Last Gasp Before Offline (Again)

Just in the office picking up kit for another three days on site and hence offline. Had to post a quickie but I don't have much to say anyway. Quite where last night went I don't know but either way I've not a lot to show for it. The usual trip to the father-in-law's was as eventful as ever. At least we were home in time for the kids to have a play before bed. I always feel guilty when they protest at no play-time when we've rushed them around on our own agenda. Once they were in bed it was time for something to eat then a hour in front of the telly watching Big Brother then bed. Done.

Payday Is A Damp Squib

Just got the text to confirm that this months wages have gone into the bank, yipee! Then I realised just little cash there is left in there after being swallowed by the overdraft, boohoo! What am I going to do? Hope site is still on for tomorrow. I NEED the overtime big style.

Getting Around To Doing Stuff (Gradually)

Took my laptop into the office today so that I could backup my mp3's onto CD in the background. Also started bringing some of the computer clutter from home into the office to keep it out of the way during the house move.

Got mail from Fergus. Glad to see he's still talking to me! Finally got some of his photos online tonight. Just the basic layout is there at the moment but it looks OK. See how it looks after a few days and get an opinion off Fergus also.

With sitework again this week I've had to cancel Mike till later which also gives me a bit more time to collect some samples. One that springs to mind is a small riff from 'Clap Clap Clap' by XTC. And another is Augustus Pablo 'King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown - various drum fills.

Phil brought in the artists booklet he designed today. He did a real nice job with it. Bloody hell was I jealous. Really. He should be right proud. Proper Bo!

Weekend Summary

Little progress made creatively this weekend. Did a couple a Photoshop montages that I must post up on the web somewhere. But most computer time spent trying to stop damm pop-up windows in IE. I need to do a complete re-build of the laptop but I'm waiting for XP SP2 to be released first.

On Saturday we got Dylan signed up for his swimming lessons which will start in a fornight at the same time as Harriets. Harriet played with Lizzie at her Dad's in the afternoon. Me and Dyl played Tony Hawk 4 on the Gamecube. Evening movie was 'Welcome to Collingwood' which Jacq got me for our anniversary. Top movie, great characters. As always, William H Macy stole the show for me. That guy rocks!

Weather screwed my plans for a trip to the dump, plus I couldn't get a parking spot anywhere near the house! Did get the grass cut on Sunday before it rained again. Quite sucked into Harry Potter 5 at the moment. Managed to snatch a few minutes with it here and there.

Arse End Of The Week

In the office (and therefore online access) today, Friday. General mood still black. Strange to be on site missing the office then when I'm in the office, wishing I was somewhere else. This can't be good. Surely a sign to take some action?

Inspired somewhat by Phil's blog entries that show he's clearly got his head in the right place despite office gloom. I should take a leaf.

MUST focus this weekend. There's lots going on and I'm not getting involved enough with all this time away from home. When I'm there I seem to just be recovering from the rigors of work. Got to get busy with the house moving organisation. Take the opportunity to have a good clear out of stuff. Maybe a trip to the dump?

Reading Books Before Work

In the office for a hour or two this morning to get some admin done then off to site again. Finished Harry Potter 4 this morning. Up till 1 last night trying to finish it but my eyelids wouldn't hold out. But I was too close to the end to not finish it off before going to work. Enjoyed it. Strangely moved by the end. Might do 5 next.

Top Telly Treats

Tired now, but it IS quite late. A week of site work has kept me on the go. I'm thankful that the weekend has arrived. The occasional phonecall from Trapper has kept me in the gossip loop. Of which there's actually not that much to get excited about. Things drift on. As normal. Ho hum.

Of MUCH more interest of course has been the big bust-ups in Big Brother. Splendid television! Dissapointed at tonights cancelled eviction. There is no way that Daniel is going. My prediction for the final three is Daniel, Stuart and Shell.

After Big Bro I caught the new series of Bo Selecta! Haven't watched it in a while I was in exactly the right mood for it. Laughed my tits off. Shamone!

