December 31, 2003
New Years Eve
Firstly I would like to wish any readers (although I doubt there's many), a Happy New Year. I would suggest making the News Years resolution "Not To Make Any New Years Resolutions" and I am sure you will be able to keep it.
I will be off to the Pub on New Years Eve and found out that a band called Roadhouse will be playing. Quote from Roadhouse Website:-
Wednesday December 31st, on a magical New Years Eve why not join us at The Fielder and Firkin, lower High St Sutton, near Burger King. This venue is trying very hard to put the life in Sutton, so come and show your support. Music from 9.45 till the New Year arrives.
Most of the Bands that The Fielder and Firkin get to play are petty good, so I am in no doubt I will be having a good night.
To find some good UK pubs if not in Sutton area, then check out Campaign for Real Ale web site.
And for the Morning after don't forget the Alka-Seltzer. Live from my friend Deb in Canada is another possible hangover cure, which she claims works called a Ceasar. Enjoy!
December 28, 2003
Channel 4's Top 100's
From Channel 4 UK THE 100 SITES. These are list which the British public voted on and then shown as programs on Channel4. I would doubt you could read any of the lists without knowing any of 100 listed.
But hopefully you will enjoy reading them!
GREATEST
Films, Kids' TV Shows, Movie Stars, Musicals, Scary Moments, Sexy Moments, Sporting Moments, TV Characters, TV Treats and World Cup Moments
WORST
Britons and Pop Records
December 26, 2003
Boxing Day?
How did Boxing Day get it's name?
Was it Throwing all Rubbish in a Box from Christmas Day?
A Boxing Match put on on day after Christmas day?
Or Something Else? Click Continue to find out
The holiday Boxing Day may get it's name from the 19th century English custom of giving Christmas boxes containing food or money to family servants and suppliers, the day after Christmas.
Another possibility is Boxing Day may have come from the opening of church poor boxes that day.
The most basic understanding is that gifts, or boxes, were given to those who were less fortunate, on the day after Christmas, while gifts to those with equal standing were given on Christmas day.
It is also known as, the Feast of St. Stephen, or St. Stephen's Day - the first Christian martyr.
It is most often celebrated in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada on December 26.
Although it is a statutory holiday in these countries it is not celebrated as such. Most countries host Boxing Day sales on that day which have little or nothing to do with the holiday at all.
December 25, 2003
December 22, 2003
Movable Type 3.0
Quote from Movable Type News - 12.22.2003
We realize that official news has been scarce over the last 6-9 months. During this time, our company has grown from two people to seven, and we have launched TypePad. Now that we have hired more engineering resources (and we are still looking for more), we are able to focus again on our Movable Type product line. As mentioned in this post on the Six Log, we're focusing on releasing more personal features in the basic Movable Type package, and concentrating features for businesses, organizations, and large content-driven sites into Movable Type Pro (which, needless to say, has been delayed).
The next version of Movable Type will be version 3.0, a significant and free upgrade. Many oft-requested features will be integrated into this release, including:
Comment registration. As a response to both comment spam and to the increased usage of Movable Type on large community sites, we'll be adding the option to restrict comments to registered users.
Improved comment and TrackBack management features.
New API hooks for plugin developers. Plugins will now be able to hook into many more pieces of Movable Type, including adding callbacks for saving and removing objects, building application methods with integration into the UI, and hooking into the publishing process. This opens up possibilities for plugins to add even more advanced functionality than they're able to do now.
User interface rebuilt using CSS. We've seen with TypePad that a CSS-based interface gives users very fast application response times, and gives us a flexible interface for making application-wide changes, and we want to give this same speed and flexibility to Movable Type users.
Support for the Atom API. We've already added Atom syndication feed support in version 2.65 of Movable Type, and we'll be adding publishing support for the API in 3.0.
In addition to the above, we'll be integrating some features into 3.0 that we're not yet ready to announce, but which we know will be very exciting to MT users. Additionally, for those interested in posting from mobile devices, we expect this to be a welcome release.
Movable Type 3.0 will be a free download and upgrade. We have full-time engineering resources devoted to this new version, and we plan to have a beta release in early Q1 of 2024.
November 27, 2003
November 22, 2003
A Segway on Stage
Did anyone see Peter Gabriel on Stage in Cardiff on Children in Need on BBC1. He was doing his performance on a Segway scooter. And unlike some other famous people he managed to stay on it.!
If you want to know who I am talking about click Continue reading "A Segway on Stage" to find out who!
Yep! George W. Bush!
November 19, 2003
Safari MT Bookmarklet Code
As the original code supplied with Movable Type doesn't work with the Apple Mac OS X program Safari, here is some code I got so you can use the MT Bookmarklet function (edited for use with SymbianDiaries):-
Continue reading "Safari MT Bookmarklet Code" to view the code.
javascript:d=document;t='';void(window.open('http://www.symbiandiaries.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi?is_bm=1&bm;_show=trackback,category,allow_comments,allow_pings,excerpt,text_more,keywords&__mode=view&_type=entry&link;_title='+escape(d.title)+'&link;_href='+escape(d.location.href)+'&text;='+escape(t),'_blank','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=840,status=yes,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes'))
November 12, 2003
Clarinet Wanted - Swap for QY20
I have a Yamaha QY20 Sequencer but as I haven't used in a while, and would like to learn another instrument, if anyone has a Clarinet or Flute with which to make a Swap, please get in touch by Clicking Here. Please include what make and model of Clarinet/Flute you have and also where you are located as I am in London and would prefer to swap in person, but could use an Escrow service.
