RSS FeedsCategoriesPersonal (137) Archives2007-12 |
Personal
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| Dave Parker | |||
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| Customer | 3 | Collaboration | 3 |
| Delivery | 3 | Leadership | 1 |
| Process | 2 | Professionalism | 3 |
| Skill | 3 | Influence | 1 |
| Innovation | 2 | Give-back | 1 |
| *Ranking scores are from 0 to 6 | |||
It's real nice to know how high the corporation values your skills isn't it? I've turned my 'Ranking' into a top trumps card. Why? Why not?
Tuesday September 2nd, 2003
Tuesday September 2nd, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Started to watch The Prisoner; Linda has the entire series on DVD -- I have no idea what it's about, and no preconceptions as to how good (or not) it will be .. I wonder if I'll persevere through all 17 episodes?
A thousand spoons when all you need is a knife? Isn't it ironic? No, but getting pulled over for driving cautiously is!
I picked up Linda and chums from a night out in town and heading down North Walls saw a co pcar turn onto my road, instinctively I braked, and dropped to 25 mph, safely under the 30mph speed limit. The police car then followed me all the way around the one-way system and even pulled over when I pulled over to pick up Linda and chums.
Sure enough, as I pulled away, so did the police car, which tailed me for a minute before flashing me to pull over -- great, I contemplated whether I'd be over the limit just from breathing the same alcohol fueled air as my tanked up passengers.
The copper was pleasant enough, checking my details after informing me I'd "been driving cautiously". I smiled, thought to myself: "there's a first for everything I guess" and went on my way, cautiously :)
Tuesday August 19th, 2003
Tuesday August 19th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I've booked this Friday as a days holiday as I'm so tired from the weekend's moving -- I feel like I've moved twice having had to move stuff from my houes, and from Linda's!
It's nice to feel important! My manager agreed to my holiday on the condition that I remain available (on call) should I be needed at work at any point during the day on Friday.
Monday August 18th, 2003
Monday August 18th, 2003: Film Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Three times today I could have been caught speeding by the police!
On the way back from work I was doing 45-50 in either a 40 or a 30 zone when a police car arrived at a junciton to join the same road as myself. I think I managed to reduce my speed enough, and they didn't pull me over or anything so hopefully all was fine.
Another five minutes into my journey a police car was heading the opposite way down the street to me as I did well in excess of the 30mph limit on Worthy road. Again, hopefully nothing shall come of this.
Those excluded from the trip to American Pie 3 on Friday formed a splinter group to see the film today. I have to say I was very impressed by the film, I was expecting it to be worse than the first, which was in turn worse than the second, but low and behold it ended up being (imo) the best of the three films.
On the way back from Basingstoke, doing 80/85 down the M3 I saw a police car on the side of the road having pulled someone over for speeding ... third time lucky, I guess today really was my lucky day!
Saturday August 16th, 2003
Saturday August 16th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Mum, dad and Michelle all come down to help with the house move. Dad drove the van and helped me lift the heavy furniture, mum shampoo'd the carpets in the house I'd just moved out of, and Michelle .. em .. er .. helped!?
Friday August 15th, 2003
Friday August 15th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Linda's definition of being 'ready to move' proves to be slightly different to mine, oh well it's not like I had any other plans for the day -- oh wait a minute -- I did have other plans for the day didn't I!?
The department BBQ was okay, I only braved a single sausage from the various assortment of undercooked food though, and as I was driving I couldn't drink any of the free beer on offer either.
My so-called friends 'forgot' to invite us out to see American Pie 3 tonight, everyone bar myself, Linda, Prad and Carmen went to see it at Basingstoke.
It fills me with great satisfaction to have so easily influenced so many people -- and robbed Odeon of another group of undeserved customers by introducing the graduate masses to Ster Century at Basingstoke.
Thursday August 14th, 2003
Thursday August 14th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Picked up the keys to our new house today! So exciting. This'll be my 4th home in 12 months!
Monday August 11th, 2003
Monday August 11th, 2003: Film Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Linda's not happy with me .. becuase I'm not really excited about moving hosue again. When I tried to explain that "it's just moving house" and that "it's no big deal" things didn't get any better. I'll be glad when this move is over and sanity (well something vaguely resembling sanity) returns to my girlfriend (and my life)!
Second film in a week: Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Regular cinema going is a very expensive esperience! Thankfully this was actually a rather good film (okay, I'll admit now - I did expect this to be slightly less enjoyable than a trip to Newcastle).
Sunday August 10th, 2003
Sunday August 10th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Packed the majority of my stuff into boxes for moving on Thursday ... thankfully I'm too busy to even notice that I won't havce access to my DVDs, Video Games and CDs for the rest of the week anyway -- wait a minute, that's not a good thing!
Tuesday August 5th, 2003
Tuesday August 5th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Thank Christ I can drive now, and I'll never have to use a train again ... apparently it's so hot now that the trains can't run -- they can crawl though!! The rail infrastructure must be in a pretty bad state -- in the Summer it is too hot; in the Autumn there are leaves on the track; and in the winter it's too windy, too wet, or too cold.
Why couldn't anybody understand that he was not really a freak but a normal, lonely adult trying to lead a normal, lonely adult life?
