Onwards

What a way to head into the new year.
I've got beer, JD and a fantastic book to read.
I'm also into LittleBigPlanet on the PS3 and I've got a new set of notebooks including a beautiful Moleskine diary.
Thanks for reading my blog this year and here's to another strange year online.

Stately Alien

Look what I spotted in the grounds of Ragley Hall.
I think that maybe Gerry Anderson left this here at some stage in his career. I didn't see anyone dressed in silver jumpsuits, they might be drinking tea in the green room.
Mind you, the pheasants seemed quite spooked so maybe our bacofoil heroes weren't too far away.

A Time To Share

This is my lunchtime stop today by the canal.
No sooner had I opened my Co-Op cakes than cheeky Mr Robin hopped onto the back of my truck and then headed straight for said cakes to help himself.
I ended up having to share my lunch with him. He did sing a little song to me which is a good swap.

Tripped Out

I've had a really weird day.
I've had a 24h bout of flu. I didn't think it could only last for such a short amount of time. Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow. Earlier I felt like someone had slipped me a pill. It was all so strange.
Anyway, off to bed now. Hopefully all will be well in the morning.

Step 1

This is Playstation@Home loading onto my PS3.
I haven't been able to log on yet but it is day 1 and the servers are going to be overwhelmed.
Here's hoping that tomorrow will be a bit easier.

Playstation Home

Playstation Home
Originally uploaded by MikiStrange

From Friday this is where I'll be spending most of my free time.
At last Playstation Home will be available to download from tomorrow.
See you there.

WTF

This is my lunch pack for tomorrow.
My Cat has prepared an exquisite blend of choccy peanuts, choccy raisins and... wait for it... sellotape!!!
If you can add anything please comment.
Pass me the Rennie.

Bailey Rocks

After trashing his hotel room Bails got out the guitar and rocked!
There is gallons of milk so we can all drink ourselves silly and little pills all over the place which taste like rabbit and veg.
I'm going to get off my face.
This party is the cats pyjamas.

All's Fair At Derby

This is where My Cat and I were today. It's Derby university.
We went there to look at the antiques and buy some too. My Cat got some bits and bobs but I got nothing.
Then we went to Alfreton and My Cat got some more stuff and I got nothing.
Next we went to Ikea to get some little trees to hang jewellery on but we didn't get them. Instead My Cat had pumpkin thingy and I had meatballs, chips and peas with special gravy. It was lovely.
Then we ran off down the M1 to watch X Factor and eat chocolate.
That was a good Sunday. More like that please.

All New

As you can see, there have been a few changes around here.
The design has been changed, I've added a poll and there are a few more bits and bobs.
Don't forget, anyone can leave a comment so let me know what you think and have a go at that poll too.

Cold Days

All the leaves have fallen off the trees because the council have turned the thermostat down.
In the economic downturn everyone has to cut corners here and there. I'm going to knit a jumper for the tree so that it doesn't get too chilly. Also, someone, probably the farmer, has left the tree outside in the rain and its skin has gone wrinkly. Time to rub it down with some butter or something.
There's also a Robin in the tree that has been discarded from a xmas card obviously to save money. Litter louts are everywhere these days.

Who's Smiling Now?

It's not the best picture in the world but take a close look.
Is that someone looking back at you? Why, yes. It's Marcel Mouse!
One of the cats has pulled Marcel's face off and squished it flat like a 50p.
The way that Paul is acting he's the one smiling but alas Marcel will smile no more.

We're Sort Of Lovin' It

After driving around for an hour looking for nonexistant car boots my cat and I settled for coffee in McDonalds.
We also had to try a sausage and egg McMuffin which is a proper muffin and not a cake. We might have to explore the menu further in the interests of keeping up with youth culture.
Sounds plausible enough to me.

Ubuntu Going In

This is what installing Ubuntu onto a USB drive looks like.
I've no idea if it'll work but here's hoping so.

Instant Blog

This just goes to prove there's no need to leave the pub to let everyone know you're having a good time.

This is a test.

This is a test.

I was wondering if I cold post documents straight from Google Docs to my blog so this is a test to find out if it works.

If it does then I should imagine you'll be seeing all kinds of stuff similarly posted.

MikiStrange

Flat Stanley

My car's in the garage so I had to stay in Cov and cycle to work but I've got a puncture.
Maybe I should have stayed in bed. Never mind. I am being rescued by Boots.

