marramgrass

I’m sitting in Edinburgh airport, and true to form the easyJet flight is delayed. Twice. I’ve watched it crawl its way up a screen and a half of the ‘All Departures’ monitors in the roughly two-and-a-half hours I’ve been sitting here, and departure is still a distant prospect. There’s a guy sitting behind me who I overheard telling someone he bought a Nintendo DS just to alleviate the boredom – the funny thing is, I was sitting here considering exactly the same move. Must be how duty-free make their money: collusion with the airlines? :-)

But the reason I am here is that today I watched three guys pick up all our stuff (in something like 80 boxes plus all the furniture) and pack it into the back of a great big lorry. I was astonished by the size of the truck, but quite relieved when I saw they only managed to half fill it.

So here the adventure begins in earnest, if I ever get back across the water. I thought flying back would be the quick and easy option, but that truck will be most of the way to Belfast by now. Perhaps if I’d packed myself into a box…

It’s a little bit hard to believe we’re finally here, but this is an exciting time. New things, and in a very real way a new place, I suppose – it’s that long since I left Belfast I think I’m going to have to buy a street map!

But it looks like there may be some movement at my gate, so here I go…

I have finally, sitting here an hour ago, finished reading Neal Stephenson’s Baroque Cycle. ‘Finally’, as I’ve been working on it on and off for almost a whole year.

The strange thing is that for a series of a mere three volumes (even if they are especially thick volumes) that would ordinarily speak of a lack of engagement, or excitement, or similar negative something-or-other.

But no.
(more…)

In which the desktop becomes colourful and gimmicky, but maybe in a good way.
(more…)

Two days ago I left my job at The Beeches. It was quite strange finishing after a night shift, but I think I’m glad I did. I’ve had a great time there, so I leave a little bit sad, but it’s time to move on to new things.

The move is getting very close indeed, so I’m sitting here while behind me is an empty cardboard box and a pile of books that should be making their way into it – but here I sit instead :-) The heat round here makes it tough to do anything like packing boxes. I’m an Irishman in Scotland, so in no way am I accustomed to thirty degree afternoons.

But anyway…

/goes to pack.

In which our wireless warrior finds that some things don’t always "Just Work™".

(more…)

From the ‘kid in his bedroom’ genre, this video has been doing the rounds. (Hat-tip to pixeldiva.)

Ten, twelve years ago this would have impressed me no end. I think I’m glad that I can say that I can still watch something like this with a great deal of satisfaction. It’s like a connection with the innocence of a younger me, you know?

Pirates Of the Caribbean: Dead man’s Chest opened last week, and since at that point I was sitting at home twiddling my thumbs I was duty-bound to catch a preview.

Being me, there may be SPOILERS – look below the fold if that doesn’t bother you.
(more…)

Si Johnston reflects on the usual goings-on in NI in July.

He writes it at an interesting time for us. We are just about to return to make a home and a life again on that side of the Irish Sea. Recently we were visiting the town where we will be spending a fair portion of our time, and the bunting was up and everywhere was decked out all ready for the festivities of the season. It got me thinking.

(more…)

In which our intrepid cross-OS adventurer discovers some of the groovy features of Mac OS X.

(more…)

Brodie is writing up the experiences of a small team from his church just returned from mucking in with the ongoing relief work in new Orleans many months after the hurricane.

This will be worth keeping an eye on, I feel. Much respect for people putting their money and their selves into action in such a way.