July 11, 2007 15:19

I went to Borders today to pick up a book on Access 2007, and I ended up buying more than that. It's very difficult for me to get in and out of a bookstore buying only what I absolutely need. My new acquisitions: The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America by Louis Menand, Paris 1919 by Margaret Macmillan, and Revolutionary Characters: What Made The Founders Different by Gordon S. Wood. All history books. I'm looking forward to cracking them open, just as soon as I finish Heart of Darkness.

I feel like I've accomplished stuff today. I have several meetings tomorrow. And on Friday I'm heading to Chicago for the Pitchfork Music Festival. I am so looking forward to this weekend, although we'll only be there for the Friday and Saturday lineups. Next week may or may not be busy, depending on tomorrow's meetings.

That is all for now.

July 10, 2007 11:13

It's a day of low activity, waiting on information and confirmations. The calm before the storm. That's okay; next week is going to be busy.

I had lots of crazy dreams last night - a good follow up to the crazy dreams of the previous night. Unfortunately, I remain tired. I think I probably need a new bed. Or at least a new mattress; I've used this same bed and mattress for coming up 10 years. It's probably overdue to be replaced.

Damn! Storm floods Far North, cuts power to 115,000 homes in New Zealand. Commuters stranded in Auckland. I hope everyone is staying dry and warm!

I'm obviously not doing very much right now...

July 09, 2007 11:29

Things have been somewhat topsy turvy just recently. My psoriasis has been really bad, and this generally leads to a fairly negative mind set. Getting out amongst the people usually improves my mood in these situations, but spending time by myself tends to exacerbate the feelings. Of course, because the nature of most of my social activities does involve drinking, and drinking has a negative impact on my psoriasis, it can quickly become a vicious cycle feeding upon itself.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been disappointed by various sporting results, and pleased with others. Nothing much to really talk about in that respect, but worth mentioning in passing. I went to the Georgia Force vs Philadelphia Soul Arena Football play-off game last night, with Tim and Amy and a bunch of their friends. It was a lot of fun (and yes, there was drinking involved). The Force won the game, quite convincingly, and go to the Championship game next weekend. Earlier in the day, I hung out with Liza and watched several episodes of 'Allo 'Allo on DVD. Joel loaned these to me, and it was good fun to watch.

I am in need of some rejigging of my lifestyle. I am also in need of change in my environment. However, I also don't want to move. I'd like to buy a home, but I'm not really in a suitable financial state to do that just at the moment. Therein lies one of the lifestyle changes that needs to occur - a dramatic reduction in my monthly expenditure. I have completely paid off my car now, so I'll have a bit more money each month to work with, but I would like to just funnel that into retirement savings. I also need to save money for my grand September vacation to France, England, and Scotland.

I think that I need a change of layout in my workspace. It's very cramped and crowded. True, I don't have a lot of space to work with, but I'd like to do something more with it. It might be time to dump my server rack in favour of something else. It's really only there to hold my UPS, firewall, development server and printer. Yeah, I should look into something different in that respect. Since I spend so much time working from home, it's important that my environment is comfortable, both physically and psychologically.

I'm hungry. I think I am going to wander over to Chin Chin for lunch.

June 25, 2007 18:15

A couple of weeks since my last journal entry. Pleny has gone on. First off, Happy Birthday to Chelsea and to Myra.

I saw a couple of movies, went to see a gig, went to a whisky tasting. I also took my car in for its 60,000 service, which ended up costing me a bunch. I also renewed my season tickets for the Atlanta Ballet. And then there was paying of my quarterly taxes. It's been a pretty expensive sort of month, although I have been staying in to reduce my expenditure. Didn't really work out too well.

Not much else to report really.

June 10, 2007 15:39

Summer is well and truly here. And I love it. Temperatures are in the 90s fahrenheit (32+ C) and the skies are simply beautiful. Of course, we are also in the middle of a drought, which means that lots of people are less than happy. But I, for one, am happy.

This weekend has been very relaxing. Well, aside from Friday night, when I went out to the Mark for Secret Room. My first night out in the scene for a very long time (last time I was at the Mark was after the Pet Shop Boys show last year). I caught up with lots of people (too many to name without offending anyone I might inadvertently skip) and had a generally good time.

Saturday and Sunday were stay at home and don't spend money days. Well, mostly: I had to go by Target and make some household-related purchases (drip pan, water filter). I spent most of Saturday sitting on my deck listening to music and reading - The Economist, Harpers, Discover. I wandered over to Lauren's and hung out at the pool for a couple of hours late in the afternoon. I jumped in the water for a bit too, and it was really good. Saturday evening I stayed in and watched Starship Troopers and Liverpool FC 501 Goals.

