09/09/2010 by Aileen.

Oh I was without the internet from Sunday, and most of Saturday, until Tuesday. It doesn’t sound a tragedy, but it was for me. I kept wanting to Google to find out what was going wrong. Virgin were no help. We don’t have their router and after a while fobbed me off and said I should buy their router to get their assistance. Martin was sure the router wasn’t broken, so I kept trying to reset it. Eventually, when I came to a certain option (click yes if ‘fixed IP address’, or cancel if not) I tried clicking cancel. Suddenly - online. Yay.

Back to the weekend. Don and Chris came up with daughter Charley, and they relieved me of my car, which I never use as I prefer John’s. We’re rarely out to different places at the same time, so a second car is unnecessary,

Anyway, They treated us to a slap-up meal at Skidby Mill House Restaurant, and we had a great time.

Birding started yesterday, and we saw lots of unusual waders, including Little Stint

.

 Today is going to be hectic, as I have to print and mount ten photos for our photo exhibition. (At Skidby again by coincidence) It’s already gone one and we haven’t eaten. I went to PC World to top up on printer ink and get some good paper. Then did a big shop at Morrisons.

I am committed to a science experiment with the OU in Second Life, but daren’t log in until my photos are done. They need to be set up tomorrow. I also need to make refreshments for the exhibition opening.

Then, on Saturday, my Children’s Literature course is open online, and we can see the questions we need to answer.

So after kicking my heels all August, things are beginning to happen. Come back August, all is forgiven!

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26/04/2010 by Aileen.

Oh where does the time go to.Higlights of last week coming up.

On Wednesday I went to Whisby in Lincolnshire with my Birding group. After a cold start the weather turned quite spring like. We saw a nightingale, which is why we travelled so far.

Some of us had lunch there (l had luke warm leek and potato soup) and I was so proud of myself as I went off on my own, heard a bullfinch, and hung round  for ages until it appeared. Then I took lots of photos. When I got home I told John how pleased I was at staying on and being single minded about getting photos. Then I downloaded the photos. Shock horror. I had accidentally knocked the shutter dial to a slow speed and my ‘lovely’ photos were all blurred. Here are a couple for what it’s worth.Bullfinch and magpie.

At the weekend I drove to Birmingham to meet some OU people I know through Second Life. There were seven of us and we painted the town red. Well, pink I suppose. We didn’t go too mad. We had a great time and all  got on like a house on fire. Saturday evening, we had a meal in Around The World In Eighty Dishes, which was one of those restaurants where you can eat as much as you want. We then went to a Wetherspoons and drank and chatted. We got to bed about midnight. Oh, and Becky and I bought a bag of chips each on the way home.

I really liked Birmingham. Well, I only saw Broad Street I suppose. It had an air of celebration with young people in fancy dress having hen nights etc. We probably left for the hotels too early to see any real drunkenness or trouble.

On Sunday morning we had a very early lunch in TGIFs, and then made our goodbyes. I drove Groovy, Eshala and Lilac (SL names) to the train/bus station, so saw a bit more of Birmingham. I was tempted to stay a bit longer but the call of home was too great. Lovely meeting the people behind the avatars, but lovely to go home too. Phots from the weekend are on my Facebook page.

Tonight I went to Viewfinders where we had a talk by a professional photographer. One of his specialities in glamour photography and he brought along a model. He showed us how he shot her, then we had a go. Here are three of my attempts.

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28/12/2009 by Aileen.

Wed 23rd

Snow everywhere. Bought a chicken at the butcher’s in case we couldn’t get away. Fiona had checkup at hospital. The OU had theirsecond pantomime on Second Life, and it was really good. I was supposed to be in it, but there was a mix-up and didn’t have a part.

