Today part of my day, other than helping set up barriers and a tent for the Whiteinch Gala, involved getting the remaining stuff out of an old church premises called The Gateway. One of the things I had to see to was to get the Whiteinch Church of Scotland sign from above the shop.

So Alan went up the ladder while I held on and we successfully brought down part of it and another piece slipped and as I tried to get out the way it bounced of the back of my head cutting it badly three times.

Exciting stuff, eh?

We got to the Whiteinch Centre, where Sammy Mitchell helped clean all the blood off my head, and there was a lot to clean, and Gordie the resident medical expert checked that it wasn’t too bad and with fresh paper towels stuck to the back of my head to stem the flow of blood Alan and I were off to the Western Infirmary.

Ruth joined me in good time and the medical folks at the A&E were quality and fast. They cleaned it up, glued the gashes shut and gave me some horse tranqs.

Apparently I have whiplash to look forward to, from the impact of the sign.

Isn’t life exciting?

BigAl

I went in this morning full of the coughing and wheezing, feeling under the weather and less of the joys of work. Especially as I was faced with a mild fcuk up that could have been avoided had I been more on the ball recently.

Gah.

Still, I managed to avoid the oncoming train wreck (for I am a silver-tongued gent) and to top it all off when I got home there was a letter waiting for me from the college telling me not to worry about the fees being paid.

Yowza. What a day.

BigAl

Been busy at work recently, started a part-time college course and been hard at work on the novel.

Too brief do you think?

Well right now I have some kind of chest infection, which is pretty bothersome, I’ve knuckled down with some classic The Avengers episodes and I have that listless feeling like I can’t concentrate on any one thing for too long. Perhaps an early night is in order.

After I’ve watched some more Avengers of course.

BigAl

I have been given an electric razor and as someone who has only ever used wet razors for the baldification ritual this was an all-new experience.

So all and new that I’ve made a bit of an arse of it. Although it doesn’t look like it, it feels like a chessboard on the noggin with alternating patches of stubble and no-stubble.

Still, I’m sure practice makes perfect.

BigAl

It’s been an odd couple of weeks. One of those times that things just seem to happen around you, you know?

Anyway, something that is good and solid (but still kind of part of that Twilight Zone feeling) is that I was at a pre-course meeting today for an NC Health and Social Care course in the neighbourhood centre run by Anniesland College.

So looks like from next Monday I’m a part-time student. I must remember to cut down on my personal hygiene to fit in with other students…

So it’ll be interesting to see where the course leads.

BigAl

At work we’re closing one of the two locations that we have, we don’t use it enough to justify the expense, and the highlight of the day was getting up at Stupid O’Clock to head down there to meet one of the guys from the church to lug the heavy stuff to the office.

Where I’m going to find space for a lot of this is going to fun, but it’s all part of the job. Or something.

I snuck away early as I’m back there this evening for moving the smaller stuff so that’ll be easier. And being at home has given me a chance to catch up with the housework and painting my remaining Grey Knights.

Heh. All work and no play makes Al a dull boy.

Perhaps the highlight wasn’t getting up at stupid o’clock after all…

Last night I successfully took a small gouge out of the top corner of my right thumb. Gah. Idiot. Blood, blood and more blood. As you can imagine I’ve not been particularly happy about this.

So it’s all taped up and hurting like hell.

BigAl

I’ve been called for jury duty.

The fools are letting me and 14 other random yahoos determine someone’s fate. Or that would be the plan if any of the people called were actually used for an actual jury. So far I’ve been called in at odd times on Monday and today and I’m due in at 11.30 tomorrow, and it’s disrupted my working week… Shame…

I was really looking forward to actually serving on a jury, seeing how the system ticks. Still, I’m always hopeful that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday bear fruit.

BigAl

I’ve had a relaxing day with the missus today. After what has been a shitty couple of weeks it’s been good to feel like the weight is finally beginning to lift.

So went out with Ruth for lunch, had a pint, veged out for the evening, watched the wonderful Great Muppet Caper and the less than good Flight Plan.

The problem with Flight Plan is that it has the making of a good psychological thriller but lets be honest, it’s a bit of a pants ending.

Surely, the better ending would be that Jodie Foster got shot in the head and the bad guy got away with all the money. Now that’s a film I’m aching to see.

Not that i can really comment on what makes a film good i’m having a late night watching Eurotrip and I’m ashamed I’m enjoying as much as I am.

BigAl

I’m getting rid of a ton of comics. I have a list here.

Initially, it’s only Detective Comics but I’ll be putting the full list online. If you want them, they’re yours. If you want to make some contribution to the BigAl Self Improvement Fund in return for the comics that is appreciated, but hardly necessary. It would just be a bonus to clear some space.

