We suggest you....... use this.
Link courtesy of Jon Barker - unfortunately w/o a permanent on-line presence.
Monday, 13 February 2006
Odd, yet good too.
It was a curious weekend.
Good - nope, great - time on Sunday at the Dan and Nikita's baptism.
But.
But I think I was struggling with the Lurgy that's been around.
Saturday I was tired, really ratty, fuzzy headed and indecisive. We wanted to book a holiday break away, but I just seemed to be struggling all the time. Hard not to get cross with Chris when it felt like she was interrupting me all the time, yet actually I was not being clear and decisive about speaking and so it wouldn't have been obvious to her (being interrupted is close to the height of rudeness to me). I ended up just frittering the day away, browsing the net, looking at the amp for clues as to how to fix it and back again. Didn't really do ANYTHING.
Sunday woke up tired and achey and very thick headed, only really surfacing around lunchtime after driving to London and back. Playing for the meeting in the afternoon, I just sweated like it was 30'C, rather than 3' outside. Managed to string a few words awkwardly together at the appropriate times, but still felt slightly out of myself.
When we got back after the meeting it was hard to stay awake - the eyes just kept drooping, legs ached and mind went blank again. Things rallied a bit when we got to Dan's parents place, and Dan's dad was kind enough to keep a decent conversation going with me.
Slept like a log last night. Feel OK today, although waking was hard again - maybe it was just a weekend lurgy, and I'll be OK now. Off to Germany later (back tomorrow night) so I'd better be alright.
Good - nope, great - time on Sunday at the Dan and Nikita's baptism.
But.
But I think I was struggling with the Lurgy that's been around.
Saturday I was tired, really ratty, fuzzy headed and indecisive. We wanted to book a holiday break away, but I just seemed to be struggling all the time. Hard not to get cross with Chris when it felt like she was interrupting me all the time, yet actually I was not being clear and decisive about speaking and so it wouldn't have been obvious to her (being interrupted is close to the height of rudeness to me). I ended up just frittering the day away, browsing the net, looking at the amp for clues as to how to fix it and back again. Didn't really do ANYTHING.
Sunday woke up tired and achey and very thick headed, only really surfacing around lunchtime after driving to London and back. Playing for the meeting in the afternoon, I just sweated like it was 30'C, rather than 3' outside. Managed to string a few words awkwardly together at the appropriate times, but still felt slightly out of myself.
When we got back after the meeting it was hard to stay awake - the eyes just kept drooping, legs ached and mind went blank again. Things rallied a bit when we got to Dan's parents place, and Dan's dad was kind enough to keep a decent conversation going with me.
Slept like a log last night. Feel OK today, although waking was hard again - maybe it was just a weekend lurgy, and I'll be OK now. Off to Germany later (back tomorrow night) so I'd better be alright.
Sunday, 12 February 2006
Saturday, 11 February 2006
Great post on healing
From Sue over on the Country Life Blog. Sometimes you ask and ask, wondering why people don't get healed. Then BAM, it happens. If it was the same lurgy most of the country seems to have had then it should have lasted a week. Even the most resilient people I know have been laid low by it - poor Lisa (Mynheer - work colleague) is still really ropey.
And talking of Lisa, please pray for her and her father. He seems to have developed a medical issue while in India, and can't stand.
Thanks
And talking of Lisa, please pray for her and her father. He seems to have developed a medical issue while in India, and can't stand.
Thanks
Friday, 10 February 2006
Just been looking at the weather
Since we're thinking of a little winter sun, it seemed like a good idea to check on how warm or cold various places were right now.
According to the BBC weather site Heraklion (the capital of Crete) is going to hit -6'C overnight on Wednesday.
Mediteranean?
Not in February it isn't.
According to the BBC weather site Heraklion (the capital of Crete) is going to hit -6'C overnight on Wednesday.
Mediteranean?
Not in February it isn't.
Mr. Angry
The valentines day For My Girlfriend (FMG) anti-speeding campaign is underway.
It's about as subtle as a brick between the eyes, and similarly brutal.
I told Chris about it, hoping to warn her before she saw or read about it, and it just produced tears.
