After last night I was abit tired so found it dificult loading up the car to go to the lan.
Setup went well apart form one minor hitch with the gigabit card.
We played quake counte stike unal flatout ate pizza and had a few beers all without any major hitches which is a real achievement. I think we can tabl in another one possibly two games next time. From speaking to David (aka Cool Hand Luke) he enjoyed himself as did Bruces Friend Steven. I think its a rea triumph there ill be pictures going up on the website soon.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Sandbox Live
I had the day off today but as there is no rest for the wicked was up early painting my room. Managed to get a coat on the ceiling, its looking a lot nicer now, on balance blue was a bad choice/
I bought a few more plants to brighten the tank up and a net from Wilmslow Garden centre (they have a really nice aquatics centre). I decided the new tank has bedded in now so I decided to move the catfish across. They seem to be quiet disturbed but soon started exploring their new home.
The afternoon was taken up with Bruce and myself doing some changes to the server in Manchester. It was a complete pain a lot of time sat around waiting for things to finish.
The evening though proved to be good fun, Martin, Phil and I met up with Paul, Ian Lisa, Faye and Danny to watch Sandbox at academy 3. It was a really good night sandbox were excellent and it was great to see Paul, Lisa, Ian and Faye. Danny was in a bad mood thanks to his relationship breakdown with Lyn. Whilst I feel for him I really think he needs to move on its far too up and down, does he really want to take on someone else child?
I bought a few more plants to brighten the tank up and a net from Wilmslow Garden centre (they have a really nice aquatics centre). I decided the new tank has bedded in now so I decided to move the catfish across. They seem to be quiet disturbed but soon started exploring their new home.
The afternoon was taken up with Bruce and myself doing some changes to the server in Manchester. It was a complete pain a lot of time sat around waiting for things to finish.
The evening though proved to be good fun, Martin, Phil and I met up with Paul, Ian Lisa, Faye and Danny to watch Sandbox at academy 3. It was a really good night sandbox were excellent and it was great to see Paul, Lisa, Ian and Faye. Danny was in a bad mood thanks to his relationship breakdown with Lyn. Whilst I feel for him I really think he needs to move on its far too up and down, does he really want to take on someone else child?
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Amiga demos
Another fun day at work still working on early redemption figures how can everyone use the same equation and yet apply it in sightly different ways eh :-S
Oh well did a spot more painting only the area behind the fish tank and the ceiling to do now. Also had a bit of a tidy up cleaned my mums car it was filthy.
Getting close to being able to move the fish now I hope they survive the move. They should be a lot happier in the new tank at east I hope so given the effort I have gone to. I ordereda load of new filters from aquacare they seem pretty cheap Icould have save £20 buying my tank from them. Oh well stillsavedd over £200 from what my local store would have charged.
Went round to Martin ostensiblyly to chat about the lan wendeded up playing the old amiga demos for Martin O. I forgot just how funny fraxion wasand the old acid house demos scene.
Oh well did a spot more painting only the area behind the fish tank and the ceiling to do now. Also had a bit of a tidy up cleaned my mums car it was filthy.
Getting close to being able to move the fish now I hope they survive the move. They should be a lot happier in the new tank at east I hope so given the effort I have gone to. I ordereda load of new filters from aquacare they seem pretty cheap Icould have save £20 buying my tank from them. Oh well stillsavedd over £200 from what my local store would have charged.
Went round to Martin ostensiblyly to chat about the lan wendeded up playing the old amiga demos for Martin O. I forgot just how funny fraxion wasand the old acid house demos scene.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Car Woes and nights in
Some people think that cars are a symbol of our freedoms personally I think they are a milestone around our necks. THey cost a fortune to buy run insure and maintain. There is constant pressure to get a newer greater model.
Since buying mny car over a year ago second hand I have had to get the brakes replaced have services and now a problem with the turbo sytem meant a £119 charge for a diagnostic and a replacement rubber hose (the hose itself is a £10 item) I also need to get a sensor (mass airflow sensor cost £240 :'( ) replaced before the cars performance returns to normal. Its so expensive not like I do the sort of mileage I used to either, I could ride my bike to work except I have to wear a suit and tie and there are no changing facilities or shower here.
In order to save some money to afford my car repairs and the money Ive spent on decorating I am going to have to spend a lot of nights in over the next two months. Tonight I rented a flim called hide and seek. Its a twisty turning psycholical thriller with a twist similar to the sixth sense. It was quiet enjoyable though had the usual crap Hollywood ending and I found it pretty predictable.
My parents are away are the Taunten Flower Show my dad took over my Wildflower software and sold it to them I dont think it works that well I always wanted to rewrite it ut never quiet foud the time. My dad just gives it away for free he isnt very good with money and seems to let people take advantage of him I dont want to end up like that.
