Tuesday 2 February 2010

Victory in the chrome wars and other rubbish

Big celebrations in the BlackLOG house as our infamous chrome feet finally arrived . Not only that but they have multiplied on their travels. We ordered and paid for 7 feet (which was what we were told we would need) and 14 appeared (which is probably what we actually need). They were also fitted for us which was nice because when Mrs B ordered the feet she was told that we would have to drill and fit them ourselves. (This did not worry Mrs B as she rightly figured that this would not affect her and any drilling would fall to me). The fitters came in, put them on the sofa (not just layed them on the top of the sofa mind, they actually fitted them properly underneath) and then left without a fuss - not even taking the offered drinks. I am now waiting for the company to try and bill us for the extra feet and fitting. Good luck with that - they can deal with the BlackLOG customer diservice line.....

There is nothing like extra chrome feet to give a Sofa a lift 

Photography
I was asked by my friend Ash if I would take some photos at his 50th Birthday party. Not a problem as I was always going to bring the camera.....but suddenly it's a little bit more official which suddenly puts a bit of pressure on, even if that is only self applied. It's not as if it was a paying gig or anything. I started off a bit experimental, trying out different things, but it was not working that well. By the time I got the camera setting correct, they turned the bloody lights out........Aaarrrggghhhh! I then had to break out the flash - not my favourite form of photography. A bit more experimenting later and I came to the realisation that the Beast's 70-200mm lens was not working with the flash (I'm sure it probably does but I was running out of time). I then decided to switch to the 50mm lens which would have been a lot easier decision if I had not left it at home. A frantic car journey later (no speeding tickets or near death experiences - despite my best efforts) and I returned with the 50mm lens. I hope the end results were OK for Ash. You never know if people are saying the pictures are good just to be polite.... I would also like to apologise to the first group I took pictures of - they were very patient as I subjected them to a round of experimentation which went on far too long, I should have been embarrassed but I was having too much fun...

None of you are leaving until I get this shot I want
That's right it's going to be a long night.....
Spaghetti Bolognaise
The Italians are complaining that us Brits aren't making Spag Bog properly. For starters we should not use spaghetti but tagliatelle. Just who are they trying to kid? That would be Tag Bog. Sources close to no one in particular reported that Spaghetti Bolognaise is not even an Italian invention. I have not been able to corroborate this statement but that has not stopped me printing it.

CacTus club
The Cheap as chips Tuesdays got off and running with its first outing for the year. The price has got even better at only £2.95 for any film, which probably accounts for the impressive attendance of 7memebers. The choice of film was "Up in the air", which I can highly recommend. It had me in stitches, I hope it is supposed to be a comedy, as George Clooney travelled around the states firing people while collecting loyalty points (no not for ladies products , sorry Imo).

Yes Kirsty you get credit for the best
 choice of Cactus film this year ....

Mala - you can get credit as well,
when you selected a decent film....

Avatar
I finally got to see Avatar, although I ended up going on my own because everyone (including Mrs B) was either busy or not interested. Not sure that the 3D added much to the event but the film was quite good if you like watching effectively a Western with extremely tall Blue Indians. Perhaps it was filmed in a cold climate.....

Baby you can drive my car....when you pass the test that is
After 30 years' of driving in the UK, our friend Mitch struggled to pass the Canadian driving test. At his third attempt he finally got the hang of:
  • Drinking 1 litre of coffee for every 10 miles driven
  • Sounding the car horn whenever stationary for more than 3 seconds
  • Keeping full beam on at all times day and night
  • Compulsory use of cell phone during every journey
  • Shaking his fist at every passing pedestrian and motorist
  • Wearing a baseball cap back to front at all times while the vehicle is in motion
He was marked down on his third attempt for not saying "Eah!" at the end of every sentence but this was only considered a minor offence and so was let off with a light tasering, before finally being granted his Canadian driver's Licence ."Well done Mitch, we are proud of you, Eah!"

