This weekend I went a wandering. Well not really far wanderings, but wanderings nether the less. And wanderings covering two countries (Three if you count Bala as its own country) So I thought I was share my wanderings to you dear Readers (And it helps me remember where I was, and what I was doing).

Saturday.

Late Saturday afternoon I went to visit PlanetPete, Well it was later than originally planned due to a slight incident requiring me to cut my super-glued fingers apart (Yes! I know apparently nail-varnish remover, or similar will wash off the glue easy, but I’m male, I use a knife, and the bigger the knife the better). Now before you start wondering about my personal space-craft which I may or may not have reverse engineered from the UFO crash in the hills near Corwen, I shall point out PlanetPete is currently located in the English land known as Chester.

I eventually made it with a fully working set of fingers with no cuts at all, rang the doorbell with a cheerful greeting of “Avon Calling” only to get door slammed shut in my face. *dejected Arr* I tried again without the Avon catalogue that I’d found on the floor, and my second attempt got me into the building, Where I was set upon by Cerberus and the hounds of hell themselves! Or Jeff, Indie, & Hunni Who seemed pleased to see me, like they had not seen me in years. Well they hadn’t really, and Indie had never met me before. Luckily they are all great dogs, and the change in Jeff from the days when he used to work in the Insane Asylum is remarkable.

After the important greetings were out the way, I was able to greet the Human occupants, grab a coffee and make it to a chair sit down and relax while the dogs brought their toys to show me, and competed for attention (But in a behaved way). The humans then got a chance to catch up, see how everyone was getting along, what was new in the world. Commiserations were given to H for having to work on a Saturday, The light was pointed out as still waiting on us getting around to correcting the design oversight we built it with err too many years ago. (Sheeeesh! Wheres the time gone?) Food was set up to start cooking, instructions were given that we were to listen out for the Ding, and a film was chosen to be watched.

The film was Skyline and was showing on Sky BoxOffice. The only problem was BoxOffice was not working, and just getting worse and worse to the point Skys Technical Support Line were called. And after ten minutes of dealing with the issue a correction procedure was dictated to PlanetPete to follow. And its kind of comforting to know, no matter what the problem you have is, no matter what kind of  technical support people are called, when it comes down to it the same solution is given “Have you tried turning it off and on again!”

This procedure as always corrected the problem(ish) and we were able to watch Skyline, a film all about a group of people trying to stay out of the light, which was interesting as we later watched Tron: Legacy which is a film all about a group of people trying to get to the light.

A rather nice (And I’m sure I’ll be corrected if I get this wrong) Chicken, Bacon Pasta Bake? was eaten, Coke was drunk, and an enjoyable evening was had by all. Until it was time to leave, rob a bank to get the fund to fill up with diesel and make the return trip to Wales.

Thanks H & PlanetPete for a enjoyable evening.

Sunday

Since Sunday was a lovely sunny day, and my father mentioned he was going to go for a ride on his bike to check it out after its winters storage, I decided to go along with him in a support vehicle. So it was almost a family day out, as my Sister & Niece were also along for the day.

We went to Bala lake, for ice cream and to enjoy the sun. Teggy was not spotted, but I was amused watching some man put his boat on its side to fit its mast more easily, and then start panicking as the boat filled with water.

We also visited the Ponderosa up at the Horseshoe Pass in time to get there as the local biker egg run was arriving. And I discovered some women can look hot while riding a big bike in a fluffy rabbit outfit (Maybe I need professional help?)

So all in all it was a good way to spend one of the first warm & sunny weekends we’ve had this year.

Time seems to be flowing a lot faster than normal these days, I swear I only have to blink and several days have flown past. For example I was considering writing this post Monday, I blinked, made myself a cup of Coffee and its now Thursday Friday? Anyway, here goes the actual post :-

Its been a few years now since I have done a “what I did the Weekend” style post. And I’m feeling nostalgic for reasons you will discover by the time you finish reading this post, so here goes for old time sake.

What I did The Weekend.

Saturday.

Got up slightly earlier than I would normally so that I could do the packing I had been putting off all week. Yes I know I should not put things off till the last-last-leaving the door now moment.  I filled up the car with diesel thinking I would need many pit stops (This was 1st time I was doing a long trip in my car, and it is a mid size 4×4), stocked up the car with wine gums and left Wales and its torrential rain. Several miles into my trip I realised a bottle of water would probably have been a good idea as well.

The further I got into England the sunnier & hotter it got until I decided dressing in a black t-shirt was not my cleverest idea. Also, has anyone else noticed that the bit of M6 that runs past Birmingham has had road works on it for about 10 years now? and the only bit finished are the speed cameras, the lanes, signs etc are all unfinished but the speed cameras are all sorted? Also have you noticed how FLAT huge chunks of England are? I mean I drove through miles and miles of just open spaces, What’s wrong with mountains people?

So most of Sat was spent driving to Sussex, Suffolk, err Some place beginning with S. Errrr, where did I go? ::Quick check of emails:: Suffolk. The trip itself was not so bad, apart from towards the end when I was getting into arguments with my SatNav.

