Jill

I watched the original Jurassic Park this morning. It was my childhood favourite but I hadn't seen it for years since I only had it on VHS. Still class.

Happy birthday

Well played, MF. I'd definitely get myself murdered trying that.

Started watching Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell from episode 3 as it took me so bloody long to get through the book that the first two episodes had disappeared from the iplayer. Not that fussed on it, the book was ok but I can't really be bothered watching all of the episodes of the series.

I've been the last 3 years I think but giving it a miss this time. Just back off holidays and in need of a quiet weekend, plus it's pretty much the same every year (canny though). Plus I've stupidly signed up for the Great North 10K on Sunday and I don't fancy that with a spicy bumhole.

Recently started: True Detective S2. Not at all into it so far (2 episodes). I'll keep going as I really liked the first series but it's not doing it for me so far. I don't really have any interest in the new characters. Not Safe For Work (comedy drama with Zawe Ashton). I thought the first half of the opening episode was pretty poor and wasn't sure whether it was my cup of tea but it picked up a bit towards the end. I'll probably give it at least another episode but I can't see it being a classic by any stretch. Humans. Enjoyed episode 1, looking forward to watching more.

Not yet, just spotted it for the first time the other day but didn't have time to get one. Definitely going to try it though.

My word, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is a long old slog. Feel like I've been reading it for half of my life and I'm only 65% of the way through.

Really nice - the steak was lovely. 10oz sirloin, medium rare, blue cheese sauce. Forced down an Eton mess for pudding as well. Thought I was going to have to get one of the staff to roll me out of there and I nearly died with happiness when I got in the house and could get my pyjamas on.

I'm a sucker for an Indian happy hour deal. Suddenly become the world's greediest person when usually a curry and rice or a naan is quite enough.

I tried running home from work the other day (city centre to Killingworth). I've walked it loads, but can never be bothered with the logistics of running (like leaving my stuff at work overnight because it was a spur of the moment decision). It wasn't bad actually, other than being uphill pretty much all the way and having to stop after about 5 miles due to a slight foot injury from a few days before. Sense kicked in rather than my gut instinct which was to continue and make it worse. Jumped on the bus for the last mile instead. Today was the first in a long line of birthday/holiday related events over the coming weeks so I'm resigned to a few pounds gain before the end of the month. So naturally I've signed up for a 10K the first weekend in July and have done basically no actual running other than aforementioned attempt.

Dinnington? Went there last month, it was lovely.

Going to Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse on Thursday with a few lasses from work "for my birthday" which is actually still a few weeks away. I love steak but I'm always put off ordering it if I'm not somewhere that specialises in it, so this wants to be decent. Also need to come up with somewhere for a decent Sunday dinner next week with the family. We usually just get a carvery from the Killy Arms (spot on) but with my mam in a wheelchair and my gran in her 90s and a bit doddery it's not really practical. The only other place I usually venture is the Black Bull at Wylam and that's a bit of a trek for everyone. There are loads of Italian etc places that do Sunday dinners but I always end up with pizza instead of their boil in the bag beef.

Rounding up my age to 40, I'm 26.

I admit I had a boring ham sandwich, so I chucked a load of Heinz hot pepper sauce on it to liven it up a bit. It was slightly more edible, but still not really appropriate for a nice Friday lunch.

Surprisingly good mood considering I woke up briefly thinking it was the weekend, before remembering it's Friday and we've got an audit at work.

Sometimes. I'm a sucker for a missing person, spend half my life browsing Websleuths.

I had a feeling this wouldn't have a happy ending, though was trying to cling onto some hope she was doing that daft "stay away for 72 hours" shite that some bairns are trying. Social media seems to have the stepfather convicted already. I'd not be surprised if she's harmed herself though. I know photos can be misleading but she doesn't look happy at all and a row could have been the last straw. It sounds like they're not treating it as suspicious. Awful.

I already mentioned that one in my previous post, I thought it was bloody awful.

My dad's had to pack in drinking and he has Becks Blue regularly now, basically because it's the only option that's widely available. Which is slightly odd because he was always a Brown Ale drinker rather than of the other usual lagers/beers.

I've also been sampling some non-alcoholic alternatives recently. I had high hopes for Cobra Zero but it was awful, far too sweet. Bavaria (the only option from the local One Stop Shop ) was pretty bad too. Best I've found so far is non-alcoholic pear Kopparberg and I don't like the alcoholic version of that! Need to try the mixed fruits one but Morrisons were sold out the other day, bastards.

Awful, sorry to hear that. Similar happened to a friend of my brother in law recently - just went so sleep and didn't wake up and was found the next day. No health conditions that anyone knew about and only early 40s. Terrifying.

I too love that tactic for birthdays/Christmas.

Thanks for all of that.

That information did come from a chronic bullshitter, admittedly, but I haven't seen Ciderman around for ages.