I have over the past week become a little bit obsessed with HowItShouldHaveEnded.com
If you haven't seen them, they are animated shorts of how movies should have ended.
My personal highlights are Iron Man, X-men first class and The dark night. Also any of the bookends with Superman and Batman having coffee are amazing.
Monday, 19 December 2011
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Briton's Blame Poverty on Lazyness.
A worrying report from The National Centre for Social Research was reported today by the bbc. It highlights an issue that i have felt for some time is a problem we need to tackle.
That is the growing selfish attitude in the UK. The study shows that increased numbers of Brits think that the poor "Deserve to be poor" as they are lazy. It also shows while increased numbers of us believe the pay gap between the rich and the rest of us is excessive, the number who believe this wealth should be redistributed has fallen. Thanks to headline reports on benefit cheats/claimants public support for welfare is at an all time low. The only bright point of the report is generally increased satisfaction in public services up to the point the Tories got their knife out.
Thanks in great part to the influence of Rupert Murdoch. We now live in a society were the majority don't care about what we can build but what they can take. We hold those that gain the most through the least effort as pillars of society and those that add the most but gain the least as an unnecessary drain. For example while executive pay skyrockets, the majority support reduced pay (working conditions) for Nurses and Social workers. It’s a dark dark day for our great country.
That is the growing selfish attitude in the UK. The study shows that increased numbers of Brits think that the poor "Deserve to be poor" as they are lazy. It also shows while increased numbers of us believe the pay gap between the rich and the rest of us is excessive, the number who believe this wealth should be redistributed has fallen. Thanks to headline reports on benefit cheats/claimants public support for welfare is at an all time low. The only bright point of the report is generally increased satisfaction in public services up to the point the Tories got their knife out.
Thanks in great part to the influence of Rupert Murdoch. We now live in a society were the majority don't care about what we can build but what they can take. We hold those that gain the most through the least effort as pillars of society and those that add the most but gain the least as an unnecessary drain. For example while executive pay skyrockets, the majority support reduced pay (working conditions) for Nurses and Social workers. It’s a dark dark day for our great country.
Monday, 5 December 2011
iCalendar for Saints Super League fixtures 2012.
Again for those lucky saints fans heading to the brand spanking new Langtree Stadium.
Here for your usage free of any licence or other stupid legal double speak, is an iCal file for Saints fixtures in the 2012 Super League.
This iCalendar can be imported into pretty much any calendar software(even Lotus Notes.)
Here for your usage free of any licence or other stupid legal double speak, is an iCal file for Saints fixtures in the 2012 Super League.
This iCalendar can be imported into pretty much any calendar software(even Lotus Notes.)
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Drop the Bill
I’ve been making a concerted effort to keep politics off this blog recently. Its been hard I’ve taken to arguing with people on the yahoo comments pages. Not a healthy hobby for someone of my political beliefs as anyone who has waded into it will know, to quote Obi Wan “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” I have to make an exception for this though.
The NHS is under attack. The conservatives won votes by categorically promising that they would not touch the NHS. They have, to some people’s great surprise, not even pretended to honour this promise. They make thin insistence that the dismantling of the NHS and the shifting of public funding to private health firms is for the NHS’ own good. While an organisation named “NHS” may well exist after the changes, it will not be National, will have very little to do with health and most likely will not actually be providing service(s).
I would ask anyone reading this that thinks universal free at the point of use health care is a good idea to sign the petition. I would also ask those that don’t to look closely at their view point.
Thanks
The Kat.
The NHS is under attack. The conservatives won votes by categorically promising that they would not touch the NHS. They have, to some people’s great surprise, not even pretended to honour this promise. They make thin insistence that the dismantling of the NHS and the shifting of public funding to private health firms is for the NHS’ own good. While an organisation named “NHS” may well exist after the changes, it will not be National, will have very little to do with health and most likely will not actually be providing service(s).
I would ask anyone reading this that thinks universal free at the point of use health care is a good idea to sign the petition. I would also ask those that don’t to look closely at their view point.
Thanks
The Kat.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Fuming about Kindle.
For a long time I’ve been playing with the idea of a kindle. I really like them but that initial outlay added to the fact that despite zero production costs eBooks are the same price as physical books has stayed my hand (see eBook Prices for details). Yesterday Amazon threw another spanner in the works with their release of the Kindle Fire and Kindle touch. Now the kindle Fire is a so called “iPad killer” in that it is designed to go head to head with the lord of tablet computers the iPad. The kindle touch is a smaller lighter cheaper faster version of the kindle that drops all controls in favour of touch technology. I was pretty much instantly sold on the kindle touch.
That’s when it all went wrong. When will these two fab products be released in the UK? The answer….Not now and maybe not ever. Don’t worry I thought I’m going to the states in November I’ll buy one and bring it home! Oh no I wont, Touches and Fires are for US residents only, they can not be registered with Amazon.co.uk and buying sufficient eBooks from Amazon.com would lead to the tax man paying me a painful visit.
Instead what do we get. We get the new entry level “Kindle” that has none of the ergonomic controls of the current kindle (now called “Kindle keyboard”) or the current kindle at the new low low price of ….£10 less than it was yesterday.
American news agency’s are asking “will the Fire at half the price of the ipad2 be able to knock it off its perch.” I can answer for them. No. As they have completely ignored the potential of other markets.
That’s when it all went wrong. When will these two fab products be released in the UK? The answer….Not now and maybe not ever. Don’t worry I thought I’m going to the states in November I’ll buy one and bring it home! Oh no I wont, Touches and Fires are for US residents only, they can not be registered with Amazon.co.uk and buying sufficient eBooks from Amazon.com would lead to the tax man paying me a painful visit.
Instead what do we get. We get the new entry level “Kindle” that has none of the ergonomic controls of the current kindle (now called “Kindle keyboard”) or the current kindle at the new low low price of ….£10 less than it was yesterday.
American news agency’s are asking “will the Fire at half the price of the ipad2 be able to knock it off its perch.” I can answer for them. No. As they have completely ignored the potential of other markets.
Monday, 26 September 2011
eBook Prices revisited.
Reading a forum post recently lead me to review what was happening with eBook prices. I was surprised to find quite a few blog posts supporting the rather extortionate prices currently charged.
Quite rightly they point out that the production and distribution of a book actually accounts for only around 13% of the book cost (not counting mass edition paperback were this percentage rises significantly as the price drops.) They forget to point out though that all the remaining costs are fixed, and that the percentage is to cover those costs, once they are covered this percentage changes into profit. They also are blind to the idea that lower costs might mean increased sales. This would mean higher revenues and as all costs are fixed increased profit.
..but don't let me preach to you. Here are two very good reads putting forward both sides of the argument.
For or Against
(Even the one defending the pricing does admit he thinks they are slightly over priced and would never buy an eBook were a cheaper paper back was available.)
Personally I can't accept that eBooks are not significantly less than physical edition books, and am outraged by eBooks 5 times the price of the physical book. (e.g. The Da Vinci Code is £1 in many shops in mass edition paperback. eBook price £4.99.)
Quite rightly they point out that the production and distribution of a book actually accounts for only around 13% of the book cost (not counting mass edition paperback were this percentage rises significantly as the price drops.) They forget to point out though that all the remaining costs are fixed, and that the percentage is to cover those costs, once they are covered this percentage changes into profit. They also are blind to the idea that lower costs might mean increased sales. This would mean higher revenues and as all costs are fixed increased profit.
..but don't let me preach to you. Here are two very good reads putting forward both sides of the argument.
For or Against
(Even the one defending the pricing does admit he thinks they are slightly over priced and would never buy an eBook were a cheaper paper back was available.)
Personally I can't accept that eBooks are not significantly less than physical edition books, and am outraged by eBooks 5 times the price of the physical book. (e.g. The Da Vinci Code is £1 in many shops in mass edition paperback. eBook price £4.99.)
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Dune Rant
I have just started listening to the Heretics of Dune Audiobook, and I have come to the crashing conclusion of why have been avoiding it. It is not anything to do with the quality of the audiobook Simon Vance is as always on top form, and portrays the characters with the gravitas they deserve. Neither is it to do with the fact that the last 2 books are my least faviourite (..cause they aren't and having listened to about a third of Heretics I've got to admit its so far only 2nd to Dune(and Messiah) at the moment.) It is because this is the point where the depth of the Frank Herberts work comes to startling clarity. Why is that a bad thing? As this clarity is brought by comparison to the non-Frank Herbert written Sequels. As most who have got this far in this rant will know Frank never finished his great work. He tragically died leaving one book un-written and seemingly few notes on how he planned to continue and finish the narrative.
....before I get into trashing the sequel let's get things straight I enjoyed them. They were never going to be up to scratch. Herbert (senior) was a master of the art and dune was his masterpiece, while Kevin J Anderson is not. Don't get me wrong his work is enjoyable but he is not the literary genius the Frank Herbert was. The sequel(s) give me a conclusion to the story it just wasn't the conclusion to the story.
Over the years I have come to feel that the story may not have needed a conclusion, Daniel and Marty representing Herbert himself and his wife and the passage representing the narrative breaking free of his or any control. Dune always had the feel of a window into another universe and this ending is fitting for such a story. Maybe that's why the sequels angry my blood so, they cast dune as just a story through their inconsistencies, convenience and logical gaps. While Herbert's dune is filled with genius philosophers, deep motivations and abilities based in the existing mythos of the series. The sequels are filled with dim witted action heros, villains of the mustache twirling cape wearing variety and magic powers (both
Duncan's energy less super speed and Paul's telekinetic healing.). In handing over the dune universe to a super human saviour they miss the entire point of the dune universe, that to put ones faith in messiahs is dangerous, its Leto II's most important lesson.
But let's talk my specific reason for this rant and this is just from the first third of heretics
The drastic reduction in scope of human space. Let's give them that dune's definition of the known universe may well be ignored as a label rather than descriptive. That aside in god emperor of dune. Leto explicitly states he rules a multi galactic empire and that the intentions of his pressing ix to make no tech and his breeding program was to ensure that the scattering that would be the inevitable consequence of his death would allow humans to spread so far and so wide as to never again be vulnerable to a single threat. The no-ships and Siona's inheritance making sure that not even presience could find them all.
Let's now move to heretics were so far almost every single character has described the scattering as entering universes beyond measure. One (or was it 2)even described humanity as now being infinite and occupying infinite space. Let's skip ahead to the end of chapter house were to escape Duncan explicitly jumps his no ship to another universe devoid of the hunters.
Now let's look at the sequel. Human space (old empire and scattering) is compressed into a small part of our galaxy. So small that a well placed gamma ray burst or other large scale astronomical event could wipe all of humanity out (bit of a flaw in your golden path there Leto call yourself a God Emperor.) So small in fact a probe carrying an Ominus(?) clone has managed to beat the instantaneously traveling ships of humanity in such a way that we are now enclosed by its machines (despite space folding drives that could pass any barrier and out run any ship. See logic flaws.)