SatNav: “In .4 miles turn right“

Me: “No! Shant!“

SatNav: “Turn Right“

Me: “No, not going to, and you cant make me!“

SatNav: “Turn right… Turn right…. Recalculating!”

So I finally arrived at my destination, and noticed that instead of having to stop when almost there to topup my tank, I still had a load of diesel left, meaning my cars not as fuel-thirsty as I suspected.  Then the fun began, I got to meet some friends I have known for 15/16 years but had never gotten around to meeting in real life. (What was I saying about time flying).

It was good to finally meet them, there was chilli, talking, Wii playing, Working out how to inflate Beds, Toy showing, And all round chilling out. And more snacks/drinks options than you could shake a stick at.

Sunday.

This day was mostly taken up with a Hog-Roast, Fish do type thing. In simple terms Loads of Meat & Fish & Strawberries, Nice Ale in wooden casks, and a blazing hot sun. Oh and decent live music. Was a damn fine event!

Then more chilling out, Wii sword fighting, TV Watching. I also saw part of the film “Cars” for the first time, and what I would like to know is. Why are there human sized houses & shops with human sized door when there are no humans? And was this film based on the Stephen King story “Maximum Overdrive”??

Monday

This was a day off work so I could travel home. So I got up early so I could spend time with the people I was staying with before leaving, and packed up ready to leave.  My usual uselessness was countered by my friends who supplied me with fresh baked muffins, packets of crisps, and a bottle of water for the trip back. (and by the time I got home that water was a life saver, Blazing hot sun + black t-shirt + car = HOT)

The trip home seemed to take a hour or two less than the trip there. Mainly since the M6 in the direction I was travelling was not a car park. Also I only needed to stop off for petrol as I was about half way home, and I only did it then because services are far apart on the route I was taking home.

I got home, Made huge fuss of my dog who was feeling abandoned. and crashed out on the sofa watching the shows I had missed over the weekend.

So all in all, I had a great relaxing weekend in the sun, with good company, good food, and a brilliant chance to refresh my batteries.

I have not posted for a while, so I Figure I’ll post some kind of update whilst waiting for a phone call/email/contact of some form.

So the weekend just gone : –

The Good
Well I went out sat night, had a nice meal in a place where the staff were dressed up as pirates. This meant that I got to eat good food, talk random shite with friends, while enjoying the view of some of the waitresses in sexy pirate outfits.

I’ve not done a weekend review for a while, or any post really. So here goes, highlights from the weekend!

Friday
I went to see the film “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”. Now I am not really a fan of Sacha Baron Cohen, and in all honesty I was only going along with the majority vote. I will say that I am glad I did, because I enjoyed myself. It has been a while since I saw a film where I laughed out loud in the cinema. But maybe it was the beer. :0)

Saturday
Well as normal the morning was spent training, a bit of plinking, a bit of thuding, a bit of coffeejutsu, you know the normal stuff. Until the slight heart palpitations, when after picking up the bits I had not seen from my current grade the instructor asks “you ok with your grade now?”. We respond with “yes, just got to practice and master it now”, to which he replies “you have a week?”. MEEP! Luckily it was just a slight mistake and I have the month I thought I had.

And then some quiet drinks in the local village with some old school friends. Who did in fact look Old, they looked much older than me, they must have had a hard life?

Sunday
Nice relaxing day, mainly due to it being too cold and wet to do anything, or go anywhere, and I felt the oncoming of a cold… Well that was the plan, which failed miserably, when at 5pm I spotted one dog sat miserably on the drive and the other one wandering about on the road. After getting the dog in from the road, I discovered the reason the other dog had not escaped as well was during his attempt he’d got a large bramble branch wrapped up in his hair, locking his two back legs together with his tail.. Which meant a fight to try and free him, then a search about for the hole in the hedge they were using to escape, and a repair job in the freezing cold rain!

Bloody dogs..

Well today I am slightly less physically/emotionally/mentally shattered, And starting to feel more like my old self.

I put it down to a training session that was basically some tai chi, ba gua, and a talk on spiritual stuff.

Anyway..

I went to Spain. It was Hot, and way too sunny for my liking. I drank too much, ate too much (But did try some new foods), soaked in the local culture, and the cute Spanish dancers. And overall tried to avoid the big burny thing in the sky (I was not overly successful as my arms and face are more skin colored than normal), and other such normal holiday stuff.

And then…. Shit happened!!!!

On the day before I was due to come home, I received a phone call informing my my Nian (Grandmother) had died. Got home to find out some black sheep’s of the family had been fighting over her possessions as her body lay there waiting to be removed.

One of my nephews tripped into some broken glass, and had to spend Monday in hospital for x-rays and stitches, and then my sister was involved in a car crash, possibly totaling my mothers car that she was driving at the time.

Great 4 days…….

So there you have it!!!

Saturday was the wedding of Walesboy and Ammos, so it was a case of getting up, suited and booted, and off to a church in Connahs Quay, near Queensberry. The wedding had some novel extras, like the choir of knights templar’s, and the vicar with the Monty Python comedy limp. It was missing the cute, single, bridesmaids or guests that I believe should be mandatory at any wedding I go to, but otherwise it was a nice ceremony.

