I hope you don't think I'm picking on you Vicky with this, but this really made me laugh. I suppose I'm causing people not to comment now if I mock the comments they make, but this has to be said! I type the word 'Chrissi' about three times in every post for the last week. It's there on the page. Quite clearly. So when you reply to a comment ... an extra e goes on the end? Where does it come from?!
I know it's a common spelling of the name, but please. When I have it written everywhere without it, I'd have thought someone might've gotten the hint. Maybe not. Ah well ...
In other more interesting news, I was up a large part of last night due to being unable to sleep. This was due to predominantly a pulled muscle in my chest, most likely from coughing. Hardly the most strenuous activity, but hey. Evidently that's the supreme level of fitness I have. A short splutter is enough to knock out half of the muscles in my body.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Shopping!
I went shopping and actually looked for new clothes today. This is rare enough to actually warrant an update all by itself. It's borderline non-existent. Chrissi went with me and tolerated it. She's even less pro-shopping than I am.
Work tomorrow, hurrah! Feels like I shouldn't be going to work as Chrissi is here - Chrissi here should mean holiday. I'll let work know. They'll understand.
Work tomorrow, hurrah! Feels like I shouldn't be going to work as Chrissi is here - Chrissi here should mean holiday. I'll let work know. They'll understand.
Run Continues
Because I don't want to spoil my recent run of blog-a-day, I am making this quick comment at 1:35am. Chrissi is here now. Hurrah!
This admittedly makes all my blogs for the next fortnight rather pointless as she is the only one who reads them, but hey! That's not the main reason I do it. It's for the sense of fulfillment/futility/delete as appropriate.
This admittedly makes all my blogs for the next fortnight rather pointless as she is the only one who reads them, but hey! That's not the main reason I do it. It's for the sense of fulfillment/futility/delete as appropriate.
Friday, December 28, 2007
180 Degrees
Today put me in mind of something a year and a half ago which I also blogged about. Readers with keen memories may recall this post back in August last year. Even those without them will now be prompted as I just provided a link.
Anyway, gist was I was pissed, walked out and just went for a walk not knowing where I was going or what I was doing. Roll forward to today, and a similar scenario. Irritated, or rather peeved at something silly, I opted to go for a walk. There's not much better at clearing your head then a good walk in the fresh air. But the contrast was spectacular to me. A year and a half ago I hadn't known where I was going, what I was doing, was kinda low and generally frustrated. Today, I went for a walk and knew exactly what I was doing, where I was going, and felt extremely upbeat and not fretting about things.
I make this point to illustrate the surprising fact - I know what I'm doing now. And where I'm going. Which is, without sounding too dramatic, probably the first time in my life I've really been that clear about it all.
Anyway, gist was I was pissed, walked out and just went for a walk not knowing where I was going or what I was doing. Roll forward to today, and a similar scenario. Irritated, or rather peeved at something silly, I opted to go for a walk. There's not much better at clearing your head then a good walk in the fresh air. But the contrast was spectacular to me. A year and a half ago I hadn't known where I was going, what I was doing, was kinda low and generally frustrated. Today, I went for a walk and knew exactly what I was doing, where I was going, and felt extremely upbeat and not fretting about things.
I make this point to illustrate the surprising fact - I know what I'm doing now. And where I'm going. Which is, without sounding too dramatic, probably the first time in my life I've really been that clear about it all.
Recap
Five in five. Impressive.
For today, honestly see Monday. Attempted improvements from myself were way too muted and really felt awkward and out of place. Which in turn felt really, really strange.
For today, honestly see Monday. Attempted improvements from myself were way too muted and really felt awkward and out of place. Which in turn felt really, really strange.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
One And A Half Centuries
My recent spate of blogging has put me up to the 150 mark for blogs. A perhaps dubiously impressive landmark. Anyway, I'm quite getting into this blogging lark once more.
I don't have too much to say, so instead I'm going to comment on one of the more amusing things I've heard this year. This being that on updating my facebook profile picture, Chrissi observed that I looked hot in that picture. This is one of the most hilarious things I've heard this year. I attach said picture for proof of how absurd this premise is.
Okay, she's biased, she's supposed to say that. I still disagree though. However, attempting to prove my point by seeking a second opinion to agree with me, and selfishly they sided with Chrissi. I'm still insisting I'm right on this one, and not fishing for compliments at all because I am reluctant to believe that this could even be the case! For me, it doesn't sit quite square with the perception I have of myself. Perhaps my perception needs updating.
Anyway, amusing enough that I felt compelled to share it with the one person who reads this, which is Chrissi anyway and so already knew about this.
I don't have too much to say, so instead I'm going to comment on one of the more amusing things I've heard this year. This being that on updating my facebook profile picture, Chrissi observed that I looked hot in that picture. This is one of the most hilarious things I've heard this year. I attach said picture for proof of how absurd this premise is.
Okay, she's biased, she's supposed to say that. I still disagree though. However, attempting to prove my point by seeking a second opinion to agree with me, and selfishly they sided with Chrissi. I'm still insisting I'm right on this one, and not fishing for compliments at all because I am reluctant to believe that this could even be the case! For me, it doesn't sit quite square with the perception I have of myself. Perhaps my perception needs updating.
Anyway, amusing enough that I felt compelled to share it with the one person who reads this, which is Chrissi anyway and so already knew about this.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas
Well, it's that time of year again, time to give thanks for two days off work. A fairly quiet Christmas for me this year, as is indicated by the fact that I'm here blogging as opposed to at some raucous celebration. I hope all of you out there are having an enjoyable time with family, friends or whoever else you're spending the day with.
Also, three days in a row of entries. Be impressed.
Also, three days in a row of entries. Be impressed.
Monday, December 24, 2007
A Blog A Day Has No Proven Medicinal Benefits
However, it does keep the news relatively fresh which is always a good thing.
Today's main newsflash is that I have had the afternoon off work (hurrah) due to it being Christmas Eve. The latter news is shocking, I'm sure. It doesn't require much date manipulation to work out what tomorrow is either.
I could make a seasonally themed blog. However, that's going to be entirely out of character with me. Instead, I'm going to comment as to how it seems that my life is changing quite a lot. Especially over the last three and a half months or so since I've been working and so forth, there've been a lot of changes for those of you who have been paying close attention. This currently encompasses one reader, who to be fair is the only one to really get that chance.
Anyway, it's odd to meet up with other people who you haven't seen for a while and seem to completely not fit in or feel as if you perhaps should not fit in because of this. Priorities changing, people changing. Perhaps I'm even growing up, who knows.
Today's main newsflash is that I have had the afternoon off work (hurrah) due to it being Christmas Eve. The latter news is shocking, I'm sure. It doesn't require much date manipulation to work out what tomorrow is either.
I could make a seasonally themed blog. However, that's going to be entirely out of character with me. Instead, I'm going to comment as to how it seems that my life is changing quite a lot. Especially over the last three and a half months or so since I've been working and so forth, there've been a lot of changes for those of you who have been paying close attention. This currently encompasses one reader, who to be fair is the only one to really get that chance.
Anyway, it's odd to meet up with other people who you haven't seen for a while and seem to completely not fit in or feel as if you perhaps should not fit in because of this. Priorities changing, people changing. Perhaps I'm even growing up, who knows.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Two Or Six Days To Go
Hi, it's me again. Noone reads this any more, so the purpose of blogging is little more than one of talking out loud. Nice to do, regardless. Even though I don't do it as much as I should.
As the ever-so-uncryptic title of this entry denotes, it's two days to Christmas, or alternatively for my focus, six days to the alternative festivities of Chrissimas. In other words, yes, Chrissi is flying in for New Years and so forth for a couple of weeks. This rebranding to mark the occasion either passes for marketing or for being very droll, I am unsure which yet. Regardless, I've used it before and am sticking with it.
In other news, office Christmas party was on Friday, my first of such noted events. It was surprisingly not as crap as may have been predicted, accompanied by the hilarious concept of a fork buffet (when a finger buffet just isn't enough!) and your typical generic live band. One nagging worry is that by virtue of not drinking, you lack an excuse if you venture/are dragged onto what passes for the dancefloor. For some reason I always seem to end up there despite it being very far from my natural habitat. If you drink, you can claim inebriation. I think this is quite unfair.
On the bright side, I only have to work half a day tomorrow by virtue of it being Christmas Eve. This sounds ace. Means I can have a productive afternoon ... in theory. In reality, it means spending a couple of hours in the pub instead, and racing back before the shops close to finish off that last item.
Oh, if anyone still reads this, drop a comment on. If there's actually a response I might up the ante and blog more than once a millenium.
As the ever-so-uncryptic title of this entry denotes, it's two days to Christmas, or alternatively for my focus, six days to the alternative festivities of Chrissimas. In other words, yes, Chrissi is flying in for New Years and so forth for a couple of weeks. This rebranding to mark the occasion either passes for marketing or for being very droll, I am unsure which yet. Regardless, I've used it before and am sticking with it.
In other news, office Christmas party was on Friday, my first of such noted events. It was surprisingly not as crap as may have been predicted, accompanied by the hilarious concept of a fork buffet (when a finger buffet just isn't enough!) and your typical generic live band. One nagging worry is that by virtue of not drinking, you lack an excuse if you venture/are dragged onto what passes for the dancefloor. For some reason I always seem to end up there despite it being very far from my natural habitat. If you drink, you can claim inebriation. I think this is quite unfair.
On the bright side, I only have to work half a day tomorrow by virtue of it being Christmas Eve. This sounds ace. Means I can have a productive afternoon ... in theory. In reality, it means spending a couple of hours in the pub instead, and racing back before the shops close to finish off that last item.
Oh, if anyone still reads this, drop a comment on. If there's actually a response I might up the ante and blog more than once a millenium.
Monday, December 17, 2007
A Wee Bit Nippy
So, Glasgow. Not the warmest of places, really.
I'm in Glasgow Airport, one of the scenic wonders of the world right now. This is an exaggeration, or more strictly speaking a bare faced lie. Not that I'm not in Glasgow Airport - I am - but the splendour around me is, well, non-splendourous. It's also cold here. About freezing, give or take a few degrees. Nice weather to stand outside in the cold for half an hour waiting for a taxi that'll be there in five minutes. I just love taxis.
I'm here in the cold northern wastes because of work. Sometimes I am not a fan of work. It seems to send me to silly places for no good reason, like today where I spent most of my time here sitting behind a desk doing my usual work, but taking more time to do it because instead of turning to the person next to me, I was at the other end of the country.
However, it has been full of contrasts. For example, this morning I had a really nice Easyjet flight. A freak, I am sure. I also met lots of non-grumpy Glaswegians, evidently stereotyping has done them a disservice.
Twenty seconds left on this internet, so off I go.
I'm in Glasgow Airport, one of the scenic wonders of the world right now. This is an exaggeration, or more strictly speaking a bare faced lie. Not that I'm not in Glasgow Airport - I am - but the splendour around me is, well, non-splendourous. It's also cold here. About freezing, give or take a few degrees. Nice weather to stand outside in the cold for half an hour waiting for a taxi that'll be there in five minutes. I just love taxis.
I'm here in the cold northern wastes because of work. Sometimes I am not a fan of work. It seems to send me to silly places for no good reason, like today where I spent most of my time here sitting behind a desk doing my usual work, but taking more time to do it because instead of turning to the person next to me, I was at the other end of the country.
However, it has been full of contrasts. For example, this morning I had a really nice Easyjet flight. A freak, I am sure. I also met lots of non-grumpy Glaswegians, evidently stereotyping has done them a disservice.
Twenty seconds left on this internet, so off I go.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Contrast
One thing I've been meaning to post for a couple of days is about a song I've recently found that I really like. Song in question is The Clash - This Is England. It's a really impressive disillusioned song with the England of the 1980s. The sort of song that makes you think of words like 'poignant'. I recently got the albums I talked about back in June, Essential Clash and The Who - Then And Now. Both are superb. Anyway, do listen to This Is England if you can, it is a superb song and well worth listening to.
