Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Blogger beta
It would appear Blogger would like me to move to the beta version. This is apparant because it insists on trying to sign me in with my gmail account and won't let me at my dashboard without telling me about the beta twice.
But I want to know if the beta is actually working properly yet. I have heard tales of people not being able to comment from a beta sign in on non beta blogs. I have heard tales of things going all to pieces after changing over.
Isn't a beta version so called because it is not yet a full version? Aren't betas versions still being trialled?
Is it worth it just yet?
But I want to know if the beta is actually working properly yet. I have heard tales of people not being able to comment from a beta sign in on non beta blogs. I have heard tales of things going all to pieces after changing over.
Isn't a beta version so called because it is not yet a full version? Aren't betas versions still being trialled?
Is it worth it just yet?
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Woo Hoo!!
On Monday...
I passed...
My driving test!
First time!
(After 16 months of lessons. Patient instructor.)
I thought I'd failed by collecting too many minor faults. I got 11 - 15 is a fail. I can drive better than I did during the test - I made a few mistakes through nerves, snatching at the gears and that sort of thing (putting the car in 4th instead of 2nd at the first roundabout wasn't a great start). I felt like I was reaching in the wrong place for the gear lever after driving our car at the weekend.
A good chunk of test time disappeared in the drive up to Balmedie and back on the A90 to use the village streets for the manoeuvres. I was asked to demonstrate a turn in the road (3 point turn) and reverse around a corner. Thankfully I didn't have to parallel park or bay park and no cars came when I was reversing. My controlled (emergency) stop was a bit ragged (did better in my lesson beforehand), but only picked up a minor fault. I should have asked the tester to move his seat forward when I was reversing, really, but I bottled it and peered round him.
Any way, I passed. Now I have to pluck up the courage to get out on my own. Then figure out if my insurance cost will be reduced by doing the Pass Plus course.
I passed...
My driving test!
First time!
(After 16 months of lessons. Patient instructor.)
I thought I'd failed by collecting too many minor faults. I got 11 - 15 is a fail. I can drive better than I did during the test - I made a few mistakes through nerves, snatching at the gears and that sort of thing (putting the car in 4th instead of 2nd at the first roundabout wasn't a great start). I felt like I was reaching in the wrong place for the gear lever after driving our car at the weekend.
A good chunk of test time disappeared in the drive up to Balmedie and back on the A90 to use the village streets for the manoeuvres. I was asked to demonstrate a turn in the road (3 point turn) and reverse around a corner. Thankfully I didn't have to parallel park or bay park and no cars came when I was reversing. My controlled (emergency) stop was a bit ragged (did better in my lesson beforehand), but only picked up a minor fault. I should have asked the tester to move his seat forward when I was reversing, really, but I bottled it and peered round him.
Any way, I passed. Now I have to pluck up the courage to get out on my own. Then figure out if my insurance cost will be reduced by doing the Pass Plus course.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Northern gardening
I've noticed that my garden up here seems to run about a month behind the one we had in Chesterfield. It's also true of the wild plants. There were ripe blackberries in the Lakes at the beginning of August, the ones near us weren't ready till September. There were masses though - is this a sign of cold winter coming?
I also still have roses and gladioli in flower, but I suspect spring may be slower to appear up here, so this good fortune will be balanced out.
Any way the point of the post...
I have Michaelmas daisies in my garden. They're are the first example of them that I've ever seen flowering at the time of Michaelmas. Which is actually quite pleasing.
I also still have roses and gladioli in flower, but I suspect spring may be slower to appear up here, so this good fortune will be balanced out.
Any way the point of the post...
I have Michaelmas daisies in my garden. They're are the first example of them that I've ever seen flowering at the time of Michaelmas. Which is actually quite pleasing.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
What we did last weekend...
He was running with his sister and I was marshalling. I'm not as daft as they are.
Spent a pleasant five hours in Coniston in a car park checking teams on to the mountain section.
Spent a pleasant five hours in Coniston in a car park checking teams on to the mountain section.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
PARK(ing)
At first I thought "That's a really cool idea, we could do that outside the office". Then I remembered - on the other side of the parking spaces outside there is a park.
