fixed up and sent back to the hotel where Sue stayed with her.
While the other girls went up the Empire State on Sunday Sue stayed and acted as nurse getting things ready for their flight home. The airline upgraded both Deb and Sue to the flight beds which they both made the most of catching up on some their lost sleep.
They arrived back in the UK on the Monday morning.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Waiting on…
I didn’t think that I would have to working as a waiter this late in my career, but then again it was all for a good cause.
Good friends of ours were having a combined birthday party for two of their three young girls (Mum Carole, eldest and middle daughters Paige and Sophie all have their birthdays within a few days of each other). This year one of the girls presents was a trip in a limousine and a fully catered (Carole and Sue in the kitchen, Chris and me front of house) meal for friends.
Nine pre-teen girls were chaperoned by Chris in a stretch limo tour of the local (not very well chaperoned as they were pulled over by the police after a couple of girls leaned out of the windows (all adding to the excitement of the trip).
The girls were all dressed to the nines as were Chris and I in our bow ties and waiter outfits. They were treated like ladies with a (non-alcoholic) cocktail reception, before being announced into the dinning room for a full three course dinner (in French – mostly). They all played along wonderfully and had an enjoyable meal.
When dinner was over the fun continued with roulette, a playstation dance-mat game and karaoke in the back room. I made a discreet exit at this stage and went into the front room to watch TV.
Good friends of ours were having a combined birthday party for two of their three young girls (Mum Carole, eldest and middle daughters Paige and Sophie all have their birthdays within a few days of each other). This year one of the girls presents was a trip in a limousine and a fully catered (Carole and Sue in the kitchen, Chris and me front of house) meal for friends.
Nine pre-teen girls were chaperoned by Chris in a stretch limo tour of the local (not very well chaperoned as they were pulled over by the police after a couple of girls leaned out of the windows (all adding to the excitement of the trip).
The girls were all dressed to the nines as were Chris and I in our bow ties and waiter outfits. They were treated like ladies with a (non-alcoholic) cocktail reception, before being announced into the dinning room for a full three course dinner (in French – mostly). They all played along wonderfully and had an enjoyable meal.
When dinner was over the fun continued with roulette, a playstation dance-mat game and karaoke in the back room. I made a discreet exit at this stage and went into the front room to watch TV.
Out on a school night…
We were out at another musical event this week.
On Tuesday we went to see Ray Lamontagne play at Bush Hall. The venue is small and intimate, just how we like them (I get a bit claustrophobic in a large venue, and I think you miss something in the performance). It has a faded grandeur and has plenty of character. Luckily we were there early as only the first few managed to get a seat at the tables. The rest of the audience either sat on the floor at the front or stood near the bar at the rear.
The opening at was Rachael Yamagata and her all girl band. The difference amplification can make to acoustic instruments is amazing, they totally rocked the place. Her very passionate lyrics, mostly about relationship troubles, were very moving.
Ray Lamontagne is another unlikely star; bearded and quietly spoken it is hard to believe that he can produce such heartrending and powerful songs. He was occasionally accompanied by the best double bassist ever. They totally had the place rocking to there bluesy, country rock.
It was great fun apart from the necessary hours of public travelling to get there and back. Oh and it was so hard to get up in the morning.
On Tuesday we went to see Ray Lamontagne play at Bush Hall. The venue is small and intimate, just how we like them (I get a bit claustrophobic in a large venue, and I think you miss something in the performance). It has a faded grandeur and has plenty of character. Luckily we were there early as only the first few managed to get a seat at the tables. The rest of the audience either sat on the floor at the front or stood near the bar at the rear.
The opening at was Rachael Yamagata and her all girl band. The difference amplification can make to acoustic instruments is amazing, they totally rocked the place. Her very passionate lyrics, mostly about relationship troubles, were very moving.
Ray Lamontagne is another unlikely star; bearded and quietly spoken it is hard to believe that he can produce such heartrending and powerful songs. He was occasionally accompanied by the best double bassist ever. They totally had the place rocking to there bluesy, country rock.
It was great fun apart from the necessary hours of public travelling to get there and back. Oh and it was so hard to get up in the morning.
Monday, November 15, 2004
The silly season starts…
We have been out and about again and it sometimes feels like we are getting too old for it.
We went out to a concert recently at a fantastic venue. Although the concert was through the Barbican it was actually held at the LSO’s St Lukes
Before the ‘gig’ we stopped in at the Museum of London. Often overlooked this smaller museum, like its name suggests, is London-centric and has an amazing collection of artefacts all held in a lovely space, small enough to wander around in a few hours.
We then had a bite to eat at the Barbican's classy little Bistro before heading off to the venue.
We went to see a couple of artists that feature in my new collection; Iron & Wine (Sam Beam on guitar and lead vocals, his sister on tambourine and backing vocals, and his friend Patrick on banjo and guitar). Supporting them was Micha P Hinson singing and playing the guitar with a friend on the accordion.
The venue is great, open and airy but still intimate with contrasting architecture of the old church and modern seating arrangement. Both of the acts were fantastic, pared down to their basic elements they nevertheless managed to convey so much passion that comes from their mutual strength of good writing.
Also this week we caught up with quite a few of the Kiwi contingent as Gary and Mary and the kids breezed through town. We had dinner and a chat on Monday night and got the lowdown on Mary’s exciting kids clothing venture with the re-branding of her new shop Mesamis. Later in the week we met them again, this time in town with Dean and Michelle, Derek and Kate, and Marc and Heather. It was Heather’s birthday and so we were not short of an excuse to have a drink or two.
Sue, unfortunately, came down with a cold which has worn her out. So while she prepared a warming soup I did a little bit of work on the allotment to get it ready for the frosts to come. We harvested our bumper crop of chillies that, now we have brought into the warmth of the kitchen, are all turning a fiery red.
We went out to a concert recently at a fantastic venue. Although the concert was through the Barbican it was actually held at the LSO’s St Lukes
Before the ‘gig’ we stopped in at the Museum of London. Often overlooked this smaller museum, like its name suggests, is London-centric and has an amazing collection of artefacts all held in a lovely space, small enough to wander around in a few hours.
We then had a bite to eat at the Barbican's classy little Bistro before heading off to the venue.
We went to see a couple of artists that feature in my new collection; Iron & Wine (Sam Beam on guitar and lead vocals, his sister on tambourine and backing vocals, and his friend Patrick on banjo and guitar). Supporting them was Micha P Hinson singing and playing the guitar with a friend on the accordion.
The venue is great, open and airy but still intimate with contrasting architecture of the old church and modern seating arrangement. Both of the acts were fantastic, pared down to their basic elements they nevertheless managed to convey so much passion that comes from their mutual strength of good writing.
Also this week we caught up with quite a few of the Kiwi contingent as Gary and Mary and the kids breezed through town. We had dinner and a chat on Monday night and got the lowdown on Mary’s exciting kids clothing venture with the re-branding of her new shop Mesamis. Later in the week we met them again, this time in town with Dean and Michelle, Derek and Kate, and Marc and Heather. It was Heather’s birthday and so we were not short of an excuse to have a drink or two.
Sue, unfortunately, came down with a cold which has worn her out. So while she prepared a warming soup I did a little bit of work on the allotment to get it ready for the frosts to come. We harvested our bumper crop of chillies that, now we have brought into the warmth of the kitchen, are all turning a fiery red.
More of wot I have read…
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, by Roddy Doyle
I had finished this book some time ago now, but I have been unable to write about it. It is a very difficult book for several reasons. The cultural references and language are hard to follow as Roddy Doyle writes in a particular late 60’s Irish vernacular. But, for me, the most difficult thing was that I found the main characters very troubling, almost alien. They are not necessarily evil, but they do exhibit the worst elements of children; bullies and cowards. If you like a challenging read go ahead, but I caution you there are parts of this book that are very haunting and desperately upsetting.
‘It is 1968. Patrick Clarke is ten. He loves George Best, Geronimo and the smell of his hot water bottle. He hates zoos, kissing and the boys from the Corporation houses. He can’t stand his little brother. He wants to be a missionary like Father Damien. He coerces the McCarthy twins and Willy Hancock into playing lepers. He never picks the scabs off his knees before they’re ready.
Kevin is his best friend. Their names are all over Barrytown, written with sticks in wet cement. They play football, knick-knack, jumping to the bottom of the sea. Shoplifting. Robbing ‘Football Monthly’ means four million years purgatory. But a good confession before you died and you’d go straight to heaven.
He wants to know why no one jumped in for him when Charles Leavy had been going to kill him. He wants to stop his da arguing with his ma. He’s confused: he sees everything but understands less and less…’
I had finished this book some time ago now, but I have been unable to write about it. It is a very difficult book for several reasons. The cultural references and language are hard to follow as Roddy Doyle writes in a particular late 60’s Irish vernacular. But, for me, the most difficult thing was that I found the main characters very troubling, almost alien. They are not necessarily evil, but they do exhibit the worst elements of children; bullies and cowards. If you like a challenging read go ahead, but I caution you there are parts of this book that are very haunting and desperately upsetting.
‘It is 1968. Patrick Clarke is ten. He loves George Best, Geronimo and the smell of his hot water bottle. He hates zoos, kissing and the boys from the Corporation houses. He can’t stand his little brother. He wants to be a missionary like Father Damien. He coerces the McCarthy twins and Willy Hancock into playing lepers. He never picks the scabs off his knees before they’re ready.
Kevin is his best friend. Their names are all over Barrytown, written with sticks in wet cement. They play football, knick-knack, jumping to the bottom of the sea. Shoplifting. Robbing ‘Football Monthly’ means four million years purgatory. But a good confession before you died and you’d go straight to heaven.
He wants to know why no one jumped in for him when Charles Leavy had been going to kill him. He wants to stop his da arguing with his ma. He’s confused: he sees everything but understands less and less…’
Sunday, November 07, 2004
New Music. From the sublime to the ridiculous…
I have been spending some money (umm… well… quite a lot actually), on new music. Again it is an eclectic mix, not to everybody’s taste, but I don’t think there is a dud amongst them.
New-Folk
Kings of Convenience – riot on an empty street,
This band is my new favourite. They are so laid back and chilled; it is hard not to listen to them without nodding off. The track ‘I’d rather dance with you’ is as fast paced as it gets – and even that won’t over stimulate. This album has beautifully crafted songs, simple music, and heartrending harmonies. It is absolutely sublime.
Willard Grant Conspiracy – regard the end,
With a slightly more ‘country’ feel this band are high up my scale of great music. Slightly rough around the edges but still beautiful.
Micah P. Hinson – and the gospel of progress,
New on the scene with his debut album it is a great offering that draws on his troubled past. Worth keeping an eye on.
Ray Lamontagne – trouble,
Another artist I hadn’t heard of before. I will be watching out for more from him too. Love the title track.
Country-ish
Jim White – drill a hole in the substrate and tell me what you see,
More ‘country’ than the others above. His songs initially appear to be a little less ‘serious’, but the message is still there, even if it is disguised in tracks like ‘if Jesus drove a motor home’.
Mex-Tex
Calexico – black heart,
Having fun in a foot-stomping sort of way. More of an EP than a full blown album this is a taster of the style and energy that is Calexico.
Folk-Indie
Elliot Smith – from a basement on the hill,
The posthumous release from Elliott Smith is a grower rather than the instant delight that was his XO album. A troubled artist that has inspired many others.
Earlimart – treble & tremble,
Definitely one artist inspired by Elliott Smith, so much so that this is basically a tribute album to the man.
Smog – knock knock,
Great stuff. I absolutely love the track ‘cold blooded old times’.
Rilo Kiley – more adventurous,
Beautiful and charming with a sense of humour and certain amount of edge. Jenny Lewis’s voice is sparky and haunting.
The Postal Service – give up,
Another great album. The band gets its name from the way the album was created. The members of the band would send partial completed tracks to each other.
Wilco – a ghost is born,
A big name in this genre and deservedly so. More mainstream than the others but still very much with thier own sound.
Electronica
Flunk – for sleepyheads only,
A contrast to the more paired down music of the new folk scene the electronica groups are full of rich and heavily processed sounds. Still on the mellow side but ever so slightly dancey.
Her Space Holiday – the young machines,
New to me, but that’s what I look for in my music. Good stuff here, well worth a try.
Neotropic – white rabbits,
Not so heavily processed. Somewhere between Indie and Electronica. Sweet sounding.
Sigur Ros – ( ),
Definitely towards the weirder end of the scale. This album has no title, track listing, bio notes, or anything that could be construed as information. Still I guess it’s all about the music, and that at least is complete and interesting.
Mainstream
The Zutons – who killed…,
Slightly ‘comic strip’ at first glance, but in deeper investigation it is full of great rousing pop tunes. Great party music.
Scissor Sisters,
Again, don’t be fooled be appearances. They may look like the modern day Village People, but they sure know how to write a good pop song.
Groove Armada – the best of,
Nothing new here, but if want the best of this band then here it is. Well polished and serene.
Blur – the best of,
All of you favourite tracks from the best Brit-Pop band of them all.
Paul Weller – studio 150,
The Godfather of soul interprets some old standards. An interesting selection of tracks done the way only Paul Weller can.
And now for something completely different…
William Shatner – has been,
Oh yes! You better believe it. If you haven’t heard this you are in for a treat. Mostly his own material (with the obvious exception of Pulp's – Common People) and with the help of big names like Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Ben Folds, Lemon Jelly and more this album is a revelation. Not to be taken seriously it can surprise you more than you would expect. The raging rant that is ‘I can’t get behind that’ is fab. A cult classic.
