That was the week from hell in work. The idiots have come out of the woodwork, and in previously unheard of numbers.
Started back on Monday, the first proper week since the new year, and we all know what that means, don't we? Yep, pandemonium! January is one of the busiest months of the year for us (if not the busiest), because the deadline for filing tax returns is at the end of the month.
Everyone's had since April to do the fucking things, of course, but you can be damn sure they'll wait until January to try and file it and then moan like it's our fault when they haven't left themselves enough time.
They'd forecast a busy Monday and Tuesday, with it quietening down somewhat by the latter half of the week. But with each passing day, still the calls kept coming. And still the intelligence kept dropping. I actually had to fail a guy on the security checks today for getting his name wrong. His name. Seriously, called up, didn't know his own name. Words fail me.
All my other pet hates are there in the week's calls as well - agents with an entitlement complex, people who insist that no no no, they CAN give us their bank details by phone and it's perfectly secure, people threatening to go to their MP because they didn't have their refund by return of post, the list goes on.
Anyway, it's been chaotic for all 5 days, and my patience has been wearing thinner and thinner with each passing minute. There's been the odd moment of not-shitness, namely getting my leave approved for the Judas Priest gig. I've only taken a half day, but it was around the time of a school holiday, so the chances of getting it were a bit up in the air as all those folk with kids try to have time off. To be honest, I'm not all that arsed about Priest, but Megadeth and Testament are supporting, and there's no way in hell I'm gonna miss seeing Testament.
Oh god, reading over that last paragraph, I've become that elitist guy who goes to gigs for the support bands. Although I kind of had that suspicion last year when I cared more about Gojira than In Flames, and Cynic more than Opeth. Also handed over some cash this week, so my ticket to see AC/DC is now locked down.
Hmmm. Got a bit sidetracked, started off ranting about work, ended up veering off into musical fascism, where I decide that my opinion on bands is the most important one. And speaking of musical fascism, you should all be listening to Kampfar.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Roast dead thing
Went for lunch yesterday with the Clan Zilla at Wagamama in Pollok. Was pretty impressed with the place, the service was good, and they were very pleasant and polite with the kids and their chopstick-hurling antics. I had salmon ramen, although I only realised that it rhymed as I was ordering, resulting in me feeling like a prize fud. Either way, it was very tasty, and nice and filling. So much so that it boggles the mind how certain people can have that and a main course when eating Japanese.
Anyway, went home afterwards and awaited the family arriving for dinner. Easy cooking ahoy, as a previous visit to See-Woo had resulted in the freezer containing 3 packets, each containing two half ducks, pre-roasted and seasoned. So it was just a case of cooking them and also a parsnip and carrot gratin, although it was nicer the previous time when I made it with leeks instead of carrots.
Sadly, we'd misjudged the amount of duck required, and thus it looks like I'll be having it as leftovers for about the next 3 days or so. just as well it's tasty, eh?
Anyway, went home afterwards and awaited the family arriving for dinner. Easy cooking ahoy, as a previous visit to See-Woo had resulted in the freezer containing 3 packets, each containing two half ducks, pre-roasted and seasoned. So it was just a case of cooking them and also a parsnip and carrot gratin, although it was nicer the previous time when I made it with leeks instead of carrots.
Sadly, we'd misjudged the amount of duck required, and thus it looks like I'll be having it as leftovers for about the next 3 days or so. just as well it's tasty, eh?
Thursday, January 01, 2009
What kind of a year has it been?
So, 2008 then.
Started off reasonably well, getting settled into new job and all that jazz. Enthusiasm for job has waned over the year as idiot taxpayers (and even more idiotic management) conspire to make each day a horrific ordeal. Still, secure enough job in these times of credit crunch and similar media-friendly phrases. I'm in this role until October at the earliest before I'm eligible for another sideways move. Although the word is that they're like gold dust, so I shan't hold out much hope of that.
