sitting on my lazy ***, and then getting off it.

Had a cracking weekend at home, Miche kindly took me to the pub on friday night, which was a lovely welcome home, then on saturday we did a load of jobs ( like getting my suit fitted for Shubu's wedding - and then organising dates for his stag do), then in the evening went over to Ceri and Bill's for a spot of dinner and drinks, which was really nice. On sunday, we were hoping to see my bro, who was up in Manchester with Rich, but as he was a dirty stop out, he wasn't up in time... We were off to Ellie's ( Steve and Rita's little girl) christening. Got to catch up with the pub quiz lot over a few beers, which was highly agreeable.




Anyway, I obviously also did a fair bit of travelling, so I've got through a few more books. Really enjoyed Dissolution, it wasn't obvious what was happening, and I really enjoyed reading a thriller from a different era - makes a change from most of the stuff that I read which is of the modern day era. This was all about the dissolution of the monasteries in Cromwell's time, so I "learnt" a bit about that period of history too.

Next up was "A tale etched in blood and hard black pencil" by Christopher Brookmyre... fabulous story, a modern day crime where all the characters ( villains, cops, lawyers) were together at the same school, and most of the book is telling the tales of being at school. Its told with a great voice, and the decsriptions of the playground antics made me laugh out loud at times.

I then finished off a Harlan Coben book, Deal Breaker which I'd started at xmas and then forgotten about... it was ok - again, well constructed and a good plot, but I didn't really like the main hero too much so not sure how many more in that series I will look at.

Back in the saddle here in Linkoping, I finally joined the gym today, and did a good 30 min row, followed up by some weights and stretches... was good to get a sweat on , will try and get there after work every day now.

Apologies for the length of this blurb, had a lot to catch up on!

back again soon,

AG

Reading: The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst
Listening: The State of things by Reverend and the Makers

ski goggles and skimpy dresses

So, finally had what can be roughly described as a night out. Alan and I went out for some food, and then went on to "Harry's Bar" which is one of the bigger bars on Agatan, the main bar street in Linkoping. Whilst there, we sat in the window and watched the world go by, including, the strange sights of a large group of girls wandering past, all wearing ski goggles - I'm sure htere was a reaosn why,but I can't fathom it. Then later on, there was the obligatory girl in skimpy dress...now I don't think I'm particularly wussy, but it is about -2 tonight, so I thought hat, coat, gloves etc were the order of the day. Not for this lass though, who was out in just jeans and a thin dress.... how she didn't get hypothermia is completely beyond me.

wet wet wet

Not a whole lot to report - settling into a bit of routine now that the new apartment is sorted. The old problem of cooking for one has reared its ugly head again.... I made some bolgnese on sunday, and after three days on the trot, I'm thoroughly fed up with it! At least tongiht was the end of it.

Another Mobica ( and surprise surprise, ex-teleca) guy, Alan, has come out to join me and Filip this week, and has already put me to shame by heading out for a run this evening. I really must get a gym sorted - was going to talk to the woman responsible at work today, but she was off sick, so thats my excuse. Need to sort it tomorrrow though.

Whilst watching the first half of Man Utd v Derby this evening, I suddenly remembered Skyplayer, sky's online offering to its customers. I thought - great - I'll be able to use that instead of some of the more dodgy p2p stuff I've been using, but no - apparently, like bbcs iPlayer, it IP checks and is location aware, so will not play to places outside the UK. What a load of arse. I'm paying for it , why can't I watch it from anywhere?

Oh well, I'm getting most stuff that I want to watch so can't complain too much.

Only a couple more days before heading home for my first weekend break - looking forward to it, although its looking pretty busy.

more soon,

AG

currently reading: Dissolution
currently listening: On the Outside - Starsailor

full of sound and fury; signifying nothing.

