“In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.” - Charlie Brown

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep.

And miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before I sleep.
- Robert Frost

“The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief: He robs himself that spends a bootless grief”

Firstly to Barbara, so sorry I missed you, I can be such a goof sometimes (well almost all the time , I suppose)

I got home from work and went to open the up and over door to my yard to get my car. Strangely it was unlocked and there was debris which I took to be from the strong winds we've been having, I found my bin was right behind the door (wind too I thought) but I suddenly realised that an old washing machine and some other metal bit's and bobs had been pinched - scrap burglars had struck. Luckily I had wanted rid of it, and even more luckily they hadn't scraped my car as they dragged it out! (I suppose they had scrambled over the wall jumped down onto the bin and then pulled the door closed ! (by the way my house was untouched than heavens!)

"Ashes to Ashes" the sequel (of sorts) to "Life on Mars" is a bit of a mixed bag I'm afraid. I wanted to love it, but you can only be ground breaking once it seems, and at times it seems like a retread of the original (right down to the TV messages to the main protagonist). It does evoke the 80's quite well, but budget restraints seem to imply that the 80s consisted mainly of abandoned riverside property. The music is quite wonderful though, it makes me want to be 16 again! I loved the end of 1981, (though 1982 was a much better year), and one of my favourite memories is dancing to "don't you want me" in a club in December, whilst wearing a rather wonderful Italian suit, and some inherited winklepicker shoes.

Finally - my days off have finally arrived, It seems like forever since the last one! Even more importantly it's payday on Thursday , these five week months are a killer! It may sound a little strange, but I'm going to be looking for some soft furnishings for my newly decorated bedroom. Only a little over six weeks util Barbaras holiday, and I've still so much to do!

“Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.” - Swedish Proverb

“Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist”

The adventure continues!

Carpet man did a good job! I am actually pleased! He left an awful mess though! I spent about an hour tidying up and filled three and a bit black bags with carpet, so of to the tip I did go!.

The my daughter and I went off to Ikea, where I bought some more bedroom furniture, with the bed hopefully being delivered from Ilva tomorrow - I can see that room taking over as the place I spend the most time! With laptop and Ipod , Billy will be a happy lad!

But I've still so much to do! Will it all be ready in time??????

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin

(by the way the title picture is of Natalie Wood)

“A computer makes it possible to do, in half an hour, tasks which were completely unnecessary to do before”

Hello, been a while eh? I've been at work and engrossed in DIY (well not so much engrossed , as that implies some kind of choice or desire, more immersed, is that better?). I did go a bit crazy last week however, and bought myself a laptop (I had no justification or need of one, I just really wanted one, so I dipped into my savings.) I'm typing on it now but I since I foolishly can't recall the network password, I'll have to add picture and so forth from the desktop.

I was really cheered by the Indiana Jones trailer that was released last week. Apart from the obvious computer trickery, it was very old school Spielberg/Ford action. I loved the self referential age joke, and I think that the initially strange seeming casting of Winstone and Blanchett might pay dividends.

I started watching my Danger Man dvds last week and I'm really enjoying that retro British goodness (though I did find McGoohans Irish accent a little disconcerting at first, after being more familiar with his clipped tones in The Prisoner). I love the way that two guest stars, some rear projection and a bit of stock footage can recreate North Africa or behind the Iron Curtain.

Well today I have to "wait in" for a carpet, and tomorrow for a bed - oh joy!

Be seeing you!

“UNIVAC: a device, which contained 20,000 vacuum tubes, occupied 1,500 square feet and weighed 40 tons; there was also a laptop version weighing 27 tons.” - Dave Barry

“Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.”

I just haven't had any inkling to post lately. It's not as if I'm changing the world here, but in years to come I'll look back and wonder what was happening in those missing days, it's only a 21st century diary after all.

Well today I waited in all day for a carpet fitter / estimator, and as is always the way he came right at the end of the alloted time. How come I never seem to be first on anybody's job list? I really must get a doorbell, I've had to be quiet all day awaiting a knock.

I have a burning desire to buy me a laptop. I'm looking forward to sitting in my newly refurbished bedroom, a browsing the old internet all comfy like. The only problem is money, I seem to be spending lots and lots recently, albeit on stuff I really need. I read a news story today that the average cost of living has gone up by £1300 in a year, where will it end? Oh well.

Come back soon for more excitement!

“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something”

“If I had my life to live over again, I'd be a plumber.” - Albert Einstein

Hey! - here's something that I haven't said for a while - I'm a little drunk!

But on to more mundane matters. I had a British Gas guy come check out my boiler today for insurance cover , but it seems my boiler is not up to code, plumbers are so damn expensive!

I continue in my epic quest that is decorating my bedroom, first coat of emulsion took me four hours today - exciting stuff eh?

I'm just about to watch episode 1 season four of Lost, shame that the writers strike means only 8 episodes, In about an hour I'll no doubt be shouting at the screen in frustration, as it usually poses more questions than it answers, but it's such a fun trip man!

I'm still very enamoured with "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" so here's another couple of clips - byeee!

(what was this voiceover guy on?)

“A wise man remembers his friends at all times; a fool, only when he has need of them.” - Turkish Proverb