For the first time in what seems like ages we have had a blue sky day.
I must admit that it has been a cold blue sky day but at least it's been really bright and sunny.
It will be interesting to see how the sunset tonight plays out and just how long it will stay light for.
As we have had over the last few days some very dark nights darker than you would normally expect it to be, in fact one day last week it was only by looking at the clock I even new that sunset was due!
09 January, 2011
08 January, 2011
Clouds
Well there are lots of clouds about today, but none of them are the kind I like.
I can not wait until it's a bit warmer as we always seem to get much better looking clouds when it's warmer.
I can not wait until it's a bit warmer as we always seem to get much better looking clouds when it's warmer.
The Big British Fuel Tax Con. | I'll Try to be Nicer, If You Try to be Smarter
The Big British Fuel Tax Con. | I'll Try to be Nicer, If You Try to be Smarter
I think this is the most shocking thing I have read on why fuel in the UK is so expensive.
I think this is the most shocking thing I have read on why fuel in the UK is so expensive.
07 January, 2011
Rain
Lots of rain, very glad that it is not snow as it would have been a few weeks ago.
It's nice also to notice how the day is starting to get light for longer.
It's nice also to notice how the day is starting to get light for longer.
06 January, 2011
Cold
Bit cold it was a bit of a surprise at just how cold it has got.
I thought that it was going to stay near to the seasonal norm, but alas it was not to be.
I thought that it was going to stay near to the seasonal norm, but alas it was not to be.
Back at work
I know it's only been a few days but it already feels like I have been at work for ever.
04 January, 2011
03 January, 2011
Space Weather Radio: News and information about sunspots, solar flares and meteor showers
Space Weather Radio: News and information about sunspots, solar flares and meteor showers
I might not be able to see them but at least I will be able to hear them
I might not be able to see them but at least I will be able to hear them
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
The new theme for the Dirk Maggs website, the only problem is, I am not sure that I like it.
For some reason to me it looks too dark and gloomy. so what I think I will do is leave it on the site for a few days and then come back to it, and see if I still hate it. if so I think I will go back to the theme that I had before which was much brighter.
The new theme for the Dirk Maggs website, the only problem is, I am not sure that I like it.
For some reason to me it looks too dark and gloomy. so what I think I will do is leave it on the site for a few days and then come back to it, and see if I still hate it. if so I think I will go back to the theme that I had before which was much brighter.
YouTube - YELLO Touch
YouTube - YELLO Touch
This is just a track of Yello's that I like, I think it has something to do with the base and the rhythmics used.
This is just a track of Yello's that I like, I think it has something to do with the base and the rhythmics used.
Reading
I don't know if I recored it here that I finally late last year read Spitfire by Leo Mckinstry, its the second book of his that I have read, the first being Lancaster.
Well as I was out yesterday and found myself in a book shop, what should I find in paperback for the first time?
Yep another book by Leo this time called Hurricane.
Its the third book in the series and I hope that it will be just as good as his other two books.
Well as I was out yesterday and found myself in a book shop, what should I find in paperback for the first time?
Yep another book by Leo this time called Hurricane.
Its the third book in the series and I hope that it will be just as good as his other two books.
02 January, 2011
Tanglefoot
Did I say here before that I like tanglefoot real ale?
No?
Well I do, not sure why I like it but have a good idea that it might have something to do with the taste.
No?
Well I do, not sure why I like it but have a good idea that it might have something to do with the taste.
Ipad
Screen protector 1 User 0
Putting a screen protector on to an Ipad is I think a lesson in patience or it's a quick and very easy route to madness, well for me it is!
This simply play the protector on the Ipad and squish the odd bubble out ( is what the chinglish instructions say to do)
After more than 6 attempts I still have a screen with air bubbles on it!
I am told by the other half, and she would know this sort of thing ,that they will get smaller over time, lets hope so.
Because at this moment in time the Moon has a flatter surface than my poor old Ipad.
01 January, 2011
ipad 1 year on
This is what I said back on 28th Jan 2010 about the ipad, it makes interesting reading 1 year on, or very nearly 1 year on.
ipad
So the ipad is out, I don't know why but I wanted it to have more than they gave. By that I mean that as a version 1 device it has some failings that to me here in little old England are so obvious that you begin to wonder just what plant so of the folks in Apple are on.
I suppose will will never know what sort of discussions went to to decide what the machine should or should not have but the sad fact is that for what ever very good reasons, some of the stuff that they have left out are well to me just strange.
Take for instance multitasking, if I understand it right the new cpu that the ipad has, is more than capable of doing more than one task at the same time, the OS in the ipad can multi-task, in fact I think I have read somewhere that it does multi-task if you happen to be Apple and its your software running at the time.
So why does it not multi-task? there must be a reason, what it is I just don't have a clue.
The other thing that is not there is a forward facing camera, which would make the ipad just so much more usable, may be Apple don't want to sell too many devices or the cost of adding a camera broke the budget on the build cost.
Talking of build cost, I wonder just how much it does cost to make an ipad?
One thing that makes me really unhappy is that when I use my itouch ( which I do use very heavily, and have also run out of space on lots of times, its a 32G unit) is the number of website that don't work because I don't have flash on the itouch and I now see that for some reason Apple have still not got over there fears, worries about allowing it to work on the new ipad, why?
I am told by those in the know that the machine eg my touch is more than capable of running flash without any real problems.
So I have looked at other version 1 devices that Apple has done and have decided that a version 2 device is the better way to go.
So I have 12 more months to go before I will have to look at replacing my touch , I hope it lasts that long as the use it gets is stupid.
It goes without saying that as the year went by that I had a chance to play with the machine and the end results of that was that I now have an ipad with the latest OS on it, I am glad that I did not get the machine any earlier as I think that it would have been a bit of a disappointment in having to wait for so long to get the right operating system that makes use of all that the machine has to ofter.
I do know that an ipad2 is going to be announced soon but I don't think I could wait another 5 to 6 months for it hence the jump to the ipad1.
So I shall look at the ipad2 when it eventually makes its appearance here in the UK later this year.
ipad
So the ipad is out, I don't know why but I wanted it to have more than they gave. By that I mean that as a version 1 device it has some failings that to me here in little old England are so obvious that you begin to wonder just what plant so of the folks in Apple are on.
I suppose will will never know what sort of discussions went to to decide what the machine should or should not have but the sad fact is that for what ever very good reasons, some of the stuff that they have left out are well to me just strange.
Take for instance multitasking, if I understand it right the new cpu that the ipad has, is more than capable of doing more than one task at the same time, the OS in the ipad can multi-task, in fact I think I have read somewhere that it does multi-task if you happen to be Apple and its your software running at the time.
So why does it not multi-task? there must be a reason, what it is I just don't have a clue.
The other thing that is not there is a forward facing camera, which would make the ipad just so much more usable, may be Apple don't want to sell too many devices or the cost of adding a camera broke the budget on the build cost.
Talking of build cost, I wonder just how much it does cost to make an ipad?
One thing that makes me really unhappy is that when I use my itouch ( which I do use very heavily, and have also run out of space on lots of times, its a 32G unit) is the number of website that don't work because I don't have flash on the itouch and I now see that for some reason Apple have still not got over there fears, worries about allowing it to work on the new ipad, why?
I am told by those in the know that the machine eg my touch is more than capable of running flash without any real problems.
So I have looked at other version 1 devices that Apple has done and have decided that a version 2 device is the better way to go.
So I have 12 more months to go before I will have to look at replacing my touch , I hope it lasts that long as the use it gets is stupid.
