This is my blog. It's been going for a couple of years now. I'll keep writing in it from time to time, often for no particular reason.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Merry Everything

This is my last day at work for 2005 - and as far as work goes for 2005 I have done only 14 weeks of it this year, which is still nearly a third of a year, not a bad effort considering I fitted six months of latino adventures and two months of UK dole into that equation.

A few new pics up in the December gallery, mainly from Lucas and my respective Christmas parties.

I sent out a group email the other day to wish you all a merry x-mas - if you are reading this and didn't get the email then your email was probably one of the 20 that bounced back because they are outdated - I know, I am very lazy when it comes to keeping in touch. In fact I don't think you can get more lazy than writing a blog and expecting people to read it, hehehe.

So one final time before I sign off on Hoist the Spinnaker for 2005 - I wish you all an immeasurably happy christmas and new years and that all your plans, dreams and desires come to fruition in 2006 and each subsequent year. This year has been one of the greatest times in my life and it all came from a momentary decision in a shopping centre. I don't want to sound like an all knowing guru, but spontaneity is an underused tool - it took me to places I'd never imagined existed or will ever forget. To steal a six word, three part phrase from a great man and change it to suit my aims.....

Minimal planning, maximal flexibility, eternal curiosity.

Merry everything, always.

Love Nick

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

BT Bear and the Viking Helmet

I had made a decision to stop writing pointless blogs to vent my frustrations - in fact I had decided to hold off writing another blog until the New Year when I might have some good adventures to relate. But as it happens I had a most interesting day yesterday and also feel the need to have a quick rant about the likes of Alan Jones and his role in the Cronulla riots.

Yesterday was the NHS Live (National Health Service) exhibition out in boondocks of London. I was scheduled to start on our Citizens Advice stall at 11am. The journey from work got off to a shaky start when we discovered the Circle Line had been shut down due to a security alert (a common event). Not to worry - there is a multitude of options sprouting from Kings Cross St Pancras. After about 6 train changes we made it to a DLR (docklands light rail) station (half way there). Signal problems down the line meant we would have to back track, then they changed their minds. Just before boarding the train I realised 'Oh SH!T where is my backpack?!'. I had left it sitting on the seat beside me on the platform across the tracks - but it wasn't there anymore - someone had picked it up - either stolen it or handed it in. So I ran around in circles for a moment waving my hands going 'oh no, oh no, oh no' - because my wallet in my bag had all my brand new bank cards that I got the day before - as well as all their PIN codes and codes for my credit cards. I then went down to the security office beneath the station who started taking me through the steps to locate me and my bag on the security cameras.....

Whilst I pondered the beauty of privacy invasion an officer came in waving the lost bag - someone had just handed in it. My heart sank - from my mouth down to where it belonged in my chest. A huge sigh of relief and I was back on the train to the exhibition......

The exhibition was a ripper of a day(for me anyway). It combined some essential elements that make up a good day:

- Free food
- Free fruit smoothies
- Other free stuff to take from other exhibitors
- Some clowns teaching people tricks

After eating lunch number two I learnt how to make myself a viking helmet from balloons, alas I forgot to wear it home and it must still be in the exhibition centre. I then went and negotiated with the BT (British Telecom) exhibitors to see how many BT teddy bears I could have. As I had no relevant business with BT I only managed to get two.

I was also a bit excited to hear that Patch Adams (the actual doctor) was doing presentations at the exhibition. Unfortunately my bag delay caused me to miss him. Although he did enquire about my health I'm told.

If anyone can see the movie 'Withnail and I' I recommend it. Funny stuff - set in London.

I'm feeling a bit tired now, I was going to give Alan Jones the most scathing of attacks using langauge so exquisitely crafted as to drive the reader into a murderous rage thirsting for the blood of Alan Jones and his antecedents. I read some excerpts from his talkback show prior to the recent riots in Cronulla and am of the view that he is (almost self-admittingly) a culprit in the violence that occurred. Where's capital punishment when it's needed? I'm sure Alan would be in favour of it.....

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Follow the yellow brick road...

Which begs the question - where is the Wizard of Oz, and is it John Howard?

Some email banter between Lucas and I during work raised the well known story 'The Wizard of Oz'. Some more joking made us realise the parallels between the tale of Dorothy and our own travels. It has been decided that I am the Tin Man and Lucas is the Lion. Not sure who Dorothy/Scarecrow/Assorted Witches and Toto are - I'm sure they will feature along the way, or we can justify why various personalities we have encountered can fill those roles.

I could probably draw some parallels between my life and Luke Skywalker's too, but that might be stretching things a bit far, Jedi-like powers doesn't necessarily mean Darth Vader was my father.

I wonder how many other people have suddenly drawn the same connection, it must be a pretty common one for people who travel (particularly Aussies - heading back to 'Oz').

A couple of new photos in the gallery - December.

Merry x-mas again.

We have a landline telephone in our place if anyone wants to ring - don't know what the number is off the top of my head, I'll get it sometime.

Address is:

39H Oxford Gardens
W10 5UF
London

'Tis the season for giving.....If anyone can send me the Earth's sun in a package that would be great.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Woooooooo

Well we knew November was going to be the 'nothing month' as we slipped into Winter - or maybe I was feeling nostalgic for a moustache like last year (Movember). Either way, we are one day gone into the new month and spirits are already soaring again. This is partly due to the first round of house moving that took place last night. The new apartment is a ripper, with all the creature comforts. I can't wait to get moved in tonight and be unpacked - and so Phase Three of England begins.

Found out what the end of the Piccadilly line looks like on Wednesday night, but thats another story.

I will endeavour to respond to everyone's emails over the weekend, I can't seem to get a decent hotmail session under my belt these days. Hopefully some more photos soon.....

Merry Christmas everyone. Although I'm sure I'll be posting with some more Christmas cheer prior to the big day.