Relaxing after a holiday may sound a bit daft, but that's exactly what Sundays were made for. Unpacking at a snails place, frequent interruptions for tea and loafing on the sofa reading.
Those two shots below are all I can offer right now, but in the coming week I'll post the Prague highlights on my Yahoo! Photo albums for your perusal.
Been browsing some other blogs of late. These are particularly notable:
Moby's Journal
Great musician and wonderfully political blog.
Meet Vernon
Read about this in the weekend paper. This blog, run by a death-penalty abolitionist, poses questions to a man on death row in the USA and posts the fascinating replies. A unique insight.
After the Leap...
Turkey through the eyes of an American expat.
Anyway, cuppa anyone?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Departure Lounge
Prague Airport, Czech Republic
Departure Lounges the world over are intriguing places. Truly globalized, for better or worse. I'm sat here supping a coke, listening to smatterings of various languages drift past whilst flinging these words out into the ether but glancing around, I could be anywhere. These spaces look much the same.
In less than fifty minutes I'll be out of here, So I'll keep this brief.
Just bought a few hundred duty-free cigarettes for a workmate so my duty there is fulfilled. Surreptitiously took an amusing picture for another friend of mine whilst in the shop - she simply loves the declarations plastered all over the multi-packs like Smokers die long, horrible drawn-out deaths and the like.
Last few days in Prague have been extremely relaxed indeed and I should return a calmed man, as opposed to the charred husk that left the UK last week. Although, I can't say I'm relishing the return to work anytime soon. That said, at least it isn't a life-sentence I'm serving in my current job. Come the summer, cops willing, I will be out of there too and embarking on a whole new journey entirely.
Prague has definitely come to life in the last few days, maybe it's the 'warming' (a mere -5 deg C as opposed to the -14 that hit me like a spade in the face upon arrival) or the fact that it's the weekend and the stag/hen groups have graced us with their drunken presence. Moving into the city and the Bard & Clown hostel was a daft decision in retrospect. Full of young hedonistic backpackers that made me feel old. The only stable mind there I spoke to there, a cute Argentinean lass, seemed to sense the dodgy vibe and cleared out after a few nights. Everyone else seems to be up all night and asleep all day, which in an architectural and cultural paradise like Prague is frankly ridiculous. Much preferred my first (and recommended choice) The Boathouse (Courtney, you evil genius you), which although quiet at this time of year should certainly get positively buzzing once the thaw sets in.
Anyway, boarding starts in 10 minutes so I better venture towards the gate. I have a window seat and I'm happy, and I don't care how juvenile that sounds. We all have out little pleasures.
More Prague stories and a wealth of photos will be uploaded once I return.
Other than that, it's almost time to enjoy the view.
Departure Lounges the world over are intriguing places. Truly globalized, for better or worse. I'm sat here supping a coke, listening to smatterings of various languages drift past whilst flinging these words out into the ether but glancing around, I could be anywhere. These spaces look much the same.
In less than fifty minutes I'll be out of here, So I'll keep this brief.
Just bought a few hundred duty-free cigarettes for a workmate so my duty there is fulfilled. Surreptitiously took an amusing picture for another friend of mine whilst in the shop - she simply loves the declarations plastered all over the multi-packs like Smokers die long, horrible drawn-out deaths and the like.
Last few days in Prague have been extremely relaxed indeed and I should return a calmed man, as opposed to the charred husk that left the UK last week. Although, I can't say I'm relishing the return to work anytime soon. That said, at least it isn't a life-sentence I'm serving in my current job. Come the summer, cops willing, I will be out of there too and embarking on a whole new journey entirely.
