Singapore - Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel and into work.  A full day of communications to the rest of the team out here - and some time with the Dev guys to see what they do.  Lunch was at a local favourite - 'Chicken and Rice' with deserts at a Bean Curd shop (thankfully air conditioned - the midday heat is overwhelming in a shirt and trousers).  I left the office around 19:30 and headed North to Singapore's Night Safari.  Here I spent nearly 3 hours walking around thick jungle looking at all sorts of fantastic animals (more pics linked in title - although difficult to get as no flash allowed and it was really dark).  On many occasions I found myself alone, in the dark with only the noise of the jungle around me - just brilliant!  I then jumped in a taxi and headed to the Raffles Hotel - to the Long Bar - for a Singapore Sling at its birthplace.  Expensive at S$29.75 (around £15).  After this I met up with a college and we went to a local bar to drink some cold beer and watch a rock covers band.  An awesome day!

Singapore - Day 1

Left London on Sunday night around 22:00.  The A380 flight over was fantastic - very quiet and plenty of room.  Managed a couple of hours sleep too.  Singapore is HOT - very HOT - and HUMID - very HUMID!  Checked into the hotel and was upgraded to a suite - on the top floor - very nice!  There are some great views over the city (the one here is sunrise this morning).  Popped into the office for a few hours to check emails and catch up and then went for some food and beers with M - culminating with a drink on the 71st floor overlooking the city at night.  A great way to be introduced to Singapore!

Roomba 580

My (just under year old) iRobot Roomba 560 went back for repairs a couple of months ago due to a failed gearbox.  It was fixed but came back not quite right.  So - off it went to Germany again for investigation.  This time it didn't return - instead, in its place, iRobot sent me a top-of-the-range 580 :)  I was sooo happy :)

Super-Scanner gadget cat-flap!

New house - new doors - new cat flap needed.  Now, you know me, wanted something different and gadgety.  Well the 'SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap' is just that sort of thing.  I know what you are thinking - nothing new - cat has chip in collar, gets let through door.  Well - NO - this *IS* different.  It uses the RFID chip already embedded in the cats (the ones we had surgically implanted when they were young) so they cannot lose them - awesome!  Link in title...

Upstairs - clean!

Another hard weekend of housework.  We manage to clean and paint the walls of the spare room, clean the study and paint the floor.  I also got around to laying some Cat5 to start to network the house.  This now means that after a month of living here the upstiars is completely clean!  This is not becuase we have been lazy but should give you an idea of how filthy the house was when we moved in,

We also let the cats out for the first time today - they've been in for 4 weeks.  Max took ages to venture out - Rasmus not so.  Sat went well, but on Sun they both dissapeared for hours - making it back just before dark!  At least they seem to know where they live though so all in all it was a success.

House Warming

We finally managed to get sorted enough to invite the neighbours and friends over for a welcome drink.  In then end we had quite a crowd inlcuding the guys that bought our old house down the street.  Finally made it to bed at 01:30 after drinking some beers.  Made a nice change from working/painting/building all night!

IKEA's biggest wardrobe - installed :)

We spent much of this Sat collecting, transporting, building and filling a new wardrobe.  The 300x240cm monster is the biggest IKEA does, fits perfectly at the end of our bedroom and just about gives K enough room for her clothes :)  You can chose your own internal design from all sorts of drawers, baskets, shelves and accessories.  Her favourite part is the dedicated shoe draw.  It took several hours to build - those glass doors weigh a tonne!

Darwin Launch Day

Today we launch our new product to the marketplace.  As part of the 'hype' for the day we came into work to find a load of animals strewn around the office - Lions, Rhinos, Zebra and a few of these Monkeys.  One was quite near me - so, of course, I've had fun dressing it up :)

Webcam Working

Got the webcam working - although not sure K will be happy about all the wires over the kitchen :(  Might have to relocate it to the study (once it is unpacked).

Moved!

We're in - well, we turned up on Mon but the internet only came today.  It has been an exhausting week.  The house was far from perfect when we turned up - we've filled a skip with left over rubbish and spent 4 days straight cleaning!!!  The cigarette ash, tar and general grime on just about everything had to be seen to be believed.  I took 5 aierials, and empty water tank and 6 bags of loose rubbish out of the attic yesterday not to mention the numerous bits of glass, brick and sludge from the gardens.  To top it off the drains blocked on Wed with one being beyond repair and the toilet is leaking.  HUFF.  Good news is that we finished one of the bedrooms, the kitchen is usable and I have my own server room under the stairs :)  I have lots of photos but no easy way to upload atm so they'll come later....