Sunday started with more reading (The Imitation of Christ, which keeps putting me to sleep) then shower, breakfast and more reading (Without Blood, IEEE Spectrum), lunch (bunless hamburgers with cheese and onions) and doing of dishes. Reminds me - must finish the laundry I started yesterday.

I called my mum last night to catch up, since I hadn't spoken to her in a while. All seems well back there.

I'll be off to Athens this week. My original plans for Athens next week are somewhat out of kilter, so I'm not sure which days I'll be staying over. Originally it was to be Monday through Wednesday, but various pieces that needed to be in place last week have not been done and I don't know when they will get done. Quite frustrating.

Might see a movie tonight.

May 31, 2007 08:49

Good morning, fans. May has been a fairly busy month. Last weekend I went to Charleston, South Carolina, to visit George, a friend and former colleague from Marconi. Aside from nearly being killed in Columbia, SC, and the Silverbacks losing, it was a fantastic weekend. The drive (apart from Columbia) was a good, easy drive. It took me about five hours, and when I got to George's place, he had Yeungling and snacks ready. We chatted and caught up until Lynn got home and we had dinner. After dinner, Geroge, Lynn (his wife), Melissa (their daughter) and I went to BlackBaud Field to watch the Atlanta Silverbacks lose 2-0 to the Charlseton Battery. It was a disappointing loss. After dropping the rest of the family home, George and I went out for another beer at the local pub.

On Sunday, George, Melissa and I went on an exploration and photo-taking frenzy through downtown Charleston. This was great. The weather was awesome, and the old city is really beautiful. After lunch at Hyman's (where I had a whole fried flounder, which was awesome) we went out to Patriot's Point and I got photos of the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown and a couple of other ships and military equipment. Then it was round the bay to a marina where we got some shots back over to Charleston, and a few of wading birds, pelicans, and smaller, hopping type birds (yeah I suck at ornithology). Then we went to Fort Maultrie and more photo ops. We returned to pick up Lynn and then we went to dinner on Isle of Palms.

Monday was a lazy morning, being Memoral Day. Donuts for breakfast and then lunch at Vickeries, where I had more photo opportunities with birds and seacraft. Then it was time to head back to Atlanta. Photos will be posted up later this week.

In other activities, Pretty Girls Make Graves played an excellent show at the EARL; Artic Monkeys rocked out at the Tabernacle. Bloc Party is tonight. The Champion's League final was disappointing, but Liverpool left with the moral victory - AC Milan's rampant diving left a disgusting taste in my mouth, especially since one dive led to the free kick which got them their first goal. However, it must be said that while our movement and feeding of the ball into the striking area was outstanding, it was out lack of finishing ability that seemed to be our ultimate downfall, and Rafa's decisions on substitutions seemed a little off (taking off Mascherano led directly, I believe, to Kaka's having the space to set up Milan's second goal, Zenden should have come off sooner, and Crouch should have come on sooner). The ref calling the game over with 45 seconds to go reeked of collusion.. But so it goes in football.

Team New Zealand are through the Louis Vuitton Cup final. They have a good chance of taking that and going into the America's Cup final. I'll try to get to some of those races as they are shown at the Brewhouse.

Okay, I gotta go to Athens now. Will be in touch later...

May 14, 2007 21:03

Hi. Another quick update here. Another good weekend went by. Saturday was the East Atlanta Beer Festival, and we had a good crowd out there. Sunday I watched some football and hung out at the Brewhouse with various bodies.

Photos are now up for the beer fest, and from my February trip to visit Rachael in Richmond. I am yet to develop the pictures from Derby - another great weekend.

I went grocery shopping for the first time in weeks. It was good. I even made dinner tonight, which was also good (salmon, brocolli, cauliflower, sea-shell pasta in some cheesy sauce).

The month continues apace. Birthday dinners that I owe, concerts, trips out of town. So much going on - but it's all good.

May 02, 2007 19:10

Just a quick one. I am alive. I'm busy as all hell. Been in Athens a lot recently for work. Heading to Kentucky Derby this weekend. I seem to have events every weekend in May. NZ bombed out of the Cricket World Cup in disappointing fashion. Liverpool has made it to the final of the Champions League for a replay of the 2005 game against AC Milan. It's going to be huge. Okay, must dash.