Prague has definitely come to life in the last few days, maybe it's the 'warming' (a mere -5 deg C as opposed to the -14 that hit me like a spade in the face upon arrival) or the fact that it's the weekend and the stag/hen groups have graced us with their drunken presence. Moving into the city and the Bard & Clown hostel was a daft decision in retrospect. Full of young hedonistic backpackers that made me feel old. The only stable mind there I spoke to there, a cute Argentinean lass, seemed to sense the dodgy vibe and cleared out after a few nights. Everyone else seems to be up all night and asleep all day, which in an architectural and cultural paradise like Prague is frankly ridiculous. Much preferred my first (and recommended choice) The Boathouse (Courtney, you evil genius you), which although quiet at this time of year should certainly get positively buzzing once the thaw sets in.
Anyway, boarding starts in 10 minutes so I better venture towards the gate. I have a window seat and I'm happy, and I don't care how juvenile that sounds. We all have out little pleasures.
More Prague stories and a wealth of photos will be uploaded once I return.
Other than that, it's almost time to enjoy the view.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Technology, damnit
Why, oh why, is that when you really need technology it lets you down.
When you don't need them you stumble past internet cafes every second block, and when you don't need to use it the battery on your mobile seems to last for ever. But not for the first time when it came to the crunch, neither works.
*sigh*
Anyway, it remains overcast but freezing still in Prague, yet that hasn't stopped me continuing to explore this glorious city. Made it up to the Castle District today, finally, and spent most of the day there. Evening has been plenty of hot journal / book and cafeene action in some suitably atmosphereic places.
When you don't need them you stumble past internet cafes every second block, and when you don't need to use it the battery on your mobile seems to last for ever. But not for the first time when it came to the crunch, neither works.
*sigh*
Anyway, it remains overcast but freezing still in Prague, yet that hasn't stopped me continuing to explore this glorious city. Made it up to the Castle District today, finally, and spent most of the day there. Evening has been plenty of hot journal / book and cafeene action in some suitably atmosphereic places.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Don't forget your thermals...
-14 dec C daytime temp has made for a very chilly visit to Prague thus far. Stepping out of any heated building into the cold is like a spade right in the face.
Beautiful city, wonderful architecture (had some Goulash earlier to die for) and the beer is predictably cheap and fine. Very much in the off-season many places are quiet indeed; a return spring/summer visit would doubtless find the drinking hovels, sights and accommodation rammed full. Good artsy vibe throughout though, certainly worth a return visit without a doubt. Seen quite a few highlights so far but spent a lot of the time soaking up the districts on foot.
And the Charles Bridge.... Stunning.
Beautiful city, wonderful architecture (had some Goulash earlier to die for) and the beer is predictably cheap and fine. Very much in the off-season many places are quiet indeed; a return spring/summer visit would doubtless find the drinking hovels, sights and accommodation rammed full. Good artsy vibe throughout though, certainly worth a return visit without a doubt. Seen quite a few highlights so far but spent a lot of the time soaking up the districts on foot.
And the Charles Bridge.... Stunning.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Ignition sequence start
Thank god that week is over.
48hrs and counting.
The sound you hear is the impatient tapping of my nails upon the desk.
It's odd, feeling so out-of-sorts with the world you're in. Bored, essentially. Waiting. It's like getting a flat tyre on the road of life, while everyone else speeds by with such urgency and purpose.
A few people have said that the only time that I'm at my most natural, my most impulsive, is when I'm travelling. Perhaps seven days isn't quite enough to reclaim that free spirit, but I'll take whatever I can get.
To travel abroad, especially alone, is also a great way to get some real perspective on your life back home.
Oh, on an aside - Lord of the Flies is one of the dullest books I have read in a long while. I am quite glad indeed I didn't have to read/study this at school. Very much looking forward to immersing myself in The Shadow of the Wind though whilst I'm away. I've had it recommened from quite a few sources, and recently I've found word-of-mouth to be very reliable barometer indeed.
48hrs and counting.
The sound you hear is the impatient tapping of my nails upon the desk.
It's odd, feeling so out-of-sorts with the world you're in. Bored, essentially. Waiting. It's like getting a flat tyre on the road of life, while everyone else speeds by with such urgency and purpose.
