I ain’t said much
Well i ain’t said much recently. Sorry bout that. Will take some photos of the new house and stuff. Just feel like i’ve been really really busy!
Well i ain’t said much recently. Sorry bout that. Will take some photos of the new house and stuff. Just feel like i’ve been really really busy!
I haven’t given much in the way of updates recently - I think it’s been quite a busy time.
We had a lovely Christmas up in the North with Mum and Matt and a fun time for New Year down in Bristol at Becky and Dave’s house.
Since then, we have been really busy looking at houses to buy in and around Exeter. We have viewed so many but we have now finally found somewhere lovely in the hilly bit of St Thomas. We’ve been so busy because the whole process is going quite quickly. Obviously there is no chain our end due to being first time buyers, and there is no chain their end either because it is a second property for them. It’s a 3-bed semi with garden around 3 sides. It has a parking space and a garage so perfect for us with two cars now. The kitchen is the biggest we have seen in a house so it was perfect.
So far, we have arranged the mortgage and we’ve had the survey. I’ve yet to see the full survey but our mortgage company have and think that it’s ok to continue with the money lending so that is good. Our solicitor should now be continuing with searches and wot not so we’ll have to see how long that takes. Generally when I was at SWW we used to get them done within 48 hrs of receiving them but if there was any sort of problem, we had some kind of deadline of about 28 days or something so it could be longer. Let’s hope not!
On Thursday, James and I went to the cinema with Mum and Matthew to see the new Will Smith movie, I Am Legend. I am quite fond of large-scale disaster movies such as The Day After Tomorrow, 28 Days Later and Independence Day and I Am Legend did quite well.
I quite like Will Smith. He’s a good actor and is quite versatile, doing action, comedy and serious drama all equally as well. I do hope he doesn’t go down the Tom Hanks route and get all serious for every movie though. I Am Legend would be a seriously challenging film for any actor because for the majority of the film, Will Smith is the only person in it! The down-side seems to be that not a great deal happens. Most of the film is just that - this one character going about his business. The movie’s sub-title could just have been “Will Smith does Acting“.
If you are really sensitive about spoilers, don’t continue reading this post but to be honest, there isn’t much to ‘give away’ because not much happens. Will Smith’s character is living alone in New York because he is immune to a terrible air-born disease that has either killed, or infected the rest of the world. The disease came about due to a doctor trying to harness the power of an existing virus (the measles), to enhance the immune system and therefore cure serious afflications such as cancer. This virus however, mutated and sent people’s metabolisms into hyper-drive to a point where their bodies could not sustain themselves without getting more blood. It spread massively due to also mutating to an air-born strain. Everyone who was infected became a bit crazy due to their body’s changes and thirst for the blood of others therefore even though there were quite a few survivors who were immune, they were all killed by the infected. All the senses of the infected were hightened, breathing became faster and skin became far more sensitive to UV rays forcing them to stay in the shelter during the day. Sounds all a bit vampire-like doesn’t it. Apparently in the book they are vampires however this isn’t expressly mentioned in the movie I Am Legend.
Anyway that explanation of what the hell is going on is all skirted over very quickly in the movie and you don’t really get enough explanation of what’s going on. I always think part of the true scariness of these types of movies is seeing the fall of the human race. In this film though, it is relegated to a few very short flash-back scenes. The scenes of the deserted city are very impressive though and are understandably used as much as possible.
My major gripe is one that I have with quite a few movies recently - the overuse of CG for characters that could have been played by real people. I am willing to admit that computer graphics are very very good nowadays and can be very successfully integrated into live action sequences. I do however think that some film-makers are deluding themselves into thinking that they can churn out anything in CG and it will look believable. Wikipedia notes that some reviews of the film said that “the infected just aren’t that scary” and they are right. The reason for this is that the depiction of the infected has lost all association with a recognisable human origin. I understand that the affects of the virus are supposed to have changed the body’s abilities etc but what was presented bore no real resemblance to the human it supposedly started as. The movement was very strange and the sounds the infected made didn’t sound anything like what would come from even a mutated human voicebox. There is no way that these characters could be truly scary in the intended manner unless you can look at them and have at least a tiny recognition of something human and be able to say ‘oh my god, look what’s happened to that person as a result of their infection’ rather than ‘what the hell is that? Oh, it’s another gross movie monster.’
The way that CG is executed is not yet good enough to have fully computer generated characters in my view but we see it all the time. It is good enough to add effects, but the characters just aren’t good enough alongside live action characters. The technology may well be there, but the people doing it haven’t got it yet. The close-ups should have been actors and CG used to complement this in wider scenes. In the context of CG, it was fantastic. In the context of trying to look real and scary, the movie bosses are deluding themselves if they think they’ve got it spot on yet. I still think we are years away from that.
Guests at a dinner party held by one of Britain’s most senior admirals needed hospital treatment after a fondue set exploded and showered them in molten cheese.
