Sod it all . . .

TGI will be Friday very soon. Literature review finished and uploaded (but not to the VLE). Deadline met. Pheeeeeeew! I even had a few hours left to indulge my passion: sitting there in my underwear and dressing gown reading a book, and relaxing in front of a warm fire. Radio 4 was playing in the background, and Patsy Stone was asleep on my lap. Almost heaven.

Just getting ready to upload a new set of video tutorials and images for Project 43, so just watch this space.

We are going to hunker down with mulled wine and a large hamper Saturday evening, on account of the expected snow this weekend; at least according to the Met Office. However, their perceived inaccuracy has called into question the long-term contract that they hold with the BBC. So, it's not just me that thinks that the forecasts are not as spot on as they used to be????? The plan for the hamper and the wine still stands, however . . . the risotto kit looks delicious.

I am very much looking forward to half-term for the week commencing 15th February, since I am determined to get the hall in the flat back to some sort of shape. Demolition evidence in the shape of brick dust and exposed plaster has lost its appeal several months after the initial rush of DIY zeal . . . spring being, unbelievably just around the corner. The other reason for my looking expectantly to a week off from teaching is that work continues apace on my new book, and I need a few days alone with the plan to whip it into a firmer shape.

Pop Stars at Factory Street Studios

Yes! You read about it here first!

Taking the "P" from "Copper"

I am patently not qualified to enter into a discourse of other people's tastes concerning schadenfreude, but I don't mind signposting a few likes of my own in this regard. Indeed, I must confess a strong affinity for finding amusement and and downright pleasure in the reading of tales like this: a sadly all-too-common reportage of a West Yorkshire copper getting caught out, doing something that they shouldn't. Indeed, the further that they stray into the territory of "illegal activity", the more that I enjoy reading about it. Here's an extract from Bradford's local 'newspaper' that I thought it my duty to share with you, dear reader:

Police officers who reversed on motorway banned

Shame that this is only a pair of mere Sergeants. We need more Commanders, Detectives and Chief Inspectors to get detected, busted and sent deeeern. However, we must content ourselves, for the present,  with the fact that that these are coppers and public servants. Of all people, they should have known better. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the joy!

And don't forget, you lot out there, the more that you read my blog, share my blog, and click through my blog, the more cash that I am able to trouser through the agency of Google Adsense.

Please don't print it, though: we need to think of the environment!

I do have other writings online, such as Armstrong Education, Project 43, and a few others such as this but you'll have to go searching for yourself via the agency of Google to gain a fuller perspective. Needless to mention, you will also have to use Clickthrough, in order to get the full benefit of my publications.

Good luck, and sleep tight!

 

Scandinavian Climes on our Doorstep. . .

Now, if I had been gifted the benefit of foresight, I would have known in advance to pick up a couple of kilos of Lavazza filter coffee from the Tesco Express at the Top of Valley View Grove BEFORE the 12 inches of snow came on Tuesday. As it is, it is now 1500, and I need a caffeine fix. Also, I am becoming jaded at the making of snacks from surplus Christmas hamper goods, canned delicacies, and home-made bread. Not bad, but not healthy. Food tastes so much better when someone else makes it, or you take a break before serving the dish. Focusing on my coffee urge, I took the plunge, wrapped up for the Arctic, and and left the flat at about 15.30 with my camera in tow.

I was lucky to have a neighbour help me dig the SMART out of the standing snow. Also, I am grateful for the fact that the covering on the car was still powder and not solid ice. Took us about 10 minutes to get the vehicle onto Lister Lane. Empty. Not a soul in sight, spare the kids on sleds and snow boards in Peel Park.  Did the deed in Tesco, and bought more than I should, plus a little bottle of Marsala, for the trifle, you understand. On the way back down the Grove, I stopped the car repeatedly to take photos of the park and the roads.

Couldn't wait to get back inside. I had that many layers of clothing on that I was sweating like a glassblower's bottom. The coffee was good, and I will be getting a taxi into the University tomorrow - Huddersfield University has been open today, and I took a taxi in this morning, whereas BC was closed, and all classes, including the one that I teach this evening near Bradford Uni at 1700 have been cancelled. Better safe than sorry.

Be careful out there - this could be the pattern for weeks!

Now, the weather is so delightful . . let it snow. Let it! SNOW!

The white stuff looks fantastic on postcards or even dancing on the small screen. Especially when the viewer happens to be relaxing, parked up in front of a vibrant fire with a racy book. Can you see the mulled wine, yet, reader? (Note: The Book Burning for 16th January is still very on: so far). However, when one has to travel back to Bradford, westward towards the Peninnes and along the M62 and M602, the merest mention of snow, brings more than a small tremor of alarm.

I checked up on the Met Office late tonight referencing tomorrow's forecast for the whole of the UK, and it does not look good Monday and Tuesday: emphasis Yorkshire and the Humber. Very heavy emphasis on the M62 and the M602! Well, reader, what I will do is this: I shall check the Met Office and MM at work, and also  with the folks in Bradford for a weather update in real time up until about 1600, and then, if the weather proves too much, I will decide whether to swap the SMART for the Mercedes, or indeed whether to postpone travel altogether until a break arrives in the cold snap.

If you have any news on the College or University closure for Monday, 5th January, please get in touch!

Happy 2010

Happy new year from the East Riding of Yorkshire!  No, we're not looking forward to going back to work, either, but it will soon be half term. No resolutions this year that I didn't already have in place, and I hope that it's the same with you all.

Right now, I am very much wishing that the snow that fell in East Yorks will clear by Sunday when I have to return to the big smoke. If not, or the roads get worse as I travel west, then, watch this space . .  .

See you all soon.