- Joseph Heller (
Monday July 28th, 2003
Monday July 28th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Just when I thought the government couldn't possibly screw me out of more money I read that the interest rate payable on official student loans is about to more than double, but wait there is good news...
The income threshold for making payments will rise from £10K to £15K - so you can pay back less each month. But wait a minute; higher interest, paying less back each month -- that means you end up oweing even more money at the end of the day? Shit!
The education secretary's own figures showed that a graduate earning £20,000 would repay only £450 per year, so their debt would simply increase each year.
A graduate would have to be earning £32,000 before they could be paying off even one twentieth of their debt per year - much higher than the earnings of many graduates in teaching, nursing or other public sector or charity jobs, Mr Rendel's office said.
- Big rise in cost of student debt, BBC News July 28, 2003.
Saturday July 26th, 2003
Saturday July 26th, 2003: Gaming Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Filled up the new car for the first time -- £30 for a tank full, I hope it lasts a good few weeks, it seems the only thing more expensive than learning to drive is being able to drive!
Despite promising myself that I wouldn;t buy any new games until I finished those I already have I bought Ikaragua in Game today. It does something rarely seen in video games nowadays, takes a simple idea, and gives it a new twist .. the addition of the black/white polarisation and combo chains turn Ikaragua from another pretty shoot-em-up to an essential game (something the GameCube needs a few more of if it's to survive).
Friday July 25th, 2003
Friday July 25th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Hursley F.C. are recruiting .. hmmm; could be the opportunity to get fit(ter) I've been waiting(!?) for ... I doubt I'm up to competitive games (90 mins -- I'd be lucky to complete 10) but once a week training could get me fit and meet a few more people who are into football. There just isn't enough football in my life these days.
Thursday July 24th, 2003
Thursday July 24th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Drove to Eastleigh for football -- didn't get lost -- and did an amazing bay park, if I wasn't there I doubt I'd believe it myself, straight in between two cars in the crowded leisure centre car park. Football was a wierd game; my team were 17-4 up about half way through, we then conceeded 10 staight goals without reply in the second half of the game, hanging on to win by a few goals at the end.
Wednesday July 23rd, 2003
Wednesday July 23rd, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I'm really impressed that I managed to not stall my car at all today, and parking at Hursley (although I took the easy option) wasn't incredibly difficult either. Apparently there'll be a scratch on my new car within a week though, but it'll be safe after that!?
Tuesday July 22nd, 2003
Tuesday July 22nd, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Mum, dad and Michelle arrived with my 'new' car around 8 o'clock, after stalling numerous time trying to reverse out of the driveway I finally managed to get to grips with the petrol engine and took dad into Winchester and back again. He wasn't half as bad a passenger as I expected, especially having seen him ride with Michael!
Monday July 21st, 2003
Monday July 21st, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Fourth driving test today; first thing I had to do -- read a car's registration for 50 yards (or whatever), but this just happened to be one those cars with trendy styled plates, which made it really difficult to distinguish the final letter; I still don't know whether it was a 'N' or 'M'.
Despite making a hash of my bay parking, and cursing myself under my breath throughout the entire test I managed to pass!!
Friday July 11th, 2003
Friday July 11th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Met up with Paul & Andrew at the clubhouse for the first time in months -- ahhh, the good ol' days:)
Thought for the day: aptitude + preparation = future ability. Having been selected for grammar school and thus escaping the hell that was Senacre Technology School (now Senacre Technology College) I'm all for selection processes, I hate to think where I'd be now without it -- I doubt I'd have gone to university, and I doubt very much I'd be working for IBM
Wednesday July 9th, 2003
Wednesday July 9th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
The weather at the moment is absolutely unbelievable, it's sub-tropical! The UK has higher temperatures than Greece, apparently!
Monday July 7th, 2003
Monday July 7th, 2003: Gaming Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Two weeks today until my fourth driving test -- I better pass this time. Please, if there is a God, and he's reading this, let me pass this time!
Took a day off to relax following a very stressful couple of months, put my day to good use completing Resident Evil Zero and reaching the final boss in Final Fantasy X (light at the end of the tunnel -- at last), unfortunately my characters have kind of fast tracked the second part of the game and are not powerful enough to survive the final encounters (missing such elementary skills as Dispel, Reflect, Curaga & protect/Shell) so I have to uninspiriing task of fighting numerous random encounters until I can power them up enough.
Saturday July 5th, 2003
Saturday July 5th, 2003: Gaming Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
My first weekend to myself for along time ... I even managed to convince Linda (my girlfriend) that the fact I wanted to spend a weekend relaxing in front of the TV watching DVDs, playing console games and generally vegging out wasn't a sign that I never wanted to see her again! If there's any gamers out there who'd like to know how to do this then I am willing to sell my secret for one million dollars!
Sunday June 29th, 2003
Sunday June 29th, 2003: Film Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Linda used to think I was being hard on my 'hometown' (as much as Maidstone isn't my hometown anyway) -- but now she's been there she understands all. If the people left then it'd be quite a nice place -- close to London, lots of greenland, big(ish) town centre -- unfortunately I don't expect the pondlife to migrate any time soon -- what Maidstone needs is a good old fashioned biblical flood, and it's come pretty close the last two years!!
Went to Odeon in Southampton to see 2 Fast 2 Furious -- I was expecting 'poor-to-shit', but it was worse than I could have imagined ... the 'acting' was appaling, the dialogue painful ("yeah, man" "ok, man", "come on, man", "ok, bro" -- argh!!). Please don't go to see this film.
