Quick Fact

Nothing in life can be certain to be true unless it is said by David Attenborough.

A cheery little update

Well, today is Monday and I have been neglecting the old blog, except to wish Jeni a happy birthday, so i will recap the weekend for anyone who cares.

Friday saw the monthly 'Pay Day Fun Day' and this month, thanks to Messrs John and Dickie (2 good Belfast lads), we went to Alton Towers for the day. Fun indeed! Cars were hired and a small troupe assembled to make the way south for adventure and excitement (a little too much excitement if you were traveling in Bobby's car by all accounts). This was the last day of 'Adrenalin Week' at the Towers (guess they had to come up with some snazzy name to entice people there during the opening week and still in the chilly freshness of March) which promised few queues and much thrills. And true enough, bar a 30 min wait for a go on Rita, there wasn't much queuing to be done. Fantabulous- went on Nemesis three times in quick succession, giggling like a schoolgirl. The last time on it, though, saw most people splattered with some orange liquid, at which point somebody at the back went "ARRGH! IT'S SICK!!" and caused much panic, which was nice (wasn't really sick; it had started to rain and was just rust from the tracks).

Then, it was back home to Manchester and to John and Dickies for a drink. Or two.

Now I don't know why I thought it would be a good idea to drink until 3am when I was in work at 11 the next morning for a lovely 10 hour shift, but come that next day I was paying for it pretty severely.

Not much to say about Saturday and Sunday because I worked about 24 hours over those two days.

Not much to say that is, except

HEALY HEALY HEALY!!!

That's right, the mighty boys in green were at it again, the amazing David Healy scoring a hat-trick as Northern Ireland beat Liechtenstein 4-1 in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Vaduz. Bring on Sweden at Windsor Park on Wednesday and it'll be table topping time for the wee team in the north.

Apparently Sunday was a lovely day in Manchester, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and it was all very warm and pretty. I wouldn't know this because I spent 14 hours in work and it was dark when I got out. Oh well.

At the minute, I have to pack all my belongings because tomorrow I move house! I am leaving the might of Milverton to travel north to Salford. So that means I won't be online for a while as I will have to sort out an Internet connection in the new place. Oh, also have to find some way to transport my stuff...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!!

A very happy birthday to the best sister I have (I only have the one sister, but if there were more, I'm sure Jeni would come out on top). Now, I know that Jeni's birthday was actually on the 23rd of March, but this is the first time I have been able to get online to post this message, so:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!!!!

This year Jeni has been very elusive and has hidden herself somewhere in the wilds of South Korea, but wherever she is, I'm sure she is celebrating in proper style. With or without a kitchen utensil on her head.

I appear to be stuck...

Oh no. Not again.

You know when you have to go and do something that's really quite important, and you promise yourself will leave the house in 5 minutes, switching off the computer just after you check e-mails and nothing more. Then you happen to see a link to something and you think "That looks interesting, I'll check it out, but only for a minute." Then that minute turns into 2, then 5, then ten, and so it goes...

Anyway, so as I don't suffer alone, I am going to share this with you lot.

http://chir.ag/stuff/sand/

There we go. Its a nice simple device that doesn't require downloading. Just sand, water, oil and salt that you play with. Go on, check it out....

THIS IS SPARTA!!!

HOLY CRAP!

Just saw 300.

Really want to go out and kill some Persians.

It is FANTASTIC.

Think Braveheart. Then take out all the faffy bits and Mel Gibson. Add more blood. Lots more blood. And then start kicking things.
I really can't give a better account of the movie than this review:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31520

Screen violence has never looked so good. But no matter how good it is, sticking it on the IMAX multiplies everything by 14. Don't know the science behind it, or why that particular number, but that's just the way of it.

Really want to say more about the film, but Peter has told me not to, so I will just have to go back and see another sneak-peak showing on Wednesday. It pays to work in a cinema sometimes.

(Mum, if you are reading this, I don't really want to kill Persians. It just happens lots in the film. Lots and lots and lots and...etc.)

Well, another St Patricks day and another day spent at work. Not fair. In until 10 tonight. "Why", i hear you say "that's plenty of time to get as drunk as a fart!" True, but there is the little problem of work at 9.30 Sunday morning. When is it going to be Simons turn to wear a stupid Guinness hat and shout drunken obscenities at other Irish revelers? Oh well, taking whatever I can from the lack of Paddy's delight, I won't be spending a crazy amount of money on whiskey and over priced, bad pints of stout. I will have a nice quiet one in, watching Match of the Day. Now stop that. It's not as pathetic as it sounds.

There is also the fact that I will be missing oodles of sport, such as Ireland ripping the soul out of the Italians and claiming the Six Nations trophy, and the mighty 'Burn destroying West Ham.

In my absence however, I leave you with Paddy's day greetings from that great Irish man himself, The Hoff. Revel well folks, revel well.

Normal Service is Resumed

47---Northern Ireland
48---South Korea
49---FYR Macedonia
50---Costa Rica
51---Republic of Ireland
52---Honduras

Good to see that those chaps at FIFA rankings have finally decided to right the wrong they have had for the past few months and place the mighty Northern Ireland higher than the Republic. I mean lets face it- in the past two years the North have beaten, nay, humiliated both Spain and England whereas the Republic have scraped a win. Against San Marino. The shame.
And a special mention to Honduras. Well done fellows, looking good, and it won't be too difficult to go one better and try to claim that 51 spot.

Amazingly Original Wednesday Quiz

Thought this quiz up all by myself, no outside influences at all. At all.

What movie does the following quote come from?

"Short help is better than no help at all".

A toughie, and if you ask real nice I will give another quote or clue.

