WeatherGirl’s Station

Well, I didn’t exactly throw a pot but I did actually fashion my very first piece of pottery at the grand old age of 44! Our teacher began by introducing us to a pinch pot. We started by rolling up a ball of clay and sticking a thumb in it to make the bowl, manipulating the clay until it was the same width all the way around. We got to have a couple of practice shots before we made a piece that will actually be fired. Even though we were making a very simple pot you quickly became aware of all those little details that need attention to make something beautiful rather than adequate. Clearly, practice, practice, practice, is the order of the day. I suspect I will end up with a piece that only a mother could love!

The one rather odd aspect of this pinch potting was I realised that I made it left handedly, which, for a generally right handed person, is definitely strange. (There are a number of things I do naturally left handed but nothing so major.)

Current temperature: here 9c/48F, there 43F/6C

So I’ve acquired a few art supplies including watercolours and some medieval iron gall ink so I’m having fun playing with a few ideas. I have a little postcard project in mind if it all comes together appropriately. I’ve signed up for a couple of adult education classes, one of which is a short pottery taster, to see if I should give this a try when I return to the lonesome plain. Mainly, though, the classes are a means to meet a few people. The boys have a ready made pool of ‘friends’ but given the nature of my life this isn’t true for me. We’ll see how it goes, at least I should learn something interesting along the way.

Curent temperature: here 17C/63F, there 73F/23C

Gripping. I love modern reinterpretations of the traditional fifties western and while, in some ways, this is a rather more traditional script than most, it is quite thrilling watching two modern actors bring a rich emotional underpinning to these very male characters. Bale has the harder job with the weaker family man struggling to retain his self respect but he does hold his own with Crowe’s mesmerising very bad man. The relationship between the two gains great depth as we head to the emotionally satisfying but untenable end.

Current temperature: here:18C/64F, there: 73F/23C

So I had a little amble up the East Hill looking for a doctor’s surgery on Friday. Took a few pictures along the way and will include some here. (You can check out my flickr account for more.) I found three different practices and just chose one at random to register with. There’s some paperwork to fill out first but nothing too taxing, mostly it’s so they can find our records.

I loved the mixture of ages and colours of the buildings as I headed up the hill.

This plaque brought a smile to my face. So we’re commemorating the fact that a gate fell down and the debris was removed at a later date?

At the top of the hill I found the local cathedral, art gallery and the main public park with a castle and a number of museums and ruins. Much to see on future days out ambling around town.

I took a number of photos in this window. To quote my notes on flickr:

There were so many elements that I loved with these images. The definition of the numbers was what initially drew me to this window The combination of curves and straights are incredibly pleasing. Then there’s the framing of the view through the window and into the restaurant. The tables, set and ready for the next meal hold a certain anticipation. Next there’s the reflection of the outside world. Of the passage of time as people and vehicles pass by. There’s the confusion of seeing the buildings across the street and their signage recorded backwards obscuring its meaning. Finally there’s me and my camera capturing the scene.

While in town did a little shopping, acquiring an alarm clock and a German dictionary for the young’un before heading home taking a number of photos of the pavement along the way which proved rather fascinating. I’m just including a couple of samples here. The egg was such a surprise to see on the ground still in fairly good shape.

Cigarette butts are still everywhere over here. The ban on smoking in public places only just went into effect in England (the last place in the UK to implement such legislation) so it’ll be a while before things clean up. I look forward to it after having lived in MN with such laws for so long it’s only when you return to a world of smoker’s that you really appreciate just how dirty the habit is.

Current temperature: here 15C/59F, there 63F/17C

So the guys had a freak out moment this a.m. when they couldn’t access the internet. They both headed off for their days and left me to handle the technology. To the good, the internet is still there (aren’t you glad?) and currently I’m plugged straight into the DSL modem through an ethernet cable. On the downside, we have no wireless, which will be a little awkward when the young’un gets home from school and wants to IM the universe.

Poor old techie-research-fellow will have to battle the aged airport gremlins when he gets home from his little excursion to visit a UMM grad in London at the British Museum. The story of our lives - cross the pond and meet alums!

We put up another podcast on our adventures and you can check it out on Phi’s blog.

Current temperature: here 18C/64F, there 70F/21C

Two wonderful things happened yeasterday.

- Internetness from home is now possible.

- Young’un started school.

So that researcher-fellow-guy-person saved his marriage by sorting out the BT gremlins. God, they suck. If the engineer who set up our line had done their job properly we would have been live a week ago. Grrrrr.

The school situation is looking good and there is some prospect for actual academic stimulation. It looks like the tike will get to play both his band instruments in an orchestra. He’ll definitely be getting personal tuition on the trumpet but it also looks like there’s a french horn at school for him to play. The foreign language side of the equation has gone from famine to feast as he gets to study both French and German. The snag is that they are already two years in and the school is taking a get stuck in and make the best of it approach. Well at least they actually think foreign languages are important unlike our home school which doesn’t even expect any exposure to a foreign language to graduate.

Current temperature: here 21C/70F, there 84F/29C

Brilliant. What a ride this movie is! Holy cow. It starts right from the word go and doesn’t let up. There are a couple of opportunities to catch your breath but basically you just have to grab hold and hang on for all you’re worth. There are some spectacular set pieces which I’m not going to describe as you really do need to see them unspoiled to experience the full impact. Matt Damon rang true as JB and the supporting cast was firing on all cylinders. I especially liked Joan Allen. A smart, strong female character who isn’t sold short by the script. Whatever next, women in movies as human beings?

The whole movie is nicely underpinned by a very moral compass and you just have to read the newspaper to see how corrupting ‘playing by the bad guy’s rules’ can be.

Current temperature: here 16C/61F, there 66F/19C