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Monday, December 31, 2012

2013

It's been a lovely and peaceful break over Christmas and the new year.

I have had time to relax and pursue a few points of interest.

I made some TV time and watched some Survivor shows. The movies, Lawless, Dredd, Cloud Atlas and The Words were all excellent. I have since downloaded the book of Cloud Atlas and began reading.

On the gaming side I have been enjoying Far Cry 3 on the PC, and on the ipad I have acquired these ancient classics, The Lords of Midnight and Zork (text adventure). The ipad is a fantastic medium for retro gaming. I am looking forward to some peaceful times revisiting text adventures. They were wonderful at the time when I was about 13 or 14, and my grate friend, Peter and I built our fantasy world around these things. If he hadn't of been there, it would not have had any of the charm. I'm very grateful for the company of my companion to share and marvel at these wonders. It was a fantastic boyhood. A shame I didn't really develop much beyond that.

Grandma Noi has been with us over the break which has been brilliant for Grace and Oi, and it allows me to sneak off into the gaming room.

Don was hoping to stay but, with a family, it ain't that practical for us and difficult for me to balance the two. He has since opted to stay at Lee's house.

Back to school tomorrow and some preparation is necessary.

We got two more months before we are due to relocate. SHould be quite an adventure!

Happy New Year all,

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Christmas Week

It's been a fun week of Christmas. The big day was uber exciting as Grace got her stocking then opened all her presents. We didn't venture out. She got a Thomas Tank Engine train set, a toy camera, some dollies, some cheepee lego, a giant doll houe from Mum,.

I've been swimming again and feel great and have been drinking Mean Greens too. So feel pretty good right now.

Philip has been on a trip over to Thailand to visit his mum and siblings. He, his wife and 2 year old daughter, Chloe came over for dinner last night. We had a huge Som Tam feast with grilled pork and chicken. It was super yummy and we got through an incredible eight large Singhas topped off with a bottle of Champagne that he brought. Chloe and Grace held hands from the start and they both got busy in the toy room, while the adults got loaded. New metered taxis mean guests can return home in style at a preordained time. A wonderful evening and young Philip was in top form as always and full of stories of Korea and his career. He's heading for a PHD and is going to University College Chichester for his teaching work, which was my last job as a facilities manager in UK. Bizzare!!! I want him to hook up with the caretakers and maintenance staff when he goes. He can have a great time with those boys.

Enjoying a weeks break from work and relaxing about the house. We have to start thinking soon, what with the move to Chum Pon only a couple of months away.

Oi's mum has arrived for a quick break. She's very happy about Grace, especially now Grace can talk fairly well now and they can converse.

I saw The Snowman and the Snowdog, the new Snowman cartoon by Raymond Briggs. I liked it, though not a classic like the orginal.

We have been watching Survivor on a daily basis. What a great show.

Movies? Lawless is awesome.

Music? Got hold of a Sister Nancy album. Currently listening to some VU as I write (All Tomorrow's Parties)

Had a good week of swimming and drinking Mean Greens. PLaying Far Cry 3 like there is no tomorrow and browsing the news on the Net in my usual fashion. Listened to some radio but usually asleep before too long.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

It's nearly here!

Most folks here have gone away, so its been a good time not to go crazy with the food and the booze. Cash is also tight right now. I am happy just to be at home and relax. I will watch some great TV and movies and rest.

There is a pile of presents on top of the wardrobe for the little princess. I remarked to Oi that Grace hasn't looked up yet and spotted them. I am sure that will come next year.

It's a shame we can't put the presents under the tree, but she would open them for sure.

Gracie is getting very excited now and opening the windows of the advent calendar has become a great event.

Last Friday I hosted what was my Christmas bash for the guys. Patrick and Tom came. Lee came along with Tom. They had been on an all day bender and were suitably "baked", as was I. I started celebrating right after school where I was Santa Claus once again. Grace came with me, but it was a bit much for her really. She started crying when I had to dance about on the stage with all the little Santas.

On the way home I picked up some Guinness and enjoyed the rest of the day.

At home, we are watching episodes of Survivor which is fun. It's a show that Oi can really enjoy too. On Pirate Bay there is a backlog of entire series that one can acquire.

