It's a good job that I like Italian food:
Thursday - lunch at Bella Italia
Friday - dinner at Zizzi's
Saturday - lunch at Prezzo
Monday - lunch at Prezzo
I think I might try to give it a miss for a few days!
Monday 31 October 2011
Sunday 30 October 2011
Houses
Much to think about as we move into the second half of term. Jake has seven weeks at school, and then we are off to Old Key West for Christmas. Looking forward to that, and counting down the days, but aware that if we get our wish, it may be our last big holiday for a little while, as we if we're lucky, we may find that all of our spare cash is being invested in real estate sometime in early 2012.
Still trying not to get too excited about it, as it's early days, but that is proving difficult, especially when we did have another sneaky look around this morning on the pretence of feeding the cats whilst their owners were away.
Perhaps what we need to do over the next few weeks is concentrate on our current abode, and make sure that it is as organised and impressive-looking as we can make it so that if it does go on the market in the new year, someone will want to snap it up, and give us a jolly good price too!
Scanned a few photos for John today (for a photo book that he is doing). Here are a couple of good ones!
Still trying not to get too excited about it, as it's early days, but that is proving difficult, especially when we did have another sneaky look around this morning on the pretence of feeding the cats whilst their owners were away.
Perhaps what we need to do over the next few weeks is concentrate on our current abode, and make sure that it is as organised and impressive-looking as we can make it so that if it does go on the market in the new year, someone will want to snap it up, and give us a jolly good price too!
Scanned a few photos for John today (for a photo book that he is doing). Here are a couple of good ones!
Saturday 29 October 2011
Visits
Just back home from a long day of visits, first of all to Newbury to see the Bearman family, and then down the A34 for tea with Mum and Dad.
For today's blog purposes, suffice it to say that it was great to see everyone, and now it's time for bed (grateful that we get a bonus hour of sleep tonight as we all need to be ready to take penalties tomorrow at footie!).
For today's blog purposes, suffice it to say that it was great to see everyone, and now it's time for bed (grateful that we get a bonus hour of sleep tonight as we all need to be ready to take penalties tomorrow at footie!).
Friday 28 October 2011
Friday
Myhotel was its usual reliable self. Comfy beds - woken by the call from home telling me that it was time to get up.
I was at the office by half past eight and enjoying my morning porridge.
Did better with today's crossword - got to only a couple of clues to go, and my colleagues helped me to finish it off - although getting "nacelle" without cheating proved to be too much for all of us.
Left at 4ish and home just before 6.
Meal out with at Zizzi's this evening with the Fairs family, which was very pleasant, only spoiled slightly but the gaggle of ten year old girls having a party at the next table and making a racket (and being ignored by their parents/minders sat at another table).
Off to Newbury and Sutton Scotney tomorrow.
Oh yes - and today marks the 50 days and counting moment ...
I was at the office by half past eight and enjoying my morning porridge.
Did better with today's crossword - got to only a couple of clues to go, and my colleagues helped me to finish it off - although getting "nacelle" without cheating proved to be too much for all of us.
Left at 4ish and home just before 6.
Meal out with at Zizzi's this evening with the Fairs family, which was very pleasant, only spoiled slightly but the gaggle of ten year old girls having a party at the next table and making a racket (and being ignored by their parents/minders sat at another table).
Off to Newbury and Sutton Scotney tomorrow.
Oh yes - and today marks the 50 days and counting moment ...
Thursday 27 October 2011
Times table
So, here I am back in Brighton, and for the record, today's hotel room is pink.
I got to the hotel at about half past seven, and rather than grabbing provisions from the Tesco Extra across the road, I decided that a trip to a proper restaurant was in order, even if it meant looking like Billy-no-mates at my table for one.
So off I went to Giraffe, armed with a copy of today's paper to read.
And, during my burger (obviously), fruit smoothie (how very Brighton), rocky road sundae (disappointing - a couple of scoops of cheap ice cream, some little marshmallows and a pool of sauce in the bottom of the dish) and coffee, I was able to catch up with what's going on in the world.
