As Boxing Day draws to an end, in some ways it's the end of another Christmas. That is, the official portion of the holiday containing the word 'Christmas' is over, yet part involving 'New Year' is still to come. Not being interested in the Christian significance of the holiday, it's a bit of a funny one, as I'm unsure whether the importance of each day over the holiday should be dictated to me by the number and quality of films being aired on the terrestrial TV channels, or whether I should determine this myself.
This year for once I'm going to pack myself off for a few days abroad, so even the TV rules won't apply on this occasion, and it'll be entirely ad lib on my part. Normally New Year is an event resulting in almost universal anti-climax, but this year I'll actually be doing something, yet the exact nature of that something is still to be decided upon. I'll be enjoying the best of a foreign capital, and quite what that will involve on New Year is impossible to foresee prior to arriving there in person. I suspect it could be a memorable one, not least as this year the traditional Christmas Eve at the local pubs was foregone. The stakes are high. Whether we end up partying hard or freezing to death, I suspect there will be a many a story to tell afterwards.
20051226
20051220
Call of the blogs
It's been another quiet spell for me on the blogosphere. To be honest as Christmas approaches work steps up in pace and I normally return home feeling drained of any creative energy that may once have existed in my poor worn out grey matter. However my thoughts and time have also been distributed over these past few months across other forums. (I suspect fora is grammatically correct, however I stick by my belief that it looks odd.) There are a huge number of online discussion groups, yet finding one that hits the spot or that covers an area that's of particular relevance isn't always a simple task. Fortunately I've found such corners of the internet during the course of the year, and much of my time has been spent their, learning, reading, shareing experiences and information. It really has been an enlightening and highly constructive process.
I suspect my blogging will however see a dramatic resurgence in 2006. There's much travelling on the cards, and being far from home I suspect a blog may be the new preferred means of keeping in contact with the many folks at home, and friends in many countries following my progress. It'll making something of a change, as previously I've stuck to lots of e-mails, but I fancy with a bit of practice I'll be able to match off the need for personalised entries with trying to be as all encompassing as possible. I don't really have the foggiest how much internet connectivity I'm likely to come across. Some areas will be technologically developed, but many will not. It's funny, I've not really got a great idea of just how widespread the internet has becoming. My travels might providing something of an eye-opener on this, as much as on the other aspects of the lands around me.
I suspect my blogging will however see a dramatic resurgence in 2006. There's much travelling on the cards, and being far from home I suspect a blog may be the new preferred means of keeping in contact with the many folks at home, and friends in many countries following my progress. It'll making something of a change, as previously I've stuck to lots of e-mails, but I fancy with a bit of practice I'll be able to match off the need for personalised entries with trying to be as all encompassing as possible. I don't really have the foggiest how much internet connectivity I'm likely to come across. Some areas will be technologically developed, but many will not. It's funny, I've not really got a great idea of just how widespread the internet has becoming. My travels might providing something of an eye-opener on this, as much as on the other aspects of the lands around me.
20051114
Targetted advertising
A Toys R Us ad during a programme about the Somme on Channel 4 at 10:30pm. Interesting placement that one.
20051102
Random morning
It's been a fairly normal sort of a day but with scattered with slightly odd random events.
I was walking home at lunchtime and going through the FM band on my Roberts Radio which I don't normally use, but did today because my mobile was hidden under a pile of junk somewhere, when I stopped at a station playing No Doubt - It's My Life. The signal was a bit weak but listenable enough, and the DJ came on and identified it as Invicta FM from Kent! That's miles away, I didn't know it got anywhere near this far West. I suppose the hill helps.
Arriving home there was some post; in particular a Water bill wrapped in a GNER flyer. Very odd!
I was walking home at lunchtime and going through the FM band on my Roberts Radio which I don't normally use, but did today because my mobile was hidden under a pile of junk somewhere, when I stopped at a station playing No Doubt - It's My Life. The signal was a bit weak but listenable enough, and the DJ came on and identified it as Invicta FM from Kent! That's miles away, I didn't know it got anywhere near this far West. I suppose the hill helps.
Arriving home there was some post; in particular a Water bill wrapped in a GNER flyer. Very odd!
Heimat
For the past few weeks I've been enjoying Heimat, an epic of German television portraying the changing times of German throughout the 20th Century. However I only caught all of Heimat 3; the most recent series, which fortunately was well publicised. Heimats 1 and 2 I almost entirely missed, and according to the BBC Four website they have no plans to repeat them due to cost grounds! I am quite disappointed by this, but at the same time I'm not sure if I want to fork out £50 for each series on DVD.
Come on BBC! Let's have another chance to see this marvel of television.
Come on BBC! Let's have another chance to see this marvel of television.
20051028
Italy
I've been away for a few days in Italy, and am now going through and choosing the pick of the photographic crop to put online in the next few days. I still need to design the layout for the new photo section of the website which will replace to some extent fotopic, although due to ease of use I think I'll continue to use Fotopic for less high quality images.
20051011
No queue jumping!
I was in the local Sainsbury's at lunchtime, having remembered for once that I was otherwise destined to get back to the flat to discover I had naff all to eat. Somewhat startlingly a film crew were huddled in a corner by the supermarket entrance; wedged between the stacks of blue plastic hand baskets and the lifts. The camera didn't appear to be on; just as well too as I didn't fancy being accosted and ending up saying something stupid, which I would inevitably do if put on the spot.
I pottered off to collect a few items for lunch, and while queuing for the checkout the camera crew leapt into action, and some chap wearing an old fashioned detective's outfit, looking slightly like Sherlock Holmes, appears from nowhere and starts spouting something enthusiastically to camera. Fortunately the supermarket staff were on-hand for an explanation "they're from Channel 4....don't worry about then, they've been here all morning!" Turns out they were filming something about queue jumping. Been beckoned to the checkout I was destined not to discover more, although I'll be on the look out for something bizarre on Channel 4 in the weeks to come.
I pottered off to collect a few items for lunch, and while queuing for the checkout the camera crew leapt into action, and some chap wearing an old fashioned detective's outfit, looking slightly like Sherlock Holmes, appears from nowhere and starts spouting something enthusiastically to camera. Fortunately the supermarket staff were on-hand for an explanation "they're from Channel 4....don't worry about then, they've been here all morning!" Turns out they were filming something about queue jumping. Been beckoned to the checkout I was destined not to discover more, although I'll be on the look out for something bizarre on Channel 4 in the weeks to come.
Indian summer
I can't believe how warm it's been these past couple of days. Let's just refresh our memories by taking a look at the calender. It's October; mid-October nearly. Now September is fair game when it comes to a late spell of summer and is much welcomed. But the depths of October?? The temperature has reached 23 degrees for two days in row in the big smoke. Not normally reason of complaint, but at this time of year the central heating of many buildings have been running for a week or two, making the conditions unbearable. I always have been a cold weather fan; it offsets my naturally high operating temperature. The weather is set to break tomorrow and thereafter refreshing forecasts of 15C.
20051007
New photos on their way
Regular visitors to the site may have notice that I haven't been putting much in the way of new photos online of late. This isn't due to a lack of photos being taken, far from it. It is in part to do with the gig of webspace now at my disposal. As a result I'm currently working on putting some high quality images on the website directly, rather than being hosted on Fotopic. I'm in process of going through the best of the summer's photographs to put online. However it all needs optimising, and so it's taking some time. When it's done, I hope it'll be an improvement on the photo quality currently available. Thanks for being patient!
20050929
Panic Christmas Pudding buying
With less than 3 months until Christmas the supermarkets are already getting prepared for the onslaught of retail ahead, loading their shelves with christmas puddings, selection boxes and advent calendars.
Whatever happened to waiting until after Halloween of Bonfire night before engaging in the full Christmas mode? This year - and it's become something of a trend of late - the summer heat has hardly disapated before the christmas chocolates are on sale. Just imagine, you buy some for a relative. 3 months on, December 25th, Aunt Agatha opens the chocs to find they're all oddly shaped blobs in the bottom of the box. "Sorry about that Auntie", says you, "it was that September heatwave that must have done it".
Crazy. The thought of Christmas has only momentarily crossed my mind, and that's only because I've lot of friends and family abroad who I'll need to send off pressies early to. Early. But not September! Not even October - although I may have started browsing by then.
If we're going to have to put up with 3 months of Christmas tunes and cheer, then most people are likely to be quite fed up with it when it arrives. Surely the joy of Christmas is that it's a special annual events. This becomes somewhat dilluted if the festive apparel of the holiday is extended to encompass a quarter of the year!
I rant about this every year, but it always seems justified, and it always seems to be pushed earlier and earlier. AAARGH!
Whatever happened to waiting until after Halloween of Bonfire night before engaging in the full Christmas mode? This year - and it's become something of a trend of late - the summer heat has hardly disapated before the christmas chocolates are on sale. Just imagine, you buy some for a relative. 3 months on, December 25th, Aunt Agatha opens the chocs to find they're all oddly shaped blobs in the bottom of the box. "Sorry about that Auntie", says you, "it was that September heatwave that must have done it".
Crazy. The thought of Christmas has only momentarily crossed my mind, and that's only because I've lot of friends and family abroad who I'll need to send off pressies early to. Early. But not September! Not even October - although I may have started browsing by then.
If we're going to have to put up with 3 months of Christmas tunes and cheer, then most people are likely to be quite fed up with it when it arrives. Surely the joy of Christmas is that it's a special annual events. This becomes somewhat dilluted if the festive apparel of the holiday is extended to encompass a quarter of the year!
I rant about this every year, but it always seems justified, and it always seems to be pushed earlier and earlier. AAARGH!
20050924
50 years for everything
There seems to be a great number of things that are celebrating 50th anniversaries at the moment.
ITV has been making the most of its birthday with reams of self-congratulatory 'best of ITV' programmes. Of little surprise, Corrie was voted favourite ITV programme of all time. Let's face it, if you're asked to list quality ITV programmes nowadays you're likely to come up short. Happily the Muppet Show came 8th, although I'm not sure exactly how much input ITV had in that.
As if that wasn't enough, this morning alone BBC Radio 4 has featured a programme marking the 50th anniversary of the patenting of the hovercraft. Very worthy too, and good to hear that after a period of decline a new generation of hovercraft will soon be appearing.
But a half-hour later we discover that From Our Own Correspondent is also celebrating its 50th, originally created it turns out to keep the corporations widely dispersed reporters happy by allowing them getting their experiences heard even if their country of base is not making the headlines otherwise.
Any more takers for a 50th birthday bash?!
ITV has been making the most of its birthday with reams of self-congratulatory 'best of ITV' programmes. Of little surprise, Corrie was voted favourite ITV programme of all time. Let's face it, if you're asked to list quality ITV programmes nowadays you're likely to come up short. Happily the Muppet Show came 8th, although I'm not sure exactly how much input ITV had in that.
As if that wasn't enough, this morning alone BBC Radio 4 has featured a programme marking the 50th anniversary of the patenting of the hovercraft. Very worthy too, and good to hear that after a period of decline a new generation of hovercraft will soon be appearing.
But a half-hour later we discover that From Our Own Correspondent is also celebrating its 50th, originally created it turns out to keep the corporations widely dispersed reporters happy by allowing them getting their experiences heard even if their country of base is not making the headlines otherwise.
Any more takers for a 50th birthday bash?!
20050917
Saturday
*Yawn*. Good morning.
I was listening to the radio while walking back from work yesterday when I came across Stuart Marconie on Radio 2. Now it has to be said that it was seriously chilly yesterday afternoon, as if a weather-front of winter was passing over. Yet here was Marconie, playing (Here comes the) Summer Sun, by Texas. Hang on, have I been hibernating for 6 months without noticing? Are we in Spring, and looking forward to the approaching long, heady summer months? Er... no. Not even close. Autumn is beginning to beckon, and as such any optimistic "wha-hey the summer is coming" songs should be banned from playlists. It's about time someone wrote a song along the lines of "winter is coming, but we'll do our bloody damndest to enjoy ourselves before it arrives". There's a niche place in the market just waiting to be filling.
Maybe it already has been. Suggestions on a postcard please.
I was listening to the radio while walking back from work yesterday when I came across Stuart Marconie on Radio 2. Now it has to be said that it was seriously chilly yesterday afternoon, as if a weather-front of winter was passing over. Yet here was Marconie, playing (Here comes the) Summer Sun, by Texas. Hang on, have I been hibernating for 6 months without noticing? Are we in Spring, and looking forward to the approaching long, heady summer months? Er... no. Not even close. Autumn is beginning to beckon, and as such any optimistic "wha-hey the summer is coming" songs should be banned from playlists. It's about time someone wrote a song along the lines of "winter is coming, but we'll do our bloody damndest to enjoy ourselves before it arrives". There's a niche place in the market just waiting to be filling.
