Day 798 – 31st May 2009

As you can see – I’ve gone gone for the healthy option once again.

It’s been yet another sweltering day, mind you, so an ice cream was a good option. It’s a shame I didn’t get the picture before I started eating it, but hey, you live and you learn.

I forgot to mention that Chelsea won the cup yesterday, beating Everton 2-1. Everton did manage to score the fastest ever cup final goal, even when you count the 19th century finals, clocking one after just 25 seconds. Chelsea proved to be the better side though, and came back for a well deserved cup victory. Manager Gus Hiddink is on a temporary contract and is leaving to regain his position as Russia coach – safe to say he’s gone out on a high.

Day 797 – 30th May 2009

I quite like planes – in fact, if it flies, I love it. Difficult to resist using this as the picture of the day then. Also, I partly chose this one to show that it’s been yet another beautiful day here in Lancaster and partly to show off the new look site.

I’ve settled on having one massive picture – so you can see the intricate detail. The original redesign was nice, but it often caused people to get a side scrolling bar in their browsers – turns out I’ve got a widescreen, which I didn’t even know, but it meant that I never noticed that the new site was too wide. Pretty much the exact opposite reason was the cause of the revamp in the first place!

Anyway, all of the above means that the site is still wider than before, but not too wide because there’s nothing more annoying than having to shift a page sideways, and you can see the ins and outs of the picture – in this case the lovely aeroplane.

It’s a shame planes pollute so much – even in this age of easyjet and ryanair I still attach a certain romance to flying. When I see them from the ground I always stop to look up and wonder where they’re going; reminds me in an instant of everywhere I’ve been.

Day 796 – 29th May 2009

It’s probably the first time I’ve been uncomfortably hot this year. It’s been a humid, oppressive day today – sunny, but a bit sticky.

Anyway, I went out to get a picture in the sun, and I saw these horses trot by – so here it is. I was a bit annoyed, because they went down the road and were I to have chased them, I could have got a much greater picture. However, I didn’t want to be seen to be stalking people on horses, so I settled with what I got. As you can see, there’s so much light the sky is white.

Day 795 – 28th May 2009

It’s been a while since I’ve felt that something’s not quite right with this site. The look and feel of it is slightly out, and I realised – it was far too narrow.

Anyway, I’ve spent some time on a quick revamp – it’s probably going to have some teething problems, but I don’t mind sorting it out so long the final product looks good…

So, just as my friend here tinkers with his iPod to change the battery, I’ve tried to give the blog new life, a breath of fresh air. Still not quite sure what to settle on, but one thing is for sure – the pictures are bigger than before, which can only be a good thing for ‘picture of the day’!

Day 794 – 27th May 2009

Manchester United seemed to lose the plot in tonight’s champion’s league final against Barcelona.

I was sure they’d win, and after the first ten minutes, it looked like it was going to be a hammering. Then Barca scored early on, and the game flipped upside down – final score 2-0, united not really getting any chances for the rest of the game.

That aside, I had an exam this afternoon – we had a fire alarm about ten minutes in which did throw me somewhat. Anyway, later on I was struck by inspiration, and I think I did quite well on the second essay.

I might have spoken too soon, but at least now I can rest easy for another week until my next, and final, one.

Day 793 – 26th May 2009

One of my flatmates baked an apple pie today, which was nice of her. It nearly burned in a pie hell, but she woke up in time to save it, and there was no damage at all.

Someone else once said ‘life is like a pie, and I’m a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside.’ Wise words indeed.

I’ve got an exam tomorrow, so it’s time I went to bed.

Day 792 – 25th May 2009

I got this picture by accident more than anything else, I dropped my camera by my water bottle (formerly a Highland Park one) and hey presto – picture of the day.

Difficult to say why I like this one really, but it does have a certain something…

Day 791 – 24th May 2009

It’s been a lovely day today – still very little actually going on mind you…

Jensen Button won in Monaco, strengthening his chances of winning the F1 championship – let’s hope the next 11 races go the same way.