So, I learnt that:
- the European currency is struggling on (and whilst it wasn't reported in the paper, it was at least encouraging to see that the markets seemed to react positively today to the efforts being made by the politicians)
- the journalists are enjoying taking the mickey out of Vince Cable for mucking up his tax affairs (or rather his accountants mucked them up for him)
- according to an advert, 84% of FTSE 100 companies have an ICAEW Chartered Accountant on their board (this made as a proud boast. My question is shouldn't it be 100%?)
- India is gearing up for its first ever Formula 1 race, and hopes seem reasonably high that they are more prepared for it than they were for the Commonwealth Games (could hardly be worse)
- a columnist went to the new Stratford Westfield and didn't like it, but is pleased with the news that in our shopping obsessed country, the saving ratio has improved recently (although apparently last year the average household in the UK managed to save less than £300. Mind you I can't cope with being told a bare fact like that, I have far too many questions that need to be answered about how the figure was determined before I can make any sense of it. For example is it just an average of the amounts put into savings accounts? If so, if some people took money out of savings accounts, does that net off the amount saved by others and therefore reduce the average? Also, what about two people in identical situations, one who puts £100 a month into a savings account and one who overpays a mortgage by £100 a month? Is one deemed to be a "save" and one not? Similarly what about pension contributions? Are they included - surely they should be? If they are, what about contributions made by employers for their employees? How are they measured and attributed as savings? Sorry, I'm waffling now, but being given a random £300 means nothing without knowing the answers to these and more questions!)
Finally, a little nugget from the letters page that I thought I would reproduce here as Mum and Dad might like it:
"Sir
Back in the 1980s I was singing with a group called the King's Singers. During the six-month presidency of the UK, under the rotation principle Geoffrey Howe, the Foreign Secretary, and his wife Elspeth invited us to sing at Brocket Hall and the end of a day when all the Foreign Ministers of the European Community countries had been meeting there together.
We devised a programme which included a song from each of the 12 countries, and featured a version of Old MacDonald Had a Farm in Greek. Afterwards, Geoffrey Howe congratulated us, and the other ministers also said how much they had enjoyed it. When the Belgian Foreign Minister passed he muttered out of the side of his mouth: "Marvellous! That was marvellous, the first bit of harmony we've had all day."
Alastair Hume"
Oh yes, and I did both Kenkens, but couldn't finish the crossword - was six clues off! Disappointing. Will be kicking myself when I look them up tomorrow!
I got to the hotel at about half past seven, and rather than grabbing provisions from the Tesco Extra across the road, I decided that a trip to a proper restaurant was in order, even if it meant looking like Billy-no-mates at my table for one.
So off I went to Giraffe, armed with a copy of today's paper to read.
And, during my burger (obviously), fruit smoothie (how very Brighton), rocky road sundae (disappointing - a couple of scoops of cheap ice cream, some little marshmallows and a pool of sauce in the bottom of the dish) and coffee, I was able to catch up with what's going on in the world.
So, I learnt that:
- the European currency is struggling on (and whilst it wasn't reported in the paper, it was at least encouraging to see that the markets seemed to react positively today to the efforts being made by the politicians)
- the journalists are enjoying taking the mickey out of Vince Cable for mucking up his tax affairs (or rather his accountants mucked them up for him)
- according to an advert, 84% of FTSE 100 companies have an ICAEW Chartered Accountant on their board (this made as a proud boast. My question is shouldn't it be 100%?)
- India is gearing up for its first ever Formula 1 race, and hopes seem reasonably high that they are more prepared for it than they were for the Commonwealth Games (could hardly be worse)
- a columnist went to the new Stratford Westfield and didn't like it, but is pleased with the news that in our shopping obsessed country, the saving ratio has improved recently (although apparently last year the average household in the UK managed to save less than £300. Mind you I can't cope with being told a bare fact like that, I have far too many questions that need to be answered about how the figure was determined before I can make any sense of it. For example is it just an average of the amounts put into savings accounts? If so, if some people took money out of savings accounts, does that net off the amount saved by others and therefore reduce the average? Also, what about two people in identical situations, one who puts £100 a month into a savings account and one who overpays a mortgage by £100 a month? Is one deemed to be a "save" and one not? Similarly what about pension contributions? Are they included - surely they should be? If they are, what about contributions made by employers for their employees? How are they measured and attributed as savings? Sorry, I'm waffling now, but being given a random £300 means nothing without knowing the answers to these and more questions!)
