Seattle

So I received an email today from the infamous "Ascension Island Guest" - or Tamble as we like to call him. His words were something along the lines of:

Forget hat-trick and travelling - this is how you blog:-
http://www.tomnoden.blogspot.com/
It may be true I don't have your expansive fanbase yet but it's just a
matter of time before I do ;)

Whilst I would encourage you one and all to visit and support my poor unfortunately misguided younger brother, I would advise you all, dear readers (both of you) to beware this viper's forked tongue (and obviously photoshopped visage). If he wants a blog-off then that is what he will get.

I was awoken this morning in the cruellest way possible - before I was ready and by the smell of someone else's bacon. Those of you who know me will know that bacon has long been off my personal menu - being as it is completely incompatible with the vegetarian lifestyle choice that has been my master - for the last 11 years (eek!) however the fact that I don't eat it doesn't make it smell any less appealing. I eventually found my consciousness at the bottom of my first cup of fresh coffee and found myself hoping that I had hadn't made any plans for that morning. Luckily I hadn't - which was just as well because it was already half past twelve.

Having made my morning salutations to Bart and Lauren - our generous hosts these past few weeks - I busied myself with the important business of the day. These were (given that it's Saturday) football and virtual football. I found my 5-0 HT win blunted somewhat by the previously mentioned scoreline from Stamford Bridge. I consoled myself with the knowledge that MTFC had gained a wad of cash from the game (as well as some degree of pride that goes along with scoring against Chelsea) and another cup of coffee.

We had decided that today would be a day to get out and see a film or two. A quick consultation of the schedules revealed a few options, but what stood out above all the others was a showing of "Night at the Museum" on at the IMAX. For those readers not up on the terminology, IMAX is a HUGE, 6-storey screen with mega digital surround sound and super duper mega technological ... erm ... stuff. Anyway we caught the bus down and arrived just in time to catch the 3:15 show. Having busted a gut to get down there, we were unsurprised to hear that the show was sold out.

We decided that bumming around the centre of Seattle would quickly pass the time so we went of a wild and wonderful quest to track down chocolate chip cookies. I don't have time to illuminate fully, but needless to say it had everything: tears, conflict, suspense, thrills, butter, molasses and loads of chocoalte chips. On the way back to the theatre, I volunteered my services as a literary researcher - more on that later I feel...

So we got to the theatre early to make sure that we got the best seats in the house. There was already a small queue so we only got the second-best seats in the house, but those were good enough. The film itself was quite good as far as Ben Stiller films go: somewhere between "Along Came Polly" and "Zoolander": good, but not stellar. It was aided by the appearances of Ricky Gervais, Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan.

Winding our weary way back home we grabbed dinner out. My mac and cheese was solid, but slighly uninspired, Tracy's burger seemed to be a little better. While dining we watched the Seahawks (the local NFL franchise) make their way to the next round of the playoffs (which is good I believe) due to a HOWLER of a field goal fumble by Tony Romo the Dallas QB/holder. Idiot. When we got home we decided we wer eall too tired to do much of anything else so we decided to call it a night.

I'm just about to head off upstairs - maybe tonight I can resist playing GTA3 until the wee hours... Maybe tonight I'll get to sleep early? I'll let you know tomorrow (afternoon!).