More major gripes with the film; 90 mph is not fast, nor furious; Linda's 1.1ltr Ford Fiesta can get above 90 with little trouble.
I've never noticed the traffic lights turning into a cg blur being driven up the motorway at 120mph, so why this happens at 90 to these 'pro' drivers who hang on the thier steering wheel for dear life is a complete mystery to me.
The Nitro boosts in these cars are apalling -- they need nitro to get to 100!! And how many gears do they have in the US -- I'm sure they changed up about 8 gears during each race! and as for the reason behind saving the faster gears until the other driver gets close to you! Not fast, not furious just a very very shit film.
Saturday June 28th, 2003
Saturday June 28th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Mike's 21st -- oh the chaos! I head off to the Brice's to fix their PC (again), leaving Linda to the mercy of mum and Sue, possibly not the best idea in the world. Rescue myself and Linda from an afternoon of food preparation by taking Linda into Maidstone centre for some shopping (although I don't have any money -- but when did that ever stop me?)
Mike's party went down quite well all things considered, I caught up on a lot of the news which I miss out on with my being far far away in Winchester; someone has not one, but two boyfriends! and her husband knows about them both, and doesn't seem to mind. One of her sons is dating a married woman and has her pregnant, and she's leaving her husband for the son! Only in Maidstone! No-one in Maidstone will ever read this anyway -- I'd be surprised if a) they managed to work out how to use the Internet, b) they could read. Sorry Maidstone, but you are a shit-hole populated by pondlife, and I'm glad I only have to visit you.
Friday June 27th, 2003
Friday June 27th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Travelled home for Mike's birthday. Linda decided to drive in the end, which was great as I fucking hate using trains. The M25 was rather convieniently closed at junction 6 (the junction we needed to exit on), we headed off at junction 8 planning to use the A25 which is an alternate route to Maidstone, of course, when we got to the point where junction 6 of the M25 joins the A25 the traffic was horrendous, so we took a detour from our original detour and ended up going to Maidstone via East Grinstead and Tonbridge Wells.
Wednesday June 25th, 2003
Wednesday June 25th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Not being able to drive is becomming an all consuming fixation right now -- as if all my problems will be solved by a driving license! Well, maybe they will, most of the pain-in-the-neck moments in my life are caused by reliance on other people, so having my own car will remove a hell of a lot of reliance on others. It better work out nice, especially seeing as I can no longer afford the insurance without building up some hefty credit card debt... still, I could always stop spending money?
Tuesday June 24th, 2003
Tuesday June 24th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Didn't get a lift in with John in the morning so I looked at the bus timetable to see what it'd take to get the busses into work. A 20 minute drive converts into over an hour and a half on the busses -- if I had left the house at 8, I'd have been lucky to arrive at work by half past nine!! That's why I get very pissed off when people say "it's not the end of the world" when I repeatedly fail driving lessons for stupid things like indicating right at a roundabout when going straight on -- okay, it's a mistake - but a serious fault (given that I did indicate left when leaving the roundabout anyway) -- I don't think so.
Monday June 23rd, 2003
Monday June 23rd, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Paid up our £800 deposit for the new house, and signed contracts ... scary that I'll be £400 out of pocket until I get the deposit back from this house in September!!
My ear is absolute agony, I'm not sure I should be in work, but hell -- I strive to destroy myself, and what better way than on company business!? I have a driving lesson tomorrow that I should probably cancel but probably won't because I just couldn't face the prospect of delaying getting my license any further. If I don't pass on July 21 I really don't know how I'll be able to handle it ...
Sunday June 22nd, 2003
Sunday June 22nd, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Woke up at 4am in absolute agony -- it seems I did have an ear infection brewing, and it's a real stinker this time round. Managed to get seen at an emergency clinic after ringing NHS Direct, everything seemed linked together in seemingly well organised fashion, when I arrived at the clinic they had the detail I had given over the phone to the NHS Direct people. When I spoke to the NHS Direct people they took a phone number and a real nurse phoned back to take my symptomns. It's not often I've been impressed with the NHS, but this is certainly one such time.
I'm now taking 8 paracetamol, 8 nurofen and 3 amoxycillin a day ... the pain is bearable after all that, and I'm quite light-headed.
It may have been an ilusion caused by excessive amounts of painkillers, but when I got home I was sure I saw Mark in the back garden ... mowing the lawn!!
Saturday June 21st, 2003
Saturday June 21st, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
The party was perhaps the most surreal event of the year so far ... it was Linda's mum's birthday, but it wasn't Linda's mum's birthday party; the large majority of the congregation (pun intended) were church goers; and the average age was somewhere in the 50s I suspect!
I kept quiet for the most part, surprisingly finding little in common with most. In the latter part of the evening a few tecchie people arrived and I spent the most of the disco time in the kitchen talking tech. One of the guys I was talking to was in charge of network security at Nottingham university and explained how they deal with P2P networks, US style warnings from record companies, percentages of network traffic taken up with pornography and so on. I guess it doesn't sound quite as interesting when you sum it up like that, but it seemed so at the time.
By the end of the night the slight pain in my ear was much more like a throbbing, pulsing localised agony .. the inevitability of another ear infection is not something I look forward to!