It goes without saying that as the year went by that I had a chance to play with the machine and the end results of that was that I now have an ipad with the latest OS on it, I am glad that I did not get the machine any earlier as I think that it would have been a bit of a disappointment in having to wait for so long to get the right operating system that makes use of all that the machine has to ofter.
I do know that an ipad2 is going to be announced soon but I don't think I could wait another 5 to 6 months for it hence the jump to the ipad1.
So I shall look at the ipad2 when it eventually makes its appearance here in the UK later this year.
1000 Blog Posts
I think that this year 2011 I could hit the 1000 blog posts, now for other folks that is not a big number. But for me it is, as looking at the site logs and the blog post records soon shows that I sometimes go for many weeks without making a post.
Not sure why sometimes I have lots to say and on other days noting not a thing to talk about.
So it will be interesting to see how the blog posts go this year.
Not sure why sometimes I have lots to say and on other days noting not a thing to talk about.
So it will be interesting to see how the blog posts go this year.
New year
So another year of blogging starts.
I wonder just how many blogs I will do this year.
It looks like last year was not a bad year with some 160 odd blogs entry's which is good as I do know that I can go for weeks without making an entry.
so heres to 2011
I wonder just how many blogs I will do this year.
It looks like last year was not a bad year with some 160 odd blogs entry's which is good as I do know that I can go for weeks without making an entry.
so heres to 2011
Reasons to be Cheerful - Charlie's Diary
Reasons to be Cheerful - Charlie's Diary
This is a very good look at what has improved in the last 10 years. Some of this stuff I did not even know about.
This is a very good look at what has improved in the last 10 years. Some of this stuff I did not even know about.
31 December, 2010
Podcast
I was listening to the 365 day of astronomy podcast which I am well behind listening to I have some 100 podcasts yet to play.
Anyway the episode that I had playing was all about the Kelper mission and was taking about the exoplanets that it had found and that it had a list of some 1000 objects to check to see if they really are planets.
Just after this was said I get a text alert on the iPad telling me that the last new planet of the year has just been confirmed!
Spooky or what!
Anyway the episode that I had playing was all about the Kelper mission and was taking about the exoplanets that it had found and that it had a list of some 1000 objects to check to see if they really are planets.
Just after this was said I get a text alert on the iPad telling me that the last new planet of the year has just been confirmed!
Spooky or what!
New Year
So the new year is already happing some where on the planet as I type this....
It's all a bit scary in just how big the world is that some folks already have their forts sore heads of 2011!
So I am lucky that we have been invited to see the new year in with some friends, which has always got to be better than being on your own.
It's all a bit scary in just how big the world is that some folks already have their forts sore heads of 2011!
So I am lucky that we have been invited to see the new year in with some friends, which has always got to be better than being on your own.
Themes
I have been looking at changing the theme on my main website but I have hit the problem of what new theme to have.
Part of the problem is that there are so many different themes to chose from!
What colour do I want the theme to have is also another problem.
So as is so often the case I have left the site as it is for the time being, I suppose that in the new year I will look at it again.
Part of the problem is that there are so many different themes to chose from!
What colour do I want the theme to have is also another problem.
So as is so often the case I have left the site as it is for the time being, I suppose that in the new year I will look at it again.
Ipad
One thing that I have found that I don't like about the ipad is how marked and dirty the screen gets.
End of Year
So it's the end of the year and is it worth looking back at it or is it better to look forward?
I don't have an answer but forwards has always seemed a much better idea to me.
I don't have an answer but forwards has always seemed a much better idea to me.
30 December, 2010
Rocket launch
I wait some 40 days to see the French rocket lift off.(I can't remember it's name!)
I did every thing I could to make sure I could see it, I had the ipad set up I was on the live fee 15 minutes before the launch was due. I sat there watching to see that all the status lights were green all the way down to 1 minute, then what happens?
yes you guessed it, the feed to the ipad dies..
You can imagine the language that I used....
So I did not see the live launch I was not very happy
Why did it fail?
There is nothing on the official site to explain that there feed to the internet died, but at least in the end I did see a recording of it it, it's not the same thing but at least i got to see the rocket fly.
Only 47 days to the next launch, 15th Feb 2011...
I did every thing I could to make sure I could see it, I had the ipad set up I was on the live fee 15 minutes before the launch was due. I sat there watching to see that all the status lights were green all the way down to 1 minute, then what happens?
yes you guessed it, the feed to the ipad dies..
You can imagine the language that I used....
So I did not see the live launch I was not very happy
Why did it fail?
There is nothing on the official site to explain that there feed to the internet died, but at least in the end I did see a recording of it it, it's not the same thing but at least i got to see the rocket fly.
Only 47 days to the next launch, 15th Feb 2011...
Xmas break
it's funny thing that you would think with all the free time over Xmas that I would be able to get on with my reading and to also do some much needed updates on my websites.
So what happens?
Yes, your ahead of me on this one!
Nothing, I mean I might get up a hour later than I DO NORMALLY, BUT STILL FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER I HAVE DONE NOTHING THAT I WANTED TO DO.
Why?
My books of which the reading pile is far too large remains un-looked at, my websites are still waiting to be edited and added to, but some how or other I find myself at nearly 4pm today and i have not touched either.
I don't understand where the time is going, it's not a nice feeling loosing time, but that is what appears to be happing to me.
So what happens?
Yes, your ahead of me on this one!
Nothing, I mean I might get up a hour later than I DO NORMALLY, BUT STILL FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER I HAVE DONE NOTHING THAT I WANTED TO DO.
Why?
My books of which the reading pile is far too large remains un-looked at, my websites are still waiting to be edited and added to, but some how or other I find myself at nearly 4pm today and i have not touched either.
I don't understand where the time is going, it's not a nice feeling loosing time, but that is what appears to be happing to me.
Jammie Oliver Book
We have the new Jammie Oliver book, cook meals in 30 minutes, well I can tell you it can;t be done. I mean I and the wife are no slouches in the kitchen, but even we could not get any of his 30 minute meals cooked in that time.
So I reckon that what you see on the TV is not how it really happened, by that I mean his TV shows must have been edited, and edited hard.
So I reckon that what you see on the TV is not how it really happened, by that I mean his TV shows must have been edited, and edited hard.
29 December, 2010
28 December, 2010
Beer
Brought 2 beers today, but which to have first?
Tanglefoot?
or
Abbott's Ale?
The choice is hard very hard just which to have
Tanglefoot?
or
Abbott's Ale?
The choice is hard very hard just which to have
Books
Just looked at my reading pile, I have some 9 books to read. One of them I have now had for more than half a year and have only looked at the first page!
The book in question is about a 1000 pages long and is the sequel to a book that I enjoyed very much, but for some reason or other I just don't seem to pick it up when selecting a new book to read.
Funny that.....
The book in question is about a 1000 pages long and is the sequel to a book that I enjoyed very much, but for some reason or other I just don't seem to pick it up when selecting a new book to read.
Funny that.....
Days
I think that I have just noticed that the days are getting just a little bit longer, its either that or a lot of wishful thinking on my part that it is so.
27 December, 2010
26 December, 2010
websites
I have several websites that I have now had for several years, I have fun in keeping them working and also in getting new information for them.
In fact sometimes I think I enjoy the fact gathering far more than the website updating bit.
One thing that i have noticed is that I am for reasons that I have yet to work out spending far more time away from them than on them, I don't know why that is and it's not because i don't like the websites or the subject of the websites.
In fact sometimes I think I enjoy the fact gathering far more than the website updating bit.
One thing that i have noticed is that I am for reasons that I have yet to work out spending far more time away from them than on them, I don't know why that is and it's not because i don't like the websites or the subject of the websites.
