Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
R&R.
Yes, this week I have been feeling exceedingly lazy and, with the generousity of Don, I have been able to stumble around in blissful wonder. Very relaxing. I have been furiously gardening and have constructed a two-layered brick flowerbed abutting the rear house. Oi has planted Marigolds and some vegetables.
The ideas for the garden are coming thick and fast and we have both been working on it. I water morning and evening now and we sweep everyday too.
It has been great spending lots of time with Grace too. I can feel a real importance to this and feel sorry for the kids who don"t see their fathers enough.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Dinner
Last night I had to teach a private class at Gee's house. She thankfully offered to cancel todays (Saturday morning), so I could let loose last night.
I dashed over to Patrick's house where Ben had spent the afternoon making a Christmas dinner for all us filthy pagans, and boy was it good! That guy can cook and I had about three helpings and declined Don's request to pick him up from the station which caused him some distemper. In retrospect I made the right choice. I had an awesome Christmas dinner which I scoffed down lovingly. There was leeks, roast spuds, roast chicken, carrots, gravy, turnips. Holy Hell, it was good. We had wine and Guinness too. I suggested we leave Thai beer off the menu and keep our palates rich. We had a right old hoot that lasted until the small hours and included my punk rock version of "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" which the boys seem fascinated by. I woke up at six and biked it home.
Ben is a new recruit on the scene and works with Patrick and Shaz at my old school near Big C. He is English and about thirty. He has been here for a long time, since he was about eighteen. He bears a passing resemblance to the Milky Bar Kid, has a bright and pleasing nature and seems quite at home here in Thailandia.
I am now on holiday for a full week which I will relish to the maximus and I want to get some country bike rides in at about 5 o'clock when it cools down.
Tonight or Sunday the boys might come over. I have suggest that either Don or Thomas invite Lee. I haven't seen him in a year and maybe he has calmed down since storming out of the party when he could not accept I didn't want to buy a house. And me with a family. Disgusting!
I have tried to explain that I am a contrary but I think it is few that can comprehend this concept.
The festive season continues...
...and will get some more family snaps for the hordes of screaming fans in the Outer Worlds.
I should also note that I got a lovely note from mum who lit a candle for friends that have gone before us. Namely, Egg, JK and dear Matty. May their spirits watch over us.
I dashed over to Patrick's house where Ben had spent the afternoon making a Christmas dinner for all us filthy pagans, and boy was it good! That guy can cook and I had about three helpings and declined Don's request to pick him up from the station which caused him some distemper. In retrospect I made the right choice. I had an awesome Christmas dinner which I scoffed down lovingly. There was leeks, roast spuds, roast chicken, carrots, gravy, turnips. Holy Hell, it was good. We had wine and Guinness too. I suggested we leave Thai beer off the menu and keep our palates rich. We had a right old hoot that lasted until the small hours and included my punk rock version of "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" which the boys seem fascinated by. I woke up at six and biked it home.
Ben is a new recruit on the scene and works with Patrick and Shaz at my old school near Big C. He is English and about thirty. He has been here for a long time, since he was about eighteen. He bears a passing resemblance to the Milky Bar Kid, has a bright and pleasing nature and seems quite at home here in Thailandia.
I am now on holiday for a full week which I will relish to the maximus and I want to get some country bike rides in at about 5 o'clock when it cools down.
Tonight or Sunday the boys might come over. I have suggest that either Don or Thomas invite Lee. I haven't seen him in a year and maybe he has calmed down since storming out of the party when he could not accept I didn't want to buy a house. And me with a family. Disgusting!
I have tried to explain that I am a contrary but I think it is few that can comprehend this concept.
The festive season continues...
...and will get some more family snaps for the hordes of screaming fans in the Outer Worlds.
I should also note that I got a lovely note from mum who lit a candle for friends that have gone before us. Namely, Egg, JK and dear Matty. May their spirits watch over us.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
It's just over 3 hours to Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Photo of us trio tomorrow.
Joy-Joy
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!
Photo of us trio tomorrow.
Joy-Joy
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Hoe Hoe Hoe
First day of the Christmas break, and boy do I need it.
Unfortunately, Gee has me signed up to teach three more days of private classes that I don't want to do, but there you go. When I stop working, I like to stop and have a chance to recuperate and not think about teaching, so to half stop is just a pain in the arse for me. Luckily, the spotty teenage class I teach who are hard to satisfy, I remembered I had promised to do portrait painting with them with our newly acquired watercolour paint sets. So that should be a laugh anyway. It worries me that these kids have NO hobbies or activities outside of studying, apart from computer games, of course, so a big part of my teaching is to let them do something different and creative. Try to prevent them turning into drones.
So, whilst in the kitchen with Oi, we heard a tune outside which meant the garden tool van was doing its rounds. We ran outside and secure a hoe, a hammer and a knife sharpening stone. The man tried to flog us a hoe with a metal handle, but I insisted we wanted the hoe with the wooden handle. This meant he had to fix the actual hoe to the handle in the street which required some manual work from himself. Of course, he was cool about it and I got to watch him tapering the end and fixing the tool. We gave him an extra twenty for his efforts. Now, we are good to go and don't need to borrow tools from the neighbours any more.
Oi bought a bunch of new plants yesterday which I put in the ground this morning. Our dust-bowl garden is starting to come together and the layout of the plants is forming itself. Maybe during this break I can get some work done out there, like paint the rear wall, varnish the doors etc.
Sat down to watch "Palmetto" with Woody Harrelson. A steamy detective story set in Florida. It promises to be good.
Dragon Age is taking a break as I don't feel the urge to converse with dwarves right now.
I have begun downloading a copy of Mass Effort, which I am led to believe, it a bit like Dragon Age, but set in space. Oh God, another quest awaits, and I still have Thief Deadly Shadows to complete.
Unfortunately, Gee has me signed up to teach three more days of private classes that I don't want to do, but there you go. When I stop working, I like to stop and have a chance to recuperate and not think about teaching, so to half stop is just a pain in the arse for me. Luckily, the spotty teenage class I teach who are hard to satisfy, I remembered I had promised to do portrait painting with them with our newly acquired watercolour paint sets. So that should be a laugh anyway. It worries me that these kids have NO hobbies or activities outside of studying, apart from computer games, of course, so a big part of my teaching is to let them do something different and creative. Try to prevent them turning into drones.
