banks

I put my Oz taxback cheque into the bank, and have got the letter confirming that it went in. The taxback company would only do the cheque in Euros, for some reason. NatWank have charged me £13.30 for the obviously huge effort of changing the money, and the 'overseas' bank (in Ireland) have charged E16.50. TOTALLY RIDICULOUS.

Went to see The Incredibles last night, and despite my parents being horribly snobby about the multiscreen cinema and its patrons, we all enjoyed ourselves. Rather James Bond-y in execution, and a bit family-sitcom character wise. Sounds odd, works very well.

I have decided to apply for the Carve sub-ed job, although I don't have direct journalism qualifications. It's my dream job, and if you don't ask you don't get. It would be heaven.

WAMs continue to show possibilities for next week. If I can just coax the second data entry machine into life, I can take some time off.

fridge

I am a complete child. I love fridge magnet kits, and this online version is cool. Thanks to B3TA, what Friday afternoons were created for.

Dolphins

I forgot to add this link to a story about dolphins saving some lifeguards from a shark. I've seen it in a few places now, but if you haven't read it, do!

MacWorld Expo

The Expo was just heaven, miles of white plastic and gadgets. The two American guys running the conference sessions I was in were great speakers, very entertaining and provided useful gems everywhere, though the overall level of the sessions was introductory. I was kind of hoping for more concrete help with Applescript especially. The FileMaker section was good too, they did free sessions so I sat in on a couple and was pleased to understand most of it.

Didn't spend too much! Oh, how I wanted an iPod Photo though.

Caught up with a few old friends. Had to make a real effort to get across London to find one, then had to spend most of the night listening to them bitch about some ex-flatmate. Was good to see her though, she's looking great.

Saturday I met another friend, took us into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and showed us around. Wow, a very grand place to work! A big beautiful maze with treasures like the grand staircase, paintings, sculptures, amazing meeting rooms. The grand staircase is a sweeping double staircase, then you look up and see the next balcony and the friezes, then up again to the ceiling and there's that much gold and colour, I'd challenge anyone to keep their mouth from dropping open. Also on the floor lots of complex colourful mosiac, really old, with the Indian design that incorporates what became the swastika. Fascinating. Photos frowned upon unfortunately.

There's also this central courtyard that the older, properly restored bit is built round, with galleries at each level and a glass roof. The floor is marble with a couple of little sets of stairs. He said when they restored it in the 80's there were feet of pigeon poo, they hadn't even known it was marble underneath. So then they built the ceiling as well. I think James Bond might have been filmed in there, one where they fence, and Madonna is the fencing teacher - the little courtyard and the galleries just looked so similar.

Sunday I went to the new Apple Store on Regent Street. Too crowded (like the Expo) to really play with stuff. I went to see Steriogram play a few songs. They had a song used on an iPod advert, although of course all we ever see is the U2 one. Anyway, they were great - loads of energy and really friendly.

Then met a surfing mate from Uni. We got ridiculously drunk and I don't know how I managed to get home! Really rather stupid as this is London not my little Welsh village. Also horrible hangover.

Back working now. First swim for 10 days, managed a mile in decent time but I'm still coughing. Surf comp won't be this weekend, but the forecast WAM is looking hopeful for mid next week. Fingers crossed. Whitesands cam has been showing nice waves for the last few days, wish I could be there. Next week I'll go, whatever happens!

wordcount

My brother sent me this news site with a great Flash interface and some powerful stuff behind it. The same guy has done Wordcount: "an artistic experiment in the way we use language. It presents the 86,800 most frequently used English words, ranked in order of commonality. Each word is scaled to reflect its frequency relative to the words that precede and follow it, giving a visual barometer of relevance.'

Check it out, then check out some of the weird sequences people have found. Is the sequence, 'america ensure oil opportunity' a coincidence? I think 'surfing martyrs tearful stockbrokers' is my favourite, or maybe 'apple formula imagination'. I found one of my own which I've sent off: 'drooling testosterone stabs lauded'.

Also, 'surf napier [a Scottish mathematician apparently] attractiveness chemotherapy aberystwyth' - there's something strange going on. And why is 'Wales' bookended by 'failed' and 'troubled'?! Oh dear, I must stop now.

I also think that spammers are using it.

On the same site is Query Count, which tracks what people are looking for in Word Count. The most requested word? Fuck. 2nd? Sex. Aren't we all just slaves to our hormones... (And did I look up 'fuck'? Hell yeah. It's next to 'charming', and one away from 'shallow'.)