Since buying mny car over a year ago second hand I have had to get the brakes replaced have services and now a problem with the turbo sytem meant a £119 charge for a diagnostic and a replacement rubber hose (the hose itself is a £10 item) I also need to get a sensor (mass airflow sensor cost £240 :'( ) replaced before the cars performance returns to normal. Its so expensive not like I do the sort of mileage I used to either, I could ride my bike to work except I have to wear a suit and tie and there are no changing facilities or shower here.
In order to save some money to afford my car repairs and the money Ive spent on decorating I am going to have to spend a lot of nights in over the next two months. Tonight I rented a flim called hide and seek. Its a twisty turning psycholical thriller with a twist similar to the sixth sense. It was quiet enjoyable though had the usual crap Hollywood ending and I found it pretty predictable.
My parents are away are the Taunten Flower Show my dad took over my Wildflower software and sold it to them I dont think it works that well I always wanted to rewrite it ut never quiet foud the time. My dad just gives it away for free he isnt very good with money and seems to let people take advantage of him I dont want to end up like that.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Bad Day
Some days just don't seem to pan out no matter how hard one tries, unfortunately today was one of them.
On the face of it today should have been a fun and exciting one, the plan was to go to Huddersfield and visit Cybernet gaming to see if we could pick up any tips for the lan bash. So I set off picked up Martin and headed to Bergers, the problems started almost straight away; I recently upgraded to TomTom 5 from version 3 if you care contemplating this DON'T! Version 5 has crashed twice in the first time I used it and each time it crashed I had to reset my Palm T5 and each time I reset I had to re-authenticate the maps :-S this meant phoning my dad ad having to talk him through the website registration. This is just appalling anti piracy that punishes users it not acceptable to be honest I an emailing to complain its just awful.
Anyway I digress, we headed to Huddersfield and found the place easily which was thankful as I had no TomTom. Berger, Martin and Myself then had a half hour of Counter Strike Source before we were told that we had to get off the internet because they were playing a tournament. Cheers for that guys we had paid our money and you didn't bother to warn us. The whole setup was fairly amateurish ad we didn't really learn a lot except how not to do things.
Next we went for a Chinese then headed home, it was then when things started really getting bad on the way back my car played up it had reduced power and the warning light kept coming on so Ill have to get it checked out with will no doubt be expensive.
When I got home I realized my phone was missing gah I rung it no answer Cybernet hadn't got it neither :-S Must have dropped out of my pocket :'(
I managed to clean fuel and fix my passenge door (bolt needed tightening) before heading out to meet Liz at Ra!n Bar. It was an enjoyable enough evening though I felt tired and upset at my stupidity for losing my phone.
I dropped her off and had a nosy at her house it verynice not far at all from Bergers pad then got home just in time for m stomach to rebel from the Chinese food think its still a bit fragile from last week.
All in all I was happy to finally curl up in bed and for a terrible day to be over.
On the face of it today should have been a fun and exciting one, the plan was to go to Huddersfield and visit Cybernet gaming to see if we could pick up any tips for the lan bash. So I set off picked up Martin and headed to Bergers, the problems started almost straight away; I recently upgraded to TomTom 5 from version 3 if you care contemplating this DON'T! Version 5 has crashed twice in the first time I used it and each time it crashed I had to reset my Palm T5 and each time I reset I had to re-authenticate the maps :-S this meant phoning my dad ad having to talk him through the website registration. This is just appalling anti piracy that punishes users it not acceptable to be honest I an emailing to complain its just awful.
Anyway I digress, we headed to Huddersfield and found the place easily which was thankful as I had no TomTom. Berger, Martin and Myself then had a half hour of Counter Strike Source before we were told that we had to get off the internet because they were playing a tournament. Cheers for that guys we had paid our money and you didn't bother to warn us. The whole setup was fairly amateurish ad we didn't really learn a lot except how not to do things.
Next we went for a Chinese then headed home, it was then when things started really getting bad on the way back my car played up it had reduced power and the warning light kept coming on so Ill have to get it checked out with will no doubt be expensive.
When I got home I realized my phone was missing gah I rung it no answer Cybernet hadn't got it neither :-S Must have dropped out of my pocket :'(
I managed to clean fuel and fix my passenge door (bolt needed tightening) before heading out to meet Liz at Ra!n Bar. It was an enjoyable enough evening though I felt tired and upset at my stupidity for losing my phone.
I dropped her off and had a nosy at her house it verynice not far at all from Bergers pad then got home just in time for m stomach to rebel from the Chinese food think its still a bit fragile from last week.
All in all I was happy to finally curl up in bed and for a terrible day to be over.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Big tank
Well after a rather long day working, then painting, filling gravel (30kg of it which had to be washed and scalded) my new fish tank is finally set up. I feel very tired but it's good to see it all set up. Its a lot quieter than my small one which is a bonus. At the moment it look a bit forlorn with no fish or plants, I need to leave it running for a week to get rid of the chlorine and allow the filtration to activate before I can move the fish over. There is a photo gallery on my photo site check it out here.