Maybe it already has been. Suggestions on a postcard please.
20050915
New webspace
I've finally got around to upgrading the webspace for the website, and fixing the eurobahn domain which for a few weeks has been broken, due to a previous change in website.
The main improvement is that I now have a massive 1GB of webspace to play with, which should give me plenty of room to upload photos directly onto the site, rather than having them hosted elsewhere.
The transfer process may have made some links break. If you come across a broken link or page, please e-mail me on feedback@danielatkinson.co.uk
The main improvement is that I now have a massive 1GB of webspace to play with, which should give me plenty of room to upload photos directly onto the site, rather than having them hosted elsewhere.
The transfer process may have made some links break. If you come across a broken link or page, please e-mail me on feedback@danielatkinson.co.uk
20050910
Last night
I managed to catch the end of Last Night of the Proms this evening. It's one of the events that I think people either watch annually, or don't bother with it at all. I do enjoy it though, especially towards the end when they play the favourites: Sea Shanties, Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory, and Jerusalem.
They do of course also play God Save the Queen, but as a programme currently on BBC 4 testifies, many people think this this should be replaces as the national anthem by Jerusalem. I think this is pretty good choice.
I've always liked Billy Connelly's satirical suggestion of using the theme to the Archers as the national anthem. It's certainly upbeat.
Jerusalem though does have some cracking lyrics. It is religious in nature (as is the God Save the Queen of course), which some might bawk at in today's rather secular society. However as a reflection of the very traditional values associated with England, it is perhaps unsurpassed.
It's a tune I associate very much with the Conservative Party, and I wonder, since they're trying to get back on their feet, whether they should run on a manifesto on changing the national anthem to Jerusalem. Not very Conservative, possibly divisive, but what a statement to make - especially if they did it in time for the 2012 Olympics, when hopefully plenty of Gold medal winning British atheletes would have a decent tune to sing along proudly to!
They do of course also play God Save the Queen, but as a programme currently on BBC 4 testifies, many people think this this should be replaces as the national anthem by Jerusalem. I think this is pretty good choice.
I've always liked Billy Connelly's satirical suggestion of using the theme to the Archers as the national anthem. It's certainly upbeat.
Jerusalem though does have some cracking lyrics. It is religious in nature (as is the God Save the Queen of course), which some might bawk at in today's rather secular society. However as a reflection of the very traditional values associated with England, it is perhaps unsurpassed.
It's a tune I associate very much with the Conservative Party, and I wonder, since they're trying to get back on their feet, whether they should run on a manifesto on changing the national anthem to Jerusalem. Not very Conservative, possibly divisive, but what a statement to make - especially if they did it in time for the 2012 Olympics, when hopefully plenty of Gold medal winning British atheletes would have a decent tune to sing along proudly to!
20050909
Chilled laptops
My laptop went belly up during the height of the summer, and following a replacement of the overheated hard-drive I was up and running again. However now it's a case of once bitten twice shy. If I'm going to leave my PC on during the day, which is necessary from time to time, I don't want a repeat of the overheating and a bill for replacement components (a hard drive in my case.)
Following some research on-line, it seems that I am by no means the first person to encounter overheating problems with their laptop. In fact, it's very much a trait with powerful portable PCs. As a result, there are a few different solutions on the market designed to keeping the underside of the laptop at temperatures below which it could happily fry an egg.
In general these laptop coolers consist of fans built into a metal base, which, while providing a cool resting place for the laptop to begin with also blows air onto the underside of the laptop (typically where fan grills and vital components reside) keeping everything within acceptable tempatures. I opted for the laptop cooler by Akasa, which cost about £25 including delivery from Watford Electronics (savastore.com).
It did pretty much what it said on the tin. The fan is very quiet, and the laptop feels a lot, lot cooler than normal, even during long periods of intensive use. I don't have software installed yet to measure the temperature difference, but I might also give this a try in due course for some more scientific results. Furthmore the base is also angled in its design, which is supposed to angle the keyboard more naturally for typing.
The only disadvantage I found is that the USB cable provided has built in blue LEDs. Although this is handy to tell that the base is being powered, it is rather distracting. It does seem to be something of a feature in Akasa products, as their hard drive case I use also heavily features the same blue lights, both along the side of the unit and in the sockets of the USB cable. Funky to begin with, but perhaps a bit OTT.
Nevertheless, I feel much more at ease having the cooler in place, safe in the knowledge that my laptop is unlikely to get too hot under the cover and blow a gasket. I'd recommend this, or similar cooler products to laptop users, as its said the additional cooling extends the PC's life, improves performance, and you've for the benefit of a more egonomically agreed typing position to boot.
Following some research on-line, it seems that I am by no means the first person to encounter overheating problems with their laptop. In fact, it's very much a trait with powerful portable PCs. As a result, there are a few different solutions on the market designed to keeping the underside of the laptop at temperatures below which it could happily fry an egg.
In general these laptop coolers consist of fans built into a metal base, which, while providing a cool resting place for the laptop to begin with also blows air onto the underside of the laptop (typically where fan grills and vital components reside) keeping everything within acceptable tempatures. I opted for the laptop cooler by Akasa, which cost about £25 including delivery from Watford Electronics (savastore.com).
It did pretty much what it said on the tin. The fan is very quiet, and the laptop feels a lot, lot cooler than normal, even during long periods of intensive use. I don't have software installed yet to measure the temperature difference, but I might also give this a try in due course for some more scientific results. Furthmore the base is also angled in its design, which is supposed to angle the keyboard more naturally for typing.
The only disadvantage I found is that the USB cable provided has built in blue LEDs. Although this is handy to tell that the base is being powered, it is rather distracting. It does seem to be something of a feature in Akasa products, as their hard drive case I use also heavily features the same blue lights, both along the side of the unit and in the sockets of the USB cable. Funky to begin with, but perhaps a bit OTT.
Nevertheless, I feel much more at ease having the cooler in place, safe in the knowledge that my laptop is unlikely to get too hot under the cover and blow a gasket. I'd recommend this, or similar cooler products to laptop users, as its said the additional cooling extends the PC's life, improves performance, and you've for the benefit of a more egonomically agreed typing position to boot.
20050907
Ideas factory
It's been a busy old week. Lots of ideas milling around. The challenge is to find time to put some of them in practice, while juggling them with everything else. God, I feel like such a typical time-poor Londoner.
20050831
The internet media marvel
There's an impressive range of radio stations, TV channels, internet stations, shows and podcasts now available to stream or download over the net. For someone like myself who's never happier than browsing stations from the four corners of the world, the internet is like a dream come true. There's still the problem of separating the wheat from the chaff though. As any regular internet user will profess, the web is a timehole. It will suck your time away; minutes turn into hours. Before you know it you should have been in bed an hour ago. There's just such a vast amount out there, that you can pass from one site to the next, link to promising enticing link.
I tend to use internet media as something of a replacement for the programming of shortwave and mediumwave radio, with some the content of international satellite TV if I had that option. There's the additional bonus of having much more scope on the internet to discover new and interesting content, if the chance provided.
Until now there's not been very many options for organising online watching or listening. It was largely a matter of trying to find some decent online media directories, firing up the stream, seeing what you found, and if necessary tallying this with a programme schedule on the content provider's website. It's cumbersome, time consuming, and not necessarily very satisfying, given dead links, poorly designed websites or the complete absence of schedules and explanation of the programming.
Happily, some interesting software now seem to be appearing that allow recording of streams for on demand listening of particular programmes. As time permits I'm going to see what's out there, and see just how efficiently and effectively it's now possible to make the most of online media content. The .net magazine website reviews a program called 'Replay Radio', which sounds promising. I believe there are some similar programs that also allow timed recording of live streams. It makes perfect sense, especially when you consider the complications of time zones when listening to overseas content providers.
I suppose that's one of the fine things about the internet. If there's a demand for, well, almost anything to do with exploring the online world, there's more often than not some software been written to do the job.
In any case I feel I've been spending quite long enough with the same few bookmarks in my Real Player. It's time to see what's out there.
I tend to use internet media as something of a replacement for the programming of shortwave and mediumwave radio, with some the content of international satellite TV if I had that option. There's the additional bonus of having much more scope on the internet to discover new and interesting content, if the chance provided.
Until now there's not been very many options for organising online watching or listening. It was largely a matter of trying to find some decent online media directories, firing up the stream, seeing what you found, and if necessary tallying this with a programme schedule on the content provider's website. It's cumbersome, time consuming, and not necessarily very satisfying, given dead links, poorly designed websites or the complete absence of schedules and explanation of the programming.
Happily, some interesting software now seem to be appearing that allow recording of streams for on demand listening of particular programmes. As time permits I'm going to see what's out there, and see just how efficiently and effectively it's now possible to make the most of online media content. The .net magazine website reviews a program called 'Replay Radio', which sounds promising. I believe there are some similar programs that also allow timed recording of live streams. It makes perfect sense, especially when you consider the complications of time zones when listening to overseas content providers.
I suppose that's one of the fine things about the internet. If there's a demand for, well, almost anything to do with exploring the online world, there's more often than not some software been written to do the job.
In any case I feel I've been spending quite long enough with the same few bookmarks in my Real Player. It's time to see what's out there.
20050830
Joys of the British Summer
Just when you think that Summer in turning into Autumn; cool days, almost a chill in the air, as was the case last week; this week goes to prove the the wonderous unpredictability of the British climate is still King. It's the dying days of August, yet the forecast for London tomorrow is sunshine and a scorching prediction of 31 degrees.
I'd be lying if I was particularly looking forward to having to work through such a heatwave, but if summertime is going to cling on for a while longer before letting go, well that's just fine by me. As Summer does draw to its natural (if always unexpected) conclusion, I tend to find it a time to cast a look back on the the heady long days that have passed, before the psychological and photo-period drop into dark, dank Winter. Have I made the most of it? Could I have done more? Should I be wracked by guilt at letting these days pass too easily, I wonder.
Well, if I face the facts I've been working throughout the Summer, more or less. Unlike many, many others who leap at the first chance to head off to some sun-drenched beach during the height of the Summer, I am in contrast no sun-worshipper. I tend to endure the unairconditioned heat of summertime Britain, and holiday at other times of the year. In some ways this is daft. It would be perfectly logical if I, in the off season, heading away to some Southern land still enjoying warmth and sunshine. Somehow, however, this never quite works out, and I end up meeting friends in some particularly chilly parts of Europe. Hey-ho. I've no complaints about this state of affairs, but you know that one of these days I'll get my act together and somehow arrange to go Up North in the Summer and Down South in the Winter. Heck, the birds can manage it, maybe I can too.
I'd be lying if I was particularly looking forward to having to work through such a heatwave, but if summertime is going to cling on for a while longer before letting go, well that's just fine by me. As Summer does draw to its natural (if always unexpected) conclusion, I tend to find it a time to cast a look back on the the heady long days that have passed, before the psychological and photo-period drop into dark, dank Winter. Have I made the most of it? Could I have done more? Should I be wracked by guilt at letting these days pass too easily, I wonder.
Well, if I face the facts I've been working throughout the Summer, more or less. Unlike many, many others who leap at the first chance to head off to some sun-drenched beach during the height of the Summer, I am in contrast no sun-worshipper. I tend to endure the unairconditioned heat of summertime Britain, and holiday at other times of the year. In some ways this is daft. It would be perfectly logical if I, in the off season, heading away to some Southern land still enjoying warmth and sunshine. Somehow, however, this never quite works out, and I end up meeting friends in some particularly chilly parts of Europe. Hey-ho. I've no complaints about this state of affairs, but you know that one of these days I'll get my act together and somehow arrange to go Up North in the Summer and Down South in the Winter. Heck, the birds can manage it, maybe I can too.
20050829
Tallinn Online
Estonia, and in particular Tallinn, has now been added to the travel section of the website. The destination guide is based on a trip I took with two friends back in March of this year, and features recommended sights, and most importantly, some good eats!
Tallinn is a fine looking city, with one of the best preserved Medieval city centres in Europe. It's now in easy reach thanks to regular flights by Easyjet and Eastonian Air.
Click here to read more!