This downsizing is fact and was done to allow a threat to effect all humanity (a threat that leto would have seen easily.) From a foe that was only introduced in the prequels. It robs the life of leto of its meaning and therefore trashed 2 of the 6 original books. I'm not qualified to speak for frank but it seems to me the final trilogy is about the peril to the old empire of those returning from the scattering (chapter house shows that the Honoured Matre's are just the first and not even the worst,) the threat to the gold path (or the threat to the old empire's branch of the golden path, but not necessarily the whole golden path) of the wild talents to see no ships. Dune 7 being the resolution to these threats and the continuation of the golden path in to the infinite future.
Rant over.....for now.
....before I get into trashing the sequel let's get things straight I enjoyed them. They were never going to be up to scratch. Herbert (senior) was a master of the art and dune was his masterpiece, while Kevin J Anderson is not. Don't get me wrong his work is enjoyable but he is not the literary genius the Frank Herbert was. The sequel(s) give me a conclusion to the story it just wasn't the conclusion to the story.
Over the years I have come to feel that the story may not have needed a conclusion, Daniel and Marty representing Herbert himself and his wife and the passage representing the narrative breaking free of his or any control. Dune always had the feel of a window into another universe and this ending is fitting for such a story. Maybe that's why the sequels angry my blood so, they cast dune as just a story through their inconsistencies, convenience and logical gaps. While Herbert's dune is filled with genius philosophers, deep motivations and abilities based in the existing mythos of the series. The sequels are filled with dim witted action heros, villains of the mustache twirling cape wearing variety and magic powers (both
Duncan's energy less super speed and Paul's telekinetic healing.). In handing over the dune universe to a super human saviour they miss the entire point of the dune universe, that to put ones faith in messiahs is dangerous, its Leto II's most important lesson.
But let's talk my specific reason for this rant and this is just from the first third of heretics
The drastic reduction in scope of human space. Let's give them that dune's definition of the known universe may well be ignored as a label rather than descriptive. That aside in god emperor of dune. Leto explicitly states he rules a multi galactic empire and that the intentions of his pressing ix to make no tech and his breeding program was to ensure that the scattering that would be the inevitable consequence of his death would allow humans to spread so far and so wide as to never again be vulnerable to a single threat. The no-ships and Siona's inheritance making sure that not even presience could find them all.
Let's now move to heretics were so far almost every single character has described the scattering as entering universes beyond measure. One (or was it 2)even described humanity as now being infinite and occupying infinite space. Let's skip ahead to the end of chapter house were to escape Duncan explicitly jumps his no ship to another universe devoid of the hunters.
Now let's look at the sequel. Human space (old empire and scattering) is compressed into a small part of our galaxy. So small that a well placed gamma ray burst or other large scale astronomical event could wipe all of humanity out (bit of a flaw in your golden path there Leto call yourself a God Emperor.) So small in fact a probe carrying an Ominus(?) clone has managed to beat the instantaneously traveling ships of humanity in such a way that we are now enclosed by its machines (despite space folding drives that could pass any barrier and out run any ship. See logic flaws.)
This downsizing is fact and was done to allow a threat to effect all humanity (a threat that leto would have seen easily.) From a foe that was only introduced in the prequels. It robs the life of leto of its meaning and therefore trashed 2 of the 6 original books. I'm not qualified to speak for frank but it seems to me the final trilogy is about the peril to the old empire of those returning from the scattering (chapter house shows that the Honoured Matre's are just the first and not even the worst,) the threat to the gold path (or the threat to the old empire's branch of the golden path, but not necessarily the whole golden path) of the wild talents to see no ships. Dune 7 being the resolution to these threats and the continuation of the golden path in to the infinite future.
Rant over.....for now.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Fitness Classes In St Helens
Class 1 : Abs and Pads Monday 6pm-7pm
Abs and Pads is very good. It consists of around 45 mins of boxing based circuits. Followed by/inter spaced with around 10 mins of abdominals. Watch out for the 2 minute burn-out (one minute continuous punching with each arm.) The fitness suite is well stocked with 2 heavy bags and ample boxing pads. I would advise you bring your own gloves (available for a tenner from sports direct.)
Class 2 : Circuit Training Wednesday 6pm-7pm
Classic circuits. 2 rounds of around 14 stations. 1 minute 30 on each station with 30 seconds rest. Stations are varied to keep you on your toes. Were as abs and pads has a upper body bais, circuits is balanced and will have you using all you muscles even some you didn't even know you had.
Classes are at central fitness in St Helens town centre (in the old YMCA building), and cost £2 for Go Active members or £3 for non members. Classes start at 6 so you'll need to be changed and ready.
Classes are delivered by Joe the man behind such blogs entries as First Experience with a personal trainer and Personal Trainer : Welcome to The Hurt Locker! While the classes are not as hardcore as the personal training sessions, these blog posts will give you some idea about what to expect.
I can personnally recommend both classes.
Abs and Pads is very good. It consists of around 45 mins of boxing based circuits. Followed by/inter spaced with around 10 mins of abdominals. Watch out for the 2 minute burn-out (one minute continuous punching with each arm.) The fitness suite is well stocked with 2 heavy bags and ample boxing pads. I would advise you bring your own gloves (available for a tenner from sports direct.)
Class 2 : Circuit Training Wednesday 6pm-7pm
Classic circuits. 2 rounds of around 14 stations. 1 minute 30 on each station with 30 seconds rest. Stations are varied to keep you on your toes. Were as abs and pads has a upper body bais, circuits is balanced and will have you using all you muscles even some you didn't even know you had.
Classes are at central fitness in St Helens town centre (in the old YMCA building), and cost £2 for Go Active members or £3 for non members. Classes start at 6 so you'll need to be changed and ready.
Classes are delivered by Joe the man behind such blogs entries as First Experience with a personal trainer and Personal Trainer : Welcome to The Hurt Locker! While the classes are not as hardcore as the personal training sessions, these blog posts will give you some idea about what to expect.
I can personnally recommend both classes.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Book 8/50: Ender's Game
Ender’s game is another of those books that I passed up on several occasions for no real reason. Ender’s Game was written by Orson Scott Card and it was adapted from an earlier novelette of the same name.
Andrew “Ender” Wiggin lives on a Earth that has become massively overcrowded. The people are kept in check by a balancing of three separate power structures. All working together in the face of a common enemy. That common enemy is the Buggers, insectile creatures that have invaded the solar system on two occasions. The Buggers massive superiority was only defeated by the presence of a tactical genius in the right place and the right time. If the human race are to survive the next buggers attack they will need the right person to lead the defence. Ender and his siblings Peter and Valentine are part of a program to find this special tactician. Peter and Valentine were promising but both failed the cut, but due to their promise Enders parents were given permission to have him, a “third” [child] a position that carries great stigma. After a final exam which involves removing Enders monitor and seeing how he deals with persecution at the hands of his class mates, Ender is chosen to attend Battle School. The school were the pilots, officers and soldiers that will fight the next bugger attack are trained. Ender however will receive slightly different training, as Commander Graff believes that Ender is the person they need to lead the whole fleet and they need him now.
I love this novel its hard to put down. Ender is a likable character even though he is often aloof. The sub plots of Peter and Valentines [mis]use of their genius after Ender is taken to battle school, comes to a delicious conclusion. The book deserves the awards it has received over the years and can easily stand toe to toe with other classics of the genre.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Live: How to train your dragon!
Sorry for the lack of posts recently, normal service shall resume. In the mean time...
amazing footage of an animatronic for the live tour of How to train your dragon!!!
There is not even one thing wrong with the phrase "live tour of How to train your dragon".
amazing footage of an animatronic for the live tour of How to train your dragon!!!
There is not even one thing wrong with the phrase "live tour of How to train your dragon".
Monday, 18 July 2011
Book 7/50 : The Lost Fleet Fearless
Courageous is the third book in Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet Series. It follows the first book Dauntless, and the second book Fearless. It continues the story of Captain ‘Black Jack’ Geary as he endeavours to get the alliance fleet home through enemy territory.
While the narrative continues on, it takes sometime to get going. Campbell continues with trying to flesh out the characters. While I understand why he’s doing this, part of the charm of the first book was the fact that apart from Geary the characters were paper thin. After all this is a military sci fi book you don’t need characters to be anything more than efficient/good/team-players , sloppy/insubordinate or just plain baddies. Sometimes the scenes between Geary and Victoria are rehashes of earlier scenes in this and the other books. Like he is trying to hammer home the format of their relationship so that everyone in the class fully understands. The fleshing out isn’t all negative the series does benefit from the view into fleet politics. Loyalties are shown not to be so black and white. It turns out those that support Geary aren’t all angels and those that don’t are not necessarily idiots.
The arc plot continues as Geary’s theory on a third party involvement in the hypernet is all but confirmed. Although the interesting nugget is added that maybe they aren’t alien rather they may be a third group of Humans, as there is very little evidence either way. While the impact of Geary’s previous victories on the syndicate worlds are shown. As its hinted that his good treatment of civilians is causing a softening of feeling towards the alliance and that this may lead to a revolution as syndic civilians seem to only be kept away from open revolt by their belief that there is no alternative.
I’m still really enjoying these books, I am however getting a little bit pissed at paying full price for each book. Lets not beat around the bush here, I’m on “book” 3 and while each "book" has a distinct start and finish its one story really. Add this to the fact you can easily read each book in a few hours and the only conclusion is that these books should have been published in omnibus form.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Looking Ahead to Glastonbury 2013
Just coming round from an amazing trip to Glastonbury Festival. This was my fifth time and can i dare say the best one so far. You may read people talking about it being too big, too corporate, too decadent. I can categorically say that anyone who has been knows none of this is true. Yes its come a long way from its humble beginnings and yes the hospitality/rich sections have grown somewhat, but the core of the festival is still as strong, beautiful and beguiling as ever. Also the Hospitality bits are just a way of squeezing money, for the worth while charities Glasto supports, out of the rich and stupid. The real festival is out with the people anyway, that's why so many of the bands venture out among us plebs.
So 2013. Glastonbury festival, and by extension worthy and its neighbouring farms, will be enjoying a fallow year next year. Strategically timed to coincide with the national portaloo shortage to be caused by the Olympic games. The festival will be returning, no doubt bigger and better in 2013. Gates are rumoured to open on Wednesday 26th June 2013.
Just the same as the last 5 years you will need to register your details to be able to buy a ticket. You can register now here. Why wait?
Tickets will be on sale...Well if they stick with current procedure tickets will go on sale sometime in late 2012 possibly the first weekend in October, and will cost around £200. Again if they stick with current procedure you will be charged a deposit of £50, you will than have to pay the rest of the price by a set date early in 2013 (around February). If you don't you will lose your ticket and be refunded your deposit minus an admin fee (£10 this year).
Glastonbury's a busy place so here is ...
A Considerate Guide to Glasto
1. Give priority on the paths to those lugging stuff. If your exploring the site once you've pitched camp, and your on the same path as someone lugging a ton of gear go round them. They are probably in no mood to go round you.
