I never knew these birds existed.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
So long...So lazy...
Ellen left a comment on the last post after I commented at her blog, Brain Lint (which, by the way, is rather good). She's right of course, I HAVEN'T posted in forever. And I've been doing so many bloggable things.
Maybe that's the point...I'm too busy doing stuff to write about it!
No, perhaps I'm just a big lazy layabout. Yep, that'd be it.
So, what have I been doing since the middle of October?
Starting the 2nd year of my MSc (and failing miserably to get any work done. See above re. layabout)
Nearly fainting and throwing up at Sheffield Station
Walking and wild camping in the Lake District -twice - Blencathra via Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge and Helvellyn via Grizedale Tarn (bloody windy and horrid rain)
Cycling on the Tissington Trail
Pruning (read savaging) the roses and other garden pottering
Greenland Expedition Evening - his sister went to Greenland in July
Signing up for Snow & Ice (Scotland) and the Alps trip (West Lancs Scouts Mountaineering Group). The things I let him convince me to do...
WLSMG Peak Meet
Buying a down jacket. So warm...
Seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Phil
And I'm sure there's more. No wonder I haven't written my essays yet.
Maybe that's the point...I'm too busy doing stuff to write about it!
No, perhaps I'm just a big lazy layabout. Yep, that'd be it.
So, what have I been doing since the middle of October?
Starting the 2nd year of my MSc (and failing miserably to get any work done. See above re. layabout)
Nearly fainting and throwing up at Sheffield Station
Walking and wild camping in the Lake District -twice - Blencathra via Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge and Helvellyn via Grizedale Tarn (bloody windy and horrid rain)
Cycling on the Tissington Trail
Pruning (read savaging) the roses and other garden pottering
Greenland Expedition Evening - his sister went to Greenland in July
Signing up for Snow & Ice (Scotland) and the Alps trip (West Lancs Scouts Mountaineering Group). The things I let him convince me to do...
WLSMG Peak Meet
Buying a down jacket. So warm...
Seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Phil
And I'm sure there's more. No wonder I haven't written my essays yet.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Do you know what your MP is up to?
Or even who your MP is?
I'd be willing to bet that a great many people have no idea.
So it's a good thing that the nice people at the Guardian have created Ask Aristotle, a database that will tell you who your MP is and what they do in Parliament. The good thing about Aristotle is that all the information is linked from the one site, rather than having to go through the different layers of the parliament and House of Commons sites.
A site to have a look at is the Register of Members Interests. This list that tells who's got their fingers in the most pies. "Remunerated Directorship" is the term to look out for. It also shows patronage of charitable organisations and the like, so gives you an idea of what an MP believes in (or, for the cynics, believes will make them look good). Some of the Lords' lists are particularly interesting.
Go and have a look. Find out what they're up to and how they voted and what committees they're on. And find out their addresses and write to them about things that bother you -locally and nationally- it's their job to represent the views of their constituents.
While we're on the subject of government, if you ever want to know what county or district or borough a place is in have a look at Oultwood.com. They provide links to local government information worldwide.
I'd be willing to bet that a great many people have no idea.
So it's a good thing that the nice people at the Guardian have created Ask Aristotle, a database that will tell you who your MP is and what they do in Parliament. The good thing about Aristotle is that all the information is linked from the one site, rather than having to go through the different layers of the parliament and House of Commons sites.
A site to have a look at is the Register of Members Interests. This list that tells who's got their fingers in the most pies. "Remunerated Directorship" is the term to look out for. It also shows patronage of charitable organisations and the like, so gives you an idea of what an MP believes in (or, for the cynics, believes will make them look good). Some of the Lords' lists are particularly interesting.
Go and have a look. Find out what they're up to and how they voted and what committees they're on. And find out their addresses and write to them about things that bother you -locally and nationally- it's their job to represent the views of their constituents.
While we're on the subject of government, if you ever want to know what county or district or borough a place is in have a look at Oultwood.com. They provide links to local government information worldwide.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
When computers eat your stuff...
