A is for Aftershock

Went West again this weekend. Friday was pretty uneventful; arriving after a four drive, having Dad cook me enough food for about two or three people, and watching random crap on television.

Saturday was more eventful. Walked into Salcs in the morning, bumped into Drewsy as I was walking back and ended up spending five hours in the Star Wars Bar. Watched England B lose to the Barbarians. Stumbled home, and went straight back out again for family meal.

After the meal went into Kings to meet up with those of the guys that were back. I wasn't expecting the night to pan out, but Coops, Big Ron, and Tom were out so it was actually quite cool. Went to Fusion with Hels (the rest of the guys bailed). Spent an absolute fortune on Aftershock, and danced like a crazy fool.

Sunday was spent recovering. Had to bail on golf with Drewsy and Coops because I was feeling fragile.

Bank Holiday Monday I visited my gran, and then went to Bantham. Sat on the beach and watched the kite-surfers. Glorious day yesterday, and the beach was predictably packed. Drove back up to the Concrete Kingdom in record time[12].

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Wow, if I thought Radio 1's sycophantic Oasis Day had been annoying, it was nothing compared to the boredom that was Coldplay Day[13]. I was in the car most of the day yesterday. Having no CD player on me, and being in the radio wasteland that is the South Hams, I wasn't left with much choice. I have nothing against the band, and like some of their songs, but they're not great enough to warrant a whole day of arse-kissing.

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[12] Made the journey in 2hrs 55min, which is pretty good going considering I'm still not allowing myself to speed.
[13] Or as I took to calling it: Take A Long Bath With An Electric Heater day.

A is for Aggrieved

Dad phoned last night to tell me that he's had to have Teal, our English Springer Spaniel, put down. Pretty sad :(

It's no surprise. He was 15 years old[10], and over the last year or so the cancer's slowly eaten away at him, until he was about half normal size. It's no surprise, but it's still hard.

It's hit me a great deal harder than the other dogs[11]. I suppose it's because we got him when I was ten, so he's from that chunk of my childhood that I remember the most. We grew up together, so I feel I was closer to him.

When I used to shoot, Teal was my gundog. By this time we had got Bouncer, so Dad would work Bouncer and Dan or I would work Teal. I never gave him much to do (I was never much of a shot and that white ruff of his used to announce our presence to any bird within about a mile and a half), but he loved to be out, even if he only made one retrieve the entire afternoon. I was grateful for the chance to take him out, especially when Dad started to use him less.

His energy faded in recent years, but in his youth he was the typical springer. Bouncy, mad as a hatter, and smarter than you'd credit. If I go back west this weekend like I'd planned, it'll be strange walking out to the dogs' room and not seeing him. 15 years is a long time.

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[10] Which is an amazing age for a working dog to reach.
[11] We had Bouncer put down last year, which was difficult because he was four or five years younger than Teal.

A is for Answers, part 2

Another meme, because it's easier than actual content. Stolen from someone random. Usual rules apply:

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. If we've met, when and how did we meet?
4. What social event or place would you like to go to with me?
5. Would you kiss me?
6. Describe me in one word.
7. What was your first impression?
8. Do you still think that way about me now?
9. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. When's the last time you saw me?
13. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn't?
14. Are you going to put this on your blog and see what I say about you?

A is for Advancing

Double graded at graduation last night: went straight to orange stripe (the belt order at LC being: white, purple, orange, orange-stripe). It was a surprise, especially considering I was a white belt only two and a half months ago [entry]. I'm not complaining, of course ;)

The instructor left me until last to receive my belt, and I was getting a little worried. I didn't think she'd forgotten me, but I was curious to know why I didn't get my belt with the other two purples. No explaination was forthcoming, so I think it was just to embarrass me.

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Later went out for another work leaving do. Good night, although it looks like the mantle of work-night-out-organiser might pass to me. It was mentioned again[9] last night, because the girl that left used to organise them. I wouldn't mind as long as people were interested, and responded, but the majority of work people are notorious for lack of empathy when it comes to work-socialising. We'll see.