It's callous, stupid and will only cause suffering to those who've lost loved ones in accidents. I cannot believe for one minute it will change the attitude of those it's supposed to reach toward speeding - if anything it's likely to encourage it more from defiance. And Ruth - if you're reading this, then you can quote me on that.
Not happy.
It's about as subtle as a brick between the eyes, and similarly brutal.
I told Chris about it, hoping to warn her before she saw or read about it, and it just produced tears.
It's callous, stupid and will only cause suffering to those who've lost loved ones in accidents. I cannot believe for one minute it will change the attitude of those it's supposed to reach toward speeding - if anything it's likely to encourage it more from defiance. And Ruth - if you're reading this, then you can quote me on that.
Not happy.
Why is it?
That I can have a bunch of interesting thoughts when I'm busy somewhere, yet faced with this screen, my mind goes blank right now?
Guess the good thing is that I'm not being driven ATM, although it makes for a quiet blog.
Trivial things then:
We looked at a Godin stove on Saturday to replace the one that I inherited from my parents. 'Won' it on ebay. Looked really nice, the image suggested it was of a similar size to the item it's to replace. It's an absolute monster! If anyone wants a mixed fuel stove to heat a large room at a great price then contact me. Now we've got to find something else, probably in the 'much wenlock' size.
Discovered I have 7 days more A/L that thought due to an administrative hiccup (last year was a complete blur, time-off wise). We will therefore be trying for a little 'winter sun' shortly, mostly for Chris's benefit. Trying to find something that's not exorbitant or in a resort with 'clubbin action' but would be warm enough to laze on a beach. Egypt appealed a little until we thought about present tensions. Ditto Tunisia. Eilat looks nice, but is expensive. Probably try for the Canary islands or similar, although Crete is actually quite nice, weather wise (warmer than Damascus) and Cyprus is interesting but a little spendy.
Need to book a trip to see some distant friends soon too. Now we can have a holiday before the summer, it makes a 1 week planned trip to see them much more reasonable. This was a source of tension, as I wanted to go, but not pay for internal flights for a second week to more exciting lanscapes. Chris wanted a holiday for a second week somewhere with exciting terrain, and wasn't keen just to go for 1 week with no opportunity to rest. Ben wants to come to see new places and because it's free. Oh, and to meet people in meatspace he's only MSN'ed. That appears to be resolved now, and we'll try to find flights as soon as possible.
I've just finished wiring up my new amp 'Double Trouble'. Judging from the amount of hum it generates (more than a tramp on a hot day) and the fact that's it's already given me one electric shock there's a fair chance it'll live up to it's name. Based on the classic 18 watt marshall design, it has 2 channels with different voicings and a bunch of other interesting features. Ugly brute, isn't it. Still needs knobs and a lot of tweaking:
That's enough trivia to type up now.
Hopefully see everyone at Dan and Kita's baptism - Sunday 12th, 2pm at the Kings Centre, Osney Meade, Oxford.
Guess the good thing is that I'm not being driven ATM, although it makes for a quiet blog.
Trivial things then:
We looked at a Godin stove on Saturday to replace the one that I inherited from my parents. 'Won' it on ebay. Looked really nice, the image suggested it was of a similar size to the item it's to replace. It's an absolute monster! If anyone wants a mixed fuel stove to heat a large room at a great price then contact me. Now we've got to find something else, probably in the 'much wenlock' size.
Discovered I have 7 days more A/L that thought due to an administrative hiccup (last year was a complete blur, time-off wise). We will therefore be trying for a little 'winter sun' shortly, mostly for Chris's benefit. Trying to find something that's not exorbitant or in a resort with 'clubbin action' but would be warm enough to laze on a beach. Egypt appealed a little until we thought about present tensions. Ditto Tunisia. Eilat looks nice, but is expensive. Probably try for the Canary islands or similar, although Crete is actually quite nice, weather wise (warmer than Damascus) and Cyprus is interesting but a little spendy.
Need to book a trip to see some distant friends soon too. Now we can have a holiday before the summer, it makes a 1 week planned trip to see them much more reasonable. This was a source of tension, as I wanted to go, but not pay for internal flights for a second week to more exciting lanscapes. Chris wanted a holiday for a second week somewhere with exciting terrain, and wasn't keen just to go for 1 week with no opportunity to rest. Ben wants to come to see new places and because it's free. Oh, and to meet people in meatspace he's only MSN'ed. That appears to be resolved now, and we'll try to find flights as soon as possible.