Didn't go to Donington this year, since the lineup turned out to be a steaming great pile of shite. Half of Kiss, The Offspring, and LostProphets? No way, fuck off. Will possibly do it this year, really depends on what bands play. If not Donington, then Bloodstock's always a possibility.
Gave up my season ticket at Parkhead, couldn't really justify the continued cost of it. Can't honestly say my life is any emptier without it.
I'll be honest, most important part of this year was my trip to Vegas. Caught up on old friends, met new friends, and generally spent 10 days having the most awesome time I could. Not been as down this time as I was last time, the 'I wanna go back' feelings haven't been as dominating as they were before. Not that I wouldn't go back right now if I was able to (because I so would), more that I'm used to the feeling of deflation that one gets from coming back to Scotland. Said it before and I'll say it again, the lifestyle over there fucks you up, but you don't realise it's done it until you get back.
That period was so awesome that the rest of the year does kind of pale into insignificance when compared to it. Just had a quiet one last night to see in the new year, was up at Steve and Kat's with them, the kids, and Kat's cute friend Lorna, who'd also appeared. I was sober, so got to bed about 2am and didn't have a hangover this morning. Win!
I've got no real idea what I want to do with myself this coming year, there's nothing that's screaming out and insisting that I grab the bull by the horns.
Started off reasonably well, getting settled into new job and all that jazz. Enthusiasm for job has waned over the year as idiot taxpayers (and even more idiotic management) conspire to make each day a horrific ordeal. Still, secure enough job in these times of credit crunch and similar media-friendly phrases. I'm in this role until October at the earliest before I'm eligible for another sideways move. Although the word is that they're like gold dust, so I shan't hold out much hope of that.
Didn't go to Donington this year, since the lineup turned out to be a steaming great pile of shite. Half of Kiss, The Offspring, and LostProphets? No way, fuck off. Will possibly do it this year, really depends on what bands play. If not Donington, then Bloodstock's always a possibility.
Gave up my season ticket at Parkhead, couldn't really justify the continued cost of it. Can't honestly say my life is any emptier without it.
I'll be honest, most important part of this year was my trip to Vegas. Caught up on old friends, met new friends, and generally spent 10 days having the most awesome time I could. Not been as down this time as I was last time, the 'I wanna go back' feelings haven't been as dominating as they were before. Not that I wouldn't go back right now if I was able to (because I so would), more that I'm used to the feeling of deflation that one gets from coming back to Scotland. Said it before and I'll say it again, the lifestyle over there fucks you up, but you don't realise it's done it until you get back.
That period was so awesome that the rest of the year does kind of pale into insignificance when compared to it. Just had a quiet one last night to see in the new year, was up at Steve and Kat's with them, the kids, and Kat's cute friend Lorna, who'd also appeared. I was sober, so got to bed about 2am and didn't have a hangover this morning. Win!
I've got no real idea what I want to do with myself this coming year, there's nothing that's screaming out and insisting that I grab the bull by the horns.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Quiche
Xmas day: Went round to family's for dinner, got angry at the idiocy of opinion on display. Happens every year. This year it was about how the rich shouldn't pay more tax than the poor, and that civil servants apparently retire on big pensions.
Boxing day: popped up to EK to try and get a couple of things from the shops. Avoided the car-park thanks to the resident's permit, but still found myself unable to last more than half an hour without the urge to go on a killing spree boiling over. oth game stores had queues to get in, HMV had a queue for the till that stretched round two sides of the store, and the place was just mobbed. And HMV and waterstones were both out of stock of what I wanted. Zavvi had the Sopranos box set on DVD, but since they're bust and not offering refunds, I avoided, just on the off-chance it was knacked in some way. ordered it online instead.
The 27th: Went to the pub to watch the Old Firm game. Quality of football on display was woeful, but we beat the huns, so I'm really not caring. 7 points clear at new year, I'll take that!
The 28th: Didn't really do much, bought a couple of books in town, then sat down to watch the NFL. Dolphins in the playoffs for the first time since 2001! Drank more whisky than I realised while watching the game, consequently felt a touch fragile the next day.
