Friday 29 June 2007

Friday: Finance and Frogs. Thursday: That's All!

Friday, the request for my deposit and first rent came through. Fortunately, my wage also came through, so with what I already stashed away, I'm fine. Haven't paid it yet, as need to discuss it with the letting agency. I should get about half of it back when my contract's up anyway, so I suppose that's not so bad, but it was still a shock to see how much though...

Talking of moving houses, I was sent this link by a friend - it's GREAT. Suggest you have a peep, and a read through some of the others. I just hope MY housemates aren't that loony. (Well, besides wanting to fill their bedroom with play-balls, but his Girlfriend found out about that. And she wants to too!)

http://www.mycrazyroommate.com/2007/06/are-you-really-that-gullible.html

I'm tucking into another Tom Holt book I bought yesterday, "Falling Sideways". I'm not regretting buying it, as I like Tom Holt's strange humour, but could still have done with the money more! Whoops. But seriously, if you can grab a Holt, do so.

Had much hilarity with a photo my friend Rick the oddity grower sent me. He swears blind this is as he saw it. That's a frog poop. And THAT is the frog that DID it. Don't ask, I really REALLY don't know.

Quote of the day: "Sometimes I'm scared of toothpaste." - My sister.

Thursday was my last day of college. I'd already handed in all my work to go to the external verifier, so mostly mooched about and did little. I did participate in a viewing of someone else's presentation for feedback and building dolphins (constructive purposes). It was alright, the colour scheme was nice with clouds on blue skies and the sea, very appropriate for the holiday destination, but the text size/font consistency needed working on.

I won a couple of class awards too, carried off the "Wackiest Student" award, and "Funniest Moment". Funniest moment was up against fierce contenders such as a tutor falling off a desk, and the most fashion-conscious girl having put on odd trainers and not realised for the whole day. My nomination was everyone else trying on my bowler hat, with me telling it's history. I'm not sure how that's entirely funny, but they must have enjoyed it... ???

I'm rather pleased, as am going to set up a roach breeding colony when I get to my new house, and the ex has insisted on paying. I've refused repeatedly, but I suppose if others don't listen, then you have to finally accept. Saves me a few quid at any rate, which is good.

Quote for today: "But meh - I'm not a person to like doing things." - Erkan

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Tanks and Theories...

Woken up by ferocious cramp in my calf at 4am... By goodness it KILLED - the whole muscle locked into one solid block, and I couldn't put weight on it for about an hour.

Having finally hobbled to college, blasted through the exam and then got released early, so whoop! Makes up for being crippled anyway, heh.

Spent the afternoon finishing off my newt tank, and am pretty happy with it now. All the pumps, pipes and filtration is hidden away into grooves cut into the back-wall, and the fogger is hidden in the fountain. All the land is built on a platform, so that there's more water than it actually looks like, and there are lots of little hideys and caves built in, as well as the big corkbark hide. I think I'm going to build some more "tunnels" down the side of the fountain/landmass, and create little net bags to lift the newts out with. Also re-jigged the Axie tank, they now have a nice new rock to play on/in, moved things round for them to explore, and shuffled the plants round to look tidier. They've had great fun trying to bite me in the meantime, munching on pellets I use to distract them, and sticking their noses on anything new or shifted.

A friend of mine sent me a fascinating book on Superstring Theory - "Elegant Universe". It's tough going, but it's proved greatly interesting. If I was better at math, I would seriously consider taking up physics as a hobby; as it is, I'll dabble in the theory side of things and trying to get my head around the odd concepts.

Braeburn being Braeburn, as soon as I put them in, he tried to climb out again. See, the reason I'll need the netting is they will bury themselves in tiny gaps, and I won't be able to get them out. In this photo, he was scaling the back wall, and wedged into a slim gap at the top; I had to dismantle all the lid and lighting to get him back out.

Quote of the day: "oh yes and I am very much a jammy toadsicle" - Brett O'P.

Tuesday 26 June 2007

Traffic Lights, Tomes, Treats and Triops.