The QY20 is a powerful little machine-- it comes equipped with a tone generator, fully polyphonic sequencer, drum machines and a bunch of other cool features. It has 8 tracks (4 for sequenceing and 4 accompaniment tracks (2 chord, bass and drums (8 different drum sets are available))). For the sequencer you can use 100 different voices (guitars, brass, strings and many others) which can be recorded in real time- or in step-mode. The QY20 has an 1 octave keyboard included, but for home use you can plug any MIDI keyboard (even with attack dynamics).
November 08, 2003
SD Button Logos
I have made a couple of Button Logos for SymbianDiaries and if you have a SymbianDiary, please feel free to use them (I am using Version 2).
October 31, 2003
Pay Day!
Well another pay day has arrived, but as the unions are still fighting for our pay rise, I haven't had my July pay rise yet.
But as on occasions I do work of the next grade in the office, I have more than I normally get.
On a lighter point, I am off to a "Chinese Karaoke" tonight. What is a "Chinese Karaoke" I hear you ask. Near where I live is a restaurant that serves Chinese food (£9.50 for all you can eat) in a buffet (serve yourself) style and throughout the evening there is Karaoke singing as well (not that you want to hear me sing).
May post some photos tomorrow if I take my camera!
October 25, 2003
X-Files Madness
I like the Program The X-Files but after watching Star Trek (The Next Generation) at 12:00 I was not sure if I was seeing right on the EPG on my cable box.
But after checking on Yahoo(UK)'s TV guide it was confirmed that The X-Files was indeed on 3 channels at the same time.
BBC 2 - 12:35 AM The X-Files
ITV1 - 12:00 AM The X-Files (Movie)
Sky One 1:00 AM The X-Files
You have to wonder if the 3 Big TV companies (BBC, ITV, SKY) were trying to out do each other or whether it was a complete fluke.
October 24, 2003
How spammers are targeting blogs
Was a interesting article on the BBC website about a new tool for spammers. It the lowly Comments box for your Blog. To read this story Click Here for the BBC article on "FlyBlogging" (as it's called).
Also the creators of Movable Type have a section all about this new "Spam". To view Click Here.
October 18, 2003
Hello SymbianDiaries!
Hooray! I have finally arrived. Today I have moved my Blog from Blogger to SymbianDiaries.com running Movable Type.
To read more on why click on Continue reading "Hello SymbianDiaries!"
This decision was made as I have 1993/4 diaries that I would like to bring online and Blogger would only allow postings back to 1999. I was also having no luck setting Movable Type up on my Mac at home.
Plus as a Symbian User what could be better than having a SymbianDiary.
Thanks Guys for having me, and I know I am going to enjoy blogging here!
On This Day - 1963: Aristocrat is new prime minister
A Scottish Earl, Lord Home, wins a bitter contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party to become Britain's new prime minister.
October 17, 2003
AllAboutSymbian Journal
After seeing a post by another forum member at AllAboutSymbian, I went to the site BookCrossing to see what it was all about.
When I went to the Most travelled section, I was entigued by the EuroBookCrosser's Diary #1 and thought I would have to get involved, and knew the easiest way was to start my own.
I chatted to the forum member who posted the original mesage and decided to set up one for AllAboutSymbian.
Well after buying the book and adding my stuff to it, is now winging it's way (by airmail) to Finland. Once that member has added her bits, will be off to Macedonia.
As we may be having another AllAboutSymbian Pub Meet in November, it will then be sent back to me so I can take along to get some more people to fill in and then off will be taken home for another member to continue it's journey!
On This Day - 1956: Queen switches on nuclear power
The Queen opens the world's first full-scale nuclear power station, at Calder Hall in Cumberland.
September 29, 2003
Guest Map!
I have had an idea for a new guestmap. Instead of a virtual one, I will either be using a large pin board or my wall. I will then take a photo and upload to my website when a new person is added to it.
I will probably use my pin board and get some cloth paint. The only problem could be that I am a terrible artist, but am sure a solution will present itself.
Keep a watch out for the new map!
On This Day - 1978: Catholics mourn Pope's death
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church dies after the shortest papal reign in history.
September 26, 2003
Dr Who?
What have William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Richard Hurndall, Peter Cushing, Terry Marsh, Sylvester McCoy & Paul McGann got in common? Yep they are all stars who played the Doctor, but another name will soon be added to the infamous Role Call.
The new series will be written by a Self Confessed Doctor Who fan Russell T Davies, although the BBC has said it is far too early to discuss possible storylines, characters, villains or who might play Doctor Who - and no budget has yet been set.
Quote "However, we're at the very early stages of development and further details, including casting, will not be available for some time."
Read BBC News Article Here
Doctor Who BBC Site Click Here
On This Day - 1973: Concorde slashes Atlantic flight time
Concorde makes its first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in record-breaking time.
September 25, 2003
New All About Symbian Moderator
I have recently been made a moderator on All About Symbian forum.
I will obviously need guidance from the admin team on my role, but am looking forward to playing a part in the running the forum.
On another side issue, I belive there may be another All About Symbian pub meet in November which is also when my birthday is and I have 2 weeks leave then as well!
