We all over did the chocolate cake and the jelly belly beans Amanda gave the kids. Martin and I over did the champagne but we all had a great time.

No, I don't want another go on the dancemat....

Posted by Mark at 11:32 PM | Permalink

Today was an odd day of sun and snow, at one moment hot enough to sit outside and read, the next the patio was freezing and covered in snow flurries.

I've been busy today catching up with chores at home and buying cards and wrapping paper.

Luckily my walk into the town was in bright sunlight, cutting into the gloom of the underpass.

Posted by Mark at 6:30 PM | Permalink

It only seems last week I was in Hamleys buying things for Christmas. This time it’s for Joanne’s birthday on Monday. The crowds are a lot less despite the fact I got here later in the day, due to being in Portabello Road looking for something for Amanda’s birthday next week.

Normally I don’t have any problem picking gifts but today I couldn’t really get my head around either task. Perhaps it was thinking back to Christmas or too much beer from last night. After what seemed an age, and several goes on the desktop pin ball machine to inspire me, I staggered out to get some food at the Tokyo Diner: chicken katsu don and spinach gomae.

I’d really wanted to go the Royal Academy today but I hadn’t left enough time to take it all in and enjoy it so instead I went to the London Graphics Centre and bought a “book”. I’ve been meaning to put together a “book”, a collection of my snaps housed in an anonymous black slip case for hawking around picture editors, for a while but I’ve not been too sure of what I should include or how really to do it. This is not too large, with space for around 40 pictures with card to mount them on. Now all I need to do is start thinking which to get printed.

To try to get some inspiration I have a bottle of wine made from the Carignan grape. It’s from the Familia Licari in Tunisia and called Accademia del Sole.

The wines of Casa Vinicola Calatrasi, Sicily, Puglia and Tunisia

“Accademia del Sole Carignan 2001, Tunisia
(tasted May 2002) Lisa says that this is a variety that copes well with the heat in Tunisia. Quite a deep colour, this has a nice spicy nose with a roasted coffee edge. Concentrated and juicy on the palate with savoury fruit and a spicy edge. Impressive effort. Very good+ (Sainsbury £5.49)”

Posted by Mark at 10:16 PM | Permalink

It's all change : not only is the sofa in a different place but there's fewer people in the house. The usual Friday get together has moved down to Martin's as Fhai is out tonight helping out at a new Thai restaurant which has opened nearby. Richard and I are on the sofa discussing Lego while Joanne's making up stories from the Oxford English dictionary (more a case of a good imagination than Mensa like ability).

All the furniture's moved around to make space for a new sewing machine, an overlock, ready for the sewing business, which will, for now, have to run from home. In case you're wondering about getting your own overlock machine here's a handy guide to selecting one.

Posted by Mark at 10:11 PM | Permalink

This week seems to have been the longest yet. Perhaps it was all the dark, snowy weather which made it seem longer. Or the mess at work with the aborted meetings and driving around. Anyhow today at least had some sun and as you can see nature is struggling on to try to get ahead of Winter.

I have this itch to travel. Val was around this week to look at some pictures of New York and get some travel tips. I'm really jealous, especially as they are having really nice weather there. Why don't you watch the cameras in Times Square and see if she turns up to wave at us ?

Posted by Mark at 5:52 PM | Permalink

I had to return something which I'd bought from Ebay today. This used to mean a leisurely walk down the road to Mr Singh's but now, alas, that is no more. Instead I had to drive into town (OK I could have walked but I was on a tight schedule), park, and then queue in the main Post Office. I couldn't beleive the number of people there to do all sorts of things from pick up benefit to get a child's passport.

Perhaps it's more cost effective to have everyone in one place but it takes more time, is a lot less impersonal and a lot more hassle.

I miss the days of Mr Singh's, of Smokey the cat and wandering back up the road with a bag of winegums.

Posted by Mark at 4:20 PM | Permalink

I told you I had to up my game.

I've added a biography so you can all learn a little more about me.

It's a work in progress...

