Closed for holidays from the 24th December until the 11th January - both inclusive. Happy New Year!


Cerrado por vacaciones del 24 de diciembre al 11 de enero - ambos inclusive. Feliz Anio Nuevo!

Not much to do today, which is all right. Last day before holidays. I won't be back until Monday 12 January 2004. We have some rough (very rough) plans for our trip to the land of oranges and sunshine. We've booked a couple of nights hotel in the City of Angels, then a couple of more nights in the City of Debaucherie. And yep. Staying in the hotel pictured above. If we are going to do it, at least do it right! After that...no plans! So we may spent New Year's Eve lost in the Mojave Desert. Or something. Good!


Hoy no hay casi nada que hacer, lo cual me parece estupendo. Es el ultimo dia antes de las vacaciones. No volvere a postear hasta el lunes 12 de enero 2004. Tenemos un plan general (muy general) de lo que vamos a hacer en nuestro viaje a la tierra del sol y las naranjas. Hemos reservado un par de noches de hotel en la Ciudad de Los Angeles, un par de noches en la Ciudad del Juego y la Perversion (sip, justamente en el hotel de la foto, si vamos a hacerlo, al menos lo hacemos bien, no?)y despues...ya no hay mas planes. A lo que salga! Asi que quiza acabaremos pasando la Nochevieja perdidos en el Desierto de Mojave. O algo parecido. Bien!


The weather today:
Cloudy
7C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the West Southwest at 17 mph
Dew Point: 6C
Humidity: 95%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,023.4 mb

All these Xmas dinners and lunches and parties are taking their toll...I was not able to post on Friday and the only thing that comes to my mind today is....indigestion!!! Three days to go....cannot wait for Thursday! Holidays, yippeeee!!!


Todas estas cenas, comidas y fiestas de Navidad estan agotandome ya....me fue imposible postear el viernes pasado y lo unico que se me ocurre hoy es hablar de...indigestion!!!!. Por suerte ya solo me quedan 3 dias. No veo hora de que sea jueves y con el jueves....las vacaciones, hurrrraaaa!!!


The weather today:
Not available!!!!

Well and now that the Journey has ended (LOTR yesterday, guess who was there..) and we have had 3 years of enjoying the landscapes of New Zealand.... well, you will see more of it, because... Another major fantasy film production is on its way to New Zealand, and again it will be directed by a local. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, based on the popular book of the same name, will be made in New Zealand, Industry Development Minister Jim Anderton confirmed in a statement today. The film will be directed by Andrew Adamson, a New Zealander best known as the co-director of the Oscar-winning computer-animated feature Shrek. The movie is expected to start preparations, including obtaining stage space and personnel, in Auckland early in 2004. All of you who missed acting as extra and dressing up like orcs for LOTR, let's go and pack our suitcases, now it's your opportunity to get an extra job as centaur in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!


Y ya que la aventura ha terminado (LOTR y adivinad quien estaba ayer en el cine) y hemos disfrutado 3 anios con los paisajes de Nueva Zelanda...pues eso no es todo, amigos, porque....Otra gran produccion de la literatura fantastica esta en camino de convertirse en film en Nueva Zelanda, y de nuevo sera dirigida por un kiwi. El Leon, La Bruja y El Armario, basado en el popular libro con el mismo titulo, se rodara en Nueva Zelanda, como hoy confirmo el Ministro de Desarrollo e Industria Jim Anderton. La pelicula sera dirigida por Andrew Adamson, un neocelandes conocido por ser el co-director de la oscarizada Shrek. Las preparaciones para el rodaje, incluyendo la localizacion de escenarios y personal, empezara a principios de 2004 en Auckland. Si alguno no llego a tiempo para presentarse de extra como orc en LOTR, ya podeis empezar a hacer las maletas para hacer de centauro en El Leon, La Bruja y el Armario!


The weather in Auckland today:
Mostly Cloudy
16C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South Southwest at 16 mph
Dew Point: 12C
Humidity: 77%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,015.9 mb

Hey! Today it's my BIRTHDAY!!!


Eh! Hoy es mi cumpleanios!!!!



The weather :
Fair
2C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East Southeast at 8 mph
Dew Point: 1C
Humidity: 93%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,023.0 mb

Xmas lunch...Xmas dinner....Xmas breakfast? Xmas..is it today...again? It feels like that, when you have several Xmas meals and it's not even the 25th of December! Last Saturday, we had our Xmas lunch with my parents. On Friday, we are having our Xmas lunch with our work colleagues. On Saturday, we will have our Xmas dinner with some friends. And what will actually happen on Xmas day? Ah well... we will have our Xmas lunch or dinner or whatever with the rest of passengers and air crew on board of a BA plane on our way to L.A. We will be even able to have two Xmas dinners, the first one in the plane and the second one when we land in L.A. How about that? And this goes for two people who wanted to boycott Xmas!
P.S.: To the Reader from Colorado (Broomsfield?), maybe you can suggest any helicopter/plane companies to fly over the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas? I know Colorado is not Nevada nor Arizona, but I bet that you know better than I do, I've never been in the US. Thanks!



