steps

10842 today worked hard, walked to me mums hard work, pedometer says 2.3 miles guff I say

steps

10842 today worked hard, walked to me mums hard work, pedometer says 2.3 miles guff I say

steps

10842 today worked hard, walked to me mums hard work, pedometer says 2.3 miles guff I say

Bloomin Telewest

Call centres grrrr

more boy stuff

sorry to keep bothering you with pointless emails, but someone pointed out that I said in my first email that my new address ends with .com
it doesn't.
so if u saved the first email address, please re save it with the address used on this email.

whereisjontoday@yahoo.co.uk

And whilst i'm on the subject of emailing, there lots of so-called friends who haven;t written once since I've left. Mentioning no names like Thwaitey, craig, barold "el saxo", u have no excuse and i know u check yr email regularly. So email me u lazy buggers. That goes for anyone who still hasn't replied to the last email!

Oh, the 2nd thing i wanted to tell u was about the buddhist monks chanting the mantra in a gonpa (budhist temple) somewhere in the middle of nowhere, high in the mountains. was one oif the most spiritual and relaxing experiences - and i think i was in a trance listening to the sounds of the meditation. surreal but completely comfortable and beautiful. the budhist monks are usually the most free and pleasant people to meet. Which is why I'm most excited to be going to Dharamasala next week - home of the Dalai Lama. Will report when were there.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

missive from the boy

Apparently Yahoo mail is the quickest email program to use in India - and i get 10 times the space i originally had this mail account.

So my new address is whereisjontoday@yahoo.com (Dad - click the blue writing and a new message will appear. If u send that message u should automatically save my new address. But keep this email just in case it gets lost "somewhere on the system".)

Please remember to change to this address - i wont be checking the mail.com account regularly.

2 things I forgot to tell u all in my last email:

one is that I have a internet cafe names after me now in Leh. Well, the first letter of the name anyway. We befriended a local who set up the cafe during the week we got friendly. As a token of friendship, he wanted the cafe to be named by us. So I took the first letter of the first name of all that were friends and after some arguments decided on Ja-Shantra - the J being yrs truly. So if yr ever roaming the northern indian himalayas, fancy a quick stop over in a village called changspa, 2km from Leh, and want to email some friends, look no further than Ja-Shantra. The email u can trust...to be named after me!

okay, so i've forgotten the 2nd thing already. I know there was 2 but i'll wait for next email from my new address for that one.

Actually, I'll send a test email from yahoo just so there's no confusion.

Jon

The Observer | Travel | These routes were made for walking

The Observer | Travel | These routes were made for walking: " West Highland way" intersting to see it as number one.

Sunday lets all lie in

Feelin lazy - didnt get up till 10.30. bad boy or what. had ayrshire bacon from westmoreland for brunch. Jean off to tesco me despatched to nanna watch with Ally. Her CCF seems to be bothering her more - she seemed really breathless. We stay about an hour then come back to a westmoreland ham tea. v. nice. Olympics done - remind me not to go on holiday when they are on again. Relaxing watching graham Norton present 100 top TV ads which is strangely entertaining.

Saturday

Fairly uneventful journey home. Stopped at somewhere in Scotland then in at westmoreland for a heftily priced luch. Bought some ham sausages, and clootie in the farm shop. Got home trip to Nannas and checkon her satisfactory progress. Then essentials from Tesco. Chill watchin terminator 2

On the bonnie bonnie banks of .... 

A laybay near Aberfoyle?? 

funkypancake: scotland archives

funkypancake: scotland archives See we aint the only ones.

Note Blogger Hoodie - outside Montrose house 28/08 

Gastric Bypass Odor Eraser

Gastric Bypass Odor Eraser Somebody scent me this - they trying to tell me summat.

Colin at Luss 

Balmaha Bay 

Lochside 

Ken Jean Julie Edinburgh August 2004 

Last meal at the oaktree

Well its that time, last night of the holiday stuff. Off to the oak tree(where else) courtesy of colin. Starts off bad the IPA is off again, so I indulge in a belhaven export. So round the table if memory serves
Hannah - garlic bread, cheeseburger and lemon cheesecake.
Ally - gaarlic mushrooms, scampi, peach and berry ice cream.
Jean chicken and parma salad, gammon and cloutie.
Me chicken and lemongrass soup, seabass in a galic and cream sauce, strawberry cheesecake.
Colin - soup and fish same as me but cloutie dumpling.
An excellent repast and very reasonable too. Back into the bar and the girls scoot home with colin. Then its back for a quiet drink. I think bruichladdich wins his whiskey vote, closely followed by isle of jura. Me I kinda miss it but its one of the few real things I have had to give up since my bypass. On balance the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I am even thinking of asking santa for walking boots for next christmas. What's all that about? Its time to go home, would have liked more time to explore hills and glens, lochs etc but probably need to return when ally is away interrailing. Jean and I both come from a history of camping so we appreciate this stuff far more than she does. Being an old fart helps too. On reflection next years holiday choice wil probably be the hardest, hmmmm we'll see. Still I have really enjoyed this scottish epic, from edinburgh, to paisley and on to loch lomond. So its home today, and see my mam. Too many emails and too many active topics(in joke for wlsinfo readers).