Thurs 24th

Fiona didn’t hear from the hospital, so all is well. We decided to drive to Scotland. No holdups, and worst bit was on Pennines towards Manchester. (Decided to go the long way and stick to motorways) Hotel wasn’t expecting us, but there was room anyway (unlike Mary and Joseph) Had a great time at Ali’s all evening. Lorraine and Claire came, and we had a wonderful selection of homemade food.I had terrrible acid all night with my throat burning me. Had to sleep sitting up. Took an extra tablet.

Fri25th

Woke at 9.20 after hardly sleeping a wink, so rang Ali and said I couldn’t go to Mass - which started at 9.30. She said it was 10 so I rushed, but when we got to the church there was no one in sight (carpark is round the back, but there was no visible activity, so she drove to St Mirin’s Cathedral and we got there as the first hymn started. We also left as the last hymn started! Ali was annoyed as it was meant to be a children’s mass and they sang Adeste Fideles (yes, the Latin version) I think she was wrong about it’s being a children’s mass. It wasn’t a Sunday, and they probably had different arrangments for Christmas, probably with a children’s Vigil Mass.

Anyway, back to the house where we opened the pressies,  ate, drank and were merry. Eric did the cooking and it was super.White Christmas! Good job John brought his cycle attachment, as the roads were icy. We left the car at the hotel each day, and just pushed over the road and round the corner to and from Ali’s.

Sat 26th

Got up late, pushed round to Ali’s, had fun again. After lunch Ali’s phone rang and I answered. It was Martin, ringing to say he was in Edinburgh and was on his way, but keep it a surprise. (He and Fiona had spent Christmas Day with her parents)

Poor Martin arrived much later. Plane was lating taking off from Heathrow, and missed it’s slot. Then it couldn’t land at Glasgow as bad weather had shut it, and was diverted to Edinbough, then Glasgow was reopened, so he eventually arrived. He said it would have been quicker to drive. Anyway, everyone was so pleased and surprised. We chatted, watched telly and played games.

Sunday 27th

John and I set off for home at 11am. Not as icy as before, and we were home in about 6 hours. (Stopped for Burger) So lovely to be home.

Monday 28th.

Here I am, back to my familiar routine. Only house doesn’t need cleaning as I did it before we left. I was a disgusting 11st 4 this morning, so I’m going to start exercising in earnest. For starters I’m going to walk to the doctors for my tablets today. It’s about 2 miles away. I don’t intend dieting - just going to eat less fattening things. Partly, it’s cos I want to cook more. Ali just throws things together and makes wonderful concoctions (doesn’t get it from me!) but I’ve decided I would like to have more varied food, so will make an effort. So. It’s exercise, exercise, exercise.

John and I got a Wii between us for Christmas, so this will be a start. Only nuisance is - John got it, and it’s Wii Sports, and I think it should have been Wii Fit. He says we can add Wii Fit to the basic kit. In the meantime - it’s walking and arerobic DVDs.

Anyway, have a good week, everyone. Here are a few photos from Christmas Day.

Ali through the hatch

Liam

Kieran

Brothers

Ali’s homemade cup!

Aftermath!

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19/12/2009 by Aileen.

Poor Fiona, 32 weeks pregnant, was admitted to hospital on Thursday with obstetric cholestasis - a liver complaint that clears up after pregnancy but can affect the baby. She might have to have the little fella early. She was in the John Radcliffe which has an excellent reputation, so she’s in good hands. John and I were out on Thursday listening to the Scunthorpe Male Voice Choir, but the enjoyment was marred by worrying about Fiona. And thinking of Martin worrying on his own.Anyway, she was allowed home on Friday, and sounded very perky on the phone.Today, I should have been going on a walk with my OU friends, but the roads were probably too bad up on the Wolds, so we just met for coffee and lunch instead. Nice time.Just getting warm now. Chicken breasts cooking in mushroom soup with a little curry powder are in the oven, and I think we will have a little wine with it. I really pity anyone without shelter today. Our poor cats don’t want to go out but nature calls and they have to. I suppose I could have used the cat litter tray if we still have it, but it’s too late now.I meant to go out snapping this afternoon, but got involved making hair in Second Life, and the sun went. I am a silly billy. It was such a lovely sunny day today. I took some photos from the house this morning, so will upload them soon.