Anyway, the contrast is because yesterday the papers were hysterical with vitriolic patriotic sentiment because we are apparantly on the European continent - I know, who knew? The Sun was particularly impressive with their headline 'We Shall Never Surrender' - original, I know, no idea where they came up with that from. Daily Express possibly trumped it with their comically crazy headline 'Mr Bean Signs Away Our Freedom'. I just find the whole thing laughable, and almost borderline hysterical. The fits of rage that the tabloids get into when you mention anything foreign, let alone agreeing with foreigners is bizarre.
Sometimes I really wish we weren't on an island and could stop this ludicrous cherade continued by the papers and the more neanderthal of the population that we are somehow not part of Europe and our own little special part of the world. When you see things like the headlines like yesterday, words like 'special' seem particularly apt descriptors.
Anyway, the contrast is because yesterday the papers were hysterical with vitriolic patriotic sentiment because we are apparantly on the European continent - I know, who knew? The Sun was particularly impressive with their headline 'We Shall Never Surrender' - original, I know, no idea where they came up with that from. Daily Express possibly trumped it with their comically crazy headline 'Mr Bean Signs Away Our Freedom'. I just find the whole thing laughable, and almost borderline hysterical. The fits of rage that the tabloids get into when you mention anything foreign, let alone agreeing with foreigners is bizarre.
Sometimes I really wish we weren't on an island and could stop this ludicrous cherade continued by the papers and the more neanderthal of the population that we are somehow not part of Europe and our own little special part of the world. When you see things like the headlines like yesterday, words like 'special' seem particularly apt descriptors.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Promised Break
Well, as forecast in a previous post exclusively here on Musings from Slumberland, I am currently on holiday.
As some of you may have noticed, I've not updated recently. This is because I suck. Not much new there I'm afraid. Anyway, back to the main story again, that I'm on holiday. Those who have half a brain cell need not wonder where I am. I am naturally in America with Chrissi this holiday. Inspired, I know.
I've now been here nearly a week, which has been very enjoyably work-free. Have done lots of things and gone away for a few days as well. Overall it has been a very enjoyable time so far. Photos of the trip so far are available on Facebook for those of you who have it, which is everyone of the two/three who read this.
More to come at some indefinite point in the future.
As some of you may have noticed, I've not updated recently. This is because I suck. Not much new there I'm afraid. Anyway, back to the main story again, that I'm on holiday. Those who have half a brain cell need not wonder where I am. I am naturally in America with Chrissi this holiday. Inspired, I know.
I've now been here nearly a week, which has been very enjoyably work-free. Have done lots of things and gone away for a few days as well. Overall it has been a very enjoyable time so far. Photos of the trip so far are available on Facebook for those of you who have it, which is everyone of the two/three who read this.
More to come at some indefinite point in the future.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Grand Updates
Well, as you may have noticed, or not, I have actually filled in the gaps. Read down for another three updates. All at once! Crazy.
Andrew on Tour - Part Three [The North East]
A change to my schedule for the training meant that instead of doing the exciting visits to Ilford, I was instead seeing the scenic sights of the North East, namely Newcastle, as well as London in that week also.
This of course meant that as I was in Newcastle for two days, I got to spend an evening (and as it turned out, two evenings) in Durham. This is really pointless mentioning because all the people who knows this already are the only ones who read this, but hey. That's the point of this.
So yes, got to spend one evening in Durham, which was very very nice. Very glad I did that, and worth all the travel - especially as it goes on expenses anyway. Second evening I had been intending to meet up with a friend, Mark, in Leeds on the way back. However, when texting him to meet up ... he could get to Leeds five minutes before I had to leave. Not good planning. So I went to Durham again that evening for a couple of hours.
More good work.
This of course meant that as I was in Newcastle for two days, I got to spend an evening (and as it turned out, two evenings) in Durham. This is really pointless mentioning because all the people who knows this already are the only ones who read this, but hey. That's the point of this.
So yes, got to spend one evening in Durham, which was very very nice. Very glad I did that, and worth all the travel - especially as it goes on expenses anyway. Second evening I had been intending to meet up with a friend, Mark, in Leeds on the way back. However, when texting him to meet up ... he could get to Leeds five minutes before I had to leave. Not good planning. So I went to Durham again that evening for a couple of hours.
More good work.
Andrew on Tour - Part Two [Manchester]
So, two Saturdays ago I was being decisive and going to the Grand Final in Manchester at Old Trafford. I mentioned this in my blog a few weeks previously, but noone applied for interest. So I contacted an old friend from uni, Stuart who was one of my housemates in second year, and a Hull FC supporter, and asked if he wanted to go. He did, and his girlfriend Emma who I also knew from then did too.
So I went up to his on the Saturday morning; for an Arsenal supporter he sadly lives right outside the Emirates. And I mean, literally, right outside. Tragic, I know.
So we drove up to Manchester - I say 'we' but I was the only one not to drive, logical really as I still don't have a license. The final was Leeds vs St. Helens for those of you who were not aware; which I would not be surprised considering it was entirely overshadowed by both the football and rugby union that day, and noone would actually know it was on unless they bothered to find out for themselves.
The atmosphere was great and really enjoyable at the game. The only downside was that after a tight first half, Saints got really quite obliterated in the second half. They didn't play particularly poorly, but looked a bit toothless in attack, while Leeds defended well. Final score was a mismatch which didn't represent the true state of the game, as it was tight but Leeds did deserve to win.
This was actually the first time I watched Saints lose live, a run including four Challenge Cup finals and a Grand Final - not a bad record. However, despite that it was a really enjoyable day and I'm delighted I actually made the effort to make the contact and make it work. Good stuff all round.
So I went up to his on the Saturday morning; for an Arsenal supporter he sadly lives right outside the Emirates. And I mean, literally, right outside. Tragic, I know.
So we drove up to Manchester - I say 'we' but I was the only one not to drive, logical really as I still don't have a license. The final was Leeds vs St. Helens for those of you who were not aware; which I would not be surprised considering it was entirely overshadowed by both the football and rugby union that day, and noone would actually know it was on unless they bothered to find out for themselves.
The atmosphere was great and really enjoyable at the game. The only downside was that after a tight first half, Saints got really quite obliterated in the second half. They didn't play particularly poorly, but looked a bit toothless in attack, while Leeds defended well. Final score was a mismatch which didn't represent the true state of the game, as it was tight but Leeds did deserve to win.
This was actually the first time I watched Saints lose live, a run including four Challenge Cup finals and a Grand Final - not a bad record. However, despite that it was a really enjoyable day and I'm delighted I actually made the effort to make the contact and make it work. Good stuff all round.
Andrew On Tour: Part One [The South West]
Right, I did say I would update. So here we go. En masse.
Many moons ago, which may well have been three weeks back, I was in the south-west of England delivering training in both Bristol and Exeter. This was the first step of my tour of the country. It wasn't really a grand tour, but a tour nevertheless.
This is memorable because mainly of the utter ineptitude of the Bristol Central Travel Lodge. Take my advice and never stay there. The odds you would've done anyway are pretty slim, but better safe than sorry.
The place was horrendous. I had the misfortune to be stuck there two nights, due to no accomodation in Exeter within the appropriate price range - instead I got a train early the next morning to Exeter. On the second night of my stay, there were a group of us bitching in the bar about the experiences of the hotel. It was thrilling.
Here were my own experiences: the only hotel in the world that doesn't do shampoo. Unbelieveable. They didn't have the billing information which had been provided. They had electronic keys for the doors and couldn't activate them correctly the first two times.
Other people's complaints included the following: frozen food. But still frozen when served. Nice. Removing your drink when you move from your seat for ten seconds with your book and papers still obviously there. Ignoring you at reception while standing fairly obviously in front of them ringing the bell. But the all time killer was someone driving around who couldn't find the hotel, ringing the hotel reception - only to be told "we're busy" and hung up on. It's something straight out of Fawlty Towers.
Besides that, my trip was uneventful and featured lots of rather boring training and long travelling on not entirely shite trains.
Many moons ago, which may well have been three weeks back, I was in the south-west of England delivering training in both Bristol and Exeter. This was the first step of my tour of the country. It wasn't really a grand tour, but a tour nevertheless.
This is memorable because mainly of the utter ineptitude of the Bristol Central Travel Lodge. Take my advice and never stay there. The odds you would've done anyway are pretty slim, but better safe than sorry.
The place was horrendous. I had the misfortune to be stuck there two nights, due to no accomodation in Exeter within the appropriate price range - instead I got a train early the next morning to Exeter. On the second night of my stay, there were a group of us bitching in the bar about the experiences of the hotel. It was thrilling.
Here were my own experiences: the only hotel in the world that doesn't do shampoo. Unbelieveable. They didn't have the billing information which had been provided. They had electronic keys for the doors and couldn't activate them correctly the first two times.
Other people's complaints included the following: frozen food. But still frozen when served. Nice. Removing your drink when you move from your seat for ten seconds with your book and papers still obviously there. Ignoring you at reception while standing fairly obviously in front of them ringing the bell. But the all time killer was someone driving around who couldn't find the hotel, ringing the hotel reception - only to be told "we're busy" and hung up on. It's something straight out of Fawlty Towers.
Besides that, my trip was uneventful and featured lots of rather boring training and long travelling on not entirely shite trains.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Calm Before The Storm
This weekend I really do plan to update my blog with the last however many weeks of stuff. Promise.
Now sleep.
Now sleep.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Andrew On Tour
[Disclaimer: If I get through this without the word 'update' from here to the end, I'll be impressed]
Well, to keep people informed of what I've been doing and why I've been so frenetically busy not to bother blogging of late, well, for a start I've been off around the country. This sort of exciting modern-executive style living should continue for the next three weeks or so.
This week I was in Liverpool for a day, Tuesday being the day in question (travelling up and staying overnight on the Monday, returning on the Tuesday evening). On the bright side, it meant I got to travel on one of these swish Virgin trains, which are extra roomy due to each passenger only having one arm and one leg having bought their ticket.
The reason I was in Liverpool was because I was part of the training team for a new program being rolled out to various branches across the country. This is the same reason I'm going for the next few weeks to be away.
In my tour I will be visiting Bristol, Exeter, Newcastle, several parts of London, and the wonderfully scenic Ilford (ha ha). While in Newcastle I will also be visiting old university folks from Durham, or rather young ones because they are still there while I have moved on. If anyone else who reads this (unlikely) is near one of the other places, let me know.
In addition to that, I have received my first payslip. It makes all the work and early starts worthwhile. So far have not had much of a chance to spend it, but, I've got it and that's the first thing.
More to come in the next few days I suspect, I intend to provide more regular posts in the near future. But then I always do.
Well, to keep people informed of what I've been doing and why I've been so frenetically busy not to bother blogging of late, well, for a start I've been off around the country. This sort of exciting modern-executive style living should continue for the next three weeks or so.
This week I was in Liverpool for a day, Tuesday being the day in question (travelling up and staying overnight on the Monday, returning on the Tuesday evening). On the bright side, it meant I got to travel on one of these swish Virgin trains, which are extra roomy due to each passenger only having one arm and one leg having bought their ticket.
The reason I was in Liverpool was because I was part of the training team for a new program being rolled out to various branches across the country. This is the same reason I'm going for the next few weeks to be away.
In my tour I will be visiting Bristol, Exeter, Newcastle, several parts of London, and the wonderfully scenic Ilford (ha ha). While in Newcastle I will also be visiting old university folks from Durham, or rather young ones because they are still there while I have moved on. If anyone else who reads this (unlikely) is near one of the other places, let me know.
In addition to that, I have received my first payslip. It makes all the work and early starts worthwhile. So far have not had much of a chance to spend it, but, I've got it and that's the first thing.
More to come in the next few days I suspect, I intend to provide more regular posts in the near future. But then I always do.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Two Weeks In
It seems that every one of my blog posts nowadays is either an 'update' or similar. I think the message we can draw from this is that I don't actually blog often enough, that I have to constantly keep updating people with what I've missed pointing out through not blogging at the relevant time.
Anyway, this latest update comes with me two weeks into my job with Reed. I'm already starting to settle into the routine of working, and into the whole familiarity of the job and what it entails and so on. As I wasn't clear before, and didn't precisely know myself what my position was, I should point that out to start with I suppose. Technically speaking, my position is as a Graduate Trainee, but I'm on the IT Projects team and that basically translates to me working in a project manager/sub-manager role depending on the different project that I'm assisting with.
