Wednesday, June 30, 2004
You Won't Like Me When I'm Angry
Today I have been mostly listening to AC/DC.
The agency's sly pie scheme was revealed today, the just a week that they told me was it seems a trial period with the company to hopefully let me stew n another dump for a few months, my immediate superior told me when in an honesty session today, he was informed in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't be back the following week. The agency is 'Primetime' so don't touch them with a barge pole. On the other hand the KCMB agency that I'm talking to, and Mark Brown in particular there have been nothing but supportive and down the line since I started dealing with them, so my faith in agencies in general is somewhat restored.
The job.... well I have this urge to whistle, sing & tap away just to preserve my sanity. And today my prayers were answered, Jackie the lady in the office went for a Dentist's appointment so I was on my own... as she was leaving the office it all came out simultaneously at once (how I managed the singing & whistling parts at the same time god only knows), but there was a few strange looks through the glass window of the booth where the warehouse floor staff pretended not to watch.
A place in the sun, well Stockport, but a posher bit. For two weeks as a last gasp option, I can stay in the spare room in my landlady's apartment. I think I'm paying over the odds a little but couldn't get a place cheaper for two weeks unless it's a hostel. There may be inherent dangers, but as long it doesn't get further than dancing with the devil then I should scrape by. You know3 I realised today that I've been in a state of perpetual limbo for three months, and during my lunch break I calculated that this amounts to a quarter of a year. Christ On A Bike! (Crist Ar Feic).
This is my last night in Hilton Street therefore. Chris & Augusto have insisted that we go out for a pint later, and they are as chaps far too decent for me to turn them down, for there's a guard and a sad old Padre, on and on we'll walk at daybreak... again I'll touch the green, green grass of home.
Thanks for most of the sensible comments although I now think that 'anon' is a gestalt entity like Legion in Red Dwarf, and one of you is Steve, so just own up!
Hey Dunc, thanks for the comment, you know its funny you going off to Pembroke on your own. Do you remember that guy called Warren (as it was his name – nothing to do with rabbits) who used to hang out at the Half Moon? He used to get this uncontrollable urge on average twice a year (i.e. he'd had it for a while) to go to St.Davids Cathedral. Now you're from Garnant as well, so any relation? as you’re as off centre as I am. It reminds me of your school report once upon a time, which had to have the best comment ever. Mr Trew who was a little crazy himself, his hair was like Don King's in the morning and while one of his eyes peered at you the other studied the heavens (or the ceiling as was more often the case in school). Anyway his comment was (and what did your parents think of it), “Duncan is definitely eccentric and quite possibly mad.” I suppose it’s a case of takes one to know one eh?
Well this time it’s really going to be difficult for me to update the blog or answer e-mails, so take it easy.
Owz of no fixed abode.
The agency's sly pie scheme was revealed today, the just a week that they told me was it seems a trial period with the company to hopefully let me stew n another dump for a few months, my immediate superior told me when in an honesty session today, he was informed in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't be back the following week. The agency is 'Primetime' so don't touch them with a barge pole. On the other hand the KCMB agency that I'm talking to, and Mark Brown in particular there have been nothing but supportive and down the line since I started dealing with them, so my faith in agencies in general is somewhat restored.
The job.... well I have this urge to whistle, sing & tap away just to preserve my sanity. And today my prayers were answered, Jackie the lady in the office went for a Dentist's appointment so I was on my own... as she was leaving the office it all came out simultaneously at once (how I managed the singing & whistling parts at the same time god only knows), but there was a few strange looks through the glass window of the booth where the warehouse floor staff pretended not to watch.
A place in the sun, well Stockport, but a posher bit. For two weeks as a last gasp option, I can stay in the spare room in my landlady's apartment. I think I'm paying over the odds a little but couldn't get a place cheaper for two weeks unless it's a hostel. There may be inherent dangers, but as long it doesn't get further than dancing with the devil then I should scrape by. You know3 I realised today that I've been in a state of perpetual limbo for three months, and during my lunch break I calculated that this amounts to a quarter of a year. Christ On A Bike! (Crist Ar Feic).
This is my last night in Hilton Street therefore. Chris & Augusto have insisted that we go out for a pint later, and they are as chaps far too decent for me to turn them down, for there's a guard and a sad old Padre, on and on we'll walk at daybreak... again I'll touch the green, green grass of home.
Thanks for most of the sensible comments although I now think that 'anon' is a gestalt entity like Legion in Red Dwarf, and one of you is Steve, so just own up!
Hey Dunc, thanks for the comment, you know its funny you going off to Pembroke on your own. Do you remember that guy called Warren (as it was his name – nothing to do with rabbits) who used to hang out at the Half Moon? He used to get this uncontrollable urge on average twice a year (i.e. he'd had it for a while) to go to St.Davids Cathedral. Now you're from Garnant as well, so any relation? as you’re as off centre as I am. It reminds me of your school report once upon a time, which had to have the best comment ever. Mr Trew who was a little crazy himself, his hair was like Don King's in the morning and while one of his eyes peered at you the other studied the heavens (or the ceiling as was more often the case in school). Anyway his comment was (and what did your parents think of it), “Duncan is definitely eccentric and quite possibly mad.” I suppose it’s a case of takes one to know one eh?
Well this time it’s really going to be difficult for me to update the blog or answer e-mails, so take it easy.
Owz of no fixed abode.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
In The Dirty Old Heart Of The City, Where The Sun Refuse To Shine
So the new job for the week is terrible, I'm in a small office in the edge of a warehouse with a prim & proper lady for company, in deepest darkest Salford.
The agency are still screwing me on the going rate so my account is still haemorrhaging.
I'm going cap in hand later to the land-lady as I have to move out tomorrow and have nowehere to go otherwise.
I heard from the position with Gregory Pennington. It was the usuall clap trap, they might as well have said, 'It's Not you....It's Me!' not that it's matters I suppose what they they say afterwards as it's the results that count like in the football.
It's funny sometimes the music leads your mood. Other times you choose to suit it. I havn't played 80's class Metallica for hell of a long time, but it's what I wanted today, and I've blown the speakers in the car.
My registration docs turned up for the car, which has been no end of gip, it's turns out they were being sat on, untill I got Gareth to send them on. Nuff Said.
I don't think I've been so generally angry as this for years.
recently i'd been getting depressed about it but I'm super pissed-off at the moment.
Duck!
owz
The agency are still screwing me on the going rate so my account is still haemorrhaging.
I'm going cap in hand later to the land-lady as I have to move out tomorrow and have nowehere to go otherwise.
I heard from the position with Gregory Pennington. It was the usuall clap trap, they might as well have said, 'It's Not you....It's Me!' not that it's matters I suppose what they they say afterwards as it's the results that count like in the football.
It's funny sometimes the music leads your mood. Other times you choose to suit it. I havn't played 80's class Metallica for hell of a long time, but it's what I wanted today, and I've blown the speakers in the car.
My registration docs turned up for the car, which has been no end of gip, it's turns out they were being sat on, untill I got Gareth to send them on. Nuff Said.
I don't think I've been so generally angry as this for years.
recently i'd been getting depressed about it but I'm super pissed-off at the moment.
Duck!
owz
Sunday, June 27, 2004
The Fog On the Tyne & The Rain In The Bay
Whitley Bay 8.55am
Owzy-O!
Leeds: On my way back from the North-East I called in on Steve in Leeds. I was there so early (nearly 11) that I got him out of bed. He didn’t seem to mind though.
He was off for a walk in a park soonish it seemed with his girlfriend, and her puppy Theodore. He reckoned I’d love the open spaces so I went along. Alex (Steve’s lady-friend) who is lovely by the way, had her hands full with Theodore who outdid me in the misbehaving stakes. He is a large two year old Rhodesian Ridgeback just dying to run amok, and managed brief periods of freedom before being reigned in!
Steve kindly made me some lunch, it was lush and I’m amazed at how your cooking has improved Steve, no more eating straight out of saucepans eh! So we had a quick chat but I had to get going, but first as Steve has recently accquired a motorcycle & leathers to go with it, he insisted on showing me and proceeded to parade up and down clad head to toe in leather.
