Mostly lemon based

Category: General

  • Post entry_328

    12 Dec 1999

    The chaos in my room continues unabated; the keyboards, mice and suchlike cluttering up every surface available. My feet are resting on two video recorders on-top of which is a huge box of slides. Arrgggg. I need a place of my own. Just so I can spread out my stuff around the house. I mean how many people have a drinks “cabinet” (shelf) in their bedroom. No, don’t answer that.

    Envy has been playing a bit of a role this weekend. My sisters birthday. There I sat saying how wonderful her dresses that she had just got looked – wishing they were mine (actually they wouldn’t fit. She’s several sizes smaller than me – but they were gorgeous). Then I got DVD Review magazine. And it has Carrie-Anne Moss, (Trinity from the Matrix). Oh god – I wish I looked like that. Anyway. I tried to write something today, however I didn’t get time. I did wash two cars, clean the patio (wash of the gunk that grows on the paving stones), do my Xmas cards (sorry anyone I missed), write a letter to Hannah, have a shower and enter 3 competitions.

    That’s not bad for a sunday. Oh and Hugo’s getting a new radiator next week. So there we go.

    In an attempt to make up for not writing anything I’ve decided to stick something on the “scrawl” page inviting people to e-mail me, and I’ll chuck an e-mail out whenever I write a new chapter. How does that sound?

    Okay…off to play now….I’m going to see about a new look for this site.

    Loadsa Love

    Kate

  • 6th Dec 1999

    06 Dec 1999

    Well, first day at the new job….how did it go?
    06:45. Awaken to the melodious tunes of Virgin Radio + Static
    07:30. Set off, Hugo start’s first time, the wail of the waterpump being covered by a radio turned up “quite” loud.
    08:00. Temperature gauge starts rising. Rather rapidly.
    08:10. Pull into shell garage. Top up header tank (which was completely empty) Daren’t try to open radiator as it’s bloody hot.
    08:20. Limp into place of work. Water pump screaching and making rending metal noises.
    08:30. Begin work. Ritual humiliation of being “introduced” to a room full of people.
    17:00. End work. Pour in a full 5 litres of water before heading off…..At random passing place before the major A road stop and pour in another 1.5 litres. At first garage stop and pour in 3 litres. Refresh water supplies.

    At 3rd garage stop, and pour in 5 litres. At junction about 10 minutes from home – stop and pour in the final 3 litres of water. Stagger home – at 40 miles an hour.

    Strip car.

    I actually quite enjoyed work. Not that I did much….. It being (a) the first day and (b) quiet anyway – All I did was take apart a laptop and fail to mend it.

    Still it’s a nice place with free food and coffee. So. Missing Hannah. Need a hug. Okay – I’ve got a job – now all I need is a house……

    Kate

  • Post entry_360

    06 Dec 1999

    Well, first day at the new job….how did it go?

    06:45. Awaken to the melodious tunes of Virgin Radio + Static

    07:30. Set off, Hugo start’s first time, the wail of the waterpump being covered by a radio turned up “quite” loud.

    08:00. Temperature gauge starts rising. Rather rapidly.

    08:10. Pull into shell garage. Top up header tank (which was completely empty) Daren’t try to open radiator as it’s bloody hot.

    08:20. Limp into place of work. Water pump screaching and making rending metal noises.

    08:30. Begin work. Ritual humiliation of being “introduced” to a room full of people.

    17:00. End work. Pour in a full 5 litres of water before heading off…..At random passing place before the major A road stop and pour in another 1.5 litres. At first garage stop and pour in 3 litres. Refresh water supplies.

    At 3rd garage stop, and pour in 5 litres. At junction about 10 minutes from home – stop and pour in the final 3 litres of water. Stagger home – at 40 miles an hour.

    Strip car.

    I actually quite enjoyed work. Not that I did much….. It being (a) the first day and (b) quiet anyway – All I did was take apart a laptop and fail to mend it.

