http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/en-UKhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/8c/ac942f461d210849613f24a639ec3c_160x200.jpg <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="singstar"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/640/4082640_604295672f_m.jpg" alt="singstar"></a></p> <p>I'm really looking forward to getting out of here for the weekend now! A group of us are heading round to Stephanie's place, beside Treptower Park, for drinks and Singstar this evening. Haven't had a go of that for ages... I'm sure my angelic voice won't let me down *coughs* <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> Rumour has it that there is an Abba disc which I will be avoiding like the plague. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/stephanie-s-karaoke-party-7320268/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/stephanie-s-karaoke-party-7320268/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:03:39 +0100 <p>I find the resignation e-mail always takes a little while to get just right. Certainly, you want to be professional, but also succinct. I don't think anybody really wants to know all of the pros and cons contributing to your decision. Anyway, it is done, with genuine regret and a nod to an exciting future. I have said that I will work until Friday 14th December 2009, if acceptable. My start date in Sydney has been confirmed as Monday 11th January 2010 which means that I'll have a week to surf and hang out on the beach after arriving on new years day before starting work - Perfect <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/just-handed-in-my-resignation-7305861/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/just-handed-in-my-resignation-7305861/Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:13:59 +0100 <p>That's all really... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/snowing-in-berlin-7304946/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/04/snowing-in-berlin-7304946/Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:40:03 +0100 <p>Went in this place on my street for a takeaway pizza last night and was blown away by their Pizza Garnelen - Also fascinating, was their pizza dough halloween lantern, which you can't really make out that well from the pic...</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01041"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/386/4069386_24fdf467bf_m.jpeg" alt="DSC01041"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01040"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/387/4069387_770bc8b97c_m.jpeg" alt="DSC01040"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/cenacolo-7294800/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/cenacolo-7294800/Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:31:25 +0100 <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01020"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/471/4069471_6095f100cc_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01020"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01019"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/472/4069472_89e2179a0d_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01019"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01023"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/473/4069473_75a0269545_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01023"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01021"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/474/4069474_c33b0f7dc8_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01021"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01024"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/499/4069499_355ef6f3ad_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01024"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01026"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/500/4069500_38bbc97f6e_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01026"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01034"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/501/4069501_e13cd754a8_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01034"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01031"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/502/4069502_1845a61149_s.jpeg" alt="DSC01031"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/a-few-beers-on-halloween-7294942/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/a-few-beers-on-halloween-7294942/Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:32:47 +0100 <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC01015"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/525/4069525_a9ba4f3029_m.jpeg" alt="DSC01015"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/waiting-for-a-currywurst-at-konnopke-s-7294965/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/waiting-for-a-currywurst-at-konnopke-s-7294965/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0100 <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Visa_Approval"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/446/4050446_e9a88cb911_m.jpg" alt="Visa_Approval"></a></p> <p>I finally received notification from Australia this morning that my visa has been approved. I'm just waiting to find out if they're happy with my proposed start date of 04 Jan 2010 and then it's all done! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/28/the-visa-has-landed-7259923/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/28/the-visa-has-landed-7259923/Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:37:08 +0100 <p>Not sure exactly what this means, but apparently this paves the way for the visa application... Still no idea when it'll finally arrive though. Bugger. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/sponsorship-nomination-approved-7246093/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/sponsorship-nomination-approved-7246093/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:16 +0100 <p>Firstly, Billy Wilder's bar in the Sony Centre - It's expensive, perhaps a little out of place in Berlin and a bit touristy, but it's very comfortable, the service is excellent and they serve the most fantastic Gimlet - my latest cocktail of choice.</p> <p>Adagio nightclub, is equally out of place in Berlin. In fact, it's everything you would expect to find in a Las vegas nightclub/hotel. The place is adorned with huge faux Roman fountains and sculptures, which are tacky, but it somehow works! The main nightclub area has a gothic theme.