Stuff

Sunday 28 March 2009 21:42

I can't believe that twelve hours have passed since I last had a moan. Of course, I've not been working all that time. Maybe half. On a bloody Sunday. Unpaid. Thankfully, I still have birthday beer .... my world is almost calm.

Sunday 28 March 2009 09:19

I need to work today. On a Sunday. It's wrong.

Saturday 28 March 2009 20:45

I had a walk down to town today, my only form of exercise nowadays, then went to my mother's; which involved taking a bus back up the hill I'd just walked down. While at the bus station in Gateshead, I noticed a poster which advised people to behave themselves. The poster seems to show a couple of delinquent pensioners being arrested for anti-social behaviour in the bus station.

While on the subject of Gateshead, there's a really scruffy second hand furniture shop on Gateshead High Street; I have to confess to largely furnishing our house from there. As I walked past today (I try to walk past because I'd probably buy some old rubbish we don't need if I went in) my attention was drawn to the shop window.

I'd believed that the death penalty had been abolished in the UK in the 60s, but it seems that it's possible to buy an execution device locally.

I should point out that the electric chair doesn't really have feet. Those are mine.

Friday 27 March 2009 22:00

This week's gone so quickly. As did the last few I guess. But at least, thanks to my eldest child, I have some very nice German beer. It's 6% though, so I suspect I'll not have many.

We went to see the Mosaics last night at the Tuns. They never attract a big crowd there and I'm sure it's because people associate the Tuns with (bad) 70s rock. They're at the Cluny next week, so that'll be much better. Unfortunately, I'll be in Telford.

Oh, I should mention that I almost died last night. Pushing Debbie up our hill in a wheelchair almost killed me. And if I'm being honest, I didn't even get half way before Ian had to take over. I'm so bloody unfit right now.

I'm going back to my nice beer now, but there's a picture I've been meaning to get off my phone for a couple of weeks. I was on the bus (a fab 56) the other weekend and I noticed a man sitting with a magazine on his head. It was a TV listings magazine I think. Anyway, I just had to take a photo.

It's not a great photo, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Monday 23 March 2009 22:08

This google street view thing is a little spooky. I received another text message and an e-mail today to tell me I'm on the internet.

Saying that, it's a little less spooky when I realise that these pictures were from months ago; around May or June last year. I was on my way to Washington. Or, rather, the bus stop. It rained that day.

Sunday 22 March 2009 20:54

It's my birthday this coming week. I won't say which one. We were going to see the Beat at the Academy tonight, a birthday present, but our three-week-row resulted in this being abandoned. We were also going to see Joe Gideon & the Shark at the Head of Steam on Tuesday too. And then the Mosaics at the Three Tuns on Thursday. Three gigs in a week; now that would have been grand birthday. Fortunately, I don't much bother with birthdays.

Today's been a bit rubbish; I spent it doung house stuff and some work. The work was a bit of a waste of time though, since my works laptop is still refusing to let me access my drives or e-mail when I connect from home. That's another call to the helpdesk tomorrow.

Had a text this afternoon, from Mick, telling me that he saw me on google maps. I couldn't find me anywhere, but then Mick pointed out I was looking on the wrong street. Anyway, this is me walking up the street. As is this. And ... um ... so is this.

This is our house. And here. Finally, the park across the road. I thought I'd work my way down the road, but I lost interest by the time I reached the Post Office.

Wednesday 18 March 2009 21:51

I realised tonight, on the bus home from work, that it's Wednesday. Already. Despite 11 hour days, there still seems to be an endless list of things that need to be done in the next couple of weeks. I've not really had time to think about what'll follow this job, but I do intend to take some real time off before the next one.

Sunday 15 March 2009 12:24

Apparently, Debbie has done a very good job in breaking bones. Although she now has a cast, there's been some movement which means that an operation may be needed. This is one of those times where logic kicks in and I start to wonder how it's possible to manage with a broken leg and two young kids ... and one of those times when I wish it didn't. I guess this also makes me realise I was lucky enough not to be solely responsible for bringing up kids ... and lucky that I bounce when accidents happen.

Saturday 14 March 2009 21:12

What a night! I was just about to get on a bus to Deb's when my former spouse rang me to say she was taking Deb to her house. They called off on the way, so at least I saw my child (who has crutches). A family discussion ensued (Me, Deb, Gill and Lucy, who was on the phone to me at the time) and, although we joked about it, we know too well how lucky Debbie had been.

Deb's ankle is broken, but it's going to be fixed in the morning. I'm feeling stressed/worried/relieved.

Believe it or not, I'd not had a bad day today; I had a walk into town, which I do pretty much every Saturday nowadays. I've been meaning to put this picture up for a while now ...

It's art, of a sort. I don't like town/city art as a rule, but this arch is great. I'd like it in the garden. It plays recordings of local things, such as the one about Murk Lane. I quite like that one, but there are lots of others.

It's art though, so I'll acknowledge the artist.

Lulu Quinn is a cool name, isn't it. Passing through Gateshead centre, I noticed that the old market square has largely been demolished. It's pretty obvious that the car park hasn't long to go. It's very sad I think.

As I walked into town (Newcastle), across the high level bridge, I had to take a picture of the Tyne. It's compulsive; just look at it.

The Maker Faire in town was pretty good (thanks Clark for letting me know). I came face-to-face with a celebrity.

And a robot horse (which looked great chasing people around Times Square).

My mind's not really on this stuff though. I feel so weird right now; it's ok for things to happen to me, but not to my kids. This parent stuff can be way too stressful.

Saturday 14 March 2009 19:19

Just when you think things can't get any worse; I'd not long been home tonight when I received a text message from Phil: Debbie got hit by a car a bit ...... Luckily (?), she's escaped with a broken ankle. I'm trying to be positive, thinking that it could have been a lot worse.

Friday 13 March 2009 21:12

What a week! I'm mainly talking about work, but in that respect it's been a brain-destroying week that followed several only marginally lesser brain-destroying weeks. Of course, I'll be executed if I say more about work here (or on any social networking site), so I won't. I wouldn't anyway, because if I try really hard, I can always think of something better to talk about.

I purchased cans of golden refreshment on my way home from work tonight. I knew I'd need it. I've needed it for a while now. I didn't dare go out in case I drank until I fell over. I'm starting to unwind now though. And I'm beginning to feel refreshed.

Comic Relief's on TV tonight, in case anyone hasn't realised. I received half a dozen texts tonight to tell me that Elbow were going to be on. It's cool that so many people know I like Elbow. They were good, played puncture repair, but the chorus was cut and that's the best part.

Oh, but look what's coming to town this weekend! How cool?!

Saturday 6 March 2009 22:53

I've started a new project

Friday 6 March 2009 22:42

A friend of mine grows her very own brambles .... We went to see Elbow last night. They were very good. But they always are.

Well, I think so. There was a particularly cool point where Guy Garvey did a question and answer session (if only these things were so interesting at work). Unfortunately, there was a negative attached. One question went something like Are you doing Glastonbury this year?The response was something like Yes, we're doing Glastonbury, but we're not playing Glastonbury. I may have a ticket for the wrong festival!

Monday 2 March 2009 22:04

The wonders of technology .... introducing my newest grandchild.