That more or less brings us up to the present. New year to come, and then I'm back into work on the 2nd. Fucking taxpayers, I hate them.
Boxing day: popped up to EK to try and get a couple of things from the shops. Avoided the car-park thanks to the resident's permit, but still found myself unable to last more than half an hour without the urge to go on a killing spree boiling over. oth game stores had queues to get in, HMV had a queue for the till that stretched round two sides of the store, and the place was just mobbed. And HMV and waterstones were both out of stock of what I wanted. Zavvi had the Sopranos box set on DVD, but since they're bust and not offering refunds, I avoided, just on the off-chance it was knacked in some way. ordered it online instead.
The 27th: Went to the pub to watch the Old Firm game. Quality of football on display was woeful, but we beat the huns, so I'm really not caring. 7 points clear at new year, I'll take that!
The 28th: Didn't really do much, bought a couple of books in town, then sat down to watch the NFL. Dolphins in the playoffs for the first time since 2001! Drank more whisky than I realised while watching the game, consequently felt a touch fragile the next day.
That more or less brings us up to the present. New year to come, and then I'm back into work on the 2nd. Fucking taxpayers, I hate them.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Ruprecht
That's midnight now, so I can safely wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Or Hogswatch, or whatever you celebrate.
Whatever you do, try and not overdo it, and remember the true meaning of the holiday period - commemorating the resurrection of Santa Claus three days after he was crucified.
Whatever you do, try and not overdo it, and remember the true meaning of the holiday period - commemorating the resurrection of Santa Claus three days after he was crucified.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wheeee!
...and that's me finished work until the 2nd of January.
can you believe people were actually still calling their tax office five minutes before closing on Christmas Eve?!?!?
can you believe people were actually still calling their tax office five minutes before closing on Christmas Eve?!?!?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Parents
And just when you thought you knew it all, something totally unexpected and yet totally amazing comes out of the blue.
My mum rocks.
[/schmaltz]
My mum rocks.
[/schmaltz]
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Old man
I appear to now be 29 years old.
I also appear to be hungover. This may have been caused by people buying me beer to celebrate the fact I was 29 years old.
I also appear to be hungover. This may have been caused by people buying me beer to celebrate the fact I was 29 years old.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The Ballad of the Uruk-Hai
In keeping with the theme of meaning to write about stuff but never actually getting round to it, it's now Saturday night and I'm just getting to type up about the Korpiklaani gig I was at on Tuesday.
Had driven in at great velocity after work, and had made it there for about half 7 or so. Got in to the venue and could hear a high-pitched singing from upstairs. I wasn't sure whether it was a female, or a guy doing falsetto. Which doesn't really bode well for the band's identity.
Turns out that the band were Kivimetsän Druidi, and the singer was female. She was also rubbish (as were the rest of the band), indeed the only moment of note was when she managed to knock over her own mic stand.
Second on were Falchion, who played no-nonsense, good, fast technical metal. Turns out that their vocalist and lead guitarist is the accordion player for Korpiklaani, and the 2 bands also share a drummer. But they were very good, I and I found their songs to be most enjoyable.
Main support was Battlelore, and they came onstage in full make up, and the singer was brandishing a sword. A fucking sword! All of their songs are about Middle Earth, but I couldn't make out the lyrics, so I'll just assume that they told tales from the orcs side, as the tone seemed too dark for hobbity nonsense.
And then we come to Korpiklaani. Stupidly over-the-top stage presence from all of them, and the singer's mic stand was a giant set of antlers. Started fast, got faster, they're a really good, upbeat, party band. Which makes me glad to have seen them in a venue that only holds a couple of hundred people.
Had driven in at great velocity after work, and had made it there for about half 7 or so. Got in to the venue and could hear a high-pitched singing from upstairs. I wasn't sure whether it was a female, or a guy doing falsetto. Which doesn't really bode well for the band's identity.
Turns out that the band were Kivimetsän Druidi, and the singer was female. She was also rubbish (as were the rest of the band), indeed the only moment of note was when she managed to knock over her own mic stand.
