ianbee: this is instead of getting a dog

Beethoven's 9th

The other week I went to Leed's Town HallI to hear Beethoven's 9th Symphony. You know the one, it goes dur dur dur dur dur dur dur dur, dur dur dur dur duuur dur dur.

I had an awesome seat, I could see both Mrs. Future-Braithwaite (arrowed left) and the Double Basses (arrowed right).

 

Kings Cross station has changed

My friend was visibly upset as she knew it used to take 37.5 minutes from her flat to the station. That time now has to be revised due to gaping huge atrium and distracting shops.

Biscuit Festival

This looks excellent. 'Create a biscuit!' 'Design a biscuit tin!' 'Biscuit workshops!' I love being British.

New Glasses

We both went to the opticians for new glasses this week. It had been many years since I had been; I bought my last pair online, and the two before that were picked up for me by Indian colleagues on trips home. It's very trusting to pass someone a perscription and ask them to pick up some specs for you.

That wasn't an option this time so we both spent a morning in the opticians where a stern-looking lady continuously passed glasses to us and we squinted past the price stickers which they leave on the lenses. lt's difficult for people who need glasses to choose glasses because they can't see the glasses. I hope all you perfect-slighted folk appreciate that.

It's actually impossible to just buy one pair, even if you wanted to, because everywhere has 'buy 1 get 1 free' offers these days. lt's a cunning economic model, designed to reward the indecisive and torment the frugal. I now have glasses for work, and weekend glasses. Mrs. Future-Braithwaite has general glasses, and a special sparkly pair to get married in!

When we had made our choices we realised that quite accidentally, out of all the thousands of designs in the shop, we would be walking out with four sets of Tommy Hilfiger specs. Thank you Mr. Hilfiger, your glasses are very stylish.

Once home I sewed little bits of coloured thread to the identical cases so we didn‘t go to work with the wrong gasses.

 

Texting while walking is bad for your health

 

Australia, a progressive nation

Quick! I need flip-flops urgently!

But how do I know what size I need?

Brilliant.

Ninja Chicken Pie

Despite many popular folktales, historical accounts of the Ninja are scarce. Masters of disguise and combat, the ninja were trained to be particularly secretive about their actions and existence. Legend has it that on completion of Ninja training the students were rewarded with a pie, decorated with representations of the great Ninja warriors.

Tradition states that the pie was chicken and leek, with a puff pastry lid.

Do you have a 'character face'?

 

I think the guy with the ginger beard didn't get in, not becuase he was too tall, but because he was holding a twig against his head.