My weblog

Top five builder excuses for over-running a job on my house

1."Your house is an old house and there are lots of unforeseen things that can happen..."

2. "We asked you to clear this stuff away and it was never done -- that's held us up at least two days..."

3. "We didn't know you wouldn't be staying here, otherwise we'd have worked later in the day..."

4. "We weren't there because we were called away unavoidably..."

5. "Is this the right key? John, did you wash your overalls at the weekend? I think the key must have been in there..."

Birthday in London

It's the b-day today. I'm in London and was brought to an incredible West End show last night, the stage version of Hairspray. Absolute top marks for a brilliant show. I also stayed in the Apex Hotel, which I'd thoroughly recommend -- £125 (about €160) for a terrific room for the night, located just beside Tower Bridge and a Tube Station.

New door!

Am getting all windows and doors replaced at the moment... Here's our new front door (inside and out).

Wanna buy a nice armchair?

Spring clearout begins today! I've decided to take four series of '24' and season 2 of 'Prison Break' up to Gamestop to see what they'll earn as trade-ins... Also for sale: an old but nice designer sofa (left) and a really nice leather armchair (on Buy&Sell). The 2008 clearout has begun...

What to wear for Halloween 2007

This time last year, I donned a bloody set of khaki junglewear and a custom-made bowling outfit for Halloween stints as Steve Irwin and Jesus Quintana (from The Big Lebowski) respectively. I'm wondering what to go as this year. At the moment, I'm thinking of either:

-- Hannibal Lecter (jumpsuit, white t-shirt underneath, slicked back hair and some blood on my face)
-- an 80s rocker (high shouldered colourful jacket, spike-mullet wig, pointy shoes)

Any ideas?

Anyone going?

Because I'm not :( Wish I was.

In Maine

Visting my Goddaughter Maggie and her parents, Bill and Julie. Beautiful time of year.

Gloom

Here's how I feel at the moment.

More Chicago pics

From the trip last month. Was a bit slow in taking these off the camera. This is the famous Ba'hai temple on Chicago's north shore suburb of Wilmette. It is supposedly on the exact opposite side of the world to another Ba'hai temple.

The shadow of Big John

And other skyscrapers on Michigan Avenue.

The view from 100 floors up

What a view over Lake Michigan. On a beautiful Friday morning, Dad and I went downtown to look around. We decided to ride up to the top of the John Hancock Tower -- nicknamed 'Big John' -- which is Chicago's (and America's) third largest skyscraper.

Bears fans brunch atop Big John

Dad and I grab a sandwich at the top of the John Hancock Centre.

Lunch with Jack in Chicago

Here are Dad and I with Jack Spatafora, whom we met for lunch. Joan was ill that day and couldn't join us.

New byline pics

For Jason, who is starting to write articles for The Dubliner. He asked me to take his beardy byline pics.

More Maggie...

With Mommy Julie. From my visit last month.

Snowy Chicago

Though home from the US, I've been following the snowstorms there. This picture, from Associated Press, is my favourite so far. Makes Chicago look like a scene from The Day After Tomorrow.

More fun with Photo Booth

Maggie tries out her new Godparents

Heeeere's Maggie!

Ta-dah! The charming, laughing, Beethoven-loving Maggie Mae Swain of Kingfield, Maine. (With Godparents Karen and Adrian.)

Photo Booth rocks

Having great fun playing with Photo Booth, a snapshot software program that comes with new Macs. Basically, the Mac's built-in camera can snap you in any number of styles.

Gluttony, USA

Fancy a dessert in Gepetto's? It helps to have a Pavarotti-sized appetite.

Icicles in Maine

Walking in and out of Karen's Eustis home is not without its dangers. Large stalactites guard the domain.

Gepetto's Julie

Julie loves Gepetto's. Julie loves cocktails. Julie loves mittens. Put all three together and you have a happy Mrs Swain.

Cold Chicago

Chicago has been about minus 20 degrees (celsius) over the last week. This poor critter, under a tree in suburban Antioch, froze where he fell.