 ( 6:31 PM ) Matt |
|
So - the latest collection - including the shots I remembered to take on Simon's stag do.
Simons
Click here to visit it.
 Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 9:19 AM ) Matt |
|
Simon has just documented his Stag do superbly - what a read etc. I can't believe he remembered that much.
click here for the blog
Click here for some photo's
Click here for the karting photo's
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 9:33 PM ) Eirene |
|
hello. Welcome back to the world of the blogg. I have had the most amazing weekend starting at Claire and Sean's wedding on Thursday 24th. Haven't been to a Victorian/Goth wedding before. Claire looked beautiful in her black dress and corset made by Tracey and the Tinana looked stunning as her bridesmaid. It was such a collection of old faces from long ago arms days intermingling hippies with Goth with relatives and us (no description needed ;) Dave otherwise known as DJ Boss Hog provided the music ranging from absolute cheese (as all wedding discos need) to industrial finishing off with the Muppet song. Arriving the next day at Emma's for her hen weekend on time was a surprise to all. I suppressed my hangover with a Matt special bacon and egg sandwich so no throwing up out the car window. Ten ladies off to Edinburgh we were bound to have a fantastic time. And did we?? Oh yes. I think there are many places that will remember us kindly I'm sure. It was a weekend of food laughter pampering and of course booze and blagging the best of which was the 6 bottles of champagne we got free on the Saturday and VIP passes to revolution. I haven't laughed so much in so long everyone's faces hurt with smiling so much. We sang we danced we made Emma into a fairy and for every question she got wrong on Simon her spouse to be we made her do a forfeit. For every question she got right she handed out a forfeit so I was made to do a salt slam lime tequila standing on one leg with my hands behind my back. We arrived back Sunday night to a very poorly broken Simon who we dragged to the pub a last pint to round up the weekend. Today everyone here felt a bit dazed. Matt slept and the kids and I made the biggest tower ever out of Lego. Tomorrow it is back to ordinary life but I intend to keep laughing and stay I touch with all the great people shared my weekend with.
Ciao.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 7:12 PM ) Matt |
|
Jongleurs have stuck a photo of us on their website !
The picture is us wearing our "Simon masks".We'll do the comedy round here.
Clicky for larger version
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 2:15 PM ) Matt |
|
Just got back in from a very full on few days.
Friday, I set out for Simon's stag do.Arrived in Nottingham, and met up with the other 10 supporters and the stag himself. Had a wander round Nottingham, and made a lot of noise in a few pubs before eating and visiting a club.
Saturday - wow ! First thing in the morning (after a full English) we went clay pigeon shooting. (or ash tray shooting). What a fantastic way to cure a hangover a bit of fresh air and 12 bore shot gun kick is. Didn't do to badly - got 16 out of 25 and came Joint second overall after Lee. The next thing on the list for the Simon Dozen was karting. We went to a track called amen corner just north of Nottingham. I had never driven a proper kart before, and the thing that really surprised me was the physical demands these things put on you. Amazing things - only 1 inch from the ground, bezzing round at 50 mph. The respect I have for F1 car drivers is even higher now, because we did a 43 minute race changing drivers every 10 laps or so (2 man teams) but F1's are at it for 2 hours. They loose a stone each race apparently. Anyway - back to the karting. Fionn and myself formed "team wreck-ed". We won. By loads, and I got the fastest lap of the day (35.93 seconds). Here's my trumpet, and this is me blowing it. I've just seen the photo's of the day - there are some fantastic shots in there from the day, as well as the night. The night - we all met in the bar at around 6:30pm to be presented with cardboard masks with a photo of the stag pulling a silly face. so 11 of us we now called Simon and the real Simon of course. Off we trotted to jongleurs club to watch some top class comedy. I have not laughed so loud or as much in a long time. After the comedy, the place was transformed into a club. Slightly tack music, but by that time, I didn't care. Back to the Hotel after that, and hit the bar. 05:00 this morning I decided to go for a power nap, before the drive home. There will be some photo's up here soon!
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 1:10 PM ) Matt |
|
So last night saw the first night of the party Marathon that is this weekend. We went to Claire and Sean's wedding at the sun pavilions in the valley gardens. Very nice it was to. A largly gothic collection of people make up the majority of their friends, and it was a gothic wedding. Good stuff. Music is the most depressing music I've ever heard at a wedding - but "they" liked it (and I liked some of the cyber goth stuff) Hmm.. So.. sitting around waiting to set off to Nottingham, for Simon's stag doo. Drinking tonight, shooting, karting, comedy club and clubs. Huraah. Eirene has gone the other way - to Edinburgh for the hen doo. Many thanks to Chris, who volunteered to do the babysitting for the weekend! Nice one mate. Watch this space for updates. . . if I get the chance.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 6:29 PM ) Matt |
|
Just got sent some pictures and a couple of video snips from Mark's Birthday at the weekend.