Comida de Navidad, cena de Navidad, desayuno de Navidad? Navidad...es hoy...otra vez?? Un@ se siente asi de confus@ cuando ya se llevan ingeridos varios agapes de Navidad...y aun no es ni el 25 de Diciembre! El sabado pasado tuvo lugar la comida de Navidad con mis padres. Este viernes, comida de Navidad con nuestros colegas de trabajo. El sabado, cena de Navidad con amigos. Y que pasara el 25, os preguntareis. Ah bueno...pues habra comida de Navidad o cena de Navidad con el resto de pasajeros y tripulacion a bordo de un avion de BA con destino L.A. Incluso tendremos la oportunidad de tener DOS cenas de Navidad, una a bordo del vuelo y otra en cuanto aterricemos en L.A. Que os parece? Y eso es lo que nos pasa por querer boicotear la Navidad. Que si quieres arroz, Catalina.....
P.S: Al lector de Colorado (Broomsfield?), agradeceria sugirieras alguna compania de helicopteros/avionetas para alquilar un tour sobre el Grand Canyon desde Las Vegas. Ya se que Colorado no es Nevada ni Arizona, pero seguro que tu tienes mas ideas que yo, ya que nunca he estado en tu pais. Gracias!


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
6C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South at 3 mph
Dew Point: 3C
Humidity: 81%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,028.1 mb

Paella is a typical Spanish dish, traditionally cooked in a "paellera" - a round flat pan with two handles - which is then put on the table for all to see and admire. It is normally cooked using shellfish but can also be made with chicken,rabbit or only vegetables. In many Spanish villages, especially in coastal areas, they use a giant paellera to cook a paella on festival days which is big enough to feed everybody. A paella is very flexible so if you don’t have the exact ingredients or if you find some of them hard to get hold of, substitute them for something similar. Getting fresh shellfish can be a problem, but you can always use frozen fish and use fish stock instead of water to increase the flavour. There are hundreds of ways to cook a paella and every cook has their own favourite recipe. This one which I found on the internet and slightly modified to my personal taste, will serve 4 people:

INGREDIENTS:
2 onions, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 red pepper, boiled until soft and then cut into long thin strips
8 medium-sized tomatoes, skinned and finely chopped
100g peas, cooked
200g prawns (if using cooked prawns substitute fish stock for the water)
200g small clams
200g squid
12 mussels
350g rice (traditionally short grain rice is used)
2 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped
a pinch of saffron strands (if you can’t get saffron, use yellow food colouring instead and add it once you have added the liquid)
a sprig of parsley, finely chopped
olive oil
about 800ml water


PREPARATION:
MUSSELS: Wash the mussels, removing the beards. Throw away any that are open or smell funny. Boil the mussels in a pot without any water until they open.
FRESH SQUID: Rub off the outer dark skin. Pull out the insides (including the transparent back bone) and pinch the eye away from the tentacles. Save the tentacles. Cut the squid into rings. Or get frozen squid rings, if fresh are not available.
CLAMS: Discard any open clams. Wash in water and boil without any water until they open.
PRAWNS: Do not peel them, let your guests do it the Spanish way, with their own fingers while they are eating the paella. Grill the prawns until they are almost cooked.
GARLIC: In a pestle and mortar, grind the garlic, saffron (if using), parsley and a pinch of salt.


RECIPE:
Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion, green pepper and fry gently for about five minutes. Add the chopped tomato and squid (with the tentacles) and fry on a low heat for another ten minutes.
Add the rice and stir well to make sure that it is thoroughly coated. Add water (or fish stock if using frozen fish), clams and the garlic/saffron/parsley mixture and bring to the boil. Season with salt. Put a lid on it, turn the heat right down and cook very slowly for about ten minutes. Add the prawns and peas and give it a stir. Arrange the mussels and strips of red pepper artistically on top, put the lid back on and leave for another ten minutes - checking that it has enough water. If you think it is getting too dry, add more water, but shake the handle of the pan rather than stir so as not to upset the pattern. Once the rice is cooked and the mussels have opened,let in rest for five minutes, covered and then it is ready to eat.


Y bueno, arriba he dado la receta de la Paella en ingles. O una de las muchas recetas para preparar Paella, porque en cada casa se prepara de una manera distinta! No la traduzco porque me imagino que, si lees en castellano, ya sabes bien lo que es una Paella. Y nada...uno de mis platos preferidos y el primero que prepara mi madre cuando vuelvo a casa (por Navidad, como los turrones El Almendro, o en cualquier otra epoca del anio. A mi me da igual la epoca, la Paella siempre me va bien!).


The weather today:
Sunny
5C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the West Northwest at 5 mph
Dew Point: 2C
Humidity: 81%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,029.1 mb

I'm not going to post again....until Monday. We are flying to Barcelona tomorrow and back here on Sunday. A very short pre-Xmas trip to see my ...whanau ,as they say down under...it's good to learn new languages, don't you think so?


No voy a postear mas....hasta el lunes. Maniana vamos a Barcelona y el domingo volvemos a estar aqui. Cortisimas minivacaciones antes de Navidad, para ver a mi whanau..., como dicen en las Antipodas...siempre va bien aprender otro idioma, no creeis?

