|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 28, 2011 7:09:48 GMT
A mostly sleepless night due to the typical way my body is always confused by a clock change, leaves me zombiefied for work. Darn it, happens twice a year every year and never fails to annoy!
-Ralph
|
|
Hero
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
King of RULES!
Everything Rules
Posts: 7,476
|
Post by Hero on Mar 28, 2011 8:43:41 GMT
I can relate.
===KEN
|
|
|
Post by andrewbcalculating on Mar 28, 2011 15:18:10 GMT
|
|
|
Post by legios on Mar 28, 2011 19:56:16 GMT
Got my Friday off booked and I think I have a plan for at least one day of the long weekend - a train journey up to Dundee to see the Discovery, which I haven't seen since they moved her along the waterfront and built the new visitor centre around her. Family who have done it seem to think it is worth a visit, and I do like the run up to Dundee - it is an old familiar route which has a lot of positive associations for me - so the journey itself will likely be quite enjoyable.
Karl
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 28, 2011 20:39:53 GMT
I have walked past but never been on it.
AVAST.
-Ralph
|
|
kayevcee
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
The Weather Wizard
Posts: 5,527
|
Post by kayevcee on Mar 28, 2011 22:07:15 GMT
Tomorrow I am doing a talk for "Playlab", a sort of free-form brainstorming tech/futurism/having a laugh dealie set up by one of the American students. It's a new thing called "extremophiles" and is going to feature regular talks by people at KAUST with unusual interests. So... I'm going to be doing a Powerpoint presentation on the history of Transformers and what impact they had on my life.
So... yeah.
-Nick
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 29, 2011 7:08:46 GMT
Action Master Thundercracker had better be in there.
-Ralph
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 29, 2011 8:13:23 GMT
Today is Mrs Toys' birthday. She is a number that will be familiar to fans of the Douglas Adams.
|
|
|
Post by Shockprowl on Mar 29, 2011 10:06:40 GMT
Happy Scoobery Dooberies to her!!!
Hi Sportsfans!
Nights Nights Nights Nights! What am I, a freakin' vampire?!?! Son of a....
Skullgrin arrived the other day though, which made me happy.
Be cool out there Cyber-Chumbs!
|
|
|
Post by Shockprowl on Mar 29, 2011 11:52:19 GMT
5000 POSTS!!!!!!!! YYYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by legios on Mar 29, 2011 12:05:30 GMT
A very happy birthday to Liz!
I haven't even so much as walked past Discovery since they moved her - gone past her by train and she is only a stones throw from the station, but I have always been going through rather than to Dundee.
Nick - I am sure that the presentation will go swimmingly, an opportunity for folks to share their enthusiasms sounds like a great idea.
Karl
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 29, 2011 18:47:28 GMT
I badly need a break, for I am running myself down. Nowt terrible happening. Just haven't had longer off than a long weekend in either this job or the last (the intervening months of unemployment not being a holiday as I was rather pro-active in my job hunting) and I am really starting to feel it. The holiday for mid-April can't come soon enough.
-Ralph
|
|
kayevcee
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
The Weather Wizard
Posts: 5,527
|
Post by kayevcee on Mar 29, 2011 20:38:05 GMT
Agreed! Our mid-term starts on Thursday and folks are making the most of it. The presentation went really well, but there were only about 8 people there (down from the usual 20 or so) because a lot of people have already left for Spring Break. I brought all the TFs I had with me along and they went down a treat. A room full of top-flight engineers and scientists and it still took three of them to figure out WFC Bumblebee! Ages 5+ my arse! In other news, I just got an email from the BIOCENTURY Biofuel research farm in Iowa saying that yes, they would be happy to have me as an intern over the summer. I still need to get the application approved by my advisor, my department head, the dean, the provost, the Crown Prince of Jeddah and his cat but by God it's something! I might even be able to go to Botcon! We shall find out in the coming days! Oh yeah- and I have an exam tomorrow. Eep! -Nick EDIT: While I am happy about the internship, I am a little disappointed I never got to work for these guys.
|
|
Dave
Empty
Posts: 1,811
|
Post by Dave on Mar 30, 2011 9:12:08 GMT
Sounds good Nick.
Belated birthday wishes Mrs Toys.
Posted via my mobile because Orange broadband are shite.
