I took the chance to model our team shirt for the golf trip next week:
Ian R. Stewart Family Blog
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Second Saturday posting
Kelly's been on Skype since my earlier blog this morning. She's had to stay in on Saturday night as her pal is ill - disaster!
I took the chance to model our team shirt for the golf trip next week:
I took the chance to model our team shirt for the golf trip next week:
Here we go again
The snow came back with a vengeance yesterday. It looked like a major blizzard was upon us - and it hadn't been forecast. So what happened in Aberdeen city? - yes - panic and gridlock. It seems everyone decides that they have to head off home early in case they get snowed in at work. Two hours later, the snow had gone and the roads were black again. I left the office at 4pm and sailed home easily - no traffic, no snow.
So, it was a really busy day for me yesterday - lots of meetings and things to finish off and instructions to give for next week - but I think I got through it all ok. I got sympathetic comfort food when I got home - liver and bacon - beautiful!
Saturday morning, nothing to do, nowhere special to go, yet still I awake at 6am - I wish I could lie in longer. Downstairs to breakfast - hardly any milk - can't have my cereal. Guess I'll have to dress and trudge off to the garage for some milk - bah.
Kelly must think the mail system in Oz is pigeon post - I got my birthday card from her this week!:
What does it say inside? - life's too short to act normal! What's the message here then, Kelly?
So, Jo's deserting me again today. She's off to Aberdeen wedding dress viewing with Carole. Oh well, I guess I'll have to vegetate again in front of all the TV sport. I could do some packing as well, I suppose - don't think I'm going to need my golf clubs tomorrow - still snow lying on the course.
Have a good weekend y'all.
So, it was a really busy day for me yesterday - lots of meetings and things to finish off and instructions to give for next week - but I think I got through it all ok. I got sympathetic comfort food when I got home - liver and bacon - beautiful!
Saturday morning, nothing to do, nowhere special to go, yet still I awake at 6am - I wish I could lie in longer. Downstairs to breakfast - hardly any milk - can't have my cereal. Guess I'll have to dress and trudge off to the garage for some milk - bah.
Kelly must think the mail system in Oz is pigeon post - I got my birthday card from her this week!:
So, Jo's deserting me again today. She's off to Aberdeen wedding dress viewing with Carole. Oh well, I guess I'll have to vegetate again in front of all the TV sport. I could do some packing as well, I suppose - don't think I'm going to need my golf clubs tomorrow - still snow lying on the course.
Have a good weekend y'all.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Anybody out there?
Not much activity on blogspot recently. Is everyone OK?
Busy day at work yesterday but managed a quick trip to the gym at lunchtime, after being given the go-ahead from the physio on Monday evening. I must say that my knee seems to be much improved - the ice packs, ultrasound and ibuprofen definitely seem to have helped - or is it just sod's law that as soon as you get an appointment, it starts to get better?
Watched the Man U match last night - although it was the poorest reception we've ever had on Sky. I couldn't get an HD picture at all and had to revert to channel 402 - and even that was breaking up all the time. It must have been all the snow in the area. I was also monitoring the score from Pittodrie - Aberdeen yet again lost to a lower league club in the cup - could be another manager with his marching orders shortly.
Ross at last got some more work last night - down at Kincar - but he said the roads were pretty bad when he came home. This morning they were very poor as well - at least until I got a bit nearer Aberdeen. Still, it's only February, and this tends to be the worst month of the year. The days are getting noticeably longer however.
What's happening with Jo? Well, as she's not blogging, I thought I'd bring you all up to date. What does she do with her time? Good question. She missed her planned swimming on both Friday and Monday - unreliable friends it seems - so she felt she had to walk to the supermarket and then clear the back garden. Good timing - she managed this just before the snow returned, although she's now complained of an aching back after spending a few hours pushing brooms (sounds a bit Roger Miller-ish - remember King of the Road? No? Too young? Oh well).
Today she's travelling over to Oldmeldrum to have lunch with Carole and Liz at Meldrum House - very nice.
Must go now - got a lot to do before the week's out and I can get away with a clear conscience next week.
Busy day at work yesterday but managed a quick trip to the gym at lunchtime, after being given the go-ahead from the physio on Monday evening. I must say that my knee seems to be much improved - the ice packs, ultrasound and ibuprofen definitely seem to have helped - or is it just sod's law that as soon as you get an appointment, it starts to get better?