Ipad
so i got an ipad for xmas, which is nice and its great and all that sort of stuff, what I was amazed to see is just how few apps there are for the ipad, I assume because its hard to pro gramme or something?
It can't be lack of interest as there are lots of them around, I mean lots have been sold, and when the ipad2 comes out I think that to will sell well.
The only problem that I have with it is this, it's a 32G unit and after I have transfered all my music pictures and apps to it I find that I am left with less than 5G and I have only had it 1 day....
It can't be lack of interest as there are lots of them around, I mean lots have been sold, and when the ipad2 comes out I think that to will sell well.
The only problem that I have with it is this, it's a 32G unit and after I have transfered all my music pictures and apps to it I find that I am left with less than 5G and I have only had it 1 day....
25 December, 2010
YouTube - Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel
YouTube - Mrs. Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel
I like this its a good version of this song and I reckon that the guy playing the instruments is just having a lot of fun.
I like this its a good version of this song and I reckon that the guy playing the instruments is just having a lot of fun.
24 December, 2010
To blog
Not done much blogging , not to sure why that is, there must be a reason, well whatever it is I don't know what it is.
perhaps over the xmas break I will do a few more blogs
perhaps over the xmas break I will do a few more blogs
03 December, 2010
Reading
Another book that I have read just a short while ago is called The Dam Busters and its by Paul Brickhill, its an old book publish in the early 1950's and so it was censored.
Now there are many books about the Dam Buster raid some 30 I counted and I really did not try that hard in looking.
I think its a great book and age has not really damaged it in any way that I can see, there is an uncensored version but I have not seen that myself.
In fact the order in which I have read the last three books is interesting, in that it all sort of makes sense to read the books in the order that I read them.
I first read a book about the Lancaster Bomber then this book then Guy Gibson's, with the first and second books being uncensored it made the middle book interesting as you can see what was left out and also what Paul Brickhill also did not know.
So all in all some good books that tell it how it was and just how brutal it all was and just how large the losses Bomber Command suffered.
I don't think I could have done what these aircrew went through.
I assume that the US and the German aircrews had the same sort of time/terror and losses. So in my book all were brave and deserve my respect.
Now there are many books about the Dam Buster raid some 30 I counted and I really did not try that hard in looking.
I think its a great book and age has not really damaged it in any way that I can see, there is an uncensored version but I have not seen that myself.
In fact the order in which I have read the last three books is interesting, in that it all sort of makes sense to read the books in the order that I read them.
I first read a book about the Lancaster Bomber then this book then Guy Gibson's, with the first and second books being uncensored it made the middle book interesting as you can see what was left out and also what Paul Brickhill also did not know.
So all in all some good books that tell it how it was and just how brutal it all was and just how large the losses Bomber Command suffered.
I don't think I could have done what these aircrew went through.
I assume that the US and the German aircrews had the same sort of time/terror and losses. So in my book all were brave and deserve my respect.
Enemy Coast Ahead Uncensored: The Real Guy Gibson Soft Cover: Amazon.co.uk: Guy Gibson: Books
Enemy Coast Ahead Uncensored by Guy Gibson
Just read this book and I have to admit that it has changed how I view Guy Gibson.
Well worth the read, especially this uncensored version. I did not realise just how young he was when he died.
He was just 26!
Just read this book and I have to admit that it has changed how I view Guy Gibson.
Well worth the read, especially this uncensored version. I did not realise just how young he was when he died.
He was just 26!
28 November, 2010
Neal Stephenson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neal Stephenson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Found that this article on Neal Stephenson was a bit of an eye opener as it explains things about him the the books that he has written.
Its nice background material but in the end I don't really care for it that much as I mainly read his books to be entertained and nothing more.
I am sure that there are people out there who for various reasons like to pull a book apart and the author to try and explain how it all works, well good for them.
Me?
I just want to be entertained for a few hours or so.
Found that this article on Neal Stephenson was a bit of an eye opener as it explains things about him the the books that he has written.
Its nice background material but in the end I don't really care for it that much as I mainly read his books to be entertained and nothing more.
I am sure that there are people out there who for various reasons like to pull a book apart and the author to try and explain how it all works, well good for them.
Me?
I just want to be entertained for a few hours or so.
27 November, 2010
Manual:Preventing access - MediaWiki
Manual:Preventing access - MediaWiki: "$wgShowIPinHeader = false;"
This is a page I found that explains and also provides information on how to lock down you wiki, well you never quite know when you might need it....
This is a page I found that explains and also provides information on how to lock down you wiki, well you never quite know when you might need it....
Dirk Maggs Wiki
Dirk Maggs Wiki
I find it hard to believe but someone for some reason joined this wiki of mine and then started to edit it so that it sent you to well doge websites.
I am pleased to say that their account no longer exists and all the bad stuff they did has been remove.
I did learn a lesson from all of this, trust no one, so now all the folks who want to join the wiki and want to edit it have to be approved by me.
hard lesson learnt.
I find it hard to believe but someone for some reason joined this wiki of mine and then started to edit it so that it sent you to well doge websites.
I am pleased to say that their account no longer exists and all the bad stuff they did has been remove.
I did learn a lesson from all of this, trust no one, so now all the folks who want to join the wiki and want to edit it have to be approved by me.
hard lesson learnt.
26 November, 2010
Boeing X-37 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Boeing X-37 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I thought that the x planes only went to X15, it appears that I am wrong in thinking this.
I thought that the x planes only went to X15, it appears that I am wrong in thinking this.
23 November, 2010
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
I know, I am taking about my website again, but then it's my main website so why not, it's not as if I make any money from it.
Any way I have noticed just how many pages are still missing from the site, I am afraid it's far more than I would like, I will really have to find some time to sort it out.
I think when that's done, which at the rate I am going could be years, I will do another website book in Hardback.
I know, I am taking about my website again, but then it's my main website so why not, it's not as if I make any money from it.
Any way I have noticed just how many pages are still missing from the site, I am afraid it's far more than I would like, I will really have to find some time to sort it out.
I think when that's done, which at the rate I am going could be years, I will do another website book in Hardback.
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
Dirk Maggs Productions Website :: Home
What's a bit sad is that this is my main website, that has grown and developed over the last five years or so, it has a lot of content, a lot of it is unique and is not found anywhere else, in fact the site it's self is also a very rare one in that how many Radio directors do you know that have a website all about their work?
Exactly and it does not stop there on just how different the website is.
The sad bit is that Dirk Maggs does not appear these days to be doing much audio work on radio, I suspect it may have something to do with how radio is commissioned these days(by the BBC), and money being tight and all that, and also the BBC does not think listeners want to hear great audio that can make the listener think and get involved with the audio production in some way or other.
So the Dirk Maggs website has not had any work done on it for a long time, and to that, that earlier in 2010 there was that very bad and unfortunate destruction of the database and the many backups, it's not surprising that the site is not fully complete as it should be, on a side note, free time has dropped big time, which has also meant that I have been very time poor when it comes to working on the site.
But I intend to keep the site going even if there is little new material to put on it as I think it will one day be a great resource for someone , when they want to know just a little bit about the work a radio director did in the 80-2000's in the UK on the BBC.
I think what I want to do is deepen the articles that I have on it, which will mean that it will take years to do, which is great for a part time project.
I will have to get in contact with Dirk Maggs just to see if there are any more radio productions in the pipe line, or if it is the end of an era, and the passing of a great bit of classic radio production.
