Friday 28th April 2006
So, recently I've got a bit hooked on The Apprentice lately... But I have no idea how it all began. So, I decided to *ahem* obtain the earlier episodes, and I'm just watching the first one now.
Of the ones I've seen on TV so far, Syed has been an interesting character. He always seems to be on the losing team (coincidence?), he clearly loves the sound of his own voice, but in a funny way he has been quite good... He's the sort who could talk his way out of anything at all. I was quite impressed by the thing where he was selling those petrol cans. He managed to make the biggest sale of the day, yet made his team late and thus they were penalised. Quite an interesting situation though, as his sale was pretty good.
Anyway... so I'm now watching the first of the series, where they have to pick a group name. The first suggestion, Syed says, "The A-Team". I smirk. A few more suggestions come up, but Syed insists, "The A-Team" is the way to go. The girls pick a name in about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, the boys are arguing over a ton of different names, except Syed who's very insistant that he wants "The A-Team". No one else seemed at all impressed by his suggestion.
Amusingly now, I'm at the last bit of the first episode, and who do I see in the thingy room in the firing line? Syed.
Also, that women with big hair is really annoying me. I'm not sure what her name is, but she's the reeeeally loud one. She gets waaay too excited and hyper when she's happy, and then started crying after saying one comment to Sir Alan. I really wouldn't want to be working with her. :\
Tuesday 25th April 2006
Big news today... Scott McNealy stepped down as CEO of Sun after 22 years, putting the younger, long haired Jonathan Schwartz in his place. I've never met McNealy, and have no expectations of meeting my new boss Mr Schwartz... so I'd be lying if I said this news really impacted my day much at all. It's almost like when the country gets a new prime minister. Deep down, you know it's a big deal, but actually nothing has changed for you at all (yet, anyway).
Monday 24th April 2006
Song: The Corrs - Rain
Just found this... made me chuckle.
The ex-Million Dead member has made a record that couldn’t be more unlike the Million Dead.
Joining the ranks of the singer songwriter clan, (don’t worry, he’s not turned into an ex-army major who takes his socks off in the snow), it’s a big change in direction - which will work.
Saturday 22nd April 2006
Song: Frank Turner - Worse Things Happen At Sea
Heh, this is so good...
Generally every child of the 90s (that is, was born in the eightees), should be able to relate to most of these things:
You can sing the rap to "The Fresh Prince Of Bell Air"
You've worn leggins and felt cool.
You used to love playing with your "Puppy In My Pockets"
You remember when it was actually worth getting up on a Saturday morning to watch Live & Kicking, or SM:TV
You had a huge fringe at some point in your childhood
You remember reading and watching "Goosebumps"
You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school
You know the words from the Shakey Jake Milkshake adverts
You remember the craze of yo-yos and Tamagotchis
You still get the urge to say "not" after every sentance. Not.
You knew that Kimberly, the pink ranger and Tommy the green ranger were meant to be
You collected Pokemon cards
You played and/or collected Pogs
You had a weird alien that lived in gooey stuff in a plastic "pod" and thought if you stuck two back to back they would have a baby
You watched the original Postman Pat, Fireman Sam and Ninja Turtles
Yikes pencils were the best! What happened to them?
You remember the new Beanie Babies were always sold out
You got your mum to buy "BN" biscuits
You used to wear those stick on earrings, not only on your ears but at the corners of your eyes
You know the Macerena by heart
"Talk the the hand". Enough said
You remember the time before literacy and numeracy hour existed
You thought Brain from "Pinkey And The Brain" would finally take over the world
You remember bum bags
You always wanted to be on Fun House
You collected Tazos
Two words: "Spice Girls"
Friday 21st April 2006
Song: David Ford - Cheer Up You Miserable Fuck
Gah, shit. I just did some fairly long, and mildly interesting update... And it somehow dissapeared. I'm very unimpressed. It wasn't all that bad either.... But of course I would say that, I wrote it.