Back Home From Site (For One Night)

Site work finished unexpectedly early today so I gave the hotel a miss and was back home before five. Lovely sunny evening with a refreshing breeze. Out in the garden later I took a moment to enjoy the sound of the wind in the leaves of the huge trees a couple of streets away.

This evening was one of those times when thankfully time seemed to run at a reasonable rate. There has been time tonight to do various chores, to play hide and seek with the kids, to read a bit of my current book (Harry Potter 4), to bath the kids and read a story, to do a bit of web surfing, and finish off with a blast of Big Brother (which is just SO good this year! Have I said that already?). It makes a nice change to feel that my life isn't racing ahead of me and I'm struggling to keep up.

A Quick Catch-Up Blog Entry

It's been a week since I've been online. Site work has kept me busy and home has been too busy to even power up my laptop. Many thoughts have occurred and I've said to myself 'I must get that onto the blog' but as always, the moment passes and here I am playing catch-up.

Thoughts that pop straight in right now. It was our anniversary yesterday and I didn't get a pressie organised. I'm angry at myself for that. Then England tore my guts out yet again by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against France. I literally felt like throwing up. I'm not watching them again. I'm not letting them do that to me. Thankfully Big Brother brings a dose of silly fluffyness and all's well. Really enjoyed the eviction of two housemates into the bedsit on Friday night. Top telly. Such funny reactions. Plus tits falling out everywhere which is always good. Getting texts coming in from Mike on a trip up to Edinburgh with Liz. Today he reports that he is recording sounds up there on his new mp3 recorder thingy. Sounds interesting.

Back in the office just for tomorrow. Maybe a chance to jot a few more entries. Then back down to site for a few more days, and a little more overtime.

Off To Site Today

Going down to Hemel Hempstead today which will probably be the start of an extended period of commissioning. Don't fancy the drive as I got no sleep last night. So hot, and my shoulders were killing me. Oh well, at least site will keep me busy and that's a good thing compared with the depressing atmosphere in the office.

Office Morale

I'm only away a week, but I get back in the office and the morale seems to have gone down through the floor!

Managers resigning. Managers STILL failing to communicate when on our site. Capex cancellations. Projects bollocking Systems. All in all a deadly cocktail. A recipe for disaster.

I'm REALLY concerned that this place is going into a tailspin. A few grumblings I've heard have mentioned putting escape plans into action. Once some guys make a break for it then I think the floodgates will open and the place will just wither. What a cheery outlook!

Mice Parade

Saw Mice Parade at the Jug Of Ale last night. Nice gig. First one in ages admittedly. Depressed by all the usual trappings of the pub gig experience but elated by the noise that Mice Parade made. Post-rock jams in a tortoise style. Mike said he heard Laika in there which I thought made a lot of sense.

At the end of the set I picked up their first CD. Mike got one of the others so we can trade. Adam Pierce seemed like a nice bloke. He liked to use the word 'awesome' lots. Which in their own way, they were.

Back From Holiday

The holidays were lots of fun. Did some swimming at the local country club, nice. A couple of trips to the beach. And return trips to Eden Project and Springfield Pony Farm. Relaxed lots then spoiled it all by knackering my back on a trampoline! As t'wife enjoyed reminding me, I'm forty now and you have to be careful. Bummer.

Back home to catch up on domestic chores and the new Harry Potter movie. Harriet brought Lizzie with her for support but it turned out to be not that scary. All enjoyed the movie.

One Last Friday Morning

Just in the office this morning then out of here and into the holidays! Got to get home for a haircut then help getting the house tidy for Ken this afternoon. He wants to show his parents our house so I guess the survey report hasn't put him off buying it. After the visit then it's packing time ready for an early start in the morning.

Still fired up from last nights loopfest. Don't know where some of those sounds and interactions came from. The creativity unleashed has really re-energised me in splendid timing for the coming break. Looking forward to the mental space to consider my thoughts.

Laptop Session Over

Just completed a superb dual-laptop session with Mike. The sonic goodness just poured forth. We were both stoked. Nothing recorded, but somehow that doesn't matter. The methods worked, the grooves were natural, we can recreate it. It's a real-time thing.

