neilbrookes

Welcome to springtime :)

2006-04-13T09:49:17Z

So....the firewall policy changed last night. We are now 'allowed' to access certain sites during the working day.
This is both good and bad I imagine. The day will possibly be more enjoyable, but less fruitful.

I bought a flat also. Have a look. Its not much, but it's home and it's about all you can afford in London when you work for a charity.

http://www.whack.org/~neil/photography/Bruce_Road/

Cable is getting hooked up next week, so I will (for the first time in over a year) be able to cruise the information super-highway at blistering speeds from the comfort of my floor (untill the sofa turns up in a few weeks).

In other news I really like this http://www.pimpmysnack.com/

how much FUN would that be ?

silly hours

2005-07-11T16:36:29Z

I dont get much opportunity to write here now.

My new work place has an absurd firewall policy where livejournal can only be accessed before 9am and after 5pm.
If I am here at those times, it usually means I am too busy to be updating !

I am looking at a property to buy though.....which would be SO excellent if it happened.

I might try and post some pictures of the possible places here !

n

come on Ohio.

2004-11-03T09:05:33Z

janehex

EXACTLY.

I'm glad I dont live there.

neilbrookes @ 2004-10-20T13:46:00

2004-10-20T12:58:04Z

It has been a crazy time recently. I will summarise :

- Friday 15th.
Last day at my old job. I was surprisingly saddened by leaving, despite the fact that I had wanted to change for quite a while. A few pints on friday evening helped me over this.

- Saturday 16th.
Load all the remining bags and boxes into my car and strike out for a new life and new home ! It took most og the afternoon and evening to unpack and get everything up to the top floor room that will be mine for the foreseeable future. Obligitary pints out with my new housemates followed.

- Sunday 17th
A Sunday. TV and papers, what did you expect ?

- Monday 18th
New job.

I'll write more about how the new job is going in few days, when I more settled in.

only 1 week left.

2004-10-11T15:12:06Z

Well, Monday of my last week at work. It is very strange to think that, after 3 years, I wont be working here anymore. My last Monday morning. My last Monday lunchtime. My last Monday at the work gym.

still, its all for the best. I promise.

on the move, again.

2004-09-29T09:53:32Z

I am on the verge of yet another move. This will be the 7th?? move in 3 years. That is just crazy. Still, I think this will be the best one yet.

I am going here.

This is all in order to facilitate my new job, which begins on the 18th of October, and which I am very excited about. I'm going to be a fine-and-dandy man-about-town soon.

Hot date tonight too, so things are looking up.

pictures will come soon. (of various recent events !).

good weekend

2004-09-06T10:57:57Z

Good afternoon people.

I was here at the weekend. It was very enjoyable. i'll post some pictures at a later date.

that is all.

back to work

2004-08-31T08:28:34Z

howdy campers,

Well, I'm back from 10 days at home in Dublin. It was great. My intention was to post a picture or two, but I didn't take any. Now, before you accuse me of severe laziness....the lack of pictures is due to the lack of camera. I left it here in the UK. grrroan. Oh well. I can confirm that everybody at the wedding last Thursday looked fantastic.

congrats to Steve and Ruth. It was a beautiful ceremony.

now, I have a date with many unread, and probably unimportant emails.

iPOD joy

2004-08-11T08:39:07Z

HUBBA HUBBA, I got a new toy.

good week, good weekend, good good good.

2004-08-02T12:09:33Z

Had a great weekend. Friday was spent with good weather and good friends here. Saturday was spent with the same good weather, some old friends, and some new ones here.

The cause of my good mood is the happenings last week :

Monday : Second round interview with potential new job
Tuesday : Offer of new job
Thursday : Accept new offer
Friday : Resignation from current position.

I'm on top of the world. This is going to be an exciting change...something I should have done years ago. I have to work quite a long notice here however, untill the middle of October.

I'll keep posting here with all the exciting stuff that is bound to happen in the next few weeks.

PS. Anybody want to buy my car...I won't be needing it in London !

chav spotting...

2004-07-23T10:44:42Z

It's difficult to tell, but those are BURBERY trousers. If it was easier to distinguish, I'd send it to www.chavscum.co.uk.

Time : about 8.30 am
Place : Down the street from my place
Camera : My trusty Panasonic GD80

film review

2004-07-22T13:45:44Z

I have seen two films recently.

Last Friday I saw Spider-Man 2. I liked it. I was a big fan of the first one (and no, not just Kirsten Dunst !). Spiderman is easily the coolest superhero ever. I give it 7/10.

Yesterday I saw the much hyped Farenheit 9/11. It, also, was good. I already knew, however, that George W Bush was a knob-head, so I didnt need Micheal Moore to tell me. It was a little difficult to follow at times, and I believe that Mr. Moore is particularly good at 'leading' an audience to draw desired conclusions. Still, no smoke without fire huh? I also give this film 7/10.

