Mat Harden

The old sites have been archived and the blogs-a-taking over.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.

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!

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 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.

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.