The first 7 days

A cool weekend all-in-all, complimented by some glorious weather down here in Londinium. Caroline and I went for a nice long walk in Richmond Park on Saturday morning. Definitely my favourite place in London to stretch the legs, get some fresh air and blow away the cobwebs. It's big enough to make you feel you're nowhere near a city and has lots of amazing features - proper hills, woods, lakes, herds of (very tame) deer, beautiful stately lodges...even parrots! It used to be a Charles I royal hunting park when the deer were introduced in 1637 and has evolved ever since. Went for a late pub lunch, then on to the cinema to see Sweeney Todd...

Usually the thought of a musical film fills me with dread (I was weened on Star Wars, NOT Mary Poppins), but this was brilliant. A dark, sometimes comedic, sometimes gruesome but utterly engrossing film. Daddy and Mummy goth (Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter) put in equally impressive performances and totally gelled in their twisted characters and dialogue. The CGI, songs and great supports (including a camp italian Sacha Baron Cohen) made one of the most enjoyable films I've seen for a long time. Thumbs up.

Caroline went to Paris this morning for a work thing on Monday, so more shed time for me. Did a good long stint on Star Wars Lego, then drove down to Battersea for a photo sesh. Currently trying to fight off the Sunday blues with left over fish pie - a busy week ahead.

A week into my first blog and I'm really enjoying it. 230 hits in week one and I only know of a handful of people that read it, so to whomever else there is I hope you enjoy reading my random dribblings!

Pedestrian Opie

A colleague has just sent me this. A brilliant new piece of visual art from Julian Opie, whose style I paid homage to for my Avatar...

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=bk8VgGhxOVU

Koko no-no

After a fairly frustrating day at work (seemingly spent it sorting out other people's issues and not my own) I made my way to Camden to meet a few mates. Chowed on a some quality Dim Sum at Teachi on Parkway, then made our way to KoKo via a few pubs.

Teenage Fanclub are one of my favourite bands - I have loved them since first hearing Bandwagonesque and seeing them at Reading circa 89/90. Tonight should have been a nostalgic night listening to old favs and new stuff from the melodic scots. It was not to be: Firstly they were so quiet - not that they are known for being a really noisey band, but still I like my eardrums to rumble at least a little bit when I see a band. They played a good selection of old and new (including my favs StarSign, The Concept and Radio), but to be honest they seemed to just be going through the motions. I was actually bored and didn't seem to be alone in feeling that. The whole gig had a weird, egdey vibe. What really finished the evening for me was when a friend was told to 'be quiet' whilst saying something to me (quietly)! I left early - something I have rarely done at a peformance of any kind, and luckily Caroline was still up when I got home. (she's just returned from a week away at a show at the NEC)

Hmm...maybe they just had a bad night. Hey ho - nearly the weekend!

Bugged

Dragged my poorly self into work - had lots to catch up on even after just one day off. Still feeling like the new boy in my job and forming relationships with lots of people - some sit next to me, some spread across Europe, plus expectations and responsibilities are a lot higher now. It's cool and I have a lot more autonomy and influence than I did before, but it's a wee bit scary still. I still feel pretty ill - screaming headache, stomach cramps and hot flushes, but had to go in for a bit - deadlines and all that - pah! The tube is particularly nasty when you are ill which didn't help, and even nastier when it's the Northern Line at peak time! I just put my headphones in and bury my head in my book - the journey generally flies then. At least it's not as hot as in the summer. It can get very sauna like (without the towels). Apparently temperatures regularly exceed the level that is legal to transport cattle in the UK...and we pay for the pleasure! Definitely one of the down sides of living in London. I could always cycle in I guess, but have seen how people drive in rush hour!

Currently reading 'The Joke's Over - The Memoirs of Hunter S.Thompson' by Ralph Steadman. Great book so far - a fascinating, anarchic, excessive and chaotic ride through a variety of globe trotting assignments with the father of Gonzo journalism, written and illustrated by Wales' finest satirical/political cartoonist. 9-5 didn't apply to these blokes! 

Not going to make a habit of posting what I'm having for dinner, as it could get quite boring (though I love food so you never know), but on the menu tonight is Pork, Bramley Apple and Black Pudding sausages with carrot, tatties and chive mash - yum. Caroline is back tomorrow after a week away at her show - can't wait, though better get some 'shed' time in before I loose control of the TV again!

The first trail of many?

So then. Having a day off work with a nasty stomach bug has given me the time (and boot up the backside) to start my own blog. I should have done this years ago, but anyway. I'm not sure how this blog will evolve or if anyone will even read it, but this will be a portal for my musings, mumblings, moans, elations and photos that I choose to share with the world. If it provides entertainment and interaction then so much the better!