The toll of the bell
I have a bell on my bike, but generally I find that should someone step out in front of me squealing brakes are more effective as an audible deterrant. That or a shouted warning using some short anglo saxon words.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
World Premiere
Last night at The Belmont Cinema in Aberdeen the World Premiere showing of The Planet was held.
I've never been to a World Premiere before. Six of us went from our office - one of the co-producers (who did the special effects) also does our IT - and fun was had by all.
As the name suggests the story takes place on a random planet in space somewhere, when ten survivors from an attacked ship land. They then get set upon by some unknown entity, which they do battle with at the end. I won't spoil the plot further as I'm sure you'll all be rushing out to see it...
The planet scenes were shot on Balmedie Beach, to the north of Aberdeen (which is also the home of the Balmedie Beach Bash (scroll down for post) - a fearsome 3.5 mile run over the dunes). Others were apparantly shot in the producers' living rooms.
I've never been to a World Premiere before. Six of us went from our office - one of the co-producers (who did the special effects) also does our IT - and fun was had by all.
As the name suggests the story takes place on a random planet in space somewhere, when ten survivors from an attacked ship land. They then get set upon by some unknown entity, which they do battle with at the end. I won't spoil the plot further as I'm sure you'll all be rushing out to see it...
The planet scenes were shot on Balmedie Beach, to the north of Aberdeen (which is also the home of the Balmedie Beach Bash (scroll down for post) - a fearsome 3.5 mile run over the dunes). Others were apparantly shot in the producers' living rooms.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
We shall fight them - in the Assembly Rooms
Oh dear. Some people need to grow up a bit.
Smoking is banned in workplaces in Scotland. Performers on stage are at work and therefore may not smoke.
It is an offence to smoke and also to permit smoking, so it's not just them who could be fined - it's the venue, the stage crew, the audience...
I think this is a good law. I also think that the comedian in the article who says he can't perform well without a cigarette has a problem.
Smoking is banned in workplaces in Scotland. Performers on stage are at work and therefore may not smoke.
It is an offence to smoke and also to permit smoking, so it's not just them who could be fined - it's the venue, the stage crew, the audience...
I think this is a good law. I also think that the comedian in the article who says he can't perform well without a cigarette has a problem.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Note to self...
Update links and blog once in a while.
Just noticed Tilly has linked to me, which is fab. Possibly the only person to do so other than my husband, who doesn't count obviously.
Just noticed Tilly has linked to me, which is fab. Possibly the only person to do so other than my husband, who doesn't count obviously.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
Snow!!
It's still snowing!!!
If the roads were open we could go skiing tomorrow. But currently the only way to get to Aviemore is via Elgin which means that the Lecht road is closed. Glenshee via Braemar is looking doubtful as is Cairngorm (see above re elgin). There be little safe walking or climbing - avalanches do happen in Scotland, you know.
Too much snow spoils the winter sports.
If the roads were open we could go skiing tomorrow. But currently the only way to get to Aviemore is via Elgin which means that the Lecht road is closed. Glenshee via Braemar is looking doubtful as is Cairngorm (see above re elgin). There be little safe walking or climbing - avalanches do happen in Scotland, you know.
Too much snow spoils the winter sports.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Snow!!!
Finally winter has arrived in Scotland. It took its time - it's nearly spring.
Hopefully there will enough snow to ski this weekend, but not too much or the roads will be closed...
Hopefully there will enough snow to ski this weekend, but not too much or the roads will be closed...
Friday, February 10, 2006
Carnethy 5
Tomorrow I am doing the Carnethy 5. If you never hear from me again I have collapsed and died on a hill near Edinburgh.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Lazy Post
Saw this at Tilly's place and thought I'd use it...
Though not so lazy a post as I thought since it won't cut and paste.
1. What is your occupation? Architectural Technician. As my Dad used to say the technicians are the people who make the architect's pretty drawings into buildable buildings.
2. What colour is your underwear? Today, purple.
3. What are you listening to right now? Julian Clary on BBC2's family history programme.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Lunch. Quite hungry now...
5. Do you wish on stars? No. Why would I do that?
6. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Grey. The bluish grey one not the brownish.
7. How is the weather right now? Cold and dry but clouding over.
8. Last person you spoke to on the telephone? Sister in law. General natter.
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? No one sent it - I pinched it... I don't know the person I pinched it off, we've never met. I like her blog though.
