So, the flat...

Most of you should know, but I'm all confused as to who knows what.

Got verbal report of survey and everything's pretty cool. Couple of minor problems and one possible expense. Windows, it seems, weren't installed very well and need replacing. Myself, I'd be tempted to reseal them and see how it goes.

So, basically, all is good and I'm buying a flat.

...

I know - I should be more jumpy up and down, but this is a big deal and I'm waiting and seeing. Once I have keys in my hand and a mortgage, then I'll celebrate. Perhaps a mini celebration when I get mortgage approved, because at that point, the 'things that could go wrong' pile will sharply diminish. Not that there's any reason to believe mortgage won't go through - it was all pre-approved and my circumstances have, if anything, improved slightly since then.

It's silly, but everything's going so well, I'm half expecting something dreadful to happen. Maybe I should break something - a sacrifice to the karmic gods. Probably doesn't work like that, though.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Photoshop toes

I'm getting mine wet.



The sky actually looked like that, but to get that, I had to seriously underexpose for the foreground, so some levels, some contrast and a bit of healing tool later...

Foreground could be better. I think it needs its highlights tweaking, but nae bad, eh?

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Still waiting on survey from flat. I'm hopeful, though. To be honest, I'm just waiting. So many BigMassiveLifeChanging things going on that I'm a little bit numb to huge highs and lows. It's not that I'm not happy and content, I'm just waiting and seeing. And look forward to Christmas when everything will, please gods, have settled in, and I can go *Aaaaaaand relax*.

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The new brylcreem advert is cool. And, it seems, their product is cheap.

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Best not, really.

Well, I couldn't stay away from Sinfest, could I? On the Ishida! Props to your people!

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You could drop by my favourites again. More up.

This one's a bit shameless, granted. (NSFW - maybe - naked bottom!)

How awesome is that, though? I'll tell you. Very awesome.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Why won't they phone?!!!!!

You see what they're doing to me??? I'm multiply punctuating here!

I put offer in on flat. It's fixed price, so should be easy yes, but the seller is a teacher and can't get messages, it seems. You would have though that with a flat on the market, (s)he'd bloody messages at lunchtime, neh?

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Lookit me!



Drawn by Hamish. S'cool, innit?

Some other pics to go up from wee party / drinks thing on Sat. A good time was had by all, I think. Drinks at Dragonfly (lovely rum for me!) then James and Alexis very kindly allowed me to invite people back to theirs for a couple more drinks and some Wii.

Birthday - officially celebrated. :)

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Three weeks left on the old job, here comes the new job. Got to go down to Birmingham for the two weeks of my induction. All very high-powered sounding. Flown down on the Sunday night, flown back home Friday night. Having done business travel before, though...well, it ain't high powered. It's waiting around in airports, mostly. Hey ho - will have to get some light paperbacks in.

Quite pleased about it, really. I'm going to grab the induction with both hands. Very keen to do well, and learn as much as I can. (I know, I know - drink the kool-aid!)

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Steve taught me about levels. And the thistles at King's Buildings are crazy looking!



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Nihil obstat,

C

Got my soundtrack back...

New phone! Woop!

T-Mobile were being such tight...people about an upgrade, so I called them and said 'Leaving!'. They replied, 'What do you want? How can we keep you, dear, dear customer?'

Sony W880i, thanks. Thought about the K malarkey, but it's so much fatter and I don't need the 5MP camera. (Steve was quite short about camera phones. "It's a phone. It's not a camera.")

But I got my soundtrack back! Once again the streets of Edinburgh are my own personal, mobile cinema experience.

Let's dance to Joy Division, baby!

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What else is news? Flats and such. Going to see two tonight and it looks like *crosses fingers and whispers in case Karma feels like giving me a slap* the Willowbrae one hasn't been snapped up.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

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I do have new stuff, from yesterday. Lovely foxgloves for a kick-off, but not uploaded yet.

Not that you care...

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Nihil obstat,

C

*yaaaAAAaaaawn*

It's quite quiet and sleepy here at King's Buildings. (Just as I was writing that, the phone went - *laugh*)

Do feel a bit tired, though. Viewing at least three flats tonight, all on a very tight schedule as they're a' aboot the place, eh?