BTW

Should have mentioned first day today I have gone without a dressing on my midline wound. Very pleasing.

Friday- the Trossachs trail

After tea last night, guess what we ended up in the oaktree. Colin continues his dutiful tour of the malts. Bruichladdich still top of the pops. Plan is a lazy day and leave youngsters to kip in. I nip to drymen for orange juice and other essentials, ok fruit pudding, blackpudding, potato scones,square sausage if you must know. I attempt to recreate audreys scottish brunch, not as good as the real mccoy my rendition but still a toothsome effort. After brunch we hit the road. On my agenda are lochs and valleys. So its off to the Trossachs. Passing thro aberfoyle we hit Loch Katrine. Main water source for Glasgow and a nice accesible gig in a municipal utilitarian sort of way. Nice caff with v.nice apple and blackcurrant danish. Giftshop (kerching). Suckered again. Then its on the road through Brig o' Turk past loch venachar to Callander. A quaint town with a big Rob Roy thang. I experience a nice ice cream with ally. I go for malteser and raspberry ripple she opts for the more local tablet and lime stuff (though need to check). Then its home via the cutely named port of menteith. On arrival at home check in with nanna who had her cataract done today. Pleased it has all gone well and mary staying tonight. Get chiled for a kip but not to be.

Loch Lomond visitor centre

After getting back on terra firma its off to the above. The cynical may say the shed at the edge of the car park, but it was a new shed with interactive displays. Top stuff even though some was broken. Then over to the oak tree for a pot of tea and a scone very nice. Back off to house and a chil before a trip to Drymen for the gift shopping experience. Deep joy. Pic of the oldest licensed pub in scotland. Then back home and further chill. Its chucking it down. This boy takes a stroll in the rain, why because I can. This time 2 years ago the stroll up the road would have been impossible. Now I do it to celebrate the possible.

Thursday - Inchmurrin

Well the sailors dream is fulfilled and we find ourselves aboard the good ship Margaret - saiing under the banner of the royal mail. At a cost of seven notes ahead we get a cruise around the islands and an hour for lunch on inchmurrin. Inchnurrin is owned by a millionaire geezer but on one side there is a pub open to day trippers. We accompany some pensioners and the mandatory continentals on the trip. The contoinentals are obvious from their footwear - sort of clarks K meet caramac look. All very ergonomic thus enabling them to get pole position poolside or on a boat etc. Lunch is mediocre but ok, oiur skipper/postie lunches in a separate room. So back up to boat and we head for balmaha - or are we????

Map checked

Yesterday we got as far north as Ardlui. Apparently agnes tells us we should have carried on and around. There is a well wierd pub at Inverarnana, she tells us.
Anyway jean drives the girls back and Colin and I step out at a pace for the lochside walk back. We miss the sunset, and it soon turns quite chilly in the forest. We do it in record time and reward ourselves in the oaktree. Then its back to the house. The girls have pizza, curry for jean and col but for me a bacon butty due to lateness of the hour. Then a late nitecap at the oaktree.

Colin survives the canoeing

We prise Ally off the net and then its off to Luss, famous as the setting for take the high road, a scottish soap apparently. We lunch in a fine if dilapidated old gaff with a scottish name. Fine simple pub fayre. Me and colin in steak pie, ally chicken goujons, hannah tuna pasta bake jean a fine mixed cold meat salad. Forgot to mention my snazz new pedometer with integral fm radio.
Leaving Luss our aim is to trravel to tjhe northernmost part of the loch. We get as far as ...... +' check the map after I can't do it now as I am sitting at the side of the loch soakin up the rays in a most pleasant fashhion and its nearly 8pm. In scotland. To be fair it is cooling off and the midges have the word that a one man midge fest is in town. Splendid. Was only remarking we aint seen much evidence of the blighters Lochside spoilt ony by the water dkier loud radiop and joint smoke. Still its wednesday and scotand is a big hit.

Tuesday night and wednesday morning.

Jean and colin crash I put together a mince and pasta dolmio thing. Pre prandial drinkies spoilt when we realise its my turn for the dvd run. Off to drymen with hannah and ally. A very strange store with Royston Vasey meets Spa fusion. Everything you want but nothing you need. A very strange place indeed I am introduced to the delights of hydro power paper tokens. Very quaint scottish custom. You hand in money and they give you paper cards to stick in your meter. Calendar girls is the movie of choice. On return we are ordered out and need to seek sanctuary in the oak tree. We take a wee stroll down to the harbour and spy wildlife and arty photo opps.
Wake up too ate to make the cruise as planned. My fault completely, my rigourous routine in the am prevents rapid response. We play cheat in the garden and then muster for loch lomond shores where ally and hannah can use t'internet colin will have a go on a canoe and we sit freezing outside Loch Lomond books and internet caff. Off for some lunch soon though may have to hit a decent coffee first this is appalling. I think it may be mellow birds. Jean getting concerned that she can't see colin from the bank. I point out that we can fold the seats down to get the body bag in.