Watched the Man U match last night - although it was the poorest reception we've ever had on Sky. I couldn't get an HD picture at all and had to revert to channel 402 - and even that was breaking up all the time. It must have been all the snow in the area. I was also monitoring the score from Pittodrie - Aberdeen yet again lost to a lower league club in the cup - could be another manager with his marching orders shortly.
Ross at last got some more work last night - down at Kincar - but he said the roads were pretty bad when he came home. This morning they were very poor as well - at least until I got a bit nearer Aberdeen. Still, it's only February, and this tends to be the worst month of the year. The days are getting noticeably longer however.
What's happening with Jo? Well, as she's not blogging, I thought I'd bring you all up to date. What does she do with her time? Good question. She missed her planned swimming on both Friday and Monday - unreliable friends it seems - so she felt she had to walk to the supermarket and then clear the back garden. Good timing - she managed this just before the snow returned, although she's now complained of an aching back after spending a few hours pushing brooms (sounds a bit Roger Miller-ish - remember King of the Road? No? Too young? Oh well).
Today she's travelling over to Oldmeldrum to have lunch with Carole and Liz at Meldrum House - very nice.
Must go now - got a lot to do before the week's out and I can get away with a clear conscience next week.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Monday travels
Been to Edinburgh today - one meeting - an hour and a half - then home again. I was back in the house by 3 pm. OK, I still had some work to do, but it was easy enough from home and saved me driving up to Bridge of Don and then facing the journey home with all the commuters.
I travelled with Michael - he just got back yesterday after a couple of weeks' golfing holiday in Mexico and California. His body clock hasn't recovered yet - I met him at Ye May Gang Faur and Fare Waur and he was having a little snack there. Then we stopped at the Horn and he had another breakfast there! The downside was that, after our meeting, when I was ready for some lunch, his appetite had gone, so I ended up just grabbing a roll and some crisps at a service station - no wonder I had indigestion later.
I did get a nice cup of tea and a pancake when I got home - Jo has taken to making something that smells attractive at lunchtime to make sure Ross gets up at a semi respectable hour. Yesterday it was toasted cheese and today pancakes - and I was the unwitting beneficiary of the leftovers. Tea was lovely too - home made steak pie. Oh - and yesterday, my personal Valentine treat was that Jo made dumplings with our stew - super - haven't had them for ages.
Anyway, business is very slow for Ross - we've advertised in the Piper again this week and hope that gets some action. He's getting a little down about it, but it's still very early days and he just needs to stick at it and try to build up a good reputation for reliable service and let word of mouth help from there.
Tonight I was at the physio with my knee. He had a good prod around and stress tested it and his conclusion was that it was nothing too severe and, with a bit of stretching exercises, ice packs, ibuprofen and ultrasound it should be fine. I'm going back again on Wednesday and then I'll see how it is after next week. I'm missing my squash, but I've got to stay clear this week at least.
That's all for now - best take the bag of peas off my knee before it freezes completely - my knee that is.
I travelled with Michael - he just got back yesterday after a couple of weeks' golfing holiday in Mexico and California. His body clock hasn't recovered yet - I met him at Ye May Gang Faur and Fare Waur and he was having a little snack there. Then we stopped at the Horn and he had another breakfast there! The downside was that, after our meeting, when I was ready for some lunch, his appetite had gone, so I ended up just grabbing a roll and some crisps at a service station - no wonder I had indigestion later.
I did get a nice cup of tea and a pancake when I got home - Jo has taken to making something that smells attractive at lunchtime to make sure Ross gets up at a semi respectable hour. Yesterday it was toasted cheese and today pancakes - and I was the unwitting beneficiary of the leftovers. Tea was lovely too - home made steak pie. Oh - and yesterday, my personal Valentine treat was that Jo made dumplings with our stew - super - haven't had them for ages.
Anyway, business is very slow for Ross - we've advertised in the Piper again this week and hope that gets some action. He's getting a little down about it, but it's still very early days and he just needs to stick at it and try to build up a good reputation for reliable service and let word of mouth help from there.
Tonight I was at the physio with my knee. He had a good prod around and stress tested it and his conclusion was that it was nothing too severe and, with a bit of stretching exercises, ice packs, ibuprofen and ultrasound it should be fine. I'm going back again on Wednesday and then I'll see how it is after next week. I'm missing my squash, but I've got to stay clear this week at least.