I have played a few games of Far Cry 3 multiplayer which is cool.

So, generally, trying to be good and watch my waistline this year.

Merry Christmas one and all!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Hello, little squirrels. Come into my shelter, away from the rain under the roots of a great old oak tree. Huddle 'round, as I read you an old, old story....

This week I have been revelling in the arrival of Christmas. I have been singing Silver Bells everywhere I go, as it stands as my very favourite Christmas song. I was telling Tom the other night over a dark glass of Malaysian Guinness, " I adore the line,"The corner Santa Claus, Is busy now because, It's Christmas Time in the city." I was remarking at how strange it is to have a corner Santa Claus." Do Santa's hang around on street corners hassling people?

I have also been winding Grace up something rotten about Christmas. I wrote a letter to Santa for her, built her an advent calander (which she has since opened all the windows for!), telephoned Santa not to bring her any presents, cut and glued a cotten ball Santa'a beard et all. It's been fun.

I had a healthy investment in building up the decoration stock pile. I bought two sets of lights, four sets of hanging decorations to liven up the ceiling and a bunch of expensive glittery things to hang about the place. It does look pretty good now.

I have been watching some Paul Kelly videos on utube.

Tom and Patrick came over the other night for some fun.

The Hobbit was awful. I was so excited I ate a chunk of "coffee" beforehand and set off to the cinema. It was freezing in there. Initially, I loved it, but things began to turn very sour. I was so cold, the constant CGI battles so loud and invasive that I had to flee (quite near the end I think). I felt like I was going to faint or die in there. The acting was shammy, and it slowly turned into a CGI mud fest which was utter garbage. I can watch that on my PC at home. Gandalf became a series of ludicrous pixels, jumping over vast bridges and bottomless chasms. Oh dear! Peter Jackson died in my arms that night.

I won't be going to the next one. If you like Van Helsing movie and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, then you will love it.

My manager, Pee Dtoi and 2 others have been in a serious car crash and are all in hospital. They are okay but will take a few months I fear.

Making  Christmas trees with the kids at school and snacking on blue cheese, olives, dried ham, gherkins, salt and vinegar Kettle crisps, fried mushrooms, wine and Guinness at home and having a wonderful time amid disaster.

Merry Christmas. (it's not too early to say that, is it?)

btw looking forward to series 3 of Elven Quest, Peter. Series 2 must have a re-listen as I have been too drunk/stoned/tired to properly appreciate it.

THE SWORD OF ASTAGAR!!!!!!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Far Cry 3

This game is incredibly awesome. An enormous island, sand box style, wander anywhere, on foot, jeep, boat, hang glider, quad bike etc. It is funtastic. Search for relics or blast terroroist camps.

Earlier I was tracking along a path and heard some shots. I rounded the hill and spotted a gun fight . I whipped out my sniper rifle and picked a few off. Oh pooh! I just shot my allies who declared me a traitor and started after me. I pulled out my grenade launcher, as I was feeling lazy and scared and lobbed some grenades their way. All dead, I thought I had best boost my cash and loot their bodies. A growl, a roar and suddenly a rogue tiger is on me. I pull away and blast it with the shot gun.

That was a fun few minutes in this amazing game.

If you have a PC then get it. You won't be sorry.

Been watching Smillas Sense of Snow and Bing Crosby Christmas tunes, though its a tad early....

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Christmas is Coming.

It would appear that I have reached my memory limit on uploading pictures to my blog. I will have to investigate and decide how to proceed. I may have to start another one.

Thankfully I went to the gym and pulled myself out of self loathing and despair. I feel okay again now, but am suffering from a bronchial infection that sees me coughing up horrible phlegm and being victim to awful sneezing attacks wherever I come into contact with air conditioning. This polluted air could wipe us off the planet.


Patrick invited me over last night for a shin-dig. It was quite and humorous insults were exchanged as everyone got tipsy.

It's the king's birthday today, so we get a day off. I can relax a bit, though I have the private class tonight. I started Christmas activities early in my haste. It's funny how Grace has resurrected my fondness of Chrimbo. I didn't think much about it for a few years, though strangely it has always been fairly prominent in my life, having worked in a toy department and teaching little children. I am glad I never graduated to the boring adult world.