I read this in The Times this morning. Online story here.
Molten cheese burns…eek! Get well soon Admiral dinner guests. Next time, you’d be better off going to the Ambassador’s reception and having Ferrero Rocher instead.
Fresh new look for 2008. What do you think?
Do you think this man was committing a crime? I’m not sure he was to be honest.
On November 5th 2007 we marked the completion of my 27th year in existence. We went to the 27th Exeter Round Table St Loyes Fireworks Display with Mum, Reagan and Dave B. It was amazing as usual. I hope they don’t have to stop doing it because of the sale of the college. That would be extremely sad because it’s the best fireworks display I have seen in this country.
I have failed to write anything in quite a while now. I think I have just felt rather busy and have therefore neglected you all slightly. The main events of the last few weeks can be summarised as follows:
Phwef. After all that, it’s a good thing I have a day off work tomorrow! :)
This weekend James and I travelled to London primarily to attend the Angioma Alliance UK first annual forum conference. Hopefully they won’t mind me quoting their leaflet because I know quite a few people reach my website when searching for information on cavernous angiomas / cavernomas / cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) / cavernous haemangiomas (all names for the same condition).
Angioma Alliance UK is an organisation established by and for those affected with cavernous angiomas and their families. Their website www.angiomaalliance.org.uk provides information about cavernous angiomas, our current members and information on acquiring membership. Along with our parent organisation, Angioma Alliance based in Virginia, USA, we also provide updates on research.
If you would like more information about cavernomas I urge you to contact angioma alliance as they specialise in providing clear information about the illness and offer support to anyone affected by the illness.
It was a very informative day for James and me. We discovered lots of information that we didn’t have previously. A lot of the information on the web is contradictory and it was really good to hear from actual specialists who research the condition and treat it every day. There were talks on prognosis, standard surgery, genetics, gamma knife surgery and how a family should approach the issues related to a diagnosis.
It was all arranged by the Angioma Alliance UK Co-ordinator Ian Stuart and he has already announced the next annual Angioma Alliance UK forum in 2008. Here is a little pic of Ian doing his stuff.
In the evening after the forum we met up with Greg, Phoebe and Dudley for some dinner at Pizza Express. Afterward we went to Ed’s for some milkshakes. I had a peanut butter malt milkshake. It was nice but possibly a little bit too peanut buttery. The one James had was lovely - banana coffee.
We also saw some wonderful weather on the way to London. Here are a few pics of the weather and meeting people:
Recently I have met quite a few new people through various activities. In some cases I have been very surprised at the level of immaturity that has come from grown adults. It is one thing to critique someone’s professional decisions or their general way of handling something, and in my opinion, a completely different thing to get personal about it.
In some instances I have felt quite uncomfortable around people who have been speaking of others in a way that I would associate with school-yard talk. Although I did not counter these people at my work, I can understand where the concepts of bullying in the work-place come from if these people are anything to go by. I have felt very uncomfortable and I know that if the person in question were to hear what people were saying then I should think they would be very hurt. There is no need for it…ever.
I am totally gutless and did not voice my opinion. Instead I remained quiet, astonished at these people. I think they thought that I was a shy person or something which is the complete opposite of my usual self. I should have stuck up for that person.
Just yesterday someone heard my text message sound, which I love, and they acted as though I was insane and perhaps totally “uncool”, commenting that it “sounded more like” *what they said*. This person was perhaps in their 30s. The look of horror and disgust on their face, added to the “O….K” reminded me again of my previous experiences above, as if it was being stored for later slagging-off material. Thankfully I am secure enough to not worry about this any further. It just still surprises me of some people’s mentality despite supposedly being grown adults. *sigh*
Got a cheque from the Premium Bonds people through the post today - £500!!
This is FANTASTIC. I’m so happy! James and I jumped around in happiness for several minutes! I celebrated by dying my hair blonde. It didn’t go blonde sadly; my hair never properly takes to dye for some reason. However, it is a few shades lighter which will be nice for summer.
HOORAY!
Yes, stay away from Weekes Letting Agency in Exeter. Today I accompanied Becky to extract money from Weekes Letting Agency in Exeter who have been trying to STEAL Dave’s £400 deposit of the last 9 months!! After many promises to send a cheque and even do a bank transfer, it was necessary to appear on their doorstep and be firm! Sadly the woman seemed horrified at the prospect of reimbursing Becky for her travel costs (considering they promised a bank transfer last week!) but at least they now have the £400 back!
Long time no update! I think I’ve just been exceedingly busy with various stuffs.
Just got back from a lovely long weekend at the amazing annual Queen Convention. Lots of fun was had this year. For the first time Norm joined us and also for the first time (since I’ve been going) it wasn’t held at Prestatyn. Instead, it was held at the Brean Sands Pontins which is far closer.
Everyone had LOADS of fun…it’s always a shame that it goes so quickly. Pictures can be found here.