Not such good news for Newcastle United however, who got relegated out of the premier league; one of the nation’s top sides there, it’s a big shock to see them go down. Not that I care too much, Stoke stayed up, in the end comfortably, despite losing 4-1 to Arsenal today.

Well, the sun shone today but it’s a bank holiday tomorrow, so it’s highly unlikely that it might continue on for another day.

Day 790 – 23rd May 2009

It’s an odd picture today. Once more, there was nothing truly picture-worthy going on.

Looks like Jensen Button is on pole for the Monaco grand prix tomorrow – see you there then…

Day 789 – 22nd May 2009

Nachos sir? Yes please.

That’s what we made today, it’s a big plate, as you can see it covers the hobs. For just two people that was a whole load of nacho to get through.

However, Doritos, various tomato products, a dash of chilli powder and a shit load of cheese made for a tasty meal. It was supposed to be a snack, but we couldn’t manage any more.

So there we are, our first attempt at nacho production was successful – probably won’t do it for another year or so now in case of heart attack…

Day 788 – 21st May 2009

I tried a blue WKD for the first time today. Never, ever again.

You see that glass in my hand, does it look like you’re supposed to drink that? It took me half an hour to finish a bottle and now, I feel like shit.

If you’ve never tried one yourself, you’re not missing out on much. It’s like having a shitty lollipop melted down into some caffeine. I feel three stone fatter already. You wouldn’t drink toxic waste, then stay well away from this shit.

Day 787 – 20th May 2009

It’s passport renewal time, and I’ve had my pictures done.

I’m not one of those people who hides their passport photo from people, but comparing this new version to mine from five years ago when I was fifteen, I can see how much fatter and uglier I am now… Oh well, I can just about live with that.

I didn’t feel as though I looked young back then, in fact only a year after I was to tour Italy alone, yet now, looking at it, I really have changed quite a bit. I guess it’s the difference between how you feel and how you look that’s crucial here…

Anyway, when the time comes again, I’ll be thirty, and I’ll probably be saying all over again.

Day 786 – 19th May 2009

The mowers have passed. As I think I pointed out once before, when the men come on their mowers in the rain, the place ends up looking like the Somme.

I can clearly remember last time this happen, the picture isn’t anywhere near as bad as that one this time, but it’s still churned to hell. Why do they come in the rain? They’re on a contract apparently – whatever they do it disturbs the peace for the whole day…

That, plus street cleaning machines, strimmers, leaf blowers and bin men all adds up for a high noise levels. It’s probably me that’s easily annoyed.

Day 785 – 18th May 2009

There’s nothing much going on right now – I was going to go out and see if there was anything picture worthy but one thing after the other kept holding me back until it was getting dark.

That’s why today’s picture is fairly sombre, so I do apologise for that.

Days like these make me realise how much time I waste – I really should do something interesting…

Day 784 – 17th May 2009

Man oh man oh man I love this film. Imagine how happy I was then when I got a poster for it for 50p through the post today!

I’m still staring at it now…

Difficult to think of anything else to say really, it’s exam season but I haven’t got anything for the next week. It’s nice, but it doesn’t give much to talk about. I’ve noticed that I’m ending a lot of sentences with three dots, I think they’re called ellipses…

Day 783 – 16th May 2009

Looking at this picture, you might find it difficult to believe that it is absolutely shitting down outside.

The rainbow pictured here lasted for about 25 seconds, so it was lucky that I saw it. I paid the price though, my clothes are still drying out.

Manchester United won the league at home against Arsenal. From what I hear it was a gripping match, although on paper the season ended with a bit of a weak 0-0 draw. It’s not quite over yet though, the battle for relegation still rages on for one more week. Stoke are safe now, so I’m breathing easy.

Day 782 – 15th May 2009

I bought a pizza from the shop this evening, then I pimped it out like a crazy mofo.

There’s a whole load of meat action going on here – it’s already a meat feast, but I thought I’d bolster it with a couple of sausages and some bacon. Makes a cheap pizza great in a simple step.