Next week's shopping list. Longer than usual, as we are having guests on Friday 19th for a Xmas party.

La lista de la compra para la proxima semana. Mas larga que de costumbre, ya que tenemos cena de Navidad con invitados el viernes 19.


1, Kingsmill Square Cut Medium Sliced White Loaf 400g
3, Wholemeal Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, Tesc0 5 Onion & Poppyseed Bagels
1, 6 Snowman Fairy Cakes
2, Maina Mini-Pandoro 80g
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
2, Limes Loose
1, Value Lemons 7 Pack
1, Honeydew Melon Class 1
1, Cherries Loose-Bagged Class 1
1, Seedless Grapes Selection Pack Class 1
1, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
2, Asparagus Bundle Price Marked Class 1 Each
1, Supersweet Sweetcorn Price Marked Twinpack
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
2, Beef Steak Mince 250g
1, T.12 Smoked Wiltshire Cure Streaky 250g
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Cooked Sandwich Beef 125g
1, Herta 4 Frankfurters 140g
1, Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Nolans Irish Smoked Salmon 200g
1, Whole Milk 3.408ltr/6 Pints
1, Whole Milk 1.136ltr/2 Pints
1, rish Creamery Butter 250g
1, Medium Mature Cheddar Small
1, Grana Padano Portions
1, Leerdammer Slices 200g
1, H/L Cottage Cheese Crunchy Vegetable 300g
3, Lasagne Sheets 250g
1, Pine Nut Kernels 100g
1, Mcdougalls Fine Plain Flour 1.5kg
1, Buitoni Spaghetti 1kg
1, Buitoni Penne Rigate Pasta 500g
1, All Butter Shortbread Assortment 250g
1, T.Temptations Mature Cheddar Crisps 150g
1, T.Temptations Thai Curry Crisps 150g
1, T.Temptations Steak/Marsala Wine Crisps 150g
1, Leaf Spinach 1kg
1, Mccain Southern Fries 907g
1, Dr. Oetker Pollo Pizza 355g
2, Coca Cola Regular 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
2, Diet Coke 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Appletiser Sparkling Apple Juice 6 X 330 Ml
1, Apple Flavoured Spring Water 1.5 Litres
1, Lmn & Lime Flavoured Spring Water 1.5 Litres

The weather today:
Fog
3C
UV Index: N/A
Wind: From the North at 3 mph
Dew Point: 2C
Humidity: 98%
Visibility: 0 miles

My address book was falling apart so I went and bought a new one today. That was the easy part. Then it came the time to copy all the addresses and phone numbers from the old to the new book. I thought it would take me hours. But then I decided to cross over the names of people I do not really communicate/see anymore. And...wow! It only took me twenty minutes to copy the addresses then! Now I have only the real and essential people. The rest are not needed anymore! It's very satisfying, all this metaphorical decluttering of my past...


Mi libreta de telefonos y direcciones se estaba cayendo a pedazos, asi que fui a comprar uno nuevo. Esta era la parte facil. Despues venia la tediosa tarea de copiar todas las direcciones y telefonos en el nuevo librito. Pense que tardaria horas. Pero entonces decidi tachar los nombres de la gente con la que ya no me comunico o ya no veo. Y....vayaaa! Solo tarde veinte minutos en copiar las direcciones! Mi libreta de direcciones contiene ahora solo los nombres realmente esenciales e importantes. El resto...pues ya no me hacen falta! Esta metaforica limpieza de mi pasado ha sido la mar de satisfactoria...


And the weather:
Haze
11C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East at 13 km/h
Dew Point: 7C
Humidity: 77%
Visibility: 8 kilometers
Barometer: 1,014.6 mb

I've been so busy, with so many things to do that I did not even have time to post about...Lord of The Rings! Yes! I've already booked our tickets online, for 19.30pm on Thursday 17 December. Which is also my Birthday, by the way. Peter Jackson has been very nice, every year launching LOTR on my birthday (17th) or my patron saint (19th). Are YOU ready for LOTR?


He estado tan ocupad@, con tantas cosas que hacer, que no he tenido tiempo de postear sobre...Lord of The Rings!! Si! Ya he reservado nuestras entradas por internet, para las 19.30pm el jueves 17 de Diciembre. Que es, oh que casualidad! mi cumpleanios. Peter Jackson se ha comportado como todo un senior, dandome, durante estos ultimos 3 anios, mi regalito de cumpleanios (17) o santo! (19). Y tu, ya estas preparado para LOTR?


The weather today:
Cloudy
3°C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East Northeast at 10 mph
Dew Point: 1°C
Humidity: 83%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,019.0 mb

The office Xmas lunch will take place in the Bridge Tavern (last year's choice, too). There is a menu to choose from...not very inspiring, have a look!


