RelaxedRat

Changes...all a bit mad....

Sun, 17 Apr 2005 17:08:11 GMT

Moving. Don't ask. Email me if you want to know where.
Cheers,
Ratty (yeah, I know, I paid...but they refund ;)

Lovely :)

Sat, 16 Apr 2005 19:00:11 GMT

Just got home after a great time with Ma n' Pa (thanks you!). Lovely night, should do it more often :)
Watched Calendar Girls - not my usual cup of tea but I have to say it was brilliant, definitely ratty recommended! if only for Annette's Crosbie's line....."No front bottoms, I'll do it as long as there are no front bottoms" rofl. Also saw Sweet Home Alabama, which was good...harmless/daft/cutesy....but, worth it if only for the following line (which I intend to steal whenever the opportunity arises), "Why don't you go back to your doublewide and fry something!" -- I don't suppose the opportunity will arise often...there being not very many rednecks over here...and not many people who'd have the remotest idea what a doublewide is....but I'll be ready just in case.....

Spent some time scouring the bookstore with the parental units this morning...(the one I used to work in way back when...happy days!)...picked up The Swords of Night and Day (Gemmell is one of my all time favourite fantasy authors...in fact...nah, he is my all time favourite....if you've never read any of his stuff and you're OK with fantasy check out 'Sword in the Storm' as a starting point..) and Rise of a Merchant Prince , and while I was queueing I accidentally grabbed a copy of Revenge of The Sith, now, The Man and I had talked about this...and decided this time around...'cos it's kind of a big deal for both of us, we weren't going to read the book until after the film...but...it was there in front of me and I thought what the hell....I've got nothing to do tomorrow so Ima finally find out how Vader became Vader! :) Sweet. So if I'm not about for a day or two you know where I'll be.................

oh crap.....

Fri, 15 Apr 2005 18:44:14 GMT

ok so the comment from 'a friend' earlier was genuine....rat bites, pet rat bites, *can* kill....
have a look at this - and yes, I've been bitten a few times...and I'm sure hundreds of thousands of others have been bitten way more than me.....but........

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1458072,00.html

Now, I've told the parental units here and they won't listen...so I'm putting it here for all to see....(having been bitten on the lip this week by Scabbers - he was just playing!)

I, Ratty, hereby declare that if I should die from a rodent bite I do not want my rats to be put down. Ever. Under no circumstances. K? The Man'll look after them ;)

Gorillaz

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 23:49:12 GMT

My new music obsession....Gorillaz....check out 'Feel Good Inc'.....you can listen to/watch it here. S'late...been kicking about the house...playing with the ratties who finally woke up around 9pm....both doing well...when they feel good....I feel good. Lou is turning into the ultimate shoulder rat...you let him down on the floor to run around and all he wants to do is clamber up onto my shoulder and snuggle...it's too cute....he sat there for ages tonight....great furry lump that he is.....

Well...looking forward to spending some time with Ma tomorrow....be back in blogland sometime Saturday night....y'all have a good weekend now y'hear?

Films.....

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 19:35:44 GMT

Work was as monumentally dull as ever. I can't do it much longer, honestly, it's boring as fuck it really is. Few more months and that's me. Picked up Troy and Sweet Home Alabama on dvd for tomorrow, and right now am watching Shaun of the Dead again, I can't get enough - I love this daft, daft film to bits. Can't get the vermin up, lazy devils......

Reluctant worker bee

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 21:50:27 GMT

so it's just me going to work tomorrow then....the kids are all off school....the vermin will be lazing around the house chewing things and snoozing....my parents are enjoying themselves in France and The Man will be lazing around playing videogames all day. It'll be just me working away...toiling...struggling....well, actually, I'll just be drinking countless mugs of tea all day and waiting for various crappy databases to do stuff...but still....it sucks....

I was whining today about The Man buying *yet another* Resident Evil game....Resident Evil 4....but, I tried it earlier this evening and I have to say, it's incredible....The graphics are unbelievabe (Gamecube), and it's bloody scary...really...if you like horror films/books chances are you'll like this game. You have to sneak about lots...and try and wipe out hoards of crazed 'icky' people...not zombies this time...these guys are fast, and armed with pitchforks and dynamite and all sorts. You also really have to watch out for mantraps and electric fences. I was doing Ok until some big dude with a chainsaw came at me and cut my head off....nice....scared the pants off me I dropped the controller and backed away from the TV.....yelled out too, The Man came a'runnin' to see what was wrong....(it takes a good game/film to elicit a proper girly scream from me....)

Anyway, I'll be sulking all day tomorrow but at least Friday's looking to be nice, something to look forward to....

Off to read for abit..."Lord of Snow and Shadows"....s'good...on Mab's recommendation....

