A good Friday night, there, with Dr Mr Bridger down for official post-viva success drinks. Despite the drunk woman at the table behind us nearly causing a security incident... Started in the Five'n'Thingy, and finished the drinks in the WH, where I had the lord conversation with Dr B. Took it in very generous spirit, especially considering his lady had tried to set me up with one of her mates at the BBQ earlier in the year... In the middle of all this, Ben II turns up unattended, waiting to meet RobOffOfBen. Then I get a 10-minute call from Neilo, a 1-minute call from Fletch (who's running it to the wire as ever, and about to be too late to get in for the extended drinking hours), then I try to talk the bouncing people into letting him in. They come up with some contrived way of getting him in, meanwhile Rob runs in past them to talk to Ben II, and promptly gets removed (all unseen by meself), but achieves his aim of making contact.
After the chucking-out bit, Dr B, Paul and meself go up to the kebab shop at the top of the Wrong Hill, while DrAbi makes her way up the Right Hill to go home (probably on account of the hen night she's to go to) unadvisably unattended, but mule-willed to the last.
After an ungodly wait for Paul and meself's chosen keeeebabs, we return to Aggy and commence the consumption of whiskey. All of it.
There ends the night's recollection, apart from recommending to Dr B that he sleep in the sitting room, on account of the dramatically increased apocalypse that befalls the back of the house every morning at 8am. Turns out to have been wise.
Saturday morning brought a World of Hangover. DrAbi went in and out of the hosue about four times in getting ready to go to this hen thing, which probably contributed to Dr B's later vomming. A trip to the cheapy shop resulted in me having a pack of jammy dodgers, a Guardian and a Yop. (Hungover?) Tea helped. Then watched some random telly for a couple of hours and caught up on some stuff in a slightly more sobererer environment.
After Dr B's departure, I went upstairs, salvaged some warm water from the evil plumbing system (must get that sorted today) got dressed all respectable-like, and walked out of the house.
Without my keys
Or a housemate in the vicinity
Arse.
The plan had been to walk over to the Uni to meet Ben II (finally) for some rugby-watching.
A new plan was suddenly required.... (TBC)
Monday 29 November 2004
Thursday 25 November 2004
Walbums, Crawls and Digital Telly
Sure didn't I buy the Killers lastnight, post-Spectrum, in Tescos! I was all ready to make a very unwise purchasing decision in the form of one of those metre-long packs of Jaffa Cakes (which I wisely avoided in another late-night shopping trip last week). Sadly, although I'd finally worked out an excuse to buy them (for the office), they'd sold out. So I bought Hot Fuss instead. Which follows on from the pattern of doing the same thing with the Razorlight album last week.
It's been a very busy week-or-so. Friday, got drunk in the house, with three hooky DVDs (Welcome to the Jungle is now my favourite film that I'd never heard of. Usually a fleeting accolade, but earned nonetheless), Andy, Mr Scriv and DrAbi. Then Ben II called round just as we were reaching a hiatus (good word) in the drinking. Turns out he'd been clambering all around the house (including the back yard) but wouldn't ring the doorbell for fear of waking us if we were asleep. What a star. Think he was out there for half an hour... Anyway, this kicked off the dhrink again nicely. Even DrAbi stayed up quite late, which is almost unheard of in Aggy.
Much arm-wrestling</random suggestion from DrAbi>, plus a bit of poker with all the 2ps I could muster from the drawer of change, and a very badly played game of charades (drunk = bad at explaining things, amazingly). Then a rant about love life... best not remembered, really. About an hour after herself retired, I switched on the teletext to see what time the following day's rugby was to commence. At which point, Ben noticed it was 5:35 am. Hmmm... Despite slightly fragmented heads all round, and a return to recover eggs and bread from Aggy, he made it to his own sofa...
...and I made it to bed, slept for about 5 hours, and then made plans to meet Hoopah and Gav in the TUP for rugby-related drinks. Good games that day, too. With a hell of a lot of booze. (Abi actually called me a "monster" — then I explained that this was how I structured my weekend back in the 'Fast.)
Hoopah's mate Henry (plus his dad who'd worked for a few months at UTV!) joined us for the England game, and Haze'n'Frase turned up (post-shopping, then Hazel had to depart for the White House shift, after a quick catch-up chat). Fit Sam (apparently the official nickname) also joined the proceedings later, and a pub-crawl took hold. TUP, Pews ("Sorry, lads — private party" ha ha...), KH, Three Tuns. All made an appearance in my memory the next day.
Which was when I made the decision to buy a digibox. And it's a great thing! Although the reception's a bit on the dodgy side sometimes (dropped out a few times on Sunday, after installation, then a bit more permanently since Arrested Development on BBC Four lastnight). But when it's up, it's staggeringly good. A revelation, considering there's no subscription.
Anyway, better get on with this project...</slacking off>
Off to a Thanksgiving dinner tonight in Cheam! Hat's off to them for the invitation :)
It's been a very busy week-or-so. Friday, got drunk in the house, with three hooky DVDs (Welcome to the Jungle is now my favourite film that I'd never heard of. Usually a fleeting accolade, but earned nonetheless), Andy, Mr Scriv and DrAbi. Then Ben II called round just as we were reaching a hiatus (good word) in the drinking. Turns out he'd been clambering all around the house (including the back yard) but wouldn't ring the doorbell for fear of waking us if we were asleep. What a star. Think he was out there for half an hour... Anyway, this kicked off the dhrink again nicely. Even DrAbi stayed up quite late, which is almost unheard of in Aggy.
Much arm-wrestling</random suggestion from DrAbi>, plus a bit of poker with all the 2ps I could muster from the drawer of change, and a very badly played game of charades (drunk = bad at explaining things, amazingly). Then a rant about love life... best not remembered, really. About an hour after herself retired, I switched on the teletext to see what time the following day's rugby was to commence. At which point, Ben noticed it was 5:35 am. Hmmm... Despite slightly fragmented heads all round, and a return to recover eggs and bread from Aggy, he made it to his own sofa...
...and I made it to bed, slept for about 5 hours, and then made plans to meet Hoopah and Gav in the TUP for rugby-related drinks. Good games that day, too. With a hell of a lot of booze. (Abi actually called me a "monster" — then I explained that this was how I structured my weekend back in the 'Fast.)
Hoopah's mate Henry (plus his dad who'd worked for a few months at UTV!) joined us for the England game, and Haze'n'Frase turned up (post-shopping, then Hazel had to depart for the White House shift, after a quick catch-up chat). Fit Sam (apparently the official nickname) also joined the proceedings later, and a pub-crawl took hold. TUP, Pews ("Sorry, lads — private party" ha ha...), KH, Three Tuns. All made an appearance in my memory the next day.
Which was when I made the decision to buy a digibox. And it's a great thing! Although the reception's a bit on the dodgy side sometimes (dropped out a few times on Sunday, after installation, then a bit more permanently since Arrested Development on BBC Four lastnight). But when it's up, it's staggeringly good. A revelation, considering there's no subscription.
Anyway, better get on with this project...</slacking off>
Off to a Thanksgiving dinner tonight in Cheam! Hat's off to them for the invitation :)
Wednesday 17 November 2004
Launch nooze
In other news, the Swift launch is off until tomorrow. Something about checking that they're able to self-destruct it remotely in case its trajectory goes haywire. Fair enough.
Off til the Spectrum again tonight, but need to sort out
Maybe tomorrow, eh....</procrastination>
Off til the Spectrum again tonight, but need to sort out
- shopping (urgh...)
- kitchen (aargh...!)
and
Maybe tomorrow, eh....</procrastination>
Processing equals surfing
So that's how I ended up spending so much time surfing and writing web pages during my PhD: processing data takes forever!
It's been a while since I had a massive dataset to get my teeth into, and this one at the moment is a particularly large one</oo-er>
It's been a while since I had a massive dataset to get my teeth into, and this one at the moment is a particularly large one</oo-er>
Tuesday 16 November 2004
Sure that was a powerful weekend!
Started off with meeting Neilo in the now-traditional Reef Bar. A few pints of Grolsch to the good, we rolled onto the train after grabbing a tide-you-over can from the Whistlestop, and repaired to the Studio, where we proceeded to get a) a Chinese from the new non-Weakest management downstairs; and b) wrote. Very enjoyable, and somehow managed to pass out on the sofa. Must be a defective sofa, as that never normally happens elsewhere...
Anyway, Saturday night was The Killers' gig in Shepherd's Bush, so we spent the day doing relatively sober things, like going to Bluewater, which is a mighty place. And it will be revisited in the run-up to Christmas. We got there good and early, so there was time to browse around for (and buy) stuff. And book tickets to see The Grudge (a properly scary film, even with a wee drink before taken into account).
Post-fillum, Nandos was queued up, so we defaulted to La Tasca. "Would you like to sit inside or outside?" Moot point, as both were inside, but I liked the Las Vegas daftness of it.
Speaking of whom, the gig itself was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't stop grinning the next morning, and all because of a band! First time I'd been to a gig since I saw Coldplay in the Ulster Hall several years ago, I think... Blimey...
In contrast to the relative non-hungover-ness of Saturday morning, Sunday morning was the opposite. I woke up early, tried watching France v Australia at 90 degrees to the horizontal, but that didn't work and just made my head hurt a lot more.
Eventually, after attempts to wash/brush up, meself, Neilo and Stretchy went to Greenwich to the market and I got myself equipped with presents for Drabi and one of the sisters. Plus hungover shopping sweets (inc. baklava, just because it was there). Thence to the Tai Won Mein for a fet-knecker dinner. Can't beat the beef in black bean sauce with fried egg noodles, all for �3.40!!<HiThisIsWes>
Actually, it's curtains for Wes! I feel a bit bad for the guy — less than two years, after all. And in favour of JK and Noel, eh...?
Anyway, Saturday night was The Killers' gig in Shepherd's Bush, so we spent the day doing relatively sober things, like going to Bluewater, which is a mighty place. And it will be revisited in the run-up to Christmas. We got there good and early, so there was time to browse around for (and buy) stuff. And book tickets to see The Grudge (a properly scary film, even with a wee drink before taken into account).
Post-fillum, Nandos was queued up, so we defaulted to La Tasca. "Would you like to sit inside or outside?" Moot point, as both were inside, but I liked the Las Vegas daftness of it.
Speaking of whom, the gig itself was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't stop grinning the next morning, and all because of a band! First time I'd been to a gig since I saw Coldplay in the Ulster Hall several years ago, I think... Blimey...
In contrast to the relative non-hungover-ness of Saturday morning, Sunday morning was the opposite. I woke up early, tried watching France v Australia at 90 degrees to the horizontal, but that didn't work and just made my head hurt a lot more.
Eventually, after attempts to wash/brush up, meself, Neilo and Stretchy went to Greenwich to the market and I got myself equipped with presents for Drabi and one of the sisters. Plus hungover shopping sweets (inc. baklava, just because it was there). Thence to the Tai Won Mein for a fet-knecker dinner. Can't beat the beef in black bean sauce with fried egg noodles, all for �3.40!!<HiThisIsWes>
Actually, it's curtains for Wes! I feel a bit bad for the guy — less than two years, after all. And in favour of JK and Noel, eh...?
Wednesday 27 October 2004
Really nice sentiments
Not worth me rambling on about Peel's passing. Although I've met people who worked with the guy, I never met him. Neilo has a good story involving the news at 11:59 pm (not midnight), which he retold lastnight.
