I was just watching Changing Rooms on BBC America. At the end, a short message came up with the Queen Mum's photo, labeled 1900-2002. I wasn't sure, so I jumped online and sure enough, news sites are confirming her death at 10:15 this morning. She apparently died in her sleep, with the Queen at her bedside. This is a hard blow, particularly as her own daughter, the Queen's sister, passed away less than two months ago, and the Queen's own Golden Jubilee celebrations were in full swing.
Funeral arrangements, drafted in 1979, will be put into play, and she will have a three day lying in state at Westminster Hall, so that the public may pay tribute, later this week. The Queen has decreed that mourning for the royal family will last one month, during which time every official duty and social engagement due to be carried out by family members will be cancelled.
8:15:00 PM
Thursday, March 28, 2002
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Jimmy and I ran out to Tysons Corner this evening after work, as I wanted to pick up the OS X upgrade for GoLive, a web publishing program, from the Apple Store. We oohd and aahd over the shiny new computers there, I found the upgrade, and Jimmy bought a car adapter for his iPod. The Tysons Apple Store is a bit bigger than the one in Clarendon, I think; I prefer the smaller, cozier store, but they both have that Gap-esque feel to them.
Pressure at work is building. I only had the test hardware available to me Monday morning, and I'm expected to create a default software package & test everything in only two weeks. Unfortunately, I've found out that the two analysts who were sent to OS X training last week learned almost next to nothing, and I won't be able to rely on them for assistance in this crunch time.
I watched 10 Things I Hate About You last night, and Urbania the night before. The former was alright, just a bit of fluff really, with Heath Ledger in it, and the second was quite good, particularly after I listened to the Director's commentary, and starred Dan Futterman, the guy who played the son in The Birdcage.
Jimmy and Cathie and Beth have been on spring break all this week, and I am supremely jealous. What I wouldn't give to be on a beach, with a book and a fruity cocktail, right about now.
4:19:00 AM
Monday, March 25, 2002
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I stayed up much later than I should have watching the Oscars last night. I was very surprised, but not displeased, to see Denzel Washington and Halle Berry win their awards. I did not catch the movies they were in, but I was not a big fan of A Beautiful Mind, and had been rooting for Moulin Rouge and Lord of the Rings (each of which took home several technical awards). At least Russel Crowe didn't win again.
I hadn't even realized that the race issue was in the forefront this year again until I read about it in Entertainment Weekly while I was waiting for my International Passport Breakfast yesterday at IHOP. I don't often go for the big greasy breakfast, but I figured I needed fortification as I'd be spending the larger part of the day at the office. Six hours later, I got most of the test Mac hardware set up, ready for burn-in.
And I have a new dual 1-Ghz mac, with a 17" flat panel and a DVD burner all to myself. :-)
2:51:00 PM
Sunday, March 24, 2002
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I've just read on Leatheregg that my favourite movie of all time, Amadeus, is being re-released next month, with digitally restored sound and video, and with 20 extra minutes added back. A director's cut DVD will follow in Septermber.
If you haven't seen this movie, which won 8 oscars after it was first released in 1984, you must go see.
7:12:00 AM
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Accomplished today:
a) slept till 2:30 pm
b) managed to get hold of Ainsley for a half hour's catch-up
c) vegged in front of BBC America for six hours
I'll be in to work tomorrow, fixing up the next Mac hardware, which finally arrived. I've got an April 29 deadline for the refresh, so there will be more long nights and weekends to come, I think.
4:57:00 AM
Friday, March 22, 2002
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Hey, you.
Would the person who surfs my page almost daily from NIPR.mil (and is located in the Central time zone?) please identify yourself to me? I'm just curious who you are.
Elsie has stolen my digital camera. I'm not sure quite why she needs it, but she's decided to entertain herself while I'm gone at work. I think she's thinking of submitting some snaps into a contest or something. Anyway, while I wasn't looking she shot the candid photo below, which I decided to post as it shows off the incredibly short (#1 blade) haircut I got yesterday evening.
What do you think? Too short? Should I dye it red? The haircut was about all I accomplished yesterday. I did get to chat briefly with both my brother and mom, and balanced my checkbook. I've got 10 Things I Hate About You on DVD which I'm hoping to view tonight.
1:17:00 AM
Tuesday, March 19, 2002
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I used to be absolutely terrified of the telephone.