What's a bit sad is that this is my main website, that has grown and developed over the last five years or so, it has a lot of content, a lot of it is unique and is not found anywhere else, in fact the site it's self is also a very rare one in that how many Radio directors do you know that have a website all about their work?
Exactly and it does not stop there on just how different the website is.
The sad bit is that Dirk Maggs does not appear these days to be doing much audio work on radio, I suspect it may have something to do with how radio is commissioned these days(by the BBC), and money being tight and all that, and also the BBC does not think listeners want to hear great audio that can make the listener think and get involved with the audio production in some way or other.
So the Dirk Maggs website has not had any work done on it for a long time, and to that, that earlier in 2010 there was that very bad and unfortunate destruction of the database and the many backups, it's not surprising that the site is not fully complete as it should be, on a side note, free time has dropped big time, which has also meant that I have been very time poor when it comes to working on the site.
But I intend to keep the site going even if there is little new material to put on it as I think it will one day be a great resource for someone , when they want to know just a little bit about the work a radio director did in the 80-2000's in the UK on the BBC.
I think what I want to do is deepen the articles that I have on it, which will mean that it will take years to do, which is great for a part time project.
I will have to get in contact with Dirk Maggs just to see if there are any more radio productions in the pipe line, or if it is the end of an era, and the passing of a great bit of classic radio production.
New Above & Beyond single and video announced
New Above & Beyond single and video announced This track or an earlier version of it has been one of my favourite tracks for a while, not sure if it the singer, the music or what but it always gives me goose bumps.
Now this version is even better at giving the old goose bumps, I suppose that as time goes by another tune will come along to replace this, but at this time this is one of my favourites.
Well worth a listen.
And if you are reading this and its not 2010 I can't guarantee that the links will still work, as nothing on the internet stays still these days for very long.
Now this version is even better at giving the old goose bumps, I suppose that as time goes by another tune will come along to replace this, but at this time this is one of my favourites.
Well worth a listen.
And if you are reading this and its not 2010 I can't guarantee that the links will still work, as nothing on the internet stays still these days for very long.
21 November, 2010
BBC - Earth News - Ancient seaweed is living fossil
BBC - Earth News - Ancient seaweed is living fossil
So if something is alive but very old in type or style then its described as a living fossil, I thought that the word fossil meant it was not alive.
So if something is alive but very old in type or style then its described as a living fossil, I thought that the word fossil meant it was not alive.
20 November, 2010
Reading
I have been a bit slow in putting this Blog up and on to the site, but I have completed the reading of another non fiction book.
Its by Alice Beard and as far as I can make out its also going to or has been on the BBC.
The book is called Pompeii and it gives a lot of information and corrects lots of things that I thought were true are in the main not. But its a book that tended to drag a bit for me in the odd chapter. I did want to know more about this Roman town and I did, but it would for me have been nice to see it compared with other towns of the period just so you could understand where it stands in the Roman world.
What I did get from the book is just how much we still don't know and that not all of the town has been excavated .
Its by Alice Beard and as far as I can make out its also going to or has been on the BBC.
The book is called Pompeii and it gives a lot of information and corrects lots of things that I thought were true are in the main not. But its a book that tended to drag a bit for me in the odd chapter. I did want to know more about this Roman town and I did, but it would for me have been nice to see it compared with other towns of the period just so you could understand where it stands in the Roman world.
What I did get from the book is just how much we still don't know and that not all of the town has been excavated .
Planet Calypso - Music
Planet Calypso - Music
I think this is music to surf by, as its not too distracting and is easy on the ears.
Not too sure about the game as it would I suspect eat into my free time in a big way.
I think this is music to surf by, as its not too distracting and is easy on the ears.
Not too sure about the game as it would I suspect eat into my free time in a big way.
13 November, 2010
10 November, 2010
07 November, 2010
Largerita 2010
Largerita is it a thing?
But it's very nice and very alcoholic. summer drink (nothing wrong with that?)
I would like to thank Nigella Lawson for pointing out and showing how to make this drink, all I need now is some hot summer sun, which in the UK could be a bit of a problem....
I have been asked by a reader how to make a Largerita.
So I will put up another blog post with the recipe I use and that works for me.
06 November, 2010
Mind Maping
Just got a book on Mind mapping just to see what all the talk is about it, and to see if its something I could use for my book writing and other creative things.
I did wonder though as all mind mapping seems to be in words or images, why can't I have mind mapping in sound?
Anyway the book is called The Mind Map Book and is by Tony Buzan, and so far, I am on page 21 its all going okay, I have not really learned anything new, I have been given another way at how the mind may or may not work which was interesting but as I am only right at the start of the book its really to early to say if its going to be something that is going to change how I get creative or not.
I did wonder though as all mind mapping seems to be in words or images, why can't I have mind mapping in sound?
Anyway the book is called The Mind Map Book and is by Tony Buzan, and so far, I am on page 21 its all going okay, I have not really learned anything new, I have been given another way at how the mind may or may not work which was interesting but as I am only right at the start of the book its really to early to say if its going to be something that is going to change how I get creative or not.
Book Read
I have finished another book by an author that I have read before, I can't decide if he is getting better at writing or not, but the fact is that I enjoyed the book and when I have found myself in Waterstones, like you do I have looked to see if there is a new book by him, so I suppose that does mean something.
The book is called "Almost a whale" an its a hard fact book on evolution and it is an update in a way to Darwin's book The Origin of Species.
Steve Jones I think does a good job in explaining what we have learnt from Darwin s time. One thing that surprised me was just how much stuff Darwin got right, even more so when you see the information that he had to work with. If nothing else it confirms to me just how good Darwin was.
Jones is an easy author to read and the examples of evolution at work are great and show to my mind at least that Darwin was right and has always been right on how evolution works and is still working.
The book is called "Almost a whale" an its a hard fact book on evolution and it is an update in a way to Darwin's book The Origin of Species.
Steve Jones I think does a good job in explaining what we have learnt from Darwin s time. One thing that surprised me was just how much stuff Darwin got right, even more so when you see the information that he had to work with. If nothing else it confirms to me just how good Darwin was.
Jones is an easy author to read and the examples of evolution at work are great and show to my mind at least that Darwin was right and has always been right on how evolution works and is still working.
Nothing Much
Its been some time since I have bloged, manly because I have had nothing I want to say, but the other reason could be that it now takes blogger so long to be ready for me to type something in.
Why?
I just don't know.
Any way here is a blog entry for what it is worth.
Why?
I just don't know.
Any way here is a blog entry for what it is worth.
10 October, 2010
10.10.10
I have noticed that today is 10.10.10 and I did think that it would be a great idea to write a blog at 10.10 on 10.10.10 but getting the timing just right was to me just too much like hard work, so I decided that it was just easier to write about it now.
Of course the next date that this all works for is 11.11.11 and also the time of 11.11 and 12.12.12 at 12.12
Sad
Of course the next date that this all works for is 11.11.11 and also the time of 11.11 and 12.12.12 at 12.12
Sad
Colds
I have decided that I really don't like having a cold, I am so glad that I only get them rarely
28 September, 2010
Reading yet again
I have finished the James Patterson book at last, in fact I have finished two of his books both in the same series.
I know how come I have managed to read two books so fast?
I think it's down to the fact that both books were written by Maxine Paetro 1st and then James then edits them and adds his bits to the story.
If I am wrong then the way the books with Maxine as the second author reads are totally different when the book is just written by James Patterson.
Any way the book that I have just read are 7th Heaven and 8th Confession both are credited as being written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, both were a good read in that the stories were good and the main characters world and lives changed during the course of the books.
I know how come I have managed to read two books so fast?
