rARsh!

Well, that was fun

The bad weather hit South Wales before I’d left today which meant it was a most unpleasant drive until I managed to outrun the front somewhere near Swindon. Phew.

After that, although the road was busy we were making fairly good time. So they decided to shut the M4. I detoured through Slough at approximately 0.1 mph. In fact, it wasn’t until I detoured off the detour that I managed to make up some time.

Bizarrely, when I rejoined the M25 (via the M40, in case you’re interested) I wondered where all the traffic had gone. It was as if everyone had been rushing to get somewhere by eight o’clock and, having arrived, the rest of the journey was almost eerily quiet.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. It’s New Year’s Eve and I am, as has been the case for the last three NYEs, on my proverbial tod. I resolved to change that if I can so, having become somewhat disenchanted with the free meet market websites, I shelled out for a meet market which everyone’s paid to join - if nothing else it should mean that people aren’t just there for a laugh.

I browse profiles with a 50 mile radius.

Hmm, she’s nice.

Oh, that’s a nice profile.

Oh dear, her spelling’s appalling.

Oh goodness. That’s S_____. From work. And we’re a 100% match.

By now she’s probably had an email informing her that a new member is a perfect match for her.

Next week’s going to be interesting.

So on that bombshell I leave you wishing you all a Happy and Fruitful New Year.

Motorway Service Stations

I’m very bad when I’m driving.

Not as far as the steering or (usually) the vehicle velocity is concerned. No, I refer to my tendency to eat crap food on the journey.

If I am going to spend too much on sustenance (which I clear do not need, having enough internal reserves to last me until June 2008), why can’t there be healthier options? Specifically, apart from the contradictory name, why aren’t there Subway outlets in service stations rather than Bugger King, MacRonalds and KentuckyFuckedupChicken?

Mmm … six inches of veggie delight. Silly me, I mean “delite^TM” (sic)

More practice shots

Having successfully replaced my broken headlight, I popped over to the coast for more practice with the Canon.

From Swanbridge you can see three islands: Steep Holm, Flat Holm and Sully Island.

From there I moved on to Cosmeston (one of my favourite places) to see if I could get any photographs of birdlife in focus.

Better, but still not quite right. Still, practice makes perfect (and it was a bit too gloomy for the lens, I suspect).

Exodus 21:23-27

I am very unsettled by the news this morning that Saddam Hussein’s execution was rushed through first thing this morning.

I just don’t get the whole eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth punishment theory and I can’t see how this is going to make Iraq a more stable environment.

If anyone can explain how this is better than, for example, keeping him in prison for the rest of his natural life I’d be very interested to read this.

I’m a knight in not-so-shining armour

A plea for help arrived on my mobile phone from a woman as I arrived in Torchwood Town. She’d gone to Ikea, you see, and - being stereotypical - wished to leave with an item of furniture larger than the dimensions of the WomanMobile’s boot.

Peh.

Fortunately for Woman, I had come in the rARshMobile which has a generous cargo capacity. Having unloaded at Chateau Pops, I set off to meet Woman in the car park.

“Don’t worry. I know exactly where it is. It’ll be straight in and out.”

“So we’re going to go into IKEA and leave with just the one item?” I asked, incredulously.

“Absolutely. Unless you want something.”

I declined and in we went.

To be fair, we did leave with just the computer desk, but this is because I talked her out of picking up a packet of candles and had expressed disinterest in the concept of laminated ash flooring when asked “Is that cheap?”

Having trailed Woman to her abode, I left with her cheery “One of your headlights isn’t working.” ringing in my ears. Remember that ever-so-nice chap at Halfords? Grrrrr.

I am bad. Stubby is bad. Are you bad?

I listebed to Costing The Earth on Radio 4 on my way down to Torchwood Town today (you can listen to the show too).

Researchers are claiming that people living alone are living selfishly and costing the planet. Their lifestyles mean they not only have more household goods and use more energy but they also occupy more land, create more waste and emit more carbon dioxide per head than people who share.

I will raise this with young Stubby next week. It is, after all, our duty to do, um, our duty for the sake of the planet and especially for the ickle kiddies we don’t have.

Another blogger in Aaalburgh!

A woman has just mentioned to me that another (more famous) blogger has joined me in Aaalburgh - D4D or “Dummies for Destruction” is currently broadcasting from the fair market town.

I wonder whether we’ll ever meet …

Money burning a hole in my pocket

I’m torn between three possibilities as far as reducing my bank balance is concerned.

Option 1: A mac mini. Useful to be able to test websites for those weirdos who won’t have a PC in the house and it’s such a funky gadget too. Lovely. Option cost: approx £400.

Option 2: A new TV. A flat, HD ready TV that is. All four of us from work trooped into Richer Sounds at lunchtime to drool over the big, clear pictures. The Hitachi models looked very attractive, especially after considering that Evil Overlord minions get a discount. Option cost: approx. £450.

Option 3: More camera goodiness, specifically a Tamron 200-500mm lens from Warehouse Express. 780mm of telephotographic goodness. Mmmmmmmm. I’ve already checked and although they’re a local company, the operation is strictly mail order. Bah. Option cost: approx. £670.

I’d probably “use” the TV more than the other options but would probably get more enjoyment out of the other two. Do I need a mini Mac? Of course not - I don’t need a new TV or another telephoto lens (but imagine the wildlife shots theoretically possible with a 780mm lens - no more splodges in the centre of the frame for me!).

I’ll think have a good, hard think over the long weekend - I’ve changed my plans (which were to work all three days this week) and will be setting off for Torchwood Town tomorrow in daylight. Heading directly into the gales, unfortunately, but I’m hoping that the forecast

Saturday sunshine and scattered blustery showers. Sunday heavy rain and gales spreading east

will be accurate as far as the “sunshine” is concerned and less so as far as the “blustery showers” goes. The journey home on Sunday should be quick as it’ll be wind assisted!