Created by Oatmeal
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Pretty little ditty
I am sat watching the leaders debate with my new pet. On Friday I got a call from my mum, it went along the lines of, "you want a cat to keep you company don't you". Just under a week later and I now live with Coco, a long haired Persian cat. She is actually a really nice kitty, she follows me around the house sitting next to me while I watch TV. Sometimes she even sits on my lap while I use my computer. He previous owners had several cats and they didn't get along with Coco. She prefers to be the only cat, so now she lives here with me. I think I have seen more of my mum in the last few days than since I moved out, she likes to come round to pet the kitty.
Not only do I have a new cat but I also started restocking my fish tank. I got a shoal of Zebra Danio a small hardy fish that should help get the tank started off. I am planning to have quite a lot of small colourful fish. I wanted to get some Neons and Tetras but they prefer a mature tank, so I need to build up to them slowly.
Tomorrow I am off to Poland to see Kath I cant wait to see her again.
Not only do I have a new cat but I also started restocking my fish tank. I got a shoal of Zebra Danio a small hardy fish that should help get the tank started off. I am planning to have quite a lot of small colourful fish. I wanted to get some Neons and Tetras but they prefer a mature tank, so I need to build up to them slowly.
Tomorrow I am off to Poland to see Kath I cant wait to see her again.
I hate Steam :@
It was the lan yesterday, and I had decided that it would be nice to play Modern Warfare 2. As I am pretty cheap I saw a copy on Amazon marketplace £15 cheaper than brand new so I thought why not. I have bought games in the past once they are installed who cares if it was new or not.
However once again steam ruined things for me. Steam is an on-line game delivery service and it seems the distributors Activision choose Steam as the security mechanism. Steam requires the internet to work correctly, which causes problem at the lans were we don't have an internet connection. It used to be insurmountable but as internet dongles become more prevalent there are ways around it.
On installing the game I was asked to enter the code I did so, it was rejected as a duplicate. OK I thought well there must be a reset process, so I looked it up. I had to send the invoice and a scan of the code (printed on the manual) with my Steam ID written above. I did all this only to be told by steam they did not support used games suppliers. So in a stroke steam have killed the used game market, at least for steam game, nice.
Fortunately after contacting the Amazon seller I managed to get a refund.
However once again steam ruined things for me. Steam is an on-line game delivery service and it seems the distributors Activision choose Steam as the security mechanism. Steam requires the internet to work correctly, which causes problem at the lans were we don't have an internet connection. It used to be insurmountable but as internet dongles become more prevalent there are ways around it.
On installing the game I was asked to enter the code I did so, it was rejected as a duplicate. OK I thought well there must be a reset process, so I looked it up. I had to send the invoice and a scan of the code (printed on the manual) with my Steam ID written above. I did all this only to be told by steam they did not support used games suppliers. So in a stroke steam have killed the used game market, at least for steam game, nice.
Fortunately after contacting the Amazon seller I managed to get a refund.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Dinner WIth Becky
Wednesday night Becky invited my round to her completed house to have a peek and eat some dinner.
I walked round, as my dad has borrowed my car due to having managed to get a contracting job.I walked the quickest route which took me from the suburbia of Handforth through the rather incongruous for Wilmslow council estate. Emerging back to suburbia with the gated community of the Villas.
Her house is a small mews set on The Villas estate, I never realised how far back the state went and I was ready for something to eat by the time I made it there. I had a good luck round, she had decorated it in her own style, extravagant. I was most taken by the bedroom with its mirrored furniture. Overall a nice tidy place, I think it suits her well
She made a dinner of Thai curry and fragrant rice, it was very tasty. We had a long chat afterwards it was all very sociable and relaxing.
I walked home this time around the main road avoiding the Colshaw estate.Friday, April 16, 2010
Caller ID
I just got a call on my mobile phone, I looked at the caller, and hit the ring silently option so it would go to voicemail. Reminded me how much we take changes in technology for granted. I was already thinking about this as last night I watched Electric dreams. Basically a family lived a decade in a week having to live as people would in the 80s. They were given similar technology. Was funny to see the son playing with a BBC Mirco typing in code, reminded me of my youth.
