From the Eels website:

4/16/2007- EELS THE THIRD:
Hear the new "Royal Pain" by EELS in "Shrek The Third," opening in U.S. theaters May 18th. "Royal Pain" and EELS' "Losing Streak" will both be on the Shrek The Third soundtrack album CD, coming out May 15th in the U.S. and Canada, May 14th in the rest of the world. This marks EELS' third appearance in their odd and enduring relationship with Mr. Shrek. The CD also features songs by The Ramones, Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney. CD now available for pre-order HERE.

According to Tony Robinson (yes, I'm watching Time Team), bricks made earlier than around 1800 didn't have frogs. Which means, of course, that I'm now trying not to think about all the frog-less bricks we threw in a skip last year.

A week or so after moving into this house, we went for a walk around the block. We stopped just round the corner, barely speaking, just looking. But, who wouldn't?

Another text message from Phil:

An interesting conversation I just heard in spoons (Wetherspoons) in Concord (Washington). 'Aye, I'm gonna take Social Services to court because they took our Britney into care saying I didn't take care of her. If I win I'm gonna take me and ya on holiday'. 'We gonna take the kid?' 'Nor, fuck that, I'll leave 'er with me ma or next door'. You couldn't make it up.

Well it's a big big city and it's always the same. Can never be too pretty tell me your name. Is it out of line if I were so bold to say "Would you be mine"? Because I may be a beggar and you maybe the queen. I know I maybe on a downer am still ready to dream. Now it's 3 o'clock time it takes for you to talk. So if you're lonely why'd you say you're not lonely. Oh you're a silly girl, I know I hurt it so. It's just like you to come. And go you know me no you don't even know me. You're so sweet to try, oh my, you caught my eye. A girl like you's just irresistible.

Well it's a big big city and the lights are all out. But it's much as I can do you know to figure you out. And I must confess, my heart's in broken pieces. And my head's a mess. And it's 4 in the morning, and I'm walking along. Beside the ghost of every drinker here who has ever done wrong. And it's you, woo hoo. That's got me going crazy for the things you do.

So if you're crazy I don't care you amaze me. Oh you're a stupid girl, oh me, oh my, you talk, I die, you smile, you laugh, I cry. And only, a girl like you could be lonely. And it's a crying shame, if you would think the same. A boy like me's just irresistible.

So if you're lonely, why'd you say you're not lonely, Oh your a silly girl, I know I hurt it so. It's just like you to come and go. And know me, no you don't even know me. You're so sweet to try oh my, you caught my eye. A girl like you's just irresistible

Aren't these lyrics just great? The Fratellis: Whistle for the Choir

Oh, and another text message received from Phil (who obviously spends far too much time on buses):

I'm on the bus to Pennywell and this is the exact sentence I just heard; 'ear man, it woz git fuckin pure, ya nar what I mean?' I wonder what he meant.

Well, it's almost the end of Tuesday and the weekend's already a distant blur. It's a shame that my aching legs from my over-ambitious bike ride of Sunday haven't faded so quickly. It was great though, even if I was shattered afterwards. And my old cycling route's barely changed.

Nice, isn't it? Sometimes I wonder why I moved house. Nicer, though, was the well deserved refreshment that followed.

Which reminds me, I've been to Liverpool today. Sadly, it wasn't for pleasure. It was such a nice, sunny day as I left the office there that I began to think it'd be nice to sit outside with a nice cold pint of beer. Of course it wasn't to be, since there was a four hour trip home through horrendous traffic. Highlight of the day was the formulation of a plan to acquire (purple) Liverpool wheelie-bins. And matching recycling boxes of course.

And, while I'm (loosely) on the subject of work, I was trying to fit in a team meeting yesterday and proposed a time; 14:30, I think. The response was is that GMT? Apparently the reference was to Gary Moore Time.

Tonight I have vodka and diet coke in my special dad glass.

Some scene setting is in order. Imagine going to Sunderland for a drink during the day, with a twelve year old.OK, that may not be the greatest scene ever but, trust me, it was cool. Honest.

And imagine the need for a return visit.

Anyway, imagine walking into a bar and hearing the Mosaics playing. OK, so no one's heard of them, but they're pretty good. They'll make it one day.

Then, again, imagine walking into another bar with a man doing covers. The Arctic Monkeys' Mardy Bum caught my attention, followed by the White Stripes'Hotel Yorba. It wasn't a bad night at all..

Although I've not succeeded in replacing Windows on my little laptop, I do know why. Which means, of course, that I'll try again. When my head recovers.

Oh, a couple of phone pictures from Phil. As previously, the comments are also pure Phil.

I've found Darth Vader! his costume fooled nobody.

Sunderland, home to the beautiful people.