Sweet. It never gets old.
2003-01-08
2003-01-07
2003-01-04
Wow. I hate this job. 8:40pm on Saturday night. I'm beginning to see why people start their own companies. Everything else being equal, I'd rather work like crazy to solve some stupid problem that I caused than work like crazy to solve some stupid problem somebody else caused. Or even better, eliminate the somebody else, and don't cause the same stupid problems over and over (and over) again.
2002-12-31
Lots of pictures. I hope this doesn't stagger your download connection.
Doug and Lynne, in walking gear.
As Billy Connolly says, "There's no such thing as bad weather. Only the wrong clothes." In England, if you change your plans because the weather is bad, you'll never do anything. So walking requires waterproof boots, pants you don't mind getting muddy, rain gear, and protection from the cold.
Our models here are Lynne and Doug. Lynne is my aunt, and enough like my mom that staying with them felt almost like home. Usually they look much more elegant and even a bit posh, but I caught them while we were out walking one day!
Con and Clare
I hadn't seen Con for an even decade, since Lynne and her boys came over to visit us in Ringgold, and us kids spent Christmas down in the basement listening to (now old-school) DC Talk and playing (now old-school) Lucas Arts adventure games like Loom and Zak McKraken. Clare is Con's bride of just over a year, and they are the most perfect couple you can imagine. We got along famously from the start, and I was sad to say goodbye and board the train. Their surprise parting gift of an 80's Hits CD was perfect. (Incidentally, one of my goals for this year is to practice up a repertoire of cheesy 80's hits on the piano, since they always seem to go over so well!)
Phil and Helen
And here's the other twin, with his significant other, Helen. I didn't get to spend much time with them, since they were headed off to New York for the New Year, but Helen seemed very nice too. Perhaps I'll get to see them here in London before I flit off to Croatia.
Lynne and Oll, cooking
And finally, Oll. Shown with Lynne, in her posh kitchen (all Doug's work, except for the floor - he's amazing), cooking Christmas dinner. I didn't realize turkey is traditional for Christmas in England - what do you know? Actually, I didn't realize that England is trying to turn slowly into the 51st state of the USA. It's creepy. Of course they're still very English and all, but the influence from America is surprisingly strong. Maybe I'll put up a top ten interesting observations about England. Anyway, back to Oll. He's finishing up his masters, and then off on his "gap year", travelling (literally) around the world.
Oll and Zellyn, playing chess
Finally, I guess I should include a picture of myself. Here's a shot taken by Lynne of Oll and I playing chess, along with some Christmas cheer. (Note the poshness)
Well, that's all for now. Have a happy New Year!
Doug and Lynne, in walking gear.
As Billy Connolly says, "There's no such thing as bad weather. Only the wrong clothes." In England, if you change your plans because the weather is bad, you'll never do anything. So walking requires waterproof boots, pants you don't mind getting muddy, rain gear, and protection from the cold.
Our models here are Lynne and Doug. Lynne is my aunt, and enough like my mom that staying with them felt almost like home. Usually they look much more elegant and even a bit posh, but I caught them while we were out walking one day!
Con and Clare
I hadn't seen Con for an even decade, since Lynne and her boys came over to visit us in Ringgold, and us kids spent Christmas down in the basement listening to (now old-school) DC Talk and playing (now old-school) Lucas Arts adventure games like Loom and Zak McKraken. Clare is Con's bride of just over a year, and they are the most perfect couple you can imagine. We got along famously from the start, and I was sad to say goodbye and board the train. Their surprise parting gift of an 80's Hits CD was perfect. (Incidentally, one of my goals for this year is to practice up a repertoire of cheesy 80's hits on the piano, since they always seem to go over so well!)
Phil and Helen
And here's the other twin, with his significant other, Helen. I didn't get to spend much time with them, since they were headed off to New York for the New Year, but Helen seemed very nice too. Perhaps I'll get to see them here in London before I flit off to Croatia.
Lynne and Oll, cooking
And finally, Oll. Shown with Lynne, in her posh kitchen (all Doug's work, except for the floor - he's amazing), cooking Christmas dinner. I didn't realize turkey is traditional for Christmas in England - what do you know? Actually, I didn't realize that England is trying to turn slowly into the 51st state of the USA. It's creepy. Of course they're still very English and all, but the influence from America is surprisingly strong. Maybe I'll put up a top ten interesting observations about England. Anyway, back to Oll. He's finishing up his masters, and then off on his "gap year", travelling (literally) around the world.
Oll and Zellyn, playing chess
Finally, I guess I should include a picture of myself. Here's a shot taken by Lynne of Oll and I playing chess, along with some Christmas cheer. (Note the poshness)
Well, that's all for now. Have a happy New Year!
2002-12-30
Merry Christmas!
Cloudy Sky, Wakefield.
