Gears Of War

Sophie decided to stay at Shane's again tonight so I sat down and played Gears Of War with Sam for 1.5 hours. Fantastic graphics but it did take me a while to get used to the controls and style of game play. I look back at when my ZX Spectrum games were considered cutting edge and compare it with the Xbox 360 and there's just no comparison. No doubt in a couple of years time the 360 will be seen as a technological dinosaur.

Last.FM listening post

Here's last week's top picks music lovers!

Top weekly tracks:


Top weekly artists:


Overall top artists:

Lush bath & staying longer

Toni took some time out to indulge in a Lush tinged bath whilst did some stuff on the PC. I love the smell of Lush products. Think I'll try and make a point of having a soak myself this week at some point.

Toni also made the decision to stay another night (which is always nice). Certainly makes the week just that little bit shorted before I see her again which is no bad thing!

Dr. Who and chilling

When we got back we settled down to watch last nights episode of Dr. Who. As usual it was great fun to watch and you have to love these cliffhanger endings! Was great to see the return of the Daleks, Davros AND Captain Jack. My betting is that the Doctor won't regenerate properly in the next episode.....

Shopping and pizza

After a bit of a lay in Sophie, Sam, Shane, Toni and I all headed into Chelmsford. Toni needed to try and buy a football game for one of her clients and Sophie had promised to buy us lunch. We went to game where Toni found watch she was looking for and Sam traded in some old Xbox 360 games to get Gears Of War and Bioshock.

Next stop was Pizza Hut where we were served by a very enthusiastic young girl. Given yesterdays disaster at ShitEatOh it was nice to have superb service (even though it was starting to border on annoying).

As we headed back to the car Sophie, Toni and I popped into Lush and some lovely smellies were bought.

GRR GRR ARG! Evolution "one off" night

OK so sometimes I make a bad decision.
Evolution (home of the wonderful Vendetta Club) was running a special one off night that promised to rock/metal and an excuse to go out and meet some friends we know.

Unfortunately the music seemed to be GRR GRR ARG death metal for 99% of the night (with the exception of a brief foray into some EBM type stuff that we would hear at Vendetta). Was good to have a proper chat with Cat and Steve (who run Vendetta) and just hand out in a different environment but I certainly won't be rushing back to another night like this.

As usual, here are a few piccy pics (and don't faint just becuase I actually look like a man in these ones!)

Toni looking fab


K.T.Glitz being a man!


Cute!


Cuter


K.T.Glitz, Geminii and Katie!


See the rest of the pics on my Picasa web album:
280608EvolutionSpecialNight02

We left early and indulged in naughtiness as we picked up Sam and headed for the infamous kebab van (that isn't really a van!)

Chiquito = Shit Eat Oh!

OMG, we have just had the worst experience ever in a restaurant. Decided to pop into Chiquito after watching Iron Man to save cooking and getting ready time for the evening. The service was shocking. Only one waitress was active (there was another one floating around but she spent all her time chatting to her mates and then had the cheek to ask if she could have her break!)

Main course arrived really quickly and it was pretty nice. We decided to order dessert and after 40 minutes it still hadn't arrived so Toni complained. The excuse that we were given first of all was that they had lost the ice cream scoop! Once the manager came on the scene this story then changed to losing our order. I felt really sorry for the waitress as once we complained the table next to us also did and another guy grumbled about the place being a total joke.

The only saving grace was that our bill was heavily discounted. Unfortunately the whole experience will now have me thinking twice about ever putting foot inside a Shit Eat Oh restaurant again!

Iron Man

I am Iron Man!

Toni, Sam and I went to Basildon today and watched Iron Man. Totally awesome film and highly recommended. Plenty of comic book humour in it along with the "serious" side but a great blend that doesn't spoil things. If you haven't already seen it then go and do so while you can or buy it on DVD once it comes out, you won't regret it!

Lateness and bunny symptoms

I knew roughly when Toni was due to arrive (even allowing for her leaving early) and so started preparing dinner (chicken chasseur). As time went on and Toni didn't appear I found myself rushing to look out the kitchen window every time I heard a noise like a car. These were very bizarre bunny like symptoms that I had not shown before although it was quite nice knowing that I was excited and eagerly anticipating her arrival. Am sure I drove Sam mad though!