Second on were Falchion, who played no-nonsense, good, fast technical metal. Turns out that their vocalist and lead guitarist is the accordion player for Korpiklaani, and the 2 bands also share a drummer. But they were very good, I and I found their songs to be most enjoyable.
Main support was Battlelore, and they came onstage in full make up, and the singer was brandishing a sword. A fucking sword! All of their songs are about Middle Earth, but I couldn't make out the lyrics, so I'll just assume that they told tales from the orcs side, as the tone seemed too dark for hobbity nonsense.
And then we come to Korpiklaani. Stupidly over-the-top stage presence from all of them, and the singer's mic stand was a giant set of antlers. Started fast, got faster, they're a really good, upbeat, party band. Which makes me glad to have seen them in a venue that only holds a couple of hundred people.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
On the pool
So, last Friday. Was supposed to be in work, working away (as one might be expected to do in work - go figure). However, I'd been informed earlier on in the week that there was a pool tournament for HMRC employees, and that special leave was available for it.
Special leave, for the uninitiated, is basically a paid day off that doesn't count towards your quota of annual leave. It's often granted in cases where there's been a bereavement, or a seriously ill family member. Or in this case, to play pool and get drunk.
Anyway, whole bunch of us saw the times, realised it was a paid day off, and promptly applied. I got approved (as did half the floor for that day) although a few folk did get knocked back because they weren't quick enough.
Thus it came to pass that last Friday consisted of me walking into work, saying hi, and vanishing again. My last day on the team, little more than a fleeting appearance. Oh well.
Got to the pool hall in Battlefield at about half 11 for a 12 noon start, so had a cheeky wee pint, and immediately wished I hadn't. Not because of the potential to be smashed before I'd even played a game, but because the lines clearly hadn't been cleaned. Urgh.
Tournament started just after 12, and there was a preliminary round to be had to narrow the field down to 64 for the first round. I was straight into the first round through that ancient mechanism that we call 'the luck of the draw'. So I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally got called onto the table (there were 8, but progress was still hellishly slow) at about 3pm.
By 3.15pm, my progress in the tournament was over. Lost by two frames to one, having won the first by virtue of a reverse granny (my opponent potted from the break, sunk another couple of balls, and then fucked up and potted the black too early). So I was one frame up without having so much as hit a ball. The other two frames were pretty comfortable defeats for me, although a minor rules disagreement was chalked off as ignorance, when I suspect the real answer was "Two shots carry? Like fuck they do. Cheating cunt"
My sporting escapades once again cruelly halted before their peak, I returned to the bar, and started on the Guinness. Beat one of the other guys 5-0 on the American pool tables in an hour, and got progressively more drunk. Time is a bit hazy as to when I left, but I think it was about 6pm. Already a touch melted, I headed into town, went to Rufus', drank more, and almost got knocked back from the Classic Grand.
Only lasted an hour or so in there before I realised myself that I was way too drunk, and got the bus home. Was in bed by 2am, but still felt like death for pretty much all of Saturday. But that would be to forget the key element, which is that I got paid to take the day off work and play pool.
Special leave, for the uninitiated, is basically a paid day off that doesn't count towards your quota of annual leave. It's often granted in cases where there's been a bereavement, or a seriously ill family member. Or in this case, to play pool and get drunk.
Anyway, whole bunch of us saw the times, realised it was a paid day off, and promptly applied. I got approved (as did half the floor for that day) although a few folk did get knocked back because they weren't quick enough.
Thus it came to pass that last Friday consisted of me walking into work, saying hi, and vanishing again. My last day on the team, little more than a fleeting appearance. Oh well.
Got to the pool hall in Battlefield at about half 11 for a 12 noon start, so had a cheeky wee pint, and immediately wished I hadn't. Not because of the potential to be smashed before I'd even played a game, but because the lines clearly hadn't been cleaned. Urgh.
Tournament started just after 12, and there was a preliminary round to be had to narrow the field down to 64 for the first round. I was straight into the first round through that ancient mechanism that we call 'the luck of the draw'. So I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally got called onto the table (there were 8, but progress was still hellishly slow) at about 3pm.