Working on converting the video's down to a decent filesize - watch this space..)
Here are some pics..
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 10:20 AM ) Matt |
|
Happy St. Georges Day !
Isn't it time us English started celebrating St. Georges day ? I mean - we all are quite up for Paddy's day, but St Georges day is a fairly non event.
I'm very surprised that one of the big English breweries hasn't tried to do a brand association (like Guinness and St. Patrick)
St. Patrick wasn't even Irish - he was born in Wales (it is thought)
Mind you - St.George, if the old boy did exist, was born in Turkey.Hmm.
The other interesting thing that's occurring today is BBC's "test the nation"
There is an online IQ test - today only I think.. click here to have a go.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 7:08 PM ) Matt |
|
So - uneventful day back at the office. Just about to go home for tea, thought I'd chuck up this watchcam collection.
FIRE
Click here to visit it.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 6:35 PM ) Matt |
|
First thought when I woke up this morning was that I wanted to eat Brussels Pate, so off I trumped to an overly busy ASDA, looking like something the cat dragged in, then dragged back out again because it made the place look unkempt. Asda is one of them places where 9 times out of 10 I meet someone I know. Today, it was Chris and Jim that crossed my path, and after a brief conversation about sunglasses and how bright the sky was, I went on my way, accompanied by not only the toast and pate kit, but also a pair of bags of spag-bol ingrediencia.
This afternoon consisted of Fionn popping round, us checking out the line up for Jonglers in Nottingham next weekend, as we are attending Simon's stag do there. As well as a top class comedy club, we are off clay pigeon shooting in the morning, karting ( although this may be quadding ) followed by big feast, and then the comedy club. Probably slip in half a shandy along the way as well. After playing on t'internet, I build a massive train track out of Felix's BRIO train track which passed the Thomas test a treat.
So - I'm mid simmer on me spag bol and it's smelling good. Even if I do say so myself. Right. . . I'm off for a ciggy.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 9:28 PM ) Matt |
|
A really nice weekend. Mark and Vickie had a party yesterday, and today. We popped along for a bit last night and had a good old feed, and natter jam sat round the fires. About 15 people there – all seemed to have an equally nice time. This morning, we went to a friend of Felix’s 4th birthday (Ben) over at the Red Lion fun pub type pub.
Today we went back out to Mark and Vicki’s and as soon as we got there, the sun came out! Cranked up the barby again, and got into playing bouls which went on all afternoon. Chilled afternoon, good grub and company.
Tonight, we are going to be mostly watching 24 !
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 9:24 PM ) Matt |
|
Quite a busy collection of days. I went out on Wednesday because it was Marks birthday, a few beers. Last Night, went through to Leeds with Dave to meet some old friends of his. (old as in, he's known them a long time, rather than their age). Really nich bunch of people. Hello Sally, Tim, Glen, Phil and everone else that I met and told to visit this site ! Top night. Went to a couple of bars, and then to the Hi Fi club - top funk, soul and jazz tunes. Very laid back vibe. A great little club. An interesting website to boot.
Today,we went to an exhibition that some friends are putting on at the moment. Anima-Mundi's art and craft exhibition at BRB (top floor)- this is worth going to, if you are out and about round Harrogate this weekend - Quite a small collection, but interesting non the less. Craft and Art Works from a wide spread of artist using a wide range of styles and mediums. Carvings, sculptures, paintings, mirrors, clothes, stuff.. More info can be found at www.anima-mundi.co.uk
Tonight, I'm babysitting because Eirene and a big load of others have gone on a hen night (Sweety Claire's - best of luck!) . I've been in a silly stand off with a load of people about this. Some boys are going out, from the start, on the HEN night. Now - correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that wrong ? There are unwritten rules on this. I declined invite out of principal. Still - I hope they all have a top time and I am sure they will ! May find a good nature programme on the telly and have another cup of tea now. Ahhhh.. Tranquillo night :o)
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 12:42 PM ) Matt |
|
What a great night we had last night. An influx of visitors, and a few bottled beers lead to the group requirement of food stuffs and the consumption of. The suggestion of a barbecue was warmly received so within minutes, the washing from the line was removed, phone calls were made and the barbecue, who had not seen the light of day since Tina's birthday was ablaze. 2 trips to ASDA later, and we had an impressive compliment of beer and assorted meats, peppers and other such cookable goodies. The multi meat shish kebabs were a firm favorite, as well as the lumps of belly pork brushed with honey and soy sauce.
