Wednesday, March 22, 2006

One down, one to go!

Yet again, I can look at the date of my last post and realize that I have slacked off with this blog. It would be no surprise to me if my friends, always supportive of me, have given up bothering to check for updates!

So, what does the title of this blog refer to?

I have managed to hand over the lease of my place to a nice Australian couple. The other house-mates are happy as am I. So everybody being happy lets out a nice positive energy - so important when you officially pass the first day of Spring and it feels like the first day of Winter!

This weekend will be busy spent packing all my things, doing an in-door car boot sale with my mother and advertising my car! All so simple!

Currently at work, so I should probably maximize my time this morning before my meeting this morning... Oh, the joys of work!

Have a good day! (To any poor buggers who stumble across this! Haha!)

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Arsenal, New Zealand and Home Comforts

Once again, I have been very lazy when it comes to updating my blog. I think I can safely say that I know of at least 3 or 4 people who read this, so no doubt it is worth keeping on top of it. This will certainly be useful to friends and family when I am on the other side of the world... At least, that is the intention!

My week has been filled with a lot of interesting developments; some of which I will divulge to you all now:

On Wednesday 8th March, Arsenal did what critics had been saying was beyond impossible. It was foolhardy to even contemplate Arsenal triumphing over Real Madrid... Well, they beat Real 1-0 on their home ground, El Santiago Bernebau, and then kept them to a draw back at Highbury. How such a game could end up goaless is beyond me. It was a superb end to end game with some silky skills and passes that would make even Brazilians envious! For the best part of 70 minutes, Arsenal dominated so majestically, you completely forgot the poor Away form in the Premiership. Or indeed the fact that Arsenal's away form in the league had become nothing short of embarrassing - Especially for a team who only two seasons ago completed a record 49 game unbeaten run... A feat which still stands up today. Not even the might of Chelsea's multi-million pound players have been able to eclipse Arsenal's record. And now, three games stand between Arsenal and the Champions League Final... Next up, Juventus and the return of our talismanic former captain who, on my part, will be greeted back at Highbury with genuine joy and respect, no matter what the outcome.

And so onto my preparations for New Zealand. I have decided to leave England a lot early then I had previously planned. The date is still unconfirmed but I do intend to go at the end of April/beginning of May. Well, today I shall be entertaining people coming around to view the house I am living in. I have tirelessly cleaned my room, in order that the people will be tempted to acquire these spacious living quarters off of me. Once this has been done, only the sale of my car will stand between me and New Zealand. I feel, almost, that my situation has become, in many ways, like that of Arsenal and the Champions League. My room is my quarter final, my car is my semi final and my "side-trip" to Malaysia is my final. And of course, NZ being the prize! Do I feel the same pressure as the Arsenal players? Clearly not! :-)

Trying to keep my writing from becoming too erratic, I'd like to tell you about some of the decisions that I had not previously thought of having to make. My mother's boy friend, S, asked me last night if I intended taking any of my MANY dvds. It suddenly occurred to me... Will I take anything from home that will bring me comfort on my journey? And what will I choose to take on my "journey of epic proportions"? In short, I haven't the faintest idea what I will take. I will ask K what she thinks when I see her later. She will have some ideas. Though I can safely say that a picture of my darling mother will go with me without any doubts!

I'm off to clean the room, welcome people into the house and watch, what should hopefully be, a thrilling Premiership encounter against Liverpool - who sadly lost their defence of the European Cup to Benfica in the week (and I do say that genuinely with respect for a great team!)

Brightest Blessings to you all.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

And the Academy Award goes to...

The 2006 Oscars took place on Sunday March 5th. Here is a list of some of the main Awards that were dished out. For a full list of winners, visit the official Oscars site. (www.oscars.com)

Best Film:
Crash

Best Actor:
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote

Best Actress:
Reese Witherspoon - Walk The Line

Best Supporting Actor:
George Clooney - Syriana

Best Supporting Actress:
Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener

Best Director:
Ang Lee - Brokeback Mountain


And no suprises, Munich didnt win anything! I often wonder whether Spielberg is often nominated out of professional courtesy rather than whether the film he has directed is any good.

It was nice to see the guys from Weta Digital winning an Oscar for their work on King Kong. (Maybe next time Peter!)

Have a good day!