| Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 |
| 5:22 pm |
Xmas 2011 pressie list
Loads of CDs, the standout one so far being Mastadon - The Hunter. Thanks Pete! DVDs : Outnumbered (thanks Ian), Pearl Jam's Twenty, Rush's Live in Cleveland, Steve Vai Live at the Astoria London, Fringe seasons 1-3. Also Skyrim (yay!), a shaver for (the remains of) my hair and a jumper. |
| Saturday, May 7th, 2011 |
| 5:58 pm |
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| Saturday, January 15th, 2011 |
| 7:58 pm |
Computer bits
So I bought myself some Logitech G35 headphones (7.1 surround sound). Then I tried to play my new Opeth DVD on my good box but the audio stalled occasionally. Played OK on the old box though. I've been meaning to get a new optical drive and this was a good excuse. New blueray/DVD player arrives with SATA cable and disk with cyberlink software. Installation should be 1) plug cable in between motherboard and drive 2) plug in SATA power cable. Installation was 1) Discover 2 free SATA ports are under the back of the graphics card. I can get down the middle of the card if I cut some excess plastic away. Remove card (inc 2 power cables), cut plastic, put in cable, replace card with wire going down the middle. 2) Both SATA power cables go to two disk drives. Move wires about so one wire goes to harddrives and other goes to optical. Phew! Now playing Rush R30 vid. It's like being there. I'm playing it in vlc because the cyberlink software crashed all the time. :/ Current Mood:  happy |
| Friday, December 31st, 2010 |
| 3:39 pm |
2010 Xmas Swag
Black Country Communion (Thanks Pete, sounds great) How To Train Your Dragon (Thanks Ian, haven't seen it yet though; xmas lights plugged into DVD outlet!) The Lord of the Rings radio series (Thanks Jason) Amazon voucher (Thanks Nic) Wearable (!) clothes from parents and in-laws. Call Of Duty Black Ops (awesome) Inception The Greatest Show On Earth by Richard Dawkins Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards by Joe Satriani Opeth Live at the Royal Albert Hall (:-O super awesome) I've also bought Dragon Age and Prince of Persia Sands of Time from the Steam sale. Both were instantly captivating so I'm overly blessed with good games to play. Choices, choices. |
| Sunday, October 10th, 2010 |
| 3:22 pm |
The Scottish Coincidence
So I was chatting to Ian on Facebook and he mentioned that he was going to Scotland last week (to visit his friends Alan and Corrin). And so was I (for work)! We arranged a vague meeting on Wednesday night in Glasgow which is about an hour by car from the hotel at which I stay. Meeting in a strange city after dark with vague arrangements; what could possibly go wrong! But it didn't. Ian was in the one place I'd got directions for from the locals in the office. A few texts later we met outside Forbidden Planet. Alan and Corrin were inside. We had a meal at a tapas bar (a first for me). Lots of veggie dishes. Twas a great meal. Then we went to Wetherspoons for a coffee (which I only realised later I didn't pay Ian for; I owe you one mate). A great evening and it certainly broke my week up a bit. |
| Saturday, August 28th, 2010 |
| 2:46 pm |
Holidays 2010
First week spent in Disneyland, covering Nathan's birthday. Went via Ashford this time. Easier than spending a night in London or taxi. Food fantastic as ever. Kids old enough to do Thunder Mountain and the Aerosmith roller-coaster. Felt decidedly ill after the latter. Doubt we'll be going back to Disneyland any-time soon. Been there done that. Unusually this year there was a weeks gap in the middle. My mum and dad had booked a week but then were forced to cancel because of dad's illness. He's doing fine btw. Steady improvement. Then we had four days back with parents. Nice meal out with Nick and Andrea at the Pear Tree. And finally took the whole family to see Beirut in Eastbourne. Wasn't sure the kids would be allowed in because the tickets said "14 and over welcome". Only told Angela at the last moment so she had less time to fret. We got in without comment. Nathan liked it. Robyn was a bit bored. Angela and I loved it. The hotel (The Sherwood) was fantastic too. |
| Monday, June 14th, 2010 |
| 7:03 pm |
Long hard weekend
Friday was day off. Nathan's assembly in the morning; world cup and African drumming went well together. Then shot off back to Grimsby General (refuse to call it by its new name) to see my dad. Journey took 4 hours and 50 minutes. Took mum home via Tescos to get sandwiches for tea. Drama when she thought she'd lost her purse. Eventually turned up at home, after she'd cancelled her card. On Saturday I saw most of my fraternal relatives and Uncle Steve who I last saw 11 years ago at Nicholas and Andrea's wedding. Dad looking better than yesterday. Hoped he would be out Monday when the doctors return (but it hasn't happened yet). Sunday left early. Slightly more leisurely trip back. Had a stop for lunch somewhere in Bedfordshire. Kids played Super Mario Galaxy 2 most of the weekend as expected! Bought a couple of Steam specials : Oblivion and Fallout 3. I've kicked my UT3 habit by deleting it from all machines. Angela's playing an old style point & click adventure game : The Whispered World. The graphics look great and it's funny. Has a few bugs but nothing too serious. |