It was such a relief when she finally did arrive, turned out there had been major traffic snarl ups and she couldn't get to her phone to let me know what had happened and that she was delayed.

We had dinner and then had a hug on the sofa and watched Big Brother before heading off to bed (much to Sam's disgust who thought we were light weights for bailing out early, even though it wasn't really that early).

Wimbledon

Jade took Toni to Wimbledon today for her birthday treat. When I got in from work Sam and I turned on the TV and were desperately looking to see if we could see them. I got a text from Toni saying that they had left early so they weren't even there at the match we were looking at LMFAO!

Be The One

So you want to talk about the pain
Talk to me, please explain
Maybe I know what your going through

You got so much pain to hide
You keep it locked up deep inside
In a room no one gets to

I can't feel the way you feel
Maybe I, I got those same scars
Same scars to heal

This you've got to understand
I want to be the only man to
Ever touch you baby, to ever

I'll be there should your sun go down
Lift you up to a higher ground
Let me in, let me be the one
I'll be there should you fall from grace
Wipe those tear drops from your face
I see no more damage done
Baby, baby, just let me be the one

I want to be the one to shelter you
Should the rains come down
Never let you drown
I'll pull you through

I want to heal you when you scream
Be your prince when you dream
Hold you close when you cry

I want to feel your love, your hate
I'll bear your cross of pain
Love seal your fate

I comfort you in fits of rage
I'll be the book you can turn the page
I'll still love baby

I'll be there should your sun go down
Lift you up to a higher ground
Let me in, let me be the one
I'll be there should you fall from grace
Wipe those tear drops from your face
I see no more damage done
Baby, baby, just let me be the one

I gotta touch you
I see no more damage done
Oh sweet child, you gotta let me

Play on

I hear the hurt
I hear the scars
Yes I will, baby
You can lay your hand right down
Down upon my heart

Then you'll learn to understand
I want to be the only man to
Ever touch you baby, ever touch you baby
Ever

I'll be there should your sun go down
Lift you up to a higher ground
Let me in, let me be the one
I'll be there should you fall from grace
Wipe those tear drops from your face
I see no more damage done
Baby, baby, just let me be the one

I'll be calm in fits of rage
Hold you close in times of pain
I see more damage done
Baby, baby, you got to let me be the one

- Be The One (Poison)

Celebrate good times, come on!

Well that was a dire game but I am so happy that Germany beat Turkey 3 - 2 to advance to the final of Euro 2008! If they carry on playing like that though they'll get humped and lose the final, they need to wake up and fast, especially if Spain get through! Come on Germany, you can do it, not just as you are my national team but also because I'll win some money in the office Euro 2008 sweepstake!

Just to continue my celebratory theme, my pesky little PC based beastie has finally been sent into exile, thank goodness!

Grrrrrrrr, rise of the machines!

OMFG, I thought my PC was in the clear but whe I logged on this morning it became clear that it still has it's persistant little lurgy. I'll get rid of the bugger if it kills me. Lots more products to install and try to see if I can crowbar the wee beastie out of it's hidey hole!

Damned machines

AAAARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

My PC has picked up a lurgy. First time in years that I have had a problem. Been running virus scans, malware/adware removers galore and still the problem persists. Been at it all bloody night and it's starting to get right on my nipples!

Sophie update

Sophie is back out of hospital now. She has been placed back under a Consultant at the hospital again (which can only be a good thing as her asthma was always managed much better when she was seeing a Consultant at the hosiptal rather than a GP)

Sophie in hospital again

Sophie is in hospital with her asthma again. Must have been really bad this time as they are keeping her in overnight to do observations on her. She hasn't had to be kept in for quite a while so hopefully there is nothing too serious going on there.

Sam's teeth

Poor old Sam. He went to Orthoworld today to have some adjustments done to his brace. He then came into my bedroom laster in the day looking a bit forlorn as one of his rubber spacers had popped out. I did look at trying to get it back in again but it was too fiddly so I'll have to make him an appointment to go back this week to get it all sorted out.

Dion sang 'worst ever cover song'

Celine Dion is responsible for the world's worst cover version, a poll of music experts has decided.

The Canadian star's rendition of the AC/DC track You Shook Me All Night Long was given the dubious honour in the Total Guitar magazine survey.

