I was talking to a workmate yesterday about the really bizarre careers that some people make for themselves. Specifically, those women who model for the covers of crossword and puzzle books that they sell in newsagents. Imagine growing old and telling your Grandchildren that when you were a pretty young thing, you used to be a model, a crossword model.
It makes me think of the Queen's Of The Stone Age song called 'I was a teenage hand model', surely one of the greatest song titles. Now there is a great job. If I stop biting my nails, maybe one day I could make it as a hand model! But alas, all of this is a pipedream.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Friday, May 20, 2005
Beauty
I think that the song 'Your hand in mine' by explosions in the sky is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard, and I don't even know why it took me so long to get into this band.
Look them up, and if you use the iTunes Music Store, you can hear excerpts or buy their first album there.
Look them up, and if you use the iTunes Music Store, you can hear excerpts or buy their first album there.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
The people who send you spam
I thought I ought to post this up on my blog at some point. It's the response that an 'Anonymous Coward' posted on Slashdot in relation to a story about a millionaire spammer. I've chuckled at this little bit of writing several times over the past couple of years, and wish I could credit the Anonymous Coward properly.
We know where this one lives. Let's go kill him.
Of course, this is a joke. Surely there isn't a single person who reads Slashdot who has been so annoyed by spam that they would go so far as to kill him and burn down his house. Nope. Nobody like that. Even if that person would almost certainly be able to escape punishment if even a tiny amount of forethought were used in the attempt. After all, Virginia police couldn't even catch a homeless muslim sniper after multiple shootings; what are the odds they'll catch some geek who is actually paying attention to not leave any evidence behind?
Of course, this really is a joke. And everyone reading it should take it as a joke. Except for that one very special person. Yes, you my friend. You know what you must do...
We know where this one lives. Let's go kill him.
Of course, this is a joke. Surely there isn't a single person who reads Slashdot who has been so annoyed by spam that they would go so far as to kill him and burn down his house. Nope. Nobody like that. Even if that person would almost certainly be able to escape punishment if even a tiny amount of forethought were used in the attempt. After all, Virginia police couldn't even catch a homeless muslim sniper after multiple shootings; what are the odds they'll catch some geek who is actually paying attention to not leave any evidence behind?
Of course, this really is a joke. And everyone reading it should take it as a joke. Except for that one very special person. Yes, you my friend. You know what you must do...
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Overused words of the English language
urban: this means 'of the city'. It does not mean hip-hop and it is not a by-word for cool.
eclectic: this essentially means 'of varied sources'. It does not mean outlandish or unusual, and it is not a by-word for cool.
contemporary: this means 'current'. It does not mean futuristic, and it is not a by-word for cool kitchens.
eclectic: this essentially means 'of varied sources'. It does not mean outlandish or unusual, and it is not a by-word for cool.
contemporary: this means 'current'. It does not mean futuristic, and it is not a by-word for cool kitchens.
The Holy iPod
I think catholic insider has to be one of the most unusual websites I've ever seen, so I decided to flag it up here. Seriously, it's unintentionally funny and earnest in equal measure. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it before.
It's actually pretty cool for there to be a young cleric who actually understands technology doing something like this.
It's actually pretty cool for there to be a young cleric who actually understands technology doing something like this.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
It's been a strange weekend. In between lengthy recording sessions with the Holst Singers, I've spent the past weekend being stuck on a particularly difficult level of Rebel Strike on my Gamecube, but I'm determined to beat it.
Oh yeah, to any Gamecube owners out there, I would recommend the Logic3 Gamecube controller which Blockbuster video is selling for £4.99 at the moment. Beats paying £25 for the official one.
Oh yeah, to any Gamecube owners out there, I would recommend the Logic3 Gamecube controller which Blockbuster video is selling for £4.99 at the moment. Beats paying £25 for the official one.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Has it come to this?
Earlier today went over the Delicatessen Piacenza across the road from where I work, and picked up a fresh lasagne which I heated up for lunch. It was pretty damn excellent.
As we crossed the road, I saw a van driving towards us with 'CrackOUT' emblazoned on its side. The subheading said that it was a service to remove sex or drug related rubbish with a telephone number to call.