I think it's down to the fact that both books were written by Maxine Paetro 1st and then James then edits them and adds his bits to the story.
If I am wrong then the way the books with Maxine as the second author reads are totally different when the book is just written by James Patterson.
Any way the book that I have just read are 7th Heaven and 8th Confession both are credited as being written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, both were a good read in that the stories were good and the main characters world and lives changed during the course of the books.
19 September, 2010
Reading and Stuff
Just started to read yet another James Patterson book,in fact in the reading pile I have one more to read and it turns out to be the next one in the series of the book I am reading, which just shows how far I am in my reading or that James Patterson is writing and releasing the books far to quickly for me to keep up with, not sure which is the right answer to that one.
So I have to say with this current book I have found it much easier to read and that I find after only a short while that I am on page 141 of the book!
The story is good, and James Patterson's co-author is Maxine Paetro, who has co-author several books with James.
Now I did a bit of research and have found out that normally the 1st draft of the book is written by the co-author and then the final version by James, so I think it is noticeable that the books by different co-authors do read differently, well at least to me.
Is the book any good I think so, but until I have read the whole book I will not know.
The name of the book that I am reading is 7th Heaven and is part of the women's murder club series.
So I have to say with this current book I have found it much easier to read and that I find after only a short while that I am on page 141 of the book!
The story is good, and James Patterson's co-author is Maxine Paetro, who has co-author several books with James.
Now I did a bit of research and have found out that normally the 1st draft of the book is written by the co-author and then the final version by James, so I think it is noticeable that the books by different co-authors do read differently, well at least to me.
Is the book any good I think so, but until I have read the whole book I will not know.
The name of the book that I am reading is 7th Heaven and is part of the women's murder club series.
18 September, 2010
Cottage Pie
Go and try cottage pie made with sweet potatoes instead of them ordinary potatoes, I think you will be very surprised just how well it works.
As they say try something different at least once a year.
As they say try something different at least once a year.
Read
I have just finished a book by a well known author that for me to read has been a bit of a struggle. Now normally when I read this authors work its an easy read and the book is great fun and I have a good time and it's a good story, I could also say that I felt that I had been entertained as well, which is the whole point for me of reading a book in the first place.
For some reason, with this particular book by this author that just did not happen, strange that.
The author is James Patterson, yes that bloke who seams to release a book a month or at least it feels like it, looking at the local book shop shelf.
The book that has caused all the problems for me is called You've been warned its also written by Howard Roughan now how much of the book did James write? not an easy question to answer, but I have read somewhere that James may have come up with some of the ideas and that the other guy writes it, then James edits and adds his bits to it. I don't know if that is true or not
I just did not get on with this book, I think in the end it took me more than a year to finish it, in fact I read a lot of other books instead of completing this one.
One of the problems for me, with this book is that the main character who is a young woman, I just did not like and early in the book I just wanted to shout out at her and tell her to grow up and stop acting like a (insert favorite nasty words here) I am, that's how under my skin she got to me.
So for me this book was not fun but for you out there your experience may be very different.
For some reason, with this particular book by this author that just did not happen, strange that.
The author is James Patterson, yes that bloke who seams to release a book a month or at least it feels like it, looking at the local book shop shelf.
The book that has caused all the problems for me is called You've been warned its also written by Howard Roughan now how much of the book did James write? not an easy question to answer, but I have read somewhere that James may have come up with some of the ideas and that the other guy writes it, then James edits and adds his bits to it. I don't know if that is true or not
I just did not get on with this book, I think in the end it took me more than a year to finish it, in fact I read a lot of other books instead of completing this one.
One of the problems for me, with this book is that the main character who is a young woman, I just did not like and early in the book I just wanted to shout out at her and tell her to grow up and stop acting like a (insert favorite nasty words here) I am, that's how under my skin she got to me.
So for me this book was not fun but for you out there your experience may be very different.
Perhaps what I should do is go as see if there are any reviews and see what others thought of the book, it may be that I am completely in the wrong and that its a great book it might also be that it really is not a great book, who knows?
If I do look at some reviews of this book I shall update this blog post and put some comments on what I found.
13 September, 2010
Empire CD
Brought a CD the other day, well that's not quite right in fact, I brought the CD about a month ago its just turned up as the CD was only (published? is that the right word,) today.
The CD is by an act called Super8&Tab who I think, are from Finland or somewhere in that area of the world.
Anyway the album that I brought is called Empire, and its their first album, but not their first lot of released tracks as they have been going for a few years.
Now I took a gamble that their album would be as good as their some of their individual tracks that they have released over the years.
I have to say that I don't think I have wasted my money, as I ordered the album early I got a signed copy, which is a first for me and I was surprised to get such a thing. The album is very good with a mix of tracks that are different yet the same if that makes sense.
The CD is by an act called Super8&Tab who I think, are from Finland or somewhere in that area of the world.
Anyway the album that I brought is called Empire, and its their first album, but not their first lot of released tracks as they have been going for a few years.
Now I took a gamble that their album would be as good as their some of their individual tracks that they have released over the years.
I have to say that I don't think I have wasted my money, as I ordered the album early I got a signed copy, which is a first for me and I was surprised to get such a thing. The album is very good with a mix of tracks that are different yet the same if that makes sense.
12 September, 2010
Book reading
I have got through another book in the last few days, and this was a book that I did enjoy very much.
Its not a fiction book, its one of those books written for I suppose the man in the street or the woman in the street that want to know something more about a partcular science subject.
In this case its about the legacy of Charles Darwin and all his works, I did not know just how much other work Charles did, apart from his evolution work and the survival of the fittest.
This man did some really amazing work that appears to go unnoticed, and what is sad is that most of it he got very right far before anyone else and all that modern science technology appears to have done is filled in the fine detail using the science of DNA that he just did not have access to.
I liked the book that was all about what Charles knew and what we now know and sometime the extra information we have is one because we have ways of looking at a creatures DNA in ways and means that have only come about in the last 5 or so years.
The book is called Darwin's Island and its by Steve Jones, who writes in a very easy to read style and presents lots of facts that had men saying out loud, well I never! and stuff like that.
I know Charles Darwin is to some just the farther of Evolution, but after reading this book its clear that he was the farther of far far more, its sad that his other work is mostly known to scientist's as I am sure that if the general interested publish knew about his other work they would realise just how clever and forward thinking Charles Darwin was.
This is a great book for lifting the veil on some of the other work that Charles did and is well worth the read.
Its not a fiction book, its one of those books written for I suppose the man in the street or the woman in the street that want to know something more about a partcular science subject.
In this case its about the legacy of Charles Darwin and all his works, I did not know just how much other work Charles did, apart from his evolution work and the survival of the fittest.
This man did some really amazing work that appears to go unnoticed, and what is sad is that most of it he got very right far before anyone else and all that modern science technology appears to have done is filled in the fine detail using the science of DNA that he just did not have access to.
I liked the book that was all about what Charles knew and what we now know and sometime the extra information we have is one because we have ways of looking at a creatures DNA in ways and means that have only come about in the last 5 or so years.
The book is called Darwin's Island and its by Steve Jones, who writes in a very easy to read style and presents lots of facts that had men saying out loud, well I never! and stuff like that.
I know Charles Darwin is to some just the farther of Evolution, but after reading this book its clear that he was the farther of far far more, its sad that his other work is mostly known to scientist's as I am sure that if the general interested publish knew about his other work they would realise just how clever and forward thinking Charles Darwin was.
This is a great book for lifting the veil on some of the other work that Charles did and is well worth the read.
11 September, 2010
Last Night of the Proms
So its last night of the proms, this means that winter is now on its way, still its nice to see it in HD for the very first time.
