Confessions of an aspirant code borrower . . .

Andrew's new clothes

2011-01-05T20:45:00.009Z

Well not really but Santa kinda brought some new clothes in the form of a new running shoe . . . see I went to sleep one night and then I suddenly knew that in order to get my act together for the Maggies's Monster Challenge - instead of just walking and cycling I needed to start running . . . putting the cart before the horse - well no I don't really think so . . . it will definitely help and should build stamina and muscle much quicker than just walking . . . to be honest I am going to do a bit of both to start off with as I have not done anything for months and months . . . .

What can I say about the shoes - well once again went to sleep and just knew these were the shoes for me . . . good thing Santa knew that as well - Hey!

This website probably says it all . . . .

Reebok - Zigtech

Been out . . . . wait for it . . . 2 nights in a row - sharp intake of breath - yes 2 nights in a row . . .LOL - will take many more to get me anywhere near ready - we are planning a couple of overnight walks on the actual route - just quite a mission to get there & back but we will set out from Fort Augustus early Sat morning and arrive Inverness Sunday before lunch sometime - well that is the plan . . . .

That long since my last posting . . .

2011-01-04T21:10:00.003Z

Wow that is shocking - 2009 - Bali - Wow - how come 2010 South Africa World Cup never got a look in . . .might have to address that - at the very least . . .

Well here we are 2011 has only just dawned - today 4 Jan was my first day back at work . . . lots of changes happening there as well . . . Team Leader resigned today - 1 month notice and new Team Leader starts tomorrow - plus both other team members will leave one next week - she is pregnant & the other is only partially involved with our work stream - we have two new guys who have just started & myself - I'll be the person with the most knowledge - there is a month to hand over so should all be fine . . . but interesting and challenging times ahead . . .

What is on the cards for the year . . . well in no particular order I'd list the following:

House - my own place purchase
Happiness - in general - what's the point if your not happy??
Family - keeping close - making an effort - reaching out
Friends - broadening and maintaining
Love - passion in what I do - in a relationship - sharing with someone special
Direction - where am I going?? what do I really want to do with my life - my time here on the planet??

A mouthful to say the least - but something I want to try and keep an eye on during the course of the year and not just slip into existence . . .

I will be going to New Zealand sometime this year - so really looking forward to that - something to plan for and cherish - will keep me going during the year - there's my direction LOL

Also more short term I have in my foolishness agreed to take part in Maggies Monster Challenge again - so I need to start training again - I was out tonight for the first time walked just over 2 miles - went fine - need to a) makes sure I am out there regularly - come rain or shine (ain't going to be much of that at them moment - and quite quickly start ratcheting up the distances . . . will also need to start cycling again as well . . . . It is all for a good cause so I am looking forward to it - achieved silver last year and Craig & I are now going for Gold with Hazel & Yvonne going for bronze in their first year . . . . they may well want to return again next year - Hazel (Craig's wife) & Yvonne were part of the support team last year -so they have a fair idea of what is involved . . . .

Our fund raising page - we've only just started a long way to go yet . . .

http://www.justgiving.com/albaaqua2monsters

Bali - General

2009-06-18T20:36:00.003+01:00

A taste of Bali (again wide angle lens . . . you can click on the link at the bottom to get a better perspective . . .)

Bali 2009

Sam's Wedding

2009-06-18T20:30:00.005+01:00

A wee taster of the wedding - official photo's still some way off yet . . . (my camera has a wide angle lens - so tends to cut off a bit on the side - not always the bit you expect . . lol - you can always click on the link beneath the presentation.)

Wedding-Bali

Bali

2009-05-23T09:13:00.002+01:00

Well here I am sitting at Glasgow airport - destination Denapasar Bali - off for three weeks - Holiday +

Sam & Hud are to be married on 2 June in Ubud Bali. Cathy & I set off this morning and as with all journeys it has gone without its mishaps already - considering we have only just arrived at the airport - we are not doing too badly. What has happened well I've forgotten my suitcase locks key and Cathy in her wisdom (actually my fault) decided to use my suitcase and I used hers - the wheels seems to have come off the suitcase. She has left already - we are travelling independently of each other and she booked from London nopt Glasgow - so her luggage is not going straight through - she has to grab it and run at Heathrow . . . mine I do not see until my arrival . . .she had me in stitches - I know I shouldn't laugh but the case was hopping along and then she has to rush when she arrives - I'm sure (and in fact hope) all will go well . . .

So Sam's wedding . . . a big event - Jessila and Arran coming over - 25 guests in all . . working on my speech (a long way to go yet) - I am really looking forward to it all and the time in the sun and the water . . . will be a watershed period for Cathy & I - see how we get on etc., - may find we have different approaches to life in general - who knows?

We have a week before and then a week after the wedding basically . . .

I am still with my utility company although I think the writing may be non the wall - will have to evaluate when I come back - at least 2 weeks work left on contract - and hoping for at least another short extension . . . abd then the job of my life!!! Lol . . . I don't know what it is yet . . . but it is just around the corner - I think . . . lol

All for now - I am sitting in the departure lounge . . . time to go . . the adventure begins!

Ankle = Clean Bill of Health

2008-10-22T22:35:00.004+01:00

Well Tuesday morning was agony - could hardly put any weight on my right foot - I'd already decided I needed to have my ankle checked out - phoned my doctor - OK only seen him twice since been in Scotland - but I am registered with him Dr McMasters - he is on holiday - his stand in could only see me on Wednesday - so I made appointment or 09h15 - but I was in agony so I phoned NHS 24 in Scotland - and they advised me that I could go to the Royal Alexandria Hospital - bit of a concern really that my local hospital might not have the facilities to deal with a sprained ankle - good heavens what if something serious was wrong - now this is what NHS 24 told me - I'm not making this up - they advised me not to go to Vale of Leven hospital but rather Royal Alexandria . . .

Didn't know where it was - and between you & I it was a wee bit of a strain on the foot - driving that is - only have praise for the hospital though - I took a book and water and a couple of necessities along as I thought its going to be a long process - all n all I don't think I was int the hospital for more than an hour and a half - the Doctor was impressed that I was so well prepared for the long wait which did not really materialise - anyway I was examined sent for x-rays just to meake sure - came up with clean bill of health - I was impressed they took the trouble to show me the x-rays and the only signs of anything was on the side that I have no pain - an old injury perhaps??

I was a offered a zimmer / crutches / a walking stick - I took the walking stick option - came home had something to eat and and ended up in bed and asleep for 8 hours - when I woke up I felt much better and my foot even felt a lot better . . . hope it heals quickly . . . I've to go back in two weeks time . . .

cheers for now
PS - start work on Monday

Another fall . . .

2008-10-20T17:33:00.003+01:00

Whoops! Just climbed out of my car - my neighbour arrived at the same time - the two of us were walking next to each other approaching the front door - me limping along and he commented on how bad the weather is and has been to which I replied - well you know why . . . - and as I said it my sore foot hit the bottom of the stairs going down towards the front door - so it was pushing forward - well it hit a patch of mud - and away it went - groceries me and my sentence were all left in mid-air for a few seconds - I landed on my bum - everything went flying (groceries) - I think my neighbour got quite a fright - I was still recovering and he was already picking everything up for me and putting it back in my box . . . I managed to finish my sentence - . . . why bears hibernate . . . he opened the door for me and ushered me in insisting I go first - keeping an eye on me . . .

Something in the air . . . comes in three's ???? - I hope not - enough fun thank you very much . . . .

Week Six - Foot Bridge

2008-10-20T00:19:00.005+01:00

For some or other reason I decided to walk onto Erskine Bridge – across the river Clyde to take some photos about 600 feet above the river . . . (if you keeping hitting the plus sign until you get the C for Erskine Bridge - that was basically where I took my photo's from . . .

View Larger Map

Of all the days but I decided I can't just show clear weather photo's of Scotland as that is (as we know) not entirely true . . . Lol – so in the pouring rain – not knowing how to get on to the bridge by foot I parked my car and set off – ended up running across the highway (A82)– for which I am sure there is probably a fine – then I saw there was a steep embankment which was a shortcut – well being the 8 year old that I am – I set off down the embankment — and as I continued I started to let my momentum take me . . . A wet slippery slope – a pair of takkies on – we know where this is going don't we – my left foot lost its footing and just carried on – would not have been a problem had the right foot come along with it – but it decided to stay where it was and then also attempted to stop the ever increasing downward spiral – this it done by turning over itself right on the ankle – and I swear I heard something snap . . .???? Ended up on my belly just as a car was coming along too . . . I was up like a shot nothing wrong with me – hoping stupidly no one had seen my attempts at being an eight year old again . . .lol – of course I was limping after that but was determined to finish my mission . . . Will let you know when links are up – was it all worth it . . . It was an adventure – foot / ankle warm and throbbing now - testimony to the adventure. . .

Had an interesting call from my previous employer - nothing finalised yet - but tentatively they have asked whether I am able and interested in coming back to work . . .so here's holding thumbs that we can finalise this as soon as . . .

Eddie Reader @ Royal Concert Hall

2008-10-18T01:35:00.004+01:00

Work in progress . . . photo taken at concert - not the best -

Took Maureen, my sister, to the Royal Concert Hall to see Eddie Reader as she has been a fan for many years - bought her the latest CD so she can remember the evening - she played a large portion of new material from the new CD - Love is the Way - I think? Anyway - Eddie started with Dragonfly and something else before she led into New York City which was the Eddie Reader I know and it was all go from there for me . . . a brilliant mix of old and new and few Burns numbers in between . . . what a fine vocie she has and her Irish accordion player and lead guitarist are both sublime in each of their instruments

Something Old

Somethign New
Eddie's MySpace profile

At her best . . Allelujah

Whoops - Week 4 & 5

2008-10-12T23:18:00.002+01:00

My how the time flies by . . . went for an interview - they did say we'll let you know by the weekend - still not heard anything so not looking too good - I'd no idea it was going to drag on like this - thought I'd be snapped up . . . lol - Need to reassess and get cracking - economy looking like it is going to go into meltdown . . . You just don't know what your going to hear today - RBS & HBOS losing 40% of their value in a day??? Now RBS CEO to resign tomorrow because of how much money they need to borrow from this government bail out now ordinary companies share values dropping as well . . . scary.

Enough doom and gloom though - the markets will do what they want and have to do - you & I will carry on though - yes things might get a bit tougher but not having lots of money in the bank or in shares - does not really have the impact it might - I think were going to see major shifts - whether we will ever really hear the true story of what is going on - I doubt it - when Bush came into power (I couldn't resist) the US had a surplus look at them now . . . ??? GO Obama go!

Went to see Drever; McCusker & Woomble - at the old Fruitmarket - City Hall - was a great concert - June Talbot was the supporting act also very good and of course Eddie Reader made a guest appearance - on the way to the concert and elderly couple asked me if I knew where the City Halls were and I just said Ah McCusker - follow me - I saw them exchanging glances and on the way we got talking and it turns out htat they were John McCusker's parents . . .lol - a small world - is it not.

Went to see a couple of movies - Mutant Chronicles - avoid like the plague; City of Embers - which I enjoyed - more of a kiddies film - but I enjoyed it - Bill Murray is the corrupt mayor and Tim Robbins is the one kids father . . . then I went to see Taken - Liam Neeson turns into James Bond when his 17 year old daughter is kidnapped . . . kind of James Bond / Bourne etc., - bodies everywhere . . .

Otherwise a wee bit quiet - heard from a friend, Helen, in South Africa and she has come up with an interesting business opportunity which I will be exploring - and it might just be a winner . . . I think it is worth getting into - so that might keep me busy whilst not gainfully employed . . . we'll see.

Couple of interesting things I came across this week -

Widgipedia Not sure what widgets are read this article
The last page (tongue in cheek)
newspaper front pages
Make this your new home page?

Enjoy!

Cameron's speech - Tory Conference

2008-10-01T16:43:00.009+01:00

Well I have just sat through David Cameron's speech.

Let me start off by saying I am not a Tory party supporter - so it is not a case of whatever Cameron says is gospel . . . I am trying to look at it objectively - if that is at all possible - yes you will have seen my rant yesterday - so I need to also say - for the record I do not support Gordon Brown and Labour either . . .

Firstly what a magnificent setting - a concert hall - and it was packed to the rafters - this allowed him to drop his first gag about this party all playing the same tune.
David Cameron speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham today. Photograph: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

On face value - I have to say he looks the part - natural / charismatic / credible . . he even seems to have lost any of that chubbiness he had at one stage.

He spoke in a slow and measured manner - he was able on many occasions to bring in examples of real people - a kid who just turned 18 in Afghanistan / a man who lost his wife in an NHS hospital / a woman who lost her husband because he stood up to a group of kids / a man who after 20 years was left in tears because he was losing his business . . . and many more - not just alluding to but producing actual examples - increasing the impact and credibility and then going on to link these examples to failures within the Labour party and Gordon Brown . . it was a sustained attack on Gordon Brown cleverly and subtly brought across. He even wove in the Gurkha victory from the day before and pleaded with Labour to allow these heroes who have fought so long for the UK to allow them this right that they have won to settle in the UK - asking Labour not to appeal this verdict but to give them the honour they deserve. This is clever - because it puts his party on the side of what is right - what is honourable . . .

There was a swipe at Blair - who had said that we now live in a 24hr world - Cameron's reply to this was we are a country not a television station.

His whole speech one can argue was directed at Brown and his assertions that this is no time for a novice - meaning Cameron (although this has been debated as to who he actually meant) - Cameron's argument is simply that we do not need more of the same we need change and that experience is always the excuse of the incumbent. If this was really the case we would never change government (he said he would stop this analogy - as there were balconies in the concert hall - this brought the house down). Cameron went on to say the risk is not change but rather sticking with what you've got and just hoping that it will somehow change for the better. He then stated that the existing experience is what actually caused many of the problems and that they refuse to question and admit this because to do so would be to admit they (the Labour party) had got it wrong.

Not really a lot of headline catchers - things have not already been mentioned - but a good solid performance and in my opinion much much better than Gordon Brown's speech (which was probably his best yet) and he just looks more of the statesman to me.

Would I vote for him - hmmm! I am more of a Lib Dem man - but with Westminster I may have to see what the odds are and vote differently more strategically . . . remember we have our own parliament here in Scotland - so things are very different - Scottish Nationalist Party - now are in the majority in the Scottish parliament - and we voted last year if I am not mistaken - Labour party at all time low in support - a Glasgow East seat where they previously had 15 000+ majority - in other words you could not get a safer seat was lost to the Scottish Nationalist Party = which means that NO seats are safe. (Yes SNP only won by a few hundred - but just look at the % swing!)

Brown will hang on for his full term - too scared to call a general election until I think 2011 and that will then herald the beginning of the Tory era.

David's hairstyles . . . lol

The feet of Conservative leader David Cameron, and his wife Samantha, after delivering his keynote speech at the Conservative party annual conference. Photograph: Stephen Hird/Reuters

Only drawback perhaps was his wife's almost reluctant participation at the end - he went to invite her on stage with him - she did not look comfortable - I know she is reluctant to be a stage prop for him . . . . but she did not look at all comfortable???? He had made a joke - during the speech of knowing entrepreneurs - after all he goes to bed with one every evening . . . Samantha his wife. Did she know something we did not???

Deposits Guarenteed - not the issue!

2008-09-30T23:26:00.006+01:00

So the Irish Government has now guaranteed all deposits - of course they have because this is the one commodity that they need cash . . . this is what the whole crisis is about ????? So next the UK government Brown and Co., - namely yon guy with the white hair but black eyebrows (what's that about . . . lol) will do the same - wow! am I supposed to be impressed here.

In my mind the real question here are investments - not cash in the bank - I should have this problem - having £35 000 in every bank . . . What is being done about people who have invested money in the myth of making money for their pension - TOUGH! seems to be the answer because no one is even looking at that side of things . . . even if they vote in America to give the $700 Billion dollars . . . exactly what is it to be used for - what are the tangible benefits going to be to the man in the street . . . access to money for a loan / extended credit / a mortgage . . . wait a minute are these not all the things that caused the problem in the first place . . .

Is the actual problem not that Brown / Bush et al - lived and surfed on the credit wave - every Tom, Dick & Harry were able to access almost limitless amounts of debt and when they were up to their eyeballs in it - guess what the banks threw more in their direction . . . Brown being the expert in the area - could not see this coming . . . Oh yes - he could but - like the rest of us he did not want to admit it NO . . . so now he (and everyone else . . .) will have us believe that NO one could have foreseen this . . . . what nonsense - if you (and I am sure a lot of you have look after your own pennies) had run your household finances the way he has run this country - guess what - no one would have sympathy for you . . . . your in a high flying job and what do you do you spend everything you earn - but that is not the worst of it . . . you then go beyond that - because that is not even enough for you - you take out massive loans to fund additional spending . . . you getting an inkling of how ridiculous his handling of the economy was / is ????? And the only thing that helped him and allowed him to perpetuate this whole lie was an over-heated house market . . . Let me tell you what I think - what went un-said over the last 10 years was that he / they the Labour party would have done anything to make sure that set of conditions carried on . . . Did that protect the citizens of this country - UK house prices rose by more than any other European country . . . did the standard of living go hand in hand with this though???? No I don't think so . . . and what about the level of the UK's indebtedness i.e. how much they have borrowed to implement their policies - I don't have the figures - but it is atrocious that the UK and its economy should be at the same level as countries like Egypt . . . world leaders . . . yes on the negative side - another sign of the so-called Brown legacy.

Where to from here . . . you just don't know . . . what will happen the US will get their monopoly money amount sometime on Thursday . . . lets see what Cameron has to say in his speech although he seems to have taken a conciliatory approach now i.e. united we stand . . . managed to get a few mentions on the news otherwise I think the Tory conference may have been all but swallowed by events as they unfold . . .

Is it any wonder the elections are so close in the US - they are now both supporting the bail-out bill . . . .

I think I'd like to see a head to head debate on TV like the US - Cameron / Brown / Clegg . . .

OK that's my rant for the evening . . . - let me see what my two banks are up to Northern Rock & Bradford and Bingley . . . may have some more added to my (tax-payers) portfolio before the week is out . . . not that anyone asked my opinion - what a joy to live in a true democracy!!!!! What a joke!

Competition for Fusion Man???

2008-09-29T18:50:00.002+01:00

Hey saw this on Wired - looks like Fusion Man has some competition????

Week Three

2008-09-26T17:15:00.004+01:00

Lets not forget Fusion Man who flew across the English Channel - OK he was dropped out of an airplane - but - that was in France he then flew across the channel under his own steam - so to speak - took him all of 10 minutes - he had a fire proof suit on and jet engines on each wing - his only means of steering was body movement . . . he is a braver man than I . . . (picture courtesy of Alastair Grant /AP - guardian web site)

Wow! Talk about economic melt down ... all doom and gloom - first its 9/11 and its death and destruction - terrorists beneath and behind everything unturned stone you can think of - i.e. buying illegal copies of DVD's and CD's are tantamount to funding terrorism - of course its is difficult to prove that somewhere someone involved in illegal trading of goods might well be involved in something like this but at the end of the day I just wonder what percentage of this can be linked to something like terrorism. Now my argument is not PRO-illegal copies and PRO-pirating NO - what I think contributes towards this are the exorbitant prices charged for goods - how much does it cost and what is a reasonable mark-up that is fair enough but when people start getting greedy - charging high prices they create a market . . . it the old Reaganomics argument - lower overall taxes - and make them simple - to the extent that companies / individuals will just pay rather than higher fancy accountants to find loopholes not to pay . . . it is simpler . . . a simplistic approach!

So now it is mortgages / and bad debt / the claim now is no one should have lent to these people . . . and everything points to the US of A . . . all banks seemed to be linked and all are over-extended to this debt . . . the UK seems to lag the US by a factor of about 3 to 6 months so does this mean we are in for more heavy seas . . . Economics professors must be in demand to try and explain what in heaven's name is going on . . . reminds me of an old Chicago song "Does anyone really know what time of day it is?"

It is all very surreal - watch the news lets see who is going to go bust next??? And if these big banks can't make it what about some of the smaller countries - Lesotho; Angola; Mozambique not to mention Zimbabwe perhaps they were responsible . . .or what about the said CERN - LHC was it not all caused by this experiment in Switzerland . . . makes you think . . .does it not - do we really know anything other than what is happening right now . . . .???? I'll be getting my white jacket soon if I keep this thread going . . . .

Still unemployed - so I phone my credit card because I have this payment cover insurance - I phoned them after university and they just said SORRY you have to be working for at least 6 months prior to making a claim . . . so I thought I was ready for them this time . . . boy was I wrong! - she just wanted to ask me a few questions (Oh-oh) - the word permanent came up - I asked her to define what she meant - something about you can only claim if you have been on fixed term contract and working for more than 12 months and they have attempted to renewed it once . . . and then something else about 24 months . . . well I can tell you my Blood pressure was about to go through the roof - I'm like WHAT! . . . after a long discussion they have decided they will send out the claim form and evaluate it when I fill it in and return it to them . . . the key is whether I knew I was going to finish off on a specific date or not????? HELLO a fixed term contract??? - what does that mean ???? . .. not that it is OK but if I thought / had reason to believe - I was going to be offered another contract even although I knew when it was going to finish . . . that's OK - AHA! but if I knew I was going to finish on such and such a date . . . . well then I can't claim ??????? Clear as mud to you - I hope - I'm still confused - but I know what I am going to tell them . . . . trouble is my ex company has to fill it in as well . . . and they might just not see it the same way as I do . . . hmmm - if you see what I mean . . . I went for 3 months and ended up working 9 . . . would you not think it would just carry on then as well - they were still busy - there were things still being released which meant more \Training still to be done - I was bumping into people telling them I'm leaving and the people would say - if they let you go - you'll be back in two weeks to do the Training on XY & Z ???? . . . (I might just add that none of these exclusions were ever mentioned when this policy was sold to me . . . ironically while I am hold a voice keeps booming in my ear "Take out payment protection - for when you are in difficult times" and guess what . . . that is all it says ...

Enough it is a long weekend here in Glasgow . . . have a good one - enjoy yourselves!

Week Two

2008-09-22T00:38:00.004+01:00

Well I had hoped things might move somewhat quicker than this - still searching for a position . . . have applied for a number of suitable jobs - one turned out to be in Edinburgh - and salary was very low - would not have been viable to commute - spend £400+ for a monthly train ticket - so that was out - I withdrew myself from another position in Edinburgh as well . . . something really interesting in Glasgow and I have been to discuss with the employment agency and my name will be forwarded to the company for their approval now - we will see how this progresses . . . as I say it looks very interesting.

Fiona, my niece, it was her Birthday on Friday and she invited us up for dinner - sat around and had a good blether - most of the entertainment was provided by Rosario who being only two was up and saw us off at 00h30 . . he has also developed a liking for beer . . . he thought the froth was milk . . actually he doesn't like at all really - you could see him shudder when he tasted it . . .