New-Folk
Kings of Convenience – riot on an empty street,
This band is my new favourite. They are so laid back and chilled; it is hard not to listen to them without nodding off. The track ‘I’d rather dance with you’ is as fast paced as it gets – and even that won’t over stimulate. This album has beautifully crafted songs, simple music, and heartrending harmonies. It is absolutely sublime.
Willard Grant Conspiracy – regard the end,
With a slightly more ‘country’ feel this band are high up my scale of great music. Slightly rough around the edges but still beautiful.
Micah P. Hinson – and the gospel of progress,
New on the scene with his debut album it is a great offering that draws on his troubled past. Worth keeping an eye on.
Ray Lamontagne – trouble,
Another artist I hadn’t heard of before. I will be watching out for more from him too. Love the title track.
Country-ish
Jim White – drill a hole in the substrate and tell me what you see,
More ‘country’ than the others above. His songs initially appear to be a little less ‘serious’, but the message is still there, even if it is disguised in tracks like ‘if Jesus drove a motor home’.
Mex-Tex
Calexico – black heart,
Having fun in a foot-stomping sort of way. More of an EP than a full blown album this is a taster of the style and energy that is Calexico.
Folk-Indie
Elliot Smith – from a basement on the hill,
The posthumous release from Elliott Smith is a grower rather than the instant delight that was his XO album. A troubled artist that has inspired many others.
Earlimart – treble & tremble,
Definitely one artist inspired by Elliott Smith, so much so that this is basically a tribute album to the man.
Smog – knock knock,
Great stuff. I absolutely love the track ‘cold blooded old times’.
Rilo Kiley – more adventurous,
Beautiful and charming with a sense of humour and certain amount of edge. Jenny Lewis’s voice is sparky and haunting.
The Postal Service – give up,
Another great album. The band gets its name from the way the album was created. The members of the band would send partial completed tracks to each other.
Wilco – a ghost is born,
A big name in this genre and deservedly so. More mainstream than the others but still very much with thier own sound.
Electronica
Flunk – for sleepyheads only,
A contrast to the more paired down music of the new folk scene the electronica groups are full of rich and heavily processed sounds. Still on the mellow side but ever so slightly dancey.
Her Space Holiday – the young machines,
New to me, but that’s what I look for in my music. Good stuff here, well worth a try.
Neotropic – white rabbits,
Not so heavily processed. Somewhere between Indie and Electronica. Sweet sounding.
Sigur Ros – ( ),
Definitely towards the weirder end of the scale. This album has no title, track listing, bio notes, or anything that could be construed as information. Still I guess it’s all about the music, and that at least is complete and interesting.
Mainstream
The Zutons – who killed…,
Slightly ‘comic strip’ at first glance, but in deeper investigation it is full of great rousing pop tunes. Great party music.
Scissor Sisters,
Again, don’t be fooled be appearances. They may look like the modern day Village People, but they sure know how to write a good pop song.
Groove Armada – the best of,
Nothing new here, but if want the best of this band then here it is. Well polished and serene.
Blur – the best of,
All of you favourite tracks from the best Brit-Pop band of them all.
Paul Weller – studio 150,
The Godfather of soul interprets some old standards. An interesting selection of tracks done the way only Paul Weller can.
And now for something completely different…
William Shatner – has been,
Oh yes! You better believe it. If you haven’t heard this you are in for a treat. Mostly his own material (with the obvious exception of Pulp's – Common People) and with the help of big names like Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Ben Folds, Lemon Jelly and more this album is a revelation. Not to be taken seriously it can surprise you more than you would expect. The raging rant that is ‘I can’t get behind that’ is fab. A cult classic.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Family weekend…
This weekend was spent at home. Saturday morning the Pete-the-plumber came around to change the shower so now we don't have to run a cold tap to ensure the shower runs hot.
We were concerned with a bad smell in the dinning room (not good when people are coming around for a meal). We thought it might be the old carpet so we took that out, but unfortunately it was worse than that. One of the cat's trophies was slowly decomposing under the cabinet (ugh! …shudder).
I spent a little time in the garden and allotment, planting garlic (the left over bulbs from our meagre crop - apparently garlic around roses helps keep the bugs away), tidying the green house, and preparing chicory for forcing-on. Sue came down later on and we picked some crops for dinner.
Sue, again, made a fantastic meal for us (my Aunt and Uncle and neighbours Deb and Dave). We had nibbles to start (pastry croutons with sun-dried tomatoes & cheese or Italian wild boar spread), then, when we got to the table, we had scallops in Parma ham on fresh herb salad to start. Andalucean pork (stuffed with dates and dried-apricots) with dishes of cabbage & lardons, roast potatoes, ruby chard, and celariac mash for the main meal. A choice of either (or both) puddings, apple & quince tarte tartin or a pinole (pine nut) cake. Of course there was also the cheese board. All liberally washed down with a choice selection of New Zealand (thanks Mum & Dad), Spanish, French and Italian wines.
On Sunday we had a lazy start and after breakfast (yes, we were still eating), we took Liam (my Aunt and Uncles dog) for a walk in the park. While we were there we noticed that there was an abundance of fungi everywhere. Normally Sue and I would ignore them, but Joyce and terry are more familiar with collecting food-for-free and identified some of the mushrooms as edible, so that was lunch sorted. Sue had some dried pasta that we brought back from Italy. While that was all cooking we did an olive oil taste test between oil we had also brought back and a bottle of my Mum & Dad's own Fylde Fields brand. The colour and taste were both very similar.
It was a very pleasant weekend.
We were concerned with a bad smell in the dinning room (not good when people are coming around for a meal). We thought it might be the old carpet so we took that out, but unfortunately it was worse than that. One of the cat's trophies was slowly decomposing under the cabinet (ugh! …shudder).
I spent a little time in the garden and allotment, planting garlic (the left over bulbs from our meagre crop - apparently garlic around roses helps keep the bugs away), tidying the green house, and preparing chicory for forcing-on. Sue came down later on and we picked some crops for dinner.
Sue, again, made a fantastic meal for us (my Aunt and Uncle and neighbours Deb and Dave). We had nibbles to start (pastry croutons with sun-dried tomatoes & cheese or Italian wild boar spread), then, when we got to the table, we had scallops in Parma ham on fresh herb salad to start. Andalucean pork (stuffed with dates and dried-apricots) with dishes of cabbage & lardons, roast potatoes, ruby chard, and celariac mash for the main meal. A choice of either (or both) puddings, apple & quince tarte tartin or a pinole (pine nut) cake. Of course there was also the cheese board. All liberally washed down with a choice selection of New Zealand (thanks Mum & Dad), Spanish, French and Italian wines.
On Sunday we had a lazy start and after breakfast (yes, we were still eating), we took Liam (my Aunt and Uncles dog) for a walk in the park. While we were there we noticed that there was an abundance of fungi everywhere. Normally Sue and I would ignore them, but Joyce and terry are more familiar with collecting food-for-free and identified some of the mushrooms as edible, so that was lunch sorted. Sue had some dried pasta that we brought back from Italy. While that was all cooking we did an olive oil taste test between oil we had also brought back and a bottle of my Mum & Dad's own Fylde Fields brand. The colour and taste were both very similar.
It was a very pleasant weekend.
Fall back…
The clocks went back an hour this Sunday so we had a lie-in.
Every year it happens, but still it doesn’t get any easier.
Sunset tonight is 4:30pm!
Every year it happens, but still it doesn’t get any easier.
Sunset tonight is 4:30pm!
Monday, October 25, 2004
In and out…
We went out into London on Saturday to brave the tourists and the rain so that we could see the film, Bubba Ho-tep. It has been around for a while now, but it has only just made it to the UK, and it is only playing in a few cinemas. Nevertheless, I want to se it so much we ventured off to the big smoke.
This film is a hoot…
"If you see one ELVIS VS. MUMMY movie this year... This Is It!"
Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the "true" story of what really did become of Elvis. We find the King (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home, who switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his "death", then missed his chance to switch back. Elvis teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy, and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle an evil Egyptian entity who has chosen their long-term care facility as his happy hunting grounds… "
Afterwards we decided to grab a bite to eat in a quite little restaurant we know near the Wyndam, trying to keep it small as we were going out to friends for dinner. Then it was on to the Victoria & Albert Museum for some culture.
The museum was quite busy as many other people came in from the rain. The place though is very large and after a mosey around the lower galleries we climbed to the top where not so many tourist get to and found a little cinema showing short films like 'The Crystal Palace' and 'An English Country House'. The V&A is such a big place with such a large number of pieces that it can become quite overawing and tiring to see more than a part of it.
In the evening we went to visit James and Nikala for dinner and to talk nonsense for several hours which we did without much difficulty at all.
Sunday I started to show signs of having a cold, so we stayed in for most of the day (apart for a short excursion to the allotment for more supplies) and I hardly moved from the sofa. Watched some old stuff on the box including the 'War of the Worlds' - go the Martians…
This film is a hoot…
"If you see one ELVIS VS. MUMMY movie this year... This Is It!"
Based on the Bram Stoker Award nominee short story by acclaimed author Joe R. Lansdale, Bubba Ho-tep tells the "true" story of what really did become of Elvis. We find the King (Bruce Campbell) as an elderly resident in an East Texas rest home, who switched identities with an Elvis impersonator years before his "death", then missed his chance to switch back. Elvis teams up with Jack (Ossie Davis), a fellow nursing home resident who thinks that he is actually President John F. Kennedy, and the two valiant old codgers sally forth to battle an evil Egyptian entity who has chosen their long-term care facility as his happy hunting grounds… "
Afterwards we decided to grab a bite to eat in a quite little restaurant we know near the Wyndam, trying to keep it small as we were going out to friends for dinner. Then it was on to the Victoria & Albert Museum for some culture.
The museum was quite busy as many other people came in from the rain. The place though is very large and after a mosey around the lower galleries we climbed to the top where not so many tourist get to and found a little cinema showing short films like 'The Crystal Palace' and 'An English Country House'. The V&A is such a big place with such a large number of pieces that it can become quite overawing and tiring to see more than a part of it.
In the evening we went to visit James and Nikala for dinner and to talk nonsense for several hours which we did without much difficulty at all.
Sunday I started to show signs of having a cold, so we stayed in for most of the day (apart for a short excursion to the allotment for more supplies) and I hardly moved from the sofa. Watched some old stuff on the box including the 'War of the Worlds' - go the Martians…
Friday, October 22, 2004
Sshh! ...sleeping...
It has all been a bit quiet this week.
The only excitement at work was a fire alarm on Friday.
The weather has been wet and grey so we haven't spent much time at the allotment this week.
The cat has taken to hunting in the nearby river and keeps coming home wet to his middle. It is pretty much the only time he will seek out someone to sit on - when he is cold and wet. He has also left a few mice in the dinning room for us to find - usually when someone stands on them (it was Kevin on Tuesday - luckily, as I wasn't wearing any shoes). I have gone out and bought a new collar for the cat, one that has a bell on it. We are going to have to 'mug' him to get it on - it is usually a two-person job.
Sue has been very inventive with our meals, keeping within the Weight Watchers guidelines and still making them taste good. We are both doing well at it so far. Points mean prizes.
The Orks failed me this week; they must have been on the fungus beer. I tried a different tactic and they were absolutely slaughtered by Kevin's Dark Eldar.
I have bought a load of music, which is being delivered in stages. I have used a variety of on-line shops this time to get the best prices (Play.com, 101cd, CD WOW, and Amazon). There is a great variety and as usual some are better than others. The joker in the pack, so far, is William Shatners - Has Been (yeah, I know, but it is actually quite entertaining in a not very serious way).
Sue is starting decorating Jamie's old room and has borrowed a wallpaper stripper from Deb and Fog so that she can get it ready for her brother Dave to come and fix up the walls for us.
The problem with having a quite week at work is that you start thinking about things you could be doing. I hope that when we have Jamie's room finished we will end up using it to get some of these things done. I hope to submit a story to a couple of publishers as a trial (I am a… farmyard animal) - what do you think? Also I hope to be inspired to do more drawings. And I still want to get my own web site in place (when I have had a bit of practice with HTML).
I did find a few fun web sites out there that you might like to try. They are all part of the Dumbrella Conspiracy:
Overcompensating: Jeffrey Rowland's True Oklahoma Stories
Wigu: There is no "I" in "team", but there is in "family"
Diesel Sweeties: pixilated robot romance web comic (I just had to order the 'Chewie is my co-pilot' T-Shirt)
Goats: The comic strip by Jonathon Rosenberg
Creatures In My Head - illustration and artwork by Andrew Bell
Explodingdog 2004
The only excitement at work was a fire alarm on Friday.
The weather has been wet and grey so we haven't spent much time at the allotment this week.
The cat has taken to hunting in the nearby river and keeps coming home wet to his middle. It is pretty much the only time he will seek out someone to sit on - when he is cold and wet. He has also left a few mice in the dinning room for us to find - usually when someone stands on them (it was Kevin on Tuesday - luckily, as I wasn't wearing any shoes). I have gone out and bought a new collar for the cat, one that has a bell on it. We are going to have to 'mug' him to get it on - it is usually a two-person job.
Sue has been very inventive with our meals, keeping within the Weight Watchers guidelines and still making them taste good. We are both doing well at it so far. Points mean prizes.
The Orks failed me this week; they must have been on the fungus beer. I tried a different tactic and they were absolutely slaughtered by Kevin's Dark Eldar.
I have bought a load of music, which is being delivered in stages. I have used a variety of on-line shops this time to get the best prices (Play.com, 101cd, CD WOW, and Amazon). There is a great variety and as usual some are better than others. The joker in the pack, so far, is William Shatners - Has Been (yeah, I know, but it is actually quite entertaining in a not very serious way).