The tanks filtration system is really complex using lots of different filters which is great but it means I need to replace them regularly which is a pain and will significantly increase the running costs which is a bit unforeseen. I guess I will need to stay in one night a month to pay for it!
I was working out my student loan repayments today. Based on the governments revised threshold the monthly payment has reduced. Whilst I like having extra money a month its drastically increased the repayment time to about 17 years!!! Oh well I could make over-payments but it dosn't make sense given that a=they will be out of my net wage and that the interest charged is only 3.2% so it would make more sense for me to put any overpayment money into savings account on which I can earn 5% tax free if I add to my ISA.
Today I spent trying to understand one of my colleagues programs. It is quiet a challenge as he has taken a totally different approach to Business Basic XML integration. I think its a bit of a hash however hopefully I will be able to make the required changes next week.
Got a text from Liz she seems really nice I hope we can be friends regardless of how things go on our meeting on Sunday.
I think its pretty much fizzled out with Nikkie she will be moving soon which is a shame I enjoyed the time we spent together it just I don't think it was right for either of us.
The tanks filtration system is really complex using lots of different filters which is great but it means I need to replace them regularly which is a pain and will significantly increase the running costs which is a bit unforeseen. I guess I will need to stay in one night a month to pay for it!
I was working out my student loan repayments today. Based on the governments revised threshold the monthly payment has reduced. Whilst I like having extra money a month its drastically increased the repayment time to about 17 years!!! Oh well I could make over-payments but it dosn't make sense given that a=they will be out of my net wage and that the interest charged is only 3.2% so it would make more sense for me to put any overpayment money into savings account on which I can earn 5% tax free if I add to my ISA.
Today I spent trying to understand one of my colleagues programs. It is quiet a challenge as he has taken a totally different approach to Business Basic XML integration. I think its a bit of a hash however hopefully I will be able to make the required changes next week.
Got a text from Liz she seems really nice I hope we can be friends regardless of how things go on our meeting on Sunday.
I think its pretty much fizzled out with Nikkie she will be moving soon which is a shame I enjoyed the time we spent together it just I don't think it was right for either of us.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Paint
My fish tank arrived today hurrah, it really does look quiet big sat in its box on a pallet. Unfortunately my mother has pointed out that once the fish tank goes in I will be difficult to paint behind and oh wouldn't it be lovely to get rid o the awful blue paint. After what three years of living with it I must confess the blue is a little dark. So after a long trip looking around B&Q (my god how many shades of neutral colours are there) I choose a crown Monaco paint.
So rather than setting up my new fish tank I spent the evening painting my room. Its gong to take at least two coats to cover the blue as well so there is going to be a delay getting the tank running.
When it is set up I will have to run it for about a week before I move the fish into it this will allow the chlorine to evaporate out and for some bacterial to start to grow. Here's a handy hint for those of you who don't like the taste of tap water; Chlorine is almost certainly the bad thing you can taste to get rid of it simple pour some water into a jug and leave in the fridge for 2 or so hours, volia nice tasting tap water.
Congratulations to Nikkie on getting her new job!
Got an email from Alison today it was really good to hear she wasn't hurt in the Sharm bombings. She is went working as a dive instructor after leaving Australia.
So rather than setting up my new fish tank I spent the evening painting my room. Its gong to take at least two coats to cover the blue as well so there is going to be a delay getting the tank running.
When it is set up I will have to run it for about a week before I move the fish into it this will allow the chlorine to evaporate out and for some bacterial to start to grow. Here's a handy hint for those of you who don't like the taste of tap water; Chlorine is almost certainly the bad thing you can taste to get rid of it simple pour some water into a jug and leave in the fridge for 2 or so hours, volia nice tasting tap water.
Congratulations to Nikkie on getting her new job!
Got an email from Alison today it was really good to hear she wasn't hurt in the Sharm bombings. She is went working as a dive instructor after leaving Australia.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Back at work
Going back to work after a absence is always a pain but its a lot worse when your still not feeling well. That said fortunately yesterday wasn't too bad and I managed to get through the day just about.
I spend last night working with Phil organising all our diving photos for uploading onto the website, even with the duplicates removed there 700mb, however it should look excellent once all the photos are on there.
I was also chatting to Cassy last night it seems like such a long time since we lived in Moseley road interesting how peoples lives diverge. She introduced me (on-line) to her doctor friend Liz a junior doctor no less, personally I think it would end up like Bex she proved far to nice for the likes of me however Ill meet up with them when I am feeling better.
I hope everyone likes the new photo album . In time I intend to move all the pictures onto there.
Oh well I best get back to work I am having a meeting to catch up with the PSD at 10.30 .
I spend last night working with Phil organising all our diving photos for uploading onto the website, even with the duplicates removed there 700mb, however it should look excellent once all the photos are on there.