Saturday evening was Phil & Emma's wedding reception which was held at the City Hall - it was lovely - champagne and then into the hall and they had a band - who were very good - quite a wide variety and range - met Phil's Mom & Dad - very nice - had a beer with his Dad and his Mom came up to me and introduced herself . . . .Some of the Dublin crew Mat and Cedrig were there . . .also quite a few people who were at school with Phil . . . anyway a great evening . . . ended up driving into Glasgow - and leaving the car there overnight (in a car park) - caught the night bus 66 home - well as far as Dalmuir and then a taxi - which was £15 from Dalmuir . . . . - only picked my car up after 20h00 the next day - met Valerie for coffee @ Waterstones and then went to Cineworld (went to see Pineapple Express - a Ben Stiller / Adam Sandler type movie) car only cost £5 - for 24 hours +

Let us see what next week brings . . .

week One

2008-09-14T20:52:00.002+01:00

Well I've dusted off the old CV - updated it - tweaked it a little and getting it to where it should be . . . had it where I thought it should be and then noticed a mistake with the dates . . . unacceptable - no wonder I was unsuccessful with a few positions that I applied for - well that's behind us . . . also working on an on-line version of the CV - which theoretically is the answer - as it will mean updating that and then just pointing towards that all the time - I think it also has a down loadable version for those applications that want a paper CV. Some agencies only want the i-profile web based CV probably suits them the way it is put together and might then be easier to search - not sure - but it does make sense.

Wow they are really punting New Zealand as a holiday destination www.newzealand.com - I must the excerpts they show looks absolutely stunning. Speaking of which All Blacks won the Tri-Nations with a narrow victory over the Wannabees (Australia) Saturday in Australia.

Slick

2008-09-12T18:46:00.003+01:00

Vox Motus on at the Tron theatre

Direct from its sell-out run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, Vox Motus and the Tron Theatre are delighted to invite you to Slick. This surreal comedy is gushing with humour as black as the fuel wee Malcom Biggar discovers one day in his family toilet. And when word gets out to the landlord, who just happens to also be the neighbourhood pervert, the scene is set for a comedy that's as savage and poignant as it is hilarious.

Slick won a coveted Fringe First Award when it debuted in Edinburgh this month and it's easy to see why. Performed by a five brilliant young actors, it is relentlessly inventive and brilliant in its staging and boasts a laugh out loud script. Filthy, funny and feted, don't miss your opportunity to catch this dynamic award-winning comedy.

Please note that Slick is not recommended for those of a sensitive disposition! (Recommended 16 yrs +)

Emmylou Harris - All I Intended to Be

2008-09-10T18:44:00.007+01:00

I went along to the Royal Concert Hall last night - I had bought an Emmylou Harris ticket on the spur of the moment - on a whim really - I can't really say I am a big fan - I have enjoyed her music in passing over the years - we are talking way back now 'Elite Hotel' 'Luxury Liner' 'Pieces of the Sky' and 'Blue Kentucky Girl' - showing my age now . . . anyway the last real thing I can say I listened to was her collaboration with Mark Knopfler 'Real Live Roadrunning' which I was not overly impressed by, however, I went with an open mind hoping that it would at least be a pleasant evening . . .

The supporting act was rousing enough - it is only there to warm us all up for the main act - she is a song-writer herself and I thought quite an accomplished one at that - she had her son on guitar supporting her and husband on bass - they were both adequate, however, the son attempted to play a number of solo's and in my opinion was not quite ready or at that level yet - his Mom obviously thrilled to bits asked us to applaud him - I think it says it all that she had to ask - as it was not spontaneously forthcoming . . .

Emmylou came on and within a very short space of time I realised just what a great voice she has - both powerful and delicate at the same time - I soon warmed to her and the band as they slipped between old and new - a full backup band of Phil Madeira on keyboards / accordion / rhythm guitar; Colin Linden on guitar / slide / mandolin - (he used to play with Bruce Cockburn) also backing vocals; Brian Owings on drums that Emmylou says is the happiest drummer in the business - she stole him from Buddy Miller as she did the bass guitarist - Chris Donahue - he really impressed me and I think he has a lot more talent than was allowed to blossom last night; lastly a mandolin come fiddler Rickie Simpkins who also did backing vocals and then a duet with Emmylou - all accomplished musicians in their own right - I loved the way in which the guitarist was able to punch little virtuoso solo's in between verses - whilst Emmylou was catching her breath (not that she ever needed to) and basically illustrated how it should be done (I hope that other singer's son was watching from the wings) . . .

Emmylou as I stated performed a mixed bag of new and old - I was particularly moved by her rendition of Tracy Chapman's - 'All That You Have is Your Soul' and her song which was co-written with Kate and Anna McGarrigle - which starts off with a little tune that I recognise but can't place . . .'How She Could Sing the Wildwood Flower' and 'Hold On' if I'm not mistaken . . .

I think Emmylou and the band warmed to the Glasgow crowd who themselves are notorious for their warmth and enthusiasm - they repeatedly showed their appreciation for the true star that she is . . . .

I left a thorough Emmylou convert - and rushed over to the merchandising stand and enthusiastically pushed my £10 across the counter for my copy of Emmylou's latest offering 'All that I Intended to Be' and I think that says it all really . . .

Glasvegas

2008-09-10T17:24:00.004+01:00

This link below will randomly select one of many videos - I hope nothing to shocking comes up - there is one that might shock you a wee bit - hey! its all tongue in cheek . . . Under Playlist browse to Glasvegas - Geraldine . . . can safely safe they are the real thing and they've arrived . . . just received the CD yesterday - I think they are going to go far - if your interested there is another link to an interview with them . . . hope you enjoy - feel free to let me know . . . . also watch any of the others if you like. It's all muzu.tv if you'd like to set something up for yourself.

More proof - tickets went on sale this morning and guess what they were limited to 4 per customer - and NOW today 10 Sept - same day they went on sale - they are already Sold Out! for 16 Dec gig

Sarah Palin doll hits US high streets???

2008-09-10T14:59:00.004+01:00

G.I. Palin ????

Hey maybe we need that Black Hole I was talking about in the last posting - I mean bring on a reality check here?????

Sarah Palin action figure

CERN LHC ????

2008-09-10T14:40:00.005+01:00

photograph et all courtesy of The Guardian

Well they've finished with the first experiment and were all breathing a little bit more easily now seeing as they did not create a massive black hole . . . but who is to say what has actually happened ???? Makes you wonder does it not???

CERN project

Falling off the edge of the world

interview with Ian Sample

Farewell . . . in case we all disappear in the next half hour or so . . . I'd better get the kettle on . . . kinda a weird feeling - quite handy actually being off work on the day the world ended . . . .????

A

A new chapter begins . . . again . . .

2008-09-08T00:27:00.005+01:00

Well finished off with my large utilities company - Scottish Water on Friday - what started as a quick stop-gap position . . .which I initially thought would be ideal to keep me busy until such time as I went on holiday in South Africa . . . well 9 months later it finally came to an end . . .we always knew that it could not last for ever . . but it almost seemed to take on a life of itself . . .

So here I am between jobs at the moment . . .and I've allowed my Blog and photo a day to slip somewhat . . . need to reintroduce and allow that creativity with photography to come back into my life - it is easy to take a whole lot of holiday snaps . . but when you have to take a photo a day you need to look at every day things and that is great - it is challenging in its own right . . . so want to pick that and this Blog up again . . .

This week I have Emmylou Harris lined up and was lucky enough to get a ticket for the concert at the Royal Concert Hall . . . looking forward to that - lunch on Wednesday - we'll see where that goes - I think it is nothing more than a closure lunch - but should be interesting . . .

Apart from this want to become more active as I did overdo it at times with my last job - spending a bit too much time working . . .

Anyway all for now.
A

OK James awaiting your first move . . . lol

Something I just stumbled across:
icapetown.muzu.tv the embedded link does not seem to be loading properly - so lets try a link . . .

Moseley Folk Festival - Day 2 - Part 2

2008-09-03T23:16:00.003+01:00

I was impressed by Scott Matthews

Loved Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Norma Waterson . . . I actually discovered I love most things with a fiddle - my new favourite instrument

Then there was Old Dance School

6 day riot - so much potential - but not quite there yet - lovely outfit too . . .pity

But Chris T-T was the real thing . . .

KTB was excellent - spoke to her afterwards - I liked her - she is getting married this Friday - so that will be 5 September

KTB

Seth Williams finished off the evening - he is excellent - sort of a John Melloncamp type sound - quite a bit of fiddle - so I liked . . . lol

Moseley Day 2 - Part 1

2008-08-31T10:42:00.003+01:00

Phew! It is really humid - there are thunderstorms forecast for later today - I forgot to bring my rain jacket - it is (I hope it is still there) lying in the back seat of the car - and of all things - wait for it, Mr Amateur Photographer . . . . yes, you guessed - did not remember to bring his camera . . . lol

I'm in a dilemma - should I nip into TK-Max and buy a cheap rain jacket or just weather the storm so to speak . . . possible scenarios - I don't buy and it rains the way it did in Dublin - I'll be a drowned rat . . . I buy it and of course nothing happens - could use it to sit on anyway on the grass . . .the other scenario is of course a hybrid of the above two . . . hmmm decisions decisions . . . I suppose I'll get one TK is on my way to the bus stop anyway . . . this humidity kills me . . . I can't adjust the oom temperature - can increase the fan though . . .

James is coming round in about 20 minutes - I gave him a DVD to watch - will be interested to see what he made of it

Moseley Report back - day 1

2008-08-30T23:59:00.005+01:00

Well today was day 1 - two performers who really stood out for me today 1) Peter Moran - who in a way reminded me of a young Elvis Costello - he had a very natural and comfortable stage manner . . . and confident in what he was doing - without being in your face . . . really enjoyed his set . . . he had everyone going

and then not long thereafter 2) Chris Wood a traditional folk artist - just himself and acoustic guitar a master story-teller in his own right as each song is much more than just a pretty melody - I obviously could not hear everything he was singing - but I was impressed enough to make a special not to explore his CD's and I think it will not be long before I add one to my collection - listen to his 'Come down Jehova'

Other than this - James my mate - met me at the station and we dumped my stuff in the room and we wet out for a few beers . . . managed to see a wee bit of Birmingham last night . . .

This morning it was breakfast and then out to get the bus (number 50) to Moseley . . this is one of the most regular busses in Birmingham . . Moseley is Birmingham's West End basically . . . the festival is held in a private park which the festival organisers hire for the occasion - they are only allowed to sell 2500 tickets - it is quite a small area and quite intimate . . . very family orientated - which gave it a nice feel - a real mixture of ages and lots of kids running around . . . plenty of beer and quite a few food stalls / etc.,

Met a guy called Steve who is originally from Moseley but now works in Shropshire . . .nice bloke - and we took it in turns throughout the day watching each others stuff and spot . . and proceeded to have quite a few beers together - which was nice as then had someone to talk to . . . we were able to discuss the artists bands etc., - another 2 bands that I enjoyed were The Destroyers - I think more for their energy than anything else - they are like a 15 piece traditional Yiddish band . . . every song is like a rock opera . . . . with titles like 'Methusula the Mouse' 'The Glass Coffin' - watch and judge for yourself . . click on the little arrow at the bottom NOT on the screen (they both work but the large arrow launches another screen and you'll have 2 versions running and they are just slightly out of synch - they are not that busy . . . on stage they are just as energetic . . .

The other band was Bee - who are quite a popular band - also a bit on the quirky side - they have had a hit single 'A Minha Menina'

Apart from this the highlight act ho was very good is Jose Gonzalez . . .

now for bed . . .

Moseley here I come -

2008-08-19T23:12:00.002+01:00

Exciting news I am off to Moseley (Birmingham) Folk Festival the end of this month - to wet your appetite - some of the performers . . . . just a wee sample . . . lol

Moseley folk festival

Michio Kaku - "Physics of the Impossible,"

2008-07-06T12:44:00.000+01:00

Dancing with the Universe

2008-07-05T23:55:00.001+01:00

Update - Buddy Guy - Scottish Proms - Night Out

2008-06-29T12:44:00.002+01:00

Well Howdy - how time has flown again - phew! Need to give you an update as to what ahs been happening in my life sine London Town

Reading Sonia Choquette - Ask Your Guides which I am finding very interesting and a friend of mine has just given me a set of motivational CD's by Joe Vitale which I am listening to whilst driving to and from work every day . . . so keeping myself busy.

Speaking of work this is my last two weeks now - finish off on 11 July - looking unlikely that they will keep me on after that - spoke to K and she has been very helpful and made a proposal which would be to everyone's benefit - but I am not sure that they will be able to work like that . . .

So where to from here - a couple of applications pending - I am optimistic - one way or the other something will turn up . . .

Haven't really been up to a lot so I will just inform you of the highlights . .

Thursday 26 June went to Carling Academy - to see Buddy Guy - now way back in 80's I used to be in the music industry (in a past life . . . lol - that's how it feels sometimes) - [couldn't got to Blue Chip evening] - I used to see 'A man e the Blues' - it was a regular seller - so I was really looking forward to the concert - he is an outstanding blues guitarist . . . I was mildly disappointed with the concert - I might be a bit old fashioned - I expected him to work through a repertoire of his music and give good value for money at the end of the day I felt he was there to enjoy himself and give a few Blues standards not even necessarily his own material - just a few bones for the pack of dogs so to speak - enough to satisfy them - keep them quiet - I enjoyed most of what he played - I just felt it was understated and he could have was capable of doing more but that he at no time actually pushed himself . . . spent and extended period of time in the audience - doing nothing much other than checking out the local talent - another colleague from work was there and said they knew what I meant but that his concert last time was very similar - when he left stage no encore - my friend said that was how it was last time as well - he is over 70 he said . . . as I say I enjoyed but remain mildly disappointed.

Friday night went out with a whole bunch of people on Friday night - to West End of Glasgow - venue (The Salon) was a pleasant setting - an old cinema which has been converted - nice a spacious - not too impressed with service - food was good - Vietnamese chicken curry. But being shown to 3 different tables all of which were the wrong one's was a nuisance - had the whole group of us 12 people moving back and forth . . . went somewhere else and then ended up back at the Hilton . . . was an enjoyable evening - just caught a taxi home.

Went on Saturday evening to the Scottish Proms at the Royal Concert Hall which was great - the conductor is a lively character - at times looked as though he himself was loosing himself in the music . . a massive ensemble the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are somewhere in the region of about 70 musicians - they then had the National Chorus there who must have numbered about 100 - a pipe band joined in towards the end - the first half of the evening was devoted more to traditional classics with the second half becoming more of a truly Scootish event - some reels - Highland Academy; Flower of Scotland; Auld Lang Syne; etc., What was interesting was the full front section had had the seats removed so that people could perhaps let themselves go with flag waving and a wee jig etc., - a much older crowd present and they burst into spontaneous song with the more well known tunes - I found it quite moving really.

Just back from the pictures saw Narnia - Prince Caspian - to drawn out and basically a kids film . . . not all that good I'm afraid - I have my doubts about Will Smith in 'Hancock' a superhero with attitude - just all sounds a bit iffy . . . seems they don't make a lot of films for me these days - what am I going to do about it - Read! lol

London

2008-06-05T21:24:00.004+01:00

Hiya

Well I am off to London to visit Sam & Hud - supposedly an engagement barbecue - but it can be misinterpreted as I overheard my Mum telling my sister that she was not invited - you need to be invited before you can go . . . . It is actually because Hud's Mum & step father are here and so they thought they'll have an official engagement party - so they can meet some of the friends who might be going to the wedding and basically that is why I am going down as well . . . remember the wedding is in Bali after all so will be good to meet them now in case we need to discuss arrangements etc., - won't just be two voices so to speak - should make things easier - always makes a difference I think once you've met someone.

Well today I rushed through to Edinburgh for a meeting and then I couldn't find anyone - only to discover they were in Livingstone - Oops! had to jump into the car and drive through - of course I had never been to that office before - but we found it and all worked out OK in the end.

Big news - I bought a bicycle - started of small - not too much money we'll see how it goes and if I stick with it we can always upgrade as we go along rather than start of expensive and then not use it . . . lots of ride to work / green schemes at the moment - encourage you to spend quite a bit of money - more than you would normally - its a lease scheme actually - so I'm glad I went this route.

chow for now . . . starting a brand new Blog next week - more about that later . . .

Love
A

Week ends

2008-06-01T23:25:00.003+01:00

(photo's: T; Bowling yacht basin; me in Lewis; Milngavie phone booth)

Well still persevering with my photo blog . . . I must say I am still enjoying it if it gets to the stage where I cant be bothered then I'll have to re-evaluate - I don't think that it is going to be a problem as long as the sun is shining and we have our late sunsets . . . however winter is where I foresee problems - we'll just have to get inventive and more creative - anyone volunteering . . .lol!

Well after my Bishopbriggs sortie I was on my way home and my phone rang it was D and I had set up a meeting with him - which I was sure was next week Wednesday turns out he was waiting for me - so a quick u-turn and Merchant City - O'Neil here we came - a fruitful and interesting meeting - plus a few beers thrown in - I have in principle agreed to get involved and become a trustee of the charity - so I am interesting to see how it all develops - watch this space.

Paul & Co., invited me along for a curry on Friday at lunch time and I was glad to tag along - went to Mother India - I've been before a while back with a lovely lass EM from Aberdeen . . . now there was weekend - we done a Thai restaurant the evening before . . . but I digress . . . for lunch Mother India does small portions like a tapas bar - just a nice amount of food actually -well two of them anyway . . .was great - seems like we will do it more often - if there are some other suggestions - T was not impressed when she heard as it never happened whilst she was there and as soon as she has left we are going out for a big group lunch - not impressed she said . . . lol

Friday night was Ashton Lane -T's official cheers evening - K & A came along - we went to Ashoka for dinner (my lunchtime crew had told me it won't be as good as lunch) - I have to agree - but it wasn't bad at all . . T and I met for a drink prior to Ashoka - I was amazed I left my Mum's place at about 17h05 and I was in Ashton Lane for 17h20 the wonders of modern transport system - I caught a bus to Cessnock and a tube from there - and everything was just there when I needed it . . . we waited for K & A and then went into Ashoka - I thought they were fine - service attentive - maybe a little pushy but they are there to make a profit - so fair do's - we had starters and I had Lamb Breyani and I was quite happy with it - could have been spicier but it was very tasty . . . we then went across the road to Brel and sat there - it was a lovely evening - got to know A a little bit better - different setting context etc., - weather was nice as well - managed to sit outside the whole evening - almost had to share a table with two guys - who looking at our party were doing the maths - K & I were married (according to these 2 guys) and that left A & T - open season . . . lol - an interesting debate ensued wrt paintings and photographs as to which was art and which a shallow or hollow resemblance to art . . . lol - as they say in the classics beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . K & A shared a taxi and T & I shared a taxi - guess who we bumped into whilst getting into our taxi - Graeme from Amy MacDonald & Pam his girlfriend - I said to them - good heavens can I not go out without bumping into them . . .lol

Saturday - shopping with Mum - what a scorcher it turned out to be - we went to a little Italian coffee bar for breakfast and knocked around a few shops

Spent the afternoon in Glasgow - milling around was going to go to movies but I was not really into Sex & the city and the weather was great - so nothing really caught my fancy . . . . so i just walked around a bit and sat down and people watched for a while and came home and relaxed. Tried in vain to get a new lead for my lawnmower - unsuccessful - it turns out that my type of lead is obsolete - this effectively means I need to buy a new lawn mower ???? I can repair the lead but there will always be strain on it and if the grass is wet which it often is it is not safe to work with it like this - so dilemma - garden services or a new lawn mower????

I was watching Blade II - found it too disturbing (I've seen it before . . .) just all blood and guts - and frankly the different strain of vampires are more like aliens than anything else . . . . channel hopped and there was another vampire movie on . . . .

I've just had a lazy Sunday and off to Dumfries tomorrow Edinburgh Tuesday and Thursday - so a fair bit of travelling this week . . .all for now . . .

Farewell T

2008-05-28T22:33:00.004+01:00

Photo's - Blackness - taken a while ago - and a photo of T with Chris . . . at our night out . . .

Well - contracts nearly at an end T decided to jump ship and today was her final day at work . . .we are going out on Friday evening for dinner and a few drinks . . looking forward to it - not sure how long I will still be there - speculatively another 6 weeks - most of group are talking about end of July but I am not sure that will include myself.

I will miss T as we have built up a good working relationship - I'll pick up on one or two things she has finalised - if there are any queries but apart from this I will now be alone - it has been quite a comfort as we have had lunch and gone for coffee together etc., - so it will be a bit lonely without her . . .

But time stands still for no one - have tog et on with things . . . personally think there is another 6 months work still to be done so we will see . . . K is pretty much tied up herself these days . . .

All for now . . .

cheers
A

Blackberry; Tron; Amy Macdonald; Indiana Jones; Grass

2008-05-26T21:24:00.004+01:00

Phew! been a while - OK so what's happening with me - well this evening I got out there and started cutting me lawn and let me tell you there is plenty of it - I attacked in my usual unstructured fashion and for the first time in my life managed to cut the power lead . . . phew that was the end of that . . .hard work . . . lol (cut it on purpose - not!) Anyway I'll have to get another lead tomorrow and pick up where I left off - I estimate that I have completed about one quarter of what needs to be done . . .

I have had my mobile phone upgraded I took a Blackberry (see picture) and I am still getting to know its ins and outs - had it delivered to work and immediately plugged it in when I got home - the next evening I thought I'll switch it on and see what's going on - it had been charging for about 24 hours - I couldn't work out how to switch it on so against my better judgement (I never do this) I decided to consult the manual - only to find - guess what - I found the battery - so I had been charging a phone with no battery in it . . . . Then later in the week the phone stopped working - my old sim card had been problematic from the beginning - phone could only read about a dozen of the contacts everything else was not there according to the phone . . .anyway later int eh week the phne stopped working and I scratched around in my delivery package and low and behold I found the new sim in there as well . . . I wonder what else might be in there????

Well Thursday last week saw the release of the new Indiana Jones - OK I admit it I'm a big kid at heart - and a sucker for this type of thing . . . anyway straight after work I went to Cineworld and they must have had it showing in about seven different cinemas all at slightly different times - I just missed the 17h45 and managed to get tickets for the 18h15 - it was mobbed - and it wasn't bad - very much the same winning formula - Indy has to go and find some treasure for someone (this varies -i.e. the person /s) usually involves finding the Treasure and then loosing it to the other person and this goes on - back and fro - all of this is usually preceded by a car chase or two . . . .

Friday I was at the Tron on Friday evening - went to see The Drawer Boy - I thoroughly enjoyed - it was captioned - first time I've seen that - just the time of thing my Mum needs. Full marks to the Management for presenting a varied and entertaining programme . . . I've embedded the trailer - and I think you'll see its very interesting . . . . well worth the effort.

Saturday evening saw me at Carling Academy - to see Amy MacDonald - I wasn't sure what to expect - she is from Glasgow and played Friday & Saturday evening . . . what a queue tog et in and loads of young 15 year olds - but a varied audience . . . so I was in the queue - just almost at the door when two women - shout out oh here you are xyz - thank goodness you kept our place - it was so obvious anyway - I just played along and they ended up buying me a beer - for my trouble - everyone was happy - except of course for the people behind me . . . . lol - anyway I was strolling around and I heard someone call my name it was Graeme (whom I used to work with at Bellsmyre) and his girlfriend (who I had met once before at Dumbarton football club) she now stays with him as she is at uni for the year . . . .so I spent the evening with them and I pleased to say I thought it was great . . . I actually know quite a few of her songs and she done an acoustic version of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark . . . which was amazing . . . she really impressed me - a lot of energy and it turned into quite a fun evening - sometimes its the evenings your not too sure about that turn out the best . . . .

