Hey, we only broke their system 3 or 4 times. Not bad for a whole day's trying. Like I've said to people before, the potential of the program for what we want it to do is staggering, it just isn't quite there yet. Trouble is, the flaws are in the really vital or obvious places rather than the fiddly bits you only use once or twice a year. One day!

Home now for a damn good weekend (I've decided).

And so we wait. Due for training in the new database today, but nobody really knows when it is due to start so we sit and wait. I have seen one of the training people, but he didn't see me (which was pretty cunning I reckon).

Anyway, calmed down finally last night, but still felt a bit wobbly and stuff. Now, part of the problem was my fault I admit but having gone through such a crappy year I think some proper support should have been more forthcoming a bit earlier. Oh well, we will just have to see how it goes from now on. I do still have my eyes peeled for other opportunities - there just don't seem to be any at the moment.

On a brighter note, the new series of ER finally started on E4 last night. Hoorah for Satellite TV! Bit of a gruesome way to start the series but really good, solid drama that made the ad breaks more tolerable. I'm sure they only had two when they first started to show it rather than the three we get now. If the show wasn't so damn good it would be far too easy to lose track of the plot the way they break it up like that.

Joan is off tomorrow, which is good as the weather is forecast to get worse again tonight. However, if they are wrong or it clears up by lunchtime we will be coming in to Ipswich to see Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers. Having re-watched Fellowship and seen the reviews etc I am so looking forward to this one. Then will start to delve into the other two discs in the DVD box. Mainly to find out what the extra material there covers, as it could well be that there will be extended and enhanced versions of all three films available. That will just be wonderful in my opinion. I know that purists reckon they have changed too much from the original books, but I am realistic enough to see why they had to for a cinema audience and am sure I can enjoy the two different versions equally. After all, the whole thing just looks so much like I'd visualised it that even though I will be looking for differences next time I read the book I reckon it will still be fully enjoyable.

Right, let's see if they are ready for us now.

Wrote this and put in on the Llamasoft forum earlier today:

Sense Of Wonder.

So here I am at nearly 32, currently fed up with my job as it isn't challenging me at the moment (although that may change, I've been called to a meeting with my boss and his boss this afternoon about my work, hopefully they have some more stuff for me rather than just a bollocking for spending too much time on the internet). It's winter and grey and cold and yucky most of the time. The bills are going to come in from Christmas any day and make my wallet cry.

But, last night, with the help of one DVD I got back that sense of wonder and joy and everything seemed a lot better.

We were watching The Abyss, having finally got round to buying the special edition half price in Smiths sale.

Now, I've seen if before. We were interrupted by the phone and other breaks for natural functions to occur. I was also flipping through the booklet scene by scene to read what they'd added from the original version. And yet...

By the end of it I was sitting open mouthed with a big smile on my face. Fully in tune with the characters and what they were going through. Enjoying as if new every revelation or glimpse of the aliens.

It was truly wonderful.

And something I've not had since this time last year when I first watched The Fellowship of the Ring on the big screen and thought it looked exactly right.

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

It got a good response which was nice. Especially as the meeting was kind of a stop surfing and start working/we see you are in a rut how can we help kind of combination. I have been down of late, as regular readers will know, and I have needed something like that. Hope it does the trick and also that the promised support materialises. Especially as the anticipation of the meeting was horrible, leading to me sitting out in a church yard for half an hour at lunchtime, some of it on the phone to Joan in tears with worry. God, I hate being me somedays.

All of which might mean fewer postings on here but I am going to try to keep up and get myself re-motivated. Hopefully some of the new things coming up will give me the challenges I need.

Off home now for more fretting and consolation I'm sure.

It stopped snowing so I went for a wander at lunchtime after all. Got the new Levellers single and also met someone I used to work with at Argos here for a surprise chat.

And now have confirmation that the account I opened for Llamasoft related travel (i.e. anyone can donate to get a worthy fan across the atlantic or whatever) is underway so will get that announced nw and watch the cash come rolling in.

Well, what started off as a slight sprinkling while I was coming in to work now seems to have progressed to a full and proper snowfall situation. NOT looking forward to driving home tonight if it keeps on like this. Still, better than when I used to work in Newmarket I suppose. That really was a nightmare a couple of times.

My turn for the strange and confusing dreams last night again. Some snippets featuring strange underwear and trying to get families together but mostly trying to help my friend Cara claim some money she was owed from the army unit stationed in our college (??) whils avoiding the animated goat statues (also ??). Sometimes it would be nice to just sleep without my head wandering off!

Main job for today would appear to be looking for errors in the latest build fo our database that still doesn't work. Time to get really petty and vindictive I think.

Woo. Proper snow last night meaning a couple of inches lying all over this morning, cars to clear and all sorts. Journey into work was only a problem because of other pepole as the roads themselves were nice and clear by then. Just loads of people blocking my way by queueing to get round other routes or whatever and not leaving gaps. Plus of course the kids were back to school today and obviously couldn't be walking in this weather. Lazy trolls.

Joan had the strange dream last night - something about getting a pet duck. Must stop her drink!

Not much else to say for now. Didn't go out at lunchtime yesterday and not planning to today either. Too many temptations in the shops. Joan was supposed to be going out for a "farewell" meal with Tracey tonight but that has been postponed by the weather so we will have a relaxed and snuggly evening instead.

Brrr, more than a bit nippy cold this morning. Even had to scrape ice off the car for the first time this winter (first time for this car come to think of it). Only the rear windscreen though as being up on the driveway shelters the rest of them. Could this be my lucky winter? We shall have to wait and see.

Everyone back in the office today having survived their Christmas revels and New Year frolics. Which means I am back to using headphones plugged in to the PC to keep my sanity as well as just for the entertainment. Todays a selection of seriously chilled-out stuff as recommended by someone on the Llamasoft Forums. Very interesting listening so far. Will have to go rummaging more I think.

Very vivid strange dream last night so I think I will write it up. Started in a semi-normal fashion (!) with David Attenborough wanting to film a wildlife prog in our back garden. He got even more excited when Tawny came along so she ended up being filmed too. After that it got stranger, as our current garden was tacked on to the old house in Welwyn Garden City but everything else was as in Felixstowe. So we were having a post-filming party with all our current neighbours (including Patti wandering around with her top off for no logical reason) and people I work with. All got very confusing trying to explain to people why the house was so different from all the othes in the street.

Hmm. Time for lunch now I think. Oh, they didn't win last night either. But at least it wasn't as smokey as last time so Joan isn't coughing and spluttering as much today.

Last night went very well indeed. Lots of fun and laughter from all, and good food as well (my Joan sure can cook). Some of the piccies plus some from Christmas and other recent gatherings are now at http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/llama_at_home if anyone wants to look!

Had a good day today as well. No snow, but the sun has been shining making all well in the world. Had a late start then went into town for lunch. Also managed to buy another two DVDs (Monsters Inc. and The Wizard of Oz) - must try to stop myself now at least until after my birthday. Then to Safeway for food and back here. Jerry came in for a coffee and another good chat ensued.

Now Joan is off at Bingo, surely they will have to get lucky and win something this time. I'll be off to pick them up later but now have time for a spot of something else.