Late night
It's another late night opportunity taken thanks to the Bank Holiday. The radio's on, tuned to BBC World Service, where there's been a heated exchange on the subject of the latest series of Big Brother in Holland, where it is planned that one of the housemates will give birth during her time there.
Somewhat understandably, a Dutch politician was voicing some concerns, and arguing quite heatedly with someone I assume from Endemol TV. The BBC seem to put it on as a curiosity piece as much as anything, as rather than attempting to moderate the discussion, the two guests tried to talk over the other for much of the interview. Nevertheless surely this has potential of opening a can on worms on the ethics of it all.
Surely it can be argued that, just because a TV company can find someone who wants to do something on TV, doesn't necessarily make it a good idea, nor something that should be less. Let's face it; you could likely find someone to do almost anything on TV given the chance, especially on such a high visibility programme such as Big Brother, where there's the added incentive of the media gaze once you leave the show.
My gut feeling is that it's bad, but then we're talking about Big Brother here, and that's tends to be my reaction to the show as a whole.
Somewhat understandably, a Dutch politician was voicing some concerns, and arguing quite heatedly with someone I assume from Endemol TV. The BBC seem to put it on as a curiosity piece as much as anything, as rather than attempting to moderate the discussion, the two guests tried to talk over the other for much of the interview. Nevertheless surely this has potential of opening a can on worms on the ethics of it all.
Surely it can be argued that, just because a TV company can find someone who wants to do something on TV, doesn't necessarily make it a good idea, nor something that should be less. Let's face it; you could likely find someone to do almost anything on TV given the chance, especially on such a high visibility programme such as Big Brother, where there's the added incentive of the media gaze once you leave the show.
My gut feeling is that it's bad, but then we're talking about Big Brother here, and that's tends to be my reaction to the show as a whole.
20050828
Looong weekender
Ah, the joys of the long weekend. It's a pleasure that is scheduled far too seldom in the British calendar of public holidays. It's been a quiet one so far, but the forecast is for sunshine tomorrow, so as long as I believe a word of it I shall be heading out and about tomorrow.
It's currently a case of destination unknown. I'm tempted just to head for one of the coastal towns, as the seaside normally offers a fine range of distractions, which should hopefully suit whatever mood I'm in on arrival.
I encountered the taste sensation of Wagamamas this past week. This Japanese noodle restaurant chain is on the up and up, and is spreading across London and gradually the country as a whole. Although I have no idea what the particular meal I had was called, aside from being located in the griddle fried noodle section, it was immensely tasty. I can't overstate just how tasty it was. Not badly priced either, and a cert for future visits.
That's one thing I've found about London when it comes to restaurants and bars. After discovering a nice venue or two in one area, there's often the temptation to play it safe and stick with what you know. However when there's such an enormous wealth of wining and dining possibilities, this really would be a travesty. However unless you've received a good recommendation, there's the inherent risk in trying somewhere new. Mediocrity abounds. The hope is that the mediocre, or worse, is apparent on the surface, and can be avoided.
It's currently a case of destination unknown. I'm tempted just to head for one of the coastal towns, as the seaside normally offers a fine range of distractions, which should hopefully suit whatever mood I'm in on arrival.
I encountered the taste sensation of Wagamamas this past week. This Japanese noodle restaurant chain is on the up and up, and is spreading across London and gradually the country as a whole. Although I have no idea what the particular meal I had was called, aside from being located in the griddle fried noodle section, it was immensely tasty. I can't overstate just how tasty it was. Not badly priced either, and a cert for future visits.
That's one thing I've found about London when it comes to restaurants and bars. After discovering a nice venue or two in one area, there's often the temptation to play it safe and stick with what you know. However when there's such an enormous wealth of wining and dining possibilities, this really would be a travesty. However unless you've received a good recommendation, there's the inherent risk in trying somewhere new. Mediocrity abounds. The hope is that the mediocre, or worse, is apparent on the surface, and can be avoided.
20050825
CORRECTION
It turns out to be more like 10 days since my last post. Bugger, and I'm not even on holiday.
Must try harder.
Maybe I need to do more things.
Or perhaps I need to better remember the things I've done.
I've been to 2 gigs in the past couple of weeks. I've never felt the urge to strike out on the road of music journalism though. Some issues, topics, or events inspire. Music, although enjoyable, just didn't hit the mark. It's a bit like me and football, although come to thing of it I *like* music...
Too late, too late the cry went out, and a quick glance at my watch proves it... bed time!
Must try harder.
Maybe I need to do more things.
Or perhaps I need to better remember the things I've done.
I've been to 2 gigs in the past couple of weeks. I've never felt the urge to strike out on the road of music journalism though. Some issues, topics, or events inspire. Music, although enjoyable, just didn't hit the mark. It's a bit like me and football, although come to thing of it I *like* music...
Too late, too late the cry went out, and a quick glance at my watch proves it... bed time!
20050824
It's been....one week
I've been doing a bit of retro listening. Ok, the BareNakedLadies is late 90s / 2000 fare, so probably somewhat off from gaining retro status. Starting to feel like a while ago though, and so in minor tribute I am naming this post after perhaps their most successful of UK singles.
I've not made any blog posts in the past week. This has been due a mix of a few things. I've been putting most of my website focused time on some new content, which, dependant on whether or not I get away for the long weekend might be online soon. Destination guides for some of the places I've visited this year are in the offing.
The news on TV has mostly made me want to a whinge, and to be honest I couldn't be bothered. News stories and coverage have made me reach the level of "general irritation", but not the point where I'm going to go off on a big rant about them. I suppose that's apathy.
Things have also been busy recently. It's a relative concept, but I've felt pretty done in at the end of each day, so the creative juices haven't been flowing much, and if they have it's been to make some head way for the travel section of the site. Otherwise there's 101 other things I've been doing, and the poor blog has been become a bit sidelined. Hopefully not for long though. The long weekend may, with a bit of luck, rekindle some enthuse and zest for scribblage site-side.
I've not made any blog posts in the past week. This has been due a mix of a few things. I've been putting most of my website focused time on some new content, which, dependant on whether or not I get away for the long weekend might be online soon. Destination guides for some of the places I've visited this year are in the offing.
The news on TV has mostly made me want to a whinge, and to be honest I couldn't be bothered. News stories and coverage have made me reach the level of "general irritation", but not the point where I'm going to go off on a big rant about them. I suppose that's apathy.
Things have also been busy recently. It's a relative concept, but I've felt pretty done in at the end of each day, so the creative juices haven't been flowing much, and if they have it's been to make some head way for the travel section of the site. Otherwise there's 101 other things I've been doing, and the poor blog has been become a bit sidelined. Hopefully not for long though. The long weekend may, with a bit of luck, rekindle some enthuse and zest for scribblage site-side.
20050814
Cornwall
Last weekend I spent a few merry few days with friends in the South West of England. As my first time to the region I can say it's a wonderfully picturesque part of the country, but it feels like such a slog to reach 'The West', as it is somewhat mysteriously described from road signs. From my home in the North West of England Cornwall had always been deemed far too distant to make the trip to. Even from London it's not exactly within quick and easy reach. Nevertheless it's relative geographical distance doesn't seem to put off the huge numbers of campers and tourists to be found there during summer months.
Benefiting from just a single extended weekend's trip to the South West, I can hardly claim to be a wealth of knowledge on the region. To really do more than scratch the surface a good week is called for. We did take in the region's main sight though: the Eden Project. The first signposted entrance road to the Eden Project from the Plymouth road is surprisingly narrow. Car parking at the site is extensive, as divided into areas, in a somewhat Disney-esque style, but rather than having Goofy 15 or Mickey 6, there are Banana 3 or Lime 1. This of course led to spin off parodies by many visitors, along the lines of: "can you remember where we're parked? Is it kumquat 17?" "No I thought it was rhubarb 9." And so on, and so on.
The Eden Project itself is simply marvelous. Spacious outdoor areas where you can sit and enjoy the weather (where applicable), enjoying a pint of the fine Eden Ale, surrounded by all manner of plants, and grass areas much more akin to a meadow than a the well manicured lawns to be found in many tourist destinations. The main attraction of the Eden Project of course, aside from the ale, are the two domes, each containing the plants, landscape, even buildings for particular areas of the world. The warm dome is akin to Mediterranean countries, South Africa and California. The second, a tropical climate, with the intense humidity to match, especially as the upper parts of the dome are reached. It's all excellently done, with some fascinating facts about many of the plants. For me, it was seeing a pineapple plant, and a fruit growing on it that made me step back. "Is that really what is looks like?" It's one of those things you don't give much though to, until you see it. "So they don't grow on trees after all..."
Rather than try to describe it, I'll suggest you visit my photo gallery for Cornwall, which features a number of pictures in and around the Eden Project. It rather speaks for itself. What was also impressive were the general facilities. Of course it's still really quite new, but the fact that there's a cafe with wholesome food at very reasonable prices came as quite a shock. It makes a change for a major tourist attraction not to attempt to squeeze every last drop of disposable income from the visiting public, so full credit to the Eden Project for that.
A major facet of the Eden Project focuses on the sustainability of the environment, and the protection of plant habitats and species. Throughout the complex recycling is very much encouraged, with a selection of rubbish bins the likes I've not seen since my time in Germany. Combining the many displays regarding the importance of the environment with the amazing variety of plants in the domes surely makes leaves a strong impression on anyone as to the need to protect the world we live in.
After the Eden Project we made our way to Gorran; our tent-based home for the next couple of nights. Now Gorran is a funny place, as it's not so much a single place as much as an area, split into a number of villages each featuring Gorran in the name. We were near St Gorran, I think it was, with the charming fishing village of Gorran Haven an easy walk away too. On the Saturday we spent the day making out way from Gorran Haven along the coastal path to the town of Mevagissey a few miles to the North. We drove through the town on the way down, and I'm sure the insanely narrow roads through the middle of the town must make a number of tourists freak out each year. Got knows how caravaners or delivery vans manage.
Although the weather wasn't particularly glorious, the scenery certainly was. Cliff top walks, tiny villages nestling by the shore, and friendly folks abound. A few days it may have been, but it's certainly whetted my appetite to explore the South West further. Apparently South West Air makes the journey due to far end of Cornwall a relatively quick trip from Gatwick, and if booked in advance the prices might be quite competitive. I've not sure how extensive or regular public transport operates in the region, but given the number of buses around we saw just around tiny Gorran, some going as far as Newquay, I suspect it's a viable means of getting around.
Benefiting from just a single extended weekend's trip to the South West, I can hardly claim to be a wealth of knowledge on the region. To really do more than scratch the surface a good week is called for. We did take in the region's main sight though: the Eden Project. The first signposted entrance road to the Eden Project from the Plymouth road is surprisingly narrow. Car parking at the site is extensive, as divided into areas, in a somewhat Disney-esque style, but rather than having Goofy 15 or Mickey 6, there are Banana 3 or Lime 1. This of course led to spin off parodies by many visitors, along the lines of: "can you remember where we're parked? Is it kumquat 17?" "No I thought it was rhubarb 9." And so on, and so on.
The Eden Project itself is simply marvelous. Spacious outdoor areas where you can sit and enjoy the weather (where applicable), enjoying a pint of the fine Eden Ale, surrounded by all manner of plants, and grass areas much more akin to a meadow than a the well manicured lawns to be found in many tourist destinations. The main attraction of the Eden Project of course, aside from the ale, are the two domes, each containing the plants, landscape, even buildings for particular areas of the world. The warm dome is akin to Mediterranean countries, South Africa and California. The second, a tropical climate, with the intense humidity to match, especially as the upper parts of the dome are reached. It's all excellently done, with some fascinating facts about many of the plants. For me, it was seeing a pineapple plant, and a fruit growing on it that made me step back. "Is that really what is looks like?" It's one of those things you don't give much though to, until you see it. "So they don't grow on trees after all..."
Rather than try to describe it, I'll suggest you visit my photo gallery for Cornwall, which features a number of pictures in and around the Eden Project. It rather speaks for itself. What was also impressive were the general facilities. Of course it's still really quite new, but the fact that there's a cafe with wholesome food at very reasonable prices came as quite a shock. It makes a change for a major tourist attraction not to attempt to squeeze every last drop of disposable income from the visiting public, so full credit to the Eden Project for that.
A major facet of the Eden Project focuses on the sustainability of the environment, and the protection of plant habitats and species. Throughout the complex recycling is very much encouraged, with a selection of rubbish bins the likes I've not seen since my time in Germany. Combining the many displays regarding the importance of the environment with the amazing variety of plants in the domes surely makes leaves a strong impression on anyone as to the need to protect the world we live in.