March 27, 2007 09:53

The spring continues to be summer-like, and I applaud. The winter is my least favourite season, so I am very pleased to be back into hot weather at an early stage in the game. What this means for later in the year, who knows? But I'm going to enjoy it now.

I had a pretty great weekend. Friday afternoon I finished my work week at the Highlander. I had just arrived back from Athens and I got a call from Shawn to see what I was up to. I told him that I had to write up a bunch of emails and get some food. He said that he had to do some write-ups for work as well and suggested we go somewhere with food and wifi. Hence, we ended up at the Highlander. And because it was such a lovely day, I simply walked down there. Yep, that was a superb way to finish the work week, and finalized with a Guiness.

Shawn got called back to support a server issue, so after my beer I wandered back home, and putzed around there for a bit. A fired off a couple more emails and then headed up to the Local. I stayed out later than intended, but we know how that happens. Spent quality time at the bar, and then with Liza and Amy, and then Eric showed up. Crazy stuff, I tell you.

Saturday was a day of international football, and more importantly: World Cup Cricket. This was the second-to-last day of pool play, and the games were England vs Kenya and Australia vs South Africa. What a day of cricket the latter provided. There were about a dozen South Africans in the bar, one cute Aussie chick, and Michael, who owns the bar, who is also Australian. And one Kiwi as the voice of reason. Tim was also present to learn more about the game. And, like I said, what a game it was. Highly enjoyable. Pity that cute Aussie was with one of the South Africans...

After Australia's victory (and the complimentary shots from Michael, I got dropped back at my apartment by Katrina and Kris (who had come to pick up Tim), so I could get ready for the evening's entertainment - dinner and ballet with Jen M. Due to my day-long drinking, Jen graciously took the driving duties. We ate at Mitra, a relatively new restaurant on Juniper. George is managing there, and he used some of his managerial authority to improve our experience. The food was good, and the mojito was tasty. I would definitely recommend it. Oh, it's a fusion style place.

The ballet was really good, too, although we missed the first piece due to our enjoying the restaurant. There were three pieces being performed, newish items. What we did catch was very good. After the ballet, Jen dropped me home and I hung out with Susan for a little while before hitting the sack around midnight.

On Sunday I had to recover my car, so I walked up to the Brewhouse. A nice walk, one which I shall hopefully be doing more of over the coming weekends. I popped inside to check out the cricket (Bermuda vs Bangladesh) and discovered Gesture Steve at the bar. It is always somewhat of a surprise to see Steve out before 3pm, let alone before lunch. He had been awakened by the marathon that was routed past his condominium, and decided to come up to the Brewhouse. So I sat with him while we the cricket was rained out (although we did catch a few innings, and increased Steve's understanding of the game). We did get to watch the US vs Ecuador football match though, (US 3-0).

Giving up on the cricket, I offered to drop Steve home after I popped in to Target to see if they had some deck chairs and a table suitable for my deck. They didn't so I dropped Steve home and then came home to while away some time before the fantasy baseball draft at the Local. For the record, I'm pretty pleased with my team.

Yesterday after work I walked over to Amy's new condo. She's in the same complex as Steve. It's a cute little place - she's still unpacking, but has the main things more-or-less sorted out. Then it was back to the Local for dinner and home in time for 24 and laundry folding.

Today I'm off to Nashville; Thursday and Friday I'm in Athens (which means I'll miss the NZ vs West Indies match). Saturday is Liverpool vs Arsenal at 7:30am, followed by a day of Australian cricket, and then possibly Ted Leo at the Variety Playhouse. Sunday's plan involves Dim Sum for Jenny A's birthday (which was last week). Monday I'm in Athens again (which means I'll miss the NZ vs Bangladesh match). Tuesday is the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals (against PSV). So much sport in April - and the Braves home opening game on the 6th.

Okay, time to hit the road. Have a good week!

March 21, 2007 16:28

Hi there. A quick hello to my faithful readers. Things have been busy this week. And crazy over St Patrick's weekend. My primary sport bar (The Brewhouse) has opened its newly extended bar, and I was able to watch an two games simultaneously on Sunday. Was unable to get to the NZ vs England game, or the Kenya game, but it was good to see some cricket on nice HD LCD screens.

The weather here is fantastic. It's currently like a typical summer day in Auckland - 77F/25C - minus the humidity, but that will come later. I went for a walk last night after work: up to Publix to get as lottery ticket, then across to Atkins Park for dinner and then home down Greenwood. Was nice.

Aside from that, I have a hairy face at the moment. It probably won't last too much longer. Ooop - work is calling. Like I said, a quick hello.