Back

With a vengeance?

Prolly not, but back I am. Managed to get through 680k and about 15,000 metres of climbing in the last month, which not only shook my body up, but gave me some time to think. I feel a change coming...

That was the week that was

1. I went to the seaside.  I met some wonks.

2. I got a better blog.

3. We returned to 1929.

4. My mortgage got buggered.

MS Woes

1. MS Narrator is rubbish.

2. Speech Recognition is amazing.

The old Amiga used to make a fair stab at speaking, so why can't my 2008 kit do a decent job of reading my work back to me to help with proofing?  On the other hand, the seemingly impossible task of recognizing my mutterings seems perfectly possible, and from now on I can lie in bed and dictate.  My ex-wife could barely understand me, but my little Dell seems to make a decent fist of it.

3. Went for a walk around Camden, sussing out just how gentrified west of the high street is.  Was on a caffeine high, and managed to snub the friendly American checkout guy in Fresh and Wild.  He's been there since 2004, according to his badge.  Walked back via the canal.  It's emo central at the last stop before the bridge.

4.  I watched Basquiat on DVD.  Had that mid-90s feel. Bowie good, and clearly enjoying himself, with a British accent for Warhol. Made the 80s seem a long time ago, and didn't really tell you much you didn't know.  Parker P. was on good form.

5. A great tiger prawn curry.

Not much posting

Seems like it's been a busy week, although not much actually done, and feel rather tired.

Text panels, mostly, sent off, and caught a film.  Found out that a friend got the temporary job they needed, and spent too much time on Londonfgss. 

New issue of Monocle arrived, in a white plastic jiffy bag.  Perhaps the perfect Brulism in this weekend's FT:

Me: “It would be great to get back to Tokyo that little bit earlier, no?”

Plus, my Adobe Lightroom 2 trial has expired.  May have to move over to Picasa.

Losing It

One of those days when it all seems a little too much.  Delighted to receive some yummy Belgian waffles from flatmate yesterday, but started the day with a meeting that was very fraught - with people's professional competencies being called into question and people not really listening.  Then ploughed on with organizing the dread colloquium.  Email seems to bring out some people's inner prig, I have discovered.  Then another go at editing, realizing that we don't have enough time. Plus a 8:30 meeting tomorrow.

On the other hand, new Montane Event Quickfire arrived, and I'm warming to it.  Plus may get to the cinema tomorrow.  And I got a decent amount of editing done.

Regret watching a damn fool sex education show on C4.  All 'why don't we just all talk about it' and lots of talk about 'pants' and 'bits'.

Realize this time last year I was camping on a mountain in the Pyrenees.  Wish I could have got away this summer/autumn.

Tour of Britain

1. Now happily watching the Tour again on ITV4. 

I am, however, fortunate not to be in a cell, as I almost got into an argument with a copper.  Saw a bunch of policemen talking, I thought, to some of the anti-Eon global warming protesters.  Right behind them was the Millennium Wheel.  A great shot. I snap.  I adjust the exposure.

"What are you doing?" demands a copper.

"Taking a photograph"

"Why?"

"Because it looks good with the Dome, sorry Wheel, behind them...".

Elbow grabbed, warned I am obstructing a police officer.  Told to move on.  I see red, inner rage almost comes out, "I know my rights, what's your number officer, etc. etc.", but I slink off instead.  Prick.  And that's just me.

2. They cycle very fast.

3.  Last night was very enjoyable. Bring up my Athens scheme, and it is deemed not creepy. No F., who seems to be under a bit of stress.

Genesis

Bradi popped by today, so I rustled up some mussels, and we made out way through the white wine in my booze cruise selection. 

Checked out the potential flat, and concluded it is potentially fab.  Worried about deposit.  Pops recommends touching up grandad, which I'm not sure about.

Nice pint at the Assembly Rooms, too.

Also saw Somers Town, which was heart warming, if a little bit Eurostarpromotion.  Who knew such heartening humanity was going on behind the library.  And the old thing, like Hot Fuzz, of people walking in odd ways to get places in filmland.

Now waiting for Montane eVent Quick Fire to arrive.