It got dark, and the near full moon did shine. A superb plan was hatched to light a fire bin. A newly acquired metal firebin was put to the test, along with a load of old wood from our cellar. The paper re-cycling plan went out of the window, as most of this stock of earth friendly intention was burned.
Fat, full and warm, out side, with a great collection of people, on a balmy April night, sippin beer and Thai whisky. What could be better.
Here is a little watchcam animation from the fire bin in action...
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 6:32 PM ) Matt |
|
Really nice day yesterday. Set off about 12:00 in Humbrum with Eirene and the little people. Met Dave and Al up in Grassington, then went onto "The Fountaine" in Linton for a superb Sunday feed and a pint. Hung out there for a bit and let the food digest - Felix made ties for everyone out of blue paper napkins, and Jaygo proudly strutted round the pub grinning at everyone. After that, we headed right up to the top of Grassington, on the old lead mines. It was such a nice day, and there was a magnificent views. We got the kite out and by jimminy, WHOA, was that thing hard to hold. We got used to it, and ended up getting some great kite jumping practice in. Some of the jumps we higher than I expected - you sort of hold until you throw it right up and through the strong part of the wind then jump. You are in the air for a LOT longer than you expect. Also did some great skidding - there is an old dirt track up there, and I had old trainers on, so I let the kite drag me about for up to about 10 to 15m at a time. What a rush. At one point I was lying on my back, using the whole of my body to hang on and I was still getting dragged about. Dave, did a comedy tumble, nearly breaking his bottoms. The kite got stuck in a tree a couple of times (how do they always manage to get stuck in the only tree for miles around?) but it was rescued. Had more tea in the van, and I started throwing peanuts at Dave, who in turn, threw a wet tea bag, hitting me in the eye, exploding all over me.
Today, sore arms and stomach, I've been busy with project stuff at work. Want more kiting action soon. Want more being in the middle of nowhere and laughing till my sides hurt.
Anyhoo..
Kite Jumping
Click here to visit it.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 12:04 PM ) Matt |
|
Fun packed weekend so far. Friday, I went to see Massive Attack in Manchester with Dave. They were on at the Manchester Apollo. (good venue). They were amazing. Massive Attack have been around for a good number of years and have seen a few changes to the line up and have put out a load of good music. Having seen Massive Attack do a 'best of show' set at Glastonbury in 1998, I thought I had seen them at their peak - but I think the show I saw on Friday took the biscuit. The set they did was a really good spread of Massive Attack stuff from over the last 10 years or so. The theme for the tour (the new album, 100th Window) was, as far as I could see it, information. They had one of them most incredible stage devices I've ever seen - a 20' x 50 ' (approx) led board, made up of millions of different coloured LED's - (white, blue green and red I think - so with these, you can make all colours (RGB - like your telly!)). This was used with great effect to broadcast massages, images data emails images -( if you can imagine the main announcements board from an international airport, times it by 10, with several new colours..) This massive bright screen was also reactive to the music, so when it wasn't pumping out an overload of data, it was dancing to the music. Very good stuff. Visit Massive Attacks newly re-designed website here. Most of the old line up turned up - including Daddy G and Horace. Had a guest appearance form Sinéad O'Connor who sings a couple of tracks on the new album.
After Massive Attack, I went to the Harrogate Arms to meet Eirene and everyone else - it's the last weekend of the legendary Harrogate Arms - end of an era. It's where I got together with Eirene, Had my wedding do, had loads of great gigs, discovered lots of things and friendships. RIP the Harrogate Arms. It's supposed to be turning into a Thai Curry House. Mind you - it has 'shut' before, and has re-opened 6 month later, pretty much the same. We shall see !
Yesterday, we pottered about in Humbrum, and last night, we watched Robin Williams in his latest film one hour photo. Not a bad film. A bit predictable, and not that entertaining throughout. It was interesting to see Robin Williams in a roll that was... "dark".
Today - we are going for a drive about again in Humbrum, maybe a bit of kiting, maybe a bit of fishing, almost defiantly, a bit of Sunday Lunch at a good pub !
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 3:50 PM ) Matt |
|
"You guys have to see this. It is a live web cam curtesy of a hamburg Tv station staioned on top of the Palestine Hotel in the center of Baghdad. This is where we in our office have been watching the war from.
We have known the Information Minister was lying when he says "There are no US troops in Baghdad" - we've seen him!!! " Bret - on the DragonDrop Forum (thanks Bret!)