| Monday, May 31st, 2010 |
| 8:04 pm |
Long bank holiday
Had the Friday off. Angela went to the schools INSET day. I took the kids out on their bikes. The target was the park at Commercial Road but we only got as far as the Rudmore roundabout. Played and ate in the park at Tipner which is better than anything we have nearby. They're in a Sure Start area. On the way back the kids fed swans with the leftovers of our sandwiches. Robyn was a bit traumatised cos one came out of the water coming after the bread she was holding. I old her to throw it and run. Saturday was a quick library run. Sunday was a quiet day in as it was raining. Monday we went to Earnley Gardens. Butterflies, birds and plants. A very relaxing day out. |
| Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 |
| 9:12 pm |
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| Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 |
| 4:40 pm |
Trainers, Summer, Who
Went shopping for trainers yesterday. Came back with top for wife, skirt and shorts for daughter, presents for two people, new duvet cover and pillows. Went shopping for trainers today. Came back with trainers (yay) for son and shoes for daughter and wife. Wet here. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER. Dr Who looking up I think. Yes, the angels were pretty awful monsters, But they're finally doing stuff with time. Dr Song to kill the doctor, only to be reprieved by Amy sacrificing herself to the rip in time? |
| Saturday, April 10th, 2010 |
| 5:47 pm |
Post Easter trip
Spent Wednesday and Thursday in Glasgow for work. 5.30am taxi was hardest part. Weather was better than expected (sunny with occasional light rain). Views over the lochs impressive. Friday was the dentist. I now have a second lot of mouthwash to counteract the staining caused by the first lot. But at least my gums are in a better state. Saturday went food shopping with Ang and kids. I usually go on my own because the kids play up. They did again today but not so bad. Bike ride in the late afternoon. Got back and the first thing Robyn says is "Can we have a doughnut?". No! Curse Tesco and their chocolate doughnuts. Sunday will probably be a trip to the D-Day museum in Southsea. Nathan has one of his Kids University art projects on display (so we get in for free). |
| Sunday, March 14th, 2010 |
| 8:29 pm |
Weekend in London
Went up on the train on Friday evening. The hotel was right next to the underground (I'd travelled the route on the highly useful google street view beforehand) but when we got there we found out that there were engineering works and that it would be closed all weekend. Next nearest station was a 15 minute walk away. Had a lovely meal in the restaurant. Saturday we had breakfast in the hotel. Like being on the continent again. Angela particularly liked the warm pain au chocolat and fresh fruit. Spent the morning in the Science museum. Kids had a whale of a time on the interactive exhibits. I drooled over the computers. Afternoon we went to the British Museum and did all the Egyptian rooms as Robyn is doing it at school at the moment and Angela likes that kind of thing anyway. Evening we went round Covent Garden for a bit and then sprung a half surprise by taking the kids to see Oliver at the New Theatre Royal. Nathan complained beforehand but afterwards he had been converted. Home via tube. Very late to bed. Sunday we went round the Tower Of London cos it was on the doorstep of the hotel. And home on the slow train. Engineering works on the last stretch of the journey meant we had to take a bus which left just as we got there. Next one came about 15 minutes later. Angela only half frozen. |
| Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 |
| 7:59 pm |
Robyn's 8 Birthday
How time flies! My ickle girl was eight today. She opened her presents before school. Liked the Zhu Zhu Pet and boat best (which I bought cos it reminded me of Tales Of The Riverbank). Thankyou for the clothes Nick and grandparents. Nathan's news : he passed his cycle proficiency test in the half term holiday. He has got into Springfield, his preferred secondary school. And he got a 5C on an English SATs mock paper recently. |
| Sunday, February 28th, 2010 |
| 8:05 pm |
Longish weekend