Finally, a little nugget from the letters page that I thought I would reproduce here as Mum and Dad might like it:
"Sir
Back in the 1980s I was singing with a group called the King's Singers. During the six-month presidency of the UK, under the rotation principle Geoffrey Howe, the Foreign Secretary, and his wife Elspeth invited us to sing at Brocket Hall and the end of a day when all the Foreign Ministers of the European Community countries had been meeting there together.
We devised a programme which included a song from each of the 12 countries, and featured a version of Old MacDonald Had a Farm in Greek. Afterwards, Geoffrey Howe congratulated us, and the other ministers also said how much they had enjoyed it. When the Belgian Foreign Minister passed he muttered out of the side of his mouth: "Marvellous! That was marvellous, the first bit of harmony we've had all day."
Alastair Hume"
Oh yes, and I did both Kenkens, but couldn't finish the crossword - was six clues off! Disappointing. Will be kicking myself when I look them up tomorrow!
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Home
Been working at home today.
Got a reasonable amount done, albeit distracted at times by looking up mortgage rates, discovering that stamp duty loopholes appear to have long since been closed, drooling over house plans, and talking about what we could do with all of that extra space.
Want it. Want it now!
Got a reasonable amount done, albeit distracted at times by looking up mortgage rates, discovering that stamp duty loopholes appear to have long since been closed, drooling over house plans, and talking about what we could do with all of that extra space.
Want it. Want it now!
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Sleepover
Sleepover is happening today - Jake and Owen are set up on camp-beds in the games room.
No-one is asleep just yet!
No-one is asleep just yet!
Monday 24 October 2011
Aspidistra
A couple of quotes for you this evening, from the thoughts of Gordon Comstock:
"He could put up with this meaningless office life, because he never for an instant thought of it as permanent. Somehow, sometime, God knew how or when, he was going to break free of it."
"He thought of the Tube stations at early morning. The black hordes of clerks scurrying underground like ants into a hole; swarms of little ant-like men, each with despatch-case in right hand, newspaper in left hand, and the fear of the sack like a maggot in his heart."
Hmmm.
"He could put up with this meaningless office life, because he never for an instant thought of it as permanent. Somehow, sometime, God knew how or when, he was going to break free of it."
"He thought of the Tube stations at early morning. The black hordes of clerks scurrying underground like ants into a hole; swarms of little ant-like men, each with despatch-case in right hand, newspaper in left hand, and the fear of the sack like a maggot in his heart."
Hmmm.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Derby
Well, what a weekend's football it has been. It was the Manchester derby today, and it was a seven goal belter of a game, enjoyed by those in blue, but detested by the reds. All sorts of records broken, first time United had shipped six at Old Trafford since the fifties, and Fergie declaring it his worst game in charge.
Meanwhile, Spurs sail serenely on. After their rubbish start to the season, it is now five wins and one draw in the last six games.
But, the really amazing statistic is this. There are three teams supported in our house, and all of them are in the top half of the Premier League.
Happy days!
Meanwhile, Spurs sail serenely on. After their rubbish start to the season, it is now five wins and one draw in the last six games.
But, the really amazing statistic is this. There are three teams supported in our house, and all of them are in the top half of the Premier League.
Happy days!
Saturday 22 October 2011
Beach
Today has been a day for a trip to the seaside. The sun was out and the sky was blue, so we packed dog, child, ball and kite into the car and made our way to Whitstable.
Friday 21 October 2011
Gaddafi
Is it just me or is the world a really confusing place?
Yesterday, the news came in of Gaddafi having been found. I was in our London office at the time, and was eating a sandwich watching a muted TV screen showing Sky News. I went off to a meeting, and by the time I came out of that meeting, the news had changed to say that he had been killed.
The exact manner of his death will no doubt remain a mystery and we will never know the whole truth, but I wonder if the best guess is simply that the mob found him cowering in that storm drain, and in their jubilation, in their celebration of his capture, in his humiliation, someone in the crowd just couldn't resist the temptation, and put a bullet into his head.
The reaction to his death seems to be pretty universal celebration, from Libya to London, and across the Atlantic to the White House. And, there is much to be happy and to be hopeful about as a whole country looks like it might move from dictatorship to democracy. No-one can argue that the Colonel was most likely the driving force behind some terrible crimes, the worst of which probably took place inside his own borders, but we think particularly of a police officer shot outside an embassy in London, and a plane full of passengers blown up in the air over Scotland.