I'll post more pictures as I get a chance. I had an absolutely wonderful Christmas visiting with my aunt and cousins and various friends and family in Wakefield. Right now I need to catch the train and buy some staples at Tesco so I can eat tonight!
I miss all of you back in the States.
Cloudy Sky, Wakefield.
I'll post more pictures as I get a chance. I had an absolutely wonderful Christmas visiting with my aunt and cousins and various friends and family in Wakefield. Right now I need to catch the train and buy some staples at Tesco so I can eat tonight!
I miss all of you back in the States.
2002-12-19
Sun two days in a row!
The view from in front of my block of flats - Docklands and the Millenium Dome
I had to take this picture on the way over to the tube today. Today was the second day in a row we've been able to see the sky and the sun. That hasn't happened since last Monday when I arrived!
Tuesday night, our London office had their Christmas party. It was amazingly lavish, compared with the shoestring budget affair the week before in Atlanta. Dinner in a large ballroom, a band, dancing... unfortunately, I only knew about three or four people, so I left after it got loud. Yesterday we got word that more of our friends in the States got laid off. It's not even surprising anymore. Just the usual scramble to email and IM and check who got hit, and who didn't, then business as usual.
I'm looking forward to Saturday, when I'll get to see my cousins and aunt for the first time in six years. Actually, I haven't seen Con in about nine years, since he was in South Africa when I was last in England. Sweet.
Trent got done with his final presentation on Tuesday. Now he just has to figure out what he's going to do next. I think he's staying in Toronto. I would too!
The view from in front of my block of flats - Docklands and the Millenium Dome
I had to take this picture on the way over to the tube today. Today was the second day in a row we've been able to see the sky and the sun. That hasn't happened since last Monday when I arrived!
Tuesday night, our London office had their Christmas party. It was amazingly lavish, compared with the shoestring budget affair the week before in Atlanta. Dinner in a large ballroom, a band, dancing... unfortunately, I only knew about three or four people, so I left after it got loud. Yesterday we got word that more of our friends in the States got laid off. It's not even surprising anymore. Just the usual scramble to email and IM and check who got hit, and who didn't, then business as usual.
I'm looking forward to Saturday, when I'll get to see my cousins and aunt for the first time in six years. Actually, I haven't seen Con in about nine years, since he was in South Africa when I was last in England. Sweet.
Trent got done with his final presentation on Tuesday. Now he just has to figure out what he's going to do next. I think he's staying in Toronto. I would too!
2002-12-16
"Weak and wobbly people"
Field for the British Isles - Antony Gormley
(Image found on jimcromwell.mcmail.com)
Thousands and thousands of little clay figures, filling the floor of a large room from wall to wall, all looking up at you. Each one is unique - a different shape, a different personality. Patches of different colours alternate like cloud shadows, and along the back wall, the heights undulate like trees across gentle hills. Every now and then, a particularly tall figure sticks out from those around it. And all are gazing at you. The ones at your feet are looking almost straight up. For some reason, it's very solemn, almost serious, and leaves you grinning from ear to ear just thinking about it as you walk away.
The phrase at the top of this entry is from a prayer at Holy Trinity Brompton by the vicar, Sandy Millar, at the evening service I went to after the museum. "Lord, we're sorry for being such weak and wobbly people." That's certainly how I feel often. And I wonder how God feels, looking out from his doorway at an endless field of weak and wobbly figures made out of clay, stretching from his feet out to the far horizons, staring up at him, watching, waiting. I suppose he knows both sides, since he stood on the floor gazing up too, once.
This alone is worth a visit to the British Museum. I'll probably go back once before I leave London to see it again. (Sorry for the non-original image, but no photos were allowed in the exhibit.)
Field for the British Isles - Antony Gormley
(Image found on jimcromwell.mcmail.com)
Thousands and thousands of little clay figures, filling the floor of a large room from wall to wall, all looking up at you. Each one is unique - a different shape, a different personality. Patches of different colours alternate like cloud shadows, and along the back wall, the heights undulate like trees across gentle hills. Every now and then, a particularly tall figure sticks out from those around it. And all are gazing at you. The ones at your feet are looking almost straight up. For some reason, it's very solemn, almost serious, and leaves you grinning from ear to ear just thinking about it as you walk away.
The phrase at the top of this entry is from a prayer at Holy Trinity Brompton by the vicar, Sandy Millar, at the evening service I went to after the museum. "Lord, we're sorry for being such weak and wobbly people." That's certainly how I feel often. And I wonder how God feels, looking out from his doorway at an endless field of weak and wobbly figures made out of clay, stretching from his feet out to the far horizons, staring up at him, watching, waiting. I suppose he knows both sides, since he stood on the floor gazing up too, once.
This alone is worth a visit to the British Museum. I'll probably go back once before I leave London to see it again. (Sorry for the non-original image, but no photos were allowed in the exhibit.)
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