I don't believe this. They've gone to the bingo again. That's four times this week now. I just hope they win.

Bored now and want to be somewhere else. Wouldn't even object to being somewhere else working, so long as it wasn't here at the moment. Half the office is still not around, and half of what's left has either gone home or gone to meetings and all I've got is a couple of letters to write that I just can't be bothered with. No inspiration on how to saythe same thing in a nice way and stop them writing back. And it is so quiet. Normally all the noise and distractions get me down, but right now some of those would be welcome.

Strange old world.

Not sure what we will be doing tomorrow. The original plan was to go to Bury St. Edmunds for the day, but a BBQ at Helen's has also been mentioned for the afternoon. So, which will win? I can't see both happening, that's for sure.

Three sunny days in a row, must have been a mistake made somewhere in the weather planning bureau.

Had the consultation meeting with the assistant directors on the staffing review this morning. I think some new ground was covered rather than the usual circular arguments but I wouldn't like to state exactly what. And we do now have a deadline to try and get a new structure in place, vacancies filled etc. So, roll on September and let us see.

Just been up the town in the sun. Saw Joan & the sisters as they were having lunch before hitting the shops in a big way. Wonder what they will buy. I know I have to wait here until they want to go home though to save them the bus fare! I got the latest Terry Pratchett book to hit paperback (Thief of Time) which I will look forward to reading. Not just yet though, as I think the next fiction in line will be Harry Potter 3.

Watched Billy Elliot again last night. Just as brilliant on the second viewing, although some of the continual bad language does grate after a while. I know it adds to the realism to a point, but it begins to lose the impact when it gets that frequent.

Only a few hours to go until freedom kicks in for the weekend.

Now we have the hottest day of the year so far, I am of course back at work rather than enjoying the sun. I have managed to get out of the office twice though, which doesn't do much to compensate, but is a start.

Tuesday we did Ipswich. Lots of rummaging in the cheap shops and purchasing of cushion and duvet covers to go back to Canada. I do recall seing such products over there at what I thought were reasonable prices, so I'm not sure of the logic. I think perhaps Sheila is stuck in a timewarp taste-wise from when she went over the Atlantic. All I ended up with was a pair of trousers that I took back today as despite claiming to be the same size as all my others, I could only just do them up and certainly couldn't breathe. Hey ho. Then in the evening we went down the seafront to let her play on the fruit machines. Shopping and gambling, what a life! Joan and I tried out a rollercoaster simulator they've just got in. Quite fun, but actually leaves you more queasy than the real thing I think. Probably due to staring at a screen and not getting the actual rush of air.

Yesterday we went to Woodbridge again. Got some trousers that do fit! Also had a very nice lunch at the Bull. Need to go there more often! In the evening they tried the Bingo here in Ipswich (winnings = zero) so I called in to see m'poorly colleague Gary. Watched The Parole Officer, which was a hugely funny film. And I can't normally stand Steve Coogan either. Perhaps it was the character - not quite so naff as some of his others. It won't be an essential purchase, but if I ever see the DVD cheap I will probably grab a copy.

Finished The Shelters of Stone this morning with breakfast. Absolutely top book. Hope the next one doesn't take another 12 years, especially as there are several loose ends dangling now. Pretty much all the other 4 could have been the end of the series fairly satisfactorily but this one definitely needs more. I'm also looking forward to reading it again without being quite so desperate to find out what happens next, but able to savour each bit. Next up will be a non-fiction for sure, but have a stack of magazines to get through first.

Why does time have to pass so quickly? What ever happened to the weekend? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions, and more....!

Friday went in a real rush. I had to meet some people at Park & Ride in the morning, so spent most of the time trying to get stuff done before that, then in the afternoon I was leaving early to go to the dentist, so more rushing to finish things off. Third of the four hygenist visits, so not particularly fun. I did find out why they can't inject lower jaws though - all to do with nerve distribution and bone density. Then Sheila was back in Suffolk so we went along to Helen's for tea.

Saturday Joan was at work so I pottered about here for a while, did some Ironing, that sort of thing before heading up to Ipswich with Richard. Had to replace the joypad he got me for Christmas due to it breaking last week! Helen invited us up for dinner again, and after that the girls went to Bingo so I had a nice quiet evening.

Yesterday we did our own things in the morning - they went to the market, we went to Homebase and bought plants for the garden as well as doing some shopping. Had everyone over here for dinner and Shiela is now staying with us until the end of the week. A fun evening, even if I was feeling a little down for no apparent reason.

Today we have been into town and now they are Bingoing again. So time for me to put my feet up a little I reckon.

