Neil's Slightly Random Wiblog

… Breaking News… The poster I put in in the tea room seeing if anyone was interested in a game has been removed. The quiet word in my ear was that “The department cannot encourage gambling”.

Is the departments social club Lottery not gambling then?

Oh well, I found the one other person interested anyway, I don’t think I will make an issue of it.

…Watched the DVD of last years Channel 4 series Nathan Barley and had forgotton how good it actually was. Chris Morris is (or certainly can be) a genius, and I think this is my favourite thing he has done. The ratings for it were appauling, and the critics slated it, but he really captures some attitudes and characterics of 20-something culture that most comedies miss. I think there is no plan for a second series, but I look forward to see what Morris will do next.

Even at a third off are people really going to be wanting an England flag for 4 years time?

…In the sun last weekend…

… I am sorry I deserted this wiblog for so long, I have been either busy, lazy or distracted. I have of course watched lots of films, I Heart Huckabees and Spirited Away being the highligts, been to Bristol to meet Ship of Fools people, bought the splendid new Regina Spektor album and actually managed, after a long time, to beat Dennis at snooker.

I promise to update later on with some pictures, Honest.

…Sorry I left an update so long, I would say I have been busy, but not sure that is true. Watched a few more films Enron – The Smartest Guys in the Room which is a really interesting documentry, and of course back in the news this week, Thank You for Smoking which is really funny and a little thought provoking. Seen a few older films as well, the Picturehouse showed Ferris Beullers Day Off as part of its 80’s series, and I “revisited” This is Spinal Tap and The Sureshank Redemption. Actually looking at that list makes me realise I need a new hobby…

Other than that it has been house cleaning, work, dissapointing fireworks on the quay and the odd game of poker online.

…Had a day off yesterday, and it just happened to coincide with the release of the new Pirates of the Carribian film, so went to see it in the afternoon. It’s not as great as the first one, but still a lot of fun. Captain Jack seems to have got camper, and Orlandos acting somehow was even worse than the first one. It was a touch long and tedious in the morning and frustratingly is just half a story, I feel that films should be a story in their own right even if part of a larger story… Was still fun though, worth seeing.

…Back from Edinburgh, and enjoying a day off in the sun. Brilliant city, really love it. Below are a few select pictures from the weekend, and if a picture says more than a million words then it it easier than me typing a few million words about how great the place is…

Us with cows, the “Cow Parade” had hit Edinburgh and there seemed to be hundreds of them everywhere.

Veiw across the City from Princes Street.

…and from Carlton Hill.

Me drinking Irn Brew in the rain (how very Scottish), the Castle and the Scott Monument.

(Larger and more pictures by clicking on any picture.)