When I was younger, I had an irrational fear that a stranger I might have to ask a question of or ask to do something for me would think me a complete idiot for not knowing the answer already or for not doing it myself. Very often, making a call--to find out what time a movie was playing, to order a subscription, or to lodge a complaint--would leave me anxious, short of breath, berating myself. I wasn't bothered by having to call up friends or family, just complete unknowns.
Sometime while I was at university (though I can't pinpoint when) I completely overcame this fear, and now have no trouble at all making enquiries or asking to speak to a supervisor, if need be.
I mention this because my colleagues at work last Friday decided to tell me how I come across -- as an arrogant, self-centered, pompous (with a capital P, they clarified) condescending quasi-british twat.
Well, F 'em.
4:04:00 AM
Monday, March 18, 2002
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...and of course, WinXP just decided to crap out on me again. I'll have to make a backup copy of my install CD, as I'm beginning to wear this one out.
I've been after the soundtrack for Moulin Rouge for some time, and noticed last month that a second soundtrack album was due out shortly. I was very pleased to find, subsequently, that a British edition has the two together in a double-CD set. I placed my order with Amazon.co.uk, and was notified that the wait would be 4-6 weeks (for stock, not for shipping). I checked the order again today and saw it's "no longer available" and clicked my way over to HMV.com, which has informed me my copy will be in my hot little hands in three to five business days. Odd, it's the first time Amazon has let me down.
4:35:00 AM
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What a bizarre mix of weather we've had: in the past 48 hours we've had sunny, 80 degree balmy weather, sixty degree spring winds, and freezing pissing rain. A great breeding ground for colds and flues. I am on day nine or ten of my cold, now just a nagging cough and a stuffy nose.
Of course, the worst of the weather was on the weekend, and the best of it was while I was cooped up at work. Friday night my dad and I met the Boivins and some of Beth's friends for her birthday dinner at Temel, a turkish/mediterranean restaurant not far from where I used to live in Vienna. Afterward we had cake & ice cream at the Boivins while Beth opened some gifts. I had to work Saturday morning at 8 (network maintenance) and I took a short nap before meeting up with Beth for her birthday party at her house. She and Kelly share a really nice town house in Centreville, and had about a dozen people over for food & chat.
I had intended to meet up with Nicky and some others downtown for the St. Patrick's Day parade, but I stayed over at Beth's and we didn't get up until well after noon (and the weather was rotten). Arlington County had a festival Friday & Saturday, and the streets outside my apartment building and in front of Ballston Mall were closed off. Three stages with Irish bands and dancers were set up, along with several food and beer tents. I was surprised how crowded it got.
Guess I should wear green tomorrow, all things considered.
1:53:00 AM
Wednesday, March 13, 2002
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This just in: In Unanimous Vote, Tyson Wins License to Box in D.C.
From the Washington Post: "The D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission voted unanimously last night to award Mike Tyson a license to fight in the city, removing a major obstacle for a heavyweight title bout at MCI Center despite the boxer's criminal history and professional misbehavior.
The action came after a raucous hearing at which hundreds of supporters turned out for Tyson, a convicted rapist whose application for a license had been rejected in three states and opposed by the governor of a fourth. Of the dozens of speakers, not one spoke against licensing the boxer."
Shameful.
6:58:00 PM
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From today's Yahoo:
"While many people remain wary of tall buildings in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York's World Trade Center, a London council has approved plans to build Europe's tallest building.
The 1,004-foot tower, dubbed the 'Shard of Glass,' will rise 66 storeys above the River Thames in London's borough of Southwark, stealing the title of Europe's tallest building by 23 feet from Frankfurt's Commerzbank AG Tower."
3:15:00 PM
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Well, it's done. Feel free to laugh, or cry, as it strikes you. I was determined to finish the travelog tonight, and such as it is, it is fini.
Some news of a sort: Even though I received confirmation from the Irish embassy here last month that applications for registration in Ireland's foreign births registry are still generally taking 4-6 months, I suspect it will be closer to six than four. That would make it June 10 for me. I will need to get an Irish passport after that in order to prove my nationality and eligibility to a prospective employer in the UK, and though that application process "should go much quicker," I don't know whether that means only three months or three weeks. I had considered it would be prudent to renew my lease here for a six month block, thereby saving myself $50/mo, but that would tie me down here until after 11/1/02. Not really what I'd like to do ideally. So I'm going month-to-month starting May 1.