Yesterday went really well. Got there nice and early, had a very interesting presentation, a good meeting, a nice lunch and a nose about the city on a new bus. And another 110 miles to claim for! I do like Cambridge, and must go up there for a shopping day sometime soon. When warm weather can be guaranteed.

Today has been work and more work. Had a surprise timetable change come in just when I thought I'd managed to get the whole set of books finished. Luckily it wasn't for one of the three that have already gone to press so we have been able to slip it in. Actress, Bishop etc. I'm once again getting frustrated by the things that are going on in here, but am trying not to get too affected by it. Have booked three days off next week to try and clear my head of it all. Plus Shiela will be back with us so we can have a couple of days out.

Nothing much else exciting has happened...

Busy old weekend.

On the way home Friday night (after getting the stuff to put the patio down with) I got hit by the headache from hell, that put me out of action for the rest of the night, which was not fun. Saturday Joan was off, and by the time I was feeling compos-mentis it was at least mid-morning. So, we wandered into town, had lunch then went shopping. Afternoon spent tidying up for the evening when Helen, Bhupen & Alexander came along for a Chinese. A good time was had by all, and I finally felt 100% human again by the time we went to bed.

Sunday Joan was at work. I did a bit on the patio area in a levelling sort of way until I managed to snap the head on the rake. Then it was time to go and look at the old cars etc. on the Ipswich - Felixstowe historic vehicle run. Some absolute corkers as expected. Didn't get all the way down the prom to see them as there was a CD fair on at the Leisure centre which kind of sucked me in. Finally managed to get hold of the re-released, re-mastered Iron Maiden Live After Death at a price I was prepared to pay for something I already have on vinyl, and also got hold of TWO Diesel Park West CDs, one of which I didn't even know existed. Looking forward to giving them a spin soon. Then in the evening we went to Ma & Pa's for dinner. They now have a nice trench all round the garage where the extension is going. Managed not to fall in it.

Yesterday being a bank holiday and all, we were not at all surprised to see black clouds when we woke up. It did cheer up in the end, and with the assistance of Jerry from next door and Old Eric from up the road got the patio finally down and finished. Also cut the grass and did some general tidying up while Joan made cakes. And very tasty they were too. Then to round off the day we watched The Mummy Returns. I know the plot is a bit thin, and the effects tend to take over, but it's still a fun couple of hours and we like that sort of stuff!

Been to Norwich this morning for a meeting and off to Cambridge tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be zonked by the end of the day, but at least I'm getting paid for it!

Another day of escaping the rain. Not that we've had any yet today, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time.

I managed to restrain myself last night when it came to starting the Shelters, made myself wait for as long as it took to return Skies to the shelf and pick up the new one. Which I think was pretty good going by anyone's standards! Certainly seems to be living up to expectations so far anyway. And now we are nearly at the weekend where hopefully I will be able to dedicate some serious time to sitting around with my nose in the book.

OK, so I have to do a spot of patio laying if at all possible, but that's not nearly as important.

Then again, it is 10% off day at Homebase and I have a £7 voucher as well, so I'd better get the sand/cement mix to lay them on tonight on the way home rather than waiting for tomorrow. Its not that I don't want to get the thing doen, more that I can't see it being the end of the process. I just wish we could enjoy the damn garden occasionally rather than working in it.

Been fairly quiet at work today, which is nice. And thus I should be able to sneak off fairly early. I think I deserve that.

A result at last! Have put together a promotional page in the East Anglian Daily Times about Park & Ride to tie in with a reader offer and the corporate people like it!

Hoorah.

And it uses a couple of pictures wot I took myself, so now I'm a press photographer too.

Time to go home now, with a smile on my face for a change. Actually, most days the smile is there, but its because I'm going home rather than any other reason.

Just had a lucky escape - been to do a spot of shopping, got back and now it is raining like it's going out of fashion. Hee hee. Basement flood imminent I think.

Yesterday was both great and horrible. The grotty bits were all related to work, strangely enough. Had a little presentation at Park & Ride for the charter mark. Just the director and one councillor handing over certificates and getting their picture took. You'd think that would be fairly straightforward, but the number of people who have to stick their nose in or have an opinion is just unbelievable. Oh well, it seems to be calm again now. And good news is that two of the sicko's are back at work today, unfortunately we've lost someone else to it to compensate.