I was also chatting to Cassy last night it seems like such a long time since we lived in Moseley road interesting how peoples lives diverge. She introduced me (on-line) to her doctor friend Liz a junior doctor no less, personally I think it would end up like Bex she proved far to nice for the likes of me however Ill meet up with them when I am feeling better.
I hope everyone likes the new photo album . In time I intend to move all the pictures onto there.
Oh well I best get back to work I am having a meeting to catch up with the PSD at 10.30 .
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Rainy Sunday
I haven't written a post for a few days so I am going to have to try and cram a lot into this I will try and keep it chronological but if things get screwy its because I'm still taking codeine for my stomach pain.
I was still really quite ill on Friday so in an attempt to cheer myself up I've ordered myself a new fish tank. The Oscars have totally outgrown my current tank, I feel cruel restricting their space. I have been meaning to get one for ages so today I finally bit the bullet and bought a Jewel 300 litre tank. It comes with a rather snazzy beach cabinet/stand and should look really nice. Its going to be a squeeze getting it into my room. I think it will require some major reorganization but it should be worth it in the long run. Only slight downside is Mum wants me to repaint my room and apparently this is a good opportunity :-/
It all makes m wish I could afford a place of my own but there's nowhere within my budget and I am still stuck into a debt cycle in which stupid purchases of fish tanks and holidays to Sweden rather drain my resources. Though I wonder if deep down I am just scared to committee to buying somewhere and being tied down it is easy living at home perhaps I am get myself into a position where I cant get away so it gives me an excuse not to?
The debt situation is getting much better I'm clearing my credit card each month and I haven't dipped into my overdraft for months. Also my savings accounts are starting to look a bit more healthy I think I well on my way to hitting my new years resolution of clearing my personal debts. I just need to learn a bit more self control and not go so mad buying things.
Saturday I spent most of the day trying to fix up the games server in time for the next Lan bash on the 6th. Steam still proved a complete pain I finally managed after much effort to get it running. I was also working on my Sweden holiday gallery I think I will have to give up on XML/XSL Picasa outputs tiny rubbish thumbnails and xsl doesn't always render correctly in Firefox I think I will look for an alternate product rather than try and reinvent the wheel myself.
Saturday night was Jo Berger's house-warming, his place is really nice especially now he and Holly have tidied it up and given it some more homely touches. I went down with Martin and Bruce and Phil met up with use, no Ian or Danny though. Haven't seen Ian for a long time.
Spent some of the evening watching the happy tree friends such a funny violent cartoons they crack me up completely. The juxtaposition between the cute cuddly animals and the ultra violence (the level of which would make Alex DeLarge smile) is excellently handled. Although I pretty much hate flash on the web some of the cartoons are excellent.
Spoke to Paul this morning it was really good to hear from him again, hopefully I can go down and visit him and Lisa soon.
Its raining outside and my stomach is still unsettled I'm pretty worried about going back to work tomorrow sometimes after missing so much I have a lot to catch up with. I hope I can make it through the day aright.
I was still really quite ill on Friday so in an attempt to cheer myself up I've ordered myself a new fish tank. The Oscars have totally outgrown my current tank, I feel cruel restricting their space. I have been meaning to get one for ages so today I finally bit the bullet and bought a Jewel 300 litre tank. It comes with a rather snazzy beach cabinet/stand and should look really nice. Its going to be a squeeze getting it into my room. I think it will require some major reorganization but it should be worth it in the long run. Only slight downside is Mum wants me to repaint my room and apparently this is a good opportunity :-/
It all makes m wish I could afford a place of my own but there's nowhere within my budget and I am still stuck into a debt cycle in which stupid purchases of fish tanks and holidays to Sweden rather drain my resources. Though I wonder if deep down I am just scared to committee to buying somewhere and being tied down it is easy living at home perhaps I am get myself into a position where I cant get away so it gives me an excuse not to?
The debt situation is getting much better I'm clearing my credit card each month and I haven't dipped into my overdraft for months. Also my savings accounts are starting to look a bit more healthy I think I well on my way to hitting my new years resolution of clearing my personal debts. I just need to learn a bit more self control and not go so mad buying things.
Saturday I spent most of the day trying to fix up the games server in time for the next Lan bash on the 6th. Steam still proved a complete pain I finally managed after much effort to get it running. I was also working on my Sweden holiday gallery I think I will have to give up on XML/XSL Picasa outputs tiny rubbish thumbnails and xsl doesn't always render correctly in Firefox I think I will look for an alternate product rather than try and reinvent the wheel myself.
Saturday night was Jo Berger's house-warming, his place is really nice especially now he and Holly have tidied it up and given it some more homely touches. I went down with Martin and Bruce and Phil met up with use, no Ian or Danny though. Haven't seen Ian for a long time.
Spent some of the evening watching the happy tree friends such a funny violent cartoons they crack me up completely. The juxtaposition between the cute cuddly animals and the ultra violence (the level of which would make Alex DeLarge smile) is excellently handled. Although I pretty much hate flash on the web some of the cartoons are excellent.
