Tim's Journal, March to April, 2005

Welcome to Tim's Journal, where you get the opportunity to read all the amazing (alias boring) stuff I've been up to lately. In reality, I'll probably be the only person to ever read this in the future, but if you do care to have a look, enjoy!

24th Mar 2005, Thursday – I hate banks
UK Banks are very, very sneaky (like the butler in Dirty Deeds): Pin-and-Chip (what Australia have referred to as EFTPOS for over a decade) is currently being rolled out across Brittan; most transactions take days to reflect in your account [credit card payments, transfers between accounts (sometimes even between your own accounts!), b-pay, etc.]; overdrafts, student loans and credit cards are commonplace; Cheery on the cake - excessive fees when going into negatives (of course, the banks do not stop withdrawals without sufficient funds!).

The UK has an exciting, lucrative bank industry attracting and rewarding shareholders. It is disappointing to see another environment where unethical institutions take advantage of its own people – institutions are ultimately run by people and their decisions influenced by greed. Personally, this system is a little frustrating and will take a little getting used to. I should not complain as Australia are behind on many things and banks by definition hold little respect, regardless of country – the only good banks are those that save little villages from flash floods.

25th Mar 2005, Easter Friday – Lunch by the Thames and Greenwich beer gardens
We strolled along the Thames for an hour or two and treated ourselves to a relaxed lunch in a restaurant overlooking the river. The evening was spent with Hans & Daisy enjoying a pint in the beer garden of a Greenwich pub, The Gypsy’s Mouth (which I mistook for The Gimp’s Mouth). This was our second visit to Greenwich and we still have not had a decent look around! And yes, things are heating up and the beer gardens/commons are filling up!

We originally wanted to use this long weekend to visit a neighbouring European country. This was not meant to be. Unsure of when our pay would clear, we could not risk booking before confirming the £££ would be in the bank. This was probably for the best as we had a couple of things to pay off, such as my pricey new suit, the remainder of our bond and we sent home a sizable chunk to reduce credit card debt – these things are like one-hundred-to-one front runners: they may look like a great option getting you out in front early, but can really pull you up past the post.

So what were our options? I have wanted to return to Battle (location of the Battle of Hastings) since our premature visit there at Christmas. Also, there are many options within London itself.

Each month, we aim to

• Explore something cultural, out of the ordinary and exciting, eg West End show, comedy club, museum etc..
• Spend a weekend in neighbouring country (perhaps using public holidays or one off annual leave days to turn it into a long weekend).
• Venture out on a day trip within England.

26th Mar 2005, Saturday - Long walks, a fantastic Yeoman tour And Brick Lane Indian
After a small taste of the Thames walk, we repeated and perhaps overdid it like my first attempt to cook Anzac biscuits. Starting in West Central London, we admired Hyde Park’s natural greenery, statues and monuments (its designer was a part time greens keeper, part time sculptor!). Next stop: Buckingham Palace. We missed our second attempt to witness the Changing of Guard. No worries; we then went through St James Park, which is perhaps the prettiest of the central London escapes; along the Thames (or “The Drain” as we’ve dubbed –quietly though, I suspect locals would take that as well as Victorians like the same nickname for that filthy Yarra thing that parts their capital); Via London Eye (where most experience the famous “London Cry”, as in cry when you realise how much you just spent for a higher view of … well. not much!); had a look around Tower Bridge; and made our first visit to Asian dinners world – Brick Lane.

Tower Bridge was twice the fun I expected (and no, that isn’t a joke, IE two times nothing is nothing). The site has an above average history told by highly interesting and entertaining Yeoman Wardens (Want to know more? Search on the web). I actually laughed and joined the crowd in prompted response and LOLed frequently. A sure sign that I’m getting old, I reckon. A few years ago, I’d mumble “queer and uncool” and pass on the guided tour.

In the UK, those of the Sub-Continent region are referred to as Asian and for The Gods’ sake don’t call a Paki “Paki” (apparently, that is similar to calling a black man “Niger”). No place in the UK is more Asian than Brick Lane. Jam packed full of Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc. curry houses. It can be a good feed if you find the right one and probably more for the novelty of “The Big Night Outa” rather than quality consumption. Even if plans to meet some of our roomies there were bombed from extreme hangovers, it was still worth the visit.