10. How old are you today? 26 years 10 months 20 days
11. Favourite drink? Tea. Brown with semi skimmed.
12. Favourite sport to watch? Rugby Union. Esp the six nations which starts this weekend!
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, constantly. I've inherited my parents' premature greying.
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses. Can't stand the idea of sticking things on my eyeballs.
15. Pets? Not any more. Childhood dog died.
16. Favourite month? February, I think.
17. Favourite food? Don't think I can pick one...
18. Last film watched? Memoirs of a Geisha, on Sunday afternoon.
19. Favourite day of the year? My Birthday? Don't know...
20. What do you to vent anger? Throw a strop at my poor husband.
21. Autumn or Spring? Autumn
22. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
23. Cherries or blueberries? Blueberries. Those glace things put me right off cherries.
24. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? I'm not sending this to anyone. None of my friends know my blog address.
25. Who is most likely to respond? See above
26. Least likely? See 25.
27. Who do you live with? My husband.
28. Last time you cried? When I threw a strop about the untidiness of our flat, no husband present though.
29. What is on the floor of your closet? If closet means wardrobe, then shoes. Far too many shoes. If it means cupboard, then outdoor gear.
30. What friend have you had the longest? A school friend I still write to but have very little in common with now.
31. What did you do last night? Went running - hill laps on the road, which gave me sore knees. Then viewed a house, which we have put a note of interest on.
32. Favourite smell? Tar or creosote.
33. Who inspires you? Don't know. Can't think of anyone specific. Oh wait, my husband inspires me to get fitter and climb mountains with him. If he can do it...
34. What are you afraid of? Not being good enough at something first time out.
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Not keen on hamburgers. Do you know what they're made of?
36. Favourite car? An e-type or DB7, maybe. I like the classics.
37. Favourite dog breed? Border Collie. Working bred. None of your pedigree nonsense.
38. Number of keys? 3 for my flat, 2 for my Dad's house, 5 for work and a bike lock.
39. How long in current job? 3 months
40. Favourite day of the week? Saturday
41. How many states have you lived in? Translate to counties for the UK...5. Right and wrong side of the pennines and currently north of the border.
42. How many cities have you lived in? 2 cities, 3 towns and a village. But not in that order.
There now, done. And probably the longest post I ever wrote.
Though not so lazy a post as I thought since it won't cut and paste.
1. What is your occupation? Architectural Technician. As my Dad used to say the technicians are the people who make the architect's pretty drawings into buildable buildings.
2. What colour is your underwear? Today, purple.
3. What are you listening to right now? Julian Clary on BBC2's family history programme.
4. What was the last thing you ate? Lunch. Quite hungry now...
5. Do you wish on stars? No. Why would I do that?
6. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Grey. The bluish grey one not the brownish.
7. How is the weather right now? Cold and dry but clouding over.
8. Last person you spoke to on the telephone? Sister in law. General natter.
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? No one sent it - I pinched it... I don't know the person I pinched it off, we've never met. I like her blog though.
10. How old are you today? 26 years 10 months 20 days
11. Favourite drink? Tea. Brown with semi skimmed.
12. Favourite sport to watch? Rugby Union. Esp the six nations which starts this weekend!
13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, constantly. I've inherited my parents' premature greying.
14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? Glasses. Can't stand the idea of sticking things on my eyeballs.
15. Pets? Not any more. Childhood dog died.
16. Favourite month? February, I think.
17. Favourite food? Don't think I can pick one...
18. Last film watched? Memoirs of a Geisha, on Sunday afternoon.
19. Favourite day of the year? My Birthday? Don't know...
20. What do you to vent anger? Throw a strop at my poor husband.
21. Autumn or Spring? Autumn
22. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs
23. Cherries or blueberries? Blueberries. Those glace things put me right off cherries.
24. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? I'm not sending this to anyone. None of my friends know my blog address.
25. Who is most likely to respond? See above
26. Least likely? See 25.
27. Who do you live with? My husband.
28. Last time you cried? When I threw a strop about the untidiness of our flat, no husband present though.
29. What is on the floor of your closet? If closet means wardrobe, then shoes. Far too many shoes. If it means cupboard, then outdoor gear.
30. What friend have you had the longest? A school friend I still write to but have very little in common with now.
31. What did you do last night? Went running - hill laps on the road, which gave me sore knees. Then viewed a house, which we have put a note of interest on.