Stirling 2

I then trot up the the hill to the castle to meet up with colin and jean. A fine impressive establishment, we visit the grand hall, kitchens, chapel, tapestry joint, and the museum of the argyll and sutherland highlanders. It contains many touching tales personal heroism. The rain showers down but undeterred we tramp the battlements. We end our visit with a visit to costa coffee. They have secured the franchise for the castle caff and made an excellent job of it too. Then its back to the carpark, with a stopover in iceland for some curry bread for tea. Then home on the A811 thro Kippen, Arnprior, Buchylvie, Drymen, Buchanan smithy, Milton of Buchanan then, Balmaha. On the way serenaded by Hannahs latest purchases thee zutons and red hot chilli peppers. Think I would have preferred Allys new air guitar III but hey. I am just picky.

No ferry tuesday

So we opt for stirling an imposing lookingf gaff the castle even from a fair way out. We arrive in cloudy but warm conditions, park up near the castle and lunch in the cottage caff. Bit upmarket from a greasy spoon and provides a fine home made mushroom. Soup and sandwich. Fine. I drop the girls and the car in the NCP

Tuesday plans

Today is a multiple choice day based on the weather.
A) if its really fine then picnic on the beach at Milarrochy Bay.
B) moderate then mail boat to Island of Inchmurrin. (Colononised by monks in 6th century) on mailboat.
C) really grot then stirling - history stuff. Suits me any of the options.

More Ballochs

Back to the house for ready meals. Jean fishermans pie, colin indian for one and me lasagne. Garlic bread too. The lasagne is the pits. After tea I wash up and jean takens the girls to drymen where they acquire legally blond 2. Whist they watch that we are forced to retreat to the oaktree. Very pleasant full of west highland wayers and canoers. Agnes can be seen in there enjoying a can of irn bru. And home and so to bed.

Ballochs

A nice town 3 miles to Drymen then 8 to Balloch. Avoiding the town we head for the loch lomond shores attraction. Fairly nice gaff hardly populated. In to the centre split up with the girls and its retail crescent with jenners of edinburgh, a shoe shop, hawkshead and a bookshop with a cyber cafe. The gvirls seemed we'll pleased. There is a cinematicn dramatised experience but we opt for the 50 minute cruise on the loch. Aboard the good ship skylark buit in poole in 1929 a veteran of dunkirk. Skippered by an old tar who has always worked on the loch. He tells us the boat can hold 91 passengers but I don't see it meself. Glad there was only about 20 of us. He was a real old salt with a good tale of the loch or three. We enjoyed our 50 minutes then it was back to the car park and then in search of a supermarket. After much faffing we ended up in the co-op. I took the girls off the macdonalds for their tea. I also buy a go-active meal in order to acquire a new stepometer. The scots girl forgets. Me stepometer so I park up and go in and expain my prdicament in broken scots. Sorted then back in for a mcfluirry. Back to the co-op just in time to pick the others up. Sorted. Back to balmaha and a pre tea tipple in the oaktree.

Ballochs

A nice town 3 miles to Drymen then 8 to Balloch. Avoiding the town we head for the loch lomond shores attraction. Fairly nice gaff hardly populated. In to the centre split up with the girls and its retail crescent with jenners of edinburgh, a shoe shop, hawkshead and a bookshop with a cyber cafe. The gvirls seemed we'll pleased. There is a cinematicn dramatised experience but we opt for the 50 minute cruise on the loch. Aboard the good ship skylark buit in poole in 1929 a veteran of dunkirk. Skippered by an old tar who has always worked on the loch. He tells us the boat can hold 91 passengers but I don't see it meself. Glad there was only about 20 of us. He was a real old salt with a good tale of the loch or three. We enjoyed our 50 minutes then it was back to the car park and then in search of a supermarket. After much faffing we ended up in the co-op. I took the girls off the macdonalds for their tea. I also buy a go-active meal in order to acquire a new stepometer. The scots girl forgets. Me stepometer so I park up and go in and expain my prdicament in broken scots. Sorted then back in for a mcfluirry. Back to the co-op just in time to pick the others up. Sorted. Back to balmaha and a pre tea tipple in the oaktree.

Sunday in balmaha

Wake up to a lovely day coin is in the garden and jean and I join him for tea and breakfast. We get our act together and opt for a stroll along the loch and then up the hil to the fort. Spectacuar views and a scorching heat. Delightful, then back down into the village and a planned well earned drink at the oak tree. We had planned lunch but it turns out colin had forgotten the bread and the girls are taken with the look of the chips. We enjoy a fine lunch then back to the house the grown ups retire for a siesta and then we awake to see colin has taken the girls to drymen. They have rented some dvd's and had a mooc and acquired bread. Meanwhile I decide on another walk and use coins visitor centre acquired walilkng map. I follow the wrong track and end up in an area similar to fangorn forest sans ents. I clamber my way back to the path and meet colin. We then get up once again to the fort and test my cardiovascular system to the max. Somewhre aong here my pedometer gives up the ghost. Back the flat and a bath and off to the oak tree.
Place is buzzing not a tabe free, so here is the bill of fare.
Hannah tomato soup, macaroni cheese.
Ally garlic mushrooms, scampi, ice cream ( amixture of peaches and cream and caramel mint ).
Jean chicken and parma ham with honey and mustard dressing, lamb casserole, clootie and custard.
Me prawn cocktail arctic char with lime butter saute potatoes, sticky toffee pud.
Colin - prawn cocktail, haggis neeps and tatties followed by clootie and custard.
Into the bar where we see agnes and colin opens the malt account with bruichladdich. I tactically refrain - wisdom at 43? Fed and watered we return home to the olympics and MOTD2.

