Nick Gibbins

Parapraxis in action

So, the got a whole bunch of brightly-coloured plastic toys for his birthday and for Christmas, and most of them a) make electronic noises when you press buttons and b) have no off switch. Given that he’s attracted to buttons like a wasp to jam (a case in point: I’ve taped cardboard over the power switch for the television, because he was trying to power cycle it a couple of times a second), we’re pretty inured to said noises by now. I’ve ‘fixed’ the really objectionable ones with the help of Mr. Screwdriver; he’ll get the batteries back in a… Read More »Parapraxis in action

At Home with the Garks: 29th December 2007

Just a quick reminder that we’re having an open house tomorrow from noon until late (our address is here, and the earlier announcement was here). RSVP if you’re coming, so that we can gauge how much food we need to buy.

Dressing the tree

Now that the ‘s first birthday is out of the way (see ‘s journal for an account), we’ve started putting up the decorations. Himself seems to be rather taken by the tree and its adornments (in his words: dah!), and I’ve managed to stop himself from electrocuting himself by sucking the fairy lights. We’ve decided that our living tree of the past two years is really looking too sorry; it was charmingly crooked when we bought it, now it’s charmingly crooked, marginally taller, and rather the worst for wear. Think of it as the Steve Buscemi of the tree world.… Read More »Dressing the tree

At home with the Garks: Saturday 29th December 2007

For those that are looking for an excuse to escape from their families between Christmas and the New Year, we’re offering a retreat from family politics. We’re having an open house on Saturday 29th December 2006, from noon until late (our address is in this friends-locked post). Any or all of the following may be involved: Eating (including a variety of nibbles, mince pies, and egg-free, -friendly cakes) Drinking (including mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch) Making merry (obligatory) Playing silly games Talking nonsense -wrangling (optional) The afternoon is likely to be biased towards our brethren of smaller stature (children, goblins, bonobos,… Read More »At home with the Garks: Saturday 29th December 2007

Top Five British WWII films made during WWII

I’m a bit of a cineaste, albeit one that doesn’t get to see many films these days. As a child, I grew up with depictions of World War Two on television every public holiday: Easters and Christmases were filled with Where Eagles Dare, The Battle of the Bulge, A Bridge Too Far and the like. While I still have a bit of a soft spot for these, their depictions of WWII are often close to revisionist in the way that they play fast and loose with the facts. I’ve come to appreciate the very specific genre of British-made films, and… Read More »Top Five British WWII films made during WWII

Shoes/Ships/Sealing Wax Redux

I thought I was dead smart, I did. Screwfix delivered at 1005 last Monday. Unfortunately, I’d had to leave the house for the dentist at 0955. Ended up collecting the parcel from local post office on Saturday morning. Two pairs of boots came in a box large enough to fit the in. Maybe two garklets. Unfortunately, the box contained only one pair of boots…and one pair of shoes. Typical. Phoned Screwfix, they agreed to dispatch a replacement for the shoes, and arranged collection for the shoes for this morning. New boots turned up on Monday while I was looking after… Read More »Shoes/Ships/Sealing Wax Redux