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Ups and Downs
Been rather busy, getting to know the ins and outs of the new job. Also been making an effort not to procrastinate by surfing at work - so easy to spend hours doing nothing on the web when I should be benchmarking, writing or chasing PRs.
Internet access has been on and off at home as my landlady has a basic system she uses to check her email daily: turn on computer, double click the big "e" (which automatically fires up the USB modem) and voila - Hotmail. Unfortunately, in my attempts to share the broadband with her, by installing wireless for example, something has always gone wrong and left her unable to connect, and as she's unwilling to give up her simple system and learn to troubleshoot the connection, I'm stuck with a type of "sneaker-net": i.e. to connect I have to unplug the telephone cable from her modem and plug it into mine.
Feeling pretty awful today. My colleagues think it's the effect of working in the labs basement, and I think it's probably the effect of working in an office again after such a long time, and commuting to work on the bus for 45 minutes each day. My immune system hasn't had to cope with such a quantity and variety of other people's bacteria for quite some time. It's unfortunate timing to be ill at home as I have my first labs deadline on Wednesday, a group test of 12 laptops.
Saw Angel last weekend for the 2nd time since I arrived back in London. She's growing up fast, but seems to have hit the teenager phase early as a result. Her Mum's been having lots of trouble with her, although I don't see this side of her in the short periods I see her. The upside of being a once-a-month Dad I suppose. Hopefully I will become a fortnightly Dad from next weekend.
Got a beta key for Warhammer Online which should start on Sunday. I'll be reviewing it for our next issue, one of the perks of working in IT journalism. Downside is, although I'm in effect replacing a freelancer, I don't get paid extra. Still, free games, can't complain. Reviewed an excellent game, Mount & Blade, that looked like a cheap Oblivion knock-off but turned out to be a genre-busting delight.