I know the orange light is supposed to flash, but this morning it took a turn for the weirder. ALL of the lights on the crossing were flashing. In perfect, normal sequence of course, just blinking on and off.

Spent the FULL DAY doing loose-leaf files. For those not familiar with loose-leaf files, these are huge reference folders, usually legal tomes. Obviously, as the law changes, some bits of the reference books need changing. To be more cost-effective, they make them so you can just take the old, out-of-date sheets out, and put new ones in, which arrive in the mail as part of a subscription every couple of months or so.

And when you have 16 of these muh-hassively chunky folders to pick through (about 6K pages each) it gets incredibly dull. Mind-melting. They should sell it as a form of religion, enter a state of somnambulistic, vacant bliss. Either that or as a medicine - you don't even notice the paper cuts after a while. Or the fact that the mouse is dropping staples all over when you try to click it. Oh dear.

Some bits are interesting though, I'm still not sure what this obscure line means, but it amused me enough to snap out of my stapler-mouse confusion. "Execution blocks: These are provided for UK incorporated and foreign companies" O4-125 Practical Commercial Precedents R.65:March 2007

You recall me saying on Tuesday that the boardroom had flooded? Well, it hasn't stopped raining, and now cashiers, some offices and the mens toilets have sprung leaks. But the fixing bloke turned up finally. Turns out the main problem was a plastic bottle had got stuck in the guttering/drain causing it to overflow and fill the flatroofing. Even better, it turns out the bottle was a milk bottle someone had put on the window sill to keep cool in the winter, forgotten about, and it'd blown off into the gutter. So six months later, it was a bottle of very mouldy cheese... Cor BLIMEY it STUNK. The flooding in the area is finally dropping, and the burst river is too, but there's another severe weather warning released for the weekend.

At least the wet didn't cause the Market problems, I managed to get some nice honeyed halva (crushed sesame seeds bound with honey to create a dry paste that looks like sawdust, tastes like the middle of a Toblerone, and melts like candyfloss; left it at work, bums) and some coltsfoot sticks. Coltsfoot is kinda like a cross between aniseed and liquorice - that sort of flavour. Yum-much.

I think I want some of these funky little guys too. Triops, aka Shield Shrimp - you have to admit, they do look weirdly cute, and would make a great addition to my collection of oddities.

Quote for today: "Hehe, I can pat myself on the back coz I'm double jointed in the shoulders..." - Evlsangel

Monday 25 June 2007

Inclemency, Imbibements and In full swing!

Once again, I was woken at 6am. I thought someone had flushed the toilet, but slowly realised that the bathroom isn't outside my window. Oh, give me credit, it's a ridiculous hour to be up, and I'm never bright first thing! It dawned on me that it was raining again, and with some considerable force. Needless to say, on going to college, I looked like a drowned rat within seconds and the garden's turned into a lake. Pop a fountain in among the marigolds, and it'd be lovely. It's about 2" deep at the far right here, you can see the step is completely submerged.



Of course, in my usual, first-thing-imbecilic-state, I managed to confuse bottles in the fridge door and am now enjoying orange and ginger-beer, whilst looking for a new job several hundred miles away.

Have a new CV written up and a new email address for prospective employers to contact me on. *fingers crossed* I hate being out of work, it's very rare I am. Actually, last time was due to having one foot in plaster, but even then I was back early.

Within 45 minutes of emailing the first off, I got a telephone call. And the company wanted to know more! So I've sent them an attachment email with more details, when I'm moving etc, so fingers crossed that I'll hear back. The other two companies that said they'd telephone haven't, so will make a point of poking them tomorrow. Will miss my old jobs, but need to get a new one to pay bills.

It's consistently persisting it down, came off the bus to paddle through massive puddles. Even on my toes I still got water in my shoes...
And it STILL hasn't stopped raining. Yes, it's lapping around my doorstep. (And killed my aloe vera)



T'has been a good evening though, got the newts sorted, had some nice chats online (*grins* Yes, it's VERY warm in here and shall enjoy stealing some lucozade), and only have the axolotls to clean out before bed. Someone's hogging the bathroom, so no can do yet.

