Quiddity Sunday

Had a bit of a day (on and off) sorting out various websites and accounts for quiddity - the electronic music thing me & Dan do. We've got a few plans for this year, so we'll see how they pan out - and getting these ducks in order is one of the first steps.

It's a bit of a fuddle, figuring out how all the various feeds, blogs, postings and twittering relate to each other. Ideally, one post from the blog would ping around various other elements - and it's getting there, but life's never that simple.

Anyway, for those that are interested, there's a basic page up at http://www.quiddity.org.uk with links to the main sites we'll use. Plus a page where you can actually play our music. Which I think was the point in the first place :)

Done for the night now though. So I've got a beer, and am going to do some ironing (Rock 'n' Roll) while ripping loads of CDs into iTunes as I have never had everything I own on CD in the digital domain...

Slow but sure...

Weigh in day today - and I've lost 1.5 pounds. Think it may have been a bit more if I hadn't succumbed to some of the pizza the kids ordered in last night! But I've been good for the rest of the week - resisted the lures of a Chinese takeaway, and when I made a strategic error having something to eat in Starbucks (15 points for two items!!), I made up for it and finished the day within my points.

Also, not done very much exercise this week - so a pound and a half seems OK. Happy with that.

Talking of exercise, I stumbled across this yesterday - http://www.directlife.philips.com/. This really appeals to me - depending on the cost. I remember coming across something very similar a couple of years ago when I was looking into kits for a sports specialism school in a BSF bid. Obviously, it appeals to the geek in me - but it looks like a good way of getting exercise levels up on a daily basis. I've registered to get some info when they release in this country anyway...

So that should help as well.

Better than nothing

I lost just under 1lb this week.

Pleased I actually lost - though I do feel a bit cheated given the amount of exercise I've done.

For the record, I now weigh 16st 9.25lb. According to WW, my goal weight is 11st 11lb. To be honest, not too fussed about hitting the target (seems low to me!), but it's good to have that line on the graph. Something I can aim for.

So, onwards and upwards :)

How'd that happen??

So, I cycled over 15 miles this week and have religiously been counting my WW points. As of now I have 26.5 points saved on the back of 11.5 activity points. Not too shabby.

So how in the world have I put on 1.5lb?

I had a sneaky pre-Sunday weigh-in this morning as I was certain I'd have lost weight And we're going out tonight with Jim & Sal, so it was also really to see what I'd allow myself to eat tonight - after all I've got 26.5 point saved!!

It's looking like an undressed salad.

Hi hum. Don't feel as down about it as I thought I would seeing as I've really made a proper effort this week. I'll go for a bike ride at some point today, and another early doors tomorrow before my 'official' weigh in.

Still. Bloody diets.

In other news, I felt more proud that perhaps I should have for making up a filthy joke based on a song title this week. I follow a few celebrities on twitter. Not that many, really, just the ones I find interesting or entertaining. One of them is David Quantick. I've a lot of time for him - from his days writing for the NME, through to him writing for Harry Hill's TV burp, he's a comeidian/writer that's popped up quite a lot and I've always enjoyed what he does. Every so often he'll pop up a hashtag on his twitter account and invite people to make up puns based on it. This week he posted #toiletpop. So you got things like 'The Poo Fighters', or 'Portaloo Sunset'. I chucked a couple up. One of which resulted in the following:

I managed to gross out David Quantick. *grin*

Not only am I worringly proud of that - but also isn't technology brilliant! The fact that, with no hassle at all, I could join in in a silly game arranged by a comedian I rate - and then for him to 'talk' to me, is pretty cool.

On a more serious side, this was demonstrated by the #welovetheNHS hashtag that Graham Linehan (glinner on twitter) instigated to try to counteract the downright untruths being told about the NHS through the right wing American media.

This social networking thing is pretty good, all in all.

Detention was never like that at my school...

