tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53483742011-07-14T21:24:32.842ZRandom things that are in my headMemoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1105087870133100682005-01-07T08:41:00.000Z2005-01-07T08:51:10.133Z

Over the xmas break I managed to read a very lot. Margaret Atwood, Lady Oracle About a woman whose self-esteme is inversely correlated to her weight having suffered from childhood obesity, bullying and a cold-hearted mother. Excellent. Barbara Poisonwood, The Bean Trees A young girl is handed a small child whilst on a roadtrip and tries to raise her in a nearby town after the car breaks down.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1105014480518306142005-01-06T13:01:00.000Z2005-01-06T12:28:00.516Z

Lemony Snicket: A series of unfortunate events is a film currently in the cinema. We went to see it last night despite having intended to see the Aviator. It was fantastice, a bit like Harry Potter but good. It turns out there are 12 Lemony Snicket books and that the film is just the first three. Definately the film of the year for me... I have books 4-6 on order.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1104855552950525992005-01-04T16:12:00.000Z2005-01-04T16:19:12.950Z

Apparently every book and website can fix what's wrong with me. Its as easy as entering credit card details. Fabulous. That leaves me free to get on with the tedium of finding a new job. In the last couple of weeks: 1. new job in Nottingham has died a death 2. have given up all vices except smug 3. decided to resume super-nice persona due to latent insecurity. There is a new girl at work. She

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1100176099491905972004-11-11T13:26:00.000Z2004-11-11T12:28:19.490Z

Hawking quoted in the Guardian: "The war was based on two lies," he said through his voice synthesiser. Both the claims of weapons of mass destruction and linkage to September 11 had proved untrue. "It has been a tragedy for all the families. If that is not a war crime, what is?" He added: "I apologise for my pronunciation. My speech synthesiser was not designed for Iraqi names."

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1100162425638795702004-11-11T08:25:00.000Z2004-11-11T08:40:25.636Z

Went to see Bad Santa with Kelly and Richard last night against my better judgement (see Plan above). This review shows that voters loyalties are being stretched to the limit since The Telegraph liked it less than average and The Guardian loved it. I think there is a deep message there. Anyway, it was better than I thought although I could not forgive Billy Bob for being so mean to Angelina. He

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099989614439650032004-11-09T08:24:00.000Z2004-11-09T08:40:14.440Z

Watched Secretary last night. I found it poorly characterised and highly sanitised. But I liked it more than Boy who has a healthy disrespect for Spader and flicked through his magazine throughout. The Boy's mum and dad are coming over for lunch on Saturday so I guess the rest of the week will be spent trying to hide all the crap and cleaning up. I am sure it will be nice to see them. Plan: go

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099923687702399072004-11-08T10:25:00.000Z2004-11-08T14:21:27.703Z

The new Coventry Tesco's Extra is now open and we went on a school trip to check it out this lunchtime. Its next door to the Coventry City Football ground that is in the process of being constructed. I didn't know there was a football team so I am recording this fact so that you, gentle reader, are not embarassed by your ignorance of this fact too. Anyway its a very large shop with a horizon. Got

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099903596387563722004-11-08T08:28:00.000Z2004-11-08T08:46:36.386Z

We didn't make it to any fireworks this year - my friend Jean was to visit but was unable to come due to having overdone it at work and consequently being knackered and laid up in bed. My mum was in town for a retreat with her church so I met her for a drink on Friday night. She brought 9 of her Christian friends and I could not drink because I had driven there... And again for coffee (this time

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099558911067432922004-11-04T08:56:00.000Z2004-11-04T09:01:51.066Z

At times like this I remember why universal suffrage took so long. The man-on-the-street is an idiot. Why oh why did we let the American non-passport holding majority set the agenda for the next 4 years? NTK linked to this article that was originally in the Guardian, until they censored it. Rescued for your viewing pleasure by a blogger with foresight :) I think the suggestion that we bump off

