For Pete's Sake

Back To Work

Pete — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:45:10 +0000

So after 3 weeks off I’m back to work. It’s a shame but strangely I’m quite happy to be back. First off it’s a fun place to work but also I kind off missed the structure. Don’t get me wrong though as I’d quite happily take another 3 off.

I’ll post again soon with links to picture but in summary we: saw a whale, went zip-lining, ice skated on a pond, went up a mountain, drove a mustang, went to a college football game and an NHL game plus visiting the first ever Starbucks. It was fun and a new experience and look forward to more like it.

Holiday

Pete — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:58:20 +0000

If you’ve been keeping up-to-date with my status on Facebook you’d already know this but either way, after year and some change Cati and I finally went on a proper holiday. I know we’ve taken the odd day off here and there, but they were mostly to get to or from weddings and other such functions. In the past year and a bit we haven’t taken any timeout just to get away and relax and while this holiday includes looking after 3mnth old babies it’s still a timeout.

We got here, or at least Vancouver as right now we’re in Seattle, Saturday gone. It was an easy flight, quick through security both ends and at our hotel in no time. Next day we travelled to Victoria on Vancouver Island which was awesome as we did some whale watching and saw a humpback whale and some sea lions. Then we travelled to our current location, Seattle on Tuesday. We’ll be here till late next week when we go back to Vancouver for 10 more days, in total we’ve got 3 weeks off and in many ways we’ve both been needing it.

Anyway, figured I’d bring y’all up to speed, post in a few.

Onward!

Pete — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:32:02 +0000

So yesterday I turned 25, a poigniant age I’m told, another year for me. It passed in a rather understated manner especially compared to the party Cati arranged last year. Even so it was spent in good company with good food.

A few friends and I went to a pub in nearby Tockington. Cati intoduced/ found it and the atmosphere is nice food is good and relatively cheap. I ordered bangers & mash and for the 4th time running it came a little different. It seems each time I order it it comes with or without something. First time it was just as on the menu, second time it came with peas, then with peas and onions and last night no peas just onions. Least to say it’s interesting to see what I get each time!

Last night also saw United beat Celtic 3-0 which is good though a shame I didn’t see anything of the game. Keeping on sport I’m off to Wembley this weekend to see the 2nd ever NFL game to be played outside the US (I was at the inaugural one too). Should be good as both teams lost last week so should be a game with two teams giving everything to win.

So there we go, got some lovely birthday wishes and gifts. An enjoyable evening celebrating it and things to look forward to; onward!

Something New

Pete — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:21:21 +0000

So I tried sushi this week, once at home after buying some from Asda which was okay but last night was cracking. I went with some friends to Yo!Sushi in Cabot’s Circus in Bristol. It was an interesting place. All the food on the belts, personal buttons for your table for service and good food. I’m still not crazy on the rice which is the sushi (the raw meat is sushimi iirc). I think it’s mainly down to the vinegar to make it stick. I never really liked vinegar at all, I can eat a little bit but not much. I may get used to the taste but who knows. The sushami tho I loved particularly the salmon. I also enjoyed some of the cooked stuff like Chicken Katsu & Prawn Katsu really nice and sweet. Service was pretty damn good and for four of us the bill was less than £20pp.

In other news Cat & I have a photoshoot and the basketball this weekend so I’m a gonna be busy!

Going ‘Oop North

Pete — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:11:35 +0000

So I’m currently writing as Cati is driving the final stint to my parents house; my iPhone is oh so useful! Anyway we’re travelling there to stay over for a civil partnership we’re going to tomorrow between two friends of Cati. My folks are actually in France but have been very kind and lent us the house for the weekend. I’m looking forward to tomorrow as not only will it be a fun day but another new experience for me.

The other bonus thing is that it’s taking me back to one of favourite parts of the UK. Sunday I’ll be meeting Andy at the Lendal Cellars which is one of best pubs I know in York, I’m looking forward to that too.

Work this past week has been okay, average week to be honest. Can’t really say too much interesting happened as it was just work. No annoyances other than the usual but they’re so insignificant that they hardly warrant a mention other than to say they happened.