On This Day - 1975: First Britons conquer Everest
Dougal Haston and Doug Scott become the first Britons to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain.
September 21, 2003
The Human Clock
How about this as your online clock. You can even submit your own photos!
The Human Clock
On This Day - 1998: Clinton's Grand Jury testimony released
Bill Clinton's testimony about his relationship with a young female assistant is released to the United States public.
September 18, 2003
Shiver Me Timbers!
Make aye you have a fun day on t'19th September as it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day!
So if you wantt'join in on t'fun, make aye you check out t'followin' sites
International Talk Like A Pirate Day Web site.
Official British Headquarters for International Talk Like A Pirate Day
Online Pirate Translator.
So don't ye be Lily-livered Landlubbers and give it a try ye scurvy dogs!!
On This Day - 1987: Superpower treaty to scrap warheads
The United States and the USSR are to sign an agreement later this year to reduce the number of nuclear missiles.
September 17, 2003
Offline Woes
I was going to spend my evening as I usually do online and visiting sites and chatting to online friends.
But when I got in at 5:00pm and turned on the computer, I soon realised I was in for a night off problems.
I went to my home page at My Yahoo but got an error message. Upon checking my Cable Modem I had the Power/Receive/Send/Online light flashing. On this model that usually means that it cannot connect to the ISP.
As I had had a hard day at work that I would sit down and watch television. I feel asleep after watching The Simpsons at about 8pm and woke around 11pm. I went back to my computer and the Cable Modem had connected with the ISP.
Around an hour later I was offline again. So I phoned my ISP and there was a recording say there was connection problems in 2 towns near me but not mentioning my town, so I held the line to talk to an adviser. I had to change my computers set up so one was connected direct to Cable Modem and was talked though checking the settings.
Eventually he concluded that I was probably being affected my the outages in the other local towns.
But I have to say that although I was not able to connect via Cable Modem, the adviser said that he would put a note on my account so I could use the Dial-Up service.
I had to write this offline in a text editor as even at 4:30 in the morning, it was still down, but I connected via Dial-Up to put this on my blog.
On This Day - 1977: T-Rex singer killed in car smash
Pop star Marc Bolan is killed in a car crash in south-west London.
September 15, 2003
The 90th Birthday Party
This is not quite as it seems. At the beginning of next month, 2 of my colleagues are both celebrating their birthdays. One wil be 40 years old and one will be 50 years old.
So being the mad bunch we are at work, we are advertising it as their 90th Birthday Party!
We have decided to take them to a Italian Restaurant in our local town. A couple of staff have been there, but most haven't. The ones who have been said they even had a Guitar player who plays an acoustic guitar.
I am sure looking back on other Birthday meals we have gone on, that this will be on hell of a night!
I did suggest that after we go to the local night club/pub that is open until 2am after the meal, but as most of my colleagues are a lot older than me, they said would be a bad idea. But the ones who would go to the club were not present when I made this suggestion. Who Knows?!
On This Day - 1964: The Sun newspaper is born
The Sun newspaper is published today for the first time. It is replacing the Daily Herald.
September 14, 2003
Elingsh Uinervtisy Rscheearch
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by it slef but the wrod as a wlohe.
On This Day - 1981: Queen's 'fantasy assassin' jailed
A teenage boy who fired blank shots at the Queen last June pleads guilty to a charge under the 1848 Treason Act.
September 11, 2003
More David Blaine Magic?
Well I have just checked my Stats for this site (everything under www.gadget17.myby.co.uk) and out of the top 20 search strings to find my site, David Blaine has 19 of them (only number 17 is not related). He manages to make up 73.94% or more of all search strings to my site!
I wonder if this post will increase the number of hits here??? To view the last David Blaine post Click Here
September 10, 2003
Missing Children
I am writing this on the bus. The driver got a message on his radio to all London Bus drivers saying Thank You for your help in looking out for this child, but they have been found.
It's a great idea that when a child goes missing, that the drivers can help, and are assisting Emergency Services.
Keep Up The Good Work.
On This Day - 1973: Bomb blasts rock central London
Scotland Yard hunts a teenage suspect after two bombs at mainline stations injure 13 people and bring chaos to central London.
September 09, 2003
Celedaq
I have now made over £5 million on Celebdaq. The down side is my available cash is back to £10,000, but have inmmediately invested in Arnold Schwarzenegger & David Blaine.
In regards to Work, I will be on Temp promotion to the next grade for 3 weeks! (Hooray More Money)!
On This Day - 1087: William 'the Conqueror' dies
King William of England dies, five weeks after being seriously injured at the Battle of Mantes.
September 06, 2003
Canadian Friends
Well, this has been a great night!
I have been chatting to a friend I haven't chatted to for a while on MSN, including Video and Audio, and at the time of posting this we have chatted for over 5 hours.
So wanted to say it's been a great night.
So here's to Kath, Deanna, Jordan, Kenzie, Kianna & Gerlinde.
On This Day - 1997: Diana's funeral watched by millions
Britain and the world say farewell to Diana, Princess of Wales, at the end of an unprecedented week of mourning.
September 03, 2003
Promotion on Lycos WebCentre
Hi,
I would like you to benefit from a promotion on Lycos WebCentre and allow you to have your real professional presence on the web.
Lycos WebCentre provides professional hosting solutions: from domain names to hosting packages.
