So, last Friday, when I was making dinner for ginger_rikku, I got a phone call from the Billing Dept at ScottishPower.

Apparently I had refused to pay the final electric bill for the flat, and unless I paid up immediately, it was going to be referred to their Legal Dept.

Now, considering that I had not received any such bill during the entire month since leaving the flat, I'm sure you'll understand that at that point I was suddenly not happy. Having established that they did in fact have the correct forwarding address, no explanation as to why the bills had not reached me was forthcoming. The alleged bills have still not arrived. As far as I'm aware, there wasn't a Postal Strike when the bills were supposed to have been sent. I think they were just being shit.

Anyway, that was sorted, but due to a similar lack of bills I get the feeling that I'm going to get a similar call from Welsh Water. I really should pay the phone bill, too. So far that was the only one that made it through.

Christopher Walken reading Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"

I am ill. Seems to be a cold. Don't think it's 'flu. I certainly hope it isn't, anyway.

I've never been entirely clear on the difference, but my current symptoms include headache; sore throat; coughing; blocked nose; sinus pain; increased sensitivity to low temperatures; and a weird feeling in my mouth - kind of the aftermath of having burned my tongue on hot food, except I haven't done that lately. Dunno if it's a cold or 'flu, but it's not nice.


Either it's a coincidence, or this was brought about entirely by my decision to shave off the beard in honour of National Beard Month (also known as "No-Shave November"), a little-known month-long custom of not shaving one's facial hair. At the end of October, off came the beard, and until December 1st no razor nor even beard clippers will touch my face.

ginger_rikku 's reaction was a little annoying. Apparently my face looked "horrible" without the beard. There was also a fair amount of over-reacting at the Fountain on Saturday evening (immediately after the shaving), but this time 'round it was noticed a fair bit quicker at work, and with fewer remarks.

I do admit that I began to regret shaving almost immediately afterwards, but what's done is done, and it's not like it won't grow back...

Pictures may arrive at some point (and possibly an animated GIF of the re-growing process - I am taking photos every day to show the new beard's progress)

For various reasons, this is not a good day so far, and I don't hold out much hope for the rest of it.

That is all.

Right...

My router isn't detecting any wireless networks. Having checked Dad's PC, which does indeed seem to have a wireless network, it seems that the fault is with my router.

However, even knowing this I feel no closer to solving the problem

Fairly warned, be thee, says I...

My first attempt to connect to Dad's wireless network has failed dismally.

Knowing nothing about how to establish a wireless connection, let alone a connection between Windows and Ubuntu, I have no choice but to give up for the time being.

If anybody would care to offer assistance, I would be very grateful.




I quit Tae Kwan Do tonight. Unfortunately, the cheque for my (somewhat useless) licence has already gone.

Having set my computer back up on Saturday, I still have no internet apart from the shared computer, which is usually occupied by my brother playing a WW2 strategy game, or Dad playing card games (card games. On a computer. Someone please explain the point of this?!)

Dad says there's already a wireless network, which surprised me. I think he may be mistaken, but I shall attempt to set my computer so I can use it.




Casting for the next Castaway production might be tonight (not sure - it wasn't made clear last week). This one is going to be an adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters. Performance dates will be posted here once known.




Quitting Tae Kwan Do tomorrow. I'll have to settle the cost of the last few lessons I attended, and see about getting my cheque back for the licence I never got. I really wish this had worked out better, but I just can't be bothered with it as it is.




After about 2 years of wanting to run a game of Deadlands, last week I actually got the campaign started. There were a few mishaps (like losing both decks of cards and nowhere in town that sells them being open when I needed to buy replacements. I mean, you'd expect Spar to sell some cheap cards, and up until I needed them, you'd have been right) and the game dragged on a lot longer than I expected, but I don't think it went too badly. Just hope I can keep it going...

Just had a discussion in the office about how and why Aberystwyth is an utter hole of a place.

The essence of my point of view was that the major obstacle preventing the development of the place is people who refuse to allow change to take place. People who oppose the implimentation of the Council's so-called "Master Plan", which would actually attract more business and business opportunities to the town. People who already own businesses in Aber, and who don't want to compete, as they would then have to offer a service that reflects the prices they charge.

It wouldn't just be the shops and businesses that need to change; if more businesses come to Aber, that's only part of the problem. Transport links are horrendous - only one train every 2 hours, practically no bus service after 6pm on most routes, parking for cars in the town centre is virtually non-existent unless you use the Park-and-Ride (but since that's so close to the town centre anyway, why bother using the bus?)

What do you guys think? Pretty much everyone on my Friends list lives or has lived in Aberystwyth, but having lived here almost exclusively for 29 years, my opinion is a little biased.


Feel free to explore and explain your opinions here at great length.

Haven't had much response from this request.

I don't know if the numbers I have for people are still in use. Don't you want me to have your numbers? That makes me sad.

I have a shiny new phone!

If you wish to be included in my updated phonebook, please leave your number here (all comments are screened) or email to the usual address. Alternatviely, those with my phone number can just text me and let me know who it is, as my number remains unchanged.



             In other news:

Mmmmm... That was a tasty apple.

I think "PayPal" should be called "Money-Bastard"

Just got a receipt for an eBay purchase, and despite the fact that I have tried several times to change the shipping address, it's convinced that I still live at the flat.

The Beard Is Not Pleased.

I shall attempt once again to rectify this at some point today. I also need to find my counterpart driving licence for change of address purposes.

Writing background for a one-off LRP session, and in need of assistance as it is a hefty task.

Specifically, I'm writing up individual briefings for all the characters, and each one will have a short description of all the other characters he/she knows. I even made up a chart of who knows who and what their relationship is. (Yes, I was bored. So what?!)

Anyone wishing to help me will gain access to everything I've got so far, but will not be able to play (unless as a DPC or an additional Marshall)

The themes are paranoia; supernatural horror; obsession

I don't know what it is at the moment, but for some reason I am losing a lot of enthusiasm for Tae Kwan Do.

Possible reasons for this -

1)  taking up a martial art at my age and when I'm quite unfit is really emphasising how out-of-shape I am
2)  not having time in between sessions to get any exercise does not help
3)  not being able to make as much progress as I'd like with packing up and moving out is saddening
4)  the actual fact that I am moving out is having much the same effect
5)  being paired in sparring with Blue Tags (5 grades above me), one of whom is a bit too aggressive for my liking, is frustrating

I really don't want to give up on this, and since I'm paying £15 a month I can't just start going when I feel like it, but right now I'm starting to feel like I have no business doing this.



             Edit

And now I don't feel so good. Bit queasy, and have no idea why. Hoping it'll pass.

So, last-minute plans for doing something yesterday to mark my Oldening weren't a total failure; with some cheap water pistols, water-based paint, cheap overalls and a lot of water, a bunch of us had some improvised paintball around Aberystwyth Castle (more fun than it sounds!) followed by getting over-dressed (top-hats, ties, waistcoats, monocles and fake smoking paraphernalia) for dinner at Wetherspoons. Photos will follow at some point...

Next year I will begin plans far earlier, as I wouldn't want to pass 30 without some sort of celebration/mourning.

Happy Birthday, i_hate_monday

Just a brief one today. Anyone who,
a) has fond memories of the series Knightmare and would like to see it on DVD, and
b) is on Facebook
might be interested in this group, started by purplefog

End Communication

(I told you it was brief)

Oh, by the way...

For all those who couldn't make it, here's a review of Love's Labours Lost, as performed by Castaway