I've just finished wiring up my new amp 'Double Trouble'. Judging from the amount of hum it generates (more than a tramp on a hot day) and the fact that's it's already given me one electric shock there's a fair chance it'll live up to it's name. Based on the classic 18 watt marshall design, it has 2 channels with different voicings and a bunch of other interesting features. Ugly brute, isn't it. Still needs knobs and a lot of tweaking:
That's enough trivia to type up now.
Hopefully see everyone at Dan and Kita's baptism - Sunday 12th, 2pm at the Kings Centre, Osney Meade, Oxford.
Wednesday, 8 February 2006
Phew!
Bushed now.
Just got back from circuit training. My ears are freezing and burning at the same time, from the night air. The temperature seems to have really dropped while we were in the hall, and even though it's only a few hundred yards to our house, my ears and bare legs got chilled.
What my body wants is to just flop.
What my head wants is to get on and finish my latest amp build.
I should really be preparing for tomorrow night when we see Liv, Dan and Kita.
Maybe I'll do a little of each.
Just got back from circuit training. My ears are freezing and burning at the same time, from the night air. The temperature seems to have really dropped while we were in the hall, and even though it's only a few hundred yards to our house, my ears and bare legs got chilled.
What my body wants is to just flop.
What my head wants is to get on and finish my latest amp build.
I should really be preparing for tomorrow night when we see Liv, Dan and Kita.
Maybe I'll do a little of each.
Monday, 6 February 2006
Would you believe
how much dust csan be stored in a small PC base unit?
I've just done memory upgrades on the corporate and Mair's PCs, and the room absolutely
disappeared in a cloud of dust. Richard's PC is really REALLY slow, but he's used to that, and won't really mind.
I've just done memory upgrades on the corporate and Mair's PCs, and the room absolutely
disappeared in a cloud of dust. Richard's PC is really REALLY slow, but he's used to that, and won't really mind.
The Times impressed me this morning.
They ran the Victory of Scotland over France in the rugby as front page news, and relegated the Islamic extremists to a less prominent place.
Sunday, 5 February 2006
BTW thankyou
To Tracy and Peter or Helen and Phil.
Or all 4 even.
For the flowers and cards left for Chris, that we found last night.
Thank you all.
Or all 4 even.
For the flowers and cards left for Chris, that we found last night.
Thank you all.
Our favourite restaurant
Might well have been the Dashwood Arms.
I first ate there when the company entertained a visitor from the US, and it seemed so good, it was worth a second shot. Well for me the food WAS great. Unfortunately Chris appears to be a little more delicate, with some nasty tummy pains this morning: all sorted now.
This isn't unusual - in fact nearly every time we have a really nice meal out there are some repurcussions for her afterward - so it doesn't really reflect on the restaurant. Looks like we'll have to stick with Pizza hut.
I first ate there when the company entertained a visitor from the US, and it seemed so good, it was worth a second shot. Well for me the food WAS great. Unfortunately Chris appears to be a little more delicate, with some nasty tummy pains this morning: all sorted now.
This isn't unusual - in fact nearly every time we have a really nice meal out there are some repurcussions for her afterward - so it doesn't really reflect on the restaurant. Looks like we'll have to stick with Pizza hut.
Saturday, 4 February 2006
Everything is rather llooonnnnggggg right now.
After that discussion with Matt I ended up buying one of these.
Now I personally don't like widescreen format per se, and really hate those tellys where a 'standard' width picture is smeared across a 9:6 screen. However this is OK running at 1440:900, although you do sometimes get large gaps on the right. And it does work better with DVDs, which was a key reasons for the purchase as the previous monitor would literally only use half of the screen for most films.
It also means one of the cats won't have a warm spot to sit on
Might start stacking the DVDs and CDs behind it instead, thereby making the desk tidier.
It'll also be handy for when I want to work on procedures for work and worship song lists for church. This way I can have word and excel documents open comfortably side by side for cross referencing etc. Think I might suggest one of these for my work desk next
Now I personally don't like widescreen format per se, and really hate those tellys where a 'standard' width picture is smeared across a 9:6 screen. However this is OK running at 1440:900, although you do sometimes get large gaps on the right. And it does work better with DVDs, which was a key reasons for the purchase as the previous monitor would literally only use half of the screen for most films.