My hours are not too atypical. I'm on a 40-hour week, with daily hours of 8-5 with a one hour lunch break, so fairly standard stuff. For those of you aghast at the possibility of me getting up at 6am every morning for the commute in to Raynes Park where I work, I am amused at you. So far I've had no problems at all in the mornings or similar. As with all things, it's all about getting into the routine and so on.
So far I've been familiarising myself with systems and working on a few small projects in minor roles to get myself up to speed with some of the bigger projects that the team is working on. I'm actually quite enjoying it so far.
That's pretty much it on the job front - what else for the dreaded 'updates'? Hrm. Well, Chrissi and I had our four-year anniversary on Monday. That's quite impressive to say the least. Super League regular season has ended, and I'm interested in going to the Grand Final in Manchester on October 13th. If anyone else fancies this too, give me a shout as currently I'm going on my own if at all! Sorting out a new passport too and looking at booking a holiday away in late November, no prizes for guessing where to. And that's about it from me for updates.
Anyway, this latest update comes with me two weeks into my job with Reed. I'm already starting to settle into the routine of working, and into the whole familiarity of the job and what it entails and so on. As I wasn't clear before, and didn't precisely know myself what my position was, I should point that out to start with I suppose. Technically speaking, my position is as a Graduate Trainee, but I'm on the IT Projects team and that basically translates to me working in a project manager/sub-manager role depending on the different project that I'm assisting with.
My hours are not too atypical. I'm on a 40-hour week, with daily hours of 8-5 with a one hour lunch break, so fairly standard stuff. For those of you aghast at the possibility of me getting up at 6am every morning for the commute in to Raynes Park where I work, I am amused at you. So far I've had no problems at all in the mornings or similar. As with all things, it's all about getting into the routine and so on.
So far I've been familiarising myself with systems and working on a few small projects in minor roles to get myself up to speed with some of the bigger projects that the team is working on. I'm actually quite enjoying it so far.
That's pretty much it on the job front - what else for the dreaded 'updates'? Hrm. Well, Chrissi and I had our four-year anniversary on Monday. That's quite impressive to say the least. Super League regular season has ended, and I'm interested in going to the Grand Final in Manchester on October 13th. If anyone else fancies this too, give me a shout as currently I'm going on my own if at all! Sorting out a new passport too and looking at booking a holiday away in late November, no prizes for guessing where to. And that's about it from me for updates.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Exemplary Organisation
So, today is Thursday (well, technically Friday at time of going to press, but really Thursday). I should start my new job on Monday. In theory.
So far I have had limited communication and have sent off an official application form so it can be processed by the HR department (you know, the one with the stuff about you have no outstanding criminal convictions and suchlike). That I did nearly three weeks ago. I have recieved nothing else.
So tomorrow I expect to spend most of it on the phone trying to work out just what is going on, what time I start, who I should meet, many other things of a similar nature, and just what did happen to my contract that they supposedly sent to me. I am quite disappointed that I have to do this myself, it's not a good sign, but on the other hand it can show my abilities as someone who will get things done. Silver linings and clouds and all that stuff.
So far I have had limited communication and have sent off an official application form so it can be processed by the HR department (you know, the one with the stuff about you have no outstanding criminal convictions and suchlike). That I did nearly three weeks ago. I have recieved nothing else.
So tomorrow I expect to spend most of it on the phone trying to work out just what is going on, what time I start, who I should meet, many other things of a similar nature, and just what did happen to my contract that they supposedly sent to me. I am quite disappointed that I have to do this myself, it's not a good sign, but on the other hand it can show my abilities as someone who will get things done. Silver linings and clouds and all that stuff.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Correction
Anyone who read my last post already, ignore it entirely. It's almost completely inaccurate.
After a long struggle to set up the internet in my room, it then self-destructed. McAfee went entirely nuts at being allowed access to the internet. It then opted to shut down the internet and block me from it. After attempting to get control back, I eventually opted to do a simple system restore.
The ultimate irony, isn't it? Having to do a restore system because my computer was thrown into disarray by a virus-scanner/security program. This time it seems to be working better, but we'll see. It may still be problematic. Tomorrow will be fun in that respect, I'm sure!
After a long struggle to set up the internet in my room, it then self-destructed. McAfee went entirely nuts at being allowed access to the internet. It then opted to shut down the internet and block me from it. After attempting to get control back, I eventually opted to do a simple system restore.
The ultimate irony, isn't it? Having to do a restore system because my computer was thrown into disarray by a virus-scanner/security program. This time it seems to be working better, but we'll see. It may still be problematic. Tomorrow will be fun in that respect, I'm sure!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Time For Another Update
Well, I haven't updated in quite a while, so I thought I'd provide a little comment on my activities since I've got my job and stopped the jobhunting.
This is actually really little. I've done bits and pieces, but nothing in great length. The only thing I have really acheived is getting a wireless network set up at home. What this means is that, as of today when my PCI Adaptor arrived in the post, I can get internet in my room on my own desktop as opposed to the far slower house computer.
This is, in fact, where I am now. It's not exciting, it's not that interesting. But it's just about all I've done the last week and a half or so. It took a while to do - but eventually after three-four trips up the village to check whether the router I needed was in yet, I managed to get it. Then no sooner had I got that then I discovered the PCI Adaptor I needed wasn't actually included. I wish they'd told me the previous week, but oh well; I sent off for that and that arrived this morning.
Following an hour battle with McAfee Privacy Service, I was connected. Let me give this piece of advice to people; don't use this McAfee service. It's useless. All it seems to do is slow things down and prevent you from doing things. It secures your computer from yourself. What it was doing was effectively preventing me from connecting to the internet for more than three minutes at a time. After much battling to uninstall it (I'd had this problem before on the home desktop), it eventually succumbed at about the fourth attempt.
So, internet in my room. It's just like being back at uni.
This is actually really little. I've done bits and pieces, but nothing in great length. The only thing I have really acheived is getting a wireless network set up at home. What this means is that, as of today when my PCI Adaptor arrived in the post, I can get internet in my room on my own desktop as opposed to the far slower house computer.
This is, in fact, where I am now. It's not exciting, it's not that interesting. But it's just about all I've done the last week and a half or so. It took a while to do - but eventually after three-four trips up the village to check whether the router I needed was in yet, I managed to get it. Then no sooner had I got that then I discovered the PCI Adaptor I needed wasn't actually included. I wish they'd told me the previous week, but oh well; I sent off for that and that arrived this morning.
Following an hour battle with McAfee Privacy Service, I was connected. Let me give this piece of advice to people; don't use this McAfee service. It's useless. All it seems to do is slow things down and prevent you from doing things. It secures your computer from yourself. What it was doing was effectively preventing me from connecting to the internet for more than three minutes at a time. After much battling to uninstall it (I'd had this problem before on the home desktop), it eventually succumbed at about the fourth attempt.
So, internet in my room. It's just like being back at uni.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Success!
Well, since last update I've been rather remiss in my blog posts. However, will rectify this now. Since then on the jobhunting front I've had three interviews, one on the 1st August with Reed, one on the 3rd August with USwitch.com (unsuccessful), and a second interview with Reed yesterday which would mean it was on the 13th August. Good thing I'm not superstitious.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, get to the point, avoid meandering, I got a call back from Reed about an hour and a half ago (after an entire day of waiting - you'd think when they said they'd call me to let me know this day they wouldn't leave it until 4:58pm). To cut a long story short, I was offered a position and I accepted. So, thus ends the great job hunt. The job has been successfully hunted and its head is now hung up above my fireplace as a trophy. This metaphor doesn't work quite so well when over-extended but anyway, the gist is: I am now employed.
As to what the position is, well, to be honest I'm not exactly certain on the detailed specifics. I know the rough responsibilities and that you work with the projects teams on any other suggestions and possibilities for general business integration and similar. It's an analytical and organisational role where you have to coordinate with everyone else to improve behind-the-scenes cohesion and similar.
This is an amazingly vague description, I know, but at the moment I don't really have anything more concrete to go on and don't have a ready-made job description in front of me. Not that that makes much difference as most of them are just carbon-copies and contain far too much management speak for their own good.
But anyway, that's that. I start on the 3rd September.
Anyway, to cut to the chase, get to the point, avoid meandering, I got a call back from Reed about an hour and a half ago (after an entire day of waiting - you'd think when they said they'd call me to let me know this day they wouldn't leave it until 4:58pm). To cut a long story short, I was offered a position and I accepted. So, thus ends the great job hunt. The job has been successfully hunted and its head is now hung up above my fireplace as a trophy. This metaphor doesn't work quite so well when over-extended but anyway, the gist is: I am now employed.
As to what the position is, well, to be honest I'm not exactly certain on the detailed specifics. I know the rough responsibilities and that you work with the projects teams on any other suggestions and possibilities for general business integration and similar. It's an analytical and organisational role where you have to coordinate with everyone else to improve behind-the-scenes cohesion and similar.
This is an amazingly vague description, I know, but at the moment I don't really have anything more concrete to go on and don't have a ready-made job description in front of me. Not that that makes much difference as most of them are just carbon-copies and contain far too much management speak for their own good.
But anyway, that's that. I start on the 3rd September.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
A Summary Of July
Okay, I've been extremely lazy in updating my blog. Apologies for this. I'm going to attempt to do a high-speed summary of sorts. I'm also going to do it in an extremely unoriginal style.
The Good
My birthday! Now a scarily old-sounding 22. Thanks to all those who sent good wishes and all those who meant to but just plain forgot.
Fact stamp! Yes, I got a fact stamp for my birthday from Chrissi (among other things). This is indescribably awesome. It is blue and stamps 'fact' on things. What more could you want?
The job hunt! Well, no job yet. But two interviews this week can't be too bad. Hopeful here. Not technically July so will save that for another post though. However, I arranged them in July with consummate style, so here they go.
The rugby! Saints in the Challenge Cup final, and Wigan getting smashed with a four point penalty in the Super League and then getting crushed by Catalans in the Challenge Cup semi-finals themselves - after 10,000 Wigan fans had prematurely bought tickets for the final. Beyond hysterical. I have tickets for the Challenge Cup Final, hope that someone somewhere is jealous; should be a cracking game.
TV! Angels were actually on TV last Sunday night, so for the first time all season got to see my team on the as-live baseball on Five. I don't care if I'm the only person who watches it, it was great.
The Bad
Angels! What are they doing? Relatively big slump post-All Star game, I'm not even sure they're topping .500 in July. At least they swept Detroit. Crunch series now against the Mariners though at the top of the AL West.
TNS job - didn't succeed at interview. Ah well, c'est la vie and all that. Other applications have disappeared into the land of no responses, but that's what happens in the exciting world of employment-searching!
I've been far far too lazy and have not been organised enough to meet up with people which I really should've done. This will be corrected this week, or at least this weekend. Or at least correction will be attempted.
The Ugly
Insert your own joke here.
These bullet points. They're beyond ugly; they're horrendous.
The Good
The Bad
The Ugly
Monday, July 09, 2007
Short Interlude
Because I am a ruthless plunderer, hijacker and general no-good thief of funny links and images that are shown to me by others:
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Blatant Hypocrisy
I kept wondering why nobody else updates their blogs when I make the effort to read them and see if they've updated. Then I realise I've not made an update myself for half a week, and am being a blatant hypocrite.
In other news, the Firefox spellchecker is starting to annoy me for its insistence on putting wavy red lines under perfectly correct English words such as 'realise' 'colour' 'favour' 'metre' and so on. Vexing.
In other news, the Firefox spellchecker is starting to annoy me for its insistence on putting wavy red lines under perfectly correct English words such as 'realise' 'colour' 'favour' 'metre' and so on. Vexing.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Job-Hunting Update
Well, as I've not really posted for a little while I felt that an update was warranted, this week I've been predominantly focused on job hunting, that most exciting and dramatic of hunts, in pursuit of the most quick-footed and stealthy of prey. Chasing over hedgerows and through open fields, with the quarry always in sight yet never quite within shot.
