Life in the middle

Web 2.oh now I get it.

Who says traditional advertising agencies aren't doing all they can to understand the new digital world.

(As seen on a colleagues bookshelf.)

Today, in very little detail.

It's Sunday, that means I post a load of pictures and silly comments about what I got up to today. Okay, if there are no questions then we may as well get started.

I cycled to my parents in Buckinghamshire this morning, packing only the essentials (which included two children's books of course) for what is about a 20 mile cycle.

I arrived smelling like I'd just cycled 20 miles on a hot and steamy day.

Once showered I noticed my old copy of 'Guide To Tanks'. I loved this book when I was a child. It's funny, when I was about ten I loved learning about military vehicles, and playing with toy soldiers. Actually it's not that funny at all, it's just boys. And while I think about it, I don't think I've actually grown up all that much - I was watching an SAS documentary on Youtube last night. Anyway, I read the chapter on the Chieftain tank (a formidable beast), and then set off for a mate's kid's birthday.

Hughesy drove. (And yes, that is the smile of a man whose just been given a BMW by his Dad.)

This is Kyle, having his lunch, he was one today (hence the party).

While on my way to the water closet I was pleased to see a picture hung on the wall of young Kyle and his favourite uncle (not real uncle, but those pretend uncles that your parents invent).

Following the party we headed home. Hughesy drove, still smiling like demented fool following his 'touch' with the Beamer.

Once back at my parents I prepared for the off. They had my uncle and aunt over (real not pretend), and were planning a barbecue. I thought they might think better of it once it started shitting it down, but no, they ploughed on. Harry refusing to given in, you could almost hear him saying to himself again and again "it's only a little shower, it will pass".

So I packed my sack, readied the Specialized, and left York House. With some 25miles ahead of me (different route home, which is longer).

Little while later I was home. Tired and ready for something to eat. As luck would have it, Mum has prepared me a doggie bag, right off the barbecue - steak, lamb, potatoes, broccoli, and carrots. Nice one Mum.

Yum. Bum. Tum. Dumb...Shalom. (That doesn't mean anything, I just wasn't sure how to end this post.)

Err...the end.

Time for a trim.

I haven't been for a haircut in ages, but I really must - it's getting stupidly long now. That being said, I think the black dye has really bought out the colour in my eyes, even if I do say so myself.

Who's in the (Great London) house?

How's that?

Played an enjoyable game of cricket on Sunday. Tom has done a splendid write up over on Raymond, and took some great pictures.

I was caught off a ball from Dan The Man, outwardly he acted kindly, but inside I think he understood the significance of taking my wicket, and its impact on the match.

I left the pitch with a red nose from the sun, back to (as Tom rather wonderfully put it) "the Stella, and life in the middle".

Update: Dan also slags me off, sorry, I mean reports on the game, here.

Reflection.

On reflection I am wearing too much brown at the moment.

Long way.

So THAT was a year ago today.

Long day.

It's been a long day. It started with me passing these cranes this morning on the way to the station, I can't remember where they were, or why I took a picture of them, but here they are. It's been a long day.

After a long meeting this morning, I ate a dead animal's liver - it's important to eat during a long day, to stay strong.

Following lunch we rested in the sun. Watched the students that were visiting Bristol University. And lamented a youth that was now a long way behind us. We noted that with age comes fear - thoughts like this fall through the gaps during a long day.

And then following the afternoon's long meeting we boarded the train, relaxed, and solemnly noted the length of the day (while quietly believing we had broken its back).

We were wrong, of course - the day got longer. Lightening struck the line (apparently), the train sat doing nothing for 40mins just outside Reading, and then terminated at the station.

Stranded, we waited 30 mins for a cab. Sat in a couple of hours of traffic, and finally floated back to London.

It was a day long in length, with no short cuts, no fast tracking. Some years in the future I believe I will look back on this day and say "my, that was a long day".

Harry's 'mission control'

This is a Dad's computer set up, isn't it? Really, it is, isn't it?

No, it really is - read about my Dad's computer here. It's really more interesting than it sounds.

Things I realised today.

Ealing will acknowledge the current terror threat any way it can. As long as we know - that's what matters.

Given enough bacon, a small child will eventually bow its head in deference.

As of today my mum owns a cat. She's called George and she settled in quite quickly (that's her admiring her new kingdom). Welcome George.

Outside art is better than inside art - it just seems more meaningful, impactful, and down right weird.

Not many people work in our office on a Sunday.

And that while red socks may not look good with everything (some would say anything, I understand), one must plough on with them regardless - it's a personal statement thing.