06 September, 2010
Blood
Blood
I have just given my 116th pint or unit of blood, what shocked me was that my next donation is not until Feb 2011!
I have just given my 116th pint or unit of blood, what shocked me was that my next donation is not until Feb 2011!
05 September, 2010
Sunrise
Sunrise just before 6am, winter is on its way in, wish I had the money to now fly to the southern hemisphere and get to enjoy the spring and summer.
04 September, 2010
Updates
The amount of updates that I now have to do to my two main websites the Dirk Maggs and James Follett ones due I think to the new cms software that I have installed to run both sites.
The other reason could also be because both Dirk and James appear to have gone quiet on new productions that I can report on.
Perhaps in the next few months there will be something to report on although you know what is going to happen.
The other reason could also be because both Dirk and James appear to have gone quiet on new productions that I can report on.
Perhaps in the next few months there will be something to report on although you know what is going to happen.
Alone
Alone, do you like being alone?
I do sometimes and other times it does my head in.
Just wanted to record that fact here for myself.
I do sometimes and other times it does my head in.
Just wanted to record that fact here for myself.
The wall in a book
One thing that I sometimes have a hard getting over is when you read so far into a book at some point it becomes for whatever reason very hard to read, its a bit like the wall that marathon runners talk about, why this should happen to readers of books or just to me I just don't know, but the fact remains that there are books out there that for one reason or another have this wall, so far very few of the books with this wall have I failed to finish.
That's not to say that there are books that I have failed to complete, there are few and far between, some of the books are by authors that have had big hits.
That's not to say that there are books that I have failed to complete, there are few and far between, some of the books are by authors that have had big hits.
03 September, 2010
Reading
I have read another book, it is one that I have been on the look out for for a few years now and its called Grouch & Me and its by Groucho Marx.
It was worth the wait to get the chance to read it, as he writes to some extent how I would expect him to speak, he has been dead quite a few years it was great to hear him again after all this time.
Was the book worth the wait?
Yes
It was worth the wait to get the chance to read it, as he writes to some extent how I would expect him to speak, he has been dead quite a few years it was great to hear him again after all this time.
Was the book worth the wait?
Yes
30 August, 2010
Ipad
I think I have Ipad envy I could have brought one but instead brought a laptop, result is that I hardly use the laptop...
28 August, 2010
James Follett
I have some how or other found time to do some more work on the James Follett website, which is good as I really like they way it looks now, even if I say so myself.
One thing that I have noticed since rebuilding the website is that some of the pages in the website have for some reason or another different fonts on their pages, I don't know why they have ended up like this but they have.
So I am slowly going through every page of the website to make sure they have the same font, I have not worked out how to get the programme that drives the website to do this for me yet.
I have looked at the Official James Follett site and compared it to mine, both sites look very different and both have a different slant on the information provided and also how that information is presented, my site still goes into far greater detail, which I think is something you would expect from a fan site, and I cover all of James's work, where the official site just does a broad brush.
I think its a good thing to have 2 different sites on the one subject and even better that one of them is independent of James.
One thing that I have noticed since rebuilding the website is that some of the pages in the website have for some reason or another different fonts on their pages, I don't know why they have ended up like this but they have.
So I am slowly going through every page of the website to make sure they have the same font, I have not worked out how to get the programme that drives the website to do this for me yet.
I have looked at the Official James Follett site and compared it to mine, both sites look very different and both have a different slant on the information provided and also how that information is presented, my site still goes into far greater detail, which I think is something you would expect from a fan site, and I cover all of James's work, where the official site just does a broad brush.
I think its a good thing to have 2 different sites on the one subject and even better that one of them is independent of James.
Dirk Maggs
The Dirk Maggs website has had some work done to it and the good news is that I have evidence that Dirk is still doing stuff, not radio but is till stuff, and that's all that counts right?
According to the credits list Dirk was the script writer for the video for Final Frontier by Iron Maiden.
I have seen the video and its good but the music is not to my taste a tall, but I do understand what the song was about and how the video had to relate to it all in all a good job. I think I read that the time allowed to do video was very short 4 weeks?
According to the credits list Dirk was the script writer for the video for Final Frontier by Iron Maiden.
I have seen the video and its good but the music is not to my taste a tall, but I do understand what the song was about and how the video had to relate to it all in all a good job. I think I read that the time allowed to do video was very short 4 weeks?
Reading
Have read some more books that I have not spoken about here yet, so here goes The first is by James Patterson and is called Run for your life, now as entertainment this book mostly worked for me, but and this is a big but, for me the end of the book and the bad guy did not work for the very simple reason that the bad guy suddenly changed the way they they though and acted, through most of the book the bad guy was always intelligent and acted in a methodical manner, then you get to the last few chapters and he starts acting like a completely different person.
Why?
May be the deadline for the book came to soon or the word count had to be kept to, I don't know all I know is that the book could have been so much more.
The other book the I have read cost me nothing as its an out of copyright book that I read on my Itouch.
The book is called The Ultimate Weapon and its by John W Campbell, who if you are into your science fiction and the golden age of science fiction was the editor of Astounding Science Fiction in the 40-60's he introduced to the world authors such as Asimov and Helien.
The book was written back in the early 1930's and it shows in how its written and the science in it, but as for something to read it was great.
Why?
May be the deadline for the book came to soon or the word count had to be kept to, I don't know all I know is that the book could have been so much more.
The other book the I have read cost me nothing as its an out of copyright book that I read on my Itouch.
The book is called The Ultimate Weapon and its by John W Campbell, who if you are into your science fiction and the golden age of science fiction was the editor of Astounding Science Fiction in the 40-60's he introduced to the world authors such as Asimov and Helien.
The book was written back in the early 1930's and it shows in how its written and the science in it, but as for something to read it was great.
15 August, 2010
Waverley Abbey
Had an idea while the weather was good, eg not rato have a look at Waverley Abbey the ruins of.
I thought that it would be nice a peaceful with very few people around how wrong was I? busy or what it would apear that of folks who appear to be on holiday here from Germany decided that Waverley was the place to have a picnic, and I can't say I blame them, as it is a nice place.
The end result is 50 or more people descending on Waverley Abbey so bang goes a quite peaceful place.
I thought that it would be nice a peaceful with very few people around how wrong was I? busy or what it would apear that of folks who appear to be on holiday here from Germany decided that Waverley was the place to have a picnic, and I can't say I blame them, as it is a nice place.
The end result is 50 or more people descending on Waverley Abbey so bang goes a quite peaceful place.
Sunflowers
For the first time in years we got given some seed in the Radio Times, so we planted them, a bit late but they have grown well and it looks like soon will will have some flowers soon if it warms up a bit, as you may or may not know at this time of year August it is supposed to be warm eg 20 centigrade with blue sky and sunshine.
What have we been having?
Cloud cloud rain cloud and cool sometimes as much as 10 centigrade cooler then it should be at this time of year.
Now I know that our UK weather s at best changeable, but I would just love some warm weather so I can chill-out in the garden, also so I can hear the great sounds of summer, like lawnmowers and strimmers you know that sort of thing you always seem to get when their is a nice day a head of you and so every man and his dog decide that the lawn needs mowing of some other job that requires you to make lots of noise just so your neighbours know that you are outside.
What have we been having?
Cloud cloud rain cloud and cool sometimes as much as 10 centigrade cooler then it should be at this time of year.
Now I know that our UK weather s at best changeable, but I would just love some warm weather so I can chill-out in the garden, also so I can hear the great sounds of summer, like lawnmowers and strimmers you know that sort of thing you always seem to get when their is a nice day a head of you and so every man and his dog decide that the lawn needs mowing of some other job that requires you to make lots of noise just so your neighbours know that you are outside.