However, and it is a big however, whilst there is much to hope for, should we be celebrating this particular event? Capture - yes, but summary execution (if that is what it was) - I'm not so sure. I heard a report earlier today in which one of the family members of a Lockerbie victim was being interviewed. I can't remember their exact words, but the message I got from them was that they felt that they had been denied justice. Justice would have been for Gaddafi to be captured and brought before a court to answer for his crimes. That can never happen now.
I mean no disrespect to the many families of people who suffered terribly as a result of his regime in saying this, and I can fully understand why yesterday was for them a day of great joy. It may be all too easy for me to sit here cosily and pontificate about justice. Turn the tables, swap places, and who knows how I might feel about the situation.
As I say, the world is a confusing place.
Yesterday, the news came in of Gaddafi having been found. I was in our London office at the time, and was eating a sandwich watching a muted TV screen showing Sky News. I went off to a meeting, and by the time I came out of that meeting, the news had changed to say that he had been killed.
The exact manner of his death will no doubt remain a mystery and we will never know the whole truth, but I wonder if the best guess is simply that the mob found him cowering in that storm drain, and in their jubilation, in their celebration of his capture, in his humiliation, someone in the crowd just couldn't resist the temptation, and put a bullet into his head.
The reaction to his death seems to be pretty universal celebration, from Libya to London, and across the Atlantic to the White House. And, there is much to be happy and to be hopeful about as a whole country looks like it might move from dictatorship to democracy. No-one can argue that the Colonel was most likely the driving force behind some terrible crimes, the worst of which probably took place inside his own borders, but we think particularly of a police officer shot outside an embassy in London, and a plane full of passengers blown up in the air over Scotland.
However, and it is a big however, whilst there is much to hope for, should we be celebrating this particular event? Capture - yes, but summary execution (if that is what it was) - I'm not so sure. I heard a report earlier today in which one of the family members of a Lockerbie victim was being interviewed. I can't remember their exact words, but the message I got from them was that they felt that they had been denied justice. Justice would have been for Gaddafi to be captured and brought before a court to answer for his crimes. That can never happen now.
I mean no disrespect to the many families of people who suffered terribly as a result of his regime in saying this, and I can fully understand why yesterday was for them a day of great joy. It may be all too easy for me to sit here cosily and pontificate about justice. Turn the tables, swap places, and who knows how I might feel about the situation.
As I say, the world is a confusing place.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Open evening
Jake's had his open evening at school today, and so it was his turn to be one of the ones in the know, rather than one of the timid ones looking around the big and scary school! Having done that, half term has been declared (as tomorrow is a training day) and so he has just over a week of relaxing and catching up on sleep from all of those early morning trips to the bus stop.
We are very proud parents, and it's fantastic to see how well he has settled in. A well-deserved half term break, and then long may this good start continue.
A confession - normally at blogging time I might have a sneaky late night snack. Not allowed to today. I'm going to go (at last) for the blood tests that the doctor asked me to do a fair few weeks ago tomorrow morning, so it's no food for me until after I've had it in the morning.
Nearly ordered my car - just trying to make the all important colour decision. Have a look at lexus.co.uk and put in a vote if you like!
Anyway, just to really wind certain people up - apparently there's a machine on a mountain somewhere between Reno and Rome, and within it's plexiglass dome another biggle-ball will be dropping fairly soon as I'm off to bed. Our man will count the balls as they plup into a cup, because after all, that's how we know who's down and who's up.
We are very proud parents, and it's fantastic to see how well he has settled in. A well-deserved half term break, and then long may this good start continue.
A confession - normally at blogging time I might have a sneaky late night snack. Not allowed to today. I'm going to go (at last) for the blood tests that the doctor asked me to do a fair few weeks ago tomorrow morning, so it's no food for me until after I've had it in the morning.
Nearly ordered my car - just trying to make the all important colour decision. Have a look at lexus.co.uk and put in a vote if you like!