Divorce: There was a letter waiting for me upon my return. It was from Cardiff County Court, a date has been set for the judge to declare a Decree Nisi, for the divorce. It was the seventh of June, but the latter was dated on the 17th of June. They must mean July I suppose.
Comments: Thanks for the comments : ), I may be a poser, but it because normally I’m done an injustice by the camera lens : (, the grainy nature of the mobile phone pictures helps no end. I’m just wondering who anon is? Your first suggestion although appreciated has a few major drawbacks. I though I had an idea who it may be until you mentioned Rupert Henry St.John Barker Moon. The Walsall raised former Welsh scrum half. So Reveal your self, I did think it was Kwokwah, But I know he’d write his name at the bottom.
Owz : )
Shazzam!
Whitley Bay 9am
Owzy-O!
A few weeks back, Becky (Kennedy) had suggested that I should keep her company at a party in Geordie-Land as she didn’t really know anyone there and I was already half way. So I agreed. I got up early Saturday morning and left the house at 6am. I made it to Newcastle in less than two hours! But it took an extra half hour after a few wrong turns to get to Whitley Bay.
Diving for pearls in the Pacific has a certain Mystique about it, but as I’d never been to the North Sea before I thought that I should Attempt something similar, It was fortunate that I didn’t decide on skinny-dipping as I couldn’t feel my toes after a few minutes of paddling. There was one crazy bastard surfing!
That took me to 9ish but Becky wouldn’t be around until the afternoon. I thought I’d break it up with a bit of radio, I searched for radio two and thought I found it when I got A David Bowie track, (Jonathan Ross is always playing him isn’t he?) But at the end of the track the DJ spoke Scandinavian gobbledegook, with only a few word discernable, “Real Time”, “Oh Yeah!” & “Chris Waddle”. I understood what Mona told me the other night about her finding the Geordie accent easier to understand, because of the vowel sounds.
I had a look around Whitley Bay and it’s much like other costal resorts, seen better days and a bit run down, except that to compensate they do a roaring trade in stag do’s, there were loads of costumes and bouncers on the doors of every pub. I only saw one Hen Night though, and I bet the lack of balance leads to loads of trouble later in the night.
I eventually met up with Becky after she’d had a power-nap after I found her Aunt’s house. Irene (Becky’s Aunt) made a fab cup of tea, and I met Becky’s cousins Rae (just back from teaching Geordie in Poland), Ric (A nutcase, quicker to the draw with his wit than I) and Jo the birthday girl.
Dinner was at a Japanese restaurant in Newcastle itself called HanaHana’s. The food was all cooked from fresh in front of us, it was brilliant & absolutely delicious. My wallet squeaked in protest but it’s grumbles fell on deaf ears. There was client participation of raw egg flipping, a recipe for disaster you’d have though and proved to be. It so happened that I had my Japanese t-shirt in my bag and they insisted that I should wear it out, I did but with a shirt over it to conceal most of the text. However nobody asked about it, and after the restaurant we headed to a pub. I’d walked a few paces inside when a giggling drunken Japanese man came over to ask me about the t-shirt, he was well impressed and confirmed the translation (Looking for a Japanese Girlfriend) which he thought was hilarious, until I asked him if he had a sister, but he took it well. On the way to the next, Jo’s boyfriend, Robert a German, made the funniest joke of the night. People were dawdling and getting unruly, he’d been marshalling us all night in an impressively efficient manner, to encourage us he said, “Quick! Schnell. Ve MUST be in Poland by Ze morning.” No-one else laughed though!.
Things got pretty hazy in the next pub, there was Hazel a girl from Edinburgh who dissed me all night long, don’t know why. Me & Ronny (another Scot) (Flowerof Scotland etc) tried a bit of singing. I talked with Adam, Libby, Caz & others and had a generally great time. Utterly Brilliant Night absolutely, thanks to everyone for being so welcoming and friendly. I’ve just recalled having to perform a mock proposal on a petrol station forecourt on the way home, I didn’t have a choice really, don’t say no to drunken Geordie lasses. I suppose there’s a first time for everything! Neither the taxi driver or attendant were at all amused.
Anyway the Next morning I’d got up before the rest of the house and was gone by 8.
Friday, June 25, 2004
The Landlord Say His Rent Is Late, He May Have To Litigate.
Yo. Getting t'net may be trickier & more problematic from now, so less regular replies to e-mails (Sorry Aarti!) I'm afraid & updates on the Blog I expect would be affected similary. But I'll endeavour to do my best. Also today being stuck on public transport (as in a previous blog) when it's boiling sucks too. Owz
This Is Just A Tribute
Tis my last lunchtime at Holz Bi-ffone. So it's Goodbye.
The Admin team:
The job sucks but you've all helped me get by.
Loz - you're almost too pleasant to be a Team leader, & I don't recall you telling me off. It's a first.
Elise - Shepherded me around the computer system in the first few days and you're lively nature is a great in the office.
Chris - Again great fun, it's such a shame that work usually cut short our chats!
Gary - New to the team this week and almost my protege, a funny guy, you'll find it quiet next week.
Helen - Much too pretty & too nice, gutted to hear you've got a boyfriend. C'est la vie, short but sweet. That phone number you gave me can't be right, the lady who answered hadn't heard of you and had a Glasweigan accent!
Customer Service:
Steve (Nick) - We almost were playing duelling whistle tennis at times, & I bet It was driving people spare!
Sarah - It's good to know that someone appreciates my singing, making requests and asking for a bit more 'V', I was glad to accomodate.
Duckworth: Funny Guy, who'd have guessed from your voice that you were such a looker!
And everyone else who I've bumped into at the office, Lindsay, Vicky, Danni, Melinda, many thanks & so long.
I'm sure productivity will go up a few notches next week, & the average age of the admin team is going to drop a few. Cheers Peeps!
ps. Thanks loads for the Card (Yes there is crap in every field) and the Mug (Playboy? - what are you trying to say? - you've got it wrong I'm a no-hoper) and the swinging Elvis is great! In return I'll have to leave you the rest of the Cream Crackers from this afternoon's challenge.
The Admin team:
The job sucks but you've all helped me get by.
Loz - you're almost too pleasant to be a Team leader, & I don't recall you telling me off. It's a first.
Elise - Shepherded me around the computer system in the first few days and you're lively nature is a great in the office.
Chris - Again great fun, it's such a shame that work usually cut short our chats!
Gary - New to the team this week and almost my protege, a funny guy, you'll find it quiet next week.
Helen - Much too pretty & too nice, gutted to hear you've got a boyfriend. C'est la vie, short but sweet. That phone number you gave me can't be right, the lady who answered hadn't heard of you and had a Glasweigan accent!
Customer Service:
Steve (Nick) - We almost were playing duelling whistle tennis at times, & I bet It was driving people spare!
Sarah - It's good to know that someone appreciates my singing, making requests and asking for a bit more 'V', I was glad to accomodate.
Duckworth: Funny Guy, who'd have guessed from your voice that you were such a looker!
And everyone else who I've bumped into at the office, Lindsay, Vicky, Danni, Melinda, many thanks & so long.
I'm sure productivity will go up a few notches next week, & the average age of the admin team is going to drop a few. Cheers Peeps!
ps. Thanks loads for the Card (Yes there is crap in every field) and the Mug (Playboy? - what are you trying to say? - you've got it wrong I'm a no-hoper) and the swinging Elvis is great! In return I'll have to leave you the rest of the Cream Crackers from this afternoon's challenge.
I've Been A Wild Rover For Many's The Year
And I spent all me money on whiskey and beer,
I went to an ale house I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady all me money was spent,
When I asked her for credit she answered me nay,
'Such custom as yours I can have any day!'
And I's No! Nay! Never! No! Nay! Never No More...
The interview seemed okay yesterday, they are seeing more people today, and will let me know later. I still think I'll get the job but I was hoping (rather unreasonably I suppose) for a more positive sign which was not forthcoming. I'd got my hopes up then was feeling a bit let down.