If he wants an American Driving licence he will have to add the following skill :-
  • Driving while shooting at least three different types of guns
Who needs a Zimmer frame when you have Helium balloons

Unbelievably no money changed hands

At last we find out why Pisa has a leaning tower 
It wanted to get into a group photo....

Well at least Alison and Debs
thought the last caption was funny
....
Have a good week, or if  you decide not to come back have a great life

20 comments:

  1. I take back my 'keep the wooden feet' comments, the shiny feet look fantastic, much better, and possibly even worth the wait.... Your birthday photos are GREAT and you underestimate your talents. Friends paid a fortune for wedding photos that are nothing like as inspired - I'm sure you could make a Blackliving at the photo snapping (if you can keep The Beast onside of course). I have been wondering: is the Beast sexless? Does it want company of its own kind? Where does it go for relaxation when its not working? Does it argue? Will it marry me?????? Much love

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  2. Niel great photo's; you should post some on facebook!

    Anna

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  3. Skipper

    I take back my 'keep the wooden feet' comments, the shiny feet look fantastic, much better, and possibly even worth the wait....
    I thought at the time you had gone off a bit early on your "Keep the wooden Feet" Campaign (I'm sure the banner and badges you ordered will come in handy for something in the future) - Funnily enough the fitters said that "Oh you probably won't want all these is will look too much" we left them to get on with it and when we returned they had fitted the lot and said "Wow, these look really good. Why don't we sell these as a standard option?"

    Your birthday photos are GREAT and you underestimate your talents. Thank you, you might be overestimating them though.... Friends paid a fortune for wedding photos that are nothing like as inspired - I'm sure you could make a Blackliving at the photo snapping (if you can keep The Beast onside of course). I have been wondering: is the Beast sexless? Does it want company of its own kind? Where does it go for relaxation when its not working? The beast has different personalities

    1). When wearing the 70-200mm - pure beast - Don't mess just stand and have your picture taken

    2) When wearing the 70-200mm with 1.7X conversion - you can run but you can't hide this is the beast on adrenaline - It would love to go for the 200-400mm but I'm not sure
    I would be able to :-
    - handle it;
    - Cope with the bill that comes with it...;
    - Live with Mrs B's glare

    3) When wearing the 50mm - Just like a pussy cat, you can almost, almost tickle it's underbelly....Still best to wear gloves though....

    4) when wearing the 14-24mm lens - almost loving wants to get everyone in the shot.

    Relaxation is normally spent resting in it's wardrobe - it has already out grown the draw that it originally nested in. I think it would like to have it's own room


    Does it argue? I really don't know, I've yet to meet anyone, including me, who has been prepared to stand up to it - that includes a number of rather beefy bouncers....

    Will it marry me?????? What about Hugh? Remember size is not everything....At least that's what I tell Mrs B

    Much love Is that for me or the beast????

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  4. Anna

    Niel great photo's; you should post some on facebook!

    I just have not got into facebook, I have the page but not the enthusiasm. Just feeding the BlackLOG takes up a lot of spare time

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  5. I thought Avatar was quite good (but at least 30 mins too long). Although I started getting worried when I started finding the blue aliens attractive...them 3D glasses have a lot to anwser for.

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  6. CS I avoided falling into the finding it 30 mins too long trap by snoozing through the first half hour. Took me a little while to work out what was going on though.....

    Can't say I ever got to the point where I found anything blue even vaguely attractive - did you pay the extra and upgrade to the 3D porn glasses?, making it a proper blue movie.....

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  7. I'd have to say the best photos are the two of Ash with the balloons and ladies. It should be what every 50th birthday is like.

    Your driving description sounds exactly like the U.S. I find it hard to drive if I'm not doing two things at once. Just like how I watch TV and use the computer. It's boring to do just one...although much safer.

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  8. Had a Cactus a few weeks ago - Sherlock Holmes, fantastic film, but have avoided Avatar. Watching a film completly shot in CGI aimed at adults just doesn't appeal to me, if it was a kid's film it would be different - particularly if made by Pixar.

