I'm a bit behind in discovering this guy, but anyway, Cory Doctorow seems like an interesting author. Among many things, he's published a few novels of a sci-fi/tech/geek nature which look interesting. What's cool is that he makes them all available for download in loads of different formats. Really loads, like even iPod notes format. I've saved off a few in pdf stylee and I'll give them a go, nowt to lose.
WFH today which meant I could go to the Year 2 assembly and watch Dylan. He had a couple of lines to say which he spoke beautifully, really loud and clear. He was the best. I'm not biased.
The works tasks in hand today are thankfully design related. It's been so very long since I was involved in any sort of code design and it's really enjoyable to be doing a bit again. Wether the blocks I'm designing are used in my current project or not doesn't really matter to me right now. I'll be using them probably in my next project for sure. It feels almost like a creative act and that's good for the soul.
I had this thought a couple of months ago that I'd like to get out and see more local gigs. I haven't been out to many as yet, but someone who most definitely has, is Pete Ashton. He's currently in the middle of a project called Going Deaf For A Fortnight in which sees he's going out to a local gig every night for 14 days. It's an interesting snapshot of the Birmingham gig scene. Some of the gigs he reviews seem at first glance to be unappealing prospects but it transpires that there's something of interest at most of them. Makes me want to get out to some more gigs. There's a few events on my Upcoming list at the moment and hopefully I make it out to some of them.
Snippets of catchup...
Thursday, Steve picked up one of our old sofas so now we have a bit more room in the room. Still got one left but we might keep it.
Friday morning, Year 5 assembly. Harriet and Amanda did an audience survey of crisp favourites and presented a bar chart. Cute.
Working from home. Dull documents for my current project. Very hard to motivate. Would have been even harder in the office. More distractions there, people to have a moan with, and a couple of hours on the motorway for the pleasure.
Carols 40th birthday party went off well. It was a complete suprise to her. She loved the present Jacq got her. Dylan had great fun running around with Mitchell at top speed and doing the classic knee-slide across the dancefloor.
Saturday morning, Jacq and Carol talking about the party. Both the kids doing great swimming. Chilled at home before going over to Marys for the traditional bonfire party. The bonfire took off, despite early battles with some rain, thanks to wood brought over by Theresa. The fireworks were good but as always there were just too many. Didn't even open the box that we brought over, left them with Steve to set off , he'll probably get more fun out of them than we would.
Sunday morning now. Up early and I don't know why. I should probably go back to bed and resume my lie-in. Raining. Not doing much today. Domestic stuff. The new week will soon be here.
Mike came over Monday night and it was good to see him in fine spirits so soon after his second op. We listened to a few things but no creative stuff. But soon, oh yes, soon. I'm quite stoked by a sample challenge thrown down by Mike to get some stuff out of a piece of Bladerunner soundtrack.
Chatted a bit about 'V For Vendetta' which he has lent me. We checked out the movie trailer and it looked pretty good to me, although Mike warns that they've fucked up the ending so I won't get my hopes up. There doesn't seem to be must publicity around at the moment for the movie yet the site states a Nov 05 release but the latest news item is from July. Strange. I finished the book this evening. I fancy reading some more graphic novels.
Yes it's true, we got new sofas. Two leather two-seaters plus two big pouffes for some feet-up action. Now we've just got to get rid of the old sofas blocking up the front room.
Managed to do a family day-out thing today to Blists Hill in Ironbridge. We had a great day there spending our old money in the old shops. The weather was lovely. We walked for miles around the place. Our ticket included other museums in Ironbridge so we'll be back there again for some more day-out action.
Saw on the IC list today that it was the service for Alistair yesterday. I was most impressed to learn that Colin had turned up for it. What a nice gesture, I'm sure Alistair would have been chuffed. Bye Alistair.
Another damp holiday day. The forecast says that tomorrow might be sunny. I do hope so. We need to get out for a trip somewhere.
During some retail this afternoon I spotted the Peel biography. That's going on the christmas list. Watched some programs about him tonight on BBC4. It was the anniversary of his death just a day or two back. Still hard to believe he's gone.
It's the half-term holidays and I'm off for the week. The weekend just gone, Dylan was at a party Saturday and Harriet at one Sunday, then today we had a house full. Dylan had two mates over to play and Harriet had one. We knew it was going to rain all day today so we were in the house anyway. The kids had a grand time but there was a lot of background work required to keep things running smoothly between everyone. I'm pooped. Dylan has another friend over tomorrow then maybe after that we'll get out and do something if the weather holds.
In the office today, which is unusual for a Friday for me but seeing as I'm on holiday next week I thought I should put in an appearance. Myself and Adrian had a good go at SteveP about training and tech support stuff and a whole range of issues. It just came pouring out. I think most of it just breezed over Steves head. He probably just wanted us out of his office. I'm not expecting any follow-up.
Earlier Steve had questioned me about the SINAUT product and his plan for getting some info into the office, which ammounts to getting a product specialist to sit with the particular SAS engineer for a day. It seems that he's totally forgot that he has got three technical specialists in his department who are supposed to get up to expert level on these products and support the rest of the teams. I reminded him of this and he said, "Oh yeah". I despair.
SteveY mailed me today with an eBay link Jon Reed has an auction running for a holiday with him to Antigua. Apparently he's been getting media interest. What a character that guy is.
Mad dash from the office to pick up the kids and get them over to the dentists. Checked everything ok at Jims flat then visited him in hospital. He'd had a pacemaker fitted today and considering that, he seemed very well. His hearing seemed much sharper and communication much easier. Hopefully he'll be coming out soon but it was good to hear him say how much he was appreciating being in there. All in all a good visit, although the kids hated it in there.