Public transport doesn't help your mood does it? It can be bad enough being rammed into a confined carriage but when it rains it get even worse, condensation forms on the inside of the windows and the rain sticks to the dirt on the outside leaving a view of dull coloured blurs passing the window that meld into eachother. It's so BORING.
The upshot is that I'm peering into a double barrell, with no job for Monday and nowhere to stay Thursday. That's worst case of course and I'm sure it won't happen but I've entertaiined the notion abeit briefly. Chris offered a solution, "Fancy getting pissed up with me down t'pub for the football?". I tentatively agreed, "Feck it! aye!", and deciced to search for answers at the bottom of a glass in a local pub (the touch rugby had been cancelled - it was hammering with rain), 'The Nelson Arms'. It's been two months since I drunk so I was concerned that the meerest snifter of a soggy beer mat may be my undoing. I realised that I only eaten a few slices of toast for breakfast, but figured it would make it a cheaper night! I didn't miss the hangovers, (I'm reminded this morning well enough! - ouch!) but at least I escaped at least for an hour or two. Chris told me it was a biker's pub, so it was my own lookout. But it was fine, I met Pete whom I've met once before and his girlfriend Mona from Norway, who'll support Scandanavian neighbours over others. The football was on of course on but I hardly noticed and missed all the goals as I was chatting to a Geordie lass, who's name escapes me I'm afraid. She insisted on giving me a lift home, which means that she can't of been drinking and must have been stone-cold sober, not that I realised at the time (what the hell was I talking about? total utter crap no doubt - testosterone & alcohol is a potent cocktail). There was a good atmosphere there, I don't support England but it's good to see people get behind their team, and there was no trouble whatsoever.
I do feel I've let myself down a little by drinking, the first pint (Wicked Strength Leopard Lager) was sunk with alarming ease, so I switched to Guinness which bearley stemed the flow. It was as if I'd never been gone, but I'll strengthen my resolve not to drink as I can't really afford it and I have a weekend of alcohol based temptation ahead of me, so we'll just have to wait and see. It was fortunate that my threat to get a round of O-Bombs in didn't transpire due to me losing track of time, as it would have been to much for my wallet or liver indeed to take.
I'm off for a pint... of water and a double-paracetamol chaser. It's my last day here, working at 'Holidays By Phone', so who cares. I'll drink to that!
Bottoms Up!
owz
I went to an ale house I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady all me money was spent,
When I asked her for credit she answered me nay,
'Such custom as yours I can have any day!'
And I's No! Nay! Never! No! Nay! Never No More...
The interview seemed okay yesterday, they are seeing more people today, and will let me know later. I still think I'll get the job but I was hoping (rather unreasonably I suppose) for a more positive sign which was not forthcoming. I'd got my hopes up then was feeling a bit let down.
Public transport doesn't help your mood does it? It can be bad enough being rammed into a confined carriage but when it rains it get even worse, condensation forms on the inside of the windows and the rain sticks to the dirt on the outside leaving a view of dull coloured blurs passing the window that meld into eachother. It's so BORING.
The upshot is that I'm peering into a double barrell, with no job for Monday and nowhere to stay Thursday. That's worst case of course and I'm sure it won't happen but I've entertaiined the notion abeit briefly. Chris offered a solution, "Fancy getting pissed up with me down t'pub for the football?". I tentatively agreed, "Feck it! aye!", and deciced to search for answers at the bottom of a glass in a local pub (the touch rugby had been cancelled - it was hammering with rain), 'The Nelson Arms'. It's been two months since I drunk so I was concerned that the meerest snifter of a soggy beer mat may be my undoing. I realised that I only eaten a few slices of toast for breakfast, but figured it would make it a cheaper night! I didn't miss the hangovers, (I'm reminded this morning well enough! - ouch!) but at least I escaped at least for an hour or two. Chris told me it was a biker's pub, so it was my own lookout. But it was fine, I met Pete whom I've met once before and his girlfriend Mona from Norway, who'll support Scandanavian neighbours over others. The football was on of course on but I hardly noticed and missed all the goals as I was chatting to a Geordie lass, who's name escapes me I'm afraid. She insisted on giving me a lift home, which means that she can't of been drinking and must have been stone-cold sober, not that I realised at the time (what the hell was I talking about? total utter crap no doubt - testosterone & alcohol is a potent cocktail). There was a good atmosphere there, I don't support England but it's good to see people get behind their team, and there was no trouble whatsoever.
I do feel I've let myself down a little by drinking, the first pint (Wicked Strength Leopard Lager) was sunk with alarming ease, so I switched to Guinness which bearley stemed the flow. It was as if I'd never been gone, but I'll strengthen my resolve not to drink as I can't really afford it and I have a weekend of alcohol based temptation ahead of me, so we'll just have to wait and see. It was fortunate that my threat to get a round of O-Bombs in didn't transpire due to me losing track of time, as it would have been to much for my wallet or liver indeed to take.
I'm off for a pint... of water and a double-paracetamol chaser. It's my last day here, working at 'Holidays By Phone', so who cares. I'll drink to that!
Bottoms Up!
owz
Thursday, June 24, 2004
My White Slippers Are Albino African Endangered Rhino
Mercury's Influence.
I saw one decent property last night, and fair do's the guy who owned it called me up as he was in the city centre and said he'd give me a lift to the viewing in Whalley Range as it was busy on the roads and it was raining. I just had to go round to his office and see his consierge and ask for him. So I went round straight after work, and he came down to greet me, he was really polite and he sent his consierge to get his car, it was an imported little red corvette (a la Prince?) from the states, and it seemed a little OTT for a flat viewing, but welcome (it beats the bus or walking hands down). The flat itselt was really nice, one of the rooms was a little small, but i'd be able to put up with it. It had a gas hob as well (I'm happy now Rich!), in one of the previous flats we'd seen, the agent told us that it was 'illegal'
to have gas ovens/hobs in flats, but gas boilers were fine though it seemed so we took that with a fist full of salt. It's seems that maintenance costs are an additional £50 a year for gas ovens hence the plethora of electric hobs. Anyway, so i'm bearing this place in mind but I had to see another three properties that night. Stockport was too far to go home and back so I had a lot of waiting in the car again (I'd driven the car there in the morning instead of cathcing the train service from the 'Port and caught a bus to town from Whalley Range) I managed to nod off while I was waiting but fortunately it's not a rough area.
The second property was an utter dive it was called the Polex and
seemed to be a hostel or seedy hotel full of down and outs and semi-permanent residents. There were some Poles (possibly something to do with the name as there was memorobeilia from Poland all over the shop) to see rooms aswell and the guy to show us the place was late for the appointment, but we got let in by some person who worked there as it was raining. It smelt of damp and while I was waiting, two old rough loking slappers came up to the door and shouted through the letterbox, 'do you have a room for the night?'. I left before the fella turned up, I was just going to be polite then let the guy down gently (I also thoght it would break up the time as it was two hours to the next viewing)but on seeing the decor & the notices on the walls, I realised that the guy didn't give a (your choice of word) for anyone who stayed there, just concern for their money. The next two properties were clean but not really suitable, had I been a few years younger, maybe, but not this time.
Agusto had turned up when I got back to the house (9.30ish) he'd
been AWOL for a week again, he must really like Brighton, I havn't
been there myself ever but I hear its residents are really friendly. But at least there's more life in the house as Chris is often out (therefore I'm on my todd) but Goldberg & Baz don't quite compensate as they can't quite form coherent scentences yet.
I recently found out that the population of the 'Greater Manchester Metropolitan Area' is 2.4 million which is more than I expected, that puts it well ahead of Cardiff (350,000) and only just behind Birmingham (2.5 million), and of course a way off London & the South-East (7.5+8 million).
Anyhow I've just finished work but am using the 'net before I head off for my second interview at 3pm.
