2008 #26 - On Mass

I don't like the phrase "en-masse". I don't like any french used as part of the English language. It's practically impossible to use it without sounding pretentious. Unfortunately, whilst I'd like to convert it to "on mass", the internet tells me that this isn't actually a correct translation, even though it sounds right.

The point of that? No point. It's too late and I just wanted to write a quick opener before getting into my list.

1. Generally good on food and drink although weekend festivities meant stupid amounts of takeaway and restauraunt food. Put simply, this isn't off target from the wide angle, but I probably won't step on the scales this week.

2. Fewer games this week. Still getting bad beats. This evening I was beaten by an AK holding made good by a turn and river straight against my flopped high two-pair. This guy shouldn't have been around at that point, but fake money players just refuse to lay down AK no matter how bleak it looks at the flop. Another 4th place. Goal remains well in check.

3. I chose not to take my camera out at the weekend as it was a social occasion, and I'm glad about it. Good thing is others had cameras so chances are I'll still see some photos.

4. Fantastic weekend. More of my closest friends in one place than in well over a year. A few notable absences but we were staying with others and as accomodating as they are, I just don't feel right asking too many people to stay on someone elses floor. We made enough mess as it was. Most fun weekend in ages, even though others were missed.

As I write this my gut is churning. I've never written about my stomach before. It's a saga with no answers or ending. Tonight I think it's my fault though. 8 day old pie might be pushing it. I'll try to finish before... well you know.

5. No question that I put the time in on music this week. The other half of the duo sent me some vocal only tracks which I have fitted to my recordings and predicatbly, I absolutely love them. With the lyrics also emailed sitting and singing them myself tonight I felt proud that I created half of what I was hearing echo around my living room.

6. No work goals still. My department looks like it will now merge with it's parent department so I doubt these are coming any time soon. This also leaves my sub-department in contention for.. no idea. I have no concern that I will have a job. On this occasion I can even see this going a certain way that might improve my location situation, but as it's pure speculation at this stage, I won't get too excited.

7. A colleague told me today that after 17 years of uncertainty he'd like to be an electrician. I'm impressed that after that long it can finally become clear. There may be hope for me yet. Kept this off my mind for the weekend but gave it plenty of thought during last week, which was a draining week for certain.

8. I'm faultering a little this week. I did swim and it was slightly easier than the first week back, so tomorrow should be okay too hopefully. I only managed one ride despite having fixed up my bike. It felt longer, but it was actually only 30 minutes. A jaunt around Braunstone Park, which seems to get even bigger every time I go there, and Western Park, which is still largely unexplored by me, and should be soon. Still no weights. Mini-goal failed and passes to next week, though it will almost certainly fail again.

I'm off to Ireland on Friday. First time out of the UK since 2005 and damn glad about it given how much i'm beginning to despise the country. I'm gradually moving away from popular opinion that our lives are being changed for the worse and realising that it's been pretty bleak for a long time. I spend so much time listening to US-centric opinions on matters of liberty that it's all too easy to forget that we never had the same type of freedom the US to some extent enjoyed. Glad to be heading to the place that just a week or so ago rejected something that given the opportunity they should have had, the Brits and many other people around Europe would have I hope also rejected.

But, really, i'm just as glad to be going for a break. A bit of drinking, a bit of culture, and no work for a few days. I think i'm excited!

I nearly missed writing this weekly post on Monday for the first time since it started in January tonight, but I didn't. It's still Monday for another half hour. Next week it's very likely that I will miss the Monday post. Then again, the N800 is coming along, so anything's possible. I'd probably rather wait until I get back though. We'll see.