Well, this is bike week in Glasgow, with the council hosting various events to try and get the average weegie off their arse and on a bike. To be honest, the converted already have, and I wonder just how many people actually take up cycling after this annual bike-a-thon. Those that do, probably give up after they realise just how potholed the city's streets are.
Anyway, true to form, it's bucketing down this week. There's a gazebo being set up (tomorrow I think) to give out a free breakie to passing cyclists. If the weather is anything like last year, I won't be stopping, as I'll be trying to get get to work asap to get a shower and dry off.
Anyway, that's the cynical rant over. Anything that raises awareness of cycling is good in my book, but for once, could the rain just kindly f*** off? Pretty please?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Back from Rennes
Last week I spent four days in Rennes for work. Ok, it was one day travelling either end, and two days of meetings, but it was a good trip.
Day one saw an early start as the plane to Paris left at 0845. Once at Charles de Gaul, it was down to the station to collect out tickets, the just barely time to grab a snack before jumping on the train for the three hour journey to Rennes. Once there, a 5 minute metro ride and a 10 minute walk saw us in the hotel, where we dumped the bags and headed into town for a snack and a beer.
Day one saw an early start as the plane to Paris left at 0845. Once at Charles de Gaul, it was down to the station to collect out tickets, the just barely time to grab a snack before jumping on the train for the three hour journey to Rennes. Once there, a 5 minute metro ride and a 10 minute walk saw us in the hotel, where we dumped the bags and headed into town for a snack and a beer.
some French sausage with a sneaky beer peeking in at the top.
The next two days were full of meetings, but the company hosting them did take us out for dinner both nights. The first was to a creperie where the main courses where all made using black wheat (buckwheat) and the local speciality drink was Breton Cidre. Very nice.
The second day, after all the meetings, dinner was at a seafood place, which fortunately for me, had steak as well. Really nice dinner, then some of us headed into the wee square for a couple of drinks. In reality, this resulted in leaving the pub at 1.00am, and not getting to bed till about 2.00am, the intenvening time being taken up with finishing our drinks in the square (the bars gave out plastic tumblers for people who hadn't finished) and taking about 80's thrash bands with one of the Irish contingent. Bizzare but fun.
the wee square with the eateries and bars
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Curry cravings
Lunchtime today I could have absolutely murdered for a curry, so off I trotted to the refectory, which I have to say, does actually do a good curry for a little over £2. When I got there, horror of horrors. There was no curry on today. So, I've eaten, but am still craving that spicy goodness.
There's only one thing for it. Curry for dinner. Then I have to pack for France. Can't leave it any later, I fly out tomorrow morning.
There's only one thing for it. Curry for dinner. Then I have to pack for France. Can't leave it any later, I fly out tomorrow morning.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Must be a blue moon, here's an update
Yes, I've been a bit lax in the update department of late, but here we go.
Last weekend we were planning on visiting a Historic Scotland site, but that was knocked on the head when I couldn't find my membership card. One phonecall and one day later, and I had my replacement. Hat's off to Historic Scotland's customer service, it was outstanding.
This weekend, we took a wander to the Glasgow Panopticon where they were having a craft fair. Chocolate fudge and home made soaps were bought. The fudge was excellent. The patchulli (sp) soap smells incredible. We also discovered that the people who made and sold the soaps, were rat parents. Until my dad died, we had kept rats for about 8 years. (We had to stop after he died, as he was out rat sitter when we went on holiday).
Sunday, I went for a wee bouldering session at the climbing wall, but it was short and sweet, as I was knackered after about 6 problems, and half an hour. The rest of the day was a lazy veg out affair, with The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Loved Ones (an Aussie horror) being the movies of the day.
Last weekend we were planning on visiting a Historic Scotland site, but that was knocked on the head when I couldn't find my membership card. One phonecall and one day later, and I had my replacement. Hat's off to Historic Scotland's customer service, it was outstanding.
This weekend, we took a wander to the Glasgow Panopticon where they were having a craft fair. Chocolate fudge and home made soaps were bought. The fudge was excellent. The patchulli (sp) soap smells incredible. We also discovered that the people who made and sold the soaps, were rat parents. Until my dad died, we had kept rats for about 8 years. (We had to stop after he died, as he was out rat sitter when we went on holiday).
Sunday, I went for a wee bouldering session at the climbing wall, but it was short and sweet, as I was knackered after about 6 problems, and half an hour. The rest of the day was a lazy veg out affair, with The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Loved Ones (an Aussie horror) being the movies of the day.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Not enough time in the day
Seriously, there isn't.
I've got an idea for a short story that I want to write and send in to the BFS, who will (of course) fall over themselves to print it, seeing as it's wonderful and all, but I can't find the time to sit down and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). I know, I could be typing it up instead of typing this, but then my non-existant followers would have no idea that I was actually a writer. (ok, not having put pen to paper, technically I'm not, but you get my drift).
There's also a pile of the last five issues of New Scientist sitting in front of me that I promise, I WILL get round to reading - preferably before the next issue comes out!