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="adagio_1"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/230/4043230_d5a03ea0df_m.jpg" alt="adagio_1"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/billy-wilder-s-adagio-7246013/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/billy-wilder-s-adagio-7246013/Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:30:00 +0100 <p>For some reason, I have a desire to see this film again... Right now. A rental copy is currently being downloaded from iTunes. It's called 'The Road Warrior' on there, but I always thought it was called 'Mad Max'. Hmmmm.... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/mad-max-7242400/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/25/mad-max-7242400/Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:01:37 +0100 <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Emirates_a380"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/526/4036526_77e7cdfc37_m.jpeg" alt="Emirates_a380"></a></p> <p>Booked my flight with Emirates this morning in anticipation that my visa will eventually appear...</p> <p>Leaving London Gatwick on 30 Dec 2009 at 20:10</p> <p>Via Dubai</p> <p>Arriving Sydney Kingsford Smith on 01 Jan 2010 at 07:05</p> <p>So, I will be spending new years eve on an Airbus A380 - "Cheers!" </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/got-bored-of-waiting-7235670/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/got-bored-of-waiting-7235670/Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:34:36 +0200 <p>My manager sends a puzzle out to the team each week. Here is the most recent offering which I got pretty damn quickly <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Which number goes in the space?</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/puzzle/4029283" title="Puzzle"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/283/4029283_810a0ae924_m.jpg" alt="Puzzle"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/puzzle-7221684/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/puzzle-7221684/Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:53:16 +0200 <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/911/4029911_755798c828_m.jpg" alt="HMCE"></p> <p>Having finally cleared up the mess with HMR&C my company is now officially de-registered for VAT. Woohoo! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/de-registered-7221549/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/22/de-registered-7221549/Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:27:29 +0200 <p>Following a 'dream' of Stephan's we paid a visit to an old haunt, Dante's, after tapas at Vivolo. They had a free bar for an hour which was veritably plundered. The music was predictably awful and the clientele weren't much better. It was strangely fun though - good company, I guess! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/vivolo-and-dante-7221464/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/21/vivolo-and-dante-7221464/Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:00:00 +0200<p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/does-anybody-know-how-to-get-german-characters-on-a-mac-7211070/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/does-anybody-know-how-to-get-german-characters-on-a-mac-7211070/Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:00:27 +0200 <p><a href="http://www.thegoodsshed.net/" title="the_goods_shed"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/659/4036659_c576b41aaf_m.jpeg" alt="the_goods_shed"></a></p> <p>I hadn't been here for a while but the food was very nice, as always. Scallops, steak, fish, homemade ice cream, local ale <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/mother-s-birthday-7235894/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/17/mother-s-birthday-7235894/Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:45:00 +0200 <p>There was a change in legislation on 14th September 2009 just before my Subclass 457 Long Stay Business visa was approved, so still waiting for that to come through... I've extended my contract here in Berlin for a year so that I can just hand in one months notice once everything is in place. Because of the delay, it's now looking like a January start in Sydney, right in the middle of their summer <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="visa"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/869/4029869_f64b0f5472_m.jpg" alt="visa"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/an-update-of-sorts-7173463/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/an-update-of-sorts-7173463/Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:24:16 +0200 <p>Basically a giant Paulaner tent at the Festplatz, Berlin. Maß of beer, sausages etc etc.</p> <p><a href="http://www.berliner-oktoberfest.de/" title="tent"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/849/4029849_4e4409f139_m.jpg" alt="tent"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/berlin-oktoberfest-7173560/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/berlin-oktoberfest-7173560/Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0200 <p>This weekend I'm back in Canterbury for Mother's birthday meal in the Goods Shed, a bit of more work on the parent's extension, and hopefully, a bit of Rock Band Beatles action! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/weekend-7223076/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/weekend-7223076/Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:59:14 +0200 <p>The only drink to have at Erdbeer is the daquiri! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/magnet-7221803/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/magnet-7221803/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:00:00 +0200 <p>Need to do a bit of catching up on here, I think!</p> <p>First though, lunch at the Italian place around the corner...</p> <p>Buon appetito! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/back-to-blog-7130326/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/back-to-blog-7130326/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:58:33 +0200 <p>Hertha were absolutely awful, losing 3 - 1. The first was an own goal and the next two were scored within minutes from identical goalkeeping errors. I have never seen a football match like that before!