Starters

Melon with a Sweet Ginger Coulis
Atlantic Prawn Salad with a Lime & Coriander dressing
Crispy Camembert with a Cumberland Sauce
Home-made Leek & Potato Soup with French Bread


Main Courses

Classic Roast Turkey with all the trimmings
Sirloin of Beef in Red Wine & Stilton Sauce
Supreme of Chicken Italienne wrapped in Bacon & Cheese with a Tomato Concasse
Salmon with a White Wine, Prawn & Dill Sauce
Wild Mushroom Stroganoff with Brandy & Cream


Desserts

Christmas Pudding & Brandy Sauce
White Chocolate & Amaretto Ganache
Fresh Fruit Salad & Cream
Cheese & Biscuits


Coffee & Mints


La comida de Navidad de la oficina tendra lugar este anio en Bridge Tavern (donde ya fuimos el anio pasado). El poco inspirado menu (a escoger un plato de cada) es el siguiente....


Entrantes
Melon con pure de jengibre dulce
Cocktail de gambas con salsa de lima y coriandro
Queso Camembert rebozado con salsa Cumberland
Sopa casera de puerros y patata con baguette


Primeros platos
Clasico Pavo al Horno con verduras
Solomillo de ternera con salsa de vino tinto y queso Stilton
Suprema de pollo envuelta al bacon y queso con concasse de tomate
Salmon con salsa al vino blanco, gambas y eneldo
Stroganoff de setas salvajes con brandy y nata


Postres

Pudding de Navidad (Xmas pudding) con salsa de brandy
Amaretto ganache de chocolate blanco
Macedonia con nata
Queso con galletas


Cafe y caramelos de menta


The weather today:
Cloudy
9C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the North Northeast at 24 mph
Dew Point: 5C
Humidity: 75%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,025.1 mb

This week's shopping list...because even if I don't have time to blog, I am still hungry and need to do the shopping!!

La lista de la compra semanal....porque, aunque no tenga tiempo de postear, cuando el hambre aprieta, se encuentra tiempo para hacer la compra!!


1, Kingsmill Square Cut Medium Sliced White Loaf 400g
4, Wholemeal Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, Finest Croissants 2 Pack
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
1, Value Lemons 7 Pack
1, Seedless Grapes Double Selection Pack Class 1
2, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
1, Red Peppers Loose Each Class 1
1, Asparagus Bundle Price Marked Class 1 Each
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Garlic Pre-Pack Class 1
1, Cooking Onions 1kg Class 2
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
1, Corn Fed Chicken Thighs
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Cooked Sandwich Chicken 125g
1, Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Whole Milk 2.272ltr/4 Pints
1 Irish Creamery Butter 250g
1, Grana Padano Portions
1, Leerdammer Slices 200g
1, Creme Fraiche 500ml
1, Free Range Eggs Large Box Of 6
1, Dried Parsley 11g
1, Heinz Whole Peeled Tomatoes 4 X 400g
2, Italfresco Prosciutto Tortelloni 250g
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Frosted Flakes 1kg
1, Walkers Sensations Four Cheese/Onion150g
1, Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chili 150g
1, Walkers Variety Doritos 10 Pack
1, Royal Greenland Cooked & Peeled Prawns 400g
1, Coca Cola Regular 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Diet Coke 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Colgate Toothpaste Anti Tartar Plus Whitening 100ml
1, Carex Hypoallergenic Handwash 250ml
1, Ariel Color Liquid 1.5ltr Pouch
1, Woolite For Delicates 500ml
1, Comfort Mandarin 2 Litre
1, Kitchen Towel White 2 Roll
1, Luxury Soft T/Tissue Mgnolia 9 Roll 2169 Sht
1, Drawstring Refuse Sacks 20pk


And today's weather:
Mostly Cloudy
11C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East Southeast at 7 mph
Dew Point: 6C
Humidity: 72%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,011.5 mb

Aaaarrrghhh!! I am sooo busy I cannot blog!!!

Aaaaaarrrghhh!! El trabajo se me acumula y no puedo postear!!!!

This week's shopping list:
5, Wholemeal Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, Finest Croissants 2 Pack
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
1, Seedless Grapes Double Selection Pack Class 1
2, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
1, Beef Steak Mince 250g
1, Corn Fed Chicken Thighs
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Cooked Sandwich Chicken 125g
1,Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Whole Milk 2.272ltr/4 Pints
1,Irish Creamery Butter 250g
1,Grana Padano Portions
1, President Emmental Slices 200g
1, Lasagne Sheets 250g
1, Olive Oil 1 Ltr
1, Indian Basmati Rice 2kg
1, Walkers Sensations Four Cheese/Onion150g
1, T.Temptations Steak/Marsala Wine Crisps 150g
1, Mccain Southern Fries 907g
1, Coca Cola Regular 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Diet Coke 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Kitchen Towel White 2 Roll
Total : £54.10


The weather today:
Rain and Windy
9C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South Southwest at 26 mph
Dew Point: 8C
Humidity: 91%
Visibility: 3 miles
Barometer: 985.1 mb