A few people have said that the only time that I'm at my most natural, my most impulsive, is when I'm travelling. Perhaps seven days isn't quite enough to reclaim that free spirit, but I'll take whatever I can get.
To travel abroad, especially alone, is also a great way to get some real perspective on your life back home.
Oh, on an aside - Lord of the Flies is one of the dullest books I have read in a long while. I am quite glad indeed I didn't have to read/study this at school. Very much looking forward to immersing myself in The Shadow of the Wind though whilst I'm away. I've had it recommened from quite a few sources, and recently I've found word-of-mouth to be very reliable barometer indeed.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Cometh the hour, cometh the flight
Like a junkie shivering and sweating for my next fix all I can think is getting the hell out of here. Monday is a route to Friday, nine a route to five.
The Police deferral has most certainly knocked everything out of alignment. Everything I thought I'd prepared myself for has been thrown beyond reach for the immediate future. It's like having been granted clearance to land and then being ordered back into a holding pattern. Circling... Endlessly.
Hell, I haven't even dared ring the recruitment officers up yet for fear of doing myself a serious disservice by going on the offensive.
I'm holding Prague up as the cure to all my ills, but I fear I'm putting all my chits on the wrong number once again. Usually by this stage I'm getting quite excited about the prospect of a new country, subtly different culture and a foreign tongue wrapping itself around my ears, but so far I seem to have none of that pleasant anticipation building. I'm just waiting. Very impatiently. The singular thought I repeat like a broken record in my mind is the hope that all of this accumulated stress and worry is going to disappear beneath those wings.
You know what's even more worrying? I've already started packing. It's Tuesday for godsakes, I fly on Sunday.
Note to self: Do not bring leaden-sky attitude with you to the Czech Republic, t'is a repelling trait.
The Police deferral has most certainly knocked everything out of alignment. Everything I thought I'd prepared myself for has been thrown beyond reach for the immediate future. It's like having been granted clearance to land and then being ordered back into a holding pattern. Circling... Endlessly.
Hell, I haven't even dared ring the recruitment officers up yet for fear of doing myself a serious disservice by going on the offensive.
I'm holding Prague up as the cure to all my ills, but I fear I'm putting all my chits on the wrong number once again. Usually by this stage I'm getting quite excited about the prospect of a new country, subtly different culture and a foreign tongue wrapping itself around my ears, but so far I seem to have none of that pleasant anticipation building. I'm just waiting. Very impatiently. The singular thought I repeat like a broken record in my mind is the hope that all of this accumulated stress and worry is going to disappear beneath those wings.
You know what's even more worrying? I've already started packing. It's Tuesday for godsakes, I fly on Sunday.
Note to self: Do not bring leaden-sky attitude with you to the Czech Republic, t'is a repelling trait.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
"Thank you for your patience in this matter..."
Some twelve hours later I'm still furious. For those of you who don't know, I've had an application ongoing for approaching a year now to join a local Police Force.
The Timeline
I sent my application in last March (2005).
Was called for, and passed, a Physical Fitness test in May.
Aced the aptitude tests above my expectations in August.
Passed a medical check-up in October.
...And shortly after that received a letter informing me that basically I'd passed everything they'd thrown at me and my provisional start date was lined up in February 2005.
Since then hadn't had much of an update on the progress of my application, despite repeated enquires.
I became suspicious when they still wouldn't throw any more light on the delay earlier this week.
However.
A letter arrived yesterday, dated Friday 13th of all bloody days (I kid you not), informing me that due to various 'constraints' my invitation to begin training will not begin until June at the earliest.
June.
Fucking June.
Nope, it doesn't seem to pass any quicker with repeated types either.
Question is, after psyching myself up for so long, to have this rug pulled out from under me is just galling. So what do I do before then? I will have been in the application system for a whole 14 months, I mean how much longer can I put my life on hold?
And until then, what do I do?