By 3.15pm, my progress in the tournament was over. Lost by two frames to one, having won the first by virtue of a reverse granny (my opponent potted from the break, sunk another couple of balls, and then fucked up and potted the black too early). So I was one frame up without having so much as hit a ball. The other two frames were pretty comfortable defeats for me, although a minor rules disagreement was chalked off as ignorance, when I suspect the real answer was "Two shots carry? Like fuck they do. Cheating cunt"
My sporting escapades once again cruelly halted before their peak, I returned to the bar, and started on the Guinness. Beat one of the other guys 5-0 on the American pool tables in an hour, and got progressively more drunk. Time is a bit hazy as to when I left, but I think it was about 6pm. Already a touch melted, I headed into town, went to Rufus', drank more, and almost got knocked back from the Classic Grand.
Only lasted an hour or so in there before I realised myself that I was way too drunk, and got the bus home. Was in bed by 2am, but still felt like death for pretty much all of Saturday. But that would be to forget the key element, which is that I got paid to take the day off work and play pool.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Stick your streaky bacon up your arse.
Well, seems like I'm getting moved teams in work. Got told this morning, as it seems that the size of various teams is imbalanced due to folk leaving etc. Reasoning given was that I was picked as the one to leave our team because I apparently 'don't need as much help as others'. So I'm effectively taking the hit for the heinous crime of being decent at my job, having good stats and not being off sick constantly. Go figure.
Start in the new team on Monday, but I'll still be going on the night out with the old team a week on Friday. A big final blowout, if you will.
I'm mostly typing this to distract from the fact Celtic are out of Europe, but it's not helping.
Start in the new team on Monday, but I'll still be going on the night out with the old team a week on Friday. A big final blowout, if you will.
I'm mostly typing this to distract from the fact Celtic are out of Europe, but it's not helping.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Meh
I was gonna type out a big long post here about how people claiming tax repayments are the worst people in the world, but I simply can't face it right now. I'll do it some other time.
So I'll just point out that tonight, Celtic won, Rangers dropped points, and Liverpool and Chelsea both got put out of the cup. Carlsberg don't do football results...
So I'll just point out that tonight, Celtic won, Rangers dropped points, and Liverpool and Chelsea both got put out of the cup. Carlsberg don't do football results...
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Quicky
Work on Saturday - boring as all hell, stupidly quiet, half the systems down, got away at 3pm because it was so dead.
Sunday - Went to the cinema to see W. Didn't really seem to tell us anything we didn't already know, seemed like an excuse to stick the boot in. Which I'm fine with. Bush 41 was portrayed sympathetically (as opposed to the monumental asshole he is), Cheney got it with both barrels, and Powell seemed to be treated as the fall guy.
Monday - Work. I'm not even supposed to be here today. Busiest day of the week, and it's dead. Hopefully the rest of the week will be like that.
Sunday - Went to the cinema to see W. Didn't really seem to tell us anything we didn't already know, seemed like an excuse to stick the boot in. Which I'm fine with. Bush 41 was portrayed sympathetically (as opposed to the monumental asshole he is), Cheney got it with both barrels, and Powell seemed to be treated as the fall guy.
Monday - Work. I'm not even supposed to be here today. Busiest day of the week, and it's dead. Hopefully the rest of the week will be like that.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Ball!
We were meant to be on strike on Monday. Nice day off work (well, it's November, so probably a foul day off work) and I'd have still had two days of what passes for a weekend, what with working tomorrow.
And as always, it gets fucked up. We received an email from the Union at about lunchtime saying that the strike has been suspended pending further negotiations. More accurately, they'd received a letter from the Cabinet Office saying that they'd agreed to consider the union's demands.
WHAT THE FUCK, YOU SHOWER OF CUNTS?