Sue is starting decorating Jamie's old room and has borrowed a wallpaper stripper from Deb and Fog so that she can get it ready for her brother Dave to come and fix up the walls for us.
The problem with having a quite week at work is that you start thinking about things you could be doing. I hope that when we have Jamie's room finished we will end up using it to get some of these things done. I hope to submit a story to a couple of publishers as a trial (I am a… farmyard animal) - what do you think? Also I hope to be inspired to do more drawings. And I still want to get my own web site in place (when I have had a bit of practice with HTML).
I did find a few fun web sites out there that you might like to try. They are all part of the Dumbrella Conspiracy:
Overcompensating: Jeffrey Rowland's True Oklahoma Stories
Wigu: There is no "I" in "team", but there is in "family"
Diesel Sweeties: pixilated robot romance web comic (I just had to order the 'Chewie is my co-pilot' T-Shirt)
Goats: The comic strip by Jonathon Rosenberg
Creatures In My Head - illustration and artwork by Andrew Bell
Explodingdog 2004
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
A weekend of big lunches…
We had a rather indulgent time last weekend, eating, drinking and generally overdoing things.
Sue spent Saturday morning helping out at her Sister's place as they finish off the major works they have been doing to it. I waited in for a plumber and played with my toy soldiers (having slaughtered the Tau, the Orks now need a win against the Dark Elder).
The plumber didn't manage fix the shower (it runs cool unless you have the cold tap on as well). So we are going to have to get a replacement mixer (we think the thermostat is busted).
We wanted to get out and see a movie afterwards so we thought we would have a late lunch first and then go onto the film. We had a 'blow-out' lunch at an Italian restaurant at Abbey Mills (where William Morris - and then later Liberty - had a factory).
Merton Abbey and area…
http://www.marcus-beale.co.uk/pages/merton.html
…or…
http://www.mertonpriory.org/history/index.html
On Sunday we did some chores and then went off to our neighbours for lunch to celebrate Deb & Dave's anniversary and Dave's birthday. Deb's brother and sister-in-law were there along with friends Alexis and Terry. We had another great, big, meal and some of us had a little too much to drink (no names mentioned).
Even though we had two big lunches we didn't have any evening meals on the weekend, so we might not have done too much damage to our diet.
Sue spent Saturday morning helping out at her Sister's place as they finish off the major works they have been doing to it. I waited in for a plumber and played with my toy soldiers (having slaughtered the Tau, the Orks now need a win against the Dark Elder).
The plumber didn't manage fix the shower (it runs cool unless you have the cold tap on as well). So we are going to have to get a replacement mixer (we think the thermostat is busted).
We wanted to get out and see a movie afterwards so we thought we would have a late lunch first and then go onto the film. We had a 'blow-out' lunch at an Italian restaurant at Abbey Mills (where William Morris - and then later Liberty - had a factory).
Merton Abbey and area…
http://www.marcus-beale.co.uk/pages/merton.html
…or…
http://www.mertonpriory.org/history/index.html
On Sunday we did some chores and then went off to our neighbours for lunch to celebrate Deb & Dave's anniversary and Dave's birthday. Deb's brother and sister-in-law were there along with friends Alexis and Terry. We had another great, big, meal and some of us had a little too much to drink (no names mentioned).
Even though we had two big lunches we didn't have any evening meals on the weekend, so we might not have done too much damage to our diet.
More of wot I have watched...
On Saturday we went out to see the new film, Inside I'm dancing. If you can get past the controversy of able-bodied actors playing disabled persons, and you are willing to shed a tear or two in public, then you need to see this film. It is a revelation and it should make you think more about a section of society that most of us are total unfamiliar with.
'From the highly-acclaimed director of East is East and the producers of box office smash hit Billy Elliott comes a unique story of two unlikely friends who choose to take life head-on in the face of difficult circumstances.
Michael Connolly's (Steven Robertson) life is passing him by until one day he meets the irrepressible Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), who has a plan that will change their lives forever. Outsmarting the system, the unlikely pair manage to leave Carrigmore Home for the Disabled and land their very own flat. They employ the headstrong but inexperienced Siobhan (Romola Garai) to take care of their every need. Her arrival brings unexpected revelations; Michael experiences emotions he has never felt before and the straight-talking Rory realises he has finally met his match. With their newfound friendship and independence, life is theirs for the taking.
Inside I'm Dancing is a funny and inspirational film about friendship and freedom that will make you laugh, cry and see the world through different eyes.'
'From the highly-acclaimed director of East is East and the producers of box office smash hit Billy Elliott comes a unique story of two unlikely friends who choose to take life head-on in the face of difficult circumstances.
Michael Connolly's (Steven Robertson) life is passing him by until one day he meets the irrepressible Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), who has a plan that will change their lives forever. Outsmarting the system, the unlikely pair manage to leave Carrigmore Home for the Disabled and land their very own flat. They employ the headstrong but inexperienced Siobhan (Romola Garai) to take care of their every need. Her arrival brings unexpected revelations; Michael experiences emotions he has never felt before and the straight-talking Rory realises he has finally met his match. With their newfound friendship and independence, life is theirs for the taking.
Inside I'm Dancing is a funny and inspirational film about friendship and freedom that will make you laugh, cry and see the world through different eyes.'
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Virtually Art
I have now managed to get around to publishing some of my 'art' on the web.
I have Sally to thank for the link to a web-site that gives space to artists who draw Fantasy inspired works.
Virtually Art
or
http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/v/i/virtuallyart/virtuallyart.html
Most of my close friends will have seen this work before (it is very old), but that fact is I have not done much that is any newer. Still now I hope to have the inspiration.
I need to get to grips with modern technology and figure out how to use a graphics package so that I can edit and touch up drawings as many of mine are not in a good enough state to publish.
I have Sally to thank for the link to a web-site that gives space to artists who draw Fantasy inspired works.
Virtually Art
or
http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/art/v/i/virtuallyart/virtuallyart.html
Most of my close friends will have seen this work before (it is very old), but that fact is I have not done much that is any newer. Still now I hope to have the inspiration.
I need to get to grips with modern technology and figure out how to use a graphics package so that I can edit and touch up drawings as many of mine are not in a good enough state to publish.
Monday, October 11, 2004
More of wot I have watched...
The Station Agent
A fabulous, quirky, where not much happens but it doesn't matter, type of film…
Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) is a man trying to live life on his own terms. Looking only to be left alone, he takes up residence in a rural town's old train depot. But much like the station agents that occupied small town depots before him, he finds himself reluctantly becoming enmeshed in the lives of his neighbours, especially Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), a forty-year-old artist struggling with the break up of her marriage, and Joe (Bobby Cannavale) a thirty-year-old with a talent for cooking and an insatiable hunger for conversation - whether anyone wants to talk to him or not.
The STATION AGENT is about three people with nothing in common, except their shared solitude, until chance circumstances bring their lives together. Before long, from this forgotten depot, this mismatched threesome forges an unlikely bond, which ultimately reveals that even isolation is better shared.
We loved this movie not least for the scenery. We played spot the place we had visited and felt quite nostalgic at the end…
Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book, 'Under The Tuscan Sun' follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift - 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an ageing, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local colour, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home - and her belief in second chances.
A fabulous, quirky, where not much happens but it doesn't matter, type of film…
Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) is a man trying to live life on his own terms. Looking only to be left alone, he takes up residence in a rural town's old train depot. But much like the station agents that occupied small town depots before him, he finds himself reluctantly becoming enmeshed in the lives of his neighbours, especially Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), a forty-year-old artist struggling with the break up of her marriage, and Joe (Bobby Cannavale) a thirty-year-old with a talent for cooking and an insatiable hunger for conversation - whether anyone wants to talk to him or not.
The STATION AGENT is about three people with nothing in common, except their shared solitude, until chance circumstances bring their lives together. Before long, from this forgotten depot, this mismatched threesome forges an unlikely bond, which ultimately reveals that even isolation is better shared.
We loved this movie not least for the scenery. We played spot the place we had visited and felt quite nostalgic at the end…
Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book, 'Under The Tuscan Sun' follows San Francisco writer Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) to Italy as a good friend offers her a special gift - 10 days in Tuscany. Once there, she is captivated by its beauty and warmth, and impulsively buys an ageing, but very charming, villa. Fully embracing new friends and local colour, she finds herself immersed in a life-changing adventure filled with enough unexpected surprises, laughter, friendship, and romance to restore her new home - and her belief in second chances.
Science bites…
The New Scientist is a good read for those with an interest in all things scientific, but who don't necessarily have a PhD. If you have a short time to spare and would like a laugh, try their Feedback pages.
Sock singularity! I knew it…
ONE of our winning questions to Stephen Hawking was "Why, when two socks pass the washday event horizon, do they so often become singularities?" (11 September). Peter Hicks's proposal prompted reader Geoff Levick to recall investigating this very serious matter in the 1970s.
He reports discovering that the board of New Zealand's largest sock manufacturer and the board of the country's only washing-machine manufacturer had two directors in common. He deduced that collaboration between the two companies had resulted in a device for the washing machine that extracted socks on a random basis, shredded them, and expelled them in the wash water.
Some time spent upside down in the machine bowl with a torch in an unsuccessful search for the device only led him to conclude that it was very cleverly hidden.
See what?
This is great! I first saw these experiments on TV, and it is surprising how easy it is to fool the eyes. Obviously 'slight-of-hand' magicians and pick-pockets have been doing this for ages, but it is interesting to find out that our eyes are actually quite poor and it is our brain that sees (and not sees) things. Try them out, but don't cheat…
Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Christopher Chabris of Harvard earned the Ig Nobel prize in psychology for their "Gorillas in our midst: sustained inattention blindness for dynamic events" (Perception, vol 28, p 1059). In a study that has already gained some notoriety, they asked students to count how many times a group of people threw a basketball in a video. Over a third failed to notice a woman in a gorilla suit walking through the scene. See http://viscog.beckman.uiuc.edu/djs_lab/demos.html and for the full Ig Nobels go to www.improb.com
Sock singularity! I knew it…
ONE of our winning questions to Stephen Hawking was "Why, when two socks pass the washday event horizon, do they so often become singularities?" (11 September). Peter Hicks's proposal prompted reader Geoff Levick to recall investigating this very serious matter in the 1970s.
He reports discovering that the board of New Zealand's largest sock manufacturer and the board of the country's only washing-machine manufacturer had two directors in common. He deduced that collaboration between the two companies had resulted in a device for the washing machine that extracted socks on a random basis, shredded them, and expelled them in the wash water.
Some time spent upside down in the machine bowl with a torch in an unsuccessful search for the device only led him to conclude that it was very cleverly hidden.
See what?
This is great! I first saw these experiments on TV, and it is surprising how easy it is to fool the eyes. Obviously 'slight-of-hand' magicians and pick-pockets have been doing this for ages, but it is interesting to find out that our eyes are actually quite poor and it is our brain that sees (and not sees) things. Try them out, but don't cheat…
Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Christopher Chabris of Harvard earned the Ig Nobel prize in psychology for their "Gorillas in our midst: sustained inattention blindness for dynamic events" (Perception, vol 28, p 1059). In a study that has already gained some notoriety, they asked students to count how many times a group of people threw a basketball in a video. Over a third failed to notice a woman in a gorilla suit walking through the scene. See http://viscog.beckman.uiuc.edu/djs_lab/demos.html and for the full Ig Nobels go to www.improb.com
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
A food lovers film...
We watched an absolutely wonderful movie last night on Sky. Tortilla Soup, though, is not a film to watch if you are hungry, as the main star of it is the delicious Mexican dishes that are prepared so mouth-wateringly. Hector Elizondo is superb as the retired chef, Martin, father of three very different women. The film also stars Raquel Welch who obviously had great fun in playing the gravity-deifying man-eater Hortensia.
Tortilla Soup
'Retired Mexican-American chef Martin Naranjo shares an L.A. home with his three gorgeous, but single, adult daughters. Though he long ago lost his ability to taste, Martin still lives to cook incredibly lavish dinners for his loved ones and to serve them in a family-style ritual at traditional sit-down meals. Although the women humour their father's old-fashioned ways, each of them is searching for fulfilment outside the family circle. College student Maribel is growing increasingly frustrated with the singles scene and wants a steady man; gorgeous career woman Carmen is fed up with her boyfriend and his wandering eye; meanwhile, eldest daughter Letitia, who has suppressed her own romantic longings, senses something missing in her life. Things take a turn for the romantic when Dad, a widower, meets a vivacious divorcee on the lookout for a mate and each of his daughters, in turn, finds someone. But they'll all discover that the recipe for happiness may call for some unexpected ingredients
The film is based on Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" that centred on a Chinese family with the same story line basically here transplanted as a Latino clan in Los Angeles and the cuisine Mexican.'
Tortilla Soup
'Retired Mexican-American chef Martin Naranjo shares an L.A. home with his three gorgeous, but single, adult daughters. Though he long ago lost his ability to taste, Martin still lives to cook incredibly lavish dinners for his loved ones and to serve them in a family-style ritual at traditional sit-down meals. Although the women humour their father's old-fashioned ways, each of them is searching for fulfilment outside the family circle. College student Maribel is growing increasingly frustrated with the singles scene and wants a steady man; gorgeous career woman Carmen is fed up with her boyfriend and his wandering eye; meanwhile, eldest daughter Letitia, who has suppressed her own romantic longings, senses something missing in her life. Things take a turn for the romantic when Dad, a widower, meets a vivacious divorcee on the lookout for a mate and each of his daughters, in turn, finds someone. But they'll all discover that the recipe for happiness may call for some unexpected ingredients
The film is based on Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" that centred on a Chinese family with the same story line basically here transplanted as a Latino clan in Los Angeles and the cuisine Mexican.'