Anyway, having extended that metaphor for far too long, back to the point. Yesterday I was up in London as I had my first interview per se - it was technically an assessment day, but it was still close enough to an interview to have the general point. The company it was with was TNS, a market research company.
This was actually surprisingly fun. I know that's not the typical word associated with interviews and the like, but it wasn't too bad. There were seven people on the assessment day including myself, and the overall structure was very good and helped everyone relax, feel comfortable and it was a nice atmosphere - one which you'd think that you'd be very happy to work in.
The day included three individual assessments, as well as a group exercise. These were all preceded by an overall presentation providing a summary of what the graduate role was in the company. The first of these assessments was an interview in the more traditional sense, which I did not find went too badly, and was fairly standard - although in hindsight those things never do seem to go well when you look at them, but I was okay with it.
The second exercise was a data analysis one, where you were given data tables and had to interpret the data according to the brief and make recommendations in a brief presentation. This was quite engaging and I found this very interesting as well. It wasn't too bad.
We then had a break for lunch, where we got to talk to current employees who'd entered the company as graduates, and a group exercise before we got back to the final individual assessment. The group exercise was awesome - you had to build a six foot tall tower out of paper, with no other material involved. You were also restricted by time limits in that you had only 30 minutes total, and 6 minutes for the entire building phase. I was one of those in charge of the actual building and it was slightly panicky and took more time than we thought, but in the end we managed to complete the task and our tower made solely of paper stood tall and strong for five minutes and would've stood for longer if we hadn't knocked it down.
The final exercise was a numeracy test, which I found rather comfortable even if having to use a 5,000 year old calculator rather tedious and tiresome. This was one I didn't have any issues with.
Overall I felt I did competently, although whether that is enough to hear back I'm not sure. But I was fairly happy with my performance overall, especially for a first interview.
Anyway, having extended that metaphor for far too long, back to the point. Yesterday I was up in London as I had my first interview per se - it was technically an assessment day, but it was still close enough to an interview to have the general point. The company it was with was TNS, a market research company.
This was actually surprisingly fun. I know that's not the typical word associated with interviews and the like, but it wasn't too bad. There were seven people on the assessment day including myself, and the overall structure was very good and helped everyone relax, feel comfortable and it was a nice atmosphere - one which you'd think that you'd be very happy to work in.
The day included three individual assessments, as well as a group exercise. These were all preceded by an overall presentation providing a summary of what the graduate role was in the company. The first of these assessments was an interview in the more traditional sense, which I did not find went too badly, and was fairly standard - although in hindsight those things never do seem to go well when you look at them, but I was okay with it.
The second exercise was a data analysis one, where you were given data tables and had to interpret the data according to the brief and make recommendations in a brief presentation. This was quite engaging and I found this very interesting as well. It wasn't too bad.
We then had a break for lunch, where we got to talk to current employees who'd entered the company as graduates, and a group exercise before we got back to the final individual assessment. The group exercise was awesome - you had to build a six foot tall tower out of paper, with no other material involved. You were also restricted by time limits in that you had only 30 minutes total, and 6 minutes for the entire building phase. I was one of those in charge of the actual building and it was slightly panicky and took more time than we thought, but in the end we managed to complete the task and our tower made solely of paper stood tall and strong for five minutes and would've stood for longer if we hadn't knocked it down.
The final exercise was a numeracy test, which I found rather comfortable even if having to use a 5,000 year old calculator rather tedious and tiresome. This was one I didn't have any issues with.
Overall I felt I did competently, although whether that is enough to hear back I'm not sure. But I was fairly happy with my performance overall, especially for a first interview.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Okay, Perhaps I'm Wrong ...
I was wondering how long the nonsense I've written this past week was. My most recent blog post was 800-odd words. My first one on the subject was, and I have not edited a word of it, exactly 666 words long.
Perhaps the point that making a post about the values of atheism is 666 words long is someone trying to tell me something ...
Perhaps the point that making a post about the values of atheism is 666 words long is someone trying to tell me something ...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Political Correctness Gone Too Far - Or Militant Atheism?
Following on from my post yesterday about atheism and threatening behaviour, I was doing some more research recently. One of the views of resentment towards atheism is the trend of 'militant atheism' - seen as a deliberate effort to remove Christian symbols from public view. This often overlaps with political correctness.
However, this is often blown out of all proportion by the media; we have seen the so-called wars on Christmas (it must now be called Winter or Holiday Festival, for example). But where is this political correctness and where is it an attack on Christianity?
As an atheist, I have no issues with calling it Christmas, or recognising it as an Easter Holiday or Christmas Holiday. Why? Because that's what it is - that is the traditional reasoning for the holiday, even if it doesn't hold that specific meaning for me. June 21st is still the Summer Solstice, even though there is little pagan religion nowadays. There is not the same level of political correctness on St. David's Day in Wales, for example, even though he is the patron saint, implying a Judeo-Christian belief system.
We don't hear of these because they are thought so commonplace as to be overlooked entirely for either a political correctness war, or perhaps more accurately, a chance for media to sensationalise and exaggerate a small element of political correctness.
However, this is Britain. It is very different in America, where atheists are viewed as the least accepted part of American society - making up between 3-8% according to recent estimates, and, astonishingly, not represented by a single congressman sharing their beliefs.
The two principal issues I have read of are firstly the use of images of the Ten Commandments. The second is the national motto, In God We Trust.
The first case is more straightforward. To me, there is a clear divide between the use of the Ten Commandments in appropriate placings - for example, courthouses, justice buildings and similar as a symbol of traditional dispensing of law and justice - and between placing them in schools for tenets of inspiration or guidance. There is no fuss about images representing the scales of justice from Ancient Egyptian religion in places such as courthouses - yet they represent the exact same thing, an ancient symbol of law, order and the dispensation of justice. That is perfectly right and proper and I, even as an atheist, have no problems with that at all.
The second is more complex. The original motto of the United States, set out on the great seal in 1782, was E Pluribus Unum - out of many, one. This was changed in 1956 at the height of McCarthyism to the current motto, In God We Trust. To me this is interesting as I was unaware of this. The background is one of redressing an American stance, behind a common Christian theme. I am unsure how widely known the situation here is.
Ironically, challenging the presentation of the current motto is a conservative traditional position, seeking the overturning of the change in 1956 to the original text as set out by the Founding Fathers. It is strange, and almost creates an appearance that the presentation of the American motto as an America united by a common Judeo-Christian background is a more valid one than the one representing the great cohesive society set out by the Founding Fathers themselves.
So in all this, what role does militant atheism have? What role does political correctness have? Certainly there are those who will be unbending to others' positions, demanding only their own way. There are some atheists who would prefer not to deal with religion at all, just as there are some religious people who have the opposite view. The vilification of 'militant atheism' as somehow undermining society, especially in America, is one that I find puzzling considering you would find the exact same proportion of religious people seeking to undermine the separation of church and state, for example - a situation barely touched on by the media.
Political correctness is also an easy target, dubbed as the cause of everything bad and ignoring all the good that it has done. This attitude is best represented by the media, criticising political correctness at every turn, and exaggerating and manufacturing small instances, save in the knowledge they will never be challenged by a public ready to listen to such comments.
So what to conclude? There is nothing to conclude really. In the end, realism is necessary, as is compromise. There is no other way between differing viewpoints. People must accept others' points of views. I can accept perfectly easily accept that the holiday around December is a Christmas Holiday. Can others not accept that an inclusive, traditional and representative motto is a greater symbol than a rebranding exercise - which while something that they may believe and may have a great deal of meaning to them personally - is by no means the potent and powerful symbol that its predecessor was?
I honestly doubt whether it will be so in my lifetime.
However, this is often blown out of all proportion by the media; we have seen the so-called wars on Christmas (it must now be called Winter or Holiday Festival, for example). But where is this political correctness and where is it an attack on Christianity?
As an atheist, I have no issues with calling it Christmas, or recognising it as an Easter Holiday or Christmas Holiday. Why? Because that's what it is - that is the traditional reasoning for the holiday, even if it doesn't hold that specific meaning for me. June 21st is still the Summer Solstice, even though there is little pagan religion nowadays. There is not the same level of political correctness on St. David's Day in Wales, for example, even though he is the patron saint, implying a Judeo-Christian belief system.
We don't hear of these because they are thought so commonplace as to be overlooked entirely for either a political correctness war, or perhaps more accurately, a chance for media to sensationalise and exaggerate a small element of political correctness.
However, this is Britain. It is very different in America, where atheists are viewed as the least accepted part of American society - making up between 3-8% according to recent estimates, and, astonishingly, not represented by a single congressman sharing their beliefs.
The two principal issues I have read of are firstly the use of images of the Ten Commandments. The second is the national motto, In God We Trust.
The first case is more straightforward. To me, there is a clear divide between the use of the Ten Commandments in appropriate placings - for example, courthouses, justice buildings and similar as a symbol of traditional dispensing of law and justice - and between placing them in schools for tenets of inspiration or guidance. There is no fuss about images representing the scales of justice from Ancient Egyptian religion in places such as courthouses - yet they represent the exact same thing, an ancient symbol of law, order and the dispensation of justice. That is perfectly right and proper and I, even as an atheist, have no problems with that at all.
The second is more complex. The original motto of the United States, set out on the great seal in 1782, was E Pluribus Unum - out of many, one. This was changed in 1956 at the height of McCarthyism to the current motto, In God We Trust. To me this is interesting as I was unaware of this. The background is one of redressing an American stance, behind a common Christian theme. I am unsure how widely known the situation here is.
Ironically, challenging the presentation of the current motto is a conservative traditional position, seeking the overturning of the change in 1956 to the original text as set out by the Founding Fathers. It is strange, and almost creates an appearance that the presentation of the American motto as an America united by a common Judeo-Christian background is a more valid one than the one representing the great cohesive society set out by the Founding Fathers themselves.
So in all this, what role does militant atheism have? What role does political correctness have? Certainly there are those who will be unbending to others' positions, demanding only their own way. There are some atheists who would prefer not to deal with religion at all, just as there are some religious people who have the opposite view. The vilification of 'militant atheism' as somehow undermining society, especially in America, is one that I find puzzling considering you would find the exact same proportion of religious people seeking to undermine the separation of church and state, for example - a situation barely touched on by the media.
Political correctness is also an easy target, dubbed as the cause of everything bad and ignoring all the good that it has done. This attitude is best represented by the media, criticising political correctness at every turn, and exaggerating and manufacturing small instances, save in the knowledge they will never be challenged by a public ready to listen to such comments.
So what to conclude? There is nothing to conclude really. In the end, realism is necessary, as is compromise. There is no other way between differing viewpoints. People must accept others' points of views. I can accept perfectly easily accept that the holiday around December is a Christmas Holiday. Can others not accept that an inclusive, traditional and representative motto is a greater symbol than a rebranding exercise - which while something that they may believe and may have a great deal of meaning to them personally - is by no means the potent and powerful symbol that its predecessor was?
I honestly doubt whether it will be so in my lifetime.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A Disstatement Of Belief
Theology is the effort to explain the unknowable in terms of the not worth knowing.
- H.L. Mencken
Firstly, I wanted to quote that because it is a most excellent quote. Secondly, because it's pure idiocy and totally meaningless. I don't pretend to understand a lot of things, and while I may not have any belief in deities whatsoever, it is only the arrogant and ignorant who think that something is not worth knowing. Everything is worth knowing.
To go on from that, I should point out that I am indeed an atheist. I didn't think this was a huge deal; the UK is a very secularised nation and it is not an uncommon view.
However, in current political climate, with governments charging ahead with faith schools, campaigning for the teaching of intelligent design in schools and so on, a large debate has centered on it. Columnists claim to represent the atheist point of view and how this is an outrage.
Which to me seems contradictory. Atheism is not a statement of belief; it is a rejection of belief. There is no common thesis uniting these individuals. For one to claim to speak for another is arrogant; what is even more laughable is the categorisation of all atheists as one in return. This is illogical.
To draw a parallel, let me think of religions as football clubs. Now, various people will support their own football club, to a greater or lesser extent. Some will just check the results in the paper, others will only have it as a statement of association. Others will be committed fans who go to cames every week. Some will decide that the best way to show their loyalty to their club is to go and beat up supporters of other clubs. This is actually a far better analogy than I thought when I started this comment.