Today was a bank holiday - and I decided to work - my colleague had told me that a lot of people would be off and I had decided that it was a casual day - I've actually been in the office myself before when its been a holiday - so whose me - got up late - shorts and t-shirt and sandals - oh my God - the whole office was there - all with the usual suits / shirts / ties the works and here is me comes sauntering in about 09h25 and I felt a right clown . . .some the guys were laughing - asked me if I just stopped in on the way to the beach . . . . Trish came sauntering in about 10h30 . . lol - I refused to go across to the main canteen - I was too conscious of what some of the other people might say . . . . lol

Wii'ers

2008-05-15T22:12:00.003+01:00

Took the Wii down to the Computer club as I had promised I would . . . after breaking a chair connecting it up to the data projector - I gave a quick demo and then let other people have a go - you know, I've hardly played with it myself and even discovered some of its intricacies myself this evening - I was a tennis man up until now but I must say I really enjoyed the golf - this evening . . . so some more experimentation to be done . . .lol

Photo's going well - find myself driving down little roads I don't know . . . always looking for the ultimate photograph . . .

All the post-mortem's at work today - the football last night - I'd have to say the best team won . . . I think Rangers rode there luck to get into the final - they done well.

Still no news on job front i.e. when we finish will be a few days at least - the process . . .

Supporting one team at work - and having to send out multiple bulletins - beginning to approach the News now - as it keeps changing - even at this late stage . . . 3 notices of changes today alone - and when one of them phoned me late afternoon I thought it was to be notice number 4 . . . but looks like it might be (I'm hoping) a misunderstanding . .

Been feeling very tired lately - not sure why . . . will need to monitor.

Had a dust up with T - I was a bit aggressive - trying to get to the bottom of something and was really pushy - she was having a bad day and it was a straw which broke the back . . .

Bought a new book this week - this is the cover - looks really interesting . . . will keep you posted of any developements.

Approved - Phew!

2008-05-14T23:56:00.002+01:00

Howdy folks - I am pleased to announce the investigation is now over and I am allowed to display all my nude photos (not) on my photo-a-day blog . . . it has been given the official rubber stamp of approval . . . not that I was notified - went in this evening and all of a sudden - I can once again post to the other blog.

Well Glasgow ground to a halt this evening as Glasgow Rangers played in the final against FC Zenit from Russia - sadly they were unable to return victorious . . . I just wish they had started more optimistically and less defensively - they started game 4-2-3-1 . . . which is very defensive . . . after about 30 minutes in the second half the defence were cut wide open with a telling pass - difficult to defend against and just before full time they conceded another goal. Rangers played well at times but - gave the ball and possession away far too easily - Zenit looked the better side - with Advokaat having spent about £40m over the last year . . . aluta Rangers - they done very well to get this far and the domestic fixtures and football association could I think have done more to assist - instead of hampering matters.

Oh hell such is life . . .

should hear soon how long work is going to last - at the moment till the end of May - hoping 'till end June . .

chow
A

Under Investigation

2008-05-12T21:54:00.002+01:00

Possible Blogger Terms of Service Violations

Well there you have it - seems my photo-a-day blog is under investigation . . . .

This blog is under review due to possible Blogger Terms of Service violations and is currently unpublished. You can view your blog's posts here in Blogger, but you may not make any changes.

Now your thinking, Hmm! - What kinda photo's is he putting up anyway . . lol - all innocent - I assure you . . . . I thought nudity was common place these days . . . only joking - quite enjoying this taking a photo a day - however, annoying now that I can't post them . . .

in search of Paris . . .

2008-05-10T21:25:00.006+01:00

Howdy - well the work's night out came and went . . . and it was good fun - I danced all night . . . well nearly . . . problems with bed.

Started off in the morning - driving through to Stirling - some of the most amazing scenery I have see for a long time - of course my decision to take at least a single photograph every day - seems to have had an immediate effect on me - somehow the fields seem greener - things seem to have taken on a significance of there own . . . quite fascinating really - eyes of new - a different way of looking at everything??? (The night before I had spent the whole evening - putting together my playlist - of course you might be cursing my taste of music . . . and maybe I should allow you to decide whether you want to turn it on or not - instead of it suddenly erupting regardless . . . of your choice . . . . lol)

Anyway back to Glasgow around lunch time - went to McDonald's for a quick burger . . .drove in the exit by mistake . . . my goodness you would have sworn WorldWar 3 had erupted the way this person carried on - I just shrugged my shoulders and was out of my car - this person was still carrying on . . . lol. Back to office - some useful progress on a number of issues . . . left early about 15h50 - went to pick up Kilt - traffic was horrendous . . . hold your horses a picture is coming . . . lol - took me almost one hour to cover 4 or 5 miles . . . managed in the end . . . but it was extremely humid and it was quite rushed . . . had a quick shower and started getting dressed - ended up sending K & T (in picture with me) a text which said . 'I think I have everything in the correct place . . . just not sure about this hairy handbag . . . ' and had been winding them up at the office telling them that as the evening progresses might have to adjust my skirt . . .

I have to say that I really enjoyed wearing the kilt outfit and felt very comfortable with it on . . . had to pop out to get batteries . . so there I was strolling around Byers Rd in the West End and felt completely comfortable with it on . . . I might consider buying one - but for the time being I'll stick with hire . .

Only got to bed about 04h00 . . . speaking of which I am no longer used to single bed - nearly fell off a few times . . . used to my King size now . . . up for Hilton Breakfast and then usual shopping run with me Mum

Wii or not to Wii

2008-04-28T20:07:00.010+01:00

Well after a long spell of wanting to buy one - I took the leap . . . Report back from the work front . . . beer with T . . . Street Kings - Rosario - Proposal / Model - Rangers and Celtic.

(All photo's courtesy of Nina and her trip to Port Nolloth, near Namibia - her home town and she is truly objective about the place [not]. This time all Namaqualand flowers . . . )

Well I finally purchased a Wii and I am well impressed - my living room has been converted into a virtual Wimbledon tennis courts and I have the sore arms to prove it . . . mind you I have also been bowling - hitting home runs - practising my swing and trying to maintain my under par scores - so I have been busy - however I have now taken delivery of a virtual tennis racket / a baseball bat / a golf club / and a steering wheel . . . so look out Bjorg; McEnroe - showing my age now - Tiger Woods - Babe Ruth - Lewis Hamilton . . . . Time will tell . . . not to mention the arms . . .

Well all quiet on the western front - we had a quick meeting on Monday at work . . . all of us round the table and within 5 minutes we had a working agreement - all's well that ends well . . . at the end of the day a lot of the problems can quite simply be ascribed to a lack of communication . . . we have all addressed this and I think we now understand each other and guess what - the major problems we had were caused by a comedy of errors - but clearly data integrity - i.e. we were not entering the information correctly . . . and then to top it all off we were working in GIS and forgot to commit and post our changes . . . so the guys must think - oh-oh that lot again . . .lol

Went out on Friday evening - simply going for a beer but then it turned out T was meeting G and drinks were to be had - well not being one to miss out - I tagged along and needless to say half a dozen later - walked up to Cine - saw Street Kings - the new Keanu Reeves; Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie - not bad but in my opinion it tries to be too clever - plots within plots and Hugh Laurie - does not quite make it in my opinion - bottom line - give it a miss! (thumbs down)

Hard at work putting the finishing touches to my proposal for university - sent it to Sam this evening and awaiting her feedback - just to get an objective viewpoint - limited time - and it is just to give them an idea of how you would put something together - it would still be negotiated and it is difficult question . . . oh well here goes - nothing ventured nothing gained . . .

What a cracker again Rangers and Celtic on Sunday - 1 - 0 to Celtic - then 'Gers equalised - then they went ahead - just before half time Celtic equalised - and even although it was Rangers turn to have a penalty - Celtic were awarded a penalty and they ended winning 3 - 2 - a cracker of a game - Setanta - money well spent . . . lol . . .

Rosario's birthday - my niece's little boy - what a cracker he is - all over the place as 2 year olds are - I got him in the bathroom - standing on the bath and he had turned the hot water on - there was face cloth in the sink so it would have over-flowed in another few seconds - very dangerous as he was precariously balanced as it was - let alone burning himself and pulling back and falling . . . needs lots of boundaries which I am afraid to say he ain't getting . . . . now my niece has found a job - working night shift so not sure how that is all going to work . . . even fewer boundaries if you ask me . . . lol - phew - many problems to come I fear . . .

Had a strange and very interesting dream - I am in some large dormitory . . . . lots of people sleeping together - single beds - difficult to describe . . . suddenly I am aware that this person Yvette who used to study at University of Cape Town but whom I don't know but have accepted an invitation to become her friend on Facebook on the Internet (what actually happened Facebook saw we both studied at UCT the same year and probably sent us both emails - I thought she had sent it and thought it might have been one of the girls in my class - I didn't read it properly and clicked on it to accept - Facebook then sent her an email and she eventually accepted - so we don't actually know each other but the wonder of technology somehow joined us / connected us - haven't spoken to her) - anyway weird as it may seem in my dream I suddenly become aware of the fact that she has been trying to get in touch with me via Skype (which is like an Internet telephone set up) - in my dream I still thought that is strange as we don't even know each other why would she try and get in touch with me?? Anyway I am going to phone her back (don't know how . . . but its a dream remember ) but then I realise it is getting late and if I go on to Skype now everyone will be trying to get to sleep and I will be on phone . . . . then suddenly Nina is in my head and she wants me to explain something / she wants clarity on something - what I do? and what this dormitory is all about and how it all works and I seem to remember something about children as well - I don't know whose or who they are ?? and I am afraid that is all I can remember . . . .??? Anyway the weird thing is I send Nina a text and ask her if she is OK and is there anything she wants to know - she comes back says - funny I should ask because she dreamt about me and in the dream she was asking me something but she can't remember what . . . .???? Weird yet wonderful . . .

Received an email from Benita - first really cold day in South Africa - she had on the scarf I bought her . . . . how diametrically opposite could we be - I email her back and tell her really first day of really hot weather here . . . .

All a bit weird as you say but amazing . . .

Work continues to get busier and somehow I ma getting bogged down and exhausted - problems with systems again - lack of information - half the story etc., - but then still having to train people under these circumstances as work has to be done . . . . for the second time in less than a week - I've had to basically go straight to bed on coming home - now I don't about you guys but that is not a good sign - I don't think! Hmmmm!

This Friday evening is the big Hilton Bash . . . and I am going ala Bonnie Prince Charlie . . . lol - watch this space!

Just not Cricket

2008-04-20T21:47:00.003+01:00

Wow! All hell breaks loose on the work front - I rant / Senior Manager phones back with rant - we are all ranting . . . lol - wasn't sure I had a job to go back to on the Monday . . . lol - Phew!

Went to see In Bruges - I thoroughly recommend - a black comedy - dark humour at times - but brilliant a breath of fresh air - I thought!

IKEA 21st Birthday (21% discount) - a waste really - not really looking for anything at the moment - lovely layouts - kitchens / lounges etc., !

Lazy weekend - let work get to me more than I should. Looking at some courses again - had some brief feedback now its all guns blazing! Taxidemist??? What a weird film - interesting - Hungarian I think? I'll look it up.

Wii finally twists my heart strings - it's on its way - I like the look of Wii Fit . . . but it is not out yet - but having said that looks like pre-release orders have already bought every single copy available . . .lol.

Setanta continues to grow on me - what with Man U - Blackburn and then the Bundesliga Cup Final and IPL 2o/20 cricket - its got something on all the time at the moment as we speak Porto are playing Benfica - PSV have just taken the Dutch league - I like the fact that it is not just English Premier division . . . sick of that being the only league worth watching - just a pity the Spanish league is not featured but I think that is because of Sky commitments.

Work in Progress . . . .

1 week later

2008-04-15T20:30:00.017+01:00

Had a Spring clean - way overdue - threw out futon bed - how relieving - to finally get shot of it - and now being able to move more freely in all sorts of areas. Whistler is very happy - he can get moving around a lot more now . . . . what a difference - ???

Well things are drawing to an end with my current position and a number of people will be affected - to cut a long story short - it looks as if the end of May will be the end of everything - well nearly everything . . . . so an evening is to be held at the Grosvenor Hilton - in the West End - a slap up meal and an open bar will be there to accompany an evening of prize giving . . . so yours truly is going to go the full hog and is considered getting himself kitted out for the evening (a black tie evening) so let us see where we end up . . . . lol - looks like Trish; Kirsteen & I will have to paint the town red . . . so to speak - should be fun.

Well been scanning the Internet and I have now booked for Amy MacDonald and Buddy Guy - both forthcoming events and Friday night went to see Unconquered - a very interesting play that was on at the Tron . . . . - I left work Friday - thought I'd rather come home first - well got as far as the back road to Milngavie and there was a sign in the road " Road Closed " - now I was in two minds anyway as I had the play to go to . . . but I thought - it's silly to stay in town - I could just as well go home first . . . but when I had a road closed sign - I thought - what the hell - who am I to argue with the forces of nature . . . . synchro-destiny as they say - anyway turned out that my usual parking garage (opposite Concert Hall & Cineworld) was also closed - so I was forced to use one further up Sauchiehall street - and then just as I was leaving the car park - who should I bump into but Sonia ??? Now that was fate for you - had circumstances not conspired I would never have bumped into her . . . . and then I went to Waterstone's and would I not bump into someone else . . . weird - don't you think??

I never mentioned Wednesday at work was a very difficult day - why? well things were very frustrating - things were not quite hanging together - then I received an email from a division that I work very closely with - and they were being very pedantic - in my opinion . . . . anyway to top it all I had had a phone call from my agency and I thought wow - they must have something for me (job wise) and it turned out that it was some misunderstanding about pay structures - so it was very dis-heartening - in fact I took it very much to heart and was upset about the whole thing until I decided - what the hell its only money and hell maybe I did mis-understand someone or maybe I just heard what I wanted to . . .when I did this and let go - how much lighter the whole thing became rather than arguing and insisting I was correct - I just said this is what I understood - maybe I got it wrong - who cares - water under the bridge - lets decide how we deal with it now??

Trish is away on 2 weeks holiday in Tunisia - received a text today - another scorcher she tells me . . . .

Went back to Bowling on the weekend took some more photo's of the canals and boats - not sure hat it is but I am fascinated by the water . . . . must be in my blood . . . ???? What a difference some sunlight can make. Even popped in at Magic cycles - a bicycle still very high on my wish list of wish lists . . . Bill from my Monday evening computer drop in swears by Magic Cycles and better still there is now a scheme whereby a company can get a tax break by sponsoring a staff member to cycle to work . . . I will need to investigate this.

I can't believe the football - I wanted Arsenal to beat Liver's in the second leg of the Champions League . . . they totally outplayed them but unfortunately no one to clinically finish-off for them??? An area Wenger needs to spend money . . .but to play so well but to not get a result - Wenger's pain is understandable . . . . And what a finish by Rangers against Sporting - what a finish . . . most of the game might not have been attractive to watch . . . but they are into the last 4 of the UEFA cup - so next round is Fiorentina - a very useful side - not an asy game - hope to get tickets after watching the Sporting game (home leg) at Ibrox . . . .

In a moment of madness I subscribed to Setanta Sports - all I know they have some games that Sky do not have - and tomorrow evening I'll be able to put my feet up and watch Rangers Celtic match - I think there is another game still outstanding after this game though . . . . so a must win for Celtic .... (It turned out to be a classic game - not necessarily the result I would have wanted - but thrilling!)

Tuesday - so it must be Dundee again - and yes that is where I spent the day again - visiting my current favourite coffee maker . . . lol - and guess what - I somehow did not get lost on the way home - so no I did not have drive through Dounne twice today . . . . lol - had a Training session again - was warned before the time - lots of difficult questions - Hey! I can only do what I can do - If I can't answer I can't answer - for whatever reason - I can surely find out for you though and if need be escalate problems to the next level and the powers that be can decide whether or not they have an issue. It was no problem in the end - chaos at times -but what else is new . . .

Came across thinking pictures some really stunning photo's - see what you think . . . .

Went to BCCC and for the first time managed to see how my tablet works - seeing as I only bought more than 4 months ago - interesting - would have to experiment more with it. Suggested we start a wii fitness club . . . lol - I am very interested in buying one now - I've even bought the Sega Superstars tennis game already - console to follow shortly . . . watch this space . . . lol

cya - A

on Safari - in photo's

2008-04-08T19:05:00.000+01:00

Safari - Aquila - South Africa

Cape Town in photo's

2008-04-08T19:04:00.000+01:00

Cape Town - SA 2008

Birthday celebrations in photo's

2008-04-08T18:57:00.000+01:00

Cape Town - Birthday - Big 50

Post party; sunset; Table Mountain; Fish braai

2008-04-05T20:40:00.009+01:00

Photo's - starts with Jenny's place and extension she is having done - Table Mountain from Table View (Yep - you know how it got it's name . . .) - two photo's taken from on top of Table Mountain - the first one clearly shows Lion's Head (larger mountain) and Signal Hill - with Robben Island in Table Bay - (other photo in earlier blog of Cape Town harbour through a fissure (also taken on my birthday) and you can just see the coast line - gives you an idea of where the shot of Table Mountain was taken from) - photo 12Bells - roaring fire . . . . V&A Waterfront - please note Jonathan in the photo (Jonathan who? Livingstone Seagull - of course) - a slightly different view of Waterfront - lastly 12 Bells

And so that was the party over . . . . quite some time in the planning – almost a year . . with a few changes along the way, venue etc., - sometimes even by choice . . . but mostly fate have a little hand in everything . . . and slowly quietly leading proceedings.

That was Sat 15 March . . . the next morning I was at Jenny’s place early morning – as she was leaving for Durban that same afternoon – so had I not seen her that morning – we were not sure of when I might have seen her . . . . spent a couple of hours with her Allison and her Dad, who is now staying with her . . . In fact her place is / was in shambles – as she has a Granny or in this case Grandfather flat being built on – this extension is almost as big as her existing house . . . well not quite but one hell of an extension. And there is building sand all over and the South Easter is blowing away sweeping up everything before it – sand everywhere – all you can do is to try and keep it damp – a hopeless task given that wind just dry’s it out again . . . only other option is to place a tarpaulin over it.

Later on in the afternoon met up with Sam, Hud & Jessila for sundowners some of my nicest photo’s across the bay again - almost the same quintessential photo of Cape Town . . . lol . Done very little – went back to Jess’s place and had a bite to eat and then back to 12Bells . . . the next day was my Birthday.

Took Mum & Cathie to Parow-Valley where they were to stay for 2 days – with Maureen. Hud and I went up Table Mountain – free for me on my Birthday and what a day it turned out to be – absolutely stunning almost no wind at all – I had to stop and buy myself a hat which affords some protection for neck as well . . . not a cloud in the sky and amazing weather . . . (see photo's) That evening Jessila; Arran; Elaine; Denise; Johan & Fransie; Stoffel & Mariette as well as Nina came round for a sea food braai (barbecue) – Sam made a sea food pot (potjie) and I attempted to braai some snoek . . . but Johan just took over and I must admit the Snoek (Cape Town delicacy) fish come out lovely. We even had fish spring rolls as well as calamari for starters . . . a roaring success – everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves. Sam & Hud went to bed early - I kept topping up everyone's glasses with red wine - we sat and chatted until around midnight then Johan and Fransie as well Stoffel and Mariette went home. Put some more wood on the fire and Nina and I blethered into the wee hours of the morning – seems there is a new found love in her life – I hope things turn out as she hopes . . . don’t we all – in fact I suppose, for most of us that is life . . .

The next evening was with Morney, Benita and their two lovely kids - Armin (8) and Mika (4) - I had given Armin an All Blacks top and he loved it from the moment he received - he said he was going to sleep in it . . . get on very well with them all and used to work with Morney - went round to his place when Benita gave birth to Armin and we had a braai and sat up drinking and talking a load of rubbish into the wee small hours . . . Benita is a email buddy in that she and I stay in touch but I rarely speak to Morney on line - funnily enough it is the same with Stoffel - get on really well with them and Mariette is an email buddy - they must both be the strong silent alpha males . . . lol - who knows - it seems to work and are all able to stay in touch with each other . . . only recently have I phoned on the odd occasion . . . Anyway braaied at Morney and Benita's - we had sort of a snack braai - you make chicken wings and nibble on that and then braai some steak and allt he time there are different things to eat whilst talking / chatting . . . was lovely and we ended going down the spirtuality route - actually they did - Benita has been saying for ages she has a list of things she wants to discuss with me - just things in general that we've discussed in emails but that somehow you can't really give them their due consideration because its almost a case of having to be with the person to truly be able to discuss and get your point across . . . . there wasn't really time - I had been up once before but they had guest at the time and Morney being such a keen cyclist he had the Argus tour on the nect day - so I knew he needed his sleep and they know sometimes you can't get rid of me . . . well I've been known to ahng around a bit . . . . so we sat outside a lovely cloudless evening - absolutely stunning and as I said intelligent conversation - what more can a person ask for??

Wednesday was retail therapy day for me - I had been given a number of gift vouchers as presents - so I set off for Canal Walk and bought a couple of CD's at Look and Listen - Chick Corea - Return to Forever; Louis Mhlanga; Kenny Burrel; Then off to Exclusive books I bought the Passion Test - its not what your thinking; lastly Musica where I bought a Shakira DVD - so that was me . . . shopping over - This was the day there was a horrific accident on the N1 - which is the main high way into Cape Town - a truck had overturned and a number of people and vehicles had been involved with fatalities - what happened was that the highway was closed for hours - and all the roads were absolute chaos . . . Sam & Hud had been going to do a tour of the Townships but after half an hour had only moved 3 or 4 miles - so they just came home and decided to do that the next day. I had been to the SPur with Nina as I felt I owed her a lunch after all the running around she had done for me organising things - we had a quick lunch and she left to go back to work and I left to pick my Mum and Cathie up - we drove through to Cape Town - we had us an appointment with Eva at Permanent Trust - she looks after my Mum's place in Parow. Cathie had said she was starving as she had nothing since breakfast (I felt a bit guilty - just having had lunch - but I had told them when I was coming - so not sure why they had not been given lunch???) I picked them up about 14h30 and against all the odds we actually made it in time - I walked in to Permanent Trust office at 15h14 our appointment was for 15h15 - just as well - I didn't realise Eva was German - you know what they are like with time . . . . anyway it was good to meet her - have been dealing with her via email for years now there is a face to put with name. Sorted out quite a few things and my Mum has about £3000 worth of maintenance that has to be done - ironically my Mum never even paid that much for the property when she bought initially. But it needs to be done - and rather now before the Cape winter.

This was my last evening in Cape Town and I had booked a table at Bloemendal - which is on one of the Durbanville hills with beautiful views - so much food again - you know its just ridiculous - you've got about seven starters you can try and 14/ 15 main courses - and of course I will be greedy . . . then dessert . . . lol - no wonder when I came back I felt I had had half a dozen Christmases (at least) . . . .

I left the next evening - OK - technically Friday morning 00h25 - well that was the scheduled time - however they over booked the air plane and 2 people got on board with a boarding pass for the same seat . . .lol - needless to say this caused chaos and eventually KLM offered anyone who was willing to give up their seat 350Euro's plus a night in hotel etc., - I was still considering it when someone else jumped up - by this time everyone applauded as we thought that would be it sorted - but of course this persons luggage had to be taken of - so it was about an hour later the scheduled time - and my return trip reminded me how uncomfortable seats in a plane can be . . . which is funny because going I was in between two people coming back I had an aisle seat . . . Iwas in my shorts a t-shirt and my crocs - true to form Amsterdam welcomed me back with European weather - it really started to snow quite heavily when we taxied on to the runway - so much so that we had to go back and have the plane hosed down to prevent ice build up on the wings . . . Glasgow welcomed me with hail - I was freezing in my African gear.