    Still it’s a nice place with free food and coffee. So. Missing Hannah. Need a hug. Okay – I’ve got a job – now all I need is a house……

    Kate

  • 4th Dec 1999

    04 Dec 1999,23:50.05

    I’m going to be slaughtered. I’ve been on the net for 2 hours. Oh god.

    I’ve just realised that while 10261 people have been here, or at least to Kate’s Cavernous Cavern’s index page; an amazingly small (approx as changed counter) 400 people have visited Kato’s pointless page. I’m sure this says something and I’m not at all sure that I know what it is.

    It worries me that people might just be visiting my site because they are looking up transsexual. However if it’s being helpful in some way to those finding it then that’s wonderful….

    I simply didn’t realise how many hit’s this site’s been taking. Wow. And wow again.

    Obviously some of those are repeat visits. And a couple of them are mine. But in general I don’t bother to look at the index page – because I don’t bother to look at anything except to check it’s up okay…I’ve got the site on my hard-disk so I hardly need to look at it.

    Anyway – today has been a little stressful. The screaching noise eminating from the front of my car was diagnosed as a water pump failing (it was working but leaking slowly and definately on it’s way out). So a replacement was obtained….

    Yugo Parts Number
    |
    \/
    Code is incorrect (area code had changed); obtain new code
    |
    \/
    Number unobtainable (suprise, suprise)
    |
    \/
    Check with operator – says number is now preceded by an 8
    however she checks it and finds it’s changed (recorded message)
    and so she gives me the new number….
    |
    \/
    New number “temporarily out of order”
    |
    \/
    Ring operator – find out it’s been out of order for years!
    So then we tried a local part company – yes they could get one – but to get it with 1 week would cost £43. Half the cost of the car. So a local breakers was tried. Yes they had one, it was £17. A lot more like it!

    Obtained. Fitted. Cut finger. Attempted to crush other finger. Much pain. Now leaks more than it did before. God knows why. Standing in garage with bucket under it. Arse.

    And to top it off Adecco haven’t paid me for 2 weeks. Impressed I am not. (Yoda I am not).

    I’m still in shock from the 10000! Wow. Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy (in the words of “working girl”).

    Anyway – I’m shattered. My parents got me up at 8 to play musical cars this morning. so I feel like death. Time for bed. G’night.

    Kate

  • Post entry_359

    04 Dec 1999,23:50.05

    I’m going to be slaughtered. I’ve been on the net for 2 hours. Oh god.

    I’ve just realised that while 10261 people have been here, or at least to Kate’s Cavernous Cavern’s index page; an amazingly small (approx as changed counter) 400 people have visited Kato’s pointless page. I’m sure this says something and I’m not at all sure that I know what it is.

    It worries me that people might just be visiting my site because they are looking up transsexual. However if it’s being helpful in some way to those finding it then that’s wonderful….

    I simply didn’t realise how many hit’s this site’s been taking. Wow. And wow again.

    Obviously some of those are repeat visits. And a couple of them are mine. But in general I don’t bother to look at the index page – because I don’t bother to look at anything except to check it’s up okay…I’ve got the site on my hard-disk so I hardly need to look at it.

    Anyway – today has been a little stressful. The screaching noise eminating from the front of my car was diagnosed as a water pump failing (it was working but leaking slowly and definately on it’s way out). So a replacement was obtained….

    Yugo Parts Number

    |

    \/

    Code is incorrect (area code had changed); obtain new code

    |

    \/

    Number unobtainable (suprise, suprise)

    |

    \/

    Check with operator – says number is now preceded by an 8

    however she checks it and finds it’s changed (recorded message)

    and so she gives me the new number….

    |

    \/

    New number “temporarily out of order”

    |

    \/

    Ring operator – find out it’s been out of order for years!

    So then we tried a local part company – yes they could get one – but to get it with 1 week would cost £43. Half the cost of the car. So a local breakers was tried. Yes they had one, it was £17. A lot more like it!