They'd agreed to CONSIDER the demands? Well that's just fucking great. And as always happens, the strike is cancelled, they'll 'negotiate', say that there's still no money since the bankers need bailed out, and perhaps offer us an extra 0.1%, still miles below inflation. The union will then claim this as a victory, and we'll all continue to bend over and get shafted.
So I'm in work on Monday. And not at all happy about it.
And as always, it gets fucked up. We received an email from the Union at about lunchtime saying that the strike has been suspended pending further negotiations. More accurately, they'd received a letter from the Cabinet Office saying that they'd agreed to consider the union's demands.
WHAT THE FUCK, YOU SHOWER OF CUNTS?
They'd agreed to CONSIDER the demands? Well that's just fucking great. And as always happens, the strike is cancelled, they'll 'negotiate', say that there's still no money since the bankers need bailed out, and perhaps offer us an extra 0.1%, still miles below inflation. The union will then claim this as a victory, and we'll all continue to bend over and get shafted.
So I'm in work on Monday. And not at all happy about it.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner dinner Fatman!
Ahem.
Was out for dinner with the family on Saturday night since it was Mum's 60th. We went to Bar Milano at Eastwood Toll. And wouldn't you know, a funny thing happened while we were there.
I had three courses. Not one of them had any meat in it. I know what you're thinking: 'Who is this, and what has he done with Gordon?' But it's true. Started off with Aubergine / Eggplant stuffed with peppers and cheese, then had Tortellini with Spinach and Ricotta, with Banoffee Pie to finish.
All absolutely delicious, and no dead animal in it at all. Well, a herd of pasta got slaughtered, but no-one really minds about them.
Don't think for a second that this means I'm going all veggie and shit, I'm not. But feel free to try Bar Milano if you're hungry, I highly recommend it.
Was out for dinner with the family on Saturday night since it was Mum's 60th. We went to Bar Milano at Eastwood Toll. And wouldn't you know, a funny thing happened while we were there.
I had three courses. Not one of them had any meat in it. I know what you're thinking: 'Who is this, and what has he done with Gordon?' But it's true. Started off with Aubergine / Eggplant stuffed with peppers and cheese, then had Tortellini with Spinach and Ricotta, with Banoffee Pie to finish.
All absolutely delicious, and no dead animal in it at all. Well, a herd of pasta got slaughtered, but no-one really minds about them.
Don't think for a second that this means I'm going all veggie and shit, I'm not. But feel free to try Bar Milano if you're hungry, I highly recommend it.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
LX
Mum's 60th birthday today, which is a weight off my mind. Me and my sister clubbed together and got her a holiday to Krakow (with her sister), and let me tell you, it's been a fucking nightmare keeping things secret.
The flights changed a couple of times because various GiroJet companies saw fit to cancel them, so that necessitated switching the hotel dates. Then I had to keep phoning her friends to tell them to stop organising stuff for the weekend she was away.
Still, it's all done. Out for dinner later with the family. Not eaten anything today apart from a bowl of porridge, so I intend to pig out tonight.
The flights changed a couple of times because various GiroJet companies saw fit to cancel them, so that necessitated switching the hotel dates. Then I had to keep phoning her friends to tell them to stop organising stuff for the weekend she was away.
Still, it's all done. Out for dinner later with the family. Not eaten anything today apart from a bowl of porridge, so I intend to pig out tonight.
Friday, October 31, 2008
What I did on my holidays.
I'm currently waiting on a rather large file downloading, and for reasons best known to itself and the gods of the internet, it's coming really slowly. So now is probably a good time to type up my Vegas trip report.
Getting there
Checked into Glasgow airport at 4am, and by 4.02 I had boarding passes etc, and a huge queue had materialised seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm hefty glad I got there first. Flight from Glasgow - Amsterdam was nice and relaxing, although it was all I could do to stay awake (since I'd decided Amsterdam - Detroit was where I'd sleep to stick two fingers up at jetlag). Funny moment at Amsterdam airport as the security dude asked a few questions before I got on the flight, and foolishly for him, one of them was whether I thought Celtic would win that night. Cue about 90 seconds of non-stop rant about why we wouldn't. Still, at least it convinced him I was genuine.