32. Favourite smell? Tar or creosote.
33. Who inspires you? Don't know. Can't think of anyone specific. Oh wait, my husband inspires me to get fitter and climb mountains with him. If he can do it...
34. What are you afraid of? Not being good enough at something first time out.
35. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Not keen on hamburgers. Do you know what they're made of?
36. Favourite car? An e-type or DB7, maybe. I like the classics.
37. Favourite dog breed? Border Collie. Working bred. None of your pedigree nonsense.
38. Number of keys? 3 for my flat, 2 for my Dad's house, 5 for work and a bike lock.
39. How long in current job? 3 months
40. Favourite day of the week? Saturday
41. How many states have you lived in? Translate to counties for the UK...5. Right and wrong side of the pennines and currently north of the border.
42. How many cities have you lived in? 2 cities, 3 towns and a village. But not in that order.
There now, done. And probably the longest post I ever wrote.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Christmas and New Year
(Are over. Woo Hoo!)
But I had intended to update the world with what I've been up to while on holiday.
So, Christmas. It was quiet. Just me and Sean in Aberdeen. (We visited the parents the weekend before and went to a folk gig at Rufford Old Hall.) Christmas Eve we managed a run along the beach - climbing over the groynes as the tide was coming in.
On Boxing Day we braved the sales in town and I got myself a new pair of walking boots from Tiso's. They are Scarpa ZG65s and so far so good. I don't think they'll stay beige very much longer though. They started to get mucky on a short walk up Clachnaben.
We went away over New Year - I should say Hogmanay, shouldn't I since I'm in Scotland- with the Aberdeen Mountaineering Club. We stayed for four nights at Invergarry Lodge, near the southern end of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. The lodge is usually an independant hostel, but the club booked it out. It was a good place to stay for 27 people and a dog.
Sean and I went out with two other club members to the Forcan Ridge (pic from Manchester Uni Hiking Club site) in Glen Shiel on the first day. I carried far too much stuff and wore myself out, but the day was good. It wasn't very snowy on top, but the ground, which is usually boggy, was very icy. We were more likely to fall on the path than the ridge itself. We avoided the one section of vertical climbing though, just in case. Afterwards, we retreated to the Cluanie Inn, for a drink in front of the fire.
On the 2nd Sean and I went up Meall na Teanga - one of the munroes near the lodge. Several other club members were also going in smilar directions, so we walked part way as a four. The weather was wet and miserable, but I was persuaded to persevere. Again the ground was frozen, so we got our crampons out to get up to the summit and down safely.
And so, that was my Christmas holiday.
But I had intended to update the world with what I've been up to while on holiday.
So, Christmas. It was quiet. Just me and Sean in Aberdeen. (We visited the parents the weekend before and went to a folk gig at Rufford Old Hall.) Christmas Eve we managed a run along the beach - climbing over the groynes as the tide was coming in.
On Boxing Day we braved the sales in town and I got myself a new pair of walking boots from Tiso's. They are Scarpa ZG65s and so far so good. I don't think they'll stay beige very much longer though. They started to get mucky on a short walk up Clachnaben.
We went away over New Year - I should say Hogmanay, shouldn't I since I'm in Scotland- with the Aberdeen Mountaineering Club. We stayed for four nights at Invergarry Lodge, near the southern end of Loch Ness in the Great Glen. The lodge is usually an independant hostel, but the club booked it out. It was a good place to stay for 27 people and a dog.
Sean and I went out with two other club members to the Forcan Ridge (pic from Manchester Uni Hiking Club site) in Glen Shiel on the first day. I carried far too much stuff and wore myself out, but the day was good. It wasn't very snowy on top, but the ground, which is usually boggy, was very icy. We were more likely to fall on the path than the ridge itself. We avoided the one section of vertical climbing though, just in case. Afterwards, we retreated to the Cluanie Inn, for a drink in front of the fire.
On the 2nd Sean and I went up Meall na Teanga - one of the munroes near the lodge. Several other club members were also going in smilar directions, so we walked part way as a four. The weather was wet and miserable, but I was persuaded to persevere. Again the ground was frozen, so we got our crampons out to get up to the summit and down safely.
And so, that was my Christmas holiday.
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