That's all for now - best take the bag of peas off my knee before it freezes completely - my knee that is.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Birthday request
As it's only 3 weeks to go until my birthday, I thought it was time to drop a heavy hint or two - a book I would like is Composing Himself by Jack Bruce.
Mild weekend
It's been a pretty calm weekend - certainly by recent standards. I was back on the golf course this morning and conditions were delightful. The absence of wind meant the temperature felt fine - even though it's still only a few degrees.
When I got home, I looked out the back and what should I see on the embankment, but 2 little deer:
Jo arrived back from the Milton at the same time as I did and there to greet her on the porch were her Valentine's Day flowers, which she swiftly took upstairs and put n a vase:
That's been our Sunday so far, but yesterday Jo went in to spend the day with her former work colleague Sylvia. They had a nice long lunch at the Mariner - I told Jo I would have found it hard to go back there as it would bring memories of Dave Edwards and the poor condition he finds himself in now.
I just vegetated on a diet of sport - a bit of golf from India in the morning, then the classic Aberdeen - Celtic 4-4 draw (sorry, Gary!), followed by the typically tragic Scottish tale of woe in the rugby at Cardiff. Also had a pint with Colin and watched the second half of the France-Ireland rugby then the Man City-Stoke footy cup tie. Phew - enough sport for one day, I think.
On Saturday night, we watched The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button - it was long and left us both a bit cold. Pity - I thought the idea had some promise, although Brad Pitt as an 80 year old baby was more like a gremlin!
That's it for now. I've looked out some of my stuff for travelling to Marrakech a week tomorrrow, but, before that, it's Edinburgh tomorrow then the physio in the evening. My knee was troubling me again on the golf course this morning - not a good omen for a week of golf - nor, for that matter, the ideal preparation for a year when I'm hoping to be doing some relatively serious hill-walking.
Lastly, just noticed that they've made a film of the book I finished last month - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - it's released March 12th.
When I got home, I looked out the back and what should I see on the embankment, but 2 little deer:
That's been our Sunday so far, but yesterday Jo went in to spend the day with her former work colleague Sylvia. They had a nice long lunch at the Mariner - I told Jo I would have found it hard to go back there as it would bring memories of Dave Edwards and the poor condition he finds himself in now.
I just vegetated on a diet of sport - a bit of golf from India in the morning, then the classic Aberdeen - Celtic 4-4 draw (sorry, Gary!), followed by the typically tragic Scottish tale of woe in the rugby at Cardiff. Also had a pint with Colin and watched the second half of the France-Ireland rugby then the Man City-Stoke footy cup tie. Phew - enough sport for one day, I think.
On Saturday night, we watched The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button - it was long and left us both a bit cold. Pity - I thought the idea had some promise, although Brad Pitt as an 80 year old baby was more like a gremlin!
That's it for now. I've looked out some of my stuff for travelling to Marrakech a week tomorrrow, but, before that, it's Edinburgh tomorrow then the physio in the evening. My knee was troubling me again on the golf course this morning - not a good omen for a week of golf - nor, for that matter, the ideal preparation for a year when I'm hoping to be doing some relatively serious hill-walking.
Lastly, just noticed that they've made a film of the book I finished last month - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - it's released March 12th.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Grr - TGIF
Well, our boiler is sorted now. The gas man was there when I got home, so I got the full story from the horse's mouth, rather than the abridged and censored version I would otherwise have received from Jo and Ross. Last night I watched the recording of the previous night's Match of the Day and Jo went up to her computer and busied herself for a few hours.
When I checked the blogs this morning, I assumed there would be a lengthy confession/explanation of why we had to call the gas man out yesterday - but, no - nothing. I'm left with no alternative therefore but to "out" Jo on this one. The reason our boiler broke down is because she put a plant pot right next to the flue outside, blocking it and thus stopping the boiler from operating! Duh!
Of course, it could just be another of her Machiavellian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellianism) plots - she has long been complaining about dead spots in some of our radiators and with a captive gas man yesterday she was able to explore this further. The result - another bill for £800 + to power flush and magna clean our system!
Do you wonder why I'm a little more than my usual tetchy self this morning? I'm looking forward to a few beers tonight - I'll need them by then! Of course, not being able to do any exercise just now doesn't help my mood - I'm giving my knee every chance to recover before we go to Marrakech. Last night I made an appointment to see the physio - Monday at 7:45 pm.
To lighten the mood a little, I spent some time last night doing some advance preparation for our next headbang (5th March) - I always enjoy watching some snippets of the videos - I don't watch them all - anticipation is part of the pleasure.