Found this randomly on a poetry website. For everyone who's suffered at the demon will of the Machine on their desk.
Hemingway Never Did This -- Charles Bukowski
Hemingway Never Did This -- Charles Bukowski
Monday, August 16, 2004
Certificated Copies...Hmph.
According to the person at a certain internet bank an original (written in register office standard blue-black parker ink) marriage certificate isn't a "certificated copy" for account opening purposes. What? Why?
My bank (no not them) don't seem to see it that way. Marriage certificate plus Switch card was fine for them. Or perhaps that's because I already had an account and was just changing the name.
The only difference in the information these two banks have about me is CCTV footage of me in the branch.
The dificulty is that I don't have anything they'll accept in my married name yet. So, I have to wait the real bank to send me a statement in my new name so I can send it to the internet bank. The ID they want is the kind of stuff that could have been stolen out of someone's rubbish. Official (government) documents won't do.
My bank (no not them) don't seem to see it that way. Marriage certificate plus Switch card was fine for them. Or perhaps that's because I already had an account and was just changing the name.
The only difference in the information these two banks have about me is CCTV footage of me in the branch.
The dificulty is that I don't have anything they'll accept in my married name yet. So, I have to wait the real bank to send me a statement in my new name so I can send it to the internet bank. The ID they want is the kind of stuff that could have been stolen out of someone's rubbish. Official (government) documents won't do.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Help...Album
On September 9, 1995, War Child released an album called Help. Featuring, among others, Oasis, Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, Paul McCartney, The KLF, Blur, The Charlatans, The Chemical Brothers and Paul Weller, it was a fund-raiser with a difference - you see, before Help, charity records always followed an unspoken rule... they were rubbish.Not only did the proceeds of this particular record help children caught up in a shocking war in Yugoslavia, it was also very good.
I bought the Help album when it first came out in 1995 - a bit of a gamble since it had no track listing at the time. Now thanks to the new website I finally have an artist and track listing for it. I still think it's a very good album. An interesting mix of bands and tracks, but it all goes together quite well.
I always particularly liked the version of Dream a Little Dream by (I now know) Terry Hall and Marijne from Salad. Lovely track - I like the way it sort of swirls around between the speakers.
Monday, August 02, 2004
Ow, my arm
The National Blood Service - do something amazing give Blood
I gave blood today. A small amount of discomfort to do so much good. I think that's how it goes. However, my small amount of discomfort is bigger than other people's. But that's my own fault for having small veins and/or slow blood. Apparantly the vein in my left arm is smaller than the one in my right, but the one in the right is more in the angle of my arm.
Well despite that, if my Dad can get his gold badge, my husband his bronze and my younger brother has a blue card then I will not be outdone too easily. Just another 40 or 50 odd donations to catch my Dad up then...
I still haven't got a keyring though. But I do have a Billy Blood Drop.
And my arm will be better in the morning.
I gave blood today. A small amount of discomfort to do so much good. I think that's how it goes. However, my small amount of discomfort is bigger than other people's. But that's my own fault for having small veins and/or slow blood. Apparantly the vein in my left arm is smaller than the one in my right, but the one in the right is more in the angle of my arm.
Well despite that, if my Dad can get his gold badge, my husband his bronze and my younger brother has a blue card then I will not be outdone too easily. Just another 40 or 50 odd donations to catch my Dad up then...
I still haven't got a keyring though. But I do have a Billy Blood Drop.
And my arm will be better in the morning.
Help
Does anyone know how to write a 5000 word assignment in a week and a half?
Bearing in mind that I haven't finished the 3000 word one yet. And the full time job and husband etc...
Why do I always dig these holes for myself...
Bearing in mind that I haven't finished the 3000 word one yet. And the full time job and husband etc...
Why do I always dig these holes for myself...
Monday, July 26, 2004
Cycling
On Saturday I went cycling at Ladybower. A Good Idea. A simple way to get fit relatively easily. Right?