I've been asking myself what level of decline our society has reached where there's the need for a special separate organisation just to deal with the scale of this problem.
As we crossed the road, I saw a van driving towards us with 'CrackOUT' emblazoned on its side. The subheading said that it was a service to remove sex or drug related rubbish with a telephone number to call.
I've been asking myself what level of decline our society has reached where there's the need for a special separate organisation just to deal with the scale of this problem.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
The General Election: The Burning Issue (final)
New Labour will be voted in for a third term later today.
I saw an interesting programme on Channel 4 the other day that included excerpts from some sort of youth parliament. The one issue that brought together all of those present from all points on the political spectrum was the problem our generation faces attempting to get on the property ladder. I, for one, do not want to be stuck making the rentier class forever richer whilst treading water myself. By the time I'm a pensioner, I'll need a house to sell pay for my retirement anyway, and believe me I'm anxious enough about this already.
Yet MPs aren't really interested in debating this problem. The C4 programme contended that, since voter turnout among the young isn't high, or reliable in terms of party allegiance, it's not a sufficiently hot issue to occupy centre stage. A reduction of stamp duty to a level well below the average house doesn't wash either, and we all know it.
Right now, the only way I can see that I might ever be able to afford a house would be to win a gameshow or the lottery, or something. We all know that pinning your hopes on those odds is futile. But people with nice houses in nice areas hold something worth half a million or more thanks to the enormous inflation that's occurred in property.
When you think about it, the gap between the WWTBA Millionaire winner and the owner of a home has never been closer.
I saw an interesting programme on Channel 4 the other day that included excerpts from some sort of youth parliament. The one issue that brought together all of those present from all points on the political spectrum was the problem our generation faces attempting to get on the property ladder. I, for one, do not want to be stuck making the rentier class forever richer whilst treading water myself. By the time I'm a pensioner, I'll need a house to sell pay for my retirement anyway, and believe me I'm anxious enough about this already.
Yet MPs aren't really interested in debating this problem. The C4 programme contended that, since voter turnout among the young isn't high, or reliable in terms of party allegiance, it's not a sufficiently hot issue to occupy centre stage. A reduction of stamp duty to a level well below the average house doesn't wash either, and we all know it.
Right now, the only way I can see that I might ever be able to afford a house would be to win a gameshow or the lottery, or something. We all know that pinning your hopes on those odds is futile. But people with nice houses in nice areas hold something worth half a million or more thanks to the enormous inflation that's occurred in property.
When you think about it, the gap between the WWTBA Millionaire winner and the owner of a home has never been closer.
Deliberating in the pub (part 2)
The other thing that happened in the pub yesterday was that I went into the gents' and a man standing at a urinal announced in a strong Welsh accent: "I love a good piss, I do".
Out of friendliness, and to gloss over the fact that I hadn't had enough to drink to be discussing urine with a stranger, I asked him where abouts in Wales he was from. He replied that he was from Swansea. Tentatively I said, "Oh I'm from Cardiff".
He spat at the floor.
"You Jack bastard" I called after him, descending to his level. I remember from my days at PC World that this is the best insult for Swansea people.
This little exchange was relatively good-natured but underlines a sad truth.
A while ago I wrote about my belief that nationalism within the British Isles is a nonsense, and I still find it detestable, be it Scots, English or Welsh nationalism. But it's easy to forget that people seem to hate those closest to them geographically, and it makes little sense. It's a classic form of definition in antagonism to 'otherness' so loved by cultural anthropologists. I guess people must construct some kind of ranking system in their heads along the lines of:
Being from Swansea > Being from Cardiff > Being from Scotland > Being from England.
Dumb, isn't it.
Out of friendliness, and to gloss over the fact that I hadn't had enough to drink to be discussing urine with a stranger, I asked him where abouts in Wales he was from. He replied that he was from Swansea. Tentatively I said, "Oh I'm from Cardiff".
He spat at the floor.
"You Jack bastard" I called after him, descending to his level. I remember from my days at PC World that this is the best insult for Swansea people.