So, whilst in the kitchen with Oi, we heard a tune outside which meant the garden tool van was doing its rounds. We ran outside and secure a hoe, a hammer and a knife sharpening stone. The man tried to flog us a hoe with a metal handle, but I insisted we wanted the hoe with the wooden handle. This meant he had to fix the actual hoe to the handle in the street which required some manual work from himself. Of course, he was cool about it and I got to watch him tapering the end and fixing the tool. We gave him an extra twenty for his efforts. Now, we are good to go and don't need to borrow tools from the neighbours any more.
Oi bought a bunch of new plants yesterday which I put in the ground this morning. Our dust-bowl garden is starting to come together and the layout of the plants is forming itself. Maybe during this break I can get some work done out there, like paint the rear wall, varnish the doors etc.
Sat down to watch "Palmetto" with Woody Harrelson. A steamy detective story set in Florida. It promises to be good.
Dragon Age is taking a break as I don't feel the urge to converse with dwarves right now.
I have begun downloading a copy of Mass Effort, which I am led to believe, it a bit like Dragon Age, but set in space. Oh God, another quest awaits, and I still have Thief Deadly Shadows to complete.
China Busts Copenhagen
How do I know China wrecked the Copenhagen deal? I was in the room
As recriminations fly post-Copenhagen, one writer offers a fly-on-the-wall account of how talks failed
• Ed Miliband: China tried to hijack climate deal
• The key players and how they rated
-
- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 22 December 2009 19.54 GMT
- Article history
A woman listens to Barack Obama's speech at the Copenhagen climate change conference on 18 December. Photograph: Axel Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Copenhagen was a disaster. That much is agreed. But the truth about what actually happened is in danger of being lost amid the spin and inevitable mutual recriminations. The truth is this: China wrecked the talks, intentionally humiliated Barack Obama, and insisted on an awful "deal" so western leaders would walk away carrying the blame. How do I know this? Because I was in the room and saw it happen.
China's strategy was simple: block the open negotiations for two weeks, and then ensure that the closed-door deal made it look as if the west had failed the world's poor once again. And sure enough, the aid agencies, civil society movements and environmental groups all took the bait. The failure was "the inevitable result of rich countries refusing adequately and fairly to shoulder their overwhelming responsibility", said Christian Aid. "Rich countries have bullied developing nations," fumed Friends of the Earth International.
All very predictable, but the complete opposite of the truth. Even George Monbiot, writing in yesterday's Guardian, made the mistake of singly blaming Obama. But I saw Obama fighting desperately to salvage a deal, and the Chinese delegate saying "no", over and over again. Monbiot even approvingly quoted the Sudanese delegate Lumumba Di-Aping, who denounced the Copenhagen accord as "a suicide pact, an incineration pact, in order to maintain the economic dominance of a few countries".
Sudan behaves at the talks as a puppet of China; one of a number of countries that relieves the Chinese delegation of having to fight its battles in open sessions. It was a perfect stitch-up. China gutted the deal behind the scenes, and then left its proxies to savage it in public.
Here's what actually went on late last Friday night, as heads of state from two dozen countries met behind closed doors. Obama was at the table for several hours, sitting between Gordon Brown and the Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi. The Danish prime minister chaired, and on his right sat Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the UN. Probably only about 50 or 60 people, including the heads of state, were in the room. I was attached to one of the delegations, whose head of state was also present for most of the time.
What I saw was profoundly shocking. The Chinese premier, Wen Jinbao, did not deign to attend the meetings personally, instead sending a second-tier official in the country's foreign ministry to sit opposite Obama himself. The diplomatic snub was obvious and brutal, as was the practical implication: several times during the session, the world's most powerful heads of state were forced to wait around as the Chinese delegate went off to make telephone calls to his "superiors".
Shifting the blame
To those who would blame Obama and rich countries in general, know this: it was China's representative who insisted that industrialised country targets, previously agreed as an 80% cut by 2050, be taken out of the deal. "Why can't we even mention our own targets?" demanded a furious Angela Merkel. Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, was annoyed enough to bang his microphone. Brazil's representative too pointed out the illogicality of China's position. Why should rich countries not announce even this unilateral cut? The Chinese delegate said no, and I watched, aghast, as Merkel threw up her hands in despair and conceded the point. Now we know why – because China bet, correctly, that Obama would get the blame for the Copenhagen accord's lack of ambition.
China, backed at times by India, then proceeded to take out all the numbers that mattered. A 2020 peaking year in global emissions, essential to restrain temperatures to 2C, was removed and replaced by woolly language suggesting that emissions should peak "as soon as possible". The long-term target, of global 50% cuts by 2050, was also excised. No one else, perhaps with the exceptions of India and Saudi Arabia, wanted this to happen. I am certain that had the Chinese not been in the room, we would have left Copenhagen with a deal that had environmentalists popping champagne corks popping in every corner of the world.
Strong position
So how did China manage to pull off this coup? First, it was in an extremely strong negotiating position. China didn't need a deal. As one developing country foreign minister said to me: "The Athenians had nothing to offer to the Spartans." On the other hand, western leaders in particular – but also presidents Lula of Brazil, Zuma of South Africa, Calderón of Mexico and many others – were desperate for a positive outcome. Obama needed a strong deal perhaps more than anyone. The US had confirmed the offer of $100bn to developing countries for adaptation, put serious cuts on the table for the first time (17% below 2005 levels by 2020), and was obviously prepared to up its offer.
Above all, Obama needed to be able to demonstrate to the Senate that he could deliver China in any global climate regulation framework, so conservative senators could not argue that US carbon cuts would further advantage Chinese industry. With midterm elections looming, Obama and his staff also knew that Copenhagen would be probably their only opportunity to go to climate change talks with a strong mandate. This further strengthened China's negotiating hand, as did the complete lack of civil society political pressure on either China or India. Campaign groups never blame developing countries for failure; this is an iron rule that is never broken. The Indians, in particular, have become past masters at co-opting the language of equity ("equal rights to the atmosphere") in the service of planetary suicide – and leftish campaigners and commentators are hoist with their own petard.
With the deal gutted, the heads of state session concluded with a final battle as the Chinese delegate insisted on removing the 1.5C target so beloved of the small island states and low-lying nations who have most to lose from rising seas. President Nasheed of the Maldives, supported by Brown, fought valiantly to save this crucial number. "How can you ask my country to go extinct?" demanded Nasheed. The Chinese delegate feigned great offence – and the number stayed, but surrounded by language which makes it all but meaningless. The deed was done.