In this metaphor, the atheists are those who may like football, but do not follow a team through choice. In some cases they may dislike football and therefore not follow any team. Regardless, their only common ground is that they have a common lack of commitment to a cause, in this case supporting a specific team. You do not have this collective lack-of-identity drawn up for football clubs. Why is it so in religion, when the unifying factor is a negative that affirms no beliefs, no common way those lack of beliefs should be taken, or anything more than a simple perspective on religion. It would like be saying all those who are religious represent the same viewpoint.
What I find even more curious is that far from being viewed as this, atheists are viewed as a threat. This linked article is a study by an American university into acceptance of minority views. I was absolutely staggered by the results upon seeing this survey. You should really read it to get the full potential, because summarising it will not do it justice.
This got me wondering in turn - why is atheism viewed as a threat? In modern society, where far from what could once have been an inevitable decline, religion has come to the forefront of debate. In this position, atheists are an acceptable target for religions to assert themselves on. But why? A resentment of change? A defensive attitude to belief?
I don't have an answer to this question. But I wanted to ask it. It is feasible to challenge atheism as an individual position. But to challenge it as a widespread, cohesive movement? It strikes almost as a paranoia of an army of secularist atheists, working together to tear down religions.
Why is it that religions demand in turn respect and tolerance of belief, yet at the same time attack atheism as an untenable position? Why are religions so convinced that those who are eternally damned, in their beliefs, are a threat to them and their movements? Why is there a need to build up lone individuals into a non-existent collective movement?
- H.L. Mencken
Firstly, I wanted to quote that because it is a most excellent quote. Secondly, because it's pure idiocy and totally meaningless. I don't pretend to understand a lot of things, and while I may not have any belief in deities whatsoever, it is only the arrogant and ignorant who think that something is not worth knowing. Everything is worth knowing.
To go on from that, I should point out that I am indeed an atheist. I didn't think this was a huge deal; the UK is a very secularised nation and it is not an uncommon view.
However, in current political climate, with governments charging ahead with faith schools, campaigning for the teaching of intelligent design in schools and so on, a large debate has centered on it. Columnists claim to represent the atheist point of view and how this is an outrage.
Which to me seems contradictory. Atheism is not a statement of belief; it is a rejection of belief. There is no common thesis uniting these individuals. For one to claim to speak for another is arrogant; what is even more laughable is the categorisation of all atheists as one in return. This is illogical.
To draw a parallel, let me think of religions as football clubs. Now, various people will support their own football club, to a greater or lesser extent. Some will just check the results in the paper, others will only have it as a statement of association. Others will be committed fans who go to cames every week. Some will decide that the best way to show their loyalty to their club is to go and beat up supporters of other clubs. This is actually a far better analogy than I thought when I started this comment.
In this metaphor, the atheists are those who may like football, but do not follow a team through choice. In some cases they may dislike football and therefore not follow any team. Regardless, their only common ground is that they have a common lack of commitment to a cause, in this case supporting a specific team. You do not have this collective lack-of-identity drawn up for football clubs. Why is it so in religion, when the unifying factor is a negative that affirms no beliefs, no common way those lack of beliefs should be taken, or anything more than a simple perspective on religion. It would like be saying all those who are religious represent the same viewpoint.
What I find even more curious is that far from being viewed as this, atheists are viewed as a threat. This linked article is a study by an American university into acceptance of minority views. I was absolutely staggered by the results upon seeing this survey. You should really read it to get the full potential, because summarising it will not do it justice.
This got me wondering in turn - why is atheism viewed as a threat? In modern society, where far from what could once have been an inevitable decline, religion has come to the forefront of debate. In this position, atheists are an acceptable target for religions to assert themselves on. But why? A resentment of change? A defensive attitude to belief?
I don't have an answer to this question. But I wanted to ask it. It is feasible to challenge atheism as an individual position. But to challenge it as a widespread, cohesive movement? It strikes almost as a paranoia of an army of secularist atheists, working together to tear down religions.
Why is it that religions demand in turn respect and tolerance of belief, yet at the same time attack atheism as an untenable position? Why are religions so convinced that those who are eternally damned, in their beliefs, are a threat to them and their movements? Why is there a need to build up lone individuals into a non-existent collective movement?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
I Suppose An Actual Update Is Warranted
Considering that I've not been giving any updates since I returned from university, I suggest that one may be in order.
Obviously since I've been back I have been looking for permanent work. I attended a graduate fair in London last week, which was very helpful and got me started in the right direction. I got a fair few ideas to at least start on employment directions, and a few graduate training schemes as well.
Since then I've been filling my day with exciting tasks such as writing my CV, rewriting my CV and composing covering letters. I've applied to several jobs and graduate schemes and have effectively cleared my collection of promising positions I found at the graduate fair. The next task is to start collecting more vacancies to apply for - so looking online, setting my CV up on websites, checking the paper and just going through the hard slog that is looking for work.
It's not exciting, it's not interesting, but it has to be done I suppose. Well, I could technically just claim benefits forever, but it seems like a waste of four years of studying and a lot of money to sit around the house doing nothing all day.
Anyway, update given. Hopefully the fact that I've written a post over two paragraphs won't intimidate some people who will remain nameless away from reading because it's too long for their poor brains to handle.
Obviously since I've been back I have been looking for permanent work. I attended a graduate fair in London last week, which was very helpful and got me started in the right direction. I got a fair few ideas to at least start on employment directions, and a few graduate training schemes as well.
Since then I've been filling my day with exciting tasks such as writing my CV, rewriting my CV and composing covering letters. I've applied to several jobs and graduate schemes and have effectively cleared my collection of promising positions I found at the graduate fair. The next task is to start collecting more vacancies to apply for - so looking online, setting my CV up on websites, checking the paper and just going through the hard slog that is looking for work.
It's not exciting, it's not interesting, but it has to be done I suppose. Well, I could technically just claim benefits forever, but it seems like a waste of four years of studying and a lot of money to sit around the house doing nothing all day.
Anyway, update given. Hopefully the fact that I've written a post over two paragraphs won't intimidate some people who will remain nameless away from reading because it's too long for their poor brains to handle.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Overdue Rant
This is a post I wanted to make ages ago, because it annoys the hell out of me. But it's the consequence of another conversation a little while ago, which reminded me to complain about this.
One of the things that drives me crazy is the constant tabloid screams whenever speed cameras are put up; the whole concept about how they're not there to reduce speeds, they're there to make money, and that it represents a stealth tax on motorists.
No! It does NOT! It represents a tax on criminals! How hard is this to understand?
When you speed, you are doing what is technically known as 'breaking the law'. Now, everyone does it, and that's obvious - it's one of those laws that is not really observed strictly, but it's still a law. And when you get caught, you're still a criminal, because that's technically what you are if you break the law.
Do you get any of the same sensationalist headlines when the fines for carrying a knife around are raised? 'KNIFE USERS IN STEALTH TAX' - yes, I can see the Daily Mail headline now, lambasting the government for taxing the poor middle class white families working in their kitchens with knives. Of course it doesn't. Because it's STUPID. Because people understand that it's targeted at people breaking the law.
Why can't people make this leap of logic with speed cameras? What is so hard about it?
One of the things that drives me crazy is the constant tabloid screams whenever speed cameras are put up; the whole concept about how they're not there to reduce speeds, they're there to make money, and that it represents a stealth tax on motorists.
No! It does NOT! It represents a tax on criminals! How hard is this to understand?
When you speed, you are doing what is technically known as 'breaking the law'. Now, everyone does it, and that's obvious - it's one of those laws that is not really observed strictly, but it's still a law. And when you get caught, you're still a criminal, because that's technically what you are if you break the law.
Do you get any of the same sensationalist headlines when the fines for carrying a knife around are raised? 'KNIFE USERS IN STEALTH TAX' - yes, I can see the Daily Mail headline now, lambasting the government for taxing the poor middle class white families working in their kitchens with knives. Of course it doesn't. Because it's STUPID. Because people understand that it's targeted at people breaking the law.
Why can't people make this leap of logic with speed cameras? What is so hard about it?
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Nitpicking
It has been pointed out to me that the title text of this blog is inaccurate, by referring to the word semi-daily. This is due to the fact that instead of meaning roughly daily, i.e. not to a stringent publishing schedule, it means twice a day. This is in part due to the confusing nature of semi- and bi- preceding time periods or measurements. Bi means two or double the period; semi means half or twice within a period.
Semicircle; half of a circle. Semi-daily; published twice as much.
Bicycle; twice as many wheels. Biweekly; published half as often (every two weeks).
Complicated.
To attempt to cut through this red tape of linguistic nonsensities, I have decided not to actually update regularly to actually fulfill my blog description. Instead I've tweaked the description. This is what is known in business circles as 'rebranding'.
Semicircle; half of a circle. Semi-daily; published twice as much.
Bicycle; twice as many wheels. Biweekly; published half as often (every two weeks).
Complicated.
To attempt to cut through this red tape of linguistic nonsensities, I have decided not to actually update regularly to actually fulfill my blog description. Instead I've tweaked the description. This is what is known in business circles as 'rebranding'.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
What's My Age Again?
Recently there have been all adverts on TV, radio, etc, plugging all sorts of stuff for Father's Day - best of The Clash CD, best of The Who CD, and so on. And my first reaction is, hrmmm, neat. I'll have me some of that. Then it goes on 'pick one up for Father's Day blah blah blah' and I think, bah. It implies that liking good music is only allowed if you're a father. That and it makes me feel like I'm 50 or so for liking it myself.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Catching Up
Well, it's probably due a bit of a catchup on what's been happening to me since my last pre-trip blog.
As I mentioned, Chrissi had some family staying with her this time, with her mother and aunt coming with her. This meant I had to act as tour guide for them most of the time, which was a little tiring and wearing. They were not exactly natural tourists, which got to me a little at times - I'm used to travelling, so think that it shouldn't be that much effort to at least know what the currency of the country you're in is and so on.
We ended up doing the typical things that you see and do on a visit to London - tourist sites, Tower of London, Greenwich Observatory, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, boat ride down the Thames, and of course not forgetting the unmissable conversation with irritating tweenage girls who think they're being so clever and funny by being annoying and talking to you.
It was a good week - if rather tiring!
As I mentioned, Chrissi had some family staying with her this time, with her mother and aunt coming with her. This meant I had to act as tour guide for them most of the time, which was a little tiring and wearing. They were not exactly natural tourists, which got to me a little at times - I'm used to travelling, so think that it shouldn't be that much effort to at least know what the currency of the country you're in is and so on.
We ended up doing the typical things that you see and do on a visit to London - tourist sites, Tower of London, Greenwich Observatory, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, boat ride down the Thames, and of course not forgetting the unmissable conversation with irritating tweenage girls who think they're being so clever and funny by being annoying and talking to you.
It was a good week - if rather tiring!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Filler Title
Hi. I'm back. I was going to write a long blog about my week away with Chrissi, but considering (a) I'm sad that she's gone again and not really feeling like it and (b) Emma would only whine because it's toooo loooong Annndddyyy, I'm going to forgo this for now.
Instead, I will provide you with a link. I know I do this a lot, but this is fantastic. The Daily-Mail-o-matic - pointless right wing rhetoric at the push of a button. The sad thing is, this is probably a more sophisticated procedure than the one really used to come up with the Daily Mail headlines.
Instead, I will provide you with a link. I know I do this a lot, but this is fantastic. The Daily-Mail-o-matic - pointless right wing rhetoric at the push of a button. The sad thing is, this is probably a more sophisticated procedure than the one really used to come up with the Daily Mail headlines.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Different Countdown
Well, as those of you who have been talking to me of late know, I've been counting down to Chrissi arriving for a while now. She flies in tomorrow and so I'm currently at home - I came back on the coach this morning. An 8:15 am departure which was a struggle to get up for, but a struggle well worth it! I slept mostly on the coach anyway.
So tomorrow I go to the airport to meet Chrissi (and some of her family - her mother and aunt are taking a vacation too, so I will be tour guide I suspect!). We'll be staying at a hotel in London, which should be nice. Definitely looking forward to it very much, January now seems like a long time ago! Only ... 19 hours to go at the current time. Not that I'm counting down every hour, honest!