2. The paths are full of people trying to get from one place to another, if your on one and you need to stop step off them. Don't just stop and hold up several thousand people.
3. Do not wash wellies at the stand pipe. You don't need to wash wellies! Glasto festival itself had to tell people off about this. It is a wellies raison d'etre to be muddy, and anyway they will be just as muddy within 4 steps I promise you.
4. Do not wash your hair at the stand pipes. If you absolutely, positively, must wash your hair than do it at your tent with a jug. (As most others do.) Or get one of those fancy pants solar showers. I literally had to queue for 2 hours to fill a 5 litre water bottle(which takes about 2 minutes,) because lots of people were washing their hair (which can take between 10-20 mins each person.)
5. Don't wee anywhere but the toilets*. It really does put the festival at risk. It kills fish etc. Also its minging to step in mud that is a large percentage piss.
6. Love the Festival Love the farm. If you bring it take it home. In 5 festivals we have left nothing but the odd bag of rubbish.
* Comfort bottle or travel Johns are fine.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Glastonbury Forecast
This time next week I will hopefully be very drunk on strawberry brothers, maybe even trying to convince someone that their inflatable bed would be a much better place to sleep than the grass in front of the other stage.
So on with the Forecast.
The Weather
The scorcher of a June we were promised never turned up, and even though the long range weather does suggest the weather improving for next week. It shouldn't be as hot as last year. Long range weather is notoriously flakey so in no way is this a guarantee. They do suggest though more cloud with wind, meaning cold nights but hopefully cool mornings. (So we may get some sleep this year, should we choose to.)
The Park Special Guest
Jarvis Cocker, has all but confirmed one of the special guest to be Pulp.
Good money is on Arctic Monkeys filling the over slot as they now have previous with their surprise appearance at the Radio One Big Weekend, and they have suspicious gaps in their tour on both Friday and Saturday.
Both Foo Fighters and Arcade Fire have Saturday night Gaps in their European tours but as they aren't in country it might be asking to much. ( I really hope not.)
So on with the Forecast.
The Weather
The scorcher of a June we were promised never turned up, and even though the long range weather does suggest the weather improving for next week. It shouldn't be as hot as last year. Long range weather is notoriously flakey so in no way is this a guarantee. They do suggest though more cloud with wind, meaning cold nights but hopefully cool mornings. (So we may get some sleep this year, should we choose to.)
The Park Special Guest
Jarvis Cocker, has all but confirmed one of the special guest to be Pulp.
Good money is on Arctic Monkeys filling the over slot as they now have previous with their surprise appearance at the Radio One Big Weekend, and they have suspicious gaps in their tour on both Friday and Saturday.
Both Foo Fighters and Arcade Fire have Saturday night Gaps in their European tours but as they aren't in country it might be asking to much. ( I really hope not.)
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
(Possibly Low Fat) Spicy Peanut chicken stir fry.
2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned etc diced
8 tbsp. peanut butter
8 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp.(or equivalent) sweetener (or sugar if not low fat).
2 tbsp. peanut or vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed chilli pepper or flakes
1 cup. Broccoli florets
2 peppers red or yellow sliced.
1 onion diced.
1 cup of sliced mushroom.
1. Mix the peanut butter, water, soy sauce and sweetener. This will take some doing, if you don't have a blender or something similar. I did it using a spoon and a fork.
. a. If you like soft vegetables place the broccoli and peppers in a microwavable dish with a half a cup of water. Microwave for 2 minutes stir than another 2 mins stir a final 2 mins.
2. In a wok heat oil over high heat. Add crushed garlic and the chilli pepper. Stir-fry 30 seconds.
3. Add the diced chicken. Stir fry for about 3 minutes.
4. Add onion. Stir fry for a further 3 mins
. a. If not microwaved add broccoli and peppers at the same time.
5. Add mushrooms. Stir fry for a further 2 mins. (or until chicken is cooked through which ever one is last)
. a. Add microwaved veg.
6. Stir in peanut butter mixture. Simmer stirring constantly until sauce is smooth it should take about 3 minutes.
Serve with steamed brown rice (or noodles if your not counting cals.)
Serves 2-4 (Bigger portions less low fat).
8 tbsp. peanut butter
8 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp.(or equivalent) sweetener (or sugar if not low fat).
2 tbsp. peanut or vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed chilli pepper or flakes
1 cup. Broccoli florets
2 peppers red or yellow sliced.
1 onion diced.
1 cup of sliced mushroom.
1. Mix the peanut butter, water, soy sauce and sweetener. This will take some doing, if you don't have a blender or something similar. I did it using a spoon and a fork.
. a. If you like soft vegetables place the broccoli and peppers in a microwavable dish with a half a cup of water. Microwave for 2 minutes stir than another 2 mins stir a final 2 mins.
2. In a wok heat oil over high heat. Add crushed garlic and the chilli pepper. Stir-fry 30 seconds.
3. Add the diced chicken. Stir fry for about 3 minutes.
4. Add onion. Stir fry for a further 3 mins
. a. If not microwaved add broccoli and peppers at the same time.
5. Add mushrooms. Stir fry for a further 2 mins. (or until chicken is cooked through which ever one is last)
. a. Add microwaved veg.
6. Stir in peanut butter mixture. Simmer stirring constantly until sauce is smooth it should take about 3 minutes.
Serve with steamed brown rice (or noodles if your not counting cals.)
Serves 2-4 (Bigger portions less low fat).
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Tuesdays Ten "Interesting" Facts 10
1. Japan has around 200,000 missing elderly people.
2. This was brought to public light when officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his Eleventy first birthday (111th). Only to find his mummified remains.
3. The rather annoying trend to play music on mobile phones in public is called Sodcasting. Its described as "The act of playing music through the speaker on a mobile phone, usually on public transport. Commonly practised by young people wearing polyester, branded sportswear with dubious musical taste."
4. Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese's love of film started thanks to his asthma which meant he couldn't play sports as a child. Instead his parents would take him to the pictures.
5. Academy Award winning Actor Daniel Day-Lewis's first role was as a child vandal. He was paid £2 to vandalise cars, which he enjoyed very much.
6. The term rule of thumb comes from the old English law that men couldn't beat their wives with anything wider than their thumb.
7. All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.
8. In 1386, a pig was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.
9. Uma Thurman's father was the first American to be ordained a Tibetan Buddhist monk.
10. Creationists believe the earth was created in 4004 BC. This figure is "worked out" using dates in the bible and the ages of the people described in the old testament.
2. This was brought to public light when officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his Eleventy first birthday (111th). Only to find his mummified remains.
3. The rather annoying trend to play music on mobile phones in public is called Sodcasting. Its described as "The act of playing music through the speaker on a mobile phone, usually on public transport. Commonly practised by young people wearing polyester, branded sportswear with dubious musical taste."
4. Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese's love of film started thanks to his asthma which meant he couldn't play sports as a child. Instead his parents would take him to the pictures.
5. Academy Award winning Actor Daniel Day-Lewis's first role was as a child vandal. He was paid £2 to vandalise cars, which he enjoyed very much.
6. The term rule of thumb comes from the old English law that men couldn't beat their wives with anything wider than their thumb.
7. All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.
8. In 1386, a pig was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.
9. Uma Thurman's father was the first American to be ordained a Tibetan Buddhist monk.
10. Creationists believe the earth was created in 4004 BC. This figure is "worked out" using dates in the bible and the ages of the people described in the old testament.
Monday, 13 June 2011
The Kat's Tech Part 1
Here for your viewing delights is the first instalment of my guides to Tech. I will endeavour to share only the very best of tech with you. Tried and tested* by yours truly and proved to be great products.
*Common testing involves day to day usage for an extended period and in some situations the dreaded tea test.
First up The iPod Classic.
I love my classic!! It has the audio power that you want from a music player. At 160GB it has the space you need if your one of the apparently strange people that want your entire music collection at your finger tips. (Like Me). I've listened to friend's iPhone and iTouch and I believe you can tell that those are designed as more than audio equipment. Not to do them a disservice but the classic mops the floor with them on audio quality. Saying that, the classic also handles movies superbly and has been a god send on long budget flights. (Details on ripping dvds to an iPod to follow.) Talk about battery life, I've had it for several months and only charged it once...... OK that's an exaggeration but charges are few and far between even with heavy use.
The Kat's rating : 9/10 If you haven't got an iPhone get a classic. Now!!!
TeckNet Battery for Apple iPod/iPhone.
I bought this product as my old iPod video had started to struggle to last a day (it was doing well it had been used for at least 8 hours a day for 5 years.) I basically got it as it had decent reviews and was rather cheap at about £10. It was a wonder the tecknet battery when fully charged will provide 3 to 4 full charges of an iPod classic or 2 charges of an iPhone. After the dubious imposition of a ban on attaching iPods to computers a work and the explosion in iPhone users. My battery has seen heavy uses by myself and my colleagues. It has even survived the dreaded tea test as it somehow ended up submerged in a steaming brew, and has continued on valiantly for another 9 months.
The Kat's rating : 9/10 If you have a power hungry iPhone, or you've got a classic and plan on being away from fresh electricity for some time. You need one of these babys.
*Common testing involves day to day usage for an extended period and in some situations the dreaded tea test.
First up The iPod Classic.
I love my classic!! It has the audio power that you want from a music player. At 160GB it has the space you need if your one of the apparently strange people that want your entire music collection at your finger tips. (Like Me). I've listened to friend's iPhone and iTouch and I believe you can tell that those are designed as more than audio equipment. Not to do them a disservice but the classic mops the floor with them on audio quality. Saying that, the classic also handles movies superbly and has been a god send on long budget flights. (Details on ripping dvds to an iPod to follow.) Talk about battery life, I've had it for several months and only charged it once...... OK that's an exaggeration but charges are few and far between even with heavy use.
The Kat's rating : 9/10 If you haven't got an iPhone get a classic. Now!!!
TeckNet Battery for Apple iPod/iPhone.
I bought this product as my old iPod video had started to struggle to last a day (it was doing well it had been used for at least 8 hours a day for 5 years.) I basically got it as it had decent reviews and was rather cheap at about £10. It was a wonder the tecknet battery when fully charged will provide 3 to 4 full charges of an iPod classic or 2 charges of an iPhone. After the dubious imposition of a ban on attaching iPods to computers a work and the explosion in iPhone users. My battery has seen heavy uses by myself and my colleagues. It has even survived the dreaded tea test as it somehow ended up submerged in a steaming brew, and has continued on valiantly for another 9 months.
The Kat's rating : 9/10 If you have a power hungry iPhone, or you've got a classic and plan on being away from fresh electricity for some time. You need one of these babys.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Novel) Review
The book that launched an empire that made one woman very very rich (and deservedly so). This was not the first book I read in the series. I was a rather late convert to the books having been dragged to the 2nd film by a friend. This literary lapse is something I think I’ll always regret. How thrilling it would have been to learn of Harry's past as Harry does, to wonder at the references to you know who and He who must not be named.