China's game
All this raises the question: what is China's game? Why did China, in the words of a UK-based analyst who also spent hours in heads of state meetings, "not only reject targets for itself, but also refuse to allow any other country to take on binding targets?" The analyst, who has attended climate conferences for more than 15 years, concludes that China wants to weaken the climate regulation regime now "in order to avoid the risk that it might be called on to be more ambitious in a few years' time".
This does not mean China is not serious about global warming. It is strong in both the wind and solar industries. But China's growth, and growing global political and economic dominance, is based largely on cheap coal. China knows it is becoming an uncontested superpower; indeed its newfound muscular confidence was on striking display in Copenhagen. Its coal-based economy doubles every decade, and its power increases commensurately. Its leadership will not alter this magic formula unless they absolutely have to.
Copenhagen was much worse than just another bad deal, because it illustrated a profound shift in global geopolitics. This is fast becoming China's century, yet its leadership has displayed that multilateral environmental governance is not only not a priority, but is viewed as a hindrance to the new superpower's freedom of action. I left Copenhagen more despondent than I have felt in a long time. After all the hope and all the hype, the mobilisation of thousands, a wave of optimism crashed against the rock of global power politics, fell back, and drained away.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday Rainy Night
Friday and, as usual, I am fairly exhausted and, with the prospect of a kindergarten class at 10.30 tomorrow morning, not to excited about life.
I did however call Tom, who is hovering about the local Lantern Festival oggling beautiful girls, so he may call around once he has checked out enough skirt. Hopefully happiness rides with him.
Old Man Don is back in town next weekend from his new job up country in Ranong and is bringing good times back with him. He does do wonders at times.
Christmas next week and I am booked to teach at night and O, Egg's best friend in Sadao, is getting married. I am not keen on the prospect of having to ride and return 50k's in the dark up to old Sadao or having to teach. I would much rather be getting lashed with my pals. We shall have to see what concurs.
Whatever happens tonight I shall definitely hook up with Tom and Patrick tomorrow. We have become great friends and always have a hoot. The loss of Don and Danny (and Lee last year, who disappeared up his own arse) hit hard and new friends are hard to come by now I am hitched and with babe.
I am back on Dragon Age and combating mercenaries in the city of Denim, taking a little time out of the main quest and building up my party experience a tad. I am getting quite clever of leaving games alone for a few days before going back to them.
2012? What a shit film. A total joke and so embarassing for Will Meredith lookalike, John Cusack. So fucking bad.
More later... Dragon Age beckons...
I did however call Tom, who is hovering about the local Lantern Festival oggling beautiful girls, so he may call around once he has checked out enough skirt. Hopefully happiness rides with him.
Old Man Don is back in town next weekend from his new job up country in Ranong and is bringing good times back with him. He does do wonders at times.
Christmas next week and I am booked to teach at night and O, Egg's best friend in Sadao, is getting married. I am not keen on the prospect of having to ride and return 50k's in the dark up to old Sadao or having to teach. I would much rather be getting lashed with my pals. We shall have to see what concurs.
Whatever happens tonight I shall definitely hook up with Tom and Patrick tomorrow. We have become great friends and always have a hoot. The loss of Don and Danny (and Lee last year, who disappeared up his own arse) hit hard and new friends are hard to come by now I am hitched and with babe.
I am back on Dragon Age and combating mercenaries in the city of Denim, taking a little time out of the main quest and building up my party experience a tad. I am getting quite clever of leaving games alone for a few days before going back to them.
2012? What a shit film. A total joke and so embarassing for Will Meredith lookalike, John Cusack. So fucking bad.
More later... Dragon Age beckons...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Get Onboard
Wednesday afternoon and a breather from rigorous teaching, though this week I am having to sit through 4 screenings a day of "The Snowman". I still love it surprisingly and am now analysing the tiniest part of the movie (like the 2 sheep on the mountain) and the inconsistencies.
Back at home and picked up Red Faction PC game for some blasting fun. Will head back to Dragon Age presently, but also utilizing my rapidshare account. Got hold of; Collapse, new Eric Bibb albums, The Who (Tommy live in New York (1969), Edward O. Wilson on ant society, 2012 (don't bother - even Oi thought it was "impossible") among others.
Bought a bunch more plants for the garden and back on to the BBC podcasts. Actually, on the Film Programme this week they were talking about that awersome movie "The Queen of Spades". It makes my top 5 movies of all time;
1. The Duellists.
2. Murphy's War.
3. The Queen of Spades.
I have seen some other blinding flicks lately. I urge you to check out QoS as it is unbelievably spooky.
Christmas is here and with it comes seasonal glumness and the desire to drink. Patrick and Tom make good company at this time and Tom brings a weekenders ration of happiness with every visit which is horribly welcome.
BIG NEWS...Grace, as of 5 o'clock this morning, can flip onto her belly.
Driving to work I tend to yell obsenities at the high speeding utes as they go wizzing past me, and I remind myself of the theory I heard that that cunts and bad people tend to wipe themselves out through their own mis-doings - so I vocally remind them of this and send them on their way. Horrible to see Thai folk turn into materialistic, mean and grim-faced wankers but there you go.
I see Gordon Brown is claiming to save the world again by piping up at Copenhagen. I still support anarchy and see it as a far more peaceful and long-lasting regime than monetary institutions can provide. I still believe that the greatest danger lies in personal corruption and the simple equation that power leads to corruption and that anyone who thinks they can obtain these things and remain pure of heart is almost certainly wrong. Good people will not pursue these things by its very nature, so those that do inevitably fall to corruption even if they are ignorant of the fact.
I heard there is less than 50 Siberian Tigers out there now. 'Twil be a day of shame when the last of the animals leaves us to our own fate. Yes, we will die alone when we have taken all that is good out of the world. Maybe the odd cockroach, rat, cat, dog. Ho Ho Ho...
Meanwhile I'm going to kick back with Eric Bibb's newish album "Get Onboard".
Happy holidays, folks. Oh, I forgot, you're too busy working.
Back at home and picked up Red Faction PC game for some blasting fun. Will head back to Dragon Age presently, but also utilizing my rapidshare account. Got hold of; Collapse, new Eric Bibb albums, The Who (Tommy live in New York (1969), Edward O. Wilson on ant society, 2012 (don't bother - even Oi thought it was "impossible") among others.
Bought a bunch more plants for the garden and back on to the BBC podcasts. Actually, on the Film Programme this week they were talking about that awersome movie "The Queen of Spades". It makes my top 5 movies of all time;
1. The Duellists.
2. Murphy's War.
3. The Queen of Spades.
I have seen some other blinding flicks lately. I urge you to check out QoS as it is unbelievably spooky.