Read the full article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468837.stm

If you are brave enough, feel the pain here:
The only real saving grace is that Anastacia delivers a slightly better performance than Cenile Dion!

Last.FM listening post!

Here's last week's top picks music lovers!

Top weekly tracks:


Top weekly artists:


Overall top artists:

Taking it easy

Took it very easy today.
Surprisingly there were no really ill people or fatal sore heads.
Got up quite late (despite most others being awake) and Toni and I made a breakfast of sausages plus various chips and dips. Rock Band remained the order of the day (although if I have to hear Nirvana's In Bloom one more time I shall probably scream!)

Toni and I dropped Karen and Jade off at Wickford at 13:00 as Jade needed to get back. I said to Toni it was funny but I really felt the need to behave around Jade when I didn't around her mum. She said that Jade would find that most amusing!

When we got back it was lunch and then a fabbo Dr. Who cliffhanger from last night (can't wait to see next weeks)

Sophie and Shane went off to Shane's house and Toni and I sat and chatted. Later on Sam and Araon took Gemima to the park so Toni and I went to watch then end of I Am Legend and had a snuggle. We had a good old chat about things at Toni's and I have advised her to get in touch with her solicitor and start moving things on quickly so we know where things are at and can look at options for the future.

Dinner was leftovers and potato wedges accompanied by a program documenting the history of TV house makeover programs.

As usual the horrible time arrived when Toni, Aaron and Gemima had to leave
which wasn't much fun as I know Toni was feeling pretty miserable and hates going back to London.

Toni's Birthday Party

Here's a few pictures from a great evening! Lots of drink was drunk, food was consumed and Rock Band reigned supreme!

Gemima:


Me:


Jade:


Aaron Ant:


Karen:


The birthday girl having a touch up!:


Hazel and Livvy:


Toni afer a few rums!:


Livvy, Kirby and Sam:


I'll drink you under the table:


On my knees for the lovely lady!:


Full set of pictures can be found on my web album:
210608ToniSBirthdayParty

Getting ready for the party

Spent the morning getting ready for Toni's Birthday Party in the evening. Went to Lidl and Farmfoods and bought loads of incredibly bad, but yummy, things to enjoy!

Toni shot off at 16:00 to go and pick up Karen, Gemima and Jade and I pottered about listening to music and getting ready to start cooking some food.

Toni opening presents

Toni came over with Aaron after work and after a quick trip to Asda for some essentials we gave her cards and present.

Two bay goys

Sophie just took these pictures of Sam and Shane
Draw your own conclusions!

It was only a matter of time!

Too much celebratory......

...sauerkraut methinks. Had a rough night and don't feel well. Phoned in sick today :o(

Happy Birthday Toni!

Happy Birthday Toni!

See you later on!

Love from Keith, Sophie & Sam

Portugal 2 Germany 3

YAY!
I was one happy teddy tonight.
Delighted to see Germany beat Portugal to advance to the semi finals of Euro 2008. I didn't think they would make it as Portugal had seemed very strong but Germany turned up just when they needed to and secured their place in the semis!

Casserole and Toni

Not in the same pot though!
Toni once again broke up the midweek feeling of emptiness by coming over after work tonight. I made a casserole ( "out of me own 'ed aunt Sally")
It turned out pretty well and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Afterwards we went to Asda for bad things: biscuits, ice cream (and a new copy of Rock Band ready for the weekend!)

It is nice to have a snuggle midweek rather than having to wait a whole week! :o)

All I can see is bloody web enabled treasury systems

Mega busy at work, loads of testing to be done. I am having to do laods of work on our web enabled version of eTC (called TCube) and I am currently going TCube stir crazy. The title of this post was based on a plea for help to my fellow QA colleagues via Skype PM, "Help, all I can see is web enabled treasury systems!"

Dodgy sweets

Now how on earth thought of this little delight? LMFAO

GlamNation Network

I've just joined the GlamNation Network, a fabulous hang out for glam/sleaze rocker types. Check it out!

