numberland

I went out to see Tomboy as part of the Film Festival last night. By which I actually mean, I went out with the intention of doing so, arrived just about on time got directed to the screen which other printed out ticket indicated and then, after sitting around wondering why it hadn't started on time discovered we'd been sent to the wrong screen as a screen change had been made. Now, normally I'd expect a refund, maybe a free ticket and a nice apology but this is the Arts Picturehouse. On emerging somewhat confused from the screen we explained and immediately got apologies, got asked to sit a moment while they got a manager (by this point we were 30 minutes into the film so not really useful) and told 'well, we've made a right cockup haven't we'. On discovering that we couldn't make the only other showing we got ushered to the bar to be fed free gin and tonics, the good stuff and I think doubles if not rather more. We then had an experience not unlike holding court, the manager sat down and apologised, started by checking seating for the rest of our films, explained various things, then when away to give us free tickets. Now, we'd paid for one ticket, as I was allowed a free carer, he did know this, so I would have been happy to accept a couple of free tickets, we got four, two valid for the film festival, which could work out to four films for the pair of us. And we just sat there as people ran up to us with things or apologies and explained how this or that would not normally be allowed/expected but just say x/y said it was okay.

I think the grand haul was two lovely and strong gins, 4 tickets (being effectively up to 8), the phone number of the office for the Cambridge Picturehouse to book films with the cinema directly over the phone rather then the national call centre (this is a huge awesome, means we can get access sorted much better), explanation about issues with the disabled loo and who to phone and bug and when so it won't get forgotten... I may be missing things (beyond a lot of red faces). It was an experience. Certainly the best experience of missing a film in my life. I love the Arts, they are awesome and care, do support them :)

Why, yes, I haven't posted in a while, life may have not been the happiest.

Myself and shortcipher shall be wending our way towards the Mad March Fair this weekend. We have found a lovely B&B with accessible rooms and will be making a weekend of it particularly given we know some wonderful people will also be there. I will also be heading off to the sea and round museums - I've had very few holidays in recent years (read the odd weekend and then always exhausting because of access) and though this is only a weekend I am really looking forward to it in a being somewhere new, outside and relaxing.

We encourage you to join us, it should be awesome, also, who might we be seeing there?

Because I can't and shortcipher is failing to have the get up and go there has be a small amount of DIY sitting and staring at me and being very annoying, mostly putting up shelves and the like. If anyone is competent with a drill and would like to do such for us in exchange for ££, cookies, gratitude this would be awesome. Recommendations of odd job people who don't charge £££££ and wouldn't mind a small job would also be great.

So, we've taken my beloved table to bits and feeling much happier for accessible office space. Therefore we have available for long term loan a large dining table (we can measure) and some number of dinning chairs (we need to work out how many we want to keep, we'll probably have 4 free anyway). The chairs have a tall back and arch a little so provide back support. So, um, anyone interested in borrowing any of these? We will want them back but not for some time and they are lovely so it's a shame to just leave them sitting in the loft/getting in the way. We would be very grateful for anyone happy to put them to good use, obviously needs to be someone within vaguely near distance to Cambridge.

A friend of mine has agreed to buy a very awesome piece of mobility equipment from the US and all was great until the postage quote happened. So, if you are travelling from the US to the UK in the next few months and/or would be willing to give the device (the size of a wheelchair) a home if said person is not going to the US for a while please get in touch, comments screened so you can leave sensitive stuff, though I can't reply without unscreening (I think).

This would mean the world to both my friend and me (I will be borrowing said device at points), making a load of things suddenly accessible.

I'm not happy putting more detail on an unlocked post but can do so to anyone who responds.

So, I completely failed a film going recently and thought that as I'm wobbly but it would be good to get out of the house it would be nice to go to a film or two soon, and then I looked at what's on there's The Kings Speech which seems good fun but nothing revolutionary (and the only one shortcipher is interested in), Blue Valentine which looks really quite interesting at least for a romance, I definitely want to see Black Swan. Looking further ahead there is Never Let Me Go which sounds intriguing and I'm finding nothing more about it as I want to come to it fresh.

If you have any recommendations/disrecommendations for any of these or would like to see them with me then drop me a comment (or some other form of communication).

Getting accounts from the last n months done and dusted (actually quite important for various reasons in the long run and not at all in the short run...).

Also, useful discussion on organisation, enjoyment of lush stuff and music and chilling and hopefully a powerchair that is better adjusted (thank you shortcipher!).

With a view to trying to make nut milk does anyone know where I might be able to obtain either of almonds or hazelnuts cheaply in bulk somewhere in or nearby Cambridge.

p.s. proper update soon, body fail so Pembury may not happen is not happening.

Using the definition of today that I don't usually use:

Happy thing of yesterday (Tuesday): Tim Minchin concert was really rather awesome.

Happy thing of today (and thence reason for using this definition of today): Urban fox! Not sure I've seen one before. My they are bold.

Getting one of these. Light enough to carry easily but large enough to function as a normal terminal so fulfills several of mine and shortcipher's needs. Christmas monies FTW!

Other recent happy things:

• shortcipher being on holiday and exciting holiday plans for fun and getting stuff done.
  
• Boardgaming, past and winning by over a 50% margin and future. Getting a copy of Carcassone The City.
  
• Getting going on various bits of work and stuff, far less stressed about them if still somewhat just on quantity of stuff to do.
  
• Potential positive avenues for improving health in several ways.
  

There are other things.

I've somewhat stalled on the meme as I don't want to pick just 5 people and it's all a bit playing favours but I have potential ideas. There will hopefully be more posts on various interesting things rather then random day-to-day stuff soon.