On the bonnie bonnie banks

Awoke in paisley, specifically Linwood. Tired after last nights fun. Auds cooks a spectacular ful scottish breakfast. Lorne (square) sausage, ordinary sausage, bacon, egg, tomato, black pudding, fruit pudding, potato scone and scone. Unfortunately this pouched boy couldn't do it justice but its enuff to sustain me till tea. We idle around before setting off for the final stage. First to the petrol station, which is closed, I use the cash machine. And chris drops his wallet ( which he doesn't realise straightaway). Then its off to asda for petrol. In the queue on the way out chris' comes to light. We end him the dosh and then ally recalls seeiong a wallet at the other petrol station. Chris darts off and luckily its there. Then M8 to erskine bridge, balloch, drymen and on to loch lomond. Balmaha. Auds and chris lead us and we are grateful for that and putting us up. We go the oak tree inn and meet agnes the caretaker. Top gaff very satisfactory in every way. Its off for a walk for me and colin. Couple of miles along the shore. Of the loch. Then back to the house pick up jean and back to the oak tree. Table booked for 7.30 tomorrow. Nice drink sat in beer garden. Then back for a chillli at the house. Just chilling after that. Nice views of the loch from the flat. And a n interesting ashtray from a hotel in brasov, a city I have visited in romania.

Friday

An early start at JB's then a sit round and a bacon butty from the shop downstairs. I go and take a walk round colinton then the rain starts. So I beat a hasty retreat via the bank of scotland. We go back to jb's gaff and leave about 2pm. Thanks to her for a good couple of days. Unsure about what to do before meeting Fi. I prevail and we head towards the forth rail bridge. We snake through traffic and find a village called south queensferry we find a car park at a place called the binks. Which was a natural jetty where queen margaret provided a ferry for pilgrims. The binks is smack between the forth rail and road bridges. Damn fine examples of emgineerinig the both are too. We then stroll along the front through the harbour and into the town. In the search for food we pass a pub then find a nice looking gaff called the orocco pier. Jean thinks the guy in highland dress is a waiter, turns out he is a guest at the wedding which is going down there. The restaurant is cool an excellent noiuvelle fusoion sorta of menu. We opt for garlic mushrooms with onion bread, tomato soup, chips (best in the world) beef tortila wrap. And salmon fishcakes. It was brilliant and a snip a 25 squid inc drinks. A walk into the village then back to the car. Along the M9/M8 to hartshi services to meet fi. Arrive at 3.45 and jump over the carriageway to the costa coffee. Hartshill services aint brill and made less so with my fruitsome wind. Meet fi and then a crawl through foul weather on the M8 to glasgow. Arrive at linwood and surprised to see that fi and auds have swapped houses. Actually I had it wrong. Fi lives in the 11th floor flat and chris auds live in the first floor gaff with eddie the rabbit. A shower then its off to the bobbin mill. A two for one place with a wacky warehouse, broken toilet, closed beer garden and poor service. Fish and chips for me, note big portions and cheap food. Surprised to see that the vinegar on the table is white - the scots don't think this strange but I do, very. Then its back to auds house for a night of chatter and debauchery. Chris is the first casualty followed by jean. Me next, I am afraid, before the dancing starts ally remains painfuy sober and enjoys the pleasure in the teing us how bad we were the next day. And so to bed.

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After the gig

Soweto gospel choir finished then it was a trot at a steady pace to find jb and ally. We had planned for the grassmarket but ally and jb were in the three sisters bar. A sort of studenty gaff which we find quite easily. As we are we are walking up we witness the flypast and firework display from the colditz lookalike edinburgh castle. The beer is poop and the the food for juli and and ally goes down well. Then its a taxi back to julies gaff.

We have been to see the queen.

Damn fine the gaff was too Holyrood that is. Didn't go in the gallery but plenty of paintings in the main house. First time I done a royal place, when we went to windsor I famously sat on a royal wall outsisde. Mary Queen of Scots bedchamber was cool and the room full of little tudor treasures was cool. Then into the ruined abbey aside the house round the rather plain gardens. Then decicided to walk back up the royal mile. Stopped to watch street entertainers on the way, best of which were some lads dancin. Arrived at the other end at the tatoo ground in the castle. Just as the place were being shut and searched prior to the tatoo. Then down some steps and along towards tonights venue. A pleasant walk and then the rain starts so we dive into ryans bar. A plastic irish gaff, which served a pleasnt caledonian 80/-. Thinks we better sort food. Spy a sign for the new rendezvous chinese est 1958. Tempted in by the variety of the menu. Served by the waiter who lived in bootle, a fine repast of crispy fried wonton, butterfly king prawns, scallops with ginger, garlic and spring onion, and duck and beansprouts. Very good.
Then its off to the assembly rooms in conjunction with st georges to see the soweto gospel choir. Julie tells us they have. Been rated as the number one most popular attraction in the fez. Absolutelt kicking performance in a range of langauges. Vivid costumes and amazing dancing. Almost acapella with just a couple of drummers and a conductor. The voices are angelic. One song about the struggle moves me to tears.
Then its off to the three sisters bar to meet Julie and Ally who have had a good day too. Home via a cab a total of 11400 steps.