So tomorrow I go to the airport to meet Chrissi (and some of her family - her mother and aunt are taking a vacation too, so I will be tour guide I suspect!). We'll be staying at a hotel in London, which should be nice. Definitely looking forward to it very much, January now seems like a long time ago! Only ... 19 hours to go at the current time. Not that I'm counting down every hour, honest!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Moments of Clarity
Sometimes it's odd how things take you. When you're at a certain state of mind, and it's just right for something else to hit you and have an effect, to take on an extra meaning and really either motivate you or throw things into perspective.
It'll come as no surprise to most of you that I've not been sleeping properly of late, this is admittedly neither new nor different. I've probably not been working on my thesis as much as I should have done because I've slipped into a partially self-defeating spiral where I'm convinced it's not going to work and because of this I don't work as hard as I should, and so on. I'm spending time worrying about things instead of being productive and actually addressing worries and dealing with them.
And so at the moment, it's 5:14 am according to the computer clock, and a song just came on in a clip I was watching that made me think and snap out of it for a few minutes. And I feel more awake, with it, determined and focused than I have done in probably two-three weeks because of it.
Of course because it's so early in the morning I can't do half of the things I know I need to - washing, shopping, etc. But things seem more like they're in place.
It'll come as no surprise to most of you that I've not been sleeping properly of late, this is admittedly neither new nor different. I've probably not been working on my thesis as much as I should have done because I've slipped into a partially self-defeating spiral where I'm convinced it's not going to work and because of this I don't work as hard as I should, and so on. I'm spending time worrying about things instead of being productive and actually addressing worries and dealing with them.
And so at the moment, it's 5:14 am according to the computer clock, and a song just came on in a clip I was watching that made me think and snap out of it for a few minutes. And I feel more awake, with it, determined and focused than I have done in probably two-three weeks because of it.
Of course because it's so early in the morning I can't do half of the things I know I need to - washing, shopping, etc. But things seem more like they're in place.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Musical Themes
I was going to write this a few weeks back but didn't. Or a week back. Or sometime recently at least. Regardless, I didn't. Now I am.
As I've been commenting a lot on music typically the last few months on my blog, which is something I tend to do, one thing I was intending to try and do was to post a list of my own top musical stuff. I never got around to it, so I may as well now. These are just my opinions, naturally.
Best Band: Green Day
Best Live Band: Less Than Jake
Best Album: Lost Prophets' Fake Sound of Progress
Best Song: Feeder's Just A Day
Best Live Song: Less Than Jake's All My Best Friends Are Metalheads
Fact. Or opinion, at least, which is close enough.
As I've been commenting a lot on music typically the last few months on my blog, which is something I tend to do, one thing I was intending to try and do was to post a list of my own top musical stuff. I never got around to it, so I may as well now. These are just my opinions, naturally.
Best Band: Green Day
Best Live Band: Less Than Jake
Best Album: Lost Prophets' Fake Sound of Progress
Best Song: Feeder's Just A Day
Best Live Song: Less Than Jake's All My Best Friends Are Metalheads
Fact. Or opinion, at least, which is close enough.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Short Maths Comment
This is fantastic, and any mathematician or not will appreciate this. What is the volume of a pizza, with radius z and depth a?
Answer: pizza
Fantastic.
Answer: pizza
Fantastic.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Millenium Magic
So, this weekend deserves a bit of commentary, as I was in Cardiff on the Saturday attending the first day of the Millenium Magic weekend. This was a fantastic bit of fun.
For those of you who have no idea what the Millenium Magic weekend was, essentially it was all six games of the Super League weekly round taking place in succession in one stadium - the Millenium Stadium (hence the name) - over the two days; with three on Saturday and three on Sunday. My Dad and I had tickets for the Saturday, as it was the day St. Helens were playing.
The Millenium Stadium is a superb stadium, and Cardiff seems a really nice place. On the Saturday, there were three games on - Catalans-Harlequins, Hull FC-Hull KR, and St. Helens-Wigan. We got there for the end of the first game, and saw the last ten minutes of it, before seeing the entirity of the Hull derby. This was a good if not great game, and it was great to watch a live game of rugby league as a neutral. The final game was St. Helens vs Wigan, the most important of them as far as I was concerned. Saints started off well and went into a strong early lead, but were looking shaky in the second half. They eventually won with a relatively comfortable margin, but were not looking as comfortable as they really should have done.
Anyway, was a great weekend and if it's on again next year I'll definitely be wanting to go again. Anyone else fancy a trip down to Cardiff next year too?
For those of you who have no idea what the Millenium Magic weekend was, essentially it was all six games of the Super League weekly round taking place in succession in one stadium - the Millenium Stadium (hence the name) - over the two days; with three on Saturday and three on Sunday. My Dad and I had tickets for the Saturday, as it was the day St. Helens were playing.
The Millenium Stadium is a superb stadium, and Cardiff seems a really nice place. On the Saturday, there were three games on - Catalans-Harlequins, Hull FC-Hull KR, and St. Helens-Wigan. We got there for the end of the first game, and saw the last ten minutes of it, before seeing the entirity of the Hull derby. This was a good if not great game, and it was great to watch a live game of rugby league as a neutral. The final game was St. Helens vs Wigan, the most important of them as far as I was concerned. Saints started off well and went into a strong early lead, but were looking shaky in the second half. They eventually won with a relatively comfortable margin, but were not looking as comfortable as they really should have done.
Anyway, was a great weekend and if it's on again next year I'll definitely be wanting to go again. Anyone else fancy a trip down to Cardiff next year too?
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ye Accurat Mappe Of The Internette
Now, while I have tried to avoid linking to images overly much of late, because it tends to distract from the rubbish I write. However, I am of the opinion that this image (follow the link below, it's too large to include) is superb. There are lots of lovely touches here.
A Map Of The Internet
A Map Of The Internet
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Sudden Conversion
I have this morning come to the conclusion that there is indeed a God. And He hates me.
First night in perhaps three weeks I've had a decent night's sleep. And what do I get at 7:45 this morning? A bloody fire drill. Why?!?!
First night in perhaps three weeks I've had a decent night's sleep. And what do I get at 7:45 this morning? A bloody fire drill. Why?!?!
Monday, April 30, 2007
On Advice
When people ask for advice, why do they never seem appreciative when you offer the advice 'panic!' I wonder? It's silly, because random panicking often helps. Even if just as a stress reliever.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Random Realisations
I was thinking the other day, an activity I am prone to when not busy with more important tasks. I was idly realising that it's now over a year since I last had a drink. Not necessarily interesting, but true. And in the last year, I've not even been inclined to, and haven't been that bothered by not having one. As far as great insights go this is not spectacular, I realise.
Dissertation Update: gnreghreahgreaughrauigfhreauigheraguhreguiear. Still.
Dissertation Update: gnreghreahgreaughrauigfhreauigheraguhreguiear. Still.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Random Musings
Today, for no apparant reason, I've been listening to a lot of Dropkick Murphys. In my mind they are a superb band, and they are one of those who I have not seen live who I really want to. For those of you who have not heard them, been forced to listen to them or heard them blaring out of the speakers as you walk past my room, it is basically classic punk rock music. With bagpipes. I cannot describe how thoroughly awesome this sounds.
One of my favourite songs of theirs, however, is very dissimilar to their usual style, which is quite interesting. The song is about the First World War, and idly looking through YouTube this evening I found clips of many photos together to the background of this song. I include below one of the best ones I saw, for you to have a look at and a listen at. The song is called 'Green Fields of France', and the effect is surprisingly haunting and moving. It has this effect for me as a song on its own, but with the visual accompaniment it really does make you think.
One of my favourite songs of theirs, however, is very dissimilar to their usual style, which is quite interesting. The song is about the First World War, and idly looking through YouTube this evening I found clips of many photos together to the background of this song. I include below one of the best ones I saw, for you to have a look at and a listen at. The song is called 'Green Fields of France', and the effect is surprisingly haunting and moving. It has this effect for me as a song on its own, but with the visual accompaniment it really does make you think.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Silver Linings
One of the lesser known benefits of insomnia is that you are actually awake for a fire alarm at 4:10am. And not complaining because it's interrupting your sleep. In fact, it's interrupting your interruption from sleep.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Musical Stuff
I've noticed a lot of my blogs recently have been of a musical theme. By this I don't mean the blogs themselves sing, although this would be an impressive achievement. However, they do come fairly close to it in the fact that they mostly contain musical elements.
Something I've noticed of late is that there seem to be some consistent themes within all punk-rock bands. Namely, the following:
(1) The length of a drummer's hair must be proportional to the amount of drumming they do. If you're rocking out on the drums, you need long hair to do it properly. If it's a softer melody, the drummer has shorter hair. Strange but true.
(2) Whatever the circumstance or song, a bassist must look completely unaffected by everything going on around them. Nothing phases a bassist or makes them change their expression. They must also be able to exude cool without trying.
(3) When a guitarist is also a backing singer, they must sing dependent upon how loud they're playing the guitar at the time, not dependent upon what the lyrics actually call for.
(4) If you play a rarer instrument, for example the sax, trumpet or similar, your main job is not to play the instrument. Your main role in the band is to walk around the stage and put off the other members of the band.
(5) Lead singers who don't play instruments are a law unto themselves and there is no explanation for them.
Something I've noticed of late is that there seem to be some consistent themes within all punk-rock bands. Namely, the following:
(1) The length of a drummer's hair must be proportional to the amount of drumming they do. If you're rocking out on the drums, you need long hair to do it properly. If it's a softer melody, the drummer has shorter hair. Strange but true.
(2) Whatever the circumstance or song, a bassist must look completely unaffected by everything going on around them. Nothing phases a bassist or makes them change their expression. They must also be able to exude cool without trying.
(3) When a guitarist is also a backing singer, they must sing dependent upon how loud they're playing the guitar at the time, not dependent upon what the lyrics actually call for.
(4) If you play a rarer instrument, for example the sax, trumpet or similar, your main job is not to play the instrument. Your main role in the band is to walk around the stage and put off the other members of the band.
(5) Lead singers who don't play instruments are a law unto themselves and there is no explanation for them.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A Theory On Terrorism
In a surreal discussion, like I often am, I was discussing earlier how it's strange that you never really get terrorism in cold places. It's all the hot places where you get terrorism. Do you get terrorism in Canada? In Greenland? Iceland? Alaska? No. You get terrorism in warm places.
This logically presents a second query - is it a mere coincidence that as global warming has taken effect over the last decade or so, terrorist acts have increased dramatically in frequency and scale? I would say no. It's got to be a correlation.
This, of course, creates some interesting and not at all random results. The most obvious is that the fossil fuel lobby, especially the oil lobby, are now assisting the terrorists. This means Halliburton are a terrorist organisation. "Well, so what?" you say, "we already knew THAT". But, now we can prove it. All the Americans driving their huge SUVs are clearly contributing to terrorism.
Of course, what this doesn't register is the impact this could have for the environmental movement, and the green lobby. Tying this all together, you could easily persuade people to cut down on their carbon emissions by invoking the dreadful bogeyman of terrorism.
For example:
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to leave your lights on even when you're not in the room!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to turn UP your thermostat!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to leave your car idling when you go into the store!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to mix recycleable goods with garbage so that none of it can be recycled!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to ignore fuel efficency numbers when you buy your NEW car!"
Well, it's worth a try. Nothing else will really cause people to view global warming as a serious problem facing us now and not in some hazy future.
This logically presents a second query - is it a mere coincidence that as global warming has taken effect over the last decade or so, terrorist acts have increased dramatically in frequency and scale? I would say no. It's got to be a correlation.
This, of course, creates some interesting and not at all random results. The most obvious is that the fossil fuel lobby, especially the oil lobby, are now assisting the terrorists. This means Halliburton are a terrorist organisation. "Well, so what?" you say, "we already knew THAT". But, now we can prove it. All the Americans driving their huge SUVs are clearly contributing to terrorism.
Of course, what this doesn't register is the impact this could have for the environmental movement, and the green lobby. Tying this all together, you could easily persuade people to cut down on their carbon emissions by invoking the dreadful bogeyman of terrorism.
