Clocks went forward last night across the UK by an hour, so now we have gone into British Summer Time. It will now be noticably lighter in the evenings and darker in the mornings. Will be a great help to our farmers and the munitions workers needing to find their way home in the dark... only trouble is these days our farmers have lights on their tractors and we do light our street lights every night.
Isn't it about time we stopped this nonsense which dates back to WWII and stayed on GMT* all year round?
*Greenwich Mean Time
Sunday 29 March 2009
Saturday 28 March 2009
Friday 27 March 2009
Saturday
Tomorrow Dad and I are taking a trip to (hopefully) sunny Dorset County. Mum wanted her ashes laid to rest at one of her favourite places, overlooking the sea. Spare a thought please, I don't think it will be a particularly pleasant duty.
Sunday 22 March 2009
Retro
Had every intention of posting about all sorts of meaningful things today but instead....
I found this in the attic the other day.
Yep that's a Commodore Amiga 600 from the early 90's, complete with "brick" power supply module and built-in TV modulator. How we marvelled at such technology!
Now the grand idea was to try to sell it on one of those well known auction style sites. Of course that meant it had to be unpacked and tested to make sure all was in working order. A functioning model probably attracts an extra Pound dontchaknow.
The trouble is as soon as I had installed Workbench, I then found myself gazing lovingly at games such Pacmania, Zool and Alien Breed. Anyone know where I can get hold of an internal hard drive cheaply? Think I might just be keeping this for a while longer, we'll see. LOL
I found this in the attic the other day.
Yep that's a Commodore Amiga 600 from the early 90's, complete with "brick" power supply module and built-in TV modulator. How we marvelled at such technology!
Now the grand idea was to try to sell it on one of those well known auction style sites. Of course that meant it had to be unpacked and tested to make sure all was in working order. A functioning model probably attracts an extra Pound dontchaknow.
The trouble is as soon as I had installed Workbench, I then found myself gazing lovingly at games such Pacmania, Zool and Alien Breed. Anyone know where I can get hold of an internal hard drive cheaply? Think I might just be keeping this for a while longer, we'll see. LOL
Saturday 21 March 2009
Single Point
Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Reading
Reduced to 10 men, after a questionable refereeing decision, the Royals managed to come away with a point for the draw.
Reduced to 10 men, after a questionable refereeing decision, the Royals managed to come away with a point for the draw.
Friday 20 March 2009
Uplifting.....
British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, demonstrates exactly how much Breast size has increased since his party came to power. Another uplifting triumph for New Labour LOL.
You can just imagine him thinking "I'd love to get my hands on a pair like that." Probably.
Sorry I just couldn't resist it when I saw this image.
Oh and apparently the Equinox today marks the first official day of Spring here in the UK. The Sun is now moving into the Northern Hemisphere and the good weather is on it's way....
You can just imagine him thinking "I'd love to get my hands on a pair like that." Probably.
Sorry I just couldn't resist it when I saw this image.
Oh and apparently the Equinox today marks the first official day of Spring here in the UK. The Sun is now moving into the Northern Hemisphere and the good weather is on it's way....
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Textured
Rather more promptly that expected (but I'm not complaining), my new textured coil pot was back from firing. The glazes used where blue-grey for the lower section and marbled blue on the upper. Please feel free to take a trip to Webshots to see more of this and my other work.
Hopefully next week my thrown bowls will be ready for glazing.
So that left me to start something new. I'm going to continue with the coiled, organic form for the time being but came to the conclusion my work is pretty much stuck at a uniform height of around 12 inches (300mm ish). The new one I intend to make bigger- I've made a good start with the base which is about diameter 10 inches (260mm) so that should give me scope to do interesting things. More on that and some work-in-progress images as the weeks go by.
Elsewhere last night, the Royals travelled to Doncaster and grabbed a late winner (0-1), bringing a necessary three points back to Berkshire. Former Reading favourite Dave Kitson- who has just returned on loan from Stoke- made the goal. Nice to have you back Dave.
One final thought- just how good is Law and Order:UK? Bradley Walsh (second from right, above) is an excellent choice in one of his too few serious roles and isn't it great hearing BSG's Jamie Bamber speaking with his native accent, as the Police side-kick?