Posted by Mark at 11:51 PM | Permalink

I have competition, and it's the kind of competition which is talented and armed with more toys like email posting and voice blogging.

I need to up my game here, but in the meantime drop by Blogger and see what Diamonds has been up to ....

Posted by Mark at 7:12 PM | Permalink

Colder today and loads of early snow which came from a low, dark sky. It's supposed to snow all week on and off. Brrr.....

Posted by Mark at 6:55 PM | Permalink

Today I went to see the exhibition of Lee Miller's portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. It was really nice to see Sian and great to have someone to talk to as I wandered around. All of Miller's work, both in front of and behind the camera, was covered. Some very impressive fashion shots, some sad and haunting war reportage.

After some drinks at Browns and tapas in Covent Garden we wandered back through London before heading home. All in all a very good day.

Posted by Mark at 11:02 PM | Permalink

Shopping today with Amanda, Nikki and her son Oliver. I think he had the best deal as all he had to do was lay in his pram and be pushed around. We fought fellow shoppers, looked for bargins and stood around waiting for Amanda to try on another outfit.

Posted by Mark at 5:57 PM | Permalink

Arriving on my mat today was a letter from my son, Nagawang, telling me his news and passing onto me his school report.

It's good to hear from him again and also to see from the photo what a fine young man he's turning out to be.

He's doing well at the Central School for Tibetans in Bhuppur, India. With marks in the high 90s his overall score of 86.4% means he passed this term with 1st position in the school. I'm really pleased and very impressed.

If you can remember back to the last time he wrote you'll know he always signs off his letters with something which seems to demonstrate a style of writing beyond his years. This time his closing comment is "Take care and be a good person". Wise words we should all live by.

Posted by Mark at 6:02 PM | Permalink

I'm sitting here trying to get people from the American side of the company to call me and discuss this new strategy and product.

I want us to assist with the product, work and develop it but I don't want to stand on toes or trample all over them.

One more try with email to follow up the call....

Posted by Mark at 5:17 PM | Permalink

Tonight I went back to Prospect House to welcome Amanda's Mum and her partner, Drew, to the flat, their new home. Sitting amongst a load of boxes, cardboard and even more bowls we celebrated their arrival in style with fish and chips and champagne.

Welcome home !

Posted by Mark at 11:11 PM | Permalink

Ok I admit it, I'm in hiding and don't really want to face up to it all. Last night I hid at Martin and Fhai's, taken in as they sensed that I wasn't that happy. It was a cool evening and reminded me what Valentine's was all about. Fhai curled up on the sofa telling me how they met all those years back in Chaing Mai, travelling up to Mae Hong Song and trips on the back of his mountain bike.

Today I had another Christmas with some presents chosen with love and care from someone special to me. I never expected them and I really lucky to have them, and her.

Tonight, again, I'm hiding. See you tomorrow.

Posted by Mark at 6:06 PM | Permalink

I'm sure a lot of you had a really great day, maybe even more of you got cards and presents. Me ? I got a phone call.

Bizarre isn't it, to get a call from someone you cared for and loved, telling you all the twists of her life, her love found and lost and complaining that no one had sent her a thing, no card, no flowers, no present.

I guess we all make decisions we regret later. Ones that were rash or wrong, ones which didn't work out how we wanted. Maybe the best thing we can do in life is to treat people well. Not to hurt them, or at least if we have to to do it once and not to return to the scene of the crime again and again to remind yourself, and them, of what might have been.

Posted by Mark at 11:49 PM | Permalink

We had real snow ! Ok it didn't last that long but while it was around it was impressive.

After playing in the snow I went to the Chinese New Year. Way too many people in a small and threatened part of London. Developers seem to have it in for this area of London. Close by Charing Cross Road has lost many of the bookshops which made this area famous, including 84 Charing Cross Road featured in the book and film of the same name.