Spoke to Paul this morning it was really good to hear from him again, hopefully I can go down and visit him and Lisa soon.
Its raining outside and my stomach is still unsettled I'm pretty worried about going back to work tomorrow sometimes after missing so much I have a lot to catch up with. I hope I can make it through the day aright.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Still Ill :-(
Well days have past and yet Im not getting much better, so today I decided to fight my fears and head to the doctors. One examination later and I find I have either got a dose of food poisoning or a gastric bug either way he gave me some pills to help with the pain and other effects.
Work were pretty understanding about me having time off which was really good of them.
Though I have been at home I have been in no fit state to work on anything even as a casual project its really not much fun at all :-(
I hope to improve in time for Bergers house-warming on Saturday else I really will be upset.
I have managed to spend a few minute getting some of my personal tools for the next lan , namely a headset so I wont have to borrow one from Phil (Cheers for last time matey) I've gone for a pretty top of the line one though I bought it from eBay rather than a shop. I also treated myself to a new gaming mouse. Its called razor dimondback from razor (see razors website). There's a rather nice review of them here. I have been really impressed so far its been much more precise than my logitec mouseman dual hopfully it will net me a few more frags ;-)
The only thing I need now is a new PC to go with them then Phil can give his old one to Berger and we will all be happy. It wont be in time for the next Lan though I still need to pay off my Swedish trip and save up for a new fish tank they are the top priorities at the moment.
I've pretty much given up with buying a house for the time being its going to take years to save up a worthwhile deposit I am certainly no Nick when it comes to money.
Work were pretty understanding about me having time off which was really good of them.
Though I have been at home I have been in no fit state to work on anything even as a casual project its really not much fun at all :-(
I hope to improve in time for Bergers house-warming on Saturday else I really will be upset.
I have managed to spend a few minute getting some of my personal tools for the next lan , namely a headset so I wont have to borrow one from Phil (Cheers for last time matey) I've gone for a pretty top of the line one though I bought it from eBay rather than a shop. I also treated myself to a new gaming mouse. Its called razor dimondback from razor (see razors website). There's a rather nice review of them here. I have been really impressed so far its been much more precise than my logitec mouseman dual hopfully it will net me a few more frags ;-)
The only thing I need now is a new PC to go with them then Phil can give his old one to Berger and we will all be happy. It wont be in time for the next Lan though I still need to pay off my Swedish trip and save up for a new fish tank they are the top priorities at the moment.
I've pretty much given up with buying a house for the time being its going to take years to save up a worthwhile deposit I am certainly no Nick when it comes to money.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Ill
I didn't make it into work today was up all night with terrible stomach pains. It wasn't as bad as food poisoning I got in France but still I don't feel groovy.
One good thing about having a day off was I got to finish Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, it was a good book though not on a par with Goblet of Fire or the Order of Phonenix.
I watched Jamies school dinners repeats this evening, strange to see such passion for his work and another example of corporations exchanging the externalities which is our kids existence health for profits. Scary really is it possible that we have all become such a part of the machine that no one really noticed the corporations taking over replacing knowledge for advertising, health and the environment for profit? I worry but what can I do drop out join a commune that's hardly me is it? I just wish I could find Jamies passion and use it to change the world myself. Is that just arrogance on my part or is my apathy part of the problem even as I sit here the TV is on spewing yet my advertisements trying to create a desire for things I don't even need.
One good thing about having a day off was I got to finish Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, it was a good book though not on a par with Goblet of Fire or the Order of Phonenix.
I watched Jamies school dinners repeats this evening, strange to see such passion for his work and another example of corporations exchanging the externalities which is our kids existence health for profits. Scary really is it possible that we have all become such a part of the machine that no one really noticed the corporations taking over replacing knowledge for advertising, health and the environment for profit? I worry but what can I do drop out join a commune that's hardly me is it? I just wish I could find Jamies passion and use it to change the world myself. Is that just arrogance on my part or is my apathy part of the problem even as I sit here the TV is on spewing yet my advertisements trying to create a desire for things I don't even need.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Lazy Sunday
After working with Martin yesterday I dont have my usual Sunday refreshed feeling, so think its time to have a lazy day. It was strange to do moonlighting putting up projectors screens in a big ops centre. It was alsmot surreal all these people sat around behind screens like me on a weekday.
Its midday and I am still sat in my dressing gown chatting to Lulu on the internet whilst trying to work out a nice way to present my Swedish photos, after the amount of effort Makke Boz and the others put in I dont want to just shove them up with webalbum generator.
Oh just got a message from Martin he wants to go to the gym later, oh well I can rest until then. My parents are away this weekend I think my cat is missing them he keeps moping about and meowing for no reason.