Then there's all the other stuff, and I still have to find time to eat and sleep.
Oh well there's always the next life......
I've got an idea for a short story that I want to write and send in to the BFS, who will (of course) fall over themselves to print it, seeing as it's wonderful and all, but I can't find the time to sit down and put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard). I know, I could be typing it up instead of typing this, but then my non-existant followers would have no idea that I was actually a writer. (ok, not having put pen to paper, technically I'm not, but you get my drift).
There's also a pile of the last five issues of New Scientist sitting in front of me that I promise, I WILL get round to reading - preferably before the next issue comes out!
Then there's all the other stuff, and I still have to find time to eat and sleep.
Oh well there's always the next life......
Saxon
Went to see Saxon at the ABC last night, and what a gig. A great mix of old and new songs, and when you've been on the go as long as they have, that's a hell of a lot of songs to choose from.
Met some old friends that I haven't seen in years, which was pretty cool.
Here's a wee pic of Biff in action.
Met some old friends that I haven't seen in years, which was pretty cool.
Here's a wee pic of Biff in action.
Friday, April 08, 2011
This weekend
Tomorrow we're off through to Edinburgh for the day. The plan is hit Edinburgh early and go to the independence march/rally, then hit the castle, grab a late lunch in the Thai place we like, and then we're off on a ghost tour at 5.30.
Somewhere in among all that, there should be beer, and then it's back to Glasgow.
The only downside to this is that there's a karate course that I'm going to miss tomorrow. Ah well, can't have everything.
Somewhere in among all that, there should be beer, and then it's back to Glasgow.
The only downside to this is that there's a karate course that I'm going to miss tomorrow. Ah well, can't have everything.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Weekend bargins
I didn't plan to buy anything, but then again, I never do when I go into charity shops, I just go in for a browse. Anyway, this time round, I came out with the 3 core Rolemaster rulebooks (£1.99 each) and a Moorcock book that I didn't have (£2.49).
That's a result and also shows remarkable restraint, as there was a couple of Poppy Z Brite books I could have bought as well.
That's a result and also shows remarkable restraint, as there was a couple of Poppy Z Brite books I could have bought as well.
Monday, March 28, 2011
*swoosh*
*swoosh* - the sound of a kilt in full flight.
The ceilidh on Friday was a blast. I was thoroughly knackered and a tad dehydrated the next day, and not because of an over-indulgence, no, because I danced my arse off :-) Yup, a great night was had by all. I'll definately make a point of going there again.
The ceilidh on Friday was a blast. I was thoroughly knackered and a tad dehydrated the next day, and not because of an over-indulgence, no, because I danced my arse off :-) Yup, a great night was had by all. I'll definately make a point of going there again.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
And the winner is......
Me.
I've just won four tickets to a ceilidh on Friday night. So I'm guessing there will be a little bit of pain on Saturday, especially if the strip the willow is particularly energetic. The kilt might get an airing, we'll see, so Glasgow beware, the knees could be on display.
I've just won four tickets to a ceilidh on Friday night. So I'm guessing there will be a little bit of pain on Saturday, especially if the strip the willow is particularly energetic. The kilt might get an airing, we'll see, so Glasgow beware, the knees could be on display.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Disorganisation
Aaaargh!!!! If you are in charge of running a project, and you are the one responsible for organising a rota, PLEASE make sure you stick to the rota that YOU have come up with and don't email the next day asking to swap dates because there "might be a meeting you probably should attend". How vague is that? Seriously, I've other stuff to do other than fit round your inability to avoid double booking yourself. Especially when the rota is obviously designed round your childcare.
If you choose to have kids, don't expect the childless not to have anything else to do other than cover for you.
Rant over.
If you choose to have kids, don't expect the childless not to have anything else to do other than cover for you.
Rant over.
5a+ ? I think not
Was down at the climbing wall last night where there was a completely evil route that was graded at 5a+. Everyone that tried was struggling/failing/cheating to get up. Basically there were very few holds, and the only way you could get up was bridging between two walls, smearing, and (pretty much) swearing under your breath.
It was fun to fail on this, because it was just so different. I know I won't get up it (despite regularly nailing 6a's and even the odd 6b), but I totally want to keep giving this one a go.
I also discovered that going climbing after going to a knackering karate class, possibly isn't the wisest thing to do. Especially if you want to push yourself at the climbing.
It was fun to fail on this, because it was just so different. I know I won't get up it (despite regularly nailing 6a's and even the odd 6b), but I totally want to keep giving this one a go.
I also discovered that going climbing after going to a knackering karate class, possibly isn't the wisest thing to do. Especially if you want to push yourself at the climbing.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Is it spring again yet?
Well the snow of yesterday has gone (thankfully), so I can get back on the bike tomorrow hopefully - karate today, so I have a bag of gear to lug in/take home.
Got a table booked at a tapas place for Saturday, so that should be good. Got a voucher for £30 worth of tapas. Between two of us, that's probably not as much as it sounds. We'll see.
