trekka

What are your plans for the weekend? I've got 2 weeks off from work The plan is to go see friends and family in Brum tomorrow until Monday and then hop foot it back here with the folks to spend a bit of time in London. Not sure what to do with the rest of my time off but it looks like I'll spend it down in Portsmouth (my proper home!) with coffees, beers and sea air. Marvellous.

Looks like I missed this Of all the days when I was actually looking at ebay too. I fancy owning a Dreamcast again to add to "the collection". It would have been marvellous to have bought one for £20. Oh well.

It isn't a silly question as I've thought the same thing (and I suppose others have too). It opens the following possibilities: - They get through passport checks with him stating that he was her teacher and was on a learning trip - He stated that he was a "friend of the family" and had parental permission (to which point the check-in clerk smiled and said OK) - They checked in seperately (in which case why was it OK for her to check-in without an adult / person of responsibility?) - The check-in clerk did not think to check? (the most probable)

I did myself a whole chicken last night. I didn't eat it all but it was bloody excellent. Before popping it into the oven I smothered it in a curry paste with lots of salt and pepper. When it was cooked, I ripped it to shreds before dipping it into bbq sauce and grated cheese. That'll be a fiery bbq cheesy chicken

Not really "shouldn't" as it blatantly "should". But a loser of a "boyfriend" upsetting my baby sister. Thankfully she's seen sense and got rid. Now he's sending her txt messages full of abuse. I've said block his number. He's a complete tool (no job, leeches off of others and complains about anything - even though she's been supporting him throughout). If only I lived in Birmingham

Having the next 2 weeks off

Sad times. RIP.

A bookmark to Ebaums World Soundboards is the key. Cold callers are no longer a chore but a joy. My current favourite is the Back to the Future one.

For those of you who are prattling on about how bad this closing ceremony is, please, have a think back to previous paraolympic closing ceremonies. I'd like to think we've done a good job here and have had a wonderful games overall. We've done the games proud.

Nicked off facebook because I can (so ner):

Congratulations London. What a remarkable festival of sport, pride, camaraderie, humour and love for our fellow human beings. So proud.

It's so bad it's brilliant. I'm waiting for another goal just so that I can post it on facebook

So I suppose it serves me right for missing the first half. Buhahahhaaaa!

Sniff Anyhoo, happy weekend leemond .I'm not so sure that I'll be watching the football this evening. Even though it's a qualifier (and I think that we'll win), I'm pretty sure it'll be a drab old affair.

A very happy Piss Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday (day)! After last weekend's exploits fighting off the killer knotweed, I plan to chill out in London. I have a few things to do (well one, actually 8))...I need to buy my mother a birthday gift. Cue me driving up the road to Watford (it isn't really that bad) to search for a little gift. Failing that, it will have to be the usual bunch of flowers. What are your plans?

Cheers for the good news Snotty email to the management company sent. I'm half expecting the standard reply: "Thanks for your concerns...". As I say, they did state that they eradicated the problem last year but knotweed being knotweed and all, I'm pretty sure it was it disappearing because it was the winter rather than anyone controlling it. satgig: you'll be pleased to hear that the stuff I torn from my terrace ended up back in the planter from where it came.

Ah, shit.

My thoughts on the first half? dumdudumdadumdumdumdaduuuuuum We're looking good, not brilliant by any means but we're building a base here and the cavalry are coming.

You beauty. Our season has started.

This stuff is evil. I spent most of the morning yanking it out from where it invaded my terrace. It was like the day of the triffids! I've read the horror stories of it embedding itself into concrete, etc, so cue a rather snotty email to the estate management company. I mean just how exactly does Japanese knotweed manage to find itself into some big planters adjoining my terrace? The planters are on the 2nd floor! Gggrrr! We were told last summer that the problem had been sorted but oh no, the only thing that will get rid of this stuff it seems is napalm. Anybody have any tips, etc apart from snotty emails to the management company? It isn't my job to get rid of the stuff as it is coming from the communal planters but surely it is a big problem when it starts invading other areas

Hamster on Total Wipeout. I only watch it for the lovely "three, two, onnnnnnneeee" Amanda you understand.

A browse on either just-eat or meals2go to find a far nicer pizza for half the price of dominos? Aye but the past few pizzas I've had from the local, cough, establishments have been grease grease and more grease with a bit of lightning thrown in for good effect. Don't get me wrong, Dominos, Pizza Hut etc aren't exactly perfect but at least they don't deliver them like they've been dipped in a hot tub of Stork margarine.

Speaking of food, I can't make up my mind for dinner. I definitely want a take-away but what take-away? I fancied a pizza earlier but having looked at the prices from dominos (£15 for a large pizza!) I've kind of decided that unless I get a huge discount code that isn't going to happen. I'm off KFC (seeing as I had it a few weeks ago), don't really fancy a curry or chinese, so what does that leave me with?

Irreverentad, keep fighting. My two good friends both suffer from cancer. At first, all seemed to be lost. Mike (my best friend) was diagnosed with testicular cancer before it passed to his blood and to his liver. He too thought that it was inoperable before he put up the fight. He has had intensive chemo at Hammersmith and is now in remission. He is getting stronger by the day and is now a rock to his girlfriend (who sadly still suffers from cancer but things are looking up). He is now getting married next summer to his lovely girlfriend and is slowly starting to enjoy life again. Keep your chin up mate, be positive and above all, fight it. There will be light at the end of the tunnel.

...bit late in the day but here goes. Yesterday I finished a conference with work and I have to say it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. The Americans were a good laugh, we drank port all evening on Thursday which ended up with "if you need a place to stay for a holiday..." type chats (ranging from a lodge in Montana to a place in Orlando). Job done 8) Yesterday afternoon, aside from slowly waking up from the evening of Port, I dragged myself down to Portsmouth to *kick* the lodger out from my flat (kick is a strong word, he's a good lad who has really looked after the place for the past few months). So here I am, back in my own place, alone for a change, and I'm really enjoying it. I have no plans for the rest of the weekend apart from maybe ordering a pizza, having a few beers and chilling out. What are your plans for your weekend (or what is left of it)?