4:59:00 AM
Tuesday, March 12, 2002
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Three months down, 1, 2 or 3 to go.
Almost half the stuff I posted on ebay last night sold instantly, so I'm making daily treks to the Post Office. I'd love to try out the online postage programs, but since 9/11 (maybe before) you can't place stamped packages weighing more than a pound in a mailbox, so a post office visit is nearly mandatory.
Watched Traffic tonight, which was well crafted but not one I'd add to my collection.
Steve sent links to his Ofoto albums from the London trip, and I was pretty impressed. I really should finish up the trip summary; I should just sit down and do it. Maybe tomorrow evening.
Bed for now, and hopefully a full night's sleep.
3:38:00 AM
Monday, March 11, 2002
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I just about accomplished all I set out to do this weekend. The apartment is clean, I trashed a ton of old magazines and books, the bills are paid, stuff has been posted on ebay, and every last article of clothing has been washed.
I started out the morning relatively early with a visit to the Holocaust Museum. It's been open since 1993 but I've never visited before today. They have a strange entry system by which you stand in line to go through security, then stand in another line to get a pass which will let you into the "permanent collection" at a certain time later in the day (usually an hour or so later). The exhibit was well done and moving, obviously, but not laid out in a way to allow people to move along if they wanted to (I wanted to). I was home by 2.
Last night was the Sandra Bernhard concert at Lisner Auditorium. I've seen Seal there before, and I know that the place has rotten accoustics, but the sound was *really* bad. Sandra only sang about five songs though, and for the other hour ranted about George Bush, McCulture, the Middle East, and fashion. She is an angry angry woman.
I've still got a bit of a head cold but I'll be going in early tomorrow as someone has called a tech refresh meeting. I'll have to pay a visit to the post office at lunch, as (seems to be) usual.
4:27:00 AM
Saturday, March 09, 2002
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I'm feeling about 20% better, actually. I dosed up on Nyquil last night but still woke up with a cough about four or five times. A bit feverish too, I think, but I didn't measure. This morning I considered going in for a few hours and bailing after Carol Lane's going away luncheon (Hunan Gate) but by the afternoon I was doing OK. Only, it just seemed to d r a g....
I'll dose up again in a few and hope to sleep through the night -- something I haven't been able to do since I got back from London.
Not much else for news. Beth B's b-day is next week, and we're meeting for dinner on Friday & she's invited a crowd over for a party at her house on Saturday. Don't know what to bring ... any suggestions?
3:07:00 AM
Friday, March 08, 2002
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From Merriam-Webster's:
Sick
Pronunciation: 'sik
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English sek, sik, from Old English sEoc; akin to Old High German sioh sick
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : affected with disease or ill health : AILING (2) : of, relating to, or intended for use in sickness (sick pay) (a sick ward) b : QUEASY, NAUSEATED (sick to one's stomach) (was sick in the car) c : undergoing menstruation
Yes, I am, #1a(1) and a little #b but not at all #c (although my colleagues at work my argue the point).
Coincidentally, several other bloggers I read are also under the weather, including Cory, who had the same thing for dinner on Tuesday as I did tonight.
I just got tickets for Sanrda Bernhard's show at Lisner for Saturday (Rock On!) so I hope I'm up for it. Yes, I'm going alone. Yes, I'm very OK with that.
3:12:00 AM
Tuesday, March 05, 2002
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I've decided to make a separate page for the travelogue, so that, if interested, you can read it all in one go, or at least in the correct order. We're still on Day Two.
3:40:00 AM
Monday, March 04, 2002
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At least I was a bit more productive today. Managed to tackle the entire mountain of laundry, scrub the bathroom and kitchen, change the bedding, vacuum & sweep, and dispose of the recycling. All before 3pm!
It's been a fairly slow return to the regular daily grind. Last weekend's visit to a buddhist temple in Maryland with Jimmy & his friend Monica was a change of pace. I had taken a concentrated summer school class in Buddhism in 1989 and surprised myself by enjoying it. It's tenets are fairly uncomplicated. Also got to hang out at Jim & Jimmy's trying to get Jimmy's blog set up.
