Well yesterday's coffee turned into a meal, then a trip to the cinema to see After the Sunset. I had a lovely time. Whether or not this leads on to somthing else, doesn't matter too much.

Life, Love and Laundry

The title is probably not appropriate, but never mind.

My parents came over Thursday and brought my computer, and some boxes, and seemed to think I should be getting a move on with my settling in. I have empted several fruit boxes onto my shelves in the front room and put a stack of videos in the cupboard. But my mum indicated the remaining boxes in the front room, and said "you can't live like this." So yesterday I went through a couple of boxes of nick-nacks and paper and hauled most of the rest into the cellar. I have thrown away a curver box full of paper (including a rather paranoid hate letter from a girl I knew when I lived in Cambridge), and sorted out a bag full of letters with my name and address or account details on to shred.

The cellar is now getting full.

This morning I was supposed to be going to York to meet my parents, before meeting a friend over there for coffee. But my parents aren't going now, so I have a day to rearrange.

Morbid post

I'm no good with death, that is the death of friends and aquaintances, and their close relatives. I don't suppose anyone is, but some people are better than others. As I get older I suppose I'd better get used to it, or get used to having no friends.

In the case of a relative, I know my place, I send a card, I show up, I have things to do. My family are quite practical on this matter and we seem to cope much better than others.

My problem is with people outside my family that I don't quite know what to do or say. Anything I can think of seems crass and stupid, and in the past I have been quite annoyed at people who spouted meaningless drivel when a friend through Uni died.

The other dilemma is did I know them well enough to turn up at their funeral to say goodbye?

A number of people I knew have died or had relatives die this year. A friend through SAGGA jumped from a 9th floor window, which was shocking, and someone from the Jamboree IST died last week leaving a partner and a baby daughter. Both were tragically young.

Out of context quote

"And you can't legislate against rolling pins. It would be silly."

Yahoo!

I'm the top yahoo search result for "does someone come round for random house checks on benefits."

There must be a spelling mistake in there somewhere.

Moved in

Spent my first night in Cross Hills last night. Had fun and games with the TV until I worked out the Keighley transmitter doesn't transmit Channel 5 as an old fashioned analogue signal. I had not been looking forward to moving in, especially after the weekend.

Earlier this evening went to my old GP for a prescription. Given I was in the area I contacted Nicola to see if there was anything I needed to pick up, which may have been a mistake. Nicola said there was, and when I went round it was quite clear what the new situation was, and why the relationship had really finished. (I have no quarrel with Bungle as I figure he has done me a favour).

On the way home popped in to Sainsburys (as Morrisons was shut) to pick up a few essentials. Spent £20 and only got one meal out of it!

This morning I feel brighter about it all. I still need a wardrobe and to move in all my clothes, but the place feels like home. And I get an extra hour in bed of a morning.

Catching up

I collected my keys to my new house on Friday, and visited it on the way home from work.

Saturday was spent looking round the place in detail, buying various household essentials from various shops in Skipton, and cleaning up two armchairs we found in the cellar. I handed over my credit card to so many retailers, I hate to think what the balance will be when I next ring up and check it. I bought among other things, a bed, a mop and bucket, and two throws.

Saturday evening we had my niece Emily to stay. I appear to be Emily's favourite relative at the moment, which is both sweet and daunting as I have no idea how I achieved this status.

Sunday we went out to B&Q to buy some stepladders and wallpaper. During the afternoon I helped my Dad attach some boards to the inside of the roof to keep the loft clean and free from falling dirt and cement chunks. In the evening we had a curry to celebrate my birthday, which is today. Tonight my mum is taking me to see Starlight Express in Manchester by way of a birthday treat.

Accommodation

I have in my possession the tenancy agreement for my new home. I collect the keys on 5th November. So this weekend I'll be shopping for a bed.

Jeremy Hardy BNP Update

As a result of the previously mentioned comment abount the BNP on Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the nation, he's been banned from playing a gig in Burnley.

Shame as it's the venue closest to Cross Hills he's going to.

An electoral what?

Those who aren't bored by the coverage of events stateside may be interested in this explaination of their electoral college system.

What's happening in the states at the moment

Almost nothing. Everyone is in bed. Some people are doing some boring preparatory work for later today.

If you are an adult US citizen reading this from your home country I have these few words for you. Have a nice day and stay healthy, and all the best. Everything else has already been said, so I won't bother you with any repetion.

Do you know what you like? Amazon can help.

So you own a DVD of Bowling for Collumbine, Some books by Michael Moore, Some other books by Terry Pratchett, and So Long and Thanks for all the Fish by Douglas Adams. So therefore you'll like music by Franz Ferdinand. You may also like The Darkness.

You read Theif of Time, and liked Jeff Wayne's war of the Worlds. Why haven't you bought Tubular Bells yet?

You have "Dude Where's my Country" in hardback. Why not by "Dude Where's my Country" in paperback?

Embrace the revolution - put your name on a wind turbine

Embrace the revolution is a new website all about the benefits of generating more power by wind. You can sign up to support the campaign from a link on the main page, and in return your name will be written on one of four new wind turbines to be erected early next year.

Via former blogger Jade Farrinton.

End to 0% offers.

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers the practice of offering introductory interest free periods on credit cards will be coming to an end as it costs financial institutions too much.

If you've a strong nerve you can make these things work for you, by running up an interest free debt, and putting the money you would have used to pay it off in an interest bearing savings account. It's been well known for some time that people switch from deal to deal to keep their debt interest free, not all with total control of their spending. PwC has come up with a term for these perpetual deal-switchers: "Rate tarts".

PwC claims that the restrictions in 0% introductory rates would be translated into lower rates for the profitable customers who pay their bills on time. As far as I can make out those of us who do that don't pay any interest if they can help it anyway.

The conclusion of the report is a worrying one: that the growth area for credit cards is with the 8million people who are worst at managing their debt.