Friday June 20th, 2003
Friday June 20th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Left Winchester around 4 to head up to nottingham (again) -- I've seen more of Linda's family than my own this last month or so.
Thursday June 19th, 2003
Thursday June 19th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Couldn't go to five a side because Amar is on holiday, and I am still public transport bound. Instead, with my graduate friends I found myself, again, on a basketball court. What we lacked in skill we made up in .. well, lack of skill I guess!
Wednesday June 18th, 2003
Wednesday June 18th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Finally (really) got my diary up to date; don't feel quite so bad as Andrew's has slipped even more than mine!
Sunday June 15th, 2003
Sunday June 15th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Played football with John and Steve ... football doesn't really work with three people though so we quit after 15 minutes, and organised a game of basketball (yes! Basketball), We met Omar and Andreas at the courts outside the River Park centre. I didn't even know they existed, even more amazing they were free!
An improptu BBQ followed b'ball -- but I cramed a few matches of CM in before the people started arriving. After food we played Tony Hawk's, Dance Dance Euro Max (Tim P brought his dance mat around) -- watching grown men turn into a mass of flailing legs is surprisingly entertaining. But the game is so dull, more fun to watch than play? Gaming ended at 10 when 24 started -- I've long since recognised 24 as the tripe that is now is so find myself sat in my room watching South Park The Movie and trying in vain to update my diary.
Saturday June 14th, 2003
Saturday June 14th, 2003: Gaming Personal Politics
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Played Resident Evil Zero for what seemed like an age. After successfully combining the statue of a woman with the angel wings (as you do) I hit a save point and switched attention to Final Fantasy X, which I should really have completed by now -- the trouble is that the random encounters are so damn annoying, I don't remember them being this frequent in any of the previous games.
Linda came round, and rather sportingly sat through a few hours of Resi Zero gaming, before getting my attention and heading off to the Cart and Horses for a couple of drinks.
Why I hate the people who 'run' this country ...
Friday June 13th, 2003
Friday June 13th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Viewed another house -- we may well take this one. It's only a few hundred yards down the road from where I'm living now, on a little country lane just off the main road to Winchester.
Went to a small BBQ at Furyious' house, as a little warm-to a night in Winchester. We met a whole bunch of other grads in The Royal Oak. I can't remember the last time I went out in Winchester with 'the gang', and I haven't missed it to be honest.
When we were thrown out of the Royal Oak at closing time and general consensus was to head to Moloko's I thought I'd rather cut my leg off with a rusty toothpick --- instead I walked home alone!
Friday June 6th, 2003
Friday June 6th, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Viewed a flat in the centre of town; it was very nice, if a little small -- plus I'd have to sell my white goods. Honestly I think we'd struglle to fit everything into a flat -- probably best to stick to looking for houses from now on.
"The release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is set to become one of the biggest publishing events in history." Oh joy!
Sunday June 1st, 2003
Sunday June 1st, 2003: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
We left Nottingham earlier than I had hoped for, which was good for my brother as he when we eventualy got back to Winchester he still had to get a train back to Maidstone. Mind you, I have little sympathy for him as he chose to take public transport as opposed to driving himself down here in his rather smart 1.6 Ford Focus with most mod cons!
As if the train service wanted to prove to Mike just how much of a mistake he'd made the train we'd planned for him to et was cancelled so he had to wait another hour for the next train to Waterloo .. still it taught him a valuable lesson -- the British public transport system does not work.
Friday September 21st, 2001
Friday September 21st, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
On the way to the bus this morning I had what I can only describe as 'a movie moment', I'll explain:
There's the two lead characters walking towards each other down a crowded street, they catch each others' eye and stare at each other as they pass, going so far as to actually turn their head so they can't see where they're walking, cue hillarious collision and characters spend rest of the film getting together.
Well, with the exception of the hilarious collision (which it would not have been as we were crossing a road at the time), and the getting together bit, that is what happened this morning. I'm sure I recognised her, but couldn't think where from.
The reason I was headed for the bus btw, was because I had to travel into university to find out whether or not I had passed my referred coursework, which I had - yey.
- O'Brien, 1984 (George Orwell)
Sunday September 16th, 2001
Sunday September 16th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Haha - I actually won a bet, OK it was odds on and I only won just over a quid, but hell - it's a start.
Lolita on Channel 4 tonight, mmmmm Dominique Swain
- 1984 (George Orwell)
Friday September 14th, 2001
Friday September 14th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I think the honeymoon period of the new flat is beginning to wear off now, all the little things that don't really matter are beginning to get on my nerves now.
- 1984 (George Orwell)
Tuesday September 11th, 2001
Tuesday September 11th, 2001: Personal Politics
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
What a day, terrorism finally reaches the US's shores. Two planes hit the world trade centre, which collapses killing thousands, one crashes on the pentagon and a car bomb to round things off.
I watched events unfold all day from the comfort of my armchair and was totally amazed at how long it took the news agencies to figure out that it just might not have been accidental - duh! Watching it unfold I figured there would be some pretty big changes coming as a result of this. Quite exactly what changes; we'll all just have to wait and see.
Final thought: I wonder whether there was this much world wide (especially cross-Atlantic) sympathy when the IRA started its terrorist campaign against the UK? I doubt it.