Next Time Citizens!
owz
I saw one decent property last night, and fair do's the guy who owned it called me up as he was in the city centre and said he'd give me a lift to the viewing in Whalley Range as it was busy on the roads and it was raining. I just had to go round to his office and see his consierge and ask for him. So I went round straight after work, and he came down to greet me, he was really polite and he sent his consierge to get his car, it was an imported little red corvette (a la Prince?) from the states, and it seemed a little OTT for a flat viewing, but welcome (it beats the bus or walking hands down). The flat itselt was really nice, one of the rooms was a little small, but i'd be able to put up with it. It had a gas hob as well (I'm happy now Rich!), in one of the previous flats we'd seen, the agent told us that it was 'illegal'
to have gas ovens/hobs in flats, but gas boilers were fine though it seemed so we took that with a fist full of salt. It's seems that maintenance costs are an additional £50 a year for gas ovens hence the plethora of electric hobs. Anyway, so i'm bearing this place in mind but I had to see another three properties that night. Stockport was too far to go home and back so I had a lot of waiting in the car again (I'd driven the car there in the morning instead of cathcing the train service from the 'Port and caught a bus to town from Whalley Range) I managed to nod off while I was waiting but fortunately it's not a rough area.
The second property was an utter dive it was called the Polex and
seemed to be a hostel or seedy hotel full of down and outs and semi-permanent residents. There were some Poles (possibly something to do with the name as there was memorobeilia from Poland all over the shop) to see rooms aswell and the guy to show us the place was late for the appointment, but we got let in by some person who worked there as it was raining. It smelt of damp and while I was waiting, two old rough loking slappers came up to the door and shouted through the letterbox, 'do you have a room for the night?'. I left before the fella turned up, I was just going to be polite then let the guy down gently (I also thoght it would break up the time as it was two hours to the next viewing)but on seeing the decor & the notices on the walls, I realised that the guy didn't give a (your choice of word) for anyone who stayed there, just concern for their money. The next two properties were clean but not really suitable, had I been a few years younger, maybe, but not this time.
Agusto had turned up when I got back to the house (9.30ish) he'd
been AWOL for a week again, he must really like Brighton, I havn't
been there myself ever but I hear its residents are really friendly. But at least there's more life in the house as Chris is often out (therefore I'm on my todd) but Goldberg & Baz don't quite compensate as they can't quite form coherent scentences yet.
I recently found out that the population of the 'Greater Manchester Metropolitan Area' is 2.4 million which is more than I expected, that puts it well ahead of Cardiff (350,000) and only just behind Birmingham (2.5 million), and of course a way off London & the South-East (7.5+8 million).
Anyhow I've just finished work but am using the 'net before I head off for my second interview at 3pm.
Next Time Citizens!
owz
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Stewie Rocks!
Tornado Rips Through Cemetery - Hundreds Dead
It's my final week at 'Holidays By Phone' it's no secret that it's not the job for me and that I have the best singing voice on the premises. Spencer of House Gymnastics fame was due to finish as well this week on the Thursday.. but in his final act got a cheap holiday through the firm and buggered off to Crete for a fortnight Tuesday morning. I’ll catch you when you’re back mate, and thanks for the local knowledge, bike leaflets & the Dylan CD that you knocked together for me. In true clandestine style our replacements arrived a week early, for us to train them up. But of course they’re both very nice people, almost too nice. Maybe they don’t know what to make of me, on Monday I had on my loudest Hawaiian shirt, and was singing snippets of Elvis classics as the new starters on a tour of the offices approached me(& the team) from behind. I was thus the last of the team to be given any responsibility for training any of the new recruits, Gary & Helen. I eventually trained Gary immediately before his re-training (otherwise those old habits die hard eh!) & as Helen is pretty, Loz (Lorraine our Team leader) kept her away from Spencer & I, and got Elise & Christine to take her under their wings. Colgate and tic-tacs for nowt & I won’t bother with a side-parting again.
So I was off this afternoon again from work, this time for a job interview at Gregory Pennington, I’m through to the second interview stage and am reasonably confident of getting the position, that’s on Thursday. The lady who interviewed me seemed nice, and I thought was talking the job 'up' to me, she was reminicent of a busty blond female version of Paul Gray but not so cynical and calculating or I'd imagine prone to such bouts of spontaneous drunkeness. I got to the premises in Salford Quays, by tram which is the first time I’ve used the ‘Metro’ at all, they were only slightly musky (like Garnant Club) but I’d brought a ticket and didn’t even come close to having it checked. I saw no officials whatsoever, It feels like a real waste of £3. That’s like, twenty tins of a reasonable quality baked beans. The trains have gone pear shaped as well, the track is being repaired so on the commute we get shoe-horned into buses for a journey that takes twice as long, awful.
My search for a quality Elvis jump-suit goes on, but if I had the cash then this one is Awesome.
Adam’s shot back to Cardiff for a while leaving me with the responsibility to find a place, so I’ve got four viewings lined up tomorrow, but if it’s a close call I may well buckle under the pressure and run amok.
Great Scott! What’s The Time? My watch is broken.
Got to shoot!
owz
So I was off this afternoon again from work, this time for a job interview at Gregory Pennington, I’m through to the second interview stage and am reasonably confident of getting the position, that’s on Thursday. The lady who interviewed me seemed nice, and I thought was talking the job 'up' to me, she was reminicent of a busty blond female version of Paul Gray but not so cynical and calculating or I'd imagine prone to such bouts of spontaneous drunkeness. I got to the premises in Salford Quays, by tram which is the first time I’ve used the ‘Metro’ at all, they were only slightly musky (like Garnant Club) but I’d brought a ticket and didn’t even come close to having it checked. I saw no officials whatsoever, It feels like a real waste of £3. That’s like, twenty tins of a reasonable quality baked beans. The trains have gone pear shaped as well, the track is being repaired so on the commute we get shoe-horned into buses for a journey that takes twice as long, awful.
My search for a quality Elvis jump-suit goes on, but if I had the cash then this one is Awesome.
Adam’s shot back to Cardiff for a while leaving me with the responsibility to find a place, so I’ve got four viewings lined up tomorrow, but if it’s a close call I may well buckle under the pressure and run amok.
Great Scott! What’s The Time? My watch is broken.
Got to shoot!
owz
Saturday, June 19, 2004
You Don't Need A Weather Man To Know Which Way The Wind Blows.
Bobby D and (apparently) Jools Holland’s Band
The search goes on for a home & decent work. Adam & I (mostly Adam, fair play) called so many (40+) letting agencies’ and private ads (for flats mun!) without decent result (we viewed a few but they weren't at all suitable) it was quite demoralising, I was visibly subdued and Adam, the poor dab, was close to Tears. Bless! But the more you try the luckier you get, so we're pressing on nonetheless.
Rich wasn't obviously getting enough attention and so seemingly arranged for a stunt double to get knocked over by a malicious car, the brave soul smashed the windscreen of the car and ended up in a twisted heap upon the roof. Rich spent the night in hospital but with nary a scratch upon him his cover was well and truly blown, and they kicked him out the next day. Honestly though he says he's fine and is already back up and running.
On Friday, I had to arrange to get off from work a little early, as I was to see Bob Dylan in the CIA in Cardiff that night. I'd initially meant to travel down after work as normal as I was under the impression that he was kicking off at 9.30. I was though sorely mistaken, it was 7.30. This incited the wrath of Clare & spurred me into action and I managed to finish early that day and got to Brum by 2.30pm. The Princess typically wasn't quite ready on time(!) & so the Leung dynasty (Clare & Beanie (Christina)) along with Rossco (another Adam & the authority amongst us on Dylan(& almost as unsettled as I am life-wise)) and I eventually headed south to Kairdiff, where I haven't been to for over a month now.
We quickly stopped at the noodle bar on the way to the CIA, meaning to be only very slightly fashionably late to the venue as surely he wouldn’t start on time? But yes he did 7.30 on the dot precisely. I'd long assumed that many of my renditions of some of the Dylan favourites would have had him turning in his grave, but apparently not, the sexagenarian is still alive and well & hanging in there, but seemingly goes to bed early these days with a cup of hot chocolate judging by the starting time of the gig (or could be for his beauty sleep as he doesn't seem to have changed at all on the fly-posters from the 60's at all).
