Today I've mostly bin...

[giraffe]

Surely the teacher stands still with a whistle and the kids run around?

[Bunnylump]

Not when I do it...

I've just been offered two free tickets to see Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy tonight! And even better, it's at the lovely Rex Cinema http://www.therexberkhamsted.com/gallery.asp, rather than at Wallyworld. So I'm taking Janet. How cool is that?

[Scurra]

Tinker, Tailor is quite unusual in that respect, in that it seems to have been shown at both the arthouse/independent cinemas and at the multiplexes. (I suppose it's because the cast is amazing; you don't have to work hard to persuade people to go and see Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, John Hurt, Ciaran Hinds and Benedict Cumberbatch!)

Mind you, it doesn't hurt that it's a really good film.

[Bunnylump]

I'm really looking forward to it, and it's even better because it's free (whereas this should be setting us back £16). My friend Claire had booked tickets for her sister in law (Claire and Ted are members) and S-i-l can't go. Even better, when I offered to pay, Claire said "No, they're absolutely loaded. Don't worry about it."

I would very strongly recommend the cinema though, it's lovely (art deco style). I'll take you there one day, Scurra. (Sorry, hope you don't mind being publicly invited for a date... )


For all those "literalists" out there, it's not really a date!! (I'm sure Scurra would be relieved to hear that too, mind!!)

[Bunnylump]

...Film was good, even if I didn't totally follow what was going on...

[giraffe]

........thinking about demolishing the downstairs toilet. It is one of those where the cistern is boxed in, and although you can unscrew the bit of worktop on top of the cistern it seems that they have tiled too close to the top and so there is no movement in the worktop, and so to get it off it would need the tiles removing. I think there is a leak from somewhere behind there as the floor seems damp and I can't tell what is going on as I can't get at it.

[gill216]

....Thinking about demolishing my OH!!!! Plumber arrived at 9.30, fitted new boiler part, switched everything on and waited until the water and radiators started to heat up. He left at 10.30. Wonderful
At 10.35 OH decided to bleed all the radiators ready for winter. The valve in the lounge radiator blew out to an unknown location so he stuck his finger in the hole to stem the flow of water. Except then it started spraying everywhere, mainly into the back of the tv. I pulled the tv stand out of the way- dismantling the top in the process. I have one curtain absolutely sodden, the carpet is soaked and as all the plugs and wiring for the tv, dvd, stero etc all got a good soaking then I'm sitting in silence until they dry out before finding out what the final damage list is. And of course I had to turn off the water.........................

Just one bucket of s**t tomorrow please- I think I've had more than my fair share recently

[clvrlad]

at least you know a good plumber

[Bunnylump]

Oh dear, Gill. Maybe you should confiscate OH's toolkit so that he can't do anything like that again? In THEORY, you shouldn't have to bleed radiators at all if your system is working correctly...

I've had one of "those" days - you know, the kind where you have a whole load of year 10s heating copper carbonate in china crucibles (which get alarmingly hot, and crack if you cool them too quickly, but if you put them down on the "heat proof mat" or worse still, the bench, will singe it and could start a fire) and the fire alarm goes off. Cue mass evacuation of 1100 pupils into the rain having dashed around trying to make the lab safe before leaving in the least time possible. THEN having to run around to find an autistic year 7 who has a phobia about bells and alarms, who was in freak out mode. Such fun.

[giraffe]

Oh no you both sound like you need a stiff drink!

I had quite a good day except that the plumber hasn't phoned back. Managed to collar the tree surgeon who I phoned about 3 months ago and left a message, but he didn't call back. He was working opposite, so I dragged him over to quote for removing two dead trees and one that is very much alive, but growing out of the bottom of the house. He has done work for us before and is quite efficient (except at answering his phone) and doesn't charge the earth. Got a few other jobs done too.

[Bunnylump]

Excellent. I shall go and have a giant Southern Comfort, and when I am in an uncontrollable heap later, and being unnecessary and smutty, I shall be able to say that it's all Mummy Giraffe's fault... because she lead me astray...

[giraffe]

You can't blame me I don't drink!

[Bunnylump]

You non drinkers are the worst culprits for leading people astray. Look at that brother of mine...

[tricia]

Preparing evidence for my annual review which takes place next week. We have to grade our behaviours on how they fit in with the core principals of the orgainsation. I just hate doing it

Tricia

[Bunnylump]

I need to DO nine annual appraisals and observations. <Sigh> Thing is, it's on my job description, but my boss seems to think she is supposed to do it. Hence nobody has had an annual appraisal for five years. Last time I had one, my boss spent the entire time in tears telling me how much one of my colleagues had upset her during HER appraisal. She didn't once mention ME. The thing which worries me is that they are bringing out new guidelines whereby we can't have salary increments unless it's done.

Sometimes I REALLY wish I worked for myself.

[tricia]

bunny - do you want to do mine - based on my ability with these puzzles

Tricia

[LAT]

they dispensed with annual assessments in my office this year. It all seemed a bit pointless.

[giraffe]

bunny - do you want to do mine - based on my ability with these puzzles

Tricia

I wouldn't want anyone to assess me based on my performance with puzzles!

[Bunnylump]

Ah, well I will assess you instead on your wonderful cheeriness, Tricia. And for that, you get 100% and a recommendation for promotion.

[Laura]

Today I've been to Thorpe Perrow arboretum and falconry with mum, Lilsis, Gmaal (bro-in-law) and Bun.

Bun got out of the car, looked around, pointed and said 'Tree!'. It was difficult to exlain that that was rather the point of an arboretum.

He has quite a few other words now. We saw ducks, which was great, because if it quacks then it's a duck. Unfortunately, if it doesn't then it's a chicken. So there are quite a few confused falcons etc. up in North Yorkshire. Similarly, if it barks, it's a dog. If it's not it's a cow. Rather confused Llamas and meerkats.

I got bashed on the head by the wing of an eagle owl during a display; Gmaal held a falcon. All the trees were really beautiful, with some weird and wonderful ones mixed in with the sorts of things I was expecting to see.