14 August, 2010
weather
I have had to check to see if it really is Aug and not Oct that's how bad the weather has been the last week.
13 August, 2010
Reading
another book that I read and completed on the 12 August 2010 is Medusa by Clive Clussler well that's what it says on the book with the help of another author who name I am afraid to say escapes me as I write this and don't have the book near to me at this time.
I get the feeling that most if not all of the book was written by the other author and that Clive only had the job of saying yes or no to the book.
The story is good and works well, I think the bad guys are just your typical Hollywood bad guys which is a pity as much more could have been made of them, which would have make the story even better, but as it is the story works and so does the characters in it.
Was it entertaining?
Yes.
I get the feeling that most if not all of the book was written by the other author and that Clive only had the job of saying yes or no to the book.
The story is good and works well, I think the bad guys are just your typical Hollywood bad guys which is a pity as much more could have been made of them, which would have make the story even better, but as it is the story works and so does the characters in it.
Was it entertaining?
Yes.
Reading
Books that I have read but did not record here in my Blog are Glasshouse by Charles Stross, this was a good read but and its only a small but I did work out very early on what was going to happen. What was great was that it did provide me with some good entertainment which is after all the main reason why I read fiction books in the first place.
I have read other peoples reviews of books and for some reason they forget that when reading fiction books you want to be taken somewhere else by the author and if he does that in such a way that structure of the book and the words he uses are simple, who cares! as long as the author gets the story in your head in stereo and full HD 3d that's all that matters as far as I am concerned.
Anyway back to Glasshouse, it has some great ideas that make for a good story that will make you think ( well it did me).
Now I did read another book but I have forgotten the name of it and who the author is, it was a fact book on the Lancaster Bomber of WW2, to make matters worse I have lent it to someone else on the understanding that he can lend it out after he has read it.
I have read other peoples reviews of books and for some reason they forget that when reading fiction books you want to be taken somewhere else by the author and if he does that in such a way that structure of the book and the words he uses are simple, who cares! as long as the author gets the story in your head in stereo and full HD 3d that's all that matters as far as I am concerned.
Anyway back to Glasshouse, it has some great ideas that make for a good story that will make you think ( well it did me).
Now I did read another book but I have forgotten the name of it and who the author is, it was a fact book on the Lancaster Bomber of WW2, to make matters worse I have lent it to someone else on the understanding that he can lend it out after he has read it.
09 August, 2010
Reading
As I said in a blog post the other day I have done some reading but for one reason or another I have not recorded here what those books are.
Well the first book that I have read is by Charles Stross called The Fuller Memorandum, which is one of the Laundry series of books by Charles.
If you have yet to read one of these books you are in for a treat.
This book was good and its written in such a way that you as a reader are drawn into the story without trying. Good entertainment as far as I am considered.
Well the first book that I have read is by Charles Stross called The Fuller Memorandum, which is one of the Laundry series of books by Charles.
If you have yet to read one of these books you are in for a treat.
This book was good and its written in such a way that you as a reader are drawn into the story without trying. Good entertainment as far as I am considered.
08 August, 2010
BBQ
It was touch and go but we had a BBQ tonight, what with how the weather has been over the last few days we where not sure if it would even be dry!
The weather gods were good to us and it was dry and the sun was out for just a little while. The only other problem was that it was a race cooking all the food before we run out of BBQ gas, and thats with that gauge thing they have on gas bottles these days.
Other news I have read a few books that for one reason or another I have not yet recorded here on my blog, but I promise I will do soon.
One of the reasons for not doing the blog has been that for some time now it takes a very long time for it to load up no matter what computer I use to access it, why?
The weather gods were good to us and it was dry and the sun was out for just a little while. The only other problem was that it was a race cooking all the food before we run out of BBQ gas, and thats with that gauge thing they have on gas bottles these days.
Other news I have read a few books that for one reason or another I have not yet recorded here on my blog, but I promise I will do soon.
One of the reasons for not doing the blog has been that for some time now it takes a very long time for it to load up no matter what computer I use to access it, why?
19 July, 2010
James Follett website
The new James Follett website has some how or other had 55 visits which is really quite good as I have not told anyone the new site and the software changes
18 July, 2010
I have finally redone the entire James Follett Website using a CMS to store and control the data, so far it all looks okay, all being well the updating of the site will be much easier, somehow or other I have set up a domain redirect, which works so that by typing the normal address for James Follett website you will be sent automatically to the new website.
Cool or what?
Any way the basic site is up there is a lot of up dating that has to happen to make sure all the text ect is the same.
Cool or what?
Any way the basic site is up there is a lot of up dating that has to happen to make sure all the text ect is the same.
10 July, 2010
Drinks I am having a Pimms No 5
Well I am drinking Pimms No5 in the evening sun, and I must say its all rather nice...
Did get asked what does Pimms taste of? the only answer I could give is that Pimms tastes of Pimms
Did get asked what does Pimms taste of? the only answer I could give is that Pimms tastes of Pimms
07 July, 2010
XL LIVE IQ Routes™ Regional 12 months - Car navigation - TomTom
XL LIVE IQ Routes™ Regional 12 months - Car navigation - TomTom
Why are there so many TomTom models
Why are there so many TomTom models
Things
Its been a while since did any posts to this blog, mainly because Idon't have anything to say.
But I think twill change soon as I have been doing some readinand its been fun.
But I think twill change soon as I have been doing some readinand its been fun.
06 July, 2010
30 June, 2010
Reading
What I have been Reading
Well I have just read another book which is by an author called Alastair Reynolds. The book is called "Terminal World" now don't get me wrong, as a story goes, it's good, but I when I completed reading the book I was left disappointed by it, I think somehow the book was brought to an end with too many story threads not brought to a nice ending.
I am after all reading the book to be entertained and as I have said before I expect the author of the book to play fair with me the reader, and provide me wuth a story that comes to some sort of ending that allows me as the reader to have closure with the characters in the book, which I have come to know and have spent some time with, and so I do want to know what mostly happens to them next or that their story is complete ect.
Anyway back to the book, so like I said eariler in this book that does not happen, lots of the characters are left in mid air so to speak, and that's what has left a bad taste in the mouth.
Alastair's writing is good and the ideas in the book are good and so is the plot and all that stuff that makes for an intresting read and they all do work and do the job, its just that the ending is, well it sucks.
If I did not know better, I would say that the publisher has told the author to end the book in such a way that a second book could be written if needs be. There could aslo be a word or page count limit and that as written the book was too long and Alastair had to edit the book down to a certian size on page lenght or works. I dont know if its this or that the ending is how he wanted it and that I am just looking for the story to end in a particular way and this time its not what I wanted or got.
I think I shall look out for more books by him but if he keeps gining me stories that end like this one, then perhaps I shall have to look else where for my entertianment.
21 June, 2010
Reading
Another book that I read a little while ago, but have not had the time for some reason to record it here is by John O'Farrell and it's called An utterly exasperated history of modern Britain.
I think I can say that I did not enjoy this book too much, don't get me wrong I did read it cover to cover but, and this is the but some how or other the author tone, voice? got under my skin and I was left with a bad test in my mouth.
So this is one of those books that to me was a bit of a let down, I think partly because the author appears to have gone out of his way to show how clever he is with hindsight and complete knowledge of events, while the people and events that he is talking about are of course unable to see everything.
I think I can say that I did not enjoy this book too much, don't get me wrong I did read it cover to cover but, and this is the but some how or other the author tone, voice? got under my skin and I was left with a bad test in my mouth.