Ha! Yesterday I couldn't sit down or stand up without being in great pain. The saddle related problems were anticipated, thanks to Zoe at MBIAT, the knee problems weren't. Apparently my knees do not like cycling. I suppose they'll either break or get used to it. Mind you, I have only had the bike for a fortnight.
But, apart from those problems and the chain coming off and getting smacked in the back of the leg with pedal when it did (I've a lovely pedal-spike shaped bruise), it was Fun. Although I'm not too keen on the bumpy bits of path yet.
I won't be cycling to work just yet. If the bus stuggles up Slack Hill then I don't think I should even contemplate trying. But his suggestion of going to do some of the Tissington Trail is fine with me.
Ha! Yesterday I couldn't sit down or stand up without being in great pain. The saddle related problems were anticipated, thanks to Zoe at MBIAT, the knee problems weren't. Apparently my knees do not like cycling. I suppose they'll either break or get used to it. Mind you, I have only had the bike for a fortnight.
But, apart from those problems and the chain coming off and getting smacked in the back of the leg with pedal when it did (I've a lovely pedal-spike shaped bruise), it was Fun. Although I'm not too keen on the bumpy bits of path yet.
I won't be cycling to work just yet. If the bus stuggles up Slack Hill then I don't think I should even contemplate trying. But his suggestion of going to do some of the Tissington Trail is fine with me.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Yesterday I went to London. For work reasons, not galavanting - there was a condition survey to be done at the Ranger's House in Greenwich Park. It took the best part of four hours each way - that includes the walk across the park - to get there and I was on site for for an hour and a half.
Anyway, what I wanted to blog about was actually the GLA building. Or Foster's Testicle as one of the building press once described (to match the phallic symbol on St Mary Axe). I saw it from the train as I returned to London Bridge from Blackheath. I was disappointed. Fleeting glimpses between other buildings is probably not the best way to go about architectural appreciation but that was all I had.
It's not a very impressive building. Brian has written about it before and included "gratuitous pictures" in some of which it looks considerably more impressive than it is. I agree with him in that the Porsche headlamp design phase was more striking. I think it also shows a better relationship to the river than it has now as well.
It isn't very big. I really thought it was quite a large building. But the in the view I had it looked rather stumpy. Perhaps it was just the angle of the view from the train.
On the other hand, I had been determined to dislike the St Mary Axe (Gherkin) building. On seeing it - from the same train - I found that it nearly so bad as I thought. In fact I think I might like it. It's growing on me. Though I still think it looks rather large.
I also went through the new part of St Pancras station. They appear to have moved the milling-about-not-knowing-where-your-train-is area into a new bit. So, now one can mill about staring at blank info boards under a shiny new glass roof.
And someone has let the clock stop.
Anyway, what I wanted to blog about was actually the GLA building. Or Foster's Testicle as one of the building press once described (to match the phallic symbol on St Mary Axe). I saw it from the train as I returned to London Bridge from Blackheath. I was disappointed. Fleeting glimpses between other buildings is probably not the best way to go about architectural appreciation but that was all I had.
It's not a very impressive building. Brian has written about it before and included "gratuitous pictures" in some of which it looks considerably more impressive than it is. I agree with him in that the Porsche headlamp design phase was more striking. I think it also shows a better relationship to the river than it has now as well.
It isn't very big. I really thought it was quite a large building. But the in the view I had it looked rather stumpy. Perhaps it was just the angle of the view from the train.
On the other hand, I had been determined to dislike the St Mary Axe (Gherkin) building. On seeing it - from the same train - I found that it nearly so bad as I thought. In fact I think I might like it. It's growing on me. Though I still think it looks rather large.
I also went through the new part of St Pancras station. They appear to have moved the milling-about-not-knowing-where-your-train-is area into a new bit. So, now one can mill about staring at blank info boards under a shiny new glass roof.
And someone has let the clock stop.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Rubbish blogging
OH dear I've been very poor at blogging. And I've been reading some rather good ones, to whom I shall link in the generous fullness of time. Then they'll all know what kind of rubbish "bloggers" lurk around theirs.