By using my username (gadget17com) and sponsorship code (b4b0f67dae) during your order process, you will benefit from a 15% discount on your first order.
Don't waste time, create your Internet presence now: http://webcentre.lycos.co.uk/!
Regards, Paul G.
On This Day - 1954: National Trust buys remote island
The National Trust purchases Fair Isle in northern Scotland famous for its bird sanctuary and knitted sweaters.
September 01, 2003
Why Change a Name?
Why do corporations feel they have to change Brand Names?
Marathon (Snickers) , Immac (Veet) , Royal Mail (Consignia) , Coco Pops (Coco crispies although changed back) , Kentucky Fried Chicken (Now just KFC) and even Handango.com was previously called something else.
What prompted me to write this is Cadbury's Camarel is now apparently Cadbury's Dairy Milk Caramel
On This Day - 1960: Game on for British betting shops
Britain's first betting shops will be allowed to open for business from May 1961, the government announces.
August 31, 2003
Easy Week
Well next week (from 1st September 2003) I have a fairly easy week. The Monday and Friday I am on leave (one day is Flexi and one day is Annual leave.
The rest of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) I am on a course as later in the year my office is getting new computers and as the Systems Admin I have to be trained for the new hardware.
And with the Bank Holiday last week, that is 3 long weekends in a row!!
Above the Below
I have a theory about David Blaine's latest stunt were he will be suspended above the Thames river for 44 days. They say he will live on nothing but water.
This could be true, but if you look to the Movies, the glass the stuntmen/women usually jump through is made out of sugar, but looks like normal glass.
So taking this idea, he could have sheets of sugar glass inside the Box above the Thames, and we wouldn't be able to see it and those 44 days would not be without food. (This is just my theory)
August 27, 2003
Modern Steam Engine?
I am currently watching a TV programme on BBC1 called "Fred Dibnah's Age of Steam". My crazy thought whilst watching it was the following.
This all our modern knowledge and technology, I can't help but wonder what a Steam Engine would look like if it was designed and built today. How efficient would it be? Would modern material like Carbon Fibre, Kevlar, etc be used? Is there computer systems that could be used to design it? Or is this just too crazy? (Please give me credit if you ever do decide to design/build a modern engine and was inspired by my ramblings)
August 23, 2003
Bank Holiday
Woohoo! It's been a while, but this weekend is a Bank Holiday on Monday. I haven't got anything planned as such, but may on Monday so to a fair/fate in a local park.
I have a problem with my Mac computer at the moment and although miner, I have not found a solution other than a re-installation that works. And the problem is that I am unable to Drag-andDrop. I have read and tried one or two solutions but nothing yet works.
On This Day 1990: Outrage at Iraqi TV hostage show
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has appeared on state television with western hostages, provoking a storm of outrage.
August 21, 2003
England v Croatia
I am writing this down the pub (Although will probably publish to my Blog later). A few of us went down as England and Croatia are playing, although I am not keen on football. At this time England are 2-0 up. It's been a good night but as time draws on the numbers are dwinderling.
Myself and other are adding more photos on a regular basis to my photo blog @ camphone.textamerica.com please visit and send in photos if you wish. The email address is [email protected]
On This Day 1983: Filipino opposition leader shot dead
Philippines opposition leader Benigno Aquino has been assassinated minutes after returning home from exile.
August 10, 2003
Feeling Hot Hot Hot
What is with this Heat Wave in the UK (and some other places in Europe).
I am now looking forward to Monday and going into work, so I can enjoy the Air Conditioning. I am also one of those weird people whohate the Summer weather. I can honestly say I prefer the Winter months.
I have restarted my SlimFast diet as I stopped due to some pains in my stomach, but this weekend, I have been enjoying the Banana and Strawberry milkshakes. Maybe I can also make the most of the weather and sweat away a few pounds aswell.
On This Day 2003 - UK hits 100F for first time
The record for the hottest day in Britain is broken as temperatures soar past 37.9C at Heathrow airport.
July 28, 2003
Time Capsules
My mind was wandering (Thanks to a BBC news article) just a few minutes ago back to the time I was going to my After School Play Group.
With the help of some local Police Officers, a number of Wooden Play Structures were built, but what I was thinking about was the Time Capule we buried under one of the Posts.
Have you ever been invovled in a Time Capsule project (reply to Guest Book)?? I remeber we added a Video tape, Music Tape, a Local Newspaper, Some Small toys (I think a Yo-Yo was there in thing then) and some other stuff, possibly a Plan of the Structure.
July 26, 2003
Palaver
What a palaver. And I have lost loads of time. All because I suspected a computer of mine had a potential virus/trojan.
So as the computer had nothing critical, I decided to erase (almost) everything and start again. I say almost everything as the reinstall software was on the Hard Drive as I have no Win98SE CD.
Took me 3 times before I was happy. First time I didn't make a clean install folder so everything was still there. Second time my lovely nephew turned off the PC half way through.
Third time it was almost finished and my nephew had to go to bed. All I had left was Internet Explorer 6 to install.
July 23, 2003
New Message Alert Tone
Last night I was wondering what new message alert tone to get for my Nokia 7650. I thought about it a bit then decided I wanted an animal sound.
After a bit of searching I found an Animal Sounds site, and settled eventually on a 24sec Nightingale Sound.
Already made a few heads turn!
