Us with Brad Garret who plays Robert in the hit Tv Show Everybody Loves Raymond
Big G in Oran Mor
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Big G
Just a quick one - we were out last week with some of Katie's work colleagues and bumped into Big G in the bar Oran Mor.
Big G works for Rangers in the ticket office, and we know him from Jordanhill. A tremendously tall and nice fella who reminds me a wee bit of Ray's brother Robert in Everbody loves Raymond (in size and shape not personality)
Taketh That
The Pet Shop was open for business
Double fisted drinkers
However, and I should be very careful as to what I admit to here, I, Stephen Brown, being of sound mental health, went to the Take That concert at Hampden Park on Thursday night of my own free will and I actually enjoyed the show. But i drew the line at wearing a pink hat and dancing.
Our friends Ewen and Andrea had bought 4 tickets when they went on sale and asked if we wanted to go with them. We said yeah and then kind of forgot all about it with everything else we had going on and it kind of snuck up on us.
The Pet Shop Boys opened the show and even though I don't like them much it was certainly a trip down memory lane hearing some of their jaunty pop.
I feign excitement a bit too convincingly
Robbie goes fishing for women.
Take That try to drown their dancers.
We had a great night and I will admit to the following things/make the following observations:
1) Gary Barlow is actually a very talented singer songwriter.
2) The quiet ones from the group - Jason and Howard - are actually good dancers
3) Robbie is now officially a waste of space.
4) Some Take that songs are quite catchy.
5) Some aren't.
6) They do put on a good show.
7) They are worshipped to a level that i feel quite unsettled by - they are just singers for goodness sake.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the photos.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Our birthdays and Derby Day
It was our birthdays at the end of May (as usual) and this year we decided to give Perth volleyball a miss and hide under a bush instead. We did however go out for dinner and a few shandies on the Saturday night with a bunch of good friends and had a great old night. Thanks to those who attended ;o)
I had a job interview to prepare for so we didn't really feel 100% in the birthday spirit. The job interview preparation went well - unfortunately I didn't get the job though. Well, I say unfortunately but actually, if I am being honest, the only disappointing thing about not getting that job is that I am unemployed at the end of term and have to start job hunting again - I was kind of looking forward to some predictability and drudgery. ;o)
But hey ho, it's back on for high octane excitement again. If Katie didn't have such a great job we would seriously be thinking about moving again - there are a million tax free teaching jobs in seriously hot countries which would be very tempting for a couple of years. Besides, it would make for a much more exciting blog....
Anyway, after the highs and lows of interviewing we had Derby Day to look forward to. Our great friends Noan and David who live down in Romsey (picture the movie Hot Fuzz and you'll know what Romsey looks like) had won at a charity auction a table for 10 in a posh marquee at the Epsom Derby. They invited us down for a cracking weekend which we both thoroughly enjoyed after all the recent pressures.
We flew down to Southampton on the Friday afternoon and we had a lovely afternoon out on the lawn playing quoits and drinking champagne - it really is a different world. Noan and David's neighbours Chris and Lyndsey joined us and we all had a good laugh before venturing out for a Thai meal.
On the Saturday it was an early rise to get the chauffeur driven Mercedes mini bus to Epsom. On the way we picked up the Saturday racing papers in an effort to be well informed about the possible winners. I would have been better not bothering, we won pretty much b*gger all!
By the time we got to the races it was Pimm's O'Clock - well, they were serving lots of it along with champagne if that makes more sense.
It was a lovely day and we had a great track side view from our tent at Tattenham corner. We were well served with food and drink all day - needless to say this was made full use of.
I had a job interview to prepare for so we didn't really feel 100% in the birthday spirit. The job interview preparation went well - unfortunately I didn't get the job though. Well, I say unfortunately but actually, if I am being honest, the only disappointing thing about not getting that job is that I am unemployed at the end of term and have to start job hunting again - I was kind of looking forward to some predictability and drudgery. ;o)
But hey ho, it's back on for high octane excitement again. If Katie didn't have such a great job we would seriously be thinking about moving again - there are a million tax free teaching jobs in seriously hot countries which would be very tempting for a couple of years. Besides, it would make for a much more exciting blog....
Anyway, after the highs and lows of interviewing we had Derby Day to look forward to. Our great friends Noan and David who live down in Romsey (picture the movie Hot Fuzz and you'll know what Romsey looks like) had won at a charity auction a table for 10 in a posh marquee at the Epsom Derby. They invited us down for a cracking weekend which we both thoroughly enjoyed after all the recent pressures.
We flew down to Southampton on the Friday afternoon and we had a lovely afternoon out on the lawn playing quoits and drinking champagne - it really is a different world. Noan and David's neighbours Chris and Lyndsey joined us and we all had a good laugh before venturing out for a Thai meal.
On the Saturday it was an early rise to get the chauffeur driven Mercedes mini bus to Epsom. On the way we picked up the Saturday racing papers in an effort to be well informed about the possible winners. I would have been better not bothering, we won pretty much b*gger all!
By the time we got to the races it was Pimm's O'Clock - well, they were serving lots of it along with champagne if that makes more sense.
Inside the marquee
Liz, Chris, Andrew, Noan, Lyndsey, some big old guy we didn't know.
It was a lovely day and we had a great track side view from our tent at Tattenham corner. We were well served with food and drink all day - needless to say this was made full use of.
Some horses running round the corner.