I went for a walk around the town today - needed to get out of the apartment to buy some food, so thought I would have a wander around. I ended up at the Domkyrk, the cathedral in Linkoping. I took some pictures, but have forgotten to bring my usb cable out here with me, so they'll have to wait til next weekend when I go home to get a cable. Anyway, as I wandered around, I heard this grating, graunching noise, which I couldn't fathom. Eventually, I realised that clock at the top of the main tower, had the noisiest mechanism the world has ever seen. You've heard the phrase, so quiet you could hear a clock ticking, this was more like so loud, all you could hear was the clock ticking. Anyway, I thought, as it was about 11:58 at this point, if the mechanism is that loud, its bound to have a great chime.... so I waited around for the hour to strike, and you know what - it was the lamest chime I've ever heard, barely any louder than the mechanism, and I don't reckon you could have heard it outside of the surrounding plaza.

Have discovered the joys of peer to peer internet streaming today - I think its going to be a god send, as I can watch english football and rugby without having to head to the pub to do so.

It got to the point where I had watched far too much though, so I abandoned it and finished off my book, Robert Harris' The Ghost. As always with Harris, was a realistically constructed study of something that could have happened - has made me want to go back and read Fatherland, which was the first of his books that I read - which describes a scenario where Germany won the second world war. There is always enough in these books to make you think, and a taut fast paced plot to make you keep reading. Highly recommended for a read.

Starting to panic that I haven't brought enough reading material with me.

about to start my next one...

cheers all.

AG

currently reading: C.J Sansom - Dissolution
currently listening: Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cold Roses

TFIF

So, the end of my first working week. I had a busy day, we're adding some functionality into the opera mini browser. Its all fairly basic UI work, but good to be doing something other than bug fixing. Also played some squash with the Opera guys - none of whom were very good, it has to be said. The squash centre is alright, but the courts need a clean, as were a bit dusty. I'm goign to chuyck them an email see if they have a club night type thing, as it would be good to find someone better to play. There was someone playing as I left that looked quite handy, the guys told me he was top 10 in sweden, so probably a bit good for me - but there should be someone somewhere in the middle I would hope.

Me and filip moved into our studio apartments this evening. We've got wireless internet, so no more time-sharing the single port in the old place. Probably means I'll spend far too much time playing on the puter, but its probably better than spending it all in the pub.

Not sure what to plan this weekend. might go and visit the gym, see what thats like. and if the weather is ok, will wander around and take some photos.

hope you all have a good weekend. If anyone wants a chat, I'll be on skype... alot.

AG

Richie Benaud is a God

So, I still haven't been in a pub. I went for a wander around last night, and although it was slightly more lively, I still didn't see anywhere which really appealed. I may pop out again tonight - there was a pub called the Bishops Arms, which looked a bit more lively, so going to see if theres anything going on there tongiht. Back in Aalborg, the irish house always had live music on thursday friday and saturday, so it would be good to find somewhere similar here in LInkoping.

So, not being in the pub, I've had to resort to watching dvds on my laptop - I bought out hte highlights of the 2005 ashes series, and have been working my way through them. I'd forgotten what an awesome series it was, and hoping that this years one can live up to it, although I can't help but feel that 2005 was a once in a generation type of thing.

Finally got a proper task to work on today, and really enjoyed myself at work. nice to actually be developing, rather than bug fixing. Even if it is a weird tin pot language, which I'll never be able to use again.

anyway - thats about it for now...

update from the new "wireless" apartment tomorrow! Bet you all can't wait :-)

AG

Listening to: The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

settling in, and getting out

So, been here a few days now, and shock horror, still not been in a pub. My resolution is strong - but not that strong, may see if there is a bar showing fa cup replays tongiht - see whats about. I walked down the main bar street last night at about 6:30, and to be honest, I've seen more life in a morgue... buy hey might pick up later, so probably go and investigate tonight.

ON the accomodation front, things are looking up - following the old adage " if you want something done properly, do it yourself", I had a look for some accoomodation, and found a hotel doing studio apartments. We went and had a look at them today, and they're clean and serviceable, if a bit basic. But, they'll do - privacy and wireless internet access.. its not a lot to ask for! They aren't available til friday, so we're carrying on the same til then.

On the work front, finalyl got given some tasks today - just a simple bug to look at, but gives some focus to the learning, and its thrown up a few things to get sorted. Kept me busy at any rate, and when theres plenty to do ,the longer hours that I need to do to offset my travel time for going home, don't seem hard at all.

