Sudoku

I finally jumped the bandwagon for this Japanese-named logic game, and like most people I've spoken to, I found sudoku highly addictive at first, which eventually gives way to boredom when you realise that there really isn't much variation between games.

I started and finished my first on 7th June: the moderate #101 in the Daily Telegraph, and have since tried a few from different newspapers. I've yet to complete the 16x16 Super Sudoku in the Independent - perhaps that's one for tomorrow given the crappy weather this weekend has been cursed with.

Give one a go if you haven't already.

Hip to be Square

To celebrate Ellie's 25th birthday, I took her to The Square restaurant in Mayfair. The food and service were excellent, although at that price they had to be. Highly recommended.

USA 2005 - weeks 2 and 3

Following 1 week of holiday in and around LA, I had 2 weeks of training at St Charles' Q Center (read: executive uni campus).

The routine was work hard, play hard. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served in an all-thou-can-scoff buffet style which almost prompted us to start a weight gain content. There was plenty of socialising each evening at the Cue Pub, which was the perfect way to unwind after a day of being stuck inside learning and then making use of the extensive sports facilities. A bike ride to St Charles was one of the funnest things to do without the use of alcohol.

The legendary Cadillac Ranch provided the entertainment on both Thursday nights: all-you-can-drink-before-1am wristbands, karaoke, and photos. Fab.

Chicago was the destination on Saturday night. A limo ride took us to Arlington House where we dumped our stuff before hitting the town: Barleycorn's followed by some form of McDonalds nurishment while bantering with the local party animals and homeless people. Sunday was spent walking to downtown Chicago, looking at the sites, and trying to shake the hangovers. Drinks at the top of the Hancock Tower ended the weekend nicely before heading back to St Charles.

In the second week we managed to get a few games of Beach Volley going, only once having the arrogance to play the Top Gun soundtrack out of some portable speakers. I also experienced my first keg party - while it lasted anyway.

But like all good things, the "training" came to an end, and on Friday evening after some goodbyes and half-serious promises of keeping in touch, it was off to O'Hare airport to start the journey back home.

USA 2005 - week 1

After a comfortable BA flight to LAX (and another viewing of the incredible SpongeBob Squarepants Movie) I was met by ex-Surrey lads Steve and Daria and taken straight to Bodega and treated to my first ever Sake Bomb. Promptly followed by another. Next up was The Colorado (where the patrons care little for the anti-smoking law).

The rest of my week in California involved a trip to NASA JPL, discovering the genuis of Jamba Juice, some fantastic food and stupidly big schooners of beer at Mutt Lynch's, quiet Sunday drinks in 4100 bar, photo opportunities at Hollywood's Chinese Theatre, a wander around Fullerton Arboretum, shaving my head to grade 3, a day exploring RMS Queen Mary (she's big) followed by lobster and the biggest single portion of mississippi mud pie ever at the Crab Pot, a bit of shopping at my fav Hollister, and a night out at bar 330 cumulating in getting pulled over by the cops. How exciting.

Next stop, Illinois...

Pre-USA

Back in May, I had my first Strada experience in Guildford (RIP The Hogshead) on the fine bank holiday. Later that week I headed up to Scotland for my cousin's wedding and had an amazing time. It was the first time I've ever been actively at a ceilidh, and soon got the hang of The Dashing White Sargeant (two gals for each guy!).

The following week was my last before my trip to the states, but still managed to fit in a Blackbud gig (photos by Paul), The Producers (highly enjoyable, even/especially the painfully camp James Dreyfus), and a fantastic meal at Thai Terrace.