Play day

Last year I got to be an official photographer at Haas's >play conference. Once again my picture taking skills were sought out by the organisers (or maybe I asked nicely if I could help...) and I found myself at >play 2009, snapping away at the latest gadgets and developments in the digital media world. I even got a free t-shirt!

First things first - registration.

Lots of cool stuff is here...

...like controlling your home media setup using your iPhone! Now I just need to get a telly. And an iPhone!

Interested spectators.

Neuroboy is a game you control with your mind. Perfect if you're uncoordinated.

Here's a map of the user's brainwaves. They're thinking a lot about yellow at the moment.

I had a nice chat with Girls in Tech, and while I was desperate for a t-shirt they didn't have any :(

A lot of the day revolves around keynote speakers and panels, with some big names from the gaming and entertainment industries. This one was about monetizing (a great American word).

And here's Magoosh - a home-grown Haas student company, helping you get through the GMAT exam (you have to pass it to get into business school).

SugarSync - make sure you can get to your files from your phone, office, and home. Alternatively, write everything down on a piece of paper and carry it everywhere with you.

Ohhhhh yes, the free t-shirt! Powder blue is my colour.

Intense

There's a North Face Outlet Store near where we live, selling outdoorsy stuff cheaper than in all their other (overpriced) shops. Not bad. But then once or twice a year they have a sample sale. Every model of shoe, coat, sock, etc. that they sell, in every available colour, is brought out in boxes into a big warehouse out the back, the doors are thrown open, and the feeding frenzy begins. Last week, it happened again!

One slight disadvantage is that everything is in medium size only, but if you're mediocre like us (and everyone we know) then it all fits. Boots go for $15, fleeces for $50, trousers/tops for $20, waterproofs for $80...and now and again, if you're really lucky and can fight off enough crazed people in the crush, you can dig up something super exciting.

And so I found myself holding a large bag containing what claimed to be an eight-person tent. Do I even know eight people who would be willing to camp with me? It didn't matter - I handed over the flat price of $100 for "premium" items and brought it home, only to find through an Internet search that it's a Trailhead 8 that sells in shops for $500! Bargain!!

Or was it? There was only one way to find out. Picking a nearby patch of concrete (the grass is always wet due to the Californian love of constant irrigation) we unpacked canvas, clipped bendy poles together, staked out vestibules with rocks...and soon we were stood in a 132 square-foot tent with two queen-sized bedrooms, a living room, front and back doors, and a porch. Why bother continuing to rent our apartment?

Would you trust this man to put up your tent?

Hmmm...something's wrong here. I knew I shouldn't have bought cheap.

Ok, getting somewhere.

The inner is up, cleverly held in place by traffic cones.

Hannah can stand up straight inside!

Me in the guest bedroom.

Mr and Mrs Davies are proud to announce their new address...

Take only memories, leave only footprints (and traffic cones).

365 days old

Is it possible that a world once existed in which there was no Claire Camille Mucker? I find it hard to believe, but given that today we celebrated her first birthday I suppose it must be true.

She's followed in her parents' out-sized socialising footsteps by booking a room in the community centre for her party, their humble flat not being big enough for all her friends. There a clear split developed between the 5-and-unders (pink balloons, sweeties) and everyone else (G&T's, red wine).

Soon the cake appeared and, in fine tradition, Claire got to take the first slice. She's never been shy with food, but when the chocolate became smeared so thickly across her face that she couldn't open her eyes parental intervention was required.

The lady of the hour.

Ever-practical Dad fixes up the pinata.

It may not be her party, but Fini is always the queen.

Logan! Big, and running around fast.

Cake supplied by master baker Moran.

Claire got the hang of presents pretty quickly.

Here today...

Gone!

But Daddy, when I asked for a pony...

Cabin doors to manual and crosscheck

We're back! 30 hours of flying for 72 hours in-country was a bit crazy, but we made sure we packed as much as we could into our short time in the UK. Very little has changed in 14 months - strange, as I always assumed that everything revolved around me. Anyway, many thanks to the many people who entertained and sheltered us, and now it's back to real (or surreal) life in California.

We're waiting!

Journey's end. Hannah's happy to be back in the warmth of California...with her bodyweight in Cadbury's chocolate in the suitcases.

Sunday lunch

A few people have pointed out that rarely a blog post goes by without the mention of eating or drinking. What? I can't help it if I associate with people who enjoy food.

Anyway, today proved no exception to that rule when we went out to lunch with ten friends at The Pavilion - the best Chinese restaurant in the North East of England. And the world.

Mat - a cross between a French existentialist and Guy Fawkes.

Which wonderful Godparents could have bought Charity such a charming cheerleader outfit?

Having been categorised as troublemakers early on, we were given a private room out the back.

A happy, post-lunch crowd.

And then we decided to have a look at our stuff, currently residing in Mat's garage. Remind me again why we kept the fluffy purple fish-shaped bath pillow...

Snooker on the telly - it must be a Sunday afternoon in Britain.

Mat and his lovely girlfriend Alana. She approves of his dubious facial growth, apparently.

Many meetings

It's been a day around Durham, spending time with lots of friends and catching up on news (gossip). We said goodbye to the wi-fi at the coffee shop and made our way with Goddaughter Charity, her brothers David and Harry and dad Stuart to the Durham Uni sports centre where a fencing session was in full swing. Very impressive it was too!

After that it was lunch with them all and the addition of Kelly and daugher Molly, then a quick trip to Sainsbury's to buy some cider (I've found a reason to come back to England!) and then more time with the Weekses, Frances and Claire, to play some cricket. Now we're finally sat relaxing with Andy, who's cooking smells delicious! I'll need to get back to California for a break from all this socialising...



Harry - young European aristocrat.



Style and poise from the young man.



Hannah entertains (little) David.



Indulging in the classic British sport of Poohsticks.



Me and angelic (ha!) Goddaughter Charity.



Molly (small) and Kelly (bigger).

Charity takes guard in our back lawn cricket match.

Demon bowler Harry lets rip with a snorter.

Dunelm

We're back in the city of our youth. Fifteen years ago I, as a naive young boy from Somerset, met the girl of my dreams at university in this very place. After several months of nagging she even agreed to go on a date with me...which led to two years of nagging to marry me. The rest is happy history.

Forgive the nostalgia, but cold, wet Durham in October tends to do this to me. We awoke this morning to a view of dew-drenched fields behind Mat's house in Witton Gilbert, and drove into Durham to search for wi-fi (like running water and inside toilets, still a luxury in the UK). I'm now finishing my latte before jumping back on the social treadmill as we go off to watch Goddaughter Charity at fencing class. As if she isn't dangerous enough already...

Chilly sunrise.

Tourists in our own town.

England: green, pleasant.