The good bit from yesterday was stonkingly good though. Finally got my hands on a copy of Jean M. Auel's The Shelters Of Stone. Only been waiting 12 years for it to be published so I had to invest in the hardback! Looks like the fiction/non-fiction alternating pattern will have to take a back seat for now as I don't intend to wait any longer than finishing the Anne McC book before I start that one, and with any luck that will be tonight. Another 700+ pages of prehistoric fun and frolics await. I was also tickled by the quote WH Smiths are putting on their carrier bags at the moment: Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read Groucho Marx. Oh, and am thoroughly enjoying the Skies of Pern despite the slightly glaring continuity glitches. I suppose they are inevitable in a series that developes over as much time as this one has and the author tends to jump around rather than always writing the next book to follow on from the last, but it does niggle me when things are referred to as gospel that weren't mentioned in a previous book because they hadn't actually been thought of then.

Nothing else to say for now, but I might be back later if things spring to mind.

This office is absolutely freezing today. I might have to go out and buy a jumper at this rate.

One of the girls in office services has a birthday today so her desk has been decorated with the traditional balloon arrangement of one long one and two smaller round ones. If that was on a chap's desk he'd probably get done for sexual harrassment. Hey ho.

OK, I've had enough of the rain now thankyouverymuch. Wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so windy at the same time - when you need 2 hands on the brolly it isn't nearly as much fun. And I've got to get out of the building at some point today as I have things to buy and pick up from Park & Ride and stuff.

Anyway, I blew another fiver on a PC game on Sunday (at Sainsburys of all places) and am now getting to grips with Grand Theft Auto (and the London expansion levels, all in the price!). Took a while to figure out a control method that worked with my joypad, but am happy now. I think I will have to try not playing anything tonight though to give my thumbs a rest.

Not done anything else with the pics I scanned yet, so you'll have to wait a little longer.

Grrrr, another alarm call out to Argos at 2-30 this morning. Another git peeing through the door. Can't we run 30,000 volts through them or something?

Still, turned out last night wasn't a meal at Ma & Pa's but an invite out with them instead. Richard was out with friends from work so rather than taking the opportunity for a rare evening on their own they took the even rarer opportunity to see us without him. We went to the Beagle so that was great. Had the Hunter's Chicken which was absolutely superb.

Have this morning scanned some of the house pictures, so might get some fo those online this afternoon when I've trimmed them a bit.

Off into town to tax the car now. More money!

Still raining so I won't have to dodge people due to not leaving the building... I think the people of Ipswich should be fitted with brake lights and indicators the way they just suddenly stop or veer in front of you when trying to walk around town.

And now, according to the BBC, it seems people are "rushing" to buy Queen Mum stamps. Never realised there would be so many people wanting to lick her backside.

The rain has returned at last, which is great for the farmers and gardens and stuff, but a bugger for traffic congestion. Then Joan is on a course here in Ipswich today so I gave her a lift. She then managed to drop her phone getting out of the car and has apparently broken it - but it was OK to call me on and tell me it was broken so perhaps we can save it. Wonder if anything else will go pear shaped today.

Yesterday we had a grumpy delivery driver who brought 40 boxes of timetable cases then refused to take them where we wanted, dumping them in reception instead. What a git. It got me some more fresh air moving them, but not how I'd planned to spend half the afternoon!

Made up for it with a nice evening though - did our first "summer" favourite. After Joan had been to her osteopath we got chips and sat down at the port viewing area for tea. A lovely, sunny evening with ships coming in and out and a front row parking slot. Absolutely glorious and another reason I would not want to move away from Felixstowe. Tonight we have been invited to Ma & Pa's for dinner. Don't think there is any particular reason or ulterior motive bnehind it. Although they are about to have a major extension built on the house so perhaps they want to get one last nice family meal in before the disruption starts.

Hmm, so why is it that a hygenist can do procedures that need an anasthetic, and can indeed administer them to the upper jaw but has to call a proper dentist in for the lower? Must remember to ask next time (10th may). Still, no real pain to speak of except for where the needle went in and a little jaw-related stiffness today.

Still busy at work - even fewer of us today as we have 3 of the remaning 9 out at a transport forum thingy. I like the peace and quiet though.

Finally finished the Trevithick book. Quite astounding the number of things he started off then never made any money out of compared to the people who took them up after him. Have now switched back to fiction and embarked upon The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. Possibly my favourite of all the sci-fi/fantasy series' I've read, so this latest has a lot to live up to. Doing OK so far...

Now to get some fresh air and money from Ipswich.

I think we have gone through Busy now, and the word will no longer suffice. So let's go for ultra-hectic instead. Only really got time to write this now as I've just reached the end of something and am planning to leave work in five minutes so not worth starting anything else major. Pity the reason for leaving early is another of those trips to the hygenist (so agony for this evening is forecast) rather than spending tome in the sun with Joan, but never mind.