Sunday, October 03, 2004
The Terminal
Today Sue and I went to see Steven Spielberg’s film The Terminal that stars Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Stanley Tucci.
The story is about Viktor Navorski (Hanks) who is stranded at JFK Airport when his Eastern European home country is thrown into chaos during a revolution. I seem to recall that the story was inspired by true life story of a similarly stranded passenger who spent ages wandering around in duty-free limbo.
It is a good film with solid acting from the all of the cast although it is slow to get going at first. Once you are into it the film is quite absorbing, a little predictable, but nicely done with a sizable dose of good old fashioned American warm-and-cuddlies at the end.
The story is about Viktor Navorski (Hanks) who is stranded at JFK Airport when his Eastern European home country is thrown into chaos during a revolution. I seem to recall that the story was inspired by true life story of a similarly stranded passenger who spent ages wandering around in duty-free limbo.
It is a good film with solid acting from the all of the cast although it is slow to get going at first. Once you are into it the film is quite absorbing, a little predictable, but nicely done with a sizable dose of good old fashioned American warm-and-cuddlies at the end.
A day out in London…
Yesterday we took the opportunity to do a little site seeing in London. We first went to Sir John Soane's Museum in Lincoln Fields (Sue couldn’t make it when I visited before with some NZ friends earlier in the year). Soane’s was a well regarded architect of his time who will probably be best known for his work on the Bank of England. He was also an avid (almost kleptomaniac) collector of artefacts and it is necessary to walk sideways in some parts of the building to avoid touching the pieces on display. Unfortunately the Picture Room was closed to allow emergency building work to take place at the rear of the Museum, so the collection of Hogarth paintings was not on display.
Later we travelled over to Chelsea to visit Carlyle’s House . The Atmospheric home of the writer Thomas Carlyle and his wife Jane.
'In a quiet and beautiful residential area of London, this Queen Anne house was the home of Thomas Carlyle, the ‘Sage of Chelsea’, for 47 years until his death in 1881. The skilful Scottish home-making of his wife Jane is much in evidence: the Victorian period decor, the furniture, pictures, portraits and books are all still in place. As a historian, social writer, ethical thinker and powerful public speaker, Thomas is honoured in the house, while Jane’s strong belief in his genius and her own brilliant wit and gift for writing are recognised in the many existing letters. Their academic and domestic lives can be experienced today in the evocative atmosphere of the house.'
Neither of us were aware of Carlyle’s work but the house has so much personality and charm that we didn’t feel that we had missed out from this obvious ignorance.
The weather started to close in later so we high-tailed it home with a bottle of NZ fizz to sit in front of the fire.
Later we travelled over to Chelsea to visit Carlyle’s House . The Atmospheric home of the writer Thomas Carlyle and his wife Jane.
'In a quiet and beautiful residential area of London, this Queen Anne house was the home of Thomas Carlyle, the ‘Sage of Chelsea’, for 47 years until his death in 1881. The skilful Scottish home-making of his wife Jane is much in evidence: the Victorian period decor, the furniture, pictures, portraits and books are all still in place. As a historian, social writer, ethical thinker and powerful public speaker, Thomas is honoured in the house, while Jane’s strong belief in his genius and her own brilliant wit and gift for writing are recognised in the many existing letters. Their academic and domestic lives can be experienced today in the evocative atmosphere of the house.'
Neither of us were aware of Carlyle’s work but the house has so much personality and charm that we didn’t feel that we had missed out from this obvious ignorance.
The weather started to close in later so we high-tailed it home with a bottle of NZ fizz to sit in front of the fire.
More of wot I have heard…
I have just bought the latest double album from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, called ABATTOIR BLUES / THE LYRE OF ORPHEUS. It is very much for Nick Cave fans and those more accustomed to his particular sense of style. The two albums have a couple of ‘pop’ hits on them but the rest are ‘growers’ that demand concentration from the listener to get the most out of them.
The music of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is not for everybody but if you have an open mind, like your music on the intense side and are in a reflective mood, then give it a go.
The Irish band The Thrills latest album 'Let's Bottle Bohemia' is from the same mould as the first. The distinctive sound and vibe are little changed from the ‘So Much for the City’ album but where that tended to exhibit American West Coast Surfing tendencies, the new one reaches back towards their Irish roots.
It is a great collection of tracks to play as background music to a boisterous dinner party or equally to chill-out to when your guests have gone home.
The music of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is not for everybody but if you have an open mind, like your music on the intense side and are in a reflective mood, then give it a go.
The Irish band The Thrills latest album 'Let's Bottle Bohemia' is from the same mould as the first. The distinctive sound and vibe are little changed from the ‘So Much for the City’ album but where that tended to exhibit American West Coast Surfing tendencies, the new one reaches back towards their Irish roots.
It is a great collection of tracks to play as background music to a boisterous dinner party or equally to chill-out to when your guests have gone home.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
More of wot I have read...
The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown.
This is a very cool book that I found I couldn’t put down, but then I do have a thing for conspiracy theories especially on this subject (I won’t spoil it for you here). It is a very exciting ‘boys own’ type of yarn in a Robert Ludlum for today way. It could be good and fertile background work for all those who run modern RPG scenarios.
‘Harvard professor Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call while on business in Paris: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered inside the museum.
Alongside the body, police have found a series of baffling codes.
As Langdon and a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, begin to sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to find a trail that leads to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci – and suggests the answer to a mystery that stretches deep into the vaults of history.
Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine code and quickly assemble the pieces of the puzzle, a stunning historical truth will be lost forever…’
PS - I have just read an article in the Sunday papers, where the Brown is being sued by a couple of academic authors for stealing the 'architecture' for this story.
This is a very cool book that I found I couldn’t put down, but then I do have a thing for conspiracy theories especially on this subject (I won’t spoil it for you here). It is a very exciting ‘boys own’ type of yarn in a Robert Ludlum for today way. It could be good and fertile background work for all those who run modern RPG scenarios.
‘Harvard professor Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call while on business in Paris: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered inside the museum.
Alongside the body, police have found a series of baffling codes.
As Langdon and a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, begin to sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to find a trail that leads to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci – and suggests the answer to a mystery that stretches deep into the vaults of history.
Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine code and quickly assemble the pieces of the puzzle, a stunning historical truth will be lost forever…’
PS - I have just read an article in the Sunday papers, where the Brown is being sued by a couple of academic authors for stealing the 'architecture' for this story.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
More of wot I have read...
A Very English Agent, by Julian Rathbone
This is a slightly odd story. Imagine James Bond - Licensed to Kill, but set in the 1800's. It is an interesting read but the constant references to historical events, twisted for the purposes of the story, is a little disturbing - but entertaining.
'December 1852. Shortly after the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, Charlie Boylan attempts to enter the Palace of Westminster with a loaded pistol in his pocket. He is owed, so he says, a substantial sum be the government department he has worked for over many years - an adjunct of the Home Office that specialises in subterfuge and espionage. Imprisoned in Pentonville, Charlie writes his extraordinary memoirs to prove has claims. In A Very English Agent, Julian Rathbone combines his uncanny talent for wit and adventure with a compelling portrait of an England that history often neglects: the dark embers of the ninteenth century, when repression was bloody, commonplace and orchestrated from on high.'
This is a slightly odd story. Imagine James Bond - Licensed to Kill, but set in the 1800's. It is an interesting read but the constant references to historical events, twisted for the purposes of the story, is a little disturbing - but entertaining.
'December 1852. Shortly after the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, Charlie Boylan attempts to enter the Palace of Westminster with a loaded pistol in his pocket. He is owed, so he says, a substantial sum be the government department he has worked for over many years - an adjunct of the Home Office that specialises in subterfuge and espionage. Imprisoned in Pentonville, Charlie writes his extraordinary memoirs to prove has claims. In A Very English Agent, Julian Rathbone combines his uncanny talent for wit and adventure with a compelling portrait of an England that history often neglects: the dark embers of the ninteenth century, when repression was bloody, commonplace and orchestrated from on high.'
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Edinburgh Festival Best (or worst) Jokes
The dodo died. Then Dodi died, Di died and Dando died... Dido must be shitting herself.
- Colin & Fergus at the Pleasance
My parents are from Glasgow which means they're incredibly hard, but I was never smacked as a child... well maybe one or two grams to get me to sleep at night.
- Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Is it fair to say that there'd be less litter in Britain if blind people were given pointed sticks?
- Adam Bloom at the Pleasance
My mum and dad are Scottish but they moved down to Wolverhampton when I was two, 'cause they wanted me to sound like a twat.
- Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Q: Who are the most decent people in the hospital?
A: The ultrasound people.
- David O'Doherty at the Gilded Balloon
I went to the airport to check in and they asked what I did because I looked like a terrorist. I said I was a comedian. They said, "Say something funny then." I told them I had just graduated from flying school.
- Ahmed Ahmed at C34
A lady with a clipboard stopped me in the street the other day. She said, "Can you spare a few minutes for cancer research?" I said, "All right, but we're not going to get much done."
- Jimmy Carr at the ICC
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.
- Marcus Brigstocke at the Assembly Rooms
Sleeping with prostitutes is like making your cat dance with you on its hind legs. You know it's wrong, but you try to convince yourself that they're enjoying it as well.
- Scott Capurro at the Pleasance
My dad's dying wish was to have his family around him. I can't help thinking he would have been better off with more oxygen.
- Jimmy Carr at the ICC
You have to remember all the trivia that your girlfriend tells you, because eventually you get tested. She'll go: "What's my favourite flower?" And you murmur to yourself: "Shit, I wasn't listening... self-raising?"
- Addy Van-Der-Borgh at the Assembly Rooms
The world is a dangerous place; only yesterday I went into Boots and punched someone in the face.
- Jeremy Limb, at the Trap
Cats have nine lives. Which makes them ideal for experimentation.
- Jimmy Carr
My friend said to me: "You must be more American," so I went to have botox. The surgeon said to me: "That's $8,000." I couldn't even look shocked.
- Shazia Mirza at the Pleasance
I saw that show, 50 Things To Do Before You Die. I would have thought the obvious one was "Shout For Help".
- Mark Watson, Rhod Gilbert at the Tron
I went out with an Irish Catholic. Very frustrating. You can take the Girl out of Cork...
- Markus Birdman at the Pod Deco
Got a phone call today to do a gig at a fire station. Went along. Turned out it was a bloody hoax.
- Adrian Poynton at the Pleasance
A dog goes into a hardware store and says: "I'd like a job please". The hardware store owner says: "We don't hire dogs, why don't you go join The circus?" The dog replies: "Well, what would the circus want with a plumber".
- Steven Alan Green at C34
Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.
- Demetri Martin at the Assembly Rooms
An American girl hit on me in a club and asked me to make her an Egyptian princess. So I threw a sheet over her head and told her to be quiet.
- Ahmed Ahmed at C34
Walking down Princes Street, soaking up the atmosphere, I saw a big sign that said: "Bus tours, ten quid." So I thought I'd give it a try... what a rip off. Ten quid to have a look round a bus!
- Seymour Mace at Cafe Royal
I like to go into the Body Shop and shout out really loud "I've already got one!"
- Norman Lovett at The Stand
The right to bear arms is slightly less ludicrous than the right to arm bears.
- Chris Addison at the Pleasance
Ask people about God nowadays and they usually reply, "I'm not religious, but deep down, I'm a very spiritual person." What this phrase really means is: "I'm afraid of dying, but I can't be arsed going to church."
- Colin Ramone at The Stand
50 Cent, or as he's called over here, approximately 29p.
- Sarah Kendall at the Pleasance
I was walking the streets of Glasgow the other week and I saw this sign: "This door is alarmed." I said to myself: "How do you think I feel?"
- Arnold Brown at The Stand
'Schindler's List'... I got that out, thinking it was a porn movie. Well... the title's in German... and it did feature a shower scene.
- Ricky Gervais at The Playhouse
- Colin & Fergus at the Pleasance
My parents are from Glasgow which means they're incredibly hard, but I was never smacked as a child... well maybe one or two grams to get me to sleep at night.
- Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Is it fair to say that there'd be less litter in Britain if blind people were given pointed sticks?
- Adam Bloom at the Pleasance
My mum and dad are Scottish but they moved down to Wolverhampton when I was two, 'cause they wanted me to sound like a twat.
- Susan Murray at the Underbelly
Q: Who are the most decent people in the hospital?
A: The ultrasound people.
- David O'Doherty at the Gilded Balloon
I went to the airport to check in and they asked what I did because I looked like a terrorist. I said I was a comedian. They said, "Say something funny then." I told them I had just graduated from flying school.
- Ahmed Ahmed at C34
A lady with a clipboard stopped me in the street the other day. She said, "Can you spare a few minutes for cancer research?" I said, "All right, but we're not going to get much done."
- Jimmy Carr at the ICC
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.
- Marcus Brigstocke at the Assembly Rooms
Sleeping with prostitutes is like making your cat dance with you on its hind legs. You know it's wrong, but you try to convince yourself that they're enjoying it as well.
- Scott Capurro at the Pleasance
My dad's dying wish was to have his family around him. I can't help thinking he would have been better off with more oxygen.
- Jimmy Carr at the ICC
You have to remember all the trivia that your girlfriend tells you, because eventually you get tested. She'll go: "What's my favourite flower?" And you murmur to yourself: "Shit, I wasn't listening... self-raising?"
- Addy Van-Der-Borgh at the Assembly Rooms
The world is a dangerous place; only yesterday I went into Boots and punched someone in the face.
- Jeremy Limb, at the Trap
Cats have nine lives. Which makes them ideal for experimentation.