After the Eden Project we made our way to Gorran; our tent-based home for the next couple of nights. Now Gorran is a funny place, as it's not so much a single place as much as an area, split into a number of villages each featuring Gorran in the name. We were near St Gorran, I think it was, with the charming fishing village of Gorran Haven an easy walk away too. On the Saturday we spent the day making out way from Gorran Haven along the coastal path to the town of Mevagissey a few miles to the North. We drove through the town on the way down, and I'm sure the insanely narrow roads through the middle of the town must make a number of tourists freak out each year. Got knows how caravaners or delivery vans manage.
Although the weather wasn't particularly glorious, the scenery certainly was. Cliff top walks, tiny villages nestling by the shore, and friendly folks abound. A few days it may have been, but it's certainly whetted my appetite to explore the South West further. Apparently South West Air makes the journey due to far end of Cornwall a relatively quick trip from Gatwick, and if booked in advance the prices might be quite competitive. I've not sure how extensive or regular public transport operates in the region, but given the number of buses around we saw just around tiny Gorran, some going as far as Newquay, I suspect it's a viable means of getting around.
20050813
Back on the international trail
For years I've enjoyed listening to the international voices of radio stations from the four corners of the globe. However with moving to London and leaving the trusty shortwave radio at home, my listening has trailed off a bit. However now that I'm in the process of reinstalling everything onto my PC, which includes putting together favourites lists of websites and audio streams, it's providing a good opportunity to rediscover some the content that's available online.
The World Radio Network is a good first stop, as there are on-demand downloads available for programmes from quite a considerable number of broadcasters. You can also listening to the live stream of WRN's North American service, although it can be a bit hit and miss as to how interesting a given programme may be. In that sense, it's not so very different from tuning through the shortwave bands and seeing what you come across.
I've generally got the impression that listeners to international stations and programming are a varied bunch, and perhaps not too easy to categorise. There are of course the hobbyists, who are interested in the process of tuning in, but with varying degrees of interest in the actual programming being broadcast. As for those who do specifically tune in to listen to these broadcasts and programmes from overseas, there reasons for doing so may well be as broad ranging as the programmes themselves.
Personally speaking, I tend to tune to stations from countries that I hold a current interest in, whether that be due to impending holidays, what's in the news, or for any multitude of other reasons. China Radio International is a favourite choice at present, as it's a country high on the "to visit" list, and China is to make its mark felt worldwide in the years and decades to come. Unfortunately it's streaming audio quality, albeit at 32kbps, sounds pretty ropey.
In terms of programme quality the likes of Radio Netherlands and Deutsche Welle make for good choices, and they both provide a greater focus on European news, events and issues than the British media would normally tackle. I've been try to listen to Radio Australia and Radio Sweden as well, but am having trouble with their audio streams. Lest I forget the BBC World Service, although in the UK this can be conveniently heard on Digital Radio, which for the moment is still far superior to the vast majority of internet streams.
Admittedly, that is a fairly Westernised list. Generally speaking it is these stations that have the resources available to produce the highest standard of programming, and for my current requirement, to stream their broadcasts online. Yet if I was to list the stations who had enticed me to tune across the shortwave bands, it wouldn't be this familiar selection so much as those stations playing exotic music, with unfamiliar cultures, even in unknown languages. While listening to internet stations removes the unpredictable element of what you might hear, there's a great wealth of small stations available. These are in most cases domestic, so unlikely to broadcast in languages you can understand, but some element of the exotic through the music and programming remains.
The World Radio Network is a good first stop, as there are on-demand downloads available for programmes from quite a considerable number of broadcasters. You can also listening to the live stream of WRN's North American service, although it can be a bit hit and miss as to how interesting a given programme may be. In that sense, it's not so very different from tuning through the shortwave bands and seeing what you come across.
I've generally got the impression that listeners to international stations and programming are a varied bunch, and perhaps not too easy to categorise. There are of course the hobbyists, who are interested in the process of tuning in, but with varying degrees of interest in the actual programming being broadcast. As for those who do specifically tune in to listen to these broadcasts and programmes from overseas, there reasons for doing so may well be as broad ranging as the programmes themselves.
Personally speaking, I tend to tune to stations from countries that I hold a current interest in, whether that be due to impending holidays, what's in the news, or for any multitude of other reasons. China Radio International is a favourite choice at present, as it's a country high on the "to visit" list, and China is to make its mark felt worldwide in the years and decades to come. Unfortunately it's streaming audio quality, albeit at 32kbps, sounds pretty ropey.
In terms of programme quality the likes of Radio Netherlands and Deutsche Welle make for good choices, and they both provide a greater focus on European news, events and issues than the British media would normally tackle. I've been try to listen to Radio Australia and Radio Sweden as well, but am having trouble with their audio streams. Lest I forget the BBC World Service, although in the UK this can be conveniently heard on Digital Radio, which for the moment is still far superior to the vast majority of internet streams.
Admittedly, that is a fairly Westernised list. Generally speaking it is these stations that have the resources available to produce the highest standard of programming, and for my current requirement, to stream their broadcasts online. Yet if I was to list the stations who had enticed me to tune across the shortwave bands, it wouldn't be this familiar selection so much as those stations playing exotic music, with unfamiliar cultures, even in unknown languages. While listening to internet stations removes the unpredictable element of what you might hear, there's a great wealth of small stations available. These are in most cases domestic, so unlikely to broadcast in languages you can understand, but some element of the exotic through the music and programming remains.
Wiki-wah-wah-pedia
3am on a Friday night / Saturday morning feels like a somewhat less than illustrious time to be posting the 100th entry to this blog. Many other blogs achieve many more in a great deal less time, so although I'm glad I've reached this milestone of sorts, if anything I want to better it and surpass it, and reach the 200th post before too much longer.
I've come across Wikipedia in the past couple of days. I'd heard about it already, of course, but it was only during a google search for something or other that I actually ended up on the Wikipedia site for the first time. It's quite a resource, with entries covering a huge number of topics in surprising detail. It's maintained and expanded by the user base essentially, so I'm having a look at some of the areas I could submit some information on. It's a great fun idea, not to mention really useful for general research. The only thing is that with the quality being so high, it puts the pressure on to ensure all the facts are correct before posting an entry of your own.
Following the upload of about 35 RIAT photos on Thursday, I'm now putting together the finishing touches of a gallery of photos from my trip down the South-West last weekend. Once they're up I'll post something here to accompany it. It was a varied trip, and very enjoyable for it. More on it all soon.
I've come across Wikipedia in the past couple of days. I'd heard about it already, of course, but it was only during a google search for something or other that I actually ended up on the Wikipedia site for the first time. It's quite a resource, with entries covering a huge number of topics in surprising detail. It's maintained and expanded by the user base essentially, so I'm having a look at some of the areas I could submit some information on. It's a great fun idea, not to mention really useful for general research. The only thing is that with the quality being so high, it puts the pressure on to ensure all the facts are correct before posting an entry of your own.
Following the upload of about 35 RIAT photos on Thursday, I'm now putting together the finishing touches of a gallery of photos from my trip down the South-West last weekend. Once they're up I'll post something here to accompany it. It was a varied trip, and very enjoyable for it. More on it all soon.
20050811
Royal International Air Tattoo
I've finally put the bulk of my photo selection from this year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford on the photo gallery. I'll be adding a few more air display photos in the next few days, but pretty much all of the static photos I've selected are now on there.
RIAT cetainly makes for an enjoyable full day out. It was about 10 years since the last time I attended the RIAT, so it was good to see how things have changed. The Russian contingent enjoyed back in the 90s has been absent from the airshow scene for some years as I understand it, which is a shame, as it's nice to see some Migs and Sukhois intersperse the regular Tornados, F16s and like, but it's nevertheless good to see what the Western Air Forces have got to show off.
Now by no means think that the RIAT is in the same boat as Farnborough. The two are very different beasts. Farnborough is primarily a trade show, with a varied air display of both civil and military aircraft. The focus is very much on the latest hardware the aviation industry has to offer. You can quite easily see an Airbus A340 next to a Swedish Grippen. In contrast, RIAT is a show for the fans, that lets the air force display pilots show off their stuff. From the fighters pulling Gs to formation flying teams or the great thunder of some massive bomber, the RIAT has it all, and on a massive scale. Row upon row of aircraft make all other airshows pale into insignificance. Many other airshows may specialise in certain areas, but if you're wanting to see military hardware on show on a big scale, this is the show to attend.
RIAT cetainly makes for an enjoyable full day out. It was about 10 years since the last time I attended the RIAT, so it was good to see how things have changed. The Russian contingent enjoyed back in the 90s has been absent from the airshow scene for some years as I understand it, which is a shame, as it's nice to see some Migs and Sukhois intersperse the regular Tornados, F16s and like, but it's nevertheless good to see what the Western Air Forces have got to show off.
Now by no means think that the RIAT is in the same boat as Farnborough. The two are very different beasts. Farnborough is primarily a trade show, with a varied air display of both civil and military aircraft. The focus is very much on the latest hardware the aviation industry has to offer. You can quite easily see an Airbus A340 next to a Swedish Grippen. In contrast, RIAT is a show for the fans, that lets the air force display pilots show off their stuff. From the fighters pulling Gs to formation flying teams or the great thunder of some massive bomber, the RIAT has it all, and on a massive scale. Row upon row of aircraft make all other airshows pale into insignificance. Many other airshows may specialise in certain areas, but if you're wanting to see military hardware on show on a big scale, this is the show to attend.
20050809
Skype Out is in!
I used Skype Out for the first time yesterday. This is feature in the Skype Voice-over-IP client that allows Skype users to call landlines. It's not free as with Skype to Skype calls, but it is very cheap; calls to much of Europe, North America and a number of other places cost just over 1p per minute. And so after a couple of hours of chatting to friends in Europe, my Skype Out credit had little decreased, down to 7.80EUR from 10EUR to begin with.
In terms of the actually audio quality I was very impressed, and if anything it sounded louder and more colourful than the audio on my home phone. There was no noticeable lag either, so I was able to conduct a conversation like any other. Most impressive. The only problem I encountered was when I was e-mailing some photos to friend while chatting, where the person on the other end could barely hear me, while I could still here them. Rule to remember: no uploading or downloading while making calls! That was on my 1Mbps broadband connection at any rate.
I have until now been using a few of those networks with cheap international calls, where you dial an opt in number before calling. However given that I've had some problems with their connections, either due to noise on the line, disconnections of generally poor audio quality, I may keep one of them on as a backup, or might even do away with them altogether.
The Skype Out system uses pre-pay, whereby you purchase credit prior to making calls, which in itself is not greatly different to some of the international calling services, such as Alpha Telecom. The advantage with Skype is that the top-up amount starts at 10 Euros, which at £7 or there abouts is neither here nor there. If memory serves Alpha Telecom requires £15 top-ups. Skype is very much hassle free; everything is clearly available on the website - charges for all areas, calls made, credit remaining. I've received unsolicited calls from the Indian calls centres of the calling services I've used in the past, pestering you to buy credit as some special offer is on. I'll be looking forward to seeing the back of those too.
All in all, Skype is a masterpiece of modern telephony. As many people say about the service "it just works!" and indeed it does. The proliferation of broadband makes Skype a must have application, either for calling friends free on Skype-to-Skype, or calling landlines on Skype Out. Just get yourself a headset, or better still, a Skype USB phone to plug into your PC and you're away. I can't recommend it highly enough.
In terms of the actually audio quality I was very impressed, and if anything it sounded louder and more colourful than the audio on my home phone. There was no noticeable lag either, so I was able to conduct a conversation like any other. Most impressive. The only problem I encountered was when I was e-mailing some photos to friend while chatting, where the person on the other end could barely hear me, while I could still here them. Rule to remember: no uploading or downloading while making calls! That was on my 1Mbps broadband connection at any rate.
I have until now been using a few of those networks with cheap international calls, where you dial an opt in number before calling. However given that I've had some problems with their connections, either due to noise on the line, disconnections of generally poor audio quality, I may keep one of them on as a backup, or might even do away with them altogether.