Ten years ago I didn't have a mobile phone, ten years before that my parents had an old rotary dial phone funny how things change, would never have imagined being able to see who was calling me.
Also curious is the fact its a glorious day outside but all flights in the UK are grounded because of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
Ten years ago I didn't have a mobile phone, ten years before that my parents had an old rotary dial phone funny how things change, would never have imagined being able to see who was calling me.
Also curious is the fact its a glorious day outside but all flights in the UK are grounded because of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
8-Bit Trip
Swedish band, Rymdreglage, spent more than 1,500 hours moving Lego bricks for its third music video, 8-Bit Trip. This hypnotic video is a beautiful homage to old-school C64 games and 8-bit music.
Friday, April 09, 2010
The Bucket
I spoke to Kath on the phone last night, I was nearly falling asleep but it was great to hear her voice. I really miss her already, its going to be a long few weeks before I visit her in Poland.
Apparently we will meet up with her friends and either go looking at the sights of Warsaw or head off on her friends Mike's sail boat, either sounds nice I can hardly wait.
After I hung up I went to finish the washing up and I saw a fox idly walking through my neighbours garden, basking in the star light. I stepped outside to take a peek. It didn't run away at first but lingered on the driveway. Pretty surreal moment.
Apparently we will meet up with her friends and either go looking at the sights of Warsaw or head off on her friends Mike's sail boat, either sounds nice I can hardly wait.
After I hung up I went to finish the washing up and I saw a fox idly walking through my neighbours garden, basking in the star light. I stepped outside to take a peek. It didn't run away at first but lingered on the driveway. Pretty surreal moment.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Just arrived home after dropping Kath off at the airport, the house already seems empty. I sat down to write this blog only to be interrupted by a spider which decided to climb on me. It startled me so much that I dropped my powerbook on the floor, its got a little dent in now, sad times.
Kath arrived on Saturday, I got up at 5.30am so I could meet her at Robin Hood airport in Doncaster.
We took a lazy drive back through the Woodhead pass, even in the weak dawn light it was a beautiful scene. Stopping off to buy a few provisions we headed back to my house, ate breakfast of croissants and coffee.
After such a long absence it was great to be together again, nothing feels better than when I hold her in my arms.
We went shopping in the afternoon, Kath wanted to get something for my mum, so we went to the garden centre.
In the evening I prepared a stir fry which we enjoyed with a bottle of wine. It was a really wonderful evening together.
Kath arrived on Saturday, I got up at 5.30am so I could meet her at Robin Hood airport in Doncaster.
We took a lazy drive back through the Woodhead pass, even in the weak dawn light it was a beautiful scene. Stopping off to buy a few provisions we headed back to my house, ate breakfast of croissants and coffee.
After such a long absence it was great to be together again, nothing feels better than when I hold her in my arms.
We went shopping in the afternoon, Kath wanted to get something for my mum, so we went to the garden centre.
In the evening I prepared a stir fry which we enjoyed with a bottle of wine. It was a really wonderful evening together.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Greg Rutter's Second Definitive List of The 99 Things You Should Have Already Experienced
A wonderful lost of some of the most populat memes and viral content. http://www.youshouldhavealsoseenthis.com/
From Kath
From Kath
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Input Out
I stopped subscribing to the Economist a year ago, a lack of time (and money), meant I wasnt really getting any value out the subscription. Since then every so often they send me a copy of intelligent life, which is a nice magazine, though I would not buy it (unless someone hands me a big pay rise).
There were afew stories which caught my eye, first was the history of news. The permese is we live in a post news age where news escencially propogates across television and the internet, repackages by various sites. Where PR agents and publisists essencially procuce the news news. An example of this is Newsbeat on Radio one which is so short it escencially a few sounsd bites, or single view of news.
I find it all very depressing that we seem to have shrugged off journalism in favor of sensationalism and populism. Everytime I log into my hotmail account I get to see the joys of MSN, view the awful slide shows of the X best / worsed cars / dressed / some other fad.