Just a quick plug for ACME by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Deep In The Hole by The Masters Of Reality. Plug. plug.

Let me see, my face is slightly red, my arms, legs and back are aching and I have some good blisters on my hands. What can I have been up to? Its got to be either (a) something extremely kinky we'd best draw a discrete veil over or (b) the continued good weather brought out a rash of gardening yesterday.

It's (b) I'm afraid. Took out a Eucalyptus tree that had died (real shame) and then stripped the turf from a large patch of lawn where we are going to lay a new patio. At the far end of the garden that gets the sun inthe evenings. Only something we've been planning to do for 6 years now, but I guess the inside of the house took precedence. Now all we need to do is level the remaining soil and lay the slabs. Which we do have already. Then get a skip for the day to get rid of all the turf. Then either move and convert the shed already at that end, or obtain a little summerhouse type affair for those hot summer nights. That's put a curse on the sun for the rest of the summer. And what happened to spring anyway?

Even fewer people in the office today as we now have one in hospital for an op on his knee and Dawn off for the day. So really, even less time to distract myself like this. However, I've just finished ploughing through the proof books and am now waiting for Charles to check for anything I may have missed before sending any corrections back to Pindar. Oh what a busy life.

Despite the work in the sun, we still managed a few other things this weekend. I was basically chained to the iron on Saturday, but kept myself amused with the assistance of Aerosmith (Nine Lives), The Chemical Brothers (Dig Your Own Hole) and the Hitch Hiker's Guide to The Galaxy (tv series DVD). Also assorted other musical influences through the tv I can't be bothered to list here. Watching HHG again after many years was great - especially with the quality, previous edited bits put back in and also the production notes on the disc. Almost as good as a full commentary but also not as distracting from the plot. Looking forward to all the extras on disc 2 when I reach the end of the series.

Last night we rewarded ourselves by watching Gladiator again. It was actually free with the DVD player, but one I would happily have paid full price for. Was amazed to realise we've had it well over a year and that was only the second time we've watched it. Where does all the time go? And yet another film I'm looking forward to listening to the commentary on. And watching all the extras. Oh, and we watched a borrowed copy of Boogie Nights on Friday. Quite amusing in parts (is that the right term to use??) but not one we'll be rushing to catch again I don't think.

Nearly time for lunch now...

Nearly 5 on a friday. Why am I still here when every other bugger seems to have wandered off early? Partly cos I still need to make the hours up, and partly cos Joan is having to stay late so I might as well too.

Had one of the regular Car Park meetings I tag along to today. I don't really have much to say but its nice to get Park & Ride recognised as part of the overall town centre scheme of things. And I get to pick up the odd bit of juicy gossip relating to the town as well. Followed that up with lunch with my former colleague Richard who now works for Ipswich Borough Council (as assistant Car Park Manger, funnily enough) - a nice Wetherspoons Minted Lamb Burger and pint of cider. Total outlay for the two of us was less than a tenner, so not bad value either!

Am now heads down in the proof checking of the new area timetable books. Found errors on 30 pages in the first one I've looked at, so I guess next week will be spent in more of the same. In the past I've taken them home to work on, but I'm not doing that any more. Home is not to be messed with. That's one thing I've learned in recent months since my last attack of stressage.

Another musical recommendation is Black Market Music by Placebo. Well, the first half that I listened to on the way in for now. Not that I expect the rest of it to go dramatically downhill. Awesome drum sound.

Busy morning, and I probably shouldn't be taking the time for this either. Just sent off an advert for Park & Ride to go in the Suffolk Business Magazine's Suffolk Show special and now have to write them 250-500 words of copy to go with it. I don't mind blowing my own trumpet for p&r (well, that is my job...) but I always assumed that the people who worked for magazines actually wrote them. Another one to add to the list of misconceptions then. Have also thrashed out another timetable for our next set of books and drawn on some maps. Hopefully this afternoon will give me a chance to do the collation of opinions stuff.

Only 1½ days to the weekend! And at least this weekend I haven't got to go anywhere with anyone so I can be a bit selfish for a change. OK, there will be the usual stuff to do like ironing and another crack at finding some shelves from under the piles of junk in the study, but at least I will be able to choose the accompaniment. However you spell that.

On the health front, I do at least seem to have got through the waves of feeling like death that were hitting me a couple of weeks ago. With any luck that will continue. Of course some of that could have been due to a mysterious bend that appeared in my glasses and is now fixed. Answers on a postcard or sealed antelope.