Amazing Idea

I went there and swapped my old telephone for an ex circus lion.
I wonder what I'll get next time.

Oil & Snow

After spending my lunch hour rescuing my workmate's car from alternater belt hell we were treated to a huge snow shower.
Usually oil and snow don't mix but I made it happen today.
I think I shall call my intention snix.
If you're interested, and you are, the chemical formula is H2Oil.

More Linux

Martin and Lara now have Linux.
Hooray!

Lorry Blog

This is the view from the lorry cab. I'm on my tacho break but there's no sausage van.
Rubbish.

Not Many Left

It's nice to be able to enjoy the view on my lunch break.
I'm making the most of it. I imagine the rabbits and badgers are too. You can hear them singing B52's songs as you drive along.
The badgers are particularly good at Rock Lobster, the rabbits seem to favour Summer Of Love.
All of life is normal again.

See That

Yes that, the little tick in the pass box.
That means that I am now a Class C lorry driver. Class C's are pretty much anything that isn't articulated.
There should be some nice lorry blogs appearing here soon.
Watch this space.

Good To Be Back

I've just finished a fab breakfast in the market hall in Market Harborough. Sundays just aren't the same without one.
It's good to be here and blogging again.
By the way, it's my LGV test take two tomorrow. Fingers crossed etc for a pass.

I Love Linux

I couldn't be more happy with my Linux OS on my PS3.
There are a few things to sort out and in time I'll learn to sort them out but for now it's all going to plan.
The OS recognizes my external hard drive and my USB floppy drive so transferring files between my word processor and the web and back just works.
Get yourself a PS3 and a copy of YDL6.
You won't regret it.

--
www.mikistrange.com

Updating

Here I am in the middle of a few updates for Linux on my PS3.
Cool.

Dodgy

Cook electric.
Hmm, I think it's a bit weird. Gas is better.
That's all.

Shiny Shiny

Here's the 'Purple Peril' all glossed up.
I spent five hours cleaning and polishing today, both inside and out. She's looking as good as she can. I have a couple of spots of rust which I'm covering and that'll be as much as I can do.
Should be finished tomorrow. I'm very proud.

The Purple Peril

Here she is.
My new set of wheels. Not a new car but new to me. She doesn't look too bad but a clean and polish at the weekend can only be a good move.
We'll be on the road at the end of the month when I've sorted all the relevant paperwork.
It's all good.

Fanfare

Even my one armed cactus got his trumpet out to herald the arrival of the 'Purple Peril'.
I tried to take a picture of my new car but it was dark by the time I got her home. I'll take a picture in the morning.
Unfortunately I can't afford to keep my Transit on the road for another year. It's a sad time. We've been buddies for almost two years. I'll miss the big fella when it's time to part.
Mrs new car says she'll look after me. We'll keep a picture of the big red one with us as we travel around. We're keeping the same Ford badge so there will be a bond.
Here's to the future.

Two Down

Another exam bites the dust.
I managed to sail through it with a 99/100 score. The pass mark was 85.
I don't know why I didn't get full marks as they don't tell you the question you got wrong.
Just the practical exam to get through now.
I'll hopefully have some more good news to post here tomorrow. Watch this space.

Tricky

Does anyone need a used Hazard Perception book?
I won't be needing it anymore. I passed this test with a score of 79/100, the pass mark was 67.
I've got my multipte choice theory test on Monday so it's back to studying for now.

Here's Paddy

I said I'd get him on my blog so here he is.
Paddy does work very hard and soon he'll be able to put his feet up and watch himself working very hard.

Where Have I Been?

As you may have noticed I haven't been blogging for over a week.
There was a problem with my hosting provider not letting through non UK posts and as I'm routed through the US nothing showed up.
As you can see I'm revising for my LGV tests. My first is tomorrow.
I'll let you know how I get on then.

Long Walk Home Stream

I'm just testing this streaming from my page on ODEO.

If it works I'll leave the stream right where it is.

  

Long Walk Home

Not your usual picture post this time but I've included my new track.
As usual it's under my songwriting name of AmpUT. There's not much more to say here but whether you like or loath the track it'd be nice if you left a comment.
Feedback is always good.

Find it here.