This little exchange was relatively good-natured but underlines a sad truth.
A while ago I wrote about my belief that nationalism within the British Isles is a nonsense, and I still find it detestable, be it Scots, English or Welsh nationalism. But it's easy to forget that people seem to hate those closest to them geographically, and it makes little sense. It's a classic form of definition in antagonism to 'otherness' so loved by cultural anthropologists. I guess people must construct some kind of ranking system in their heads along the lines of:
Being from Swansea > Being from Cardiff > Being from Scotland > Being from England.
Dumb, isn't it.
Deliberating in the pub (part 1)
I went for a quick drink before choir rehearsal yesterday with one of my workmates. I'd bought the first drinks, but when he went up to the bar to get the next ones, he insisted on getting clean glasses. I don't understand this at all, and I've seen a lot of people do it. If you're drinking the same drink several times, why on earth would you want to have a new glass?
1) You're increasing the chances that you get a glass with germs in it that might make you ill (the obsessive/compulsive argument).
2) You're causing more glasses to be washed, therefore adding to the amount of water wasted (the environmental argument)
3) You're causing more glasses to be washed, therefore tying up staff time and electricity in the process (the economic efficiency argument).
This is why the pitcher system in America makes sense. You don't find them asking for a new glass each time they have a drink.
I think this is simple choice actually exemplifies the doublethink that goes on among young people in the UK, including my peers. The very same people who talk about ending world poverty, increasing social justice etc. are so often the same people who see no wrong in being wasteful (and this is a major sin of our generation - the 'new glass syndrome' is this in microcosm) or spending vast amounts of money on hedonistic entertainment. It's deeply hypocritical to wear some dumb plastic wristband while you consume with the best of 'em.
1) You're increasing the chances that you get a glass with germs in it that might make you ill (the obsessive/compulsive argument).
2) You're causing more glasses to be washed, therefore adding to the amount of water wasted (the environmental argument)
3) You're causing more glasses to be washed, therefore tying up staff time and electricity in the process (the economic efficiency argument).
This is why the pitcher system in America makes sense. You don't find them asking for a new glass each time they have a drink.
I think this is simple choice actually exemplifies the doublethink that goes on among young people in the UK, including my peers. The very same people who talk about ending world poverty, increasing social justice etc. are so often the same people who see no wrong in being wasteful (and this is a major sin of our generation - the 'new glass syndrome' is this in microcosm) or spending vast amounts of money on hedonistic entertainment. It's deeply hypocritical to wear some dumb plastic wristband while you consume with the best of 'em.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Language, Timothy
Having just popped over to the shop across the road from where I work (known as the Crap Shop™, the official name, in use to this day, credited to the esteemed Giles Witcomb), I heard some people standing round, speaking about McDonalds. On the one hand, I can't imagine talking about McDonalds for as long as they seemed to be. Maybe they'd watched Supersize Me which was on TV recently. On the other, I noticed that a flame-haired woman kept saying Mackdonalds really loudly, with the stress on the Mack. And then I realised that I'm a snob.
Mayday
This weekend I'm going to Oxford (my favourite place in Britain) for the May Day celebrations, to catch up with both of my younger brothers, and to attend Naomi's concert at the Sheldonian Theatre. I'll hopefully be catching some bands tonight, as well.
I can't wait to get to Oxford. Without wishing to be nostalgic, I really love the city and all of the good friends of mine who are still there, and a big part of me misses the place. I think it's where I'd like to end up, eventually, and would be a good place to bring up children.
I can't wait to get to Oxford. Without wishing to be nostalgic, I really love the city and all of the good friends of mine who are still there, and a big part of me misses the place. I think it's where I'd like to end up, eventually, and would be a good place to bring up children.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Lightning
BAM! Some crazy-ass lightning just went off with a huge thunderclap. All of my workmates jumped. I ran over to unplug my iBook from the mains, to be on the safeside. Don't want this little feller getting fried.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Product Placement 2: Sennheiser PX100 Headphones
One thing that's been giving me enjoyment over the last few days are my new headphones.