Pics....due to lack of words....

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 18:24:38 GMT

You can see by how many pics I've been posting lately that I really don't have much I want to say on here right now...I'm hoping it'll be short lived and I'll be back to my opinionated, whittery self before you know it. Then you'll all be wanting the pics back. So anyway, here's today's Louie pic...he looks a little better, no? Scabbers was just about to roll him all over the bed...he's been helping out with the excercise regime...

Ratty's Day Off...

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 10:23:11 GMT

Well, I should be cleaning up, ebaying my way through my stack of 'to go' books here, and shifting furniture...that was the idea...(and straightening out my head)...instead I'm playing Neopets and watching 'Shaun of The Dead'. Well, what the Hell, I can get stuff done on Friday eh? I did put some laundry on.....that should get me some points, right? *looks around at big pile of 'stuff to be done' and feels guilty*.

(Update) am now feeling virtuous rather than guilty! have de-cluttered the kitchen, sorted out the recycling, cleaned out the rayburn, hauled in coal and re-lit, plus hung out the laundry. Yep there's still loads more to do, but at least I made an effort. Now....where's my book...... ;)

Oooo and yay, my 'freshly blogged' script is working, see over on the left you should be able to see now whose blog has been updated in the last 6 hours :)

So you're not going to believe.....

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 21:15:00 GMT

....how much weight Louie has lost....it's a miracle.....take a look!

Daaaaaaaamnn!

lol, he was six weeks old there...I can't believe he was ever that small....*sigh*

Skunk!

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 18:40:56 GMT

This'll mean nothing to non-neopetters, so apologies, but today I got my grubby little paws on a skunk paintbrush and applied it to my new Skeith - see if he reminds you of anyone ;)

Cost me 186k from the trading post - that's about a month's worth of gaming for me! Still.....

As for work, I'm off tomorrow, working Thursday (my skillz are needed, which is unusual...) and off again on Friday, when, hopefully, I'm off to Ma's for a ladies' night in - wine, dvds, choc, and a little mental R&R.......right Ma?

Messed Up

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 19:40:21 GMT

I don't really want to blog about anything too personal today. Kinda messed-up in the head, got so much to decide, so much to sort out - I need to quit my head in the sand approach to life. I'm going to try and get a couple of days off towards the end of the week and sort myself out. Wish me luck.

So I saw Vick's comment on OG's blog, and it really took me by surprise - it's the 'Rainbow Bridge' poem, now I only found out about this when I got my rats, and for some daft reason I always thought it was just a rat thing, kind of because of their short lifespan maybe? I don't know what made me think that. Anyway, for anyone else who isn't familiar with it, it's something pretty special. It's 'author unknown' so I can't give credit where it's due, but it's beautiful in its simplicity. When I was a kid I can remember one of the big problems I had with Christianity was the 'animals don't have souls and can't go to heaven' thing, never could figure that out....of course now....lol, if that's what your God's like then you keep him! hehe, Hell bring him near me and I'll set the damn dogs on him..... ;o)

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Pretty nice eh?

Endless Ramblings.....

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 19:12:47 GMT

You can tell by the number of facelifts and entries that I'm pretty bored this weekend. I can't decide on a layout, and I'm too lazy to code my own. The gammy back has meant I haven't wanted to do much - spent most of yesterday soaking in the bath and lying on my back reading, wallowing in self pity for the most part.

Just got bitten by Scabbers - unintentionally, and it's all my fault not his...I was eating some ice cream (mango and coconut, the little chap has good taste) and he was clambering all over me trying to get to some...he concentrated all his efforts on trying to get inside my mouth...and I was laughing too much to be able to tell him not to...he tried that little bit too hard and took a chunk out of my top lip. Now I get to go to work tomorrow looking like I've been brawlin', split-lip Ratty. And yes, I did give him some in the end...how could I not reward his efforts. He's worn himself out now and is fast asleep on a pile of books with Louie.

Got the ice-cream from a boredom induced late afternoon run to Sainsbury's...where I also found Dandelion & burdock and some Watermelon flavoured toothpaste. I haven't seen Dandelion & Burdock about in years...reminds me of being a kid and loving it to bits! still tastes good. As for the toothpaste...the world's gone mad....but what the hell I thought it'd make a change from mint.

Now Scabbers is awake and trying to get inside the printer....bloody hell....he's been crazy this weekend....I think next time his allergies flare up I'm going to ask the vet if there's any alternative to steroids!

Anyways..am off into Neopia for a bit...I'm trying for the 'pack rat' avatar, so that should keep me busy for awhile (ie if any of you other neo-petters have any crap you don't want neo-mail it to me eh guys?!)

Summer.....