Friday 14th April 2006
Song: Fightstar - Lost Like Tears In Rain
hehe, there's a thing on slashdot, saying that apparently MySpace is now the 10th most visited website. For those who don't know, I don't like MySpace, and don't have an account that I use. My reason are quite nicely summed up by this comment on the slashdot thing:
Ugh, no thanks. That place is the most awful cespool on the Internet. 42TB pages, everybody's got their own shit music playing as if whoever visits wants to hear it, all for the privilege of girls with 6 inches of cake makeup posing for cleavage shots, guys dressed up like Gotti with one eyebrow raised, and the most inane, unintelligible comments imaginable, with a page width of 9,000 pixels because somebody posted a picture of a duck flying into a window with the caption "PWNED!" 14 years ago.
However, there was someone else who later made what I think is actually quite a good point...
I still don't like it, but I understand it now. It's much like hanging out in a trendy nightclub. At home, I can make the drinks better, I have better taste in decor (what, dragons on the walls isn't better?), and I have full control of my castle.
But the nightclub is where all the people are!
It's a way to connect with all of your friends, with a common identification system. Yes, it's ugly as fuck, but that's not the point.
Incidently, I don't go to trendy nightclubs either... But I will admit that I think his point is very valid. Still though, I'm not planning on getting a MySpace account anytime soon. :)
Thursday 13th April 2006
Song: Oasis - Supersonic
Weyhey! I've got a brand spanking new guitar. I was right, the problem I had was indeed the problem the guy was saying about when I bought it. So I went in today with it, held it up and said I've had it for about a month and noticed a problem. Before I really got a chance to explain what the problem was he seemed to know what it was and grabbed it off me. There was a few quick things said, and then he ran off to the back and came back with a new one. The only question, "is it alright if we keep the box?". I really have no use for a triangle shaped box, so that was fine...
So then I walked off a happy bunny with a pretty new guitar.
The end.
Wednesday 12th April 2006
Song: Lene Marlin - My Love
I have a problem with my new guitar. :(
When I bought it, it was the last one they had in stock, and the guy was saying that there had been some problems with these guitars. Unfortunately it's been a while now and I can't remember exactly what it was he said. But he did give it a very quick visual inspection and said it'd be okay. I took his word for it.
Anyway, basically the high E at 13th fret doesn't vibrate freely. It has a horrible rattly noise, almost like it was only being fretted veeery lightly. After a bit mor fiddling about with it, I realised it's the 14th fret wire that's the problem. It's too high. If I fret in 13th, and then try and pluck the string in the 14th fret, there's no vibration past the 14th fret, which is useless.
So anyway, going to take it back to the shop tomorrow, as Thursday's their guitar tech day. Luckily it came with a years warranty, and I've still got the receipt. I seem to have bad luck with new guitars. :(
Monday 10th April 2006
Why the hell is Alan Carr in dictionary corner on Coutdown? I'm finding it very hard to take him seroiusly.
Saturday 8th April 2006
Song: Million Dead - Margot Kidder
My car seems to have a bit of a problem holding electricity. I can't remember if I've mentioned this on here before or not, but basically several times now I've gone to start it and it's just not wanted to know. This has confused everyone who's had a think about this, as there have been things that I can't be bothered to explain that suggest the battery is actually fine. However, it's definitely not the alternator as otherwise it would die while driving. It could possibly be the starter motor I suppose, but I don't think it's that either. Basically for those who don't know, put very simply when you turn the key in the ingition, a small electronic motor (powered by the battery) starts pushing the engine round. Once it's got enough momentum (typically after a few turns, as you can hear) the magic of internal combustion takes over and the engine is now going by itself, with no help from electronics. Once the engine is going one of the things it's doing is spinning the alternator round which generates the electric current for all the car's electronics (CD player, etc) and also charges the battery. Has anyone ever wondered why you've never had to charge your car battery?
Anyway, my dad seems to think it is the battery, but it's behaviour certainly is odd. Thankfully, it's only ever died outside my house. Never while I've been out. After a bit of a situation yesterday morning over this, I did manage to get it going off my mum's car (which involved driving on the pavement... great fun) and prayed it'd last the day, as I was planning to be driving to Guildford later that night.
