Lanterne Rouge

Comments?

The photo of me at the top of this blog is woefully out of date. I’m ten pounds heavier, and have been rocking some kind of varying-length stubble for the last 9 months. I like to think I look cosier. More cuddly maybe?

I nudged a friend about why she wasn’t blogging any more earlier today, so rather than be a filthy hypocrite, here’s a wee update on things in and around me (hmm that’s slightly more unsavoury than I intended).

1) I had lunch today at Cha Cha Moon off Carnaby Street with Christian and we were chagrined to be kept waiting for quite a while, first for our jasmin tea (so sensible yet metrosexual) and then for our meal. After 20 minutes or so, the waitress* came over and whispered apologetically that they were having problems with the “chicken machine”. We had both ordered seafood dishes.

2) Christian ran a marathon last weekend, and I need to figure out my next big bike challenge, to go with riding to Paris (2008) and riding a 24-hour relay (2009). Harry keeps talking about étapes and mountains and the like. I don’t like hills and feel this may be unwise. But I do need to figure something out, especially as my commute is about all I seem to ride these days (though I’m going to a velodrome in a couple of weeks! So excited, you guys!). Any ideas more than welcome!

3) Xmas is almost upon us. I want a pony.

4) I think the internet is getting more patronising. Chief among the wrong ‘uns are all the websites -invariably spanking new and almost all social-networky (that’s Polish for “Facebook”) - who feel the need to have input boxes or buttons with ENORMOUS TEXT like you’re an enfeebled old duffer or a character in a early noughties www-based Hollywood feature film. But also sites that have embarced themes - I notice Yahoo! are aware that it’s autumn, but in case I’m not, here’s a little picture of some oak leaves and acorns next to my email.

Google may be many things, but although its homepage is ultra-simple, it has one big logo then lovely, reassuring normal-sized text. I don’t feel like I’m being treated like a 4-year-old, unlike, say, by the very page I’m typing this on:

That’s actual size. The logo, once again, I’m happy to forgive. But “Add a Text Post”? Okay already! No need to treat me like I’m deaf!

*we need a non-gender-specific term here, really, as Christian was convinced she was one of the intersexed people Thailand is well known for. If she was, then compliments on the hips, fella.