At this moment I have no idea.
Thankfully, in seven days time the glittering promise of Prague shines resplendent. Gorgeous architecture, a city dripping with history and plenty of good cheap beer should be enough to take my mind off this stress for a few days at least. Oh, I just checked the weather online, next week Prague hits a low of -17 degrees C. So, since I have an inexplicable fascination with cold places... Bring it on.
The Timeline
I sent my application in last March (2005).
Was called for, and passed, a Physical Fitness test in May.
Aced the aptitude tests above my expectations in August.
Passed a medical check-up in October.
...And shortly after that received a letter informing me that basically I'd passed everything they'd thrown at me and my provisional start date was lined up in February 2005.
Since then hadn't had much of an update on the progress of my application, despite repeated enquires.
I became suspicious when they still wouldn't throw any more light on the delay earlier this week.
However.
A letter arrived yesterday, dated Friday 13th of all bloody days (I kid you not), informing me that due to various 'constraints' my invitation to begin training will not begin until June at the earliest.
June.
Fucking June.
Nope, it doesn't seem to pass any quicker with repeated types either.
Question is, after psyching myself up for so long, to have this rug pulled out from under me is just galling. So what do I do before then? I will have been in the application system for a whole 14 months, I mean how much longer can I put my life on hold?
And until then, what do I do?
At this moment I have no idea.
Thankfully, in seven days time the glittering promise of Prague shines resplendent. Gorgeous architecture, a city dripping with history and plenty of good cheap beer should be enough to take my mind off this stress for a few days at least. Oh, I just checked the weather online, next week Prague hits a low of -17 degrees C. So, since I have an inexplicable fascination with cold places... Bring it on.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Money & Movies
Post-Christmas it seems you're never given a financial breather. No sooner have you paused from the commercial onslaught of the festive season before the next set of bills start circling like vultures, smelling the blood of over-used credit. As Sod's Law would have it January is going to be tough month financially. Okay so I've tipped things a little closer to the edge with the whole Prague-jaunt, but from my research thus far the place is fairly cheap on the whole as long as you don't hit all of the touristy haunts. But the cost of driving is due to be rammed home this month. Firstly the Road Tax is due, swiftly followed by the yearly MOT (roadworthiness test, if they don't have them where you are). My Ford Fiesta is still fairly 'new' by my standards (she's only five), so I don't expect to get hit with the titanic bills that sunk the ownership of my late VW Golf, however she does seem to have a few things that need seeing too, and add to that I am always exceedingly mistrusting of garages. However much money you have put aside in anticipation of this though, you're still always surprised by what they manage to hit you with.
On a different subject though, a great movie recommendation - Y Tu Mama Tambien ('And Your Mother Too'). I've delved deeper into world cinema in recent years, spurred by the likes of Amelie to discover more hidden gems. I'd heard the word-of-mouth on this one, and stumbled across it in the January sales. It really is a superb film - wonderful, convincing performances from the leads draw you into an intriguing exploration of politics, youth and sexuality in modern Mexico. it may sound odd to you, but take a risk on it if you see it in a video store - absorbing roadtrip comedy with an unexpectedly bittersweet edge.
There's one particular quote from this that's stuck in my memory:
"Life is like the surf, so give yourself away like the sea."
Sunday, January 08, 2006
942 left to go...
It's been a grey, rainy and thoroughly stereotypical day in Free Yorkshire (protectorate of the slightly larger United Kingdom of Great Britain). The streets are quiet, the peasants (this one certainly) are restless and time in the afternoon is measured by the frequency of drips from the windowsill.
On such days, if I'm battened down I can't find anything better to do then I'll generally end up indulging in some armchair travel; be it perusing a guidebook, old photos or in today's case sitting down with pen and paper and ticking off things from a great book called '1000 Places To See Before You Die'. Granted we all seem to measure various aspects of our life more and more by lists, charts and things these days, but for me there's something fundamental about a list of Earth's most amazing places. So many people hold their faith dear, and I respect that completely, (I'm merrily agnostic still) but a list like this particular '1000 Best' reminds me why I'm alive.
