Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Tuesday 25th November 2008



Buona Sera. I'm just sitting down now in front of the server for my notoriously irregular evening update. I had intended to blog earlier but I've been delayed, mainly due to work issues and my on-call mobile buzzing like an angry bee. Due to an urgent part required for an offshore rig, I've had to have one flown in urgently from Italy. So urgent in fact that I had to appropriate the services of an Italian - of whom before today I'd never spoken to in my life - and pay him to get on the aircraft in Milan with the part. Thankfully he's proven reliable and turned up at 9.45pm this evening on schedule. My driver (who now hates me after I informed him earlier that he was having to pick up a strange Italian at 10pm tonight, before starting his morning shift at 0430 in the morning) now has man and package on board so I can relax. I'll meet Patrizio tomorrow morning before I put him back on his flight to Milan (via Heathrow) and give my thanks - this was a very big deal today.

I hope you've enjoyed the images provided above. The first is of Luca, as per his norm during their visit, bullying his poor Grandma. The second (the video) is mainly for those who don't see Luca much (Kelly, Lucy and families....). It's less about the image - which is poor I accept - and more about the audio. He's become very aware of who people are for quite some time, but it's only recently he's been able to say his name in relation to himself. It doesn't sound much like Luca yet but he's trying!

I'm surprised Kelly didn't enjoy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - I thought it'd be right up her street. Then again, I am the man who once bought her a foot spa as a Christmas present and was genuinely shocked when her levels of gratitude were less than overwhelming. As most of you would testify, if you are being polite you'd describe my choice of Christmas/birthday gifts as "original" or "different". More often the reaction to a gift from me is a look of general, and confused, disgust. I do try though. Here you go dad, there's another list for you to do - the worst presents ever received.

Manchester Utd were on TV tonight, but I had to miss it as the second part od "Survivor" was on. Did anyone pay attention to my weekend blog and watch it? It was terrific again.

What's on for the rest of this week? Other than work obviously I'm planning to hit the gym tomorrow, before settling down in front of the multitude of live games on TV. On Thursday we - may - go to the Salsa dancing for the first time. All dependant on how Carole's bugs clearing up. On Friday we have my works Christmas night out (yes I know it's not even December!), while on Saturday dad, Ross and I are going to Pittodrie to watch Aberdeen attempt to play football. This'll be followed up on Saturday night by a quiet night for Luca and I while Carole go's out drinking and smoking (terrible habit, why would anyone do that?.....) with Jenny, the partner of one of my oldest friends. Carole get's on well with quite a few of my friends partners, which is good to see - as everyone knows, socialising with partners friends partners can sometimes be awkward. On Sunday Luca will soothe Carole's hangover with his singing (which is improving in clearness of vocabulary, if not yet in tune) while we chill out in front of "Super Sunday"- the Manchester derby (Utd V City) followed by the London derby (Arsenal V Chelsea) - bliss!

**Useless fact of the day - Over one fifth of the worlds wine supply is produced in Italy**

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