I was having a look at some books in the Library when I read this.... "You walk down a street for a first time and fall in a hole. I'ts dark, cold and deep. It takes you hours to get out of there and you are angry, obviously. You walk down the street for a second time. You know there is a hole on it and try to avoid it, but fall in it all the same. It's dark, cold and deep. It takes you hours to get out of there and you are angry because you knew the hole was there but could not avoid it. You walk down the street for a third time. You know there is a hole on it and try to jump over it, but fall in the hole all the same. It's dark, cold and deept. It takes you hours to get out of there and you are angry, because you knew the hole was there, tried to take some action but fell in it all the same. You walk down the street for a fourth time. You know there is a hole on it and this time you have brought a warm jacket, a pick-axe and a rope. You try to avoid falling in the hole by sticking your pick-axe on the ground, but fall in the hole all the same. It's dark and deep although you do not feel cold because of your warm jacket. Also, it doesn't take you that long to get out of it because of the pick-axe and the rope. But you are still angry, because you fell on the hole all the same.
Me? Personally, I would have walked down ANOTHER street. It's not as if there was only one, isn't it?".
And the author is right. There are MANY streets. And we do not have to stick to one for the rest of our lives!


Ayer estaba hojeando libros en la biblioteca y lei esta historia : "Vas andando por una calle por primera vez y te caes en un agujero. Es oscuro, frio y profundo. Tardas horas en salir del agujero y te enfadas, por supuesto. Vas andando por la calle por segunda vez. Sabes que hay un agujero y tratas de evitarlo, pero te caes en el de todas maneras. Es oscuro, frio y profundo. Tardas horas en salir del agujero y te enfadas, porque sabias que el agujero estaba ahi pero no pudiste evitarlo. Vas andando por la calle por tercera vez. Sabes que hay un agujero y tratas de actuar para evitar la caida, saltando a traves, pero caes en el igualmente. Es oscuro, frio y profundo. Tardas horas en salir del agujero y te enfadas, porque sabias que el agujero estaba ahi, intentaste actuar y te caiste igual. Vas andando por la calle por cuarta vez. Sabes que hay un agujero y esta vez llevas una chaqueta de abrigo, una cuerda y un pico de escalar. Intentas evitar la caida clavando el pico en el pavimento, pero te caes igual en el agujero. Es oscuro, pero no sientes tanto frio porque traes tu chaqueta de abrigo. Tardas menos tiempo en salir del agujero porque usas tu pico y tu pala. Pero te enfadas, porque pese a todas las medidas de prevencion, te caiste igual en el agujero.
Y que pienso yo? Yo hubiera tomado OTRA calle. Nadie dijo que solo existiera esa calle, no? ".
Y el autor tiene toda la razon. Hay MUCHAS calles. No tenemos por que tomar la misma calle durante el resto de nuestra vida.


And the weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
10C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South at 10 mph
Dew Point: 9C
Humidity: 94%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,005.1 mb

Update : Yes. I am at the office now. Sniffffff.... but the sun is shining!!


Actualizacion : Si, estoy de nuevo en la oficina, sniffffff.....pero brilla el sol!!

I arrived to the office this morning to find all the staff and some students waiting outside, under the rain. It was a power cut. No electricity in our building. After 15 minutes under the light rain, we were told to go home. Well, not for the day. We are supposed to call at midday (in half an hour's time!) to check if the electricity is back. Then we will have to go back to work. I hope we don't have to. Isn't it what most of us want someday to happen? Have we not imagined time after time...I wish there was a power cut and we were told to go home? Well, yes. But then my umbrella was in the office and I had to walk under the rain to take the bus home. My clothes got soaking wet. Great. And I may have to go back and get wet again. Oh nooo!!!
I decided to cook lasagna for dinner, instead of plumping down on the sofa and read my book. Of course, my efforts were rewarded by lack of the main ingredient for the bechamel sauce : milk. I had to go out again. I went to the hipermarket and realised I have been shopping on the internet for so long that I am surprised to see the products in real shelves. Ha ha! Then I got mad and bought 5 different varieties of cheese. I love cheese. So yes. My theory has been confirmed. Internet shopping stops you from compulsive shopping and spending extra money. But I will enjoy the cheese, that's for sure!


Llego esta maniana a la oficina y me encuentro a todo el personal y a algunos estudiantes fuera, en las escaleras y en la calle. No habia electricidad en el edificio. Hemos tenido que esperar bajo la lluvia unos 15 minutos, hasta que nos han dado la buena nueva : a casa. Pero con matices. Tenemos que llamar a las 1200 (dentro de media hora!) para asegurarnos de que la luz no ha vuelto al edificio. Y si ha vuelto, nos toca volver a trabajar. Espero que no. Porque, la verdad, ya me he mojado bastante esta maniana al volver a casa. Mi paraguas estaba dentro de la oficina y no me han dejado entrar en el edificio. Asi que no me hace ninguna gracia volver a salir. De todas maneras...no es lo que soniamos muchos, el llegar a trabajar y que no haya electricidad, y que nos envien a casa? Y mas, siendo viernes!
Ya en casa, he decidido hacer algo util, en lugar de lanzarme al sofa con mi libro. He empezado a prepara la lasagna para la cena. Justo entonces, me he dado cuenta de que el principal ingrediente para la salsa bechamel no estaba en la nevera : leche. Venga! A salir otra vez. Por suerte, el hipermercado cae muy cerca de casa. Y alli he comprobado que he perdido la nocion de la compra real, ya que hace siglos que compro en internet. Las galletas y los quesos eran toda una tentacion. He acabado comprando 5 tipos de queso. Me gusta el queso, OK? Asi que mi teoria se ha demostrado : las compras en internet evitan la compra compulsiva. Lo que no ves, no te tienta! De todas maneras, el queso lo voy a disfrutar, eso es seguro!