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[9] It being suggested when the first night out was a success [entry].

A is for Anticlimax

Went to a work-organised pub-quiz last night. It was fun until the final round, which was the Halcrow round with 'questions based on the company's internal publications'.

::Walks up and slaps quiz master::

The last shred of respect I had for the company and the people who work here has just disappeared in a puff of smoke. Talk about ways to kill an evening early.

A is for Absence

My membership to OWW lapsed about a month ago. After much debating, I've decided not to renew. Whilst I have benefitted from my time there -- and would recommend joining to anyone with serious dreams of being a writer -- I can't ignore the fact that I haven't done anything at the workshop in well over a year. As I struggle to scrape together time to write two words at the moment, thoughts of me actually finding time to crit seem rather . . . far-fetched.

I'm staying on the mailing lists and I'm going to keep in touch with those few friends I've made, but I'm no longer a workshopper.

Feels kinda weird saying that; I've been there for about five years now.

A is for Answers

Meme. Usual rules apply:

1. Reply with your name and I will write something about you.
2. I will then tell what reminds me of you.
3. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, it would be...
4. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
5. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
6. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.
7. Put this in your journal. If you want to.

A is for "at last"

Finally.

A is for Amaretto

--It's funny how you both got me drinks related to alcohol.
--Drinks?
--D'oh! Cards. You know what I mean.
--Well, your cards now seem a lot more appropriate.

Went out with Jen and Andy (and Jen's family, and Kim) for Jen's birthday last night. Had a couple of drinks in the George -- gotta make the most of it when the pub is less than fifty yards from your house -- and then went for a meal in Gaetano's. Nice meal, although I think all involved drank too much wine (except Pete, who drove). Beginning to wonder whether I was safe to drive when I got up this morning.

Went onto The Beehive, failed to hear any live music, and watched Kim finely shred a beer mat.

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I didn't say anything yesterday, because I didn't want to take the piss out of her on her birthday, but Jen tried to kill us by driving into a shopping trolley on Tuesday night. In her defence it was one of those new invisible shopping trolleys.

Oh, no, wait a minute, it wasn't :) It was one of those visible -- some might even say obvious -- ones.

There's also a walking-into-a-lamppost incident to relate, but I won't elaborate. In fact, that sentence pretty-much tells you all you need to know.

And, just so Andy doesn't feel left out: he sat at home yesterday morning waiting for a phonecall, before realising (after about half an hour) that he'd given them the number to the flat he moved out of seven months ago.

A is for Average

Meet the Parents

Well, I saw the original film, and have come to the following three conclusions:

1. The sequel [entry] is a far inferior retread of the original.
2. The original is distinctly average; some good moments, but a whole lot of filler between them.
3. I am still unconvinced of De Niro's ability as a comic actor.

A is for Accident

Shameful and The Girl I See on the Stairs have returned from travelling [entry]. I have been forced to tell Shameful about the disAstra: that I managed to kill his car after only 16 days. His response:

my poor baby! What have you done to her you monster!!!

Heh heh heh.

A is for Articulate

--Kev! What are you doing back?
--Last minute decision, mate. What about you? Didn't know you were going to be back . . .
--Last minute decision, mate.
--Right.
--Right.

Who says the art of conversation is dead?

A is for Automobile

An old guy approaches me after I've paid for petrol, stopping me when I reach the silver (and red) machine. He asks if I can help him, because a warning light's come on in his car and he doesn't know what it means. 'I usually get my son to help me with this sort of thing, but he's not here.'

Okay, I think. I know nothing about cars, but there's a slim chance I might recognise the light, so I go over and see if I can help him. I tell him to start the motor, and stare at the red light that appears on the dash. Pause for a couple of seconds . . .

'That's your handbrake light, sir.'