The latest from the world of Bee

So quite a bit has been going on lately, I just haven’t been any good at updating this blog. Must do better.

Contents:

  1. Fallen windows
  2. Christmas parties
  3. Sunday league
  4. Chas n Dave

Fallen windows

Probably the most exciting, most inconvenient and most boring thing to happen lately was when our bedroom window fell off its hinges, smashing through Warren and Kathy (our downstairs neighbours) garden furniture on the way! Not only was it in the middle of the night, but it was also bloody cold and windy! So a nice cold night with my bike cover trying to keep out the elements was endured before a visit from a glazer – who couldn’t do anything, despite me suggesting to the landlord that a glazer wouldn’t fix the split frame. So next we had the carpenter round (not Karen) who very kindly gave us a warm plywood window. It has not improved the view unfortunately – but if only we had one in Leytonstone – it might have made that house quieter!

We are still waiting for a new frame, we do have our fingers crossed for a few double glazed windows, but I doubt that is on the cards.

Christmas parties

A couple of Christmas parties have already come and gone, both events organised through work. There was first the Virgin Atlantic client/Gyro party including (but not limited to) rubbish dancing (me), good dancing (everyone else), gin, cocktails, Pete Doherty’s hat, tiaras, Iron Maiden, Mercedes, loss of memory and a hangover. Excellent.

The Gyro staff party was even better than that. Starting with a meet in Balham where I looked a little strange as an English country gent at 2pm, half the digital team slowly arrived. Griff saving my embarrassment by being superbly worse (or better?) dressed as a Morris dancer, alone until the rest joined him at the main party. Next we had the Gryo digital meeting where a few things in the pipeline were revealed, which sound both promising and daunting. Only time will tell on that one.

Chap Bee

I have to admit that from then on, memory lapses were all too common, although I remember Pangaea champagne, double decker bus ride, excellent meat, deserved awards (I’ll get one one day!), another bus ride, gin and tonic, karaoke (Snooker Loopy as standard), not liking George better, hotel room gathering, mini bar gin, tube home (7am), grab footy kit and straight to Sunday league with a small amount of alcohol in my system. By small amount, I mean I was completely hammered. The cold weather sorted me out though, and I got through the game, not even playing badly (we won 4-2, by the way).

Sunday League

We lost to Hightstone, bastards. Beat Wenlock though (as mentioned above!). This essentially still leaves it in our hands, since Highstone lost to Hoxton a few weeks ago. We know it’ll be hard and we will probably have to play like never before to win every remaining game and guarantee the title, but hopefully one or two results will go our way and we can keep the momentum going and finish the league in a promotion spot. Second will do, but Champions sounds so much better.

Chas n Dave

13-01-2008
100 Club
Oxford St, London

Chas n Dave live in concert.

Chas n Dave

Ticket bought, friends attending, braces yet to be purchased. But they will be.

Chas n Dave. I can’t bloody wait! I’m honestly more excited about this gig than I was for the Foo Fighters, or Cut Chemist n DJ Shadow (not quite got the same ring to it as Chas n Dave) in March. Rockney here I come.

Looks like I’m lucky not to be American

Sicko poster.

After watching SiCKO by Michael Moore I feel very lucky to be British and have the NHS. Should I have been American, 4 major operations wouldn’t have been cheap and after this who even knows if I would be accepted for insurance followowing my pneumothorax in 2005. Obviously I don’t know all the facts, but based on what I saw and read lately this is what I think.

People often complain about the NHS and , and I know people have, even those I know criticise the treatment I received after getting an infection at a chest drain site, but I think it’s excellent from first hand knowledge. I found a cockroach in hospital after my leg break – so maybe that’s worth criticising – but at least I didn’t have to pay for the priviledge!

Now I know there will be elements of bias and fights for both sides of the story, as Moorewatch.com points out – but I think that I have grasped the fundamentals.

Both systems may need work – but I think that I am better off for being ill in England. You shouldn’t have to pay for healthcare in my opinion, nor insurance in case of illness, nor should the decision of allowing treatment be based on money or decided by anyone that isn’t the doctor treating you.

Congratulations Len Price 3

Just a quick blog to say that I’m a little confused.

Now I love the Len Price 3 and will go to as many gigs as I can, however I’m worried I’m getting a little too fanatic.

This is because I am seriously torn between going to either the Foo Fighters on 17th November at the O2 Arena in a box with my mate Smyth, or going to a gig in West London to see the Len Price 3. This is despite I saw the Len Price 3 a couple weeks back, and will be seeing them again on the 2nd November, and the fact that Dave Grohl used to be in Nirvana (my all time favourite artist, by far).

Could it be that the Len Price 3 are just a better band live with better songs? Very possibly.

But it’s gotta be the Foo Fighters for the experience. Bring on the music!

BMW are EVIL!

BMW small car.

That is not a Mini Clubman.

This is a Mini Clubman:

Mini Clubman 1275GT.

And so is this:

Mini Clubman Dragster.

It looks like some kind of futuristic concept car, not something that is going on sale on 10th November in Dublin. It is bad enough soiling the Mini name but to also ruin the Clubman image too is unforgivable!

It hasn’t had a bad review on the Auto Express website, however I think it will still bring the same reaction from Mini lovers as the original introduction of the BMW version. You’ll love it or hate it (and BMW to boot)!

I hate it.

Tales of travelling – part 1

Porthcothan Bay
Photo courtesy of Kneller!

So holiday time has come and gone, and I have been far too lazy to blog in the slightest.

Cornwall was excellent as normal, however the highlights include:

  • Much Risk, and not coming last in one game!
  • 2 barbeques
  • Pubbage
  • FInally meeting Del ;)
  • Wii
  • Boat exploits
  • Tintagel, legendary birthplace of King Arthur
  • St Michael’s Mount

The best part of the whole holiday (apart from the sentimental “time with friends” rubbish) was surfing. It was excellent, and I even caught one wave, stood up and rode it all of 25m to the beach. I am definitely going to try and do it more often, either by getting down to Brighton and hiring a board and wet suit or seeing if Seaham is a possibility if I go back up North – followed by a full week next year dedicated to surfing. 2 hours is nowhere near long enough!

For the record that alcohol consumed that week include (but is not limited to):

  • 1 x 18 pack Fosters
  • 7 x red wine (bottle)
  • 1 x Sierra Tequila bottle
  • 1/4 x Tesco value vodka (aka meths)
  • 1 x 18 pack John Smiths Smooth
  • 1 x 24 pack John Smiths Bitter
  • 10+ pints Tribute Cornish Ale

Please be aware the above list is what I consumed in full! Just me. No help (except a little on the Tequila from Claire Levison!) Good, eh!

Photos are up! Gallery, Flickr and Zooomr

Tarra for now!!