What a really odd day
to be at radio 1. Have
just been to raise a
glass at the horse and
groom. It's just
strange when someone
dies that you've met. I
don't proclaim to have
known the man, but i
guess it all brings
things into
perspective. Feck.
25-Oct 20:05
The show at 11pm lastnight was a treat, but the main thing I really like is that someone who was so nice to listen to had the same effect on everyone who listened. He was a real force for good, and I'll never forget how happy I was to hear his voice on BFBS when I arrived feeling lonely in Germany in the summer of '98.
What a really odd day
to be at radio 1. Have
just been to raise a
glass at the horse and
groom. It's just
strange when someone
dies that you've met. I
don't proclaim to have
known the man, but i
guess it all brings
things into
perspective. Feck.
25-Oct 20:05
The show at 11pm lastnight was a treat, but the main thing I really like is that someone who was so nice to listen to had the same effect on everyone who listened. He was a real force for good, and I'll never forget how happy I was to hear his voice on BFBS when I arrived feeling lonely in Germany in the summer of '98.
Tuesday 26 October 2004
Monday 25 October 2004
L4YER CAK3
After what ended up feeling like a dismal saturday's work, I knocked the idea of working on Sunday on the head. Especially after T&G (not the hair ones) phoned to say they were in town, and did I fancy meeting up fer coffee and/or cinema. Yes to both frankly. Ended up choosing to see Layer Cake, and it's a stonking film. Honestly, I don't go to the cinema for months, then end up seeing two great films in a week!
In other news,
In other news,
- my Motorcyle Diaries bundle has apparently been dispatched. Should get to the orifice some time this week;
- My new induction session is scheduled for 4pm on Friday (all cleared with the boss);
- and I'm off til Frite Nites at the Thorpe Park on Wednesday night with FAP and whoever else she knows through her intricate social web. Hallowe'en + Theme Park = Should be a corker!
Saturday 23 October 2004
engineering works may be required
Today was a designated "working saturday".
D'you know what? I even left the pub early lastnight, at the three-pint mark, so as not to be tempted into joining the throng heading forZuka Café Mambo.
And I've been in here since about 1:30 this afternoon. However, rather than solving the mysteries of the universe (or, indeed, getting any closer to this paper being written up).... three main discoveries have been made today:
Good thing I'm a model of efficiency, eh? Urgh....
If anything, this day's been a large step backwards, but at least I spoke to Dad on the phone, so it's not all bad.
D'you know what? I even left the pub early lastnight, at the three-pint mark, so as not to be tempted into joining the throng heading for
And I've been in here since about 1:30 this afternoon. However, rather than solving the mysteries of the universe (or, indeed, getting any closer to this paper being written up).... three main discoveries have been made today:
- Jaffa Cake Bars are to orangey what neutron stars are to dense. They require at least a cup of tea for the tongue to recover and allow you to taste non-orange things again
- Sunspot centre is not being correctly found by the new FIND_UMB_CEN() algorithm (method 4)
- I spent over an hour doing this this afternoon.
Good thing I'm a model of efficiency, eh? Urgh....
If anything, this day's been a large step backwards, but at least I spoke to Dad on the phone, so it's not all bad.
Friday 22 October 2004
Whatever muscle it is that goes at the top of your arm...
...my right one hurts. I don't know why. It may be connected with the erratic (careful now) sleep I've been getting, but I'm sure it shouldn't hurt this much.
Mind you, I don't have whiplash. Speaking of whom:
Last night was hilarious
and weird! More on this
later
22-Oct-04 09:43
Looking forward to it!
Mind you, I don't have whiplash. Speaking of whom:
Last night was hilarious
and weird! More on this
later
22-Oct-04 09:43
Looking forward to it!
Thursday 21 October 2004
Christmas is Cancelled
Well, the spirit of it has been for this year's dinner, anyway.
I've just heard that we're having it in the Common Room. Not a slur on those of HHSC who're doing it, but:
Rrrrrrubbish!
This is not a happy face. Oh yeah, and it's a buffet. So that's what they really think of us, is it?
Sincerely,
A very unhappy dave
I've just heard that we're having it in the Common Room. Not a slur on those of HHSC who're doing it, but:
Rrrrrrubbish!
This is not a happy face. Oh yeah, and it's a buffet. So that's what they really think of us, is it?
Sincerely,
A very unhappy dave
Wednesday 20 October 2004
Amazing fillum
Fletch took me up on the offer of a lift to go and see the Motorcycle Diaries in Horsham lastnight.
I can't recommend the film enough. Absolutely beautiful, and I was genuinely sorry it was over when it ended. You know when you really want a film to be good but it doesn't live up to your expectations? Well, this was one of the cases where it exceeds them. Exactly what I was looking for lastnight.
Off to see if I can get the soundtrack from Amazon now...
I can't recommend the film enough. Absolutely beautiful, and I was genuinely sorry it was over when it ended. You know when you really want a film to be good but it doesn't live up to your expectations? Well, this was one of the cases where it exceeds them. Exactly what I was looking for lastnight.
Off to see if I can get the soundtrack from Amazon now...
Monday 18 October 2004
First day back after the couple of days off
And it feels a bit weird. I'm definitely up for doing some proper work (not faff), as I'm here a little later than usual. Ben II is getting back with my host for Saturday night, so I can get on with a quiet office and no distractions. Tomorrow is the blood test, so the "fasting" starts tonight at 9.
Mr S is still in a large degree of pain following the crash ten days ago, so he's been firing off stroppy e-mails to colleagues throughout the day. HousemateLady has suggested an egg'n'chips evening in the KH, but I think that might be ill-advised in my case, as a) it's ostensibly a cholesterol test I'm having tomorrow; b) I don't want any kidney/liver/brain cells floating around my bloodstream; and c) I'm supposed to be fasting, which Guinness blatantly wouldn't qualify for.
Arse.
Still want to go to see this, too.
Might have to take a wander down to Horsham some night, but sure that's doable!
Mr S is still in a large degree of pain following the crash ten days ago, so he's been firing off stroppy e-mails to colleagues throughout the day. HousemateLady has suggested an egg'n'chips evening in the KH, but I think that might be ill-advised in my case, as a) it's ostensibly a cholesterol test I'm having tomorrow; b) I don't want any kidney/liver/brain cells floating around my bloodstream; and c) I'm supposed to be fasting, which Guinness blatantly wouldn't qualify for.
Arse.
Still want to go to see this, too.
Might have to take a wander down to Horsham some night, but sure that's doable!
A five-year-old...
... would understand. This was my favourite t-shirt for a while. But eventually it had to be consigned to the bin after too many drying-out-on-the-radiator events. Wouldn't flush down the toilet, y'see. Smelt awful the last time I took it out of the drawer.
Some Chinese guy who was on holidays when I was there in Santorini made a special effort to walk over and explain that the symbol was something to do with "hours" or "horoscope".
Happy memories.
Aged 27½,
Some Chinese guy who was on holidays when I was there in Santorini made a special effort to walk over and explain that the symbol was something to do with "hours" or "horoscope".
Happy memories.
Aged 27½,
Tuesday 12 October 2004
144/80
I can (quite lidderally, I hope) live with that.
So the gym induction is back on, as soon as I can get a free slot. Must give them a ring again today, actually, and get it booked in a.s.a.p. Can still use the card in the meantime fer swimming, etc.
A bit of background, perhaps. On Friday about lunchtime, I got fed up with never getting around to booking myself in for a gym induction, and booked myself in for a gym induction. All done in about 5 minutes, and he had a cancellation the following evening at 7 o'clock. Great. No backing out now.
Turned up early, possibly through the nerves of not having even set foot inside a gym since I was 16</micko>. Turns out the guy was free, and he took me into the office to check height, weight, body fat percentage and blood pressure. But the blood pressure was a little high for their insurance guidelines. So he took it again. And a third time. Each time it crept higher, presumably because I was getting more and more worried about what this meant. The fact that Fletch and I had had a few whiskeys, and a large measure from a bottle labelled КОНЬЯК (or something similar), may have elevated things slightly, but the poor guy made a very good job of politely sending me to the GP. Couldn't believe it — I suddenly felt old!
Anyway, I got on the office phone yesterday and booked an appointment in the health centre this morning at 08:10.
Was quite a relief to know I'm not in serious danger. Blood test next Tues (fasting beforehand for 12 hours -- overnight, easy) look at cholesterol, etc. Pretty much all Greek to meself, as I never really studied all that kind of thing. Was a bit of shock on Saturday, but the GP just took some of Dad's history details, said he was happy enough and — crucially — signed and stamped the nice form.
Off til see Mr M tomorrow night for a catch-up/advice session, but then Thurs and Fri are off work for Neil's birthday bash. Probably slightly subdued at the moment, after last Friday's crash on the way in. He's avoided having to have the Avid Merrion neck brace, sadly for comedy purposes, but it's looking like a night in at the Studio with some of the Old Class, etc. Yeeees!
Back to work for a bit, so I can get Louise these numbers before hopefully pissing off early tomorrow to meet Mr M.
Plans? Me? I know!
So the gym induction is back on, as soon as I can get a free slot. Must give them a ring again today, actually, and get it booked in a.s.a.p. Can still use the card in the meantime fer swimming, etc.
A bit of background, perhaps. On Friday about lunchtime, I got fed up with never getting around to booking myself in for a gym induction, and booked myself in for a gym induction. All done in about 5 minutes, and he had a cancellation the following evening at 7 o'clock. Great. No backing out now.
Turned up early, possibly through the nerves of not having even set foot inside a gym since I was 16</micko>. Turns out the guy was free, and he took me into the office to check height, weight, body fat percentage and blood pressure. But the blood pressure was a little high for their insurance guidelines. So he took it again. And a third time. Each time it crept higher, presumably because I was getting more and more worried about what this meant. The fact that Fletch and I had had a few whiskeys, and a large measure from a bottle labelled КОНЬЯК (or something similar), may have elevated things slightly, but the poor guy made a very good job of politely sending me to the GP. Couldn't believe it — I suddenly felt old!
Anyway, I got on the office phone yesterday and booked an appointment in the health centre this morning at 08:10.
Was quite a relief to know I'm not in serious danger. Blood test next Tues (fasting beforehand for 12 hours -- overnight, easy) look at cholesterol, etc. Pretty much all Greek to meself, as I never really studied all that kind of thing. Was a bit of shock on Saturday, but the GP just took some of Dad's history details, said he was happy enough and — crucially — signed and stamped the nice form.
Off til see Mr M tomorrow night for a catch-up/advice session, but then Thurs and Fri are off work for Neil's birthday bash. Probably slightly subdued at the moment, after last Friday's crash on the way in. He's avoided having to have the Avid Merrion neck brace, sadly for comedy purposes, but it's looking like a night in at the Studio with some of the Old Class, etc. Yeeees!
Back to work for a bit, so I can get Louise these numbers before hopefully pissing off early tomorrow to meet Mr M.
Plans? Me? I know!
Monday 11 October 2004
Booga
At approximately 1am this morning, after a long journey back from Charlton, disaster struck. The trusty T610 (the one pictured at the top of this blog) finally produced its last blunderous hourglass screen, then gave up the ghost. Attempts to revive it have proved fruitless. Its soul has gone to the silicon heaven, and I'm left feeling like a digit has been removed.
I think the genesis of its troubles was in the cup of tea incident. Perhaps wiping it off lastnight finally didn't help, but it was only water really. Why now??