Watched ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ tonight, I forgot about it completely since the last time I saw it – forgot how much I loved it too.

Working backwards still, I had my French oral this morning, it went well I think. I also think that’s enough jabbering for a day.

Day 781 – 14th May 2009

I’ve just got back from a birthday meal, not my birthday, but that of a friend.

I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it, but it explains why I went into town at lunchtime today – I was present shopping. It was during this time that I got offered a deal on some drinks in some club by a man dressed in a Heineken suit.

I took pity on him, so I grabbed a leaflet (although it was always destined for the bin) and got a picture of the day. He took it surprisingly well, considering some feel as though I’m slightly taking the piss – which I guess I am, slightly.

He gets much respect from me though, because his job is obviously pretty demeaning, but that smile is genuine – you can’t beat someone smiling against the odds! Maybe he likes the suit…

Anyway, it was a pretty good dinner, Italian, although I have a French oral tomorrow morning – does what food you eat before affect what language you speak? I hope not.

Looking over what I could talk about, it all seems very philosophical; very French. Talking of which,  the first question is ‘What is it to be French?’ Wow, that’s followed by ‘Teaching lasts a few years, but education never ends.’ Is that even a question? I only have to pick one, probably best to dodge the first two then…

Day 780 – 13th May 2009

So I took a picture of the sky today – it was actually for someone’s art major. I actually found out about the project on facebook – it was a nationwide thing at 2pm.

The original picture, the one I sent off, didn’t look much like this one though. I just wanted to do a quick white balance on it and whaddya know, I got this. Of course, I had to set it back to send it off, it was in fact a plain cloudy sky – you couldn’t really see any detail at all, just grey.

Anyway, I took this on the way to my architecture exam – can’t say how it went really, probably not bad but it’s difficult to say…

Day 779 – 12th May 2009

I love taking pictures into the sun. You’ll see a lot of pictures from me like that, but today I chose to go for a different one, despite the huge amount I took in my favourite style.

The house is great looking, never seen it before from this side – I’d have got a picture before I knew… Anyway, it’s slightly out of focus, which you can’t tell when you’re taking it which is annoying, but it’s nice enough for me, and a welcome change.

I’ve had an exam, I’ve got one tomorrow. It’s architecture, which I don’t know the first thing about…

Day 778 – 11th May 2009

Got an exam tomorrow, there’s little else to say really. It’s Italian. Better start thinking in Italian then…

Day 777 – 10th May 2009

Can’t say I did anything as explosive as Star Trek today, I’ve been revising for a test tomorrow morning.

I was going to go and see Benjamin Button tonight, but for some reason I changed my mind – it is quite long… I’ll wait until the DVD comes out.

Talking of which, another Button, Jensen, won the grand prix in Spain, widening his lead on the formula one championship. Good news there then, he’s definitely eyeing up the championship now…

Day 776 – 9th May 2009

That’s me there, repairing my curtains.

One day, a while back now, I came back to find them on the floor, blown off their rails by what I guess must have been the wind.

Today, a while later, I thought it a good time to set about putting them back up. This wasn’t as easy as I’d anticipated. It seems as though my curtains had very different hooks to everyone else’s – complicated hooks. Actually, the wrong hooks. Probably explains why they came off…

Anyway, I’ve done my best at putting them back up, I hope they stay there. I just won’t touch them for a while.

Otherwise, we’ve all just come back from seeing the new Star Trek film. It’s a reinvention of the franchise, starting from the very point where Kirk and Spock meet. It also kicks ass.

Somehow, with a stroke of genius, they’ve kept the original characters the same, they’ve even kept the feel of the original show but they’ve removed the lameness. The nerdyness. It’s previous inaccessibility has gone. You really, really, want to see this now, even if you hate (hated) Star Trek. In fact, the haters should be the first to go; I hope the next arrives soon.

Day 775 – 8th May 2009

I kicked off the day with a visit to the inner sanctum of computer science here – the infolab.