So yes, Guildford was good. Went with Mary to see Frank Turner (ex Million Dead). Had heard six of his solo songs earlier in the week and thought they were absolutely fantastic. We got there in good time, as we didn't have tickets and were worried we wouldn't get in. In the end we had to wait about an hour before they let us in. The place was kind'a cool, even though I did feel a bit out of place. It was very much aimed for 15 or 16 y/olds, and there were plenty of 15 and 16 y/olds there. There was one girl who particularly amused me. She was going for some sort of goth look. However, she did look like a bit of a disaster IMO. She had a bunch if colourful synthetic hair attached (which for the record I typically have nothing against). She also had the "Nobody knows I'm a lesbian" t-shirt on, a really rubbish PVC miniskirt, green and black stripey tights, and some platform boots that she looked too scared to walk in. She was quite clearly out to be seen. Sadly though, I didn't think she pulled it off very well, but I could see what she was going for. But... The funniest thing was that in her hair she seemed to have a pair of safety goggles. I'm guess you're all now thinking, "uh...?". Basically, they were those kind'a goggles that people who operate machinery have to wear these days. Transparent all over, and with side bits to stop things getting your eye from the side. They were worn in the same way some fashionable men might like to wear sunglasses that aren't needed, up on the head. Like I said, I could see where she was trying to go with her outfit on the whole... but they really were quite odd.
Oh, the other thing which was quite cool about the venue was that it didn't sell alcohol, but instead was offering chips, sarnies, and toasted sandwhiches. Oh, and the maximum capacity: 43. The place was perhaps worthy of the word "cute".
Anyway... opening act were really good, I thought. No idea who they were but it was basically three people who all started off with acoustic guitars. One later swapped out the guitar for a violin which was much more appropriate/audible than Yellowcard's efforts as mentioned before. Like I said, no idea who they were, but wouldn't complain if I saw them again. Then Frank Turner was up... Before he even started the first song, he'd won me over. He was just rambling, but was quite amusing. All throughout the set he was so effortlessly funny, charismatic and confident. He was told he wasn't allowed to swear, which he seemed to be having some trouble with. This in itself proved to be quite comical too. He opened with a song which as he said himself sounds like "In the jungle, the mighty jungle" (and it really does). Later played the Million Dead song, "After The Rush Hour", which I really enjoyed as it sounded so different done acoustically. He then closed his set with a cover of Abba's "Dancing Queen", which amazingly he made sound really good. I really like it when people do covers but make them sound like one of their own songs. My only problem was that I didn't really know enough words to be able to sing along. Was great fun though, none the less. Oh, and I had enough electricity left to start the car to come home. :)
If someone could try and book David Ford and Frank Turner to come to my house to play for my birthday, I'd love them forever.
Tuesday 4th April 2006
Song: Frank Turner - Wisdom Teeth
Just found out that David Ford used an "Apple G4 computer" to record and mix his album. The man's no fool.
So after a bit of a cock up on my part (I blame the American date format, it put the 4 at the start!) my guitar trial thing at work was yesterday, and I was at home. After an apologetic phone call the guy told me to come in today instead. So I did... He was a bit crazy, but played a really cool version of Smells Like Teen Spirit with finger picking, doing both the bass and guitar parts. Then on the chorus he also had some fingers twiddling away doing parts of the vocal melody over the chords. Quick fingers indeed.
Sadly since the guitar day was yesterday they didn't have all the guitars with them today, so I was stuck with this one acoustic (which I quite liked) and no plec to prove I don't suck too badly. I pretty much failed. So in the end we agreed I'm at an intermediate level and I said I quite liked the sound of the group sessions. I might learn more, quicker from a one on one, but with the group one I get more people I can potentially learn off of, plus a bit of a social aspect to it too. Another cool thing was he said that the rooms would be available all the time, so if I get bored and no one's in the rooms, I can just come in to practice a bit. This ties in well with having remote management and considerable freedom to my timetable.
