Things and more things and stuff

Well, been lazy and not updated this in a while. It's been nearly a month. Interesting things that have happened include a trip to Berlin, a replacement car and various work related stress.

I like Berlin. It's a really interesting place with a lot of things going on. The atmosphere of the place is still very different from a typical city. It may have been 20 years since the city was reunited, but it still has quite a distinctly split personality. This was my third visit and I went with my cousin, who had never been. It was a fantastic trip. We spent quite a lot of time hanging out with my brother and just wandering around taking in the sights. The hotel was in the east, happily near a station on the U5, so we were able to get around very easily. I like the language too, we picked up a few useful phrases, and at one point I was even able to direct a native Berliner who didn't speak English to a nearby U-bahn station, although admittedly by saying one word and pointing.

Saw the 5-episode Torchwood miniseries on iPlayer and really liked it. The first two series were interesting but it was trying too hard to be Doctor Who for adults. The second series did improve though and they seem to have got it right with the last one.

I had a 6-string bass a few years ago and couldn't play it, and recently I picked up a cheap Shine one. It's absolutely brilliant. The electrics are a bit crappy but the body and neck are great, so I'm planning on rewiring it and possibly replacing the pickups. The neck is very wide but I can play this one. For some reason, a 6-string feels more right than a 5-string which you'd expect to be the natural progression from a 4-string. But I did the 5-string thing and didn't like it, though that might have been the bass itself.

I've been trying to work out what makes my skin so flaky and hideous every now and again. The prime suspect at the moment is dairy, although now I'm not completely sure. I suppose the best thing would to be tested properly but I'm not sure how to go about it. Last time I saw the doctor I mentioned it and they weren't particularly helpful. Also had an eye test yesterday and need new glasses. The optician I've been seeing since I was 8 is retiring, which is a bit gutting as he knows the history of my somewhat peculiar eyesight.

The Vectra, nice as it was, had a lot of issues coming up and despite it being a nice car, when the gearbox started to graunch into gear, enough was enough. I spotted an automatic 1993 Mercedes W124 220E for sale in Cheshire and went to have a look. After a test drive I put a deposit down on it and picked it up yesterday. It's cosmetically a bit shabby but mechanically seems to be fine. There are some issues, the exhaust had a slight blow which has become worse suddenly and the driver's window won't move and a couple of other things. It's a basic model without many toys and cloth seats but the interior looks brand new.

I've always wanted another Merc since my old W123 200. It's much like the old one to drive too, not a quick car but comfortable and relaxing, helped by the old-school autobox. Running costs remain to be seen. However, when I changed the insurance, there was no difference from the Vectra. It cost a little more to fill the tank than the Vectra but it looks like it should get about the same mileage to the a tank. The autobox has Standard and Economy modes and so far I've been quite happy leaving it in the Economy setting. It's actually quite quick if you use the kickdown but it's much more a gentle cruiser than anything else, though they did make a 500E with a 5-litre V8. I'd have liked a diesel one; they came in 5-cylinder 2.5 litre and 6-cylinder 3.0 litre versions but they aren't very common compared to the petrols.

I can see why people dislike autos but I've developed a bit of a taste for them. After a while driving it you learn when it's going to change gear and how it's going to behave in different situations.

Work has been busy. Lots of things coming in and going on, and making it hard to keep on top of the jobs. Every time I seem to get my job level down again a load more come in.

After not seeing Watchmen in the cinema, we saw it on DVD last week. It was interesting. I was quite impressed at how well they'd stuck to the book but it felt very long and drawn out, probably because of that. There were some good bits, Rorschach was great, and some bits were a bit less good. OK, excruciating (owl ship shagging). I wasn't sure about Dr Manhattan at all, the look just didn't seem right.