I had had a great time - yes tensions ran a little high at times but I am really looking forward to Bali next year . . . .Yoohoo! The big wedding - Sam & Hud.

Story Continues 2

2008-04-01T22:01:00.007+01:00

Photo's - Clifton 4th Beach and then 1st Beach. Our accommodation in Milnerton '12 Bells' - Chapman's Peak Drive with Hout Bay in the background - the Lapa where I had my birthday party

So as I was saying - Aquila was great fun and in all honesty a new experience for me! One which I really enjoyed - having lived in Africa for most of my life but never having been on a Safari - I was both intrigued and because I thought I was not really in Darkest Africa (only on the tip of Africa) - I had my reservations . . . . lol - but as I say it was really well worth it.

Came back and the very next day we were off to Madame Zagara - entertainment - more contortionists and a couple of singers - but very professionally done . . . throughly enjoyed the whole evening - food included . . . mine was meat with a chocolate sauce . . . .

The following evening it was another restaurant - Stardust - basically Arts students - who performed in between courses . . . also good fun - all acted as a good prelude to my actual birthday - the star of the show.

The party was to be held at the Goodwood Sports Club - I went through on Thursday and the woman kept talking about finalising the menu - and I thought what is she talking about - but it turned out (I think it was all set up) they wanted me to use their caterer - which is supposedly a prerequisite for hiring the premises . . . needless to say I had my own caterer and had signed a contract with them - so there was no way I could suddenly say - fine lets use someone else - well they made it quite a long story and the penalty was a plate of food for the person who would have done the catering - which I thought was quite strange i.e. why would someone like that want a plate of food???? Anyway I was at this stage just happy they were allowing me to carry on - as I had visions of at the last moment trying to find somewhere else . . . . which I can assure you I did not want to do!

The whole thing had been planned initially to take place at Big Bay - but at the last minute that was being used for a National competition . . . . and they decided that I could no longer have the booking / venue - argh! Not a problem - I will switch everything at the last minute .... lol.

Anyway Sat night 15 - fast approached and I am pleased to say everything went well . . . could have been more people - but I must admit the majority of people did turn up so all n all - we did not badly for someone who lives in Scotland . . . . I must say that I felt as if I was runnign around when I would have preferred to just have sat back and relaxed more . . .

The food - Brusce's Catering - we had 3 starters and a lamb spit roast as well as a Veggie pot roast and salads / rolls etc., - there were 2 desserts - Malva Pudding & as well as custard and ice cream as well. I really enjoyed the music Boab Tree - thoguht they were outstanding - very Jazzy - quite South American - very pleasant indeed.

My only other comment - could have been because I was running around - was that it was a bit dis-jointed - i.e. not everyone knew everyone else - so there were little cliques - my fault to a degree I suppose ???

Anyway on the whole I thought it was a mild success . . . . lol

That was the first 50 years of my life on this planet . . . . .

My speech:
First I stated that I was very grateful that people who knew me so well and had sahred so many years with me were there - starting with my Mum and of course my sister - as well as Jessila (my ex-wife) with whom I had spent 20 wonderful years - then of course my children Samantha and Arran - and then people like Sharon, whom I was at school with - Graeme my nephew as well as all my friends from Telkom etc.,

I was struck by an analogy for life one morning just before going for a swim - the swimming pool was without a wave and it suddenly struck that that was what life was all about i.e. we come into life and we make waves - which ripple through life and even when you get out of the pool they are still there - so you interact and are part of things you didn't even realise - even although you yourself are not consciously aware of them.

I had bought a book just prior to my party - it was all about the meaning of life - the eternal question and there was a recurring theme - one of Love - which linked in very well with a present I had been given - and I would like to quote from Khalil Gibran

Think not you can direct the course of love
For Love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course.

Basically I would just like to thank everyone for joining me in seeing the sun set on the first 50 years of my life
and I'd just like to point out that it is all a matter of perception
and rather than seeing this as the end please join me in seeing this as a new beginning - as one thing ends another begins
and so it is with life.

The Story Continues . . . Arrive; Aquila

2008-03-30T21:16:00.004+01:00

So as I said we were still in the air when in actual fact we should have boarded our plane already . . . .

We basically had to run (not easy with 2 x 80+ members of the group) from where we landed to where we had to board . . . Schipol is a big airport - and along the way I tried to get a golf cart for my Mum & Cathie - but to no avail - these things have to be booked in advance - they do not believe in responding reactively . . . We eventually made it and we were not that late - as we approached we were ushered into a shorter queue - we made it on board and Maureen; Mum & Cathie were together - whereas I was miles away - that cost me a lot of money . . . lol - not at all - they have 3 seats next to each other - so I was excess baggage really - they were in 3 D, E & F or something like that - I was 41 B - yes the sought after middle seat (not) . . . ended up sitting next to an Opera singer - Edmondo - quite an interesting character - whenever the trolley came past he would ask "Cognac Andrew" and I would smile and nod my head . . .

It was a day flight - we left early morning and arrived in Cape Town at about 22h30 . . . It wasn't bad at all actually - found the return flight (a night flight) was a lot worse . . . .

We arrived on time and because of my permanent residence in South Africa - I am allowed to stand in the SA passport holders queue - which was much shorter than all those tourist types . . lol (like me) - so I was through in no time . . . however, I was no sooner through than I heard my name being announced and being told to report to lost property - and I thought I know what this is about - it will be the luggage - we just made it in time for the plane but guaranteed our luggage did not make it - and true enough it was the luggage - we were told they would be on the next KLM flight . . but that was only the following evening - and of course they would only be delivered the following day - so we landed Monday evening - all going well - we should get it on Wednesday morning . . . . Now I don't know about you, but, I consider myself to be a fairly seasoned traveller, however, I do not carry spare speedo's in my hand luggage - a laptop yes . . . and I had had toothpaste / deodorant confiscated - anything over 100ml - not allowed / verboten in your hand luggage . . . . We were told we could spend up to 100 Euro's on basic toiletries and some clothes etc., We had a taxi / shuttle service waiting to take Mum; Cathie & myself through to Milnerton - we left Maureen with Graeme as she was staying with him. We arrived at our accommodation at approximately 00h15

I was in the pool first thing the following morning . . . . shortly afterwards we hit Centre Point (local shopping centre) and bought a number of things - I went to Mr Price (SA Primark) and bought some shorts / t-shirts / sandals and then went to Clicks and stocked up on the toiletries
as did Mum & Cathie. On way back to 12 Bells - our accommodation - I was describing Stoffel's jeep and lo and behold I saw a jeep parked nearby and I said just like that one - with that I saw Stoffel crossing the road . . . I shouted but he never heard me - I stood next his jeep and waited for him . . . met him and went home with him to pick up the BMW - which he gave me for the duration of my stay . . . .

Had a braai the first evening (Tuesday) Jessila, Arran and Elaine popped round . . . visited Graeme and Maureen / Kyra-Lee; went to Spur; had some more braai's - generally just chilled - weather was absolutely stunning ; could not have asked for more; wind blew a bit - the old Cape Doctor - the South Easter was blowing by the time Samantha arrived on the following Monday morning. The Sunday went to 'Riverside' in Franschoek on the Sunday for lunch - they had a musician playing popular songs - food was good - service was terrible . . . . and loads of flies all over the place - an idyllic setting.

Sam and Hud arrived early Monday morning - and Tuesday we left for Aquila - private game reserve . . . I had my reservations as I didn't quite know what to expect . . . was also not sure that they would have what one normally associates with a safari . . . . I was soon to realise it was the real thing - it is about 100km from Cape Town - 10km before Touwsrivier - take the R46 for Ceres and it is about 2km down that road - all very well organised and a success story as Touwsrivier has no real industry and this employs most of its staff from here . . . it has identified a niche market as a lot of people only come to Cape Town and do not venture inland in South Africa. Now I am not saying this is a mini Kruger national park - but it does have everything you are looking for . . . the big five: Lions; Elephant; Rhino; Buffalo; Hippo; Giraffe etc., - so it was very impressive. The accommodation was outstanding as was the catering . . . .

We went on an evening game drive and then 06h00 the next morning - I have to safe it was freezing the evening - and I am talking about 17h00 - Sam sat with 2 blankets around her - I even had a blanket for the morning 06h00 game drive and that was the better of the two as most of the animals seemed more active at this time . . . .

We had dinner; breakfast and lunch - all a buffet and the selection was outstanding and the food exquisite - a sea food potjie; meats everything you could dream of - and lovely dessert . . . my only regret - I didn't have a swim . . .

Silence - no more! Work - Cape Town South Africa March 2008

2008-03-29T00:12:00.005Z

Photo's - all mine - 1 & 2 Table Mountain from Table View - (Sam & Hud) 3 - a gorge from on top of Table Mountain (CPT harbour in background) - 4 Canal Walk

Wow! It has been quite some time since I posted - my humble apologies . . . a lot has happened since I wrote to you last - I want to get back into the swing of writing / maintaining my Blog . . . this will start with a posting and may in fact instead of 1 massive posting may evolve into a series of postings . . . let us see how it evolves . . .

A quick update then - what have I been up to - working hard - I can tell you - but that was all for a specific goal and culminated in a night out with Kirsteen; Trish; Ian & Linda - this was followed shortly there after with my trip to Cape Town to celebrate my 50 years on this planet. Who all went along - My Mum & Cathie (her friend) Sam & Hud - we hired a house in Milnerton (near Centre Point . . . .) but as usual I am getting ahead of my self . . . .

So how did the work go - I hear you ask . . . well numerous Teams / different Processes and IT Systems - at times it was impossible to get everything to talk to each other . . . which made end to end examples and walk through's virtually impossible - it then became a case of explaining this is how it will work - with a few raised eyebrows as in 'so you say' but where is the proof. I ended up following UAT (user acceptance testing) scripts so that I could get a complete and integrated picture of how it all works - this enabled me to document the whole process including actual screen dumps / captures - so that we had step-by-step dummy guides . . .

How would I rate the Training - it was problematic because of integration problems and everything being so dynamic - IT were still developing and ironing things out whilst we approached launch date . . . . all very challenging but exciting times . . . right up my street - I love nothing better than being faced with the unknown - and diving in and sorting it out for myself and then attempting to impart that knowledge to others . . . I can be very critical of myself . . . I have been in the game long enough to know when I have done well and when I could have done better . . . . and on some occasions I could have done better . . . .

Well as I said everything worked itself up into a nice little frenzy - with even myself having to work 7 days a week towards those crucial deadlines . . . . everything - for me peeked the end of February - as I had come into the project with my South Africa trip booked - so it was non negotiable . . .

The Friday 29 Feb - don't get them every year - lol - we went out for a few drinks - for me it was the beginning of my holiday - had spent the day in Edinburgh - met my SA mytjie - doing Training - in attempt to tick another few boxes - managed to do about 60 percent but just couldn't do it all - so somewhat frustrating - but we can only do what we can do . . . . not so? Anyway had a good night out . . . champagne right at the end of the evening - I think is worse than shooters - if you ask me . . . .Trish & I shared a taxi home - I got her home safe and I slept over at my Mum's - left my car at work and picked it up on the Sat morning . . .

So it was now all systems GO! for the South African tour . . . I ended up deciding to park my car at the airport - NCP - flightpath - cost a bit of money as it was almost 3 weeks - but benefit is it is right at the airport - could of got cheaper parking - but then its at least 20 minutes away and you have to give them your keys and they move the car - etc., and HEY! I only just bought my car (a Nissan Micra tjie) the middle of Feb - so I didn't like the idea of Tom Dick and Harry driving around in my car - and the difference over the 3 weeks was something like £4 ???? so it was really a no brainer which one I was going to opt for . . .

Well 3 March arrived - departure date - and would we not have a blizzard . . . the worst weather we have had in the last year . . . I mean what is that about - the country throws a damn site more than a hissy fit . . . . what a confusing set up Maureen (my sister) stays just round the corner from my Mum - gets her own taxi - I drive by myself - leaving the two old yins ( my Mum & Cathie) both over 80 to see to themselves . . . quirky - to say the least - I got their first and booked everyone in (kind of) - woman told me they are old enough to look after themselves - but she did group everyone together - or so I thought . . .

When I arrived at the flightpath (had to circle the airport twice before I found it) as I had said the weather was terrible - so the shuttle bus arrived just as I was parking so I kinda hurried to catch it . . .made it no problem - but as we drove off I realised that in my haste I had forgot to lock my car - what now - we were already driving away . . . took a chance and pressed the lock on my keys and in the distance saw the car indicators respond - just before we turned the corner . . . lol. Arrived in the departure hall - flying KLM - too early - desks not even open - what time was it you are saying - this was 03h45 - I think - flight was 05h55 or something . . . my suitcase was overweight and had get a heavy tag - no problem though - I can vouch for it it was damn heavy - don't talk about hand luggage - it was dfficult to lift . . . anyway done and hauled out the names of the rest of my party . . . .and pre-booked them all in . . . they arrived in drips and drabs . . . .

When we got on to the plane it was still snowing heavily - they ended up having to clear the runway (this is the first plane out in the morning) and hose the ice off the plane - to cut a long story short we only left somewhere around 06h30 . . . we were still in the air approaching Amsterdam when we were supposed to have boarded our plane for Cape Town . . . .

Judi - Chinese New Year - Year of the Rat - Lent - Waitangi day?

2008-02-06T22:55:00.000Z

Yes its the Chinese New Year - year of the Rat actually . . . but before we go there . . . some sad news - Judi & I have split up - It has unfortunately not worked out and I am saddened but we have now parted.

So yesterday 6 Feb was the Chinese New Year - New Zealand's national day and lent . . . . all on 1 day - wow! What next reminds me of an alingment of the planets - waited with baited breath but it came and went - and as far as I know nothing untoward or extraordinary took place.

I have just started 'Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini - (link to his blog) - I have seen the film (unfortunately - not that it wasn't a very good film) so I know the story - it is just the sequence that I don't approve of - i.e. would probably have preferred to ahve read the book first - but that normally means I don't enjoy the film - trade-off's - the book is very well written and has already won me over.

I am following the US elections with interest - the main interest is between Obama and Clinton - it is proving to be a neck and neck race - rumour has it Clinton for president with Obama as vice president - whether the two will speaking to each other by the time of the Democratic congress is another matter. (Lets not talk about the rumours of Blair wanting (I'll bet he does) to be the first European president . . . . lol.

Cinema - I've started off viewing a number of new films:

No Country for Old Men (best of the bunch)
Sweeney Todd ( excellent - exceptionally well made - Tim Burton is the director - very clever and well made)
Valley of Elah (interesting . . . not as good as the other two.

Still working away at the Utility Co., - things have both slowed down and intensified strange as it sounds - now learning and integrating processes with the IT Systems - now realising the process documents do not always mirror or give the full detail of the steps involved in the IT systems. I will actually be conducting some of the Training myself now.

Whee - Shopping - been taking out membership of ACM - IEEE - BCS - full membership for each always wanted ACM membership as I have found no better publications than there's - in most areas of study. In going forward I think this will be critical / crucial for any PhD applications - Yes, I am still interested in persuing this and in fact found some this week which I intend applying for . . . in fact one closes on 12 Feb - so I'll need to get oraganised.

Rugger - went to the France Scotland 6 nations game - Scotland started of well but unfortunately faded - I believe the first France try was a forward pass - but they did score a fantastic try in front of Phil (who went with me - thank goodness it was cold as he had his England jerseyon under his cardigan . . . lol) and I. It was a good day . . . . just waited for ages for the bus afterwards.

Fabio Cappello is the new England manager and last night they had their first game under him - the first half they looked very mediocre - a good goal by Jenas and in the second half almost an identical move and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored . . . . the jury is out - early days - one striker up front the fans were losing patience until the goal was scored - a good equaliser by Switzerland . . . lets see how it all develops and how long the honeymoon lasts - on paper Cappello is the best manager but its the results that count.

As mentioned earlier my SA trip is just around the corner and I am really really looking forward to some quality time in the sun . . . .

Creative Slide Show

2008-01-16T23:43:00.001Z

Came across this on Webshots - absolutely lovely - just thought I need to share this . . . enjoy!

Creative Challenge Winner's Circle

That was 2007 - an eventfull Year!

2007-12-31T06:14:00.000Z

Wow! Here we are 2007 is almost a thing of the past - 31 December - early morning and I am thrown into reminiscing on the year that was . . .

Started off with a flurry of activity - Sam & Hud were in Perth for Christmas and then spent some time here as well - I had spent some time with Judi between Christmas and New Year - was up to my ears in uni work - had a programming assignment; an essay & an exam to prepare for . . . then James & family arrived from New Zealand - followed closely by Graeme from South Africa and almost straight into my Mum's 80 th at the Radisson hotel . . . phew! It was a busy month and basically a gathering of the clan -Mum; Judi & I as well as Sam & Hud stayed overnight at Radisson . . . . was a stressful evening in some ways - the event had been 18 months in the planning - my one regret - I did not have a photographer as didn't really get a lot of photo's out of the evening. Was sorry did not have more time to take James & co., around. Actually managed to pass my assignments - although Internet Programming by the skin of my pants . . lol

I can't remember Feb in quite as much detail - took Graeme to see Six nations game Wales vs Scotland and by all accounts he really enjoyed this -far more than the Kilmarnock Vs Rangers game at Ibrox . . . I booked up for a holiday in Rome as Judi had told me she always wanted to go there.

March my birthday - Judi bought me a ring - hmmm usually other way round . . . lol - and there were 2 rugby games - she spoilt me that whole weekend . . . I wasn't allowed to lift a finger.

April - exams again Designing Usable Systems & Artificial Intelligence . . . then it was the long wait - which proved longer than expected - to hear whether or not I had been accepted onto Masters component of course - things could have ended here and I would have been awarded a National Higher Diploma . . . .

May - Roma (was still awaiting results) Judi & I went to Rome - stayed near Navonna Plaza - in the heart of Old Rome - walking distance to Vatican City etc., - hired an apartment - everything turned out to be within walking distance - the odd day we could have taken a bus we just walked anyway - was great immersed ourselves in the local atmosphere (by going to all the tourist haunts . . . lol) - had a great time . . .

June - finally received confirmation was accepted onto Masters - chose my dissertation topic - not without some confusion - but eventually settled on 'A comparative evaluation of Java teaching environments' - which proved to be very interesting . . . this was to keep me really busy for the next 3 months . . .

July - dissertation . . . Judi's birthday (Rome had been the birthday present) - went down to London with Judi - she attended a acupuncture conference on fertility . . . met up with Sam & Hud at went Cuban for the night . . . I ended up smoking a cigar . . . felt quite sick afterwards . . lol . . . Judi kept stealing my glass of wine . . . lol

August - dissertation . . . a brief visit down to Sam - I had a airplane ticket from a year ago ( a long story) - anyway visited and basically cat & house sat - whilst Sam & Hud were in Switzerland. What a calamity when I got lost in London and missed my train . . . . and had to get back to Sam's place after having hidden the keys inside the door . . . lol - Babbaloo was pleased to see me again and I managed to let him out so he could wander - Sam had kept him inside all the time - as they had only had him for a week . . . a friend for life - after I gave him his freedom.

September - dissertation hand in . . . . a last rush to complete and tidy up - by this time I was sick of reading and re-reading it and eventually just handed in . . . was I to regret it . . . not in that sense but I had hoped to do better . . . Murray my mentor had been great - I should have paid a little bit more attention to a few pointers / requirements - some simple stuff I left out . . . Fiona my niece arrived with her two kids Rozita & Rosario - she has decided to come and stay here in Scotland now . . . Wow! How could I nearly forget an amazing weekend in the Lake District - Ambleside - I had no sooner handed in my Dissertation than Judi whisked me off for the weekend - lovely - apparently June suggested it - good one June! Thoroughly enjoyed and loved the area - worth exploring in more detail - file under - Well Worth another visit . . . lol.

My Mum and I shot over to Vancouver for a week - absolutely lovely - a great hotel / location-wise and we managed to do a lot in our week . . . even got to Whistler . . . I've always wanted to go here . . .

October - the big question - What now?? Academic / Work / Leisure ??? Central themes for this month - Graduation - the big day a year's work behind me - blood sweat and tears . . .

November - somewhat similar to last month - more focus on applying for jobs though and lo and behold end of the month an add on the Monday morning and by the end of the week I had the job - not permanent mind you - but seeing as some confusion and no definite decisions having been made it was ideal . . .also bearing SA 2008 birthday extravaganza - It seemed ideal . . . also somewhat depressing not working and not having that sense of urgency . . . uni work etc.,
Started work on the last day of November . . . .

December - Phew - what a baptism . . . a hell of a lot of work - very complex and involved - really enjoying it but I have to say - it is taking a lot out of me - not sure that I am being justly rewarded . . . perhaps that is a commonly held point of view . . .
Judi has just contacted me - her first delivery as a Dullah (???? spelling) she has been with a client since Sunday morning about 03h00 and she just arrived home at about 05h00 Monday morning - a baby boy . . . she is totally knackered and she is already wondering how this would have panned out in a normal work week . . . . have to say so am I . . . lol

Well its been an eventful year - one that stretched me in many ways - but I am a better person, in my opinion - a lot of personal growth - more apprecaition for who I am - setting limitations and allowing myself some quality time - relaxation. Judi & I have had some ups and downs and I am sure we will have some more - I am pleased to say that we appear to be ending off the year much closer with a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other -which I feel can only bode well for the future.

UK - wise Brown seems to be a total nightmare after starting off quite well - the best punchline was he has gone from 'Stalin to Mr Bean' and that really sums it all. Looks like a mild recession is on the way . . . house prices may actually drop . . . who knows ????

On a Global perspective If I could have one wish for 2008 - its that people start talking to each other . . . Hamas & Israeli's; Taliban & British / US; they are legitimate organisations with a following . . . too much to ask for?????

May you have a great 2008!

3 Weeks and running

2007-12-21T22:14:00.000Z

(Motivational posters (not) accessed from www.despair.com
Well I told you I had started working again and it is all Go, Go, Go - lots of intensive analysis and trying to get to grips with what is actually going on - as you can imagine it is very difficult to parachute yourself in behind enemy lines - and try to instantiate yourself i.e. get to talk their language and understand their actual business . . . it is a real challenge one that I am enjoying though . . . majority of the people we are dealing with are most helpful and our profile has been raised with a memo that went out to everyone explaining that we had come on board and exactly what our role is . . . . so lets hope it gets just a wee bit easier . . . . we hope . . . .

Two things of note - company that hired me to work with this utility company 'XYZ' consultancy - had a meeting with us last Friday - and to cut a long story short it went on longer than it should have - everyone agrees - anyway eventually I had to say that I had to leave - so I could catch my train . . . I did so - did the 100m dash to the station and lo and behold I thought I had missed it but it turns out the train was cancelled . . . as there are only trains every 30 minutes - I had to just stand there and wait - eventually arrived at Dalmuir station - where I park my car now - at about 19h45 - only to realise that I had left in such a hurry that I had left my keys in my draw at the office - so a few seconds and there and then I decided I had to go back.