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Went for a wee wander up Blackford Hill at lunchtime, which was nice. Had camera with me, so took some shots, although I *just* missed a gorgeous band of light that was moving across city. It would have really popped all the trees whose leaves are turning in the Marchmont / Grange area. I had to content myself with dark, rich shots.

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*still yawning*

Get over it, Reynolds. Lots of walking around to do...

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Nihil obstat,

C

Everything's shiny, Captain

So, yon flat has fallen through. Not having it. Too much hassle, and there are some nice fixed price malarks on the market, as of today. So, I reckon Karma was sending a small message.

"Nah, mate, you don't want that one. Wait for this one."

"Or maybe that one. You know. Whatever works."

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And everything is pretty fucking shiny right now. So, I'm breezy.

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Nihil obstat (gets more true every day),

C

Oops!

Did forget. It's been a busy day.

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Survey is back and it's not great. The patch of damp on the bedroom wall is not historical. It's current and ongoing. So we're going to have to see.

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Selfridge's, in Birmingham.

Some department store, eh?

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Nihil obstat (occasionally damp),

C

Waiting...

I'm waiting to hear about the offer I put in on a flat. Closing date was 12pm today.

*gnaws nails*

The good news is I was sensible and called the Homestake folk, checked that a change in salary won't make me suddenly ineligible. I'll still be able to use the scheme up until my passport runs out. Plus, they're changing it in the near future and the changes could mean I could still apply, so it's all good. Ish.

*goes back to gnawing nails*

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Hurrah! Comments. Stunning sky, though. Not one tiny bit of photoshop, either. That's what it looked like.



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Nihil obstat,

C

Happy birthday to me...

For it is, indeed, my birthday. Thirty-one, eh?

Ach, you all know my philosophy on birthdays. If you've done a year's stuff, it's OK to be a year older. And boy have I!

Since last year's fun and frolics, I've travelled a bit, written a bit, moved forward great strides with my photography, adopted a new hobby in the modelling of things, and I'm in the throes of buying a flat (I hope). Still not got one of those boyfriend things, but I'm continually working on that. Boy, is it hard work. *grins*. Actually, it sometimes can be. But no-one ever promised 'easy'. That I'm aware of, anyway. If I was, I could sue them, you know.

I've had nice presents - books, for the most part, which makes for happy Chrises. I've got "Photoshop CS2 for Photographers", a Manga encyclopedia type thing from Taschen and 'Ghost in the Shell' - the original manga upon which the film was based. Plus, my bro and my dad chipped in on a hand-carved olive wood chess set that I was drooling over en Provence. It's very pretty.

Hung out with James, Alexis and Steve last night, which was nice. Food and Wii and bubbly drinks. Dinner with folks tonight. The big drinks do is on Saturday, but I'm mostly staying true to my pledge not to chase people this year. I have many dozens of friends (I really do!) and it's not all that important that they aaaall come to one event. To be honest, it's usually a thumping headache getting them all in one place.

So long as I don't have to drink black sambucca with tabasco sauce in this year, I'll be happy. Bloody Steve-O.

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Not had any comments on my flickr photos for days and long. I could be miffed, I really could.

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Aaaand - I got a new job. Put notice in on Friday, so I'm all right for saying. Very chuffed. Going to be a careers adviser and be paid lots of money! Although, obviously, I'm doing it solely for the chance to do good in the world. ;)

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Favourites - my favourites on flickr. I counted, and no matter what some weasels might have said, less than 20% of them are of hot men. Barely a fifth.

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I'm working today. Not usual for my birthday, I normally take it as annual leave, but I've had so much time off that I thought not to bother. It does mean I'm missing out on my usual bought lunch, but I'll survive. For another three hours. I did come in all enthusiastic for filing, but enthusiasm does seem to have fallen off.

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Big thing just now - decided how much I'm putting in as a bid on Buchanan Street. I really don't want to lose out, but then again, there's only one other note of interest in six weeks. Only takes that one person, though. Eesh. Much thinking to do.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Proper happy

Aaaaaah, yeah!

:)

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I mentioned how lovely the pool was in Provence, right?



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Much busy-busy this weekend, which will be nice. Catching up with all those folks I haven't seen in weeks what with the hither and yon-ness of me. Plus, going to go see some flats on Sunday, the one on Buchanan Street in particular.