Christmas is here and with it comes seasonal glumness and the desire to drink. Patrick and Tom make good company at this time and Tom brings a weekenders ration of happiness with every visit which is horribly welcome.
BIG NEWS...Grace, as of 5 o'clock this morning, can flip onto her belly.
Driving to work I tend to yell obsenities at the high speeding utes as they go wizzing past me, and I remind myself of the theory I heard that that cunts and bad people tend to wipe themselves out through their own mis-doings - so I vocally remind them of this and send them on their way. Horrible to see Thai folk turn into materialistic, mean and grim-faced wankers but there you go.
I see Gordon Brown is claiming to save the world again by piping up at Copenhagen. I still support anarchy and see it as a far more peaceful and long-lasting regime than monetary institutions can provide. I still believe that the greatest danger lies in personal corruption and the simple equation that power leads to corruption and that anyone who thinks they can obtain these things and remain pure of heart is almost certainly wrong. Good people will not pursue these things by its very nature, so those that do inevitably fall to corruption even if they are ignorant of the fact.
I heard there is less than 50 Siberian Tigers out there now. 'Twil be a day of shame when the last of the animals leaves us to our own fate. Yes, we will die alone when we have taken all that is good out of the world. Maybe the odd cockroach, rat, cat, dog. Ho Ho Ho...
Meanwhile I'm going to kick back with Eric Bibb's newish album "Get Onboard".
Happy holidays, folks. Oh, I forgot, you're too busy working.
Global Insanity
Is it just me, or is the world completely insane these days?
The more I see the less I want to know.
The more I see the less I want to know.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Jingle Bells
Just finished a Sunday session with Tom and Patrick. Tom brought six cans of Guinness and we sat outside and listened to some great tunes. Then we watched The Who Live at Kilburn 1977, which was one fucking good gig. Totally rocking. Keith's penultimate performance.
Tom had some happiness so we all got buzzed into the evening, rocking out to more tunes.
Now Tom has gone. I am downloading "The Snowman" for the kids tomorrow.
I just have to find Jingle Bells too.
And my work is done.
Tom had some happiness so we all got buzzed into the evening, rocking out to more tunes.
Now Tom has gone. I am downloading "The Snowman" for the kids tomorrow.
I just have to find Jingle Bells too.
And my work is done.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Just got hold of The Who live at Kilburn 1977. Holy fuck, it looks amazing. Find it if you can.
Watching Christian Bale in The Machinist which is fairly good.
Feeling pretty exhausted after waking up at 2 last night and staying up 'til morning. The continued the quest in Dragon Age. A quick recap of the adventure to date. Having got the urn and got the Earl better, I set off to the Elven forests and disbatched a bunch of ugly werewolves. Then I took a trip to the city of Deremin and took out some hoods. Now I have ventured into the Mages circle tower which has been overrun with demons. Right now, I have been sent to a dreamlike state from which I must escape. Then I must gain the backing of the forces within this strange world and together defeat the Darkspawn once and for all! It's awesome.
Have noticed that we get a lovely wind most of the time at the new house as we are in a valley. It's fantastically refreshing and surprisingly cold at night. Almost too cold, causing discomfort.
10 days off at Christmas looming to which I am looking forward to very much. I don't think we will be going anywhere but I am more than happy to stay at home and relax with Oi and Baby Grace.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Walmart and Audio Books
Some great docus including a scathing attack on Wal Mart. Tescos are the ones I hate. I would love to spray "SCUM" over their signs at the store up the road. Only occasionally am I forced to go there.
I noticed the baby food for Grace is cuntishly expensive. Nearly 600B a tin. Of course, like the great razor blade monopoly its one of those things you have to buy so the kid can eat, so the fuckers can charge what the fuck they like for it. Such cunts are they they even have the electronic security tag bolted to the top of each tin. What fuckers I ask you!
Anyway check out the doc on Wal Mart and help to destroy their evil empire.
On the rapidshare files I have moved onto Audio books and have found some beauties, including a telling of the life of the pirate Captain Kidd which I am really looking forward to, Collapse by Jared Diamond and a History of Europe that looks fun. Still relishing the book by Paul Thereoux about the Hong Kong handover or Chinese Takeaway as the dotty lead character calls it.
Other docs including a Smiths biography, The unseen London (1967) with James Mason, Louis Theroux docs to name a few.
Audio books are great at bedtime, though I usually have to resort to a re-listen as I am asleep before chapters end.
I noticed the baby food for Grace is cuntishly expensive. Nearly 600B a tin. Of course, like the great razor blade monopoly its one of those things you have to buy so the kid can eat, so the fuckers can charge what the fuck they like for it. Such cunts are they they even have the electronic security tag bolted to the top of each tin. What fuckers I ask you!
Anyway check out the doc on Wal Mart and help to destroy their evil empire.
On the rapidshare files I have moved onto Audio books and have found some beauties, including a telling of the life of the pirate Captain Kidd which I am really looking forward to, Collapse by Jared Diamond and a History of Europe that looks fun. Still relishing the book by Paul Thereoux about the Hong Kong handover or Chinese Takeaway as the dotty lead character calls it.
Other docs including a Smiths biography, The unseen London (1967) with James Mason, Louis Theroux docs to name a few.
Audio books are great at bedtime, though I usually have to resort to a re-listen as I am asleep before chapters end.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Fun with Don and Tom
The boys came over last night as today is another holiday. Hanging out on the back porch is ideal and we down several bottles of yukky Thai beer, smoke some pipes and put the world to rights, dissing the bullshit that is religion and all the control mechanisms put upon folks to prevent them from creative thought and free ideas.
Incidently, just downloading a docu on Walmart which, according to Don "Hell in a Handcart", makes you want to go out and start smashing things.
So we had a lot of fun.
Last week we lost Danny and Don as Don got sacked from his college where he worked with Karl and got a new gig up in Ranong near the Burmese border. He seems quite happy about it and the countryside is awesome up that way. Danny has gone back to Aus for a spell but is due back in a few months after a space in the real world.
Last night I was hoeing and sweeping. The back yard is looking good and slowly we are getting some plants in by the occasional trip to the plant shop at the end of the road. Oi is enjoying the new house and has done a wiz job getting some groovy furniture to make it look nice. Baby Grace gets regular guided tours of the garden and has started eating bananas. She likes standing up these days. Lying on your back all day must get mighty frustrating.