At the end of the day, we had walked from West Central London to North East London via South East. A fair hike.

27th Mar 2005, Sunday – The Boat Race for Boat Shoes
I have never been among more boat-shoes, sweater-round-the-neck, turtle-neck/polo shirt wearing, pompous geese. The Boat Race – Cambridge Vs Oxford down the Thames! I saw as much of the race as Ben Johnson took to win (and lose) the 1988 Olympics 100m Final, 9.6 seconds. Do not fear as I have no regrets! This was similar to Australia day in that it was just an excuse for people to socialise and get on the piss.

28th Mar 2005, Monday – Battle!
Cool fun down the coast in Battle, the town named after the famous Battle of Hastings, when William “I bless you in the name of Willy” The Conqueror defeated poor old Harold, who really should have listened to his mates when they yelled “heads!”. Want to know more? Search on the web.

It is easy, it is quick, it is cheap, it is convenient. Short/day trips are made simple with the excellent nation rail system. Grab a ticket as you would any normal central London ticket, all aboard, switch the iPod on relax as you fly along to your destination. Speaking of the iPod. Fantastic. I listent to it probably more than 3 hours a day. So useful. Thanks GrainCorp!

30th Mar 2005, Wednesday – Client Visit in Lewes
I had the chance to visit one of our clients in a more pretty part of England, Sussex Police in Lewes. This is relatively close to Brighton, so similar in the way to get there. Unfortunately, just because I knew my way did not mean I was prepared enough to get there on time. Getting lost between the station and the office compounded missing the overland train from West Brompton (home). Lucky they were nice guys and did not arrest me. Lewes is pretty.

Something odd did occur on the train. About half way to Lewes, the train split in two at a station. The first half went to Brighton while the second half continued to Lewes and further destinations. That’s a first for me.

3rd April 2005, Sunday - Oxford
We went to the university town of oxford and met up with Sal’s former Clinque buddy, Candice, and her friend, Nat[alie], who both live out this way. We walked about, checked out the old architecture and amazing buildings that make up some of Oxford Universities. This included a visit with Harry Pothead and his Dinning Hall in the Christ Church complex (where they filmed the movies with Hogwarts and Haghead etc.). The rest of the afternoon we spent on the river, in another beer garden (habit?).

We got the Oxford Tube - this one is actually a bus, which makes my previous comment about them not calling trains “trains” rather odd.

Doubt I’ll disrespect sunny days again, even though I was probably starting to come that way with the way I’ve been waking up earlier over the past few years. Not sure if that is because sal has an annoying habit of waking me up when she gets bored, usually after an hour or two on weekend mornings. She’ll watch MTV and have breakfast, then decide I have had a suitable amount of sleep and wake me up.

I was still a bit rough this morning from Friday night’s entertainment/work drinks. Sal came up and joined us again. There were a few more than usual as it was the last day for the other project manager. Great fun, a little too drunk though. Throwing up at the train station and again on Saturday morning was painful. Yuck. I did get Saika with a Irish Car-bomb. Quality. In response to what drink did she want she requested a surprise, so that is what she got. Guiness ¾ full and a shot of Baileys with it. Drop the shotglass in and scull … Irish Car-bomb, depth-charge, whatever you want to call it.

On Saturday, I battled my way to Clapham Common for an afternoon in the sun with football, rugby and the cricket kit (that didn’t make it out of its baggage). I was still a bit rough, but enjoyed it all the same.

10th April 2005, Sunday – Hornbill’s 10th Year Anniversary Celebrations
The 5th April 2005 was the 10th anniversary of Hornbill Systems Ltd. To celebrate, employees were invited for a weekend in a Lane End hotel ... Hornbill 10th Anniversary Weekend

12th April, 2005, Tuesday - Sal & My 8th Year Anniversary
In a week of anniversaries, Sal & I celebrated our 8th. We meet after work in Convent Garden for a walk to Leister Square, dinned in a Chinese restaurant, drank a bottle of Spanish red and did as those do in West End – we saw a show. Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play of any kind, at St Martin's theatre.

Who did it? Well that’s a secret that you are asked to keep. As for knowing before the end, I suspected and honestly could not narrow it to a single individual. However, one elderly woman was lucky I did not drop-kick her into The Phantom after claiming she picked the whole plot. I would be surprised if she found her way out past the many well lit exits, let alone unravel a wonderfully crafted mystery.

