Baby Born

Congratulations to Anna and Jamie
on the birth of their son!

Irritating Insurance Broker

It's time to renew my home insurance so I decided to look things over to make sure I'm getting the best possible deal. I found a broker agency that would do this for me, for free. Well, to begin with I presumed. If they'd found a good insurance I would accepted it through them and I assume they would have got a piece of the deal. They phoned up and a woman told me about a deal for £55-60 a year that she thought would be the best. When I asked her if she could send me a specification I was told this wasn't possible, but that I could sign up, read the papers I was sent and then cancel the policy if I wished since there is a 14 day return period. This didn't appeal to me, so I asked her If I could think about it and phone her back the next day, when I wasn't at school, in the after noon. She said she could phone me, but insisted and she gave me her direct number. I finished of the conversation with a "I'll get back to you tomorrow." which I fully intended to do. I went on line to see if I could find the information I wanted on the policy myself and so I did. The policy turned out to be less satisfying and after having spoken to my present day insurers I was sure I wasn't interested. Speaking to my mum she said I could ignore phoning the young lady - but I insisted I had to as I had made a promise Then this morning at 11 my phone rang. Screening the call I recognised the number as that of the agency and I got somewhat annoyed. Not much later the phone rang again, this time a withheld number (which is how Linus' office number is shown) and I answered. It was her: "I see in my calender we were to contact you today!". No. I was to phone YOU. We decided so specifically. "Really?" Yes. You gave me your direct number. "Oh dear, well I can phone back later." That won't be necessary, I said in a contained and cool manner, I can tell you right now that I am not interested. Thank you and good-bye. Now I appreciate that her job probably sucks and I can't blame her for trying to a certain degree. I did, after all, contact them first. BUT I believe my wishes should have been respected to begin with. Slyly withholding once number shows an understanding of not being quite in the right. I couldn't have made my self more clear about what I wanted. If I hadn't phoned by tomorrow THEN I could accept them phoning me but this was just not OK. Not the way to get customers. Well, at least not me. Grrrr...

On a more pleasant not Linus will be here in 6h and I will be in a much better mood once he's arrived. But until then..

Being a bit of a prat

My computer is being a nuisance so the doodle I was working on when writing this post had to wait. But it's been sorted out (I hope not only temporarily) so now it's available. Which makes no one happy but me.

I finally finished knitting the scarf/shawl I've been working on for, say a year? SO I'm happy. I don't know if it's much to brag about but it's long, woolly and the colouring is a shifting blue/grey. So know I worked out to do both types of knitting - all I have to do now is advance beyond rectangular forms. So, an update in a couple of years?

Today I had my first lecture in a series titled "Legal English". It's an extra-curricular course that I hope will be an introduction to learning more about how to express the knowledge I have of law in English. It' frustrating not being able to converse about that of which I should be the expert and finding myself stuttering and fumbling for the right words (more than I usually do). It was all right, although I didn't find I agreed with the lecturer on all points. He talked about writing in general (which was good) and about certain aspects of the English language. And as far as I'm concerned he over simplified and over generalised in a way I can't digest without an upset stomach. It may well have been adequate for the level their aiming for and for the situation at hand so I kept my feelings to myself and patted my own back feeling certain of being right. This, perhaps unattractive superior attitude does not mean I believe I'm infallible or even very good when it comes to English, so don't misunderstand and judge me a a prat. Please!

Aside from thinking highly of myself I have today: gone to the gym, cleaned my flat, studied (a little) and had a nice breakfast with Linda and Lovisa (early this morning). I'd like to recommend (courtesy of Linus and Dark Roasted Blend) a site with statistical maps which are very interesting. Each country on a world map has had its area adjusted in proportion to its representation of a certain statistic. Compare "Military Spending" and "Deaths by War".

Earth, Wind and Fire

It's been such a lovely day - brilliant sunshine and a clear blue sky. I've been out for a couple of hours and am feeling quite revitalised. I meet up with Linda and Rikard at this cultural centre called Mejeriet where we had Sunday Soup (carrot and coconut) out in the sun. I sinned and had to cup cakes as well... Afterwards we decided to go for a walk and we ended up geo-coaching (searching for "hidden treasures" with just a couple of coordinates to guide you. and Linda's GPS compass...). We walked for 2-2,5h and I think I caught some sun. We found to marks, enjoyed the out doors and trod in mud. The first was hidden on a slope by a brook/river and slightly dangerous to get to. The other of the marks was hidden close to a wind power station. It was cool. Now my ambition is to study. I happen to have a seminar tomorrow so I would do well to apply myself.

Yesterday morning I woke up, had breakfast and went to the gym! I was there for 1,5h and very happy with myself when returning home at noon. Then it went down hill. Was supposed to study but watched three episodes of Grey's Anatomy instead (ashamed). In the evening some of us went to Jörgen who lives in the "East" (compared to me, living in the "West") for his birthday. We had buns and cakes and cheesecake and crisps and candy and... I was full when leaving. But we had a very nice time, though I'm afraid our conversation wasn't very... kosher?