Good Company

Max likes going to the pub too. He's got My Cat's Hercules and a Raleigh to chat to.
The Raleigh is a lady bike so there might be a little unicycle waiting outside when I've finished my beer.

Publog

Certainly not the best picture of Max to date but still worthwhile as he's managed to get me to the pub.
It's like he's programmed to do it. How good is that.
While I'm here I might as well mention the typo's in the last two posts. It's all down to predictive text and me not bothering to check.
It's either laziness or beer or both.
Tut tut.

Hair Raising

This is Fluffy the caterpillar. He's very camera shy.
He wouldn't do much for my blog photo but as soon as I put him on a dandelion he ripped off the fur coat to reveal a bare chest and stockings and surrenders.
He then started to sing show tunes at which point I ran off.
He might be good looking but he's got a terrible voice.

Amazing Sundad

This is 'Joan As Police Woman' midway through her set.
I spoke to her afterwards and got her autograph. She was very kind and took time to speak to me, which on top of an incredible set that hit a nerve inside me made an ordinary day into an experience I shall never forget.
Some days you just get lucky, others you make your own luck.
Today was a mix of both.

More Sundae

Beer, bands and bands.
Couldn't be much better really, apart from the fact that I've got tomorrow off work.
Time to enjoy more.

Summer Sundae

My cat and I are having a fine time at our local summer festival.
I'll post another picture later.

Booze

Wednesday night.
Drink beer.
Surf the net.
Happy.
Short blog.

More Pinboard

On the board today is a painting of the countyside in all it's glory. Enjoy it before it turns into a future slum eco-town.
A receipt for our old boiler tank for £40.
A reminder to collect cash for some more sold DJ gear.
I think I might celebrate with a small beer tonight. It does sound like a good idea doesn't it.

Fingers Crossed

Under his little plastic bag greenhouse is the son of Wordsworth. It's my first cutting.
He was still heading for the window this morning so that's a good sign. If he makes it through the transition he'll move to my new mint garden which you can see next to him.
I think I'll call him Shelley.
Good luck Shelley!

Moo!

My Cat & I went out on our bikes along the canal today.
This lady cow said "Watch out for punctures." so I did.
I found one in Great Glen which put and end to the cycling. It didn't put an end to the beer though.
Cheers.

Out Of The Box

So here is the big reveal. This is Mr Max Bygone.
It's taken me three and a bit hours to get him assembled but all that sweating in unusually hot summer temperatures was well worth it.
The only thing missing is the dynamo lights but my LED lights are much brighter and won't act as a break when they're on.
It's way too hot to go out now but I am planning a short trip out later.

Who's In The Box?

My new friend is hiding in the box underneath the big red rabbit.
You'll have to wait until Saturday to find out who he is. Here's his name in hangman form. You can try to guess if you like. If you don't like then please make some butties and send them to me while I read the instructions.
M-- B-----
Good luck.

BSS Bombproof #1

This is the BSS Bombproof in it's original state.
Over the next few weeks it will transform into a fantastic company eco machine. A company pool bike.
I'll chart the transformation on my blog here.
Watch this space.

Edgehill

Edgehill
Originally uploaded by MikiStrange

I wasn't here today but this is a good photo of Edgehill.
Edward Woodward lives round here somewhere.
Get yourself up here and enjoy the view.

Do Look Back

MikiStrange's Old Look
Originally uploaded by MikiStrange

Sometimes it's worth going back. In my case this is how I've looked for the past twelve years and there's nothing wrong with that.
Recently I let my hair grow long and even though I need my glasses they're the wrong style so I must get some that don't make me look so damn old.
So here we are, back to the old look and I'm losing some weight to boot. Can't be bad.

Definitely Wordsworth It

Just thought I'd keep you up to date on how my mint (stolen) was doing.
Look at him now. Two new shoots at the base and all.
I'll take a cutting from the top next week. I'd be pleased if that worked.

Nobel Hornet

This fella, the chap with the air miles will fly no more. His prize winning size was just too much in the end and he fell from the sky, and from grace with his peers.
Luckily he didn't have time to deploy the rear gunner.
We're all safe this time.
Until the next air raid...

1st Stage: Pass

Just thought I'd let you know I passed my medical for my LGV license last Friday.
Next is my theory test. This'll happen soon. I'll let you know when.
It's not over until I publish the 'final stage'.