The Skype Out system uses pre-pay, whereby you purchase credit prior to making calls, which in itself is not greatly different to some of the international calling services, such as Alpha Telecom. The advantage with Skype is that the top-up amount starts at 10 Euros, which at £7 or there abouts is neither here nor there. If memory serves Alpha Telecom requires £15 top-ups. Skype is very much hassle free; everything is clearly available on the website - charges for all areas, calls made, credit remaining. I've received unsolicited calls from the Indian calls centres of the calling services I've used in the past, pestering you to buy credit as some special offer is on. I'll be looking forward to seeing the back of those too.
All in all, Skype is a masterpiece of modern telephony. As many people say about the service "it just works!" and indeed it does. The proliferation of broadband makes Skype a must have application, either for calling friends free on Skype-to-Skype, or calling landlines on Skype Out. Just get yourself a headset, or better still, a Skype USB phone to plug into your PC and you're away. I can't recommend it highly enough.
20050808
Sowester
So it's back at work after a fine weekend away camping in the South-West. I've never really gone on a proper camping trip before, but this made for a lot of fun, even if on arrival at a rural site near Plymouth it was pitch black, raining, and we had little idea of how to get the tent up. However after a friendly helping hand from the people in the next tent we were away, and sheltered from what was particularly inclement weather.
It wasn't the 100% camping experience that some stalwart campers might argue for. We didn't cook our every meal off a gas stove. To be honest, we were far from sufficiently prepared for such a highlife. The most we managed ourselves was a few pots of tea and the best a Kelloggs Variety pack could offer. It's years since I've had some Frosties, and now there's even chocolate coated Frosties. Twice as heathy no doubt.
The South-West is fine corner of the country to visit, and it's easy to see why the campsites were chocka full of tourers. Craggy coasts pot marked with quaint fishing villages, and charming cliff-top walks, following the twists and turns of the coastline.
More tomorrow.
It wasn't the 100% camping experience that some stalwart campers might argue for. We didn't cook our every meal off a gas stove. To be honest, we were far from sufficiently prepared for such a highlife. The most we managed ourselves was a few pots of tea and the best a Kelloggs Variety pack could offer. It's years since I've had some Frosties, and now there's even chocolate coated Frosties. Twice as heathy no doubt.
The South-West is fine corner of the country to visit, and it's easy to see why the campsites were chocka full of tourers. Craggy coasts pot marked with quaint fishing villages, and charming cliff-top walks, following the twists and turns of the coastline.
More tomorrow.
20050802
Border birthdays
That just scared the hell out of me. UKTV History is on (due to lack of anything else being on) and I'm sure the continuity announcer is ex-Border TV from the mid-90s. It's as if I'd stepped back in time, and in location to the prestigious Border Television region; notable because it comprises 3 areas: The Scottish Borders, Cumbria, and the Isle of Man, none of which gives a damn or feels any particular link to the others. Anyway, must look up TV Ark. I'm sure it's Craig Austin or some such name. Crazy.
20050730
The return
It seems like weeks and weeks since I've last been on-line. In reality - it has, but finally the essential engineering works on the PC and done and dusted, and before much longer a normal service should resume.
During the downtime a lot has been happening, not to myself especially, but certainly in the wider world, and even just the wider city of London. The pace of the London bomb investigation in particular has been quite amazing in its rapidity, and a true credit to the Metropolitan Police. It's eight days since four poor excuses for human beings tried, but fortunately failed, in their attempts to set off what would have been a second round of explosions on the London Transport system. 8 days later, they are all under arrest by the Metropolitan Police, with one arrested in Rome of all places.
One of the men, while being arrested was asking the police officers involved if they were going to shoot him. This from a man who was seemingly quite content to blow up himself and those around him but a week ago. There are some truly twisted people out there.
There was good news that the IRA are moving towards a permanent end to violence, but otherwise the TV news has been dominated by pictures of famine in Niger, flooding in Mumbai, even tornados in Birmingham.
As for myself I've recently discovered the wide world of podcasting, which may promise a whole new niche of online audio content. Whereas streaming audio generally requires considerable infrastructure and cost to operate, creating pre-recorded downloadable shows is well within the reach of a much broader range of would-be content providers. I've sampled just a few programmes so far, but have been impressed with the generally high quality, both technically and in terms of content. As broadband continues to spread like wildfire, the provision of multi-media content beyond that of the text pages we have seen to date is looking much more viable, and within the reach of a considerable audience. As nearly all MP3 player owners will use their PC to transfer music and audio to their player, it's a logical, yet nevertheless masterful stroke to make available a wider range of content for MP3 players using the same platforms users are current familiar with. It's early days for Podcasting, but an interesting future may well lay ahead.
As for website news, time and internet access (or more accurately the lack thereof) has meant that only a handful of photos from the Royal International Air Tatoo have been added to the photo galleries, in addition to a few snaps from the mobile camera. There is, however, plenty more to be added, and a fair number of photos have been backing up, awaiting optimisation and upload. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before they'll be available online.
During the downtime a lot has been happening, not to myself especially, but certainly in the wider world, and even just the wider city of London. The pace of the London bomb investigation in particular has been quite amazing in its rapidity, and a true credit to the Metropolitan Police. It's eight days since four poor excuses for human beings tried, but fortunately failed, in their attempts to set off what would have been a second round of explosions on the London Transport system. 8 days later, they are all under arrest by the Metropolitan Police, with one arrested in Rome of all places.
One of the men, while being arrested was asking the police officers involved if they were going to shoot him. This from a man who was seemingly quite content to blow up himself and those around him but a week ago. There are some truly twisted people out there.
There was good news that the IRA are moving towards a permanent end to violence, but otherwise the TV news has been dominated by pictures of famine in Niger, flooding in Mumbai, even tornados in Birmingham.
As for myself I've recently discovered the wide world of podcasting, which may promise a whole new niche of online audio content. Whereas streaming audio generally requires considerable infrastructure and cost to operate, creating pre-recorded downloadable shows is well within the reach of a much broader range of would-be content providers. I've sampled just a few programmes so far, but have been impressed with the generally high quality, both technically and in terms of content. As broadband continues to spread like wildfire, the provision of multi-media content beyond that of the text pages we have seen to date is looking much more viable, and within the reach of a considerable audience. As nearly all MP3 player owners will use their PC to transfer music and audio to their player, it's a logical, yet nevertheless masterful stroke to make available a wider range of content for MP3 players using the same platforms users are current familiar with. It's early days for Podcasting, but an interesting future may well lay ahead.
As for website news, time and internet access (or more accurately the lack thereof) has meant that only a handful of photos from the Royal International Air Tatoo have been added to the photo galleries, in addition to a few snaps from the mobile camera. There is, however, plenty more to be added, and a fair number of photos have been backing up, awaiting optimisation and upload. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before they'll be available online.
20050710
News during downtime
My PC has been out of action for the past couple of weeks, which is why there's been nothing new either here on the website, although I'll hopefully be getting things back up and running shortly.
And what a week to be off the blog-scene. Wimbledon came to an end and normality returned to my little corner of London, yet that's about as far as normality went. Live8 kicked off with the mammouth musical experience to pressure the 8 world leaders to get their act into gear at the meeting in Gleneagles. Pressure was rising in Scotland as the G8 approached, but all focus was placed on it.
That was until London won the Olympics, and a sideline of euphoria in the city (and hopefully the country as a whole) made us feel good for a while.
Yet the feel-good feeling didn't last anywhere near as long as anyone expected, as the following morning bomb explosions swiftly changed moods and the focus of all those in London and much further afield. Over 50 are dead, yet the people of London gritted their teeth and proclaimed that it would business as usual. I'm in central London now on Sunday afternoon, and it seems as busy as ever. Not been on the tube yet, but that's due to the sunny weather rather than any fear factor. I can imagine some will feel put off for a while, but life goes on, and everywhere I look around, that is definitely what's happening. In the face of the atrocitity that occured just days ago, the city-wide attitude of resolve is truly fantastic.
Back to the G8, and although the focus wasn't there as much as would have been liked, their business continued and was concluded, and although it would never bring what everyone would have hoped for, there was a good deal of progress, not least it seems in bringing aid without the strings of privatising services of the developing nations, which normally meant benefits for the Western companies operating them, and increased problems in the countries supposedly benefiting.
I've never known a week like it. Such a roller-coaster ride of emotions, headlines, triumphs and tragedies. Apologies for this rather rushed update. Normal service will be resumed soon.
And what a week to be off the blog-scene. Wimbledon came to an end and normality returned to my little corner of London, yet that's about as far as normality went. Live8 kicked off with the mammouth musical experience to pressure the 8 world leaders to get their act into gear at the meeting in Gleneagles. Pressure was rising in Scotland as the G8 approached, but all focus was placed on it.
That was until London won the Olympics, and a sideline of euphoria in the city (and hopefully the country as a whole) made us feel good for a while.
Yet the feel-good feeling didn't last anywhere near as long as anyone expected, as the following morning bomb explosions swiftly changed moods and the focus of all those in London and much further afield. Over 50 are dead, yet the people of London gritted their teeth and proclaimed that it would business as usual. I'm in central London now on Sunday afternoon, and it seems as busy as ever. Not been on the tube yet, but that's due to the sunny weather rather than any fear factor. I can imagine some will feel put off for a while, but life goes on, and everywhere I look around, that is definitely what's happening. In the face of the atrocitity that occured just days ago, the city-wide attitude of resolve is truly fantastic.
Back to the G8, and although the focus wasn't there as much as would have been liked, their business continued and was concluded, and although it would never bring what everyone would have hoped for, there was a good deal of progress, not least it seems in bringing aid without the strings of privatising services of the developing nations, which normally meant benefits for the Western companies operating them, and increased problems in the countries supposedly benefiting.
I've never known a week like it. Such a roller-coaster ride of emotions, headlines, triumphs and tragedies. Apologies for this rather rushed update. Normal service will be resumed soon.
20050619
Formula farce
Today's American F1 Grand Prix proved to be a complete farce. I've never seen a race like it. Due to either a design flaw or the nature of the diamond-cut track (and quite possibly a combination of the two), cars with Michelin tyres experienced a considerable number of tyre failures during practice. This led to Michelin announcing on the Saturday that they couldn't guarantee the reliability of the tyres (and thus safety of the drivers) for more than about 10 - 15 laps. Not ideal for a 70+ lap race.
A compromise between all the teams should have been hammered out and sorted on Saturday evening, allowing the race to go ahead as normal, allowing the fans to have their race, but probably leading to Michelin runners to be penalised. What materialised was confusion up to the start of the race, where neither Ecclestone, nor Michelin, nor the teams would confirm what would happen. At the end of the formation lap all was revealed, as the Michelin running teams peeled off their cars in the pit lane and their respective garages, leaving just Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi cars on the circuit.
Stubborn, self-interested teams favouring commercial interests over the good of the sport prevailed, yet the American Grand Prix, and who knows, even F1 in the its current form, in the long term, may not. It's been a heavy price to pay. Millions of angry fans will surely be demanding answers, and by no means will they be alone. For what has been the most interesting F1 season for some time, this marks a particularly low point. It's all been a great mess, and the legacy of today's farce will be long remembered and felt throughout F1.
A compromise between all the teams should have been hammered out and sorted on Saturday evening, allowing the race to go ahead as normal, allowing the fans to have their race, but probably leading to Michelin runners to be penalised. What materialised was confusion up to the start of the race, where neither Ecclestone, nor Michelin, nor the teams would confirm what would happen. At the end of the formation lap all was revealed, as the Michelin running teams peeled off their cars in the pit lane and their respective garages, leaving just Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi cars on the circuit.
Stubborn, self-interested teams favouring commercial interests over the good of the sport prevailed, yet the American Grand Prix, and who knows, even F1 in the its current form, in the long term, may not. It's been a heavy price to pay. Millions of angry fans will surely be demanding answers, and by no means will they be alone. For what has been the most interesting F1 season for some time, this marks a particularly low point. It's all been a great mess, and the legacy of today's farce will be long remembered and felt throughout F1.
20050618
Europe
Given that the British media seems to concern itself with the inconsequential gossip of Hollywood so often, it's refreshing that so much focus is currently being placed on Europe. This is not without good reason, yet it's nevertheless refreshing, and a hopeful indicator that the importance of Europe for the UK will continue to be considered and noticed.
This evening's press conference by Blair following the meeting of European leaders and foreign ministers showed the Prime Minister looking the most angry that I can remember. His argument was well conveyed, and he made a well reasoned and sound defence of Britain's rebate. Certainly if the table I saw in the Times the other day was correct, Britain appears to contribute much more to the EU coffers than France, yet appears to receive a good deal less from the Union's handouts.