I had also agreed to pick a carpet from my Aunt's place for Maureen (my sister) - and had phoned and arranged to pick it up - so I had to phone a cancel all of this.

Had to phone one of the people on my team - to get security's phone number and arrange to get them to open up for me etc., - so 2 trains to get back - 2 trains back to car and I was home by 22h15 - exhausted, is a mild term describing how I felt . . . . . As if the work itself was not enough I had to add this to the whole equation . . .

I have to admit I have been asking a lot of questions - it seems as if I spend most of my life at the moment at work - that is how it seems - sleep ; eat ; travel ; work ; eat ; work ; travel ; eat ; sleep etc., . . . the evening just flies by - does not feel like any real passage of time before it is time for bed . . . . at first I was going to bed about 22h30 - but I am trying to push that slightly now . . . but that comes at a cost as well . . . - just seems there should be a lot more to life . . . I think I'd much rather be studying again - I found that far more rewarding (although it didn't pay . . .) -- and was significantly happier - in my opinion . . . . hmmmm - well not completely true - but I do think I had a much better quality of life . . . . ?????

Wednesday I was in Edinburgh in the morning and Dundee in the afternoon . . . . quite a bit of travelling - I slept over at Judi's place so was at the office early in the morning as she stays not to far away - walked around the corner and caught the No 11 and was there in 10 minutes . . . . phew!

Tuesday morning - major accident on the A82 - I left home at about 07h40 and within about 3 miles from home hit the traffic - I sent P a text to tell her I'd be late - bumper to bumper - radio said a car had over-turned - took about 1 and half hours just to get out of Dumbarton - by this time I had convinced myself I had left the hot water tap on - so I had to go home and of course it was fine . . . . then drove or should I say I attempted to drive to station - abandoned car - in Bellsmyre still and walked to station . . . . instead of 08h40 I arrived at work at about 10h40 - what a waste of time . . . . lol

Went to the dentist this morning . . . been having toothache and problems with my gums . . . . Holly still there (from NZ) whilst my dentist (Lucy) is still on maternity leave . . . a couple of X-rays later and a whole host of appointments - 4 in total . . . my gums are bad and need to see the oral hygienist - I am currently using Corsoydl to rinse my mouth - my oral hygienist recommended it some time ago . . . . Lets hope I get it all sorted . . .

Well - How goes it with Christmas shopping - I'm actually quite happy - I think - I want to wrap things this weekend to see where I am - as I think I have enough already . . . . for everyone - Judi; my Mum; Maureen; Fiona; Rozita & Rosario etc., - and the odd present for myself - I bought a PC tablet - will have to take it along to PC club - and try to play around with it prior to the next meeting - bought it when I saw you can take notes (free hand) and that it can be added as part of a Word document . . . . and I couldn't resist a travel bag - binoculars ; a compass etc.,

May I just take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year . . . . . I plan to spend Christmas with Judi & the boys and Boxing day with Maureen & Mum . . . New Year I hope to be relaxing at home and will invite my Mum and we can phone all and sundry (Yes, that's you James) . . . lol.

Stay well - warm (it has been -7 in some places over the last few days - really bitter) and safe.
Andrew

Arran - Work

2007-12-06T21:10:00.001Z

Photo's - a running tally of American casualties in Iraq . . . of course out of date now . . . forest setting & The Magic compass film

I struggled with an easy decision this week - my son Arran wanted me to take out car insurance for him in my name - after hesitating - I told him in no uncertain terms - that I was sorry but I just wasn't going to do it - the ramifications to him could enormous as he needs to drive for his job - he has managed to have several accidents in the last few months - have I mentioned that he doesn't even have a licence - we always want to do everything we can for our kids - I even seriously considered taking out the insurance - they weave an intricate web and we find it so easy to make excuses for them and their actions - after all they are only human - and I found it hard to say no - even although I have no doubt that it is the right / correct decision. No doubt I will be called every name under the sun - but I'll have no part in anything that could happen to him - I have told him he now needs to take responsibility for his own life and his actions and the affect they have in his life.

Well it had to happen - lol - I am working now.

You know how these things creep up on you . . .when you least expect it - saw an advertisement on the Tuesday morning and by late Friday it was confirmed that I had the job . . . it is a contract position so it is finite at the moment - at least 2 months - and with Cape Town Birthday bash just around the corner and still looking at PhD's - it was the ideal opportunity . . . no idea where it may lead to from here. What am I doing hmm a long story but the executive summary - I am helping a large utility company put together training material that they need some help with a whole raft of new processes they are implementing at the moment - clear as mud - lol. Basically new and exiting processes which need users to be re /trained in. Tight deadlines and quite a number of processes. That's about all I can say.

It's almost the end of my first week and I am feeling a wee bit tired a fair amount of travel - myself and 2 other people in team - we seem to be gelling and thus far agreeing with the way forward - enjoying some of the staff in the company.

The main area I am still getting used to is getting up at some unspeakable time in the morning . . lol. After a number of variations and horrendous traffic on Wednesday - when I had to just abandon my car on the way and turn around and catch a train - I have now worked out the optimal route by train by myself - I drive to a not too distant station and change half way and then catch another train -its not bad really - main thing is it minimises chances of being stuck in traffic like Wednesday . . . I intend buying another car - which is more reliable and would probably drive - well particularly when travel is involved as you are not dependent on times and trains etc., - get up and go basically - whenever you want - also easier to go to work earlier and corner those evasive or too busy execs . . . .and get some answers.

Looking forward to being able to complete some of the material and see its sign-off and or implementation.

Anyway just a short update of what is happening . . . in my life at the moment - it is only 21h25 and have to admit I am exhausted . . lol - sad I know - time for a nice hot bath and a long soak . . . enjoy yourselves . . .

PS - Judi said we'll both be so knackered on the weekend we'll be fighting about whose turn it is to get up to make a cup of coffee . . . .lol - regeneration time . .

I can't wait to see what they have done with Phillip Pullman's book - film the Magic compass

Links:

Kindle get with it man - what is it???

Cooking

The Tide Turns . . . Brown in the Mist

2007-11-25T18:41:00.001Z

photo's - Sam, Arran & Jessila, Eortica 07 / Mike & Naz / Fiona swears allegiance to yon Queen in Buckingham palace . . .

Well after a somewhat frustrating (read depressing) wait I have finally managed to find some work - it is not a permanent position and takes me back to my core skills of Learning and Development. It is a short term contract - for two months and it seems the best way for me to do this and work in this way is for me to start my own company . I am still interested in doing my PhD and intend applying for this - when successful I will be paid a salary. However, in the interim, whilst awaiting the ultimate PhD offer - need to put some food on the table and the odd bottle of red wine of course - so this seems a good way for me to do so - there are certain tax advantages of doing it this way. A bit scary in a way as you then take full responsibility for what you earn . . . lots of work out there but it is not an easy ride - particularly if you are just starting out and do not have loads of contacts in the area . . . . Oh well - caution to the wind here we go I am setting sail for yon distant shore and trust that the weather will not be too inclement - not that I expect it all to be plain sailing . . .

As an indication of my desire to work (I hope the Job Centre is reading this . . . lol) I even went to Royal Mail and attended both an interview and a 1 hour induction - as a Christmas casual . . . I made it on to the waiting list - in fact funny how things work - had I been successful I may not have seen and responded to the above position - weird - I woke up early (earlier than usual - my usual) and was on the PC and saw the above position - its temporary nature actually appealed to me - believe me or not . . . . - anyway applied early Tuesday morning and went for interview on Thursday and was informed on Friday afternoon that I had been successful . . . . so it was fast and furious . . . lol

I am waxing lyrically about the job but in truth I do not have anything in writing yet - don''t expect any problems though . . .

Birthday's are numerous during the month of November - with Tom; Mike & ANdy all turning 1 year older - Judi has been cooking up a storm for each of her sons - with them allowed to choose the main meal . . . . celebrations . . . and sometimes bored games - oops a slip.

What else has been going on - Christmas shopping - now that Fiona with her two kids Rozita (4) & Rosario (18 months) are here brings a new dimension to this years celebrations . . . she is staying with my sister Maureen and they are somewhat over-crowded - hopefully though they will find a bigger place soon - which will be better for everyone . . . Been doing my fair share of looking and deciding what to buy . . . . I've only just realised that I will be working through this period - only qualifying for the statutory holidays - as the format of the work dictates I only get paid for the days I work . . . . so need to work every day I can . . . lol - Oops somehow slipped back to the work story . . . lol.

It looks like I will motor across to Judi's place Christmas eve and then over to Maureen's - late on Christmas day - sleep over at my Mum's and then home later on Boxing day . . . . working on the Thursday & Friday and then on Monday 31st ??? But will wait and see whether this is what transpires.

Winter is fair drawing in . . . it has been fairly bitter the last few days . . . thank goodness for central heating - Judi claims this side of the world - everything over Erskine Bridge is both cold and wet . . . she half lives on the radiator to cope with conditions here . . . lol.

Was out last night @ Walkabout - Phil & Emma's birthday . . . Matthias & Antonio as well as some other friends of Emma & Phil were there . . . turned into a good evening - there was some commotion in the place but it was sorted out by chucking the whole group out - about 20 of them . . . anyway everyone is just there to enjoy themselves and these guys were a bit over the top - I had bumped into them at the bar and the one guy had tried to swipe his credit card through my teeth or something along those lines - I just ignored him and laughed - but no doubt someone took offence with regards to something that was said or done and it escalated from there . . . .

Took Fiona to see Beowolf at the Imax cinema - it is in 3D - it was good fun and very well done in parts . . . it incorporates a new form of animated filming - it has real actors but they are portrayed by an animated character - apparently they film the real actor and it is somehow transformed into the animation . . . in most cases you know immediately who it is - but the voice helps in certain cases . . . I recommend the film - a more mature audience - not suitable for the younger viewers - may even have a PG rating - not sure.

Well football-wise that is both Scotland and England are out of Euro 2008 . . . it's quite amazing Tuesday the Data disks went missing with every family's private details and information on it . . . and then Wednesday England out of Euro . . . . what's next they say - well actually all of that was preceded by Northern Rock - what is that your saying??? Well in a nutshell Alistair Darling (who didn't exist to most people - before these fiasco's ) decided that we couldn't have a run on a British bank - which is what happened - people queueing to get their money out of the bank and the bank not having enough . . . . so - our good friend Alistair lent the bank £20bn - that is a lot of money - it translates in to each tax payer lending the bank £900+ ; which is ludicrous - in my opinion - the bank is a company - like any other - if they can't finance themselves then they probably should not be in business . . . . simplistic - yes.

Well I am afraid to say Gordon Brown goes from one fiasco to another and we are still no closer to understanding fundamentally what he stands for? The honeymoon is over - and if he continues like this it will not be long before he is jilted or the country as a whole and his backbenchers institute divorce proceedings.

I see another Bush lackey was given his marching orders - Howard in Australia - the swing away and against him was dramatic that he lost his own seat - something that has not happened in over 78 years . . . .

Another attempt at peace in the Middle East is starting up - a process which is no doubt doomed before it has even started - Abbas the Palestinian leader does not speak for Hamas - who control Gaza - so you ask yourself what is the point - if a naive observer like myself can see the futility - who do they think this process will appease - yes, America needs something to work in the Middle East - but this will be a hollow victory if they hold this up as a supposed success story . . a waste of time and money - and yes I think the upstart Blair is involved although - thank goodness we hardly ever hear about him anymore - here today and no more - apart from the odd dinner speaking engagement for a steal of £250 000???? Wow!

Anyway quite enough cynicism for the moment - cya Andrew

Links:

Emperor's New Clothes - I'll change, Vows PM after week of crisis . . . Yeah right!

Hamas warns of impending violence after talks

Scotland's finest

Best reads of 2007

Erotica 07

Facebook accused of spoiling Christmas

Proud and Happy Chappy . . . . Yipee!

2007-10-29T23:42:00.001Z

Well they say every picture tells a story - let this one speak for itself!
Other Photo's -
Group of 4: Kamal; Murvin; Abiodun & I and then Murvin (whom I think was the best coder on our course) & I;

The only thing you can't see, is me, beaming from ear to ear . . . . . lol!

The Graduation Ceremony was held today - 29 October - in the lovely Barony Hall - where I wrote my Information Retrieval exam in January of this year . . . I am down with this chest infection - something similar to what I had back in April and no doubt passed onto me by Judi - well I was bold enough to say it ain't coming my way - seems it had a mind of its own.

Judi asked in passing last night - what is the plan for tomorrow and this prompted me into action - making sure the times dates and locations were all known and planned for only to discover I still had an envelope with information in it waiting for me at registry . . . Judi was laughing and I had to admit that not everything was planned down to the finest detail - there were still one or two things to be finalised - anyway - not to belabour the point picked up envelope - picked up gown and sash and even had photo's taken straight away and went to pick my Mum up and still had a couple of hours to spare . . . .

At approximately 14h00 I made my way down Collins Street to get to the entrance in High Street (guests had to enter via Rottenrow Road) and almost immediately met Christine, who was having a cigarette with her brother. Made our way plus two others - to the hall - where you had to register to find out where you were to be seated - not surprisingly all the MSc - Computer and Internet Technologies guys where together - when I took my seat E15 - Gobi was sitting next to me - Mathias, Antonio, Idong, Abi and Murvin were all close by with Rory, Phil & Stephen in the next row opposite us - which meant they would be right behind us when we stood up to go on stage . . . .seemed like quite a while before the proceedings were under way and thereafter it just flew . . . I think our group was in the first third of the proceedings - which left us with some time when we arrived back with our degrees. The Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Hamnett (who has more intials behind his name than I have letters in all three my names) capped each of us . . . - someone else hands you the actual degree and another person places the hood over your head and drapes it across your shoulders.

It was all really over rather quickly - theses were Science degrees - they start with the Doctor's (1/2 a page of names) , then Masters (2 and a 1/2 pages of names) and then finally some Bachelors of Science (only about 1 and a 1/2 pages of names). Of the Information Management group that started with us - roughly about 18 students only 2 submitted their dissertations and Graduated today a bit sad. Of the CIT group we were about 25 - I only counted about 12 who were eligible - of whom 4 were not present - is this how it normally works - I know I struggled with my Technical Report with my Honours - but it seems pointless to complete two semesters and then not too bother going any further?? The course is structured so that you qualify for a Post Graduate Diploma after the first two semesters - but they would have Graduated today as well and there was only persons name down for this in CIT - and not a name I recognised so he must be a carry over from last year??? What happened to everyone else - about 13 students??? No idea about the Library students - but there seemed to be loads of people missing their as well . . . ??? Spoke briefly to Nicole seems she has moved to Edinburgh and she loves it there . . . .

After emerging from the hall all the tension was released and everyone was hanging around posing for photo's etc., - now MR MR who is a keen photographer never took his
camera along - I was sick guys . . . lol - anyway everyone has promised to send me copies . . . watch this space . . .lol.

Afterwards - rushed to hand the gown and hood back in and stopped off at Harry Ramsden's joint for traditional fish and chips . . . .

I have set up a meeting with Careers Advice for next week - I need to work through my book on 44 1/3 things to do to ensure I don't succeed in life - prior to this appointment.

The day left a nice warm fuzzy feeling behind . . . . if only all days were as accommodating!

Rory and his band played this evening but unfortunately I wasn't up to it . . . pity - could have been a grand way to celebrate . . . most of the guys are around though so hopefully sometime soon we can have a celebratory evening.

The Final - SA07 VFY

2007-10-21T22:12:00.001+01:00

There is a lot that can be said about Saturday evening's game . . . but I am ahead of myself - where was I - who did I watch it with . . . let's start there - shall we -

(Photo of Pietersen; Percy Montgomery (scorer of 12 of the points) and Habana - David Rogers/Getty Images - appeared on
Scotland on Sunday

My self & Phil have been texting and emailing each other since the beginning of the World Cup - and it only seemed a fitting finale that we should meet up for the final - the fact that he was an England supporter and I a Springbok was more coincidental but was to add to the evening. I suggested we meet up at Walkabout - so on Saturday - Springbok jersey on, Judi & I made our way to Walkabout - arrived at about 17h10 and Phil, Emma & Katie arrived minutes after us - we quickly scrambled around for a table and managed to find one centrally located - well off to one side but with a view of a second large screen which they had - the pub was mobbed in no time - turned out Phil had his England top on underneath his jersey - a tad nervous to brazenly wear it in the street and on public transport - didn't take much coaxing and he was proudly displaying his top - chest out and promises of things to come. In no time the pub was mobbed with mostly South African supporters - I could have quite easily believed I was back in a pub in Cape Town - there were that many supporters - and then when the DJ starting playing the Habana song; Johnny Clegg (Scatterlings of Africa) Leon Schuster & other Afrikaans liedtjies - the vision was complete . . . I had a Springbok burger and a few beers in the run up to the kick-off - whilst Aston Villa attempted to keep Man U's score down (they had been in the lead but Carson was sent off and they were down to 10 men . . . it threatened to to become embarrassing - reserve keeper saved penalty and went on to do a commendable job).

In no time it was time for the kick off - by this time there were far too many people in the pub - trying to get to either the bar or cloakrooms was like trying out for a position in the scrum - in fact I was challenged to go head to head with one guy at one stage - as there was only room for one person to get through at a time and he suggested we scrum for it . . . . not sure what he meant - probably whoever managed to push the other out of the way could carry on . . . lol ???

The long awaited game arrived and on reflection it was not a spectacle for the game of rugby - a calculated game - very exciting - quite drawn out at times - all penalties - the team that made the most mistakes lost - I could attempt to give an overview of the game but if your interested here are some links which sum it all up.

Judi & I took to the dance floor on a number of occasions thereafter and everyone who wore the green and gold were one big happy family - when I walked around afterwards - people would stop and shake my hand or just give me a hug for no reason other that to celebrate a great victory - the same happened continually on the dance floor . . . In a way I had hoped for a great game in the end I settled for the victory instead.

Phil seemed to take it OK in the end - disappointed - but already looking forward to the next World Cup and he has already bought tickets for the Scotland England 6 nations game next year . . . Judi saw an amazing article in the Scotland on Sunday - which said that they had hoped England would win - because then when we beet them in March next year - as we did in 1967 after the football world cup - we would then be able to say that by proxy that makes us World Champions - ??? You think ??? A missed opportunity then . . . . lol

Some Reports - Articles on the Rugby World Cup:

Pretty? No, but beautiful

We Woznt Robbed

England 6 - South Africa 15

Rainbow nation explodes in joy

Interview with Jake White

Strains show as nation cheers on the Boks

RFU plans to lure players back to Rugby

Roll on 2011 in New Zealand . . . would love to be there . . . this will be after attending football World Cup in South Africa!

What is the cryptic number in the title - well whilst driving towards Walkabout this car moved in front of us and my attention was drawn to the number plate - so I said to Judi - that's it that is the final in front of us - she laughed and asked me what in the world was I talking about . . .I said SA07 was a sign South Africa 2007 and she laughed and asked what about the VFY - had to be a bit more inventive here . . . and answered - it will be very fine but yes - they will win . . . . lol and so it was . . . .

Che Guevara; Life, Lucky Dube

2007-10-17T00:46:00.000+01:00

The Che theme was inspired - by iafrica.com's Monday Phenomenon newsletter.

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara de la Serna was born in Argentina on 14 June 1928. Guevara enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires in 1948 to study medicine. In 1951 he interrupted his studies and took a year off to travel across South America - (the subject of a film recently 'Motorcycle Diaries'). This journey ended up shaping his beliefs, Guevara witnessed widespread poverty and oppression. He was influenced by Marxist literature and concluded that an armed revolution was the only solution. It was during this time that his ideal of a borderless, united Ibero-America began to take shape.

After finishing his studies, Guevara went to Guatemala, where he befriended Cuban exiles 'the 26th of July Movement' linked to Fidel Castro. It was during this period that Guevara acquired his nickname ‘Che’, as a result of his frequent use of the Argentine interjection which translates loosely as ‘hey’ or ‘pal’.

In July 1955, Guevara was introduced to Fidel Castro who had just been released from prison in Cuba. Che was immediately convinced that he had met his revolutionary leader, Guevara joined the 26th of July Movement aimed at toppling the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

In March 1965 Guevara suddenly disappeared from political life in Cuba. He and Castro had decided that he would lead Cuba’s first military action in sub-Saharan Africa. The operation was carried out in support of the pro-Patrice Lumumba Marxist movement in the Congo-Kinshasa. He collaborated with the guerilla leader Laurent-Desire Kabila, but his attempts at a guerilla-led revolution failed. This was in part because South African mercenaries and Cuban exiles worked with the Congolese army to foil Guevara by cutting off his supply lines and monitoring his communications.

Over the years he has become a symbol of resistance and to my surprise recently at an anti-war rally here in Glasgow, I overheard a young Moslem teenager asking his friend who the hell is he??? I couldn't resist sharing some of Che's background with him - I hope it meant something to him . . . that is the kind of symbol Che has become - t-shirts / flags / posters etc., - quite a legacy . . .

He had a ruthless reputation dealing with people whom he believed to be traitors and or of a different political persuasion and whilst he was in charge of the national prison was said to have been personally responsible for give the order for 100's of prisoners to be executed - without trial.

Just heard the breaking news on CapeTalk that Lucky Dube has been killed - apparently they tried to hijack his car and shot and killed him in the process . . .

Spent the weekend at Judi's - June has finally had her baby - Joshua - phew! at last . . . . and Judi came down with a bug and was really really ill over the weekend - and in fact she is still ill and guess what I am just starting to feel like I am coming down with flu - so Yippee! I may have picked up the bug myself . . .

So I received my final mark for my dissertation 65% and this gives me overall MSc with merit . . .so this was the final final mark that was still outstanding . . . so I can now say although I was fairly confident that I had passed . . its nice to have it confirmed . . . officially . . . so on 29 October - I bend the knee - some geezer hits me on the head with a cap and hands me a scroll of paper - which is my passport to success . . . . That's how it supposed to work is it not . . .lol.

Jobwise - still searching- sent off a an application recently that comes close to my list of prerequisites . . . involves a web site which covers football . . . .

Picked up a large screen TV for my Mum - a bargain - via Martin Lewis money saving expert website - well I subscribe to his newsletter - what did I find - LCD 37 inch TV - a bargain . . . and good quality . . . I am tempted myself . . . a luxury I know.

I am afraid I can feel my energy level draining . . . so will have to finish off for the time being . . . may add or put up additional posting . . .With regards to the RWC - Springboks 24 - England 16 . . . hope to be going to the pub with Phil from uni an England supporter - balance things out . . . we've been texting each other throughout the tournament - had some good banter going there . . . . so this is basically the culmination of the whole tournament - seeing as I predicted France and Argentina in the final - you'll not be putting much stock in my score then . . . perhaps I should change the score then to make sure it is the other way round . . . lol

Lastly Georgia on my mind . . . Scotland 0 - Georgia 2 . . . this weekend see's the big football derby Rangers & Celtic - similar in stature to Man U & City / Liverpool & Everton / etc., - Football is the national sport - up there with Golf - which is revered here.

all started in article Road warriors are coming from the heart by Emily Bouchard got-heart.org

What is all about - in a nutshell - people who believe they can make a difference - and take to the road to try and do so . . . hence the name Road Warriors.