Friday I had a half day off to see Robyn's assembly. She read out something about the ancient Egyptians. Also handed in my birdcam project to the school. The head looked well pleased (it was her suggestion). Bumped into Angela briefly. Saturday, Nathan went to Springfield schools Saturday club. We went to B&Q (our least favourite shopping destination) cos I needed some connectors for wire that the bunny had chewed through and Angela wanted a new washing line. While we were there we impulse bought some bedside tables. 12 years and we have something to put our bedside lamps on! Assembled one Saturday and one on Sunday (with help from Robyn). Washing line went in easy cos the ground was sodden. Hoping it doesn't fall over when we put washing on it. Afternoon we went to the library and pet shop. Nathan looked in a few shops for the new Top Gear magazine (the one with the cards) but it's not out yet. He's also addicted to TG on iplayer and Dave. Sunday we got up late. Bad night for sleep (went to bed late, couldn't sleep + cats + heating coming on). Managed to get to the aquarium shop. Getting Nathan to do homework is hard. Talked to mum and dad on Skype. |
| Sunday, January 31st, 2010 |
| 10:16 pm |
Long Weekend
Had Friday off to go to the schools INSET day. Discussed the new curriculum. Lucy Birchwood was also there which was useful as we're both on the Curriculum committee. Looks like we'll be changing to Skillz over Knowledge sooner rather than later. What doofus based the current National Curriculum on Knowledge in the first place??? Bought Pychonauts for a £1 on steam. Bargain. It's great too (for its age). Saturday was usual library and pet shop. Kitty litter weighed a ton. Sunday went to the aquarium shop. Angela drooled at the pipe fish. After that, booked a weekend in London for Robyn's birthday. Going to see Oliver which she loves. While we were in the library yesterday she saw a flyer for a local production. We were cool on it. :) Tomorrow I should start on a new project at work. Looks like I'll be looking after a revision control system on one of the trainer systems. |
| Friday, January 8th, 2010 |
| 9:21 pm |
More snow
Yesterday the site was officially closed. Today it was open. Strange given that the pavements were still rock solidly iced up. But I walked in anyway and fell over once. The roads are looking better apart from the road outside our house. To drive or not to drive? The weather forecast is not good for early next week either. |
| Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 |
| 12:09 pm |
No work today
School was cancelled. But I went into work as I had no word otherwise. Incredibly most of the team made it in. And then an hour in some manager came over and said we were advised to go home. Tales of the night before were grim. Des had a particularly bad one. It took him two hours to almost reach home on his motorbike which he then had to abandon and walk the rest of the way. Simon gave up after 20 minutes, turned round and re-parked his car and walked. Angela's just reading me a story about people stuck in 10 mile traffic jams on the A3M which is why I couldn't get to Tescos last night. And that the snow is expected to last a couple of weeks! |
| Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 |
| 11:36 pm |
Snow and car mayhem
Eep. There was an accident on Eastern Road (one of the two routes off Portsea Island) at 15.50 and it didn't clear for an hour. Add snow. Result: car chaos. Took an age to get from works car park to the end of the road. Usual route home backed up to hell. Took the just unblocked road. Motorway looked like it was very slow moving too so I took to the back roads which were slow but OK. And then I went back out (shopping) at about 19.30 thinking it would have cleared. Wrong. If anything it was worse; the snow was settling and the cars crawling. Tescos was unreachable. So I went to Sainsburys by a roundabout route (about the same distance but much lighter traffic). They were shutting the shop early at 20.30 so I just scraped through. And then back by the same route I came back from work. As I was going over the railway bridge, I wondered if it wasn't a bit steep. On the other side of the hill, among the line of slow moving cars there was a car diagonally across the lane with it's back wheels spinning. After driving back from Cleethorpes a few times in heavy snow, I have no fear of it; its fun slip sliding round corners and accelerating away. Coming to a halt and missing things are a bit more interesting! I'm definitely walking to work tomorrow. |
| Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 |
| 6:29 pm |
Hello, my name is Chris and I play UT3
Yikes. Steam stats say I've spent 24.5 hours in the past 2 weeks playing UT3. And 327.6 hours overall. That's almost 2 weeks solid. Can't stop yet; still some achievements to get. :) |
| Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 |
| 4:59 pm |
Angela's haul
Yesterday we walked to the bank but it was closed. Then we went to the fish shop and I bought Angela two seahorses as an xmas present. I'd already bought her s few books (Pratchett, latest Wheel of Time one), a box of chocolates and the Ministry of Sound Electronic 80s box set. Today it was back to the bank and then on to Krazy Kaves so the kids could burn off some of that roast turkey energy. I've gone back to playing UT3 again after a few weeks of Torchlight. The break seems to have done me good. My rocket aim has improved and I had too much fun running over people in the viper today. |
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