Occulomency

Time to play chicken.

The interview in East Grinstead went well. I really hope I get the job. If I do I'll post many more details, but this has left me with a quandary. Do I start this temporary contract in Cheadle on Monday, which lets face it, I don't bloody want to, but it would save a row and be a good insurance policy.... And mean that I hardly see my family and that I'm effectively (after deduction & expenses) working for 20 quid a bloody day?

I don't know what to do.

Question for Cam:

We went to Clumber Park today, what war time innovation was demonstrated to Churchill in the grounds.

Question for Lachy:

Number 7 had problems with what item of apparel on the lunar surface?

300th Post, Cats and Fiddles......

Very very impressed with Mr Mowbray's astro-photography. I have fond memories of standing in his garage for weeks on end grinding an 8 inch telescope mirror. I look forward to seeing images from his own setup.

BTW Have you watched 'Blink' yet?

Oh yes, and I hope the rumour that Sir Ben Kingsley is to play Davros in the next series is true. That'll be bloody wonderful.

I was happy with my performance at the interview yesterday. it would be the perfect first job back if it wasn't so sodding far away. It's about 100km from our house and it's on the wrong side of the Pennines. If they offer it to me, it'll mean 3+ hours of commuting each day, and possibly one or two days away each week. Still, very good money.

We'll see if they offer me the job first before I get worried about the journey.

One bright point was the journey home across the 'Cat & Fiddle' pass. Even in the pouring rain it is a magnificent drive, and taking the RX-8 across it was pure driving joy. You never get to go very fast, but it is steep with tight turns and murderous cambers. In wet, greasy conditions my cars limited slip diff and traction control really made what would have been a tricky drive one of unadluterated fun. It was like driving an insanely powerful go-cart. My lunch at the 'Cat & Fiddle' was welcome, pricey and quite nice.

If your doing the trip in a wankel engined car, I just have one piece of advice, turn your radio off, the engine noise is just bleeding glorious.

On days like these

Radiation Safety Officer training day today. We graciously allow the peasants to complete a form that provides us with feedback on how we have done in presenting the course and that sort of thing. Usually they tell us how great we are, as we expect.

Today, some trogladytic  obtuse piece of worthless flotsam decided, no doubt after something we may consider to be analogous to be careful thought, to say that I (with a Z by the way) was condescending, and the course would be improved by my being less condescending.

I cannot believe that he would dare do this. We obviously went straight to the dictionary to make sure that he actually meant it as an insult, and we found that it definitely means:

"superior - of or characteristic of high rank or importance; "a superior officer"

So, what this (I use the term loosely) 'person' said was that he acknowledges that I am more important and superior to him.

He's right, in every measurable way. Certainly I regard him as loose stool water of the worst possible order. I intend to refer to him from now on as "Arse Gravy".

There has been a slight irritation, I appear to have gained the somewhat coarse nick-name of "Lord Condo", I trust this passes, but you know how tiresome these colonials can be.

Exits

Elvis has left the building.

After 4 and a half years and 62,000 kilometers of driving pleasure, Elvis has today departed our garage for the last time. I'll miss him.

On a very bright note, I've taken over the Pug 206GTi. So I'm very happy 'cos I've got a go-kart with a jet engine up it's arse to get to work in. It's always been more fun to drive than the Nissan anyway.... Seriously.

Now, on to the really important subject of the day.

Bacon.

I posted how to make a bacon sandwich some time ago, back in february 2005 I think. But I notice that Cam has again taken it upon himself to insult the sacred name that is the thin sliced pig sandwich.

The phrase "bringing home the bacon" comes from the twelfth century, in the English town of Dunmow. The local church promised any man who could swear before God and the congregation that he had not fought with his wife for a year and a day would be given a 'flitch' (side of bacon). Men who "brought home the bacon" were held within high esteem in their communities.

So, according to Wiki at least, Bacon is good.

Dunno Sunday

Alistair's birthday party. Yes I know it's a little tardy, but hey!

Julie, Billy, Sue, Clancy, Callum, Kirsty and David all attended and I hope a good time was had by all.

Children's entertainment was provided by a DVD of Clarkson, Captain Slow and the Hamster going camping. They liked it.

It's been a bit of a busy weekend all up. We've been doing the whole setting up Alistair's new room so Newbie can have Alistairs old (smaller) one and then proceed to tell us in no uncertain terms over the next 18 years how it isn't fair and that she's got so much more stuff than he has anyway, and it's just not fair (slam of door).

Alistair got some cracking presents today as well, and an amazing cake. A very Wilbert boy he is.