- Jimmy Carr
My friend said to me: "You must be more American," so I went to have botox. The surgeon said to me: "That's $8,000." I couldn't even look shocked.
- Shazia Mirza at the Pleasance
I saw that show, 50 Things To Do Before You Die. I would have thought the obvious one was "Shout For Help".
- Mark Watson, Rhod Gilbert at the Tron
I went out with an Irish Catholic. Very frustrating. You can take the Girl out of Cork...
- Markus Birdman at the Pod Deco
Got a phone call today to do a gig at a fire station. Went along. Turned out it was a bloody hoax.
- Adrian Poynton at the Pleasance
A dog goes into a hardware store and says: "I'd like a job please". The hardware store owner says: "We don't hire dogs, why don't you go join The circus?" The dog replies: "Well, what would the circus want with a plumber".
- Steven Alan Green at C34
Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.
- Demetri Martin at the Assembly Rooms
An American girl hit on me in a club and asked me to make her an Egyptian princess. So I threw a sheet over her head and told her to be quiet.
- Ahmed Ahmed at C34
Walking down Princes Street, soaking up the atmosphere, I saw a big sign that said: "Bus tours, ten quid." So I thought I'd give it a try... what a rip off. Ten quid to have a look round a bus!
- Seymour Mace at Cafe Royal
I like to go into the Body Shop and shout out really loud "I've already got one!"
- Norman Lovett at The Stand
The right to bear arms is slightly less ludicrous than the right to arm bears.
- Chris Addison at the Pleasance
Ask people about God nowadays and they usually reply, "I'm not religious, but deep down, I'm a very spiritual person." What this phrase really means is: "I'm afraid of dying, but I can't be arsed going to church."
- Colin Ramone at The Stand
50 Cent, or as he's called over here, approximately 29p.
- Sarah Kendall at the Pleasance
I was walking the streets of Glasgow the other week and I saw this sign: "This door is alarmed." I said to myself: "How do you think I feel?"
- Arnold Brown at The Stand
'Schindler's List'... I got that out, thinking it was a porn movie. Well... the title's in German... and it did feature a shower scene.
- Ricky Gervais at The Playhouse
Virtually Writing...
I have decided to start adding my collection of stories to another 'blog' and so I have set up Virtually Writing...
http://virtuallywriting.blogspot.com/
http://virtuallywriting.blogspot.com/
Back down to earth…
It seems like ages since I last 'blogged'.
We successfully saw Jamie installed in his accommodation and he is very happy. He has lucked-out with the house he is in. He has the largest room in a decent house in a nice, tree lined, street convenient for the University, College and local amenities (bars, take-aways, discount booze shops etc.). There are 5 other first-year guys in the house and, apart from one; he is getting on well with them. He has found is way around to most places (the Student Union, Campus night-club 'Asylum'. Oh! And his classes).
We spent last week in France with my Aunt and Uncle at a hotel in a tiny hilltop village of Fox Amphoux in the Provence region.
As is usual for our holidays the main driving themes were food, wine and local culture. The first was easily achieved, as our expanded waistline can attest. Similarly there was no shortage of the second and we managed to sample quite a few of the local varieties, many of which are little known outside of Provence. The last was found in the many small villages and towns in the region (for those of you even remotely interested I will try and detail some of these in a separate blog).
I am back at work again plodding alone doing the same-old same old. I have moved to another area of the office where I can see out of a window now at the industrial estate and the trees, which are starting to yellow with the autumn leaves.
I had to get a new thermostat and water pump for the car the other day and I was very pleased to only pay £200 for the repairs. I was worried that the head gasket might have blown, and that could have been almost as expensive as the car itself.
Many of our summer crops are coming to an end at the allotment. Sue has frozen plenty of tomatoes, corn, blackberries and other bits and pieces, and she has made many sauces, chutneys and pickles too. The cucumbers, courgettes, and tomatoes are pretty much at an end now. Now that the weather has started to cool down we are looking at the greens and root vegetables for hot dishes. We have done really well with potatoes having about three big sacks to see us through next year. Unfortunately we didn't do well with the garlic, but we did pick a lovely bunch while we were in France (wonder what the sniffer dog thought of that - especially as we stuck it in the bag with the dirty washing!)
Sue is now busily clearing out Jamie's old room in preparation for redecoration (reconstruction more like). We are hoping to make into a study-computer-games room with a sofa bed for when Jamie is back during the holidays.
Our small gaming group has been playing tabletop 'war-games' for the last few weeks. We all have Games Workshop 40K armies and have been facing off against each other in quick games of Kill-Teams (small groups in hit and run type skirmishes). I play an Ork army and so far they are the only Kill-Team that has succeeded in its mission. James plays Tau and Kevin plays Dark Eldar, there are still a few different combinations to go so things are certain to change.
I am still doing my writing with the NZIBS on their student forum bulletin board and I am enjoying it very much. The other students and tutors are very supportive and are encouraging me to submit a few stories to publishers. I would love to have something turned into print, so I am certainly thinking about it.
We successfully saw Jamie installed in his accommodation and he is very happy. He has lucked-out with the house he is in. He has the largest room in a decent house in a nice, tree lined, street convenient for the University, College and local amenities (bars, take-aways, discount booze shops etc.). There are 5 other first-year guys in the house and, apart from one; he is getting on well with them. He has found is way around to most places (the Student Union, Campus night-club 'Asylum'. Oh! And his classes).
We spent last week in France with my Aunt and Uncle at a hotel in a tiny hilltop village of Fox Amphoux in the Provence region.
As is usual for our holidays the main driving themes were food, wine and local culture. The first was easily achieved, as our expanded waistline can attest. Similarly there was no shortage of the second and we managed to sample quite a few of the local varieties, many of which are little known outside of Provence. The last was found in the many small villages and towns in the region (for those of you even remotely interested I will try and detail some of these in a separate blog).
I am back at work again plodding alone doing the same-old same old. I have moved to another area of the office where I can see out of a window now at the industrial estate and the trees, which are starting to yellow with the autumn leaves.
I had to get a new thermostat and water pump for the car the other day and I was very pleased to only pay £200 for the repairs. I was worried that the head gasket might have blown, and that could have been almost as expensive as the car itself.
Many of our summer crops are coming to an end at the allotment. Sue has frozen plenty of tomatoes, corn, blackberries and other bits and pieces, and she has made many sauces, chutneys and pickles too. The cucumbers, courgettes, and tomatoes are pretty much at an end now. Now that the weather has started to cool down we are looking at the greens and root vegetables for hot dishes. We have done really well with potatoes having about three big sacks to see us through next year. Unfortunately we didn't do well with the garlic, but we did pick a lovely bunch while we were in France (wonder what the sniffer dog thought of that - especially as we stuck it in the bag with the dirty washing!)
Sue is now busily clearing out Jamie's old room in preparation for redecoration (reconstruction more like). We are hoping to make into a study-computer-games room with a sofa bed for when Jamie is back during the holidays.
Our small gaming group has been playing tabletop 'war-games' for the last few weeks. We all have Games Workshop 40K armies and have been facing off against each other in quick games of Kill-Teams (small groups in hit and run type skirmishes). I play an Ork army and so far they are the only Kill-Team that has succeeded in its mission. James plays Tau and Kevin plays Dark Eldar, there are still a few different combinations to go so things are certain to change.
I am still doing my writing with the NZIBS on their student forum bulletin board and I am enjoying it very much. The other students and tutors are very supportive and are encouraging me to submit a few stories to publishers. I would love to have something turned into print, so I am certainly thinking about it.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Flying the nest…
Well, Jamie's done it. He has been accepted to the University of Hull to do a Computer Science degree. Due to his slightly disappointing grades he had to go through the nerve wracking and incredibly bureaucratic Clearing process. His first choice of Oxford Brookes turned him down and his second choice, Greenwich, offered a lesser degree and pissed him about so much that he looked at other institutions. As it turned out he got offers from Bradford and Hull (both much better universities). He is having to do the four year course that includes a foundation year in a local collage, but he is in the degree course, so if he does well he goes on to do the next three years at the university.
Jamie went up for the day on Monday to look around and to try and finalise some details (like accommodation!). He didn't manage to find some where he really liked to stay so we are going up with him tonight so that we can spend all day Friday getting him somewhere to live.
Talk about last minute. Sue and I are off to France on Sunday with Joyce and Terry for a week, and Jamie starts his orientation and 'freshers' week on Monday.
Needless to say everyone is a little tense (much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth).
It doesn’t get any easier as they get older - the problems just change.
Fingers crossed, touch wood, rabbits foot and any other good-luck charms welcomed.
Jamie went up for the day on Monday to look around and to try and finalise some details (like accommodation!). He didn't manage to find some where he really liked to stay so we are going up with him tonight so that we can spend all day Friday getting him somewhere to live.
Talk about last minute. Sue and I are off to France on Sunday with Joyce and Terry for a week, and Jamie starts his orientation and 'freshers' week on Monday.
Needless to say everyone is a little tense (much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth).
It doesn’t get any easier as they get older - the problems just change.
Fingers crossed, touch wood, rabbits foot and any other good-luck charms welcomed.
Dean & Michelle's housewarming…
Last weekend we went up to celebrate Dean and Michelle's move into their new flat. Terry, Ross, Heather and several other friends of D&M were also there.
It was a lovely balmy summer evening and we had a great time drinking and eating and putting the world to rights.
Dean fired up his new shiny black gas BBQ and cooked up a mountain of meat. Michelle had put together some impressive salads and dips. Heather brought along a bottle of Pimms and made a summer punch which never strayed to far from her reach.
A selection of cheese and an impressive array of Port finished the evening off nicely.
It was a lovely balmy summer evening and we had a great time drinking and eating and putting the world to rights.
Dean fired up his new shiny black gas BBQ and cooked up a mountain of meat. Michelle had put together some impressive salads and dips. Heather brought along a bottle of Pimms and made a summer punch which never strayed to far from her reach.
A selection of cheese and an impressive array of Port finished the evening off nicely.
The Village
M. Night Shyamalan's movie is pretty much on a par with his previous film, Signs. That's to say it is no where near as good as Sixth Sense. It is however a fairly entertaining diversion if you have nothing better to do.
The Village web site
Let not the bad colour be seen. It attracts them.
Oh yeah! Also remember…
It is not wise to run screaming through a forest if you are a blind girl.
The Village web site
Let not the bad colour be seen. It attracts them.
Oh yeah! Also remember…
It is not wise to run screaming through a forest if you are a blind girl.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Petworth House & Park
In our continuing exploration of the UK's history and culture we visited another National Trust property recently.
Petworth House is a very interesting and complete manor house with a very important role in the UK's history. The visit was enhanced by a delightfully entertaining and informative talk by one of the guides in the chapel.
Magnificent country house and park with an internationally important art collection. The vast late 17th-century mansion is set in a beautiful park, landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings. The house contains the Trust’s finest and largest collection of pictures, with numerous works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake, as well as ancient and neo-classical sculpture, fine furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The Servants’ Quarters contain interesting kitchens (including a splendid copper batterie de cuisine of over 1000 pieces) and other service rooms.
Petworth House is a very interesting and complete manor house with a very important role in the UK's history. The visit was enhanced by a delightfully entertaining and informative talk by one of the guides in the chapel.
Magnificent country house and park with an internationally important art collection. The vast late 17th-century mansion is set in a beautiful park, landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings. The house contains the Trust’s finest and largest collection of pictures, with numerous works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake, as well as ancient and neo-classical sculpture, fine furniture and carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The Servants’ Quarters contain interesting kitchens (including a splendid copper batterie de cuisine of over 1000 pieces) and other service rooms.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The scramble for places…
Jamie has received his exams results and unfortunately they were not quite as good as he wanted. This meant he didn’t get into his first choice university. He now has to battle with the ‘clearing’ process looking around for alternative universities and courses.
There are so many more kids trying to get into university these days as it seems impossible to get even ordinary jobs without having some form of tertiary education. If you can’t beat them, join them.
Although neither Sue nor I ever went to university we have always felt that a large part of the education process is the opportunity to get a taste of independence in a reasonable safe environment. To this end we have encouraged Jamie to look at universities that would require him to go into halls or start flatting. To Jamie’s credit he is very keen on this too, so much so that he’d rather pick an university that none of his friends are going to so that he is forced to make new friends.
After several days of phone calls and internet searches he has got a few offers in for computer courses at different establishments. There is still more work to do before everything is sorted, but it seems to be heading in the right direction. The next step would be the logistics; accommodation, funding, transportation and all that.
Jamie is being very positive about everything. In fact Sue and I seem to be more stressed than he is. After all you just want the best for them.
There are so many more kids trying to get into university these days as it seems impossible to get even ordinary jobs without having some form of tertiary education. If you can’t beat them, join them.
Although neither Sue nor I ever went to university we have always felt that a large part of the education process is the opportunity to get a taste of independence in a reasonable safe environment. To this end we have encouraged Jamie to look at universities that would require him to go into halls or start flatting. To Jamie’s credit he is very keen on this too, so much so that he’d rather pick an university that none of his friends are going to so that he is forced to make new friends.
After several days of phone calls and internet searches he has got a few offers in for computer courses at different establishments. There is still more work to do before everything is sorted, but it seems to be heading in the right direction. The next step would be the logistics; accommodation, funding, transportation and all that.
Jamie is being very positive about everything. In fact Sue and I seem to be more stressed than he is. After all you just want the best for them.
More of wot I have read...
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
This is the latest ‘modern classic’ I have read, and it is a corker. The story and characters are very engaging. Atticus Finch – what a man, what a hero. Boo Radley – now I know where the band got their name. Scout - a fantastic breath of fresh air.
‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.
A lawyer’s advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this enchanting classic – a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.
Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the thirties.
The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man’s struggle for justice.
But the weight of history will only tolerate so much…’
This is the latest ‘modern classic’ I have read, and it is a corker. The story and characters are very engaging. Atticus Finch – what a man, what a hero. Boo Radley – now I know where the band got their name. Scout - a fantastic breath of fresh air.
‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.
A lawyer’s advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this enchanting classic – a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.
Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the thirties.
The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man’s struggle for justice.
But the weight of history will only tolerate so much…’
Soft food and sympathy…
Well that’s over and done with. At least the consultant did everything at once, so I won’t need to go in for another op’. In the end the operation entailed the removal of the cyst, the impacted wisdom tooth and two other molars. I don’t know what to do with my tongue as half my teeth on the left side are missing and there is only a bloody (literary) hole left.
Tell you what though; private medical insurance sure buys you a very different class of service. The hospital was more like a hotel. I was checked in almost as soon as we turned up. I was asked if I would like a paper in the morning. Then I was taken around to my own room with on-suite facilities, a electric bed that needed a license to drive, and a TV with terrestrial, satellite and radio piped in. On my table was a book detailing all the facilities and a couple of menus; one for the evening meal and one for breakfast.
I was scheduled to go under the knife at 17:30, but as the nurses advised my consultant had a habit of running late. About an hour late I changed into the very sexy gown – fully ventilated at the rear for your embarrassment (these gowns come in one size and on me it looked like it was designed by Mary Quant).
It was an interesting experience being wheeled down the corridors watching the lights pass overhead, hearing the nurses and porters discuss everyday things and feeling the room fade away as the anaesthetic took effect. Waking up was not much fun. Disoriented and in pain and shock. I was very happy when I got back to my room and Sue, waiting to hold my hand.
It was not a very pleasant night. There was not much pain but the wound did bleed quite a lot through the night, so I didn’t sleep well and I was quite nauseous.
Naturally I didn’t feel like eating after the operation, but I was hungry in the morning. Sue had suggested I pick soft foods like Weetbix and a plate of scrambled egg.
I was home late morning and tucked up in bed with all the pillows and the remote controls.
Sue has been fantastic looking after me with soft food and sympathy.
My mouth is starting to swell up a bit now, but at least the bleeding has pretty much stopped. I have a selection of pills and in an effort to avoid infection I have my brush in sterilising fluid and a bottle of mouthwash. So with any luck I will be feeling better for the bank holiday weekend.
Tell you what though; private medical insurance sure buys you a very different class of service. The hospital was more like a hotel. I was checked in almost as soon as we turned up. I was asked if I would like a paper in the morning. Then I was taken around to my own room with on-suite facilities, a electric bed that needed a license to drive, and a TV with terrestrial, satellite and radio piped in. On my table was a book detailing all the facilities and a couple of menus; one for the evening meal and one for breakfast.
I was scheduled to go under the knife at 17:30, but as the nurses advised my consultant had a habit of running late. About an hour late I changed into the very sexy gown – fully ventilated at the rear for your embarrassment (these gowns come in one size and on me it looked like it was designed by Mary Quant).
It was an interesting experience being wheeled down the corridors watching the lights pass overhead, hearing the nurses and porters discuss everyday things and feeling the room fade away as the anaesthetic took effect. Waking up was not much fun. Disoriented and in pain and shock. I was very happy when I got back to my room and Sue, waiting to hold my hand.
It was not a very pleasant night. There was not much pain but the wound did bleed quite a lot through the night, so I didn’t sleep well and I was quite nauseous.
Naturally I didn’t feel like eating after the operation, but I was hungry in the morning. Sue had suggested I pick soft foods like Weetbix and a plate of scrambled egg.
I was home late morning and tucked up in bed with all the pillows and the remote controls.
Sue has been fantastic looking after me with soft food and sympathy.
My mouth is starting to swell up a bit now, but at least the bleeding has pretty much stopped. I have a selection of pills and in an effort to avoid infection I have my brush in sterilising fluid and a bottle of mouthwash. So with any luck I will be feeling better for the bank holiday weekend.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Under the knife...
Well, in a couple of hours from now I will be in hospital about to have surgery on my jaw.
I have a cyst in my lower jaw under a wisdom tooth and molar. It had become infected and so I have already spent a few days in another (NHS) hospital getting IV antibiotics. It actually feels fine at the moment except for a little lack of sensation in my lip and front jaw (the cyst is pinching a nerve somewhere).
Today the consultant is going to perform a biopsy, and if things look OK he will continue with the extraction of the cyst, the molar and the wisdom tooth. If it is complicated he will reschedule the extraction for next week.
In case you couldn't tell, I am not keen on hospitals at all. In fact on the pre-admission form, in a section that asks about 'other concerns about the procedure' I put down - 'don't like needles'. Sue thought it was better to let them know before I collapsed in dead faint at their feet.
This time I am going private so at least I get my own room, though I will only be in overnight.
Hack, hack… slash, slash… spurt, spurt…
Ooh dear…
I think I need a lie down.
I have a cyst in my lower jaw under a wisdom tooth and molar. It had become infected and so I have already spent a few days in another (NHS) hospital getting IV antibiotics. It actually feels fine at the moment except for a little lack of sensation in my lip and front jaw (the cyst is pinching a nerve somewhere).
Today the consultant is going to perform a biopsy, and if things look OK he will continue with the extraction of the cyst, the molar and the wisdom tooth. If it is complicated he will reschedule the extraction for next week.
In case you couldn't tell, I am not keen on hospitals at all. In fact on the pre-admission form, in a section that asks about 'other concerns about the procedure' I put down - 'don't like needles'. Sue thought it was better to let them know before I collapsed in dead faint at their feet.
This time I am going private so at least I get my own room, though I will only be in overnight.
Hack, hack… slash, slash… spurt, spurt…
Ooh dear…
I think I need a lie down.
Monday, August 23, 2004
Historic Hampstead...
This weekend Sue and I decided to explore some of historic Hampstead. We rarely venture to North London, as it can be quite an ordeal. I don't drive through London if I can help it (especially with the congestion-charging zone in effect) and it would take forever to drive around. As it happens the places we wanted to visit were close to the Northern Line of the so we used the Tube. The Underground is not the most pleasant way to travel, especially if it is warm, but it is convenient.
We first visited the National Trust's Fenton House a Handsome 17th-century merchant’s house with walled garden. Set in the winding streets of Hampstead village, this late 17th-century house contains an outstanding collection of porcelain, 17th-century needlework pictures and Georgian furniture, and the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments, most of which are in working order. The delightful walled garden includes fine displays of roses, an orchard and a working kitchen garden.
Fenton House
The gardens were great, though Sue was slightly disappointed that we were not allowed to pick the apples.
The house itself was less interesting as antique instruments and collectable ceramics are not really our thing.
We walked on through the lovely back streets of Hampstead down beside the Heath towards number 2 Willow Road a 1930s Modernist house designed by Goldfinger, and also managed by the National Trust.
The architect Ernö Goldfinger designed and built the house as his family home in 1939. The central house of a terrace of three, it is one of Britain’s most important examples of Modernist architecture and is filled with furniture also designed by Goldfinger. The art collection includes a number of significant British and European 20th-century works by Bridget Riley, Max Ernst and Henry Moore amongst others.
2 Willow Road
This house was much more to our liking. It retained a great feel of the people who lived there and had loads of character. There was a very watchable documentary video about the history of Goldfinger and the house.
It is reputed that Ian Fleming decided to use Goldfinger's name for his notorious Bond villain after playing a round of golf with a mutual friend.
We decided to take the bus some of the way back home, as we didn't fancy the stuffy Tube. Also they journey afforded as a view of the surroundings in a part of town we both are unfamiliar with.
We first visited the National Trust's Fenton House a Handsome 17th-century merchant’s house with walled garden. Set in the winding streets of Hampstead village, this late 17th-century house contains an outstanding collection of porcelain, 17th-century needlework pictures and Georgian furniture, and the Benton Fletcher collection of early keyboard instruments, most of which are in working order. The delightful walled garden includes fine displays of roses, an orchard and a working kitchen garden.
Fenton House
The gardens were great, though Sue was slightly disappointed that we were not allowed to pick the apples.
The house itself was less interesting as antique instruments and collectable ceramics are not really our thing.
We walked on through the lovely back streets of Hampstead down beside the Heath towards number 2 Willow Road a 1930s Modernist house designed by Goldfinger, and also managed by the National Trust.
The architect Ernö Goldfinger designed and built the house as his family home in 1939. The central house of a terrace of three, it is one of Britain’s most important examples of Modernist architecture and is filled with furniture also designed by Goldfinger. The art collection includes a number of significant British and European 20th-century works by Bridget Riley, Max Ernst and Henry Moore amongst others.
2 Willow Road
This house was much more to our liking. It retained a great feel of the people who lived there and had loads of character. There was a very watchable documentary video about the history of Goldfinger and the house.
It is reputed that Ian Fleming decided to use Goldfinger's name for his notorious Bond villain after playing a round of golf with a mutual friend.
We decided to take the bus some of the way back home, as we didn't fancy the stuffy Tube. Also they journey afforded as a view of the surroundings in a part of town we both are unfamiliar with.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Wot I have read…
I like a good read, and with my recent trip to the States and our holiday in Italy, I have had a chance to read the following:
The Portable Door, by Tom Holt.
This book is definitely for geeks. It has more than a few Sci-Fi (Star Trek - the Chekhov gag is great) and Fantasy (D&D and LOTR) references. The story is quite novel and diverting though it is a bit wearing at times. Not bad for a little light fun.
‘Starting a new job can be extremely stressful. You meet your colleagues and forget their names. You meet your boss and forget his name. Then, after breaking the photocopier, you forget your own name.
And the next day you get to do it all again.
But what if your new employer is not the pen-pushing, paper-shuffling outfit you supposed it to be? What if I it is an elaborate front for something far more sinister?
Not that Paul Carpenter, new recruit at J.W.Wells & Co., would even notice. He’s become obsessed with wooing the enigmatic Sophie, a bizarre angular woman with all the sexual appeal of a hole-punch.’
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon.
This is a very interesting book for its style if nothing else. It is written from the point of view of a fifteen year old boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome (a type of Autism). The book is littered with diagrams and lists and gives you an impression of how some autistic people might see the world. It can be difficult to get into at times but is well worth the effort.
‘This is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger’s Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour’s dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.’
Brick Lane, by Monica Ali.
This is a lovely book where little happens. It is a well written story about human nature and our desire for self determination and freedom. I don’t know much about the cultures and places in the book, but nevertheless I found myself carried along.
‘At the tender age of eighteen, Nazneen’s life is turned upside down. After an arranged marriage to a man twenty years her elder she exchanges her Bangladeshi village for a block of flats in London’s East End. In this new world, where poor people can be fat and even dogs go on diets, she struggles to make sense of her existence – and to do her duty to her husband. A man of inflated ideas (and stomach), he sorely tests her compliance.
But Nazneen submits, as she must, to Fate and devotes her life to raising her family and slapping down her demons of discontent. Until she becomes aware of a young radical, Karim.
Against a background of escalating racial and gang conflict, they embark on an affair the finally forces Nazneen to take control of her like…’
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D.Salinger
I bought this book along with 1984, which I first read in school, and To Kill a Mocking Bird, which I am currently reading, after seeing the Big Read programmes on TV. I though I should ‘educate’ myself by reading some of the ‘modern classics’. So what the hell is this book all about? Actually I did enjoy it even though nothing happens and I was totally unsympathetic to the main character. At the end I did feel as if the story was unfinished and unresolved. The detail and writing in this book is fantastic and apart from some references (value of money, slang, and famous personalities) this story is still very relevant today. There are no sleeve notes, but than you are supposed to be aware of it.
Happy reading.
The Portable Door, by Tom Holt.
This book is definitely for geeks. It has more than a few Sci-Fi (Star Trek - the Chekhov gag is great) and Fantasy (D&D and LOTR) references. The story is quite novel and diverting though it is a bit wearing at times. Not bad for a little light fun.
‘Starting a new job can be extremely stressful. You meet your colleagues and forget their names. You meet your boss and forget his name. Then, after breaking the photocopier, you forget your own name.
And the next day you get to do it all again.
But what if your new employer is not the pen-pushing, paper-shuffling outfit you supposed it to be? What if I it is an elaborate front for something far more sinister?
Not that Paul Carpenter, new recruit at J.W.Wells & Co., would even notice. He’s become obsessed with wooing the enigmatic Sophie, a bizarre angular woman with all the sexual appeal of a hole-punch.’
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon.
This is a very interesting book for its style if nothing else. It is written from the point of view of a fifteen year old boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome (a type of Autism). The book is littered with diagrams and lists and gives you an impression of how some autistic people might see the world. It can be difficult to get into at times but is well worth the effort.
‘This is a murder mystery novel like no other. The detective, and narrator, is Christopher Boone. Christopher is fifteen and has Asperger’s Syndrome. He knows a very great deal about maths and very little about human beings. He loves lists, patterns and the truth. He hates the colours yellow and brown and being touched. He has never gone further than the end of the road on his own, but when he finds a neighbour’s dog murdered he sets out on a terrifying journey which will turn his whole world upside down.’
Brick Lane, by Monica Ali.
This is a lovely book where little happens. It is a well written story about human nature and our desire for self determination and freedom. I don’t know much about the cultures and places in the book, but nevertheless I found myself carried along.