There were afew stories which caught my eye, first was the history of news. The permese is we live in a post news age where news escencially propogates across television and the internet, repackages by various sites. Where PR agents and publisists essencially procuce the news news. An example of this is Newsbeat on Radio one which is so short it escencially a few sounsd bites, or single view of news.
I find it all very depressing that we seem to have shrugged off journalism in favor of sensationalism and populism. Everytime I log into my hotmail account I get to see the joys of MSN, view the awful slide shows of the X best / worsed cars / dressed / some other fad.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
On Some Faraway Beach
Had to work yesterday which was something of a pain. Our American developer was over in the UK so we met in a meeting room at the Britannia hotel in Offerton. I had been dreading it but it was actually a very productive and useful day. Our ex developer joined us to go over some work, being in the same room was very helpful.
Afterwards we went to the pub so Martin could catch the West Ham game, I stayed for the first half, but wanted to get back to watch the Rugby.
England were at times exciting to watch scoring the only try. Unfortunately as usual they were ill disciplined and gave away stupid penalties. Ending in a frustrating 12-10 loss to France crowning them as a Gran Slam winners.
Phil and Caroline came round for a drink and a chat. The had been out for an Italian meal in Poynton, sounded very nice.
Afterwards we went to the pub so Martin could catch the West Ham game, I stayed for the first half, but wanted to get back to watch the Rugby.
England were at times exciting to watch scoring the only try. Unfortunately as usual they were ill disciplined and gave away stupid penalties. Ending in a frustrating 12-10 loss to France crowning them as a Gran Slam winners.
Phil and Caroline came round for a drink and a chat. The had been out for an Italian meal in Poynton, sounded very nice.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Pi Day
Yesterday was Pi Day (at least if you write the date in American format MM DD YYYY) 3142010. In celebration Martina invited me round for dinner, and some of her apple pie. It was very tasty.
We chatted a lot about searching for jobs, the dishonesty of recruitment consultants, and the general insanity of the job market.
We chatted a lot about searching for jobs, the dishonesty of recruitment consultants, and the general insanity of the job market.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
isn't that worth fighting for, isn't that worth dying for
I had a night of films this evening. Starting with a release from last year I watched Pandorum. It is a tense psychological thriller set on board a spaceship. I liked the idea, of the characters waking up with no memories. The cinematography was brilliant, but the pacing was a bit off the characters running to save the ship from nuclear disaster.
Next up was the 2003 release, Matrix Reloaded. Rather like the Phantom Menace, I couldn't wait to see it when I did though I walked out disappointed. I forgot how ridiculous the Freeway scene was. It is amazing was so over the top, I cant imagine even David Cameron would actually build several miles of Freeway at several million per mile just to create a scene.
I remember reading a review after the Matrix said the directors saw Charlies Angels. They believed that it copied the Matrix so much, it made them wan to make a film which couldn't be copied. Which they did really no one has tried to do bullet time on such a scale as say the scene where Neo does battle with the Frenchman's henchmen. I guess it was that overambition that lets the Matrix sequels down. There were so many ideas and they tried to explore so many of them that ultimately you end up with unintelligible scenes like Neo meeting the Architect.
The final film of the evening was from the end of the 90's ExistenZ. One thing I really notice now when I see a film from the 90 is that unlike today the actors look a bit more like people rather than looking like the spend their lives in the gym. ExistenZ explores the ideas of alternate realities, how our reality is defined by our mind. The Matrix tried the same thing but I think David Cronenberg takes it to the depths.
Next up was the 2003 release, Matrix Reloaded. Rather like the Phantom Menace, I couldn't wait to see it when I did though I walked out disappointed. I forgot how ridiculous the Freeway scene was. It is amazing was so over the top, I cant imagine even David Cameron would actually build several miles of Freeway at several million per mile just to create a scene.
I remember reading a review after the Matrix said the directors saw Charlies Angels. They believed that it copied the Matrix so much, it made them wan to make a film which couldn't be copied. Which they did really no one has tried to do bullet time on such a scale as say the scene where Neo does battle with the Frenchman's henchmen. I guess it was that overambition that lets the Matrix sequels down. There were so many ideas and they tried to explore so many of them that ultimately you end up with unintelligible scenes like Neo meeting the Architect.