Edinburgh tour.

In to the city again on a number 10. Hopped off in princes street then its off to an open topped tour bus. 8.50 a head courtesy of the edinburgh grand tour. Up past st cuthberts, st johns grass market grey friars bobby side of the castle city chambers down the high street royal mie john knox's house past dynamic earth holyroodhouse burns monument old royal high school nelson monument national gallery then off the bus. And up to the high street. Take lunch in clever dicks.A free foto thereof. They have there own webite here. Some bellshil best and deuchars IPA. Good food served well if slow.
Then off to the queens scottish chapter at holyrood house.

The italalian job

Can't remember the name of the gaff fairly class pizzieria/pasta stuff. Round the table, veal chop, chicken, meatbals and chips. Nice wine list and not bad at just over 20 a head. A taxoi from the door back to julies for a drink and a chat. Jaen retires first soon followed by me

Edinburgh day one

So a number 10 bus to the city centre. Discharged us on to princes street, atrot up a hill to the festival office. Pick up tickets and we split into 2 parties at bristo square. Jean and I find a nice square after drinking my water, I reaise there was a beer trailer. We have a hot dog tres bon. Then its off to pod deco, refreshed by a pislner urquell then in to see doc laurence clark in screen 2.
Clarky was well tops. Enjoyed hid rant about jim davidson he engaged the audience with skill. He then went on to assassinate blair and bemoan being classed as being special or substandard as he suggests it really means. 9/10 for me but he's me mate. Jean really liked it too. Then its off to the assembly rooms george street. I comment that the weather aint been bad. Just then the heavens open as we are queing we get soaked to the skin. We get in time for a wee then the Nancy Cartwright my life as a 10 year old boy. She is the voice behind bart simpson and some other characters. Her vocal skillls are impressive her anecdotes witty but she seemed to use a lot of video to me. Still good show 3/5 from me, 3.5/5 from ally who reallly enjoyed it. Then a stroll down to an italian gaff for supper. Tres bien.

8400 steps today.

Colinton

A pleasant victorian looking village about 4 miles from edinburgh. We made good time on the motorway part of the journey then were slowed on the "A" by slow traffic. Still managed to find it ok. Seem to be a barracks town for the royal scots. Arrive at JB's and made most welcome and tad of prep and then off by bus to town. Pick up tickets and off to see Mr Clarke at pod deco at 17.25. Then its off to Nancy Cartwright at the assembly rooms in george street at 19.25. Meeting jb and ally outside at 19.10 shorts have been approved for wearing BTW. Though Ally rightly dissaproveswhich makes them better.

Allandale for lunch

Half decent services by a lake new gaff total rip off. Still 1000 steps around the lake is cool.

Tebay services

Westmoreand cumbria, billed as the best in britain. Run by local people a bit league of gentlemen but nice.

Tuesday

Jean aint well D&V. I get worried I may have to pack. I dont do packing, long story can do stuffing but not packing - is it a man thing?? Getting worried start acting responsibly - i know surprised me too. Did all sorts - paid papers only 77 quid - pah. got diesel - got stamps - did letters -went to tesco - did a install at colins friends - too many things to do not enuff time. whaaaaaaaaaa

Monday

Running round getting holiday kit sorted busy busy busy, walked down to Franks for a hair cut and I needed a drink when I got there. Walked back via the eastern european food queue that is somefield. Disgusted when lady lifted the glass lid off her scanner to reveal an inch deep layer of the stuff they sell to starbucks to go atop the skinny muffin. (See previous posts). Home and holiday planning.

sunday

me and ally walked down to ruth and pauls. Had a good lunch then we drove to the crem then on to mums to see her and mary and john before they scoot to wales for a few days.

Slack 3

Login as root I have mail its a joke. Set up kclare. Cool
Startx screen goes blank.
Nope kde personaiser
System behaviour I aint emuating billy gates I am a free man. Coolio. This is big fun.
Launch terminal window
Su pico /etc/initab

Find the line I'd:3:initdefaut
I know there's no apostrophe but this damn pda. Done that here's the girls better appear intereted in shopping.