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12/11/2009 by Aileen.

Today’s been really sad, and it isn’t even 9am yet. Put my car in for a service, and passed what looked like a really bad accident; Police cars, fire engine and ambulance there. The car looked so much worse than ours, and so I presume the driver (and passengers?) had injuries at least as bad as ours in July. I really feel for the people involved.

Then I saw a dead kitten in the road further along. I was already crying, but the kitten made it worse.

Busyish day today. I need to prepare something to say at a First Communion parents’ meeting in Bradford. I’ve done this before, so I’ll just adapt what I’ve done previously. It’ll be lovely to see our former parish priest, Eamonn, again.

Then I need to get John into Hull for an emergency dental appointment at 2pm. He still doesn’t think he’s strong enough to get wheelchair in and out of the car on his own. partly because of his op. and partlybecause of our accident.

My own car should be ready by 4pm, so I should be in plenty of time for Bradford. It’s only just over an hour away.

Also, I have a new activity on Second Life. I am the Open University’s official Building Guru on our island. I thought it meant just helping nOUbies when they arrrived, but apparently I have to give tutorials - a minimum of one a month.  (Thanks, Kickaha, you never told me that)

So I am having fun putting together an online tutorial. It can go on Titiana’s blog, and maybe I can learn how to put it on Utube.

Tit’s blog is

http://titihaystack.wordpress.com/

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12/06/2009 by Aileen.

Monday. Housework done to my usual standards (!) Enjoyable evening in old part of Hull taking photos. What was sad was that a policeman stopped me and asked if I’d seen a ‘poorly’ woman wrapped in a duvet. She was a heroine addict. Police and ambulance crew were looking down all the cobbled ’staithes’ (long narrow alleyways leading to the river) One ambulance man said she was probably in the river by now. Here is a photo from the evening.

I can’t remember Tuesday. Oh dear. Oh yes, I did some gardening.Pulled up three bags full of weeds!

Wednesday. Lovely morning birdwatching, and Norma came back for lunch. We had extended views of a barn owl at the birding location, and saw a heron being mobbed by crows back here. Here are a couple of photos from the morning.

 John was on a course on Wednesday and Thursday. About Transactional Analysis, which is a model for how people interact with each other. We can be seen as child, parent or adult. He really enjoyed it, and I’m hoping his body clock will get back to normal now. He isn’t up yet, but it’s before 9am, and he has two clients later, so he will have to get up. Three days of being awake during the day should help. He had slept quite well for the last two nights, although his pain does wake him up a lot.

I caught up with my OU Photography course yesterday. Also went to the dump, the library and Morrisons. ALso made jewellery on Second Life.

Today, I must go into Hull (outskirts) for Communion presents for the three girls I prepared. Their communion is on Sunday. I also need printer ink, as my black has run out, and I have NO spare colours in the house at all. I hardly print anything out, trying to be green, but did some photos of the ‘communion’ girls recently. ALso, the camera club meet in a pub after Monday’s excursion, and the idea is to share photos. I could bring my laptop along, but it’s an enormous beast, chosen ’specially for it’s large monitor.

Anyway, shall I go wake John up? Nah. Let him sleep.

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06/06/2009 by Aileen.

Well, I usually do a local shop, and the day sort of goes. Today I’m off to Everingham church with my local church. I don’t know much about it, except that it has wonderful architecture. Should get some good photos. I think it’s on private land, and it’s being opened up especially for us.

Other news - John’s drainage wound seems to be almost closed up, but as he says, we’ve been here before. Anyway, it does seem to be improving so all that bed rest is working. It’ll be so nice to get out together again. Yes, I know we went to Scotland last week, but it didn’t seem to do much harm.

Anyway, I’d better go and get ready. Barbara i s driving three of us there. I think there’s a mini coach going too.