The final film of the evening was from the end of the 90's ExistenZ. One thing I really notice now when I see a film from the 90 is that unlike today the actors look a bit more like people rather than looking like the spend their lives in the gym. ExistenZ explores the ideas of alternate realities, how our reality is defined by our mind. The Matrix tried the same thing but I think David Cronenberg takes it to the depths.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Zeppelin
Finally got the my blog ported to blogger website. It has been a bit of a journey, I still need to upgrade the template and change a few more settings. You might also notice that the URL has changes from http://www.johncooke.info/blog to http://blog.johncooke.info Thats he way blogger want it to be set up.
Had a few issued with the feeds over the few days, just in case anyone subscribes via RSS the feed name has changed so please update your settings.
For now I am staying with blogger I want to see what I can get out of it, and switching to wordpress presented a while different set of problems.
Had a few issued with the feeds over the few days, just in case anyone subscribes via RSS the feed name has changed so please update your settings.
For now I am staying with blogger I want to see what I can get out of it, and switching to wordpress presented a while different set of problems.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Beautiful day without you
As you might have notices blog has moved (for the time being) to blogger.com so I now have the wonderful (sic) blogsearch and next button displayed at the top, cheers google. I am debating whether to switch to a self hosted Wordpress installation or not, the URL shouldn't change again though.
Not much been happening recently, I am something of a cash flow crisis at the moment, have to watch every penny until I can get things turned around, of lots of nights spent at home, or at the gym.
Kath has arranged to make the journey here over Easter. I cant wait to see her again, we speak everyday on Skype or the phone but it is a pale imitation to being with her. I usually send her pictures of my dinner so she can ensure I am taking care of myself. Fortunately my culinary skills have improved greatly since I moved out. She has become one of the most important and precious things in my life, the pain of separation is well worth the moment we spend together.
Workwise I have been working hard, did a massive update on works website last night which actually appears to have worked quite well, hurrah. I despair at my company though, how so much effort can give so little return, and the same mistakes can be allowed to be repeated just boggles my mind.
I cant believe how petty some people out there are, in the last couple of months evertime I put out my paper recycling bag for collection, when I return home the bag is gone. Now I can believe once that it blew away, but this week there wasn't any wind on Wednesday. Which means either one of my neighbours thinks its funny to steal or, or worse they are so weak minded that they think its better to steal than contact the council. Newsflash, one phonecall to the rather nice sounding lady at the council office and they will give you a new one, they are already costed into the council tax bill FFS!
Not much been happening recently, I am something of a cash flow crisis at the moment, have to watch every penny until I can get things turned around, of lots of nights spent at home, or at the gym.
Kath has arranged to make the journey here over Easter. I cant wait to see her again, we speak everyday on Skype or the phone but it is a pale imitation to being with her. I usually send her pictures of my dinner so she can ensure I am taking care of myself. Fortunately my culinary skills have improved greatly since I moved out. She has become one of the most important and precious things in my life, the pain of separation is well worth the moment we spend together.
Workwise I have been working hard, did a massive update on works website last night which actually appears to have worked quite well, hurrah. I despair at my company though, how so much effort can give so little return, and the same mistakes can be allowed to be repeated just boggles my mind.
I cant believe how petty some people out there are, in the last couple of months evertime I put out my paper recycling bag for collection, when I return home the bag is gone. Now I can believe once that it blew away, but this week there wasn't any wind on Wednesday. Which means either one of my neighbours thinks its funny to steal or, or worse they are so weak minded that they think its better to steal than contact the council. Newsflash, one phonecall to the rather nice sounding lady at the council office and they will give you a new one, they are already costed into the council tax bill FFS!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
This blog has moved
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Most Dangerous foods....
According to Time Magazine Hot dogs are pretty dangerous to Children under 10, however my personal favorite is leef greens. Despite whate vegitarians preech that only meet contains harmful bacteria and viri leaf greens can give you Nirovirus, E Coli and salmonella, though this is only is improperly handeled or stored.
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