...but then that was really the point. :)

Just heard that John Hughes died yesterday. This makes me sadder that I thought it would, really. But looking back, this chap created some things that were a big part of my teenage (80s) years. Pretty in Pink, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Uncle Buck - and the glorious Breakfast Club. I adore the Breakfast Club.

So it's nice to find out it sounds like he was a pretty nice guy as well as this story implies.

I've decided that my new facebook picture is a fitting tribute from a geeky teenage kid from Lincolnshire, to the king of American teenage angst.

Cheers, John.

You don't miss it 'til it's gone...

First day of our holiday. Yay :)

Had a good run up to the lakes. No bad traffic at all, and of course all the snow has gone - well, from the roads at least...

Hopping cross country on the A66 was spectacular, though. Snow covered mountains looking majestic. There's still something about bloody big hills that impresses me. Guess that's what coming from pretty much flat Lincolnshire does for you...

First impressions of Whitbarrow are good. The lodge is really nice and the welcome warm with a personal visit from Anna from Guest Services. Had a good wander round Keswick before we got some shopping in - and picked up some cracking curry paste from the market. We tried it out tonight and it was good. When we came back to the lodge from popping to the pub, it smelt just like a proper indian :)

Anyway, sat down to get some Frog work out of the way so I can forget about it all until a week on Monday, and I'm only getting a 56k connection through the Vodafone dongle. Shouldn't be surprised really - but it makes working on the remote servers pretty painful. In fact it just packed in altogether - hence me deciding to kill a few minutes with this blog before I try again.

Plans for tomorrow - gentle ease in with a walk to a nearby Stone Circle...

Saudi Summary

Been a bit rubbish at keeping a blog while I've been out here this time, but it's pretty much been work work work. Because of the +3 hour time difference here, I've been getting in from working here and in my head thinking it's 2 o'clock back in the UK - then checking emails and catching up on work until 5pm GMT (8pm KSA), then eating, then bed. Silly really, but that's sort of where my head was! Did have a couple of nights off, but I've been doing the silly tired/awake thing much more than last time I was over...

I've found Saudi as interesting as last time, however. I've been delivering the training at a new place - much nicer, but a longer drive out. That was pretty good, though, because it got me out of the centre of Riyadh and out into the equivalent of their suburbs (I guess). So different buildings, different things to see. As you turn off the main road leading out of Riyadh (King Fahad Road) and you look down it seems to just disappear into a haze and the desert. If (when?) I come again, I must try to arrange a trip out...

The training has gone really well. We've done good simplifying the way that the articles are posted to the site - many more smiling faces at the end of the days training this time than last. And we finished early most days as well. From a business point of view, it's been a very good visit.

Steve Shaw was kind enough to take us out for lunch today on the 77th floor of the Kingdom Centre. Amazing views over Riyadh - makes you realise how big this place is - and flat. THere are very few really tall buildings, but the city sprawls. Went up to the skybridge (99th floor) as well. Pictures to follow on my facebook account :) The food was great (Lentil and cumin cream soup, Red Snapper with marinaded peppers and a goregeous carrot cake). Good conversation over lunch - getting a Saudi view on Iran and the Israel/Palestine issue. Very interesting - and different from what we're fed by our media. Cautious optimism about Obama as well...

As we were chatting, what has struck me again is that there is so much to learn about this country and it's people. Then you pause, and think that this is probably true of so many cultures. We're missing so much.

Anyway, just finished packing. Plane is at 1:50 tomorrow morning. Thanks to the time diffrerence, that means I arrive at Heathrow at 5:45am. And then I have a 3 hour or so drive home. I can see lots of stops and lots of coffee. By the time I get home I will have been up and on the go for about 30 hours... Must try to grab a couple of hours kip on the plane, but I've always struggled sleeping on planes.

A bit sad to be leaving, but keen to get home...

A missive from the desert...

Sarah asked me last night if I was going to blog this trip like I did the last.

Don't see why not, really - although I don't think this one will be as interesting somehow...