For example:
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to leave your lights on even when you're not in the room!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to turn UP your thermostat!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to leave your car idling when you go into the store!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to mix recycleable goods with garbage so that none of it can be recycled!"
"bin Laden WANTS YOU ... to ignore fuel efficency numbers when you buy your NEW car!"
Well, it's worth a try. Nothing else will really cause people to view global warming as a serious problem facing us now and not in some hazy future.
Back Again
Well, I rarely updated my blog while I was at home. For 'rarely' read 'not at all'. I'm going to attempt to do a bit of the filling in the gaps, but not now. For now I will write a meaningless short paragraph.
Today for some reason I've had the Lost Prophets song Can't Catch Tomorrow in my head. This is good yet annoying. Considering it's from the Liberation Transmission album - which I widely regard to be rubbish - this is quite an impressive achievement. Albumwise I'm a Fake Sound Of Progress fan, which still probably is my favourite album for the overall quality of the entire piece. However, the LP sound has changed very much since then, although the odd track is still okay. This track has just got the right balance of nice hard riffs and melody without descending into the softer gimmicky tunes which embodied the Start Something album. This song is almost certainly as good as anything on Fake Sound Of Progress, and arguably better than the middle songs (Handsome Life Of Swing/Thousand Apologies especially, and perhaps about the same as Kobrokai) as a standalone track - although the latter do act as the perfect bridge for the FSOP album, whereas Can't Catch Tomorrow would not.
Anyway, have a listen if you want. If you don't want, I won't force you. Another band that I'd recommend are The Pigeon Detectives - Tim would love them, I'm sure, just on the name alone. No links this time, I'm afraid, but their latest song "I'm Not Sorry" is worth a listen to if you can find it. Their previous track "Romantic Type" is also okay, although tends a bit towards the pop end of pop-punk for my liking. Look them up, have a listen, and so on.
Today for some reason I've had the Lost Prophets song Can't Catch Tomorrow in my head. This is good yet annoying. Considering it's from the Liberation Transmission album - which I widely regard to be rubbish - this is quite an impressive achievement. Albumwise I'm a Fake Sound Of Progress fan, which still probably is my favourite album for the overall quality of the entire piece. However, the LP sound has changed very much since then, although the odd track is still okay. This track has just got the right balance of nice hard riffs and melody without descending into the softer gimmicky tunes which embodied the Start Something album. This song is almost certainly as good as anything on Fake Sound Of Progress, and arguably better than the middle songs (Handsome Life Of Swing/Thousand Apologies especially, and perhaps about the same as Kobrokai) as a standalone track - although the latter do act as the perfect bridge for the FSOP album, whereas Can't Catch Tomorrow would not.
Anyway, have a listen if you want. If you don't want, I won't force you. Another band that I'd recommend are The Pigeon Detectives - Tim would love them, I'm sure, just on the name alone. No links this time, I'm afraid, but their latest song "I'm Not Sorry" is worth a listen to if you can find it. Their previous track "Romantic Type" is also okay, although tends a bit towards the pop end of pop-punk for my liking. Look them up, have a listen, and so on.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Packing
I'm heading home for a week to have a break from the gorgeously sunny climes of ... Aberystwyth. Yes, I did say sunny - it's been gorgeous here all week.
Anyway, when packing and with a deadline somewhat in mind, it is incredibly awesome to randomly have 'The Final Countdown' come on your playlist.
Anyway, when packing and with a deadline somewhat in mind, it is incredibly awesome to randomly have 'The Final Countdown' come on your playlist.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
On Noteworthy Numbers
Believe it or not this is my hundredth blog post. Some have been short. Some have been long. (Unless you're Emma, in which case, all of them have been long). Some have been interesting, but not very many admittedly.
This got me wondering a little. I suppose it's in our nature to focus on nice round numbers and make them more important. It's the neatness of rounding to significant figures - 100 looks far neater than either 99 or 101 even though it's not that different. Take cricket, for a random example - where a 50 is recorded as an achievement, but getting to 99 is still almost always just recorded as that - a 50. Yet one more run and it's recorded as a century. I realise this is absolute meaningless rubbish I'm writing here. Theoretically, you could take a wild leap of logic and possibly comment on society's bulletin approach to the world around them, and how details and in-depth analysis are overlooked. But I'm really lacking in the motivation for such an abstract link.
Instead, however, I will provide, as is my trademark, an amusing picture. Albeit one exhibiting my own rather sad sense of humour as much as anything else.
This got me wondering a little. I suppose it's in our nature to focus on nice round numbers and make them more important. It's the neatness of rounding to significant figures - 100 looks far neater than either 99 or 101 even though it's not that different. Take cricket, for a random example - where a 50 is recorded as an achievement, but getting to 99 is still almost always just recorded as that - a 50. Yet one more run and it's recorded as a century. I realise this is absolute meaningless rubbish I'm writing here. Theoretically, you could take a wild leap of logic and possibly comment on society's bulletin approach to the world around them, and how details and in-depth analysis are overlooked. But I'm really lacking in the motivation for such an abstract link.
Instead, however, I will provide, as is my trademark, an amusing picture. Albeit one exhibiting my own rather sad sense of humour as much as anything else.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Slacking Off
Well, having been in such a good run of blogs for a while, I appear to have tailed off again due to a relentless lack of inspiration. However, I am back again to give you more pithy insights.
To draw a random parallel, if this blog was a cricket innings, I the author would be having the worries of a batsmen as I would technically be in the nervous nineties, this in fact being my ninety-ninth blog so far. Uncanny yet true. In other news, seamlessly linked, the Cricket World Cup which I am following appears quite interesting - although overshadowed by the death of Bob Woolmer which seems very strange to say the least. The delay in the autopsy results just gives a chance for more needless speculation, which is not something that is ever needed. But it is a very odd scenario.
I just noticed I inadvertently said 'seamlessly links' - puntastic without even trying to be.
To draw a random parallel, if this blog was a cricket innings, I the author would be having the worries of a batsmen as I would technically be in the nervous nineties, this in fact being my ninety-ninth blog so far. Uncanny yet true. In other news, seamlessly linked, the Cricket World Cup which I am following appears quite interesting - although overshadowed by the death of Bob Woolmer which seems very strange to say the least. The delay in the autopsy results just gives a chance for more needless speculation, which is not something that is ever needed. But it is a very odd scenario.
I just noticed I inadvertently said 'seamlessly links' - puntastic without even trying to be.
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Day After The Day Before
Well, as you all know, yesterday was Mother's Day, as it has now become Hallmarkised - instead of the more traditional name of Mothering Sunday. As my blog last year on the subject said, this is usually a rather thoughtful and reflective day for me. Today wasn't as bad as past years, as I haven't been bombarded with signs for it. But it wasn't too bad, it was more of a reflective and thoughtful day for me.
On a lighter note, the only comments I have had in the past month seem to be only from these commentbots saying "Hi I love your blog read my blog on the history of vacuum cleaners" or something equally unlikely. It amuses me. Not that it's an excuse for you not to comment to leave me only with these comments.
On a lighter note, the only comments I have had in the past month seem to be only from these commentbots saying "Hi I love your blog read my blog on the history of vacuum cleaners" or something equally unlikely. It amuses me. Not that it's an excuse for you not to comment to leave me only with these comments.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Lax Commitment
Well, I said I'd stop linking to various random or not so random YouTube clips. However, today I'm going to completely change that and ignore my own promises. This is mainly due to finding eventually clips of the 'best of' episode from Series 4 of Mock The Week. Due to being fed up with how long my blog takes to load with YouTube clips embedded, I'm just going to link to them.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
In my mind, Mock The Week is the best program on TV at the moment by far. I am saddened, however, that they didn't find space in the best-of compilation for my all-time favourite clip from the series - the first 22 seconds or so of this clip which is utterly hysterical.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
In my mind, Mock The Week is the best program on TV at the moment by far. I am saddened, however, that they didn't find space in the best-of compilation for my all-time favourite clip from the series - the first 22 seconds or so of this clip which is utterly hysterical.
Poetry In Motion
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
All mimsy were the borogroves
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Jabberwocky really is a fantastic poem. It has such an ethereal sound when you quote from it at random. It's also a nice random conversation starter. I've been using the opening line this week as an alternative to 'hello' when talking to people, and the reactions are fantastic.
Apparantly the poem was where the word 'chortle' originates from. If so, that's fantastic. It's a brilliant poem and the fact that it is quoted in Dodgeball makes that movie even better, if such a thing was possible. Vorpal blades are also underused weapons, and snicker-snack is an underused adjective. Why I suddenly started pondering on the poem the other day I'm really unsure, but it is a great poem and one of the few poems I can actually quote from.
Until tomorrow, may your borogroves be mimsy and your vorpal blades go snicker-snack.
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
All mimsy were the borogroves
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Jabberwocky really is a fantastic poem. It has such an ethereal sound when you quote from it at random. It's also a nice random conversation starter. I've been using the opening line this week as an alternative to 'hello' when talking to people, and the reactions are fantastic.
Apparantly the poem was where the word 'chortle' originates from. If so, that's fantastic. It's a brilliant poem and the fact that it is quoted in Dodgeball makes that movie even better, if such a thing was possible. Vorpal blades are also underused weapons, and snicker-snack is an underused adjective. Why I suddenly started pondering on the poem the other day I'm really unsure, but it is a great poem and one of the few poems I can actually quote from.
Until tomorrow, may your borogroves be mimsy and your vorpal blades go snicker-snack.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Planning Ahead
After yesterday's embarassing catastrophe as I forgot to actually remember what my idea for the blog is, I am writing this ahead and saving it as a draft. So come today (as you read this), I can simply publish it and it will be here. Untouched.
So, my post a couple of days back on a couple of songs that make you feel always good. And I was inspired enough to try and come up with the idea of an 'ultimate' song listing. Because there are some ultimate songs that simply are unparalleled. Again the wonder that is YouTube is here to link to from each song name, where I could find one. So here's my go at some of the real ultimate songs that, in my humble opinion - and my opinion is far more humble than yours - should simply be stored for posterity and really immortalised. In no particular order:
Meatloaf - Bat Out Of Hell
The Who - Baba O'Reilly
Dire Straits - Walk Of Life
R.E.M. - End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven
Don McLean - American Pie
Guns and Roses - Paradise City
It has to be said, when you listen to some of the classic tunes over the years, you have to realise how pitiful our generation is for music. There's typical average stuff, but I can't think of a single song in the last, what, 15 years perhaps, that would even come anywhere close to this sort of level. You have to go back to the early 90s and perhaps Smells Like Teen Spirit approaches it. What's our generation of music going to be remembered for, apart from taking the classics and destroying them with crappy cover versions? Or am I missing some hidden gems?
So, my post a couple of days back on a couple of songs that make you feel always good. And I was inspired enough to try and come up with the idea of an 'ultimate' song listing. Because there are some ultimate songs that simply are unparalleled. Again the wonder that is YouTube is here to link to from each song name, where I could find one. So here's my go at some of the real ultimate songs that, in my humble opinion - and my opinion is far more humble than yours - should simply be stored for posterity and really immortalised. In no particular order:
Meatloaf - Bat Out Of Hell
The Who - Baba O'Reilly
Dire Straits - Walk Of Life
R.E.M. - End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven
Don McLean - American Pie
Guns and Roses - Paradise City
It has to be said, when you listen to some of the classic tunes over the years, you have to realise how pitiful our generation is for music. There's typical average stuff, but I can't think of a single song in the last, what, 15 years perhaps, that would even come anywhere close to this sort of level. You have to go back to the early 90s and perhaps Smells Like Teen Spirit approaches it. What's our generation of music going to be remembered for, apart from taking the classics and destroying them with crappy cover versions? Or am I missing some hidden gems?
Beware The Ides Of March
I had a post planned out yesterday, but I deferred because I thought I'd use it for another update today instead. Then, inevitably, I forgot what I was writing on, so today is going to be a typical disjointed, rambling and utterly incoherent blog - the sort that I am renowned for.