Links:

www.kopali.com

www.allmyrelations.org

www.2moms.com

thankgodforevolution.com

Lucky Dube - Together As One Lyrics
In my whole life,
My whole life
I've got a dream (x2)

Too many people
Hate apartheid
Why do you like it? (x2)

Chorus: (x3)
Hey you rasta man
Hey European,Indian man
We've got to come together as one
Not forgetting the Japanese

The cats and the dogs
Have forgiven each other
What is wrong with us (x2)

All those years
Fighting each other
But no solution (x2)

Chorus: (x2)

Transition, Work, PhD

2007-10-10T23:34:00.000+01:00

Photo's taken in Edinburgh - 'The Meadows' - over the weekend . . .

Well here we are - 1 year since I started this Blog and my MSc . . . how time has flown - where to from here . . . well it is a period of transition again . . . something of an anti-climax I'll have to change my description although I've decided to keep my Blog title as this is how it started - even although I may move away from the 'aspirant code-borrower' that I was and return to my core of Learning and Development.

I am still keen to study further - to complete my PhD . . . I have applied been for an interview with Paisley - was invited for an interview with Stirling but they cancelled it before I could get there and dazzle them as they did have enough candidates - I was to take the Masters in Research route which would have meant 4 years instead of 3yrs for PhD . . . So I am still keeping an eye on studentships - but these things work in cycles - September is the current wave which has passed - next wave will be January intake and then it may move to April/September again - not sure - so this leaves with the dilemma . . . and of course there is no guarantee that I will be successful with an application - I am going to look at the possibility of part-time study as an option . . .

Anyway at the moment I am actively seeking the perfect position . . . what is that you are asking - well let's start with it would have to meet the following criteria:

interesting

close to home

challenging

strong technology component

variety

well paid

a research component

good career prospects

permanent

great work atmosphere

flexible working

some travel would be nice (as part of the position)

Hey fairly straightforward - not asking for much . . . needless to say the I am finding tons of positions which meet my requirements . . . . and they are all falling over themselves to appointment me at the salary I want . . . lol - I believe it will arrive soon - yes, I am the eternal optimist.

My predictions for the weekend - I'm in trouble again - Argentina to beat South Africa (dangerous one) and France to pip England - so France vs Argentina final and who is going to win . . . it is anyone's game . . . lol.

Rugby World Cup - Upsets, thrills and sadly some players have to leave for home . . .

2007-10-08T14:26:00.000+01:00

(photo's courtesy of Getty Images - from Rugby World Cup web site) . . .
Well the weekend saw the start of the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals - down to 8 teams and it seemed all too predictable really - except not everything went exactly as it was thought it would . . .

Starting with England vs Australia a replay of 2003 - when the two met in the final . . . and as we know England won the World Cup . . . it seemed as if this game was a formality - after all South Africa had easily dispensed with England beating them 36 - 0 and this more or less summed up England's current form in their run up to the World Cup . . . England's first game against US resulted in England winning but they did not look convincing - final score 28 - 10; other games saw England see off a challenge from Samoa 44 - 22; and then had to beat Tonga to go through, which they did but less than convincingly 36 - 20; Australia on the other hand had kicked off against Japan - beating them 91 - 3; then faced Wales and beat them 32 - 20; Made short work of Fiji 55 - 12; and convincingly dealt with Canada 37 - 6; So on paper they should have made short work of England but instead ended up losing to them 10 - 12 . . . England had vastly improved their game and in the end just managed to do enough to totally put Australia off their game . . . pressurised and followed up all kicks and ran out worthy winners.
The All Blacks - as has so often happened to them failed to deliver - however this is the first time they have not proceeded past the quarter finals so a national day of mourning may be in order . . . unbelievable - so much pressure on the team to bring back the trophy for them - The coach has said they done their best - he will be replaced before Christmas - so the planning will start for the 2011 RWC and guess where that is being held - New Zealand. Final score was NZ 18 - France 20.

France on the other hand were also basically written off before the game - they lost their opening match to Argentina (shhh - don't say this too loud but I think they may go all the way to the final - although they will have to lift their game - and play a lot better than the last game - more about that later). In fact I don't think France thought that they would ever end up in possibly their last game (such was the feeling that they were not going to progress past this game against NZ) in Cardiff stadium - the French press were scathing in their assessment of the inept organisers - the French themselves. But all that is history now - and at the Scotland Argentina game the next day the biggest cheers of the evening were when short clips were shown of the French team . . . which didn't say much of the game.

Before the France New Zealand game I said to Judi France are going to take this - during the game I was complaining about it was not close enough for me and slowly but surely France drew ever closer to NZ score - followed by a withering look from Judi - I was in trouble later . . . lol.

Sunday saw South Africa and Fiji meet in once again what on paper was a mismatch . . . by this time I was taking some stick about how Fiji would take SA out . . . It was a thrilling game and Fiji came so close to pulling off another upset. SA were 20 - 6 ahead - a Fiji player was sent off - usually that would signal the team with the advantage with numbers would be able to make the other team pay - however what happened was Fiji scored 2 tries in 2 minutes and suddenly the score was 20 - 20 and we had a game on our hands - you can argue a number of things but the score line said it all . . . SA fought back and the final score was 37 - 20 but Fiji had most of the stadium behind them and you could almost feel them willing Fiji on to pull off the upset - but it was not to be - but it was on a knife-edge for quite some time.

Which brings us to the last game in the quarter finals Scotland and Argentina - I had tipped Argentina long before the game as I mentioned - I was now in hostile territory - although they were wary after my France predictions . . . it was not the best of the games - Scotland had not impressed me in the run up, at all - there were short spells but on the whole - and as for making 13 changes and playing their B side against the All Blacks at Murrayfield and lost 40 - 0, I'll not tell you my feelings about that - (unprintable . . .lol). Not to mention the fact that in my opinion Scotland actaully tripped into the quarter finals - Italy missed a number of kicks - all Scotland's points were from the boot and they just didn't look like the business - considering that they played their B team because of the Italy game and then they kicked all their points???? Argentina totally outplayed the French in their first game - and took Ireland on and arrogantly did not kick for touch and invited Ireland to come at them - not something a team often does and still beat them 30 -15. This was why I felt Argentina would just be too strong for Scotland and I'm afraid they were, however, if truth be told the game was there for the taking and I think had Scotland had been more cautious and adventurous - a little less 1 dimensional they could have taken it . . . Scotland's best spell was after the 4 substitutions . . .changed the game immediately - but the inertia was lost and Argentina managed to weather the storm (and miss a few penalties . . ) the score Arg 19 - Sco 13 - a close game.

So the weekend started with a number of newspapers claiming Scotland may be the only Northern hemisphere team left in the World Cup . . . in the end how different it was.

'Blackwash at Maorifield' - All Blacks march on to RWC final ?

2007-09-27T01:13:00.000+01:00

Eureka - at last . . .

2007-09-27T00:47:00.000+01:00

My Tevion Internet Radio is finally working - my security code X76F 5G78 etc., is written as such so that it easier to decipher instead of all 26 numbers and letters being right nest to each other - so once I had worked this out it connected straight away - no problems - I have subsequently updated the software and we are tuning in as we speak. I am able to access 7545 radio stations from anywhere in the world - you are able to search by country or genre - which ever you like - it is also possible to create a profile on Reciva Radio Portal - and then choose a small sub set of the 7000+ stations - lets face it you don't want to have to listen too or scroll through 600+ stations tog et to the one you want - do you? Yes obviously it might be fun some of the time but in most instances I think you'll want to just tune in and listen to some predefined stations . . . .you see my Internet radio is actually connecting to the Reciva web site.

I am currently listening to 95.5 a Costa Rican Jazz radio station . . . I have listened to Radio Sonder Grense an Afrikaans radio staion - which alerted me to the fact that Gert Vlok Nel has released a DVD and bonus track CD - which I ordered shortly thereafter as well . . . (this was prior to getting it to work and it has given me some problems - recognises the station can only presume a problem with the radio station . . . .) It lists 36 stations for New Zealand starting with 95bFM and ends with ZM . . . . lol

All for now folks . . . time for sleep . . .

Vancouver

2007-09-26T23:29:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite photo's that I took - see link at the bottom to view album.

Well as if the Lake District was not enough my Mum and I flew out to Vancouver to on 14 September . . . with Zoom airlines - a good deal . . . left Glasgow Renfrew @ 15h05 and arrived in Vancouver @ 16h30 the same day - flying West - 8 hours difference between us so it was roughly which was roughly 00h30 local time - so what did that make it about a 9 hour flight - it was all systems go on board the flight - 3 films dinner and a snack just before landing - wait might have been 4 films can't remember - didn't watch them was involved in 2 scrabble games . . . lol.

No great schedule ended up doing the following:
Day 1 - got lost ended up taking trolley tour of Vancouver well worth it as an overall orientation . . .
Day 2 - Indian Arm cruise
Day 3 - Granville Island & - Raincity Grill
Day 4 - Gastown
Day 5 - Chinatown & Grouse Mountain
Day 6 - Whistler
Day 7 - walk around Sylvia hotel area - where we stayed

My overall impressions - loved it - once again weather was, on the whole fantastic - we went up Grouse Mountain on a day when you couldn't see a cloud in the sky - it had rained the day before . . . could not have picked a better day . . . cruise day was a bit overcast - but it was quite warm most of the time . . .

A very diverse society - everything has to be bilingual - clothes labels even have to have S/P small & petite . . . Vancouver has 40% of the population which is Chinese . Took us a day to work out local transport system - there was a bus terminus close to our hotel could take either a No. 5 or No. 6 to get downtown - fare was $2.25 and covered you within 1 zone for 1 and a half hours - you could use bus, train or water bus in that time . . . difficult to judge but was comparable to local fares but obviously more integrated . . . something that is lacking here. Bus drivers were very helpful and in most cases were my tour guides in the city i.e. how to get from A to B - they often suggested alternative busses or routes for us -and my Mum who is getting on now appreciated not having to walk further than we had to . . . Food in supermarkets seemed slightly more expensive - but too be honest don't know my way around . . . alcohol similar or slightly cheaper a bottle of Dewar's just over $20.

But when your on holiday whose counting . . .lol.

English Bay was really lovely and was a popular gathering spot for watching the sun set . . .every evening. It also very close to Stanley Park a major recreational area in Vancouver.

Met the mystical Victor randomly on Thursday evening in the street . . .lol - then we went for breakfast the next morning a busy coffee shop - there were only two seats vacant - next to someone we had met the night before . . . yes Victor - strange how the world works - so the question is had we not met him the night before would we have in any event met him the next day????

Some links suggest, in passing by Victor: (thanks Victor)
The Calcium Bomb
Nexus Magazine

A very populous city - in some ways something like Hong Kong I imagine - all the high rises - spread over quite a large area . . . . making for very high density living . . . they are lucky to be surrounded by water and of course the park . . .

So once again here I am waxing lyrically about a place that I obviously hardly know but somehow made quite an impression on me in a rather short space of time . . . Vancouver photo's - enjoy

The Lake District

2007-09-26T23:19:00.000+01:00

Well as you know I have finished and handed in my dissertation on Thursday 6 September, 2007 . . . so effectively finished my MSc . . . Judi in her wisdom and as a treat whisked me off to the Lake District on Friday . . . actually I slept over at her place on Thursday and after a lazy start to the day we hit the motor way . . . roughly 3 hours later we arrived late afternoon in Ambleside and what a lovely place it was and what amazing weather we had . . . . stayed at a lovely little B&B - walked around sampled some of the beer - ate at a Thai restaurant - had an argument made up - went for a cruise and generally Judi spoiled me. I've never been there before and what a lovely surprise it was both from just getting away but also how lovely it was down there . . . . well I can wax on and write a whole story - which is what I normally ddo however every picture tells a story . . . I will let them speak for them self . . .
The Lake District in pictures . . .

The Dancing Man

2007-09-11T11:55:00.000+01:00

This kind of sums up how I feel - no words needed after finishing (I am assuming successfully) my Masters course and dissertation . . . . . lol

Dissertation Completed!

2007-09-09T23:15:00.000+01:00

My dissertation:
A Comparative Analysis of Teaching Environments for Java Programming.

An extract . . . . .

Abstract:

The aim of this report is to investigate some of the most popular pedagogical and development environments and to determine how successful they are in assisting novice programmers in learning Java programming and object-oriented principles. A set of criteria will be drawn from reviewed literature as well as careful consideration of the challenges facing novices. This report will document the literature, the criteria and summarise the findings of the evaluation.

This dissertation starts by considering computer programming and its role within Computer Science. It gives an overview of how programming has been taught and covers the various approaches and research in this area. The report then focuses specifically on how pedagogical environments have developed over the years. The dissertation then looks at a set of pedagogical environments and evaluates each of them against set criteria drawn from literature and research. This evaluation is undertaken against a background of two things. Firstly, acceptance that learning to program is a difficult task. Secondly, the nuances and principles of object oriented programming need to be conveyed to students. These factors ultimately determine the influence and contribution that each of the pedagogical environments might make in assisting novice programmers successfully master both Java programming and object oriented principles.

Key Findings:
Alice is an outstanding pedagogical environment, well suited to introduce novices to object oriented (OO) principles.
BlueJ excels in removing some of the complexity of the syntax of Java programming, allowing simple interaction with classes and successfully introduces OO principles.
DrJava is a useful lightweight development environment and one of its advantages is that it can be used as a plug-in to simplify the Eclipse environment.
Jeliot is outstanding in its ability to automatically animate Java programs without any additional input. It also has a useful pedagogical tool that can automatically generate questions about the code that is being animated.
jGRASP is both a pedagogical as well as a development environment which has many features including, UML and animation viewers, to assist novices.
Eclipse is easily the most professional development environment evaluated.

“We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.”

Marcel Proust.
http://www.quotationspage.com

Acknowledgements To:

Murray Wood, my supervisor, for constant guidance and encouragement as well as football banter.
Judi for her forbearance, understanding and words of encouragement, ‘Work hard.’
My Parents (Tom & Nancy) – without whom – let’s face it - I wouldn’t be here.
www.Somafm.com for keeping me sane and introducing me to some amazing new music.

Handed in Thursday 6 September, 2007. Hard to believe that I started both this course and this Blog 1 year ago . . . . how time has flown.

I Hit Strathclyde running - My 1st Blog entry

South Africa Vs Scotland - Wow!

2007-09-05T16:04:00.000+01:00

Left for Murrayfield - Judi had offered to come and pick me up as that way I would loose minimum time for studies - so she drove over from Edinburgh - passing Murrayfield along the way and came and picked me up - we drove back and were there in plenty of time - I am the most laid back person but I really don't like rushing - I like to be laid back and being in plenty of time allows me to do this. Well we had no sooner hit the A82 when the one windscreen wiper came flying off - pulled over to the side of the road and stuck it back on - Mr Fixit - on our way again - a sign No! . . . parked the car and I had my Springboks beanie on - no sooner out the car than I was roped in to a tug of war . . . we lost . . .

There was almost a carnival atmosphere in the air . . . they had lots of caravans selling beer - but they were all mobbed anyway after queueing for ages managed to get 2 beers - Judi had disappeared into another queue that looked shorter - but she was still standing there by the time I had been served . . . mostly South African supporters drinking and making merry - good banter and lots of Afrikaans being spoken - I almost felt at home . . .

Anyway with about 15 minutes to spare we took our seats just in time to see the teams come out and warm up a little and then time for the national anthems - I told Judi to listen to the SA anthem as it has 3 languages - starts off in Xhosa Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika; then Afrikaans followed by English - I said to listen to the volume - that will be when the Afrikaans kicks in and true enough the Xhosa was there but by word when it went into "Uit die blou van onse hemel . . .
Die Stem . . . the wave of sound just crashed over us - I was singing along anyway . . . . Then it was time for all of us Scots to (I'm getting a bit confused here - which cap do I have on now) to out sing the Springbok fans - sort of an unofficial match in itself . . . something both the Welsh and Irish excel at as well . . . we don't mind when they lose anyway . . . . so we launched ourselves into O Flower of Scotland, . . . and if I am honest I saw a few Springbok fans helping us out - perhaps returning the favour . . . who won I would have to say Die Stem - but as that is not the whole anthem Flower of Scotland took it.

As a warm up game for South Africa it probably did not feature too highly - after Scotland's outstanding performance against Ireland which they won 31 - 21 - I have to say I expected much more from Scotland. Give them their due they started off well and it was all Scotland for the first 20 minutes roughly - Scotland basically stayed in South Africa's half and it looked it could turn into a very interesting game - however I have to say I found the Scots very 1 dimensional - always trying the same thing and given the score line - you can see it just didn't work - at all - Scotland scored first with a penalty kick and were off to a good start we thought. However from Scotland's point of view that was as good as it got . . . . South Africa on the other hand after a very shaky first 15 minutes (your wondering hmmm Scots played well for 20 mins but Boks only played badly for 15 maths don't add up) well that was how it went and then the tide turned and it was all South Africa and it soon became a case of how much they were going to beat Scotland by . . . I found myself drifting during the game listening to snippets of Afrikaans being spoken - re-connecting in a way with the natural friendliness of the Afrikaner - who can be an incredibly social animal especially when his team and country are walking away with the game - yes there was some arrogance from some of the younger Springbok supporters - which at times bordered on taunting but on the whole as it normally is with rugby in this fine nation it was good light hearted banter - I say this because the same can not be said for a football game anywhere in the UK - Arran and I went to Hampden to watch Scotland and USA - wow you basically get hemmed in one area and that's it you sit down - and watch the game - except the whole Tartan Army (Scotland's fanatical football supporters) they stand for the whole game and sit down at half time - but they are on their feet again immediately there is any hint of the ball being kicked again. That was an experience . . .anyway back tot he rugger.

Second half I am afraid to say was boring - no points were added the whole of the second half - we had to start a Mexican wave . . . . I think the Springbok coach said right how can we get the most out of the 2nd half - I know we'll let Scotland attack and we'll see whether we can just prevent them from scoring . . . which they did - Scotland did mount a few useful attacks but it never came to anything - why run into 4 Springbok players?? Is your name Moses??? Scotland did it time and time again - not once did it pay off - what happened to a little chip over the back-line and run onto the ball - remember they have to turn and chase - you just run onto it . . . but no we will run through the Springbok defence - duh! No I don't think so boys, you'll need to be a bit more creative than that . . . . What was the final score Scot 3 - South Africa 27.

We sat around afterwards had a beer and a hot dog - just basking in the sun - turned into a lovely day actually a braai (barbecue would have been great) anyway hit the road and we decided to just get a take-away and I had decided it made sense to go and order a pizza - go to ASDA and then come back for the pizza well that was the plan . . . (sinister music plays quietly in the background) - ordered pizza - back in the car - car wouldn't start - Judi member of AA - phoned them to come out to assist us. Round about this time I noticed I didn't know where my phone was - turned out I lost it ???? or it was stolen off me - who knows -bottom line its gone - used Judi's line to report it stolen - that was that - when I reported it to the police my reference number is mck280807 - that shows me just how organised they are . . . NOT!

We waited about 45 minutes - luckily we had our pizza's before they came out - it was the battery - need a new battery - they started it we drove it up to my place parked it on hill (it is Barrwoodhill after all) and I drove down to Asda to get some supplies . . . - next morning car would not start - a quick push down hill and got it going - before we left I suggested we go to Halford's and have a new battery fitted - you see there was almost no petrol left in the car plus what would Judi do to get to work tomorrow etc., - anyway done that and walked across to carphone warehouse to get a new sim card and I ended up buying a cheap pay as you go phone - so I would be contactable again.

And that was the weekend . . . . Wow! - Bring them on I have been heard to say what with my experiences the previous weekend and this now . . . I'm beginning to think - perhaps it was unwise to say so . . . . I could tell you tale of the £160 and how it was there but not there - and because it wasn't there the problems it caused . . . even although it was there . . . .lol

Cya
Andrew

Dissertation+; Work & more work; Rugger; Jude; Fiona

2007-08-25T00:23:00.000+01:00

Lets see a few photos - not in any order at the moment
1) Brown Fish Owl - In India . . .
2) Gerard Dowling - builds a sculpture with traffic cones - I just wonder what he is smoking . . . (photo Julian Behal)
3) Saurahb Das photo of Kabul Afghanistan - goalposts - a bit drab looking don't ya think
4) sniff sniff - House season 5 grinds to a halt - one of few programs I watch on TV
5) Google Sky launches - photo Reuters
6) Getty Images photo Viktor Korotayev - Russian air force display
7) True democracy in Bolivia1's Congress - free for all . . . . your entitled to my point of view

Well since arriving back from London its work work work - although for a wee bit of variety I did go to the dentist - and Holly (standing in for my dentist Lucy) who is from New Zealand removed and replaced one of my fillings - pleased to say she was a hell of a lot better that the butcher from Dumbarton (nee Seville) . . lol - she only gave me one injection - I am sure the butcher gave me half a dozen OK at least four . . . . Met Robert on same day to sign a cheque - still have signing powers for Bellsmyre Digital Community - although due to work (uni) commitments - I have not been able to attend much lately - believe the council has awarded some interim funds again - this will keep it going for another few months.

What else - Yes took me Mum shopping Thursday - nothing much Lidl and then Aldi - where I bought for me an Internet radio . . . works off my wireless modem - I'll need to take it up to the Computer club and give a demo . . if only I could get the bloody thing to work . . lol - I just don't have the time to go through all the settings on my wireless modem and then the radio . . .basically it picks up from my modem and connects to about 6500 radio stations anywhere in the world - have a look at Reciva Internet Radio - main thing I wanted to know was I could get my beloved somafm on it - which I've checked I should be able to . . . . I'm happy as soon as I finish my dissertation - sleep for a few days - I'll sort it . . .. lol.

Off to see the rugby today Scotland Vs South Africa . . . . really looking forward to it - seeing as the football went well on Wednesday Scotland 1 - South Africa 0 - lets see if they can do it today . . lol

Apologies - been ages but I had to finish dissertation . . . . Just going to pick up and finish off here . OK so Fiona my niece arrived on Thursday 27 August - with Rozita (4) and Rozario (18 months) in tow. . . . I have no idea how that is all going to work out - she will be staying with her Mom and as I say I hope it all works out fine - it is going to be a major adjustment for everyone there . . . a kinda watch this space really. I personally, it seems have long forgotten how much energy they have at that age - Rozario sticks everything in his mouth and loves climbing up and in things . . . . if this si what they are like before they get to know because they are shy etc., - Heaven help us . . . lol! I'm sure it will be fine.

Well its been non-stop work on my dissertation - went to see Murray and he was hppy with my work - he had read through everything - a few suggestions but otherwise fine . . . in the end I underestimated the amount of work to physically finish off - there is nothing worse than deciding that you need an additional figure only to discover that that has moved everything 1 page - or worse on some of the chapters & sub-paragraphs on - which means you have to go through the whole dissertation again . . . things like that - consistency in using capital letters in headings etc., - all mind numbing type stuff . . . . but hey we got there . . . handed finished product for printing and I pick it up tomorrow 6 September and then I will physically hand it in tomorrow morning . . .Yipee! which is a very subdued exclamation for how I feel at the moment - well it has not really sunk in yet . . .

Judi & I are off this weekend to the Lake district as a winding down and to get some quality time together . . . I'm really looking forward to it - never been down there before . . . here it is very much like Scotland - Loch's, Hills, etc.,

So where to from here - well I have now applied at Stirling university for a PhD - we will have to see if I am more successful here.

I took some photo's at the rugby - so I will do a separate posting for that.

Adios!