On a differnt (but slightly related) note. How do brand-spanking-new movie theaters become so minging after only a year of business. It really bugs me when I have to walk on sticky floors and sit on dirty, torn seats and deal with cinema employees, non of whom seem to be older than 14. THANK YOU UGC for providing such a fantastic movie experience. PAH.

change may be afoot..

2004-07-21T13:15:43Z

Ok, so I have been applying to some new jobs here and there. Some places never respond to my application, some acknowledge, and some actually (foolishly !) want to interview me. One of these interviews was two weeks ago. I'm going back for second round next week.

This has kind of sneaked up on me. Now that I am on the verge of a possible new job I'm getting a little scared about the consequences and decisions to be made if I get it. I never ACTUALLY thought that I would get an offer ! Still, I'll say no more, I wouldn't like to jinx it.

That said, it's in central London and I will totally move there if I get the job !! Wish me luck !

In other news, I have just put all my digital music into on play list and am playing it on random. It will take 234 hours, 17 minutes and 3 seconds. Not bad. I keep hearing stuff I didnt even know that I had !

birthdays

2004-07-20T10:31:24Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday) to my sister.

She is flying to Boston today.....have a safe trip little sister!

time shift

2004-07-02T09:44:46Z

On Wednesday I saw the day after tomorrow. So, I guess that's today, right ? It's not quite as bad as I was expecting. I even dressed up warm this morning, but it seems to be a beautiful sunny day.

In other news, I am still settling into the new place. Stuff is still in boxes. I have unpacked all the essentials though. I can see my self living out of boxes for a few more weeks.

The plans for this weekend include a wedding reception down in Brighton. I really better figure out how I'm getting there and home again. It should be lots of fun. BIG congrats to Alex and Stu on taking the plunge. Also to Reena and Jag who did the same thing in Leeds last weekend.

that is all.

on the move, again.

2004-06-29T09:20:30Z

I'm moving house. In fact, I have moved house. This morning. This will be the 6th time in 3 years I believe.

I was here. Now I will be here.

O and I were up until 2am cleaning the old place. The agent is giving us the entire deposit back, so I guess it was worth it. It has been a real pain in the ass though. Isn't it funny, you always have more stuff than you think. I h ave taken the opportunity to lighten my load somewhat. I dont like the idea of not being able to make a quick exit from life. My goal is to be able to fit my entire life in the back of my car.

In other news, I have a job interview. London, next thursday. Am debating if I should borrow Toppers 'lucky' tie again. I'm not so sure, it didnt work last time, but it is a nice tie.

Two jobs in the US of A have also caught my eye. One on the east coast, one on the west. I'll keep you posted.

..and finally, I'M BACK ! Its been a few months. Did ya miss me ?

to be sure, to be sure.....

2004-03-17T08:59:01Z

Happy St. Patricks day people.

swing low ?

2004-03-09T10:17:21Z

FOR SALE
One chariot, (low-swinging, sweet type),in urgent need of repair (wheels have come off..again).
Former world leader in its class, used to be white but is now a lovely shade of Green.
One careless owner, details from Clive, Tel.Twickenham 19-13.

empty handed

2004-02-26T14:00:00Z

Well done me.
I didnt buy a single thing in IKEA last night.

I'm proud of myself.

I had a fit of the giggles at the back of an important meeting this morning. I dont think thats happened since I was 12 years old. It was fun though.

shopping

2004-02-25T14:41:43Z

I'm going to IKEA tonight.

Somebody once told me that he ranked IKEA somewhere between Argos and Habitat, in this order :

Habitat
IKEA
Argos

I would agree with this classification.

I'll let you know if I buy anything tomorrow.

moving

2004-02-23T10:19:40Z

This weekend I helped Anna move house from here to here.

It was tiring, but I got fed pizza for all my hard work.

please, oh please

2004-02-20T11:35:23Z

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/3504961.stm

that would kick ass.

woking out

2004-02-19T16:48:46Z

I'm going to the gym tonight.

I've been very pleased with myself recently, with regards fitness. For the last three weeks I have been to the gym on Monday, Wednesday anf Thursday.

Football is still ongoing on Tuesdays.

Fridays is for the pub.

I might strat trying to go swimming or something at the weekends.

I'll be ripped ;o)

public speaking

2004-02-18T15:20:17Z

I usually dont mind public speaking, but I always get nervous for about 10 minutes beforehand. I'm then OK when I start the presentation !

I'm in that 10 minutes now.

butterflys, stomach.

wish me luck......

missing pictures

2004-02-18T11:06:29Z

I'm trying to figure out how to get images associated with each post.

anybody have any ideas ? I have looked through all the FAQ's and stuff.

It is, perhpas, due to the fact that I have a limited "free" account. Its not that I'm being stinky, I just dont want to shell out $25 before I have decided if I am going to continue this journal.

Today is particularly dull. This is why :
- I didn't sleep very well last night
- Its Wednesday, a notoriously dull day
- Work is beginning to bug me

Things will get better as the weekend approaches, they always do.