It’s a place of mystery to most of us, but I have a friend who studies such things so I had an excuse to go in. It’s light and airy, but surprisingly dingy in places due to a lack of windows. Where does the light come from then?

You have to look up to find answer. I got this picture – can you see how bright the window is, yet how dark the ground floor is?

Later, we went to see Woody Allen’s new effort, ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’. It wasn’t bad, light hearted, well worth a watch if it’s ever on TV.

Now though, I’m watching Leaving Las Vegas. I’m not a fan of Nicolas Cage, but the odd film like this proves to us that only 85% of his work is shite, instead of the whole lot.

Day 774 – 7th May 2009

It’s been grim. Very grim. Not today though, and as the sun set over Lancashire tonight, I managed to bag a half decent picture of the day.

What you can’t see is the freezing cold outside – I’m still shivering…

Day 773 – 6th May 2009

I had an oral exam today – I talked for a bit then went home. Can’t say I’m sure I made much sense…

I picked up this iPod case off someone who didn’t want it. I took a picture because I’m not sure about the design myself, although it is Ted Baker, it’s well put together, rugged and real leather. I think I could get used to it. Looking at it now (the picture is a super close-up), I'm warming to it quite a lot. I do like that red stitching…

Day 772 – 5th May 2009

It’s back to Lancaster today then, and an oral exam looms tomorrow…

It took me a while to get here, four hours in fact. It took one hour to go from Stafford to Crewe. Those who know Staffordshire will agree that that is a very long time indeed to travel twenty miles or so.

The train to Lancaster was efficient, but with waits and delays on the buses, I was glad to get home. It’s raining now, the place looks like it’s never done anything else.

Watched Man United thrash Arsenal 1-3 on the second semi-final leg of the Champions League. With two goals in the first ten minutes, the game was over before it started. Arsenal got a penalty off a clearly wrong decision by the ref, sadly getting Fletcher an unfair red card, and taking him out of the final.

It’s a bit depressing that this should happen, but I have to focus on giving a presentation tomorrow – so I’ll have to leave whining on about how unfair the rules of football are for another day…

Day 771 – 4th May 2009

I did a bit of research and found out that on this day two years ago, I said May the fourth be with you. That was going to be my opener tonight.

Last year, however, I had other things to talk about. In fact, it was the day Stoke got promoted. Now, as I type, we are an inch away from being safe in the premier league. Things would have to go quite badly wrong for us to go down now, let’s hope they don’t.

Haven’t done much today, back to uni tomorrow hence the picture. It’s been grim today, as is the way with 90% of all British national holidays. I don’t even know why we have May day off – best not complain though, any holiday is a good holiday…

Day 770 – 3rd May 2009

Went to a classic car show today – had a pretty good time.

To be honest, I didn’t spend much time at all looking at big old American cars with fins, it just happens to be the most striking, dynamic picture I took.

What I did see were all kinds of other stuff, mostly British, Austin Healeys, Jaguars, Triumphs, Minis, Wolesleys, old tractors, fire engines, police cars – there were even a couple of buses. I rather like E-type jags though, and there were plenty of those…

Anyway, it was a nice day out, and I managed to come back not feeling too much like an anorak about these things.

Day 769 –2nd May 2009

I went to Attingham park with my parents today. It’s a nice place to go and visit if you’re ever in Shropshire, particularly if you’re a national trust member.

That was pretty and relaxing, but also time consuming. Can’t say I did much else really…

Day 768 – 1st May 2009

I’m not sure I’ve mentioned this before, but those unlucky few who know me may know that I’ve got a sticker on my computer, as pictured above.

I’m not even sure myself why I stuck it there, but I’ve gotten used to it, and now I quite like looking at boobalicious every now and again. Of course I completely forgot about it when I sent it for repair – I hope the people at HP are understanding. Or male.

I’m back home today, because it’s bank holiday weekend. Haven’t got much to say really. Something interesting might happen this weekend. Then again, it might not.