There is a certain charm in rereading these books years later, older, wiser and after the series has been completed. Despite what some literary snobs might say Rowling is a very accomplished wordsmith. She manages to expertly pitch this book (and the others) right for its target audience, which we shouldn't forget is the age Harry is in each book. So for this book 11 years old, (although this will not stop older readers enjoying it.)
Philosopher's stone is a short book, especially when compared to the later books. This however is not to the books determent. Even in this early volume the stage is being set for the greater story. This without sacrificing the books narrative and its standing as a sole volume. It is a book full of mystery an intrigue that is more than fulfilled in the greater series, humour and just the right level on danger. As you’ll probably know the books get quite dark as Harry ages (the target audience age increases.)
Rowling describes the wizard world efficiently and with great effect, she has a great understanding for the needs of the narrative. She appreciates that just like for Harry the surface details of the wizarding world is more than enough to dazzle the readers in this first book. She leaves unnecessary exposition for later books when it is needed to give depth to the world she has so expertly created.
Masterpiece would be going to far for any of the potter books on their own, its only as a whole that the series becomes potentially worthy of such praise. That said had it never spawned its sequels it would still be a very good book. As the first book from an unknown author its a wonder and no surprise that it spawned such a phenomenon.
There is a certain charm in rereading these books years later, older, wiser and after the series has been completed. Despite what some literary snobs might say Rowling is a very accomplished wordsmith. She manages to expertly pitch this book (and the others) right for its target audience, which we shouldn't forget is the age Harry is in each book. So for this book 11 years old, (although this will not stop older readers enjoying it.)
Philosopher's stone is a short book, especially when compared to the later books. This however is not to the books determent. Even in this early volume the stage is being set for the greater story. This without sacrificing the books narrative and its standing as a sole volume. It is a book full of mystery an intrigue that is more than fulfilled in the greater series, humour and just the right level on danger. As you’ll probably know the books get quite dark as Harry ages (the target audience age increases.)
Rowling describes the wizard world efficiently and with great effect, she has a great understanding for the needs of the narrative. She appreciates that just like for Harry the surface details of the wizarding world is more than enough to dazzle the readers in this first book. She leaves unnecessary exposition for later books when it is needed to give depth to the world she has so expertly created.
Masterpiece would be going to far for any of the potter books on their own, its only as a whole that the series becomes potentially worthy of such praise. That said had it never spawned its sequels it would still be a very good book. As the first book from an unknown author its a wonder and no surprise that it spawned such a phenomenon.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Roomzzz Leeds West.
As regular readers will know I recently posted a review of the excellent Roomzzz aparthotel in Manchester. The guys at roomzzz were so thrilled with it they declared me the winner of their online competition. Hoorah!!! The prize was a free night in their Leeds west aparthotel. Not wanting to waste a good excuse for a weekend away we paid to stay for an extra night, packed our bags, filled the car with booze and snacks than headed across the Pennines to Leeds.
The first thing we noticed was how well situated it was for Leeds city centre. Leeds west is located near to Leeds university and is a short walk from the city centre. Parking is ample and cheap (£4 for the whole weekend.) and there are several shops, bars etc in the surrounding area.
Check in was fast and efficient. Having stayed in the amazing liberty suite in Manchester we had high hopes. This was tempered by the fact we knew we were staying in the cheapest room they offered the smart studio. The room was a wonder. While smaller than the liberty suite it used the space very efficiently. There was a large bed, a lounge area more than adequate for 2, the same cooking facilities as the liberty suite and a clean bathroom with shower.
The style of roomzzz shines through with efficient use of furniture to separate the bed area from the rest of the studio. The room is equiped with ipod dock and A flat screen TV on one of those fun swivel plates so that you can watch from the lounge or the bed. The only downside we could find was the lack of aircon. This however wasn't too much of a problem as the area is quiet, so the window could be left open. I imagine it could get quite warm in the height of summer, so worth considering.
We massively indulged and took full advantage of the room. We had all intentions of visiting a local Indian that scores highly on trip advisor. This idea went by the wayside, instead we ordered in from the excellent boxpizza, which is in the same building as roomzzz, and watched several films. Twin this with an excellent afternoon watching the rugby on the flat screen with cake and a brew. Priceless.
All in all I would say Roomzzz Leeds west offers phenomenal value for money (even if you don’t blag a free night) and is excellently located as a base for a trip to Leeds. We have all intentions of making a return visit, this time trying much harder to escape the charms of the room and take more advantage of Leeds itself.
The first thing we noticed was how well situated it was for Leeds city centre. Leeds west is located near to Leeds university and is a short walk from the city centre. Parking is ample and cheap (£4 for the whole weekend.) and there are several shops, bars etc in the surrounding area.
Check in was fast and efficient. Having stayed in the amazing liberty suite in Manchester we had high hopes. This was tempered by the fact we knew we were staying in the cheapest room they offered the smart studio. The room was a wonder. While smaller than the liberty suite it used the space very efficiently. There was a large bed, a lounge area more than adequate for 2, the same cooking facilities as the liberty suite and a clean bathroom with shower.
The style of roomzzz shines through with efficient use of furniture to separate the bed area from the rest of the studio. The room is equiped with ipod dock and A flat screen TV on one of those fun swivel plates so that you can watch from the lounge or the bed. The only downside we could find was the lack of aircon. This however wasn't too much of a problem as the area is quiet, so the window could be left open. I imagine it could get quite warm in the height of summer, so worth considering.
We massively indulged and took full advantage of the room. We had all intentions of visiting a local Indian that scores highly on trip advisor. This idea went by the wayside, instead we ordered in from the excellent boxpizza, which is in the same building as roomzzz, and watched several films. Twin this with an excellent afternoon watching the rugby on the flat screen with cake and a brew. Priceless.
All in all I would say Roomzzz Leeds west offers phenomenal value for money (even if you don’t blag a free night) and is excellently located as a base for a trip to Leeds. We have all intentions of making a return visit, this time trying much harder to escape the charms of the room and take more advantage of Leeds itself.
Friday, 27 May 2011
Herbert's TV Adventure.
Hi my name is Herbert,
I am an Inflatable crocodile....
...and have a secret. A secret I've kept from everyone, even my best friends.
I have been leading a double life.
I...Herbert...,the inflatable crocodile, have been working as a TV actor.
This adventure started several months ago when I was injured in an unfortunate dance floor incident. I spent the next few months in intensive care and as you would imagine I watched a lot of telly. That's when it hit me. There was a niche in the extras market! Their were no inflatable crocodiles on TV. In fact a surprising few inflatable creatures of any species at all.
Months of hard work followed, networking and getting my name known by the right people. That's when my break came. I managed to keep it secret from everyone so that I could see their faces.
So on Thursday night I sat down with my two best friends to watch Watchdog, and waited. The room was filled with gasps as there on BBC 1 was me sat performing analysis on internet delivery.
Priceless.
I am an Inflatable crocodile....
...and have a secret. A secret I've kept from everyone, even my best friends.
I have been leading a double life.
I...Herbert...,the inflatable crocodile, have been working as a TV actor.
This adventure started several months ago when I was injured in an unfortunate dance floor incident. I spent the next few months in intensive care and as you would imagine I watched a lot of telly. That's when it hit me. There was a niche in the extras market! Their were no inflatable crocodiles on TV. In fact a surprising few inflatable creatures of any species at all.
Months of hard work followed, networking and getting my name known by the right people. That's when my break came. I managed to keep it secret from everyone so that I could see their faces.
So on Thursday night I sat down with my two best friends to watch Watchdog, and waited. The room was filled with gasps as there on BBC 1 was me sat performing analysis on internet delivery.
Priceless.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
I won I won.
Recently we spent a weekend in Manchester. We were there to see Ghost the musical with my folks as we’d bought them tickets for Christmas. I was so impressed with our accommodation at Roomzzz Manchester, I wrote a review.
I also joined roomzzz facebook groups and was glad I did when they had a blue cross sale. Which meant we were able to book for a weekend in December in order to enjoy the Christmas Market, and get a ridiculously good deal.
Last week I noticed they were running a competition to win a free night at their Leeds ApartHotel. The competition was essentially “say nice things about Roomzzz. We will pick our favorite and they will win.” So I posted a link to my review. I thought that at the very least it would generate some traffic to my blog, and I’d have a chance to win a free night in Leeds.
They went crazy for my review, they reposted it on their facebook walls and blogged about it. Than on Tuesday morning they announced the winner of their comp…….it was me. I was thrilled and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the guys at Roomzzz for picking me(, and for putting up with my strange inability to find messages on facebook.)
So come the weekend we will tasting the delights of Roomzzz Leeds West. Bring it on….
Update
The also mentioned my tripadvisor review on their most recent blog.
I also joined roomzzz facebook groups and was glad I did when they had a blue cross sale. Which meant we were able to book for a weekend in December in order to enjoy the Christmas Market, and get a ridiculously good deal.
Last week I noticed they were running a competition to win a free night at their Leeds ApartHotel. The competition was essentially “say nice things about Roomzzz. We will pick our favorite and they will win.” So I posted a link to my review. I thought that at the very least it would generate some traffic to my blog, and I’d have a chance to win a free night in Leeds.
They went crazy for my review, they reposted it on their facebook walls and blogged about it. Than on Tuesday morning they announced the winner of their comp…….it was me. I was thrilled and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the guys at Roomzzz for picking me(, and for putting up with my strange inability to find messages on facebook.)
So come the weekend we will tasting the delights of Roomzzz Leeds West. Bring it on….
Update
The also mentioned my tripadvisor review on their most recent blog.
Book 6/50 : The Lost Fleet Fearless
Fearless is the second book in Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet Series. It follows the first book Dauntless and continues the story of Captain ‘Black Jack’ Geary as he endeavors to get the alliance fleet home through enemy territory. Campbell brings to ahead several background plots of his earlier book, as a wrong headed but passionate POW is freed and tries to wrestle the fleet from Geary’s hands. The fleet continues its slow acceptance of Geary’s “strange” methods, as the benefits the fleet receives from adopting a more strategic approach become apparent. We also get some nice continuation of arc plots with regards to the mystery behind the Hypernet and Geary’s suspicions of a 3rd party being involved but unseen.
Like the last book its very pulpy, but enjoyable. Campbell tries to flesh out some of his characters, and introduces (possibly ill advised) love interests to the mix. For which I’ll withhold judgment for now, but I think as the characters are very 2d anyway its possibly an empty process. That said the action is very engaging and again a good way to spend a few spare hours.
7/10
Challenge update.
8 weeks in 6 books down. I’ve used all my surplus time already! I have to average a book a week for the next 44 weeks. Thankfully I’ve got another 4 of these books to go which should take 5 days at the most.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Roomzzz Manchester
If you've ever tried to book hotel rooms in Manchester you'll know how difficult it is to get a good location and quality of accommodation, without having to re mortgaging the house. Generally your left with the enviable choice of sacrificing location, sacrificing accommodation or paying through the nose for it. That's why when i was looking to book for a recent trip, i was quite intregiued to see Roomzzz had opened a Manchester Aparthotel.
