"Within each of us, ofttimes, there dwells a mighty and raging fury"

Had to be done! :-D

Is it xmas yet?

Check it out! I got a flat panel monitor for my desk. Isn't it beautiful? Everyone in the office would like one of these, but that's the beauty of being in the IT department isn't it? :-) We've got another 10 or so to hand out, but who should get them? There's only one way to settle this (see link).

My job's going from part time (2 days a week) to full time, yay! This means I will have more money for buying toys and visiting foreign parts in 2006! Shopping list: new computer, broadband, sound system, furniture, clothes, expensive shoes, trips to Spain, gym membership (yes gym membership!) and maybe a trip to Texas to visit my good friend Ben who's out there doing his PhD.

Anyway I should get on with some work if I want to keep this wonderful job. Unfortunately I have been hypnotized by this evil kitten.

Booze cruise

As Tim (pictured sprawled on floor) turned 33 on the 4th December we made the traditional channel crossing to Dieppe on Saturday, theoretically to buy cheese. High seas made for an entertaining trip, the high point for me being when Tim hurried over to say something, miscalculated and hurried straight past, into a table and three chairs. The French seemed unconcerned - presumably this is just something English people do.

We found time to nose around the Castle Museum, which has an impressive collection of non-PC ivory artifacts as well as many paintings of fish, so in theory we didn't do nothing but drink all day.

I did, however, forget the cheese.

Muggers in Shoreham

I was returning over the footbridge on Sunday night when I happened upon a fellow who said he'd just been mugged. He had a nasty lump on his head and a bloody nose. Two guys running off towards town had grabbed his iPod.

I was incensed, especially as I knew how he felt after the same thing had happened to me not so long ago. I ran after the pair and chased them up the road towards the Duke, and actually caught up to them (they must be very slow muggers!) They had the usual hoods up and one had a scarf over his face. The other was careful to cover his face with his hands. They looked about 15. Gah! 15 year old professional muggers in Shoreham? Since when?

Anyway, I told them they had to return the guy's property. They then suggested I buy it from them :-) No, that's not how it works kiddies, you give it back now, or you make a break for it and I try and stop you. Your choice. I couldn't resist emphasising my point by smacking my fist into my palm. Matt, the victim in this, had caught up as well and the kids were looking less confident. I took out my phone and dialled 999. 'You calling the police?' says Bugsy Malone. 'Well duh! What do you think?'

They started to run again so we kept after them, while talking to the police. Really kids these days are so slow! How could they not outrun us? In a panic they finally gave up and returned the iPod, and we let them get away. Matt was pleased to get his stuff back, and the police turned up 5 minutes later to take the details. On reflection, it's a pity we didn't grab hold of the little maggots until the police arrived, but at least they probably had a scare.

So listen, all you would-be mugger brats of Shoreham, mugging gets you nothing. Sooner or later (most probably sooner) you will get beaten up, imprisoned or both. Get a life!