Yes it's that time of the month again, or rather it's time for another month.
for any new Frorumites, there is this trange ritual we go through each month where we suddenly have the urge to discuss anything and everything going on in life from relationships to games, to films books and also whether you've turned into a werewolf or not.
It's probably something to do the tidal affects of the moon, or just something odd that happens whenever we see a one on the calendar .
So it was probably Halloween last night for those who do that sort of thing. I gather Halloween is probably a bigger deal in the states than over here, mostly you get the odd kids trick or or a kids party and that's it.
Trick or treating is something that's a weird custom anyway, basically kids working by extortion, indeed I've heard of some nasty incidents over here where basically people get eggs or stuff chucked at their houses or vandalism or what not around Halloween, though luckily Newark where we have just moved now isn't that sort of place.
We did get what I believe was a trick or treat last night, however they made the mistake of knocking at the front door. Where we're living the front door opens directly onto a rather busy road, so we have a sign in the window asking people to take the side gate and go around to the side door (we also have a safety gate to stop anything bad happening to my dog).
I did yell "please use the side door" but I believe the kidsies didn't hear me, and by the time I ran out of the side gate they'd run off.
Oh well, more cookies for me, and in fairness it was their own fault for neither reading the sign paying attention.
Part of the reason I think Halloween over here tends to be low key and basically just an excuse for tv marathons and child based extortion, is that bonfire night is so close on the fifth of November.
We're actually going to a friend of my parents for another display on Saturday which should be good, and makes two lots.
I also hope this month to sort the mobile phone situation out and see about a new one, since I'm not sure when the sales tend to be in. I would like to buy directly from the Apple shop since then I can have them change the sim card from my old IPhone 5, which is the one bit of setup that I cannot do myself, I can buy a survivor case at the same time.
In other news, more work on the db, hurrah! I don't know when I'll have enough for a news item for the front site, but I've updated some entries and added some others. Next up is Empire mud, which I'm still slowly working into. I enjoy all the crafting and skills, though whether I will be able to found an empire when I have finished enough of the tutorials and want to leave the newbie islands I do not know.
I am also really impressed with junction gate, though I do need to look at chrome since some of the other incremental games like rebuild the universe don't play nice with ie, and I am not a fan of firefox, though since there are still other games that need pages is more to do as usual.
The house actually coming together now which is nice, I have my desktop and the living room is looking like a living room, which is a vast improvement on this time last month. There is of course more to do, especially around my lady's own work room which needs paper and furniture and such, but act least now we don't have quite as many boxes and there are good things like carpets and actual chairs and what not .
In terms of reading and such, my lady and I are reading Bruce W Cameran's dog's journey together, the story of a dog who is reincarnated several times and sequel to a dog's purpose.
A bit over cute in parts, though Dog's journey particularly is extremely good, actually pacing wise probably a little better than the first book.
I've also decided to read David Eddings' Polgara the Sorceress, thus completing my run through the Belgariad. I want to do a review for the book for fantasybookreview.co.uk to go along with the one I did for Belgarath the Sorcerer.
I did wonder what it would be like given I was 17 when I last read it, but I confess thus far I'm not sure, because Polgara basically comes across as a cold, arrogant arse with a massive chip on her shoulder.
Still we'll see where it goes, at least it's got some of the usual Eddings humour even if I must sometimes grit my teeth at some of the sweeping sexist assumptions, then again I'll save putting my thoughts together on that one for a full scale review.
We also have a lot going on this month in terms of concerts to do and the Selston music festival, so I have lots of music to learn, in particular a lovely Verdi Duette with my lady which I'm quite forward to as it's been a long time since I learned something really complex, and Baroque stuff can be quite fun to sing, especially in duette.
And that's pretty much what we're up to right now, how is everyone else doing?
Our souls with high music ringing; O men! It must ever be
That we dwell in our dreaming and singing, A little apart from ye. (Arthur O'Shaughnessy 1873.)