Fun with Kitchen Machine

Site to check out. It has been added to my little list of time wasting delights on the side, but a special mention for this fella.

http://www.willitblend.com/

I think it is by a blender company to promote their product, but they promote it by blending lots of STUFF. Go to the 'Don't try this at home' section, and watch as stuff gets blended; ipods, plumbers, broom handles- the question is "will it blend"?

Been distracted...

Well, it has been a while since the last entry, but in my defence I was distracted by Swedish means. The Swede in question was none other than the delectable Ally, who stopped by for five days to see what was going on this side of the water. Returning to Manchester after an absence of a few months, I'm sure she was dazzled by the changes that have occurred in this fair city, such as..., aah ..., emm..., well, okay, not really a lot of change, but I'm sure that Miss Alexandra enjoyed herself. This particular picture was not actually taken in Manchester (I'm sure those in the know would be quick to point out that Manchester is not beside the sea) but was in fact taken back at the end of January in Helsingborg, Sweden (that being the city where Henrik Larsson plays his club football when not on loan at Man Utd). If you look really carefully, you can see Denmark in the upper right hand side. Two countries in the one photo. Only I could be so kind.

Anyway, back to the now (well, recent past to be precise as i am currently going on about what has happened). Unfortunately, due to work, I was unable to be around for the last couple of days of the visit (20 hours worked over two days. Sorry Ally) but I'm sure she had a good time. I mean, it is ENGLAND after all, where the people are pleasant and the weather is fine... oh yeah, sorry again Ally.

Good food was eaten, good people were seen and a golly fine time had by all. I hope. I was at work after all so I don't really know... But of course it was a good time. And I have just received a message from the fair Ally so now we all know she is back safe and sound in Swedenland where they have FANTASTIC doors.

By the way, just to reassure Mr Robbie, my loyalties on the 28th of March lie totally with the boys in green when the mighty Norn Irun will be triumphant over the Swedes.

Gwoemul

Korean Movie 'The Host' is probably the one of the best monster movies ever made. It needs to be seen. By you. Now.

300

The trailer for the forthcoming movie '300'. Watch it, drool at the mouth and wee your pants. Then imagine it in the crazy giant-sized screen that is IMAX!!! Bigger battles! Floods of blood! Ear piercing screams! MONDO CARNAGE!!!!

Which is nice.

Roll on the 22nd of March.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDiUG52ZyHQ

Beards and Swedes

Beards. Aren't they great. They just make you look so damn... cool. Just check out these guys if you don't believe me. Bet you just wish they were friends of yours. God bless you guys, every one. (this pic sent to me by the lovely Heather)

Oh yeah, update on stuff; job going well, blah de blah, things happening, yadda yadda, etc.

Actually, one very good thing going on: the wonderful Ally (Swede) is flying in tomorrow (from Sweden) and all will be well (Swedish) for the next few days. Hurrah!

he's a glassy guy

Today was not the best day ever.

But lets go back to yesterday. Friday saw me start the new projectionist job and it was a very good first day. Was flat out all day and was glad to get off at 5, with the intention of going home, having a great meal, maybe a movie and then to bed. Mr James Wright had other plans. A few cheeky ones to round of the week? Why, certainly. Nothing wrong with one or two pints and a chat with a mate to polish off an already pretty shiny day. However, skip forward a good few hours, past the beer, the offended old Chinese woman (the sign DEFINITELY said half price dim sum. I think.) and the pissed off cloak room attendant, and the empty Finglands bus journey that never ended. Saturday morning. Simon wakes with thoughts of football and hangover food. He reaches over to where his glasses should be and grabs... nothing. Not a sausage. The day is going to be very blurry indeed.

So, this great day off I had planned, starting with the Liverpool v. Man Utd match, ended up taking on the shape of a very out of focus optometrists. And whilst waiting for first the eye appointment and then the new glasses to be ready, I went to the cinema and listened to a few movies. After the first movie I realised I had lost my phone (got it back later on in the day, had left it in the screen), and whilst my mind was on this new woe plus still dealing with a hangover, I choose my frames and handed over the credit card to pay and all was fine and dandy. What was that? How much were the glasses? Hmmm, maybe I should take a closer look at the bill...

Oh dear.

Oh dear, oh dear.

£350

Could have had a nice holiday with that. But then I do now own a very nice pair of rimless titanium framed glasses. Just going to put in a few extra hours at work I think...

New Horizons

Tomorrow I start a new job!!

Picture this: you go to the cinema, you watch a movie (with me so far?).

That movie?

Put on by ME. Yes, I am about to enter the most exciting sphere of cinema running; I will be henceforth known as Simon the Projectionist! Jumping from booth to booth, lacing up show after show, keeping YOU, the cinema going public, happy in the knowledge that the silver screen will live on. And above everything else, probably means MORE HOURS. As if I don't work enough friggin' hours...

Actually, I will be the most lowly projectionist in the cinema, so the place to find me may be in the local buttie shop getting in the lunch order.

Today was the last day as supervisor, so I tried to make it as hard for the people I don't like as possible. But then, there isn't really anyone I don't like so it was all rather pleasant. I went after work and saw the new Clint Eastwood film 'Letters from Iwo Jima'. Good stuff, and has put me in the mood for war movies. Full Metal Jacket is definitely on the cards. Although right now, I think that it is once again the time for sleep, as I am absolutely exhausted and have a 9am start tomorrow (new job. Have I mentioned that?)

Your attention please...

BLACKBURN 1 - 0 ARSENAL

"McCarthy punished Arsenal in the most devastating fashion, breaking in from the wing and arrowing home a shot. McCarthy punished Arsenal in the most devastating fashion, breaking in from the wing and arrowing home a shot."

Nice.