blogging issue, part deux

Well, I left work, walked over to the library, and what do you know? I've been able to log on.

Go figure. Aww, sweet technology.

bar soda at the lava lounge

At the end of January our hotel had its Awards Gala evening, which was actually our Christmas party. The Harris' were able to join me as my guests for the event, held at another major hotel in the city. Our hotel reciprocates by catering the other hotel's dinner, which was held last Sunday.

It was so nice to get dressed up, have a fancy meal with good friends, and dance till dawn. The Harris' had to leave relatively early due to their babysitter, but I was glad they were able to join me.

Well, I guess I actually only danced until 12:30 a.m. when our gala ended and the music stopped. But a group of us, including my two top supervisors, went to the afterbars. My first time hitting the Cardiff night life!

We went first to Sodabar. Not impressed. It is quite the 'poseur' place, and everyone was sooooo young and soooo trying to make an impression. A few of us found seats on a lounge couch and watched the action, trying to figure out what made a second level nearby worth the 'special entry' accorded it. One of the women I was with braved crossing the lower level dance floor, jammed tight with bodies, to use the 'toilet', or 'loo' as they say here. She came back saying women were fighting in the loo, throwing shot glasses over her stall at each other.

After about 45 minutes at this scary venue we went on to the Lava Lounge, which turned out to be my kind of place. Mostly young students danced with abandon, lost in the music and the fuel. The dance floor was accessible with room to move, but many just danced wherever they were. This was a Sunday night and I was amazed to see both bars packed.

We saw the lights come on at 4 a.m. with closure and I shared a cab home, making it back by 5 in the morning.

Gooooood, goooood night!

blogging issues

Whew! I haven't been able to sign in to blog since mid-January. This is actually a test, which seems to be proving my point, that the problems lie with the Cardiff library and a security update they did last month. Their system is so secure I can't log in to work on my blog from there. And it's been where I've been working from since I arrived in Cardiff. Main selling point has been that it is free.

Right now I've been able to log in to a computer at work that is available for us to play around on. However there are only two of them in the canteen and they are mainly used for people checking Facebook and not conducive to writing or downloading photos. Though, obviously, it is working in a pinch.

At least I can go back to the library now and let them know Google sign-in works fine.

fish, fowl and 'the fight'

My cheaper (by a pound) eggs from 'caged hens'

I am on a very tight budget and I love eggs. They are my favourite food. And it is most disconcerting that smack on the packaging, or highlighted on grocer signs, are unsought details on the origin of my eggs.

I suppose North America is behind on this regard, as this branding practice in the U.K. is new to me. It is eye-opening and to be commended and it is most likely irresponsible of me not to be more aware of my food's origins, but I certainly don't enjoy the twinge of guilt and sense of unwanton cruelty that accompany my shopping now that the knowledge is laid out before me. Unfortunately, until I bring in a little more money, I suppose I will have to try to get used to my eggs with attitude.

That being said, the successful poultry campaign launched by U.K. chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, has been succeeded by this year's equally admirable and important Fish Fight. A series of hour-long episodes has highlighted the sad and disturbing wastes of current EU policies, seeking to inform, enrage and activate the U.K. consumer.

Blissful ignorance or disturbing knowledge? I suppose the goal and key is to make the truth less disturbing.

Along the Severn Sea

I could watch the tides come in and out all day. Penarth is a lovely town, but its seaside and the cliff walk are healing places for the soul.


Penarth Pier



Along the Cliff Walk

October in Penarth

The Harris', who welcomed me into their home on my arrival, had recently moved to Penarth which adjoins Cardiff from the Severn Sea -- (Mor Hafren) -- also known as the Bristol Channel. It is a charming town high on a bluff with some remarkable walks. Here are some memories from the lovely fall (before the rains came.)

Winter Wonderland

All the city lights and the skating rink came down on January 3. It was so pretty and they were on display since November, so I'm missing that magic sparkle.

Winter Wonderland in front of Cardiff City Hall

Cardiff Central Library, left in city centre -- New Year's Day night
(quietest I've ever seen city centre).