Anyway, just to really wind certain people up - apparently there's a machine on a mountain somewhere between Reno and Rome, and within it's plexiglass dome another biggle-ball will be dropping fairly soon as I'm off to bed. Our man will count the balls as they plup into a cup, because after all, that's how we know who's down and who's up.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Hinkle horn
Jake had his year 7 concert this evening, which we all attended. And, he did a fine job of standing by me, and the various young musicians did their music teachers proud.
Maybe next time Jake will get a chance to do some drumming or some piano playing as well.
Talking of musical instruments, the news in just in from the town of Mercedd that the Hinkle Horn Honking club has just gone to bed. Apparently, every one of their fine horns has been hung on a hook for the night in its own hinkle horn nook. All this long happy day they've been honking about and the Hinkle Horn Honkers have honked themselves out.
Well, all I can say is that I know how they feel, and I'm off to bed too.
G- yes - do feel free to start worrying any time now!
Maybe next time Jake will get a chance to do some drumming or some piano playing as well.
Talking of musical instruments, the news in just in from the town of Mercedd that the Hinkle Horn Honking club has just gone to bed. Apparently, every one of their fine horns has been hung on a hook for the night in its own hinkle horn nook. All this long happy day they've been honking about and the Hinkle Horn Honkers have honked themselves out.
Well, all I can say is that I know how they feel, and I'm off to bed too.
G- yes - do feel free to start worrying any time now!
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Sleep
The news just came in
From the county of Keck
That a very small bug by the name of Van Vleck
Is yawning so wide you can look down his neck
...
...
...
When you turn out your light
Then the number will be
Ninety nine zillion, nine trillion and three
Good night.
From the county of Keck
That a very small bug by the name of Van Vleck
Is yawning so wide you can look down his neck
...
...
...
When you turn out your light
Then the number will be
Ninety nine zillion, nine trillion and three
Good night.
Monday 17 October 2011
Starry night
And when no hope was left in sight, on that starry starry night,
You took your life as lovers often do,
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.
But, did he?
Sunday 16 October 2011
CT200h
Church this morning, and then back to pick up Nicky to head off to the Lexus garage to go for a test drive.
The car was very nice - came with lots of bells and whistles, as would be expected from the Lexus brand.
I must have a serious word with my accountant to see if the finances can stand it!
The car was very nice - came with lots of bells and whistles, as would be expected from the Lexus brand.
I must have a serious word with my accountant to see if the finances can stand it!
Saturday 15 October 2011
Dogs
Well today we had a similar Saturday tea, but this time inspired by our trip to California last year.
After leaving San Francisco, our first stop was Santa Cruz, on our way down to Monterey. We went to the boardwalk, and for the first time in our trip the weather was really warm. Anyway, for the first time ever, we tried out corn dogs (as mentioned in this post), and we discovered that we really liked them!
So, tonight Nicky found a recipe on line, and it was corn dogs for tea. And they were fantastic - tasted exactly like the ones we had in California - took us right back.
The good news is that we have also found a few places that'll do a good corn dog in Florida!
Only nine weeks to go.
In other news today, Jake bought himself the new Forza Motorsport game for the Xbox, and Nicky bought him a pucker cricket bat (as it was reduced to a bargain basement price). We've been tidying up the back garden and hoovering up leaves. I watched the Cannonball Run as it was on a satellite channel this evening - when I was considerably younger, I thought that it was a funny film. Now I'm not so sure. The best bit by far is the bloopers that are shown as the credits roll.
Tomorrow, I'm off for a test drive ...
Friday 14 October 2011
Fox
And so, after a long and embarrassing week, Dr Fox has decided to do the decent thing and fall on his sword. What an absolute shambles our political classes are. Having been through some rough times recently, most notably the expenses debacle, one might have thought that they had learned a painful (including jail time for some) lesson, and that certain standards are expected. It is not just about doing the right thing, it is to always be seen to be doing the right thing that is just as important. Politicians have to continually ask themselves the "man on the Clapham Omnibus" question, which is very simply this: to a regular guy, does anything that I am doing, anything that I am saying, any of the arrangements I have put in place, any of the people I am connected with, appear to dodgy? If the answer is yes, then irrespective of whether it is actually dodgy or not, just don't do it. It is that simple.
I bet that the idiot MP (Letwin) who threw away documents in a bin in a park is extremely grateful that there has been a bigger idiot around this week involved in even more idiocy to keep his idiot story away from the limelight.
