| Saturday 28th October 2006 6:38CDT | → 0 Comments |
It comes as no surprise to me that a recent travel survey rates Heathrow Airport as the world’s ‘least favourite’. I think it’s a dump, especially when I come back from the gleam of ORD or compare it to the functional beauty of CPH. Now I’m doubly conscious given Terry’s friends who are coming to visit in December - they’ll be coming into Terminal Four, the arrivals hall of which leads out to a sh*tty (and poorly maintained) concrete parking area.
However, there is some cheer from this BBC ‘Have Your Rant’ on whether the UK should become a strictly secular society. One the whole the contributors seem to say yes and argue fairly cogently (for a change - most of the responses to BBC HYS questions highlight the ignorance of one’s fellow citizens). Possibly this is fueled by the debate over Muslims becoming insular and fundamentalist Christianity trying to get a foot hold. Then again, any arguments for religion fall flat when even the simplest rational analysis is applied - should I not be surprised?
In case anyone missed it, some links to Richard Dawkins C4 documentary, ‘The Root Of All Evil Question Mark’ part 1 and part 2. Also have a look at the docu-polemic The God Who Wasn’t There.
| Tuesday 24th October 2006 16:04CDT | → 0 Comments |
Happy United Nations Day.
| Sunday 22nd October 2006 6:06CDT | → 0 Comments |
OK. I consider myself suitably chastised for not writing anything recently. My own (poor) defence is being busy at work as well as preparing for Terry’s visit.
For example, I’ve had to buy all his xmas presents now so I can hide them before he arrives. That is, hide them in someone else’s house as he’d only go looking for them and, once discovered, would try to guess what’s inside by shaking them to bits.
Also, after much to-ing and fro-ing, I’ve managed to book lunch at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant (not the flagship which has a somewhat complicated booking policy, but the one at Claridges) - the hassle was finding a date that suited everyone (five of us). I’ve mentioned to them it’s a birthday meal so hopefully they’ll give him a tour of the kitchen, which he really wants.
Another forthcoming treat is a week in Copenhagen for the two of us in March. Quite simply, I came across a good deal on Expedia and went for it. Flights and six nights in a four start hotel for about
| Monday 9th October 2006 13:03CDT | → 0 Comments |
Migration complete, though email is taking its time coming through - probably backed up due to some down-time during the transition.
A freecycler is about to arrive any moment to pick up some books. Got to go…
| Saturday 7th October 2006 21:19CDT | → 0 Comments |
I’m migrating to WingSix, having given up on the previous candidate, though keeping the domain managed by UK Shells as US hosts have ‘issues’ with UK domains. Essentially, I needed more bangs for my $CURRENCY and WingSix gives me more for less - especially disk space and spam control. It’ll be something of a wrench to give up a true shell account by dynamic DNS and broadband means I can use my own machine for that.
Things may go completely fish-slice over the next few days. You have been warned.
| Friday 6th October 2006 20:03CDT | → 0 Comments |
Two heathen purchases: The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and by Sam Harris. It looks like the fundies might have got at the Amazon ratings for Dawkins’ book. I’ll make my own intellectual and critical (i.e. non-mystical-bullshit) analysis.
Terry’s birthday treat will be a trip to Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in Chelsea, though we haven’t decided whether it will be for lunch or dinner. It’s one of the top restaurants in the country (three stars) and has a two month waiting list. I’ll have to dress up.
… and next time I’m on a flight with Terry, I’d better make sure not to show any affection to him in public.
| Sunday 1st October 2006 23:57CDT | → 0 Comments |
I’ve gone pink for October.
Only recently fully recovered from my jet-lag. In fact, today I didn’t even get up until midday.
Anyway, summary of what happened in the second week: it was somewhat quieter but Terry, some friends and I went for a pontoon boat ride around Lake Mendota in the capable hands of two guys from the MSCR who’s base is right next to where Terry lives by the Yahara River. Very enjoyable, if ‘brisk’ weatherwise. The captain was a little crazy IMHO and kept giggling most of the time, though surprisingly this didn’t seem to bother anyone else. We basically sailed close to the shore right round the lake and got to see a lot of the big, expensive houses (including the Governor’s mansion, which I’ve been into before anyway).
Rose took us to Ella’s Deli which is a Madison institution and has to be seen to be believed.
Two of Terry’s friends, Mary and Jess, are coming to stay in Guildford for two weeks just after Christmas. I met them a number of times and had dinner at their house in Monona (where Mary seemed horrified that she had slightly under-barbequed my steak even though I wasn’t bothered). I must send them some tourist literature.
Otherwise, I played around with my camera doing long-exposure and panoramic shots; set up Terry’s DVD player and VCR which he had unplugged and couldn’t get working again; got complemented frequently on my Inflate bag; did lots of shopping; got called a ’stand-offish European’ by a stranger despite not having done anything to offend him (Terry was not happy about this); visited the new Overture Center for the arts downtown; observed the explosion of Halloween merchandise in shops.
This week I had an appraisal at work. All positive and my work is highly appreciated with the comment that I get quite grumpy sometimes when things aren’t going right (tired and emotional in the literal and not politically metaphorical sense). Must do better.
RSS 2.0