Furthermore: December 2007

December 17, 2007

Busy Week

I managed to go out a few times last week - I met Chris on Monday evening for a quick drink in The Brook - I’ve lent him our stair-gates as he was about to buy one.

Thursday was our work Christmas meal. We went to the University Arms for lunch, which was good, then onto Revolution, which was bad in my opinion, particularly as we ended up on the roof (sorry, Vodka Terrace) which was freezing cold. After that the party split, and I ended up going to The Maypole, and then a curry at The Maharajah (which I don’t think I’ve been to since 199x.

Friday I met up with Ian and we went to The Blue, and then The Salisbury, where we met Clare and some of her work colleagues. I felt fine after the work do, but I was a bit rough on Saturday morning.

I finally managed to fit my new car battery on Sunday, after Ian had tipped me off to the existence of socket sets with extension arms. For some reason this idea had never occurred to me, so I had no idea what to try to buy to undo the retaining nut.

I’ve had today off, so H and I went to The Wrestlers for lunch (E tried a bit of the mild Panang curry, and liked it). I’ve been working in the garden and trying to cut back the wild growth of the summer. Unfortunately that means I now have a huge pile of branches and thorny stuff. Bonfire maybe? It would be a big one!

Back to work for a final burst tomorrow. I’m feeling a bit frustrated with my current project - ie, the last bit isn’t going very well. Oh well, perhaps I’ll have more luck this week.

Furthermore: November 2007

November 26, 2007

Fitz and that

My old college had a reunion for mathematics on Saturday. There were some short lectures in the afternoon, so I went on my own for that bit - my old Director of Studies, Michael Potter gave a talk about some of the philosophical problems in maths which I found pretty interesting. I was very interested in this area at one time but it seems to have worn off - Dr P lent me a book of essays on the topic, but I just don’t find the issues of much moment one way or the other.

H joined me for the dinner, as Jay came over to babysit. The food was not bad, although they were a bit stingy with the wine (I’d forgotten how colleges are the last places that have those tiny glasses for everything). It was good to see a few people from my era (3 of the chaps from the year above me were there) and I got to talk to some others too.

November 13, 2007

Capturing Mary

I quite liked Joe’s Palace last week, so I thought I’d give this one a go as well. I really wish I hadn’t bothered. The main problem seemed to be that there was no real drama in the present, and the story in the past was all at one remove, so you never felt there was much at stake. Plus it was one-note - Mary and Greville, and how he (pretty much) showed her something nasty in the woodshed and she never got over it.

The remaining mystery of why he said “help me” the last time she saw him was not at all satisfactorily resolved by the encounter she has in the present day when she sees him again, unaged. Is he a ghost (she says not), or perhaps a hallucination? We never find out, and by then I, at least, was past caring.

The only way it makes any sense to me was if he was really some kind of projected aspect of the unconscious - we see him at the start telling everyone they’re not as good as they think they are. Perhaps he just represents those negative parts of our psyche that we must fight against. Still doesn’t make it a good story.

November 11, 2007

Behind the times

Still seem to have a cold dragging on. Good run time on Thursday though - 25.30. At the weekend I felt quite tired by my normal circuit round town, I sort of feel like I’ve lost the cushion of being able to run much further. Maybe I need to try to extend that run out a bit more - trouble is then it eats up so much of my Saturday morning.

November 7, 2007

Cold Crow

Still have the cold, which I think accounts for me slipping back to 26.45 on Tuesday. Still, I seem to be mostly fighting it off. Tomorrow I’m going to Joel Spolsky’s talk in Cambridge - you can still try to sign up here if you’re interested (may be full by now though). Quite a few of the guys from work are going, so I get to call it training.