Oh, and liverpool played their first match in the UEFA Champions League, and were shit:
| Liverpool | 1 - 1 | Boavista |
| Owen | Silva |
At least the other match in the group resulted in a draw so no ground lost.
- 1984 (George Orwell)
Monday September 10th, 2001
Monday September 10th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went into university first thing, the hour and half journey merely serving to wind me up more and more, by the time I reached campus I was totally psyched up, ready to unleash my fury.
As I should have expected it was all just one big cock up on their part (again). I think I was clearly pissed off, and the lady I spoke to was very apologetic and kept giving me their usual "reason"; "You shouldn't have been sent the letter, I'm sorry". As much as I was looking forward to unleashing some serious aggression on the fools responsible, as soon as I knew everything was fine I was calm again.
Played and completed Half-Life: Blue Shift - I was VERY disappointed in the game, too short, too easy and not anything new at all. I don't think they should have bothered to be honest, they took it one game too far IMO.
- Winston, 1984 (George Orwell)
Sunday September 9th, 2001
Sunday September 9th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
First day in the new flat, my room is quite cosy now, shame about the rest of the flat though! Needless to say I'm still pretty pissed off with the whole uni coursework thing, but all in all, for my first day in Bristol: not too bad.
- Riddick, Pitch Black
Saturday September 8th, 2001
Saturday September 8th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I am Jacks raging spleen, UWE are totally pissing me off, today I receive a letter telling me that I have not handed in my critical appraisal, and that the deadline for which was Friday 7th for the late work panel. This would be the very same critical appraisal that I sent them 4 months ago along with my log book and late work panel forms for the earlier panel.
It is also worth noting that the letter was dated September 4th, 3 days before the deadline, yet I received it one day after the deadline, how fucking inefficient?
Combined with the loss of one half of a modules exam papers in the first year, and telling me I had been kicked out of university for failing an exam I had passed last year, I think it is fair to say that this university is totally incompetent, and I hold little hope for getting this matter sorted on Monday.
- How to disappear completely (Radiohead)
Thursday September 6th, 2001
Thursday September 6th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Finally got round to writing to some of the guys at IBM, only 2 months after I'd left. Still, better late than never as they say. What is it BT say, "it's good to keep in touch"?
Wednesday September 5th, 2001
Wednesday September 5th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Spent most of the day entering data for upcoming Liverpool section on the site, boring, dull & repetitive - but it had to be done, to be honest - what else better had I to do?
Tuesday September 4th, 2001
Tuesday September 4th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Played dad at pool, lost 3 games to 1. The shame.
Saturday September 1st, 2001
Saturday September 1st, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
| Germany | 1 - 5 | England |
| Jancker | Owen (3) | |
| Gerrard | ||
| Heskey |
Wow - what a match, never before have I seen two teams so inept at defending than in this match, the German defence (or lack thereof) was criticised much more than that of England's which was unfair because both were equally useless.
The only difference between the teams was that England had Beckham, Gerrard, Owen & Heskey playing out of their skins, tearing Germany apart. Whereas Germany had Deisler (playing a 'mare), Janker (never all that impressive) and Neuville (1 goal in 18 caps - 'nuff said) doing their best to fuck up everything they touched.
5 - 1, a great result, but shouldn't get carried away (as I expect all the 'papers are). France, Brazil, Holland, Argentina etc. would have hit us for 6 in the first half alone.
Friday August 31st, 2001
Friday August 31st, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Beginning to pack my gear up for moving down to Bristol, thankfully there's not too much of it as I've already got a lot down there.
Wednesday August 29th, 2001
Wednesday August 29th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Re-dyed my hair, it's gone a lot redder this time thankfully.
Met Jon and had a few drinks in the evening, planned to go see The Parole Officer, but never made it out of the pub in the end.
Saturday August 25th, 2001
Saturday August 25th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went to Dymchurch with Granddad, who was down for bank holiday. Played pool, a few (old) arcade machines and generally, just chilled out. A suitably relaxed day to follow Thursdays/Fridays exertions. Five hours of Red Dwarf series 5 on UK Gold at nine.
- American Psycho (Bret Easton Ellis)
Friday August 24th, 2001
Friday August 24th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Spent all morning (0035 till 0700) on the trains travelling back from Cardiff. Ears still ringing, eyes bulging & blood-shot, drenched in sweat and covered in bruises - undeniable evidence of a great gig! Did little else.
| Liverpool | 3 - 2 | Bayern Munich |
| Riise | Salihamidzic | |
| Heskey | Jancker | |
| Owen |
Wednesday August 22nd, 2001
Wednesday August 22nd, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Manics in Cardiff tomorrow - can't wait, I haven't done anything for weeks - maybe this will wake me up?
Watched the Public Enemy #1: The devil made me do it, which I recorded last night. This was a documentary covering the murder of an Italian nun by three young girls (the devil in question here: Marilyn Manson). It was interesting to see how certain people & organisations managed to drag Manson's name into this and other cases (specifically the Columbine killings in the US).
It asked more questions than it had answered IMO, was this the original intention I wonder?
- Father Gigi Pini
Sunday August 19th, 2001
Sunday August 19th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I'm sure I did something, but I have no idea what - it's been that kind of day.
Friday August 17th, 2001
Friday August 17th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
There is so much interference on our home phone line that I can't even connect to the internet for more than 30 seconds at a time before it falls over itself, hopefully this will be remedied sooner rather than later (although I won't hold my breath).