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 30, 2011 9:57:54 GMT
The presentation went really well, but there were only about 8 people there (down from the usual 20 or so) because a lot of people have already left for Spring Break. I brought all the TFs I had with me along and they went down a treat. A room full of top-flight engineers and scientists and it still took three of them to figure out WFC Bumblebee! Ages 5+ my arse! I have repeatedly said that it isn't a Ralph suitable toy. What you doing during break Nick? I recall Japan was on the menu....
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 30, 2011 18:10:21 GMT
A blister under the nail of my right middle toe is causing me to hobble about and cut my mobility a fair bit. Amazing how one small thing can have such a big effect! Work was not fun today as a result.
-Ralph
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 31, 2011 17:30:28 GMT
Got a bit of a fright this morning when a large sum of money appeared to have been taken from my bank account. Turned out ok though: twas for hotel room for Cardiff holiday. Checked with hotel: all is well. Just be warned that if using laterooms.com that money is taken when you make a reservation, not when you arrive at the hotel! Luckily, I had cash to cover it.
In other news...due to a quirk in the training calender I have to do 3 days induction for the job I've been in for almost 6 months. These days fall immediately before I go off on holiday for 6 working days. The positive aspect being that I in effect now have a longer 'break', which I could do with just down to general feelings of knackeredness rather than anything bad. So I really now just have 7 regular working days before training/holiday. Huzzah.
-Ralph
|
|
|
Post by legios on Mar 31, 2011 20:47:40 GMT
Always nice to get some bonus downtime.
I have finished work for the week and started my long weekend - which I am thoroughly looking forward to. Not entirely sure what I am going to do with tomorrow - nice not to actually have a plan for once to be honest.
This week has not been my most stellar ever mind you. Managed to walk into a lamppost on my way to a team lunch on Wednesday. My ear took the brunt of the impact and is still a little bit sore to the touch this evening. Ah well, at least it amused my colleagues....
Karl
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Mar 31, 2011 21:01:20 GMT
I too walked into a lampost this week, courtesy of spinning round too quickly while thinking something through. Luckily, I was alone.
Ye Gods, I am knackered. After work tomorrow I may do what I did last Friday and see if there are any tosh movies on at the local fleapit (it's only 5 mins away so ideal for vegetating in).
-Ralph
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 31, 2011 21:36:07 GMT
I have been known to walk into lamp posts in the past and it isn't fun.
|
|
Hero
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
King of RULES!
Everything Rules
Posts: 7,476
|
Post by Hero on Mar 31, 2011 22:43:23 GMT
My Attic of RULES now has flooring. Been working hard all day to get it kitted out to make it a proper storage place.
On the downside I am all caked in sawdust.
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Apr 1, 2011 14:39:52 GMT
Not the greatest day today.
Bad night, mind got thinking something over due to it being a notable personal anniversary today.
Legs aching after too much walking yesterday
Ankle collapsed under me and lunch time and that's hurting to walk on now
Feel like $#!+ now I've had a sleep.
|
|
|
Post by Philip Ayres on Apr 1, 2011 14:40:19 GMT
But on the other hand I did blow Turnbull's mind last night.
|
|
|
Post by legios on Apr 1, 2011 19:58:15 GMT
Decided that I would head through to Edinburgh today as a tourist rather than as a working stiff. Took a wander down past the Scottish Parliament - it continues to look like a cross between an airport and several crashed spacecraft from most angles but I did notice that from one side there is the odd sight of a modernist structure that looks like a micronised version of Sydney Opera House that is surrounded on three sides by a brown stone crenellated wall. It is an odd sight - one almost expects to see guards with primitive swords and bows on the walls defending the last bastion of their once great kingdom and its temple of lost technologies....
I was actually only going past the parliament in passing though. I was really heading into the nearby Holyrood Park to climb the hills that are in the centre of the park. I had been round them often enough but never actually been to the top. Of course, I managed to pick one of the more difficult routes (never being one for the easy way up) and was little bit knackered by the time I got to the top. But it was well worth it - I sat on some rocks at the top of Arthur's Seat (I looked around but I didn't see any sign of him being there at the time), looked down at the city below me and had a cup of coffee. Then I spent some time sitting on those same rocks reading one of Robert E Howard's stories of Bran Mak Morn, king of the Picts, it seemed appropriate somehow.