Slackware 10 part 2

Oh its all gone quiet over there. Nope still updating my gnome docs must be v.important. Jean is gonna kill me I been sat here since she went out. Must go for a walk this evening. At which jecture my dusty gym key stares back at me accusingly.
It looks a bit hesitant at this point but its accessing the hard drive. I shall go freshen ready for the demands of creating a root password and a user account.
Kernel choice it defaukts to bare.i/bzImage
I go for that - blooming hard typing this on my pda by the way.
Make a boot floppy on hdc0
Done
No modem
Hot pug subsystem? Yup
Lilo go for simple hang on read mag yup simple
Frame buffer config go for slow with cool penguin logo.
Optional lilo append - erm no
Lilo destination now the boof says reject the defaults and pick the possibly unsafe MBR hey I I've om the edge.
Mouse easy hmmm network
Hostname easy
Domain name hmm does it need to be real?dhcp I know that bit - dhcp hostname nah
Start up services not a baldy clue
I go bsd Inetd
Custom screen fonts nah
Clock don't like that defaults to us and gb aint in europe.
Desktop I go kde despite the appeal of cholesterol free.
Here we go moment of truth exit and ctrl -alt-del
Lilo gives me a windows linux choice
Penguin looks good
Iinux login
Success
Now for an account

Out with suse welcome slack alice ware

Yup more Linux shenanigans I shouldn't be allowed near computers, well experimental ones. Had a mrnins sheer pleasure in the inux world me and suse even learned how to add packages then kaboom it won't reboot it aint well. Ah well. Linux format magazine to the rescue and slackware install underf way. I learn how to partition and have create a user and login at the bash prompt. This is getting dirty but more fun then the sanitised lifeless experience that is windows. No wonder these geeks whiff, I have forgotten to wash - just kidding. Some of the package names are funny.
Ogg vorbis?
Ncurses?
Pango?
What's a windows boy to do?
Apache - may run a website from this box?this is anorak heaven - which reminds me a piece in grauniad today about the forgotten victims of increased extra security.
Who is it - aviation spotters?
Why coz dem babylon won't let em hang oiut at heathrow collecting registration numbers. Spose the anorak could conceal a SAM or a dirty bomb. Sign em up as specials I say.
Meanwhile slackware????
Tetex? Will that be tetex XP or don't it work like that. Oh interestin its related to LaTeX?
Tix! Everything seems to have extensions too.
I have to decide which desktop to run, see its exciting.
I want a wee but I am too nervous to go in case I have to swap a cd.
BTW suse is binned coz of probs with my craclib and cdrao packages.
There is a thing to use msn. Wonder if that's how pete has got jane pugged into. Thinks I'll copy her to this for his view. He is the linux king. Mozilla at last a name I know.
Netscape too, that's another plus of linux choice. Billy boy gates hates choice.
Troube is I don't know how to pronounce all these words. Never heard no one saying them.
Is it linniks or lienikks.
Is it suze or susy.
Package series Y games
Oh oh disk change.
Which reminds me dear reader did I tell you that suzy possessed the cd drive. She kept spitting it out for no reason even when empty. Any ideas peter?
Gnumeric goodbye excel.
Jean just rang from town wanting allys number. I couldn't wait for the call to end so I coud get back to watching me install. Metacity
Nautilus dynamic and rich user experience.
Yelp
See the geezer doing the names likes a laff.
Do viruses attack linux?? Peter??
Kdegames seem like fun.
Btw the windows box is running media player playing babylon by bus. So I is well cool easy skanking.
Gotta go to me mams but this too much fun.
If procrastination was an olympic sport I'd bee up there.
I am sick ot the thing aready. Jean is/was loving it. The cable tv after being down since last night repaired by tall techie is up the shoot again. Or should that be chute.
Quanta plus
Hang on font config update
Update gnome documentation.
Scrol-keeper update.
The anticipation is doing my head in. I better send this now

Its saturday already

Then there was thursday then friday, difficult to remember the whale of a time I have had. Being without a car is a complete pain in the bum though I did enjoy a chance to do a lot more walking. Went to Pauls to fix his PC which was simply achieved by talking to it. Thus enhancing my rep as a pc wizard, though truth be told I did short save say vague incantation. The majority of time is spent worrying about car thanks to the AA mans woe is me soothsaying. Friday finds me in bed agreeing with Anne Widdicombe, over this rapist blokey whose won the lottery. Then at the DN's where things are improving. Healed wounds infact over granulated so another change of script, this time to a hydrocolloid. Glad coz the effect of the opsite in this humidity was a tad unpleasant. Ally and I picked up by Kim in her flash new Gangsters moll/hairdressers mobile I am impressed Ally sat in back less so. A pleasant lunch in Borders/starbucks, spotted by blogwatcher Neil "singing podiatrist" Nevitt. Who gets a mention precisely because he didnt ask for one. Unsuccessfull self publicists could learn a trick or two. Home via merseycabs computer/radio controlled conveyance. There computer links your phone number to a geographic location, fine for landlines but I hope it dont work with mobiles that would be scary. Back to pick up car from lookers at 4.30 and unfortunately miss a visit from the delightful Mary Bright. Tescos on way back and use a payphone to make a call home. After tea its off to Beas. And the delights of an olympic opening ceremony. Bring back the turgid question of sport says I.

Occ health

Then its in to occ health to see doc hibbert top guy. Very professional guy. Expects my healing will take longer. So aim tbe back in the saddle at work 6-8 weeks type of time. Once again I find my inability to gauge timescale dissapointing. My game plan involved returning by now and I do feel uncomfortabe gong on holiday whilst on sick leave.

