Minamicon... Exhaustion!

Another year goes by and along comes Minamicon. And the exhaustion :(

Promise to put some vids up :-)

I can has cheezburger?

... Or in nomi's case she can haz... But minus the bun :(

Park and Ride

Well here I go into Oxford City. It's handy living so close to a major city, but due to traffic and extortionate parking prices the only sensible way to get there is using the park and ride. As a result I've been on a bus more times in the last few months than I have in the last 2 years! Not that I mind buses... At least not when I've got an MP3 player to clock out the screaming children!

2 Years on...

And although intermittent I'm still writing this blog... it's not been easy this year. But life is looking up, I have a house with the most amazing woman I have ever met, and although times are hard I can only see good things for the future... things will get easier I tell myself. And even if they don't it's all worth it.

Ramune

Yay we've found Ramune :) this stuff is fantastic :) naturally we bought the lot :) only wish they'd had more :(

Astoria

This is what remains of the once great London Astoria :( I saw my very first Disturbed gig here. And went on to see many other great bands play here also :) to many it held a special place in their hearts... The throb of a crowd anticipating the beginning of the set. The claustrophobic feeling of so many people, yet punctuated by the intense feeling of camaraderie. RIP Astoria, you'll never be forgotten.

Big Brother is Watching...

...and must be very cramped in that little smart car!

Selotape Flavour Custard

Many people will attest to the fact that I'll eat anything... Especially when hungry. But despite that I do have a sense of taste. And the custard at York Uni did not taste right. Hugh hit the mail on the head tho describing it as "sellotape" flavoured! We since figured out that this must mean it's made from recycled post it notes. Seems to be the only recycling they do here!

Timber... Or is it wood pulp?

I meticulously piled up some of our books (i stress some... As between us we have immense quantities) against a wall until we can afford shelves. It seemed secure... Until Nomi came home and touched it... Then boom!

Take down... put up...

New posts coming, and re-ordering of old posts... watch this space :-)

Wonderful Patisserie

These cakes are more like works of art than anything else. It seems a shame to eat them... Not that it'd stop Lou :)

Japan Center

On our travels around London me and Lou also went to the Japan Center... It's a really cool place. If a little pricey... But easily the most accessible Japanese shop in London... Especially as it's only just off Piccadilly Circus.

Loved the little Japanese wedding Totorros they had in the window :-)

Not Gone, Just Smaller

Oriental City has had to move from its last place because it's being demolished. But it still exists... Just now it's a lot smaller. Still has the same car parked outside tho :) but only one, not dozens. Wonder where the rest are?

Pocky Shopping

Well time for the great Pocky hunt of 2009! So it's off to London for me and my sister (the only people with free time). So here I am waiting for my train to London... Typically it's running late. But since when were trains so expensive? £23.00 for a London travelcard!

The steps the steps!

I love Gothic architecture, so coming to the choir festival has the added benefit of allowing me to explore the Cathedrals of the UK. York Minster is by far the most impressive building I've been in. And aside from Lincoln Cathedral the only tower I've climbed. And today reminded my why. 275 steps up a spiral staircase! My legs burn! Tho it was worth it for the views... Not that I could stand when I got to the top. If only I could've rolled back down temple of doom style :)

York Minster

Well here we are in York Minster. With Nomi rehearsing most of the day I'm free to wander the Cathedral (Or rather Minster) and take photos. I'm going to pop into the city now and see what's around.

Sweeny Todd Sing Along

You'd think a coach full of choir singers would break out into a sing along when watching a musical. Sadly no... Total silence. Even to the point that when Nomi started singing along to "Worst pies in London" someone shot her a dirty look. Uncalled for.

A Welcome Break

After 2 hours on the road we stopped for a much needed break and stretch of our legs.

Balls

On the way up to York we drove past these. What on earth are they? There was a good half dozen of them in fields by the roadside.

Best Pies in Oxford?

Or supposedly... But sadly disappointing. The song from Sweeny Todd sprang to mind. Not really that bad... But for the price I would've expected more. There's a reason people buy Burger King. I'm intent on buying nice healthy food these days so guess I'll have to pay extra.

Nomi won a parking space :)

This is such a cool idea for a parking permit. It prevents you from tampering with it by having scratch off panels for the expiry date. Can't get over how much it looks like a scratch card tho :)

Origami Warfare

During the interval at Naomis show me Lou and Tom made an origami army :)

Winchester then York

Been up for 2 and a half hours getting ready for Nomi's choir festival. Now done the first part of the journey in Nomi's mini to Winchester. On to the coach journey. Should be a good chance to relax, but never feel very safe or secure not having a car to run around in.

Wee Cars

This made me think of tiny little cars, I know it's obviously directions for the painters, but it's so meticulously drawn in miniature :)

Bowls

We have a round sink in our new house. Why is it proving so difficult to find a round bowl though? Mind you given the layout of this Tescos it's impossible to find any bowl. Can you spot it? Answers on a postcard please :)