Jazz Cafe; Hanging in Hanwell; Bubbles; Adventure; Virgin; Home

2007-08-22T08:54:00.000+01:00

Glasgow - Heathrow - Hanwell - Uxbridge - Kings Cross - Baron's Gate - Ealing Broadway - Hanwell - Euston - Glasgow
Wow - quite the sub-heading . . . but that's what it was like really . . .

Photo's - Bubbles off course - Sam & Hud at canal - and some general canal photo's this is about 5 minutes stroll from there place - next to Ealing hospital . . .

OK -where to start - went down to London on Wednesday - last week - I had a flight with BMI that I had booked by mistake, a year ago . . . a long story, cost me £2.99 but add the taxes and it was £30 (a single) - linked to Sam's 30th - another story (Kinda roundabout when this blog started - now that I think about it . . .) anyway . . . I should have known I was in for an adventure - just before I left for the airport, I realised that I had forgotten my passport at home - now remember Glasgow airport - came under an attempted terrorist attack recently - as in they tried to drive the vehicle into the departure / check-in area . . . and it somehow didn't make it into the building but burnt part of the building outside and caused quite a bit of damage . . . two of the attackers died from burns . . . and another is still to appear in court as far as I know. Anyway - I'm thinking what are my chances of getting on the plane with no passport . . . this after I had ordered my taxi . . . hmmm - what the hell let's give a go . . . I had slept over at my Mum's place as she stays a lot closer than I do to the airport . . . left telling her I might see her again soon . . . arrived at airport - went straight to check in after deciding better get this over with asap - so we know where we stand and still and outside chance I could race home and get passport if needed (was that possible - in my mind, yes) . . .went to quick check-in - as there had been a problem the day before I could not print my boarding pass . . .

(an aside: Look let's be honest - who's fooling who here - I make the booking on the Internet - I check in before the time on the Internet and now I have to print off my boarding pass - then when I arrive in theory all I have to do is drop off my suitcase, in the quick drop-off bag queue - except every other person has done this as well - so the quick drop-off queue - has everyone in it and the old queue, where you check yourself in etc., - has no one in it . . . . . ????? Am I stupid or just cynical . . . ????)

back to main story . . . . OK so you put the credit card you made the booking with into the machine and it retrieves your information - lo and behold it has me, with the ticket it allocated the day before all I have to do now is drop my suitcase off . . . I ask the floating assistant about passport but I am quick to pull out my student card (thought I'll try my luck - it does have my picture on it . . . photo ID??) - she looks at it and says that's fine - as long as I have photo ID - that was the first and the last time I had to show this - hang on sorry - when I eventually got to check-in my suitcase as well - they like the owner to have picture ID for that ??? Did not know my current student card was so highly regarded - have more respect for uni now . . . lol. Flight uneventful - was asleep before we lifted off and then woke up - Jeez, that was quick . . . only to realise we ain't gone anywhere yet . . .

Arrived at Heathrow - caught the Heathrow connect going to Paddington - got off at Hanwell -15 minute journey - walked round to Sam's place - Hud had hidden the keys for me in the garden . . . .under some stones . . . let myself in and kicked back and relaxed was about 13h30 . . . i.e. carried on with uni work - met Bubbles - newest addition to the household a cat that Sam & Hud have adopted . . . only been with them for about 2 weeks and because its not a kitten still being kept inside . . . . a cute little Missy . . . Bubbles . . . no more like Missy as she has sass. Hud came home about 17h30 and we soon left for the Jazz Cafe - Hud decided to drive (this would turn out to be a mistake . . . ) went to eat and then watch Terry Callier - who was fantastic . . . this was all booked as a surprise by Hud - I'm really impressed - he could turn into a good son-in-law yet . . . meal was excellent all 'n all a great evening - left about 12'ish after a few, well known McKenzie fast foot shuffles on the dance floor - well 2 McKenzie's actually - Sam & I - Hud does not partake much in that sport . . . walked to the car - and lo and behold they had smashed the rear window - it's a brand new Audi station wagon - very popular with reps - which is what Hud does - thankfully he had the foresight to take all his stock out . . . so it was just the inconvenience . . .it was about 20 metres from a main road - in Camden Town . . .a bit of a damper on the evening . . .

Next day is all a bit mixed up - Hud phoning and arranging for window to be replaced
- Virgin cable guy in and out - trying to sort out cable connection - Sam & Hud leaving for Zurich for long weekend - we eventually get to take a stroll along the canal next to Ealing hospital . . .very picturesque and we went for lunch at the Viaduct - a pub with in staggering distance of Sam & Hud's place . . . the pub is ye olde English pub run by a Polish family now - you see this all over now . . .plus they care and give really good service - obviously invested in it and intend making sure that it works . . .

Sam & Hud left about 16h30 . . . and I had the place to myself - dissertation time - had to work on my project as the hand-in date is ever looming closer - so my hanging out in Hanwell was not really about hanging out, but rather work! Yes, that dirty 4 letter word we all shy away from . . . lol

Anyway only thing of not was Bubbles and I getting to know each other and my decision that a cat can not stay int he house all the time its unnatural - so Thursday late afternoon, I let her out and I wanted her to see that she could come and go as she pleased - if she thought every time she popped out from the bushes she was going to be grabbed and dragged back into the house, I thought she'll just not show herself - I noticed she seemed a bit nervous / unsure of herself - so I let her out and she even came back running up to me - I resisted the temptation of grabbing her then and she was off again - well half an hour later I caught sight of her on top of someones garden shed two houses away - there is almost a second row of houses, all garden sheds - along which she can basically walk - she had gone into shake mode as there was a little red robin flitting around the gardens . . . someone seemed to be shouting at Bubbles - I saw her cringe and she slinked off at speed - then she was gone - I waited and waited - was on top of a chair trying to see in the neighbours yards - the next door neighbour closed there bathroom window as that is basically where I was standing - was half expecting the front door bell to go - with police standing there coming to investigate complaints of some peeping tom set loose . . .I eventually gave up - sat down in the lounge was working away when I suddenly heard a noise behind me - there was Bubbles, obviously hungry after jumping from rooftop to rooftop - not a care in the world - as only cats can be . . . . they honour you with there presence - our role in life to keep them well fed and amuse them sometimes . . .

Nothing much else happened - car window replacement guy turned up albeit 2 and a 1/2 hours late - mumbled and complained about where was he supposed to park - he'd have to carry all the tools from the car to Hud's car -he doesn't have an adaptor for the vacuum etc., etc., - I just said are you going to do or not? He grumbled and mumbled again - during this time his car blocked the road and two other cars had had to reverse and turn around - no way past and he didn't seem in a hurry to move - he eventually begrudgingly parked and started the job - he done some of it and assured me they would be out first thing the next day to sort out the glass and connect the thermostat on the window . . . needless to say they didn't arrive - I phoned to complain and eventually had the nearest branch phone back - guess who they sent out the next day to sort it . . . Mr Grumbly himself . . . . turns out they fitted the wrong window in the end - should have more tinting than what it did????

OK so Sunday arrived soon enough . . . I wasn't worried about getting to King's Cross - in my mind I had it all sussed - down to Hanwell station - get train to Paddington - take tube to King's Cross - Bob's your uncle . . . . So set off just before 14h00 - My train to Edinburgh was at 16h00 - 2 hours to get there no problem . . . so arrived at Hanwell 14h09 - bought ticket from machine - £4 single zone 1 - 4 - standing on platform awaiting train . . . 5 minutes 10 minutes - stroll across to timetable glance at it not paying too much attention - get the gist of the times every 20 minutes - must have just missed one - next one should be soon - in this time about half a dozen trains whizz by - not perturbed as this is the line for the Heathrow express - one every 10 or 15 minutes . . . then something says check those times again - 15 minutes has passed - then realise I was looking at Sat not Sunday - strangely enough there are no times for Sunday Oh - Oh - no trains on Sunday . . . time is marching on . . .OK Plan B - up tot he main road get a bus - get to a tube station - how difficult can it be???? Get back up to main road realise I'm not sure in which direct I should be going - my finely tuned inane internal compass tells me to stand on the far side and move in that direction - an exact science - as luck would have it a bus approaches - what does it say Uxbridge station - Hey! my luck is in - or is it?? Jump on board bus 14h33 - £2 for single - well 50 minutes later and a tour through Bombay - I'm still not at station - Judi sends me message 'Don't worry everything will be fine' - I'm not sure she realises quite what is unfolding on my side of the world . . . lol - jump off bus - I am virtually the last passenger left on bus . . . get to station find out that I can get a train - but I was in zone 4 - I am now in zone 6 (the higher the number the further you are from the centre of London) - so board a train after buying another ticket, pay an extra £1 supplement - ask how long it will take and I am told that It will take me about 50 minuted to get to King's Cross . . . so am taken on tour of another part of London by train - get to see the new Wembley stadium - close up . . . somehow does not interest me all that much - now coming to terms with the fact that it is already 15h35 and there was no way I am going to make my train . . . was supposed to getting off at Edinburgh - spending the night at Judi's - Plan C now is to see if I can get another ticket , for today . . . . I decide to have a look at my travel insurance - wondering if I am covered for this set of circumstances ??? Don't know still need to investigate this - see what they say . . . Anyway eventually have a look at my train ticket and see that you can phone them and change your time of travel in certain circumstances ??? If this is done in advance . . . Try phoning them - keeps cutting out because we are going through tunnels and are underground . . . I start speaking to them only to be cut off as we once again slip into another tunnel . . . eventually only able to speak to them once I have arrived at King's Cross - time roughly 16h18 - explain my situation - person I am speaking to gives a long story due to Data Protection act etc., needs to go through certain security questions with me first

first name

surname

date of birth

first line of address

post code

amount ticket cost

etc.,

etc.,

I'm thinking OK we must be getting somewhere - other wise she wouldn't bother . . .eventually she is satisfied I am who I say I am - then she says I'm very sorry - I can't help you as it is too late now . . .

I join the queue at the ticket office - £100 for a ticket for the same day - no ways I am not paying that - join separate queue now for advance tickets - eventually get one for the next day £38 - Virgin leaving at 11h46 - Whew!

Now to get home to Hanwell - Sam gives me directions - get off at Baron's Gate - and then bus - so buy my ticket and I'm off - not really concentrating . . . eventually jump off at Baron's Gate - hand in my ticket to conductor at exit - walk outside - I am confused - walk straight back in ask the guy were the buses are - he laughs where am I going ??? he asks, I tell him - he just says no buses around here mate - I walk outside and around - nothing walk into a shop - guy from Durban, South Africa behind the counter - No, he doesn't know of any buses around here - tells me to walk further along the bypass at the next intersection - I might get a bus - alarm bells are ringing - Sam would not send me on a wild goose chase - read her text message again (remember she & Hud are in Zurich) - her text says Boston Manor - Hey! its close isn't it???? Go back to my conductor mate explain what happened ask for my ticket back as it was all a mistake - unsympathetic and suggest I buy another ticket - before trying to get back on a train at this station . . . buy one walk down to platform - on the spur of the moment (do you see a pattern her !!!!!) jump on the Ealing Braodway instead of the Boston Manor train . . .all fine get off at Ealing Broadway and caught the E8 . . . didn't know what to look for and me beloved Lidl saved me as I recognised it . . .all that remained now 19h05 was to get into the house - I had already hidden the keys in the entrance - but as luck would have it and I had had my fair share for the day - don't you think??? Neighbours arrived home within the next few minutes and that was that . . .

I left the next morning and the one South African neighbour left at exactly the same time and she took me under her wing and got the bust with me and made sure I made it to the tube station - where we parted ways . . . nice of her . . turned out we went in the opposite direction to what I had downloaded and printed off - yes I wasn't going to be caught twice - but Hey! I was at Euston station waiting for my Virgin train 2 hours prior to departure . . . train left on time and was mobbed - there was hardly an open seat.

All's well that ends well . . . . what an adventure - a 5 hour unscheduled tour of parts of London

Well worth watching : Hiking in Nordic country

Pricked my ears this week Afterlife - Miracle

I'll try embedding the track here ?? Click on the little play arrow . . .
Afterlife – miracle

Edinburgh festival,Travel; London; Vancouver coming; Life, Dissertation

2007-08-14T00:19:00.000+01:00

Howdy folks

Well 'tis Tuesday on the morrow -Oops looking at time that's today now . . .lol.

What have I been up to not a lot - turns out our mechanised chair my Mum bought - didn't work - but all is not lost they have taken it back and have promised given an undertaking that it will be sorted . . . watch this space.

Was over at Judi's on weekend and she surprised me by just turning up on Friday evening - Wow! it was a nice surprise - I had said I''d be over on Saturday - so we drove over - the Edinburgh festival is in full swing - Fringe weekend - lots and lots of people . . . .terrible weather though - Saturday absolutely poured the whole day . . .

Right well had a meeting with my supervisor Murray and basically we had a long hard look at the dissertation - in real terms we are left with about 2 weeks to finish off - my number 1 priority is to address the evaluation and specifically beef up and evaluate on object oriented principles - i.e. have a look at each one of the IDEs and rate them in terms of pedagogically how well do they assist students (the likes of me) in learning oo principles - simple enough - I have some books and some additional material - need to compile a list similar (in a way) to my errors and then apply that to all of the IDE's and rate them . . . simultaneously finish off rest of body - but I will have a week for that after I finish criteria . . .so its all go - its been ongoing for quite some time now - need to just pull it all together now and finish . . . .

I suppose not the best time to take a trip to London then is it . . lol - well more a case of house sitting as Sam & Hud leave for Switzerland on Thursday evening - so its just a change of scenery and I can house sit and look after Bubbles although because its locked inside Sam says it will drive me through the roof . . . lucky their place Hanwell is on the suburban Haethrow - Paddington line and is only about 20 minutes on the suburban train . . . .then a wee walk and I'm there - the key is to be left somewhere discreet . . . . under the front door mat???

So its the Jazz Cafe Wednesday evening - criteria there will be whether or not they have Leffe beer and not oo principles - perhaps ooi (out of it) - well you need to relax as well . . .

2 bits of exciting news -- received a tax rebate last week - a sizeable one I'll have thee know . . . and lo and behold returned home this evening and voila a bonus bond prize awaited me - I was hoping it was the £1m . . . . not yet though I'm afraid . . . . just short by £999 950.00 - it was close though . . . .

More exciting news - when I finish my dissertation - my Mum & I are off to Vancouver for a week - 14 Sept - flying Zoom - direct flight from Glasgow and we come back via Manchester - although we don't get off the plane . . . just off-load the MU Rowdies then we'll be on our way again - arrive back the Sat afternoon and then its off to the rugby world cup with Judi - Scotland vs New Zealand @ Murrayfield on Sunday 23rd.

Anyway that about all for now - wow what are all these photos - well as you can see an ecelctic Fringe / Festival (all borrowed from the Scotsman festival blog - don't tell anyone . . .) weel lets see Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum - the 2 exhibitionists; a random female flasher - I think not - Vaudeville couple; and a whole lot of other random stuff; Charlise Theron; a squirrel - yes well that comes from a number of squirrels that were arrested near the Iranian border for spying - it is claimed they had eavesdropping equipment strapped to their bodies ???? - and the other picture is what most Iranian's in Baghdad have to put up with - how long have the allied troops been there - they still don't even have basic services and we want to talk about democracy . ???? I think not - or perhaps a bit premature . . . . stop ripping off their oil money and let them gut the place and put in all of the essential servise that they need - they must be ruing the day allied forces arrived in their country . . .

Reading:
Wired - Web 2.0 leaves porn behind - at last?

Voting with their hearts and what it means for the UK??

Listening:
Rodrigo Y Gabriela he is coming to Carling Academy in November - methinks.

Watching:
best football transfers of season

Old South African Ads (thanks Matt)

FLying Confessions - on at Film Festival

Dumbarton Rd; Chair; Bed; Travel; Dissertation;

2007-08-05T23:21:00.000+01:00

Well it was the week of toothache . . . eventually managed to get a emergency appointment . . and really felt that I was butchered . . . last Wed 14h05 walked in - first question was which tooth was giving you the problem - a logical question - I didn't have a definitive answer - so we took an x-ray and then he blew air in amongst my teeth - well the very first one it was OUCH! that's him - he then told me there was nothing wrong with my crown - I'm like OK - and then he told me I had had root treatment on my crown - do we see a pattern here . . I told him I had had extensive root canal work on my crown . . . so he had to take a filling out to get a look at what was going on but first he gave me about 4 injections - felt way too much - I was still shaking when I left and you know how you feel your face is all swollen well mine was . . . he took out my filling and then drilled some of the tooth away and put in a new filling - now all my other teeth feel quite smooth - this one feels like a gravel road if you know what I mean - feels very rough - almost like it was an emergency appointment - wait a minute - it was - Hmmm maybe - but I'm not convinced - I must say he kept up a running commentary - apart from that he had a couple of aerial pictures on the ceiling so at least I had something to look at - I think they should have flat screen TV's flat on the ceiling - but hey! What do I know . . lol - Anyway I have another appointment on Wed - with both my dentist and oral hygienist . .

So what have I been up to - well had to use some whisky again as local anaesthetic again - damn that is me run out now - seeing as I don''t pay for medicine at moment - you think I could go to off-lic and get a bottle for medicinal purposes - No??? Hmmm.

T'otherwise been a quiet week really - Judi was on week's leave - still suffering with yon eye infection apart from that she just had a lazy week - hanging out with the boys - taking the boys to the airport - lol . . . 2 sons left the country - No, they're coming back . . . .

Me watching a bit The Wire still - finished Harry Potter - a bit drawn out really and didn't think the 19 years later part was necessary . . . I think your own imagination is better in that regard - perhaps she done because she had made that decision that there would be no more 'arry Potter's??? Not sure.

Still in limbo with PhD - had preliminary discussions with paisley and I am very excited about undertaking the studentship - Games-based learning is something I think I could really get into . . .looking forward to starting . . . but need to complete my dissertation first . . . how is it going your thinking - still loads to do - more or less finalised criteria and thus far worked through all the tutorials for each environment - now need to move over to evaluating each one against the rest of the criteria. I have a number of programs and want to introduce faults into the programs and see how each environment deals with it - error messages it generates whilst writing it and then debugging and how that works - still on schedule but time is running out . . . next 2 weeks crucial.

Friday night went through to my Mum and we had a good couple of drinks not been seeing much of her lately - work; travel; Edinburgh; etc., - anyway good catch up and a good blether - we hit Dumbarton Road all the charity shops working our way along - Maureen my sister came along and she was looking for toys for her 2 grandchildren coming out soon - me just looking - cut a long story short my Mum getting on in years has been struggling to get up / out of chairs recently and we had told her (Maureen and I) she needs one of yon lazy boys - why not? One of the chairs with remote - where you can stretch out but it also tips forward to throw you out - no well help you out of the chair. So we spy ed one - well Maureen did and I led the charge and my Mum bought it - then on the way out a bed caught my eye and it was one of yon electric beds - so you can sit up to read etc., and she bought that as well . . . shop assistants were calling her the Bionic woman before she left - one guy said all you need is a power cut now . . . lol - so that was Saturday and as you know today Sunday has been a bit miserable - but I don't really mind as it fine for me when I am working as it is somehow easier when it is cold wet and overcast - it is murder sometimes when it is lovely weather and you are stuck inside typing away trying to be creative with words when it would be nice to be strolling along the waterfront or somewhere in the sun . . . .lol

Another snippet of information - might be off to New York next month . . . still need to do my research - flight prices / accommodation etc.,

Photo's - Czech Republic: Prague - Lenin Marx Engels photo by Radim Beznoska - the three liars - celebrating independence from Russian domination. Monthly wages in Zimbabwe - money but its worthless . . . just Germany after world war 2 . . . USS Enterprise sailing through the Suez canal - show of force for Iran's benefit - photo Be Curtis; Zapiro - infant mortality rates in South Africa - swept under the carpet; Bush & Brown meet for the fist time - Rowson

Read all about it:

Removable permanent tattoo's - Contradiction in terms

kids sentenced to life in prison - yep America

Listening to Sum 41

Watching: Spider cat

Watching: Cat Hello!

Hearts vs Barcelona - Murrayfield

2007-08-02T15:03:00.001+01:00

Iraq wins; Toothache; Judi's Birthday; Barcelona; Dissertation

2007-08-01T18:17:00.000+01:00

So the fairy tale finish to the Asian Cup would have been for Iraq to have won and what happened . . . . they won . . .Good Luck & Congratulations to them! More celebratory pictures

The awesome waves are surfing in Cape Town . . . pictures of Iraq celebration & Cape Town courtesy of Guardian - cartoons of Le Tour - Zapiro from Mail & Guardian South Africa.

OK so where are we since last week - well the first thing that springs to mind . . .can't think why is this toothache I have at the moment . . . . I have a dentist and the oral hygienist appointment for next week - but I had had toothache off and on and decided to get an emergency appointment as well . . . . seeing as I am unemployed student at the moment - it is free - thank goodness - well went in this afternoon and
his first question is right which tooth is it? I'm like right don't worry step aside I know exactly which tooth it is I placed this dye on it last time it was aching . . . . i.e. I don't have a clue - Monday night - it was so bad I couldn't even concentrate - could hardly speak to Judi - was in so much pain - all I can say is thank the Lord for whiskey - as I used that as a local anaesthetic and it eventually worked - - - Yes, before I passed out . . . lol . . . well - I could not specify exactly which tooth he worked on the one that reacted to air being blown on it . . . . now I have so much toothache I'm not sure we addressed the correct tooth . . . thank goodness I kept my appointment for next week Wednesday - hopefully we can sort out these teeth because -there is only so much whiskey a man should have to drink for medicinal purposes - seeing as I only had Malt whiskey that is what I used . . . . . It is funny - when your healthy and fine you don't spare a thought and when something is wrong - how it changes your life - how unpleasant things can be . . . you don't realise what it is to be healthy - you just take it for granted and something as simple as toothache - shows you - how helpless / what a difference it makes when you are healthy . . .

Well last Saturday went through to Judi's - we had the Barcelona vs Hearts game on Saturday - I had worked at Loch Lomond Folk Festival as a steward on the Friday and had said I wasn't coming through until Saturday - I am a glorified parking attendant really - tell people where they can and can't park - where caravans can go etc., - actually beginning to get to know some of the characters involved - Wilma & Campbell; Andy; etc., as well as some of the guests that turn up regularly every year - people recognised me I recognised them - for some it was their 4th or 5th year for me it was my 4th year in a row . . . and I intend being back there next year . . . .

I had my right hand side mirror removed from my car Friday evening - the other one had been trashed a number of months ago - this time it was almost professionally removed almost as if to order . . . .???? I was on the phone to Judi on Friday evening and I said to her - " the natives are restless tonight, I don't think I'll even put my head up and peer at them over the top of the couch, they might just put another brick through the front window. . . ." - little did I know they were removing my side mirror as we spoke . . . my car is know un-roadworthy and I could be fined in its current situation . . . my Mum is very keen for me to move out of this area . . .

On to Barcelona / Hearts game - 'not worth expanding upon' . . . . I really think of Barcelona as one of the teams in European football . . . and players like Ronaldinho; Eto; Messi; Thuram; Guti etc., have always meant so much to me . . . so I was more than excited to see them play . . . the opposition in this game meant nothing to me . . .there were many Hearts supporters there - the first half was the highlight as the second half had so many changes - we did get to see Henry - and he made a good goal by laying off the ball . . . but the level of football 2nd half was not as good as the first half . . . I enjoyed the experience . . .