This photo of Roomzzz Aparthotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Roomzzz had crossed my path once when we were looking to stay in Leeds (where Roomzzz have 3 aparthotels,) although we didn't end up going to leeds i was very impressed by the pictures of their rooms and the prices. So when we were booking for our stay in Manchester i was happy to see that Roomzzz had expanded west to Manchester. The prices were very competitive and the rooms looked very nice online. So we took the plunge and booked a liberty suite for 2 nights.
We were not disappointed. Roomzzz Manchester is a wonder, its hard to tell on the map but i really can't think of it being better positioned. China town is literally across the street, picadilly gardens is 2 mins walk so debenhams, primark and the arndale are right on your door step. It is a 3 mins walk to the Palace theatre, 5 mins walk to deansgate with all its pubs and restaurants.
On walking into (or down to) the roomzzz lobby you can tell this is no normal hotel. Roomzzz has the boutique thing going on in spades. Lots of lovely, stylish and comfortable sofas fill the communal area, where the complimentary continental breakfast is served, their is also a pantry where you can buy all those little essentials you may need (including pizzas.)
Than into the room. The liberty suites are huge, they are positioned at each corner of the building with massive windows perfect to watch the city outside. The boutique style continues with a very stylish interior, complemented by a full kitchen, large screen tv with dvd player and apple imac!!! I've rarely been so impressed by a hotel room. The room was even ultra glazed (i counted at least 4 panes.) meaning we could hardly hear anything from the busy city outside.
The suite was so beautiful, so well appointed it meant we could just relax, and get on with weekend. Which as you could imagine was difficult when we really didn't want to leave our room.
This photo of Roomzzz Aparthotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Roomzzz had crossed my path once when we were looking to stay in Leeds (where Roomzzz have 3 aparthotels,) although we didn't end up going to leeds i was very impressed by the pictures of their rooms and the prices. So when we were booking for our stay in Manchester i was happy to see that Roomzzz had expanded west to Manchester. The prices were very competitive and the rooms looked very nice online. So we took the plunge and booked a liberty suite for 2 nights.
We were not disappointed. Roomzzz Manchester is a wonder, its hard to tell on the map but i really can't think of it being better positioned. China town is literally across the street, picadilly gardens is 2 mins walk so debenhams, primark and the arndale are right on your door step. It is a 3 mins walk to the Palace theatre, 5 mins walk to deansgate with all its pubs and restaurants.
On walking into (or down to) the roomzzz lobby you can tell this is no normal hotel. Roomzzz has the boutique thing going on in spades. Lots of lovely, stylish and comfortable sofas fill the communal area, where the complimentary continental breakfast is served, their is also a pantry where you can buy all those little essentials you may need (including pizzas.)
Than into the room. The liberty suites are huge, they are positioned at each corner of the building with massive windows perfect to watch the city outside. The boutique style continues with a very stylish interior, complemented by a full kitchen, large screen tv with dvd player and apple imac!!! I've rarely been so impressed by a hotel room. The room was even ultra glazed (i counted at least 4 panes.) meaning we could hardly hear anything from the busy city outside.
The suite was so beautiful, so well appointed it meant we could just relax, and get on with weekend. Which as you could imagine was difficult when we really didn't want to leave our room.
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Book 5/50 : Altered Carbon
A book by Richard Morgan.
Altered Carbon is a book that Amazon has begging me to read for years now. It seemed that every time I’d go to book recommendations I’d always dismiss it, and I have no idea why. I’m sure if it wasn’t for this challenge it would stay forever on my recommended but dismissed list. Well it turns out Amazon was right.
Altered Carbon introduces us the former UN Envoy Takeshi Kovacs. Kovacs lives in a society where people can upload and download from their (and other peoples’) bodies. Due to slow space travel the only way to travel from one planet to another at any speed is to be transferred electronically and re-sleeved (be put into a body) when you arrive. That is where the UN Envoy Corps come in. They are specialists trained to cope with the need to adapt to any situation they might find on transmission to a new world, and not to relay on the abilities of the body as they never know what the next body is going to be. Kovacs split from the Envoys corps following a harrowing war, and has been scrapping a living using his skills for crime. Following his capture early in the book, he is “released” thanks to the machinations of a centuries old man to investigate his apparent suicide. What follows is as excellent a Sci-Fi thriller story as I have read, it easily stands up to the Greg Mandel books (high praise indeed.)
I'd rate this book as 7.5/10. Again highly recommended!
Book 4/50 : Join Me
Join Me is a book by Danny Wallace. I like Danny Wallace’s books, he has the ability to instil a lot of fun into even humdrum events. Join Me is one of Danny’s first books and documents one of his (many) “Boy Projects.”
After the death of an Old Swiss Man, an event that Wallace informs us is at the heart of all great stories. This old man happens to be Danny’s great uncle, it comes to Danny’s notice that his uncle had once had a dream of creating a commune. A dream that dramatically failed and is ridiculed by his surviving relatives, that is except for our worthwhile author/narrator. His great uncles dream instantly wake his “boy project” powers. Powers that he has been keeping dormant for the good of his relationship. Danny decides to try and fulfil his uncles dream by simply asking people to “Join Me” in a local paper. That’s where the ride begins and why he describes this story as “how I started a cult by accident.”
Join Me is a very good read and I highly recommend it. Wallace’s righting style is very engaging and he also writes with deep sensitivity of less jovial matters. This is the 2nd of his books I have read which I seem to be reading in quite a chaotic fashion, while this did not spoil the book, as this is non-fiction there are obviously matters of his personal life that evolve through his books.
I rate this book as 7.5/10 worth reading.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Tuesdays Ten "Interesting" Facts 9
1. In 1960 Penguin Books where tried under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act after publishing an un-censored version of D.H. Lawrence's book "Lady Chatterley's Lover". Penguin where found not guilty as they were able to prove the book had "literary merit".
2. D. H. Lawrence in his letters to Bertrand Russell revealed himself to be deeply right wing although never accepting fascism. He bemoaned the rising rights of the working class, and wished for an absolute dictator to keep them in check.
3. Author Iain Banks ripped up his passport and posted it to Tony Blair following the invasion of iraq in 2003. He did this after he "abandoned the idea of crashing my Land Rover through the gates of Fife dockyard, after spotting the guys armed with machine guns."
4. When giving readings of his work Charles Dickens was well known for working himself up so much he would faint!
5. Dickens was also an insomniac, and would demand his bed be pointed due north.
6. The national Anthem of Greece is 158 verses long.
7. Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb,) was afraid of the dark.
8. 7% of Ireland's entire crop of barley is used to make Guinness.
9. At 16 Walt Disney tried to enlist in both The US and Canadian Army, but was rejected due to his age. Instead he joined the red cross and served as an Ambulance driver in France.
10. During world war 2 Sir Alec Guinness captained a ship in the Royal Navy.
2. D. H. Lawrence in his letters to Bertrand Russell revealed himself to be deeply right wing although never accepting fascism. He bemoaned the rising rights of the working class, and wished for an absolute dictator to keep them in check.
3. Author Iain Banks ripped up his passport and posted it to Tony Blair following the invasion of iraq in 2003. He did this after he "abandoned the idea of crashing my Land Rover through the gates of Fife dockyard, after spotting the guys armed with machine guns."
4. When giving readings of his work Charles Dickens was well known for working himself up so much he would faint!
5. Dickens was also an insomniac, and would demand his bed be pointed due north.
6. The national Anthem of Greece is 158 verses long.
7. Thomas Edison (the inventor of the light bulb,) was afraid of the dark.
8. 7% of Ireland's entire crop of barley is used to make Guinness.
9. At 16 Walt Disney tried to enlist in both The US and Canadian Army, but was rejected due to his age. Instead he joined the red cross and served as an Ambulance driver in France.
10. During world war 2 Sir Alec Guinness captained a ship in the Royal Navy.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Tuesdays Ten "Interesting" Facts 8
1. At 18 William Shakespeare married 26 year old Anne Hathaway, their first child was born 6 months later.
2. Actress Anne Hathaway wanted to be a nun until the age of 15, at which point her brother came out as being gay. She could no longer be part of a religion that would condemn her brother.
3. Sir Isaac Newton refused a Sacrement on his deathbed, most scholars believe this to be sign of his conjectured Antitrinitarian beliefs.
4. Fermat's Last Theorem remained unsolved for almost 350 years, following the "loss"* of Fermat's original proof.
5. Lord of the Rings Author J. R. R. Tolkien as a child was bitten by a baboon spider. Although he stated he could not remember the incident many point to this as the source of his famous arachnid monster shelob...
6. ....Also as a baby he was once taken by the house boy to his kraal (homestead), he was only returned the following day.
7. Tolkien's friend and contemporary C S Lewis author of the Lion the which and wardrobe. was injured during world war 1. When an english shell fell short and landed on his trench in the Somme Valley.
8. Harry Houdini was part of a special scientific comitee, that offerd a cash prize for any medium that could demonstrate supernatural abilities. His magic training allowed him to expose the tricks used by those that attempted to claim the prize which was never collected.
9. Arthur Conan Doyle author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was a good friend of Houdini's. their friendship ended after a public falling out over Doyle's inability to accept that Houdini's feats where illusions with Doyle convinced that he had supernatural powers.
10. As a child, Actor Sean Bean smashed a glass door due to an argument over scissors, he ended up with a large glass shard in his leg. This lead to an end of his dream to pay professional football.**
* No one ever saw the proof it was alluded to in the margin of a text book. Fermat's wrote that he had "discovered a truly marvelous proof of this." but this proof was never seen.
**My mum always said i'd lose an eye playing with scissors, glass shards in the leg would have worked loads better.
2. Actress Anne Hathaway wanted to be a nun until the age of 15, at which point her brother came out as being gay. She could no longer be part of a religion that would condemn her brother.
3. Sir Isaac Newton refused a Sacrement on his deathbed, most scholars believe this to be sign of his conjectured Antitrinitarian beliefs.
4. Fermat's Last Theorem remained unsolved for almost 350 years, following the "loss"* of Fermat's original proof.
5. Lord of the Rings Author J. R. R. Tolkien as a child was bitten by a baboon spider. Although he stated he could not remember the incident many point to this as the source of his famous arachnid monster shelob...
6. ....Also as a baby he was once taken by the house boy to his kraal (homestead), he was only returned the following day.
7. Tolkien's friend and contemporary C S Lewis author of the Lion the which and wardrobe. was injured during world war 1. When an english shell fell short and landed on his trench in the Somme Valley.
8. Harry Houdini was part of a special scientific comitee, that offerd a cash prize for any medium that could demonstrate supernatural abilities. His magic training allowed him to expose the tricks used by those that attempted to claim the prize which was never collected.
9. Arthur Conan Doyle author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was a good friend of Houdini's. their friendship ended after a public falling out over Doyle's inability to accept that Houdini's feats where illusions with Doyle convinced that he had supernatural powers.