    Obtained. Fitted. Cut finger. Attempted to crush other finger. Much pain. Now leaks more than it did before. God knows why. Standing in garage with bucket under it. Arse.

    And to top it off Adecco haven’t paid me for 2 weeks. Impressed I am not. (Yoda I am not).

    I’m still in shock from the 10000! Wow. Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy (in the words of “working girl”).

    Anyway – I’m shattered. My parents got me up at 8 to play musical cars this morning. so I feel like death. Time for bed. G’night.

    Kate

  • 29 Nov 1999

    29 Nov 1999

    He he he he he…..I’ve got a job…..and now to celebrate…..Black & White (Choice Old Scotch Whisky)….hic….

     

    29 Nov 1999; 00:32.18

    Well, it’s been an odd 10 days. I’ve spent a wonderful 2 days at Hannahs (with her parents)….It all went swimmingly apart from some heart stopping moments involving the word Tea. Both in the form of Tea – Dinner and Tea – Tea. It was wonderful to see her – and be woken in the morning with a kiss.

    Sadly I didn’t get the chance to chat to Abi (Hannah’s sister), due to time pressures although she did get a couple of words in at the computer show (Yes – I went to a computer show – but only for a couple of hours – it allowed me to pick up a new cartridge for my printer…..). The nicest thing was to go to sleep with her arms around me…and to hear her breathing….I miss that when she’s not around.

    Anyway – I had an interview – which may or may not have gone well. I hope it did. Ironically it was at a Girls School. One of the questions was what do you do when 30 girls fall in love with you? Err….what – are they all gay? No, that wasn’t the answer I gave. Also my machine is online – so watch out for new, improved e-mail facilities.

    My dad pilfered a monitor from work for me (actually they were quite keen for him to take it as it’s surplus to requirements at the moment. So that’s 1 Dell 17″ monitor sat next to my MTC 17″ monitor….)

    However bad things that happened this week consisted of:
    Hugo breaking down and dumping me in a Q8 garage in Thatcham
    Miserable, foul, awful day at work.

    Hugo’s throttle return spring went walkies – it appears that they have to be ordered specially – so courtesy of a 1980 fiesta we have a replacement made from a bonnet spring. However I had to call my dad out at 11pm, to tow me home…..He was very good about it – but probably not really impressed….

    The bad day at work was just that – however it was the same day Hugo broke down. Thank god for Hannah – she really cheered me up – even if I did ring her at 1.15am….

    Also I found out there’s someone at work who’s a transvestite – and I also saw the range of opinions on the matter (he was defending the right of men to wear dresses – because he likes wearing dresses). From “yeah, whatever” to “Good for you – do what you want” to verging on “pervert”. The last of which was definately in the minority – although apparently it’s against dress code regulations for a man to come in wearing a dress – which is discrimination I believe.

    Anyway – we discussed briefly Rocky Horror – and he implied, no he out right said – I was the sort of person who wouldn’t dress up…!!!!!! Anyway – I put him straight on that one and now nearly everyone’s seen the Rocky Horror show shot – (see Worlds Worst Photos of Me)….

    And most of them complemented me on my legs….. :-)

    Anyway – best be off….time to sleep me thinks.

    Loads of love

    Kate.

  • Post entry_356

    29 Nov 1999

    He he he he he…..I’ve got a job…..and now to celebrate…..Black & White (Choice Old Scotch Whisky)….hic….

    29 Nov 1999; 00:32.18

    Well, it’s been an odd 10 days. I’ve spent a wonderful 2 days at Hannahs (with her parents)….It all went swimmingly apart from some heart stopping moments involving the word Tea. Both in the form of Tea – Dinner and Tea – Tea. It was wonderful to see her – and be woken in the morning with a kiss.