Still, I'm thinking of getting the K700i anyway, so maybe not such a problem. But slightly inconvenient given that I'm taking a couple of days' holiday later this week.
Abi's offered me her Matrix I-style phone for a loan while I get around to the new one.
Very sad, all the same.
James says I need one that's James-textable. An underrated feature, he seems to think...
I think the genesis of its troubles was in the cup of tea incident. Perhaps wiping it off lastnight finally didn't help, but it was only water really. Why now??
Still, I'm thinking of getting the K700i anyway, so maybe not such a problem. But slightly inconvenient given that I'm taking a couple of days' holiday later this week.
Abi's offered me her Matrix I-style phone for a loan while I get around to the new one.
Very sad, all the same.
James says I need one that's James-textable. An underrated feature, he seems to think...
Thursday 7 October 2004
The Big No
I just had to e-mail James to tell him I won't be visiting next month. Not even my decision, either.
I feel awful.
I feel awful.
Wednesday 6 October 2004
Sure that went well
Well, aside from a black mark about doing expenses. But I'll rectumfy that situation with a new, grown-up attitude to doing expenses.
The other bad point — quite disappointing, really, but could've seen it coming — is that I'm not going to Annapolis for the SIP II Workshop.
All very good apart from that, though, as it now means I get to accept less extra tasks, and concentrate more on the stuff that will lead to fellowships & jobs. Which is nice.All in all, we must've been chatting about my career for about 2½ hours. Good to have that much time to discuss the pros and cons of how things have been and are going.
Have a picture of the London Eye from last year as a celebration!
The other bad point — quite disappointing, really, but could've seen it coming — is that I'm not going to Annapolis for the SIP II Workshop.
All very good apart from that, though, as it now means I get to accept less extra tasks, and concentrate more on the stuff that will lead to fellowships & jobs. Which is nice.All in all, we must've been chatting about my career for about 2½ hours. Good to have that much time to discuss the pros and cons of how things have been and are going.
Have a picture of the London Eye from last year as a celebration!
Monday 4 October 2004
fegs
Also, started the dubai-style holiday smoking again on Saturday. Very unwise given my proximity to the edge of the rails at the moment.
Probably left the fegs in the pocket of the denim jacket. Which is now on the floor along with a load of other drunkenly cast-off clothes. Need to put the whole bedroom in the wash. Wonder if it'll fit...?
Probably left the fegs in the pocket of the denim jacket. Which is now on the floor along with a load of other drunkenly cast-off clothes. Need to put the whole bedroom in the wash. Wonder if it'll fit...?
bad hair day
Probably on account of drinks in the Albany yesterday, quite some time after the pre-Dubai visit when I was there last. With ScottDot, Neilo and Laura, then a changing of the guard between Laura and Sperm.
I ended up really quite drunk lastnight. That wasn't the original plan. Or maybe subconsciously it was... 5 days on the trot. Think I might give up the booze again for a bit.</unlikely>. The new healthy gym lifestyle has been put back a few days.
Good oul' chat with Sperm yesterday about the other new lifestyle, too, but Mr M didn't seem in the best of form and didn't stay for the full night. Stupid job, having to get up at that time of the morning... :)
I ended up really quite drunk lastnight. That wasn't the original plan. Or maybe subconsciously it was... 5 days on the trot. Think I might give up the booze again for a bit.</unlikely>. The new healthy gym lifestyle has been put back a few days.
Good oul' chat with Sperm yesterday about the other new lifestyle, too, but Mr M didn't seem in the best of form and didn't stay for the full night. Stupid job, having to get up at that time of the morning... :)
Monday 6 September 2004
"Feckin hairy japanese bastards"
became an oft-used quote over the weekend.
The following is a sort of summary of what I can remember.
Two work-jaded Irish eejits, Jumper & Fletch on Friday in the Gabbot, then the White House (poor Hazel) to meet up with their housemates, then repairing to the house to drink.
Much beer consumed.
Saturday morning, Neil delivers beer to me and the drinking starts at 8:30 am. Hard to beat. Oh, and it turns out that Neilo has invited the ex-gf</very old abbreviation> up to Surrey in his drunken haze of the previous night. Which was actually all fine, as the craic was very good.
Already a little drunk, I book the bowling alley for noon at about 10:30. Taxi journey over, horrified to learn that the bar was closed (thereby defeating half the purpose of playing), but we soldiered on. Badly. Not a finest hour for the ten-pinned game, there. Thence back into town, this time to the Weyside. A quick phonecall to the TUP reveals that they can indeed show the Northern Ireland game. YaHO! The Noise of Win! So we head up there as I'm giving directions to a slightly bemused Emma for the Park and Ride. Poor woman... At the TUP, it seems that the French barman is prepared to put absolutely anything on the TV for us. Unfortunately, he couldn't find the channel where Northern Ireland were actually winning, as we ended up seeing them crushed 3-0 by the Poles. In the middle of all this, herself arrives and I end up on the phone to Lord</not that kind> Ben, who — in hi — s words — is off to Nerdsville soon and was packing for the "added indignity" of the summer school in Leicester first. Very funny...
After this, things begin to go slightly downhill. Having argued for the past 24 hours about the various merits of TGI Fridays, I decided that we should resolve the situation by actually eating there. With the waitress who takes over half-way through the meal and looks like Boy George. Is that an insult? I don't know... And suddenly there are cocktails involved. FBI, then something else with Midori in it. Both very nice, don't get me wrong, but I think they contributed to the monumental (and temporary — how handy!) hangover of Sunday morning. And this is where it gets especially fuzzy... I think it was on Saturday Hazel (off of the White House shift) and Fraser join us in the house for much beer. But I can't be sure. AH! No, it must've been, because I ended up passing out (characteristically) on the floor in front of the sofa (uncharacteristically), waking at 6am on Sunday, and realising that none of the four other people who had formerly been in the room with me were still in the room with me. Genius. The TV was blaring away, of course. I just went up to my bed with a pint of water and fell straight to sleep.
Neilo and herself slept right through the daily 8 o'clock apocalypse, as did I. The morning is a slightly hazy recollection, it being the second hangover on the trot. This was rectumfied with some of the Kronenbourg that was bought the previous evening in the Unwins, on the way back home from the TGI's, via herself's car. Anyway, we're sat there, with the two eejits back on the beer and Neil's lady very wisely sticking to tea, as she'd to drive later on, watching Allo Allo, and Neilo and meself are nearly wetting ourselves at what — at the time — appeared to be the cleverest and funniest jokes ever written!
Needing some sort of sustenance drove us up the hill to the Three Pigeons</unattended>, home of the Breakfast Bap — a truly great invention. Couldn't quite finish it, but we stayed for a little while afterwards with the Sunday tabloids. Thence to the White House so we could sit outside. And that was where the changing of the guard happened. DrAbi came down the hill for a wee rattle and briefly overlapped with the weekend visitors, before Neilo and Emma made their excuses and left for the Big Shmoke.
So DrAbi and I decided to head for the Brit and enjoy some beer and pool. Made plans to go to Spanish lessons, and to possibly holiday in Madeira. We couldn't get a game of pool, as all the tables (particularly the outside one behind us) were all taken up. So we went back to the much-feared Asolat for a game, then drinks outside. And a lot of soul-bearing chat on my part. A little bit too much, I think, because I was by now a) drunk and b) tired, which sometimes leads to c) being morose. And DrAbi had to wrench the conversation away from the very private direction it had had in the pub to other things when H&F arrived in the house for more drinks. Don't remember anything past a brief image of drinking in the house with them again.
This morning was very, very painful. Slept in, but managed to get my order for dinner placed with Herself (not to be confused with the ex-gf), and spent a large portion of the early afternoon trying not to be sick.
Now it's hometime. Thanks.
The following is a sort of summary of what I can remember.
Two work-jaded Irish eejits, Jumper & Fletch on Friday in the Gabbot, then the White House (poor Hazel) to meet up with their housemates, then repairing to the house to drink.
Much beer consumed.
Saturday morning, Neil delivers beer to me and the drinking starts at 8:30 am. Hard to beat. Oh, and it turns out that Neilo has invited the ex-gf</very old abbreviation> up to Surrey in his drunken haze of the previous night. Which was actually all fine, as the craic was very good.
Already a little drunk, I book the bowling alley for noon at about 10:30. Taxi journey over, horrified to learn that the bar was closed (thereby defeating half the purpose of playing), but we soldiered on. Badly. Not a finest hour for the ten-pinned game, there. Thence back into town, this time to the Weyside. A quick phonecall to the TUP reveals that they can indeed show the Northern Ireland game. YaHO! The Noise of Win! So we head up there as I'm giving directions to a slightly bemused Emma for the Park and Ride. Poor woman... At the TUP, it seems that the French barman is prepared to put absolutely anything on the TV for us. Unfortunately, he couldn't find the channel where Northern Ireland were actually winning, as we ended up seeing them crushed 3-0 by the Poles. In the middle of all this, herself arrives and I end up on the phone to Lord</not that kind> Ben, who — in hi — s words — is off to Nerdsville soon and was packing for the "added indignity" of the summer school in Leicester first. Very funny...
After this, things begin to go slightly downhill. Having argued for the past 24 hours about the various merits of TGI Fridays, I decided that we should resolve the situation by actually eating there. With the waitress who takes over half-way through the meal and looks like Boy George. Is that an insult? I don't know... And suddenly there are cocktails involved. FBI, then something else with Midori in it. Both very nice, don't get me wrong, but I think they contributed to the monumental (and temporary — how handy!) hangover of Sunday morning. And this is where it gets especially fuzzy... I think it was on Saturday Hazel (off of the White House shift) and Fraser join us in the house for much beer. But I can't be sure. AH! No, it must've been, because I ended up passing out (characteristically) on the floor in front of the sofa (uncharacteristically), waking at 6am on Sunday, and realising that none of the four other people who had formerly been in the room with me were still in the room with me. Genius. The TV was blaring away, of course. I just went up to my bed with a pint of water and fell straight to sleep.
Neilo and herself slept right through the daily 8 o'clock apocalypse, as did I. The morning is a slightly hazy recollection, it being the second hangover on the trot. This was rectumfied with some of the Kronenbourg that was bought the previous evening in the Unwins, on the way back home from the TGI's, via herself's car. Anyway, we're sat there, with the two eejits back on the beer and Neil's lady very wisely sticking to tea, as she'd to drive later on, watching Allo Allo, and Neilo and meself are nearly wetting ourselves at what — at the time — appeared to be the cleverest and funniest jokes ever written!
Needing some sort of sustenance drove us up the hill to the Three Pigeons</unattended>, home of the Breakfast Bap — a truly great invention. Couldn't quite finish it, but we stayed for a little while afterwards with the Sunday tabloids. Thence to the White House so we could sit outside. And that was where the changing of the guard happened. DrAbi came down the hill for a wee rattle and briefly overlapped with the weekend visitors, before Neilo and Emma made their excuses and left for the Big Shmoke.
So DrAbi and I decided to head for the Brit and enjoy some beer and pool. Made plans to go to Spanish lessons, and to possibly holiday in Madeira. We couldn't get a game of pool, as all the tables (particularly the outside one behind us) were all taken up. So we went back to the much-feared Asolat for a game, then drinks outside. And a lot of soul-bearing chat on my part. A little bit too much, I think, because I was by now a) drunk and b) tired, which sometimes leads to c) being morose. And DrAbi had to wrench the conversation away from the very private direction it had had in the pub to other things when H&F arrived in the house for more drinks. Don't remember anything past a brief image of drinking in the house with them again.
