Michael's Meanderings

Haven't posted recently as I've been a bit under the weather. I've had a cough, which is only just going away. And I twisted my right ankle / pulled a tendon and that's been painful.

Just after my last post, a signed first edition copy of P N Elrod's

Today is day two of a 2 day tube strike, and as a result I've had a half hour walk to the office, (rather than 10min Tube) and my right heel is feeling the pain!

Two weeks ago we had summer, and the juggling class was able to juggle out side. I tried some passing, but even a light breeze caused club drift and I was coughing too much to keep going long. Last Tuesday is was too unsettled so we were back inside, and as I was feeling better I was able to to get into passing.

I've been trying the web connection of my phone (50p a day) and have now downloaded Opera Mini, which is a lot easier to use than the built in one, it even allows bookmark syncronisation with my desktop browser.

The kitchen is now finished, except for the two wall cupboards, which are due to arrive this week. I've also had a new dual eco electric meter so I get lower cost energy in the evenings and weekends.

Last Saturday, due in part to my ankle issue I got a half hour deep tissue massage, and I've another one next Saturday. It does seem to have helped

The last ten days have been quite full and interesting!
As I mentioned I'm getting my whole kitchen replaced, walls and ceiling being repainted, new kitchen cabinets, floor tiles and cooker.

First to go were the old tiles and old cabinets, with the old cooker. The old tiles were ripped off the floor and have been replaces, most of the walls have been repainted (except where new cupboards are going). The new sink unit has been plumbed in and a bit of rotten wall has been replaced.

The new gas cooker has been fitted, and the fridges, freezer, washer and dishwasher have return to the kitchen from their sojourn in the hall way. Most of the plumbing has now been refitted and I hope to be able to actually eat at my kitchen table sometime soon.

In addition to all the kitchen stuff, I've had to get my phone SIM card replaced and a mini SD memory chip installed in my phone. I also visited my chiropractor who indicated I'd pulled a tendon in my right heel!

In then went to Brighton to get a gift and a card for my Dad who celebrated 50 years as a priest on Sunday. When I got home I called my parents and they came to pick me up so I could visit. They were impressed with the kitchen, though the cooker and other appliances hadn't moved by then.

I gave Dad his card and gift and he seems to enjoy them, I also gave my Mum an early birthday present an Audio/Video PC2TV connection cable and instructions how to use them!

On Sunday the whole family came to church (even my niece's boyfriend who had never been to church before!) My Dad mostly celebrated, with assistance, for the first time this year! There were munchies and cake after the service.

After close friends and family (both my aunts and uncles) came back to the house for a buffet lunch. The sun was shining and the sky was blue so we all sat outside, and had a good time.

Since it was a Bank holiday I stayed over till Monday, when I went shopping with my sister, for a present for my Mum, as it was/will be her birthday on Wednesday 27th. We found what we were looking for and then I was taken home, (sister was impressed with the kitchen too) and we went to town to get a few bit that were needed.

The weather on Monday was terrible so I didn't go out for a walk, also my right heel was a bit painful.

I've got a postal vote (since by working in London I might not get home before polls close) and it arrived for the local and european elections yesterday and I will be posting them off today. Hope it gets back in time.

On Friday I got my copy of Nameless by copperbadge which is a Lulu.com published short novel or long novella, originally published online. .It's a very nicely produced book (and was, despite the info page, printed in England).

On Saturday I was intending to go to the Circus (part of the Brighton Festival) but circumstances intervened and I arrived in Brighton two late to see my intended film and still get to the Circus (I'll try again next week).

Instead I saw Star Trek the re-imagined start of the franchise. Using a time travel twist we got a total re-boot of the series, without incurring any retconning! And Zachary Quinto manages a perfect Spock (though the actor playing him as a young boy is also excellent. The other main cast were also very good.

I followed this by watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine which was a much slower paced story and more of a drama than a SciFi extravaganza. I'm not an X-Men fan but I did enjoy the way the story gradually unfolded, including trust and betrayal. But then I think Logan / Wolverine is my favourite.

I finally succumbed to two purchases. I bought a new flat screen 32" TV, and it arrived yesterday. It's really cool, has all the possible audio/video connection know to man and it's surprisingly big. I connected my laptop and at once I could see the display on the big screen. It has built in Freeview (which I'm not using) and analog too. My Sky box is currently connected via SCART but will move to HDMI when the wire arrives. I'll also be able to connect the DVD player directly too!

The other purchase is for new floor tiles for the kitchen, and once that's done replacement cupboards. Photo should appear here too!