Click here to view the webcam
(requires RealOne Player.)
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 1:13 PM ) Matt |
|
Not much doing today, just been to Leeds. In a meeting now, showing someone DragonDrop !
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 7:16 PM ) Matt |
|
So I did indeed end up doing a gig last night, at bar med. "Peace through superior firepower" did a tight well played, , set. Quite teenage angst and guitar driven stuff. Perhaps overly invasive set for a Sunday night in my humble opinion but then, so was I probably. Becky and Lucy did a tranquillo acoustic set, and another act from Leeds did the warm ups. It was quite late for a Sunday - 12:00 finish (we were on last) I was pretty wiped by the end of the weekend. Still a good way to wrap it all up ! Went round for a quick cuppa at a friends house, with some of 'the crew', and then bed.
Worked from home this morning. And had a ho-hum afternoon at work.
Just uploaded a new watchcam collection if you fancy a surf, (the ones from this weekend will be in the next upload - not that may from the party, it was a little to dark)
Anyway -
lollipop
Click here to visit it.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 6:05 PM ) Matt |
|
Cool ! Last night's DragonDrop 1st birthday party was a great night. Thanks for coming if you did, shame if you didn't, you missed a good un. Turned out nice again. Keep a look out - probably a few photo's here in the not to distant future.
I'm supposed to be playing a gig tonight with Dharma, at Bar Med. Bit of a jam session, and a DJ set later on. Should be a nice way to round of the weekend. Come along, if you are out and about.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 4:42 PM ) Matt |
|
I just won £100 on the nags !
for a £5 bet, on "Monty's Pass" in the Grand National. What a great result. :o)
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 10:12 AM ) Matt |
|
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 8:32 PM ) Matt |
|
So... today I drove to Dudley, only to find out that the person I was going to meet had been made redundant on Monday. Nice of them to let me know ! The M6 was a mare of the night. I got to Tamworth services, and got a call from Dave and Holly, who were on the M42 north, Yorkshire bound. He need a nokia in car charger, so I hung out for him there. We convoyed back which was.. entertaining. Dancing to choons on the radio, throwing maltesers at his car, and a quick pint on the way home. Saw a van nearly wipe itself out - hit the side of the road and bounced across a couple of lanes - I thought he was a gonner. He was OK though. no one hurt. Life on the road. Magical sunset scene, just as we came through North Deignton (a newly discovered alternative to 'via Wetherby'). Got to the Kestrel and said hello to a few cloud dogs (aka sheep) before blowing the froth off a Guinness.
Here's something that intrigues me. Driving along at 70 mph. In the car, with only the radio and a mobile for company. All of a sudden, I could smell a fresh pump (wind / fart / trouser jazz - insert your own word here). I didn't do it. Who did ? How do pumps manage to stay in compact form, from one persons car, through 70 mph headwinds, and get into my car ? How does this happen. They really do, have a mind of their own. like bee's I guess. If they are gonna go, they are going to try their best to take something else out on the way.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 11:51 PM ) Matt |
|
Came across this project to be.
The idea is re-generate Liverpool city centre - 4 designs were put forward, utilising the same space. A magnificent space, on the Mersey river just along from the Liver Building in Liverpool. The centre of already has some wildly contrasting architecture - all 'best of breed' stuff. Such an important city in history deserves it's project namesake - "Fourth Grace".
The winner - Alsop. Not sure I agree that this is the most visually appealing – In my opinion, Rogers, had a far tastier design.
Alsop
 | Cullinan
 | | |
Foster
 |
Rogers
 | | |
Here's another rendering of the fantastic Rogers design
A lot of UK cites are undergoing a major overhaul at the moment (out of the ones I visit, London, Leeds and Birmingham, as well as others).. It's like sim city, in real life.
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 11:49 PM ) Matt |
|
That reminds me... A mate at work today, was given a memo to phone a Mr C. Lions of 0117 *** ****. The conversion went..
"Hi. Could I speak to Sealions please?"
"Sorry love, this is Bristol Zoo, someone's winding you up"
Hilarity ensues
Stumble It!
0 comments
| ( 11:38 PM ) Eirene |
|
Happy fools day ;)
Stumble It!
0 comments
|
|
|
me photos...
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from DragonDrop. Make your own badge here.
|
|
|
possibly the best website in the world
NASA TV
Live TV from Space. Now that's what the internet was made for!
Internet Movie Database
Unrivaled film info resource
popurls
information portal
|
Please click this, stick a pin the map to show where you are from
|
for hosting
|
stick this on your site
|
|