View my page on GlamNation Network

Deviant Ingredient

Heading down that martini mile
It’s a shallow existence - but oh yeah
i need it - I want it
I got to have it

Neon scene on Martini Mile
Pink lady with a blue smile
Show me yours and I’ll show you mine

Oh man it’s love this time
Sun sinking bright red
We’ve got that deviant ingredient

Strip naked soul soup - delirious
Ooo - the deviant ingredient
So sensuous - delirious - so sensuous
Delirious experience

Strip naked soul soup
Ooo - the deviant ingredient.
So sensuous - delirious - so sensuous
Deviant ingredient

Champagne cocktails on my table
Ciggie butts in the ashtray
Crew cuts and bouffants - expectations

Listen to the xylophone play

There’s a daisy chain in the drivin’ rain
They do the slow Boogaloo and the Shang-a-Lang
It’s the yin and yang Shang-a-Lang
Slow Boogaloo is what they do

With the deviant ingredient
Got the deviant ingredient

Strip naked soul soup
Ooo - the deviant ingredient.
So sensuous - delirious - so sensuous
Deviant ingredient

I got to have it
I got to have it
Have it
Have it


I am now an eroticist
I am a fully eroticized being
No more neuroses
I found my strip naked soul soup
With the deviant ingredients

- Deviant Ingredient (The B-52's)

Good luck with your exams Sam

Sam starts some of his exams this week!
Good luck Sam!

Love Dad and Sophie
x

Orthoword for Sam

Sam went to Orthoworld today for a check up and also to have one of the bits of his brace put back on. Seems he wasn't going to get a rollocking for eating sweets as they wanted to replace that part of the brace anyway. They also have to take a couple of teeth out to make room as well, poor boy.

He now has to go back for the next two Mondays, as if having exams wasn't bad enough for the poor boy LOL

RIP Traci Michaelz

And another one, good grief!
Found out at the weekend that Traci Michaelz, drummer with The Peppermint Creeps, sadly passed away last Friday.

RIP dude, keep on rockin' with the angelz

Last.FM listening post!

Here's last week's top picks music lovers!

Top weekly tracks:


Top weekly artists:


Overall top artists:

Sleep = sign of a good night!

It must have been a very good night at Vendetta as most of today was spent sleeping!

Popped to Asda to get some bits and then had dips for lunch and watched Dr Who followed by Borat!

Sleep kicked in again after that and we were out for the count for hours. Woke up really late and had to think about dinner.

Toni and Sam beavered away in the kitchen making home made Chicken Kievs whilst I watch Big Brother and Eastenders. She made the decision to stay another night as it was so late which was fine with me (and Aaron certainly didn't mind)

Kievs were lovely and we watched Louis Theroux visit San Quentin prison. Very interesting documentary and it always amazes me how gutsy Mr Theroux is as he pushes the limits of sanity on the risks he'll take to make his programs.

After Louis Theroux I channel hopped and found that Mad Max was on, a film I haven't watched for years. It hasn't really stood the test of time but it was enjoyable to watch again. Toni however, crashed out on my shoulder.

Happy Father's Day!

Wow, my kids are great!
Sam made me a cake (gluten free no less)
I'll leave you to work out what this is:


I also got some nice after shave and a great home made card.

Nice one Sophie and Sam, LOVE YOU!

Vendetta Club

After the hair dye fest Toni and I spent 3 hours getting ready to go to Vendetta (whilst listening to groovy tunes and downing lots of JD and rum!) We took lots of pics before we went and plenty while we were there.

Hazel and Ed picked us up at 20:15 and off we headed for sunny Westcliff-on-Sea!

Absolutely awesome night, lots of drinking, loads of dancing and I really really want a pole in my house! System:FX were a great band and it was nice to have the singer come and say thanks for dancing after they had played.

Laced up tightly!


Toni posing:


What a tart:


Awwww:


Here piggy piggy!:


A couple of whores, what a great club stamp!:


Oooh look, a pole!:


Hazel & Ed:


Yours truly enjoying the pole!:


Toni acquired Katie's police hat, very cool:


System:FX






The rest of the pictures can be seen on my Picasa web album:
140608VendettaClub

Sleep and hair dye

Was nice not to have to rush to get up this morning, a real novelty!

After lunch it was hair dye a gogo as Toni, Sam and I all had our hair re-dyed.

Asda, catch up with Dennis and Big Brother

Once I got home from work I made a very brief effort at tidying up the house a bit before Toni arrived.

Once Toni and Aaron arrived Sophie, Toni and I headed off to the central hub of SWF, well Asda anyway! Picked up some urgent supplies for dinner

While Toni was making dinner I got a call from Dennis and we had a much needed catch up, as we haven't spoken for ages. We've agreed to try and arrange a meet up in early July.