If you’re local to Glasgow you can come and pick them up but if you’re further afield you’ll be responsible for the postage.

BigAl

There’s a HP printer in the church office. One of those fax/scan/print jobs. And it hasn’t been working properly. Bad printer.

The error of choice is “supply expired”. I think it’s a empty ink cartridge, so I check the levels and it’s showing plenty of ink in both. But the colour cartridge is a compatible one, and we’ve had trouble with them in the past. Hmmm.

Anyway, after faffing around with cartridges I do something I should have done in the beginning. I check the error online.

It seems those cheeky chaps at HP put an expiry date on their cartridges. And the printer will not use it after that date. Bad call.

Feeling a bit dubious about this, I follow the instructions and whip out the internal battery and lo and behold the printer prints!

BigAl

Ruthy, my wife, has finally got her blog sorted out (www.dilligenz.co.uk) and has started her new project to keep herself, and anyone else who’s interested, away from the mindless evils of the new Big Brother series.

For her first project she’s going Lego mad and although I should be doing something similar, I’m instead inspired to finish painting my remaining miniatures in one fell swoop.

Problem is, I’ve got close to 50 of them to do…

Ah, who needs sleep anyway?

BigAl

On Sunday (18th May) Ruthy ran the Women’s 10k and very proud I am of her. Very proud indeed.

And she did it in just over 1hr 30mins. Brilliant.

And because she enjoyed it so much, she thinks I’d enjoy it as well. I’ve no problem with that. And the Men’s 10k is on Sunday 18th June, so I might just give it a try.

So if I’m going to do it, does anyone else want to give it a go?

BigAl

Or why some things just don’t age well at all…

On a recent Internet trawl I happened upon this.

That’s right kiddies. Glen Michael’s Cavalcade.

Wow.

I don’t know how long it’s going to available on that link so enjoy it while you can.

This particular episode, one I’m sure I remember (although I would have been seven at the time and I can barely remember what happened last week…), has The Krankies, The Priesthill Puppet Group and the usual selection of quality cartoons.

I recommend that everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) checks this out.

BigAl

FoxMarks is a handy tool for FireFox that allows you to use your bookmarks over several machines while keeping them synchronised.

Currently I’m using it on my Win XP & Ubuntu machines, my login on Ruthy’s laptop and my machine at work.

Very Handy.

Almost as good as the Wiki on a Stick and portable yWriter setups I have.

Dang, dontcha just love technology?

BigAl

I have a new computer! Bwah ha ha!!!

On Saturday I picked up that the primary drive on the old computer was starting to fail. Currently it still changes it’s mind whether it actually wants to work on any power up. But a new computer was bought…

I nipped into a local city centre parts shop and picked up many, many fine things including 2GB of Ram, a 250GB HDD, a 1GB Graphics Card and an Intel Quad Core Q6600.

And it’s very fine indeed.

The system is currently using a fresh install of Win XP Professional.

And not to fear, the old pc will be the media system on the network running the new version of Ubuntu released in 9 days time.

Of course, the network has been further blessed by the KVM switch provided by Edgy. Thank you very much for that sir…

BigAl

From Brick Commander, a fine collection of Lego spaceships.

Now, where’s that Lego box of mine…

BigAl

I spent some quality time with BBC’s iPlayer this evening catching up with The Apprentice, the only real reason to pay a license fee.

And I happened to notice that the volume control goes up to 11.

Aye, very good you Spinal Tap loving freaks..

BigAl

So,

Back in sunny Glasgow, suitably fed and watered by pizza and beer. Bliss.

Was the funeral of Ruth’s Gran this morning. Good service. Lot’s of good stuff said.

But lets have that as the last funeral I go to for at least a year? Yeah? Good.

And I managed to catch up with my writing and my reading while away. A productive few days away.

Anyways, tired and time for bed. Back to work tomorrow…

BigAl

I’m posting from a remote location 1 1/2 hours drive east of Inverness today, sufficiently far enough away from civilization that I can actually relax.

The reason for being up with the in-laws isn’t the happiest; Ruth’s Gran died last week and her funeral is on Wednesday in Inverness. But Ruth and I came up a few days early (on Sunday) to spend some quality time with her folks.

It has been really restful, it’s feeling a lifetime away from all the stresses of Living and Working in Glasgow. And with everything Ruth and I have been putting up with in our respective jobs It’s nice not to have to think about it for a while.

And the peace and quiet has been a godsend for my writing, with no other distractions present I’m getting some good stuff written. It’s rare enough that I’m as happy with my writing as I am right now!

Better head now. I’ve had a lazy day so far and I’m thinking that the others might be wanting to get out and about for a bit.

See ya,
BigAl

(Beginning to feel like a postcard here… )