Next two flights were no problem at all, and I managed to sleep enough that I was wide awake by Vegas. Got off the plane, and...well, to paraphrase the Proclaimers: "And I would walk 500 miles,
And I would walk 500 more,
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles to get from the plane to his fucking suitcase"
I'd forgotten just how far from the gate baggage reclaim was. I had to take a fucking tram! Anyway, met Jeff, got in car, went to his apartment, and met Liz, who was just as lovely as I'd imagined she'd be.
While I was there
I'd love to regale you with tales of everything I got up to while in the city of debauchery, but I am compelled to obey the ancient maxim of "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Well, not quite. To keep it short and sweet:
--Met up with a bunch cool people, some I'd met before, some not. The "Hey, you look familia....OH MY GOD, IT'S YOU!" reaction never gets old.
--Went to see Flogging Molly. Great show, most fun. Had only seen 15 minutes of them before, but there was a great atmosphere, and I'll be seeing them again if they come to Glasgow. Stayed out drinking until 5am afterwards, and got hit a lot to keep me awake. No pain, no gain etc...
--Got hair-gel-and-toothbrushed. Never thought I'd see the day, but ultimately I'm not that concerned. It was what it was.
--Visited the Hoover Dam. First look at the place and my brain was saying "Half-Life". No sign of any tentacle beasts though.
--Got sunburned. On my head. Hair thinner this trip than last trip. Only the one day though, remembered to chuck on a bandana the rest of the time.
--Also went to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay, and managed to accidentally turn round and appear face to face with the jellyfish exhibit. I'd been trying to avoid it. Best laid plans of mice and men etc etc. Rest of it was very interesting though, even if the spoilsport crocodile just sat there.
--Other stuff mentioned in previous entries, not typing it out again.
--Went to a shooting range. Despite my views on gun control, let it be known that shooting live ammo from a real gun is really fucking cool.
That's about it for now. I'm sure more'll come back to me, but I can tell y'all about that when I remember.
Coming home
Long day. Shortish flight from Vegas to Portland, huge wait in Portland airport, which seemed to be devoid of pretty much anything to do. Except eat a half pound burger, drink beer and chat up the cute barmaid. Loaded up on sleeping pills with the intention of sleeping from Portland to Amsterdam, which was foiled by the screaming banshee-child 2 seats over. And the incompetent mother who seemed to think that simply saying 'Shhh' in a soft voice would work this time, when it had failed on the previous 50,000 attempts. Final leg was Amsterdam to Glasgow, which featured the usual spastic Glaswegians applauding when the plane lands. Seriously, what the fuck? The guy did his job the way he was meant to. There wasn't a crosswind or anything like that, it was a textbook case of easy landing conditions. There's no need to clap for that. Do you clap when the a waiter brings you a steak from the kitchen and doesn't drop it, you dribbling shower of cunts?!?
Ahem. But yeah, fun week, good people, will probably last about 3 days here before I'm fed up with Scotland again.
Getting there
Checked into Glasgow airport at 4am, and by 4.02 I had boarding passes etc, and a huge queue had materialised seemingly out of nowhere, so I'm hefty glad I got there first. Flight from Glasgow - Amsterdam was nice and relaxing, although it was all I could do to stay awake (since I'd decided Amsterdam - Detroit was where I'd sleep to stick two fingers up at jetlag). Funny moment at Amsterdam airport as the security dude asked a few questions before I got on the flight, and foolishly for him, one of them was whether I thought Celtic would win that night. Cue about 90 seconds of non-stop rant about why we wouldn't. Still, at least it convinced him I was genuine.
Next two flights were no problem at all, and I managed to sleep enough that I was wide awake by Vegas. Got off the plane, and...well, to paraphrase the Proclaimers: "And I would walk 500 miles,
And I would walk 500 more,
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles to get from the plane to his fucking suitcase"
I'd forgotten just how far from the gate baggage reclaim was. I had to take a fucking tram! Anyway, met Jeff, got in car, went to his apartment, and met Liz, who was just as lovely as I'd imagined she'd be.