‘At the tender age of eighteen, Nazneen’s life is turned upside down. After an arranged marriage to a man twenty years her elder she exchanges her Bangladeshi village for a block of flats in London’s East End. In this new world, where poor people can be fat and even dogs go on diets, she struggles to make sense of her existence – and to do her duty to her husband. A man of inflated ideas (and stomach), he sorely tests her compliance.
But Nazneen submits, as she must, to Fate and devotes her life to raising her family and slapping down her demons of discontent. Until she becomes aware of a young radical, Karim.
Against a background of escalating racial and gang conflict, they embark on an affair the finally forces Nazneen to take control of her like…’
The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D.Salinger
I bought this book along with 1984, which I first read in school, and To Kill a Mocking Bird, which I am currently reading, after seeing the Big Read programmes on TV. I though I should ‘educate’ myself by reading some of the ‘modern classics’. So what the hell is this book all about? Actually I did enjoy it even though nothing happens and I was totally unsympathetic to the main character. At the end I did feel as if the story was unfinished and unresolved. The detail and writing in this book is fantastic and apart from some references (value of money, slang, and famous personalities) this story is still very relevant today. There are no sleeve notes, but than you are supposed to be aware of it.
Happy reading.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
1001 things to do with a courgette…
We are in the middle of the prime growing season and are virtually self sufficient in vegetables (some more than others). Again we seem to have a surplus of courgettes, so we are having these all the time. Luckily Sue has a good recipe for an apple and courgette chutney.
We had a few failures early in the season when we had a cool, wet spell. The onions and garlic did not develop, as they should have. Many were smaller than usual and some became rotten. On the other hand the rain did give the root vegetables a boost and we have had some great potatoes and beetroot.
This year we have been able to grow some more exotic crops (for UK anyway), such as peppers, chillies and aubergine. We have one aubergine at the moment, and the chilli plants are a good size and full of flower. We have had some of the peppers - we had to pick them slightly early as some little pest has been having a nibble (a liberal dosing of natural pest deterrent should fix that).
Last night we had one of my favourite recipes that includes loads of veggies - roast chicken & veggies. It included courgette (naturally), onion, peppers, butternut squash (our first home grown), potatoes, garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms (about the only thing, apart from the chicken, that was not home-grown). All chopped up in a roasting pan and drizzled with chilli oil. Afterwards we had blackberry crumble.
There are quite a few crops that we are looking forward to picking soon like celery and sweetcorn (nothing better than fresh corn cooked and covered in butter).
We had a few failures early in the season when we had a cool, wet spell. The onions and garlic did not develop, as they should have. Many were smaller than usual and some became rotten. On the other hand the rain did give the root vegetables a boost and we have had some great potatoes and beetroot.
This year we have been able to grow some more exotic crops (for UK anyway), such as peppers, chillies and aubergine. We have one aubergine at the moment, and the chilli plants are a good size and full of flower. We have had some of the peppers - we had to pick them slightly early as some little pest has been having a nibble (a liberal dosing of natural pest deterrent should fix that).
Last night we had one of my favourite recipes that includes loads of veggies - roast chicken & veggies. It included courgette (naturally), onion, peppers, butternut squash (our first home grown), potatoes, garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms (about the only thing, apart from the chicken, that was not home-grown). All chopped up in a roasting pan and drizzled with chilli oil. Afterwards we had blackberry crumble.
There are quite a few crops that we are looking forward to picking soon like celery and sweetcorn (nothing better than fresh corn cooked and covered in butter).
I, Robot
We saw 'I, Robot' this weekend with friends. First of all, one thing to note is that when you book tickets in the middle of a heat wave, check that the theatre has air-conditioning (it was sooo hot). We should have known when we saw all the staff fanning themselves. The theatre had signs up stating that 'since the theatre was a listed property it didn't have air-conditioning, and that 'if you feel unwell contact a member of staff'. I wonder how many people had collapsed before they put those notices up?
The movie itself was fine, quite good even. There were some relatively minor gripes:
1. The blatant product placement did become a bit annoying after a while. You could play a game of spot the products (I'm sure I found more than a dozen).
2. Azimov fans could be a little disappointed with some of the details, although some updating was necessary.
3. I still can't totally buy into the CGA/Human mix. The interaction is not quite there yet.
The graphics are good, but again there are nagging doubts where the brain keeps telling you 'it's fake!'
4. The lead character is just way too heroic. Check out the jumping motor bike scene and the leaping over vertigo inducing drops. Totally unnecessary.
Is Will Smith planning on a career in politics? By his choice of movies and characters it seems to me that he wants to be the new, improved, Arnie.
The promotional web sites for the movie and for the robot are very pretty. Find the Movie page at http://www.irobotmovie.com/ and the NS-5 Robot page at http://www.ns-5.com/
The movie itself was fine, quite good even. There were some relatively minor gripes:
1. The blatant product placement did become a bit annoying after a while. You could play a game of spot the products (I'm sure I found more than a dozen).
2. Azimov fans could be a little disappointed with some of the details, although some updating was necessary.
3. I still can't totally buy into the CGA/Human mix. The interaction is not quite there yet.
The graphics are good, but again there are nagging doubts where the brain keeps telling you 'it's fake!'
4. The lead character is just way too heroic. Check out the jumping motor bike scene and the leaping over vertigo inducing drops. Totally unnecessary.
Is Will Smith planning on a career in politics? By his choice of movies and characters it seems to me that he wants to be the new, improved, Arnie.
The promotional web sites for the movie and for the robot are very pretty. Find the Movie page at http://www.irobotmovie.com/ and the NS-5 Robot page at http://www.ns-5.com/
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Waiting for results
Jamie has finished his 'A' level exams now and should be getting his results soon. He has taken IT and Physics and is hoping for good results so that he can go to his first choice university;
Oxford Brookes
He has taken some time off as holiday but for the last few weeks he has been working to earn a few quid. First with Sue's brother (Dave) as a labourer, and now in the IT department at the same company that Sue's sister (Deb) works for.
Oxford Brookes
He has taken some time off as holiday but for the last few weeks he has been working to earn a few quid. First with Sue's brother (Dave) as a labourer, and now in the IT department at the same company that Sue's sister (Deb) works for.
My own private nurse
Sue has added nurse to her collection of skills as she came to sit with me every day as I sat in hospital bringing me little treats and keeping me from becoming bored (though our attempts at the daily crossword were thwarted by our total illiteracy).
One of the side effects of the infection was almost total paralysis of my jaw for a while. This and an ongoing sensitivity in the teeth mean that I found it difficult to eat anything but the softest food. Sue used up some of our last raspberries along with some of the ripe blackberries in a jelly, so we have had jelly and ice-cream a couple of times this week. Fantastic!
Unfortunately Sue has been doing all this to her own detriment as she has been ignoring both a bad tooth and a chest infection. The filling came out of a tooth while we were on holiday, but when I started to experience problems I used her appointment (Sue is no fan of the dentist either). Sue had been taking antibiotics for a cough but they ran out and the cough continued. She did go back to the doctors again yesterday but they sent her to the hospital for an X-Ray and gave her an inhaler. Sue found out that you have to hold inhalers up the right way for them to work - at least that’s what the pharmacist told when she tried to return it as faulty.
One of the side effects of the infection was almost total paralysis of my jaw for a while. This and an ongoing sensitivity in the teeth mean that I found it difficult to eat anything but the softest food. Sue used up some of our last raspberries along with some of the ripe blackberries in a jelly, so we have had jelly and ice-cream a couple of times this week. Fantastic!
Unfortunately Sue has been doing all this to her own detriment as she has been ignoring both a bad tooth and a chest infection. The filling came out of a tooth while we were on holiday, but when I started to experience problems I used her appointment (Sue is no fan of the dentist either). Sue had been taking antibiotics for a cough but they ran out and the cough continued. She did go back to the doctors again yesterday but they sent her to the hospital for an X-Ray and gave her an inhaler. Sue found out that you have to hold inhalers up the right way for them to work - at least that’s what the pharmacist told when she tried to return it as faulty.
Monday, August 02, 2004
More (minor) literary success.
As many of you aware I am an aspiring author and every month I try to submit a story to my Student Group's writing competition. Well I won again this month (admittedly there was only one other entry, but I was quite proud of this story). It is a little rushed and unrefined but here it is nevertheless.
A 600 word short story for 10 to 15 year olds.
I Heard…
I heard the end of the world today. I always thought it would start as a low rumble that you feel rather than hear that would build into a thundering roar so loud that you hear that funny squeaking as your ears distort with the volume. I read somewhere, I think it was in the New Scientist, that the Americans had come up with a sound ray that could shake a person to bits and make their head explode. This was nothing like that though. It was much quieter.
When it happened I was lying underneath my parents' bed. I had taken some of the spare pillows and the winter blanket from the box at the end of the bed and had crawled underneath with them until I was wedged in tight. I could smell the dust in the carpet and the musty smell of the blanket mixing with lemon-fresh fabric-conditioner mum used on the pillowcases. It was a safe place to come where I could daydream.
I often made up stories in my head where I was trapped, perhaps in the rouble of the house after an earthquake. Some unexplained disaster would have occurred and I would be pinned immobile under tonnes of masonry with only a few small gaps where a little air and light could filter through. It wasn't anything to do with self-harm or any of that mental stuff, it was actually about heroically rescuing someone else. Usually it would be a beautiful girl who was also trapped and I would have to overcome my pain and rescue her. Everybody would think I was a hero and I would become famous and the girl who would end up falling in love with me.
I was under the bed when my mum and dad came in. Mum sat on the edge of the bed. I could see her sandals; they were the ones she wore at the beach that had pink and orange plastic flowers on them. Dad was pacing up and down; he was wearing his old brown work shoes. He must have just finished mowing the lawn because I could see bits of grass stuck to the heel.
"It can't go on any more," dad's voice sounded strange, hoarse. "I know we agreed to wait for the sake of Ben, but I can't stand it anymore."
"He's only a child Richard!"
"I know Carol," dad sat down next to mum on the bed. The springs groaned. "But he's nearly twelve now and it would be better to do it now before he goes to High School."
The bed was pushing down on me and I couldn't move. The air seemed stuffier and my mouth was as dry and dusty as the carpet.
I could barely hear mum above the sound of blood pounding in my ears, "What are you suggesting?"
"I could get a flat nearer to work. I'd only need a few bits and pieces and I would make sure you and Ben had everything you needed."
"Damn right you will!" Mum jumped up and rounded on dad. "I can't stop you from going. Even if I wanted to. But I can damn well make sure you look after your son!"
"I know, I know!" dad had stood up and stepped towards mum but she moved away and turned around. The grass had come off his shoe onto the carpet. Mum always insisted we wipe our feet before coming into the house. "Look we'll talk to Ben tonight, quietly and calmly."
I always thought the end of the world would be louder than that.
A 600 word short story for 10 to 15 year olds.
I Heard…
I heard the end of the world today. I always thought it would start as a low rumble that you feel rather than hear that would build into a thundering roar so loud that you hear that funny squeaking as your ears distort with the volume. I read somewhere, I think it was in the New Scientist, that the Americans had come up with a sound ray that could shake a person to bits and make their head explode. This was nothing like that though. It was much quieter.
When it happened I was lying underneath my parents' bed. I had taken some of the spare pillows and the winter blanket from the box at the end of the bed and had crawled underneath with them until I was wedged in tight. I could smell the dust in the carpet and the musty smell of the blanket mixing with lemon-fresh fabric-conditioner mum used on the pillowcases. It was a safe place to come where I could daydream.
I often made up stories in my head where I was trapped, perhaps in the rouble of the house after an earthquake. Some unexplained disaster would have occurred and I would be pinned immobile under tonnes of masonry with only a few small gaps where a little air and light could filter through. It wasn't anything to do with self-harm or any of that mental stuff, it was actually about heroically rescuing someone else. Usually it would be a beautiful girl who was also trapped and I would have to overcome my pain and rescue her. Everybody would think I was a hero and I would become famous and the girl who would end up falling in love with me.
I was under the bed when my mum and dad came in. Mum sat on the edge of the bed. I could see her sandals; they were the ones she wore at the beach that had pink and orange plastic flowers on them. Dad was pacing up and down; he was wearing his old brown work shoes. He must have just finished mowing the lawn because I could see bits of grass stuck to the heel.
"It can't go on any more," dad's voice sounded strange, hoarse. "I know we agreed to wait for the sake of Ben, but I can't stand it anymore."
"He's only a child Richard!"
"I know Carol," dad sat down next to mum on the bed. The springs groaned. "But he's nearly twelve now and it would be better to do it now before he goes to High School."
The bed was pushing down on me and I couldn't move. The air seemed stuffier and my mouth was as dry and dusty as the carpet.
I could barely hear mum above the sound of blood pounding in my ears, "What are you suggesting?"
"I could get a flat nearer to work. I'd only need a few bits and pieces and I would make sure you and Ben had everything you needed."
"Damn right you will!" Mum jumped up and rounded on dad. "I can't stop you from going. Even if I wanted to. But I can damn well make sure you look after your son!"
"I know, I know!" dad had stood up and stepped towards mum but she moved away and turned around. The grass had come off his shoe onto the carpet. Mum always insisted we wipe our feet before coming into the house. "Look we'll talk to Ben tonight, quietly and calmly."
I always thought the end of the world would be louder than that.
Back from the sick bed.
I told you I was ill!
I have just spent a few days in hospital being pumped full of drugs. My dentist had diagnosed a cyst on one of my wisdom teeth and had referred me to the hospital to arrange for surgery to remove it. Unfortunately in the next couple of days it became infected and the left side of my face swelled up like a bad impression of the Godfather.