Right or not, it seems clear that the European leaders need to expend a good deal of effort in getting the Union's house in order. Member countries seem irreparably divided, and if the French and Dutch referendum votes are anything to go by, the people of Europe are none to happy with the direction of Europe and the way they've been consulted on the Union's direction thus far. I don't see any easy solutions, but it'll be interesting to see what ground is made during the summit.
This evening's press conference by Blair following the meeting of European leaders and foreign ministers showed the Prime Minister looking the most angry that I can remember. His argument was well conveyed, and he made a well reasoned and sound defence of Britain's rebate. Certainly if the table I saw in the Times the other day was correct, Britain appears to contribute much more to the EU coffers than France, yet appears to receive a good deal less from the Union's handouts.
Right or not, it seems clear that the European leaders need to expend a good deal of effort in getting the Union's house in order. Member countries seem irreparably divided, and if the French and Dutch referendum votes are anything to go by, the people of Europe are none to happy with the direction of Europe and the way they've been consulted on the Union's direction thus far. I don't see any easy solutions, but it'll be interesting to see what ground is made during the summit.
20050616
Mobile life
I've never been much interested in mobile phones until now. I'm not a big talker on the phone, and the people who I do talk to and in the main much to expensive to talk to by mobile. As a result, when I did get a mobile, (which incidentally I did some years later than my peers and only at the behest of my mother who wanted to keep in touch while I trapsed around Europe), it was a basic device on a cheap tarif. It served a limited purpose, but was at least handy for texting.
Times are changing however. Phones, cameras, walkmans, radios, mp3 players, previously all separate devices are now beginning to merge, and the result are some products which are very exciting in prospect. Whether or not I'd use it to make calls on, a new mobile can be used to take snaps on, and provide entertainment while walking or travelling around. The same computer games I was playing 15 or so years ago are now appearing for mobiles. Robocop, Gauntlet; it seems rather bizarre, but somehow a fitting tribute to those classics of yester-year.
For the first time, I've actually become interested in mobiles, and the 'mobile life' now attributed to the devices. I've spent not an inconsiderable amount of time and effort (although not yet money) into researching which mobile will do the job I want it to, or at least get as near to that as possible. I'd let mobile developments pass me by, as gimmicks such as downloading favourite football goals or music videos failed to impress. Now that I've sat up and taken notice, I'm actually quite impressed by how much is now being packed into these pocket-sized devices. It's taken some time to become familar with the technologies and features, but now, for the first time, I think I'll be looking forward to a new handset.
Times are changing however. Phones, cameras, walkmans, radios, mp3 players, previously all separate devices are now beginning to merge, and the result are some products which are very exciting in prospect. Whether or not I'd use it to make calls on, a new mobile can be used to take snaps on, and provide entertainment while walking or travelling around. The same computer games I was playing 15 or so years ago are now appearing for mobiles. Robocop, Gauntlet; it seems rather bizarre, but somehow a fitting tribute to those classics of yester-year.
For the first time, I've actually become interested in mobiles, and the 'mobile life' now attributed to the devices. I've spent not an inconsiderable amount of time and effort (although not yet money) into researching which mobile will do the job I want it to, or at least get as near to that as possible. I'd let mobile developments pass me by, as gimmicks such as downloading favourite football goals or music videos failed to impress. Now that I've sat up and taken notice, I'm actually quite impressed by how much is now being packed into these pocket-sized devices. It's taken some time to become familar with the technologies and features, but now, for the first time, I think I'll be looking forward to a new handset.
20050615
Advertising on Fotopic
Adverts have started appearing on the gallery homepages of those using the free Fotopic service, which gives 250Mb of space of photos, which is fair enough in my book. I've had to slightly alter the layout of my gallery's front page as a result of the new advert box, but it essentially remains the same. I'm slightly concerned that the Google adverts now appearing on my gallery front page all seem to be connected with Fireworks and pyrotechnics. I'm not entirely sure what this has to do with the vast majority of photos I have online. I'll have to see if it changes to anything more relevant given a bit of time.
20050614
The box
Television schedules are a depressing sight to behold at the moment. Simply scan the evening's offerings on the main channels, and a line-up of lowest common denominater, brain-numbing excuses for programmes fill the airwaves. Celebrity Love Island, Big Brother, Bad Girls on the commercial channels are typical sad examples of programming this evening, while even the BBC is showing Cutting It - a comedy about Hairdressers in Manchester. I can hardly wait.
As escape from the void of entertainment or information that the TV currently represents, I'm listening again to Radio 4's PM programme on which I've heard that today Bob Geldoff was slagging off Ebay because people have been selling Live8 tickets on the auction site. Not for long however, as fake £10,000,000 bids messed up the auctions of those profiteering from selling the tickets, and shortly later, following a frenzy of media coverage, the MD of Ebay pulled all the Live8 ticket auctions from the site. Peace is restored, but a lot of hot air and bluster has been expelled in the process. More entertaining than a sitcom about Mancunian hairdressers I'm sure.
As escape from the void of entertainment or information that the TV currently represents, I'm listening again to Radio 4's PM programme on which I've heard that today Bob Geldoff was slagging off Ebay because people have been selling Live8 tickets on the auction site. Not for long however, as fake £10,000,000 bids messed up the auctions of those profiteering from selling the tickets, and shortly later, following a frenzy of media coverage, the MD of Ebay pulled all the Live8 ticket auctions from the site. Peace is restored, but a lot of hot air and bluster has been expelled in the process. More entertaining than a sitcom about Mancunian hairdressers I'm sure.
20050609
The end is the beginning
I finally went to see Star Wars Episode III this evening. It was a worthy conclusion to to the double-trilogy (for want of a better phrase) and certainly superior to the previous two films. If I had to rank all of the films in terms of preference, I'm not sure where Episode III would nestle with the original three films. I think some rewatching of the originals is in order, not least as it helps place where the prequel Episode III concludes. I certainly wouldn't go so far to say it was a classic. It'll be remembered longer than many films of similar calibre, but coming more than a quarter of a century after A New Hope, it can't claim to be part of that original story of good vs evil that was so defining at the time.
Fans of the Star Wars series should see it, but that doesn't need to be said, as they will all have gone unquestioningly to the cinema already. For those who aren't fans, they'll not be missing out on a great film, and out of context of the films which surround it, much of the film's significance will be lost. You'll know what group you belong to, so do what needs to be done.
Fans of the Star Wars series should see it, but that doesn't need to be said, as they will all have gone unquestioningly to the cinema already. For those who aren't fans, they'll not be missing out on a great film, and out of context of the films which surround it, much of the film's significance will be lost. You'll know what group you belong to, so do what needs to be done.
Thursday
The weekend is beckoning (almost).
I was slightly peeved last night to see that the Cambridge Folk Music Festival had sold out already. In fact it sold out about a month ago. Oh well, there's always next year. It did at least make me think about planning which events I should make an effort to get to this year. I think I'll head to the International Air Tatoo, as I've not been to that in about 10 years, and last years experience at Farnborough was a good one. Plus, it would be a good opportunity to put my camera through its paces.
I was slightly peeved last night to see that the Cambridge Folk Music Festival had sold out already. In fact it sold out about a month ago. Oh well, there's always next year. It did at least make me think about planning which events I should make an effort to get to this year. I think I'll head to the International Air Tatoo, as I've not been to that in about 10 years, and last years experience at Farnborough was a good one. Plus, it would be a good opportunity to put my camera through its paces.
20050608
Yawn
Another late evening post, at a time when, all things being equal, I should be tucked up in bed getting some well needed rest for the next day's work.
Here in South West 19 the first signs of the impending tennis season are in evidence. Some of the local taxis are sporting a fruity Robinson's juice livery, the shop frontages are being tarted up, and even the ticket barriers at the station are sporting tennis related advertising.
That said, no-one's sure exactly sure when Wimbledon fortnight is taking place. "Towards the end of the month" seems to be the best I've manage to establish so far.
Hey-ho. One thing's for sure: when the tennis does arrive, I'm unlikely to miss it whether I want to or not!
Here in South West 19 the first signs of the impending tennis season are in evidence. Some of the local taxis are sporting a fruity Robinson's juice livery, the shop frontages are being tarted up, and even the ticket barriers at the station are sporting tennis related advertising.
That said, no-one's sure exactly sure when Wimbledon fortnight is taking place. "Towards the end of the month" seems to be the best I've manage to establish so far.
Hey-ho. One thing's for sure: when the tennis does arrive, I'm unlikely to miss it whether I want to or not!
20050607
Russian photos
The first photos are now online from my 2 week trip to St Petersburg Russia. Plenty more to follow as time permits.
http://danielatkinson.photoblog.co.uk/c567888.html
http://danielatkinson.photoblog.co.uk/c567888.html
20050516
Big brother is not being watched
Good god it's started. Those first few, insidious inserts placed between the ads on Channel 4. It's brief, you could miss it easily, but the logo and music is unmistakable. Big Brother is coming back...
...aha - the explanation, and thank goodness I'll be out of the country when it all kicks off. Another reason to enjoy being on holiday.
...aha - the explanation, and thank goodness I'll be out of the country when it all kicks off. Another reason to enjoy being on holiday.
Docu evening
The evening's been spent in front of the box watching a Channel 4 evening line-up of documentaries. First off was "Operation Muslim Vote", following the campaigning of MPACK (The Muslim Public Affairs Committee) at the general election just gone. Whether you agree with their campaign or not, that fact that anyone makde an effort to get the electoral out to vote has got to be a good thing.
Second this evening was "The Explosive 80s: the Storm and the Crash"; looking at the great storm of '87 and the stock market crash that followed. An unforgettable few days for a lot of people. I was only about 9 years old at the time, but I do remember a lot of it going on, particularly that the actor who played Renee in Allo Allo had been injured when a tree hit his car, and that the Topiary of the local Levens Park had been damaged by the high winds. I recall less about the stocks and shares, but I suppose that's not all that interesting when you're nine.
Second this evening was "The Explosive 80s: the Storm and the Crash"; looking at the great storm of '87 and the stock market crash that followed. An unforgettable few days for a lot of people. I was only about 9 years old at the time, but I do remember a lot of it going on, particularly that the actor who played Renee in Allo Allo had been injured when a tree hit his car, and that the Topiary of the local Levens Park had been damaged by the high winds. I recall less about the stocks and shares, but I suppose that's not all that interesting when you're nine.
20050512
Ebay
Ebay is one of those sites that be a lot of fun to browse and see the enormous range of stuff that's on sale. I rarely go there to find something I want; I'm generally of the opinion that I possess quite enough clutter already; however for those with the time and inclination, it's surely both a great buying and selling tool. Get rid of whatever you want clearing. My favourite auction at the moment is for a former Virgin Trains buffet car. Relive those moments as you ordered a giant cookie and a somewhat watery hot chocolate while en-route to a weekend away in London, or simply sell the thing for scrap. The possibilities are endless.
20050508
The election in review
It was another late night on Thursday, to watch and absorb as much election coverage as possible before I reached the point where, if I was to stay up any longer, it would no good to anything the following day at work. As it was, when I went to bed at 2pm, it was looking as if things might get quite interesting, that the LibDems might make real in-roads, and that maybe that the Labour majority would be a lot more severely slashed than predicted.
The next morning came and, rather disappointingly, the results were almost exactly as the exit-polls had forecast. Dull, predictable, and a retention of the status quo, although in the areas I had my eye on it was all change at least.
Here in Wimbledon the incumbent Labour MP lost out to the Tory candidate, and the constituency returned to its native shade of blue. In contrast, my home constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale bucked the trend and turned from being a staunch Conservative area to voting in the LibDems. I never though I'd see it happen, but it sounds as if the LibDems had been doing a great deal of campaigning locally, and I wonder if many others found the Tory pledges as off the boil as I did. As it was, Tim Collins was the only 'scalp' of the Shadow Cabinet that the LibDems managed in their plan of Conserative decapitation. At least it brought some rare media coverage to my native area.
The upshot of the results are that Blair admits he has been sent a message. Whether he does actually take this into account or not, we shall have to see, but we may see his ability to push through any old policy to be significantly checked. Furthermore, there's already dissent in the backbench Labour ranks as regards Blair's staying as party leader and PM. Blair has pledged to stay on, but turbulent times could well be in store.