While I was there
I'd love to regale you with tales of everything I got up to while in the city of debauchery, but I am compelled to obey the ancient maxim of "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". Well, not quite. To keep it short and sweet:
--Met up with a bunch cool people, some I'd met before, some not. The "Hey, you look familia....OH MY GOD, IT'S YOU!" reaction never gets old.
--Went to see Flogging Molly. Great show, most fun. Had only seen 15 minutes of them before, but there was a great atmosphere, and I'll be seeing them again if they come to Glasgow. Stayed out drinking until 5am afterwards, and got hit a lot to keep me awake. No pain, no gain etc...
--Got hair-gel-and-toothbrushed. Never thought I'd see the day, but ultimately I'm not that concerned. It was what it was.
--Visited the Hoover Dam. First look at the place and my brain was saying "Half-Life". No sign of any tentacle beasts though.
--Got sunburned. On my head. Hair thinner this trip than last trip. Only the one day though, remembered to chuck on a bandana the rest of the time.
--Also went to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay, and managed to accidentally turn round and appear face to face with the jellyfish exhibit. I'd been trying to avoid it. Best laid plans of mice and men etc etc. Rest of it was very interesting though, even if the spoilsport crocodile just sat there.
--Other stuff mentioned in previous entries, not typing it out again.
--Went to a shooting range. Despite my views on gun control, let it be known that shooting live ammo from a real gun is really fucking cool.
That's about it for now. I'm sure more'll come back to me, but I can tell y'all about that when I remember.
Coming home
Long day. Shortish flight from Vegas to Portland, huge wait in Portland airport, which seemed to be devoid of pretty much anything to do. Except eat a half pound burger, drink beer and chat up the cute barmaid. Loaded up on sleeping pills with the intention of sleeping from Portland to Amsterdam, which was foiled by the screaming banshee-child 2 seats over. And the incompetent mother who seemed to think that simply saying 'Shhh' in a soft voice would work this time, when it had failed on the previous 50,000 attempts. Final leg was Amsterdam to Glasgow, which featured the usual spastic Glaswegians applauding when the plane lands. Seriously, what the fuck? The guy did his job the way he was meant to. There wasn't a crosswind or anything like that, it was a textbook case of easy landing conditions. There's no need to clap for that. Do you clap when the a waiter brings you a steak from the kitchen and doesn't drop it, you dribbling shower of cunts?!?
Ahem. But yeah, fun week, good people, will probably last about 3 days here before I'm fed up with Scotland again.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Atacama Rain
Two thousand and forty-nine.
*click*
Two thousand and fifty.
*click*
Two thousand and fifty-one.
*click*
*reset*
One...
*click*
Two thousand and fifty.
*click*
Two thousand and fifty-one.
*click*
*reset*
One...
Friday, October 24, 2008
I got hair-gel-and-toothbrushed. Words fail me.
Just a brief update from sunny foreignland. All is going well, good people here, good weather, good times had by all.
Flight over was painless, no trouble this time, although a machine-gun speed 90 second rant about Celtic confused the security guy no end. Going to see Flogging Molly tonight, and there's talk of a free bar in the offing beforehand.
Also surprisingly devoid of hangover today, which is most bizarre given how much booze-drinkery we partook in last night. 3 of us put away about 1.75 litres of rum in about 4 hours or so. I can heartily recommend 'Karma' as a great drinking game to get you good and fucked up.
Will update in more detail when I get home.
Flight over was painless, no trouble this time, although a machine-gun speed 90 second rant about Celtic confused the security guy no end. Going to see Flogging Molly tonight, and there's talk of a free bar in the offing beforehand.
Also surprisingly devoid of hangover today, which is most bizarre given how much booze-drinkery we partook in last night. 3 of us put away about 1.75 litres of rum in about 4 hours or so. I can heartily recommend 'Karma' as a great drinking game to get you good and fucked up.
Will update in more detail when I get home.
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