Oh, I forgot. I’ve discovered a new way to make clothes in Second Life and it’s so addictive. You take a photo of a garment (from an online catalogue or somewhere) and shape it in Photoshop to fit some templates. It’s really cool. I’ll see if I can upload a piccy in a minute.

The other thing I don’t think I mentioned is that I have finished A215 - Creative Writing. It was a wonderful course and I’m going on to do Level 3.

 I didn’t make the hair or shoes. So I have a new target now.

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11/05/2009 by Aileen.

Yes, it’s still Monday (10.30am), but my computer magically turned itself on. I was vacuuming the piano stool which gets covered in cat fur, and decided to gently vacuum the laptop keyboard as the fur transfers there. Well, I unclasped the lock, and the computer turned itself on. As I was having a coffee on the go I decided to sit down and report this phenomenon.

That reminds me of my house in SL. I’m sure that’s haunted. When I first got it I kept landing in the water beneath the house, and then when I tried to position furniture it would bump back to where it started. I love my house. Here is a photo of it. Everything in it is made by my (Titiana’s) fair hands.

Titiana Haystack in Second Life.

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11/04/2009 by Aileen.

Thursday’s Mass was beautiful - my favourite of the year. I was privileged to read, but was nervous and when I heard how beautifully Ailsa read the second reading I realised how bad mine was. It doesn’t matter though. Well, it does, but it wasn’t THAT bad!

On Friday Fr Neville officiated at the other church, so we parishioners held the service on our own. It was really well done. The only thing that spoiled it was that John Hall had to explain what was happening beforehand, and thanked everyone at the end. And everyone sort of responded and commented. (Nicely!) But normally the priest comes in in silence and prostrates himself for a few minutes at the foot of the altar, and at the end everyone leaves in silence. So it was a sort of sandwich. Solemn in the middle, but informal at beginning and end. Beautiful hymns (Were You There and This Is Our King) so of course I was in tears.

It’s strange, but there’s no Easter Vigil tonight, as Father Neville is officiating at Goole. (Next year is our turn) I said to someone that we could always go to Goole, but she pointed out that if we gravitated there the bishop might close our lovely little church. So I’ll go tomorrow morning instead.

Anyway, in half an hour our new Open University Island on Second Life is going to be open. I just can’t wait. I want to furnish it with all my own creations (so it might be a bit bare for a while)

I’m just cooking at the moment, so I’ll have to go. I’ll let you all know later what a great evening we have had. (Hopefully)

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03/04/2009 by Aileen.

Well, I only lost half a pound last week, but two and a half this week, so that’s ok.

Nice lunch last Friday with Creative Writing group, interesting talks on Photoshop at Viewfinders on Monday, no Birding this week as it’s Easter hols, last digital photography course which was too easy, but I knew it would be before I started.No Creative Writing this morning as it’s Easter.

Just as well as I was really sick during the night. Couldn’t actually get sick, but was retching and was sweating.We’d had a take away curry and red wine, but John was fine. I’m a bit washed out now (12.20pm) and have done nothing today. Well I was awake a lot last night, and didn’t wake up until 10am this morning. This is so not like me. I don’t ‘do’ sickness.

I’ve got a new project on the go… In Second Life I know the basics about making clothes, hair, and scripting, but it’s possible to make complicated things using only one ‘prim’ (Building block) You need to learn how to make 3d models - the sort that are used for video games etc. Well, I downloaded two free programmes - Wings 3D and Blender.

I had to give up on Blender temporarily, as it’s such a steep  learning curve, and I was getting the commands confused with Wings 3D. Also, I’m only using my touchpad laptop, and it’s best to have a swish 3 wheel mouse. Anyway, I’m getting along okay with Wings, although it’s much more limited that Blender. Also, Second Life only accepts objects that start out as spheres, so that’s probably limiting too.

Well, it’s creative, so I’m happy - only not today - today I’m sorry for myself. I’m getting a bit hungry, but not sure if I can face food. Maybe my darling husband will offer to make me something. (In my dreams)

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