Hopefully next week my thrown bowls will be ready for glazing.
So that left me to start something new. I'm going to continue with the coiled, organic form for the time being but came to the conclusion my work is pretty much stuck at a uniform height of around 12 inches (300mm ish). The new one I intend to make bigger- I've made a good start with the base which is about diameter 10 inches (260mm) so that should give me scope to do interesting things. More on that and some work-in-progress images as the weeks go by.
Elsewhere last night, the Royals travelled to Doncaster and grabbed a late winner (0-1), bringing a necessary three points back to Berkshire. Former Reading favourite Dave Kitson- who has just returned on loan from Stoke- made the goal. Nice to have you back Dave.
One final thought- just how good is Law and Order:UK? Bradley Walsh (second from right, above) is an excellent choice in one of his too few serious roles and isn't it great hearing BSG's Jamie Bamber speaking with his native accent, as the Police side-kick?
Tuesday 17 March 2009
To The Unbelievers...
Apparently my claim to having eaten poached egg on Marmite toast has been disputed in some quarters. To paraphrase Blue Peter, here's an image I made earli
er...
Oh and for anyone claiming to have Irish blood in their veins (not me), have a great St Paddy's day. Don't drink too much of the dark stuff LOL.
er...Oh and for anyone claiming to have Irish blood in their veins (not me), have a great St Paddy's day. Don't drink too much of the dark stuff LOL.
Monday 16 March 2009
REME
For the first time that I recall (although sadly it probably isn't the first), two soldiers from our local army base the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers have been killed in an Afghan incident. As I drove past this morning to work, flags were at half mast.
Can't imagine what their families or colleagues must be feeling. Nothing more I can add is there?
Can't imagine what their families or colleagues must be feeling. Nothing more I can add is there?
Saturday 14 March 2009
Shaun Das Schaf
Many will know I love the adventures of Plasticine-built inventor Wallace and his dog Gromit but also the spin-off series Shaun the Sheep.
I was recently sent the link below for the German language version of the theme (thank you, Wunderlust). Quite funny although I think the guy finally blew it when he dressed as a giant sheep LOL. Here's the link: Shaun das Schaf. Enjoy!
Purists may also wish to visit the official Shaun site here and of course the Wallace and Gromit site, here.
I was recently sent the link below for the German language version of the theme (thank you, Wunderlust). Quite funny although I think the guy finally blew it when he dressed as a giant sheep LOL. Here's the link: Shaun das Schaf. Enjoy!
Purists may also wish to visit the official Shaun site here and of course the Wallace and Gromit site, here.
Friday 13 March 2009
Music? What Music?
For any out of towners reading this, YouTube and the Performing Rights Society for Music have been having a little disagreement over royalties for music and videos broadcast into the UK. Or something like that, there's money involved somewhere along the way. The upshot being certain content is now blocked from being viewed in the UK.
Anyway, Joe Blogs has this to say today on the subject. Go read. Couldn't agree more.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Knight At The Palace
Owner and chairman of Reading Football Club, John Madjeski was knighted today for services to charities. Madjeski is the founder of Auto Trader magazine as well as being Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Chancellor of the University of Reading and has funded a school academy that carries his name. Well done Sir John.
Sir John Madjeski and the Princess Royal
Sir John Madjeski and the Princess Royal
Something New
A colleague has recommended poached egg on Marmite toast as a delicious and quick meal. If you've been reading this blog, you'll know I do quite like Marmite and I do also have a liking for poached eggs so this sounds like an intriguing com
bo. Gonna try it tonight and will report back...
Stock image of poached egg on toast, Marmite not depicted LOL
bo. Gonna try it tonight and will report back...Stock image of poached egg on toast, Marmite not depicted LOL
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Not Enough
Reading 2 - 2 Charlton
On paper, the Royals should have easily beaten the bottom of the table visitors.
On paper, the Royals should have easily beaten the bottom of the table visitors.
Commonwealth Day- 60 Years
How sad this momentous day passed by yesterday with barely a murmur in the media.
Read about it here.