This morning was very, very painful. Slept in, but managed to get my order for dinner placed with Herself (not to be confused with the ex-gf), and spent a large portion of the early afternoon trying not to be sick.
Now it's hometime. Thanks.
Tuesday 10 August 2004
It's been a month...
Since the last draft was published. And a hell of an emotional one.
The big trip home turned ? spontaneously, it felt like ? into a major turn in life. I didn't think it'd quite go like it did, which was amazingly. I feel like I know the people in my life who I was close to ten times better than before. And although Mum & Dad will worry (even though I asked them not to), I think relations with the family will be easier than before. I'd spent the last few Christmas, Easter and other holidays home feeling like I needed to distance myself from them, rather than open up and be frank. I just couldn't bring myself to drop this particular emotional anvil on them.
And then circumstances made the way easier, I think, with Dad's general unwellness giving him a calmer nature, and it certainly has helped him to come to terms with the fact of the matter.
The three weeks in between leaving Belfast and telling Abi (it was important for me to start the process with telling her, even though she said she wouldn't have been pissed off if she'd found out other than face-to-face) were really shit. some of the most gut-wrenching weeks of my life. I left wanting to cling onto the flagstones outside Ryans. Gerry and James had made the whole process not just painless, but actually uplifting. And telling Niall, Colin, Carrie and Cathy was a priority. Almost as much as telling Peter, whose reaction in the Clontarf Court was hilariously out-of-step with everyone else's general surprise "I know". Unable to smoke cigars in Connolly's Sheds. Life-changing moment meets D&aacute;il �ireann legislation... Ha ha!
Anyway, I arrived back in England with literally no-one over here having a clue (with the possible exception of Peter, Sarah & Kieran and/or Catherine), and unable to sit down and talk with anyone because I was in a panic about preparing for COSPAR. I couldn't possibly resent the 9 days I'd had at home. Thinking back, that was probably one of the best weeks of my life. Up there with the week before I left. Then the massive emotional swing to the isolation of working all the meagre hours that were free. Ali started, and I had to take him shopping on the Monday with nearly no warning, and get him moved in. Then spend Tuesday getting him started. Our new postdoc position's interview was on the Wednesday, and then I had Thursday and Friday to get ready for a talk for which the results hadn't yet been measured. I never want to be that stressed, and have that much going on in my head, ever again. Life was not only not normal, it was just unpleasant. Not easy to be that cooped up inside this head sometimes.
Then, when I got back, Abi went off to Marseille. I was out with Fletch & Fluff on the Tuesday (just nice to get back to living in the town I live in), and with Jumper and FraserOffOfHazel on the Friday after. That got a bit dodgy at times, as I refused to not invest in any more bullshit. (I was already bored of doing that when Sharon asked me back in May.)
Last Monday, Ben called round post-'Spoons. Was a cool night, although we did end up finishing drinking after 4am. And pulling out the sofa bed for the big man. Nearly said something that night, but he might've been a bit freaked out after that much booze, and I promised not to tell anyone, least of all Abi, drunk (either me or the recipient).
So the next night: in the end, Abi's reaction was great. Like I said, she wouldn't have been annoyed if I'd told others before her, or she'd even found out indirectly, and some of her first thoughts were "is there anything I can do to help?" (fantastic) and feeling bad for how long it must've been pressing on me (a bit like Mum). I may hold her to the making cups of tea for me if I'm in bad mood offer...
The big trip home turned ? spontaneously, it felt like ? into a major turn in life. I didn't think it'd quite go like it did, which was amazingly. I feel like I know the people in my life who I was close to ten times better than before. And although Mum & Dad will worry (even though I asked them not to), I think relations with the family will be easier than before. I'd spent the last few Christmas, Easter and other holidays home feeling like I needed to distance myself from them, rather than open up and be frank. I just couldn't bring myself to drop this particular emotional anvil on them.
And then circumstances made the way easier, I think, with Dad's general unwellness giving him a calmer nature, and it certainly has helped him to come to terms with the fact of the matter.
The three weeks in between leaving Belfast and telling Abi (it was important for me to start the process with telling her, even though she said she wouldn't have been pissed off if she'd found out other than face-to-face) were really shit. some of the most gut-wrenching weeks of my life. I left wanting to cling onto the flagstones outside Ryans. Gerry and James had made the whole process not just painless, but actually uplifting. And telling Niall, Colin, Carrie and Cathy was a priority. Almost as much as telling Peter, whose reaction in the Clontarf Court was hilariously out-of-step with everyone else's general surprise "I know". Unable to smoke cigars in Connolly's Sheds. Life-changing moment meets D&aacute;il �ireann legislation... Ha ha!
Anyway, I arrived back in England with literally no-one over here having a clue (with the possible exception of Peter, Sarah & Kieran and/or Catherine), and unable to sit down and talk with anyone because I was in a panic about preparing for COSPAR. I couldn't possibly resent the 9 days I'd had at home. Thinking back, that was probably one of the best weeks of my life. Up there with the week before I left. Then the massive emotional swing to the isolation of working all the meagre hours that were free. Ali started, and I had to take him shopping on the Monday with nearly no warning, and get him moved in. Then spend Tuesday getting him started. Our new postdoc position's interview was on the Wednesday, and then I had Thursday and Friday to get ready for a talk for which the results hadn't yet been measured. I never want to be that stressed, and have that much going on in my head, ever again. Life was not only not normal, it was just unpleasant. Not easy to be that cooped up inside this head sometimes.
Then, when I got back, Abi went off to Marseille. I was out with Fletch & Fluff on the Tuesday (just nice to get back to living in the town I live in), and with Jumper and FraserOffOfHazel on the Friday after. That got a bit dodgy at times, as I refused to not invest in any more bullshit. (I was already bored of doing that when Sharon asked me back in May.)
Last Monday, Ben called round post-'Spoons. Was a cool night, although we did end up finishing drinking after 4am. And pulling out the sofa bed for the big man. Nearly said something that night, but he might've been a bit freaked out after that much booze, and I promised not to tell anyone, least of all Abi, drunk (either me or the recipient).
So the next night: in the end, Abi's reaction was great. Like I said, she wouldn't have been annoyed if I'd told others before her, or she'd even found out indirectly, and some of her first thoughts were "is there anything I can do to help?" (fantastic) and feeling bad for how long it must've been pressing on me (a bit like Mum). I may hold her to the making cups of tea for me if I'm in bad mood offer...
Sunday 4 July 2004
Some day, that!
Went even better than I'd hoped. The second family part comes next weekend. Just wasn't a good idea today with an "outsider" at the table :o)
Best parents ever.
Best parents ever.
Friday 2 July 2004
Somehow, I'm going home tomorrow
I don't fully understand why, but I am.
Basically it's a work-funded trip, and I'll get to do a couple of things I want to do like Dublin and the Ganch's, Carrie's (& Cathy's?) graduation. Plus I'll get to see the family and catch up with whoever else is around. Dunno if I'll ever get to see Eoin again, but I hope that bridge isn't burnt through lack of use...
Can't quite organise in my head what needs to be done. So I thought I'd plan a few pre-trip drinks tonight with the usual suspects.
That'll make it all better.
Also have a picture from visiting Dr Buxey last year in Nottingham. Completely unseasonal, but quite good for a phone camera at the time, I thought.
That used to be a church you know</disco>
Basically it's a work-funded trip, and I'll get to do a couple of things I want to do like Dublin and the Ganch's, Carrie's (& Cathy's?) graduation. Plus I'll get to see the family and catch up with whoever else is around. Dunno if I'll ever get to see Eoin again, but I hope that bridge isn't burnt through lack of use...
Can't quite organise in my head what needs to be done. So I thought I'd plan a few pre-trip drinks tonight with the usual suspects.
That'll make it all better.
Also have a picture from visiting Dr Buxey last year in Nottingham. Completely unseasonal, but quite good for a phone camera at the time, I thought.
That used to be a church you know</disco>
Tuesday 29 June 2004
Broken weeks
D'you know what... and I said this to NewBen on Friday night, or on Saturday night, after he'd very kindly — and perhaps drunkenly — come round with my Snow Patrol CD before pissing off to Greece... Ever since the Venus Transit, things have rattled along in a rather off-the-rails fashion, more-or-less constantly. Not that it hasn't been very enjoyable. But it can all be traced back to that day — that evening, in fact.
Culminating with Fraser doing his stand-up on Saturday night. Fair play to him, but it was really hard to watch...
This week is going to be sober: FACT. But it's back to Belfast next week, and that's only going to bring a world of drunkenness. And The Big Dub has planned a day and night in Dublin. The next day will be painful. Also FACT.
Must get my arse in gear and get this talk ready fer Paris, too, otherwise professional death awaits. Sounds melodramatic, I know, but that's how it feels in my head. And this orifice needs to be a bit calmer now.
Portugal v Holland semi-final tomorrow night, too. On pay-day. Very unwise...
Culminating with Fraser doing his stand-up on Saturday night. Fair play to him, but it was really hard to watch...
This week is going to be sober: FACT. But it's back to Belfast next week, and that's only going to bring a world of drunkenness. And The Big Dub has planned a day and night in Dublin. The next day will be painful. Also FACT.
Must get my arse in gear and get this talk ready fer Paris, too, otherwise professional death awaits. Sounds melodramatic, I know, but that's how it feels in my head. And this orifice needs to be a bit calmer now.
Portugal v Holland semi-final tomorrow night, too. On pay-day. Very unwise...
What's that thing there?
uh-oh...
Finally got round to ordering my camera a couple of weeks ago, and it was there when I got back from the Fleadh. I was showing it to NiceHousemateLady, when she said "cheese", which I took to mean "cheesy", clearly. And yet, there's a disturbing parallel (particularly in the full-res image):
vs. 
??
Finally got round to ordering my camera a couple of weeks ago, and it was there when I got back from the Fleadh. I was showing it to NiceHousemateLady, when she said "cheese", which I took to mean "cheesy", clearly. And yet, there's a disturbing parallel (particularly in the full-res image):
vs. ??
Friday 25 June 2004
DRABI
FANTASTICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Apologies to the Ingerlish for the timing, but I can blame it on my (English) housemate getting her PhD yesterday afternoon. In just two hours!
Blimey... after all the argey-bargey in the Gabbott lastnight as the match went on, particularly during the second half of extra time, you could've heard a pin drop when the penalties were all over. The only thing to be heard was the commentary. Anti-climax, some might say, but that'd be an understatement.
The Noise Of Win® came through on the text, though...
Apologies to the Ingerlish for the timing, but I can blame it on my (English) housemate getting her PhD yesterday afternoon. In just two hours!
Blimey... after all the argey-bargey in the Gabbott lastnight as the match went on, particularly during the second half of extra time, you could've heard a pin drop when the penalties were all over. The only thing to be heard was the commentary. Anti-climax, some might say, but that'd be an understatement.
The Noise Of Win® came through on the text, though...
Monday 21 June 2004
London Fleadh - the Return!
[The next day]
That was one of the
best days of my life.
Fact. Cheers for an
absolutely brilliant
time, big man!
Wednesday 16 June 2004
Not a happy face
I don't know what's happened to the code, but I fixed it up as much as I could see, and still it refuses to replace tags with REP_TAG_VALUE()...
Tuesday 15 June 2004
AAAAAAAAARGGGGGHHH!!
Feckin computer 'upgrades'. Alpha cluster? Alpha Clusterfuck, more like -- UNWRAP_SPOT seems to have reverted to some former stage of evolution and is now crashing like a drunken spide in Poleglass.