Idiots the lot of them.
I bet that the idiot MP (Letwin) who threw away documents in a bin in a park is extremely grateful that there has been a bigger idiot around this week involved in even more idiocy to keep his idiot story away from the limelight.
Idiots the lot of them.
Thursday 13 October 2011
Oven
Yesterday, the oven cleaning man came round. As a result, we had a lovely shiny cooker, but unfortunately whilst it was very clean, it no longer heated up food.
Today, the oven fixing man came round. Now we have an oven which not only looks nice, it works as well.
Smashing.
Today, the oven fixing man came round. Now we have an oven which not only looks nice, it works as well.
Smashing.
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Jersey
Sorry about the one word title and no content whatsoever yesterday. I really was testing the blogging system to make sure that I could still send in blogs by email (as I had to change my "secret word" for the email messages). The plan was to do the test, and then delete that post later in the day to be replaced by something a little more verbose.
However, time was against me somewhat yesterday. I worked from home in the morning, and then at lunchtime lobbed a few things in an overnight bag and dashed over to Gatwick. Met up with Dave and we Flybe'd it to Jersey. Did a bit more work when I arrived, then went out for dinner with Dave and his board. Had a drink with Dave after dinner back at the hotel, and then had to head back to my room to do a midnight conference call (with the US and Australia) before doing a bit more work before clambering into bed.
So, the opportunities for an updated post were a tad limited, and it kind of slipped my mind!
Today wasn't quite so hectic. Meetings in Jersey this morning and then back to the airport for the flight back to Gatwick, and then the rest of the afternoon in the office.
Gatwick is very clearly having a huge amount of money thrown at it at the moment. The security area after check in is different from when I was last there, everywhere you look something is being done up and refurbished, and then on the way back today I got the impression that we may very possibly have been the first flight to ever use the shiny new baggage carousel. (My bag was second off - love it when that happens!)
I'd parked in the short term parking at the terminal, and I think that I went over 24 hours by about half an hour. As a result, I think that the parking charge was higher than either of the outward or returning flights!
However, time was against me somewhat yesterday. I worked from home in the morning, and then at lunchtime lobbed a few things in an overnight bag and dashed over to Gatwick. Met up with Dave and we Flybe'd it to Jersey. Did a bit more work when I arrived, then went out for dinner with Dave and his board. Had a drink with Dave after dinner back at the hotel, and then had to head back to my room to do a midnight conference call (with the US and Australia) before doing a bit more work before clambering into bed.
So, the opportunities for an updated post were a tad limited, and it kind of slipped my mind!
Today wasn't quite so hectic. Meetings in Jersey this morning and then back to the airport for the flight back to Gatwick, and then the rest of the afternoon in the office.
Gatwick is very clearly having a huge amount of money thrown at it at the moment. The security area after check in is different from when I was last there, everywhere you look something is being done up and refurbished, and then on the way back today I got the impression that we may very possibly have been the first flight to ever use the shiny new baggage carousel. (My bag was second off - love it when that happens!)
I'd parked in the short term parking at the terminal, and I think that I went over 24 hours by about half an hour. As a result, I think that the parking charge was higher than either of the outward or returning flights!
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Monday 10 October 2011
Sunday 9 October 2011
Glass
In our lounge, we have a piece of glass artwork (you can see a bit of it to the side of the photo of Jake in his new school uniform in this post), which Mum bought for us a few years ago. Nicky has recently discovered that the gallery in Rochester is displaying some similar glass artwork at the moment, made by a local artist (who Nicky bumped into over breakfast one day last week).
So, today we popped in to Rochester to have a look. Sure enough it is very nice, and there are some freestanding pieces, called totems, which appeal (especially as the nerve-wracking bit of fixing them to the wall could be avoided). We could put one on the TV unit in the lounge to go with the one on the wall, but unfortunately, none of the colours quite match up.
I feel a commission coming on ...
So, today we popped in to Rochester to have a look. Sure enough it is very nice, and there are some freestanding pieces, called totems, which appeal (especially as the nerve-wracking bit of fixing them to the wall could be avoided). We could put one on the TV unit in the lounge to go with the one on the wall, but unfortunately, none of the colours quite match up.
I feel a commission coming on ...