The flight over yesterday was fine. Unlike last time, it was a direct flight - so no rushing through airports to make sure I get a connecting flight. Movies were poor - watched Death Race as I hadn't seen it. Hadn't missed much. What was of passing interest was the blurring out of any visible cleavage/midriff.... Was also amused at the dubbing - though that's not directly down to the Saudi influence. Good to hear that 'monkey lovin' is still being used instead of good old 'mf'...

And the food was actually quite nice. Lamb curry type thing. And salad that was still crunchy. Win.

Had a nice thing happen when I landed as well. I had been told I was going to be met. All well and good. But what I didn't realise was that it was to be met as I got off the plane. I was whisked ahead of *huge* lines at immigration, visa stamped and waiting for my bags all within 5 minutes of getting of the plane. I liked that :)

Was met by Tariq, the chap who drove me about last time, and got to the hotel at a decent time. Didn't go to bed until quite late, though, thanks to KSA being 3 hours ahead, and just not being tired...

Got up well after 9am (read 6am GMT), so by the time I'd staggered about, showered and dressed I'd missed breakfast. So I decided to get on with some work (even though Friday is the Saudi Sunday), then wander down to the Atrium for something to eat & drink.

Last time I was here, I didn't really venture outside my hotel room (I know, I know) - but I spent a really pleasant hour or so reading, watching the world go by and eating a rather nice minced lamb in lebanese flatbread thing. With a big glass of iced tea.

I'll probably end up doing a bit more work tonight, 'cos I'm like that. But it's been a fairly chilled day.

The obligatory 'shot from my hotel room window' photo...

Oops, I did it again

Left it another 6 months since I last posted :)

Thinking about taking a leaf out of Matt's book and starting to blog again. Partly as a motivater to keep me on the straight and narrow regarding losing weight.

Anyway, we'll keep this one short. I only really wanted to test twitterfeed :)

Almost done...

Didn't blog yesterday because, well it was a pretty 'normal' day. (Says he sat in Saudi Arabia!)

Training was a bit tougher - but we got there in the end. Once chap really didn't get it (or maybe didn't want to), but even after some one to one, he didn't return after dinner. And we had one lady who kept making up how she thought it should work. Her: "So why can't I do this by clicking on this and saving that there...?", Me: "Well, because that simply won't work. It's not written that way", Her: "Why not?"...etc. But she was all smiles by the end of the day.

I guess what *I've* learned is that, when it comes to training, people are pretty much the same wherever you may be... :)

Anyway, got back to the hotel and simply crashed!

Today I was at the bank all day doing a couple of meetings and writing up notes etc. Steve took me to a 'cheap & cheerful' curry house for lunch. Everything was buffet style, but again really nice. Already sort of getting used to the heat - when I step outside obviously it still hits you, but the novelty is wearing off now - it's more 'Hmm, still hot' rather than 'OMFG! The Heat!!!11!!"

At the end of the day, arranged my museum visit tomorrow with Nouf. We're off to the National - which looks really interesting. Once that was done, we were packing up to go when Nouf, Sara and Enam presented me with some gifts. And not just a couple, this little lot:



I've been saying that this trip has shown me the genourosity of spirit of the Saudi's and this just topped it all off. I was genuinely touched - a fact that seemed to please the ladies greatly. They'd picked up that I really liked the Arabian coffee, so there's a dellah (if I remember correctly - and if I have, I've probably spelt it wrong!), and a framed picture of one, an insence burner, a sand picture, some painted eggs and a woven picture, all popped into a really nice camel hair bag. Fantastic! Maysa has also typed up some information about the Bedouin traditions around coffee, and a recipe.

So, last night. Wasn't sure if I was going to get the chance to go shopping tomorrow, so I had a quick look round the hotel shops. Had a nice chat to the owner of one. There's was some really nice stuff in there, but a lot of it was very pricey. Anyway, found some bits and pieces for Sarah, Josie and Chris. If I come out again, I'm definately going to try to get to a souk...