The show though was great, although at time his voice did sound a little like Stephen Hawking's talking machine had swallowed a hand-full of gravel, it was well worth it. There were a few aging hippies past their prime swaying gently in an undetectable alternating breeze, a generally mixed audience with a few oddballs, playing air guitar & harmonica and the like! I was holding out for ‘The Mighty Quinn’ but I felt personally snubbed when he didn’t play it as he saw fit to perform everyone else’s top-of-the-list favourite it seemed.
Beanie kindly put us up in her palatial student residence. We had a room each and they certainly were large enough for dignitaries, but had it really been a palace in Victorian times there’s a distinct possibility that the servants would have been whipped for being pretty slap-dash with the 'dusting'. However it did the job and I don’t care what expletives Clare was muttering under her breath it was much appreciated! (Especially the 1am roast parsnip & ketchup feast that was laid on). I suppose when you're a student that house condition is normally overlooked or excused at least (studying has to come first after all).
As it was a student house I was tempted to lie-in until the afternoon, but a few early birds headed to Ogmore beach. The tide was in though and there was no sign of sand, only pebbles. It had been a while but it was time to skim stones. I got my pockets bulging full of grade ‘A’ flat stones, but there was something wrong… I’m sure in my youth I could get a stone to bounce up to eight times, but could hardly manage four bounces on the trot. I put it down to my extra height in the intervening years and to the awkwardly shaped waves which thwarted most of my attempts.
Former Haven residents Rich, Michelle, Steve & Zoe took Rossco, Clare & me to lunch in the Waterguard down Cardiff Bay before we headed back north. The food was alright but not worth £6, I’d have felt I’d have had decent value if it was half the price and that there was a sufficient quantity so that I couldn’t have fitted the whole meal into my mouth in one go had I so wished.
I got back to Manchester (I blasted some good ol' Tom on the way back, The Green Grass etc. don't know why) a bit later & I again missed the Argentina match, but at least Wales won this time with Shane Williams, one of Glanaman’s own grabbing what sounds to be an excellent hat-trick.
So that’s pretty much it, I’m staying in to do some laundry and the dishes, oh & congrats to ‘Lina for passing her test first time with just three minor faults, next time I’m back in Cardiff we’re having an illegal rally down the length of Bute Street, with the cars themselves riding on the result!
Lastly - shocked and somewhat dissapointed that Steve has A:Not only been watching Big Brother, but B:Admitted it publicly, and C:Sung it's virtues, D:Regulary Phone voted, E: Had an online chat/argument at 1am with e4 insomniacs. F:Fancies Davina McCall. It's all very sick & extremely wrong, What ever next? Gardeners World or Songs Of Praise? Po - you best have a word mate.
Hasta Luego!
Owz
The search goes on for a home & decent work. Adam & I (mostly Adam, fair play) called so many (40+) letting agencies’ and private ads (for flats mun!) without decent result (we viewed a few but they weren't at all suitable) it was quite demoralising, I was visibly subdued and Adam, the poor dab, was close to Tears. Bless! But the more you try the luckier you get, so we're pressing on nonetheless.
Rich wasn't obviously getting enough attention and so seemingly arranged for a stunt double to get knocked over by a malicious car, the brave soul smashed the windscreen of the car and ended up in a twisted heap upon the roof. Rich spent the night in hospital but with nary a scratch upon him his cover was well and truly blown, and they kicked him out the next day. Honestly though he says he's fine and is already back up and running.
On Friday, I had to arrange to get off from work a little early, as I was to see Bob Dylan in the CIA in Cardiff that night. I'd initially meant to travel down after work as normal as I was under the impression that he was kicking off at 9.30. I was though sorely mistaken, it was 7.30. This incited the wrath of Clare & spurred me into action and I managed to finish early that day and got to Brum by 2.30pm. The Princess typically wasn't quite ready on time(!) & so the Leung dynasty (Clare & Beanie (Christina)) along with Rossco (another Adam & the authority amongst us on Dylan(& almost as unsettled as I am life-wise)) and I eventually headed south to Kairdiff, where I haven't been to for over a month now.
We quickly stopped at the noodle bar on the way to the CIA, meaning to be only very slightly fashionably late to the venue as surely he wouldn’t start on time? But yes he did 7.30 on the dot precisely. I'd long assumed that many of my renditions of some of the Dylan favourites would have had him turning in his grave, but apparently not, the sexagenarian is still alive and well & hanging in there, but seemingly goes to bed early these days with a cup of hot chocolate judging by the starting time of the gig (or could be for his beauty sleep as he doesn't seem to have changed at all on the fly-posters from the 60's at all).
The show though was great, although at time his voice did sound a little like Stephen Hawking's talking machine had swallowed a hand-full of gravel, it was well worth it. There were a few aging hippies past their prime swaying gently in an undetectable alternating breeze, a generally mixed audience with a few oddballs, playing air guitar & harmonica and the like! I was holding out for ‘The Mighty Quinn’ but I felt personally snubbed when he didn’t play it as he saw fit to perform everyone else’s top-of-the-list favourite it seemed.
Beanie kindly put us up in her palatial student residence. We had a room each and they certainly were large enough for dignitaries, but had it really been a palace in Victorian times there’s a distinct possibility that the servants would have been whipped for being pretty slap-dash with the 'dusting'. However it did the job and I don’t care what expletives Clare was muttering under her breath it was much appreciated! (Especially the 1am roast parsnip & ketchup feast that was laid on). I suppose when you're a student that house condition is normally overlooked or excused at least (studying has to come first after all).
As it was a student house I was tempted to lie-in until the afternoon, but a few early birds headed to Ogmore beach. The tide was in though and there was no sign of sand, only pebbles. It had been a while but it was time to skim stones. I got my pockets bulging full of grade ‘A’ flat stones, but there was something wrong… I’m sure in my youth I could get a stone to bounce up to eight times, but could hardly manage four bounces on the trot. I put it down to my extra height in the intervening years and to the awkwardly shaped waves which thwarted most of my attempts.
Former Haven residents Rich, Michelle, Steve & Zoe took Rossco, Clare & me to lunch in the Waterguard down Cardiff Bay before we headed back north. The food was alright but not worth £6, I’d have felt I’d have had decent value if it was half the price and that there was a sufficient quantity so that I couldn’t have fitted the whole meal into my mouth in one go had I so wished.
I got back to Manchester (I blasted some good ol' Tom on the way back, The Green Grass etc. don't know why) a bit later & I again missed the Argentina match, but at least Wales won this time with Shane Williams, one of Glanaman’s own grabbing what sounds to be an excellent hat-trick.
So that’s pretty much it, I’m staying in to do some laundry and the dishes, oh & congrats to ‘Lina for passing her test first time with just three minor faults, next time I’m back in Cardiff we’re having an illegal rally down the length of Bute Street, with the cars themselves riding on the result!
Lastly - shocked and somewhat dissapointed that Steve has A:Not only been watching Big Brother, but B:Admitted it publicly, and C:Sung it's virtues, D:Regulary Phone voted, E: Had an online chat/argument at 1am with e4 insomniacs. F:Fancies Davina McCall. It's all very sick & extremely wrong, What ever next? Gardeners World or Songs Of Praise? Po - you best have a word mate.
Hasta Luego!
Owz
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Wacky Race, About Face, Gave Chase, No Grace
What with the searching for a new residence, means I'm moving on from another house. Chris and Augusto are decent chaps and I'm sure we'll keep in touch. Chris is also going through a period of rebuilding for the future, but twice every weekend he rues through the cloud of his hangover the previous nights drinking. He pops out meaning well but somehow, things go pear-shaped and he bearly struggles home. I've told him that I've been there as well, that i've often been in similar situations but there is hope: I said to him giving up drinking is easy, I must have done it a million times! If 'Gus needs advice at all, then it's with the local ladies who seem to think he's more Romanian than Latino and I'm afraid that you're probably better off speaking with Adam than with me on that one.
Work feels as oppressive as ever, I've only been asked to stop tapping/whistling a few times but my slender grip on sanity betwen 9-5 slippped as I rhythmically headbutted my desk the other day, there used to be a radio on and it has now been forever silenced (in a bucket of water maybe who knows?), (as it was on radio 1 I was initially fairly relieved for the first hour or so, but after that I would have gone crawling back). The lack of background noise in the office means that all too clearly I can hear the smug high-pitched whine of self-important lowly ground-hugging sales staff as they slither from call to call, or express their expert opinion on absolutely everything that is utterley mundane & meaningless.