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
9C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East at 6 mph
Dew Point: 7C
Humidity: 87%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,008.1 mb

Now that Michael Jackson is part of the headlines again, let's have a close look at what not to do in plastic surgery!
Here!

Ahora que Michael Jackon es noticia de nuevo, echemos una miradita a lo que no se debe hacer en cirugia plastica!
Aqui!

The weather today:
Cloudy
13C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the Southwest at 20 mph
Dew Point: 9C
Humidity: 80%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,010.5 mb

This week's shopping list:
1, Kingsmill Square Cut Medium Sliced White Loaf 400g
5, Wholemeal Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, Tesc0 5 Onion & Poppyseed Bagels
1, Finest Croissants 2 Pack
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
1, Seedless Grapes Double Selection Pack Class 1
1, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
1, Asparagus Bundle Price Marked Class 1 Each
1, Supersweet Sweetcorn Price Marked Twinpack
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Cooking Onions 1kg Class 2
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
1, German Salami 100g
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Herta 4 Jumbo Frankfurters 360g
1, Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Nolans Irish Smoked Salmon 200g
1, Whole Milk 2.272ltr/4 Pints
1, Irish Creamery Butter 250g
1, Medium Mature Cheddar Small
1, Grana Padano Portions
1, Leerdammer Slices 200g
1, H/L Cottage Cheese Crunchy Vegetable 300g
1, Buitoni Spaghetti 1kg
1, Buitoni Penne Rigate Pasta 500g
2, Italfresco Prosciutto Tortelloni 250g
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Frosted Flakes 1kg
1, Walkers Sensations Four Cheese/Onion150g
1, Walkers Sensations Thai Sweet Chili 150g
1, T.Temptations Steak/Marsala Wine Crisps 150g
1, Coca Cola Regular 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Diet Coke 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Ariel Color Liquid 1.5ltr Pouch
1, Kitchen Foil 300mm X 30m
Total amount : £66.52


The weather today:
Cloudy
12C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the Southwest at 17 mph
Dew Point: 11C
Humidity: 92%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,021.3 mb

These are the books we bought as some Xmas presents in Ottakar's last weekend :
Astonishing Splashes of Colour- Clare Morral
City of the Beasts - Isabel Allende
Historical Framley- The Framley Examiner
Hogfather - Terry Pratchett
The Framley Examiner - TFE
Tragically I was only a twin - Peter Cook
- missing title- can't remember!!


Lista de libros que hemos comprado como parte de los regalos de Navidad este anio durante el fin de semana pasado en Ottakar's.


And the weather:
Mostly Cloudy
13C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the West at 14 mph
Dew Point: 11C
Humidity: 88%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,023.0 mb

Got the present for my brother's birthday!! :
CHA664 Deran Jacket by Craghoppers, RRP: £60 but I got it for £40. It is one of the most technically advanced fleece fabrics ever (blah blah blah...). Engineered by Malden Mills, the Polartec 200 Thermal Pro fabric makes the Deran Jacket a high-spec fleece for all occasions. It’s warm, lightweight and has a durable water repellent finish to keep it dry in showers. It'd better be as good as they say, because there is snow in December, there where my brother lives.


Finalmente compre el regalo de cumpleanios para mi hermano!!
La chaqueta CHA664 Deran de la marca Craghoppers. Precio recomendado £60 pero me salio por £40. Como dice la publicidad, es una de las chaquetas termicas de ultima tecnologia (bla bla bla..), creada por Malden Mills, con tejido Polartec 200 Thermal Pro, es una chaqueta de gran versatilidad, caliente, ligera y a prueba de lluvia. Mas le vale, porque donde vive mi hermano, en Diciembre ya nieva.


And the weather today:
Light Rain
11C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the Southwest at 24 mph
Dew Point: 11C
Humidity: 95%
Visibility: 1 miles
Barometer: 1,019.6 mb

I am scared. Scared of Disney and of Hollywood movies in general. They took Winnie the Pooh and turned it into an insufferable cartoon and babies clothes. Very different from the lovely original. Now it's The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss. I was very excited when I heard about the film with Mike Myers, to be released on Nov 21 (in the UK). Then I saw the trailer and thought...oh nooo! this looks like a bland version of the Cat! So yes. Disney scares me. A lot. What can they do with your dreams. Destroy them!! And yes...I am having a film themed week. But who wants to read about my ex-landlord and my new landlord? I bet you don't. It is also very scary.