10. As a child, Actor Sean Bean smashed a glass door due to an argument over scissors, he ended up with a large glass shard in his leg. This lead to an end of his dream to pay professional football.**
* No one ever saw the proof it was alluded to in the margin of a text book. Fermat's wrote that he had "discovered a truly marvelous proof of this." but this proof was never seen.
**My mum always said i'd lose an eye playing with scissors, glass shards in the leg would have worked loads better.
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Book 3/50 : Moab Is My Washpot
Moab Is My Washpot a mini review.
I'll start this mini review by stating for the record I'm not a biography person. I like my narratives fictional. That fact stated if any book breaks this rule it is this one.#
Moab is my Washpot is an Autobiography of famous "actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club"(~wikipedia)Stephen Fry. It details some very formative events of his early life.
As you would expect from Stephen the writing is impeccable and its easy to get lost in the events he describes even when he breaks the fourth wall (what is the literary version of breaking the fourth wall?) he only drags you back to his Apartment. He cleverly tells his candid tales in a form were it could be a frank discussion with friends, tears and all. It seems quite a cathartic experience for him, and I hope it was. As he says unlike other biographies (auto or not) this is less a finger pointing quest of a hero to succeed against all odds, but Stephens heartfelt apology for anguish he caused those who cared about him and a story in which he sees himself as more of an anti-hero.
As a description of teenage angst it is easily the equal of masterpieces such as The Catcher in the Rye. Though i would love to use the real life example of his redemption from the edge, as proof of the benefit of social justice over social revenge as espoused by the tabloids. Though I'm not overly sure he would appreciate my politicising of his personal triumphs and demons.
I would give Moab is my Washpot 8.5/10. A very good read. Also at less than £3 its a bloody bargain.
The Challenge Update
So I'm back from Cyprus. I took 4 books with the express intention of getting a proper handle on this challenge. Unfortunately this book demanded I take my time with its consumption and it was the only book I managed to finish.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Grand National 2011 Sweepstake Kit - Updated
After today's declarations I have been able to update the kit with the most likely field for the big day. Enjoy and good luck.
Sweepstake kit
Sweepstake kit
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Grand National 2011 Sweepstake Kit
Updated version now available here.
For those who like me am a sucker for a sweepstake I have made a sweepstake kit. Its very simple, very cheap (its free after all), very early and subject to change.
Sweepstake kit
Feel free to take it and do with it as you would! I'll post updates when I can if you want to check back but it'll at least let you get a sweep going in a timely fashion. Even if you may have to swap some horse as they are replaced.
For those who like me am a sucker for a sweepstake I have made a sweepstake kit. Its very simple, very cheap (its free after all), very early and subject to change.
Sweepstake kit
Feel free to take it and do with it as you would! I'll post updates when I can if you want to check back but it'll at least let you get a sweep going in a timely fashion. Even if you may have to swap some horse as they are replaced.
Grand National 2011 CSV
Its the Grand National a week on Saturday, and I'm not going to be here (bad times) as I'll be in sunny Cyprus (Good Times.) So have been setting up our grand national sweep database early this year.
So in the spirit of sharing for all those of the nerdy ilk here for your importing pleasure is a csv of the runners for the 2011 Grand National. I'll post further updates if they change.
So in the spirit of sharing for all those of the nerdy ilk here for your importing pleasure is a csv of the runners for the 2011 Grand National. I'll post further updates if they change.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Book 2/50 : The Lost Fleet Dauntless
The Lost Fleet: Dauntless a mini review.
Jack Campbell real name John G. Hemry is a retired Lieutenant Commander from the US Navy. This really comes across in his writing. His prose is pulpy, and the universe he creates has some logical flaws that he has to cover through character exposition. This is easily countered by his exquisitely crafted space battles. He describes battles between large fleets of ships spread across distances that make the travel time of light a problem, with such detail and so believably you wonder if he hasn't actually been involved in such battles. His navy background is also easy to see as his thoughts on duty, honour and the necessity of following orders are very large parts of the plot.
This is my first delve into the Military Science Fiction subgenre and it was very enjoyable. Its not going to win any literary prizes and its most definitely the first book in a series (as nothing much is concluded,) but its a very good read. Rating 7/10.*
The Challenge Update
Just into week 2 and 2 books down. Helped in no short order by reading this book in less than 24 hours.
*I'm being necessarily harsh.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Book 1/50 : Surface Detail
So Surface detail a mini review.
I'd give Surface detail 8.5/10. As you would expect from Iain Banks the prose is fantastic this really is the acceptable face of Science Fiction literature. Iain's M books (his Sci-Fi books) could easily join his main stream non M books on English Literature courses. What's more it obvious he has great fun with his characters, The Mind who controls/is the General Offensive Unit "Falling Outside The Normal Moral Constraints" is well Generally Offensive but ultimately great fun and though proudly eccentric deeply moral. The story is engaging and thought provoking. Where technology can transfer your mind on death to a virtual reality Heaven, its just as easy to create virtual Hells. The plot centre's on a young women revented (brought back to life,) after her murder at the hands of her owner. With a war in the virtual Heavens, over the virtual hells, threatening to spread to the real. The future of the virtual hells may just pivot on her decisions.
If you aren't familiar with the culture books, this isn't the place to start. The Player of Games is the best place to start.
The Challenge Update
Well into week one and it's going to get harder from here. It's took me a week to finish this book. Time to take my finger out.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Tuesdays Ten "Interesting" Facts 7
1. As a youth "Rapper", Actor and producer Mark Wahlberg was convicted for attempted murder.
2. When a young writer approached United Artist's with his script for the story of a club fighter who gets his shot at the Heavy Weight boxing title, they loved it. The executives wanted to cast Robert Redford but the writer insisted he star in the lead role. The executives gave in and the young writer Sylvester Stallone was cast as the title character Rocky Balboa.
3. ....Stallone's first acting job was in the soft porn film "The Party at Kitty and Stud's". A job he took out of necessity after he was kicked out of his flat.
4. Dick Van Dyke claimed to have once been rescued from drifting out to sea and possible death by a pod of porpoises.
5. In a show of her skills Actress Toni Collette, once pretended to have appendicitis and was so convincing her appendix was removed.
6. More people die every year from donkey related injuries than in plane crashes.
7. Chickens that lay brown eggs have red ear lobes.
8. The first draft of Steinbecks' masterpiece "Of Mice and Men" was eaten by his dog.
9. The first music video to be shown on MTV Europe was "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits. For those of you to young to remember yes MTV used to play music videos and hardly any reality TV.
10. This is the 3D shadow of a rotating 4D Hypercube.
Ohhhhhh pretty.
2. When a young writer approached United Artist's with his script for the story of a club fighter who gets his shot at the Heavy Weight boxing title, they loved it. The executives wanted to cast Robert Redford but the writer insisted he star in the lead role. The executives gave in and the young writer Sylvester Stallone was cast as the title character Rocky Balboa.
3. ....Stallone's first acting job was in the soft porn film "The Party at Kitty and Stud's". A job he took out of necessity after he was kicked out of his flat.
4. Dick Van Dyke claimed to have once been rescued from drifting out to sea and possible death by a pod of porpoises.
5. In a show of her skills Actress Toni Collette, once pretended to have appendicitis and was so convincing her appendix was removed.
6. More people die every year from donkey related injuries than in plane crashes.
7. Chickens that lay brown eggs have red ear lobes.
8. The first draft of Steinbecks' masterpiece "Of Mice and Men" was eaten by his dog.
9. The first music video to be shown on MTV Europe was "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits. For those of you to young to remember yes MTV used to play music videos and hardly any reality TV.
10. This is the 3D shadow of a rotating 4D Hypercube.
My 50 Book Challenge.
ConDem Minister of Education Michael Gove, has said that all children aged over 11 should be reading 50 books a year. I'll get the rant over first before moving on.
Rant 1. So the ConDems are cutting budgets to libraries (indirectly admittedly,) and than they have the audacity to say children should read more. Where are poor families to get these books from? I wonder if any of the Tory's old school chums just so happen to be in publishing?
Rant 2. Surely its not the quantity of reading that is important, but the quality.
Rant 3. ...and the Tory's said Labour where making a nanny state. Next step approved book lists.
Anti-Rant. At least if the next generation are well read they'll be to intelligent to fall for stupid right wing propaganda.
phew rant over. 50 books a year seems excessive to me and I am a prolific reader at times. To that end I intend on taking Michael Grove up on his challenge (yes I know I'm not a child,) but I think it'll be interesting to see how feasible it is. So by the 22nd March 2012 i will have read(or reread) 50 books.
I'll post mini reviews and the name of each book as I go.
First up Surface Detail by Iain M Banks.
Cheating a little here as I have already read the first few chapters but it needs finishing.
Rant 1. So the ConDems are cutting budgets to libraries (indirectly admittedly,) and than they have the audacity to say children should read more. Where are poor families to get these books from? I wonder if any of the Tory's old school chums just so happen to be in publishing?
Rant 2. Surely its not the quantity of reading that is important, but the quality.
Rant 3. ...and the Tory's said Labour where making a nanny state. Next step approved book lists.
Anti-Rant. At least if the next generation are well read they'll be to intelligent to fall for stupid right wing propaganda.
phew rant over. 50 books a year seems excessive to me and I am a prolific reader at times. To that end I intend on taking Michael Grove up on his challenge (yes I know I'm not a child,) but I think it'll be interesting to see how feasible it is. So by the 22nd March 2012 i will have read(or reread) 50 books.
I'll post mini reviews and the name of each book as I go.
First up Surface Detail by Iain M Banks.
Cheating a little here as I have already read the first few chapters but it needs finishing.
Monday, 21 March 2011
Halifax Advertising Meeting.
Advertising Consultant 1 : To make our adverts cheap but engaging lets use the Halifax staff as a source of cheap actors?
Advertising Consultant 2 : Great idea.
Advertising Consultant 3 : Wait a minute, what if it comes across as amateurish?
Advertising Consultant 1 : Oh yeah. What if we got actors to play Halifax staff?
Advertising Consultant 2 : That's even better.
Advertising Consultant 3 : Hang on the actors wont really be convincing talking about serving customers, branches and accounts.....
Advertising Consultant 1 : I've got it what if we have the actors play Halifax staff running a crap radio station instead of doing banking?
Advertising Consultant 2 : Swish!
Advertising Consultant 3 : I can't see anything wrong with that. Well done.
Advertising Consultant 1 : That's why i earn the big bucks.
This is why all meetings should have a chairperson, a designated note taker and a common sense monitor(or bullshit filter if you would)! To stop this and other stupid ideas from ever leaving a meeting unchallenged.
Advertising Consultant 2 : Great idea.
Advertising Consultant 3 : Wait a minute, what if it comes across as amateurish?
Advertising Consultant 1 : Oh yeah. What if we got actors to play Halifax staff?
Advertising Consultant 2 : That's even better.
Advertising Consultant 3 : Hang on the actors wont really be convincing talking about serving customers, branches and accounts.....
