Jim Stewart's Blog

It’s amazing how little things make a big difference. A new chair for working on – what a change. So in the last week I’ve updated the desk the chair etc – the living room is almost ready. Ouch – well now I have also replaced my extension cable the last one just fused mid-blog).

Well – I was quiet over Christmas – but I managed  to drive home and back. Quite an interesting journey. The snow was freezing as it hit the car – so much so that I ended up with a lump of ice trying to wipe the windscreen. I was really happy that I had filled up with -70 degree screen wash. It jut about coped. There were queues of trucks stranded on the road. 5000 km journey in all. It was good to see everybody.

My Christmas presents were interesting this year. I have a monkey that screams and a star named after me – yes a star has my name…

I got back to Vienna in time for a party to celebrate new year, and then managed to get up in time to see the new year concert at the rathaus (they show it on a big screen). Quite a busy time overall. But now I’m back.

Well, it’s started to snow. Been threatening all week. I decided it was a good time to put together a new desk for the house. It’s surprising how long it takes. Still – at least I don’t get to stand in the snow. The desk makes for a much better sitting position than the old one. Much easier to relax and type.

I alsö realise that bird feeding is a much bigger pastime here than in Britain. Quite interesting – the local supermarket sells 5kg sacks of bird food. There are several different varieties. Actually there are more varieties of bird food than most other items on the shelves.  I remember last year struggling on a hill walk through deep snow just to find an elderly lady in the middle of the woods tying up bags of food.

Oh well – busy week ahead – early bed tonight.

Another night out at the good Vienna restaurants in the hills. More weight.

Got home and put on a dvd. Interesting – it starts with a breakout from prison near where I used to live. I still remember the warning siren that was used to alert people of breakouts.

Another day at the office. I take over as on-call for the next week today. A long day – but with three brits in the meeting I get to go out for a meal – another pound added to my weight….