Back to the school house tomorrow and then its the weekend, so not long to wait. Then, as I work in a Catholic school I get 10 days at Chrimbo. I knew religion was good for something.
Incidently, just downloading a docu on Walmart which, according to Don "Hell in a Handcart", makes you want to go out and start smashing things.
So we had a lot of fun.
Last week we lost Danny and Don as Don got sacked from his college where he worked with Karl and got a new gig up in Ranong near the Burmese border. He seems quite happy about it and the countryside is awesome up that way. Danny has gone back to Aus for a spell but is due back in a few months after a space in the real world.
Last night I was hoeing and sweeping. The back yard is looking good and slowly we are getting some plants in by the occasional trip to the plant shop at the end of the road. Oi is enjoying the new house and has done a wiz job getting some groovy furniture to make it look nice. Baby Grace gets regular guided tours of the garden and has started eating bananas. She likes standing up these days. Lying on your back all day must get mighty frustrating.
Back to the school house tomorrow and then its the weekend, so not long to wait. Then, as I work in a Catholic school I get 10 days at Chrimbo. I knew religion was good for something.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Weak News
I find the news so weak. I am very happy to see Dubai World in serious trouble though - talk about building on the sand.
Just got hold of a new Micheal Caine movie, "Harry Brown" which appears to be good. Still sifting through the archives of Rapidshare, doubled up with Dragon Age and breaks leaf sweeping and taking Grace around the garden. Back to school tomorrow but another day off on Thursday. I commented to Oi about the doctor's forbidden palace that abutes our house saying did she think it was right that doctors get stinkingly rich off of people's ill health. I know Chinese families loose their life savings when granny gets sick and she has to go into hospital. I side with Bob Marley on this one and let nature take its course.
Sat through "The Devil's Advocate" yesterday. That is one good flick.
Just got hold of a new Micheal Caine movie, "Harry Brown" which appears to be good. Still sifting through the archives of Rapidshare, doubled up with Dragon Age and breaks leaf sweeping and taking Grace around the garden. Back to school tomorrow but another day off on Thursday. I commented to Oi about the doctor's forbidden palace that abutes our house saying did she think it was right that doctors get stinkingly rich off of people's ill health. I know Chinese families loose their life savings when granny gets sick and she has to go into hospital. I side with Bob Marley on this one and let nature take its course.
Sat through "The Devil's Advocate" yesterday. That is one good flick.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Island of Doomed Men
Peter Lorre is amazing in this flick. Totally evil and warped. Catch it if you can.
The quest for the urn is over and I successfully completed the gauntlet which led to it. I can now return the ashes to the Earl which will cure him of his affliction.
Upon leaving the temple however, the brother monk who lead me to it declared he would tell the world of the temple and open it to pilgrims. I murdered him before he could leave. The secret of the temple shall remain. Or was I feeding a desire for power?
The quest for the urn is over and I successfully completed the gauntlet which led to it. I can now return the ashes to the Earl which will cure him of his affliction.
Upon leaving the temple however, the brother monk who lead me to it declared he would tell the world of the temple and open it to pilgrims. I murdered him before he could leave. The secret of the temple shall remain. Or was I feeding a desire for power?
Three Days Rest
Saturday and His Nibs birthday, so Monday is a public holiday. Hooray!
Patrick, Tom and Karl came over last night and we got rather tight out on the rear porch before falling asleep watching The Story of The Who (totally awesome). It was a great craic with good music and conversation. I had a couple of coffees with Patrick the next morning. It is so lovely out here in the sticks. Everyone who comes here falls in love with it. There is often a breeze which is very refreshing. We are so glad to have moved to the country.
So now we can relax for a few days. I got some movies to watch and to continue the quest for the sacred urn. I have just encountered a mirror image party of ourselves and, of course I must kill them.
Watching Peter Ustinov in Hot Millions with Maggie Smith which looks a hoot.
Patrick, Tom and Karl came over last night and we got rather tight out on the rear porch before falling asleep watching The Story of The Who (totally awesome). It was a great craic with good music and conversation. I had a couple of coffees with Patrick the next morning. It is so lovely out here in the sticks. Everyone who comes here falls in love with it. There is often a breeze which is very refreshing. We are so glad to have moved to the country.
So now we can relax for a few days. I got some movies to watch and to continue the quest for the sacred urn. I have just encountered a mirror image party of ourselves and, of course I must kill them.
Watching Peter Ustinov in Hot Millions with Maggie Smith which looks a hoot.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Quest Continues...
A day away from a small holiday. With Christmas approaching I get some days off which I am tres relieved about. Unfortunately I am totally hooked on Dragon Age. The story is great and I am on a quest for a sacred urn to heal some dying earl. The quest has led me to some strange cultish village in the mountains and into an ancient temple beyond. It's bloody fantastic. A recently swapped my war dog for an assassin, only to discover the dumb schmuk can't pick locks - the very reason for trading him and he is shit in battle. Oh well. Hopefully we can make it through this icy tomb and I can get rid of him later. This tale is epic. My dear Peter, you must do everything you can to get this game. You will cherish every moment. The re-equiping of armour and weapons is great and beefing up your team to maximum killing power is imperative.
One great point is that quite often it is unclear to see the consequences of the choices that you have to make, and you may bitterly regret something you thought was a good idea at the time, yet so far back that reloading a previous save is unthinkable, therefore you are stuck with the consequences of your actions; like this stinking assassin.
Looks like there is a whole industry based around this game. I just hope I don't get bored before I finish. I am being very sensible and playing only when I have checked myself that I actually want to play, and not being driven by some obsessive, unhealthy urge.
Grace is doing really well. I will take some more snaps over the break and get them posted.
Oi is fine and enjoying the new house.
One great point is that quite often it is unclear to see the consequences of the choices that you have to make, and you may bitterly regret something you thought was a good idea at the time, yet so far back that reloading a previous save is unthinkable, therefore you are stuck with the consequences of your actions; like this stinking assassin.
Looks like there is a whole industry based around this game. I just hope I don't get bored before I finish. I am being very sensible and playing only when I have checked myself that I actually want to play, and not being driven by some obsessive, unhealthy urge.
Grace is doing really well. I will take some more snaps over the break and get them posted.