But let me climb down off my soapbox here, the tome I preach from isn't without it's flaws. For a start it's written by an American author and is thus very much skewed towards that part of the world. Also, though the author states that the list isn't definitive, and is merely the point of view of her and her contributors, glaring omissions can be spotted; for instance, no Auschwitz? But otherwise there's the obvious, and not so obvious on the list - Niagra Falls, Everest, The Great Wall Of China and Pike Place Market in Seattle (which I can vouch for!).
Anyway, I digress. By my last count (er, this afternoon) it seems I have seen 58 off this particular list. So, simple maths means 942 left to go. For a rabid travel junkie that’s a solid start, and I confidently aim to top 100 within this lifetime.
Whilst I’m on the subject, I’m happy to report I do have another trip lined imminently. This time in a fortnight I should be hopefully arriving at a hostel in Prague (Czech Republic). Since I’m going to be embarking on a huge change of career-direction at the end of the season, I decided a while back to book a plane ticket once more, step on a plane and loose myself in the lure of another foreign city. Prague is still one of Europe’s hot destinations, but I’m betting that with visiting in the ‘off’ season and forgoing the weekends, I should hopefully dodge most of the invading ‘stag’ parties that notoriously paint the city centers with vomit. I find there’s nothing more annoying and embarrassing when traveling to find one’s own countrymen inebriated, abroad. January is an ‘off’ month for good reason – it’s bloody freezing by all accounts, daytime temperatures ranging from a balmy 0 deg C to –10. But I’m also told that mid-winter is when Prague is at her most beautiful.
On such days, if I'm battened down I can't find anything better to do then I'll generally end up indulging in some armchair travel; be it perusing a guidebook, old photos or in today's case sitting down with pen and paper and ticking off things from a great book called '1000 Places To See Before You Die'. Granted we all seem to measure various aspects of our life more and more by lists, charts and things these days, but for me there's something fundamental about a list of Earth's most amazing places. So many people hold their faith dear, and I respect that completely, (I'm merrily agnostic still) but a list like this particular '1000 Best' reminds me why I'm alive.
But let me climb down off my soapbox here, the tome I preach from isn't without it's flaws. For a start it's written by an American author and is thus very much skewed towards that part of the world. Also, though the author states that the list isn't definitive, and is merely the point of view of her and her contributors, glaring omissions can be spotted; for instance, no Auschwitz? But otherwise there's the obvious, and not so obvious on the list - Niagra Falls, Everest, The Great Wall Of China and Pike Place Market in Seattle (which I can vouch for!).
Anyway, I digress. By my last count (er, this afternoon) it seems I have seen 58 off this particular list. So, simple maths means 942 left to go. For a rabid travel junkie that’s a solid start, and I confidently aim to top 100 within this lifetime.
Whilst I’m on the subject, I’m happy to report I do have another trip lined imminently. This time in a fortnight I should be hopefully arriving at a hostel in Prague (Czech Republic). Since I’m going to be embarking on a huge change of career-direction at the end of the season, I decided a while back to book a plane ticket once more, step on a plane and loose myself in the lure of another foreign city. Prague is still one of Europe’s hot destinations, but I’m betting that with visiting in the ‘off’ season and forgoing the weekends, I should hopefully dodge most of the invading ‘stag’ parties that notoriously paint the city centers with vomit. I find there’s nothing more annoying and embarrassing when traveling to find one’s own countrymen inebriated, abroad. January is an ‘off’ month for good reason – it’s bloody freezing by all accounts, daytime temperatures ranging from a balmy 0 deg C to –10. But I’m also told that mid-winter is when Prague is at her most beautiful.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Literary monogamy
Some bookish musing.