Then it was a quick trip to the pub for a couple of pints to waste time till the evening do, Lesson 1: If you go to a very busy bar during a football match where they are cued up several people deep for drinks, and you are wearing a suit you get every barmaid coming over to serve you.

Then there was the evening do, which went along the normal lines. Drink, buffet, dancing, where the DJ played a minimum of decent tracks, and did his best to keep the dance floor empty for fire safety reasons. Lesson 2: Wedding DJ’s have no taste in music. and so it went on until past the witching hour. I should also point out that I am sure it was just a coincidence all the trouble makers were on the same table.

Sunday – after a lie in to recover from the night before, it was time to quickly grab some food, then off to the dojo for a shadow wrestling seminar, then grading day. And I was glad I had stayed off the booze the night before or I would never have passed, it was hard enough with the examiner having a different view of the moves than I had learnt. But I managed to pass, which was good…

After a quick stop off for my niece to show me how she could ride her bike without stabilisers (She had just learnt that morning how to do it). I went home to relax with a good book, and to watch the film “Cursed”. Interesting film but a bit too predictable.

Well after two lovely hot, sunny days when I was too busy to do anything, I was looking forward to the Monday. But alas it was not to be, it was a day of rain, hailstones, and coldness. So I gave up on my original plans and just went shopping instead. Ending the day by relaxing with a good book.

Well the last month had been a very hectic one, with way too much stuff going on to the point some days were double if not treble booked. I am looking forward to having a rest this week…

Well its the first day back at work after a nice four day break away from work, So time to catch up on emails, webpages, forums, and LJ…

Q: So What did I get up to on my break.
A: No where near as much as I planned.

I was supposed to write a review for “Bite Me” magazine, but only got as far as skimming a copy and looking at the pictures. and blanking all memories of vampuss… I must get this done, and something more constructive than asking for more photos of cute women…

I was planning on getting myself some new toys (i recently came into some money that I decided to blow on crap) but after some advice from someone in the office I am now confused on what to get, flatscreen monitor, or sound system, or stuff and things, So I got no further than looking into AV Receivers…

I was going to wash my car… But gave up after emptying the trash out the inside…

I was going to get pissed several times. This one I managed to do.. Go Me!!!!

I was going to go to pics… Failed.

I was going to finish the labyrinth book… Ok, I’m now down to the last 3 chapters so almost got it done, so with no fencing tonight I should get this finished..

In fact, most the stuff I had planned for the break went out the window. This is the last time I plan anything. But it proves once and for all I am useless :0)

I figure the reason I’ve not been updating much with real posts, is because nothing much has changed. I work doing the same kind of things day in day out, with just the odd bit of excitement like shameit.com (Shout out to Steve the Darlek). When not in work, I am normally training, which confuses me, since I train 4 nights a week, yet I would not describe myself as being dedicated to the arts I study (What can I say, I am a complicated person).

The only exciting new thing currently happening in my life, is alas a secret, so I can not post about that. So I should start trying to think of other things to write about.

Or… My mind is still not fully working. I have had a bad case of Man-Flu for the last few days, and have had time to think and contemplate, or as much as you can with fuzzy mind.. 🙂

Or.. more exactly I have spent the last two days doing nothing. Mostly while vegged out on the sofa drinking beer and just catching up on watching films, and other TV programs. Which has given me a chance to recharge my batteries..

Unfortunately I am currently sat drinking and watching “Dangerous Liaisons” which is one of the films I should be banned from watching as it tends to make me lean more towards the dark side, which is not helpful for my plan to be a nicer person.

I am still undecided on who plays the part better, John Malkovich or Ryan Phillippe. Malkovich has the better style, but Phillippe had the advantage of being set in more modern times.

Well I better go, I need another can.

What is it about Mondays?

Why does time flow slower on a Monday than at any other time during the week?

It is one of those mysteries that have confound the greatest minds on the planet. After all think of the usefulness of the answer to this question. If we knew what it was that made Mondays drag, we could employ this technique during times of war, and have more time to set up our troops than the other side. You could take your time and safely clear a minefield in the time it takes the other side to say “Oh my gosh!” But that’s best left to people with greater minds than my own.

It was just pointed out to me, that I had not posted in a while. And this is true, I have been ill and busy, and unable to randomly fill-up postings with the drivel that I find inside my mind.

Which explains why my mind is more cluttered than usual.

So what have I been up to since my last ramble?

• I passed 7th Kyu in the FCA system.
• I got ill.
• I worked.
• I slept (a small amount, damn insomnia)
• I celebrated two peoples birthdays.

That’s it. Gods I lead a boring, dull life.

So its going to be a cheery week then, especially as tomorrow is the one day a year where single people get the fact they are single and not part of a couple rammed down their throats all day long, with everyone going on about what they are doing with their other half, how many cards they got, and so on.

*mutter* *mutter*

roll on next week……