So this is one of those books that to me was a bit of a let down, I think partly because the author appears to have gone out of his way to show how clever he is with hindsight and complete knowledge of events, while the people and events that he is talking about are of course unable to see everything.
Reading
Just finished reading that Stephen Baxter book that I spoke about a little while ago. The name of the book is Stone Spring I must say here that it was a good read and it kept me entertained.
The ideas that Stephen presents in the book are such that I even did a bit of a search on the internet just to confirm what he said was real and what he had made up.
I have no idea where book to in this series is going to take use, but I do know that I do look forward to seeing where the story goes.
On a side note this book would I think make a great radio show, as there is plenty of scope for some good acting and the use of some good and well chosen sound effects.
It's sad that such a radio show will never see the light of day on say the BBC as that's not the sort of thing they are into any-more, in fact just looking the other day at the radio Times the number of plays seems to have been cut such that at the rate they are disappearing a radio play once a week will be a treat.
The ideas that Stephen presents in the book are such that I even did a bit of a search on the internet just to confirm what he said was real and what he had made up.
I have no idea where book to in this series is going to take use, but I do know that I do look forward to seeing where the story goes.
On a side note this book would I think make a great radio show, as there is plenty of scope for some good acting and the use of some good and well chosen sound effects.
It's sad that such a radio show will never see the light of day on say the BBC as that's not the sort of thing they are into any-more, in fact just looking the other day at the radio Times the number of plays seems to have been cut such that at the rate they are disappearing a radio play once a week will be a treat.
13 June, 2010
Stephen Baxter
I am reading the very latest book by Stephen Baxter that has been published in hardback. Called Stone Spring and it's so I am told part 1 of a trilogy, I am wondering what the other books in the series are going to be called.
Now knowing just how long the publishing pipeline is has Stephen already written part 3?
I notice that a lot of his books now days feature things going badly wrong for the main characters in the books, I wonder why this change.
I know that authors move on, but some times I wonder if the books that they are having to write are being dictated to by the publisher and not what the authors muse wants.
It would I think be interesting to find out from more than one author if this is indeed true, I think personally that the answer will be more towards the fact that the publisher has to make a profit to stay in business and so an author like Stephen Baxter will have to be more flexible and open to the idea that commercial books are the way to go if he still wants to be published, with the coming of e books there may be a way of having some stories published that way that would not have been published in paper form.
It goes without saying that paper books will never go away and that there will always be a need for books in paper form. E books are going to be there in the market place but they will not take over the whole of the book publishing business.
Anyway I got off the track just a bit I just wonder if Stephen Baxter is ever going to do any hi science fiction stories in his Xeee universe? or has he moved on to other things that now get his writing muse more interested.
Now knowing just how long the publishing pipeline is has Stephen already written part 3?
I notice that a lot of his books now days feature things going badly wrong for the main characters in the books, I wonder why this change.
I know that authors move on, but some times I wonder if the books that they are having to write are being dictated to by the publisher and not what the authors muse wants.
It would I think be interesting to find out from more than one author if this is indeed true, I think personally that the answer will be more towards the fact that the publisher has to make a profit to stay in business and so an author like Stephen Baxter will have to be more flexible and open to the idea that commercial books are the way to go if he still wants to be published, with the coming of e books there may be a way of having some stories published that way that would not have been published in paper form.
It goes without saying that paper books will never go away and that there will always be a need for books in paper form. E books are going to be there in the market place but they will not take over the whole of the book publishing business.
Anyway I got off the track just a bit I just wonder if Stephen Baxter is ever going to do any hi science fiction stories in his Xeee universe? or has he moved on to other things that now get his writing muse more interested.
BBQ in the UK?
BBQ in The UK
So today (13th June 2010) we are having a BBQ for Chaz, so you can guess what the weather is going to do!
yep wet or so it looks.
I don't know how all the folks that are coming are going to cope sitting in the rain!
I don't know how all the folks that are coming are going to cope sitting in the rain!
But being English they are not going to be surprised or worrying about it, as its a normal state of affairs in the UK.
12 June, 2010
Dirk Maggs Website
Good news the following pages are now apart from photo's all now working again on the Dirk Maggs Productions Website radio productions from 1988 to 2006.
Yes I know lots of work....The website appears to have backup itself ( which is I think a very good idea) can't think why that is but hey its doing it.
So in the grand scheme of things that only leaves all the work that Dirk has done that is not radio from 1988 to 2010.. There is a lot of work, then there is the small mater of sorting out the photo's.
Photo's of actors that do mainly radio are by their very nature not easy to get at, so it goes without saying that I will beg steal and borrow to get them, Why? you may ask?
The answer is that I think its great so see who theses voices belong to, as some times the voice does not match the face, if that's a nice way of putting it ( I am sure there is a better way but I don't have a clue how to put it)
I have found that it also makes each page about tone of Dirk's radio productions far more interesting.
Yes I know lots of work....The website appears to have backup itself ( which is I think a very good idea) can't think why that is but hey its doing it.
So in the grand scheme of things that only leaves all the work that Dirk has done that is not radio from 1988 to 2010.. There is a lot of work, then there is the small mater of sorting out the photo's.
Photo's of actors that do mainly radio are by their very nature not easy to get at, so it goes without saying that I will beg steal and borrow to get them, Why? you may ask?
The answer is that I think its great so see who theses voices belong to, as some times the voice does not match the face, if that's a nice way of putting it ( I am sure there is a better way but I don't have a clue how to put it)
I have found that it also makes each page about tone of Dirk's radio productions far more interesting.
Itouch
I have a 2nd Gen itouch which I have to admit gets very heavy used, well just lately in fact since itunes was last updated I have found that the backup side of things is talking hours.
Why?
I do have a 32 GB touch but only about 12 GB is in use, backing up used to take only some 5 to 10 minutes. I wonder if Apple have some how broken something in the update of itunes.
I would do a Goggle search, but I have noticed lately that Goggle is returning more and more results that are very out of date, in some cases stuff from 2 years ago that clearly has nothing to do with what I have searched for, why is this?
Why?
I do have a 32 GB touch but only about 12 GB is in use, backing up used to take only some 5 to 10 minutes. I wonder if Apple have some how broken something in the update of itunes.
I would do a Goggle search, but I have noticed lately that Goggle is returning more and more results that are very out of date, in some cases stuff from 2 years ago that clearly has nothing to do with what I have searched for, why is this?
06 June, 2010
Website Updating
Work continues on the Dirk Maggs website, the good news is that most of the reference section is now done, in the sense that all the page content is there, the only missing bits being the images, which for some reason or other I find myself leaving to the last thing to do, perhaps because it takes so long to find each images and insert it in to the page in the right place, and then to make sure the links and all that stuff work with it.
The website as a whole is I now suppose some 60 percent complete, so as the rate of progress slows I still think it will not be complete until December of 2010.
The page count now stands at 195 ! which was a bit of a surprise, I did not think the website was that large.
On another note the backup of the website all appears to be working as it should this time, so that's good news.
The website as a whole is I now suppose some 60 percent complete, so as the rate of progress slows I still think it will not be complete until December of 2010.
The page count now stands at 195 ! which was a bit of a surprise, I did not think the website was that large.
On another note the backup of the website all appears to be working as it should this time, so that's good news.
01 June, 2010
Dirk Maggs Website
The good news is that the rebuild of the Dirk Maggs website is going well. Years 1987-2003 have now been done (a part from images) all the main text content is in place, so I only have years 2004-2009 to do on radio productions.
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