As an avid reader I often discuss with friends & colleagues about what I/they are reading. However, I can never understand people who can have more than one book on the go at any one time.
"Oh," says one friend "I'm reading about three at the moment..." all various genres it turns out, one for each mood. But nah, I can't do it. If I'm reading something I like to get completely and utterly lost in the experience of it, having a book for a different mood or time/place is just plain odd if you ask me. A book is like a passing friend you get to know; the best ones will stay with you and you'll introduce them to others with enthusiasm, the less engaging ones you'll simply let slip away.
I'm currently reading Lord of the Flies but am inexplicably having real trouble getting into it. It's one of those classics almost everyone else seems to have read but me (at school or otherwise), and I feel I should be in love with it from the start. Maybe that's the problem. Or I've been watching too much Lost (which is a recognised medical condition apparently).
Chatting with my friend Matt over coffee today he brought up an interesting point - some classics have a great idea but a poor narrative. Fahrenheit 451 comes to mind. Others have an unoriginal idea, but somehow pull it off with the style and wit. Perhaps the ubiquitous Potter would fall into this category?
Anyways...
As an avid reader I often discuss with friends & colleagues about what I/they are reading. However, I can never understand people who can have more than one book on the go at any one time.
"Oh," says one friend "I'm reading about three at the moment..." all various genres it turns out, one for each mood. But nah, I can't do it. If I'm reading something I like to get completely and utterly lost in the experience of it, having a book for a different mood or time/place is just plain odd if you ask me. A book is like a passing friend you get to know; the best ones will stay with you and you'll introduce them to others with enthusiasm, the less engaging ones you'll simply let slip away.
I'm currently reading Lord of the Flies but am inexplicably having real trouble getting into it. It's one of those classics almost everyone else seems to have read but me (at school or otherwise), and I feel I should be in love with it from the start. Maybe that's the problem. Or I've been watching too much Lost (which is a recognised medical condition apparently).
Chatting with my friend Matt over coffee today he brought up an interesting point - some classics have a great idea but a poor narrative. Fahrenheit 451 comes to mind. Others have an unoriginal idea, but somehow pull it off with the style and wit. Perhaps the ubiquitous Potter would fall into this category?
Anyways...
Monday, January 02, 2006
Choice is bollocks
For the most I've been fairly supportive of the Labour government here in the UK since their landslide election win in 1997. However, the core policy of 'Choice' they keep impressing upon us is simply ludicrous.
For instance, they say...
You're a parent. You should have the choice to send your child to any regional school.
You're a patient. You should have the choice to go to any regional hospital.
Choice is all fair and well. If you have the money, and the means. Two massive flaws in the plan.
Did we ask for the choice? Don't we really just want good local services? After pumping billions into both sectors, why mess up all the good work by carpet-bombing the whole thing with unnecessary administration and bureaucracy?
For instance, they say...
You're a parent. You should have the choice to send your child to any regional school.
You're a patient. You should have the choice to go to any regional hospital.
Choice is all fair and well. If you have the money, and the means. Two massive flaws in the plan.
Did we ask for the choice? Don't we really just want good local services? After pumping billions into both sectors, why mess up all the good work by carpet-bombing the whole thing with unnecessary administration and bureaucracy?
Sunday, January 01, 2006
All is quiet, on New Year's Day...
Christ.
Now that took ages. Oops, hang on, let's not start the new year blaspheming shall we? The way religion sways people at the moment I can already feel the hairs on my neck tingling with the expected lightening blot from on high.
What I'm referring to is the set-up process for creating this virgin blog of mine.
"New years resolution" he thought "I know, a blog! Should be simple enough to get going."
Or so you think.
Firstly:
Chose your username. Bugger. It's already taken. Go through tens of alternatives until you find one that isn't.
Then...
Personal details. Okay, easy enough. I mean, how many British Ingmar's are there in the world? Suprisnlgy few.
But just when everything was going so swimmingly...
Your blog address.