Saturday 7 March 2009
Plymouth 2 - 2 Reading
Promotion hopefuls Reading travelled to lowly placed Plymouth today. Twice the Royals had to come back from a goal down to earn a point. Reading remain third in the Championship although still retaining two games in hand over the leading pair.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Feel The Force...
The Force was definitely with me tonight- produced 4 new pots on the wheel. Not bad considering it's the first time I've been near the wheel for about
12 months. Wish I could say it was like riding a bike and came easily to me. Anyway they look pretty much exactly like this...
I've also just uploaded some new images of recent work to Webshots. Please take a look here.
Also today I attended Parent's Evening at the school. The teachers are on the whole very pleased with Little Lad's progress. He's doing nicely.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Reading.
12 months. Wish I could say it was like riding a bike and came easily to me. Anyway they look pretty much exactly like this...I've also just uploaded some new images of recent work to Webshots. Please take a look here.
Also today I attended Parent's Evening at the school. The teachers are on the whole very pleased with Little Lad's progress. He's doing nicely.
Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 2 Reading.
The Coca-Cola Football League Championship : Table
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
| | Home | | Away | |||||||||||||
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Wolverhampton | 36 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 37 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 26 | 21 | 67 |
| 2 | Reading | 34 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 19 | 30 | 62 |
| 3 | Birmingham | 35 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 61 |
| 4 | Cardiff | 33 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 56 |
| 5 | Preston | 36 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 21 | 30 | 3 | 56 |
| 6 | Sheff Utd | 34 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 55 |
| 7 | Burnley | 36 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 29 | 0 | 55 |
Monday 2 March 2009
Information Slow Lane
So I've been having a difficult time with my Internet Service Provider of late.
I've found it's been increasingly difficult to get any sort of Broadband connection these past 10 days or so. My ISP has a message on their web site saying they have an issue, which of course you can only read if you can actually get on the internet; it's dated 19 Feb. Yesterday I finally decided I'd been patient enough and gave their "help desk" a ring. That was the start of my pain which then endured for over 70 minutes on the phone, going over the same information a number of times with different operators grrrr.
The first person, I will call "C" (because who knows, she might actually read this!) was quite rude and in fact at one point went as far as to basically imply I was lying grrrr. Anyway I have made a complaint about "C." Apparently according to "C" the fault lies with my phone company, despite the ISP putting their equipment into the exchange ("C" denied this) and stating on their site it was a fault at their end. Also apparently Call Centre supervisors aren't there for our benefit but for the phone operators. Go figure.
Anyway and I'm going to wrap this up because it's not that exciting really, I finally got passed along. First to another lady "L" who was most helpful and finally to "R" a man in the technical dept, who finally confirmed they have an issue they are working with but couldn't say how much longer it will take. Keep checking the web site (if you can get connected).
Had a go with a 56k Dial-Up modem last night. Quaint but it worked LOL.
Right got that off my chest now.
I've found it's been increasingly difficult to get any sort of Broadband connection these past 10 days or so. My ISP has a message on their web site saying they have an issue, which of course you can only read if you can actually get on the internet; it's dated 19 Feb. Yesterday I finally decided I'd been patient enough and gave their "help desk" a ring. That was the start of my pain which then endured for over 70 minutes on the phone, going over the same information a number of times with different operators grrrr.
The first person, I will call "C" (because who knows, she might actually read this!) was quite rude and in fact at one point went as far as to basically imply I was lying grrrr. Anyway I have made a complaint about "C." Apparently according to "C" the fault lies with my phone company, despite the ISP putting their equipment into the exchange ("C" denied this) and stating on their site it was a fault at their end. Also apparently Call Centre supervisors aren't there for our benefit but for the phone operators. Go figure.
Anyway and I'm going to wrap this up because it's not that exciting really, I finally got passed along. First to another lady "L" who was most helpful and finally to "R" a man in the technical dept, who finally confirmed they have an issue they are working with but couldn't say how much longer it will take. Keep checking the web site (if you can get connected).
Had a go with a 56k Dial-Up modem last night. Quaint but it worked LOL.
Right got that off my chest now.
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