July 20, 2003
Interesting Links (Or Are They?)
Most annoying webpage in the world!! - Bored.com - Last Page of the Internet. - Visual Thesaurus!!
Facts you should know
1. Money isn't made out of paper; it's made out of cotton.
2. The 57 on Heinz ketchup bottle represents the varieties of pickles the company once had.
3. Your stomach produces a new layer of mucus every two weeks-other wise it will digest itself.
4. The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper.
5. The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle.
6. A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top.
7. Susan Lucci is the daughter of Phyllis Diller.
8. A duck's quack doesn't echo. No one knows why.
9. 40% of McDonald's profits come from the sales of Happy Meals.
10. Every person has a unique tongue print.
11. The 'spot' on 7UP comes from its inventor who had red eyes. He was albino.
12. 315 entries in Webster's 1996 Dictionary were misspelled.
13. During the chariot scene in 'Ben Hur' a small red car can be seen in the distance.
14. On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.
15. Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine are brother and sister.
16. Chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system; a few ounces will kill a small sized dog.
17. Most lipstick contains fish scales.
18. Orcas (killer whales) kill sharks by torpedoing up into the shark's stomach from underneath, causing the shark to explode.
19. Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.
20. Ketchup was sold in the 1830s as medicine.
21. Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.
22. American Airlines saved $40,000 in '87 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class.
23. Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
24. Upper and lower case letters are named 'upper' and 'lower' because in the time when all original print had to be set in individual letters, the 'upper case' letters were stored in the case on top of the case that stored the smaller, 'lower case' letters.
25. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos.
26. There are no words in the dictionary that rhyme with: orange, purple, and silver.
27. The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan, there was never a recorded Wendy before.
28. Leonardo da Vinci invented scissors. Also, it took him 10 years to paint Mona Lisa's lips.
29. If you pour a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death.
30. If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.
31. The mask used by Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" was a Captain Kirk mask painted white.
32. The phrase "rule of thumb" is derived from an old English law, which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb.
33. The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player for automobiles. At that time, the most known player on the market was the Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.
34. By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you can't sink in quicksand.
35. Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with. It's the same with apples.
36. Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying.
37. The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.
38. Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because passing wind in a space suit damages them. (sorta obvious)
(I make no statement that any of these are true)
July 19, 2003
Ice Cream Van
I have gotta have a moan about our local Ice Cream Van. He Sounds his tune miles away and I can bearly hear it.
If I remember he the gets to the end of our road ages later, or I realise when I am staring out of window.
I wish he would sound tune nearer our road, and when he gets to other end where we are, he would wait a few minutes, as I do love my Mint Choc Chip Cornetto!
July 17, 2003
Wonderful Managers
There are good days and bad days. There are days you couldn't imagine a worse place to work. The folowing are tales researched for your entertainment from the Internet and might imply there are still worse corners of the planet for you to work.
1:- "As of tomorrow, employers will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks."
This quote was from Fred at Microsoft Corp. in Redmond, WA.
2:- "What I need is a list of specific unknown problems we will encounter.
Lykes Lines Shipping
3:- E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or daa. It should be used only for company business."
4:- "This project is so important, we can't let things that are more important interfere with it."
Advertising/Marketing Manager, United Parcel Service.
5:- "Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule."
6:- "No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks and i'll let you know when it's time to tell them."
R&D; Supervisor, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing/3M Corp.
7:- "My boss spent the entire weekend retyping a 25-page proposal that only neede corrections. She claims the disk I gave her was damaged and she couldn't edit it. The disk I gave her was write-protected."
CIO of Dell Computers
8:- Quote from the Boss "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
Marketing Executive, Citrix Corporation
9:- My siste passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When i told my boss, he said she died on purpose so that I would have to miss work on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
Shipping Executive, FTD Florists
10:- "We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees."
Switching Supervisor, AT&T; Long Lines Division
11:- We recently received a memo from senior management saying:"This is to inform you that a memo will be issued today regarding the memo mentioned above."
Microsoft, Legal Affairs Division
12:- One day my boss asked me to submit a staus report to him concerning a project I was working on. I asked him if tomorrow would be soon enough. He said, "If I had wanted it tomorrow, I would have waited until tomorrow to ask for it!"
New Business Manager, Hallmark Greeting Cards
July 09, 2003
Work
What a mad week. Everyone on my section at work is having to cover for people being off on Sick Leave, Annual Leave and Training and we even part way throught the day are feeling drained.
The managers have said that we don't have to worry so much about our target, but I get the feeling that we need to keep the momentum up, or by end of year they will say "You Didn't Meet Your Targets".
Tomorrow and Friday 2 of my colleagues and myself are doing a training course. This is even though we have been doing the job for nearly a year and recently there have been no major changes. But saying that 2 of us only do the job for say 1-2 days every couple of weeks if at all. The other one does it all the time.
We will either have to go to another part of London for the training or as it seems there is only the 3 of us booked on the course, it may be held in our local office with us 3 being ringfenced so we can't do any other work for the 2 days.
July 07, 2003
Joke
A well dressed business man goes into a rough bar. The bar man notices him as was too well dressed to be one of his normal customers.
The man orders a drink from the barman and while the barman is getting his drink the business man starts speaking into his hand like a telephone.
The barman being concerned due to some of the others costomers reactions if they saw this goes over to him with his drink and warns him that he should be careful about acting wierd. The business man is slightly misitified until the barman says about talking into your hand like that.