Try your first idea. Denied. Try tens of others. They're taken too. Bugger. Fling idea after idea into the ether... They're all bounced back. Most annoyingly about half the blogs that do have your desired address were last updated with their first and only entry back in 2002 or even longer ago. Hopefully my run will last a little longer than that. Anyway, you try all sorts of clever wordplay and Latin thinking that you'll land an address that hasn't been taken. Still denied. People really do think of everything! Try almost the last idea in your head until you give up the whole blog idea completely out of sheer frustration. Suddenly [angelic chorus] it goes through!
The rest really was a breeze.
Anyway, granted that was all a bit melodramatic, but you'd be surprised what gives you headaches these days.
In related news, Bono was right. All is, and has been, "quiet on New Year's Day". Thankfully I have the day off work, though you wouldn't believe how many of my colleagues have to head in today. One guess where all the managers are. Yep, and still there at three o'clock in the afternoon no doubt. Spent most of the rest of the day clearing out stuff, recycling and generally dejunking my life on all levels in anticipation of the promise of the new year.
Before finishing this entry however, I looked up the meaning of the word upon which I settled my blogspot address:
es·tab·lish (?-st?b'l?sh)
tr.v., -lished, -lish·ing, -lish·es.
1.
a. To set up; found.
b. To bring about; generate: establish goodwill in the neighbourhood.
2.
a. To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install: They established me in my own business.
b. To make firm or secure.
3. To cause to be recognized and accepted: a discovery that established his reputation.
4. To introduce and put (a law, for example) into force.
5. To prove the validity or truth of: The defence attorneys established the innocence of the accused.
I couldn't have put it better myself.
Now that took ages. Oops, hang on, let's not start the new year blaspheming shall we? The way religion sways people at the moment I can already feel the hairs on my neck tingling with the expected lightening blot from on high.
What I'm referring to is the set-up process for creating this virgin blog of mine.
"New years resolution" he thought "I know, a blog! Should be simple enough to get going."
Or so you think.
Firstly:
Chose your username. Bugger. It's already taken. Go through tens of alternatives until you find one that isn't.
Then...
Personal details. Okay, easy enough. I mean, how many British Ingmar's are there in the world? Suprisnlgy few.
But just when everything was going so swimmingly...
Your blog address.
Try your first idea. Denied. Try tens of others. They're taken too. Bugger. Fling idea after idea into the ether... They're all bounced back. Most annoyingly about half the blogs that do have your desired address were last updated with their first and only entry back in 2002 or even longer ago. Hopefully my run will last a little longer than that. Anyway, you try all sorts of clever wordplay and Latin thinking that you'll land an address that hasn't been taken. Still denied. People really do think of everything! Try almost the last idea in your head until you give up the whole blog idea completely out of sheer frustration. Suddenly [angelic chorus] it goes through!
The rest really was a breeze.
Anyway, granted that was all a bit melodramatic, but you'd be surprised what gives you headaches these days.
In related news, Bono was right. All is, and has been, "quiet on New Year's Day". Thankfully I have the day off work, though you wouldn't believe how many of my colleagues have to head in today. One guess where all the managers are. Yep, and still there at three o'clock in the afternoon no doubt. Spent most of the rest of the day clearing out stuff, recycling and generally dejunking my life on all levels in anticipation of the promise of the new year.
Before finishing this entry however, I looked up the meaning of the word upon which I settled my blogspot address:
es·tab·lish (?-st?b'l?sh)
tr.v., -lished, -lish·ing, -lish·es.
1.
a. To set up; found.
b. To bring about; generate: establish goodwill in the neighbourhood.
2.
a. To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install: They established me in my own business.
b. To make firm or secure.
3. To cause to be recognized and accepted: a discovery that established his reputation.
4. To introduce and put (a law, for example) into force.
5. To prove the validity or truth of: The defence attorneys established the innocence of the accused.
I couldn't have put it better myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