Advertising Consultant 1 : I've got it what if we have the actors play Halifax staff running a crap radio station instead of doing banking?
Advertising Consultant 2 : Swish!
Advertising Consultant 3 : I can't see anything wrong with that. Well done.
Advertising Consultant 1 : That's why i earn the big bucks.
This is why all meetings should have a chairperson, a designated note taker and a common sense monitor(or bullshit filter if you would)! To stop this and other stupid ideas from ever leaving a meeting unchallenged.
iCalendar for Saints Super League fixtures 2011.
Just because their is a gap in the market ;-).
Here for your usage free of any licence or other stupid legal double speak, is an iCal file for Saints fixtures in the 2011 Super League.
This iCalendar can be imported into pretty much any calendar software(even Lotus Notes.)
Here for your usage free of any licence or other stupid legal double speak, is an iCal file for Saints fixtures in the 2011 Super League.
This iCalendar can be imported into pretty much any calendar software(even Lotus Notes.)
Sucker Punch
Mainly for Jones.
Sucker Punch has been described as "Alice in Wonderland with machine guns". Babydoll (Emily Browning) has been locked away in a 1950s asylum against her will. Their she meets the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish). Sucker punch follows her and her 4 friends escape as her vivid imagination overlays her real existence with something a little more interesting, with dragons and B-25 bombers. Its in cinemas from the 1st April.
Sucker Punch has been described as "Alice in Wonderland with machine guns". Babydoll (Emily Browning) has been locked away in a 1950s asylum against her will. Their she meets the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish). Sucker punch follows her and her 4 friends escape as her vivid imagination overlays her real existence with something a little more interesting, with dragons and B-25 bombers. Its in cinemas from the 1st April.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Simon Peg and Nick Frost's "Remake" of Star Wars
This is what Simon Peg and Nick Frost get up to in their free time.
So funny.
So funny.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
The Kat's tips on staying safe online and beyond.
Scammers scammers everywhere. Their are people out their trying to trick you into providing them with your information. I thought I'd give a few tips on keeping safe online and beyond.
Spam
Like the junk mail you get through the post, but ever so much more dangerous than fast food menu’s and fake clothes collections. Spam emails will offer anything from share tips to cheap Viagra. None of which is real and is just designed to have you part with your good money.
A good rule of thumb is if you have not asked for the email by signing up to newsletters on sites, than don’t even open them just delete them.
Phishing Emails. Banks/Shops/Deals etc.
Dangerous little beasts, appearing as emails from your bank or a shop you are signed up to (e.g Amazon or Play.) They will vary from the easily spotted ones from a bank that isn’t even yours to the very sophisticated well made emails that appear the same as legitimate emails from the business.
The emails will have a link to the banks/Shops site and will gather any information you happen to enter. Giving them access to your accounts, passwords and other information. Easily spotted phishing emails are emails from Halifax@jeffsStore.com the banks name will always appear after the @ of an email. Slightly harder are ones like accounts@Halifax-bankingservice.ac.uk at first glance its fine, but Halifax-bankingServices.ac.uk is not Halifax’s email domain. Also don’t assume a phishing email will use the old “you must log in and update your details”, more devious emails will just be looking to get you onto a fake site to steal your login details.
Top tip is assume all emails are phising ones, if your get an email from your bank wanting details (and there are legit ones,) or an offers email from an internet shop, don’t click any links or images inside the email. Open a new browser window and go direct to google.co.uk search for the bank or shop you received a mail from. This will make sure it is the real website you are entering, there you will be able access any offers you received by mail or be asked to enter any required information.
Phishing Phonecalls
This is one that catches a lot of people out. This is a very simple scam, a scammer will phone you saying they are from company x and ask for your security information. They than use it. This isn’t helped by the fact that legitimate companies do phone you, and they do ask for this sorts of information.
Top tip. Never give any details to someone who has phoned you. If its something important or a must not miss deal ask for a number you can ring them back on and check that number online before phoning it. Most scammers will hang up when they cotton on your not an easy target, though some will brazen it out seeing you as a challenge.
Cold Calls
These are not scams but are almost as bad. A person phones you offering you a deal on something. They say they are phoning from or on behalf of a well known company.
Top Tip. Again don’t give out information to someone who phones you. If you already use their services they should have your info. It will be at this point that you normally find out it isn’t Orange that’s ringing. It is in fact someone who has been authorised (sold the right) to phone you on their behalf. Hang Up.
Some parting tips on Internet Browsing
Turn the url bar on, in your browser. You should be able to see at the top of this page. http://the-kats-blog.blogspot.com/… This give you a lot of information about the sight your on.
URLs should match up. Urls can be complicated but the first part is called the domain. It’s the bit that follows http(s)://. Examples are Spree4.com, Google.co.uk and uk.yahoo.com. This is where to look if you think you on Spree4.com and the url domain is hackersDen.au.com than hightail it out of there.
Don’t trust direct links. If you are given a link that has ip address ( e.g. http://10.1.1.1/) don’t click it. Domain names are cheap and easy to register. The absence of one means the site is very very dodgy.
Hover over links, when you surfing if you see a link you can hover over it and your browser will let you know which url it is pointing to. If it isn’t what you expect than don’t click.
Google is your friend. If your on a strange site and don’t trust links posted on it. Simply google the site suggested.
Spam
Like the junk mail you get through the post, but ever so much more dangerous than fast food menu’s and fake clothes collections. Spam emails will offer anything from share tips to cheap Viagra. None of which is real and is just designed to have you part with your good money.
A good rule of thumb is if you have not asked for the email by signing up to newsletters on sites, than don’t even open them just delete them.
Phishing Emails. Banks/Shops/Deals etc.
Dangerous little beasts, appearing as emails from your bank or a shop you are signed up to (e.g Amazon or Play.) They will vary from the easily spotted ones from a bank that isn’t even yours to the very sophisticated well made emails that appear the same as legitimate emails from the business.
The emails will have a link to the banks/Shops site and will gather any information you happen to enter. Giving them access to your accounts, passwords and other information. Easily spotted phishing emails are emails from Halifax@jeffsStore.com the banks name will always appear after the @ of an email. Slightly harder are ones like accounts@Halifax-bankingservice.ac.uk at first glance its fine, but Halifax-bankingServices.ac.uk is not Halifax’s email domain. Also don’t assume a phishing email will use the old “you must log in and update your details”, more devious emails will just be looking to get you onto a fake site to steal your login details.
Top tip is assume all emails are phising ones, if your get an email from your bank wanting details (and there are legit ones,) or an offers email from an internet shop, don’t click any links or images inside the email. Open a new browser window and go direct to google.co.uk search for the bank or shop you received a mail from. This will make sure it is the real website you are entering, there you will be able access any offers you received by mail or be asked to enter any required information.
Phishing Phonecalls
This is one that catches a lot of people out. This is a very simple scam, a scammer will phone you saying they are from company x and ask for your security information. They than use it. This isn’t helped by the fact that legitimate companies do phone you, and they do ask for this sorts of information.
Top tip. Never give any details to someone who has phoned you. If its something important or a must not miss deal ask for a number you can ring them back on and check that number online before phoning it. Most scammers will hang up when they cotton on your not an easy target, though some will brazen it out seeing you as a challenge.
Cold Calls
These are not scams but are almost as bad. A person phones you offering you a deal on something. They say they are phoning from or on behalf of a well known company.
Top Tip. Again don’t give out information to someone who phones you. If you already use their services they should have your info. It will be at this point that you normally find out it isn’t Orange that’s ringing. It is in fact someone who has been authorised (sold the right) to phone you on their behalf. Hang Up.
Some parting tips on Internet Browsing
Turn the url bar on, in your browser. You should be able to see at the top of this page. http://the-kats-blog.blogspot.com/… This give you a lot of information about the sight your on.
URLs should match up. Urls can be complicated but the first part is called the domain. It’s the bit that follows http(s)://. Examples are Spree4.com, Google.co.uk and uk.yahoo.com. This is where to look if you think you on Spree4.com and the url domain is hackersDen.au.com than hightail it out of there.
Don’t trust direct links. If you are given a link that has ip address ( e.g. http://10.1.1.1/) don’t click it. Domain names are cheap and easy to register. The absence of one means the site is very very dodgy.
Hover over links, when you surfing if you see a link you can hover over it and your browser will let you know which url it is pointing to. If it isn’t what you expect than don’t click.
Google is your friend. If your on a strange site and don’t trust links posted on it. Simply google the site suggested.
Hutton Report on Public Sector Pay
Will Hutton who the Tories brought in as a well respected expert to review public sector pay has released his report, and what a report it is.
Highlights of the report and his interview are:
The fact that the Prime Ministers pay is an arbitrary figure and completely useless as a comparison. Actually he agrees with me that when all benefits are taken into account (free house, free transport, free holiday home. Etc) The PMs salary is in excesses of £500,000 per year. Which is significantly above any public servant.
That a cap on executive pay at 20 times the lowest paid member of an organisation is a good idea in theory but rubbish in practice as “large complex corporations” with low paid staff(councils.) would be capped lower than simple small organisations with only (relatively) high paid staff(Schools).
He also up holds my viewpoint that Chief Officers are paid at market rates. They are paid at what the market says is appropriate, already incurring reductions due to sources of funding and reductions due to political oversight not present in the private sector, leading to them earning considerably less than their private sector compatriots. As he says how much would you want paying to manage child services in Haringey? Would you want someone doing that job that wasn’t up to the task, which is what would happen if pay was reduced. This is a point the right wing press would wrongly appose, saying “There is no direct comparison between Chief officers of private industry and public..” blah blah blah. Of course there is, if these positions where so easy and so overpaid why aren’t there 10s of thousands of highly trained private sector staff gunning for them when they come up, and through that driving the wage down? Don’t say its some strange sector loyalty that only works the other way. If Ms X at Capita is paid £100,000 a year and is more than qualified to run her local council where she would receive £200,000 a year and a decent pension, are you seriously saying they wouldn’t be typing their CV as we speak.
Another interesting suggestion from Hutton is that both public and private sector companies should have to publish executive pay and the multiples of median/lowest. Again right wingers suggest it is no place of government to control CEO pay in the private industry and that this pay is controlled by share holders and market forces, where as public sector has no such control. Rhubarb! Firstly I happen to be a shareholder of several companies, I have never been asked my opinion on executive pay or bonuses. If you’re interested its to much! Pay the workers more or give me higher dividends! Also the checks on local government pay are greater than private sector! Yes a ridiculously large pay settlement will not lead to a council going bankrupt (I’m looking at you Marconi!), but as has been shown these payments are subject to democratic review both locally and nationally, effectively making the general public the shareholders and the Councils their board of directors. They also are subject to market forces in the same way any job in the private sector is you get paid what the market deems appropriate or someone else will take your job and do it better or cheaper.
Highlights of the report and his interview are:
The fact that the Prime Ministers pay is an arbitrary figure and completely useless as a comparison. Actually he agrees with me that when all benefits are taken into account (free house, free transport, free holiday home. Etc) The PMs salary is in excesses of £500,000 per year. Which is significantly above any public servant.