Wednesday off to Aintree

Awoke early and its off with Jean to ennerdale a private residential facility at the end of the road to nowhere in aintree hospital. I then take control of the wee green car and start making calls to get the big blue bus sorted. First. Stop gail the lease car co-ordsinartor Then simon at Karl Viella then richard at zurich municipal. Then popped into sefton suite to say hello to norma and her husband. Then into the dining room from where I blog. Cooked breakfast heaven, I fear.

Monday was quiet Tuesday was mad

Monday was spent clearing up after the party and on the phone to callentres helplines.
Tuesday started OK took mum to get chairs.
Went up to Aintree then nipped into Maplin. Due to flooding thought the M57 was the best move. Big mistake. At the start of the M57 there was a huge lake, down to one lane so the two lanes of traffic intent on becoming three suddenly realised in seconds that it needed to be in the outside lane. An aggressive git in a sports car buzzed and stuffed to get past me. Short of hitting him I was forced into the second lane the car slowed right up and boogetr it stalled. Not good. Only sat till Mr Trucker came then Mr AA came. Top man took me to lookers then mum home then me home. Tried to ring lease car person and rang appleyards - bad news no replacement car as part of our contract. No probs holiday next week. Grrrrr. This might cost. not happy.

Out of the flood

Tanks to the good offices of a friendly trucker. He stopped at the side and offered his services. Waded thro the water wxposed my towing eye got drenched by his trucking mates. He refused my bung but I pressed him. Top man. I rang the police but the patrol will still attend. The police arrive and close two lanes meanwhile two cheeky chaps have got stuck where we were. Still in adversity cameraderie. Beth from the aa rins to tell me will be an hour then text advises will be here by 14.20 deep joy. I ring ally who is highly amused.

Stuck

On the end of the m57 in a flood feeling stoopid and shook up forced over by a geezer going too fast. Rang aa they can't help. Advised to ring police. Deep joy.

MSN Web Messenger

MSN Web Messenger this will upset t'internet police

Jeans Birthday.

Awoke early and brew up presents and nice time. good stuff, weather looks good but set to change later. Breezey but warm. DN debbie arrives and pleased to see that the wound is making progress next to be done on Wednesday. Slated Ally by not mentioning her new hair style on the blog. It looks good - so I go one better and post up a pic. We shoot to tesco woolton for essentials.

08/08/04 Ally and Ken 

08/08/02 Ally and Ken 

Office schmoffice

My reading matter jim boyce outlook 2003 inside out from microsoft press a good series to refer to with a coffee 32.99 out of my price range.
Anyway billy boy has neglected to include certain key features a newsgroup reader and rss feedreader and a search tool that worked faster than a snail would be a treat. So all of these needs are met thro third party add ons. Go look at mozilla billy boy and get inspired. Only a matter of time till I am rolling me own and smelling like a swamp. True techhy here I come.

Very odd

Last post was via blackberry browser, I have to say its less than ideal. It appeared to fill up and so I posted it and it worked. Resorted to more trusty email posting method. So after radio 4 and bleaching the back passage (in the garden), well to the garden. I spend an energising hour on the phone to Kathy from dublin. She is impressive I am buzzing afterwards. Then off to sainsbury woolton for a few items for tomorrow. Then borders for our saturday ritual. Chung ku takeaway for birthday treat. Poop need some cool tinnies forgot. Will have to sort. Gonna pop in to see me mam on way home.

Saturday quality time

Went to Beas last night for the usual Friday gig. Wanted a lie in this mornin but Jean was having none of it. The girls were away having a haircut and mr tesco was due. The postie brought me office 2003 which messed about during install. Got there in the end. Tesco delivery was fine. Summery weather continues and its out in the yard. Ian campbell of NOF on straw poll on wireless along with a dingbat liberterian. Doc C did well. Amnd the motion was defeated the govt should do summat about obesity.
Then an h

Lunch with Baggers

Top meeting 15 months since we met but shes a top lass and still has the fine accent. Some excellent tales of China clearly an amazing experience. If I think on I'll post a pic or two. Back home via the pharmacist. Phone call from Caroline Rand, a fellow sicknoter. The Linux quest continues - hard graft but good.
A comment noted from a commenter called Tony - prime suspect is Tony Woods - Rugby League fan and cheeky pup. Can't be him though I am sure that Central PCT's Internet police have me listed as a "bad" site.
Sandra tells me that the Internet access in the uni in china was heavily censored, though it seemed lax compared to the rigorous standards in the local PCT's. She really thought I was winding her up when I told her. Oh how I laffed.

If you knew Suse

Its working, this is coming to you from an aging man on an PC.Constructed from dung, bamboo and ring pulls and running Linux.Suse 9.1 Its a scary experience but I love it. Any real productivity in chez Clare is now of course at a halt as project linux rules the roost. Lots I don't understand about it but it seems to have potential in spades, and it dont belong to Billy Boy Gates. Meeting Sandra Bagnall today she has been to China - and other places for a long time. Looking forward to seeing her, a tad of shopping for Jeans birthday may be indicated also. Deep Joy.

Skinny blueberry muffin

Just what are the gritty bits. I need to know. A 2 course lunch here is steep so we make it pay by reading books. Feel the need to get my moneys worth.