So, this'll be my last blog until England I think. So, a quick list if little things that I've noticed and/or like

• The call to prayer. Still make me stop and listen - there's something about it...
• All the ads that appear in my browser are arabian!
• Saw a couple of cats today - the lovely Egyptian kind. They didn't hang around long enough for me to photograph them
• The pickup trucks piled high with melons from the south, parked up and selling on the street
• Driving where the horn takes the place of the indicator
• How nice it is to walk into an air conditioned room after walking all of 10 paces from the car to the building...
• Seeing a BHS store on my travels...
• Tea boys - want a drink? Call a tea boy.
• Arabian Coffee - mmm Cardamom
• Turkish Coffee - mmm Chewy ;)
• Switching on the TV and seeing Coronation Street!
• Explaining the concept of weather forcasting (they don't really need it here - it's either hot or hotter)
• The chance to talk to and learn about people I know little about apart from though the UK media engine...
• Experiencing what hot really is...
• Warm water from the cold water tap
  

There'll be more that I've forgotten. I may edit this as I remember them... :)

Half way....

Only 3 more days to go.

Training went well today - a good group. Picked things up quickly, and we covered everything I wanted to - even after going out for lunch. I was invited by one of the atteendees - Ibrahim. He wanted to take me for some traditional Arabian food.

So we went to a restaurant, and had Beef Kabsa and Chicken Mathlutha. Eaten sat on the floor and with fingers (well a bit - fork and spoon were used most of the time.) Both really nice - though I preferred the Mathlutha.

Ibrahim and me!
(Not the best picture, but it's better that the other one the waiter took!)

Mathlutha (left) and Kabsa

Once again, I had a really good chat with Ibrahim. During one of the breaks, I showed him where I lived using Google Maps. He was impressed by the amount of green - and seemed surprised that all the fields around Sleaford were privately owned, not goverment owned.

Also I had a nice talk with Imam (hope I've spelled that right), one of the ladies who work for Nouf, after the training had finished.

I'm pleased the work side is going well, as that is what I'm here for - but it's a real bonus to be soaking up all the backgound stuff as well.

So, shattered. (You can probably tell as this is a short entry!)

Early night I think.

On the third day...

First day of training today. Had about half a dozen people to train, and on the whole it went pretty well. What was interesting was that I had exactly the same sort of issues training this group, that I would have at home. Apart from the fact that the general level of politeness was much higher - in line with my experience of everyone I've come in contact with over here so far. I love the way they call you by your title and first name - so I become Mr Graham - it just seems to circumvent the awkwardness we sometimes get in the UK of 'Do I call him Mr Smith, or by his first name?' - With Mr Graham, you get the respect and familiarity. With my vast experience of 3 days over here, it feels a very 'Saudi' thing to do.

The training room is interesting. When we visited yesterday, Steve said that this must be where all their old PC come to die! There is a bit of an elephants graveyard feel to it. A real mix of PCs and monitors. There's some old Dell Optiplex models in there that I remember using at St. George's - 7 or 8 years ago now. But they pretty much all work, and all we're really doing is web based, so it's OK.

When we stopped for coffee, obviuosly I was offered a cup. The cups were very small bowls, so I expected a good thick, strong brew - not unlike the Turkish coffee I had the other day. But when it was poured, this had a distinct green tinge to it! Always up for a new exdperience, I tried it - and it was actually cardamom coffee. And (again) really, really nice. Another thing to try to make when I get back I think...

Had a really nice chat with some of the trainees over lunch. We got talking about the heat, and how I was still surprised by it when I walked outside - it was still a novelty to me while, of cource, it's normal to them. One of the men, Bander, said he knows what I mean because he felt the same way about snow. So I asked him where he'd experienced snow (because it certainly wasn't here) and it turned out he'd studied marine biology at Newcastle!

They asked what the weather was like now where I live - so I told them it was raining, but still warm I think. Whe they asked what warm was I told them 22 degC - and they all laughed. I told them that in the summer it obviously gets hot. Sometimes 28, 29 or even 30 degC. Again this caused much mirth.