I've also found the Opera squash club - we're having a hit on friday, so that should be good fun - might also investigate joining hte Linkoping club, to see if I cna get some more games in. I'm also going to check out a gym tomorrow, and see if they've got any ergs - as I could do with keeping fit while I'm here.

I finished my transit book - Meltdown - yesterday - it was very good - had some interesting views on the financial markets which seem all the more relevant given the events of the last 6 months or so. Good pacy thriller as well, so enjoyed that.

tills nästa gång

AG

Currently Reading: The Ghost by Robert Harris
Currently Listening: X&Y by Coldplay

the blog I meant to write...

right - I've just relinquished the internet connection to Filip ( who has wired internet nowadays?), so thought I would write the blog entry I was planning, before walking into the apartment. see earlier entry

Got up at 0430 - whats the '0' stand for? Oh My God its early!

taxi was on time, and arrived at the airport in plenty of time, then had the joys of the "express" baggage drop - which as far as I could see involved as many people as possible repacking their bags to avoid excess weight charges. So in the end not much time in the airport, before boarding, and departing pretty much on time. Got a couple of breakfst rolls and a coffee on the plane.

Arrived at Schipol airport, taxiied around for about 15 minutes after landing, before finally finding somewhere to park :-)

//TANGENT//
Sorry that reminded me of a joke.... Julio Gonzales was driving round MExico City desperately looking for a parking place to leave his car while he went to a vitally important meeting. The minutes were ticking inexorably by and he couldn't find one anywhere. Eventually - he did what any good catholic would do, and appealed to a higher force... " Oh God" he said, "If you could only help me find a parking space, I will give up tequila, loose women, and I'll start going to church again on Sundays!". As if by magic, the clouds parted and a beautiful girl pulled out of a space just in front of him, and waved him into it, whilst blocking other traffic from stealing it. As she pulled away, blowing him a kiss in the process, Julio shouted up to his saviour, "Don't worry about it, my lord, I've found one!".

//BACK ON TRACK//

Transfer time was pretty tight, so we just wandered over to the gate ( via another set of security controls - whats that all about - I can see a time in my future when they are going to cost me my connection)., and after a short wait boarded our little CityHopper ( Fokker 70) to Linkoping. HAd a big tailwind, so arrived almost 30 minutes early. Its the smallest airport in the world ( well possibly not, but it felt like it). Taxi to the office was dead easy, and we immediately headed out for some lunch.. some sor of beef steak, stewed with Potatoes, was ok - and means I'm not needing much this evening.

Finally in the afternoon, started doing some work.. first off had to setup my 'puter, was surprised to be offered a windows or a linux box, went for windows, as figured I've got enough to learn, without dredging up my unix skills. then downloaded the dev tools and the code. Everything seems to build and run, so hopefully tomorrow, someone will tell me what we're supposed to be doing!!!

well, that'll do for now.

til next time,

AG

Reading: Meltdown by Martin Baker
Listening: Love, Ire and Song by Frank Turner

2 room apartment...

Oh joy, the wonderful world of leaving someone else to sort out your accomodation. Just arrived with Filip and found a nice little apartment with a twin bedroom, and a single bed in the lounge... not quite what we were expecting.

Re-arrangement required for tomorrow.

Good journey over this morning though, and work ok - just need to sort out hte incompetent muppetry that is responsible for this accomodation malarkey.

more later....

AG

Packing up

I've got today off to try and get myself ready. Been into town to sort out a few things, get those all important toiletries - now sorting out clothes and more importantly - reading matter for the next fortnight!

We're off.....

I've started this blog to track what I'm seeing, doing, thinking while on a 3 month secondment to LInkoping, Sweden.

I got told that I am going on monday, and I am leaving on the 12th.... this week is all about getting ready to go.

List mania....

Top things
Clothes ( I'm a boy, I don't need to specify further than this)
Camera,
MP3 players ( Ipod shuffle for gym and Creative zen for full library)
books ( need to shop for these).
laptop


currently reading: Deadline by Simon Kernick
currently listening: Slipway Fires by Razorlight