It also means one of the cats won't have a warm spot to sit on
Might start stacking the DVDs and CDs behind it instead, thereby making the desk tidier.
It'll also be handy for when I want to work on procedures for work and worship song lists for church. This way I can have word and excel documents open comfortably side by side for cross referencing etc. Think I might suggest one of these for my work desk next
Thursday, 2 February 2006
I thank God that I live
in a country where for most people real poverty is a cultural memory and not a daily experience. Today I've been reminded of what it's like to have grown up in a culture of poorness.
What do you do when you've broken most of a set of plates? Throw them out? The tins you used to store coffee and tea have worn so much that the aluminium shows through: do you keep them? You are able to afford new gadgets for the kitchen, but what about the old ones....? How about clothes that you've not worn for 20 years, but are still 'OK'?
I'm really grateful to be able to throw away the things that are used up, worn out and cracked. I hope Ben (and his wife, whoever she is) will be grateful that we could when it's their turn to help one of us move.
I have a lot to be grateful for.
What do you do when you've broken most of a set of plates? Throw them out? The tins you used to store coffee and tea have worn so much that the aluminium shows through: do you keep them? You are able to afford new gadgets for the kitchen, but what about the old ones....? How about clothes that you've not worn for 20 years, but are still 'OK'?
I'm really grateful to be able to throw away the things that are used up, worn out and cracked. I hope Ben (and his wife, whoever she is) will be grateful that we could when it's their turn to help one of us move.
I have a lot to be grateful for.
Wednesday, 1 February 2006
She's in.
Thankyou everyone that prayed for us today - that was one of the smoothest moves I've seen. There is still a huge amount of unpacking to do, but the flat is already tolerable. I just have to connect the cooker and cut down (again) a bit of worktop.
Tuesday, 31 January 2006
Almost ready to go.
Chris's mum's packed, the kitchen is ready to receive the new cooker and fridge/freezer and thanks to Adrienne, the flat is newly painted.
Thanks for your prayers, everyone.
Thanks for your prayers, everyone.
Monday, 30 January 2006
Parenting is curious
Especially when you find yourself caring, and loving, other people.
As a teen I couldn't imagine why parents would get fussed about you. "It's my life, my body, and if it goes wrong (push me too hard and I'll make sure it does!) I'll carry the consequences."
Now I can't stop caring about people, not that I want to, of course. I read a book quite some time back by Charles Simpson called 'The Challenge To Care'. He mentioned how there were so many managers, supervisors, leaders etc, but few fathers.
Well, I'm a father.
I'm unlikely to head up a church community, my gifting isn't significant enough to make me essential to a leadership team and I upset enough people through bad administration and eclectic sense of humour to keep it that way.
I can care for people.
As a teen I couldn't imagine why parents would get fussed about you. "It's my life, my body, and if it goes wrong (push me too hard and I'll make sure it does!) I'll carry the consequences."
Now I can't stop caring about people, not that I want to, of course. I read a book quite some time back by Charles Simpson called 'The Challenge To Care'. He mentioned how there were so many managers, supervisors, leaders etc, but few fathers.
Well, I'm a father.
I'm unlikely to head up a church community, my gifting isn't significant enough to make me essential to a leadership team and I upset enough people through bad administration and eclectic sense of humour to keep it that way.
I can care for people.
Four things - tagged by Randall
Four places I have lived
Vienna, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Somerton.
Four places I have been on vacation
St. Anton, Biarritz, Thessalonica, Windermere.
Four jobs I’ve had in my life
Audio-visual/lab technician, factory worker, photographer, scientist.
Four movies I can watch over and over
Blazing saddles, Mars attacks, 2001 a space odyssey, Flash Gordon.
Four TV shows I love to watch
None.
Four websites I visit daily
CMR, Harmony Central, Randallfriesen.com, smiliekita.blogspot.com.
Four of my favorite foods
A large seared and bleeding steak, Chicken shashlik, Stollen, Sherry trifle.