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099312144024352192004-11-01T13:07:00.000Z2004-11-01T12:29:04.026Z

Getting up this morning was much more fun than usual on a Monday since for once it was almost daylight when I left the house. This weekend was quite surreal. The Boy was playing Grand Theft Auto (the new one) all weekend and I was cheerleading and dozing. Weakened by this high-octane excitement I allowed myself to be taken for a walk on Sunday with Amber and we wandered contentedly through the

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1099035308223128332004-10-29T07:13:00.000Z2004-10-29T07:35:08.223Z

Ho, ho, ho. Its been a bit light on the old content this month. I will buck up my ideas, pull my socks up and generally cliche off into the sunset blogging as I go in November. Here is the update on October... Professor Evil still is - proven lies this month 4, misary quotient 6, pointless stunts to encourage culture of fear 3. The boy has moved in and we now know about grown-up things like

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1096642394498501802004-10-01T14:43:00.000Z2004-10-01T14:53:14.496Z

Got back from Belfast late last night; flight was delayed so I'm a bit dozy today. Did absolutely loads of worky stuff but had dinner at Deanes which has a Michaelin star so I thought I should blog (brag) about it. The hotel excelled in faded grandeur although the wake-up call was a bit bizarre as they still get a real person to ring you and he was pretty chatty. Not good at 6:45 on a hangover.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095958884999525752004-09-23T16:51:00.000Z2004-09-23T17:01:25.000Z

You have got to love the knowledge management community. This post about gmail is quite enlightening and the links onward are good. I really want to go to the conference but I am not sure if I will be able.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095846255442680302004-09-22T09:39:00.000Z2004-09-22T09:44:15.443Z

Anyone wishing to be insulted in Shakespearian style should visit this site. It features real insults from the plays and a homemade generator. On the subject, the original and best generator for more modern needs lives at Dack.com.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095845906846958652004-09-22T08:46:00.000Z2004-09-22T09:38:26.846Z

I pinched the title to this post from a remarkable Blog caled One Million Footnotes that features random disembodied quotes. I am suffering from a mild case of comment envy though, one entry: "He always wrote in red ink, so no-one could correct him." triggered 21 commets. However, you have got to love this site which records for the public good examples of poor writing that has been published

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095671783192558762004-09-20T08:58:00.000Z2004-09-20T12:19:17.173Z

Amber makes an excellent point. Of course, I don't *hate* anyone. I am a fortunate person to live in the developed West with enough resources to fear no real suffering. I have a roof over my head and some wonderful relationships in my life. For this I am grateful. I'm quite strongly in agreement with Voltaire who said: "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death,

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095670713118063012004-09-20T08:41:00.000Z2004-09-20T08:58:33.120Z

This weekend has been quiet and relaxing. The Boy and I sorted out the bedroom and he assembled some lovely new shelves. On Sunday, Amber and Nails and the Mushroom man and The Boy and me went to the Saxon Mill for Sunday lunch. The menu was uninspiring but the house red was drinkable and the chocolate and vanilla cheesecake was, frankly, erotic. The biscuit was really crunchy and savory (

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095410183637029112004-09-17T07:54:00.000Z2004-09-17T08:36:23.636Z

"Go on Mem, blog this car journey. Go on it'll be funny," said Amber this morning as I drove her up the steps to the graduate studies faculty here at Gazpacho University. Our car journeys are fantastic. One of those fleeting, finite, protected times where no-one can interupt and you really feel like you are making progress. Too bad I keep ending up at work... But all progress is good, just ask a

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095353519705001452004-09-16T16:38:00.000Z2004-09-16T16:54:05.590Z

I've been working with for e-learning for 3 years now and I am currently producing a best practice guide on the state of e-learning for the field of enterprise. There don't seem to be any specific stats available for this discipline area but I have noticed that business school's websites seem to be slicker than other faculties so I reckon there is a lot of money to be made. The learning and