Tengo miedo. Tengo miedo de Disney y de las peliculas de Hollywood en general. Se apropiaron the Winnie The Pooh y lo convirtieron en un insufrible personaje en la pelicula y en un monton de ropa para bebes. Que diferente del encantador osito que era! Ahora van a por The Cat in the Hat del Dr Seuss (quiza lo conoceis por la horrorosa traduccion El Gato Ensombrerado?). Me parecio de perlas cuando supe de la pelicula, con Mike Myers de protagonista, que se estrenara el 21 de Noviembre (en Inglaterra). Pero luego vi el trailer y pense....oh noooo!! esto tiene todo el aire de la version papilla reblandecida del Gato! Asi que ya veis. Disney me asusta. Mucho. Lo que pueden llegar a hacer con tus suenios. Destruirlos!! Y si...de acuerdo. Esta semana he estado dale que te pego con diferentes peliculas. Pero, a ver...quien quiere leer de mis problemas con mi ex-agencia inmobiliaria y mis problemas con el nuevo arrendador? Seguro que nadie. Porque de verdad...eso da mucho miedo.


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy and Windy
12C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the Southwest at 28 gusting to 39 mph
Dew Point: 3C
Humidity: 54%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,007.1 mb

The weekly shopping list!:
5, Wholemeal Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, Finest Croissants 2 Pack
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
1, Value Lemons 7 Pack
1, Seedless Grapes Double Selection Pack Class 1
2, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
1, Red Peppers Loose Each Class 1
1, Asparagus Bundle Price Marked Class 1 Each
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
1, Lamb 4 Cutlets
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Cooked Sandwich Beef 125g
1, Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Whole Milk 2.272ltr/4 Pints
1, Medium Mature Cheddar Small
1, Grana Padano Portions
1, Leerdammer Slices 200g
1, Creme Fraiche 500ml
1, Corngold Free Range Eggs Box Of 10
1, Lasagne Sheets 250g
1, Buitoni Penne Rigate Pasta 500g
1, Wilkins Black Cherry Conserve 340g
1,Roses Lemon & Lime Marmalade 454g
1, Walkers Sensations Ckn/Thyme 150g
1, T.Temptations Mature Cheddar Crisps 150g
1, T.Temptations Steak/Marsala Wine Crisps 150g
1, Walkers Variety Doritos 10 Pack
1, Leaf Spinach 1kg
1, Dr. Oetker Hawaii Pizza 350g
2, Coca Cola Regular 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
2, Diet Coke 4 X 2 Ltrs Pack
1, Colgate Toothpaste Anti Tartar Plus Whitening 100ml
1, John Frieda Ready To Wear Boost/Shiner Spray 200ml
1, John Frieda Ready To Wear Hairspray 300ml
1, Fairy Extra Hygiene Wsh Up Liquid 750ml
1, Kitchen Towel White 2 Roll
Total : £82.65


The weather today:
Cloudy
13°C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South Southwest at 18 mph
Dew Point: 10°C
Humidity: 86%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,022.7 mb

Tonight we are going to watch this film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I hope it's going to be non-complicated fantasy, without pretensions. No more 'The Philosophy of Life through the Matrix', thank you. If I want Philosophy, I'll already know how to read Plato and its Cave's myth.



Esta noche vamos a ver esta pelicula The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Espero que sea fantasia sin complicaciones y pretensiones. No creo que aguante mas 'La filosofia de la vida a traves de The Matrix', gracias. Si quiero filosofia, ya se leer a Platon y su mito de la cueva


The weather today:
Sunny
12C
UV Index: 1 Minimal
Wind: From the West Northwest at 13 mph
Dew Point: 7C
Humidity: 72%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,016.9 mb

Presents again...but not Xmas presents this time. My brother's birthday it's at the end of the month. I should be buying something now and sending it by the post, if not, it will not get there on time. But I am not inspired. I don't know what to get for him!!!


Otra vez regalos...pero no de Navidad, esos los tengo ya solucionados. Esta vez es el regalo de cumpleanios de mi hermano. Tendria que haber comprado ya el regalo y enviarlo esta semana, si no, no llegara a tiempo para finales de este mes. Pero he perdido la inspiracion. No se que carajo comprarle!!!


The weather today:
Cloudy
8C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East at 9 mph
Dew Point: 8C
Humidity: 100%
Visibility: 0 miles
Barometer: 1,019.0 mb

I would have never imagined how difficult it is to find a kitchen table! All of them seem to be incredibly expensive. I am not happy to pay over £100 for a kitchen table which will only be eventually used! Not even £50, I want to pay for a table! We tried second hand shops but everything we saw was too big and bulky or even too expensive. A kitchen table, a simple square table and cheap, is that too much to ask for? On the other hand, the Xmas presents for our family Down Under are already bought. One hour in Ottakar's bookshop and ready, steady, go! Books for all of them! And from here I recommend Ottakar's as a bookshop. Forget WHSmith. They don't have anything interesting on their bookshelves. So Ottakar's don't sell online? I don't mind. I've always visited the 'real' shop. It is a very nice place to spend time. Maybe it's that I love books and not tables...


