18th

Reading FC move up to 18th in the Championship following (last week's set back and) today's brilliant win. Mmmm.

20 Feb Blackpool 2 - 0 Reading
27 Feb Reading 5 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday

Oh and we mustn't forget their fantastic run in the FA cup continues. Next Sunday they host Aston Villa. Best of luck, boys.


And another thing... have recently discovered the wonderful Suzanne Vega will be touring the UK again this coming June. Better yet she'll be playing a gig one evening in the town where I'm now working. Guess I might be phoning the ticket line Monday...

The Story So Far...

Thought it was time to share a couple of images of my current work in progress. This is (yet another!) hand-built coiled pot I've been working away on for a few weeks now. You can only build a few coils at a time, then you have to consolidate and strengthen as necessary.







The piece is now finished and waiting to be bisque fired- I'll get it back in a week or so and can then decorate. Looking closely, you might just see the back is now carved: I used a wooden disposable chip fork for this effect.

Now how should I glaze it?

Best Laid Plans

Due to a dramatic change in my work pattern this week, for one week only, I rather thought I'd have loads of spare time and be able to get lots of little jobs done. Instead of which I've been getting in at 3am, getting between 4 and 6 hours sleep (not enough for me) and then returning to the office at 4pm, feeling generally like death warmed up.















Needless to say not a whole lot has been achieved outside of work and "important" projects like updating my iPod play list will just have to wait. Again.

Good job it's only for a week.




17 Feb:
Crystal Palace 1 - 3 Reading.

Up to 18th in the Championship. That's more like it.

Seven Seconds

Jimmy Kebe's goal for the Royals on Saturday may well qualify as one of the quickest in football history.

Read here how Reading did in the 5th round of the FA Cup against West Bromwich Albion.

Six Out Of Six

The Royals have picked up a maximum 6 points from their last two games. Well done, more of the same please.

6 Feb
Doncaster 1 - 2 Reading

9 Feb
Reading 2 - 1 Plymouth

Whilst remaining in the relegation zone, they've opened up a sizeable lead over the bottom two teams and are now only a point off the team above and safety.

New Pots

Have just uploaded images of some new pots here. Please take a look- what do you think?

Screened

Some people have been wondering exactly what it is my new job is all about. Me too LOL. Well I thought I'd post this picture I took today of part of one of our Anechoic chambers. These chambers are used to test electronic equipment and are screened to stop external radio signals getting in and affecting the measurements we make. Inside they are lined with absorbent material  to stop signals bouncing around. Bored already? Sorry.

I can't show any customer's work in progress, most of it is confidential  but I hope you get the general idea. Alternatively take a look at this picture I found on the web of a tank being tested...













I would imagine the tank was tested firstly to ensure no signals were "leaking" from it that a potential enemy could detect. Secondly I suspect the tank may have been bombarded to check that external signals didn't adversely affect it's systems. There you go: everything you need to know LOL!

Party On, Science Boy!

Just a brief update...

Sunday saw 16 small friends join LL for his Birthday party at a nearby science and discovery centre, where they all had a riot of a time. The staff were brilliant and made sure all the children (and parent helpers) were looked after.

'Nuff said.






 


(Isn't it great now the days are beginning to lengthen*? It's light until just after 5pm, great for driving home from the new job.)

*Sorry readers in the southern hemisphere, I guess that means winter is on the way for you.