Ageing (dis)gracefully!
Archive for December, 2006
Tyred Out
Dec 30th
We went visiting a few people on xmas day, and just before as we were about to return home I noticed that we had picked up a puncture! Thankfully, we were literally 10 seconds down the road from Lucys parents house, so I drove round there to inspect the damage with Lucys dad.
Whilst changing the tyre over to the spare (one of those crappy temporary space saver ones!) we noticed that the tyres all around the car were in pretty poor condition. They hadnt been changed at all since Lucy bought the car back in mid 2004 and the fronts especially were looking a tad rough.
On the 27th I rang around to several garages in town and got some quotes, which happened to vary as much as 40 for the same tyre and same service! In the end I went for Charlie Browns as not only was the guy I spoke to friendly, he also offered to undercut my lowest quote! 140 for 4 CEAT Spider tyres, fitted, balanced etc and the old tyres disposed of. Bargain!
Sounds daft but the car feels very different on these tyres, you can feel the difference in grip, so the old ones really were shot I think!
Engaged!
Dec 27th
After some careful planning and some last minute ring shopping, late this afternoon I proposed to Lucy. She said yes! I knew for sure she would, was still nerve wracking though.
I popped the question in the pouring rain on Exmouth seafront (the rain wasnt part of the plan, but kind of added to the occasion in a nice romantic way). I decided on Exmouth, as its where we spent a lot of our early time together as Lucy was in University down in that area. Its an old haunt of ours and we always enjoy day tripping back there.
I found a ring that I fell in love with instantly. It was quite pricey compared to what I intended to spend, but every other ring thereafter seemed pretty rubbish in comparison.
Its Oh So Quiet?
Dec 27th
Christmas is almost past (its Boxing Day night atm) and I have to say, its been really good. This year myself and Lucy hosted christmas for her mum and dad, her brother and her grandad. Lucy cooked a great christmas dinner (i helped with the washing up!) and I really enjoyed the whole day. I think everyone did.
I got the usual obligatory christmas gifts, such as underwear, deodorant ..etc. Some really nice clothes and a great coat aswell. We also got a copier/printer/scanner from Lucys parents, which will come in hugely handy, especially for Lucy and all her planning work for teaching.
Im back in work for 2 days this Thursday & Friday. Unfortunate, but I have used a lot of my annual holiday already this year and need to save what is left for the last 4 months of the holiday year in 2007! Besides, its never busy for me in work at this time of year anyway, so isnt such a big deal.
Marillion & Porcupine Tree
Dec 17th
My two favourite bands are going to be playing in Bristol in 2007! YEA!!! 
Marillion will be playing at the Colston Hall on the 8th of June and I have found out just this evening that Porcupine Tree will be playing the Carling Academy in Bristol on the 24th of April.
Ive known about the Marillion one for a few weeks although it wasnt officially announced until last Monday. I have asked Lucy to get me a ticket for a christmas present (which she has done).
The Porcupine Tree tickets dont actually go on sale until Wednesday morning, but suffice to say I shall definately be going! When I saw them in Manchester back in September they were awesome, and I cant wait to see them again.
Really chuffed that they are both playing Bristol as its only a 40 mile trek for me.
My gig list for 2007 is growing – check out the section on the right and you will see just that!
R.I.P. Server
Dec 17th
So, my home server has died. It would seem the PSU failed in a rather large way. I had heard funny noises coming from the PSU since Sunday of last week and was intending to replace it ASAP. Unfortunately, I got home on Tuesday and was greeted by a god awful smell coming from the spare room.. the server was off and wouldnt power back on.
I set about getting a replacement and found an ideal candidate on the PC World website. Reserved it online for an instore pickup and shot straight over there to collect it .good thing (probably the only good thing I can ever say about PC World) is that i got to pay the online price as I had reserved it online.
Blog Back – Server Dead!
Dec 13th
Blog is back online, albeit in a new home! The server it was hosted on is deader than a dead dodo! ..
Will explain all when i can be arsed!