16th April 2005, Saturday – Bit sick, iPod panic
My license has expired. I have not gotten around to buying a car and can not see myself affording one really soon. I am surviving client visits without one for now and am yet to see how long I can survive. I will be getting a UK license or renewing the Aussie one (the UK process is most likely excessively cumbersome).

I had some iPod panic. As I uploaded another thousand songs - from Simone (thanks!) – the thing froze. Luckily, a night to run the battery empty fixed it up as it powered down. Upon recharging, “all systems go”. It did put me in a foul mood though, that together with being a slight bit sick and keen to go with the whole house to School Disco tonight.

We have two trips planned for May: Bruges in the first long weekend and 5 days in Ireland over the last long weekend. Yippy, can’t wait! We have booked in for Lion King on Thursday, so looks like our plan is going well so far.

17th April 2005, Sunday - School Disco
Hahahaha – this is one of the more enjoyable outings. Classic. Absolute meat market! Drunken lads and welcoming tarts.

You have to dress in school uniform, especially a genuine school tie. You line up, pay the cover charge, get stuck into the drinks, dance to the 80s music and laugh at the "special" few who decide to go up on stage. The later the night gets to more amazing and perhaps awful the amateur dancers get that go up on stage. A good night and a good laugh. Check out School Disco Album for pictures.

20th April 2005 - Updated website look-and-feel
My hitcount recently surmounted a dime (1000), so was time to massage the look and feel. I never want the site to be too fancy. The best sites are simple, fast and clear in deliverance. I hope my site achieves this. You are welcome to email feedback. [PS yes, I know there are numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes on most pages. The commodity required to correct is precious and better invested in additions]

21st April 2005, Thursday - Lion King
Simple Sensational! Perhaps the best Sal and I have seen.

It had a lot of it going for it, heading the list was a terrific and well known score from the movie of the same name. The set and costumes were unforgettable. It was a triumphant conversion from big screen to musical. The only weakness I would suggest is the cast and they hold their own.

The Lion King gets a very high rating from me.

29th April 2005, Friday – Nanna Laurie
Sadly, Sal received the news on Sunday morning that her grandmother passed away. Sal was close to her Nanna Laurie and the week was a tough one. I will not go into much detail on Sal’s feelings as it is not for me to say (that is for her journal).

It has been a frustrating and sorrowful time for me also. Supporting a friend through losing a loved one involves many things, such as: considerate listening; not pretending to have answers; not relating similar stories; reassuring the person that their reactions and emotions are normal; being attentive; and trying to make day-to-day events flow invisibly allowing the person to grieve. Watching Sal go through this process has brought back painful memories that I would rather not revisit. Have I come to grips with that side of life? Considering I rarely talk about it, possibly not.

Unfortunately, we could not arrange to get Sal home for the funeral. She was brave enough to write some words that Howard read in her absence:

Everybody knew Laurie Shirley in their own way. I knew her as my Nanna Laurie and my friend. A friend who I would drink a cup of coffee with, catch up on all of the latest happenings on Bold and the Beautiful and seek advice on what colour or style to go for in new tops.

She was a friend who I could discover new places with. Last year on one of our drives we came across Akuna Bay. Nanna Laurie was so excited to be able to show me something new as I had never been there before. It became a popular coffee stop for us.

Nanna Laurie was very proud and loving. It was clear that we were cherished as she spoilt us with Kit Kats, yummy casseroles, and not so yummy Date Cakes; she even gave me Wet Ones for an overseas trip. All evidence that she was always looking after us.

Nanna Laurie was exceptionally artistic and loved to collect beautiful things. Her sense for fine art and creativity inspired me. I remember when she first taught me how to draw 3-dimensional landscapes and mountains.

She was a lady and maintained an immaculate presentation, with perfectly shaped hair accompanied by a well coordinated outfit. She had splendid sense for colour and style; she would almost never wear black, choosing to be bright and colourful instead. This was a reflection of her personality.

I am fortunate and thankful for the time I had with my Nanna Laurie. I will miss her physical presence and will keep her alive in my memories believing that her spirit is looking over me, her family and her friends always.

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You can email me at tjcrouch@hotmail.com