Oi is fine and enjoying the new house.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Dragon Age Origins
How embarrassing. I have been completely captured by this new game. Actually, it's more like a mighty quest and more exciting than The Lord of the Rings. I can't stop playing it. Every available moment is taken to furthering my party, desperately trying to get my Mage to the next level (8) and more spells and power! Huge game and great story. For the moment it has cast a shadow over thief, but never fear, you will have your day, Garrett! Once the quest is over. Oh God! When will it be over.
My PC died on me the other day. Luckily, I have great relations with the owner of a PC shop and she came and picked it up on Sunday night, took it away, repaired it and put a 1 Terrabyte hard drive in there to boot. Brought it back the next day. Awesome.
Still, loving the new house and Grace is growing in leaps and bounds. I can't keep up with her anymore. First, it was one new thing she could do, then another, then another...and now she is firing on all fours; looking, learning, absorbing...she's like some kind of quick-learning robot who will out-do us by day's end. And very cute too.
I have seen some good movies; The Countess (I think they must have been playing Thief as the sets are identical to the game; hence I loved it. More when I remember.
I now have 90 days of rapidshare and the mass DL will continue.
Garden is looking cool, but needs work and ideas.
I am working 6 days a week now which is proving problematic for my down time energy recharge, though I got myself swimming again which gives me a boost, though I have reduced laps to 12, as opposed to original 20. I go on the philosophy that some is better than none, and yes, it makes a huge differences and I am feeling great once again.
Obviously, I am quite busy now and have daily errands as I go into town every day. It's fun. I like going around the shops and engaging the locals. I hate Tesco though. At the store here they have about 50 check-outs and about 3 open at any one time. Thais queue patiently, long aisles leading into the food court. I can't understand why they are not shoving their trolleys into the counters and storming out. I would love to have a word with the manager - just to see what a cunt he is.
Time is pressing...
My PC died on me the other day. Luckily, I have great relations with the owner of a PC shop and she came and picked it up on Sunday night, took it away, repaired it and put a 1 Terrabyte hard drive in there to boot. Brought it back the next day. Awesome.
Still, loving the new house and Grace is growing in leaps and bounds. I can't keep up with her anymore. First, it was one new thing she could do, then another, then another...and now she is firing on all fours; looking, learning, absorbing...she's like some kind of quick-learning robot who will out-do us by day's end. And very cute too.
I have seen some good movies; The Countess (I think they must have been playing Thief as the sets are identical to the game; hence I loved it. More when I remember.
I now have 90 days of rapidshare and the mass DL will continue.
Garden is looking cool, but needs work and ideas.
I am working 6 days a week now which is proving problematic for my down time energy recharge, though I got myself swimming again which gives me a boost, though I have reduced laps to 12, as opposed to original 20. I go on the philosophy that some is better than none, and yes, it makes a huge differences and I am feeling great once again.
Obviously, I am quite busy now and have daily errands as I go into town every day. It's fun. I like going around the shops and engaging the locals. I hate Tesco though. At the store here they have about 50 check-outs and about 3 open at any one time. Thais queue patiently, long aisles leading into the food court. I can't understand why they are not shoving their trolleys into the counters and storming out. I would love to have a word with the manager - just to see what a cunt he is.
Time is pressing...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Benefits of Leaf Sweeping
4:15 Tuesday morning. I predictable result of going to bed at 8.
I was listening The Forum, having dropped out of the loop for a space. Interesting show, if only to learn of the different paths many of us take in life.
My recent thinking is news avoidance and dangers of internet addiction. One great element of having a garden again is the option to keep off the internet. When I scan the news headlines, I really don't see the stories that I want, or expect, to see. I find the news websites incredibly weak, and yet, I find BBC Radio 4 programs very fulfilling. I don't understand why this conundrum exists.
My new pastime, indeed exercise, is sweeping the garden of leaves, rose apples and general debris. I made sure I watched Oi's mum busying away in the garden, so I can at least get an inkling of what to do. I like this idea of no grass, and keeping the top soil clean and tidy. This allows the opportunity for some great planting potential. I bought one strange looking spiny plant and wish to continue this theme. It could make an interesting garden. The garden shall be therapeutic offering physical exercise and mental harmony through leaf sweeping.
I was listening The Forum, having dropped out of the loop for a space. Interesting show, if only to learn of the different paths many of us take in life.
My recent thinking is news avoidance and dangers of internet addiction. One great element of having a garden again is the option to keep off the internet. When I scan the news headlines, I really don't see the stories that I want, or expect, to see. I find the news websites incredibly weak, and yet, I find BBC Radio 4 programs very fulfilling. I don't understand why this conundrum exists.
My new pastime, indeed exercise, is sweeping the garden of leaves, rose apples and general debris. I made sure I watched Oi's mum busying away in the garden, so I can at least get an inkling of what to do. I like this idea of no grass, and keeping the top soil clean and tidy. This allows the opportunity for some great planting potential. I bought one strange looking spiny plant and wish to continue this theme. It could make an interesting garden. The garden shall be therapeutic offering physical exercise and mental harmony through leaf sweeping.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Billy Bud
Yay! No school!
The constant, torrential rain has closed the school! Everything is damp and 'orrible and I really didn't want to go to the school house today. My dream came true when Pit messaged me. So, it was back to the bed with Oi and Baby Grace for more fun and games.
Grace now is at an incredibly cute stage and she wants to do everything. She loves to be held standing and loves to talk.
Yesterday (Sunday), I relaxed and watched an afternoon movie. I scanned through Inglorious Basterds and came to the same conclusion as the boys. Drivel. Long, boring and horrible. Replacing this movie, I settled for "Billy Bud" (1963) written and directed by Peter Ustinov and starring himself and a young Terrence Stamp. Fantastic movie on the high seas. Strong plot and characters. Highly recommended, especially on a wet, stormy Sunday afternoon.
With a further days grace I may select another to view.
The Thief quest also continues. I murdered nearly everyone in the dead wealthy sea captain's clifftop mansion. Strangely though, I spared his half mad, beguiling widow who sat alone in her tower requesting a glass of wine. In my dumb haste for progress I neglected to complete this side-quest, which I now bitterly regret. Their was the indication of some favour...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Rain
It's been bucketing down. Yesterday, the road was flooded and lessons cancelled (yay!). It's cosy to watch but having to go out in it can be a bore.
Oi's mum goes back home today. I think she has had a good time. Grace has grown considerably since last she was here. In fact, Grace now is changing daily. She can twist herself over and she loves to stand, assisted by a hand under each armpit. She smiles a lot now. I am glad we have a secure and pleasant environment for her to grow up in.