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Hamish mentioned he'd never really been through Flickr, being somewhat intimidated by its vastness.

If any one were interested, you could do worse than start with my favourites. I admit there's some weighting towards the male form, but it's all arty. Trust me. *grin*

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Nihil obstat,

C

Happy smiling

I bloody will be. Some work stuff has me a bit down, but I am not going to kowtow to it, dagnamnit. I've done everything I can, so must simply let be now. So, on the happy smiling front...

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French Windows. Geddit?



Provence really was lovely. I'm doling out three pics a day to Flickr at the moment, so I've got a tidy little backlog of pics to put up daily. I took a staff photo today and would you believe when I was uploading I found some on camera that I hadn't even uploaded yet? Crazy, neh?

That said, there's a boatload on little blue camera that need considering. Some fairly tasty ones of cranes against a shockingly pretty sunset, as I recall.

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It's my birthday soon. Yey! Not really had time to get excited about it, but I sent out a mass email and likewise text to all and sundry inviting them along to Dragonfly a week on Saturday for drinkies. If I managed to miss you off either of those, you are invited. Everyone who's anyone is going to be there, don'tcherknow. *laughter*

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Flat I've got interest noted for has gone to a closing date. VERY quickly after I noted interest, so they must want shot. Got to decide what I want to bid for it now.

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Nihil obstat, baby!

C

Things progress

All of them, generally. Flat that I'm going to offer on, I reckon, and I'm content with fresh mortgage quotes from today.

And, you know, all the stuff that's going on with everything. Ooh - must book a couple of tables for birthday bash. Now, in fact.

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Niiice, neh?


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Nihil obstat,

C

Unhappy day

Stressful day at work. Many things going not well.

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Nihil obstat (motherf*ckers!)

C (still grinning - just)

Back once more and again

We resume normalised service. Had all my trips, all very pleasant, away and such. Back to the 9 to 5. :(

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But all things are well otherwise. Very much enjoyed the workshop facilitatin' so I'm going to keep going to the other workshops for a bit, see how it goes. I was resolved not to continue with the Luvvies as theatre takes up so very much of your time, but it seems an all-male cast of Twelfth Night is in the offing. I am intrigued.

Plus, admittedly, one of the chaps who came along to my workshops is cute, and returning... :)

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France was so lovely.

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I'm on hiatus from comics. Trying to cut down my 'net time for things what are a bit more productive and I also thought how nice it would be to have a couple of month's worth of strips from all my favourites to read through. I will miss out on some comics.com stuff as they only hold a month's archive, but I'll just have to thole it.

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I saved myself some money. There was a flat I fancied, but it had five notes of interest and a couple offers. I decided to wait until last minute closing date, which was scheduled for this Wednesday, to see if anything happened. It's gone to a fixed price of £130K - waaaaay over my limit - so I've saved myself whatever the lawyer's fee would have been for putting in an offer for me.

I have hopes for this one, though.

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Saw Gregor and Caroline at the weekend, which was lovely. Sucks that they live so far away, but hey ho - one must follow one's career and / or partner. (Delete as applicable).

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Nihil obstat,

C

We're ba-aack!

Yeek! It has been ever so long since I blethered.

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Photos - still to upload for the most part, but here's a nice one from Provence.



France trip was just lovely. Great food, gorgeous scenery, lovely villages. The villa itself was amazing. Heated pool, tiled floors throughout, the lot. Weather was nice, at least mid 20s every day, so lots of swimming. Plus - how good is a diving board which, if you look right, gives you a view of the French Alps, and if you look behind you gives you a view of the Med? Niiiice, eh?Food was so very, very lovely. Not had lunch yet so not going to detail, but trust me - mouthwatering.

I have photographic evidence of most of these things but, like I say, yet to upload.

Best thing of all, obviously, was spending lots of time with the small niece, Eve. She's 20 months at the moment, and a very chatty wee thing she is too. Regrettably she's been taught to think of me as 'Crips' - thank you, Mum, for resurrecting my nickname from when I was Eve's age. Thankfully Paula (sister-in-law) has a bit more respect for what people prefer themselves and taught the small one "Chi-st-fer."

We stopped for un petit boisson (wee drink!) at one point and small one was trying to get away from our table. As we were next to a road, I picked her up. She stroked my beard and said, "Oh! Soft!"