Four places I would rather be right now
I'm happy at home, but: Vienna, St. Anton, Stoupa, Randall's place.
Vienna, South Norwood, Thornton Heath, Somerton.
Four places I have been on vacation
St. Anton, Biarritz, Thessalonica, Windermere.
Four jobs I’ve had in my life
Audio-visual/lab technician, factory worker, photographer, scientist.
Four movies I can watch over and over
Blazing saddles, Mars attacks, 2001 a space odyssey, Flash Gordon.
Four TV shows I love to watch
None.
Four websites I visit daily
CMR, Harmony Central, Randallfriesen.com, smiliekita.blogspot.com.
Four of my favorite foods
A large seared and bleeding steak, Chicken shashlik, Stollen, Sherry trifle.
Four places I would rather be right now
I'm happy at home, but: Vienna, St. Anton, Stoupa, Randall's place.
Saturday, 28 January 2006
Friday, 27 January 2006
I have just been described...
by my managing director as being still 'Ertl intacta'.
This laptop remains unravished by bug-ridden, high-overhead corporate software. Not for much longer, I suspect. But then this laptop is due for retirement soon anyway, and hopefully I'll get something with the muscle to cope with the corporate load.
This laptop remains unravished by bug-ridden, high-overhead corporate software. Not for much longer, I suspect. But then this laptop is due for retirement soon anyway, and hopefully I'll get something with the muscle to cope with the corporate load.
Random web picks
A record company realises that litigation does not help artists.
Cingular is trying to patent emoticons. :-p
Not so many Brits believe in evolution after all.
Finally - if you get asked to help your boss get ready for their presentation you'd better watch out!
Cingular is trying to patent emoticons. :-p
Not so many Brits believe in evolution after all.
Finally - if you get asked to help your boss get ready for their presentation you'd better watch out!
Thursday, 26 January 2006
Had enough of this blog?
Well NUKE IT then!
Or drown out the wretched thing.
This one seemed especially appropriate for a dear friend of mine.
And finally, for a lovely lass who occasionally would like to un-say things after they've got her into trouble.
Or drown out the wretched thing.
This one seemed especially appropriate for a dear friend of mine.
And finally, for a lovely lass who occasionally would like to un-say things after they've got her into trouble.
When we looked out it was like Narnia
Well, that's not STRICTLY true, but it was snowing, and the world did look cold and bleak.
This morning is the inquest into Sarah's death. We'll be in Oxford for the morning, then probably Banbury this afternoon for Ben's check-up after the heart thing and Chris to have some checks. Not sure what I'll do - there's enough round the house to fix.
For those who've been praying - thanks. If you particularly want to pray for Dan, that would be great.
This morning is the inquest into Sarah's death. We'll be in Oxford for the morning, then probably Banbury this afternoon for Ben's check-up after the heart thing and Chris to have some checks. Not sure what I'll do - there's enough round the house to fix.
For those who've been praying - thanks. If you particularly want to pray for Dan, that would be great.
Wednesday, 25 January 2006
Barking!
The Christian Union at Birmingham university has had it's bank account frozen and is likely to be re-recognised by the student's union guild there.
The reason?
They refer to 'men and women' in their statements, thereby excluding trans-gendered and cross dressing persons and exclude those of other faiths from voting. It was in today's 'Times'.
'Mazin'.
The reason?
They refer to 'men and women' in their statements, thereby excluding trans-gendered and cross dressing persons and exclude those of other faiths from voting. It was in today's 'Times'.
'Mazin'.
Just heard in the office
A certain person just said "the happy feeling is rubbing the thighs".
To remain nameless (unless I'm bribed appropriately).
To remain nameless (unless I'm bribed appropriately).
Loads of thoughts to blog last night
But like mist, they've all evaporated this morning.
Actually it's been bloomin' cold the last couple of mornings. Not 'dry-cold' but sharp and frosty none the less.
Glad the rayburn is running now.
Actually it's been bloomin' cold the last couple of mornings. Not 'dry-cold' but sharp and frosty none the less.
Glad the rayburn is running now.
Tuesday, 24 January 2006
Monday, 23 January 2006
Back online again.
Our net connection at home is down, and has been since Saturday. If you've been trying to get hold of us, then sorry we couldn't get back to you.
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