Sunday 24 June 2007

Confectionary Confusion and Key Lime Pie.

It's been a lazy, quiet day. Well, don't take "quiet" too seriously.

Was woken up at 7am by the lady next door playing old music. Bear in mind, I live in a detached house. She's going deaf, y'see. Shutting the double glazing mostly solved the problem, stuffing my head under the pillow cured the rest.

The bus was early, nearly giving me a coronary as I thought my watch might have stopped and I might be late for work! Work, as always, was fun; I like my job.

It was a dreadfully quiet day, but it meant that lots of stock got sorted. And to my confusion, discovering there was a mislabelled box. I brought down what I thought was diabetic's brazil nut toffee - and upon opening the sealed box, discovered fruit rock. Ummkaaaay. Will let you know what happens when I know.

The highlight of the day: Key lime pie. Mmmmm - refreshing. And I managed to convince my sister that the topping was made with custard, so she wouldn't like it... Meaning I got an extra slice before she did the sensible thing and read the box.
HAHAHAHA!

Quote for today: "I want to get a load of platic playpen balls and fill the bedroom with them!" - Sworn to secrecy, as he doesn't want his girlfriend finding out before he's got it done. I think you're nuts.

Saturday 23 June 2007

Drat, Drinks, and someone's Drawing

Hmph. Woken up at 3:45am by ex sending a text, which apparently wasn't for me. Or from the ex, when questioned about it. Not that it matters, I was just VERY cross at being woken so early. And the not being able to get back to kip for an hour, again.

I suppose I won the last round with that one, as got a bit angry when called up about it, a bit terse, sharp, and swore - and now the ex refuses to speak to me until I apologise. I was in process of doing so, when I got a message telling me "You've been a bit of an ass today" - so haven't. Call me childish, but that suits me just fine.

Work was pleasant as ever, sold the BIG box of chocolate with ease, much to my delight, and almost hit quota for bags (which isn't bad, as it's been pretty quiet). So very pleased with that. I really do like working there, it's an easy atmosphere between the staff, and can always have a laugh with management. Little "dramas on the shop floor" seem to make the customers laugh as much as we do.

Missed the first bus on the way home, so nipped to the local and had a Southern Comfort, Lime and Lemonade. I can't remember the last time I had SoCoLL, and it was DELICIOUS. Perfect in the hot weather, crisp and cold - and filled in the time until the next bus just nicely.

*grins happily* Microwave Tagliatelle for tea. Yes, I'm lazy. And no, I don't care :P

From http://xkcd.com/c15.html - it amused me much.

Quote of the day: "It may have involved pencils." Rick B

Friday 22 June 2007

Gosh, when did it get to Friday?!

Between work, college, work, tidying up and worrying about moving a coupla' hundred miles, time seems to have escaped me.

Quite honestly, not that much interesting has happened. I've yawned (a lot), sneezed at the air-conditioning at college (a bit) and slept a bit more (but not much more).

Nearly got collared by Sheila on the bus on Wednesday, but spotted her before she got on, so I hid in book and headphones. Sheila is... interesting. She talks. A lot. To anyone. And if no-one listens, to herself. Loudly. Often about her dead husband, the fella she's insisting she'll marry because he goes to the same church (poor guy!) or feeding her cat Henry some carrots for tea. Or yelling at the bus driver, and calling him "Mike" - even when it's not Mike.

Thursday was nice; did little at college in the morning as most of my units are signed off, but the afternoon was pleasantly spent schlepping up and down the town, into the quaint little second-hand bookstore where I found "Bored of the Rings" and another Tom Holt book. Seriously, if you get the chance, indulge in a Holt - they're superb. On my schlepps, I picked up some fresh food for the creatures (which half has already been consumed!) and a food bowl for the newts to eat said food in.