Heart. Melted.

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Big big day on Tuesday which went well, but could have gone better. Waiting and seeing now.

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Theatre of the Oppressed went well last night. Some brave and bold folk in the workshops. It's not like improv or character work, Boal. Can really strip you quite bare, dependent on how you work it. I made sure and let the attendees lead themselves as to what subjects they wanted to cover, but no-one shrank away from the harder stuff. I was well impressed.

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Flats. Urgh. A tad disheartened on the property search today. There are a couple to go and see, but I don't think they're really within my price band. Time to try, though. Just missed the Nicolson Street studio, so we'll have a go at a couple of one bedroom and see how I get on. If I'm totally out the park as far as price goes, then I might need to do a rethink.

There is a fixed price in Morningside, but it's quite steep (£115) for a tiny wee flat.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Normal service...

...will resume tomorrow.

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Nihil obstat,

C

By the way...

...no blogging, I expect, while in Nice. There's WIFI, but I hope like Hell I'll have better things to do.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Oh, noes! I "oohed"!

Out loud. In a shop. Nobody else there I knew. Obviously, lots of people. One never seems to do these things when there's no-one about to see it. It wasn't even anything all that exciting. Some magazine or other. Picked myself up a few funny looks. *laughter*

I blame the Liz and the Patrick. One can count on at least a querying look to extemporaneous expostulations. Blame them for the 'the', too. In fact, I blame them for manymany things. Not quite made it to the Fall of Man yet, but I'm working on it.

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I mentioned I'd put an offer in, right? I know I did. It's just the ludicrously high number of paper pounds it involves. Somewhat preying on my mind.

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I'm not certain it's the Dog Falls. Pretty sure, though.

I like this one - all the way down to the log in centre foreground.

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Ooh - ooh! I am on holiday again in three and one half hours. My mother was kind enough to send me a picture of the terrace pool. I sent her one back with my view - of employer information folder - along with attendant sarcasm.

Just realised I haven't seen my Gran since last week and I won't be able to tonight as I'm running that Boal workshop I have previously mentioned. Speaking of which, better dig up some appropriately 'oppressed' warm-up games.

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Nihil obstat,

C

And that's in EARTH pounds, that.

I've put an offer in on the Nicolson Street flat. Got a lawyer an' everyfing. How extremely grown-up of me. And how nut-tighteningly terrifying. One hundred and five THOUSAND POUNDS.

I don't actually think I'll have the offer accepted, as there have been four other notes of interest, but I have indicated a very early entry date which might swing it my way.

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Gates to the Estate - where we stayed up north.

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Abandon Podge is coming along. I've knocked it together, but it still needs a bit of polish. Not happy with the introductory text yet. And I'm not sure about linking off to this blog from that one - 'createur' or something wanky like that. :)

Other option is to leave it as Big Podge Placer, deeply anonymous. Who is that abandoning man?

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Packing again. Not that I'm complaining, you understand, but there's a crazy lot to do before I head off to Nice. I reckon I'll have to sort out assessment preparation over there. Otherwise my little head may explode.

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Nihil obstat,

C

It's that time

Oh, yeah! That time!


*kchst* "We have an incoming Chris's birthday - Repeat - We have an incoming Chris's birthday" *kchst*


God knows what I'm going to do for it. I think - pause for effect - that I might have a quiet one this year. Well, as quiet as it gets when you're inviting fifty-odd folk out. Always a toss-up between having several evenings out with different groups of friends or one, big par-tay!


Given the trip away to Nice, and visiting Gregor and Caroline the week after that, it'll only be a week or two until the birthingday the next time I land on my feet. May have to be a last minute planning thing.


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Bloody bank machine just ate my bank card. Just a mechanical fault (and maybe something to do with my been-in-the-wars card) but how bloody hindering awkward. Realise I've got no Euro for my France trip, either. Looks like I'll be spending plenty of time in the bank queue this week - which is monstrous as it's the nearest one to the Uni and filled with students. They've got all frickin' day to go to the bank - why choose lunchtime?

On the upside, I now only have such funds as are in my pocket (68p) so I was forced into the utterly unhealthy but still ocasionally pleasant Scotch pie. Mmmm. Tasty.

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Cairngorms.

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Nihil obstat,

C