I am doing ok this week so far with regard to general healthy eating however I haven’t done much exercise other than walk to and from work.
Today my right hip was giving me a bit of pain. I’ve had that a few times before. Not so much pain I suppose but more stiffness which makes walking a bit irritating and actually difficult at times. I wonder whether it is seizing up from not doing exercise for about a week. I took some cod liver oil when I got home today because it was almost so bad I thought I was going to have to stop on the way home. Perhaps the weather is affecting my joints. If it doesn’t go I might go to the chiropractor and ask him to do something with it. It’s probably just a bit stiff from general lugging around of my fatness. I think if it was anything serious it would be a different kind of pain. You know the sort. I think most people have had a stiff joint at one time or another. It might actually be the hip I bashed on the ground when I did my fall in the middle of the road that time. I can’t remember which it was.
Lent has now begun and it seems to be one of those times where people have an excuse to make some kind of resolution. I have decided that for Lent I will attempt to give up food at work (other than lunch). I will resist all biscuits in meetings (which to be honest I’m quite good at already because of my now weight loss ‘reputation’ I have to maintain), and resist all team related foods such as celebratory cakes.
Note this is not forever. One thing about my eating regime is to note that cakes and biscuits are not evil. You can work them in so long as you aren’t a prannock about it and continue to stuff your face repeatedly. This is just a ‘fun’ thing for Lent with a hopefully a small bonus on the scales each week. Let’s hope it works!
As we all know, Lent ends with Easter. Perhaps I will have an excuse to treat myself with a delicious Easter Egg if I do well.
These words all appear in the last chapter of the book I am reading. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to use these words in normal conversation this week!
Good luck!
This last weekend James and I visited my parents up North. It was the first time we’ve had chance to get together since before Christmas. We exchanged presents. Mum and Dad bought us the greatest thing we needed - a new kettle. The Breville JK43. So far it is fandabulous and has made some very nice cups of tea and coffee! It’s really nice to get useful presents!
Sadly, the other reason for going North never materialised. We were intending to go and see Kylie on her Showgirl Homecoming Tour. Unfortunately Kylie was taken ill and had to cancel two shows, one of which was the one we were scheduled to see. It was rescheduled to Sunday this week but James and I had only booked Monday and Tuesday off work. We have to be back at work on Monday morning. I have sent the tickets back for a refund. Bit of a shame because I was really looking forward to it, but it is better than Kylie doesn’t over-do things as she is probably more vulnerable since having the breast cancer.
I now have the rest of this week off work so I’m gradually sorting out the flat a bit. Have half sorted the bathroom. Need to get back to it!
Sunday 5th November was my 26th birthday. Because Sunday is not a great day for most people (due to work on a Monday morning) we had party shinanigans on Saturday night.
Rose arrived at about lunch time on Saturday and we had a great time chilling out, drinking lovely coffee in town and generally catching up on gossip. Later we transferred over to the house of Reagan, Dave B and Damian, meeting Jon and Hayley there, and enjoyed setting off celebratory fireworks. We ate cake and sparkled some sparklers. Half way through this Andi, Dan, Rosie, Becky and Dave arrived to enjoy the second half of the fireworks and cake. You can see some photos here and i think some other people took some photos too but i haven’t seen them yet.
After this we all travelled back into town and attended tyepyedong noodle bar on Sidwell Street for some delicious food, meeting Christel there. Everyone sang happy birthday to me. :D
After this we went into Amber Rooms for lovely cocktails and funky music. Then later we retired back to the flat and collapsed.
The next day we had some fried egg and bacon toasted sandwiches and croissants with orange and apple juice.
I had a wonderful time and everyone has been extremely generous. Thank you everyone for coming to visit. It really made it the best birthday I could have wished for. <3
This week I had a flash back to my childhood - I fell over and grazed my knee.
I’m quite lucky to still be alive though! I was crossing Topsham Road (which those who know Exeter will recognise as quite a busy road) in the rain. I failed to notice the levels involved through probably not paying attention. The kerb had become about 1 ft high at the area i was. Thinking it was normal height I stepped out with the view to a swift road crossing (so i suppose half jogging slightly) and lost balance due to having not noticed the increased height of the kerb. I basically landed on my face in the middle of the road and was comically spread flat down.
Thankfully there weren’t cars close enough to cause me damage and those approaching slowed up out of caution anyway. I grazed my knee and bashed my hip-bone. James put a plaster on my knee and my hip is now getting better. I can only assume it was internal bone bruising which caused the hip pain because the outside view didn’t do any justice to how much it hurt for 2 days!
This was all on Tuesday and I’m much better now. The knee has a nice bruise and some old-school grazing. Thankfully my indestructable teflon Tesco work trousers seemed to have not suffered at all. Amazing.
Again this raises the question…how can anyone be quite as clumsy as me recently? I have a never-ending stream of cuts, bruises and burns. I try not to of course!