It struck me a few days ago that it was nearly December, I didn't have an Advent calendar, and the ones with tasteful pictures are expensive while the ones with cheap chocolate are horrible. So I set my powerful intellect to the problem of something seasonal, easy to construct in a short timeframe, and cheap if not free ( Read more... )

And so Christmas is over, though the chocolates linger on.

I had a fantastic haul of presents representing, in various combinations, all the things I love best: cuddly animals, exotic booze, scooters, socks, Scottie dogs, aeroplanes, Doctor Who DVDs, the colours red and orange, and a Swatch watch. I even achieved my long-held ambition of ( Read more... )

That was a nice runup-to-Christmas weekend. On Saturday my flatmate and I decided we couldn't wait any longer, and exchanged Christmas presents - I got a bottle of wine with a wolf on the label - while in the evening I went to my friend Oli's for company, mulled wine and a buffet of delights. Sunday was the annual bike club trip to Middle Farm for ( Read more... )

My recently-rediscovered schoolfriend Kate works for Age UK, and invited me to their carol service at St Pancras Church last night ( Read more... )

I suspect it is Bad Form to show one's Christmas presents off, but I'm always nosy about what you lot get.

( So... )

I've learned some new stupid Photoshop tricks:


( Read more... )

Mr & Mrs Meerkat enjoy a conjugal snooze.


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Paul Simon has done a Christmas song! You can download it for free at paulsimon.com! New album in spring! Ho ho ho!

Whether it will replace Bob Dylan's Must Be Santa in my affections remains to be seen.

( A tree for the gerbils )

It was so cold on Saturday that I decided to bake a cake so I could have the oven on, and also warm myself with some vigorous egg-beating. I picked Swiss roll as I had all the ingredients, then thought: hey! Christmas! Yule log ( Read more... )