After wandering around, taking some pictures, eating some food (including a sweet bun with chinese pork cooked in 5 spice powder) I was glad to get away from all the people and wander home.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Posted by Mark at 10:10 PM | Permalink

I'm restarting cooking. OK, well I cook every day but I haven't learnt anything new in what seems and age. Same styles, same dishes. So, today I went and got a book on fast, but diverse receipies. I like this book because it provides some good basic ideas which you can take and adapt. I also got a new book to read and came back armed with a bunch of ideas for Fhai's business.....

Posted by Mark at 7:07 PM | Permalink

I'm really glad it's Friday. This has been a long, difficult week. I need some normality, some time to talk it all over with Martin and play games with Richard on the CBBC site. Just now a little routine is good.

Posted by Mark at 4:04 PM | Permalink

Tired from a late night last night. I can’t believe it’s Thursday already. This week’s flown by.

Posted by Mark at 7:33 PM | Permalink

Out tonight to Amanda’s for a meal and to fix some issues she has with her laptop, wireless and website. It’s nice to get away from these four walls and the issues that seem to be haunting me in here.

Posted by Mark at 11:44 PM | Permalink

I’m really confused and woke up numb from it all. Part of me wants to help, part of me worries what will happen if I do. A real range of emotions from wanting to care to wanting to protect myself and I really don't know how to help or what to say. All I can say is I'm here if you need me....

Posted by Mark at 10:31 PM | Permalink

I really don’t know how to explain today. The easy part is being at Karen's, concern for her health, some fun time with the kids and installing a wireless network and wandering the web cams of New York’s Times Square with Elizabeth. Less easy to explain is the call which dragged all the emotion of Christmas back and more.

Posted by Mark at 11:30 PM | Permalink

A few weeks after the event but still very happily received. It was really nice to meet Amanda and catch up with news. It seems months and months since we last met alone and talked, the last few times have all been at some function or other. I also got my Christmas present. A full set of Japanese bowls, plates and dishes to inspire me to try cooking my own chicken katsu don. We had a nice relaxed time, eating tapas then going to see Oceans Twelve at the cinema.

Posted by Mark at 10:30 PM | Permalink

Today I just wrapped myself up in work. Catching up with email and writing long to do lists which seem as if they will never be finished. Considering this week I actually made some forward progress which I’m really pleased with. I also got my new phone with a camera which takes stills and videos. I now have no excuse not to take a snap of something I see or to video that momentous moment. Watch this space for mobile updates.

Posted by Mark at 7:29 PM | Permalink

Armed with a rebuilt laptop I've stated the task of shuffling the data back onto it over broadband. This is slow, but at least we're finally going in the right direction to laptop, data and some work done.

It's odd how this new role is so different. A movement from things which are defined and known to more conceptual work as we try to evolve and hone a new product.

There's also a lot of the same old issues within the company, both good and bad. That makes me wonder why we put up with negative patterns in life. Like hoping someone you want to talk to will take a little interest in you only to find out that you're way off their radar now and just an adjunct to their life. Still you wait and hope, each day a little worse than the last until it all fizzles out and dies I guess. Like a marriage on the rocks or a friendship which rots.

Perhaps the answer is to be more assertive and cut out these patterns ad move on, something I've never been any good at but perhaps a skill I now need to learn.

Posted by Mark at 11:58 PM | Permalink

Laptop is finally back, with XP on it now and just the local networking, backups to restore and access back into the work network to settle.

Moving systems is like moving houses. All upheaval and one issue after another until you get things settled down. The daunting thing for me is that I'm sure there will be another move as this laptops creaking with the new versions of XP, Office and all the other tools I need on day to day basis.

To add to the fun I'm over my quota on email so having to shuffle mails and attachments around to make a little space here and there.

Sometime this week I'll start to catch up .....

Posted by Mark at 8:31 PM | Permalink

I can't beleive it's February already, one month down, more snowdrops out and the back broken on the Winter months.

Well the day dragged on and on with more mail mounting up and calls asking why it's not been dealt with.

I don't have good feelings that my laptop hasn't been returned on time but I guess it's par for the course.

I'm off to unwind with the American Football I recorded...

Posted by Mark at 6:26 PM | Permalink