So other than that it’s going to be an interesting sport weekend. Formula 1 are staging their first ever night race, Pittsburgh, just like United are struggling and need a win and United now have Ronaldo back. Anyway best go as we’re almost there.

Progression Costs Money

Pete — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:52:20 +0000

So I was looking at courses today like an Microsoft Cert or other such useful ones like Cisco or HP. The annoying thing is they cost so damn much! I mean £700 is one of the cheaper ones I’ve seen and others cost in excess of £1K. The other problem is that because I’m currently contracting I’d have to shell out the cash and the claim back against tax; no being paid for here. I really want to do these as they’ll improve my job prospects here and abroad and with hopes of emmigration still intact I can’t help but think I should try and do one at the very least as I can’t solely rely on my degree.

Anyone got thoughts on where I should go first? Down the desktop support route with Microsoft or networking with Cisco & HP? I’m inclined to go Microsoft first as employers in desktop support, which is most likely the jobs I’d go for, would favour that over heavy network stuff like Cisco. I mean they would still be impressed but they’re not related and would probably question why I’d be going for a desktop support role.

Maybe with a bit of luck I’ll get some cash together and get one sorted.

That Went Well

Pete — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:44:51 +0000

No really it did, well least it did once I got the BBQ going properly! I decided to be a little lazy and got some self lighting bags; big mistake. They did burn properly and were just generally useless. I then got proper stuff and firelighters and with some persuasion got it going full on. Annoyingly this as after our landlord & lady had been and gone but there you go. The food was well received and I think Rock Band went down well.

In other news United sound like they were rightly defeated in the Super Cup against Zenit and just highlights our need for an out and out striker. I was also due to play cricket today but that has been called off. Seems that thankfully I picked the best of the weekends weather for the BBQ.

An Oldie to Share

Pete — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:42:14 +0000

Sunset 1

Originally uploaded by s33r

To test and try out blogging photos from Flickr I decided to share this old sunset shot I took just outside my home. It’s nothing fancy but hell if you’re going to do a test you may as well user something fairly pretty. I should point out though that this’ll probably be infrequent as my main site pntaylor.net is where all my current “arty” photography will go. I would guess that most of the stuff from Flickr will be mobile phone shots and quick snaps of random stuff. Whatever the posts will contain it’ll still be a useful little feature to have.

Anyway, not much else to report other than I should be asleep so g’night all.

Weddingness

Pete — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:16:53 +0000

Time for a quick update methinks. As you may have already seen I have added a twitter box over on the right. If you can’t be bother to keep coming back here for updates you can “follow” me on twitter my page is located here. I was also at another wedding on Sunday gone. It was for my birthday buddy Helena who got married to her longtime boyfriend Dave. It was a lovely ceremony and a glorious yummy meal afterwards with some groovy music and good company.

I made a few new friends and had some good drinking. Mostly whiskey, in fact, apart from the beer on arrival and the wine/champagne with the meal it was just whiskey. I had a wonderfully smooth Glenfiddich 21yrs which was glorious to say the least. After that it was a distinctly ordinary Glenfiddich 15yrs, nice but nothing special I don’t think, would have to try again to be honest. Then went with the familiar with the Balvenie Doublewood and finished all off with the Laphroaig 10yrs which, considering I’m not an Islay fan I loved. So much so I ordered myself a bottle already.

So now I have a short week ahead then a free weekend. However a week Saturday I’ll be at another wedding and this time I’m ushering!

What’s Up?!

Pete — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:30:11 +0000

It’s been a little while since I last posted, then again with most blogs I do that’s nothing new. As I’m writing this I’m currently working my way through Stargate SG-1 of which I’m now on Season 4. It’s good viewing and certainly helps when there’s not much on TV. Life in general is pretty good. My contract is now extended through to February next year and I’ll be setting up the network etc and where Cat works. It’s going to be fun and interesting and the start of something I hope.

Aside from that I’ve not been up to much to be honest, rather boring I know but then sometimes things being silent is a good thing.