Anyway, despite the usual little hiccups that happen in any training, I was pleased with today. If the next 2 days go as well, I'll be very satisfied with that.

The trianing rooms are in a building which seems to be round some back streets - it's certainly off the main drag. Anyway, I took the opportunity to take a couple of photos:

[Left]The Sulaimania building where the trainingroom is and [Below] The view down the street from the doorway.

(As with all the other pictures in this blog, clicking on them will show you a larger version...)


Got a lift back through heavier, end of day traffic on the way back. Me earler comments about the driving in Riyadh hold fast...

Went out with Steve and Nouf to a Lebanese restaurant tonight. Fantastic place, fantastic food and some excellent conversation over dinner. With much talk of Saudi and related lands/counties, it made me feel quite parochial. But more interesting stuff on how the reality of why muslim women cover up (more cultural than religious? Not the view that has often been pushed at us in the UK), and also the feeling that if in other counties, then that country and it's people should be respected and your culture should not be forced. We're back to extreme minorities, queering the pitch for the moderate majority. I really feel that alongside doing a job of work (the reason I;m here!), I'm also learning stuff as well.

I'm really being well looked after by Nouf and Steve - after all I could just be sat in my hotel room inbetween working - but they're giving me plenty of opportunity to experience new things and learn a bit.

As I think I've mentioned, Nouf is arranging for us to go visit a museum on Thursday - I also mentioned that I ought to have a wander round the shops - and immediately they are making plans for me to be able to do it with the minimum of hassle.

I'm a lucky chap...

I can feel my mind broadening...

Wow.

I know this is technically my 2nd full day in KSA, but it was really my first *proper* day. Had various meeting at the bank - which all went very well. We got to test the training side of stuff today, and that seemed to go well - which is obviously a relief.

I'm being very well looked after. The hospitality here is fantastic. It's really been a day of new experiences for me. Firstly, I've been out in The Heat. 45 degrees centigrade today. For a hick from damp Lincolnshire, that's flippin' hot. Well, for anyone I guess it's hot! But it's a really dry heat - there's something physical about it. And I've been told it'll get hotter into August. It's lovely to come inside to air consitioned buildings, even after just getting out of the car. Not walked anywhere yet. Don't think I will during the day either. It's just not done! I've started getting static shocks off things. Steve mentioned this - because the air is so dry, charges build up and don't dissipate through the moisture in the air (I think).

Had Turkish coffee for the first time this morning. Now, I like my coffee - but this was something else. I initially asked for no sugar - which was met with mild surprise and in went the sugar anyway. I can see why. But it was really good. Strongest coffee I've had - but really tasty. There'll be more of that getting drunk while I'm here...

Steve took me out for Korean food at lunch. Another first - and very, very nice. Spicy without being overpowering. I couldn't tell you the names of what I ate - but it was good! Apparantly, I'm being taken out for Lebanese food tomorrow night - which sounds really nice. I've been told not to eat much during the day because (and to quote) 'Lebanese food really embraces you'!

I'm letting Sarah down by not taking photos - but it's a bit difficult while trying to remain realtively professional and not turning into Twoflower out of the Discworld novels! I did mention it to Steve, and he warned me not to point the camera at any women - and I've read elsewhere that you also have to be careful not to take photos of government or military subjects.

Which brings us on to security. Tight doesn't cover it. On going into the bank (and the hotel), the cars are stopped and checked for - ahem - 'devices'. There are gun emplacements surrounding the bank. Security at the hotel is like going through an airport - bag scanned and you walk through a metal detector.

And some of the little things I'm noticing are strange. The birdsong is different. I've not seen a long shadow here - the sun is overhead fast so the shadows are short. It must rise & set quickly - at least it seemed to get dark fast tonight (unless I was just distracted. Must keep an eye on that tomorrow). Another little thing - they have the old style ringpulls on cans of drink!