Well, one of the blogs I've been reading is Bandhag's (Oh I hope that link works. Very few things are worse than a broken link.). A recent post there listed the first ten songs randomly out of Bandhag's mp3 player. I thought I'd do the same. Now, I only have a small selection of tracks on a USB gadget so it truly isn't a real reflection of my CD collection - an editted version only.
The tracks were:
1. Belle & Sebastien - Boy with the arab strap
2. Oasis - Half the world away
3. Electric Soft Parade - Empty at the end
4. The Calling - Wherever you will go
5. Appleton - 5 am
6. Stereophonics - Step on my old size nines
7. Belle & Sebastien - Dog on wheels
8. The Bluetones - Marblehead Johnson
9. Badly Drawn Boy - You were right
10. Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally
Now, I'm sure that tell some manner of psychoanalyst something about me, but I don't know what.
I could do with a comments box. Then maybe some manner of psychoanalyst would tell something about me...
OH dear I've been very poor at blogging. And I've been reading some rather good ones, to whom I shall link in the generous fullness of time. Then they'll all know what kind of rubbish "bloggers" lurk around theirs.
Well, one of the blogs I've been reading is Bandhag's (Oh I hope that link works. Very few things are worse than a broken link.). A recent post there listed the first ten songs randomly out of Bandhag's mp3 player. I thought I'd do the same. Now, I only have a small selection of tracks on a USB gadget so it truly isn't a real reflection of my CD collection - an editted version only.
The tracks were:
1. Belle & Sebastien - Boy with the arab strap
2. Oasis - Half the world away
3. Electric Soft Parade - Empty at the end
4. The Calling - Wherever you will go
5. Appleton - 5 am
6. Stereophonics - Step on my old size nines
7. Belle & Sebastien - Dog on wheels
8. The Bluetones - Marblehead Johnson
9. Badly Drawn Boy - You were right
10. Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally
Now, I'm sure that tell some manner of psychoanalyst something about me, but I don't know what.
I could do with a comments box. Then maybe some manner of psychoanalyst would tell something about me...
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Well, at least it wasn't Lucy. I never liked her.
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Thursday, February 19, 2004
| You are 38% geek | You are a geek liaison, which means you go both ways. You can hang out with normal people or you can hang out with geeks which means you often have geeks as friends and/or have a job where you have to mediate between geeks and normal people. This is an important role and one of which you should be proud. In fact, you can make a good deal of money as a translator.
Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com Tuesday, February 17, 2004
BTW, that Peak Park planner I mentioned in september finally gave us a decision on the application a fortnight ago. Well, an approval of the Listed Building Consent anyway. It's supposed to (in the legal obligation way) to take eight weeks. And still they're holding out on the planning permission for a Section 106 agreement. AND they want our client to PAY their legal department for drawing it up. I'm not sure I want to take the phone about that.
I don't like 106 agreements anyway. I think they're a bit like a legal backhander. You give us this and we'll approve your development... Yes, sometimes they can be used to improve developments, provide community facilities for housing developments and that kind of thing, but I still don't think it's quite right. Either a development is acceptable or not. I started doing an MSc by distance learning. Building Conservation Technology and Management from Heriot-Watt. So, I joined the library at Sheffield Hallam. Now, there's a badly designed building. To get to the main library you have to go through other buildings. What's wrong with that? The entrance is off a terrace. You have to go through the building find the right floor go outside an go back in again. In joining I managed to confuse the librarian who didn't know what to do with a UK Libraries Plus form. It's a scheme that allows part time & distance learning students to join local uni libraries incase you didn't know. It took three of them to figure it out and they tried their best to be helpful and explain how many books I could take etc but failed to manage to tell me anything useful. Well, I asked someone else and figured it out in the end. So, now I have some books I have to start writing my essays, don't I? I am trying. Honest. UK Libraries Plus Heriot-Watt Uni home page
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