The business man laughs and says, oh you have it wrong, I was talking into my phone. The barman says no seriously if it continues I will throw you out. Then the business man says no really, it's the latest technology not even offically released yet. I can show you whats you home number?
The barman is intrigued and jots his number down. The business man then punches his hand like he would dial on a mobile phone and holds his hand up to the barman like a phone. After having a chat with someone he finishes and chats to the business man about how amazing that is, but suggests as is a rough pub to keep use to a minimum.
The business man then needs the toilet after after being pointed to by the barman enters the toilet.
10 minutes later the barman notices he still hasn't come out, but as pub is busy leaves it a bit longer before checking.
20 minutes later when the bar is quieter the business man still hasn't come back out of the toilet so the barman goes to check.
He enters the toliet to find him spear-eagle against the wall, trousers around ankles and toilet paper protruding from his bottom.
Concerned he had been attacked the barman asks if he OK.
The business man replies "Yes Fine, I am waiting for a Fax"!!
July 06, 2003
Slogans
Thought I would have a laugh with some Blog Slogans at The Advertising Slogan Generator
A BLOG A Day Helps You Work, Rest and Play.
Make Someone Happy with a BLOG.
You Too Can Have A BLOG Like Mine.
The World's Local BLOG.
Welcome To BLOG Country.
Four out of Five Dentists Recommend BLOG.
Prolongs Active BLOG.
It's Just For Me And My BLOG.
Snap, Crackle and BLOG.
A Day Without BLOG is Like a Day Without Sunshine.
Monsieur, with this BLOG you are really spoiling us.
The Man From BLOG, he says "Yes"
Your Flexible BLOG.
The BLOG Of A New Generation.
To Our Members, We're The Fourth BLOG.
Beanz, Meanz BLOG.
If You Like A Lot Of BLOG On Your Biscuit, Join Our Club.
June 30, 2003
HOT
It's hot, raining (outside) and I can't sleep. So I am having a nice relaxing bath at 1:10am listening to the rain and the beeping of the keypad as I write this on my phone
WOOHOO! About an hour ago I checked my bank (online of course) and this months pay is in there. The one thing I hate about my job is being paid monthly (would prefer weekly or fortnightly), but at least I get paid.
Talking of work, it's been a few months and a lot of work, but someone I referred to a job got it. And if that wasn't rare enough, I may have another 2 to come.
The second kit of Home-Made wine is nearing completion. I have to leave for a while for anything that can to settle on the bottom of the Demi-john.
Most of Saturday and some of Sunday I spent drinking a bottle of the first batch of home-made wine. I made a change from the normal coffee after coffee I normally drink over the weekends, but I drank slowly to enjoy the drink.
June 27, 2003
What's been Happening?
Well it seems like as every week goes by, I post less and less to my Blog. But I will try to post more often if I can.
I have started on my next batch of Home Made Wine and tomorrow will be adding the finings and by Sunday should be ready to start bottling.
What else has been happening. Oh, I have rearranged my Computer desk as I now have a monitor stand with a pull out keyboard tray.
I am still watching Big Brother and what a twist this week having a Big Brother Africa contestant enter the house. Although I think that Gaetano's first night was not the best it could have been calling Tania a Pig. But hopefully the housemates spirits should lift when Cameron returns later today.
I now have GPRS on my 7650 switched on. I am on Vodafone Pay as you Go tariff and found out I could get this. When they switched on I could get to work all through yesterday. So when I got home I checked out their web site and they could send me the GPRS settings which finally worked. Only thing (which I noticed fairly quickly so didn't lose loads of credit) is you are charged more for viewing Non-Vodafone Live sites (0.73p per Kb) than Vodafone Lives sites (0.1p per Kb).
So if I am surfing the Net and may be a while will be cheaper (a lot cheaper) to use Dial-up than GPRS although a lot slower. Maybe one day the price will come down again. I can always live in hope.
June 22, 2003
Home Made Wine
In case you are interested here are the details of my wine making.
Product = Solomon Grundy 7 Day Medium Dry White 6 bottle wine kit
Day 1 = Temp - 28C / 81F Specific Gravity - 1.090 (Next details on Day 5)
June 19, 2003
Barbeque
Been busy at work this week, so this is first chance I really had to write in my blog.
On Sunday, a colleague invited me to a Barbeque at their house. Was a great afternoon and I was allowed to do all the cooking. What is it with Men and Barbeques that we have to do the cooking? Anyway I was helped by another colleague who made sauces, etc and all the food was really liked and was nothing left at end. Lots of drink was drunk as well! :)
I was given a lift home at about 10:30 and was told the last 4 people there were still talking when the collegue who had organised had gone to bed at about 12:30! I am glad I got my sleep that night!
Work is mad at the moment as we have been given our targets and I hope that I am going to be able to acheive. I have to refer 50+ people to jobs each week as well as other tasks and as of wednesday I had 29, so was down 1. I think will be possible as will get easier with time.
June 14, 2003
Warez
It's not fair. I try to run a Yahoo Group without offering Warez, Cracks, Codes or Keygens as distributing illegal software is not what Yahoo Groups are there for. But there are other Nokia Yahoo Groups offering the above and seems to grow very quick and when you do report these groups Yahoo takes forever to investigate or even respond to messages about abuse.