Moving

Today is the last full day that we'll spend in our current home.  We've spent the last 3 days packing and cleaning and are exhausted.  Tomorrow, early, a lorry is coming and we have to move all this stuff into it - presuming it will fit.  This is also the last day for a week I'll be connected to the net :(

Samsung UE55C8000

New house means new gadgets - except the one I want isn't released yet.  55" LCD, 3D ready but more importantly built in BBC iPlayer and Skype.  Will have to start saving as I reckon it won't be cheap...

Exchange???

So, today is the day the house should exchange... I am waiting with frayed nerves and much anticipation.  It has been a four and a half month nightmare to get to this point and I am still not willing to believe it will happen until the solicitor rings to tell me it's done.  Last time I was this stressed was my general flight test!!!  Anyway, nerves aside it does mean I can start planning the move - although with only a week to go it is not that much time.  I've petitioned the locals to see if anyone will be around to help and included this VERY detailed plan to assist them in visualising the complexity of this move...

UPDATE: Exchanged at 16:27 - IT'S ON!

MBK 17 Miles

With the Lytton Beer festival in full swing I needed to burn off some of those calories.  So, a 17 mile cross-country ride ought to do it :)  Took just over 2 hours and was surprisingly muddy - the horses really churn the tracks up.  Can now relax for the rest of the day - which is good as A is making a roast later :)

The House Move Begins...

So, we heard the last person in the chain finally got their mortgage offer and are ready to go - we should exchange early next week.  At last!  So, this weekend we started to think about how we are going to pack everything up - a not so small undertaking!  Part of the clear-out that ensued involved deciding to get rid of a few bits and pieces.  Most will find the charity store but if you fancy a 15 draw CD unit in handmade reclaimed teak - then head to ebay (link in title) now where it's just gone on at 99p, local pickup only!

Easter Has Arrived

The Easter Bunny came to work this morning and left a whole pile of eggs under the stairs.  The resulting mass rush for chocolate shows just how concentrated the average employee can be if motivated properly :)  Happy Easter everyone!

Sunday MBK

After suffering from a stiff back all week I finally figured I might be able to loosen it up with some exercise.  So, I strapped my Marin on and went for a short 6.5mile yomp around Knebworth Estate.  It was actually quite nice - sun was out - not too warm - perfect riding weather.  Oh, and back appears better for it too :)

Work Found Out

So the blog is out at work - and making its way around finance apparently (hi guys!).  They've declared interest in shirts/vacuum cleaner updates (yes, we know they mean Roomba) and pictures of work nights out.  So, I aim to continue pleasing them, along with you Dear Reader, with these exciting updates to my fun-filled, fast-paced lifestyle!  Let's hope they don't abuse the comment functionality - Hitesh, I know where you sit!!!

Money Marketing Awards

Last night was the 2010 Money Marketing Awards at the Grosvner.  Unfortunately it broke our 6 year streak and we didn't win anything - but we had a great time anyway.  Home and bed for 03:30 - shattered!  Pics linked in title...

Woburn Safari Park

K and I were bored - so we drove to Woburn Safari Park to have a play with the monkeys.  We also saw lions, tigers, rhino, giraffe, penguins, elephants and others.  Bit of a laugh for a Sunday afternoon :)  Highlights included two monkeys climbing on our car, seeing a Wallaby with a joey sleeping in its pouch and a small squirrel monkey trying to rifle through my pockets for treats!

Al leaving drinks

J and I joined A for his leaving drinks.  We started in a traditional old pub near his (old) workplace.  Shortly after we left for Dirty Dick's where we listened to a weird blue-grass swamp band until it was time to head home.  Most amusing :)

Unisys Reunion

A few of the old Hermes Publishing Team met up for drinks after work tonight.  Good to see them and catch up.  The surprise guest was R - who I haven't seen since I left, some 7 years ago!

Master....

Look what came though the post today - my MSc at last :) :) :)  I am now a Master.... bwahahahahahahahaha!  Have to go and get a frame now...  Hang on, does this mean I am no longer a student and should stop using my student-card for all those discounts :(

Thomsons Awards 2010

Last night was our internal awards ceremony congratulating those people who delivered above and beyond the expected.  It was held at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London in a room overlooking the river and London Eye.  Luckily for me (4am finish) I had a room so not far to go for bed.  It was a fantastic night with lots of laughs and beer - these guys really are crazy :)  More pics linked in title...

Weekend Office

It's weird coming into the office on Sat.  For starters the trains and tube are almost empty - no one pushing - not too warm - it's almost.... pleasant!  The next strangest thing is an empty office - suddenly it seems a lot bigger and less hectic.  In fact, it is actually quite nice being here - added to that Starbucks sent me some free coffee in the post this morning and I am catching up on all those little things I couldn't get done during the week.  All I need is to figure out how to get some music playing and it'll be perfect :)