At lunchtime I was sitting outside for a few minutes (I figure while it’s still mild I should make the best of it) when I saw a crow hopping around the grass. I haven’t seen one around the Vision Park before, but it seemed quite tame. It was croaking in a fairly pitiful way though, so I looked in the bin next to the bench and found a big apple core. I threw it down on the grass, and after a couple of exploratory pecks, the crow picked the whole thing up in its beak and flew up to the roof of the nearest building, thus proving its superior intelligence to the ducks who invariably chase each other round and round after finding the smallest crumb of food. It improved my day quite a bit to feel I’d done something for the crow.

November 5, 2007

Fireworks

I seem to be coming down with the cold Mrs F has had all weekend. Hope I shall feel better tomorrow.

We decided to skip the Cambridge Fireworks this year as it was on a Monday, and we’d have to take both the girls (E has been too young up to now, and so I’ve taken L on the bike) in the car, which would mean a very late night right at the start of the school week. Instead we went to the Histon and Impington fireworks on Saturday, which were excellent - I thought it might be a bit feeble, but the range of fireworks was excellent, and there were even some types I’d not seen before, as well as some kind of controlled fuel explosion that caused an impressive fireball.

Running went well too last week - after my 25.53 time on Tuesday, I got it down to 25.45 on Thursday. I’ll try to get down to 25mins and then see.

Friday I went to London for work, and then met up with my friend Kath for her birthday at Ruby Grand in Hammersmith. It was a good night out, but I don’t think it did much for my run on Saturday. I cut the circuit a bit short and did 50 minutes or so.

This week I feel quite lethargic - maybe it’s just the cold, but it’s difficult to settle down to actually doing anything.

Furthermore: October 2007

October 30, 2007

Paris with Children

I thought I’d write a bit about our experience of staying in Paris with our two young daughters (now 6 and nearly 3) as it was the first time we’d taken them abroad and we didn’t know how it would work out.

We went on Eurostar and I think it was the right choice - you can turn up less than an hour before the train goes, and despite saying you can only take two bags each (although that was plenty) they don’t seem to enforce that rigidly. There was no problem getting the push chair on, and there’s enough room that the girls could draw and play with toys in their seats. Taxis were no problem at Gare du Nord.

We rented an apartment in the 16th, just off Rue de Passy. I found it on paris.craigslist.com, and it was just what we needed. The street was nice and quiet, the area similar, and we were right near a supermarket and a chinese takeaway, so dinner was sorted. Rue de Passy also has loads of shops, including some toyshops, which L and E both love (of course), and we were able to get L some nice boots, which she was very pleased with.

We did try going out one evening, but it wasn’t ideal - restaurants were happy to accomodate children, but few places were open before 7.30 by which time both girls are flagging (particularly after a day out). Eating out at lunch generally worked better. In the evenings we just ate picnic style, and the girls watched Mary Poppins before bedtime.

We were quite close to two metro stations and the RER. We found ourselves using the RER most often as it went along the river, and also out to Versailles. Mrs Furthermore and I both bought Cartes Orange for unlimited travel. We bought a carnet of half-fares for L and E is still young enough to ride free.

So where did we go - I think I mentioned Versailles. We only went round the gardens (and we didn’t do nearly all of that) - the queue for tickets to the Palace was still gigantic, even in October, and I don’t think the girls would have enjoyed a long tour. They liked the gardens and statues though, and we found a nice open-air cafe in the grounds for lunch.

The Eiffel Tower was close enough to the apartment that we could walk there, so we got the view across the river from the Trocadero as we approached. We didn’t go up - again big queues and neither L nor E were particularly keen. We took the Batobus (L decided the scenery en route was of no interest compared to the leaflet she’d found) from there to Notre Dame to get some lunch, and then looked at Sainte Chapelle.

As for more child-oriented activities - we went to the Jardin d’Acclimatation in the Bois du Boulogne which was great. There’s a miniature railway to take you in, and there are loads of things to do - a little fair, lots of slides and climbing frames. There are quite a few cafes, but we found everything was full when we went on Sunday - I think we just arrived at a bad time, and also the weather was good and everyone had come out for the day.