Also, I had a really interesting chat with Nouf about Islam and the history of this land. About the similarities between different religions, rather than the differences. She told me (amongst other things) that according to tradition/history (take your pick) this is the land where Eve was 'born', and that she is buried at Jeddah. She has very kindly offered to take me to a museum on Thursday looking at the history of this area, and going into the sort of things we chatted about - I'm really looking forward to it.

It's really refreshing to talk to someone from such a different background and culture. We both know that we're conditioned to a certain extent by what we hear through our respective societies - but I certainly feel that being able to visit a place like this and talk to ordinary people here helps you 'step outside' a little.

I'd better go before I really start spouting drivel - but suffice to say I'm enjoying this for lots of reasons.

So, three days of training ahead. I'm comfortable with this now we've got an environment to train on (thanks to some last minute hard work from the chaps back at Dean Clough!). Looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully delivering some good sessions. It's going to be yet another experience tomorrow. Certainly the most diverse group I'll have ever delivered training to...


An old style ring pull, earlier today...

(OK, I know it's a crap picture, but it's the only one I took today - I'm working!)

Strange Day in the KSA

There's a song title right there!

Anyway, bit of a funny day so far today. I overslept - first time in *ages*. Must've been more tired than I thought.

Anyway, I'd resigned myself to working, but that was a bit stop/start due to prevailing circumstances. It was becoming increasingly clear that I was going to have to do some work this evening after the chaps at Dean Clough had finished.

So I decided to take some chunks of time out and just chilled in my room. Finished reading The Story of Crass (very good). Thought about going out, but just sort of didn't get round to it! I'll do something one evening if there's not too much work tweaking going on...

So, reading the Crass book put me in a strange frame of mind anyway, and with people from home popping up on Facebook on and off it's been a bit of a dislocated day so far!

And the kettle in my room stopped working.

A room with a view...

Or not. Couple of shots from my hotel room window.

Can't see much in the photos apart from the car park!

3000 miles from home

A long day.

Up early to make sure I got to check in in good time. Anyway, no drama at Heathrow. As I'm under orders from Sarah to take photos, here's one of my plane sat waiting to whisk me to Zurich. Thrilling stuff! :)

Loony on the Bus syndrome kicked in on the plane. I ended up sat next to this guy who was on his way to Munich on business. But he was going to visit the parents of his ex girlfriend who had just split up with him claiming that he had assaulted her and stolen her laptop. Police involved and everything. He gave me the whole story about her infidelity, catching her in the act (almost), the ensuing struggle where he accidentally caught her nose with his knee (oh rly?), she ran out leaving her flat open. He had no keys to lock up, so he took her laptop 'for safe keeping'. You probably believe this as much as I did. And this chap was going to visit her parents in some small village near the Austrian border with a letter of explanation (obviously she's German) to show that he's not a bad man. So he was looking for someone to translate a letter into German for him to present to the parents etc etc - you get the idea.

I smiled and nodded in the right places, then got my headphones on quicksmart and started to read my book (The Story of Crass - it's really rather good). Wished him good luck as we were getting off, but I was secretly praying I got a really boring neigbour for the 5 1/2 hour flight from Zurich to Riyadh.

Flew over Paris - altough didn't see anything recognisable. Switzerland looked nice from the air. I was impressed by the adverts cut and coloured in the fields leading to the airport. (Sorry Sarah, no photo!)

Quick change at Zurich, then onto the plane for Riyadh. So all I got to see of Switzerland from the ground was similar to the picture on the left.

The flight to Riyadh was pretty uneventful really. Watched Be Kind Rewind which was pretty good. Was impressed with the flight info doohickey that shows a map of where the plane is. If flying over countries is the same as visiting, then I've been to loads of places today - France, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Iraq (or maybe Jordan - not sure about that one), then Saudi Arabia. Phew! Was less impressed with the food - now I understand what the running joke about bad airplane food is all about!

It was interesting seeing the scenery change, and eventually just turn into desert. That got boring eventually, but then we got to Riyadh. It seemed that we had to fly over the city and double back to the airport, so we got a superb view of the city at night - all lit up and looking stunning. It looked rich, even from 30000 feet!