Lots of holidays coming up, but there's also a threat that our flights to USA could be affected by the planned ballot of staff in BA re industrial action - it was stopped by the courts when they originally planned this for the Christmas holiday period, but now it's scheduled for March. Fingers crossed.
When I checked the blogs this morning, I assumed there would be a lengthy confession/explanation of why we had to call the gas man out yesterday - but, no - nothing. I'm left with no alternative therefore but to "out" Jo on this one. The reason our boiler broke down is because she put a plant pot right next to the flue outside, blocking it and thus stopping the boiler from operating! Duh!
Of course, it could just be another of her Machiavellian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellianism) plots - she has long been complaining about dead spots in some of our radiators and with a captive gas man yesterday she was able to explore this further. The result - another bill for £800 + to power flush and magna clean our system!
Do you wonder why I'm a little more than my usual tetchy self this morning? I'm looking forward to a few beers tonight - I'll need them by then! Of course, not being able to do any exercise just now doesn't help my mood - I'm giving my knee every chance to recover before we go to Marrakech. Last night I made an appointment to see the physio - Monday at 7:45 pm.
To lighten the mood a little, I spent some time last night doing some advance preparation for our next headbang (5th March) - I always enjoy watching some snippets of the videos - I don't watch them all - anticipation is part of the pleasure.
Lots of holidays coming up, but there's also a threat that our flights to USA could be affected by the planned ballot of staff in BA re industrial action - it was stopped by the courts when they originally planned this for the Christmas holiday period, but now it's scheduled for March. Fingers crossed.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Brrr - it's Thursday
What a great start to the day - woke up, went downstairs, tried to have breakfast - no milk (apart from a little skimmed - yuk!). Thought it felt a bit cold in the house - yes, the central heating hasn't come on. OK - no problem, the boiler just needs re-set again, I thought. I tried everything, but couldn't get it going, so resorted to having a shower downstairs - how unpleasant is that?
I then tried to go online and book an emergency engineer's visit - it was still only 6:40 am remember. No joy - next Wednesday the earliest date available. Eventually phoned them - yes they would come out today - what time would you like? All day or just 12-6 pm? All day, says I - by this time, her majesty has arisen - "not this morning" she cries - "I've got a hairdresser's appointment" - cancel it, says I - this is far more important - cue scowling faced wife. What does she want me to do - take a day off work just so that she can keep her appointment at the Ladies Barber Shop? Bah!
Situation eventually resolved with a (near) smile as I headed off to Fraserburgh again - Jo eventually realised she could still go to her hairdresser's and leave Ross to wait for gas man. It has, however, screwed up our plans to go to see Invictus (http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com/) at the cinema this afternoon.
So, yesterday, I finished my latest audiobook on the way home from Fraserburgh - A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs (http://www.augusten.com/site/a-wolf-at-the-table) - a pretty harrowing and personalised tale from his childhood. The author himself does the reading - and he acts the part out in full. He's tried to make it a bit of a multi-media event as well - the soundtrack has occasional music and other noises added to it for dramatic effect, and, at the end there are a few songs specially written by his favourite singers (including Patti Smith). It's made in 100 little mp3 "chapters" which is quite helpful if you miss a bit and want to go back. A lot of audiobooks come in only 3, 4 or 5 sections and it's pretty awkward to re-wind them.
My home reading has stalled a bit just now - there's a pile of 5 or 6 books lying on the bedside table. I'm reading occasional bits of 2 of them and the others are being saved up for holidays - these include the next 2 instalments in the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson plus Ginger Baker's autobiography (a Christmas present!).
Incidentally, notice the mis-spelling of "Februrary" in the calendar adjacent? Not my fault, guv.
Are we fed up with Word of the Day yet? No voting on this - I'll decide - and yes, I think so, but, just to round things off, what about one last one? - COQUETRY. It's a noun, meaning dalliance, flirtation - and the example given is "'You were probably very bored by it,' he said, catching at once, in mid-air, this ball of coquetry that she had thrown to him". - extract from Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.
I then tried to go online and book an emergency engineer's visit - it was still only 6:40 am remember. No joy - next Wednesday the earliest date available. Eventually phoned them - yes they would come out today - what time would you like? All day or just 12-6 pm? All day, says I - by this time, her majesty has arisen - "not this morning" she cries - "I've got a hairdresser's appointment" - cancel it, says I - this is far more important - cue scowling faced wife. What does she want me to do - take a day off work just so that she can keep her appointment at the Ladies Barber Shop? Bah!