That a cap on executive pay at 20 times the lowest paid member of an organisation is a good idea in theory but rubbish in practice as “large complex corporations” with low paid staff(councils.) would be capped lower than simple small organisations with only (relatively) high paid staff(Schools).
He also up holds my viewpoint that Chief Officers are paid at market rates. They are paid at what the market says is appropriate, already incurring reductions due to sources of funding and reductions due to political oversight not present in the private sector, leading to them earning considerably less than their private sector compatriots. As he says how much would you want paying to manage child services in Haringey? Would you want someone doing that job that wasn’t up to the task, which is what would happen if pay was reduced. This is a point the right wing press would wrongly appose, saying “There is no direct comparison between Chief officers of private industry and public..” blah blah blah. Of course there is, if these positions where so easy and so overpaid why aren’t there 10s of thousands of highly trained private sector staff gunning for them when they come up, and through that driving the wage down? Don’t say its some strange sector loyalty that only works the other way. If Ms X at Capita is paid £100,000 a year and is more than qualified to run her local council where she would receive £200,000 a year and a decent pension, are you seriously saying they wouldn’t be typing their CV as we speak.
Another interesting suggestion from Hutton is that both public and private sector companies should have to publish executive pay and the multiples of median/lowest. Again right wingers suggest it is no place of government to control CEO pay in the private industry and that this pay is controlled by share holders and market forces, where as public sector has no such control. Rhubarb! Firstly I happen to be a shareholder of several companies, I have never been asked my opinion on executive pay or bonuses. If you’re interested its to much! Pay the workers more or give me higher dividends! Also the checks on local government pay are greater than private sector! Yes a ridiculously large pay settlement will not lead to a council going bankrupt (I’m looking at you Marconi!), but as has been shown these payments are subject to democratic review both locally and nationally, effectively making the general public the shareholders and the Councils their board of directors. They also are subject to market forces in the same way any job in the private sector is you get paid what the market deems appropriate or someone else will take your job and do it better or cheaper.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Tuesdays Ten "Interesting" Facts 6
1. TV Physicist Brian Cox, played keyboards for D:Ream (of "Things will only get better fame.) and appeared on Top of The Pops.
2. Tsutomu Yamaguchi who was unfortunate enough to be present at both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings as a young man, was fortunate enough to survive both and live till the grand age of 93.
3. The Great wall of china is not visible from space. It would require a resolution 7.7 times that of than the average human.
4. Iron (in particular Fe58) has the highest (net) binding energy. That means that you can't get (again net) energy out of iron through either nuclear fusion or fission.
5. The Fontainebleau Resort is Las Vegas' tallest building. (The stratosphere doesn't count as a building for some obscure reason.)
6. On average a performance of Macbeth starts every 4 hours.
7. Annakin Skywalker(aka Darth Vadar) has been "played" by 5 people. In the original films David Prowse was the body, James Earl Jones the voice, and Sebastian Shaw was the face when Darth Vader was eventually unmasked. In the prequels Jake Lloyd played young annakin, while Hayden Christensen played a grown up annakin before finally donning the Vadar suite for his final scene.
8. In "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" as Harry enters Dumbledore's study, a portrait of Gandalf the Grey is included in the collection of paintings. (It is above the doorframe.)
9. For Lord of the Rings Sean Astin gained 30 pounds for his role as Samwise the "Stupid fat Hobbit.".
10. Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days following an argument with her soon to be ex husband. Though theories from nervous breakdown to publicity stunt abound the 11 days where never accounted for.
2. Tsutomu Yamaguchi who was unfortunate enough to be present at both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings as a young man, was fortunate enough to survive both and live till the grand age of 93.
3. The Great wall of china is not visible from space. It would require a resolution 7.7 times that of than the average human.
4. Iron (in particular Fe58) has the highest (net) binding energy. That means that you can't get (again net) energy out of iron through either nuclear fusion or fission.
5. The Fontainebleau Resort is Las Vegas' tallest building. (The stratosphere doesn't count as a building for some obscure reason.)
6. On average a performance of Macbeth starts every 4 hours.
7. Annakin Skywalker(aka Darth Vadar) has been "played" by 5 people. In the original films David Prowse was the body, James Earl Jones the voice, and Sebastian Shaw was the face when Darth Vader was eventually unmasked. In the prequels Jake Lloyd played young annakin, while Hayden Christensen played a grown up annakin before finally donning the Vadar suite for his final scene.
8. In "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" as Harry enters Dumbledore's study, a portrait of Gandalf the Grey is included in the collection of paintings. (It is above the doorframe.)
9. For Lord of the Rings Sean Astin gained 30 pounds for his role as Samwise the "Stupid fat Hobbit.".
10. Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days following an argument with her soon to be ex husband. Though theories from nervous breakdown to publicity stunt abound the 11 days where never accounted for.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Neal Asher Dabbles with Self Publishing.
In a possible sign of the future, Neal Asher author of the excellent Polity Books, has self published one of his earlier works "The Parasite." Its a move he and other authors have been looking into recently with the kindle and iPad driving increased eBooks sales. This definitely represents him dipping his toe and seeing if the waters are to his liking.
As I have said before I’ll be interested to see how it does without the editing/marketing that publishers demand such high percentages for. Especially as he has chosen to sell it foraround the same price around 30% less than (although he aimed for closer to 40%) his published works are demanding at the moment, (so no skewing of sales due to it being a bargain) hopefully he'll be able to get a real idea if he is getting his moneys worth out of the publishers.
Review to follow.
As I have said before I’ll be interested to see how it does without the editing/marketing that publishers demand such high percentages for. Especially as he has chosen to sell it for
Review to follow.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
eBook Prices.
With the fantastic Kindle leading the charge for the eBook reader. Eyes are now falling on price for the eBooks themselves.
In an mind numbingly stupid re-enactment of the music industries baffling reaction to the growth in mp3 players. They have gone for the "fingers in there ears" use the exact same model as you use for the physical version business model. Shortly to be followed by the shock realisation that, given the choice between paying £10 for a book you can source for free illegally just as easily, a lot of their market choose the later. Ending in the realisation (several years down the line) that reduced prices will deter piracy, increase sales and incur no further cost.
The Agency Model
Recently most publishers have adopted an agency model for eBooks. The agency model means that you are actually buying the eBook straight from the publisher, the shop you use are simply the agent, they receive a commission for each purchase. This means that the publisher sets the price and shops get no option to discount etc. While this could mean that smaller shops can get a march on the big boys (amazon and iBooks), in reality each publisher has a preferred agent in each territory.
Tantamount to Monopoly?
Competition brakes down here, from a far you might say the different stores and publishing houses constitute a market. However due to the agency model and the plain fact that books like music are art not products. One publishing house has total control over the price of a particulair book. Leaving customers who want that particulair book with little to no consumer choice. This means the usual market forces that would prevent extortionate prices are effectively absent.
For that reason the EU have recently raided publishers officers to investigate if they are price fixing or if the agency model is an effective monopoly. The answer is yes.
Are the current prices fair.
I'd definitely argue not. The price of eBooks seems to be aligned with the book prices, if only the Hard Back is available it will be about that price, if the paperback is available its around that price. Generally though they will fail to be available at discounted prices, meaning you can normally buy the physical book for less than the eBook. For a product that has no/little overhead per unit, compared to the paper, printing , transport, storage etc costs of real books this seems to defy logic. Next take into account both the problem of piracy (which as i have stated would be reduced by reduced cost.) and the threat of self-published Authors under cutting published authors and it doesn't seem a good time to own shares in the publishing houses. It is worth taking into account the fact that a lot of work goes into editing/promoting/publishing a book and this needs to be compensated but the current model just doesn't work.
All this is a real shame because the Amazon Kindle is an amazing product.
In an mind numbingly stupid re-enactment of the music industries baffling reaction to the growth in mp3 players. They have gone for the "fingers in there ears" use the exact same model as you use for the physical version business model. Shortly to be followed by the shock realisation that, given the choice between paying £10 for a book you can source for free illegally just as easily, a lot of their market choose the later. Ending in the realisation (several years down the line) that reduced prices will deter piracy, increase sales and incur no further cost.
The Agency Model
Recently most publishers have adopted an agency model for eBooks. The agency model means that you are actually buying the eBook straight from the publisher, the shop you use are simply the agent, they receive a commission for each purchase. This means that the publisher sets the price and shops get no option to discount etc. While this could mean that smaller shops can get a march on the big boys (amazon and iBooks), in reality each publisher has a preferred agent in each territory.
Tantamount to Monopoly?
Competition brakes down here, from a far you might say the different stores and publishing houses constitute a market. However due to the agency model and the plain fact that books like music are art not products. One publishing house has total control over the price of a particulair book. Leaving customers who want that particulair book with little to no consumer choice. This means the usual market forces that would prevent extortionate prices are effectively absent.
For that reason the EU have recently raided publishers officers to investigate if they are price fixing or if the agency model is an effective monopoly. The answer is yes.
Are the current prices fair.
I'd definitely argue not. The price of eBooks seems to be aligned with the book prices, if only the Hard Back is available it will be about that price, if the paperback is available its around that price. Generally though they will fail to be available at discounted prices, meaning you can normally buy the physical book for less than the eBook. For a product that has no/little overhead per unit, compared to the paper, printing , transport, storage etc costs of real books this seems to defy logic. Next take into account both the problem of piracy (which as i have stated would be reduced by reduced cost.) and the threat of self-published Authors under cutting published authors and it doesn't seem a good time to own shares in the publishing houses. It is worth taking into account the fact that a lot of work goes into editing/promoting/publishing a book and this needs to be compensated but the current model just doesn't work.
All this is a real shame because the Amazon Kindle is an amazing product.
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Harry Potter Studio Tour
For those who were baffled by Warner Bros's decision to build a replica Hogwarts and Hogsmeade not only after they'd finished the movies (wtf?) but in sunny (as un British as you can get,) Florida. A little ray of sanity, Warner's have been busy setting up the studios where the films were created, into a show piece of the craft that brought the books to life.
This new attraction will be at Leavesden studios near watford and will open in 2012 ready to monopolise on the Olympic games tourist boom.
As a big fan and someone who is interested in film, i can defiantly see us making the journey down to see it.
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This new attraction will be at Leavesden studios near watford and will open in 2012 ready to monopolise on the Olympic games tourist boom.
As a big fan and someone who is interested in film, i can defiantly see us making the journey down to see it.
Friday, 4 March 2011
New Tracks off the upcoming Foos Album.
For those of you who are like me and ultra excited about the new Foos album out in April. Here are two tracks off the new album.
Proof if proof need be that Foos are the saviour of music. Forget the crap commercial stuff the radio is awash with pre order the Foos now and save your musical soul.
Proof if proof need be that Foos are the saviour of music. Forget the crap commercial stuff the radio is awash with pre order the Foos now and save your musical soul.
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