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jbt

The John Butler Trio gig was amazing - it's way too long since I've been to a live show. He was so into it - almost like he didn't know there were a few hundred people watching him, he'd look up sort of in surprise. All three are great on their instruments - the things Shannon can do with a double bass are amazing! Huge amounts of energy and clearly really enjoying themselves. Peaches and Cream was a bit of an anthem for the crowd. He played my travelling song Bound To Ramble first. I was sure I'd got it onto kiama via the iTalk but the fucker didn't record despite LED and LCD telling me it was. Grr. Excellent night, shame we had to leave for the last train back to the sticks (and missed it anyway...) I'd love to see him in Oz with a huge crowd.

Now thinking I'd really love to go to the Beastie Boys gig, but I'd be on my own, Billy No Mates that I am!

flatness

They've changed the contest date to 20th as it's gonna be flat this weekend. I should have charged down to Hell's Mouth on Monday when I knew it was good.

So I ain't going surfing this weekend, and next is the Mac conference. I know it's going to be valuable, but fuck I'd rather be surfing.

I actually feel sick, I'm so gutted. No surf for at least 10 more days. It doesn't help knowing that it's 30 degrees, 3ft and clean at D'bah. I am thinking more and more about 'where I was this time last year'.

fuckshitwankpissbollocksMITTENS.

wave pillow

Specially for all the lazy arses, this pillow vibrates when the surf is good.

tidy!

A woman with a cock! Tidy!
Play Eggsy's Supermarket Shag

Found on the excellent i am a pirate site. Who says I'm not?

Also more fun with those Tickle quizzes:
"You're ready for an adventurous, free-spirited affair to remember. And if it comes in the form of someone who shakes up your world a bit, helps you expand your horizons, then decides to stay for a while — all the better."
Not far wrong there.

Surf at Hell's Mouth looks sweet this morning :-(

bridget

surfergrl, your Bridget Jones moment is Falling on Your Face
"When you enter a room, do people quickly remove all breakable items? We bet you can't get near a cup of coffee without spilling it on yourself.... Or, even worse, someone close by. You can sometimes get a little intimidated by the world — and did you ever notice that these accidents usually occur when you're feeling slightly uncomfortable or nervous? The good news is, your sense of humor and ability to laugh at yourself always see you through. You're not afraid to fail, and that makes you the bravest person in the room. And with brass like that, you're sure to recover gracefully and earn the affections of those around you."

Ha ha - clumsiest person around, yeah. Not sure about the brass - I usually just run away and hide!!

Mood - dull
Reading about the Israel-Palestine conflict on Wikipedia.
Surf - bloody dribble
Music - John Butler Trio, Gomez

no surf sunday

I was so hoping to get out of here for the day, but it is not to be. So now I have to work instead, in preparation for taking Friday off. Miserable miserable day, bored already.

geek heaven

I'm in geek heaven. I have a bank of three iBooks around me, one checking the surf, one transferring music, one doing, well, this.

Another funny blog: I am a Pirate

Going to see Bridget Jones later.

apple goodness

Posting in bed! The iBook has finally arrived, and all the people calling me a geek are just jealous.

Looks like there's surf heading my way. Sunday or Monday I am going to head to Hell's Mouth. The olds have gone off in the Cougar and left the Focus, which is soooo tempting. I can't wait to get in the sea!!!

I need the practice. I've entered the comp in Borth, somewhat against my better judgement as I hate comps, but the prize-draw is just too good a chance to miss. Possibility of a surf trip to the Maldives in return for 20 mins of humiliation? Just for shits n giggles then.

Just found a surf blog from a guy who surfs the Mornington Peninsula (where my aunty lives), is into e-learning and reads/writes poetry. Another one for the 'fire it up' folder, which I set running every morning to ease me into the day.

Huh? What election? Just don't want to hear another word.

Creative Writing class was good, stirred up some ideas as it always does. Great to see Olwyn looking healthier and a stone lighter!! The class dynamic has changed a bit with the new people. One in particular is doing my head in, she doesn't listen and then has to ask again. I feel like a bitch not liking her, cos she's not the brightest. Sometimes I'm not sure what people want from a class like that. I often think they just don't know either, and today a couple of them said as much. Well, don't come and waste our fucking time then.

Fireworks were good tonight. Missed that last year - although hooning around the Gold Coast with Scotty in a soft top Boxster was ok too... I still miss that lunatic...

Listening: John Butler Trio (concert Weds! Yay!)
Reading: goddamn crappy AppleScript book
Surf: Small

nathan

I've spent the whole day writing one chapter of one of my books. (I can never settle on one project at a time.) The heroine went surfing (predictable? moi?) and she's just got to fall off another couple of waves, and maybe hurt herself, then it's done.

And yes, I do feel guilty about not doing much 'proper' work. Esp. as we went to the pub for lunch. So I will double my efforts tomorrow. It's just that the AppleScript is getting a bit complicated, and the book's a bit rubbish.

Should I have her hurt herself? She's already broken a couple of her bodyguard's ribs this chapter. More violence? Not sure.

Time for a Ruby. That'll decide me.