The Emperor's New Boots!

I bought myself a proper pair of hiking boots today, so now there's no excuse. I have a whole series of reasonably large hills lined-up, which I intend to hillwalk while the weather is still fairly Wintery. Once the snow's all gone, I will have a go at some of the larger hills around here, Ben Rinnes being a priority. It's actually quite exhilirating, and little challenges give you something to look forward to, something to aim for. This week's intended target is Bennachie near Insch, in Aberdeenshire. It's actually three fairly large hills strung together, but we'll take the whole lot if you don't mind, weather permitting as always.

I'm also planning ahead. I'd like to climb the Tap o' Noth near Rhynie, which is a vitrified fort, and so should probably count as double. Actually, like Bennachie, there are two hills joined together at Tap o' Noth. Following that will be another nearby double-hill; The Buck. What we're aiming for are increasingly high peaks. Bigger and badder every time. That's the way to play it I reckon, culminating in Ben Nevis sometime this Summer!

So, it looks as though there might be a few decent films out this year. I never even realised that they were making a follow-up to "The National Treasure". That was a decent film, and the sequel look like it could potentially be half-decent also. I might just go and see that next week, if it's showing here of course, which is by no means guaranteed, as per my recent Cloverfield not showing here post. There is also the small matter of the new Indiana Jones film to come, as well. The Indiana Jones franchise stole part of my childhood, I must confess. What kid wouldn't have wanted to be Indie? I also seem to recall some game I had for the PC, I think it was called "Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb". It looked fantastic, but was rendered virtually unplayable by the dodgy controls which made a simple jump into a doctorate in computing physics!

Something For the Weekend!

Well, that's me finished teaching for 3 weeks or so. It's been an experience! On the assessment front, I'll get my results and feedback at Uni, on Monday. Going back to Uni's a bit of a thought to be honest. I've gotten used to being in the school, and the prospect of having to stand waiting at the train station at 6:45 in the morning, at this time of the year, is very unappealing. It's got to be one of the coldest damn places around here, at the best of times.

So, we've had a little snow today, but it looks like tonight is going to see some major snowfalls here for the first time this year. Don't know if I'll be able to get any hill-walking in this weekend, the rest of the family are wavering. They're talking about the cinema, but there's nothing on. They're not even showing Cloverfield here, which is the only film I'm remotely interested in going to see at the moment. Did I mention that the oven in my cooker has packed up? No, I don't think I did. I'm not happy about that at all!

I will try and get some photos this weekend though, rest assured I'll find something photograph-worthy on my travels. Preferably with snow in it, but I can't guarantee it. If you live in another part of the World, you might not really understand how the weather works here in Scotland. We can get the four seasons in one day, any combination of snow, rain, sunshine and wind. The weather can change every 10 minutes. That's what it's like here, always changing, from good to bad and back again in next to no time. That's why you always have to dress for the worst possible weather!

Tunnel of Germs!

I'm under the weather again! Don't know what it is, not a cold or the flu. Probably a "virus" like before. That's the new catchall term the Doctors use for any illness which you might succumb to at this time of the year, the identity of which is not immediately apparent to them. What are my symptoms? General aching all over, but particularly around the neck and throat. I have a very sore throat. I thought about taking the day off, but then quickly decided against it. I knew I had a light enough load today, to be able to get through it reasonably intact. Anyway, ill at home, ill at work, not much difference. Only difference is, you get to feel more sorry for yourself at home.

Hopefully I'll be a bit better by tomorrow. I have a few challenges set for me then, to get through which, I may have to be on top form. I can't go into details. Simply put, getting a group of individuals to engage in tasks, the manner of which will be most unappealing to them. Mainly because they don't like doing anything, asked to think a bit and that's stepping over the line. Nevermind, I have some devious ploys ready to persuade them that my way is the best way.

I finally got around to watching "Alexander - The Directors Cut" on Saturday, and I was very disappointed. I know it got bad reviews when it was released, but quite frankly, I expected more. 300 wipes the floor with it, no doubt at all. Still waiting for Cloverfield. It'll be my first trip to the cinema since I took the kids to see the last Harry Potter film, which will be the last Harry Potter film any of us want to see. Is it just me or is Harry Potter a steaming pile of shit? Anyway, I'm sure Cloverfield will restore my faith in the big screen!

A Rampaging Monster!

Ah well, there weren't any new Radiohead tracks last night, and so, Ed in fact did lie to me! How could you Ed? Radiohead are also set to make an appearance on the 200th Later with Jools Holland this Friday coming (a week today in fact), but there's very little chance of them playing unheard tracks on that occasion. I make this Radiohead's 5th appearance on the show, including their 2001 special when they played a full set to a very lucky audience.

What other good stuff do we have to look forward too? Well, both myself and my son have got quite excited about this:

Cloverfield will go on general release tonight, although it doesn't come to the UK until February 1st, which is OK with me. I'll have more time then anyhow. I haven't really got in on all the hype. I saw the first trailer and that was enough for me. I don't want to know anything else about the plot until I see it. I do know there's a monster, but that's all I do know!

I quite fancy getting to a concert this year, I'd especially like to go and see Sigur Ros, but I don't think they're touring. I should go and see Radiohead at Glasgow Green, but I'll be working that day. Can't really get out of it either. Ah well, hopefully a chance to see a half-decent band will materialise in due course!