</p> <p>This is an excerpt from the match report on the Hertha Berlin website:</p> <p><em>What then followed towards the end of the first half left both sets of fans shaking their heads in disbelief. Ochs was taken off with a thigh problem and was replaced by Burchert on 30 minutes. Only nine minutes later the game was turned on its head. On 38 minutes the 19 year old keeper came way out of his area to reach a cross-field ball meant for Berg, heading the ball away, but only to the feet of Jarolim who produced a superb lob from 25 metres out to give HSV the lead. Moments later an almost identical goal was scored as Burchert once again ventured out as Berg was played into space. This time the ball fell to the feet of Zé Roberto. The Brazilian veteran lobbed the ball home while standing inside the centre circle. HSV somehow led 3-1 at halftime. </em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/hertha-berlin-vs-wolfburg-7221740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/04/hertha-berlin-vs-wolfburg-7221740/Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0200 <p><a title="DSC_0058" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/598/4036598_d11a0fc1c1_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0058"></a><a title="DSC_0070" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/620/4036620_37c619f418_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0070"></a><a title="DSC_0073" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/621/4036621_d2a8d973e4_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0073"></a><a title="DSC_0069" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/599/4036599_5351913650_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0069"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/die-riesen-kommen-7235825/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/die-riesen-kommen-7235825/Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:03:21 +0200 <p>Never managed to make it up the tower before but the bros were keen, so up we went. There is no lift up there either, just many stairs to climb.</p> <p> <a title="DSC_0056" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/453/4024453_57908653ae_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0056"></a><a title="DSC_0055" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/452/4024452_edec362c16_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0055"></a><a title="DSC_0047" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/450/4024450_22f8fc8fbb_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0047"></a><a title="DSC_0050" href="javascript:window.open("><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/451/4024451_7fd17a1971_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0050"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/siegessaule-7211166/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/siegessaule-7211166/Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0200 <p>My parents had recommended this place on my road for breakfast so Matty, MJ and I gave it a go. Bizarrely, they had some kind of English option which I plumped for and rather enjoyed - essentially, an egg and bacon fest which I forgot to photograph...</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0042"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/426/4024426_ab09a2296b_m.jpeg" alt="DSC_0042"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0046"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/427/4024427_796d6fe210_m.jpeg" alt="DSC_0046"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/breakfast-in-november-7211052/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/10/03/breakfast-in-november-7211052/Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0200 <p>Pottered around on the bikes for the middle part of the day taking in Volkspark Friedrichshain, Karl Marx Allee, Alexanderplatz, Unter den Linden, the Brandenburg gate and a few other odds and ends.... after breakfast at Anne Blume, of course <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0024"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/368/4024368_aa66f7abce_m.jpeg" alt="DSC_0024"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/a-day-on-the-bikes-7210937/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/a-day-on-the-bikes-7210937/Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0200 <p>A few hours spent in one of my favorite bars and some experimentation with longer exposure times producing a faint looking Yukari, a Leon with no head, a Leon with a very thin head and a Leon with a see-through head... and some others!</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0018"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/352/4024352_f4e3d68e54_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0018"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0007"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/353/4024353_9adb9d30fe_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0007"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0008"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/354/4024354_d8d1beeb43_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0008"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0013"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/355/4024355_af1ef9a10a_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0013"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0022"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/356/4024356_f80d8498bc_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0022"></a><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0012"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/357/4024357_7b5d3fad11_s.jpeg" alt="DSC_0012"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/kdr-7210899/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/kdr-7210899/Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:00:00 +0200 <p>A rather excellent steamed Chinese dumpling place at the bottom end of Kastanian allee. Leon, Yukari and I sauntered in to sample a range of their fine cuisine... and a few beers.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="DSC_0004"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/303/4024303_8ae1117689_m.jpeg" alt="DSC_0004"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/yumcha-heroes-7210778/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/yumcha-heroes-7210778/Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 +0200 <p>So, I was settling down after boarding my flight last night when some kind of pop star boarded in a very revealing outfit and sat just opposite me in row 3 with what I assume was her PA and a couple of burly bodyguards. Reading the online BZ just now I realise it was <a href="http://www.bz-berlin.de/leute/lady-gaga-zur-ifa-in-tegel-gelandet-article575049.html">Lady Gaga</a>, whoever she is? I liked her hat, anyway... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/nice-hat-6913173/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/09/07/nice-hat-6913173/Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:08:04 +0200 <p>Just enter your Huckleberry Finn, choose how much <a href="http://www.ananova.com/News/story/sm_3453882.html">sausage and mash</a> you want and plant it in your sky rocket. Lemon squeezy... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/sausage-and-mash-machine-6808936/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://stewartacraig.blog.co.uk/2009/08/24/sausage-and-mash-machine-6808936/Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:41:35 +0200