- American Psycho (Bret Easton Ellis)
Saturday August 11th, 2001
Saturday August 11th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
First day of the English football season, I thought it'd never come. Liverpool kick off tomorrow against Man Utd in the Charity Shield.
UK Gold are showing every episode of each series of Red Dwarf on Saturday nights, which is great (unfortunately I only found out about this in time for series 3) so I'm re-recording my Red Dwarf tapes as my original recordings (over 5 years old now) haven't aged well.
Thursday August 9th, 2001
Thursday August 9th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went out to meet Jon, Sheena, Louise & Alan. First test of my new no-alcohol rule: failed. Jon bought me a pint, and I felt obliged to, never mind it was only one and I did turn down two or three more. Walked home, missed Bottom.
Tuesday August 7th, 2001
Tuesday August 7th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went bowling with dad, Michelle & Nia (Michael came but only watched ??). Played two games (badly) - I'm no pro, but I can usually rely on a score of plenty over 100, today I managed only 68 & 98 in the two games.
Sunday August 5th, 2001
Sunday August 5th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Put up some more posters in my new room, it's looking pretty funky now. Bought American Psycho (the book), after everyone who's read the book telling me the book is a hundred times better (more graphic?) than the film version.
- Bill Shankly
Saturday August 4th, 2001
Saturday August 4th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went to Bristol for the weekend - found the missing Papa Roach CD.
Friday August 3rd, 2001
Friday August 3rd, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Today completes my first week of inactivity, and I think I managed it quite well, with only minimal suicidal tendencies.
In moments of reflection I've realised that I don't miss work, but I do miss the people I get to work with, "it's the little things" as they say...
- The bazaar conversations (insult trading) with Andrew & Nik.
- The computer game discussions with Paul. I've never met anyone else able to partake in a sustained conversation on UT.
- Rick's unique brand of humour.
- Liane, well Liane.
On the up-side the football season is nearly upon us, only a week to go.
- Bill Shankly
Thursday August 2nd, 2001
Thursday August 2nd, 2001: Film Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went to see Shrek at the cinema, it's not quite as good as I thought it'd be, in fact I think it's fair to say that if it hadn't been an animated film, I would call it "totally shite". A few good gags, but not the non-stop laff-a-minute film I was expecting.
Met up with some friends from MGS after the film, first time I'd seen most of them for nearly a year - it's good to keep in touch, but mostly I can't be arsed!
- Bill Shankly
Wednesday August 1st, 2001
Wednesday August 1st, 2001: Gaming Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went shopping, bought The Bouncer & Onimusha for Michael, and nabbed myself Pitch Black for half price. Completed The Bouncer in less than four hours, it's not a very challenging game it's fair to say. Onimusha was more promising, think Resident Evil with Samurai & demons instead of zombies.
Watched Pitch Black, really good film - very Aliens, except you don't know who will survive, and who will meet the business end of some hell creature from space. Thrashed dad at pool (3-1) - now I am the master.
- Bob Paisley
Monday July 16th, 2001
Monday July 16th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Two new guys in the office, makes a change from looking at Andrews ugly mug anyway!
Still reading Everything (a book about Manic Street Preachers), still not past the half-way mark, but I hope to finish it this week (fat chance). Call me Mr. Carbohydrate.
- Mr. Carbohydrate (Manic Street Preachers)
Saturday July 14th, 2001
Saturday July 14th, 2001: Liverpool (Football) Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
House to myself all weekend (as usual), started to pack all my gear up for next Saturday when it's all heading back to Maidstone. I shall not be looking forward to an entire week with no TV, PC, PS2 or stereo. Argh, I might actually have to have a life for a week!
In the world of football, it looks like Liverpool have finally got rid of Houllier's biggest mistake; Christian Ziege - on his way to Spuds, by all accounts.
- Carlos Castenada
Friday July 13th, 2001
Friday July 13th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Where did the week go? One of my most uneventful weeks in memory. Ooh, Friday the 13th, I am so superstitious. Seeing as I've got nowt to say, how about an advert instead...
Wanna learn how to make great sites like this one? Is HTML something you caught last summer? You need to check out the Beginners guide to HTML @ bleb.org
- Albert Camus
Saturday July 7th, 2001
Saturday July 7th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
A BBQ, and a house full of strangers, oh what a day! Spent the day watching Nightmare on Elm Street 1 to 3, got very down in the evening and went for a walk just after midnight. It's so nice being outside and not surrounded by people, listened Gold Against the Soul and headed back home.
I had avoided the shake-and-fake all weekend, but they got me when I returned, a mass gathering ambushed me on the way to my room ... smile, "hi my name is ..." (who cares), shake, walk. Not that I want to give the impression that I'm anti-social, I'm not - I just don't like people.
- Nicky Wire (Speaking about Princess Diana)
Friday July 6th, 2001
Friday July 6th, 2001: Gaming Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Completed Half-Life: Opposing Force., The ending is in the same vein as the original, which I suppose keeps things consistent, but it's a bit of an anti-climax to be honest.
Henman is playing Ivanisavic today, am I the only Brit who wants Henman to lose, come on - he has no personality. I hope Ivanisavic wins the tournament too - he has character, something ol' Tim never will have. Go Goran, Go!