Its midday and I am still sat in my dressing gown chatting to Lulu on the internet whilst trying to work out a nice way to present my Swedish photos, after the amount of effort Makke Boz and the others put in I dont want to just shove them up with webalbum generator.
Oh just got a message from Martin he wants to go to the gym later, oh well I can rest until then. My parents are away this weekend I think my cat is missing them he keeps moping about and meowing for no reason.
Friday, July 15, 2005
End of the Week
This week has felt like a long one, not sure if I am still tired from Sweden or what but I certainly feel like a couple of days off.
However tomorrow I agreed to help Martin with a small job oh well the cash will come in handy towards the credit card bill.
Watched the film Constantine tonight, a epic based on the helplessly series it was quiet religious with the usual themes of redemption dogma and of course good versus evil. I have been thinking about religion a lot recently especially with the bombings in London I am so unsure about the existence of god, like most people I would love to believe there is something more than this world. Yet so many bad things seem to be perpetrated in the name of god.
Sometimes this sort of thinking nearly drive me insane laid alone late into the night, is religion just heroin for the masses or is there really some big plan. If there is a god are we simply a pet project gathering dust while working on the next thing?
The new Harry potter is released at one minute past midnight unfortunately the internet has already tainted it slightly for me, I was reading /. when I saw a link that like a car crash I didn't want to read but couldn't turn away. I wont ruin it for anyone that knows but I know which character is going to die :-S
However tomorrow I agreed to help Martin with a small job oh well the cash will come in handy towards the credit card bill.
Watched the film Constantine tonight, a epic based on the helplessly series it was quiet religious with the usual themes of redemption dogma and of course good versus evil. I have been thinking about religion a lot recently especially with the bombings in London I am so unsure about the existence of god, like most people I would love to believe there is something more than this world. Yet so many bad things seem to be perpetrated in the name of god.
Sometimes this sort of thinking nearly drive me insane laid alone late into the night, is religion just heroin for the masses or is there really some big plan. If there is a god are we simply a pet project gathering dust while working on the next thing?
The new Harry potter is released at one minute past midnight unfortunately the internet has already tainted it slightly for me, I was reading /. when I saw a link that like a car crash I didn't want to read but couldn't turn away. I wont ruin it for anyone that knows but I know which character is going to die :-S
Sunday, July 10, 2005
FP!
Well thought I would give this blogging lark a try, it's a lovely sunny summers days here and I have just had a bbq so I am pretty full. My Chinese friend Lulu has been pestering me to start writing so here it is. Ive actually self published some earlier work on my website and also some of the Slashdot journal. I may migrate some of the content depending on how well I like blogger.
Last night I went out to Wilmslow, Paul was out as was Lisa freshly arrived from Sydney. She was in great form as was Paul, in fact it was a great evening sat outside the rectory chatting and drinking in the awrm evening air. Wish I had taken out my camera and got some shots. Talking of cameras Woller has a really lovely new camera phone 2mp! Think its time I upgraded there is a 7mp Ixus now.
It has been a long week, this time last week I was in Sweden watching the Flugtag and at Coldplay on Tuesday they were amazing much better than when I saw them at the men arena.
Yesterday I saw a film that chilled me to the bone. Called the corporation and is about the rise and domination of the corporation I hadn't fully realised how much control they have it was scary and now the question is what do I do as a shareholder and a member of a capitalist society I couldn't go through life and avoid all corporate but I really think the system has to change.
Last night I went out to Wilmslow, Paul was out as was Lisa freshly arrived from Sydney. She was in great form as was Paul, in fact it was a great evening sat outside the rectory chatting and drinking in the awrm evening air. Wish I had taken out my camera and got some shots. Talking of cameras Woller has a really lovely new camera phone 2mp! Think its time I upgraded there is a 7mp Ixus now.
It has been a long week, this time last week I was in Sweden watching the Flugtag and at Coldplay on Tuesday they were amazing much better than when I saw them at the men arena.
Yesterday I saw a film that chilled me to the bone. Called the corporation and is about the rise and domination of the corporation I hadn't fully realised how much control they have it was scary and now the question is what do I do as a shareholder and a member of a capitalist society I couldn't go through life and avoid all corporate but I really think the system has to change.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Printer Rant
First Published on Slashdot Journal
Gah I am fed up with printers, some days it seems all users problem are in some way printing related. Printers are dirty and noisy, I always end up covered in toner, and its even worse on the colour printer I am left in cyan yellow magentry mess :-(
And Inkjets arghh dont even get me startered the cost the crapness of the drivers and the rubbish build quality argh who cares if it does photo quality if after the cost of the special ink and paper it ends up being greater than the cost of going down to a developer and getting top quality prints :'(
Gah I am fed up with printers, some days it seems all users problem are in some way printing related. Printers are dirty and noisy, I always end up covered in toner, and its even worse on the colour printer I am left in cyan yellow magentry mess :-(
And Inkjets arghh dont even get me startered the cost the crapness of the drivers and the rubbish build quality argh who cares if it does photo quality if after the cost of the special ink and paper it ends up being greater than the cost of going down to a developer and getting top quality prints :'(
Saturday, July 19, 2003
About Phils house mates
Steve he is a real Queenslander after a few days I had enough, here some examples, I fixed a pc for him and he woke me up at 6 in the morning to chat about it git! In fairness to the guy he did give Phil his money which helped put gas in the car.