Saturday 8 October 2011
Design
I've been having a play with he design features on Blogger this evening, and have cut out some of the defunct content on the website (links, RSS feeds and the like) and have made a few layout changes (sidebar only on the right, not on both sides). I haven't changed the overall look too much at this point - can't cope with too much change all at once!
Today Jake and I were up reasonably early to watch the rugby quarter final. Jake wandered off around the end of the first half - a sensible move, as the writing was pretty much on the wall by then. Despite a couple of late tries, we really never did look like winning, and we didn't deserve to. So, not a particularly impressive 24 hours for English sport, but at least the footballers scrambled a draw last night to qualify for the Euro 2012 championships (even if we didn't manage to keep all 11 players on the field for the whole game).
I walked the dog whilst Nicky finished off today's teaching, and then we went over to a very busy Bluey. I took back the smaller suit trousers, as Nicky had picked up a larger size earlier in the week, and the larger ones are much more comfortable! We had an early tea at Loch Fine, but we didn't stick around very much longer as the crowds were not conducive to browsing.
I thought that I'd leave you today with a brief passage from a book that I finished a few days ago. It is by Philip Pullman and is called "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ". The premise is that Jesus was a popular preacher, but he had a brother (Christ) who chronicled his teachings, and after Jesus' death on the cross, Christ embellished the stories to tell the story that he wanted to tell and which would support the founding of the Christian church.
Anyway, even though in the afterward, Pullman explains very clearly why he is a non believer, there is one passage which I think does a great job of describing what the church should be all about. Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, about to be betrayed (by Christ), and he is coming to the conclusion that God is no longer interested, no longer listening.
But, in his prayer, he says this:
"Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. That it should wield no authority except that of love. That it should never cast anyone out. That it should own no property and make no laws. That it should not condemn, but only forgive. That it should not be like a palace with marble walls and polished floors, and guards standing at the door, but like a tree with its roots deep in the soil, that shelters every kind of bird and beast, and gives blossom in the spring and shade in the hot sun and fruit in the season, and in time gives up its good sound wood for the carpenter; but that sheds many thousands of seeds so that new trees can grow in its place."
Today Jake and I were up reasonably early to watch the rugby quarter final. Jake wandered off around the end of the first half - a sensible move, as the writing was pretty much on the wall by then. Despite a couple of late tries, we really never did look like winning, and we didn't deserve to. So, not a particularly impressive 24 hours for English sport, but at least the footballers scrambled a draw last night to qualify for the Euro 2012 championships (even if we didn't manage to keep all 11 players on the field for the whole game).
I walked the dog whilst Nicky finished off today's teaching, and then we went over to a very busy Bluey. I took back the smaller suit trousers, as Nicky had picked up a larger size earlier in the week, and the larger ones are much more comfortable! We had an early tea at Loch Fine, but we didn't stick around very much longer as the crowds were not conducive to browsing.
I thought that I'd leave you today with a brief passage from a book that I finished a few days ago. It is by Philip Pullman and is called "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ". The premise is that Jesus was a popular preacher, but he had a brother (Christ) who chronicled his teachings, and after Jesus' death on the cross, Christ embellished the stories to tell the story that he wanted to tell and which would support the founding of the Christian church.
Anyway, even though in the afterward, Pullman explains very clearly why he is a non believer, there is one passage which I think does a great job of describing what the church should be all about. Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, about to be betrayed (by Christ), and he is coming to the conclusion that God is no longer interested, no longer listening.
But, in his prayer, he says this:
"Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. That it should wield no authority except that of love. That it should never cast anyone out. That it should own no property and make no laws. That it should not condemn, but only forgive. That it should not be like a palace with marble walls and polished floors, and guards standing at the door, but like a tree with its roots deep in the soil, that shelters every kind of bird and beast, and gives blossom in the spring and shade in the hot sun and fruit in the season, and in time gives up its good sound wood for the carpenter; but that sheds many thousands of seeds so that new trees can grow in its place."
Friday 7 October 2011
Highlights
M - best bit of a day in the office being winning my first round match in the office table tennis tournament.
N - based on reported results so far, turning in another quality set of results from her pupils.
J - getting high praise and a merit from his maths teacher, even if he does keep getting a little muddled about J's name.