Situation eventually resolved with a (near) smile as I headed off to Fraserburgh again - Jo eventually realised she could still go to her hairdresser's and leave Ross to wait for gas man. It has, however, screwed up our plans to go to see Invictus (http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com/) at the cinema this afternoon.
So, yesterday, I finished my latest audiobook on the way home from Fraserburgh - A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs (http://www.augusten.com/site/a-wolf-at-the-table) - a pretty harrowing and personalised tale from his childhood. The author himself does the reading - and he acts the part out in full. He's tried to make it a bit of a multi-media event as well - the soundtrack has occasional music and other noises added to it for dramatic effect, and, at the end there are a few songs specially written by his favourite singers (including Patti Smith). It's made in 100 little mp3 "chapters" which is quite helpful if you miss a bit and want to go back. A lot of audiobooks come in only 3, 4 or 5 sections and it's pretty awkward to re-wind them.
My home reading has stalled a bit just now - there's a pile of 5 or 6 books lying on the bedside table. I'm reading occasional bits of 2 of them and the others are being saved up for holidays - these include the next 2 instalments in the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson plus Ginger Baker's autobiography (a Christmas present!).
Incidentally, notice the mis-spelling of "Februrary" in the calendar adjacent? Not my fault, guv.
Are we fed up with Word of the Day yet? No voting on this - I'll decide - and yes, I think so, but, just to round things off, what about one last one? - COQUETRY. It's a noun, meaning dalliance, flirtation - and the example given is "'You were probably very bored by it,' he said, catching at once, in mid-air, this ball of coquetry that she had thrown to him". - extract from Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Back again
Been pretty busy - hence no blog since Friday. Not that I did much on Saturday - I vegetated in front of sport on the TV as Jo disappeared to the auction in Montrose. She got back just as I was heading out the door to meet Colin for a beer! We watched a slightly quirky movie on Saturday night, starring Peter O'Toole as a cantankerous old man - Dean somehting or other it was called.
On Sunday, I went to Murrayfield - check football blog for photos and details of travel troubles.
Yesterday was work in Aberdeen and then we watched the final 2 episodes of the first series of The Wire last night.
Got another dusting of snow this morning - it reminded me how much I'm looking forward to golfing in Marrakech - check out where we're staying - http://www.palmeraie-marrakech.com/residence-hotel-marrakech-uk.htm
I'm getting a little concerned about a recent knee problem - my left ("good") knee. It seems to be fine and then, for no reason, I get a really sharp pain in the front of it and can't walk - then it goes away again. Hope this doesn't affect my golf. I was reminded of our family history yesterday when talking to Dawn - she's now got to get her other knee done - and this time it's a full, not just partial, knee replacement - ouch! My father's got a lot to answer for.
That's about it for now - on a day long course at work in Fraserburgh tomorrow - should be a blast (not).
Word of the Day? - VITIATE - a transitive verb - To make faulty or imperfect; to render defective; to impair; as, "exaggeration vitiates a style of writing."
On Sunday, I went to Murrayfield - check football blog for photos and details of travel troubles.
Yesterday was work in Aberdeen and then we watched the final 2 episodes of the first series of The Wire last night.
Got another dusting of snow this morning - it reminded me how much I'm looking forward to golfing in Marrakech - check out where we're staying - http://www.palmeraie-marrakech.com/residence-hotel-marrakech-uk.htm
I'm getting a little concerned about a recent knee problem - my left ("good") knee. It seems to be fine and then, for no reason, I get a really sharp pain in the front of it and can't walk - then it goes away again. Hope this doesn't affect my golf. I was reminded of our family history yesterday when talking to Dawn - she's now got to get her other knee done - and this time it's a full, not just partial, knee replacement - ouch! My father's got a lot to answer for.
That's about it for now - on a day long course at work in Fraserburgh tomorrow - should be a blast (not).
Word of the Day? - VITIATE - a transitive verb - To make faulty or imperfect; to render defective; to impair; as, "exaggeration vitiates a style of writing."
Friday, 5 February 2010
Friday frets
You would think people would be happy when you get to the end of the week - not so in here - this morning's meetings have been very fractious with some in-fighting and bitching going on. There's only one female present so that can't be the reason (joke!) - maybe it's biorhythms or the time of the year or the weather - who knows?