Oh Well that's my moan over for today!
June 09, 2003
Retirement Party (Part 1 & 2)
Thursday Night we started celebrations for a collegue who would be retiring on Friday. After work we headed down to our local pub for some drinks (although she is teetotal (& a vegatarian). We sat outside for a while. Then when some started complaining about the temperature (as the Sun had gone in) we moved inside. It got to about 8pm and as the live band started setting up the others moved down the road for a meal (I would have gone, but for once in my life I didn't think I could stomach an Indian meal).
On Friday we had a party which was held at the office. It started at 4pm and went on until the last few of us were there at 9:30. What was also weird I didn't have anything to drink, even though I was opening all the bottles of wine with my Barramundi waiter's friend (bottle opener that waiter use). They had a normal corkscrew but the screw on it was too narrow and unded up destroying more corks that it removed. For music we had the The Best Dean Martin And Friends Album In The World... Ever!. Was a shame that ended early and that the guest of Honour (you remember was retiring) left early, but I guess we had all been up since early in the morning and working since about 8-8:30am. But even if short was a great night and took lots of photos.
Have just check on my wine and is still bubbling nicely. Some time early next week I should be able to start next stage and if it is tomorrow (adding final ingredients) I should have wine by Wednesday (Wine in 7 Days).
Well what a shock! Big Brother had changed the Reward Room (as it's seems to be called now). Was Red last week with a Club theme and this week was Blue with a Games theme including a cool Plasma screen video game arcade grab machine and board games like Buckeroo!
June 01, 2003
Chocollect
* * Chocollect Codes Wanted * * If you have any unwanted Chocollect codes from Mars, Snickers, Twix, Bounty or Maltesers please send them to:- pd (underscore) gibson2 (at) yahoo (dot) com. I know there are people out there with the odd wrapper lying around and if you would rather them used than just thrown in the bin then I will put to good use. In lieu of any codes, I will add any suitable link to my links section (i.e. Blogs, Personal pages, company web sites, but NO Adult or Illegal Sites)
May 24, 2003
Big Brother
Well I only had the Celebdaq shares for less than 24hrs, but I have decided to dump them before I lose anymore. Instead as I cannot buy anymore Keanu Reeves as "Oversubscribed", I have invested again in David Beckham. Another thing I am glad of now, is earlier I reported losing all my money and been given Icons to say I have £2million, well it is a good thing in a way, as I have seen recently that Danniella Westbrook's shares are dropping in price.
Big Brother
I am a Big Brother Fan (As I think I have mentioned once or twice) and will be avidly watching the 9 weeks of Anouska, Cameron, Federico, Gos, Jon, Justine, Nush, Ray, Scott, Sissy, Steph and Tania (although obviously most will not all be there that long).
I may have made a bad move in my Celebdaq shares though by buying BB contestants at the opening share price thinking the price would go up, when this morning when I checked thay had lost money! (Oops)
May 21, 2003
Make A Wish
Was watching something on TV about a charity called The Make A Wish Foundation. They are a charity (and have other operations around the world here http://www.worldwish.org) that grant wishes to children with Life Threatening Illnesses.
The wishes include meeting their favourite Celebrity (i.e. meet Mariah Carey), visiting somewhere they have always wanted to go (i.e. visiting the set of Dawson’s Creek), to do something they always wanted to do (i.e. be Action Man for the day), or to own something want (i.e. the boy who dreamed of owning a quad bike).
Spell Chequer
I have just run all my blog posts through a Spell Checker and boy did I make some obvious spelling errors! I have of course now corrected the ones I found.
In honour of this, I have a Poem!
Eye halve a spelling chequer, It came with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue, Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word, And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write, It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid, It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite, Its rarely ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it, I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect in it's weigh, My chequer tolled me sew.
May 19, 2003
More Celebdaq
BBC - Celebdaq Well I said it would happen, and I have been reduced to £10,000 on Celebdaq. I have 2 £1million icons though! I will have to start from scractch again to raise my stocks!
I think I will invest all in David Beckham for now as he is making lots per day!
When Big Brother starts, if any of the people on there are listed I may invest in them!
Celebdaq
BBC - Celebdaq Well it seems only recently I was saying I had broke the £1million mark on Celebdaq, but now I have broken the £2million mark with at this moment in time £2,012,878.09! Should be very soon I should get to £3million.
Only downside is when you have too much they take all your money (they say putting it into an Off Shore Bank Account) and leave you with a balance of £10,000. You also get a lovely icon near your name representing how many millions you have! ("Great" I say sarcastically)
May 17, 2003
Who Want's To Be A Millionaire
Last might down the pub 2 of my colleagues and some of the pub regulars and myself were playing "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and managed to win first £5 then later £6 (don't remember how much we put in though).
* My Holiday * Looks like I will be going to the Isle of Wight week starting 26th due to not having a lot of money and I get paid on the Friday.
May 15, 2003
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Is my Mum's Birthday today! Happy Birthday Mum! (Will have to get here a card later). I gave her her present last week. Got her a Bread Maker! (*Yum*)!
* * Annual Leave * * I am counting down the days to my annual leave which will start on Friday when I leave work and last for 2 weeks! 2 beautiful weeks without work. It will be bliss.
* * Isle Of Wight * * I may possibly (more possible than not) travel to the Isle of Wight for up to a week. If I can get the Moblogger software working (I will e-mail Russ at Manywhere.com to help sort out) I will post images from the Island while I am away.