Sam cool guy. Just did not need Phil around because he could not save money.
Sam (Another Sam) and Amy were also New Zealanders they are nice people although Amy did wake me up every morning at 4am and Sam again at 6am
Sam cool guy. Just did not need Phil around because he could not save money.
Sam (Another Sam) and Amy were also New Zealanders they are nice people although Amy did wake me up every morning at 4am and Sam again at 6am
Sunday, July 06, 2003
Airlie Beach
The next day we booked into a hostel near the lagona. The hostel itself is a little less personal and not very social but I think that the whole of Airlie hostels is that way. Most of the socialising is ethier done in the tacky bars or on the many sailing trip that there are.
So like the Romans we indulged in a night out. Not very sucessful. That day we had only eaten a few things and were still shatter from the day and night driving the day before.
We went to an Irish bar and the was no bar people. The ironic thing though was it looked like everybody had a drink in there. Advancing on to another bar called magnums we drank a couple more chilled beers. The Aussies drink cold beer, the pumps are cooled bottles are packed in ice and just to make sure it stays cold bottled beers are often served in polystyrene jackets to keep them cool. Beer and stupid contests were the order of the day I was still pissed off about my exams and no matter how much phil attempted to cheer me up my mood darkened so we decided to call it a night.
Awaking we tried to figure out how to kill another day in Airlie theres really not much here. Sitting on the beech we wrote out some postcards to send home. Surfed the internet for an hour or s and posted some of the photos for everyone to enjoy. We drove up to the rainforest and some of the views were spectacular.
In the evening we went out again, I decided to try and not let everything spoil my holiday so I was in a much better mood. We met up with a dive instructor called Andy, he was in Airlie looking at a boat (it apparently wasn't too hot in the end). Andy was a pretty sound bloke and he told us many dive stories. We will be looking up Calipso dive his company when we head north. More drinks followed then Andy pulled some pretty girl Phil and I went to bed drunk. Phil fell asleep in his clothes and I had to take his shoes off.
Friday, July 04, 2003
Airlie Beach Mission
Due to its size when you say you're going on a short drive in Australia you can mean upto 200km. So when I say we took a long trip from Hervey bay to Airlie beach I mean we did a LOT of driving. Departing from Hervey bay (9:30) after munching the free toast breaky, we set off on the highway for Airlie beach. I drove all morning reaching Rockhampton around (2:30). We ate lunch I bought a watch (the sales assistant gave us a discount I think she took a shine to Phil). Next we pulled into super cheap auto (4:30) to replace the faulty inverter, and now here is the thing about Australia the sales assistant took us on our word and replaced it without a receipt that would never happen in England.
It is Paul's birthday tomorrow so I bought him a card and then did something rather dumb, I walked into Australia post with the envelope and asked what do I need to send this to Sydney, with a rye smile the postmistress looked at me and said you need a stamp dear. Doh! Pretty obvious ask a silly question get a silly answer. Back on the road and by 5pm we were driving through some beautiful countryside the sun was setting over the mountains as we travelled through the scene was amazing, from sunset the watching the stars appear, certainly it made the KM's much more bearable.
Unfortunately for me this is also the day I found out I only got a 2:2 so it was very bittersweet. By the time we made it to Airlie beech I was feeling cru shed and tired Phil just tired, we couldn't find a hostel open which had vacancies and ended up paying $50 each to stay in a hotel. Needless to say we now have plenty of towels, and we defiantly know to book ahead in future.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Fraser Island (day 3)
Ouch is it morning already! And Phil feeling chirpy not so good for all the hungover people. Back to the all you can eat breakfast we both ate well. (Well we did pay for it). Trying and tell someone with a hangover not to eat a fry is like telling smoker not to smoke. Our guide for the day would be different, owing to a mix-up a bloke called Kerry would be doing the honours. He was very factual and after a bad joke he put a tape on. We saw different vegetation and how some of it worked on the island mainly though fire and how the new seeds grow in the ashes of the burned tree.
We then went to the one of the oldest sand dunes on the island. From this lookout you could see The Dune Formation, Lake Wobbie, lots of vegetation and the Ocean. Nearly as nice as the picture of Phil and the Two Swiss girls at lake Mackensie. From the lookout we continued down to Lake Wobbie, this is a small lake separating the dues from vegetation, not clear like Mackensie or Basin lake and with a steep side not so many people decided to swim. Even Phil decided not to come in for a dip. I have to admit it was pretty cold but seeing as Paula, Bart and Sharon joined me we had some fun. Kerry had warned us not to dive in as although deep away from the banks several people had seriously injured themselves diving in. Another group found a quick way to get in though rolling down the sand bank onto the water.