On the opposition benches the Conservative didn't make the progress they'd hoped for, and, rather predictably, Michael Howard is stepping down as leader. This is fair enough though, as I believe Howard thinks he's given it his best shot, and the party still came up well short. Unlike that of his recent predecessors however, Howard's resignation is a rather more measured move, in that he's staying on until the procedure by which a new party leader is elected has been reformed. This does bring up the interesting question as to who may step up as a new leader. The Conservative party does seem to lack likeable, charismatic characters. With luck, someone may be waiting in the wings, and if one thing the country needs, it's an effective parliamentary opponent for Blair.
The LibDems did well in terms of share, but under the electoral system we current employ they have a difficult time of things making significant in-roads. They gained about a dozen seats to bring them up to 62, but you can understand their frustration when, under PR, they've have in the region of 150 seats.
Elsewhere a few independents got a look-in. George Galloway capitalised on the anti-war sentiment in East London, although I was pleased to see that Kilroy didn't get anywhere in his electoral hopes. I think people have seen through the tanned facade, not least through some of the documentaries aired on Channel 4.
Overall, it seems that each party failed to see the full picture. Labour needed to have their majority slashed to finally become aware of the public disquiet with the way they've been running things. I still don't think the Conservatives see where they've gone wrong, and I'm unsure if a new leader will change this. A uncertain future may still lie ahead there. As for the LibDems, they've done well to capitalise on national anti-war sentiment, but seemed to have focused their sights on capturing Tory seats, where in hindsight they should have be sureing up their current seats from Tory attack and plotting their course to make more in-roads into Labour territory.
In the end, the result was far from remarkable. It was predictable, and was accurately predicted. The fact that each party has squabbled for the middle ground on the same themes haven't helped matters, as the distinctiveness and endearing values of each party is in grave risk of being lost, leaving a bland middle-ground political mulch, inspiring few to vote and failing to enthuse the electorate in backing a distinctive road ahead. The Conservatives also lost out from an excessively negative campaign, while Labour similarly was too transfixed by the vampirish stare of Howard and did too little to highlight their successes. The LibDems also need to work on delivering a more decisive blow through more distinctive policies.
The new parliament will likely head in two directions. We may see change and a greater regard by the government for the dissenting opinions of the public, or we may seem much of the same. For the sake of politics in this country, I'm hoping for change.
The next morning came and, rather disappointingly, the results were almost exactly as the exit-polls had forecast. Dull, predictable, and a retention of the status quo, although in the areas I had my eye on it was all change at least.
Here in Wimbledon the incumbent Labour MP lost out to the Tory candidate, and the constituency returned to its native shade of blue. In contrast, my home constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale bucked the trend and turned from being a staunch Conservative area to voting in the LibDems. I never though I'd see it happen, but it sounds as if the LibDems had been doing a great deal of campaigning locally, and I wonder if many others found the Tory pledges as off the boil as I did. As it was, Tim Collins was the only 'scalp' of the Shadow Cabinet that the LibDems managed in their plan of Conserative decapitation. At least it brought some rare media coverage to my native area.
The upshot of the results are that Blair admits he has been sent a message. Whether he does actually take this into account or not, we shall have to see, but we may see his ability to push through any old policy to be significantly checked. Furthermore, there's already dissent in the backbench Labour ranks as regards Blair's staying as party leader and PM. Blair has pledged to stay on, but turbulent times could well be in store.
On the opposition benches the Conservative didn't make the progress they'd hoped for, and, rather predictably, Michael Howard is stepping down as leader. This is fair enough though, as I believe Howard thinks he's given it his best shot, and the party still came up well short. Unlike that of his recent predecessors however, Howard's resignation is a rather more measured move, in that he's staying on until the procedure by which a new party leader is elected has been reformed. This does bring up the interesting question as to who may step up as a new leader. The Conservative party does seem to lack likeable, charismatic characters. With luck, someone may be waiting in the wings, and if one thing the country needs, it's an effective parliamentary opponent for Blair.
The LibDems did well in terms of share, but under the electoral system we current employ they have a difficult time of things making significant in-roads. They gained about a dozen seats to bring them up to 62, but you can understand their frustration when, under PR, they've have in the region of 150 seats.
Elsewhere a few independents got a look-in. George Galloway capitalised on the anti-war sentiment in East London, although I was pleased to see that Kilroy didn't get anywhere in his electoral hopes. I think people have seen through the tanned facade, not least through some of the documentaries aired on Channel 4.
Overall, it seems that each party failed to see the full picture. Labour needed to have their majority slashed to finally become aware of the public disquiet with the way they've been running things. I still don't think the Conservatives see where they've gone wrong, and I'm unsure if a new leader will change this. A uncertain future may still lie ahead there. As for the LibDems, they've done well to capitalise on national anti-war sentiment, but seemed to have focused their sights on capturing Tory seats, where in hindsight they should have be sureing up their current seats from Tory attack and plotting their course to make more in-roads into Labour territory.
In the end, the result was far from remarkable. It was predictable, and was accurately predicted. The fact that each party has squabbled for the middle ground on the same themes haven't helped matters, as the distinctiveness and endearing values of each party is in grave risk of being lost, leaving a bland middle-ground political mulch, inspiring few to vote and failing to enthuse the electorate in backing a distinctive road ahead. The Conservatives also lost out from an excessively negative campaign, while Labour similarly was too transfixed by the vampirish stare of Howard and did too little to highlight their successes. The LibDems also need to work on delivering a more decisive blow through more distinctive policies.
The new parliament will likely head in two directions. We may see change and a greater regard by the government for the dissenting opinions of the public, or we may seem much of the same. For the sake of politics in this country, I'm hoping for change.
20050505
The big night
Well that's it, the deed is done. I have exercised my democratic right once again, and a night of speculation, statistical dissection, comment and swingometers is in store. It's been a funny one this time. Although the polls seem to be pretty similar, with a largely unspoken assumption that Labour will get in for another term, there's a noticeable absence of any mention of assured victory in the papers or elsewhere for that matter. There's a feeling of the election being pretty much up in the air still, and I've got to say, in stark contrast to the 2001 election, this makes for a potentially exciting result in prospect. Whether the reality will meet the expection is quite another matter, but for now, things are looking good for a night in front of the box.
I actually saw a chap with a large blue rosette in Wimbledon village on the way back home from work. It's the first real campaigner I've seen, excluding someone handing out leaflets for the independent candidate standing at the train station last week. The blue-rosetted man may have actually been the Conservative candidate for the constituency, and as such might be in with a look-in for the local seat. I was tempted to go up to him and bolster his spirits, as he was looking rather lost, studying a piece of paper with what I assume were the addresses of should-be Conservative households. However then I realised that I would have to own up to having no intention of voting for him, and I didn't want to spoil his afternoon, assuming someone hadn't done so already.
However if I had spoken to the possibly-local-Conservative-candidate-man, I expect I would have said something along the following lines: "Hello there! How's the last minute canvassing going?....all the best for this evening....no, I won't actually be voting for you, but then the chap I've voting for isn't likely to get in, and if you do oust the Labour guy and reduce their majority it'll be no bad thing." Good intentions, but sounding a touch insincere, so probably just as well I gave it a miss.
I actually saw a chap with a large blue rosette in Wimbledon village on the way back home from work. It's the first real campaigner I've seen, excluding someone handing out leaflets for the independent candidate standing at the train station last week. The blue-rosetted man may have actually been the Conservative candidate for the constituency, and as such might be in with a look-in for the local seat. I was tempted to go up to him and bolster his spirits, as he was looking rather lost, studying a piece of paper with what I assume were the addresses of should-be Conservative households. However then I realised that I would have to own up to having no intention of voting for him, and I didn't want to spoil his afternoon, assuming someone hadn't done so already.
However if I had spoken to the possibly-local-Conservative-candidate-man, I expect I would have said something along the following lines: "Hello there! How's the last minute canvassing going?....all the best for this evening....no, I won't actually be voting for you, but then the chap I've voting for isn't likely to get in, and if you do oust the Labour guy and reduce their majority it'll be no bad thing." Good intentions, but sounding a touch insincere, so probably just as well I gave it a miss.
20050502
Election time
I'm in the fortunate position of living in a marginal constituency; that relatively rare instance where one Member of Parliament is perilously close to being overthrown by an opposing candidate. That would, you would think, enhance interest in the campaigning going on upto polling day, now just three days away. Yet aside from a few posters around for an independent running on a take Blair to court banner, local excitement at the potential of an electorial upset has been utterly absent, with next to no evidence of posters in windows and candidates on the streets (at least at the times when I'm been treading the tarmac).
I see myself as an exception to most of the electorate. I studied politics, and I'm the sort of person who stays up to the wee small hours of the morning on election night to see the results being called across the country, and the picture of victory or defeat emerge for each respective party. Yet even I am having trouble with choosing a local candidate to vote for.
The problem is that my constituency has traditionally be a Conservative area, but since 1997 has been in the hands of Labour. Using the website whoshouldyouvotefor.com I've been able to affirm the parties whose policies at this election are most in-line with my own feelings. This would indicate that I should vote for the LibDems, yet they come a rather distant third in this area. I could then vote strategically: either to protest again Blair's push to war in Iraq and move toward a presidential-style of leadership by voting for the Tories, or to ensure that the Conservatives with their anti-immigrant policies don't get back in by voting Labour. Yet neither of these options are looking particularly enticing.
I come from a rural and traditionally Conservative area, and do prefer their countryside policies to the town and city focus of Labour, yet at this election the Conservative's policies seem completely at odds with what I value myself, or at best are of no particular interest to me.
With three days to go it seems that my decision on polling day may go as close to the wire as the overall vote in this marginal constituency.
I see myself as an exception to most of the electorate. I studied politics, and I'm the sort of person who stays up to the wee small hours of the morning on election night to see the results being called across the country, and the picture of victory or defeat emerge for each respective party. Yet even I am having trouble with choosing a local candidate to vote for.
The problem is that my constituency has traditionally be a Conservative area, but since 1997 has been in the hands of Labour. Using the website whoshouldyouvotefor.com I've been able to affirm the parties whose policies at this election are most in-line with my own feelings. This would indicate that I should vote for the LibDems, yet they come a rather distant third in this area. I could then vote strategically: either to protest again Blair's push to war in Iraq and move toward a presidential-style of leadership by voting for the Tories, or to ensure that the Conservatives with their anti-immigrant policies don't get back in by voting Labour. Yet neither of these options are looking particularly enticing.
I come from a rural and traditionally Conservative area, and do prefer their countryside policies to the town and city focus of Labour, yet at this election the Conservative's policies seem completely at odds with what I value myself, or at best are of no particular interest to me.
With three days to go it seems that my decision on polling day may go as close to the wire as the overall vote in this marginal constituency.
20050412
Robostory
To the person who kindly offered to make an episode of Robostory available, please drop me an e-mail at atkinsondt@hotmail.com as I've not got any way of contacting you.
20050406
Winter, summer and back
The weather has been taunting us recently, giving us a taste of 18 degree sun-filled days of strolls along a river and lazy days in the park, before plunging us head-long back into winter the following days, with chance of snow by the weekend. True to the photographic cause, I have as ever been out with the camera whenever the sun shineth, not to mention a good few occasions when it hasn't. You can see the first few of the processed March and April "Springtime" shots on the photographic website now. Ever better are the pick of the two-hundred or so photos I took while in Tallinn, Estonia, over Easter weekend, now also online. Being rather further North and East in location than trusty Londinium my friends and I were able to experience gloriously sunny weather and finger-numbing temperatures simultaneously. Highly recommended!
20050303
China week? China century more like
The Beeb is launching a week of programmes about China starting on Monday. It seems a little modest to give just a week to what it looking as becoming the dominant power of the century. However the timing isn't bad, as I've noticed increased awareness and discussion of China of late here in Britain, not least that more or less everything seems to be produced in China these days. The stars of the East, always influential but long rather insular, are now in ascendence.
I've an particular interest in China, in that it's likely to comprise a considerable chunk of my round-the-world trip that's currently in its early planning stages. I'll certainly be following the China-based programming the week ahead, not only to gather an idea of what to expect of my trip, but in examining what we may come to pass in the Chinese century.
I've an particular interest in China, in that it's likely to comprise a considerable chunk of my round-the-world trip that's currently in its early planning stages. I'll certainly be following the China-based programming the week ahead, not only to gather an idea of what to expect of my trip, but in examining what we may come to pass in the Chinese century.
20050221
Gallery updates
As promised, photos from Ellen MacArthur's visit to Greenwich on Sunday have been added to the January/February gallery, along with some scenes from Docklands. The December gallery has also been expanded at long last, with scenes from around London, going to show that even in the depths of winter the city remains appealing and striking.