Monday 7 June 2004
HMV was passed on Saturday...
... and then entered. I thought this was a blunder, but as Mother Inferior said several months ago on b3ta, the Snow Patrol album is fantastic. It's really really good. And I've only listened to the first half (sober)!
Regular contributions have been scant of late. Too much shite (i.e. distractions) at work, but a great end of week ten days ago saw four really good things happen:
Anyway, like I said, not many recent contributions on this webshite, but there are a few mammoth entries covering the wedding and the big bank holiday weekend waiting on the oversite machine back home. Will post them — with the appropriate adjusted dates — during the week.
Meanwhile, need to work out how to do polar-to-rectangular interpolations in IDL. Fast. Might wander over to the Boyd Centre after lunch...
Regular contributions have been scant of late. Too much shite (i.e. distractions) at work, but a great end of week ten days ago saw four really good things happen:
- Mum got confirmation of the date her pension is to start! (And the flowers I sent via the interflora, phew!)
- Chris got a job in the integrated high-hi.
- Lord Ben Jr got his first, with 87% in GR (crazy), modestly remarking that he thought it was moderated... yeah yeah....
- Carrie got her viva. Cue the drunken phonecall at 1:20 am for half an hour. Not looking forward to that phone bill this month :)
Anyway, like I said, not many recent contributions on this webshite, but there are a few mammoth entries covering the wedding and the big bank holiday weekend waiting on the oversite machine back home. Will post them — with the appropriate adjusted dates — during the week.
Meanwhile, need to work out how to do polar-to-rectangular interpolations in IDL. Fast. Might wander over to the Boyd Centre after lunch...
Tuesday 18 May 2004
One Big Wedding
What a cool weekend!
Got the train over to Byfleet on Friday morning at 0923, Gordon taxied me back to the Poole residence, then we packed the car and set off about 0945
(N.B. This blog entry ended sometime yesterday afternoon)
Got the train over to Byfleet on Friday morning at 0923, Gordon taxied me back to the Poole residence, then we packed the car and set off about 0945
(N.B. This blog entry ended sometime yesterday afternoon)
Thursday 13 May 2004
Now feeling much more spritely
Helped along by the fact that I've sorted out (I think) my expenses for Sac Peak, UKSP and got my registration and pre-payment request in for COSPAR (Saturday's the registration deadline, but I'm off to Chris's wedding tomorrow).
So, all that being dealt with, it remains only to go back to the Guildford (scene of this morning's greasy fry-up breakfast) to pick up my trousers, get an appropriate shirt, and get my haircut, although not necessarily in that order.
Next post on Monday, then!
So, all that being dealt with, it remains only to go back to the Guildford (scene of this morning's greasy fry-up breakfast) to pick up my trousers, get an appropriate shirt, and get my haircut, although not necessarily in that order.
Next post on Monday, then!
eurghh....
I've got the abstract hangover that always comes after a night on stella.
Neilo was down, so the first time fer a chat since One Big No happened. C*nts is the phrase of the month. But the craic was ninety — at least, what I can remember of it was. Poor Ben II had to deal with a drunken dave. (Not quite Other Dave, though. He's not been seen for some time.)
Neilo was down, so the first time fer a chat since One Big No happened. C*nts is the phrase of the month. But the craic was ninety — at least, what I can remember of it was. Poor Ben II had to deal with a drunken dave. (Not quite Other Dave, though. He's not been seen for some time.)
Tuesday 11 May 2004
Of course, in the maelstrom of the workload last week, the blog was largely neglected, and updated in a very fragmentary fashion.
One think, though, stood out from the rest of the events as actually of weight. An e-mail, from Neilo, on Friday 7th. I exhaled audibly when I read this:
"The end is nigh..."
Hard to believe. As I said in one text over the weekend, he's been at the station in one capacity or another since before I even contemplating becoming a "Dr". His response:
"Exactly. That's why i
have to g aS much as i
Don't want to"
One think, though, stood out from the rest of the events as actually of weight. An e-mail, from Neilo, on Friday 7th. I exhaled audibly when I read this:
"The end is nigh..."
Hard to believe. As I said in one text over the weekend, he's been at the station in one capacity or another since before I even contemplating becoming a "Dr". His response:
"Exactly. That's why i
have to g aS much as i
Don't want to"
Monday 10 May 2004
Woomph... So that's a stag do, then.
Order of the weekend was:
Mr Paul (no e-mail surname) has done some photos which, for some reason, my machine can't access. Think my proxy settings must be knackered, or — unbelievably — the lab network might be fucking around.
Order of the weekend was:
- Meeting up at hotel near Saafhampton. Ben got lost and ran a bit late, so he met us at
the place. I can highly recommend go-karting ("for fun"). Even though there were lots of karting geeks there who clearly went every weekend, we had a great time, and the nice man even gave our stag the winner's medal and associated bottle of champagne (well, sparkling perry, but close enough for podium purposes).
- Ben had to leave to get back to his school books for today's GR, which meant the rest of us returning to the perfectly comfortable Holiday Inn Express = splash water on face and get changed into something vaguely respectable. So, time for a drink in the bar with Chris before heading to...
- the comedy club in Saafhampton itself. A very funny night. There was dancing. There were random photos. There were lots of ladies' arses in photos. Chris managed to retain command of his speech (if not his thinking), but not his motor functions, so ended up like a puppet with some slack strings. Once I'd managed to keep him in one place (restraining as well as restraint was employed), carrying was required to get him back to the hotel (via the convenient kebab house fornenst the comedy club), which was fun.
- what felt the world's LONGEST wait for a taxi. I thought Nottingham had been bad, but this was nuts. We must've been there for well over an hour, in the not-too-warm coastal night. But my celtic jeans came out to play, so I managed to survive. Plus Rob was also jacketless and I wasn't going to be the wuss. Then, though, with a massive stroke of luck, a big van-style taxi turned up when it was our turn in the queue. I'd like to be able to apologise if we nicked someone else's big taxi (don't think we did, but just in case), but by the time you've been waiting outside, that drunk, that cold, and that replenished by kebab, you'll do anything to get back to the cave.
- Returning to the hotel, Chris decided to phone the Best Woman's bloke, who thought he sounded coherent. I can only guess that being South African must've had something to do with it. On arrival, we accidentally left the effectively legless Chris to the vicious grip of gravity before the Best Woman had to go back and help him fall forwards into the hotel reception. We got him back to his room (somehow -- this is a little hazy, frankly) then I realised what a good idea it would be to flip Chris's mattress over (only if he was on it obviously). Then we were made leave. Then the key was sitting in the "Make Electricity Go Now!" socket, and someone removed it — not saying it was me — and then ran down the corridor. The wrong way, then back to the lift and thence bed.
- TV on in room, some strange movie on 5 where stuff kept happening, with no apparent point. It just kept getting more and more confusing and scary. No dialogue was happening, more flames, chimneys apparently involved.... turned out it was Spawn, the movie.
- Waking. Hangover happened between 0830 and 0915 when I got out of the shower. Then everything was fine, and while RobOffOfTheStagDo went to get drowned awake, I rang himself:
- "Hello!"
- "Fuck off."
- "How's the head?"
- "I feel fantastic. I've never felt better..."
It was at this point that I suspected he may not be telling the truth.
Turns out I was right...
- "Hello!"
- Post-packing, meself and RobOffOfTheStagDo wend our way up to Chris's rheum. The Best Woman opens the door, smiling. Chris, it turns out, is not smiling. He is nearly dead from Tequila and all the other shite that we fed into his system during the night out.
- We depart, minus one Chris, for breakfast. Disappointingly, there is no fried food on the go, so cereal & coffee do the job.
- I manage to rouse Chris B from the pit by EvilPhone. I know it was an EvilPhone because both Chrises reacted with the same colour of language to its ringing. I was the one doing the ringing, so I didn't care. Chris B joined us in the departure lounge while we waited for the Best Woman to burp Chris and get him ready for the outside world. After a suitable fag-break for Rob, we re-wended our way up there, and found him a new man, about to have tea in hand.
- A bit of a search around in the car park with every map we had, and Chris B got the idea to go pitch'n'putting. Not something I'd ever done myself, but outside = fresh air = goodness = anti-hangover. So we eventually found it, and then proceeded to split into two groups: those who could reach the green, and those who could not. There is a tale involving a manhole cover, but I'm not going to go into that one right now. Maybe next century... Chris, however, visibly recovered between holes 1 and 6, going from being unable to actually see the ball, to hitting it a good whack onto the green for most of the remaining dozen holes.
- After an ice cream and a return to the Best Woman's car, we drove back to the hotel for a slash and thence the final part of the Stag Weekend itself: dinner. Nothing like eating in style, so we went to a Harvester. First time I've ever been in one. I didn't care. They cooked dead animal, and I was hungry. This is where I learnt that the Best Woman's bloke thought Chris had sounded fine. The groom-to-be even managed to keep down his dinner, which I thought was seriously impressive, given that his eyes still stung from the earlier tequila rejection process.
Mr Paul (no e-mail surname) has done some photos which, for some reason, my machine can't access. Think my proxy settings must be knackered, or — unbelievably — the lab network might be fucking around.
Friday 7 May 2004
Thursday 6 May 2004
I wouldn't even like to guess how much sleep I've had in the last three nights.
So, in summary, I need to take it easy for the next two nights, as it's Chris' stag do this Saturday & Sunday, and I don't want to pass out fer that, now do I? :o)
- Tuesday: traditional early drunken waking, with a less traditional attempt at making breakfast while still a little cut. This consisted of combining muesli with the two small pots of citrus fruit yoghurt left in the fridge (no milk). This was taken back to bed in an attempt to ease myself into the situation in which I found myself. It was followed, post-shower, by scrambled egg (no bread = no 'on toast'). I was going for all the "goodness" I could cram into my cripped system in the hope it would all cancel out and I'd feel fine. See yesterday's account of Tuesday for what followed...
- Wednesday: waking up unexpectedly and completely at 05:41. No idea why. Felt like something really bad was about to happen, heart-rate on the high side... Tried all the usual tricks of getting back to sleep (closing eyes, closing curtains, turning off light, hiding under duvet, hiding under duvet in the foetal position). With the usual success. At about ten-to-seven I gave in and got ready for work...
- Today: I'd arranged with the Tall Chap to go swimming this morning, so when the alarm went off at 06:01, I dozed until the second alarm. Then turned on Nemone. Then sat and glowered at the alarm clock for twenty minutes before finally admitting that I had to get up. Consoled myself with the highly unlikely idea of coming back home post-swimming to go to bed for another hour. However, I got in here early, so I get the chance to try out the stuff that's been keeping me working late the last two nights.
So, in summary, I need to take it easy for the next two nights, as it's Chris' stag do this Saturday & Sunday, and I don't want to pass out fer that, now do I? :o)
Wednesday 5 May 2004
Yesterday was not a day with a happy face.
At one point, I actually thought I might die... Why? I've had week-long drinking before which hasn't been followed by death scares!!
Note the time-stamp on this, too. I've been in for the last 15 minutes because I woke up at 5:41 am! Feeling a little rubbish, because I thought my pulse felt a bit strange. Might finally go and see a real doctor...