One unexpected hiccup was the need to fill in an entry form - no one warned me about that and as such I was missing a couple of bits of info. For someone as paranoid as me, I was remarkably chilled about it (especially after reading some of the horror stories about travelling to the Middle East on the internet!). Made a couple of calls when I landed, filled in the missing bits and they hardly even glanced at the form! Ho Hum.

Anyway, on leaving the airport I was met with two people holding signs with my name. One was the driver I was expecting - Mr Tariq - and the other was from the hotel. Problem was they both spoke so softly and my ears hadn't recovered from the landing, I wasn't sure what they were deciding - even though they were speaking English. Anyway, the hotel driver took me back to the hotel (which on hindsight was a mistake, as he charged and Tariq wouldn't have). The drive into Riyadh from the airport was surreal. Just very obvious that this is a very different place - fascinating. Just a shame I was by myself - would have been great to share the experience. Again no piccies as it's hard to take photos through tinted glass at night.

We passed car showroom after car showroom - looks like the Saudis love their cars. We also seemed to pass a theme park of sorts but everything was lit up and sparkling. There was some interesting driving happening as well - looks like the driving I suffered in Paris may have a challenge on!

Arriving at the hotel, I stepped out the car, and it was like stepping into a sauna. 9pm at night and I reckon it was still 40 degrees C. Tomorrow will be intersting. I've got a bunch of work to do, but was thinking about sticking my head out of the door at some point...

So, checked in (still suffereing from less than optimal hearing, and trying to understand another soft-spoken person on reception. Lord knows what I said yes to...), up to my room with the ultra polite porter from Namibia (to my shame I've already forgotten his name), unpack my PC and get on the Internet so I can chat with folks back home.

Not having eaten properly all day I ordered a Mixed Grill from the Room Service menu. But this being Saudi, I got various koftas and kebabs - and it was scrummy. So this is what my first Saudi meal looked like.

So - shattered now. Just going to crash in the big bed!

Trip to Saudi - on your marks...

Chatting to Sarah on the phone tonight, we thought it might be a nice idea to blog my trip and put up some photos.

So I'll give it a go. Never been very good at this blogging lark, all seems a bit ostentatious. But I guess this is a bit special so....

First leg of the trip is done :) Sleaford to Heathrow. A mere fairy-step compared to what I'll do tomorrow - 3120 miles as the crow flies according to my quick google...

As those of you who know me would expect, I've lost count of the number of times I've checked that I have my passport & ticket details!

So, not much more to say at the moment. I'll bung up a piccy of my hotel room just because I can - but I sincerely hope I'll be posting some more intersting stuff over the next few days :)

Exciting stuff. And the tennis is good tonight too - Murray making a bit of a comeback, but he's going to lose I think.


Thrilling picture of my hotel room at the Holiday Inn. Better to come (I hope)

Wishing I'd nicked Chris' little camera now. I've a feeling the 2MB one on my Blackberry is going to let me down at some point.

We'll see....

At last...

After years of threatening (no, really - it's been *years*) me & Dan have finally started to do some more music together.

Two tracks down, others simmering in our little melting pot. Feels good to be doing something again.

Have a listen here --> http://www.myspace.com/quiddityuk

We've a few ideas bouncing around - looking forward to seeing where this goes....

It's not been that long....

...since I posted?



Ah well, at least I'm consistent :)

Something for *me* :)

I've been meaning to underpin my ICT knowledge for a while now. Got buckets of experience and knowledge, but never really got round to getting the bits of paper to back it all up.

I've toyed with various ideas in the past, but kept gravitating back towards the Open University.

Well, to cut a long story short, I've just registered for my first OU course. But I haven't gone for an ICT course!

Just recently, I've been feeling that I'm in a bit of a rut again, so I wanted to do something that would just be a bit different. Stimulating, even. So, I've just registered for this.

Really looking forward to it. I'll probably do some ICT stuff in there at some point, but what I really like about the OU is I've got plenty of choice along the way.