bitful

UK-based weblog on technology, queerness, language and fitness

Archive for November 2006

keelhaul

Thursday 30 November 2006

To discipline by dragging under the keel of a ship. To rebuke harshly.

glean

Wednesday 29 November 2006

To gather (grain) left behind by reapers. To collect bit by bit.

When I grow up I want to cut keys

Tuesday 28 November 2006

Today I went to have a key cut.
It was a very ordinary, common and widespread house key, so I did not shop around for the cheapest rates. I had noticed a little cobbler-locksmith unit inside Oxford Circus tube station where I change trains to and from work, so on the way home I handed the [...]

Continue reading When I grow up I want to cut keys

quell

Tuesday 28 November 2006

To put down forcibly; suppress: Police quelled the riot. To pacify; quiet.

repast

Monday 27 November 2006

A meal or the food eaten or provided at a meal. To eat or feast.

Money makes me do stuff

Sunday 26 November 2006

Last Christmas Dr B. gave me a Sony Ericsson K700i. I had been unlucky with my choice of mobile phones in the past (read: could not afford anything produced this century) and it was the perfect present.
Unfortunately, the joystick got stuck pretty soon, Dr B. demanded a replacement and got a refusal, I took out [...]

Continue reading Money makes me do stuff

holster

Sunday 26 November 2006

A case of leather or similar material into which a pistol fits snugly and which attaches to a belt, strap, or saddle so that it may be carried or transported. A belt with loops or slots for carrying small tools or other equipment.

What I read to get a job

Saturday 25 November 2006

The other day when I wrote about getting a new job, I also mentioned that I spent a long time and a lot of effort to prepare for the interview.
I knew I had to compensate for a lack of experience in certain business techniques with very clear views and strong ideas on how to approach [...]

Continue reading What I read to get a job

browbeat

Saturday 25 November 2006

To intimidate or subjugate by an overbearing manner or domineering speech; bully.

pernicious

Friday 24 November 2006

Tending to cause death or serious injury; deadly: a pernicious virus. Causing great harm; destructive.

stealth

Thursday 23 November 2006

Not disclosing one's true ideology, affiliations, or positions.

I am bursting with job

Wednesday 22 November 2006

I went for an interview last week and I was offered the job yesterday afternoon: I am probably going to be working just a few desks away from where I sit now, but I will take on a different role, and this is something that I have been after for a couple of months now.
I [...]

Continue reading I am bursting with job

hubris

Wednesday 22 November 2006

Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance.

No post today

Tuesday 21 November 2006

After monitoring Yahoo! Mail's spam filter for months in case it wrongly flagged mail as unwanted items, and failing to receive only one genuine message (that I know of), this morning I took the plunge and ticked the box that says 'I don't want to receive any messages that SpamGuard thinks are spam'.
Up until now, [...]

Continue reading No post today

buddleia

Tuesday 21 November 2006

Tropical shrub having clusters of white or violet or yellow flowers.

The patter of tiny beats

Monday 20 November 2006

Today I have received this text message from Dr B.:
'I'm proud to announce that as of 12.37 we became the Legal Guardians of our very own little black baby. At 12.47 the baby was formally handed over to us after the final bit of paperwork was completed. (They stamped "RECEIVED" on the receipt.) Father and [...]

Continue reading The patter of tiny beats

jangle

Monday 20 November 2006

To cause to make a harsh discordant sound. To have an irritating effect.

Richard, touch me

Sunday 19 November 2006

I was listening to The Best of Depeche Mode, vol. 1 (not bad at all, now that I've cleansed myself for a few years after sharing a flat with a friend who was slightly obsessed with the St. Albans lot) when Dr B. sang along 'Reach out and touch me', to which I said 'No, [...]

Continue reading Richard, touch me

hobble

Sunday 19 November 2006

To walk or move along haltingly or with difficulty; limp.

behemoth

Saturday 18 November 2006

Something enormous in size or power.

stoked

Friday 17 November 2006

To stir up and feed (a fire or furnace).

pail

Thursday 16 November 2006

A watertight cylindrical vessel, open at the top and fitted with a handle; a bucket. The amount that a pail can hold.

curmudgeon

Wednesday 15 November 2006

An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions.

dais

Tuesday 14 November 2006

A raised platform, as in a lecture hall, for speakers or honored guests.

semaphore

Monday 13 November 2006

A visual signaling apparatus with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms, as one used on a railroad

polity

Sunday 12 November 2006

The form of government of a nation, state, church, or organization

rutabaga

Saturday 11 November 2006

Swede, Swedish turnip.

abut

Friday 10 November 2006

To touch or end at one end or side; lie adjacent. To border upon or end at; be next to.

Eat humble pie and lose weight

Thursday 9 November 2006

My entire sympathy goes to all the people who every day take the decision do get fit(ter) and step into a gym for the first time. The machinery is daunting, some of the people are scary, you will ache like crazy but if you stick with it you will love it, and love yourself for [...]

Continue reading Eat humble pie and lose weight

scanty

Thursday 9 November 2006

Barely sufficient or adequate. Insufficient, as in extent or degree.