Really odd to be in before Sarah, Len and Tracey. Fire extinguisher course at 10:30 means (or it had better mean) letting off fire extinguishers in a controlled fashion. Heh heh :o)
[Quick edit for a postscipt: it was all Hazel's fault. She suggested a drinking day on Monday. Which was fine. I suggested the local to start off in, and then we couldn't get people to move, because of the Drinking Rules. �2.85 for a pint of Genius? Fvck off!
Had a great time, though -- hahaa!]
At one point, I actually thought I might die... Why? I've had week-long drinking before which hasn't been followed by death scares!!
Note the time-stamp on this, too. I've been in for the last 15 minutes because I woke up at 5:41 am! Feeling a little rubbish, because I thought my pulse felt a bit strange. Might finally go and see a real doctor...
Really odd to be in before Sarah, Len and Tracey. Fire extinguisher course at 10:30 means (or it had better mean) letting off fire extinguishers in a controlled fashion. Heh heh :o)
[Quick edit for a postscipt: it was all Hazel's fault. She suggested a drinking day on Monday. Which was fine. I suggested the local to start off in, and then we couldn't get people to move, because of the Drinking Rules. �2.85 for a pint of Genius? Fvck off!
Had a great time, though -- hahaa!]
Monday 26 April 2004
Grand weekend, thanks to the execution of The Plan:
To great success. Granted, I didn't finish the book, and I did start some marking (not something I usually partake in, but I'm doing it as a favour).
But then the housemate was back and suggested we go up and visit the Wildman's new allotment site. We watched him being introduced to it by a strapping no-nonsense lady with a ponytail, and then we stood and looked slightly overwhelmed at it. Then we went back to the house and drank white wine on the patio. Very civilised.
Slightly prosaic entry today, but more to come when I've settled a certain issue of technical synchronicity...
- Sit in garden
- in sunshine
- reading Catch-22
To great success. Granted, I didn't finish the book, and I did start some marking (not something I usually partake in, but I'm doing it as a favour).
But then the housemate was back and suggested we go up and visit the Wildman's new allotment site. We watched him being introduced to it by a strapping no-nonsense lady with a ponytail, and then we stood and looked slightly overwhelmed at it. Then we went back to the house and drank white wine on the patio. Very civilised.
Slightly prosaic entry today, but more to come when I've settled a certain issue of technical synchronicity...
Wednesday 14 April 2004
Of course, what I should have said first, is that yesterday I was clearing out the garage of my old junk, with Mum burning what we got rid of. Amongst all the debris, I found some (typically) unsent letters one to Wardy, and another to Lee Marley (off of 1st year halls). Both of them, but especially the latter were about that fateful, shitty 2nd year in QUB, and the summer that followed.
Some of the details in there I'd completely forgotten (seeing as it was seven years ago now), but it's nice to have it documented, if only for my own sanity. What a fvcked-up year that was...
"It'll all go in the book", as the man says.
Some of the details in there I'd completely forgotten (seeing as it was seven years ago now), but it's nice to have it documented, if only for my own sanity. What a fvcked-up year that was...
"It'll all go in the book", as the man says.
Back home since Saturday, I'm unusually chilled at this advanced stage. I thought we'd be wheeling around the countryside visiting relatives, etc., but the lessons of Christmas seem to have been learnt, mercifully.
Anyway, first time on the PC with any degree of privacy since the girls (in whose room Dad's PC has found its place) are in Omagh and Belfast.
In work news, Louise has asked if I want to supervise an undergrad off of Oxford Uni for 6 weeks over the summer (would clash with my though-of planning trip/GSFC general visit), and there are ATST fellowships. Which is very interesting. Dunno if they'd be at all interested, as my instrumentation (esp. optics) experience is v limited.
In other news, the ten-hour takeover on Monday was great to listen to, and himself was well pleased with the feedback and the general successful execution of the experiment. (He sent webloggy feed back links like this one.)
Anyway, first time on the PC with any degree of privacy since the girls (in whose room Dad's PC has found its place) are in Omagh and Belfast.
In work news, Louise has asked if I want to supervise an undergrad off of Oxford Uni for 6 weeks over the summer (would clash with my though-of planning trip/GSFC general visit), and there are ATST fellowships. Which is very interesting. Dunno if they'd be at all interested, as my instrumentation (esp. optics) experience is v limited.
In other news, the ten-hour takeover on Monday was great to listen to, and himself was well pleased with the feedback and the general successful execution of the experiment. (He sent webloggy feed back links like this one.)
Thursday 8 April 2004
Consider the titles now (mostly) updated. I still have to edit things like apostrophes, but that's got to be a detail.
Latest James news (not that there's been any on here, shamefully) is that he's got a mobile, but texting trans-atlantic seems to be distinctly not working. Cocked-up codes? Who knows...
I'm off home now, though. May as well be the master of my own hours for a couple of days.
Latest James news (not that there's been any on here, shamefully) is that he's got a mobile, but texting trans-atlantic seems to be distinctly not working. Cocked-up codes? Who knows...
I'm off home now, though. May as well be the master of my own hours for a couple of days.
Took the opportunity of a quiet day to do this.
Good thing I'm not vain.... Will update the titles at some point in the future.
Good thing I'm not vain.... Will update the titles at some point in the future.
It's exactly two years to the day since I started this job.
Thought that was worthy of an entry.
The fact that it's a university holiday means I've got time to relax a little bit more today. But it's time to start looking for jobs, etc.
I'm in a bit of a funny mood this week. I've been audibly pissed off with distractions in the orifice, and have firmly asked people to leave when I really wanted to get on with things. Which I rarely have to courage to do.
And yesterday, I was sorting through my e-mithers as they were taking up half of my chunky homespace allocation. As I was ln -s-ing some old folders across to another disk, I started reading my sent-mail-mar-2000 folder, stuff that was basically four years old. I sound like a different person! A hell of a lot more excited about stuff than I've felt in a while... Even Neilo sounded different, back in the days when he working with the BGD on Liberty (off of the Fleadh show)!
Time to... "move on!"</Neilo>
Thought that was worthy of an entry.
The fact that it's a university holiday means I've got time to relax a little bit more today. But it's time to start looking for jobs, etc.
I'm in a bit of a funny mood this week. I've been audibly pissed off with distractions in the orifice, and have firmly asked people to leave when I really wanted to get on with things. Which I rarely have to courage to do.
And yesterday, I was sorting through my e-mithers as they were taking up half of my chunky homespace allocation. As I was ln -s-ing some old folders across to another disk, I started reading my sent-mail-mar-2000 folder, stuff that was basically four years old. I sound like a different person! A hell of a lot more excited about stuff than I've felt in a while... Even Neilo sounded different, back in the days when he working with the BGD on Liberty (off of the Fleadh show)!
Time to... "move on!"</Neilo>
Monday 22 March 2004
Things have been busy recently, which would help to explain the dearth of entries since ten days ago. The pressure to finish the RDI paper is on, as well as the need to produce a poster from it. Off to College on Friday, and then to Edinburgh on Monday (once it's all booked -- eep!). The boss-lady is back next week, too, so I think things are going to tighten up (sphincters not excepted) around here for a few weeks again. Somewhat ironically, as I've got quite a bit done recently, with the absence of distractions (staff- and student-related) in the last few weeks.
Anyway, have much to do now, so I'll update when I've got too tired to be productive (but not so tired that I don't realise it).
Anyway, have much to do now, so I'll update when I've got too tired to be productive (but not so tired that I don't realise it).
Friday 12 March 2004
Went actual rock-climbing (as opposed to actual rock-climbing) lastnight at the Uni Surrey sport centre! Have cleverly removed some skin using a rope, it took Hazel and Abi about half-an-hour to hammer into my head how to belay (the trick, we worked out, is not to think about it too much). But I managed to get the hang of that and also climbing some of the easier walls. Hands and arms got a bit tired (as I'd always feared) after about an hour of all this, but I had a grand time, and will go back. Better yet, Hazel's Fraser has (she thinks) size 11 feet (another fellow freak, hurrah!) so I'll even be able to use proper climbing shoes next time. How handy!
Was all followed by retiring to the newly refurbished White House (now with nice decor) and thence -- inevitably, in retrospect -- to Bar Zuka. Where Abi's friend Gav (not the Scottish one) was playing. What a co-inkey-dink! So Abi and Hazel danced in a white-wine kind of way, while Fletch, ChrisHousemateOfFletch and I sat and took in the atmosphere, and beer.
A good night was had by all (I'm guessing)
Was all followed by retiring to the newly refurbished White House (now with nice decor) and thence -- inevitably, in retrospect -- to Bar Zuka. Where Abi's friend Gav (not the Scottish one) was playing. What a co-inkey-dink! So Abi and Hazel danced in a white-wine kind of way, while Fletch, ChrisHousemateOfFletch and I sat and took in the atmosphere, and beer.
A good night was had by all (I'm guessing)
Thursday 11 March 2004
Wednesday 10 March 2004
Tuesday 9 March 2004
Would you believe it? I went back to running lastnight. Only half an hour (was supposed to be 20 mins, but the holiday watch is bust) alternating between 1 minute running and 1 minute walking.
Baked potahto, tuna'n'onion brown roll and thai stir fry fer meals. The New Healthy Lifestyle is back on!
Although, hard to believe that I first started on that running business around May/June last year... Dropped it in July when I lost my Sony SRF-M95 (might have to get a slightly over-priced version from Dixons, as Amazon aren't going to deliver for weeks at the moment).
And thanks/no thanks to Andy for taking this. I take no responsibility for my hattedness.
Baked potahto, tuna'n'onion brown roll and thai stir fry fer meals. The New Healthy Lifestyle is back on!
Although, hard to believe that I first started on that running business around May/June last year... Dropped it in July when I lost my Sony SRF-M95 (might have to get a slightly over-priced version from Dixons, as Amazon aren't going to deliver for weeks at the moment).
And thanks/no thanks to Andy for taking this. I take no responsibility for my hattedness.
Monday 8 March 2004
Heh heh.... that was a cracking birthday weekend! Alan was down from Nottingham, Mr Bridger popped over from Camberley (where they have pushchairs, rather than three-wheeled buggies), Chris'n'Jane'n'Jane's Nephew made it, G&J came along fer the bowling, as did Fiona, The Swiss and Russian (Ukrainian) Embassies came bowling, too -- first time for Egor, ever! ....All the usual faces were there.
The birthday week is now officially over. The new healthy lifestyle starts this week. I.e. today. Bugger.
The birthday week is now officially over. The new healthy lifestyle starts this week. I.e. today. Bugger.
Friday 5 March 2004
Thursday 4 March 2004
"In't being twenty-seven BRILLLIANN'?", as the fast-show kid might say... Well, no -- not yet. It's been mixed. Rubbish happenings at work (e.g. the COSPAR deadline zooming quietly by), but I've had a good drawing-out of the birthday experience so far. Up in That London to visit broken-ankled Neil on Tuesday night (as he couldn't make it to the Tup on Saturday for the birthday drinks), watching Fawlty Tars as the drunken levels increased. Which was good, and I even managed to not fall asleep on the train (as I did between the last two blog entries), thereby saving the �36 it would've cost to get home from there.
Then lastnight I investigated the Tup with Abi, Haze'n'Frase, Wildman and a post-ju jitsu Fletch for some on-the actual-birthday drinkage. Seems a nice place, so we're going BACK on Saturday for the Official Birthday Show (without HiThisIsWes).
Today was going swimmingly until a) we had a meeting that lasted much too long to be useful; b) I realised I had me shorts on back-to-front; and c) I remembered that somehow yesterday, I had broken RDI_CAL. How unlucky is tha'? I've reverted to Friday's version 2.3, which works. But doesn't do much else. Need to fix that after I've refereed a bit. Just realised whose paper it is too! Blimey. Can't say here, obviously....