Spent ages trolling the second-hand stores looking for a plain glass, small bowl. The local hospital trust one insisted I could HAVE one, so not complaining. Will be sure to send my next lot of donatables to them, being as I'm consistantly broke! (Well, what little I have spare I'm trying to save - see the comment about moving)

Today was pretty nice. Good weather, short queue in the Post Office (dropped off some parcels to go) and at work in good time. I'm VERY rarely late, but I like to be early so as to catch up with what's going on. The 'lotls were very surprised by breakfast, as they got half of the newts' foods (as it's too much for the newts to consume in one go) so they were happy with me.

*nips through to check on them*

Spyyk is splay-legged and relaxed, and I think Ben's in bed. Peeped in the newt tank; I found Braeburn (one of the newts) but no clue where Smith is again. Probably in an impossibly small gap.

Anyway, REALLY need an early night.

Quote for today: "I can count to 21 when I'm naked"-Beez's Brother

Tuesday 19 June 2007

Floods, Flirts and Ferocious Weather

An "F" day.

It's looking like a rum start to the week... Went into work today, to discover that the roof in one of the offices had sprung a rather nasty leak in the horrible, constant rain we've been having. It poured through the offices above, and into the expensive boardroom below.

The grand table, the antique cabinets, the ancient, delicate books - all waterlogged. The hessian carpet is completely ruined, but at least we managed to salvage some of the equipment. Some of the newer books are drying alright too, but printers are flaming heavy when you reach your half-dozenth...

It's been another entertaining evening though, being single is proving fun. Well, not exactly flirting, but certainly an intriguing discussion as always. Might keep the single-ness for a while - it's doing me the world of good... (The person in question, I'll be back tomorrow, shame couldn't have more time - *grins*)

And me oh my, have we had some weather for you again. Thunder, Lightning, absolute downpour - the WORKS. The patio is sunk under an inch of water AGAIN, but at least the power wasn't knocked out again. (Trying to trigger the fuses isn't easy, the cupboard's too deep and low for one my height!)

Anyway, I wonder if tomorrow will be just as different.
What a rum do indeed.

Quote for the day: "Nostalgia takes up too much storage space"-Dave K

Monday 18 June 2007

Cycles, College, Crap and Canaries...

Today must be a "C" day.

Need to get back into practise with the old bicycle, so rode to college. Arrived 15 minutes earlier than expected, and discovered that our roads are AWFUL. Full of potholes, and motorists have discovered lovely parking spaces just off their drives that the council kindly put down. They seem to be a little confused by the bike symbol in the middle of it, but free parking is free parking right?

Anyway, got to college, the whole class got yelled at because we're all useless (we're doing a diploma might I add), but I was very patient and quiet until said tutor had left, and THEN let forth a stream of violent verbatim. Which was cheered, might I note.

Cycling back home, making the last leg up the hill, I spotted a lady with a bike and an older gent looking at something. Hopping off as I roll on up, I spot it's a little yellow bird.

Yellow?!

Yup, definitely - a canary. The man was trying to catch it, but it was a bit too quick, so offered my services. After 15 minutes of trying to coax it out of a tree, it finally succumbed to the temptation of the grass-seed and quiet talking. And walked straight out into the main road...!

Call me daft, but I stopped the traffic and herded him to the grass verge, then spent the next 10 minutes muttering reassuringly to him whilst edging closer and closer. Then dropped my coat on him.

Feel sorry for the little guy, it's quite heavy actually. But managed to get my hand under and grabbed him. Pondering what to DO with said little bird, the lady with the bike told me she kept budgies and had plenty of spare cages.

So there I was, bike in one hand, bird in the other - walking into the next village. It's not a short stroll, and wee canary finally stopped pecking at me. Actually, he got comfy, snuggled into my hand and tried to kip for the last few minutes.

So, canary now happy as a sparrow with plenty of dinner, and I got extra exercise. And pooped on. Wonderful.

Quote of the day: " *t'wack* " - C.Loftus (explanation: Slapping self on head)