It's funny what you believe, even when you know the opposite to almost definately be the case (the justification being that it could easily (in a physical sence) be the situation). You can accept a version of reality which simply sits within your preferred version of events untill a chink in the curtains lets in the cold light of day then you click it doesn't fit. Sometimes it only takes a brief comment, a small action or happening for you to suddenly view things in glorious technicolour as it were. Hmmmmm.
Kwok, your recent misfortune isn't outwardly good it would seem, but I'm sure you can turn it round and glean benefit from it. You said work wasn't the best & you were looking for a new path to tread and maybe the time is now. I hope the cards fall favourably for you to enable this.
The recent round of house searching & job hunting that Adam & I have undertaken, has left me a bit tired, I'm slightly concerned that someone will soon spot me dozing in work, it's surley only a matter of time (like death & taxes). A siesta mid afternoon would be handy but I had to resort to a power-nap yesterday evening which will probably make a bit of work time shut-eye even more likely as I got no sleep last night and am shattered.
Anyways, take it easy.
Owz
Work feels as oppressive as ever, I've only been asked to stop tapping/whistling a few times but my slender grip on sanity betwen 9-5 slippped as I rhythmically headbutted my desk the other day, there used to be a radio on and it has now been forever silenced (in a bucket of water maybe who knows?), (as it was on radio 1 I was initially fairly relieved for the first hour or so, but after that I would have gone crawling back). The lack of background noise in the office means that all too clearly I can hear the smug high-pitched whine of self-important lowly ground-hugging sales staff as they slither from call to call, or express their expert opinion on absolutely everything that is utterley mundane & meaningless.
It's funny what you believe, even when you know the opposite to almost definately be the case (the justification being that it could easily (in a physical sence) be the situation). You can accept a version of reality which simply sits within your preferred version of events untill a chink in the curtains lets in the cold light of day then you click it doesn't fit. Sometimes it only takes a brief comment, a small action or happening for you to suddenly view things in glorious technicolour as it were. Hmmmmm.
Kwok, your recent misfortune isn't outwardly good it would seem, but I'm sure you can turn it round and glean benefit from it. You said work wasn't the best & you were looking for a new path to tread and maybe the time is now. I hope the cards fall favourably for you to enable this.
The recent round of house searching & job hunting that Adam & I have undertaken, has left me a bit tired, I'm slightly concerned that someone will soon spot me dozing in work, it's surley only a matter of time (like death & taxes). A siesta mid afternoon would be handy but I had to resort to a power-nap yesterday evening which will probably make a bit of work time shut-eye even more likely as I got no sleep last night and am shattered.
Anyways, take it easy.
Owz
Monday, June 14, 2004
I Went To A General Store But They Wouldn't Let Me Buy Anything Specific
Nothing has happend, but just saw this quote though...what is she on?!?!
"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff." Maria Carey. The mind certainly boggles.
Sorry found some more quotes - it's to make up for my current lack of material.
I got a quick laugh out of them though.
"When they asked Jack Benny to do something for the Actor's Orphanage - he shot both his parents and moved in." Bob Hope talking about Jack Benny
"Not only is life a bitch, it has puppies." Adrienne Gusoff.
"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps." Emo Philips.
Maybe in some way I can empathise with those quotes.
You know I thought the other night I'm really bored. Bored bored bored. But then maybe it's not that, it's actually that I'm boring, I'm not drinking (normally my elixior of percieved well-being), or going out, or doing anything of note. I'm even wearing a tie to work (they're optional goddamnit). E.g. Rich asked me if I'd like a cup of tea, "Best not thanks, it's the caffine - I won't sleep"!! I'm a barrell of fun it seems. Ok there are financial circumstances but even in work the chat repression has reduced me day-dreaming of rose-tinted reminicices. Even Adam said 'You've changed man' before perfectly executing a Stone-Cold Stunner that he smote upon my ruin, 'And it ain't for the best'!
My quest to watch the Argentina game (as mentioned on the previous blog) was totaly fruitless, I managed to find three rugby clubs, but all were closed. Pubs were a non-starter due to the football. I clocked 20 miles and missed kick off - Brill. I resorted to 'watching'(it's a blank screen) Radio Cymru on NTL.....what a Saturday night! Woooo!
owz
"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff." Maria Carey. The mind certainly boggles.
Sorry found some more quotes - it's to make up for my current lack of material.
I got a quick laugh out of them though.
"When they asked Jack Benny to do something for the Actor's Orphanage - he shot both his parents and moved in." Bob Hope talking about Jack Benny
"Not only is life a bitch, it has puppies." Adrienne Gusoff.
"Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps." Emo Philips.
Maybe in some way I can empathise with those quotes.
You know I thought the other night I'm really bored. Bored bored bored. But then maybe it's not that, it's actually that I'm boring, I'm not drinking (normally my elixior of percieved well-being), or going out, or doing anything of note. I'm even wearing a tie to work (they're optional goddamnit). E.g. Rich asked me if I'd like a cup of tea, "Best not thanks, it's the caffine - I won't sleep"!! I'm a barrell of fun it seems. Ok there are financial circumstances but even in work the chat repression has reduced me day-dreaming of rose-tinted reminicices. Even Adam said 'You've changed man' before perfectly executing a Stone-Cold Stunner that he smote upon my ruin, 'And it ain't for the best'!
My quest to watch the Argentina game (as mentioned on the previous blog) was totaly fruitless, I managed to find three rugby clubs, but all were closed. Pubs were a non-starter due to the football. I clocked 20 miles and missed kick off - Brill. I resorted to 'watching'(it's a blank screen) Radio Cymru on NTL.....what a Saturday night! Woooo!
owz
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Dazzled With Detail Or Baffled By Bull
What's up m'kid? Really scraping the barrel for material I’m afraid.
Sworn Testimony. Not Guilty Your Honour.
As part of the on-going divorce, this week I had to get an affidavit, pretty much just to declare that the information declared within the forms was true, but I needed an officially sanctioned witness, which meant a trip to court. I just took five minutes, but the clerk was pretty helpful. He checked the forms for administrative mistakes for me, (the previous form was returned to me five times due to such errors!) and answered a few of my questions on the next step. I had hoped that this was the last form but it seems that there is one more round of forms, which I should receive soon before any decrees are issued, of which there are two rounds to negotiate. So done and dusted by the end of the summer I reckon.
Wanted: Desperado. Dead or Alive
The incumbent South-American, ‘Gus, had to go to Brighton Thursday before last for work and said that he’d be back in four days, (Sunday I calculated) but ten days later and there’s still no sign of him… we tried to text him in case he was busy on the Monday, but got utter gibberish in return, almost as if he was trying to text using his toes. ‘Perigo’ does sounds like it could be Spanish though.
You Can Trouble Me For A Warm Glass of Shut-The-Hell-Up!
I managed to locate some touch rugby up here, funnily I bumped into Karen whom I’ve met before in Cardiff, through Cara & Adam who was playing as well. The rugby was good fun but they play a wishy-washy version of the rules which made me a little frustrated, and unfortunately I had a mini strop at one guy, exclaiming much too loudly after he’d touched me from an offside position, “For F~~ks sake, You’re not f~~king back five!” then chucked the ball away as I stormed off. The toys were very much out of the pram!
The Neo-Haven?
I saw a pretty cool flat in Sale, Adam & I have a second viewing coming up soon and with some luck we won’t have to look any further. It’s hard to know where would be best to live as neither of us and definite long term jobs but it’s a well served area & it would loads less hassle. Fingers crossed.
Los Pumas: I cannot find a pub showing the game tonight (Argentina v Wales), but it’s keeping me busy though, trying to find a rugby club not showing football.
Thought: If someone is far too loud for how ugly they are, then check the thickness of their glasses or their house for mirrors. (VC!)
Info: The next post should coincide with the name change to owzyo.blogspot.com
Over & Out!
Sworn Testimony. Not Guilty Your Honour.