    Sadly I didn’t get the chance to chat to Abi (Hannah’s sister), due to time pressures although she did get a couple of words in at the computer show (Yes – I went to a computer show – but only for a couple of hours – it allowed me to pick up a new cartridge for my printer…..). The nicest thing was to go to sleep with her arms around me…and to hear her breathing….I miss that when she’s not around.

    Anyway – I had an interview – which may or may not have gone well. I hope it did. Ironically it was at a Girls School. One of the questions was what do you do when 30 girls fall in love with you? Err….what – are they all gay? No, that wasn’t the answer I gave. Also my machine is online – so watch out for new, improved e-mail facilities.

    My dad pilfered a monitor from work for me (actually they were quite keen for him to take it as it’s surplus to requirements at the moment. So that’s 1 Dell 17″ monitor sat next to my MTC 17″ monitor….)

    However bad things that happened this week consisted of:

    Hugo breaking down and dumping me in a Q8 garage in Thatcham

    Miserable, foul, awful day at work.

    Hugo’s throttle return spring went walkies – it appears that they have to be ordered specially – so courtesy of a 1980 fiesta we have a replacement made from a bonnet spring. However I had to call my dad out at 11pm, to tow me home…..He was very good about it – but probably not really impressed….

    The bad day at work was just that – however it was the same day Hugo broke down. Thank god for Hannah – she really cheered me up – even if I did ring her at 1.15am….

    Also I found out there’s someone at work who’s a transvestite – and I also saw the range of opinions on the matter (he was defending the right of men to wear dresses – because he likes wearing dresses). From “yeah, whatever” to “Good for you – do what you want” to verging on “pervert”. The last of which was definately in the minority – although apparently it’s against dress code regulations for a man to come in wearing a dress – which is discrimination I believe.

    Anyway – we discussed briefly Rocky Horror – and he implied, no he out right said – I was the sort of person who wouldn’t dress up…!!!!!! Anyway – I put him straight on that one and now nearly everyone’s seen the Rocky Horror show shot – (see Worlds Worst Photos of Me)….

    And most of them complemented me on my legs….. :-)

    Anyway – best be off….time to sleep me thinks.

    Loads of love

    Kate.

  • 19 Nov 1999

    Just a quickie tonight….long day at work (long night too). Hopped into Hugo – not keen, not keen at all. Stalled twice (a first for Hugo who normally goes first time) however it was bloody cold. The drive to the alternator makes a horrible screech when it’s damp (it slips) – which is fun. And, as usual the reversing lights didn’t work when I got home.

    In the end I reversed into the space with the hazard lights on just so I could see. I’ve diagnosed the fault with the reversing lights though. They need to be taken to pieces and tested because then they invariably work for a period of time defined as X: where X is no less than the period of time it takes me to stop checking the fault and is greater than Y which is the minimum amount of time between faults where I actually put some real effort into fixing it.

    Bad news today – I didn’t get the job in Swindon (which was a crummy job anyway) but still – any job is better than no job….as I’m sure many people will tell you.

    Still off to see Hannah tomorrow…should have a quick go at the reversing lights before then really – but I’ll probably leave ’em till my day off. So.

    TTFN
    (Said it’d be quick)
    Kate

    PS Kate’s computer hint for the day – no matter how many times you repeat the procedure: [shift]+double click (to open a file to Zap instead of opening it in the registered program) does not work if you are using a keyboard which is connected to a different computer to that which the mouse is connected to. Remeber that, it can save a lot of time….

  • Post entry_340

    19 Nov 1999

    Just a quickie tonight….long day at work (long night too). Hopped into Hugo – not keen, not keen at all. Stalled twice (a first for Hugo who normally goes first time) however it was bloody cold. The drive to the alternator makes a horrible screech when it’s damp (it slips) – which is fun. And, as usual the reversing lights didn’t work when I got home.

    In the end I reversed into the space with the hazard lights on just so I could see. I’ve diagnosed the fault with the reversing lights though. They need to be taken to pieces and tested because then they invariably work for a period of time defined as X: where X is no less than the period of time it takes me to stop checking the fault and is greater than Y which is the minimum amount of time between faults where I actually put some real effort into fixing it.