It was Judi's Birthday on Sunday - I had already taken her to Rome on her Birthday but sent her some flowers for the actual day . . . . in the evening it had been decided that we would go for dinner and if any of the boys wanted to come along they were more than welcome . . . turned out all four of her sons; Andy; Pete; Mike & Tom all came along and Naz, Mike's girlfriend, came along as well . . . Now between you & I - I had never met Tom yet - and there was some issues there (not from my side) - so I was more than curious as to how it might go . . . . nothing to worry about - it all went fine - met Tom we shook hands and that was about it . . . . . we had a very pleasant evening . . .it was special for Juid as she has not seen all 4 her boys together for quite some time - so she was pleased and ended up footing the bill - so the boys were pleased . . . .lol.

So what's up? I am still plodding away with my dissertation. Hence the BlueJ welcome screen . . . one of the IDEs I am looking at . . . what with toothache and all - been a bit difficult to get going sometimes . . . but still more or less on target - need to cut down and precise my work more . . .

I have receive another PhD rejection slip which I don't think I mentioned - Loubourgh Uni - that leaves 2 - Paisley with whom I had the interview last week and Glamorgan - whom I haven't heard from at all, yet . . . If Paisley is successful - I have decided to move to within walking distance from the uni as this is a 3 year commitment . . .I will probably have to go private for this . . . but location is important here.

So they say lightning never strikes in the same place twice ???

Morally abhorrent - but the UK Govt. knew about these renditions - who is fooling who ???

Lastly - if you remember my link to 'The Wire' TV series - courtesy of the Guardian - I've been watching and really enjoying some of the rest of the episodes - using Bit Torrent - downloading the episodes and watching them . . . . then it turned out it was in a format I did not have a player for MCV - needed to download a player as well - very impressed with the quality though - downloads very slow though . . . . but hey! when you dealing with a busy man . . . not a problem. Main sources torrentspy.com and of course other sites like . . . . www.mininova.com

All for now folks . . . .

Paisley; Dublin; 1st Feedback on diss; Floods; Potter mania

2007-07-24T20:45:00.000+01:00

Yes that's me hanging with the Simpson's - well sort of - it has become the photo shoot opportunity down at the local Bijou - so who am I to argue I am no different to everyone else - they could have paid me a bit more attention is about all . . lol.

Paisley uni - suddenly called me in Monday to have a discusion about my interest in the PhD studentship and how I saw it unfolding . . . we spoke for about almost 2 hours - it is structured slightly differently in some ways - it is Games-Based Learning which is something I am very interested in - so hope to hear something by the end of the week . . .

I did hear from Dublin - I was not successful - I had thought as time progressed that was the most likely outcome as they need someone to start very soon . . .

All 'n all - Paisley will be a lot closer to home and should an almost effortless transition from Strathclyde to Paisley . . . but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

08h10 Saturday morning there was a banging on my front door - some muggle arrived with a parcel - it was of course a copy of the latest Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - due to work commitments - I am only on page 60 or so - so I will have to leave comment until some later stage . . . I did go and see the film today - it was good but nothing fantastic - if you know what I mean - I enjoyed it because now I think the book will be easier to read as I have been reacquainted with all the characters again . . . so that was good. (this is where the Simpson's Kodak moment was - as well as the view from the 6th floor . . . just Glasgow - East side . . . cartoons courtesy of Zapiro - Mail & Guardian

Also received first real feedback on my work thus far on my dissertation from my supervisor - on the whole very positive - some things I need to change and also - a slightly different approach for the next few weeks - which I think I need as the Literature Review was getting to me - it is tons of reading and editing and reading and editing etc., . . . also looks as if I will need to cut down on the length as it is far too long - so for next week its Criteria need to have that sorted before continuing . . . any further.

Came across a short promotional film for Pirelli tyres - featuring Uma Thurman Uma Thurman - Pirelli

Something I am listening to at the moment - Album Leaf

Wow 3D TV coming - came across article on The Guardian - Paris looking at installing 100MB Internet access - and they were demonstrating 3D TV yes beyond HD already - scary . . .

It must sometimes seem to beleaguered first-time buyers that prices have risen in the time it takes to walk from one estate agent's window to the next. Already, half rely on financial support from family or friends to get that first foot on the ladder.
Some dream houses . . .

A little (something else I am listening to) ditty I came across Seven . . . .

Oh WOW - not sure how many of you play XBox - obviously loads of you - here is a clip from the new Halo 3 - not yet released . . .

Listening to at the moment:
Ulrich Schnauss - Blumenwiese Neben Autobahn
all on Somafm.com I might add . . .lol

FIFA QUOTE OF THE DAY

"This is one of the strongest Iraqi sides ever and they fill us with pride. We are tired of the sadness that always surrounds us. I sometimes wish we are always playing in international tournaments so we can remain happy" - Ibrahim al-Musawi, who has already bought 20 litres of petrol to fuel his generator for the duration of Iraq's Asian Cup semi-final against South Korea tomorrow. Three people died and 50 were wounded when bullets fired in celebration of Iraq's victory over Vietnam on Saturday came back down at lethal speed.

Iraq of course play South Korea on 25 July . . . I hope they contain themselves after the match.

Stop Press - just in - Iraq reached their first Asian Cup final by beating South Korea 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 0-0 after extra-time. No news on the number of casualties yet . . . .

Floods have really been bad down South - one river has risen by more than 6m - that is pretty scary - when you think that is the height of a 2 storey high building . . . . imagine a sheet of water like that approaching . . . . Now I hear the government is thinking of building new houses on flood plains ???? I must be missing something . . .

London in pictures; Travel; Exhausted; Sam & Hud; Floridita; Regent's Park

2007-07-18T23:48:00.000+01:00

Oops - late addition - check this out The Wire - full pilot episode - very good - well worth watching - starts on FX channel - which I ain't got . . . ! anyway hope you enjoy. (you have to click on the here word in the write up - could have made it a bit more obvious - I think!

Photo's - me: Judi & I; Regent's Garden splendour of colour - link to full album at the bottom of this blog post; a couple of cartoons Steve Bell showing Brown with cannabis story; Blair & Bush as well as kids Zapiro from Mail & Guardian; Water Babies and scary frog supposed to be an enjoy your weekend grin . . .

Well the great London extravaganza is over - Judi attended her seminar on fertility - Sam & Hud moved into there new home in Ealing - and I kinda hung out a bit - have to admit a wee bit behind on my personal schedule although I believe I will make it up still.

So where did it all start - last Friday basically - left here about 14h00 drove down the station left my car there and caught the train into Glasgow - then caught a bus to Buchanan street bus station (I wasn't really in a hurry) - well bus was empty between Queen street & Central and then we somehow managed to pick up half of Scotland . . . or so it seemed - there was no room for any more luggage and I think every seat was occupied on the bus - I had a kid next to me, about 14 or so - asked me if I was just coming back from my holidays - explained I was off to London - he told me half his family lived there - didn't press him on that - his Mom was with him - could have been his sister - he had a dog on his lap that was panting the whole time - it was too hot to even say hello . . . an Asian chap with about 6 kids - a lot of elderly women another family - as I say it was loaded . . I got off - had to dig my suitcase out from underneath all the baggage . . Caught the 15h30 Citylink from Buchanan street - was quite empty really - turned out to be an express of sorts (not via Bellshill) anyway an uneventful journey - I did read The Big Issue and an interesting article - which I would have to say I agree with says Blair's other legacy - is Housing or should we say the lack thereof and the soaring prices . . . Now I am no economist but if I am selling something and it is a one of a kind it becomes priceless - with houses there are so few and an incredibly high demand the result is that people are prepared to pay over the odds for it . . . the question is why are there so few houses - is this natural has it just happened or has it been manipulated and controlled to the point that people are making much more than they should . . . I pity first time buyers out there it is a veritable minefield and parents are having to put up with the pleasure of their siblings company longer than they had planned or in some instances hoped . . . Simple answer build more houses and lots of them - The States went through a very similar cycle - they kept on building there was no end to the demand - build them and we will come policy - well guess what it has turned the corner and now they have in excess of 1.5m homes that they can't sell . . .don't worry we'll never see that here - but I do think the market will correct itself - so what am I saying - another 3 years before we see anything happening - that's how long it would take to start building and get the houses on the market etc., - cash in while you can . . . of course I could be wrong - will prices fall . . . hmm now there's an interesting one - they could and they might - that all depends on what comes on the market and where . . .most larger cities are build up by about as much as they can be so you won't suddenly see 200 000 house come on the London housing market - so it won't make a major impact on their house prices - but I do agree with the article Blair has more than Iraq to answer for . . .

So there I was on the Citylink bus reading my Blair article - something about him just grates me - anyway enough of him . . . Arrived at Waverley to catch the bus for Edinburgh airport - and pray why am I leaving from Edinburgh as we have our own airport - somewhat scarred by a 4x4 - well this was because it was easier for Judi - we went to Rome from Prestwick - OK Ryan air don't fly from Edinburgh - Hey were going to South Africa in march next year from Glasgow - so only seemed fair - caught 17h30 bus - is anyone reading this . . . lol - or thereabouts and we had ages to wait as our flight was only 20h40 - when we arrived they wouldn't even take our luggage - shooed us away - told us to come back later . . . . - anyway found an amazing bottle of whisky whilst doing my rounds - Glenmorangie - 100% proof - very special as a house warming present - cost a fortune - money doesn't matter in these instances - I think she was suitably impressed . . . eventually arrived in London about 22h30 - had to then make our way to the tube - had to change at Leicester Square -could have gone straight had I known Russell Square was actually closer than Euston -oh well arrived @ Tavistock at about 00h15 or thereabouts - I had a fancy new suitcase - cost me £9.99 - I should have known - turned out to be rubbish - to be fair I had a hell of a lot in it - but if anything should have been more stable not less in my mind??? - anyway it had a hole in it before we even arrived at the hotel . . .

Next day up early-ish - down for breakfast - for some or other reason we were both very thirsty - rushed for the juice and ugh - not only was it warm - it tasted watered down as well . . . ugh! - I was not impressed - expected something nice and cold - what a shocker. Food - OK - service bad; I was nearly knocked of my feet by a waiter who just carried on walking ???? - it had its pluses - main one being location - it was really in a great location - Judi could just walk to her seminar - we could also easily walk to Covent Garden; Soho; King's Cross; Piccadily Circus etc., so that is really its main feature - next time I'll book into Holiday Inn - you know what you are going to get - Tavistock was just a bit jaded - clean enough - fine in that respect. We had a corner room - overlooking the square - I could not sleep properly - with all the traffic - 24 hours a day - also seemed to be a main route for ambulance; fire brigade; police and anything else with a siren - would wake up in the middle of the night - with loud wailing noises from whatever was passing . . . it was very hot which meant I had window open which made it worse . . . vicious circle.

Anyway - took a quick walk to see where Royal College of Physicians was - near Regent's Park - Park Square East - and we were pleasantly surprised that we were only 10 minutes away - spent the day in Regent's Park - went through to Soho afterwards then for dinner that evening - Floridita - 100 Wardour Street - Floridita, the amazing new addition to London's restaurant scene. Floridita is all about passion for life… authentic charm… authentic exhilaration… authentic Cuba!

With a live Cuban band every evening, Floridita is the number one live entertainment restaurant and bar in the heart of the capitals West end. I must say it was fantastic - food was great - we managed to get a special Sam is a member of a club called Top Table - ended up costing us an arm and a leg - I had to go the full hog and have a cigar afterwards . . . which made me a little ill for a while - but not as ill as some people . . .lol - a great evening was had by all.

Next day went through to Sam & Hud's new place and hung out with them - Judi joined us later we just sat outside and had a few drinks and pizza . . . Judi was exhausted - so was Sam . . .

Monday - I studied - and in the early evening Sam joined us we all went to Nando's - which Sam paid for then back to the hotel and a fairly early evening . . .

Tuesday I started coming down with something - not sure what - I was exhausted - felt unwell on plane - slightly nauseous - pains all over - short of breathe - which has carried on for most of the week . . . straight to bed when we got back to Judi's place . . . up early - caught Citylink - slept most of the way when I got home I was exhausted and slept most of the rest of the day . . . its only today Friday that I have started to come right again - having said that woke up yesterday Thursday and could hardly walk - when I went to sleep my ankle was fine - woke up could hardly walk on it . . . .???? This evening I have toothache - I have been forced to have a glass of whiskey . . . medicinal purposes, I assure you . . lol - Oh well that is more or less my week - been struggling to do my uni work - kicked in OK today but it has been a struggle concentrating . . . what do you think of this RockYou photo collage - not sure I like it so much any more . . . only two links to share with you - firstly I am including one of the photo's of he water babies form last week and now let's see - Oh yes Swan upping - another side of life again . . . and then something else I came across which includes an amazing first photo colour-wise - anyway you be the judge . . . International News Photo's

Webshots Regent's Park album

Would the week be complete without a link to Harry Potter of course . . link courtesy of Hafsa who sent it to me . . . thanks - waiting for my copy of the book to be delivered on the morrow . . .

Dissertation; London; Photo's; Tour de France

2007-07-13T00:08:00.000+01:00

Photo's - My Project Plan - rest devoted to Tour de France - 1)Fabian Cancellera - overall leader Yellow jersey; 2) David Millar - King of the Mountains (top with measles) 3) Robbie McEwan wins stage 4) peleton Goldhurst hill 5) Rochester Pipe Band - courtesy of Le Guardian & a cartoon of Brown who apparently wants to scupper the super casino blueprint . . .cartoon by Steve Bell

Let's start of with my project plan - this is my dissertation blueprint - and if you have a good look you'll see - I hit a milestone today - Literature Review and I am pleased to say I am more or less on target . . .Aha! your saying what the hell does that mean either you are or your not - I am!

What I've decided to do is to stretch my literature review across 2 chapters - 1st one being more general and the 2nd being specifically concentrating on IDE's and there own story - not sure may find there is a lot of overlap and end up with one big lit review chapter - my supervisor and myself will consider once we have it in some semblance of order . . .have to wait and see in the interim - I am very pleased to be more or less on target.

The approach I have followed is sort of a reductionist approach - there is so much to cover so keep trying to break it down into ever smaller parts - still not sure the sequence / flow is entirely correct and my criteria needs more work . . . brilliant article by Hristova on the generic errors / misconceptions students make in Java programming anyway . .I'll keep you posted . .

Extensive research - reading reading reading . . . . . read it a number of times - so often you basically know the article when you open it up . . . . this introduces you to the subject - take snippets as you go along . . . . eventually - independently you decide what your chapter should look like - slot what you have into the various categories - my chapter skeleton / outline - then takes shape - and its a matter of classifying everything into one of the identified sections within a chapter. Well that's how I am approaching it at the moment.

I realise now there is just no way I would have been able to cope with the O2 job and still keep on track with my dissertation . . .sad but true - I know I waste time but you can't just work all the time . . .

Anyway off to London this weekend - what did I say you can't just work all the time . . . lol - pushing it a bit - I am taking my notebook and will be working - yes, working whilst down in London - I will lose some time travelling but don't foresee a problem - might be different story last day before I hand in - OH woe is me why did I travel to London - as I say I am on target and have another weekend in August planned as well. Judi is attending a 3 day acupuncture workshop in London - so this is why we are really going down - I'm sort of tagging along and intend (as I said) working - although Sam & I will be out shopping on Sunday whilst Judi is on course - then we plan to have a celebratory barbecue as Sam (my daughter) has just bought a house in Ealing, London - (will save all those mad searches on the Internet for hotels . .lol) so willing be looking forward to seeing her and the house and Hud (her boyfriend) - now Judi no doubt will want my body in the evenings - to stick needles in to me that is - except she doesn't need needles - skilled in the martial arts - she'll be poking her fingers into me no doubt . . . there is only so much a man can take . . .

What else on the go . . . was reading an article describing 'The Political Brain by Drew Westen' For this is no partisan rant of the Michael Moore variety. Westen is a professor of psychology and psychiatry with a specialist's grasp of the science of the mind, not least the cognitive processes by which people absorb information. Through clear, repeatable experiments, rather than focus group hunch or vox pop anecdote, he establishes that "the political brain is an emotional brain". Voters make up their minds not by weighing the competing claims of different parties and deciding which best suits their interests, but by how they feel. They are not "desiccated calculating machines", as Nye Bevan famously cast Hugh Gaitskell, rationally estimating the likely utility for themselves or society by choosing policy A over policy B. Instead, they think with their guts.

Westen's evidence comes from his measuring of the brain activity of people assessing political information. The circuits that are activated are not those associated with logical reasoning but those that regulate emotion. Nor is this confined to the politically unaware or under-educated. Research shows that smart people think with their guts as much as anyone else.

It means that when politicians speak, they trigger a neural network of associations, positive or negative, and these associations owe more to emotion than reason. Indeed, some of these are all but hardwired, the product of thousands of years of evolution. The trick for politicians is to ensure they tap into the positive while associating their opponents with the negative.

More worrying still, Brown could easily be a British version of the Gore of 2000: in command of the facts, correct on all the big strategic questions, yet awkward with people and dull to listen to on TV. Meanwhile, Cameron maps easily on to Bush - a son of great privilege, born with a silver spoon, yet somehow able to present himself as an affable, regular guy.

Well that is probably not everyone's cup of tea . . . . hmmm!

Some photo's I took during the week - prepare yourself for some London photo's next week - might capture those prodding fingers . . .lol

Bowling old harbour

Read about the house - going for a snip in the states -
at £85m - 29 bedrooms - wow

Other links I came across this week:

Water Babies

Hilary Clinton - YouTube1

Hilary Clinton - YouTube2

Nanotechnology

Future of Digital Media

Education in West Dunbarton - Leading the way - Sounds Incredible

2007-07-11T09:45:00.000+01:00

Sounds incredible?
Once upon a time, in a deprived part of Scotland, a plan was put into place to wipe out pupil illiteracy within a decade. Ten years on, it's worked. Kirsty Scott reports Tuesday July 10, 2007

It is mid-morning at St Mary's primary school in Alexandria, a bleak, post-industrial town north-west of Glasgow that often features on Scotland's list of areas of multiple deprivation. In Margaret Mooney's primary 1 class, 20 five-year-olds have gathered on the floor at the teacher's feet, pretending to be trains. "Ch, ch, ch, ch, ch," they intone, small arms circling wildly like the wheels of a locomotive.

Mooney turns the page of a giant, colourful book. "This is the one where you are allowed to be cheeky to the teacher," she says, pointing to the letters "th". "What sound do they make?" The children stick out their tongues and blow through their teeth, before dissolving into giggles. "Cheeky, cheeky children," says Mooney. "Let me see how cheeky you can be."

They are too young to know it, but the children in Mooney's class are part of a remarkable experiment, one that has proved so successful that it is being held up as a model for education authorities across the world and has caught the eye of Britain's new prime minister. Gordon Brown has been taking a keen interest in events in West Dunbartonshire, and has held talks with Dr Tommy MacKay, the educational psychologist who pioneered the scheme.

Back in 1997, MacKay persuaded West Dunbartonshire council to commit itself to eradicating pupil illiteracy in its schools within a decade. This year, it is on track to reach its target, becoming what is thought to be the first local authority in the world to do so.

When the project was launched, West Dunbartonshire had one of the poorest literacy rates in the UK, with 28% of children leaving primary school at 12 functionally illiterate - that is, with a reading age of less than nine years and six months. Last year, that figure had dropped to 6% and, by the end of this year, it is expected to be 0%.

In all, 60,000 children have been assessed, and evaluations show that children now entering primary 3 have an average reading age almost six months higher than previous groups. In 1997, 5% of primary school children had "very high" scores on word reading; today the figure is 45%. Across the UK, it is estimated that 100,000 pupils a year leave school functionally illiterate.

Synthetic phonics, where children learn to sound out the single and combined sounds of letters, has been at the core of the scheme but it has not been the only factor. A 10-strand intervention was set up, featuring a team of specially trained teachers, focused assessment, extra time for reading in the curriculum, home support for parents and carers, and the fostering of a "literacy environment" in the community. "The results we have now are phenomenal," says MacKay.

When he approached the council with his proposal, he was not sure what response he would get. "I sent a letter to the director of education. It was one of these things you expect to find they are interested in, but will put in the bin. What I was saying was: why not try doing something that has not been done anywhere before in the world? You could eradicate illiteracy."

His letter coincided with a decision by the Scottish executive to offer funding packages for early intervention in literacy and numeracy. What made West Dunbartonshire different from other authorities launching literacy projects at the time was that it wanted a cradle-to-grave system that involved the entire community.

"What we were looking at doing had never been done in the world before, bringing about inter-generational change in a whole population," says MacKay. "We deliberately built in things other people weren't doing: vision, profile, commitment, ownership and dedication."

The approach was two-pronged. First, a robust early intervention programme from nursery onwards reduced the number of children experiencing reading failure. Then, those who did fall through the net were caught in the later years of primary school and given the intensive, one-on-one Toe by Toe programme. "You pick up every one of them, and you blooter them with individual help," says MacKay.

Lynn Townsend, head of service for education at West Dunbartonshire council, says the project would not have succeeded if they had not focused on the few falling through the cracks. "If we were to achieve our goals, we really needed to be doing something with them," she says. "There used to be a sense that if kids had not got reading by secondary, there was no point in teaching them. That is no longer appropriate. Nobody gets left behind.

"We have seen dramatic results. Kids in primary 7 who could not read at all now can, and it opens the world to them. It means secondary school is going to be meaningful. It really does change lives."

As new research has been done, new strands have been incorporated. "We started very much with the emphasis on synthetic phonics. That's one strand now. We have a West Dunbartonshire approach now," says Townsend.

Head teacher Charles Kennedy noticed the difference the scheme was making when he took up his post at St Mary's school after working in another area. "I was struck by the level the children were at, the pace and the impact," he says. "And also the way they were enjoying it. It's vibrant and it's alive."

A key component has been parental involvement. "Research shows that middle-class kids have had thousands of hours of reading practice before they get to school," says Townsend. "A lot of our homes just can't or don't do that." A home support system was set up and regular parents' evenings held to introduce them to phonics. Nursery children are given a start pack with reading materials to practise at home.

Officials say that often during the parents' meetings, one or two will approach staff and admit that they can't read. They are advised about where they can find help and support.
MacKay hopes the project's success will have far-reaching implications for West Dunbartonshire as a community. "We believe that, ultimately, we are looking at a stronger economy, lower crime rates and a lower prison population."

Townsend believes the scheme has worked because there was a collective determination to see it through. "We stuck to our principles. When the funding was reduced and stopped by the executive, we maintained it," she says.

Interest has been immense. MacKay has spoken about the project in countries as far away as South Africa, and a delegation from Dublin was in West Dunbartonshire at Easter. The Centre for Public Policy Research held it up as a model for other education authorities last year.

The new prime minister has been aware of it for some time. A spokeswoman for Brown confirmed that he had met MacKay and was "very interested" in the project. It is understood that they had several discussions while Brown was chancellor and that he was keen to know how the scheme might be rolled out across the UK.

"Many of our primary schools are in some of the most deprived areas of Scotland, yet they perform above the national average," Townsend points out. "That is staggering. If you say from the outset, we are going to eradicate illiteracy in 10 years, which politician does not want to be part of that sound bite?"

Article & Photo Appeared in The Guardian - 10 July 2007