With the Middle East in an uproar, and the disaster in Japan, I'm frankly surprised that the end-of-the-world prophets haven't reared their ugly heads. Thankfully they haven't, the last thing we need is sandwich board carrying religious zealots claim "the end is nigh" and using these incidents as examples of "the sins of man". I say I'm surprised, but that's because they're not usually this slow off the mark.
Got a table booked at a tapas place for Saturday, so that should be good. Got a voucher for £30 worth of tapas. Between two of us, that's probably not as much as it sounds. We'll see.
With the Middle East in an uproar, and the disaster in Japan, I'm frankly surprised that the end-of-the-world prophets haven't reared their ugly heads. Thankfully they haven't, the last thing we need is sandwich board carrying religious zealots claim "the end is nigh" and using these incidents as examples of "the sins of man". I say I'm surprised, but that's because they're not usually this slow off the mark.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Bit windy
It's a tad blustery today, with gale force winds doing their best to ruin the hairdo's of pensioners throughout Glasgow. It 's also ruined my cycling to work, as there's not a snowball's chance in hell that I'm cycling in this weather. A death wish I do not have.
Planning to go see The Big Sleep after work. Never seen it before.
Planning to go see The Big Sleep after work. Never seen it before.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
That week flew in (literally)
Well, last weekend, I should have been down in Coventry at Redemption, but due to the car needing replaced and a few other unexpected expenses, I'd had to cancel it, but never fear thought I, as Frightfest is on in Glasgow, EXCEPT, the friends who said they'd go bailed, so I didn't either.
Actually it was a good thing, as I ended up floored with snot for 48 hours over Sunday and Monday, so would have spent most of Redemption/Frightfest sneezing like a deranged loon, so I suppose it was fortunate that I had to cancel.
Last Thursday, I headed over to another karate club. This is the one we go to for day courses. K decided that she fancied trying it too, and came along. I got a good session, and she got a one to one introduction from one of the instructors, and loved it, so it's back over there again tonight. While I sort of enjoyed getting my Friday night back when the instructor taking over the work club could only do the Wednesday, but I really need to do two practices a week (at least).
Other than that, I've got The Stranglers to go and see on Saturday. Should be good.
Actually it was a good thing, as I ended up floored with snot for 48 hours over Sunday and Monday, so would have spent most of Redemption/Frightfest sneezing like a deranged loon, so I suppose it was fortunate that I had to cancel.
Last Thursday, I headed over to another karate club. This is the one we go to for day courses. K decided that she fancied trying it too, and came along. I got a good session, and she got a one to one introduction from one of the instructors, and loved it, so it's back over there again tonight. While I sort of enjoyed getting my Friday night back when the instructor taking over the work club could only do the Wednesday, but I really need to do two practices a week (at least).
Other than that, I've got The Stranglers to go and see on Saturday. Should be good.
Friday, February 25, 2011
last night - karate practice
Well, I avoided the booze as a stress relief, and headed to karate instead. Brilliant practice. Stevie and Pat are great to train with, and since me and K were the only non black belts (last night was K's first time), then she got a one to one with one instructor, while I joined in the main practice, and got lots of good advice.
Definately going to keep going to the two clubs.
Definately going to keep going to the two clubs.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
karate practice
Was at the lunchtime karate practice yesterday. I really need to do two practices at week (at least), so with that in mind, I'm off to Pat's club in Whiteinch tonight. Karen is supposedly coming along too, as she fancies seeing if she likes it. I think she will.
I'm just back from lunch with my mum, which as usual is exhausting, as she talks talks talks. It's either karate or drink. I need some stress relief.
I'm just back from lunch with my mum, which as usual is exhausting, as she talks talks talks. It's either karate or drink. I need some stress relief.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Can I go back to bed please?
Woke up this morning about 5:20am totally wide awake. This wasn't good, as the alarm doesn't go off until 6:30am and I wasn't about to get up and sit around for an extra hour just because I woke up, so I forced myself to roll over and go back to sleep.
One hour later, I'm in the middle of a deep sleep, and a dream involving skateboards, waste water samplers, and cycling during a marathon (the details are hazy and fading fast), when the alarm goes off, and I have to get up, except now, I'm shattered. I'm in work and on my second coffee, but it doesn't seem to be helping much.
One hour later, I'm in the middle of a deep sleep, and a dream involving skateboards, waste water samplers, and cycling during a marathon (the details are hazy and fading fast), when the alarm goes off, and I have to get up, except now, I'm shattered. I'm in work and on my second coffee, but it doesn't seem to be helping much.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Motivational issues
Struggling to get motivated today, which considering that I've been busy this morning, is a bit of a contradiction. Basically, I'm getting through the stuff that needs done, but without any enthusiasm for it. Think I'm still a bit knackered mentally, after yesterdays' jaunt to the borders and back. Four hours driving is a bit meh to be honest.
Never mind, got a lunchtime karate class, so hopefully, that'll wake me up a bit.
Never mind, got a lunchtime karate class, so hopefully, that'll wake me up a bit.
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