Hands up. I have a headphone problem. They tend to last me no longer than 3 months of daily usage (that's around 3 hours per day minimum), and usually end up wearing out at the jack, or exhibit stress on the wires which ends up with only one side of the stereo working.
Well, apart from sounding damn good - and I'm talking a world away from the free iPod earbuds that Apple gives you or the several other pairs I've had from Sony, Philips and so on - they also carry a 2 year guarantee. At current rate of headphone exhaustion I could potentially get through 8 of these babies without having to pay out any more money.
They're £30 at Richer Sounds (but shop around, you might be able to get them for less on Ebay), and they also fold up. The sound is very 'hi-fi' sounding, which makes me realise that the poor sound I've been living with isn't so much due to mp3/AAC compression, but the cheap headphones.
If you see me, have a listen to something through these phones, and you'll see what I mean - they are very good.
Hands up. I have a headphone problem. They tend to last me no longer than 3 months of daily usage (that's around 3 hours per day minimum), and usually end up wearing out at the jack, or exhibit stress on the wires which ends up with only one side of the stereo working.
Well, apart from sounding damn good - and I'm talking a world away from the free iPod earbuds that Apple gives you or the several other pairs I've had from Sony, Philips and so on - they also carry a 2 year guarantee. At current rate of headphone exhaustion I could potentially get through 8 of these babies without having to pay out any more money.
They're £30 at Richer Sounds (but shop around, you might be able to get them for less on Ebay), and they also fold up. The sound is very 'hi-fi' sounding, which makes me realise that the poor sound I've been living with isn't so much due to mp3/AAC compression, but the cheap headphones.
If you see me, have a listen to something through these phones, and you'll see what I mean - they are very good.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Software Piracy
Last week I found myself talking to someone who's the founder of a fairly significant software company about things that I've found interesting recently, particularly the troubling issue of software patenting.
A few minutes into the conversation it occurred to me that his company's innovations have added a fair bit to value and useability in a specific field, for a certain type of computer user (I don't want to be specific here, which is becoming obvious by this point), but that about half of the people I know who use the product are using a cracked, pirate copy.
Piracy/cracking is a funny issue: I'm against it on one level - if you're making a living from using a piece of software (or, in the case of students, gaining qualifications through work produced with that specific programme) you really can't justify stealing what is an integral tool in the process. It's like a blacksmith nicking someone else's anvil.
On the other hand, I'm ambivalent about low-level piracy performed by people who just want to try out a programme, or those who might make occasional use of something for non-commercial ends.
Cracked versus copied software muddies these waters. I can think of times when I've made use of software purchased quite legally by a friend or relative, and at least in that situation the company has made profit from one sale of the product, and I'm certainly not going to add to their costs by asking for telephone support; I may well also end up purchasing my own copy at a later date.
The software the guy's company makes employs no physical protection methods, and, having once pressed a help desk person about their copy protection codes, I realised that their system for giving out codes is pretty rudimentary. Normally I'd be against software employing a USB dongle, but not in this case. Having to use up a USB port on a laptop where you might only have 2 ports total is a pain in the arse if you're using something that needs extra external hardware, like Logic Audio, but I don't think it would be so much of an issue in this case.
I'm sure it's all stuff the company has thought of, but it is strange talking to somebody who you've just met, who you know has been stolen-from, and feeling that you would like to tell him, but deciding it would only be irritating. So I held my tongue instead.
A few minutes into the conversation it occurred to me that his company's innovations have added a fair bit to value and useability in a specific field, for a certain type of computer user (I don't want to be specific here, which is becoming obvious by this point), but that about half of the people I know who use the product are using a cracked, pirate copy.
Piracy/cracking is a funny issue: I'm against it on one level - if you're making a living from using a piece of software (or, in the case of students, gaining qualifications through work produced with that specific programme) you really can't justify stealing what is an integral tool in the process. It's like a blacksmith nicking someone else's anvil.
On the other hand, I'm ambivalent about low-level piracy performed by people who just want to try out a programme, or those who might make occasional use of something for non-commercial ends.