Lake Wobbie wasn't much to see (A part from a kite hovering abover the water to catch it lunch) really so we decided to walk to the beach. Its about 2km across the sand to get there. As we walked by Paula and she was putting on sunscreen. Phil saw Jesse emerging from the bushes, She said she was answering a call of nature quite apt in such a large sandbox. The beach was a much better prospect the sun was stronger and we all lay down for some sun worship, next to the thunder of vehicles passing. Fraser Island is quite strange in that the beach is classed as a highway. It is 56 miles long (according to Dave) and cars thunder up and down, its also used as an airstrip and the people who went up from the plane took off from here.
One last look at the Mahino and we departed back to the centre to leave. Just as we were driving along the beech we finally caught a glimpse of whales. About 800 metres out to sea there were a couple moving slowly and playfully they surface for air, quit a sight and a good way to round off the trip. An hour later and we were waiting for the boat home swapping email addresses.
It was a great trip and it was with a heavy heart we all said goodbye the couch taking us all to our hostels from the seaport. We really enjoyed Fraser saw a lot and had a great deal of fun, but all good things come to an end. Most of us set off towards Airlie beech gateway to the Whitsunday Islands for the next leg of our tour.
For us though another night in the Woolshed backpackers beckoned. We got back late and needed to do some washing which turn into a mission as we didn't have the right change. One large Pizza and much watching of the tumble dryer later we headed back to the hostel. Bed was calling and while Phil had been clever enough to grab his doona I froze even my hoody did not protect me. In the end I pulled all of the clean towels over me to stay warm.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Fraser Island (day 2)
We woke feeling the shots from the night before. It was also raining, during the night most of us (not Phil though he can sleep through anything) had been woken up by a thunderstorm, a big one at that. Who expect rain in the tropical rainforest :-S Phil woke up none the wiser and after drinking nearly a litre of water was ready to face the day. A cup of char later and sitting down to the all you can eat breakfast. Which everybody did we had to make up our lunch only one sandwich no good at all.
The first stop of the day was the coloured sands, caused by metal elements leeching through the rock they are an impressive sight. To Aboriginal women this was a sacred site.
Advancing next to the onto champagne pools but not with out seeing a dingo on the beach. (This beach is amazing it has a100kms speed limit, runway for many light aircraft and a kids play ground all in one). The champagne pools did not look as inviting as some of the other thing we had seen just because it was cloudy. But we both went in and it was lovely. We had small fish swimming around us and the waves making bubbles as they splashed over the rocks. The champagne pools are the only safe place to swim in the sea, strong currents sea snakes, stingers and sharks making the sea around Fraser a dangerous place.
Next stop was Indian point. A rocky outcrop. Indian point is so called as Captain Cook sailed past there were many aborigonies on the top, Cook called them Indians. To get to the top of Indian point required us to climb up a few rocks but no worries. The point is a great look out and the views were spectacular, you could see miles out across the Ocean. On a good day they say you can see whales and sharks, unfortunatly for us we didnt get to see any, except for a Ray. Sharon lost her sun glasses off the top of the point. Dave showed us some of the photos of his 10 years on Fraser. One of a brozer whaler shark (a nasty shark) of 3 meters in length near the beach. After seeing that the pics none of the group went in the sea. We had are only sandwich on the lookout and then all piled backon the bus. We both fell asleep on journey to the Mahino wreck. Phil in that time had lost his sunglasses and went really under about it. Little did he know one of the out people had kindly picked them up and did not tell him because they had gone on a plane ride to see Fraser from the air. The wreck was stunning sticking half way into the sand. It was let down by the overcast conditions.
The bus stopped at the shop so we could buy some liquid refreshment to go and watch the sunset. Before we all sat down to watch it there was another surprise a dingo on the beach. Some of us split off to get photos but we need not have done that because it went closer to the ones that did not follow it. The sunset was stunning to see over the mainland, it happened so quickly the sun disappearing over the sea leaving only dusk remaining. Phil being arty (Or trying to be) got a picture of the group facing the sunset. I have to say I have not watched many sunset but we both agreed this was stunning. A small hike back to resort up a very big hill and then to another game of shithead with a few beers. Another way to wait for the showers again.
We all went to dinner and tonight's entertainment was the karaoke. I have always thought that karaoke was invented by evil genious who likes to watch groups of people humiliate themselves. Everybody wanted to do it but we to afraid to put there had up to admit liking it. After a Tubby Japanese Ricky Martin (Who should have won). It was are turn and I have admit a very good rendition of Queens Bohemian Rhapsody. The line up was Bart, Phil, John, Mark and Paula. I do not know who was Freddie but that will be shown when (Or if Mark sends us a Pic of us doing it).
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