    Bad news today – I didn’t get the job in Swindon (which was a crummy job anyway) but still – any job is better than no job….as I’m sure many people will tell you.

    Still off to see Hannah tomorrow…should have a quick go at the reversing lights before then really – but I’ll probably leave ’em till my day off. So.

    TTFN

    (Said it’d be quick)

    Kate

    PS Kate’s computer hint for the day – no matter how many times you repeat the procedure: [shift]+double click (to open a file to Zap instead of opening it in the registered program) does not work if you are using a keyboard which is connected to a different computer to that which the mouse is connected to. Remeber that, it can save a lot of time….

  • 18th Nov 1999

    18 Nov 1999

    Knackered. I’ve just had two days off work – one for an interview for a job I’d like but am so totally underqualified for it’s laughable and one for a totally useless open day.

    I’ve spent £350 on a PC, which is bad.

    However I’m warm and snug, I’ve got a nice glass of whisky (not whiskey) and I’ve had a fairly nice day (I got to be me for a bit) – so I’m feeling quite content for once. Also I’m seeing Hannah on Saturday (as in the day after tomorrow) so I’m looking forward to that.

    Thanks to everyone on the list for your comments – they’re really nice – I’ll be with you as soon as I get a network card for the PC, and set it up as a gateway…..

    One bad thing did happen today – my uncle was admitted to hospital with severe blood loss from a stomach ulser – we’re all hoping he’s going to be okay….so that wasn’t very nice news.

    On the upside my parents had a good day – they went shopping in London – and got my sister some gorgeous dresses – that was a bit tough on me, my mum showing me these really nice, designer dresses (bought at huge discount) – and having to say how nice they were without (a)Giving away that I’d like them for me, or (b) it being to obvious I was in love with one of them…..

    On the job front I’ve got one more interview coming up next week, and 2 jobs to hear from so – maybe, just maybe (as the lottery would have us believe).

    The other computer, the PC: Well, I just have to be a bit techie! It’s an AMD K6-II @ 400MHz, 32MB PC100 D-Ram, 8.4Gig Maxtor HDD, Pioneer 1X DVD-Rom drive, Apollo M/board – VIA MVP3 Chipset, SiS S3 Virge GX Graphics card (AGP!), Avance 16 bit “soundcard” (See comment later), Adaptec 1502 SCSI card (for use with the scanner) & Motorola modem (56K/V.90).

    It’s currently using my dad’s old 14″ monitor, but I’m hoping to borrow a 17″ one from my dad’s work; it’s got Win95(OSR2, USB patch) and Linux (RedHat 5.1) – on it at the moment. Linux doesn’t like the graphics card – and I still can’t get Windows to play ball with the soundcard 100%. It plays stuff through directX but anything else and – well you’re buggered to be honest. (Despite me downloading the latest drivers)

    Apart from that all is well, except for the fact that they sent me the wrong bloody ethernet card – hence my machines lack of networkedness – otherwise this site would have been re-uploaded as would my new, funky, sexy site (wait for the release!). Anyhow, that’s the way it stands with that.

    A big hiya to my friends who know about me! And Happy Birthday (& loads of apologies) to Hope!

    I mentioned paint last time, specifically lipari blue. Well it’s a crap match for my paint. So now my car has rust-black along the bottom. Actually it looks okay – but it took me the whole three days to do the work. However the petrol tank is now painted, shiny and cool, as are quite a lot of bits and pieces under the car, the radio is properly fitted – as is the clock, and the boot no longer leaks – due to a small rust hole which has now been filled.

    I think that’ll do. If I’m in the mood I might try and write something tomorrow – but I’ve got work in the afternoon – which is, err fun. I’ve also got to pack! Wheee.

    Anyway, bed time……’cos some of us gotta work you know!

    ATL&W;

    Kate