Thursday 6 October 2011
Stay Foolish
I was a latecomer to the Apple party, or at least it feels that way. Truth is that no doubt some of the early Apple products helped to inspire many of the first computers that I had a chance to play with and learn on as a child.
Still, even if I am a latecomer, I have been enjoying the party for quite a while now. I am typing this on my Mac, having earlier been checking the latest tweets on my ipad, whilst Nicky sent a few texts on her iphone. Next on my wish list (not that I need one, but just because I want one) is a MacBook Air, and now that my employer has finally joined the party as well, I will probably be ordering an iphone 4S sometime soon.
Today the party has gone a little flat, as we feel so sad for the man who started it off a little over thirty years ago.
Steve left us with some wonderful words of wisdom.
"Follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path."
"Sometimes life is gonna hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith."
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
"There is no reason not to follow your heart."
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it."
"Stay Foolish."
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Times
When I get the Times newspaper, there are a few bits that I will always look at: the KenKens and the T2 crossword being firm favourites for a starter.
One other place I will always check is the final piece of correspondence on the letters page, and more often that not, there is something there worth a chortle.
Today's final letter was entitled Name Game, and had the following:
"Sir,
Football matches between East Fife and Forfar offer the prospect of continuing satisfaction for fans of alliteration, but for cricket fans the wicket of Lillee, caught Willey, bowled Dilley is unique."
And this published before the sad news today that Graham Dilley's innings has come to an end at the young age of 52.
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Monday 3 October 2011
Trousers
As I mentioned last week, we had a trip to the shops on Thursday and I bought myself a new suit.
I wore my new suit for work today.
Nicky is going to pop to the shops for me tomorrow to pick up some more trousers.
Turns out the first ones are a little bit tight!
Ho hum.
I wore my new suit for work today.
Nicky is going to pop to the shops for me tomorrow to pick up some more trousers.
Turns out the first ones are a little bit tight!
Ho hum.
Sunday 2 October 2011
Sold
A successful Sunday for selling superfluous stuff today. Having loaded up the car yesterday Nicky was off at the crack of dawn to set up at the local boot fair. Business was reasonably brisk, and apparently the action man figures were good sellers.
I went over to see how things were progressing just after nine o'clock, and happily spent some of the proceeds on bacon butties and coffee. Wandering round the other stalls there was fairly stiff competition for the sale of old Disney videos, but Nicky still managed to shift some at the bargain price of 20p each. Mind you, as a sign of the times, there were quite a few stalls selling DVDs as well, but thankfully no Bluerays just yet.
Nicky got back a little after midday, about fifty pounds to the good, with a much lighter boot. The good news later in the day was that Erica took a load of educational games and puzzles for her school, so of the first load from the loft, we only have some videos left.
Later this afternoon Jake and I both enjoyed the football. Jake's team won, scoring 5, but I'm just as happy with the two that my team managed, as it was one more than our North London rivals!
I went over to see how things were progressing just after nine o'clock, and happily spent some of the proceeds on bacon butties and coffee. Wandering round the other stalls there was fairly stiff competition for the sale of old Disney videos, but Nicky still managed to shift some at the bargain price of 20p each. Mind you, as a sign of the times, there were quite a few stalls selling DVDs as well, but thankfully no Bluerays just yet.
Nicky got back a little after midday, about fifty pounds to the good, with a much lighter boot. The good news later in the day was that Erica took a load of educational games and puzzles for her school, so of the first load from the loft, we only have some videos left.
Later this afternoon Jake and I both enjoyed the football. Jake's team won, scoring 5, but I'm just as happy with the two that my team managed, as it was one more than our North London rivals!
Saturday 1 October 2011
Record
Record temperatures for October today as we soared into the mid 80s (by the way, why is it always Gravesend that manages to get the highest temperature in the country on really hot days - does someone from the Met Office need to pop round and check their thermometer?).
Jake had Owen round for the day today, so they've been entertaining each other mostly with games of FIFA 12 and pool, plus I took them over to the driving range for a while this afternoon.
Nicky and I have dragged a few boxes of old toys and games out of the loft today and she will be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to see what sells at the local boot fair.
This evening we had a BBQ, making the most of the bonus weather. John came round (as Jen is away) and we had a very pleasant evening sat in the garden.
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