I like days off

It's been so hectic until this week. I haven't had any time to myself. Just work work work. Now I can relax. As a result, the next few entries are going to be rather dull. Feel free not to read.

Even work is a little more relaxing, giving me time to look at things that we really need to get done, like scripting. So I wrote a report on available options. The response from the lead programmer asked why we need to incorporate a scripting language anyway. I wasn't quite expecting that to be honest. I thought it was pretty much established that we were doing things in a totally stupid overly complicated way.

But anyway - today I decided I deserved a holiday, so I took a day off. Went shopping. Went to Brixton Market. Brixton's a really happenin' place. I should have looked at the place when I was finding a place in London. Ended up in Monmouth Street. I've explored much of London today on this quest.

It seems that at least one person randomly read my diary. Wonder if there are others. I could add a web bug, but I think that might offend people. Maybe just a counter.

Drank far too much on Monday. This isn't something that's a problem in itself. Just meant that I didn't feel like going to the CAMRA beerfest on Tuesday.

Dullness can be fun when you've had too much stress. The most difficult thing I have to do is buy a present - Secret Santa thing at work. I have to find something for a guy who all I know about is that he likes cars. And his sports car was stolen some time ago. And he's from Sheffield, and doesn't like Manchester.

I posted something about tea and coffee in one of the communities here. Perhaps I should repost it here....

Tea and Coffee

Well, why not?

Tea - It's important how you prepare it. It should ideally be made in a pot. None of these teabags. Actual leaves. Spoon enough into a pot - Typically a half to one teaspoonful per person, depending on how far north you are - for some reason tea gets stronger in the north.

Warm the pot first. Pour a little boiling water in there and swish it around. Put the lid on and leave it for a bit. Dispose of the remaining water. Reboil the kettle. Water must be very very hot. Add tea leaves to the pot, and pour boiling water on top of it. Put a tea cosy on. Wait a couple of minutes for it to brew. Brewing time takes between 1 and 5 minutes depending on the tea leaves. Fine cut leaves take less time that coarse cut. If you want milk, add to the cup before you add the tea. This prevent scalding the milk apparently. Pour tea through a tea strainer into the cup.

Coffee - The most important thing here is quality of the beans. Buy only whole fresh bean roasted in the last couple of days. Do not buy ground coffee. It goes off too quickly. Grind it fresh just before brewing. Even whole beans will only stay fresh for a couple of weeks, so find a good local supplier who can tell you when it was roasted. Once again, hot water is needed. Just off the boil.