Housemates planning on a big weekend by the sounds of it, but I can't be bothered with the shake-and-fake of it all.
- Tony Hancock's suicide note
Thursday July 5th, 2001
Thursday July 5th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Day off work today - feeling really ill, I think I've spent to much time in front of a computer screen this week. Did some cleaning around the house & went for a walk, felt a bit better after that. Haven't been on the computer all day, definitely the first time I've been able to say that in a while.
- James Dean Bradfield
Wednesday July 4th, 2001
Wednesday July 4th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Set myself a challenge: I have £100 to bet with, in exactly twelve months time I must have more than £100. To be honest, I'd be surprised if I've got anything left in a few months time. I usually place fiver bets so even if I do lose every time I can play for 20 bets, at the end of the day it's for a bit of fun - if I did it expecting to win then I really would be a fool.
I do believe it's American Independence day, or something.
Monday July 2nd, 2001
Monday July 2nd, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
'Fessed up to Andrew about the little trick me & Rebecca played on him last Friday, he looked surprised at first, probably in shock at how evil two people could be. If they both let me I'll put up the content of the jest, but I wouldn't want to do so against anyone's wishes, I'm not that evil.
Sunday July 1st, 2001
Sunday July 1st, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Went to Bar Iguana in the evening with Ant & Brett; live band every Sunday - they even played a version of the Sesame Street theme!
Friday June 29th, 2001
Friday June 29th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Rebecca's last day at work today, Andrew thought it would be funny to fake a mail from Rebecca, propositioning me. Funny guy eh? Well in the spirit of humour I responded to the real Rebecca, Andrew didn't believe me; until she messaged him on Sametime (similar to MSN Messenger), apparently not all that happy. Andrew cleared everything up and all's well that ends well, or is it??
MUWHAHAHAHAHAHA I have a secret too Andrew: I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours; fuck it, I'll (probably) tell you anyway!!
Thursday June 28th, 2001
Thursday June 28th, 2001: Personal Work
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Good news, I got through Hursley's recruitment process and I've got a job for when I finish university (assuming I don't do anything really stupid in the final year that is).
It's Michael's birthday today - happy 19'th shithead. You're nearly old like me now, hope you like your CD.
- Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman, Se7en)
Tuesday June 26th, 2001
Tuesday June 26th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've been watching Big Brother recently, I can't miss an episode, how on Earth did I get dragged into this show? I remember hating it so much at the start.
I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy .. but that could change.
- Governor George W. Bush (BoycottTheUSA.com)
Friday June 22nd, 2001
Friday June 22nd, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Gav's last day at IBM today, it'll be weird on Monday I expect. He's off across the world (Russia, China, Mongolia & more). If you're reading this Gav, have (hope you had) a great time.
Went drinking with Ant in the evening, spend £30 somehow and got very drunk. When we left the pub we did the Spaced style gunfight, followed by a bit of wrestling. But by far the most insane moment was when we tried to do the running up walls thing from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Needless to say this resulted in high impact collisions with the pavement!
Not content with hurling ourselves at a wall, I then initiated the jump over the bin competition. The challenge; to jump over the 3ft(?) bins littered around the city centre. Unsurprisingly the success rate was a big, fat zero. And the result was surprisingly similar to the first challenge, i.e. crumpled bodies hitting pavement. Now we had got the self-destruction out of the way it was on to the reproduction of the entire Star Wars trilogy.
All in all, a very good night out.
- Gavin (on his choice of women)
Thursday June 21st, 2001
Thursday June 21st, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Penyards are evil, totally they are the biggest bunch of scammers this side of the Atlantic. Do not ever rent a property from these people. We've just had gardeners round to do the front and back because Penyards were not happy with the state the gardens were in. The gardeners arrived at half-nine in the morning and were still around when we returned from work. After speaking to them for a while they told us that it was going to cost about £380 for the days labour. They also told us that the garden had been neglected for at least 18 months, and there was no way that it could have got in such a state over the period we had been in the property.
Now this is where it's interesting, we have only been in the house for 6 months, so therefore we should only be responsible for a third of the bill. The gardeners were happy to say that in their professional opinion, the work they did was from at least 18 months of neglect; so I'll be phoning Penyards tomorrow to sort this out. The garden is beautiful now, by the way - fist class job.
Manics on C4 was quality and I managed to get really good reception to, probably for the first time since I've been in this house - what timing.
Wednesday June 20th, 2001
Wednesday June 20th, 2001: Personal TV
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Finally finished listening to my mp3'd Radiohead collection at work - all 170+ tracks. So for a change of pace I chose something a little more cheery ... Black Sabbath. Finished off a lot of loose ends during the day, which was nice. Gavin's leaving this Friday, makes me realise how little time I've got left here - very sad.
"Our Manics in Havana" is showing again on Channel 4 tomorrow (at 12:05 am) you'd be a fool to miss it.
Hursley needs it's share of axe-murderers.
- Rick (on my chances of getting back into IBM after uni)
Tuesday June 19th, 2001
Tuesday June 19th, 2001: Joe-X WinAmp Skins Personal Work
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Found out I've got to the next stage of the IBM recruitment process for Hursley, on a list of 20 IT's who made it to the interview stage, it'll be great if I can get a job sorted before I even start my final year at university. Speaking of which; the late work panel rejected my work, so it's capped at 40% and it won't be marked 'till September. To me this is so petty, the mark doesn't even contribute to my degree, and what if I don't even pass it? "No, you failed your year out, so it doesn't count, you can never mention it again!". I can't wait to get away from UWE.
