30 December 2003

Wow, is that really the date?

Christmas just seemed to fly by this year! It was a good one though, I spent all of it at Sarah's with her parents, brother and uncle. We didn't get on too bad, there were no drunk and disorderly incidents and nobody fell down the toilet this year. In fact the gift giving and meal on Xmas day went quite well and we even played a couple of board/card games together in the evening, which was a first. There was also a less traditional farting competition in which I only came third, despite an early lead.

As per usual Sarah and I both over-ate a bit, but we managed to get out the house and go on a few walks to help burn some of it off. One of the more memorable jaunts was on Boxing Day night when we just walked around the neighbourhood. Wickford's very different from Enfield in that respect, people really made an effort with the decorations, there were all manner of lights, reindeer, santas and even a small hot air balloon in people's windows, gardens and on the sides of their homes. I don't know why there is nothing like that in Enfield. Perhaps we don't have the same Christmas spirit, or maybe people actually can afford a string of lights after buying a house here!

As well as the usual clothes, DVDs and CDs we got this year, between the two of us we received no less than eight calendars! I've already taken one into work, so that leaves seven to divvy up between Wickford and my place. So whatever else happens in 2004, at least I should always know what day it is, which will be an improvement over 2003.

Happy New Year!

20 December 2003

For the first time this year I've written an end of year letter. It seemed appropriate somehow as 2003 has been a busy year and it's end marks a change in my life. Not sure how well received it will be by people, but at least I'm doing my bit to keep in touch. You can read the letter here.

19 December 2003

I can't believe I had my last day working at Potters Bar today. After all the delays it seemed so far off, but here it is! I'll be sad to leave as I have made some good friends here and the office itself has always been convenient, more convenient that Harold Hill will be for sure. I think it's helped that others in my team have already moved out to other offices, at least I know there is life outside Potters Bar and that I can still keep in touch with people.

I managed to get hold of a rough seating plan for the new office, not too bad, I'm on a four desk section with the two people from my old team, which is good, and my head of department (my immediate boss' boss' boss) which I'm a little dubious about. Have to be on my best behaviour, or at least try to stay awake at my desk.

8 December 2003

Just had a good, if somewhat cold weekend! Spent Saturday morning looking round the shops and market in Enfield. Didn't spend out too much and only got one bag of books from the second hand stall (I'm trying to cut down). In the afternoon we managed to catch up with some of the TV shows and films we'd taped during the week, then went online to check a couple of things and ended up chatting in The Palace. Was only supposed to be on for a little while, but before I knew it, it was time to put dinner on, but instead of logging off and going to the kitchen I tried to keep on chatting whilst running back and forth to the food. Not a good idea, and I ended up having to call in reinforcements in the shape of Midgey to avoid bodging it!

Sunday was pretty much taken up with the Cheshunt Collector's fair. Not been there for a few months, and it was our last chance to get hold of some more unusual Christmas prese. Initially we weren't very hopefully, the place was packed and our favourite dealer and fellow Japanophile Andy wasn't there (maybe he went bankrupt after we missed the last fair). However, on searching around we soon starting finding things we liked and before I knew it, I was once again checking my wallet for holes. It can't have gone that quick! Even with my haggling all the notes I had brought and half of Midgeys had evaporated befrore we left. Mouse-over the picture below to see what we got.

After getting back and chowing down on some tasty burger we watched the quality anime "City Hunter", Jetsonik braved the freezing cold to fit new windscreen wipers on our car and I put up the Christmas Tree (which was a breeze as I hadn't been arsed to remove the decorations from last year).

2 December 2003

My proposed office move has been put back for a couple of weeks. This has caused a bit of difficulty as I was planning on stay at Sarah's the majority of the time when I'm there, so consequently most of my stuff is at her place but I'm still in Enfield! I just hope that when we do get the go for moving it's not a last minute thing.

I'm reading "One door away from Heaven" by Dean Koontz at the mo', and whilst it's certainly a involving book the claim on that back that it "will forever change anyone who reads it" seems a bit wishful thinking. The only change I've noticed about myself so far is that I'm down the price of a book, but who knows, it may just surprise me. Or the heroes may escape the bad guys and end up shagging in the penultimate chapter like near enough every other Koontz book I've read, only time will tell.

28 November 2003

I made a great discovery, some of my favourite cartoons from my childhood are being shown on late night cable TV. I've been recording them to see if they are as good as I remember them. Apart from having the same format each episode and each of them starring a small annoying robot, I've found myself really enjoying them. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled in case any other of my favourites are repeated, they are the perfect thing to watch in order to wind down after work!

23 November 2003

I know it's over a month to the day, but we went to see a Christmas movie today! Not usually my sort of thing, but this was "Elf" starring Will Ferrell from my all time 3rd favourite movie "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back". Can't say it filled me with seasonal goodwill, but it was a good laugh and I recommend it if you like slightly daft and sentimental comedies with some good burp and elves being hit with cars jokes.

19 November 2003

I'm happy to say we've managed to get the Windsor Castle write up online, it's the last visit we're making this year which is appropriate as the Tower of London was the first. Things sound like they are finally moving at work, and I could be relocated to Harold Wood at the start of next month. It will be a drastic change for me, but I'm optimistic that it will be a change for the better. I'm hoping that this site will help me stay in touch with some of my former colleagues that I consider friends.

12 November 2003

Much rejoicing, my authographed photo of Xenia Seeberg from Lexx has finally turned up! I won it in an Ebay auction by sniping (placing a bid right before the end of the auction) with only 6 seconds left. Midgey and I disagree about Xenia Seeberg, I think she's stunning, Midgey thinks she looks like a horse. Click here to see a scan of the photo and see what you think!

8 November 2003

This is a typical example of some of my luck; I've been after the book "Starship Troopers" ever since I saw the film, only being tight I've been trying to get it second hand to save a couple of quid. Well, I finally gave up last week and bought a copy from Ebay, not a bad price, £2.29 inc p&p. I was happy until I checked the Enfield Town book stall today. You guessed it, for the first time in five years they had a copy of "Starship Troopers" - for 50p!

I wasn't too miffed though, Ottakers are giving away free books! There are only three to choose from so I chose "Harlequin" by Bernard Cornwell which I'd been thinking of trying for a while. I also managed to find a couple of unexpected Christmas present for friends that I'm hoping they'll be chuffed with, one of which I've been keeping an eye out for so long I had forgotten about it until I saw it. Hopefully they will put a smile on the faces of a couple of people who have been really good to me this year.

26 October 2003

We've just come back from a trip to Windsor. We spent a couple of hours touring the castle then looked round the town itself. Great day out. Expect the report to grace this site shortly!

21 October 2003

I've been told I should put a journal on here, so here it is! I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to write here, and it most likely won't get updated often, but it's here in case I feel like declaring anything to the world at large (well the few people who I've given this website address to anyway!).