We also went to the menagerie in the Jardin des Plantes. It’s a good little zoo, although a bit expensive to get in. The reptiles and spiders were a particular favourite. Nearer to home, we found a little park near Muette with a playground (with a train exactly like the one in the Jesus Green playground here in Cambridge). There were also slides and climbing frames in the park at Place des Vosges, which was quite welcome as it meant we could admire the Place and the girls could have fun.

Overall it was nice to have a holiday which was a bit more of a balance between what Mrs F and I enjoy, and what the girls like, and there are still loads more things we didn’t get to see in Paris. The travelling was more stressful - particularly the journey back as we did it all in one day, and the girls got very overtired. The overall cost was also much higher than staying in the UK, mainly because of the cost of Eurostar tickets (where we’d otherwise just have driven within the UK). I recommend the apartment, both for the facilities and the location - if we go back to Paris, I’d certainly consider staying there again.

teh quick

I managed my run in 25.53 this morning, thus smashing through the 26 minute barrier in style. Seems quite strange to me, as I haven’t really been making much progress for ages, and even seemed to be getting slower before I went on holiday. That’s about 7m30 mile pace, so I’m pleased with that.

I’m aiming to get down to 25 minutes, then I’ll maybe extend the run out a bit.

October 26, 2007

Do Gooder

I went to the Cambridge City Amnesty letter writing meeting in The Castle (Castle Hill one) last night. It was pretty well attended as these thing go, and I think we did about 30 or so letters. I brought some on Shi Tao who I also campaigned for when I did the London Marathon. There’s an AI page on him here if you’d like to help - basically he wrote an email which the Chinese authorities didn’t like, and Yahoo shopped him so now he’s doing 10 years in prison.


The other thing I’ve been following is the campaign to get asylum for Iraqi employees of British forces (some of whom may be being Black-and-Deckered to death even as we speak). The pressure on the government does seem to have had some effect, but the current position is apparently that Iraqis have to show 12 months continuous employment to be eligible for any help. So more letters to MPs are required. David Howarth has been pretty good on this so far, but if you feel moved to help, check out Dan Hardie’s latest post.

October 25, 2007

Running to Catch Up

I’ve done 3 runs since we got back from holiday - all on the same shortish circuit round Cherry Hinton. Saturday I think I did about 27.50, Tuesday it was 27.25, and today I got it back down to 26.40. I can’t remember what my best time was so far - somewhere around 26 mins I think, so still a way to go to get back there. I was pleased with 26.40 though - I didn’t feel like I’d really run faster than I did on Tuesday (plus I had to stop for a cyclist), and I had the minor triumph of getting past the Cherry Hinton level crossing just before the barrier warning started going. It’s a right pain if you have to wait for the train to pass.

October 24, 2007

O Superman

I was playing an ancient compilation tape in the car this morning, and I heard Laurie Anderson’s O Superman for the first time in many years. It obviously made some impression on me before or I wouldn’t have taped it, but hearing it again it seemed much more powerful than I remember it. Partly I suppose I can now hear the influence of people like Glass on the music so the repetition doesn’t seem so weird, but whatever the reason I found it quite moving.

October 20, 2007

General Catch up

I see I haven’t written anything for ages. Well, let’s see:

The kitchen is finally finished and it looks really good. Induction hob, dishwasher (originally against my better judgement, but I’ve come round to it), and all drawers and cupboards have soft-close, which always seems like magic to me. More cupboard space than we had before, although perhaps not quite as much more as we anticipated. Anyway, I’m very happy and I’m happy to recommend the guys who worked on it (with one exception). Feel free to get in touch if you want phone numbers etc.

We’ve been away on holiday to Paris. I’m going to post on that separately so I won’t say much here, except that it was fun, but it seems to have left me completely tired out all this week. That may have been the drive home, which was rather stressful, as we missed the turn from Mrs F’s parent’s house onto the M25 and ended up travelling a long way down the A3 heading further and further away from home.

Haven’t done much running - I did one shortish run in Paris, which was fun, and then nothing last week until today, when I did my normal early-morning circuit (3.5ish miles) as a way of easing back into the routine. Next week hopefully back to normal.