We had arranged for a few friends to come over for a BBQ on Saturday. Dean & Michelle, James & Nikala and Heather came over. Marc was supposed to come to but he got stuck at work (that bloody job is getting in the way of our social life). They all had a good evening (I was feeling somewhat sorry for myself at that point, but the girls thought I was just being 'a man' about it - looking for sympathy).
After a few restless nights we managed to reschedule the appointment with the consultant to Monday morning and as soon as I had seen him he told me to go home, pack a bag and go to hospital. It was arranged that I would have a course of IV Antibiotics to stop the infection. I had to warn the nursing staff that I have a phobia of needles (no one wants to try and lift 6'4", 15st of dead weight up from the floor). Incidentally, have you noticed how young all the doctors are these days?
The upshot was that I was in hospital until Thursday afternoon before they let me go. I am now on oral antibiotics (the size of horse pills) and some kick-ass painkillers. So I am back to work - though I am a little dopier than usual (Oi! Shut it!).
I am due to visit the consultant on the 16th Aug when he comes back from holiday. Also it gives me chance to exercise my jaw (one of the side effects of the infection was to paralyse it) - I still have some numbness in my lip and mouth as the cyst is pressing on a nerve. The consultant will then arrange for a time for the operation to remove the cyst and tooth. So I will have another stay in hospital then (Oh! Joy!).
I have just spent a few days in hospital being pumped full of drugs. My dentist had diagnosed a cyst on one of my wisdom teeth and had referred me to the hospital to arrange for surgery to remove it. Unfortunately in the next couple of days it became infected and the left side of my face swelled up like a bad impression of the Godfather.
We had arranged for a few friends to come over for a BBQ on Saturday. Dean & Michelle, James & Nikala and Heather came over. Marc was supposed to come to but he got stuck at work (that bloody job is getting in the way of our social life). They all had a good evening (I was feeling somewhat sorry for myself at that point, but the girls thought I was just being 'a man' about it - looking for sympathy).
After a few restless nights we managed to reschedule the appointment with the consultant to Monday morning and as soon as I had seen him he told me to go home, pack a bag and go to hospital. It was arranged that I would have a course of IV Antibiotics to stop the infection. I had to warn the nursing staff that I have a phobia of needles (no one wants to try and lift 6'4", 15st of dead weight up from the floor). Incidentally, have you noticed how young all the doctors are these days?
The upshot was that I was in hospital until Thursday afternoon before they let me go. I am now on oral antibiotics (the size of horse pills) and some kick-ass painkillers. So I am back to work - though I am a little dopier than usual (Oi! Shut it!).
I am due to visit the consultant on the 16th Aug when he comes back from holiday. Also it gives me chance to exercise my jaw (one of the side effects of the infection was to paralyse it) - I still have some numbness in my lip and mouth as the cyst is pressing on a nerve. The consultant will then arrange for a time for the operation to remove the cyst and tooth. So I will have another stay in hospital then (Oh! Joy!).
Friday, July 23, 2004
Ouch!
I am suffering with toothache...
While away on holiday Sue lost a filling and as seems to be the way I can't let her suffer alone. In fact I must go one better.
Not long after we got back I started to notice a dull ache in my lower jaw at the back. Over the next few days it steadily got worse until I noticed a lump develop on the jaw-line. I thought it must be an abscess so decided to go to the dentist - unfortunately we didn't have one, so it took a couple more days before a got checked out.
Turns out that I have a cyst growing under my wisdom tooth and I need to have it and the tooth removed in an operation.
There is one thing I hate more than dentists and that is the hospital.
I have some antibiotics to take until I hear about a date at the hospital (thing is I have been told that I should not drink while taking these under any circumstances. Tomorrow we are having friends over for dinner - Oh! How Jamie & Sue laughed). I really don't feel like drink at the moment any way, as the pain is pretty bad (I don't have a high pain-threshold), I don't think I should be taking as many pain killers as I am. I am starting to rattle.
Woe is me!
While away on holiday Sue lost a filling and as seems to be the way I can't let her suffer alone. In fact I must go one better.
Not long after we got back I started to notice a dull ache in my lower jaw at the back. Over the next few days it steadily got worse until I noticed a lump develop on the jaw-line. I thought it must be an abscess so decided to go to the dentist - unfortunately we didn't have one, so it took a couple more days before a got checked out.
Turns out that I have a cyst growing under my wisdom tooth and I need to have it and the tooth removed in an operation.
There is one thing I hate more than dentists and that is the hospital.
I have some antibiotics to take until I hear about a date at the hospital (thing is I have been told that I should not drink while taking these under any circumstances. Tomorrow we are having friends over for dinner - Oh! How Jamie & Sue laughed). I really don't feel like drink at the moment any way, as the pain is pretty bad (I don't have a high pain-threshold), I don't think I should be taking as many pain killers as I am. I am starting to rattle.
Woe is me!
Sunday, July 18, 2004
What’s all that noise?
Once again I have spending my hard earned (well not all that hard earned) money on my addiction to music.
Mirah is an artist that I heard of through KEXP who’s music is very much from the same mould as many of the Seattle folky scene at the moment. The album I bought ‘advisory committee’ has some real gems on it, but it won’t suit everyone’s taste.
Calexico are a band with a definite Tex-Mex feel to them. ‘Convict Pool’ is a rocking good album, very spicy.
The ‘Bedroom Communities O2. ReLounge’ compilation from Kriztal Records is a fantastic Sunday on the Sofa album (pitched as dance/electronica/chillout).
The Streets, ‘a grand don’t come for free’ is my only real nod towards the rap genre. Mike Skinner doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously yet for people from a white, middle-class, suburban UK his lyrics are spot on. Again this is not to everyone’s taste, but I have both his albums.
Zero7 are so ambient-cool and their ‘when it falls’ album is sublime. This is a very easy sound that just washes over you.
The US band Passenger (not to be confused with the Nordic Heavy Metalers of the same name), are another group I heard whilest listening to KEXP. They play music that is similar to the current flavour of the month Keane, Coldplay and the other Indie-Pop outfits. Their EP ‘late tonight’ is all good.
The Veils with their album ‘the runaway found’ are a top band. Their song ‘the valleys of New Orleans’ brings me close to tears.
Sun Kil Moon is a very distinctive sounding band, due for the most part to lead singer Mark Kozelek. The sound tends to the country-folk side if the scale, but don’t let that put you off. ‘Ghosts of the Great Highway’ is a great album.
If you every wanted to know what all the fuss about the late Nick Drake was all about then ‘Way to Blue’ is a good place to start. This influential folk artist is less well known at large, yet many current artists rate him very highly. The track ‘Hazey Jane II’ is one of my favourites.
Grant Lee Buffalo with their album ‘Fuzzy’ are a jingly-jangly band that I am sure you will like if you like Sun Kil Moon.
I really love the sound of the Willard Grant Conspiracy and their album ‘Regard the End’. It is kind of Nick Cave meets Lambchop. Beware this is defiantly of the country persuasion (though not the Stetson and Spurs type).
Black Cherry is the second album I have from Goldfrapp and I am a little disappointed in it. It is not as good as the first.
Sue did buy me a CD of Jim Reaves, but I haven’t got around to listening to this yet!
Unusually it has taken me some time to listen to all of this music. It wasn’t due to the quantity but to do with holidays, having family around (Dad is a big fan of jazz), and the fact the CD Player finally expired (I have borrowed Jamie’s while I look for a new one).
Play on.
Mirah is an artist that I heard of through KEXP who’s music is very much from the same mould as many of the Seattle folky scene at the moment. The album I bought ‘advisory committee’ has some real gems on it, but it won’t suit everyone’s taste.
Calexico are a band with a definite Tex-Mex feel to them. ‘Convict Pool’ is a rocking good album, very spicy.
The ‘Bedroom Communities O2. ReLounge’ compilation from Kriztal Records is a fantastic Sunday on the Sofa album (pitched as dance/electronica/chillout).
The Streets, ‘a grand don’t come for free’ is my only real nod towards the rap genre. Mike Skinner doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously yet for people from a white, middle-class, suburban UK his lyrics are spot on. Again this is not to everyone’s taste, but I have both his albums.
Zero7 are so ambient-cool and their ‘when it falls’ album is sublime. This is a very easy sound that just washes over you.
The US band Passenger (not to be confused with the Nordic Heavy Metalers of the same name), are another group I heard whilest listening to KEXP. They play music that is similar to the current flavour of the month Keane, Coldplay and the other Indie-Pop outfits. Their EP ‘late tonight’ is all good.
The Veils with their album ‘the runaway found’ are a top band. Their song ‘the valleys of New Orleans’ brings me close to tears.
Sun Kil Moon is a very distinctive sounding band, due for the most part to lead singer Mark Kozelek. The sound tends to the country-folk side if the scale, but don’t let that put you off. ‘Ghosts of the Great Highway’ is a great album.
If you every wanted to know what all the fuss about the late Nick Drake was all about then ‘Way to Blue’ is a good place to start. This influential folk artist is less well known at large, yet many current artists rate him very highly. The track ‘Hazey Jane II’ is one of my favourites.
Grant Lee Buffalo with their album ‘Fuzzy’ are a jingly-jangly band that I am sure you will like if you like Sun Kil Moon.
I really love the sound of the Willard Grant Conspiracy and their album ‘Regard the End’. It is kind of Nick Cave meets Lambchop. Beware this is defiantly of the country persuasion (though not the Stetson and Spurs type).
Black Cherry is the second album I have from Goldfrapp and I am a little disappointed in it. It is not as good as the first.
Sue did buy me a CD of Jim Reaves, but I haven’t got around to listening to this yet!
Unusually it has taken me some time to listen to all of this music. It wasn’t due to the quantity but to do with holidays, having family around (Dad is a big fan of jazz), and the fact the CD Player finally expired (I have borrowed Jamie’s while I look for a new one).
Play on.
The Italian Job
Joyce, Terry, Mum, Dad, Sue and I all headed off to Heathrow airport early on Monday to catch our flight to Rome. After much pissing about at the Hertz desk (we’ll try Avis next time), we finally got our two hire cars and were on the way to Bolsena in the north of Lazio near the borders of Umbria and Tuscany.
Those Italian drivers are absolutely nuts (reminds me of driving in NZ). Driving down the motorway at a respectable speed (and still being overtaken) you had to be careful when approaching a junction as it seems the Italians don’t so much merge onto the road as invade!
We still managed to make it to our destination without any major incident. We were staying at the Agriturismo La Riserva Montebello , which was not just a wonderful hotel but a working farm as well (aptly growing Olives and Kiwi fruit). The bonus of staying at this place was that they provided sumptuous four course evening meals of the finest foods. It was not by accident that we came here as Joyce and Terry had been here before and were eager return.
Being avid fans of everything Italian, Joyce and Terry have been to Italy many times (Sue and I tagged along on one of these occasions) and so they new the best places to visit. We were out and about every day and managed to see some great places including, Orvieto (the last Etruscan city-state to be defeated by the Romans), Montepulciano (a wonderful hill town of fine food and wine), Monte Castello Di Vibio (with a lovely small theatre – reputed to be the worlds smallest at 99 seats), Saturnia (with its natural hot springs forming pools and terraces before running into the stream). We also visited the ancient and almost deserted town of Civita Di Bagnoregio (on the top of a hill and only accessible by foot – or moped), the incredibly moving Abbazia Di Sant’Antimo (a lovely Abbey in a picturesque valley). We also spent some time at Bolsena itself (where the Etruscans recamped to after their defeat at Orvieto) and on one of the islands in the lake (the largest volcanic created lake in the country).
The weather was so hot that we had to adopt the way of the Romans and take a break in the afternoons (one day it was around 40 degrees C). Luckily the hotel had its own pool where we could cool down after our days out before setting to the serious task of eating and drinking.
Ah! That’s the life.
All too soon it was over and we were back in blighty. We back to work and Mum and Dad back on another plane this time for the long journey back down under.
Those Italian drivers are absolutely nuts (reminds me of driving in NZ). Driving down the motorway at a respectable speed (and still being overtaken) you had to be careful when approaching a junction as it seems the Italians don’t so much merge onto the road as invade!
We still managed to make it to our destination without any major incident. We were staying at the Agriturismo La Riserva Montebello , which was not just a wonderful hotel but a working farm as well (aptly growing Olives and Kiwi fruit). The bonus of staying at this place was that they provided sumptuous four course evening meals of the finest foods. It was not by accident that we came here as Joyce and Terry had been here before and were eager return.
Being avid fans of everything Italian, Joyce and Terry have been to Italy many times (Sue and I tagged along on one of these occasions) and so they new the best places to visit. We were out and about every day and managed to see some great places including, Orvieto (the last Etruscan city-state to be defeated by the Romans), Montepulciano (a wonderful hill town of fine food and wine), Monte Castello Di Vibio (with a lovely small theatre – reputed to be the worlds smallest at 99 seats), Saturnia (with its natural hot springs forming pools and terraces before running into the stream). We also visited the ancient and almost deserted town of Civita Di Bagnoregio (on the top of a hill and only accessible by foot – or moped), the incredibly moving Abbazia Di Sant’Antimo (a lovely Abbey in a picturesque valley). We also spent some time at Bolsena itself (where the Etruscans recamped to after their defeat at Orvieto) and on one of the islands in the lake (the largest volcanic created lake in the country).
The weather was so hot that we had to adopt the way of the Romans and take a break in the afternoons (one day it was around 40 degrees C). Luckily the hotel had its own pool where we could cool down after our days out before setting to the serious task of eating and drinking.
Ah! That’s the life.
All too soon it was over and we were back in blighty. We back to work and Mum and Dad back on another plane this time for the long journey back down under.
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