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095341808563840782004-09-16T13:31:00.000Z2004-09-16T17:03:14.773Z

Professor Evil is lurking in the corner and so the office is pitched into a tense silence broken only by desolatory tapping of keys. Even the little newbies are cowed and no-one can quite work out why they feel so uncomfortable. His affect is rather like that of a nasty smell. Opening a window or spraying him with perfume are unlikely to work. Ah yes, and I also learnt that tuna is a synonym of

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095341426545483872004-09-16T13:27:00.000Z2004-09-16T13:30:26.546Z

I hear that usage of Firefox is rapidly increasing. Click the link on the right: go on, you know you want to. M$ begone! Vote with your little clicky fingers and chose the nicer icon...

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095256579397723642004-09-15T13:53:00.000Z2004-09-15T13:56:19.396Z

And another thing... the music featured covers of famous songs that were in movies, Enya covers and panpipe moods. Although some people might love this (my own Auntie, for example), it simply was not fair to play tubuar bells - featuring, as it does, in the Exorcist. Anyway, its clearly time to take myself in hand and start going to the gym again. And not eating. Ever.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1095255485429122952004-09-15T13:24:00.000Z2004-09-15T13:38:05.430Z

I have only just distanced myself enough from the happenings at the weekend to be able to tell you about them, dear reader... The Ruby Wedding Party From Hell occured in Strood, pikey capital of the UK. The happy couple featured an affable, gracefully fading uncle and a fiendish bearded lady (happily only related to my beloved by marriage). Now, every girl fears reprisals about her lifestyle,

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1094719236027499142004-09-09T08:37:00.000Z2004-09-09T08:40:36.026Z

The Boy got the job in Birmingham and will be joining me in sunny Leamington Spa in mid-October. This will be cause for celebration as soon as I rediscover the will to live...back to work is a bit of a shock to the system.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1094719056579188912004-09-09T08:31:00.000Z2004-09-09T08:37:36.580Z

It was Amber's belated leaving do last night. The pub offers a selection of exotic sausages (e.g. Guiness and Ale, Lamb and Rosemary, Jam and Kipper) and styles of mash (normal, champ, rosti) with a third option on type of gravy. Despite the aparent oddness of so much choice pertaining to the humble english staple the resulting food was excellent although the winelist was more of a postit note

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1094561162006741172004-09-07T13:28:00.000Z2004-09-07T12:46:24.173Z

Holidays are great. However, returning to work is only just worth it: its not the disappointment that's upsetting me; its the hope. Professor Evil greeted me with "You look really good today" which is a) frightening and b) depressing. My enemy's friend is my enemy so if Evil likes me then maybe I should avoid myself? Perhaps peroxide is the answer... Or finding alternatives (see Guardian

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093614849829381712004-08-27T13:54:00.000Z2004-08-27T13:54:09.830Z

My friend Amber(everyone's favourite teacher) now has a presence on the world of wide webs.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093600404855075302004-08-27T09:44:00.000Z2004-08-27T10:11:09.940Z

Last night I went into Brum with some school friends. I'd forgotten how cool it is; there was an exhibition outside the museum - must remember to go there more often. We ate out at Cafe Uno and I had some lovely mozarella wrapped in palma ham with sun dried tomato dressing - yummy! I was pleasantly surprised as chains like that usually have a rather pedestrian menu. The girls were mostly on good

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093599839145679262004-08-27T08:27:00.000Z2004-08-27T09:43:59.146Z

No post yesterday due to the fact that I have discovered the joy of msn messenger. I wasted an entire day shooting the breeze and was even to busy to blog! Oh dear. Must do some work today; its addictive though!

