Tag: France

bookmark_borderLast night

Posted on

Spent most of last night listening to the dulcet tones of my dear wife snorting and snoring and snuffling. Her sore throat has migrated to her head, and she’s sneezing and sniffing like a good ‘un.

And I think she’s passed it to me.

So what else is going on? The rise of the UKIP is a worry, anything that has Kilroy-Silk attached is NOT a good thing people! (preaching to the converted here though, aren’t I). The news that the rail network might be re-nationalised is a worry as, despite the cancelled train this morning, it’s been pretty good using the train to get to work. Re-nationalisation will mean scrapping routes, raising fares and generally making the car look like a much better option than it should be; there was a semi-related news item last week from California I think, where a group was campaigning for a bigger raise to the oil prices to make people use their cars less, might work? Ohhh and of course there is the news that some English fans decided that losing to France was justification enough to start fighting. Quelle surprise?

Site news: If I can be bothered I’ll be changing things here tonight. It’ll be work in progress for a while, as I’ve only really settled the structure but you’ve got to start somewhere I guess…

UPDATE: No I couldn’t be bothered. Might change it tomorrow.

bookmark_border3 days and counting

Posted on

We fly on Saturday morning at 7:30 pm. I get the feeling that the next couple of days may drag a little so I’m doing my best to fill my time (and the iPod still!). I’m looking forward to it but there are a few reasons that make me ever so slightly unsure about how it will turn out.

1. We are staying with my in-laws. I’ve stated before that I get on very well with my in-laws so it’s not really an issue, more to the point is the fact that we are staying in someone else’s house for two weeks. Will our routines clash? Will they mind me wandering about naked when it’s too hot (at night of course)? Will they have shreddies or just weetabix for breakfast?

2. Our wedding anniversary is in the middle of the holiday. We will go out for a nice meal to celebrate and then… er… not celebrate it that ‘other’ way… unless the beach is quiet of course.

3. This is the first holiday abroad that Louise and I have had in seven years (our last being our honeymoon). I’m not sure that either of us remember what to do… I’m guessing sit by the pool, read books, get a tan, coupled with the occasional wander round the local market and visiting the local attractions… hmmm yeah that sounds about right.

4. Spanish! My spanish is awful. Having only ever been to France until I was 20, I still find myself reverting to the tried and trusted “I’m in a different country, I must speak French” method (which is very confusing when I visit friends in England…). Now where did I put that phrasebook?

Actually, it’s not really much to worry about, is it. Truth be told I’m soooo looking forward to this holiday that I’d happily sleep on the floor of the local jail. It’s amazing what some people will do for two weeks off work, isn’t it. So, any holiday tips for me? Been taking Vitamin B1 (to keep away the mozzies), have plenty of lotion and after sun, the E111 will get stamped tomorrow, and have narrowed the book choice down to 10. What have I missed?

Listening to: Lemon Jelly – Elements

bookmark_borderCapturing the moment

Posted on

“You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America’s Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn’t want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named ‘Bush’, ‘Dick’, and ‘Colon.’ Need I say more?”
Chris Rock

(via my sister – queen of forwarding)

Posted on

To market, to market…
An unexpected bonus today. We headed into Glasgow (to buy a couple of birthday cards which I’ve only just realised we forgot to do) and came across a ‘European’ market running in Sauciehall Street. Belgian, Spanish, French, Germany and English stalls were represented. I got some Merguez but I will abstain from waxing lyrically about childhood holidays to France as I’m on my Dad’s PC and, hey hang on, he’s got broadband, I can take as long as I like (but my coffee will get cold).

Tomorrow we will be motoring up and down Loch Lomond in my friends boat. If the weather is as glorious as today I’ll be a happy bunny.

bookmark_borderOther places

Posted on

I’m about to rant, so before I do…

Go visit Meg, she will make you laugh: not.so.soft.
Go visit Stuart, he will make you think: hydragenic.
Go visit Becky, she’ll make you want to move to France: mybluehouse.
Go visit, Julie, and wonder when she and Leia will mutuate into one wonderous being: accidental/a large head

That’s not to say that any of the above sites are solely consumned on the topic I’ve mentioned them for, au contraire. Visit them all and sometimes you’ll laugh, sometimes you’ll ponder, sometimes you’ll explore, sometimes you’ll dream. And that, my friends, is why I love these funny little things called weblogs. Not for what they are, but for the people behind them. (Expanded by Tom: www.plasticbag.org – download his presentation for more info)

And go to my Visit page for many more wonderous examples of where I spend my ‘net time’.

OK, fluffy thoughts dealt with, on with the rant (presuming you’ve come back from the above recommendations, and why do I feel bad about not mentioning Vaughan, Carey, David, Caterina, Mike, Jennie, and so many others (and to add to that, I’m not worrying about the order I’ve list those names in…))

RANT
Stop. I wish I could. Just stop. Stop doing this, stop doing that, stop wanting this, stop deciding that.

Stop getting hacked off at things I can’t control. Stop worrying about things that haven’t happened (and probably never will). Stop dreaming, stop wishing, stop wanting.

Stop.

Most of all I want to stop Mondays.

Can’t we all just get together and agree that they are depressing, demoralising and thoroughly unhelpful days. Yes I realise they fill the gap until Tuesday and without them Tuesdays would become the new Monday, and anyway, what would we call the new day, and where would we put it? But Mondays suck. Last week I got stuck in traffic. This morning I dropped my watch (my beloved, coveted, beautiful watch) and shattered the glass face. Monday is getting the blame of this, and it’s not going to wriggle out of it.

(There have also been a few ‘developments’ at work, but I don’t like posting that kind of thing here. Best not to rant at the people that pay my salary)

Poem posted
Meant to throw this up last week but didn’t get around it. My sister sent it to me last weekend. Tears flowed.

bookmark_borderSoccer

Posted on

It’s a two-zip scenario.

Unless anyone can re-send me the alternative Brazil vs Scotland match thoughts from France 1998, which featured the thoughts that ran through the Scottish players heads as they faced the mighty Brazil (memory-jogger if you read it: John Collins permanently worrying about how he looked) then this little piece has to be the funniest World Cup related piece I’ve seen so far.

USA through, nation nonplussed (via Hydragenic).