The hunt for joeX continues, but without much luck - his email is dead, and neither deathsdoor or joex.n3.net are up. If you have any information on joex send it to whoisjoex@nofuture.org.uk
I've decided that I don't like the website's purple design anymore, so I'll probably redo it over the weekend.
Monday June 18th, 2001
Monday June 18th, 2001: Music Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
The Bon Jovi gig was cool, probably 70 thousand people there? Unfortunately my expectation of having two options once the gig had ended hadn't taken into account one thing - SUNDAY.
That's right, twas a Sunday, everywhere was closed long before the gig even ended, so I spent from 11 till 4:20 in Cardiff train station, and it was bloody freezing. But I'd say it was worth it for sure. Amazingly it was daylight for most of the journey - got back in Winchester about half six and went to bed for the rest of the day. Still feeling sick from spending the night in the station.
In two months I'll be doing it all again - I just ordered a pair of tickets to see the manics at the Cardiff International Arena on the 23rd August, now that will be a great gig!
Sunday June 17th, 2001
Sunday June 17th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Off to see Bon Jovi in Cardiff today, the first train back isn't 'till 4 am tomorrow morning so I'm gonna be up all night in Cardiff. The way I see it I have two options
- Get totally pissed in bars and clubs that may still be open after the gig before heading to the station for the 4 am train.
- Go wait at the train station for 4 hours in the freezing cold.
Saturday June 16th, 2001
Saturday June 16th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Today has been very, mmmm - dull. Woke up at twelve, tried to remember how I got home last night, failed to remember how I got home last night so went back to bed. Played F1 2001 for too long than can be healthy and watched "Meet the Parents" (Rob De Niro & Ben Stiller), a funny film indeed.
Friday June 15th, 2001
Friday June 15th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
If there is such a thing as karma, then I have definitely scored some good karma today. I took "Fur Fighters" back to Game to exchange for "F1 2001", and could have walked away with both! OK, a little explanation needed .. I was being served by someone who for some reason had to stop serving me and go and answer a customer's question at the other end of the store. At this point I already had F1 2001 in my bag, and just needed to sign a receipt, so assistant number 2 comes over, I sign the receipt and he gives me "Fur Fighters". For a moment I considered just walking (heh, they gave it to me!!), but after a moments hesitation my good side came out on top and I handed it back to the guy.
So something good should happen to me now, right? What goes around, comes around 'n all that. Went out with Ant and two of his mates down from Southampton, we all met up with Ant's new lady-friend & her mates at 9. Good night out, by half eleven I was propping up the bar with a pink 'little miss' handbag, having been left in favour of the dance floor by the others, needless to say the alcohol consumption rate increased significantly without any of that conversation malarkey to interfere.
I was on the long and winding road to becoming totally, utterly wasted, then out of nowhere ... Ricky Martin. I finished off the remaining drinks double-quick and made for the nearest exit.
... if you take a week-old kitten and throw it to the floor, it will actually bounce! We do not recommend that you try this at home. The kitten may bounce under the furniture and be difficult to retrieve, as well as covered in unsightly household dust.
Thursday June 14th, 2001
Thursday June 14th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Had a really slack day at work, some IT's had organised rounders at one followed by a night on the town. So I was planning on a half day, but in the end rounders was as unorganised as I'd expected it to be and didn't start 'till 3. But never mind as I ended up playing football for 2 hours instead. After an hour playing rounders the idea of a night in their 'posse' out didn't seem quite so appealing, so I stayed in and watched Spaced on DVD instead.
The male chromosome is an incomplete female chromosome. In other words the male is a walking abortion; aborted at the gene stage. To be male is to be deficient, emotionally limited; maleness is a deficiency disease and males are emotional cripples.
- Valerie Solanos
Monday June 11th, 2001
Monday June 11th, 2001: Joe-X WinAmp Skins Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Gav can't remember anything from Saturday, so at least I missed a fucking great party and not one of those crap ones!!
Hunted WinAmp skins by JoeX, lots of broken links, but a few successes, any I find will be available on my site for download.
A half hour meeting turned into a hour-plus meeting and I missed my lift so had to venture once again on to public transport - I want a car, now. But at least it was a productive meeting, enough ideas to keep me busy for the last 2 months of my contract anyway.
Milky: so when's the wedding?
Jaffa: Dunno, some time after I propose, presumably.
Juggler: When's that?
Jaffa: Dunno, some time after I'm drunk.
Sunday June 10th, 2001
Sunday June 10th, 2001: Personal
Last Updated: Tuesday June 19th, 2007 04:43 PM
Recorded my entire Radiohead catalogue into mp3 to burn onto a single cd, unfortunately at 160 kbps they won't all fit on a single CD so I have to redo the lot at a lower bit rate tomorrow.
On the plus side of the weekend, yes there was one - I really got into half life, probably spent about 7 hours on it this weekend. Having had my TV, PS2, laptop and pc running pretty much constantly all weekend, my room is now unbearably hot.
I never think of the future, it comes soon enough.
- Albert Einstein, 19