Dr Buxey is coming Daaan Saaaf on Friday night to see his dad, once he's disentangled himself from all those network cables, and will be popping up for Saturday efternoon's bowling'n'boozing.
Meanwhile, I'm not clambering tonight, as I've got to get this report done. I'm being leant on from afar.
More shite later.
Oh, and I got a kite for me birthday! Will be brought along to Cornwall and all other places that have hills or beaches. Hurrah!
Then lastnight I investigated the Tup with Abi, Haze'n'Frase, Wildman and a post-ju jitsu Fletch for some on-the actual-birthday drinkage. Seems a nice place, so we're going BACK on Saturday for the Official Birthday Show (without HiThisIsWes).
Today was going swimmingly until a) we had a meeting that lasted much too long to be useful; b) I realised I had me shorts on back-to-front; and c) I remembered that somehow yesterday, I had broken RDI_CAL. How unlucky is tha'? I've reverted to Friday's version 2.3, which works. But doesn't do much else. Need to fix that after I've refereed a bit. Just realised whose paper it is too! Blimey. Can't say here, obviously....
Dr Buxey is coming Daaan Saaaf on Friday night to see his dad, once he's disentangled himself from all those network cables, and will be popping up for Saturday efternoon's bowling'n'boozing.
Meanwhile, I'm not clambering tonight, as I've got to get this report done. I'm being leant on from afar.
More shite later.
Oh, and I got a kite for me birthday! Will be brought along to Cornwall and all other places that have hills or beaches. Hurrah!
Monday 1 March 2004
Happy St David's Day!
The two weeks of radio silence were rounded off this weekend with Abi's birthday. Out in Olivo on Friday night -- quite merry upon departure, quite not-merry on discovering the �3 price tag for just getting into Bar Zuka. That's before the ambulance-inducing cost of (to the extent of my knowledge) dry white wine and bottles of various beers.
Then, on Saturday, after a very nice hot bacon roll from the 24-hour cafe on Newlands Corner at 12:30, I dun me first EVER bit of rock-climbing action at Bowles Rocks near that (Royal) Tunbridge Wells! With Jen at the top and Gill holding on to the rope (which in turn was holding on to me) beneath.
The two weeks of radio silence were rounded off this weekend with Abi's birthday. Out in Olivo on Friday night -- quite merry upon departure, quite not-merry on discovering the �3 price tag for just getting into Bar Zuka. That's before the ambulance-inducing cost of (to the extent of my knowledge) dry white wine and bottles of various beers.
Then, on Saturday, after a very nice hot bacon roll from the 24-hour cafe on Newlands Corner at 12:30, I dun me first EVER bit of rock-climbing action at Bowles Rocks near that (Royal) Tunbridge Wells! With Jen at the top and Gill holding on to the rope (which in turn was holding on to me) beneath.
Monday 16 February 2004
Back home now. Well, currently back at the orifice. It felt empty here after Christmas with Posh Ben gone, but now feels very empty here without Hilary around (she's gone home for a while after her mum died eight or nine days ago).
It also feels strange to be back in an office, although I do have all my things back now (except the diary which I forgot this morning). That's always nice.
In other (me-centred) news, I finished my wee sister's Christmas present to me lastnight: Are You Dave Gorman?. It's genuinely a very funny book, and it kept me sane during my stay up a mountain (and on the trip through Roswell and Alamogordo, more on which at a date in the near future, I'm expecting).
What else...? Oh yeah, Mr Bridger called round yesterday evening, post-rugby-viewing-in-the-Tup. Good to catch up with himself. And Neilo's busy on M&L this week.
I've just discovered that my new Norah Jones CD isn't one. It's another of these fvcking fake-CD articles that won't play under Linux because it thinks all PCs should be Windows, where it can install its anti-copying software.
Breaking news! It appears that if you start GRIP first, and if you rewind back to the start of the first track from the start of the second, then you can listen... Madness, but at least it means I'm not disappointed. I've been looking forward to listening since lastnight when my stereo revealed that it truly cannot play CDs anymore without skipping all over the place. I'll be getting a new stereo, then.
Right after I re-learn how to type.
Still, it stood me in good stead: I've had that stereo for ten years! And it's had a few knocks and moves over the ages. Lunchtime, then!
It also feels strange to be back in an office, although I do have all my things back now (except the diary which I forgot this morning). That's always nice.
In other (me-centred) news, I finished my wee sister's Christmas present to me lastnight: Are You Dave Gorman?. It's genuinely a very funny book, and it kept me sane during my stay up a mountain (and on the trip through Roswell and Alamogordo, more on which at a date in the near future, I'm expecting).
What else...? Oh yeah, Mr Bridger called round yesterday evening, post-rugby-viewing-in-the-Tup. Good to catch up with himself. And Neilo's busy on M&L this week.
I've just discovered that my new Norah Jones CD isn't one. It's another of these fvcking fake-CD articles that won't play under Linux because it thinks all PCs should be Windows, where it can install its anti-copying software.
Breaking news! It appears that if you start GRIP first, and if you rewind back to the start of the first track from the start of the second, then you can listen... Madness, but at least it means I'm not disappointed. I've been looking forward to listening since lastnight when my stereo revealed that it truly cannot play CDs anymore without skipping all over the place. I'll be getting a new stereo, then.
Right after I re-learn how to type.
Still, it stood me in good stead: I've had that stereo for ten years! And it's had a few knocks and moves over the ages. Lunchtime, then!
Saturday 14 February 2004
[Mirrored from the observing log at obslog.blogspot.com.]
I thought a quick epilogueto the ObsLog was in order... and I've just found out that I have an extra hour to kill at DFW, too.
I've had an interesting few days arond Roswell and Alamogordo, and Roswell was a real surprise (pleaseforgive the bad typing, but this terminal's keyboard is horrible... worse than an iMac's :o)
I got quite a good night;s slep lastnight at the travelodge near El Paso airport, but I'm still shattered from two weeks of long days and early starts. I'm looking forward to my own bed, and if the heating's noisy I'mjust gong to turn it off.
The observin trip has been a good one, and I even managed to hhire a car in Roswell for 24 hours. Then the museum, which was a revelation. Anyway, It's somewhere arond 15:30 local time, then I can get on th plane and hopefully there'll be somegood fillums to watch.
Believe it or no, I'm slightly apprehensive about getting home. The trip has been a way of avoiding the real world for a while, butnow I'll be cast backin to the flamingpit. Or not... It might all be fine...
I thought a quick epilogueto the ObsLog was in order... and I've just found out that I have an extra hour to kill at DFW, too.
I've had an interesting few days arond Roswell and Alamogordo, and Roswell was a real surprise (pleaseforgive the bad typing, but this terminal's keyboard is horrible... worse than an iMac's :o)
I got quite a good night;s slep lastnight at the travelodge near El Paso airport, but I'm still shattered from two weeks of long days and early starts. I'm looking forward to my own bed, and if the heating's noisy I'mjust gong to turn it off.
The observin trip has been a good one, and I even managed to hhire a car in Roswell for 24 hours. Then the museum, which was a revelation. Anyway, It's somewhere arond 15:30 local time, then I can get on th plane and hopefully there'll be somegood fillums to watch.
Believe it or no, I'm slightly apprehensive about getting home. The trip has been a way of avoiding the real world for a while, butnow I'll be cast backin to the flamingpit. Or not... It might all be fine...
Monday 9 February 2004
In other news (he said, as though there's been news to begin with), I rang Dad at 6am MST to wish him a happy 60th birthday. Typically, he'd forgotten until Mum reminded him that it was his 60th birthday.
I don't think he's particularly keen on the idea of being 5 years away from theoretical retirement age, but I'd say he's looking forward to Mum being able to retire soon, so they can buy their mobile home, etc.
Apart from that, I have a cold. It hurts my head and I don't like this. I don't normally complain about colds, to buck the male stereotype, but this one is hitting me 9200 feet up, and I have a talk to give tomorrow. I fear sounding like Raymond Sinclair...
I don't think he's particularly keen on the idea of being 5 years away from theoretical retirement age, but I'd say he's looking forward to Mum being able to retire soon, so they can buy their mobile home, etc.
Apart from that, I have a cold. It hurts my head and I don't like this. I don't normally complain about colds, to buck the male stereotype, but this one is hitting me 9200 feet up, and I have a talk to give tomorrow. I fear sounding like Raymond Sinclair...
Friday 6 February 2004
I know I've not been keeping this blog up-to-date since I started on this trip, but I've just been to the top of the Dunn Solar Telescope, and the view is just breath-taking... It's almost like flying (although with a safety harness attached!), because you've got nothing above you, only the clouds... absolutely beautiful...
Sunday 1 February 2004
I'm not going to try and cover everything since I left home for New Mexico on Thursday morning.
But I will say this. Of all the possible conditions which can prevent us from observing up here, snow has got to be the most beautiful. This is a level of snow I've not seen in a very long time. Reminds me of when Dad took me to school on his back, what must be twenty-two years ago. But there's not the blinding pain of facing into a blizzard. It just looks amazing.
I suppose a brief update is in order, mind... Lastnight was a good night at Steve Keil's place. Not bad, that -- having a social do within a few days of arriving. Had there been a poker game, it would have been good and drunken, with some of the most contorted, convoluted High/Low games I have ever come across. Needless to say, Texas hold'em was my own choice. At least I knew what the hell was going on with that one...
Anyway, it's the Superbowl today, and Mike just informed me that it's at 16:00 Mountain Time, so -- seeing as there's a lot of snow on the way -- I think it'd be rude not to go along and experience the traditional party... Although, it depends on what's happening here...
But I will say this. Of all the possible conditions which can prevent us from observing up here, snow has got to be the most beautiful. This is a level of snow I've not seen in a very long time. Reminds me of when Dad took me to school on his back, what must be twenty-two years ago. But there's not the blinding pain of facing into a blizzard. It just looks amazing.
I suppose a brief update is in order, mind... Lastnight was a good night at Steve Keil's place. Not bad, that -- having a social do within a few days of arriving. Had there been a poker game, it would have been good and drunken, with some of the most contorted, convoluted High/Low games I have ever come across. Needless to say, Texas hold'em was my own choice. At least I knew what the hell was going on with that one...
Anyway, it's the Superbowl today, and Mike just informed me that it's at 16:00 Mountain Time, so -- seeing as there's a lot of snow on the way -- I think it'd be rude not to go along and experience the traditional party... Although, it depends on what's happening here...
Monday 26 January 2004
Thursday 22 January 2004
It's been a real waste of a workday. And, as if to give testimony to this fact, I've just realised that I've spent the last hour donating my tuppence-worth of wisdom to beerintheevening.com/.
Wednesday 21 January 2004
Thursday 15 January 2004
Imagine a happy camper.
Now imagine the opposite... that was me when I got home lastnight.
Turns out some person, very probably in a van or lorry, scraped past my car at some point yesterday when I was parked on the north drive at work.
I sent this message to ChrisOffOfWork:
You would not believe
how fucked-off I am
right now: some
bastard broke my
driver-side mirror, my
indicator light, and did
a nasty reshaping job
on the wing today AT
WORK! AND I was
parked well within the
markings. Have
passed through the
Anger and Rage
stages now. Heading
towards Must Kill
Everyone...
