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Two main two things of today for me.
1. I survived the work Xmas meal. I was responsible for the choice of restaurant and no-one died of food poisoning. I think people even liked the place. That's definitely a win.
2. I found a link to this in a comment on a friend's journal today. I found, as I read it with increasing fascination, that it reminded me of some of my social circle. For which I will probably get flamed, so I'm stopping there.
1. I survived the work Xmas meal. I was responsible for the choice of restaurant and no-one died of food poisoning. I think people even liked the place. That's definitely a win.
2. I found a link to this in a comment on a friend's journal today. I found, as I read it with increasing fascination, that it reminded me of some of my social circle. For which I will probably get flamed, so I'm stopping there.
Yesterday was the work Christmas quiz afternoon night. The director paid for the bubbly. And the crisps. And the jelly babies.
We had teams. We had to name the teams. Steve called our team Dawn's Chorus and, to my embarrassment, the name stuck.
We came last (by a point, out of five teams) - but did so with grace and dignity (as far as anyone else could hear, anyway). We reckoned we had subject overlap as three of us reached for the pen to name Gandalf's horse.
My claim to fame was being able to name Hong Kong Phooey's sidekick. (And, yeah, this is to make up for the fact I was pretty cr*p at the rest of the quiz!) It helped that I'd once turned up to a fancy dress party as said sidekick.
We had teams. We had to name the teams. Steve called our team Dawn's Chorus and, to my embarrassment, the name stuck.
We came last (by a point, out of five teams) - but did so with grace and dignity (as far as anyone else could hear, anyway). We reckoned we had subject overlap as three of us reached for the pen to name Gandalf's horse.
My claim to fame was being able to name Hong Kong Phooey's sidekick. (And, yeah, this is to make up for the fact I was pretty cr*p at the rest of the quiz!) It helped that I'd once turned up to a fancy dress party as said sidekick.
A kind man rescued me today from the post office lunchtime queue of doom. He pointed out that the smaller shop counter would process stamps for a handful of cards.
In other news, the work Christmas tree is up and has been beautifully (and only slightly tackily) decorated in gold and red.
In other news, the work Christmas tree is up and has been beautifully (and only slightly tackily) decorated in gold and red.
Christmas Tree
Dec. 6th, 2007 07:21 pmNo-one should have to do Leeds as a day trip.
However, I got to finish Thr3e which was recommended to me by a former classmate of the author. It's a good read and I hadn't anticipated part of the twist. I'll even forgive him for taking a crack at roleplaying.
However, I got to finish Thr3e which was recommended to me by a former classmate of the author. It's a good read and I hadn't anticipated part of the twist. I'll even forgive him for taking a crack at roleplaying.
A Penguin with a Crown
Dec. 1st, 2007 10:08 amEntering the advent season, I'm going to be trying my usual entry-a-day approach.
It's a lovely clear day outside and all is well (so far) inside. I have coffee and chocolates and a weekend to look forward to. Admittedly a hectic weekend what with the duo's party and all, but there should be time for me to have a rest around the edges. I've managed to restrain myself from putting up the decorations at home, but Rachael was somewhat bemused when I enthused over Victoria station putting up their tree on the way into work on Thursday. Having seen the Waterloo tree as well (I think both went up during the day on the duo's birthday) it seems that blue and silver are the colours this year.
It's 3 working weeks to Xmas. That's 15 working days. That's 13 days in the office (although one is the Xmas meal) and 2 days working from home. Not that I'm counting or anything.
Having got to the end of my BPAL reviews, the scents scoring 9 or higher were:
It's a lovely clear day outside and all is well (so far) inside. I have coffee and chocolates and a weekend to look forward to. Admittedly a hectic weekend what with the duo's party and all, but there should be time for me to have a rest around the edges. I've managed to restrain myself from putting up the decorations at home, but Rachael was somewhat bemused when I enthused over Victoria station putting up their tree on the way into work on Thursday. Having seen the Waterloo tree as well (I think both went up during the day on the duo's birthday) it seems that blue and silver are the colours this year.
It's 3 working weeks to Xmas. That's 15 working days. That's 13 days in the office (although one is the Xmas meal) and 2 days working from home. Not that I'm counting or anything.
Having got to the end of my BPAL reviews, the scents scoring 9 or higher were:
- Media - Nice. Incense and... um... myrrh perhaps? I'm not sure I can sniff any black currant and I simply wouldn't know if the rest of that long list from the site were there.
- Saint-Germain - A little sweet still, but now there's a more herbal edge to it with a slight undertone of alcohol. Not sure I can pick up the lavender, but the mosses are there. After an hour I can now pick up the lavender. Also I think the scent in the background must be amber (oil of amber, I assume, not the stone!) Yes - I like this one. The main complaint I have is my usual one - it's somewhat on the faint side.
- Mania - There's still a touch of bubble gum, but otherwise it's surprisingly nice. Um, maybe that smell is musk (I'm not good at identifying smells)? Having now read about the grapefruit I'll tentatively say that there could be a touch of it. After an hour I've decided that actually, I like this. The bubblegum bit has gone completely. It's not as good as Desire for lasting, but it's not bad. I'll just have to hold my nose every time I open that bottle.
