Must update more often

So what have I been doing. Well lots. Much of which I've meaning to post about, so instead I'll just post everything I still remember. I get fed up with my inability to just set aside some time and do something like update my LJ when I mean to. Where, oh where does the time go? *Looks at broadband internet, looks at games, thinks about all the things I do* Oh, there.

Well of most recent importance is that I've been on holiday this week. ciradis is in Switzerland seeing her Dad, and has been since the week before Easter, leaving me with an empty flat to fill as I best I can. It is weird being away from her, and I find I have to have background noise on to fill the emptiness in the flat. Oddly enough the week at work was better, partly because it meant I was with other people for several hours of the day, and partly because it helped structure things. It amazes me how easier things are to do when she's here. Still only 4 days till I see her, and I have larp, tasks and family to distract me for some of that time.

So apart from generally sleeping lots in this holiday, I've spent some time at home which has been good. Especially with my younger brother down from his placement, my parent's home changes so much depending how many of myself and my two siblings are about.

The most memorable things I've done at home so far was go fishing with my family. I haven't fished in years, possibly about 3 of them. It's something I've done an amount of, my Dad is an avid fisherman, and it's something I would like to do more of again. Especially as I'm now the only one of my close family who doesn't fish regularly. Now all I have to do it work out a way to get ciradis involved but I suspect her interest will be the water and the scenery, rather than the fishing. Anyway it was float fishing for trout on a tributary of the Avon, not far from my parents. I managed to catch one fish, reel one in my Dad had caught, and lose another one, as well as miss several bites. Trout are interesting to float fish for because they fight more than you'd imagine, and because when they take the bait they really go for it. None of this wishy-washy sort of biting like other fish, they take it, the float goes down and unless you strike quickly (I wasn't fast enough at it, at first) they'll be gone with all the bait. It makes it challenging. Also the fact they lie in the water in groups and wait for food to come them makes it more interesting as once you find a lie you can just keep casting to get more fish (the current carries the float past). I do enjoy the peace of fishing and how relaxing it is, but it's nice to catch something once in a while.

The only problem with the fishing trip was my brother managed to injure himself retrieving a caught hook. The plant he was trying to disentangle his gear from sprung back into his face, scratching his cornea in three places. He's been to A&E and had antibiotics and is going back to hospital again tomorrow. As long as the antibiotics are good eyes should heal quickly, so we as a family are quite anxious to make sure everything's going ok. At the end of the day it's his eye/vision at risk so it's kind of serious. Not that you would know from him of course. He can't wait for things to heal, and is bull headed when it comes to everything in life, which isn't a good scenario when your trying to minimize further risk to his eye.

Larp planning seems to go well. Andy and I are now in agreement about everything and all we need to do is finished the statting and get some props together. If you have anything, ANYTHING you think we could use please let us know. The only worry we have is getting the monsters we need. 16 of them would be good. It's annoying because we can't confirm to the players as comparatively very few people have said they definitely will monster. With most of the players asking to play, because they won't get another chance to before the end of the year it makes it harder to ask people to monster. Not that I mind anyone asking for that reason, just be aware almost everyone seems to be at the moment. The fact that a lot of the experienced people are busy on that day also complicates matters a little when it comes to getting the required monsters.

Job wise work is good. I've finished on the project of testing horrible code and I'm now working on a project to do with updating a database/record system. I was supposed to start this coming Monday so I had a nice break in between. Instead I started the Monday before Easter, because well that's how these things happen at the company. Still I'm kind of amazed I found out more than a day in advance all things considered. Though I imagine the need for security clearance was a factor in that. I also await my next pay check when hopefully I'll being paid more. I had my six monthly review last month, and all my project supervisors were extremely happy with me, and the experience I gained was good. So I have reasonable hope of going up a grade. Of course this month I also start paying back my student loan, and make my second pension contribution so I'm interested to see how things work out when all's said and done.

What else? Oh yes ciradis and I have a holiday booked in Cornwall in September. We've rented a little safe catering cottage near Helston for £155 for the week. It should be good, and is definitely something to look forward to. Especially as it'll be the last of ciradis's free time before her final year starts (well the preparation for the final year really gets going - she's even working towards it at the moment). We come back on Friday the 8th. So I'll be at the 36 hour on Saturday, unless insanity wins and I go straight from getting back from the flat to going to the camp site in Wales. Somehow I doubt sanity will get defeated in that one.

I should be actively looking for a new car at the moment. The Fiesta isn't worth putting through another MOT and I'd like something better to drive down to Cornwall in. What I'll end up with I'm not sure yet. It'll be another small car, so I have a chance of parking it, and if my insurance will allow a slightly bigger engine. Perhaps the most important detail is: will it (like my last two cars) be red again?

Finally the meme you all know and well seem to be posting. On the subject of memes to all those people who did that ask me questions meme from several months ago for me, I promise I'll do it at some point *stares frustratedly at incomplete word file on my computer* it's just your questions were good and deserve answers better than I seem able to give, where I can even give some.

( Meme )