Oi's mum did an amazing job in the garden despite the rains efforts to thawrt her works. Grass, apparently is a no-go - cat shit and rain are not conducsive to grass. It suddenly occured to me that this is an ideal opportunity for a rock garden, if we can get the rocks.
Don, Tom, Patrick and Danny came over last night and we had a real good time. Again, I am pleased I can offer them a decent environment to relax in. Hopefully, when arses are in gears, we can do a BBQ too. That should be fun. Carl, it appears, has to look after his kid, but I still think he should party with the boys, as it is important to have a release such as this.
Sunday now and a day of rest. I watched Moon and most of Inglorious Basterds yesterday which were both okay but not great. My rapidshare account has temporarily run out and I am keen to renew it. I have to wait a few days for it to verify cash withdrawn. Then the great movie download will continue.
I am relishing Thief Dark Shadows. Nail-bitingly tense as one creeps about the Church or hidden sewers. I hate myself though for trying to rush it. The secret is to play it slowly and skillfully as opposed to bumping off every guard with a Broad Arrow. A new Diablo-style RPG named Torchlight has also been acquired and awaits play. I hope and believe though that Thief will keep me going for a couple of weeks though. I spied that a new one is coming too. Thief 4! OMG!
My playroom is even more super cool and cosy. It's an ideal place for work and play. Movie watching is now a very comfortable experience.
More later...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thief 3
Wolfenstein is finished. I didn't quite complete it, but I got to the last part where one only had to blast some nightmare guy wielding twin Gatlings, so I think I can be excused the crucifying finale.
To replace this hole (I am in a similar situation on Res Evil 5), I sought and found Thief Deadly Shadows from a couple of years ago. I had played it but my PC at the time wasn'y up to the mark and I came across a bug I could not get passed. I think it was jumping into a magic ray of light or something. It escapes me. Anyhow, with my wonderful new rapidshare account I located the game and have since downloaded and installed it and have completed the first mission. Looks like frighteningly addictive fun, creeping about in the shadows with a cosh and a quiver ful of water arrows.
I can't wait, and I recall how much I loved Thief 2 The Metal Age. I hope age has not wearied my lust for dark adventures...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Patrick's Day. In November?!!!!
Tuesday, and I suspect I have been missing my blog too, such is my urge to write.
Tonight, I finished my private class at Gee's house and dropped by to see Mr. Larkin - AKA Patrick, The Pat, Paddy (Daniel's callout for Pat which is held with some distain)
We shared some beer and had a good, old chat. I feel grateful I am who I am after hearing his stories of other falang who live here. Rich, fat, obnoxious oil workers who are impenetrable fortresses of resentment, condescending and generally cuntishness that young Pat found himself at odds with these people. And we are talking majority here. T'would appear that the falang scum that inhabit this small city has not yet graduated beyond pond life. It would indeed seem that me and the likes of Tom, Don and Carl enjoy the dearest friendships, fun nights, music, converstaion and general "stonedness" that everyone can have in this city ruled by a cloud of white, bigoted shitheads that sit in the Swan and bitch about every living thing on the planet. It's a disease of the bloated cow that so many suckle the udder of. Poor, old Pat. I'm just glad I can be there to reassure him that good people still exist.
Back home now. 9:10 and everyone's in bed. I systematically told Oi I was not going to bed yet, came into the workroom, took a hit and preceded to write. Paul Kelly "Talk" album plays in the background.
Feel so lucky I'm not a cunt like the majority of the world, if what I have been told, is an accurate portrayal of society today. It's the system, I tell you. It destroys you, corrupting your soul and turning the populas into cunts of the highest order. Money and success is such a fucker for the soul. So many people suffer from the "I'm important" failing. Edward O. Wilson has some great line about Man. I can't remember, but it's like; Society - primitive, Emotionally - pathetic, Technologically - Frighteningly Dangerously Advanced.
I love it.
Dr. Macabre strangely, as if anything from him were normal, pointed out that we few were in an enormous minority. This had never occured to me before. I am conscious and where I am is what is going on. Never did I realise I was part of some tiny faction of disbelievers. Could this be true? Am I that special? Oh, the irony.
"I am nothing."
A flashing smile to whom can tell me who said this. (as long at it is the person I am thinking about)
Tonight, I finished my private class at Gee's house and dropped by to see Mr. Larkin - AKA Patrick, The Pat, Paddy (Daniel's callout for Pat which is held with some distain)
We shared some beer and had a good, old chat. I feel grateful I am who I am after hearing his stories of other falang who live here. Rich, fat, obnoxious oil workers who are impenetrable fortresses of resentment, condescending and generally cuntishness that young Pat found himself at odds with these people. And we are talking majority here. T'would appear that the falang scum that inhabit this small city has not yet graduated beyond pond life. It would indeed seem that me and the likes of Tom, Don and Carl enjoy the dearest friendships, fun nights, music, converstaion and general "stonedness" that everyone can have in this city ruled by a cloud of white, bigoted shitheads that sit in the Swan and bitch about every living thing on the planet. It's a disease of the bloated cow that so many suckle the udder of. Poor, old Pat. I'm just glad I can be there to reassure him that good people still exist.
Back home now. 9:10 and everyone's in bed. I systematically told Oi I was not going to bed yet, came into the workroom, took a hit and preceded to write. Paul Kelly "Talk" album plays in the background.
Feel so lucky I'm not a cunt like the majority of the world, if what I have been told, is an accurate portrayal of society today. It's the system, I tell you. It destroys you, corrupting your soul and turning the populas into cunts of the highest order. Money and success is such a fucker for the soul. So many people suffer from the "I'm important" failing. Edward O. Wilson has some great line about Man. I can't remember, but it's like; Society - primitive, Emotionally - pathetic, Technologically - Frighteningly Dangerously Advanced.
I love it.
Dr. Macabre strangely, as if anything from him were normal, pointed out that we few were in an enormous minority. This had never occured to me before. I am conscious and where I am is what is going on. Never did I realise I was part of some tiny faction of disbelievers. Could this be true? Am I that special? Oh, the irony.
"I am nothing."
A flashing smile to whom can tell me who said this. (as long at it is the person I am thinking about)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Queen of Spades
Just watched this ancient and creepy movie. It is absolutely terrific - spellbinding and very dark. About an ancient countess who sold her soul to the devil for the secret of the cards, and how a young man seeking riches tries to extract the secret from the death-fearing countess.