- The High Priestess - I like the smells in this and I can't name them. Maybe it's that whole pine/mince pie/Xmas thing that the other reviews all mention?
- The Empress - I reckon slightly wood, slightly floral and incensey. This lasts and it's really growing on me. Everyone else is screaming roses, so I guess this must be them!
- The Devil - It's very like Desire, with possible a touch of chocolate.
- The Tower - Lovely - incense and cinnamon.
- The Moon -
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bateleur says patchouli, and I agree. However the reviews suggest that it's jasmine. Either way, I love it. - Ace of Pentacles - Lovely - patchouli I think. That other smell must be the pine that everyone else is talking about.
A small victory
Nov. 14th, 2007 09:41 pmA few years ago (2003 in fact), bateleur bought me Jade Cocoon 2 for Christmas. I finished the main game and rather enjoyed it, but I never completed the post-main-game sub-quests and associated championship. This year, back in August, I picked it back up off the shelf and, starting a new game, I resolved to do just that.
About ten minutes ago, I did it. I defeated the reigning champion after many failures and many more levelling-ups and got to see the second end sequence. It's the first game I've played that has two (and only two) sets of end credits, somewhat different to each other.
I smugly feel I have reached the end of a tiny era.
bateleur bought me Jade Cocoon 2 for Christmas. I finished the main game and rather enjoyed it, but I never completed the post-main-game sub-quests and associated championship. This year, back in August, I picked it back up off the shelf and, starting a new game, I resolved to do just that.About ten minutes ago, I did it. I defeated the reigning champion after many failures and many more levelling-ups and got to see the second end sequence. It's the first game I've played that has two (and only two) sets of end credits, somewhat different to each other.
I smugly feel I have reached the end of a tiny era.
BPAL - The Lovers (8/10)
Oct. 14th, 2007 02:43 pmThe Tarot series is, sadly, discontinued and therefore is not described on the BPAL site.
The Lovers
A review1 I found reads: "I am new to trying the Tarot blends and I find the notes to be somewhat herbal and unfamiliar to my nose in this particular blend. I know it has cinnamon in it and an herbal note (no idea what it is). The cinnamon is most noticeable on the initial application, but fades into the background of the herbal smell on the dry down. This wore very light on me and I touched up often, as I tend to love cinnamon. This is somewhat reminscent of Harlot...slightly. I'll be very interested to see the contents of this when the notes are added to the site. I also loved this one. I do think the Tarots take a little time for your nose to adjust, as is the case with the voodoo blends for me. I ended up really liking The Lovers."
Another one says: "A very nice floral. Perhaps ylang ylang? Maybe some neroli? There is an herby scent peeping out now. Maybe some woodiness as well calming the floral down. Altogether nice!"
The reviews for this one are interesting as the reviewers have completely differing views on what's in this one (all the reviews I mean, not just the ones copied here)!
In the bottle: Sweet, slightly floral, rather faint.
On the skin: More of the same. I'm not sure what the floral part is, I may have to read the site reviews to figure it out. It's not something I easily recognise (which, admittedly, could mean it's anything!). Having looked at the reviews, they aren't terribly helpful but most people reckon there's some cinnamon in there (apart from me and a few others).
An hour later: It's OK and distinctive, but I don't like it quite enough to count it as a keeper.
1 Note: I tend to put BPAL on before I hunt reviews.
The Lovers
A review1 I found reads: "I am new to trying the Tarot blends and I find the notes to be somewhat herbal and unfamiliar to my nose in this particular blend. I know it has cinnamon in it and an herbal note (no idea what it is). The cinnamon is most noticeable on the initial application, but fades into the background of the herbal smell on the dry down. This wore very light on me and I touched up often, as I tend to love cinnamon. This is somewhat reminscent of Harlot...slightly. I'll be very interested to see the contents of this when the notes are added to the site. I also loved this one. I do think the Tarots take a little time for your nose to adjust, as is the case with the voodoo blends for me. I ended up really liking The Lovers."
Another one says: "A very nice floral. Perhaps ylang ylang? Maybe some neroli? There is an herby scent peeping out now. Maybe some woodiness as well calming the floral down. Altogether nice!"
The reviews for this one are interesting as the reviewers have completely differing views on what's in this one (all the reviews I mean, not just the ones copied here)!
In the bottle: Sweet, slightly floral, rather faint.
On the skin: More of the same. I'm not sure what the floral part is, I may have to read the site reviews to figure it out. It's not something I easily recognise (which, admittedly, could mean it's anything!). Having looked at the reviews, they aren't terribly helpful but most people reckon there's some cinnamon in there (apart from me and a few others).
An hour later: It's OK and distinctive, but I don't like it quite enough to count it as a keeper.
1 Note: I tend to put BPAL on before I hunt reviews.
Themed London Restaurants
Oct. 12th, 2007 10:05 amDo you know of any themed London restaurants? I'm involved in work Xmas dinner arrangements this year and we were looking into the possibility of going somewhere a bit different.
