It's been a while

So, what's been happening lately?  Well, I've got the visas sorted for going to India, and we've got another wee rescue cat on a weeks trial to see how she fits in.  So far it's sort of ok.  She's learned that Rosie rules the roost, and is suitably nervous of her.  Rosie meanwhile is slightly put out, and is making the kitchen a no-go area for the new cat.  Other than that, Rosie just watches her from the safety of my knee.  I think if she was that bothered, she'd be over having a go at the new cat.

BTW her name is Mia and she's 5.  Depending on what face she's pulling, she's either really cute, or possibly the ugliest cat ever. Overall though she's a nice wee thing.  Betty isn't really bothering with her, but being blind probably helps to stop her chasing the new arrival and beating seven bells out of her.

So anyway, we're giving it a week to see how things go.  Fingers crossed.

Other things, well, I'm still messing about trying to teach myself guitar.  So far I can muddle through Three Little Birds by Bob Marley, and sort of get No Surrender by Bruce Springsteen.  I've printed out the tabs/chords for Rockin in the Free World by Neil Young, so that's my next challenge.  I'm also thinking about getting a bit more serious about it and taking some lessons when I get back from holiday towards the end of September.

Urghi lurgi

The weekend wasn't all it was supposed to be, what with me coming down with lurgi on Thursday.  I did manage the Batman double header at the IMAX, though I paid for it health-wise the rest of the weekend, and ended up off work on the Monday.

Yesterday, I took a day off, and we headed into town to sort out the visas for India.  We were there for the place opening, and there was no-one else there, so 20 minutes later, we'd had our photos taken, paid the photographer, had our forms checked, paid for the visas, and been told that there was a lot to see where we were going the first two weeks, and it's going to be a busy time cramming it all in.  The last week in Kerela will be needed to relax after the hectic first two weeks.  That's making us look forward to it all the more.

I plan to take the (early) birthday present I got from Karen, a Fuji Finepix S4200, and get an utter shitload of photos.  You have been warned.

Nikolai Telsa

Passing Through from Olafur Haraldsson on Vimeo.

Higgs Bosun explained

The Higgs Boson Explained from PHD Comics on Vimeo.

What we did at the weekend

On Saturday, we had the usual karate class in the morning (using bo's), and then met up with a couple of friends for a curry at the Ashoka at the Phoenix.  The food there is really nice.

Sunday, we had planned to head into town, but it would probably have worked out as Karen wandering round shops, and me sitting in Lauders with a book and a pint, so scrap that.  Instead, we jumped in the car and headed to Inchmahome Priory.   If you've never been, it's well worth a visit.  It's on a (very) small island on Lake of Menteith (Scotlands ONLY lake), and is really really tranquil.  Take a picnic, as you could spend a really nice time just sitting in the grounds.  It's a seven minute boat trip, and that's included in the entry fee (£5 each or free if you're a Historic Scotland member).

After leaving the island, we decided to head somewhere for lunch.  From Inchmahome, you've pretty much got the choice of Drymen, Aberfoyle or Callander, and as Karen had never been to Callander, that's where we went.  I'd not been for a few years, but it still seems to be a really busy little town.

All in all, a good weekend.