This evening I am spending nursing a pint of Guinness before retiring to my bed in preparation for an early sally to Dundee tomorrow for a more nautical experience.
Karl
|
|
|
Post by The Doctor on Apr 1, 2011 21:20:44 GMT
My office is 3 mins walk from Holyrood Park/the Parliament. The latter is an abomination but the former is always a splendid sight and I do recommend a trip up Arthur's Seat. Stunning views and a fun climb.
I was barely in the office today so my Kaptain Sensors where not tripped.
-Ralph
|
|
Hero
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
King of RULES!
Everything Rules
Posts: 7,476
|
Post by Hero on Apr 1, 2011 22:26:54 GMT
Blaise has already sent her mothers day card off to mummy and has got her a few things. Will be George's first mothers day, as with fathers day for me. It could be like an extra birthday almost.
|
|
|
Post by legios on Apr 2, 2011 19:26:07 GMT
My office is 3 mins walk from Holyrood Park/the Parliament. The latter is an abomination but the former is always a splendid sight and I do recommend a trip up Arthur's Seat. Stunning views and a fun climb. -Ralph I discovered on the way down that there is an easier route to the top, but I think next time I do it I will stick to my original route. It is the more interesting route. I am just back after a very long day up in Dundee. Headed out at seven o'clock this morning to travel up by train - a nice run across country in a nearly empty train that early in the morning. I arrived in time to have a bit of a wander through the town before the Discovery and its attached exhibition opened. (I discovered a line of stone penguins arrayed along a wall of a church in the centre of town as if they were about to dive off and swim away through the concrete) The Discovery et al turned out to be well worth doing. The exhibition was very well presented - making fantastic use of audio-visual presentations as well as actual artefacts from Discovery's various scientific voyages (people tend to think of her in relation to a single voyage but she had a long and varied career in fact). I think I was about an hour and a half in the exhibition alone before I even got onto the ship, where they have opened up a lot more of the ship to visitors than last time I was there.... admittedly that was a decade and a half ago! Considering that the admission was only eight pounds for a whole mornings educational enjoyment (and I can apply for a free annual pass so I could go back without needing to pay entrance again for twelve months) I'd call it well worth the money. The afternoon encompassed a trip down the riverside to see HMS Unicorn - the best preserved wooden warship in (certainly) Britain and (possibly) the world. Less had changed here over the years but the (far less well backed and resourced) enthusiasts who keep her in repair and open to the public make up in charm what they lack in the wallet department. (I also discovered that she is the half-sister ship of the Trincomalee which lives at Hartlepool, not far from where my mother used to reside, an odd and unexpected coincidence). I polished off the afternoon with a second walk through the town centre (which appears to have come up in the world a little in the years since I last actually stopped in Dundee - still not going to win me over, it is far too crowded for my tastes) before catching the fast train back to Edinburgh. I say fast train.... the traditional signal failure in Princes Street Gardens meant everything ground to a halt when we were just passing Edinburgh Airport, and a journey that should have taken me two hours or thereabouts took closer to four - with most of that time sitting a few miles from the train station in Edinburgh. But no matter - I had a flask of coffee, a packet of crisps and a good book so I was all set to weather the delay. A belated dinner and a film of some sort now I think, to round off the day in fine style. Karl
|
|
|
Post by jameso on Apr 2, 2011 19:29:48 GMT
I was in Dundee for two days last year and mostly remember it for bizarre and unpredictable weather changes.
|
|
Hero
Fusilateral Quintro Combiner
King of RULES!
Everything Rules
Posts: 7,476
|
Post by Hero on Apr 2, 2011 22:20:35 GMT
Took Blaise out to feed the ducks and she could'nt figure them out, just saw them as noisy things. I managed to hold her with one arm whilst distributing bread with the other.
We then went to Tesco and through the park again on the way back where we sat on a bench for lunch. I gave her the usual bottle of milk as old ladies walked by and cooed.
===KEN
|
|
|
Post by Andy Turnbull on Apr 2, 2011 22:31:16 GMT
Epic shift at work yesterday.
Spent most of today drawing spotlights (actual spotlights not TF spotlights!) for work and watching bits of Doctor Who.
Practice run tomorrow ahead of next Sunday's 2nd half marathon.
Andy
|
|