On to happier tmes - yesterday we received the following postcard - from the Utah Valley Tourist Board - we must have left our details at one of their visitor centres:
Doesn't this just look like Jo and I out on one of our walks last year? Obviously, the couple in the postcard aren't as fit, strong, or as well-prepared as we were, but otherwise it could be us. Oh happy times.
I had a busy afternoon yesterday - got my watch fixed (the back came off again), had a haircut, got my car washed and also managed a quick trip in to Meldrum House Hotel to have a look at potential accommodation for the wedding in October. All the rooms were occupied so I couldn't see inside any of them, but I got a nice feel for the place - it's lovely. They're currently doing up the rooms in the main hotel building so I was advised to come back in March to look at them - and also the separate stable block opposite. I saw round the function room, but the marquee won't go up until March so I'll see that then as well. My main reason for visiting was to see where the lodge house is - it's a 5 bedroom place, with separate lock-offs and a central living room and kitchen area, so it's good for a large family to stay in. It is, however, right at the entrance to the grounds and must be 500 yards or so from the other hotel buildings - it would be a long walk back and forwards. I've played the golf course there a couple of times - but not for a few years. That would definitely be weather dependent, however.
Just had a text from Kelly - she's arrived in Melbourne and says it is "freezing" - yeah, right! That said, it's a lot warmer here today - which means we have positive degrees C for a change!
Jo and Ross are heading off to see Avatar 3D this afternoon and I'm hoping to get a game of squash later on - if I can get out of this particular hell-hole in time.
All that's left is Word of the Day - DISTRAIT (dis-tray) - adjective - Divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety. Quote:
• Yet when she stopped for a cup of coffee, finding herself too distrait to begin work, the picture was in the course of being removed from the window.
On to happier tmes - yesterday we received the following postcard - from the Utah Valley Tourist Board - we must have left our details at one of their visitor centres:
Doesn't this just look like Jo and I out on one of our walks last year? Obviously, the couple in the postcard aren't as fit, strong, or as well-prepared as we were, but otherwise it could be us. Oh happy times.
I had a busy afternoon yesterday - got my watch fixed (the back came off again), had a haircut, got my car washed and also managed a quick trip in to Meldrum House Hotel to have a look at potential accommodation for the wedding in October. All the rooms were occupied so I couldn't see inside any of them, but I got a nice feel for the place - it's lovely. They're currently doing up the rooms in the main hotel building so I was advised to come back in March to look at them - and also the separate stable block opposite. I saw round the function room, but the marquee won't go up until March so I'll see that then as well. My main reason for visiting was to see where the lodge house is - it's a 5 bedroom place, with separate lock-offs and a central living room and kitchen area, so it's good for a large family to stay in. It is, however, right at the entrance to the grounds and must be 500 yards or so from the other hotel buildings - it would be a long walk back and forwards. I've played the golf course there a couple of times - but not for a few years. That would definitely be weather dependent, however.
Just had a text from Kelly - she's arrived in Melbourne and says it is "freezing" - yeah, right! That said, it's a lot warmer here today - which means we have positive degrees C for a change!
Jo and Ross are heading off to see Avatar 3D this afternoon and I'm hoping to get a game of squash later on - if I can get out of this particular hell-hole in time.
All that's left is Word of the Day - DISTRAIT (dis-tray) - adjective - Divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety. Quote:
• Yet when she stopped for a cup of coffee, finding herself too distrait to begin work, the picture was in the course of being removed from the window.
— Falling Slowly, Anita Brookner
Thursday, 4 February 2010
The groundhog was right!
We missed Groundhog Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog) on Tuesday, but I understand the groundhog saw its shadow so winter is apparently going to continue for another 6 weeks - we should be so lucky! At this rate, it'll be another 6 months before the grass is visible again! It's a bit milder today but it's going to take several days of this - plus some rain - before the snow is all gone again. I travelled cross country to Fraserburgh this morning and the inland roads are still snow and ice affected - "passable with care" I believe is the official phrase. No snow at all at the Broch itself of course - it's surrounded by sea.
Another 2 episodes of The Wire last night - that's us on to number 10 next, I think. We're enjoying it and we'll certainly see the first series through, although the jury is out as to whether we'll be as devoted viewers as Colin and Johanne and watch every series - I guess much may depend on whether each series is discrete and has a logical end or not.