I’ve finally finished Gene Wolfe’s The Wizard which I have rather mixed feelings about. I’ll try to post about that separately too. I see I’m now two books behind Wolfe again - the long awaited Soldier of Sidon is available, and there’s also the shiny new Pirate Freedom (of which I again hear mixed reports).

We’re meeting some friends for lunch a bit later - it’s L’s 6th birthday, so she’s very excited today.

Furthermore: September 2007

September 26, 2007

Burma March in Cambridge on Thursday 27th

via WheeliebinLand:

Hello

You have probably heard that Burma is at a pivotal point: thousands of Burmese monks are marching peacefully for democratic reform, and the military junta have started clamping down with violence, with several people killed already.

I would like to show support for the monks by having a silent march through town to the Guildhall, with press coverage. Time is critical, so it will happen tomorrow, Thursday lunchtime.

We will gather at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 38 Newmarket Road, CB5 8DT, at 12.45, to leave promptly at 1pm. We will walk in a silent, dignified column through town to the Guildhall, where we will probably arrive at about 1.30. People can remain if they want for a while to meditate in the market square, hand out leaflets, and have petitions to sign.

If you would like to meditate, you might want to bring something to sit on. It may also help to show some visual cohesion if there’s a dominant colour clothing: so wear blue if you have it. I will leave it to you if you want to carry a banner. My main request is that the Junta does not use force to squash the Burmese demonstrations. But of course there’s 101 things on the wish list for the Burmese people. Please respect the peaceful, respectful nature of the march, both in action and any slogans on banners.

While this is being organised by Buddhists, anyone is welcome to show their support for the peaceful demonstrations by Burmese monks. Foreign pressure is probably the only thing that has any chance of stopping the military junta from cracking down with extreme brutality. I hope you feel able and enthusiastic to show your support in this way.

Best wishes

Vajrapriya

PS Please forward this email to anyone you know in the area if you feel inclined.

September 2, 2007

Catch Up

H and I drove up to Dunstable on Saturday for one of H’s aunt’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Bit of nightmare drive unfortunately, but it was nice to go out as a couple during the day. H’s parents came up to stay with us rather than drive straight back to London. The girls were thrilled to see them - especially as they brought presents with them.

Kitchen is going well - lintels are in, the loo is plastered - hopefully this week most of the heavy work will be finished, and then the fitting can begin.

Haven’t been running during the week - I’ve had a cold and haven’t felt up to it. I did go running on Saturday as I’m feeling somewhat better - although I’m still very blocked up (parental aside - I blew my nose last night and E said “can I see your snot, daddy?”). I’m in the Metafilter running challenge on Runnerplus - I’m crocomancer on there.

Moving Earth and Being Human

I am now the proud possessor of a raised bed, having spent most of the afternoon filling it with soil. Annoyingly, I overestimated how much I needed, and now have about a third of a tonne-bag left over, although I can probably use it in other parts of the garden. Finally we can start planting - the girls have been keen to help with the construction, and I think they will like helping with picking things to grow too.

Just re-read William Gibson's Neuromancer after a very long time (my booklist says I read Count Zero in April 87, so it was before that). Oddly, I could remember hardly any of the plot - the things that stuck with me were really the mental images of cyberspace, the AIs, and Molly of course. The description of cyberspace still seems quite contemporary, provided you think of it as a "cinematic" way of portraying the actual experience of interacting with computer networks. The parts that seem more futuristic are the bio-tech modifications - something that I don't think I noticed much at the time.

Anyway, I'm off to watch the last bit of Being Human on IPlayer. I've really enjoyed the series, and I think it's something of a tribute to the writers that it survived the cast changes and transition from one-off to series. It's also managed to steer clear of huge morass of cliches just waiting for any series that mixes ghosts, vampires and werewolves. Although I still don't believe Mitchell would not have realised what Herrick's plan implied for humanity.