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093442296298251182004-08-25T13:16:00.000Z2004-08-25T13:58:16.296Z

...is the tagline for Club Med holidays. This website, 'The Advertising Slogan Hall of Fame' is fantastic for 3 reasons. 1. Colleagues from this very building have used it in the questions for the pub quiz held once a month on a Wednesday lunchtime not in a pub at all but in the refectory downstairs. A dab'll do ya flumuxed Everyone's Favourite Teacher (EFT) et al but you've got to love that they

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093439703348954432004-08-25T13:07:00.000Z2004-08-25T13:16:23.006Z

I found a link to a rather interesting Blogger README. I liked it and so I am going to add it to my permalinks. It basically lays out blogging etiquette and how that should relate to RL relationships. I also came across a UK webring ; there are some scary people out there in webland. Its interesting that so many young people are raging leftys online; why do I only ever run into tories? (With the

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093354644932623162004-08-24T13:36:00.006Z2004-08-24T15:29:25.096Z

Judging by The Boy's blogging I think I had better leave the heels at home and pack the walking boots. Never mind; I plan to have a little mudbath pampering and check out the view from the top. It will be wonderful whatever we do, I'm sure. Provided we don't get eaten alive by mosquitos: ah, the old enemy. Off to check out the latest weaponry at Boots...

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093267197450219792004-08-23T13:06:00.000Z2004-08-23T13:19:57.450Z

Is like masterbation; sometimes you just have to but it doesn't really do the job. Or so I am told. Its interesting that these thoughts are so close to the surface on such a rainy miserable Monday morning in the kitchen at our Dilbert-maget open plan office. Anyway that brings me nicely to other news: the eagerly awaited week in the sun is to take place in Turkey; the accomodation is likely to be

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093010064134164582004-08-20T13:54:00.000Z2004-08-20T13:54:24.136Z

Interesting article in The Register Court tells RIAA and Congress to let P2P software thrive. Story from the US where it was judged that makers of P2P software cannot be held accountable for its illegal use. This scuppers the usual 'sue the guy you can find, not the one commiting the crime' culture amongst copyright owners. Good news.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1093009537380940072004-08-20T13:45:00.000Z2004-08-20T13:45:37.380Z

Today, the kiddies in the office were playing with a Powerball Gyroscope gadget. They're supposed to workout your arm and grip; designed for climbers, apparently but have something of a cult following for office contests.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1092840613355055272004-08-18T14:46:00.000Z2004-08-18T14:50:36.313Z

Found an innovative blog Nowheresville, interesting use of videoclips and totally random ephemera. I could waste my entire life dossing about reading other people's diaries about their quirky (but more glam than my) lives but I have to work...

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1092820705828144122004-08-18T09:09:00.000Z2004-08-18T14:51:55.756Z

Professor Evil is irritating beyond belief. He's returned from France with a warm okra tan and even more lizard-like fisog than before. And no biscuits. Why-oh-why is he in the office and not gadding about patronising other people? Its not much to ask since I have to spend all day tomorrow with him... (Mutter, mutter) Took a sound beating at bowling from the wired massive last night, however good

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1092748451595894222004-08-17T13:09:00.000Z2004-08-18T14:52:56.406Z

My mum's asked me to sort out logistics for her trip to see her granddaughter compete in a surfing contest in Newquay. You can fly there from Stanstead and Gatwick! Not alot of people know that... Other useful travel links are: National Rail, National Express, Multimap (try the directions facility, double the suggested journey time).

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1092747846332012012004-08-17T12:53:00.000Z2004-08-18T14:54:37.910Z

I'm writing an assignment for my course on whether or not we are in a second media age. Since the C19, literacy has increased while our dependance on the writen word has decreased due, in part to mass media such as tv and radio. Even so, cheap air fares and immediate communications media such as email mean that the world has shruk which has screwed with the way that we perceive time and space.

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5348374.post-1092395821426562792004-08-13T11:15:00.000Z2004-08-18T14:55:58.730Z

Well, I always like to do new things on a sunny Friday 13th such as this. This here blog will chart the ramblings of my alcohol soaked mind. Thought for the day: "The internet is a dangerous place".

Memoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18424064195189979508noreply@blogger.com0