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About

This weblog contains the life ::, rants ##, poems "" and scribblings *) of Nivelan.

"" Ode to the Dutch Language Friday, September 28, 2007 |

A short play on "Wij houden van Oranje" by André Hazes, a football anthem from the 1988 European Championships, to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" by Rab Burns.

Nederlands, oh Nederlands, wij woorden kampioen
met een k, de a, een m en de p, drie klinkers en 'n n.
Nederlands, oh Nederlands, het Groot Dictee is best te doen
Wij houden van Van Dale en ons boekje dat is Groen.

:: Early Start Thursday, September 27, 2007 |

Despite going to bed at 1.35 am, getting up at 5.45 and grabbing a bus at the usual time of 6.30ish, I got to work at 7:35 already (usually I'm there 45 minutes later). SO I started at 7:45, thought I might as well.

Now if only I'll stay awake without overdosing on coffee..

:: Manchester United vs PC World Wednesday, September 26, 2007 |

Having brought home a massive new monitor on Monday, I've been getting re-acquainted with Lottie's desktop computer. Noticing its RAM and graphics memory could do with an upgrade, I wanted to visit a computer shop and as I couldn't find any decent indy shops around Wythenshawe, Manchester or Bolton PC World would have to do. However, PC World shops cater for people with cars - how could I reach one by public transport?

I grabbed a bus from the office at Wythenshawe to the airport at 5:45, then a train from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly. I did this because I could remember seeing a PC World just before rolling into Piccadilly last time I took a train. I lost my sense of direction when I got out the train though, as I couldn't get out the train station in the direction I wanted to go. Walking away from the city centre, then underneath the tracks and on, I ended up on Greater Ancoats street and turned back. Who knows, A PC World may have lurked around the corner, but from my map I had to South from Piccadilly instead, to Chester Street. Trudging back I thought 'Ach well, never been here before, at least I'm getting to know the town."

I decided to grab a Metrolink tram from Piccadilly and to get out at Trafford Bar. Unfortunately, as Manchester United were to play a Carling Cup match, the tram was crammed full and I couldn't even try to get out before the next stop: Old Trafford. Here, I decided not to follow the crowd towards the cricket ground and stadium (should have), instead walking back towards Trafford Bar on the wrong side of the tracks, again noticing the Industrial revolution past its peak. From there I walked towards a trading estate but found no PC World, and on to Chester Road. When I did come across the shop, I couldn't find an entrance, so decided to walk around it. Only to end up in a neighbourhood and going against a stream of United supporters again. It was 7:35 when I finally entered the shop, less than half an hour before closing.

On the way back I obviously had to wait another 20 minutes for a bus due a bit sooner, then wait for a conenction to Bolton.. And got home at 9:20, a whopping 2 and a half hours later than usual. Hardly enough time left to try the new graphics card and notice the PC does not have a PCI Express slot for it.. Grr. After ripping up the cardboard packaging, that is. I called it a day. United lost 2-0.

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:: Bringing home the Beast Tuesday, September 25, 2007 |

After work I grabbed a taxi to get to a shop on the Manchester/Stockport border before 6pm, to pick up a Dell 21" monitor I bought on Ebay. Having gotten there, I realised not only that it is a monster, I would also be utterly unable to carry the thing back to Bolton on public transport. I could have had it delivered for £20, but I saved money on grabbing a minicab back (not). On the way back, it also started really pissing it down, so I had to throw my coat over the beast and carry it in, getting soaked myself. Lottie was in awe when she met the beast, not sure whether it would fit on our desk at all. It did though, and thankfully it works too, at a massive resolution of 1600x1200 and 85 Hz. It's a joy to look at when it's on, but neither of us are sure of it's beauty when it's off. Black may be a good choice if you want to look thinner, but it does not seem to help the largest (though also coolest) CRT monitor I ever got.. For £25. We got the desktop PC at home working again with it, after 10 months or so of non-stop laptop use. Now if only I had brought the GTA III cd-roms that the laptop can't handle!

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:: Up my ain airse Saturday, September 22, 2007 |

One of my esteemed work colleagues, Simone, had her leaving do this Friday. Along with Andre, another good bloke also leaving the Dutch helpdesk. I got to the Chicago Rock Café after taking late calls at work (grr, grr) and having a coffee at Starbucks to wake up. Despite the party having started at 7.30 and me being there an hour and a half late, there was hardly anyone there. It was slow to start, really, and the DJ'ing at the pub was awful - the tunes were hardly rock and DJ's talking through Kylie strutting her stuff on the screen - it's just not on. True to the apparent quality of the pub, the crowd got bigger (Simone and Andre popped up as well), as I was lamenting the lack of proper beer, decent music, live Rugby (Ireland vs France!)... And I lamented the crowd: it seemed to turn into a bit of a hen party with desperate looking girls that looked 13 in a dozen. Four of these girls tapped me on the elbow (they were too short to tap me on the shoulder) and through the immensely loud bass asked me if I wanted to take a picture.

It would have made perfect sense for me to think they wanted me to get the camera and take their picture, but instead I asked: "Why, is it because I am tall?" I had my newest smart jeans and shirt on, thought I looked al right, and obviously it had gone to my head. "Sorry," I replied, "I don't take good pictures, I'm not so photogenic." Of course the girls soon asked someone else to take their picture, after rolling their eyes at my arrogance, but I was rolling my own eyes at my arrogance as well. I blame my girlfriend for fancying me like she does, against all the odds, making me feel quite handsome. Perhaps if she were ugly I'd have less trouble convincing myself I'm rather ugly. Certainly, a year ago I'd have had no such qualms, having been single a while and told many times I looked like a pile of crap. Then, I had to start thinking I'm OK really. No, I have to get over myself and realise I'm not a lanky George Clooney. What has she done to me?!

:: Lottie wins at Horse Show Sunday, September 16, 2007 |

Today my girlfriend went to the local Horse Show to compete in two classes. She won both, on her Oakwood Otto (pictured right). Doesn't she look smug? ;o)

:: Fancy Dress Party at the stables Sunday, September 02, 2007 |

As some of you may know, my girlfriend (Lottie) has horses, whom she stables near Radcliffe, North of Manchester. As it had been the birthday recently of the yard owner, she threw a fancy dress party in a cleared cow barn. I haven't caught on to the love of horses yet, nor got to anyone at the stables really, so I didn't much feel like going. Also, with clothes needing washing and my bank account running a bit low, we were struggling for what to wear. Lottie quite brilliantly dug up an old work shirt of her dad's (apparently from 1989, but wrapped as new), got fishnets on under a black dress and managed really well to look the naughty police woman. I, on the other hand, got an old coat, a winter hat and big boots on to be a lumberjack. But hey, I acted the part and here's the proof Look out for Lottie's friend Roz too, the roughed up rugby player.