I took my dad out to dinner on Monday, and got caught up on family news. Most of the rest of the week (while not at work) I struggled with the new domain and web site. Finally got that up and running Wednesday/Thursday. By Friday, in spite of a nice lunch with the gang at Chevy's, I was in a foul mood at work and wanted to do nothing but come home and sleep for 72 hours, but Jimmy and Jim dragged me out to dinner (Rock Bottom Brewery) and I actually had a good time.
It must have been the week for surprise packages: Thursday evening my "3rd Place Prize" in Comedy Central's AbFab contest arrived: a black t-shirt and velour-covered spiral bound blank journal. I'll see if I can't get a snap later.
3:00:00 AM
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Thanks go to fellow blogger Jonathan, whom I got to meet during my visit last month, for pointing out the following:
French and Saunders to return: Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to team up again on TV for the first time since a 1999 Christmas special. They will return for a 40-minute special, to be shown on BBC One in March. Among the sketches will be the pair's own take on the award-winning fantasy film The Lord Of The Rings.
Both have been concentrating on solo projects, with Saunders recording a new series of Absolutely Fabulous, and French working on an as-yet-unseen comedy called Ted and Alice.
I think this means we have a fifth season of AbFab to look forward to. I have two of the French & Saunders videos and have found them rather hit and miss (I thought their Titanic sendup was horrible) but when they're good they're very very good.
2:55:00 AM
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The Queen's husband, Prince Philip, has done it again. Friends of mine whom I have forced to watch Eddie Izzard will remember that the Duke of Edinburgh has a penchant for putting his foot in it. Well, during the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour of Queensland last week, Phil is reputed to have queried one of the local Aborigines, asking "Do you still throw spears at each other?"
According to the BBC, Phil is merely keeping up his stellar reputation. During a state visit to China in 1986, he famously told a group of British students: "If you stay here much longer, you'll all be slitty-eyed". He also asked a driving instructor in Oban, Scotland: "How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them through the test?"
Other eyebrow-raising pronouncements have included:
"British women can't cook." (1966)
"Everybody was saying we must have more leisure. Now they are complaining they are unemployed." (during the 1981 recession)
"We didn't have counsellors rushing around every time somebody let off a gun, asking 'Are you all right? Are you sure you don't have a ghastly problem?' You just got on with it." (commenting in 1995 on modern stress counselling for servicemen)
"If a cricketer, for instance, suddenly decided to go into a school and batter a lot of people to death with a cricket bat, which he could do very easily, I mean, are you going to ban cricket bats?" (in 1996, amid calls to ban firearms after the Dunblane shooting)
"Bloody silly fool!" (in 1997, referring to a Cambridge University car park attendant who failed to recognise him)
"It looks as if it was put in by an Indian." (in 1999, referring to an old-fashioned fuse box in a factory near Edinburgh)
"Deaf? If you are near there, no wonder you are deaf." (in 1999, to young deaf people in Cardiff, referring to a school's steel band)
"They must be out of their minds." (in 1982, in the Solomon Islands, after being told that the annual population growth was only 5%)
"You are a woman, aren't you?" (in 1984, in Kenya, to a native woman who had presented him with a small gift)
"Your country is one of the most notorious centres of trading in endangered species in the world." (in 1991, in Thailand, after accepting a conservation award)
"Oh no, I might catch some ghastly disease." (in 1992 in Australia, when asked to stroke a Koala bear)
"You can't have been here that long - you haven't got a pot belly." (in 1993, to a Briton in Budapest, Hungary)
"Aren't most of you descended from pirates?" (in 1994, to an islander in the Cayman Islands)
"You managed not to get eaten, then?" (in 1998, to a student who had been trekking in Papua New Guinea)
"If it has got four legs and it is not a chair, if it has got two wings and it flies but is not an aeroplane, and if it swims and it is not a submarine, the Cantonese will eat it." (at a 1986 World Wildlife Fund meeting)
2:41:00 AM
Sunday, March 03, 2002
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What a massive waste of a day.
Not a damn thing accomplished. A cold front moved through last night, and it got very gray and damp this afternoon. Perfect napping weather. Actually, the whole week I've wanted to do nothing but nap. Still in holiday mode, I guess.
I've got a slew of stuff up on ebay, and more going quickly on half.com. Been watching Ground Force, Changing Rooms, the BAFTAs and QaF Season 2 all day. Slugman, I.
4:55:00 AM