Both agreed that new samples are required. I'm on the look out for snippets that can be dropped into a mix with lots of chained delays. Top of the head, I think I'll be ripping some Satie sections and some dub elements from Lee Perry and King Tubby. Also some guitar noise would be good, MBV, Kitchens, rehersal tapes, backwards stuff.

Buzzing.

Wednesday Snapshot

Pleasant enough day in the office sans Beard. Updating a system architecture just about kept me motivated, but it was a close run thing. On site tomorrow fitting an overload at Hemel. Just a day out really. Winding down for the hols.

Harriet round at Molly's house when I got home. Jacq bought her a Mudkip Pokemon toy today and left it in her bed to discover. She was overcome with emotion when she saw it. Tears of joy. So sweet. Dylan was happy with his Beckham Euro 2004 coin from the petrol station.

Jacq watching ER which give me the willies. It's just WRONG! All that pain and unpleasantness! So I'm in the front room as usual pottering with pooters. More CD's onto the iPod. Soulseek in the background.

Mike round tomorrow night for some laptop goodness hopefully. Must dig out my new stuff for 'show and tell'.

Been arguing with Jacq about bringing the lappy on hols this weekend. She said no and I said yes but really I'm looking forward to the enforced non-computer time.

Muted Day / Nice Evening

Moved back to my desk. Sent out some emails. Apologies to Fergus. Benny came up trumps with Hellboy. Must do him the latest Step 7.

Harriet had her hair cut and looked lovely when I got home. Me and Dylan spent the evening saying "Congratulations!" to each other and shaking hands. He thought it was great fun.

Beach Boys playing in the front room. Disney Girls, what a great track and I only just realised it's not even a Brian Wilson song!

Watched Chelsea Flower Show on telly. Most enjoyable. Listened to a bit of net radio. Lard on 6Music. Good stuff. Caught up with some gaming news. Last few bits from recent E3. HL2 looks superb, City17 really immersive.

Sorted out some CD's to transfer onto the iPod for the hols. Lloyd Cole, Throwing Muses, Smiths, Beach Boys, Belly. Keeping it 'sing-a-long style' as t'wife won't allow any weird stuff and she'll be on the controls.

Sunday Night Summary

A quiet weekend really.

Saturday was just routine swimming lesson, chores and bit of retail therapy late afternoon at Merry Hill. The traditional pre-holiday purchases of magazines and toiletries were made. Just need the discipline to not peek before we head off down to Cornwall next Saturday. I bought Computer Arts and I've got an un-opened Wire. They should do me. Fire the inspiration in both directions. Other purchases were funky undies for Jacq and cool clothing for the kids. Why is it such fun buying clothes for the kids? And they look so good in everything too! I can't face it myself lately. I look like a right prat in everything.

Today was great because we just lazed around with no chores or commitments. I love days in. There's just so much stuff to do! Paul came round in the morning. Picked up the backscratcher that he asked Jacq to order for him off eBay. Go figure! Played with the kids in the garden. Took some Jackass style video footage of Dylan hurling himself over a blow-up chair. It took him four attempts before he went completely over and boy did he go flying! But fair play to him, he got straight up and wanted to see the video! Pleased with the camcorder. Haven't read the manual yet. More reading material for the holiday! That was something else that we bought yesterday, a bag for the camcorder. Sony of course. Twenty-five quid for a little bag! But you've got to have the real thing haven't you?

Capturing A Feeling

A sunny day, like today. Mid-morning and nothing much that HAS to be done. The bathroom is a calm refuge from the sun outside. The window is open and the distant sound of a small aircraft mixes with the tones of an ice-cream van a couple of streets away. The room is cool and the clean smell of bath products clears my mind. I feel good.

Too Tired To Type

It's Friday night again. A glass or two of wine and Derren Brown on telly. I'm dog-tired. Got back into office this afternoon in time for Nat to announce his resignation. Now everyone in the office is as pissed-off as I've been all week. Who knows where this is leading? In the words of Han Solo "I've got a bad feeling about this."