rich_jacko

Saturday: Much of the day was taken up by Tom (WINOLJ)'s stag do, which involved first going here to race buggies. We were slightly daunted initially by the wind, zero temperature and snow on the ground, but dammit, we'd already paid for this and we were going to see it through! I'm so glad we did, because it was tremendous fun :o)

We had three activities and about an hour on each. First up were Power Turns - no steering, just an engine on each side and two throttle levers - which we had to manoeuvre around a track between low white poles (I mentioned the snow, right?). Let's just say they need to buy a few new poles...

Second was quad biking over a rough terrain course, and I was reminded how much I love quad bikes. I think it's because they are so incredibly simple to control. They're about my level. I also found myself struck by a childish desire to splash through all the puddles and go over all the bumps and hillocks.

We were in Rage Buggies for our final stint. Nothing fancy here, just a flat-ish circular track and very fast buggies. They had accelerator and brake pedals like a normal car, though we all quickly decided that the brake was for wimps. This led to a certain amount of sliding round corners and belting it through potholes and puddles at top speed. Oh, and the track was unbelievably muddy, which allowed us all to gain new appreciation of the phrase, "Eat dirt!" By the time we were done we were all plastered from head to toe and indistinguishable from the track itself.

It was time trials rather than racing head-to-head. Because we were a big group they split us into two teams. I'm pleased to say the team I was on trounced the stag's team in all three events, and I didn't do too shoddily myself. My lap time on the Power Turns was a respectable 1:19, including a 15-second penalty for taking out three poles. That put me third in our team of six (best and worst times were 0:58 and 1:42). For the quads we were scored for handling over the trek course, and I got 10/10 (The judges being more than slightly generous here). And our relay time on the Rage Buggies was a blinding 10:01 over 14 laps, including compulsory pit stops to change drivers every two laps.

After a quick trip home to shower, brush the mud out of my teeth (!) and change, we all met up again for a meal at Bella Italia at Centertainment. This was certainly the first time I'd had Italian-style duck (marinaded in a plum sauce and served with penne and mushrooms). It was nice, but I'm not sure I'd have it again.

After the meal, most of the rest went off to do bowling then go to the dog track, neither of which are really my sort of thing, so instead I joined what was left of the monthly D&D session. As I turned up, my character had just taken 21 points of damage, been knocked off his pteranodon and was slowly being eaten by worms. Thanks guys. I suggested I go straight home, but I stuck around and we had fun killing monsters, nicking stuff and dinging to 9th level.

Sunday: Today I went with the Chiverses to Buxton to meet up with mathcathy, who I don't get to see nearly often enough. We had a pleasant wander around town, including the Pavillion Gardens and various shops selling cool toys. We also had a very nice (and filling!) lunch at Lone Star, which I recommend if you find yourself in the area.

I got home about 5pm to find out that tonight's roleplaying was cancelled. This is fortunate, for I am well and truly knackered.

*collapses*

It was my first day back at work today, and I am NOT WELL :o(

Walking in through the snow (Yay!) was... um... invigorating, shall we say. I only walked in because there was snow; otherwise I'd have wimped out and taken the tram.

I didn't do too badly at work. As I said to my line manager, I'd have probably felt worse if I'd spent the day at home, because I'd have just moped around feeling sorry for myself. At least in the office I had distractions. I think I'll be back in tomorrow, but I'll see how it goes.

I had optimistic plans for maybe going to the cinema this evening, but (a) I don't feel up to it; and (b) If I did go I'd be coughing and spluttering through the film, and feeling guilty about how I was ruining it for other people.

So I'm going to take Christmas stuff down, have a big mug of tea, and then I think I'll have an early night.

Congratulations and best wishes to gothicgoverness and talma on their wedding yesterday :o)

Does anyone fancy going out today? :o)

Isn't it great?

It's absolutely perfect winter weather. There's just enough wind to make the snow dance in the air, but not so much that there's a big chill factor. The snow itself is light enough to still be pretty, but just heavy enough to settle (At least, it looks like it is).

I spent a wonderful hour walking in to work, and I didn't want to go inside when I got here (No real change there...). I could have spent the whole day walking out in the snow if I was allowed to.

As one six-year-old once said to his stuffed tiger, "Run, Hobbes! Dad's a snow goon too!" it's a magical world out there :o)

Thursday - York with Gillian, soul_rider and Evie. Christmas markets quite cool. Weather bloody freezing. Mmmm, pig... Barley Hall hard to find. Medieval market worth finding it for. Borders lifts take ages. No snow.

Friday - More trains with soul_rider and Evie. Tonbridge this time. First Class generally wonderful. Out of cheeseburgers though. Train journeys about half an hour too long for Evie. Otherwise good as gold. Lugged masses of stuff across the Underground. Learnt how to attach car seat. Saw Helen and her mum for first time in ages. Bongo drums. No snow.

Saturday - Christmas: Round 1. What longhairedhippy said here. Painted dragon mug. Good food and drink. Even better company. Mountain of pressies. Many photos. Must remember to take round to Ed & Krissy's on Thursday. No snow.

Sunday - Woke up 6am. Violently sick five times. Temperature up and down like a yo-yo. Not good. Wasn't even alcohol-related. Much fresh air needed. Recovered slightly for long journey home. No snow.

Monday - Thought I was well enough to go to work. Made it in. Team meeting in which everyone moaned. Realised I was wrong at lunchtime. Went home. Missed training at work. Would have been useful for once too. Have to rearrange. SNOW!!!

Tuesday - Slept for 12 hours last night. Feeling much better. Managed whole day at work. Had to lead four staff meetings. Not exactly an easy first day back. Tired now. But still better. No snow.