As part of the on-going divorce, this week I had to get an affidavit, pretty much just to declare that the information declared within the forms was true, but I needed an officially sanctioned witness, which meant a trip to court. I just took five minutes, but the clerk was pretty helpful. He checked the forms for administrative mistakes for me, (the previous form was returned to me five times due to such errors!) and answered a few of my questions on the next step. I had hoped that this was the last form but it seems that there is one more round of forms, which I should receive soon before any decrees are issued, of which there are two rounds to negotiate. So done and dusted by the end of the summer I reckon.
Wanted: Desperado. Dead or Alive
The incumbent South-American, ‘Gus, had to go to Brighton Thursday before last for work and said that he’d be back in four days, (Sunday I calculated) but ten days later and there’s still no sign of him… we tried to text him in case he was busy on the Monday, but got utter gibberish in return, almost as if he was trying to text using his toes. ‘Perigo’ does sounds like it could be Spanish though.
You Can Trouble Me For A Warm Glass of Shut-The-Hell-Up!
I managed to locate some touch rugby up here, funnily I bumped into Karen whom I’ve met before in Cardiff, through Cara & Adam who was playing as well. The rugby was good fun but they play a wishy-washy version of the rules which made me a little frustrated, and unfortunately I had a mini strop at one guy, exclaiming much too loudly after he’d touched me from an offside position, “For F~~ks sake, You’re not f~~king back five!” then chucked the ball away as I stormed off. The toys were very much out of the pram!
The Neo-Haven?
I saw a pretty cool flat in Sale, Adam & I have a second viewing coming up soon and with some luck we won’t have to look any further. It’s hard to know where would be best to live as neither of us and definite long term jobs but it’s a well served area & it would loads less hassle. Fingers crossed.
Los Pumas: I cannot find a pub showing the game tonight (Argentina v Wales), but it’s keeping me busy though, trying to find a rugby club not showing football.
Thought: If someone is far too loud for how ugly they are, then check the thickness of their glasses or their house for mirrors. (VC!)
Info: The next post should coincide with the name change to owzyo.blogspot.com
Over & Out!
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
The Fool Wanders, The Wise Travel.
Subsistence maintained.
Film: 'Spring Summer Autumn Winter... & Spring' is a film I saw (it's in Korean)in an arthouse cinema up here. It the covers sin & eventual redemption in the life of a bhuddist monk. It's had good reviews and had a medative feel to it, Po certainly in his current state of mind would appreciate it.
Rouge-Blogs: Christine from work who checked out my blog, emailed me an efort of her own abou tthe weekend she'd just had, She came accross really well in it, then unknown to her I posted it on a new blog in her name and let people in work know of it. I eventually provided her with the log-on info so that she can change the password to prevent any further mischief. Check it here.
Fan assisted ovens: The damn oven here is giveing me plenty gip, it keeps burning my attempts at jacket spuds, I first asked Steve for the general proceedure which resulted in a potato that had to be cracked open, however I feasted upon the gooey insides which were it has to be said delicious! Despite on the next occasion doubling the amount of potatos (from 1 to 2) and reducing the temperature by 25% a similar result ensued. The problem is that these ovens start really slowly then suddenly they must go totally nuts and burn every thing to a crisp!
Thought: Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown. BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm & bitch-slap the f*<#@* accross the face. (Matt Ford came to mind!)
Info: My email & blog addresses are changing soon from owainglanaman to owzyo, so look out.
Bye for now I'm off on a wander, probably via the shops (out of milk - my advice don't attempt museli & orange juice despite what you may hear from the continent).
owz
Film: 'Spring Summer Autumn Winter... & Spring' is a film I saw (it's in Korean)in an arthouse cinema up here. It the covers sin & eventual redemption in the life of a bhuddist monk. It's had good reviews and had a medative feel to it, Po certainly in his current state of mind would appreciate it.
Rouge-Blogs: Christine from work who checked out my blog, emailed me an efort of her own abou tthe weekend she'd just had, She came accross really well in it, then unknown to her I posted it on a new blog in her name and let people in work know of it. I eventually provided her with the log-on info so that she can change the password to prevent any further mischief. Check it here.
Fan assisted ovens: The damn oven here is giveing me plenty gip, it keeps burning my attempts at jacket spuds, I first asked Steve for the general proceedure which resulted in a potato that had to be cracked open, however I feasted upon the gooey insides which were it has to be said delicious! Despite on the next occasion doubling the amount of potatos (from 1 to 2) and reducing the temperature by 25% a similar result ensued. The problem is that these ovens start really slowly then suddenly they must go totally nuts and burn every thing to a crisp!
Thought: Too often, we lose sight of life's simple pleasures. Remember, when someone annoys you it takes 42 muscles in your face to frown. BUT, it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm & bitch-slap the f*<#@* accross the face. (Matt Ford came to mind!)
Info: My email & blog addresses are changing soon from owainglanaman to owzyo, so look out.
Bye for now I'm off on a wander, probably via the shops (out of milk - my advice don't attempt museli & orange juice despite what you may hear from the continent).
owz
Monday, June 07, 2004
Do One Legged Ducks Swim In Circles?
So uneventful I'm afraid.
I had a few things lined up, but...
Touch rugby was called off due to torrential rain, shame I could have met a few new people but it'll have to wait 'till next week.
I was supposed to go speed-dating as well with Augusto & the landlady, but 'Gus got recalled to his college in Brighton for a week then the whole thing managed to unorganise itself with 3rd parties creating complications (who turns up to speed-dating over an hour early? The desperate?).
I'd planed to go to town on the weekend to go to the flicks, but my rail pass was lost/swiped thus doubling the cost so it's been postponed untill after work during the week.
So that is it, a really quiet week & weekend, the book I'm reading is so riveting that I retrieved my CIMA notes from the loft although I havn't started re-revising them again yet. I watched 'Whale Rider' the acclaimed drama from NZ. It was definately watchable, a bit slow at times and a tragic ending would have been more suitable possibly. But there we go.
The weekend culuminated in mundanity, I hadn't gone out at all & I was so bored that on Sunday night I went to bed at 8pm, but I'm still not looking to foward to work in the morning, so gutted!
Last weekend whilst out in town me and Leo' had our picture taken for a website, tillate.com - they want you to sign up for marketing purposes I presume before you can view any pictures, but I placed it in one of those photo hosting sites. Be warned it's not pretty and we're done no favours by the camera, click here.
So at the moment I'm just pretty much got to concentrate on getting by, cheaply. It's all just part of the process I suppose and I'm not dejected yet (Unlike Kwokwah to whom I spoke yesterday, Kwok...Needs must as the devil drives!). But I certainly hope & think things will pick up soonish.
byeee
owz
I had a few things lined up, but...
Touch rugby was called off due to torrential rain, shame I could have met a few new people but it'll have to wait 'till next week.
I was supposed to go speed-dating as well with Augusto & the landlady, but 'Gus got recalled to his college in Brighton for a week then the whole thing managed to unorganise itself with 3rd parties creating complications (who turns up to speed-dating over an hour early? The desperate?).
I'd planed to go to town on the weekend to go to the flicks, but my rail pass was lost/swiped thus doubling the cost so it's been postponed untill after work during the week.
So that is it, a really quiet week & weekend, the book I'm reading is so riveting that I retrieved my CIMA notes from the loft although I havn't started re-revising them again yet. I watched 'Whale Rider' the acclaimed drama from NZ. It was definately watchable, a bit slow at times and a tragic ending would have been more suitable possibly. But there we go.
The weekend culuminated in mundanity, I hadn't gone out at all & I was so bored that on Sunday night I went to bed at 8pm, but I'm still not looking to foward to work in the morning, so gutted!
Last weekend whilst out in town me and Leo' had our picture taken for a website, tillate.com - they want you to sign up for marketing purposes I presume before you can view any pictures, but I placed it in one of those photo hosting sites. Be warned it's not pretty and we're done no favours by the camera, click here.
So at the moment I'm just pretty much got to concentrate on getting by, cheaply. It's all just part of the process I suppose and I'm not dejected yet (Unlike Kwokwah to whom I spoke yesterday, Kwok...Needs must as the devil drives!). But I certainly hope & think things will pick up soonish.
byeee
owz
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
'Cause You Know I Rode A Freight Train, North To Detroit City...