20050220
Ellen MacArthur at Greenwich
It was completely out of the blue that I came upon the chance to see Ellen MacArthur in Greenwich today, who sailed down the Thames to celebrate her successful record-breaking solo journey with the good people on London. That said, there were well-wishers from all corners of the country who made the effort to travel down to London to pass on their congratulations to Britain's Dame of the Seas.
It's a remarkable effort for anyone, and put into even greater context when I consider that Ellen is a similar age to myself. It shows what can be achieved, and Ellen has becoming a guiding light and inspiration for many, not least with the charity in her name which enables sick children to go on sailing trips around the coastline of Britain.
Ellen MacArthur greets the hundreds of well-wishers and supporters in Greenwich today
Ellen's record-breaking tri-maran, which as I understand it is being donated to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
I'll add some higher quality photos of Ellen and her boat to the February photo gallery soon.
It's a remarkable effort for anyone, and put into even greater context when I consider that Ellen is a similar age to myself. It shows what can be achieved, and Ellen has becoming a guiding light and inspiration for many, not least with the charity in her name which enables sick children to go on sailing trips around the coastline of Britain.
Ellen MacArthur greets the hundreds of well-wishers and supporters in Greenwich today
Ellen's record-breaking tri-maran, which as I understand it is being donated to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
I'll add some higher quality photos of Ellen and her boat to the February photo gallery soon.
20050211
A varied selection from Sweden
What transpired to be a rather odd selection of photos from my trip to Gothenburg has now been added to the January & February 2005 gallery. Due to the weather being terminally grey for the most part, it wasn't the photos of historic buildings in central Gothenburg that turned out the best. Instead, it was odd shots at the distinctively Scandinavian bus station, which I travelled through each day, and the tiny 'City' airport shortly before leaving which made for the most striking pictures. I've added a few others for interest, including one of central Gothenburg, which needed a good deal of tweaking to remove the layer of grey murk, plus a shot looking Earthwards while airborne.
The compact terminal building at Gothenburg City airport, affectionately nicknamed the 'cattle shed'.
The compact terminal building at Gothenburg City airport, affectionately nicknamed the 'cattle shed'.
20050209
The travelling bear in photos
While browsing PBase, one of the websites that gives digital photographers plenty of free space to host their photo galleries, I came across the pages of "Frimpong: The Travelling Bear". If you've seen the film Amelie, you may remember that Amelie's father has a gnome who goes travelling around the world, much to the owner's bemusement. Frimpong does much the same, and, hosted by a PBase photographer in each destination he visits, the travelling bear sees the world and has a photographic diary to prove it. I would recommend it for children if it weren't for the amount of alcohol this bear gets through during his travels!
http://www.pbase.com/frimpong/
http://www.pbase.com/frimpong/
New for February
I was away in Gothenburg for most of the first week of February, which is why there's not been much new on the website for a few days. I've a few photos from the trip, but due the generally gloomy weather there's not much of great moment, and if anything I'll only be adding one or two images to the photo gallery.
On the positive side the days and definitely starting to lengthen. When leaving work in the evening the sky is changed from the black of the nightime to a lighter shade of blue. This means it's only a matter of time before some after-work evening photography will be possible. We're not quite there yet, but each passing day takes us ever further through Winter towards the heady wonders of Springtime.
On the positive side the days and definitely starting to lengthen. When leaving work in the evening the sky is changed from the black of the nightime to a lighter shade of blue. This means it's only a matter of time before some after-work evening photography will be possible. We're not quite there yet, but each passing day takes us ever further through Winter towards the heady wonders of Springtime.
20050207
Well done Ellen!
Ellen MacArthur has broken the solo round-the-world sailing record in 71 days 14 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds, beating the current record by over a day. She's due to arrive back into Falmouth harbour tomorrow morning, after more than 2 months, for what will undoubtedly be some mighty celebrations, and a well earned rest.
I was looking at the AISLive website to check out the shipping heading towards the English channel. I don't think Ellen's tri-maran will be shown on it, but it's good fun to have a look none-the-less. You can see just how incredibly busy the channel is, even at 10.30pm on a Monday evening. Once you register on the site you can even click on individual ships for live information and even a picture of the chosen vessel. Remarkable site, and a well used resource by those in the industry by all accounts.
I was looking at the AISLive website to check out the shipping heading towards the English channel. I don't think Ellen's tri-maran will be shown on it, but it's good fun to have a look none-the-less. You can see just how incredibly busy the channel is, even at 10.30pm on a Monday evening. Once you register on the site you can even click on individual ships for live information and even a picture of the chosen vessel. Remarkable site, and a well used resource by those in the industry by all accounts.
20050130
Historical shopping
Despite the blandness of modern highstreets, London is still home to a good deal of shops that look as if they've come from a previous age; and you can bet many of them have. The above is one such retailer, specialising in old maps, located near the British Museum, a good quarter of town to explore if you're in search of specialist shops.
20050129
"I bless this train..."
I've seen some strange things of the tube before: a carriage full of Santas, and quiz time at Earl's Court station; but today was a definite first. A man got into the carriage, where I was stood on my way to Green Park on the Piccadilly line, and with what I assume was a gold Catholic cross started blessing the carriage. He then hopped off and managed to get on the next carriage just before the doors closed. It was absolutely bizarre. Everyone around me gave each other quizical looks with supressed smirking. Words failed me at the time. Did this man know something we didn't? Was he doing what he thought to be his Christian duty, or perhaps he was employed by Transport for London. We shall never know, but it reminded me to always expect the unexpected when out and about in London.
20050125
In the past seven days...
Not a great deal of photography has been possible during the past week for one reason or another, even though the weather has been reasonable for the time of year. A visit to Ally Pally in North London at the weekend did however bring some unexpectedly good views across the city and further opportunity to experiment with the telephoto lens.
I've been able to find some time to update a little content, with a reorganised front page and an expanded links page, which can be found in the features section of the site.
More photos soon!
I've been able to find some time to update a little content, with a reorganised front page and an expanded links page, which can be found in the features section of the site.
More photos soon!
20050118
Ahoy: New photos
It was off to the Schroders London Boat show at the weekend. This wasn't my first boat show; I've happened upon and visited a few others on my travels in the past, Orillia in Canada, Genoa in Italy, even the America's Cup visiting Valencia last Autumn. It was about time then I felt that I headed to the local show and perhaps looked into the possibilities of getting some experience out on the ocean waves.
A few photos taken at the show gave me good reason to review some of the photos I'd taken this month so far. It's by no means the best time of year to head out with the camera, but I've manage to find a few opportunities as they arrive, and I've put some of my favourites onto my photo gallery.
A few photos taken at the show gave me good reason to review some of the photos I'd taken this month so far. It's by no means the best time of year to head out with the camera, but I've manage to find a few opportunities as they arrive, and I've put some of my favourites onto my photo gallery.
20050113
As near to summer as you get in winter
The past couple of days have been fantastic in terms of weather and photographic opportunities, to the extent that I've spent my lunch hours in a local park getting to grips with a new lens. Yesterday the squirrels made good subjects and today it was the turn of the insect life. I was actually surprised at just how many insects were around. They were probably taken just as much by surprise as the human population that the sunshine was giving quite some warmth in the depths of the winter. Even the bees were out, I kid you not, collecting pollen from the few remaining plants in flower. Here's a shot of just one such example of parklife in evidence today:
20050112
'Let us trim our hair in accordance with Socialist lifestyle'
I woke up on Monday morning to the Today programme on Radio 4, which at that moment was featuring a story about a crackdown on bad haircuts in North Korea. I only caught the end of it so I wasn't sure I'd actually heard what I'd heard. It sounded unlikely, and at the time I'd missed that it was taking place in North Korea, although I should have guessed; I mean, where else could it happen?
It seems that the North Korean government isn't keen on the shabbiness of men's haircuts, has authorised just 4-types of hair cut, and suggests that men get their hair cut every 15 days. 15 days! Here that would cost a fortune, and I imagine the number of barbers would explode overnight. However perhaps in the socialist dream of North Korea, barbers are provided by the state at reasonable prices. The idea is that those found to be guilty of toting poor hair-dos will be paraded on a TV show entitled 'Let us trim our hair in accordance with Socialist lifestyle'. Belief in ideology it burns still bright in a small corner of the globe it seems.
Read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4157121.stm
It seems that the North Korean government isn't keen on the shabbiness of men's haircuts, has authorised just 4-types of hair cut, and suggests that men get their hair cut every 15 days. 15 days! Here that would cost a fortune, and I imagine the number of barbers would explode overnight. However perhaps in the socialist dream of North Korea, barbers are provided by the state at reasonable prices. The idea is that those found to be guilty of toting poor hair-dos will be paraded on a TV show entitled 'Let us trim our hair in accordance with Socialist lifestyle'. Belief in ideology it burns still bright in a small corner of the globe it seems.
Read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4157121.stm
20050109
Back to the norm
Well the first (almost full) week back at work is over, and it's back to the normal routine. I've just about got through the last of the Christmas chocolate, so the post-Christmas diet starts here. I forced myself to go on a long walk this weekend, due to the calorific few days at work, where we've been striving, and largely successful in getting through all the remaining chocolate and cake to allow wall-to-wall healthy eating to ensue from this next week.
I went from Wimbledon to Richmond via the common and the park, which was as fine as any way I could think of spending a largely sunny Saturday afternoon. I'm definitely out of practice: I was well and truly worn out after the 3 and a bit hours it took, but it got me well in the mood for more walks as the unpredictable weather will allow.
I've never been to Richmond Park before, and aside from the traffic I was largely impressed, not least by the fine views of the central London and Wembley Stadium currently under reconstruction. It's definitely a park I'll be visiting again, as is Richmond itself, which from just outside the entrance to the park offers a remarkable view to the West, following the Thames and the inbound Heathrow flights which pass directly overhead.
I went from Wimbledon to Richmond via the common and the park, which was as fine as any way I could think of spending a largely sunny Saturday afternoon. I'm definitely out of practice: I was well and truly worn out after the 3 and a bit hours it took, but it got me well in the mood for more walks as the unpredictable weather will allow.
I've never been to Richmond Park before, and aside from the traffic I was largely impressed, not least by the fine views of the central London and Wembley Stadium currently under reconstruction. It's definitely a park I'll be visiting again, as is Richmond itself, which from just outside the entrance to the park offers a remarkable view to the West, following the Thames and the inbound Heathrow flights which pass directly overhead.
20050103
All over bar the coughing
Later today (after some hours of sleep, a spot of breakfast, and a drive to the local mainline station) I shall be heading back to the thrills and spills of life down London-way. It looks as if my various festive ailments will have largely subsidied just in the nick of time for me to start work again on Tuesday, although I have a suspicion that the irritating, tickly cough I'm currently hosting will prove just as endearing to my work colleagues over the coming days as it presently is proving to myself.
I blame the in-flight air-conditioning on the train up for distributing all of the bugs, bacteria and virii which would have otherwise been limited to a few unlucky carriers and their intimately held partners. All of these modern trains are hygenically sealed, as it's a well known fact that if a train tilts at 125mph with the windows open, all the air will fall out the side and everyone on-board will suffocate. So it is then that we have to endure recycled air instead, even though there's tonnes of the stuff in full fresh form rushing around the edges of a train at any given moment. Hopefully I'll avoid picking up a further bout of the lurgi tomorrow, but since I've not got over the first lot myself yet, I'll probably still have the honour of being one of the kind passengers passing around complimentary ailments along with a copy of the Times and a trademark BR curled-edge sandwich.
Next stop "you stun".
I blame the in-flight air-conditioning on the train up for distributing all of the bugs, bacteria and virii which would have otherwise been limited to a few unlucky carriers and their intimately held partners. All of these modern trains are hygenically sealed, as it's a well known fact that if a train tilts at 125mph with the windows open, all the air will fall out the side and everyone on-board will suffocate. So it is then that we have to endure recycled air instead, even though there's tonnes of the stuff in full fresh form rushing around the edges of a train at any given moment. Hopefully I'll avoid picking up a further bout of the lurgi tomorrow, but since I've not got over the first lot myself yet, I'll probably still have the honour of being one of the kind passengers passing around complimentary ailments along with a copy of the Times and a trademark BR curled-edge sandwich.
Next stop "you stun".
20050102
2005
Happy New Year by the way. Bah, the holidays are almost over, but then all good things must come to an end I suppose.
Back down south tomorrow.
Back down south tomorrow.
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