Cracked versus copied software muddies these waters. I can think of times when I've made use of software purchased quite legally by a friend or relative, and at least in that situation the company has made profit from one sale of the product, and I'm certainly not going to add to their costs by asking for telephone support; I may well also end up purchasing my own copy at a later date.
The software the guy's company makes employs no physical protection methods, and, having once pressed a help desk person about their copy protection codes, I realised that their system for giving out codes is pretty rudimentary. Normally I'd be against software employing a USB dongle, but not in this case. Having to use up a USB port on a laptop where you might only have 2 ports total is a pain in the arse if you're using something that needs extra external hardware, like Logic Audio, but I don't think it would be so much of an issue in this case.
I'm sure it's all stuff the company has thought of, but it is strange talking to somebody who you've just met, who you know has been stolen-from, and feeling that you would like to tell him, but deciding it would only be irritating. So I held my tongue instead.
Friday, April 22, 2005
No vote
Damn, I've just found out that I'm not on the electoral register. I called up Tower Hamlets to find out why we haven't been sent a polling card and they suggested that I should check with the last place I was registered. I called Oxford City Council only to find out that they wipe all students off the register, annually. Well, that's it then. I suppose. Too late to register for this election, and I don't exist where I last existed. I know I should have looked into it earlier, but I am frustrated that Tower Hamlets borough council don't share info between departments. You would have thought that paying council tax and all the details they get from you when you do that actually counted for something. Not currently (although they are considering it).
The deadline to register was also 6 weeks ago incidentally, i.e. before they called the General Election. That doesn't seem entirely fair, to me, either.
The deadline to register was also 6 weeks ago incidentally, i.e. before they called the General Election. That doesn't seem entirely fair, to me, either.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Triple Drat
There's something strange, in the neighbourhood...
My phone has started acting up this morning, so I may not be able to make outgoing calls, if the problem persists. Therefore, if you're expecting me to call you and you're wondering why I'm not calling you, it's probably because I can't. So please ring me, and it looks like it should work for answering, at the least.
My phone has started acting up this morning, so I may not be able to make outgoing calls, if the problem persists. Therefore, if you're expecting me to call you and you're wondering why I'm not calling you, it's probably because I can't. So please ring me, and it looks like it should work for answering, at the least.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Product Placement
Unlike the people at FHM, Maxim etc., when I use my blog to tell my readership something is good, it's not because I'm being paid to do it.
So, in light of my love for all humanity, I thought I'd pass on the observation that the Botanics range of products from Boots are very very good. Speaking as someone who doesn't believe in the concept of male grooming, I must say that the mens' face wash and the shaving foam (that I discovered more recently) are really good if you have sensitive or spot-prone skin. Seriously. Stay with me here, try the stuff out and then you can tell me if I'm wrong.
The gentle, unstringent nature of these products comes from them being based upon plant extracts; this leads me on to thinking about the number of adverts you see these days for products containing aloe vera (washing powders, shampoos, toilet tissues!). It's a wonder that there are enough aloe plants to meet the demand, assuming there's not a synthetic process for replicating the extract. Anyway, aloe vera is pretty cool stuff - when I went on a choir tour to the Caribbean in 2001, breaking open a leaf and putting the extract of that plant on my skin was pretty much the only relief I could get from sun burn and mosquito stings. You've got to love nature.
So, in light of my love for all humanity, I thought I'd pass on the observation that the Botanics range of products from Boots are very very good. Speaking as someone who doesn't believe in the concept of male grooming, I must say that the mens' face wash and the shaving foam (that I discovered more recently) are really good if you have sensitive or spot-prone skin. Seriously. Stay with me here, try the stuff out and then you can tell me if I'm wrong.
The gentle, unstringent nature of these products comes from them being based upon plant extracts; this leads me on to thinking about the number of adverts you see these days for products containing aloe vera (washing powders, shampoos, toilet tissues!). It's a wonder that there are enough aloe plants to meet the demand, assuming there's not a synthetic process for replicating the extract. Anyway, aloe vera is pretty cool stuff - when I went on a choir tour to the Caribbean in 2001, breaking open a leaf and putting the extract of that plant on my skin was pretty much the only relief I could get from sun burn and mosquito stings. You've got to love nature.
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