I re-booked train tickets to Edinburgh for Colin and I for Sunday's Scotland - France rugby match last night. When I originally booked the tickets back in November, the best price I could get was £33.50 return, but, since then, they've opened up the 55 + Club again and we can get tickets at just £15 return. Even with a cancellation fee of £10 for the original booking, that's still a saving of £8.50! We might even use our bus passes and get a free ride in to Aberdeen as well - that's the good bit about getting old - but there's not much else good about it.
Today's Word of the Day is PECUNIARY - relating to money, monetary. The example given was:
Another 2 episodes of The Wire last night - that's us on to number 10 next, I think. We're enjoying it and we'll certainly see the first series through, although the jury is out as to whether we'll be as devoted viewers as Colin and Johanne and watch every series - I guess much may depend on whether each series is discrete and has a logical end or not.
I re-booked train tickets to Edinburgh for Colin and I for Sunday's Scotland - France rugby match last night. When I originally booked the tickets back in November, the best price I could get was £33.50 return, but, since then, they've opened up the 55 + Club again and we can get tickets at just £15 return. Even with a cancellation fee of £10 for the original booking, that's still a saving of £8.50! We might even use our bus passes and get a free ride in to Aberdeen as well - that's the good bit about getting old - but there's not much else good about it.
Today's Word of the Day is PECUNIARY - relating to money, monetary. The example given was:
- He lacked the finer element of conscience which looks upon Art as a sacred calling, she remembered, and because of "pecuniary necessities" he "scattered his forces in many different and unworthy directions".
- Accomplished in All Departments of Art, James F O'Gorman
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Weary Wednesday
Check the headbang blog for last night.
Today has been Aberdeen - Fraserburgh - Aberdeen - and a lot of travel frustration.
Word of the day - AUBADE - a song or poem greeting the dawn.
Today has been Aberdeen - Fraserburgh - Aberdeen - and a lot of travel frustration.
Word of the day - AUBADE - a song or poem greeting the dawn.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Terrific Tuesday
Bright blue skies this morning - very pleasant - and the roads are fine, although there is the possibility of more snow tomorrow apparently. I didn't go to Fraserburgh yesterday - I postponed the guy that was coming up from Edinburgh - so it's now tomorrow morning that he's coming. The plus side was that I managed another trip to the gym yesterday instead.
Last night, we watched another 2 episodes of The Wire - that's 7 in all now. There had been a bit of a gap since we saw episode 5, and we were both struggling a bit with the story line and the characters at first, but had got back on track by the end of episode 7. We must make sure we watch an episode every other day, I think.
Tonight, it's back to the movies, so I'll just stay in town for tea - I'll meet up with Colin and Gary (Grant) and his brother somewhere for a bite and a beer.
I've also finally committed to doing the West Highland Way (well a bit of, anyway) this year - some accommodation now booked and deposits paid - no going back now! This is the plan:
I'm also tempted by the possibility of going to the Roland Garros stadium for the French Open in May/June. That's the second of the tennis "Majors" this year and hopefully Andy Murray will be making a challenge again. There are direct flights to Paris from Aberdeen, and Dave Williamson is now spending most of his work time in Paris, rather than Reading, so that's why the idea first arose.
To do these things, it obviously means sacrificing some golf this year - I'll need to think carefully about my schedule.
Word of the Day - Gelid (Jel-id) - adjective - extremely cold; icy. Very appropriate.
Last night, we watched another 2 episodes of The Wire - that's 7 in all now. There had been a bit of a gap since we saw episode 5, and we were both struggling a bit with the story line and the characters at first, but had got back on track by the end of episode 7. We must make sure we watch an episode every other day, I think.
Tonight, it's back to the movies, so I'll just stay in town for tea - I'll meet up with Colin and Gary (Grant) and his brother somewhere for a bite and a beer.
I've also finally committed to doing the West Highland Way (well a bit of, anyway) this year - some accommodation now booked and deposits paid - no going back now! This is the plan:
- Thursday evening 16th September
- Drive over to Fort William
- Friday 17th September
- Train down to Bridge of Orchy
- Walk 12 miles to Kings House Hotel, Glencoe
- Saturday 18th September
- Walk 9 miles to Kinlochleven
- Sunday 19th September
- Walk 14 miles to Fort William
- Monday 20th September
- Walk up Ben Nevis (possibly)
- Home
I'm also tempted by the possibility of going to the Roland Garros stadium for the French Open in May/June. That's the second of the tennis "Majors" this year and hopefully Andy Murray will be making a challenge again. There are direct flights to Paris from Aberdeen, and Dave Williamson is now spending most of his work time in Paris, rather than Reading, so that's why the idea first arose.