Thursday another croque

Up at dawns crack, escort ally to the orthodontist @ Hartington road. Think she tells us off. I am too scared to say anything, terrible scared of dentists. Shook up we repair to asda for a few bits and refreshment. I purchase a sausage barm for ally after an eternity oggling it, I give in and purchase one. It was a mistake revolting in extremis. Thwn home, speak to me old mate jk whose having belly trouble. Then off to nurses via craig the pharmacist. Then up to borders with my daughter. Croque monsieur pannini. The daily mail is the free paper in starbucks what a load of cack. I am amused however at their slating of the audi TT, having two friends who drive them. Apparently its a which magazine report about reliabiity. Kim and David take note.

Call Centre Confidential

Call Centre Confidential man has been to Rhyl - deep joy. The jewel in the crown of the North Wales coast. Gronant, Talacre, Prestatyn, Ffrith Beach and then Rhyl.

Solicitors goes well

Turns out I know Steve Baxter - His dad was steward at the Con Club where my dad was head barman.
For clarity for Midlands blogwatchers we are selling Nanny Banks' gaff. Jeans knee is ok so long as she doesnt do too much on it. And we are jealous of your heatwave. Please will the youngs take this as a reply to the email. Holidays commence with the Edinburgh gig on the 18th of August.

Lunch

Kim and I take lunch in Starbucks v.pleasant. I spy kate Arden and rachel frm the diabetes/CHD nurses.

Solicitors smithdown road

Conveyancing we will go, not the best of starts I arrive at 2.30, appt is at 3.30 they say. Still he has one more appt and wi see me soon as. Cool.
Outside the office is a bus stop. Very noisy.

Wednesday and so to franks

My gp not my barber, a top geezer. Thoroughly review where I am up to and he is pleased with what I consider my painfully slow progress. A walk to the local shops and a shock from the appearance when I last walked this route 30+ years ago. Back to the surgery and a wait for the district nurse. Then off to starbucks with kim and then off to the solicitor. Deep joy.

Austin Mitchell's WeBLOG :: Austin Powered

Austin Mitchell's WeBLOG :: Austin Powered enjoy a page or two of this. Normal politics have returned. Normal blogging will follow. I’ve been to Santa Monica to register as an elector in the US so I can have a vote on British foreign policy

Welcome to the NEUTICLES Website! made me smile

Welcome to the NEUTICLES Website!

Tuesday - Debian is go.

Debian is live after a fashion. Just dont know how to work it, lots of fun getting there though. Up out and off to District Nurse. Then to mums for lunch take her to Morrisons Belle Vale where she seems less than happy. I spy Lesley Ecclestone in Morrisons. Back home and muchly chilling. Have 20 minutes kip and awake strangely refreshed.

Monday - energy up

Wake up feeling livelier than ever, well better than I have for months. Take curtains down and wash paintwork. Wierd or what. Then its district nurse Kathy today. Back to tesco for essentials reaise jean has my cheque card. Booger. Back home and finish domestic chores, a surprising shower. Jean is somewhat surprised by our feverish domestic activities. A quick tea of surprisingly healthy chicken sandwich then its off too Congleton on the M6. Mandy who runs the group there has asked me along. Twas a good meet and met several new faces, it was enjoyable, apart from the Thelwall viaduct. Home for 10.20 then a late night watching a thunderstorm with Ally. Too wound up to sleep then so up till 4am

I wil not give in

So its a walk to aerton road to purchase a linux mag. WHSmith is shut darn. Drinks ffrom a newsagent and a stroll along Allerton road. A delicious ice cream from the other place bistro back very green lane. Jeans knee which has a history is troubling her. Doesn't bode well for the planned scottish yomping. I will of course be setting the example by living off the land for a couple of nights. Return to the house and its jean for a kip and me off to borders to purchase linux format magazine. Then off to see mother -bliss. Back home and distro install fais so resort to text install hmm. Watch it but it gets tedious so I find my sef in the backyard. We are listening to eastenders at top voume pounding out of 98.

Bit on bum

Install failed.

Cor fedora

Or more correctly fedora core. Lots of questions and mouse not working properly. A nervey message tells me I have failed a media test. I press on regardless. Hope it don't bite me on the bum later. It seems a lot more friendly than debian

Iinux part 2

If you aren't techie this wi even more boring than the usual diatribe which graces these pages.
Last nights abortive instal attempt was thwarted by my lack of knowledge round iso images. So I have moved from debian to fedora red hat and learnt a lot about iso images in the process. So here I am waiting for a disk to burn. Perhaps this is why these linux heads look so spaced, sitting and waiting seems part of the game.
Seems like the more you get into the more you realise old billy boy gates is just ripping you off and taking all the fun out of computing this feels real and exciting. The difference between being on a big motorbike and a coach tour.
First you gotta build the monster - done. Then get software to work, then go for a spin. I haven't enjoyed messing with a PC so much in ages. Back to when I first used t'internet. A 2400 bps modem BTW long time ago. Happy days.
Still aint finished, allys mate llily coming round soon I have been ordered to to don a t shirt.