We/I already know of: The Clink, The Ice Bar and The Rain Forest Cafe. Plus that place in China Town where the staff are rude to customers.
Anyone know of more, preferably that don't cost the earth (apparently most of the above are pricey)?
We/I already know of: The Clink, The Ice Bar and The Rain Forest Cafe. Plus that place in China Town where the staff are rude to customers.
Anyone know of more, preferably that don't cost the earth (apparently most of the above are pricey)?
Today I took my Economics exam. As far as I can tell it went OK. Possibly even well.
The rather nice part came yesterday when a good luck card (with a black cat looking over a wall) appeared on my desk. It was from the two teams I work with. Did I ever mention that I love my work colleagues?
Another good bit - I get to put all the economics to one side for several months now. I can get on with planning a new campaign, reading a backlog of books and generally playing computer games in the evenings.
And one final plus - it's October, my favourite month. Golden leaves, darker evenings (less of the early morning hippo), Halloween candles and the start of Xmas planning (I enjoy my Xmas planning).
The rather nice part came yesterday when a good luck card (with a black cat looking over a wall) appeared on my desk. It was from the two teams I work with. Did I ever mention that I love my work colleagues?
Another good bit - I get to put all the economics to one side for several months now. I can get on with planning a new campaign, reading a backlog of books and generally playing computer games in the evenings.
And one final plus - it's October, my favourite month. Golden leaves, darker evenings (less of the early morning hippo), Halloween candles and the start of Xmas planning (I enjoy my Xmas planning).
Back to the exams
Sep. 30th, 2007 12:37 pmOU Economics - It's been years since I had an exam to study for. I can safely say I haven't missed the stress and general time absorbing. The course is otherwise over and I was very pleased to discover that I had an overall distinction for the course work side. Admittedly the place I tend to crash and burn is the exam, so this is unlikely to be a mark I keep for the whole course, but it's still a nice thing. Even though it is putting more "must get a good mark" pressure on me (OK, it doesn't take much).
Films -bateleur and I have taken up Amazon's deal on film renting and, over the last couple of weeks, we have seen The Usual Suspects and Serenity. Both were good although in very different styles. I loved the unfolding mystery behind The Usual Suspects and thought it was really well done. Serenity did a good job at tying up the various mysteries left over from Firefly such as the Reavers and more about River's treatment without seeming to have been designed to do just that. I particularly liked the Reavers' stuff. The plot was decent and it made pretty good stand alone viewing as well (although it's difficult to judge as I've seen the series). I found one of the deaths fairly gratuitous though.
Cooking with Bea - Since the sandwich cake, there has been Cinnamon Meringues with Summer Fruits, Spaghetti Bolognaise and Chocolate Mousse. Much to my surprise, she wasn't a big fan of the chocolate mousse and we worked out that it was because it was made with dark chocolate (the usual kind, not the 70+ per cent kind!). I'd half-forgotten just how sweets-and-milk-chocolate children's tastes are.
More on the duo and food - In preparation towards family dinner time (not current done since the duo still arguably need more sleep than my getting home time would give them - not that they do immediately sleep when we put them up, but hey) we are now eating as a family on Saturday evenings. So far, so good. Although I don't think Ryan likes Shepherds Pie much.
Computer Games - I'm getting into Advanced Wars: Dual Strike on the DS and really enjoying it. It's very Battle Isle and the mission format is really nice as I can put it down for ages without needing to remember exactly what I was doing. I've also started Beyond Good and Evil and that too looks promising (particularly the camera stuff), but both are mostly being ignored right now in favour of revision.
Films -
bateleur and I have taken up Amazon's deal on film renting and, over the last couple of weeks, we have seen The Usual Suspects and Serenity. Both were good although in very different styles. I loved the unfolding mystery behind The Usual Suspects and thought it was really well done. Serenity did a good job at tying up the various mysteries left over from Firefly such as the Reavers and more about River's treatment without seeming to have been designed to do just that. I particularly liked the Reavers' stuff. The plot was decent and it made pretty good stand alone viewing as well (although it's difficult to judge as I've seen the series). I found one of the deaths fairly gratuitous though.Cooking with Bea - Since the sandwich cake, there has been Cinnamon Meringues with Summer Fruits, Spaghetti Bolognaise and Chocolate Mousse. Much to my surprise, she wasn't a big fan of the chocolate mousse and we worked out that it was because it was made with dark chocolate (the usual kind, not the 70+ per cent kind!). I'd half-forgotten just how sweets-and-milk-chocolate children's tastes are.
More on the duo and food - In preparation towards family dinner time (not current done since the duo still arguably need more sleep than my getting home time would give them - not that they do immediately sleep when we put them up, but hey) we are now eating as a family on Saturday evenings. So far, so good. Although I don't think Ryan likes Shepherds Pie much.
Computer Games - I'm getting into Advanced Wars: Dual Strike on the DS and really enjoying it. It's very Battle Isle and the mission format is really nice as I can put it down for ages without needing to remember exactly what I was doing. I've also started Beyond Good and Evil and that too looks promising (particularly the camera stuff), but both are mostly being ignored right now in favour of revision.