To do these things, it obviously means sacrificing some golf this year - I'll need to think carefully about my schedule.
Word of the Day - Gelid (Jel-id) - adjective - extremely cold; icy. Very appropriate.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Monday again
Mixed weekend on the sporting front. Terrible performance from Aberdeen on Saturday and the Jags lost too in Inverness - kind of glad we didn't go in the end. Andy was well beaten on Sunday morning, but I'm sure he'll be back, stronger than ever - hopefully to wipe that ever so slightly smug grin off the Swiss ace's face. Much better in the afternoon with Man U taking Arsenal apart.
We had lovely steak fajitas at Carole's last night, and a nice little chat about plans for the wedding. There had been snow flurries all day however, and, when we drove over to Inverurie, the wind had blown the snow on to the side roads and they weren't easy. We decided for our return journey to come back in to Aberdeen and then head out on the North Deeside from there. I was driving, but it was Jo's car (it has the car seat) - and I had left my driving glasses in my car! We made it OK, but it took us a fair while to get home and then, of course, the kitchen had to be cleaned up. Finally, I settled down to watch a bit of the late night golf from Torrey Pines - a course I had played when we were in San Diego - but no cup of tea for me - no milk left! I made do with a glass of wine, but then fell asleep sitting up on the sofa. Jo eventually came down to see if I was OK, so I headed up to bed to watch the end of the golf up there.
Today, I'm in the Aberdeen office awaiting a visitor from Edinburgh. We're then supposed to be going up to Fraserburgh, but it's likely he may have to cancel as the journey would probably take too long and we wouldn't achieve what we wanted as there wouldn't be enough time left.
It's all been a bit dull diary prose from me recently - I'll need to get some photos taken to brighten the blog up visually at least. Meanwhile, what about a Word of the Day? I've got a few new apps for my Blackberry and one of them is a Dictionary/Thesaurus - it would be very handy if I was still doing crosswords. Anyway, they have a word of the day feature in this app, and today's word is MONDEGREEN. What does it mean? - "A word or phrase resulting from a misinterpretation of a word or phrase that has been heard." It further goes on to say:
• Mondegreens can be found in every area of the spoken word, from the record buyer who asks for a copy of the Queen single "Bohemian Rap City" to the schoolchild who is convinced that the Pledge of Allegiance begins "I led the pigeons to the flag."
Think of anyone close who daily uses Mondegreens?
We had lovely steak fajitas at Carole's last night, and a nice little chat about plans for the wedding. There had been snow flurries all day however, and, when we drove over to Inverurie, the wind had blown the snow on to the side roads and they weren't easy. We decided for our return journey to come back in to Aberdeen and then head out on the North Deeside from there. I was driving, but it was Jo's car (it has the car seat) - and I had left my driving glasses in my car! We made it OK, but it took us a fair while to get home and then, of course, the kitchen had to be cleaned up. Finally, I settled down to watch a bit of the late night golf from Torrey Pines - a course I had played when we were in San Diego - but no cup of tea for me - no milk left! I made do with a glass of wine, but then fell asleep sitting up on the sofa. Jo eventually came down to see if I was OK, so I headed up to bed to watch the end of the golf up there.
Today, I'm in the Aberdeen office awaiting a visitor from Edinburgh. We're then supposed to be going up to Fraserburgh, but it's likely he may have to cancel as the journey would probably take too long and we wouldn't achieve what we wanted as there wouldn't be enough time left.
It's all been a bit dull diary prose from me recently - I'll need to get some photos taken to brighten the blog up visually at least. Meanwhile, what about a Word of the Day? I've got a few new apps for my Blackberry and one of them is a Dictionary/Thesaurus - it would be very handy if I was still doing crosswords. Anyway, they have a word of the day feature in this app, and today's word is MONDEGREEN. What does it mean? - "A word or phrase resulting from a misinterpretation of a word or phrase that has been heard." It further goes on to say:
• Mondegreens can be found in every area of the spoken word, from the record buyer who asks for a copy of the Queen single "Bohemian Rap City" to the schoolchild who is convinced that the Pledge of Allegiance begins "I led the pigeons to the flag."
Think of anyone close who daily uses Mondegreens?
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