    Wow, at the feet. I've never seen sofa feet look like paving slabs before. I do hope they don't come and take away the extra ones, it will only mean endless emails with the very polite customer services man about getting the drilled holes refilled, etc. etc.

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  9. Sounds like a fun week for you and Mrs. B!

    Don't you love those "come and take pictures" requests? I have started turning them down flat. People are actually shocked and they as me why... which is when I am forced to tell them "I hate taking pictures of people."

    Hard to argue with that eh? ;o)

    ps... yeah... it's EH... get it right wouldja?

    :oP

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  10. I'm with you on being asked as opposed to already doing it when taking photos.

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  11. Nikki said...
    I'd have to say the best photos are the two of Ash with the balloons and ladies. It should be what every 50th birthday is like.
    The one with the ladies reminds me of those fish ball on the natural history programs

    Your driving description sounds exactly like the U.S. I find it hard to drive if I'm not doing two things at once. Just like how I watch TV and use the computer. It's boring to do just one...although much safer. Wow, you drive while watching TV and using a computer.... much respect, I guess you can use the computer to contact your insurance company when you crash into things....

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  12. Imo said...

    Had a Cactus a few weeks ago - Sherlock Holmes, fantastic film, but have avoided Avatar. Watching a film completly shot in CGI aimed at adults just doesn't appeal to me, if it was a kid's film it would be different - particularly if made by Pixar. Certainly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes - Avatar is worth a watch especialy at £2.95 on a Tuesday - certainly you won't need to watch it in 3D.

    Wow, at the feet. I've never seen sofa feet look like paving slabs before. I do hope they don't come and take away the extra ones, it will only mean endless emails with the very polite customer services man about getting the drilled holes refilled, etc. etc. The only way they are getting those feet back are via a long legal battle or a break in.

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  13. The new feet look great. I saw Avatar a couple of times (nothing better to do). I enjoyed it. I agree, though: Dances with Smurfs :)

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  14. Those be some mightly fine chrome feet. Well worth not only waiting for, but the customer (dis)service to finally get them!

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  15. Picture Imperfect said...
    Sounds like a fun week for you and Mrs. B!

    Don't you love those "come and take pictures" requests? I have started turning them down flat. People are actually shocked and they as me why... which is when I am forced to tell them "I hate taking pictures of people."

    Hard to argue with that eh? ;o)
    I actually enjoy taking pictures of people, but prefer the more candid shots rather than the formal posed versions

    ps... yeah... it's EH... get it right wouldja? Give us a break, both Spell check and Mrs B missed it, I'll have to program them both to cope with Canadian....

    :oP

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  16. linlah said...
    I'm with you on being asked as opposed to already doing it when taking photos. On the plus side it does allow you to go upto perfect strangers and say "Ash, asked me to stick this lens in your face, do you mind?

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  17. Brooke said...
    The new feet look great. I saw Avatar a couple of times (nothing better to do). I enjoyed it. I agree, though: Dances with Smurfs :)
    I thought you meant mine for a moment and had not realised that I'd changes them....
    I like your thinking, "Dances with smurfs" indeed or possibly but not as good "The Good, the bad and the smurfy

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  18. theperpetualspiral said...
    Those be some mightly fine chrome feet. Well worth not only waiting for, but the customer (dis)service to finally get them!
    Think how much better they might have been if they had taken another 6 weeks to arrive and I had recived at least 3 more abusive emails

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  19. Fabulous photos....looks like everyone had a great time. I'm sure the praise for the shots was genuine.

    Great looking couch, too.

    I just saw the Clooney movie....love him...hated the ending. I complained about that ending for the next couple of days.

    I heard Avatar was good....

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  20. I actually liked the ending as it got away from the normal Hollywood everything works out - Spoiler alert for anyone who has not seen the film - I called that she had a family half way through the film....

    Avatar is definitely worth a watch on the big screen.

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