Watch it as soon as your grubby little fingers can locate it.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
L'appartment
The house is coming together very nicely. Oi has done a fantastic job of getting it into shape. Actually, it looks kinda swish. There is still tons to do, of course, and the garden is quickly returning to jungle as I haven't got around to it yet. Oi's mum arrives tonight though, so I thought I might be cheeky and leave it to her for the interim.
I am back on the download path, which is a mixed blessing, though I got "L'appartment" with Monica B. (the sexy French one) which is a brilliant movie. These Rapidfind forums are incredibly awesome and house hundreds of great films.
The boys came over last night. Everyone has had a bad week and Don got fired from his school. He refused to teach some bad kids and wanted to talk to their parents. Thai arse mentally is appallingly bad sometimes. They will remain in the Stone Age for the considerably future I am sure.
Looks like Thaksin is trying to start a fight between Thailand and Cambodia. That guy is a super villian AKA James Bond Blowfelt style. A real cunt and a half. The king should kick his whole family out of the kingdom and send a hitman to take out the grinning prick once and for all.
My playroom in the house is super cool. Big TV, comp, internet, guitars and plenty of room for class preparation.
I'm doing quite a few hours now of private class which is kind of bearable but I might make it a temporary thing as I want to enjoy a full weekend.
I am back on the download path, which is a mixed blessing, though I got "L'appartment" with Monica B. (the sexy French one) which is a brilliant movie. These Rapidfind forums are incredibly awesome and house hundreds of great films.
The boys came over last night. Everyone has had a bad week and Don got fired from his school. He refused to teach some bad kids and wanted to talk to their parents. Thai arse mentally is appallingly bad sometimes. They will remain in the Stone Age for the considerably future I am sure.
Looks like Thaksin is trying to start a fight between Thailand and Cambodia. That guy is a super villian AKA James Bond Blowfelt style. A real cunt and a half. The king should kick his whole family out of the kingdom and send a hitman to take out the grinning prick once and for all.
My playroom in the house is super cool. Big TV, comp, internet, guitars and plenty of room for class preparation.
I'm doing quite a few hours now of private class which is kind of bearable but I might make it a temporary thing as I want to enjoy a full weekend.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Private class finished. Back home. Steak, carrots and mashed potatoes cooked and devoured. Guinness chilled and poured, Oi with baby....time to reflect and contemplate.
The whole move thing went surprisingly swimmingly. Everything has been quite grand, including relaxing in the night air on the rear porch. It is pretty darn close to perfect and I can see two jungle encased mountains, small ones, from the garden on either side of the house.
The ride to work reminds me of the ride from Rake to Petersfield on the old A3, green and with good air. The road is one of the nicer ones in this city.
Life without the internet was indeed bliss and I have had people spawning to me about the latest news for a change; climate change, Thaksin in Cambodia etc.
Baby Grace is fine and progressing very satisfactory, though as warned she has become addicted to being held, and if not is quick to start blubbing. Oi took her on a solo trip to Carrefour today and had dozens of comments about Grace (good ones); supermodel, falang etc. The usual stuff Thais will talk about.
I have nearly finished Wolfenstein. It was my one bit of technology over the past two weeks and great fun it was too. I have sneaked in a couple of episodes of Porridge (now on "Going Straight") and River Cottage Forever. And the incredible "Barchester Chronicles". Actually, Don had given me "The Warden" by Antony Trollop a while back, saying he couldn't stick its "Englishness". I read a few chapters and enjoyed it, though my reading constitution is severly diminished, mores the pity.
I have been reading "On Human Nature" by Edward O. Wilson which is great yet very demanding on concentration levels if one is to understand it. I love it and will continue.
More later...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Back Online
Back with the cyberdead after a very refreshing break from news and internet, it must be said.
More later...
More later...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Signing off....
The move is today. I have not yet sorted a new internet connection, so I anticipate being offline for at least a little while.
See you when I get reconnected.
JJ.
See you when I get reconnected.
JJ.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Forty-One
Obviously, at this time I have been thinking about my great friend Matt Beck who passed on Thursday 15th Oct. It's heartbreaking. He was one of my best friends. We never had cross words in near 20 years. Long ago, in the bustling aisles of the Army & Navy store on Guildford High Street, our paths first crossed. I would go and visit Matt and Dan in Menwear on the ground floor from my own Toy department on the fourth floor. It was on the way to the canteen, so I passed by often. We would go for a few pints at The Star pub most weeks. We used to reminisce about the great bridge jumping episode on the River Wier. How we bought a canoe for a cigarette. I remember watching a barge crash into the river bank exposing a rat's nest and watching a dozen or so rats fall into the river as their home was expectantly destroyed. I remember the crazy party at their house in Guildford. Someone punched a hole in the bathroom floor (on the first floor) down into the kitchen below where the party raged on. Someone had a massive teenage vomiting session in the bath. I recall drinking frozen beer on a sofa in their garden after the party and the trip to buy cheap Royal Standard Lager from the Happy Shopper on the estate. The train ride up to Epsom college where Peter had his wild night with some girl and earned great respect from the Beck Brothers. And of course there was the Toilet Warrior at Pete's famous party eons ago. Our thoughts are with Dan in particular, who is studying History I am pleased to learn.
When I was back in England last April, I had a great time with Mat and Dan down in Wiltshire. We had a grand walk along a white road on the windswept hills and a huge lunch at Dan's local. Always great times with those guys.
Yes, it's my birthday today. Thanks all for kind words and thoughts.The move is on, and I went to the house today to do the last bit of painting before the big day. It's in not bad condition, but there is still a lot of work to be done after we move in.
School is okay and I am doing my best to get into it, though I am aware I am not performing to my usual standard. The kids have been great though and are very forgiving.
I would highly recommend a rapidshare account to all and sundry, then log onto rapidfind for the best collection of movies I have ever seen. It is probable the internet connection at the new house will not be as good as in town, so I have been furiously DL everything. Among the jewels, as I am sure you will want to know are; Angelique, The Ruling Class, Repulsion, Evil Roy Slade, all of River Cottage series and more to come in the closing moments of high speed. You could literally spend weeks sifting through the threads of movies. In particular, I recommend the Movie Collections forum. There are some great groups thrown together including sixties movies and WWII, of course. Did you know their is a Stones film called "Sympathy for the Devil"?
Resident Evil 5 has been great fun and I think I am nearing the end. Almost worth a replay, such is the quality of this shooter.
Grace has been developing very nicely. She's smiling at lot more and her focus on us is more direct. She seems to be a month ahead of where she should be. She's definitely a sweetie.
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