Nunca hubiera imaginado que encontrar una mesa de cocina seria tan dificil. Todas las que he visto eran carisimas. No me da la gana de pagar mas de £100 por una mesa de cocina que usare de vez en cuando. Es que ni £50, quiero pagar.Fuimos a ver tambien tiendas de segunda mano, pero todas las mesas eran demasiado grandes e incluso caras. Una mesa de cocina, una simple mesa cuadrada y barata, que no es pedir mucho, caray! Por otro lado, los regalos de Navidad de la familia de las Antipodas ya estan solucionados. Una hora en la libreria Ottakar's y listo! Libros para todos!! Y desde aqui recomiendo Ottakar's como libreria. Nada de WHSmith. Esos no tienen nada de nada! Que Ottakar's no ofrece compras online?. A mi me da igual. Siempre he ido a la tienda real, porque es un verdadero placer pasar el rato en un ambiente tan agradable. Quiza es que los libros son mi pasion y no las mesas...


The weather today:
Haze
11°C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the Southeast at 7 mph
Dew Point: 10°C
Humidity: 94%
Visibility: 2 miles
Barometer: 1,021.0 mb

Matrix Revolutions. Saw it yesterday. Not worth mentioning. It does not even deserve a review. Unless it is a bad review. And for the sake of The Matrix, the first and only, I won't go on criticising the third. It is not worht mentioning. There are going to be lots of people out there who will criticise or praise it. Just as there will be lots of fans out there who try to find some "meaning" in the letter fridge magnets at the Oracles's house. Fine. Supposing you don't have anything more interesting to do... As for the film..."No!, Next!" as they say in castings. Although in this case there won't be another one, thanks for that!


Matrix Revolutions. La vimos ayer. No vale la pena ni mencionarla. No se merece una critica. A menos que sea una critica negativa. Y por los buenos recuerdos de The Matrix, la primera y unica, no voy a molestarme en criticar la tercera. Como dije, no vale la pena ni mencionarla. Ya habra gran cantidad de gente ahi afuera que la dejara por los suelos o la elevara a obra de arte. Al igual que habra fans que se pasaran horas haciendo combinaciones con las letras imanes del frigorifico en la casa del Oraculo. Vale. Suponiendo que no tengas nada mejor que hacer. En cuanto a la pelicula..."No!, Siguiente!" como dicen en los castings. Aunque, por suerte, aqui no habra un 'siguiente', y demos gracias por ello!


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
13C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the East at 3 mph
Dew Point: 12C
Humidity: 92%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,025.1 mb

This week's shopping list:
5, White Deli Rolls 4 Pack
1, 5 Onion Bagels
1, Finest Croissants 2 Pack
1, Finest Large White Choc/Chunk Cookies 4 Pack
1, Strawberries 400g Class 1
1, Seedless Grapes Double Selection Pack Class 1
2, Gala Apples Pack
1, Tomatoes 750g
1, Spring Onions Bunch
1, Red Peppers Loose Each Class 1
1, Asparagus Bundle Price Marked Class 1 Each
1, Supersweet Sweetcorn Price Marked Twinpack
1, Closed Cup Mushrooms 250g Pack
1, Ginger 125g Pack Class 1
1, Red Chillies 50g Price Marked Pack
1, Garlic Pre-Pack Class 1
1, Cooking Onions 1kg Class 2
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Leafy Salad & Tatsoi 165g
1, Iceberg Lettuce Each Class 1
1, Beef Steak Mince 250g
1, Free Range Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets
1, Honey Roast Sandwich Ham 125g
1, Cooked Sandwich Chicken 125g
1, Lemon Sole Fillets
1, Nolans Irish Smoked Salmon 200g
1, Whole Milk 2.272ltr/4 Pints
2, Irish Creamery Butter 250g
1, Medium Mature Cheddar Small
1, Grana Padano Portions
1, Leerdammer Slices 200g
1, H/L Cottage Cheese Crunchy Vegetable 300g
1, Lasagne Sheets 250g
1, Sliced Black Olives In Brine 340g
1, Coelsanus Mixed Funghi 280g
1, Bigger Pack Better Value Frosted Flakes 1kg
1, T.Temptations Mature Cheddar Crisps 150g
1, T.Temptations Thai Curry Crisps 150g
1, T.Temptations Steak/Marsala Wine Crisps 150g
1, Royal Greenland Cooked & Peeled Prawns 400g
1, Dr. Oetker Speciale Pizza 330g
1, Dr. Oetker Pollo Pizza 355g
1, Colgate Toothpaste Anti Tartar Plus Whitening 100ml

And the weather today:
Sunny
12C
UV Index: 1 Minimal
Wind: From the Southeast at 23 mph
Dew Point: 8C
Humidity: 77%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,023.0 mb

In my quest to find a bed, I've found this website justclickbeds.com with many different types of beds. Now the problem is to decide between metal and wood, blue, pine or white, with or without mattress..oh the joys of buying on the internet!!


En mi busqueda de la cama perfecta, he encontrado esta pagina web justclickbeds.com donde se expone gran variedad de muestrario a la venta. Ahora el problema es decidir entre metal y madera, entre azul, pino o blanco, con o sin almohada...ah las delicias de la compra en internet!


And the weather today:
Haze
13C
UV Index: 0 Minimal
Wind: From the South at 12 mph
Dew Point: 11C
Humidity: 85%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,024.7 mb