One final, especially cool thing he said... was that he was hoping to arrange a battle of the bands thing, with Sun, Nokia, and several others all competing. Unfortunately I can't remember any others that he named but I assume they were all local. I only remember Nokia as I know they're about 2 minutes away from Sun. But yeah, battle of the bands would rock, especially if we beat Microsoft. ;-)
The problem I have though, is that I'm currently contracted to be out of there by 3rd July. That does just about leave enough time to get in one ten week block of lessons. But means after that I can't really keep on doing it. This is a bit of a shame. I need a really polite and tactful way to ask my manager if he'd thought of extending my contract (most others have, so it's not too ambitious, really) in which case I should be able to get another block of ten in. I just don't really wanna knock on his door and ask, incase it turns out that he has no such plans and I'm left standing there feeling stupid and awkward. :\
Monday 3rd April 2006
I'm not happy... This "Beat The Burglar" programme that I got so obsessed with seems to've dissapeared. But now, there is "To catch a thief". The burglar is the same, Mike Fraser. However, the presenter guy who's name I'ev forgotten has gone. He's been replaced by... a Welsh person!
See, I have this problem where I can't take Welsh people seriously. There's something about their accent that stops me taking them seriously. I mean no disrespect, I know a Welsh person and there's no problem. It's just the voice! So anyway... This Welsh guy's apparently an ex-burglar too. I just preferred the old bloke as he had more charisma... and I like charisma.
Anyway, on the plus side, it is now only 30 minutes long. And there's less time wasted on boring stuff like fixing up the house with new security. Now they cover that bit in about one minute.
Just seen another one where he steals the car to get away in. It made me wonder about our house again. We have all the spare keys for the cars kept together, however... We have three cars from Ford, and, all Ford keys look the same. The other thing that does slightly work in my favour is that my car is parked over the road. Not something that insurance companies are too excited about, but it does dissaciate it from the house a bit. Also it doesn't have remote locking so a burglar couldn't just press the button and then see which car's lights flash.
Must go, I think my potato wedges are ready!
Sunday 2nd April 2006
Why are kids parks so much fun? On Friday night went out with a few friends and my brother back to Pirbright with basketball in hand. Sadly there's not really a lot of daylight after work but we went for it anyway. We were all terrible. Then once it was a bit too dark to really be able to play anymore we went over to the kids play area thing... I wanted a go on the swings. The thing that annoys me is that I really like swings (that sounds so ridiculous), but after a while the palms of my hands were reeeally hurting. Everytime I got to the cool bit where you go so high that the chains slack a bit on each side of the swing... I had to stop because my hands were in pain. Shame. The roundabout thing though just makes me feel ill everytime. :(
Then yesterday I was up and out earlier than normal. I was heading off to Milton Keynes with Rob. A friend of his had a 15" LCD screen for sale, and he knew I wanted one. So I said I'd take it, and the plan was made. According to Google it would take 1 hour 51 minutes from my house. I had to go pick up Rob first so was one junction on the M3 further down. It took us only an hour to get onto the M1. We stopped then for an extortionately priced Burger King, then headed on up the M1 even further. Got a bit pissed off on the M1 as there was a long stretch of a 40mph limit for road works. Anyway... We made it in the end, so I am now the proud owner of three LCD monitors.
This is all part of my bedroom reorganisation plan. The moving of the TV onto computer went quite well, when I bought the Freeview TV card and a second screen. Now I've ditched the other CRT screen that was behind me which is only really used for my Sun computer. So anyway... With TV going in the bin, and final CRT going in the bin. I'm looking to save a lot of space.
Then I wanna move stuff around to be able to comfortably see my main pooter (as it's now my TV) from my bad. I then need to get my remote control working for it again, so I can change channels and control DVDs etc from my bed. It should all work out alright... I just hate the amount of work that it'll take.
Uhm, so anyway... Then Rob and I came back here for a bit to play around with our wireless networking fun. We got a thing that works with GPS to plot maps of where you are, and what wireless networks are around. It's pretty cool.
Then we watched Back To The Future as he wasn't at all pleased to learn that I'd never seen it. I was a bit tired but really got into it. Now I have to watch the second one. :)
Now though, it's 1:10pm and I'm bloody hungry.