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 11:39:23 GMT

Well, summer must be on its way - my tortoise, claira, woke up today - a sure sign that warmer times are ahead. Having said that, it's still bloody freezing in the house! Speaking of the house...I've got what...something like 4 months left on the lease here, then, one way or another...I'm outta here. Right now I'm having mountains of second thoughts about moving to AZ, in fact...I'm looking at houses in Yorkshire as I type....I really don't know what I'm doing, just having one of those weekends I think....

*Update** - took Scabbers out in the garden to cheer myself up - think he enjoyed it, but he was bit bewildered at first...had a good run around on the grass, attacked a daffodil, and then made a dive for safety and curled up in my shirt.

Sat nights in the UK...

Sat, 09 Apr 2005 20:10:28 GMT

...are a whole lot sexier these days ;o)

I'm loving it - even as a 'not real' Dr Who fan I'm enjoying the new series heaps - the only thing that kind of spoils it is the fact he's only doing it for one series...ho hum...just have to make the best of it ladies!

Kicked by a Donkey...

Sat, 09 Apr 2005 12:33:26 GMT

She told me that's how I'd feel this afternoon, and she was right :o(
Ow... *whine, whine, whine*.
The good news is she can fix me! the bad news is it's going to be a rough ride.
Still, be great to get it sorted.
I go back after work on Friday for another treatment.
My neck, shoulders and lower back are a mess, muscles like concrete apparently...
all that PC work...
Next job will be an outdoorsy move-abouty job with either books or animals, no more bloody software companies!!

Have a nice weekend all.

And hey, if you're bored...buy some mealworms and feed them to your ratties...hours of fun! Scabbers runs away from them, and Lou crunches them down headfirst....

Buff Louie

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 20:02:02 GMT

Ok...maybe not buff....but he's definitely looking a little better :) The tough thing is that Scabbers needs to put weight on, so they're pretty much on different meals at the mo, which gets confusing. Both doing well though.

I can't wait to get my back fixed tomorrow - or at least, get it on the road to recovery. It's a recurring problem, stems from sitting at a PC all day at work (and yeah, home too, but at least here I can get comfy!). Last time I got treated they told me that as long as I have that kind of job I'm going to have problems, but all being well I won't have 'thant kind of job' for too much longer anyway :)

Now....Skype.....have you got it yet?? c'mon, before all the good usernames go....

Skype!!

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 21:55:41 GMT

Urgent message to Ratty's Broadbanded pals --

1. Go to www.skype.com
2. Download
3. Pick a username - add me as a contact (yahoo username applies for me)
4. Hurrah!! if you have a mic and some speakers we can talk, for free! even if you's a Yank! (or a Canadian, D!)

It sounds too good to be true....but I just tried it out and it's awesome. Much appreciation goes to an Internet Ninja colleague for introducing me to Skype. Seriously, it rocks, it's a really quick free download and you can kiss goodbye to your phone bill! Yay!

Nothin' really....

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 18:31:14 GMT

Just checking in...tired out and am really hurtin'...can't wait to get to the osteopath on Saturday and hopefully kick off the recovery process. I wonder if it's too late to train to become an osteopath? these guys must be minted! the amount I'm paying for an hour's treatment on Saturday is crazy. Still, it'll be worth its weight in gold as I can't carry on like this much longer. If it's like last year all it'll take is 5, maybe 6 treatments and I'll be right as rain for a few more months.

Anyway, if I'm not about much over the next few days it's 'cos I want to try and get this forum up and running - I'll be sending out some invites as and when, but if you fancy it just register and I'll approve you :) It's still kinda emptry right now...workin' on it......

Check it out....

Also...we got a new digicam a couple of days back...tried it out...it should be a little better than the old one, but I honestly can't see any difference....(mind you, I am rubbish with cameras)

(the view from the master bedroom window, doesn't show too well but that's a big grey stormcloud on its way over)

(Guess who? hehe - he's doing heaps better right now :)

Wake me when it's Saturday

Wed, 06 Apr 2005 20:14:02 GMT

Tired out. Will be here tonight, trying to set things up. Rough day!! Haloscan fell over, I think....should be OK now? at least...I logged in and tried to sort it....

Happy Ratties

Tue, 05 Apr 2005 20:55:07 GMT

I wish I could figure out how to record with the webcam...had it running through messenger tonight and these 2 were all snuggled up to each other bruxing and boggling - Ed was around to see it but Sham you missed it by seconds!

I've started work on setting up another forum -- I know I've been lousy at it in the past -- but I've found somewhere good now and I'll do a proper job of this one, honest!! I won't post a link up on here, but if you're interested shout out and I'll drop you an email.....it'll be a books, music, film, videogame, pet type affair.....