Mac? Well not quite, although I was in the Apple Centre in London on Saturday, and I have decided that I do hate Apple for making lots of products that I want more than I should considering they are made of components that look pretty and can’t approach affording. Dammit.

In fact, looking at my finances post London trip, where I have been since Wednesday I am in fact very poor. In ready cash terms anyway, as I’m trying to put away as much as I can in savings. Might have to get some back out again, but we’ll see how the month goes. I’m staying home next weekend for Mothers Day (those of you at the back who point out that the first GP of the season is also next weekend, pipe down), so I’m not getting any more money out of my bank account until March 11th and then see how we’re going from there.

Anyway, what have I been up to for the last week? Headed down to Taunton to meet Kate and go out with her parents to celebrate her Birthday. Had some excellent food and I got to drive her Dad’s Vauxhall Vectra (new shape), which wasn’t too bad a steer. Kate found the rich food repeating on her a bit (again, you at the back, no pointing out how much wine she had) but still seemed to have a good time.

Sunday drove down to Tavistock (near Plymouth) to meet her friend Delly. This included a trip to a National Trust property (Cotele House) where I got the pleasure of seeing a young child defecate on the pathway outside the toilet building, with the assitance of a parent. Kind of ruined my opinion of such places, which was otherwise lovely. Trip down into Tavistock in the evening for a few drinks. Went for chips and cheese afterwards and despite the chips being boiling hot and fresh (and tasty) the cheese would not melt. Damn plastic stuff.

Up bright and early on the Monday for the trip to Plymouth to meet Kate’s friend Claire. Much fun was had admiring the “highlights” of Plymouth (actually, I say that, there was one shop, the Blue Banana, that I would buy some stuff from if I had spare cash). Home cooked dinner of Cottage Pie, followed by a trip to the bowling alley (Kate’s initial reaction to this idea was “NO!”. She later claimed that she really like bowling, and that the “NO!” was in fact meaning that we should think of other options first). I won 5 out of 6 games (broke 100 in one game) which teaches me one thing, it’s better to go bowling with two girls drink about a half pint per game when you’re on coke because you’re driving than go with people who kart, because for some reason they are always good and kick my ass. Kate did suddenly enter the zone for the 5th games though (now on her third pint at this stage) and clean up, scoring a respectable 89, while telling me to “stop letting me win” as I’m doing my very best to beat her. Finished off the evening with a Tekken 3 session. I see Tekken 5 is out soon, I would buy it, if I had any cash

Next day we returned to Bristol, and I shall do the time in London next time kids. Good night.

Anyone up for Green Day at Milton Keynes Bowl on the 19th June? Supports include Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday and some others…

Finally, I’m recovering from the horrible illness I’ve have for about the last week. Made it into work today for the first time since last Tuesday, have to admit I dossed around for most of this afternoon, but I was absolutely knackered, but then I did get some useful stuff done and it’s better to take it easy than overwork myself on the first day back and make myself sick again right?

Quite interesting stuff at the moment involving calling a COM object from Java. Seemingly easy from PHP, hard from Java, but I think I’ve worked out now, ace! Left it all ready so I can make good progress on that in the morning.

Now, as you may have guessed from the title, the Mini is going. It’s a great car, but it’s expensive to pay for, money that would be better used on saving for moving out of home, so it’s up for sale. I’m hoping that I can sell it quickly, and then my plan is to run Ceri’s Mark 2 Golf while I look for something cheap more long term. I’m quite tempted by a modern classic, like a Mark 1 Golf GTI in mint condition. Wouldn’t cost to much to buy and if I maintain it properly, should be pretty reliable, like Chris Steele’s was in Uni. Any other suggestions (and no one mention a Nissan Micra)?