Noan and David
Katie and David
The girls
Noan and Katie
A great day was had by all and after the races we still managed to get the chauffeur to stop by a pub for a quick pint on the way home, we then stopped off in Romsey for one and picked up an Indian meal for a midnight snack.
The next day we sat around an watched the final of the French Open on the telly before flying back to Glasgow.
Good company and many drinks - thanks to Noan and David for exactly the kind of weekend we were in need of.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Aunt Margaret's 90th birthday surprise.
Last weekend we made a whistlestop visit to Carradale to spring a surprise on Aunt Margaret for her 90th birthday.
Margaret had no idea we were coming and Katie had put a lot of planning into making sure things went perfectly. Katie's sister Gill came up from London to join us which added to the surprise for Margaret (and Katie's mum) as the girls aren't home together very often. A cake, a barrel load of food and some helium balloons joined us in the car for the trip to Carradale.
We left at 5pm on the Saturday night and arrived back in Glasgow at 8pm the following night. A flying visit but one that was really worthwhile.
A funny moment happened when I was trying to keep the conversation flowing and said to Margaret, "when was the last time you had this many people in the house?". She thought for a second and said completely deadpan, "my mother's funeral...".
I am available for all types of functions if you need someone to keep the conversation flowing - just give me a call. ;o)
Margaret is a remarkable woman and thoroughly deserved all the fuss made of her. She's even made it onto the online Carradale news site.
http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/
Happy Birthday Aunt Margaret, here's to many more.
Margaret had no idea we were coming and Katie had put a lot of planning into making sure things went perfectly. Katie's sister Gill came up from London to join us which added to the surprise for Margaret (and Katie's mum) as the girls aren't home together very often. A cake, a barrel load of food and some helium balloons joined us in the car for the trip to Carradale.
We left at 5pm on the Saturday night and arrived back in Glasgow at 8pm the following night. A flying visit but one that was really worthwhile.
A funny moment happened when I was trying to keep the conversation flowing and said to Margaret, "when was the last time you had this many people in the house?". She thought for a second and said completely deadpan, "my mother's funeral...".
I am available for all types of functions if you need someone to keep the conversation flowing - just give me a call. ;o)
Margaret is a remarkable woman and thoroughly deserved all the fuss made of her. She's even made it onto the online Carradale news site.
http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk/
Happy Birthday Aunt Margaret, here's to many more.
you've been framed......
"If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is."
If you are ever tempted by using you-frame.....don't. Katie and i are finally getting round to getting some photos up in the house and a "group on" offer sounded like it was worth a try but I have waited 6 weeks for the delivery despite them promising 10 days. And after many complaints my canvas wrap finally arrived today.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered I would have to self assemble it (although the clue is in the name to be fair)......the hilarity continued when i took the canvas out of the packet it was someone else's photo (and not a very good one either).
I have contacted the makers of "One foot in the grave" about using this plot in the christmas special - Meldrew simply won't believe it.
You-frame have now been cursed and will be spontaneously combusting sometime next Thursday afternoon, after lunch.
Katie and I go to Loch Lomond while the sun shines
Normal service has been resumed weather wise over the last week but April was brilliant, shorts and t-shirt at work, suntan lotion on.
Here's some shots from the very pleasant afternoon + video.
The shots of the footwear are almost purely for Lorna McAvoy's benefit ;o)
Here's some shots from the very pleasant afternoon + video.
The shots of the footwear are almost purely for Lorna McAvoy's benefit ;o)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Some photos I don't think I shared yet.....
Here are a smattering of photos from the world of blackberry that i haven't shared yet for one reason or another.......(time mainly and a bluetooth issue)
My friend Ewen after a Rangers game + hospitality - climbing on Ecto 1 which the ghostbusters guys had decided to park outside the swallow hotel. I can't imagine their proton packs (or wheels) were still there in the morning.
Some snowy scenes from Strathbungo - before the really heavy stuff started to fall!
Reunion down the Clachan very shortly after i arrived back from NZ
Katie and Chris getting papped with posh phones on the Mexican night out that i have already blogged about.
The night at The Shed where Gregor split his jeans, yes his jeans, doing the splits. unbelievable.
Katie and I last weekend trying to sort out 4 years worth of paperwork - it looks as much fun as it actually was and still hasn't finished yet, although the house and our brains are much clearer.
And I saved the best for last, at our school show Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Cee Lo Green showed up - luckily I got a copy of the team photo before the performance. If you youtube my current school, my department and "dance" you might just get to see the show. Please private message me if you need more info about how to find the video.
Hope you enjoyed this random post.
My friend Ewen after a Rangers game + hospitality - climbing on Ecto 1 which the ghostbusters guys had decided to park outside the swallow hotel. I can't imagine their proton packs (or wheels) were still there in the morning.
Some snowy scenes from Strathbungo - before the really heavy stuff started to fall!
Reunion down the Clachan very shortly after i arrived back from NZ
The night at The Shed where Gregor split his jeans, yes his jeans, doing the splits. unbelievable.
Katie and I last weekend trying to sort out 4 years worth of paperwork - it looks as much fun as it actually was and still hasn't finished yet, although the house and our brains are much clearer.
And I saved the best for last, at our school show Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Cee Lo Green showed up - luckily I got a copy of the team photo before the performance. If you youtube my current school, my department and "dance" you might just get to see the show. Please private message me if you need more info about how to find the video.
Hope you enjoyed this random post.
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