However, I have a new topic. Hi Dad! Apparantly my father reads my blog. I suspect this is almost purely out of a desire to know just what I'm doing, that I am still alive and what the hell is going on in my life, as my tendency to be prompt with e-mail communication is somewhat lax! So I'm just checking in, still alive, still well, and weatherwise - it's raining here. Quelle surprise.
Incidentally, that ups my regular reader base to ... one.
However, I have a new topic. Hi Dad! Apparantly my father reads my blog. I suspect this is almost purely out of a desire to know just what I'm doing, that I am still alive and what the hell is going on in my life, as my tendency to be prompt with e-mail communication is somewhat lax! So I'm just checking in, still alive, still well, and weatherwise - it's raining here. Quelle surprise.
Incidentally, that ups my regular reader base to ... one.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Ultimate Feel Good Songs
After earlier hearing a fantastic song on the radio, I started thinking, as I am loathe to do. What are the ultimate feel good songs? The ones that almost everyone likes and will always get you in a good mood just listening to them? The ones that make you want to turn your volume up to max?
Apparantly research shows that Beach Boys - Good Vibrations is the song least likely to cause road rage and calm drivers. So I suppose in a way that could be a contender. However, I have two ultimate selections of my own that are close to being unsurpassed in this regards. I provide links to YouTube as opposed to the overwhelming trend of embedding I've been doing recently, because it makes the page ugly and slow to load.
The first is the fantastic R.E.M. - End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). It's just inspired. Ironic, despite the title, that it is a great one to cheer you up or boost your mood.
Second submission is the equally unparalleled song from the end of Monty Python's Life of Brain, the truly superb Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
Anyone else want to add to my listings?
Apparantly research shows that Beach Boys - Good Vibrations is the song least likely to cause road rage and calm drivers. So I suppose in a way that could be a contender. However, I have two ultimate selections of my own that are close to being unsurpassed in this regards. I provide links to YouTube as opposed to the overwhelming trend of embedding I've been doing recently, because it makes the page ugly and slow to load.
The first is the fantastic R.E.M. - End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). It's just inspired. Ironic, despite the title, that it is a great one to cheer you up or boost your mood.
Second submission is the equally unparalleled song from the end of Monty Python's Life of Brain, the truly superb Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
Anyone else want to add to my listings?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I am an Idiot
So, exciting stuff, I got a new debit card in the post today. Opened the envelope, signed the card, as you do, got out the big pair of scissors, cross-checked ten times I was cutting up the OLD card and not the new one, duly dispensed of it with one dramatic chop, and put the new one in my wallet. No problem, you say! But what is this? A small note at the top of the page saying that your card won't be valid until the valid date. So I check the card, and it's not valid until 04/07.
Bugger.
To the bin! To reclaim the two halves of my lost card, so that I can order everything online for the next two weeks until my new card becomes valid and I can use it.
I am amazed as to how I could make such a simple procedure be so complicated.
Bugger.
To the bin! To reclaim the two halves of my lost card, so that I can order everything online for the next two weeks until my new card becomes valid and I can use it.
I am amazed as to how I could make such a simple procedure be so complicated.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Joke Of The Day
I know, two posts within a matter of hours, it's uncanny. But I needed to share this with you.
"After Sunday's loss to Tottenham, West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley was spotted driving around Upton Park while talking on his mobile phone. Club officials said he had been forced to such desparate measures due to his failure to get three points any other way!"
"After Sunday's loss to Tottenham, West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley was spotted driving around Upton Park while talking on his mobile phone. Club officials said he had been forced to such desparate measures due to his failure to get three points any other way!"
Marching Into March
Well, we're now definitely into March. We were into March in the last post, but still, this hasn't been pointed out, so here we go. I realise that recently my posts have just taken the form of YouTube links and I'm trying to veer away from that here. So this post won't contain any youtube links, be grateful.
This week I've been watching and been very praising of the Super League season that's gotten under way yet again. This again looks like being a fantastically competitive season and from the highlights I've seen on the Super League Show is well, well worth watching. It's extremely competitive, close and no side is going to run away with it. It looks like being another great season for rugby league, and the Super League really is blossoming. It's a shame it doesn't get more media attention because it's by far the most competitive, open and enthralling league in British sport yet noone really knows much about it.
On the same subject, one thing I've kept meaning to refer to, yet haven't, is the St. Helens vs Brisbane Broncos World Club Challenge game. For those of you who aren't aware, this is the annual challenge between the winners of the Super League and the winners of the NRL in Australia. This was a couple of weeks back and I've yet to link to it or talk about it, but this was a cracking game, competitive and yet utterly overlooked by the media who have preferred to focus on the average mediocrity of the Six Nations instead of this.
Besides all that, here's a link to the highlights on BBC. Well, well worth watching.
This week I've been watching and been very praising of the Super League season that's gotten under way yet again. This again looks like being a fantastically competitive season and from the highlights I've seen on the Super League Show is well, well worth watching. It's extremely competitive, close and no side is going to run away with it. It looks like being another great season for rugby league, and the Super League really is blossoming. It's a shame it doesn't get more media attention because it's by far the most competitive, open and enthralling league in British sport yet noone really knows much about it.
On the same subject, one thing I've kept meaning to refer to, yet haven't, is the St. Helens vs Brisbane Broncos World Club Challenge game. For those of you who aren't aware, this is the annual challenge between the winners of the Super League and the winners of the NRL in Australia. This was a couple of weeks back and I've yet to link to it or talk about it, but this was a cracking game, competitive and yet utterly overlooked by the media who have preferred to focus on the average mediocrity of the Six Nations instead of this.
Besides all that, here's a link to the highlights on BBC. Well, well worth watching.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Random Musical Clips
Oh, happy March by the way.
Was discussing this so decided to throw up a blog with a couple of music videos which I've been listening to of late. The videos are meh, but the songs are fantastic. Very riff-tastic, and both definitely are ones you want to headbang to.
Maximo Park - Our Velocity
Fear Of Music - We Are Not The Enemy
Was discussing this so decided to throw up a blog with a couple of music videos which I've been listening to of late. The videos are meh, but the songs are fantastic. Very riff-tastic, and both definitely are ones you want to headbang to.
Maximo Park - Our Velocity
Fear Of Music - We Are Not The Enemy
Monday, February 26, 2007
More Classic Clips
On a retro crusade through YouTube, I just had to link this. How old is this, and how the hell is it still so awesome? They don't make them like they used to.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Belated Valentines!
Well, today was my Valentine's Day. This does make sense, honest. The reason is because the Royal Mail, being reliably inept and incompetent, were unable to fit my present sent kindly by Chrissi through the letterbox. They attempted to redeliver it the week later, but strangely enough my letterbox had not grown by then. Today I got around to discovering where the Sorting Office was (having to go to the Post Office first to direct me). And eventually I triumped! And it was worth all my endeavours, for included in the parcel awaiting me was none other than a Scooby Doo DVD! Scooby Doo: Pirates Ahoy! Pirates and Scooby Doo. You can't beat it.
Truly a fantastic reward for a treasure trail like no other.
Truly a fantastic reward for a treasure trail like no other.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
A Blog A Day Keeps Laziness At Bay
There's actually not much to report from today, as yesterday's blog was done very early in the morning so didn't actually contain much of yesterday's news. However, in the latest burst of activity I am determined to keep this run of regular blogging going.
Today I have finished my ironing. Hurrah. Just in time to need to do another load of washing, and the ironing that will inevitably accompany it. I'm beginning to understand how the guy pushing the rock up the hill for all eternity felt.
Oh, and I was dead right with my pizza analysis. It was delicious and fantastic and cooked to perfection. Ace.
Today I have finished my ironing. Hurrah. Just in time to need to do another load of washing, and the ironing that will inevitably accompany it. I'm beginning to understand how the guy pushing the rock up the hill for all eternity felt.
Oh, and I was dead right with my pizza analysis. It was delicious and fantastic and cooked to perfection. Ace.
Back In The Swing Of Things
I seem to have rediscovered the knack of this blogging lark. That's three blogs in three days, I do hope everyone that isn't reading is enjoying this sudden barrage of activity and updates.
Not that I've honestly been updating people on much that's been going on. Today my day was filled with the excitement of ironing (ooooh, I hear you say) and trying to batter my sleeping patterns into something approaching normallacy (still failing on that one). I am also about to make myself a quite magnificent pizza, which will be delicious and fantastic in equal measure. Confused sleeping patterns are playing havoc with my daily routine so my meals are at odd hours.
Anyway, that's it for today's update from Slumberland. More tomorrow, maybe!
Not that I've honestly been updating people on much that's been going on. Today my day was filled with the excitement of ironing (ooooh, I hear you say) and trying to batter my sleeping patterns into something approaching normallacy (still failing on that one). I am also about to make myself a quite magnificent pizza, which will be delicious and fantastic in equal measure. Confused sleeping patterns are playing havoc with my daily routine so my meals are at odd hours.
Anyway, that's it for today's update from Slumberland. More tomorrow, maybe!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Holy Addictive Episodes, Batman!
Well, if my blog yesterday somehow didn't get spotted for what it was (although the chances of it being read by anyone were fairly slim, admittedly), I have gotten hooked on YouTube watching the classic and unparalleled 1960s Batman TV series, with Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. It's unrivalled for how fantastic it is. I've not seen them for years, and they're awesome.
I have spent approximately 18 hours over the weekend watching the various episodes uploaded onto YouTube. They're absolutely fantastic, and are utterly unparalleled. What worries me is that I could remember two of the endings from at least ten years ago. Including the exact line as to how Batman caught False Face in one of the episodes.
I highly, highly recommend anyone checks them out. There are some fantastic lines in all of those shows. One of my favourite lines was a superb one - albeit taken a little out of context - from 'A Horse of Another Colour'.
Batman: 'Your odds haven't been too good this afternoon Penguin.'
Robin: 'But five men against one girl is ridiculous!'
Batgirl: 'Oh I'm enjoying it! Don't bother!'
I also randomly include an amusing compilation video of Batgirl from the show which I found linked from some of the others.
I have spent approximately 18 hours over the weekend watching the various episodes uploaded onto YouTube. They're absolutely fantastic, and are utterly unparalleled. What worries me is that I could remember two of the endings from at least ten years ago. Including the exact line as to how Batman caught False Face in one of the episodes.
I highly, highly recommend anyone checks them out. There are some fantastic lines in all of those shows. One of my favourite lines was a superb one - albeit taken a little out of context - from 'A Horse of Another Colour'.
Batman: 'Your odds haven't been too good this afternoon Penguin.'
Robin: 'But five men against one girl is ridiculous!'
Batgirl: 'Oh I'm enjoying it! Don't bother!'
I also randomly include an amusing compilation video of Batgirl from the show which I found linked from some of the others.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Biff! Wap! Sock! Whack! Kapow!
Could it be? Has our venerable own Slumberland been washed under with a crime wave? Is there more to our days disappearing than we first thought? Is some criminal mastermind behind this? And what are the caped crusaders doing in Slumberland? Find out tomorrow ... same bat-site, same bat-blog.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Into February
It's February now. It snowed on Thursday. The snow went on Friday. Snow on the seafront looks weird. Fact. I have little of interest to actually say. So, instead, as is my usual style, here is an amusing picture to fill the gap:
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Striding Boldly Into February
Well, because I was rather busy throughout January and then lazy for the majority of the time I wasn't busy, I never got around to actually writing any blog entries. I planned to do one yesterday so I wouldn't miss out on January. But I never did.
To summarise what's been missed in the past month or so of missing updates: Chrissi arrived fine, albeit in fog. Christmas was good. Generally had a nice time. Chrissi went back, bah humbug. I went back to university. I've spent time trying to work out what the hell my dissertation thesis proposal is and submitting ideas that don't work and trying again ad nauseum.
So, in the absence of a better summary, I'll instead provide a hilarious clip shown to me today, from classic gameshow Catchphrase:
To summarise what's been missed in the past month or so of missing updates: Chrissi arrived fine, albeit in fog. Christmas was good. Generally had a nice time. Chrissi went back, bah humbug. I went back to university. I've spent time trying to work out what the hell my dissertation thesis proposal is and submitting ideas that don't work and trying again ad nauseum.
So, in the absence of a better summary, I'll instead provide a hilarious clip shown to me today, from classic gameshow Catchphrase:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