It was a long text message. And if it wasn't concise, it was certainly heart-felt. Nearly six months ago, I had the aerial broken off, last month someone tried to break in and knackered my door, which now leaks water, and now the wing mirror � necessary for general driving purposes and road-worthiness � has been smashed up. I've had enough. I really was not happy with this part of the world lastnight...
But it sort-of came on top of other things, so the mood was a bit better on waking up. Still can't believe it happened, though. Unlikely to be anyone at work, unless they've taken to driving a van/lorry instead of a car like everyone else. And as I will be the first person in astronomy to own a monster truck, I can rule out any monster trucks...
Scientific reasoning there, see.
Best get back to it, then...
Now imagine the opposite... that was me when I got home lastnight.
Turns out some person, very probably in a van or lorry, scraped past my car at some point yesterday when I was parked on the north drive at work.
I sent this message to ChrisOffOfWork:
You would not believe
how fucked-off I am
right now: some
bastard broke my
driver-side mirror, my
indicator light, and did
a nasty reshaping job
on the wing today AT
WORK! AND I was
parked well within the
markings. Have
passed through the
Anger and Rage
stages now. Heading
towards Must Kill
Everyone...
It was a long text message. And if it wasn't concise, it was certainly heart-felt. Nearly six months ago, I had the aerial broken off, last month someone tried to break in and knackered my door, which now leaks water, and now the wing mirror � necessary for general driving purposes and road-worthiness � has been smashed up. I've had enough. I really was not happy with this part of the world lastnight...
But it sort-of came on top of other things, so the mood was a bit better on waking up. Still can't believe it happened, though. Unlikely to be anyone at work, unless they've taken to driving a van/lorry instead of a car like everyone else. And as I will be the first person in astronomy to own a monster truck, I can rule out any monster trucks...
Scientific reasoning there, see.
Best get back to it, then...
Tuesday 13 January 2004
Today�s been something of a landmark day. The most momentous thing was that I think I�ve finally got the hang of swimming. From the first time I branched out and swam the length of Omagh pool until today, basically, I always treated swimming lengths as a desperate dash to get the other end before I drowned. This morning, reminding myself to pace, I actually managed to feel myself FLOAT and realised that the swim was controllable, and � despite the fact that I had a slight flashback to the Dubai-pool forgetting-how-to-swim incident (of which no photos exist) � and the whole procedure seemed suddenly effortless; if only relatively speaking�
A bit like suddenly being aware of something that was always around you, but always ignored.
On a different note, last week�s expected boom in the bank balance was quickly reversed by someone depositing a cheque from before Christmas. My suspicions were aroused when it appeared that Dr L�s money still hadn�t cleared. However, this was not the case. Dr L�s money cleared last Friday. The same day the cheque did. So, I now have about �14 to my name, and I�ve gone from aroused suspicions to constant panic. I really pray that the NICE bank will let me have an extension to my overdraft. Really. New Mekhiko may become a foreboding place, otherwise.
Not least of my worries is that I also calculated that I have to pay back �50 of my Mallorca advance! Rubbish� And the car door now won�t get fixed before I go away.
On the good side, I still haven�t sent FPK my November expenses. Which is also on the bad side, as I could�ve done it last week, in principle, when the Ganch came over.
What may help put things in perspective is that himself doesn�t sound in the best of form, so a wee trip up to town is on the cards. I think I know how he feels. More than at any other time, my life is actually a mess right now. It�s crap how money worries can do this to me, but when I can not worry about bills and necessary expenses, I can at least get on with life. But this just� ach, I can�t even say it�
Better form tomorrow, hopefully. Need sleep, clearly.
A bit like suddenly being aware of something that was always around you, but always ignored.
On a different note, last week�s expected boom in the bank balance was quickly reversed by someone depositing a cheque from before Christmas. My suspicions were aroused when it appeared that Dr L�s money still hadn�t cleared. However, this was not the case. Dr L�s money cleared last Friday. The same day the cheque did. So, I now have about �14 to my name, and I�ve gone from aroused suspicions to constant panic. I really pray that the NICE bank will let me have an extension to my overdraft. Really. New Mekhiko may become a foreboding place, otherwise.
Not least of my worries is that I also calculated that I have to pay back �50 of my Mallorca advance! Rubbish� And the car door now won�t get fixed before I go away.
On the good side, I still haven�t sent FPK my November expenses. Which is also on the bad side, as I could�ve done it last week, in principle, when the Ganch came over.
What may help put things in perspective is that himself doesn�t sound in the best of form, so a wee trip up to town is on the cards. I think I know how he feels. More than at any other time, my life is actually a mess right now. It�s crap how money worries can do this to me, but when I can not worry about bills and necessary expenses, I can at least get on with life. But this just� ach, I can�t even say it�
Better form tomorrow, hopefully. Need sleep, clearly.
Well, the financial situation lastnight is still very much in a state of what non-physics types often call "flux". It appears (and thanks to my very nice landlord, Dr L for letting me know about this) that my bank was paying my rent twice a month, instead of just once. Why they took it upon themselves to do this is a little beyond me, but I have the feeling that it's probably got something to do with someone hitting F12 when they should have hit F11, mis-hit 2 when it should've been 1, etc.
The upshot of the whole situation was that I was half-a-grand to the bad, which Dr L kindly amended. I still have yet to find the source of the problem, but it'll need to be found'n'fixed before next month. Particularly as I'm off to New Mekhiko on the 28th of this one, and don't much fancy being stranded up a hill in the desert with no food or money.
In other news, the Ganch came over last Wednesday for a wee collaborative visit. Which meant I got to eat out in one of my favourite places in Guildford: Wagamama! I'm a simple man, so sit me at a bench with some cracking Chinese/Japanese food in front of me, and someone to talk shite to, and I'm a very happy camper. The RAS meeting that we both were attending was dutifully followed by a visit to the classic Soho Spice on the Wardour Street (off of the O'Neills HQ). And much thanks to Neilo for providing directions to Soho Spice from Leicester Square, despite the fact that he was on holiday in Barcelona, himself and stupot enjoying 20° CELSIUS, while we were enjoying something similar in Fahrenheit. Gits.
The upshot of the whole situation was that I was half-a-grand to the bad, which Dr L kindly amended. I still have yet to find the source of the problem, but it'll need to be found'n'fixed before next month. Particularly as I'm off to New Mekhiko on the 28th of this one, and don't much fancy being stranded up a hill in the desert with no food or money.
In other news, the Ganch came over last Wednesday for a wee collaborative visit. Which meant I got to eat out in one of my favourite places in Guildford: Wagamama! I'm a simple man, so sit me at a bench with some cracking Chinese/Japanese food in front of me, and someone to talk shite to, and I'm a very happy camper. The RAS meeting that we both were attending was dutifully followed by a visit to the classic Soho Spice on the Wardour Street (off of the O'Neills HQ). And much thanks to Neilo for providing directions to Soho Spice from Leicester Square, despite the fact that he was on holiday in Barcelona, himself and stupot enjoying 20° CELSIUS, while we were enjoying something similar in Fahrenheit. Gits.
Saturday 10 January 2004
I successfully deposited James at Gatwick airport this morning. And now I just want to go to bed. I�ve had two nights of five hours sleep, as well as a steady (though moderate) intake of alcohol over the last three days. And I think the meal I had in Soho Spice may have taken my system slightly by surprise. (Two points here: [1] Cheers to Neil for the directions when I phoned him from Leicester Square, despite the fact that he was on holiday in Barcelona; [2] The deficit of toilet roll in the house this morning was not a good thing).
BUT, my house is no longer broken. NiceHousemateLady found a plumber on Wednesday who was able to come round yesterday (when I was at the RAS Waves meeting), which means I can spend today in the warm safety of my room, away from things in shops which I�d inevitably break. Or even shops which I�d inevitably break).
This is a good thing, as I can feel my concentration vanishing rapidly� rubbish� Still haven�t found out why Mr Fraser was on the radio during the week, or indeed any of the story surrounding the text I got from my wee sister on that subject. Cheers to her for that, though. I was just stuck in some messy FFT stuff that had to be fed through the science mangle in my head.
Think I�ll sign off now. Ramble ramble ramble�
BUT, my house is no longer broken. NiceHousemateLady found a plumber on Wednesday who was able to come round yesterday (when I was at the RAS Waves meeting), which means I can spend today in the warm safety of my room, away from things in shops which I�d inevitably break. Or even shops which I�d inevitably break).
This is a good thing, as I can feel my concentration vanishing rapidly� rubbish� Still haven�t found out why Mr Fraser was on the radio during the week, or indeed any of the story surrounding the text I got from my wee sister on that subject. Cheers to her for that, though. I was just stuck in some messy FFT stuff that had to be fed through the science mangle in my head.
Think I�ll sign off now. Ramble ramble ramble�
Tuesday 6 January 2004
Too long since the last update. A week, in fact, looking at the previous entry...
Actually, if I really want to put into practice what I've just read, I should be using a lot more semicolons, colons, long dashes... and the odd ellipsis. Basically, it's because lastnight I finished Eats, Shoots & Leaves : The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. (Although I'm sure there should be a hyphen between "Zero" and "Tolerance" there.) The amount of inappropriate laughing that eas elicited by various passages in this book was a depressing revelation in a way: not only am I a professional geek, but — as many of my friends, family and colleagues had long suspected — I am also a grammar and punctuation geek.
Great.
Well, at least now I can claim that I've at least read something to back up my over-zealous editorial stance on other people's papers. And theses. (Sorry, Abi.)
VERY RUDELY, I didn't mention the fact that on 22nd December 2003, Mr R. T. J. McAteer became Dr R. T. J. McAteer! I might stick a reverse entry in to that effect later. He should be very proud, and it was well-earnt (cf thesis standards in February/March 2002). Must not forget to pick him up from Gatwick tomorrow, either... A "collaborative visit" is scheduled.
In other news, my house is broken, I stayed in with the family for New Year's Eve (so there was no Fraser-style pesting going on), I got back to Guildford on Friday, to work yesterday, to swimming this morning, and I haven't done a tap of actual work yet; short of moving the world's biggest crate of photographic plates EVER about five minutes ago. Not on my own, I have to admit. Swimming isn't that good.
Actually, if I really want to put into practice what I've just read, I should be using a lot more semicolons, colons, long dashes... and the odd ellipsis. Basically, it's because lastnight I finished Eats, Shoots & Leaves : The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. (Although I'm sure there should be a hyphen between "Zero" and "Tolerance" there.) The amount of inappropriate laughing that eas elicited by various passages in this book was a depressing revelation in a way: not only am I a professional geek, but — as many of my friends, family and colleagues had long suspected — I am also a grammar and punctuation geek.
Great.
Well, at least now I can claim that I've at least read something to back up my over-zealous editorial stance on other people's papers. And theses. (Sorry, Abi.)
VERY RUDELY, I didn't mention the fact that on 22nd December 2003, Mr R. T. J. McAteer became Dr R. T. J. McAteer! I might stick a reverse entry in to that effect later. He should be very proud, and it was well-earnt (cf thesis standards in February/March 2002). Must not forget to pick him up from Gatwick tomorrow, either... A "collaborative visit" is scheduled.
In other news, my house is broken, I stayed in with the family for New Year's Eve (so there was no Fraser-style pesting going on), I got back to Guildford on Friday, to work yesterday, to swimming this morning, and I haven't done a tap of actual work yet; short of moving the world's biggest crate of photographic plates EVER about five minutes ago. Not on my own, I have to admit. Swimming isn't that good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