Last part of the evening was spent watching car crash TV (well Big Brother anyway). It seems to be getting a bit more entertaining to watch although still doesn't have that "must watch" factor that used to be there.

Hahaha, wrong number Dennis!

Got a call from Dennis this morning. When I answered he said, "Ken" and he hung up! A bit later he rang back and I wondered if he'd called the wrong number again. He apologised and said that he was trying to call a work colleague but couldn't see his phone properly due to the sun LMFAO!

Unlucky for some!

Yes it's "that" day again:


Friday the 13th is considered a day of bad luck in English-, French- and Portuguese-speaking countries around the world, as well as in Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Philippines.

Similar superstitions exist in some other traditions. In Greece, Romania and Spanish-speaking countries, for example, it is Tuesday the 13th that is considered unlucky. In Italy, it is Friday the 17th.

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia,, a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear). The term is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a simple phobia (fear) of the number thirteen appearing in any case.

Watch out folks or Jason might come a knocking!

Spending time with Sam

Sophie was over at Shane's tonight so it was nice to just to spend some time with Sam and have a chat about his thoughts on our family issue. It doesn't seem to have phased him too much which is good. Last thing I would want is for him to be a mental wreck as he heads into some of his exams next week.

He spend a good time on the phone tonight talking to Kirby which was really nice to see. Hope things work out well there.

He even asked me to come and watch Big Brother with him (which is funny as he HATES BB with a vengeance).

At least he seems happy and I am not stressing so that's a good start for family unity LOL

System: FX at Vendetta this Saturday

Dark Alternative Club & Live band this Saturday in Southend!

Vendetta...
We're back again!
Bringing you the best in dark alternative music...
This Saturday 14th June!
Club opens 21:00
Bar open 20:00

SYSTEM:FX 30 minute live set 22:00!

Entry only £4!
Really hope to see you ALL there!

Dodgy videos

No not that sort!
Watched a few "classic" music videos with Toni and Sam before bed tonight including:

Dear Or Alive - You Spin Me Right Round
Sabrina - Boys (Summertime Love)
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
Nightwish - Bless This Child
Adam & The Ants - Prince Charming
Adam & The Ants - Stand & Deliver

OK so the Sabrina song is NOT a classic but it did give me a warm nostalgic glow remembering how bad some Euro ShitPop really is.

Why is life never easy?

Ho hum *sigh*
Sometimes I wonder what it's all about. Actually I don't but I do wonder why life is never easy.

Family issue was supposed to be resolved/clearer today but things are still far from clear. Toni came over to help out and I really appreciate that as I would probably have just cried or turned into Mr Shouty if she hadn't been there. Hopefully tomorrow a bit more direction will appear.

All things do happen for a reason but right now I am struggling to see what that reason is, not that we ever know what the reason is for things as life is just a series of mysteries (some good and some bad)

Sam has a girlfriend

Sam has a girlfriend!
Yesterday he was talking to a girl at school and they were talking about who they fancy. She said that he was to meet her today before school and she would tell him. Sophie and I both said this probably meant it was him!

They didn't meet before school but later on in the day she did reveal that it was him that she fancied and now they are going out with each other! Bless him, she was going to call him last night and he cradled the phone so as not to miss the call. Turns out she must have had to go out as there was no reply when he called her house.

More info to be updated as I get it!

Busy busy busy

Wow, what a mad night!
Got in, watched some TV, had dinner and then started doing a load of Capitals stuff. Started off collating lists of schools in Edinburgh, East & West Lothian and Fife to go into the email database for the Cash Back For Schools campaign and then drafting an email (while reconfiguring the system to allow the sending of attachments).

Once that was all approved by Scott and sent off I then moved onto collated lists of recreational hockey teams for the Weekend Warriors campaign.

Just as I came up for air I got into discussions about Flexi Tickets and Advance Tickets and ended up talking on the phone at 23:30 for 30 minutes discussing these and other ticket ideas.

Following on from that I then had to start getting my head around a family issue as well!

Of well, it keeps me off the streets!

How to laser a taco!

Had chilli for dinner tonight and bunged a couple of tacos in the microwave to warm them up. Same setting that I always use but in a different microwave.
Here's the result:


Impressive or what? LOL