The kids skipped swimming lessons on Saturday morning because of Harriets swimming party in the afternoon. Everyone met up in the baths car park. A beautiful sunny autumn afternoon. Jimi turned up! He'd been visiting his dad in hospital. We talked him into coming into the water with the loan of a pair of my shorts. Paul turned up to boost the adult numbers. He mostly hung out with Dylan while I looked out for the school friends. Everyone had a great time in the water. Jacq even had time to come in after setting up the party food. The family came back to ours for puddings, coffee and more present opening. Harriet had a lot of great gifts and enjoyed her day loads. I gave Jimi a lift to New Street station and the rest left about 8PM.
Sunday was a day for relaxing. Yesterday Steve had mentioned a Flickr outing on Sunday afternoon but I had to get some work done ready for Monday morning.
So today, Monday, is Harriets birthday. 10 years old! Two digits! Our daughter's growing so quick. I worked from home today which gave me the luxury of opening presents with Harriet and taking the kids to school. We got Harriet a DS and the Nintendogs game which she was thrilled with. Jacq bought herself a copy also and spent the day shouting commands at her virtual dog. Got my work emailed off about lunchtime which was a great relief. Mike popped by in the afternoon and dropped off a copy of V For Vendetta which I'm looking forward to reading. Then it was time to pick up the kids again. Time for much barking at digital puppies.
Yes, she's back! Our big girl Harriet is back with us! Had to wait at school after picking up Dylan. The coach was stuck in traffic. When they finally arrived it was so good to see her. She claims it was all horrible, the food was gross, the activities were hard and they had to do chores! But I reckon overall it was a great experience for her and given time she'll look back on it fondly. I spoke with her teacher to thank her for looking out for Harriet and she said that Harriet had done really well during the week. We're so proud of her.
Picked up some McFood on the way home then showed Harriet the new desk in her bedroom that we set up for her while she was away. It's so good to have her home.
I was thinking of not going to the John Peel Day gig at the Jug Of Ale as Mike and Paul had both dropped out. Then Paul of the IC list mailed and we agreed that even if the bands were shite (which they were) it was worth attending in memory of the man.
Whilst propping the bar and discussing various music matters, I was approached by Brendan! Haven't seen him for about 10 years. He looked really well (the bugger) and it was very good to catch up a little with him. I hope that now we have bumped into each other that we can catch up a bit more some time.
All in all a good night. Not the greatest gig but still enjoyable to be back in the local gig scene. Must keep looking out for more interesting events. Check my upcoming page for the latest.
Our big girl is on her first school trip away to Wales for the week. We took her to school this morning and saw her off on the coach. Jacq was stressing over the packing arrangements but in reality organised it all superbly. Harriet was a bit nervous the night before but this morning it was more excitement that I saw.
Tonight we got a call from the teacher saying that Harriet was a bit upset and wanted to speak to us. Jacq took the call but could barely squeak a word out in an attempt to not get upset herself. I spoke to Harriet and she was fine, just a little homesick. Her friend Lizzie had started them off and the pair of them got upset together. I think they were tired at the end of the first day and their emotions got the better of them. I'm sure things will be fine in the morning. I was very pleased that their teacher spotted the situation and took steps to smooth it out.
Great night last night at Editors at the Irish Centre. Mike and I went into town together. I enjoyed walking through the city centre. The evenings now dark but the store lights still on, reminded me of Christmas. It's so rare that I walk around town that every visit brings new discoveries. I'm constantly looking around in wonder.
Met up with Paul at The Kitchen within the Custard Factory. Nice bar. Nice art on the wall by Beat13. Had a couple of drinks before heading off to the Irish Centre. The place was heaving. Sold out. It had been ages since I'd been to a 'proper' gig like this. Queuing to the bar and crushed in the mosh pit. The support was ok, We Are Scientists from NY. When Editors came on the place went wild and it was fun allowing myself to get swept up in it all. Joined in with the mosh pit and had a great time leaping about. So hot in there, the occasional flung pint came as quite a refreshment. I was hoarse from shouting in ears to chat and singing along with the songs. The band played well and the crowd loved it. All in all a top gig.
When we piled out of there I had that lovely post-gig deafness as we walked around the streets of Digbeth looking for a last drink. Eventually we gave up on that idea and made our way back through town to the bus. It was quite a serene journey home which I suppose is odd for a Friday night. The parts of town we walked through, the bus, the Bearwood high street, all quiet.
So I get myself setup on Upcoming and drop a badge on my blog site then what happens next? Well Upcoming only go and get themselves bought by Yahoo! don't they? Is there a pattern here? Will all the sentences in this blog post end in a question mark? No.
This is cool news. Stuff coming together. I like it. And tonight I'm attending my first Upcoming-posted gig, Editors at the Irish Centre. I'm reet looking forward to this. Meeting up with Mike and Paul over at the Custard Factory first. Should be sweet.
A beautiful day out to Matlock in the Peak District. First stop was a walk around Matlock Bath. As always, the book sale shop caught our eye. Among other things, I picked up a 'making of' book for the recent Hitchhikers movie. At the till, the guy told me that his daughter was actually in the movie. A student at the Wimbledon College Of Art, they got involved in the creature props and she actually played one of the Vogons.
We drove up to Rowsley and got on the Peak Rail steam train back down to Matlock. Had a bit of a look around and then went back. On the platform waiting for the train, we started to worry. No sign of the train. Finally my nerve went and I called the helpline. As I listened to the phone ringing, the engine came around the bend. Phew. Back to the car, and home.
