Out with the old, in with the new

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The old sites have been archived and the blogs-a-taking over. I’m going all Movable Type 4 on ya ass. There’s a few teething problems that I’m sorting out over time, but it’s not like this site pays the bills! I’m quite happy with the default template so I think that will stay for a while. The blogging has taken a back seat over the last couple of years and I’ve missed it. I’ve missed that personal documented history. I don’t have a diary. But I do sometimes feel like publishing the occasional thought or opinion when the mood takes me. If you don’t like it, then you know what you can do…

…that’s right, leave an orderly comment in the designated field below.

Now on with some mindless blogging.

If you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em

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Stu's distorted face from Best of Photo Booth

Stu’s distorted face from Best of Photo Booth

I’ve finally snapped. After months of procrastinating I’ve decided to become a full Flickr member. As I already pay for hosting of a few domain names and the fact that I also have my own photo site – NotMyFace – I found it hard to go Pro. But Flickr is just too good. To mark the occasion, I’ve just uploaded the Best of Photo Booth and my Lomography collection.

Stuck on a train

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Watford station

Watford station

Really chunked off! I’ve not got a good track record with late night trains, but this time it was not my fault. Went out for a drink with a mate last Thursday night in Soho. Left at a reasonable time to catch the 23:34 from Euston. This journey usually takes about 35 minutes, so I should be home just after 12 o’clock. No biggie. So the train gets to a couple of miles outside of Watford and stops. A minutes or two passes, I think nothing of it. I’m typing away on my laptop anyway. I’m using my time wisely. Then about five minutes pass. I’m thinking this trains taking it’s sweet time. Then an announcement, “there’s a broken down train at Watford, we can’t move”. Another couple of minutes, then “another train is on it’s way to meet it, but there’s signalling problems, so it will take a while… sorry”. Another HOUR AND A HALF and we’re still there. Fan-tas-tic!

So we’re told that there’s only one line in use at this time of night, so we just gotta wait. Then we hear that they’ve opened the other line, but we can’t move onto it because of “severe signalling problems”. Meanwhile, trains that have left Euston after us are now passing us on these other tracks. I’m on a course the next day in Brighton. I’ve got to be up at about 6am to catch a train. I’m not happy. We evetually get to Watford, wait there and then slowly progress, but stop at every signal. Whilst others caught some Z’s, I forced myself to stay awake so I didn’t end up in Milton Keynes again.

I got home at 02:15. I had about 3.5 hours sleep before the Ajax course I was so looking forward too. I couldn’t believe it. A 35 minute journey took 5 times as long as it should. Chuffin marvellous!

The rumours are true

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Yes, it’s true. I am honoured to announce that Steph accepted my proposal of marriage whilst staying at the Lawn Cottages near Napier during our holiday in New Zealand. We expect to tie the knot late 2008.

Thank you to everyone who has already given their well-wishes, especially Steph’s family.

Steph, you have made me a very happy man. I love you very much!

Barcelona Christmas party

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Barcelona Christmas party photos

Barcelona Christmas party photos

I spent last weekend in Barcelona for the corporate Christmas party. Now that’s a pretty good Christmas party! Half day on the Friday (always a pleasure) and 2 nights in the fabulous Clarion Hotel Pulitzer. It’s not often hotel rooms are as nice as the website pictures would have us believe, but the Pulitzer did not disappoint. Unfortunately the Sky Bar is not open at this time of year, but the lounge bar was very comfortable (just don’t order a club sandwich unless you like your chicken clucking in the bun).

Saturday was largely walking around the city and up to Guadí’s Parc Güell, followed by Casa Batlló and Casa Milà – which is what most of my pictures are of. We followed this up by a quick shop at Vinçon for secret Santa presents. I also got myself a little pressie in the form of a Colorsplash Flash for my Lomo (time for some colourful evening shots).
After watching Dan and Stephen haggle for old soda water bottles it was time for a little sleepy back at the hotel.

The main event started in the private room at a restaurant in the square off the bottom of the Rambla, maybe called Plaça del Teatre, I dunno? So after that we popped into Bar Pippa in the same square. I like this place, it’s a great little pub hidden in the corner that feels like you’re in somebody’s apartment, but with a stage in it. Andrew and I found it when we were there for Jai’s stag weekend. We eventually ended up at a club, which my bank statement tells me is called “City Hall”. Had a fantastic (and very long, bed at 6am) day. Didn’t feel that great on Sunday, and I’m really not a fan of showering whilst still under the influence.

Backyard Theme Park

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Last Wednesday there was a novelty story in the Metro about a metalworker in Indianapolis who built The Blue Flash rollercoaster in his own in his backyard. It might not have made it into the RCDB, but I thought it was great. There should be more of this sort of thing. Like that guy who put a fake shark through his roof.
Anyway, it reminded me of the backyard monorail I found on the web about a year ago. Maybe these guys should get together and make a backyard amusement park?

Where the hell is Matt?

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No not me, I’m here. I mean, where the hell is this Matt? A video of a guy called Matt dancing some ridiculous dance in many amazing locations around the globe. A chewing gum brand caught wind of it and sponsored him to do it all over again – nice work if you can get it. I think it’s quite well known now, thanks to YouTube. Thanks to Matt, who pointed this out to me (about 3 months ago).

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Jackie Millard will be missed

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Today I was given the sad news that Jackie passed away this morning, after her short battle with cancer. I first met Jackie when she was working on the reception at Tarsus, as I arrived for my interview. Her warm and genuine greeting brightened my day, as it did everyday we worked together. Jackie was generous, joyful, kind and everybody’s friend. Jackie, I will miss your laugh, your stories, your values and your outward fondness for George Clooney.

Whoops, I did it again…

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I woke up in chuffin Milton Keynes again. Not Friday, but the Friday before. I popped over to Hammersmith to see the guys from Tarsus, had a few beers at the Laurie Arms and left at the perfectly reasonable hour of 11. I text the misses to say I’d be home in an hour and a half. I got to Euston to find the blinkin train was full, donned my earphones and rested against the screen. When a seat became available I plonked myself down – the biggest mistake of the night!
I blinked and found myself in MK, yet again. I was so annoyed with myself. The guard happily told me there’s no more trains in the London direction until 3:40. Current time 00:45.

That’s a miserable feeling. The cabbie wanted £60. I didn’t have much to do the following day, so wait it was.
I strolled around Milton Keynes for 3 hours. Not an interesting place to be either. It’s all blocks of offices in the middle of their own car parks. I found some police who directed me in the direction on the Theatre District, but I wasn’t about to enter the last night Weatherspoons or whatever it was on offer. Instead, I just continued to wander the streets and take a few pictures. Very dull!

So has anyone got any hints on how to stay awake? I was listening to music on my phone, which actually made the alarm (which I had set) inactive apart from flashing the screen.
I’m thinking next time, I’m going to eat. Start munching on a baguette, just to keep me busy.

Unfortunate press photo

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Girl singing into a microphone

Girl singing into a microphone

I saw this picture in the London Lite paper on 22 September. Andrew said it’s a must for the blog, so here it is. It’s simply a girl (Alice Russell) singing into a microphone, but the light on her chin creates a rather unfortunate image in context with the way she is holding the mic combined with the expression on her face.
I’m sure I’ve seen something like this before…