Wanted!
I want a Midi (Polyphonic) version of the Paul Oakenfold (Element Four) Big Brother Theme Tune (UK). If anyone knows where I can get it, please post a message to the guest book!
May 12, 2003
Weather
Well it's been quiet all day at work today, but I think that it has something to do with it raining quite heavily that is putting people off of attending the office.
Never mind, I have some other work to catch up on!
* Debs Blog * Please visit my friends Blog click here to view and sign her Guest book to show support! Took me a few hours on Sunday Night/Monday Morning to set-up for her.
May 11, 2003
Reality TV
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! Well there goes Wayne sleep from I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here leaving John Fashanu, Linda Barker and Phil Tufnell left in the camp.
The Final I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here will be on ITV1 at 9:00 on Monday 12th May 2003 (Tomorrow).
Big Brother! Hot on the shoes of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here, will be the 4th series of Big Brother.
May 10, 2003
Celebdaq
I am currently playing Celebdaq and this morning I have a total worth of £889283.28. I have invested in the various stars from the UK version of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here as well as David Beckham.
May 09, 2003
Slightly Drunk
Have been out tonight for a drink at my local pub and for a meal. I went with 4 colleagues to the local Indian restaurant. We did as we normally do, and order various Starters and Side dishes to share, and if we want the Main course as well.
I had a Tandoori Mixed Grill, which is served, on a Sizzler dish with vegetables and naan bread! Also on the table we had Pilau, Keema, Garlic rice, Mushroom Bhaaji, Brindal Bhaaji, and various other dishes!
After the meal 2 sat at another table to have a private chat. Whilst they were there, I kept falling asleep at the table, and didn't even realise that the other 2 ordered a coffee!
Eventually the other came back and I was more awake. We paid bill (approx £25 per person) could have been less if we hadn't drunk so much wine!
After the bill was paid 2 people at the table started singing (badly) a T-Rex/Marc Bolan song, at that I decided that I couldn't stand anymore and left as was also very tired! Got a cab home and went online for a while (mainly to write this)!
May 07, 2003
The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe
I love this piece by Edgar Allen Poe, so thought I would share.
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore--
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more."
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore--
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore--
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me--filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door--
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;
This it is and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"--here I opened wide the door--
Darkness there and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"--
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping something louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is and this mystery explore--
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;--
'Tis the wind and nothing more.
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he,
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door--
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door--
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then the ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore--
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning--little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door--
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if its soul in that one word he did outpour
Nothing farther then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered--
Till I scarcely more than muttered: "Other friends have flown before--
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore--
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never--nevermore.'"
But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore--
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee--by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite--respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!--prophet still, if bird or devil!--
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted--
On this home by Horror haunted--tell me truly, I implore--
Is there--is there balm in Gilead?--tell me--tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!--prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us--by that God we both adore--
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore--
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting--
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul has spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!--quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted--nevermore!
May 05, 2003
Thank You Kathleen
I would like to Congratulate Kathleen for being the first (after my initial message) to sign my GuestBook!
April 27, 2003
Damn It's Cold!
The central heating system has packed up in our house, and we tried replacing a fuse, but only blew again. So have to live with the cold till Monday when we can phone the council to come and fix it. Brrrrrr.
April 20, 2003
Hello To My Chat Friends
This is just a note for my Chat Friends on MSN, AIM, IQC, Yahoo and IRC, especially at the moment the 2 chatters from Canada to say thanks for all the long hours of chat recently! :) :)
April 15, 2003
It's Been A While
OK, so it's been a while since I have posted a Blog here, so I hopefully will have something to say.
The new system for people to sign on in our office seems to be working OK. Instead of Long queues like before, it is now a steady stream of people all, but we will have no more than 10 waiting at any time.
* Sleepy * A couple of days this week, I have be getting not a lot of sleep. On Sunday Night/Monday Morning, I only got about 2-3 hours sleep. Last night I got 4-5 hours. (*Yawn*).
* The BOSS * Recently, because of the changes at our office, we now have a new section supervisor and I keep getting told off by them. I guess I will have to stop having so much of a laugh, and concentrate on my job more! :-)
April 09, 2003
The Budget
Well here I am wondering whether the Budget will mean more of my Salary will go to Taxes. Will have to wait and see.
Why Oh Why did it have to start raining. I want to go and get my lunch soon, but will get wet. :( Also I am not sure whether to get Sausage & Bacon, Cajun Chicken, or Chicken & Sweet corn.
April 06, 2003
Music
Well I have just finished watching and listening to a live set from DigitallyImported.com featuring Airbase at Club Amnesia in Lund, Sweden!
I don't often listen to DigitallyImported.com, but as there was nothing else on television apart from Village of the Damned, I thought I would check out the site and they had a live video feed.
I watched for about a hour then the music ended. :(
March 31, 2003
Bored
I am possibly babbling on now as it's nearly 3 o'clock in the morning, I have to be up for work at 7:30 and I can't get to sleep!
I might have to check out www.Bored.com as I am bored from not being able to sleep!
One of the sites from www.Bored.com I like is www.Oxymoronlist.com. Among my favourites is the oxymoronlist "Microsoft Works" and also "Virtual Reality".