Shivers and shenanigans

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 25 November 2007 21:37:42

I am feeling pretty rough tonight. Having not had enough sleep all week, I've had early nights all weekend, but still don't feel I've slept that much, partly because I've had at least one bad night's kip. However my main problem is currently that I'm feeling achey, sore and stiff, and absolutely freezing, for no apparent reason. In other words, I have half the symptoms of flu but no sign of a sore head or unruly sinuses. Hopefully another early night will get me through work tomorrow - and the pub quiz tomorrow night...

Anyway, I don't want to just moan and whinge, so here are some more pleasant and entertaining moments from my quiet weekend:

Went out for a house curry last night with my three housemates, plus one housemate's brother and friend, who were both visiting. Our local curry house is pretty good; the staff are friendly, the service is usually pretty quick (took longer than usual last night, but we don't normally go on a Saturday, so that probably explains it), the food is really tasty and very reasonably priced, the bill is brought round with jelly babies and chocolate mice, more often than not there's an offer of a complimentary drink, all the ladies are given a rose as they leave - and it's two minutes' walk from our house! We had a good time as usual, although we were quite intrigued by one item on the menu, a house special which gives little information about its contents but states that you need to give 24 hours' notice if you want to order it! What on earth could it be? We may have to investigate the next time we go there...

Went out for lunch today too, with my friend Pete and a guy we met at church earlier. We went to Drucker's, a patisserie type place in town renowned for its cakes. Indeed, I must say my Bavarian apple flan was quite nice, and certainly better than the rather flavourless tuna melt panini that followed it - yes, I know normally people eat mains before dessert, but as we were given our desserts first and were hungry and bored of waiting, we gave in and started on the cakes. The counter service was a bit odd - five people who all ask you the same questions - and the waitresses bringing our mains had clearly been taught "service with a scowl", and the whole thing was really rather overpriced - £9 for a panini, small piece of cake and a glass of Coke? Where do you think we are, London?! - but the company and convivial banter made it all worthwhile. (Incidentally, we were rather confused by the board on the counter telling us we could find out where our nearest branch of Drucker's was by visiting their website; we considered telling the staff that we didn't have internet access and ask if they could tell us where our nearest one was, but given the somewhat uncheery staff we decided against it.)

Bizarrely before getting in the queue, I realised I needed some money so I popped to the cashpoint opposite, specifically asked to withdraw just £10 as it's rather close to payday now - and was somewhat surprised when a £20 note slipped out of the slot. Wonder what they'll have charged me for that when I see my bank statement...

And finally, something that made me laugh - Pete had been to the ill-fated England football match on Wednesday, and was telling of the enormous tailback of people trying to get from Wembley Stadium to the tube station. The police were making announcements over a tannoy to encourage people to be patient and not do too much pushing and shoving; when an announcement came over the tannoy asking, "please do not run or push forward", some quick-witted bloke in the crowd was heard to mutter, "ah, yes, McClaren's tactics..."

Anyway, enough of my ramblings - I'm sorry for the brevity of my last post, but as you can now see, normal service has been resumed, whether you wanted it to be or not. Until the next time, friends... be careful out there.