It's pretty much been a low-key week in the new house, during the week highlights included trips to the siwpermarket & local shopping centre.
The Wrong Side Of The Tracks
The part of Stockport in which I live is called Edgeley it even manages to drag the average conditions of stockport down a notch or two. It is dotted with scruffy tower blocks, and the local primary school has 10ft high security fencing. Nice. Edgeley shopping centre closes early, probably due to bitter experience, steel shutters are drawn across most of the shops except for the 1£-empire style shops which closed a while ago and now stand empty. I went for a jog the other day and cut through a park only to be verbally abused by local teenagers, I speeded up a few miles an hour but the didn't give chase no doubt weighed down by their 4-packs and not wishing to waste their cigarettes. I think I shall attempt to join a local gym. Just last night I learned that The guy who did the plastering in the house and aclose friend of Chris who lives was stabbed seven times not five minutes from the house, for interviening whilst a woman was getting beaten up (by a fella). He'll be ok and it was on camera so the police have got the guy who did it.
There's a large viaduct that the trains run on and as it approaches Stockport station there's a decent view of the place, you can see the house I'm staying in quite easily, so each day on returning from work I always check it out to make sure that the car is still outside, especially seeing as its been half term this past week.
Que Pasa Homes?
On Friday I went to Copacabana's in the middle of Manchester, It's one of those latino clubs that run salsa classes etc. I went Augusto from the house and Leonardo who's also Venezualian. They promised me that there was 'muchos latina senoritas' there wasn't as many as I saw in my mind's eye but there was a fair few. As I am still not drinking I drove in, I did feel to an extent like Asterix without his magic potion but I did loosen up. The venezualian cartell tried to set me up with a drunken Cuban divorcee, but she'd lost the ability to be coherent after a night of Bacardi & Cokes with Tequila chasers, her english at that stage was about as good as my spanish. Needless to say she was having none of it. It was though, a good night nonetheless, but I'll need to brush up on my espanol, but I did learn one phrase from the night, 'Meera es Coolo'.
Again on Saturday I went out with the Venezualian Cartell first to the 'Metro Bar' in Didsbury then onward to the city centre. This time we mixed with the locals in Babushka. Leo's wings seemed clipped as it wasn't the place for salsa dancing & he had enough and went home at 2am ish, Gus however was determined to stay until the bitter end despite not having much luck. I would have gone early too, but I was driving the drunken latino desperado home & so was not home until 4am.
The landlady situation has cooled off lately it seems which is for the best. All it really amounted to has a number of texts and suggestions that we should go out for a drink (we didn't) followed by a buisness proposal that would see me move into the spare room of her appartment. She was also spottd visiting the house during lunch-times. Having only met her three days previously I was slightly taken aback, but there have been no movement since, possibly he thinks she over stepped the mark or she's biding her time.
When you get used to a place you tend to notice more things, now with the house I've noticed the 3rd rate DIY, laminate flooring that doesn't tesselate, gaps by the walls, switches on the wrong side of doors, doors which have neither catches or handles, the list goes on there's a shower but nowhere to hold the nozzle, afterwards the water everywhere, crazy.
Sunday I headed to Birmingham to meet with Adam & Rich for a chat, the attraction in Brum was 'Pride' a three day gay festival but it seemed to attract families and locals who went along it seemed to gaze in wonder at some of the deviants & freaks (to be seen to be believed) who chose to release their inhibitions, it at least it made you feel better about yourself (a bit like...nevermind). Of course most people were wholly normal, the blokes were rather friendly but most of the ladies couldn't care less (they were dog-rough mostly anyhow, so there). It may have helped if I'd been drinking but A&R were sinking drinks at an alarming rate and I returned to the north after a few hours, being far too coherent the conversation from A&R was becoming considerabaly less lucid, and besides it wasn't really my scene.
Monday I took in Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban, I should have given it a week as it was full of 'damn pesky' kids, but it was a good film, but really as an acompanyment to the book, there's really too much in the book to get through & its more like pictures you might get in a book every few pages or so, to aid the visualisation process.
Thats all really.....adios!
The Wrong Side Of The Tracks
The part of Stockport in which I live is called Edgeley it even manages to drag the average conditions of stockport down a notch or two. It is dotted with scruffy tower blocks, and the local primary school has 10ft high security fencing. Nice. Edgeley shopping centre closes early, probably due to bitter experience, steel shutters are drawn across most of the shops except for the 1£-empire style shops which closed a while ago and now stand empty. I went for a jog the other day and cut through a park only to be verbally abused by local teenagers, I speeded up a few miles an hour but the didn't give chase no doubt weighed down by their 4-packs and not wishing to waste their cigarettes. I think I shall attempt to join a local gym. Just last night I learned that The guy who did the plastering in the house and aclose friend of Chris who lives was stabbed seven times not five minutes from the house, for interviening whilst a woman was getting beaten up (by a fella). He'll be ok and it was on camera so the police have got the guy who did it.
There's a large viaduct that the trains run on and as it approaches Stockport station there's a decent view of the place, you can see the house I'm staying in quite easily, so each day on returning from work I always check it out to make sure that the car is still outside, especially seeing as its been half term this past week.
Que Pasa Homes?
On Friday I went to Copacabana's in the middle of Manchester, It's one of those latino clubs that run salsa classes etc. I went Augusto from the house and Leonardo who's also Venezualian. They promised me that there was 'muchos latina senoritas' there wasn't as many as I saw in my mind's eye but there was a fair few. As I am still not drinking I drove in, I did feel to an extent like Asterix without his magic potion but I did loosen up. The venezualian cartell tried to set me up with a drunken Cuban divorcee, but she'd lost the ability to be coherent after a night of Bacardi & Cokes with Tequila chasers, her english at that stage was about as good as my spanish. Needless to say she was having none of it. It was though, a good night nonetheless, but I'll need to brush up on my espanol, but I did learn one phrase from the night, 'Meera es Coolo'.
Again on Saturday I went out with the Venezualian Cartell first to the 'Metro Bar' in Didsbury then onward to the city centre. This time we mixed with the locals in Babushka. Leo's wings seemed clipped as it wasn't the place for salsa dancing & he had enough and went home at 2am ish, Gus however was determined to stay until the bitter end despite not having much luck. I would have gone early too, but I was driving the drunken latino desperado home & so was not home until 4am.
The landlady situation has cooled off lately it seems which is for the best. All it really amounted to has a number of texts and suggestions that we should go out for a drink (we didn't) followed by a buisness proposal that would see me move into the spare room of her appartment. She was also spottd visiting the house during lunch-times. Having only met her three days previously I was slightly taken aback, but there have been no movement since, possibly he thinks she over stepped the mark or she's biding her time.
When you get used to a place you tend to notice more things, now with the house I've noticed the 3rd rate DIY, laminate flooring that doesn't tesselate, gaps by the walls, switches on the wrong side of doors, doors which have neither catches or handles, the list goes on there's a shower but nowhere to hold the nozzle, afterwards the water everywhere, crazy.
Sunday I headed to Birmingham to meet with Adam & Rich for a chat, the attraction in Brum was 'Pride' a three day gay festival but it seemed to attract families and locals who went along it seemed to gaze in wonder at some of the deviants & freaks (to be seen to be believed) who chose to release their inhibitions, it at least it made you feel better about yourself (a bit like...nevermind). Of course most people were wholly normal, the blokes were rather friendly but most of the ladies couldn't care less (they were dog-rough mostly anyhow, so there). It may have helped if I'd been drinking but A&R were sinking drinks at an alarming rate and I returned to the north after a few hours, being far too coherent the conversation from A&R was becoming considerabaly less lucid, and besides it wasn't really my scene.
Monday I took in Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban, I should have given it a week as it was full of 'damn pesky' kids, but it was a good film, but really as an acompanyment to the book, there's really too much in the book to get through & its more like pictures you might get in a book every few pages or so, to aid the visualisation process.
Thats all really.....adios!
