I've moved!

My personal blog can now be found at Rants 2.0

Day at the airport

Spent yesterday mainly in the car. It was nice to be in Tasha's car though as the extra comfort and the elevated driving position are good for long distance. Caught some WiFi action at the airport whilst having a bit of lunch before the meeting and used the Sip&Surf network, which was very quick and quite reasonable (in comparison to the others available).

The drive home was exhausting in the rain and spray, but I got home at a reasonable time. Picked up my new 3G modem on the way home and gave that a little try this morning, I get pretty good coverage from my desk in Leicester, occasionally dropping into FAST 3G mode of upto 1.4Mbps.

Woke up this morning to find a heron in the garden - cool! Couldn't get to my camera in time though. Catching up with a few more back episodes of HEROES. Jesus! I wasn't sure it could get much better but man episode 17 rocks!!

A long, long day

Well it has truely been a very long day today. Its long rehearsal for Goodnight Mr.Tom and as assitant director she had a lot on her mind - so she was up at 05:15 this morning. I did the husbandly thing and got up to to make tea etc while Tasha worked on the production. Our printer dying didn't help, as a lot of the work Tasha had was to be printed, so we had to email it out and get it done remotely. It was also the last official game of the season for Derby (the play-offs still to come), and the team played well to get a 2-0 victory over Leeds. The ref was stretchered off after a few minutes after he took a nasty fall. Steve Howard got his player of the year award, Giles Barnes the young player. It was cool to see Dennis Wise ( a bit of a hero in our house) looking very snappy!

The kids spend the day with Grandma & Grandpa and got spoilt rotten!! I picked them up full of beans and with painted faces!! Sounds like Mum & Dad were run ragged!!

Tasha has just rung to say the rehearsal has finished and she's going for a well deserved drink - I'll catch the gossip of the day later!

Just watched the new BT advert staring Gordon Ramsey - very funny, but surprised he's doing the ad - they must have paid him a lot of money

24 Hours of Flickr

Got up yesterday to some poor lighting. Thought that I wouldn't get much photography done on the 24 hours of Flickr Day. As it turned out though we were really busy, so there was plenty of "day in the life" type stuff.

Went over to Uttoxeter to get a bistro table for the patio, and built that when we got back from ballet lessons - by which time the sun had come out.

Tasha did some more planting and then we wandered down to Suzanne's house to see the new cats (and Ralph's new plasma!)

We chatted for a while then all of us went over to the Spread Eagle and had a few drinks. We like it there because wine by the bottle is on offer!! Sat there until just after 6 then came home for a BBQ at the new bistro table!!!

Mixed bag

Yesterday was a mixed bag of stuff really. After being bored all week I had 6 meeting invitations to take place of friday to wednesday in varying locations about the country, 3 of which were yesterday. I have had some more invoicing issues which hopefully have been sorted out now. Job news on other fronts is looking up though - which is good, and I did enjoy another frap with Mark & Dan.

Got home to 2 mac packages of my extra memory and a keyboard - sweet.

Had a wee play with Aperture last night too.

Pimp my Mac!

My new memory upgrade, written with my new keyboard. Mac'd out!

Dyson School

How I which that the Dyson School of Design Innovation was around when I was younger. The school which is due to open in 2009 is partly funded by the government and aims to boost the number of engineering graduates in the UK compared to developing countries like India and China. other contributors to the school include Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Williams F1.

Information from a story in the IET Engineering & Technology Magazine

iPhone Pictures

Interesting edition of MacBreak Weekly podcast this morning, saying that some pictures had been posted to Flickr this week that were taken on an iPhone. The pictures seem to be taken in a cafe 3 miles from Apple HQ and were quickly withdrawn from the Flickr feed. The EXIF data showed the type to be an iPhone and the resolution of the images ties in with the size quoted (about 3MP). The images were pretty detailed though.

Apparently there have been numerous sighting in the Apple HQ area of folks with iPhones, assuming they are employees on test.

Very quiet in the office today - same old folks out at Gatwick, but Mark & Pete have gone down for some fire training at Stanstead. My cube bay is empty apart from me, checking out some MacBreak and iLifeZone.

The Daily Grind

Really struggling to stay focused on work at the moment. The task that I have isn't very taxing and involves a lot of reading (which I personally can't stomach a great deal of in one sitting), so my mind is naturally wandering to creative pursuits. This situation is not helped by the new mac and setting it up with sweet little tricks.

Had another great life-laundry session last night, this time sorting out all the wardrobes, archiving the winter coats into the new wardrobe in the loft and making up some charity bags.

Completed the latest ubermaclife post using TextMate, another tool that I've got on trial I'm finding it really good to have the ability to blog whilst not on line (just while working for this client, although I'm looking at getting a wireless mobile based modem)

Just taken a look at the video introducing some of the features of OmniFocus which is hopefully due for beta release in the next few weeks. It looks really cool and will be a direct replacement for Kinkless.

A casual line

Just finished watching LOST - gee they know how to throw a line in!! Didn't see that coming at all - WOW! Brrrrr!

Anyway - managed to get my calendar drop down sorted.

first monthly invoice away too - so fingers crossed they'll be no clitches with that on Friday.

Memories

Over the weekend we cleared our loft, which was a liberating experience.

I found my old inter-railing photos and it brought back some memories. I think its good to have a good clear out every now and then, but equally its good to look back at times past and remember.

Managed to catch up with Nigel breifly on Friday night, before the business of the weekend.

Derby f$$ked up their chances of getting a guaranteed top 2 place in the championship today by loosing to Crystal Palace. The play-offs beckon now, and their history in this stage is not good!!

Big Girl

Florence left us for most of the weekend and went to her first proper sleep over with a crowd from school.

We enjoyed a little sun and a glass of wine - before nipping out for a curry (yum)

Had some goods comes with Glynn & Steve about some potential work, anything would be good.

Busy is best

I've been much busier today which has made such a difference to how I feel about the whole thing. There is something to be said for being busy. Had quite a lot of emails to/from the accountant today (especially after hours, I'm sure they never go home). Needless to say they sorted out my worries (again)

Just catching up with LOST and heroes

The mighty Khushboo

Met up with Brett while on site and we went for a drive to find something to eat. Stumbled across the khushboo Indian restaurant, which I used to frequent regularly when I worked down here 12 years ago. Good to see that they are still knocking out fantastic food.

Great weekend start

We have had a great start to our weekend. I was up early-ish with Nate, and tried out my new lens. Florence had to do the normal ballet thing, but the girls had a lie in so it got a bit rushed. We needed a few supplies in town so mooched around the shops and got some BOGOF bargs. Got some lunch items and had a mini picnic. Went over to CostCo in the afternoon and got some bulk wine and BBQ items. Spent the rest of the afternoon, sparking up the BBQ. Drank wine in the sunshine, surfed the web and fired up the bad boy for the first time this season (our other BBQ had seen some action on holiday). I do forget how much I enjoy the BBQ.

Friday night fun

Friday was a again a fine day and it always seems harder to motivate myself at work when I know that its so sunny outside! I left at 4 and came home. Went to the football with Nigel and saw a shakey victory. At this stage it would have been nicer for a convincing win, but a win is a win. The chances that went begging could have seen a much healthier score. Tasha was going out for the Mellows celebration of the best production NODA award that they received for Godspell. We got a text to say to pop in for a drink, and arrived just as the dancing started!!

Hoping for a BBQ this afternoon after buying MEAT at the cash & carry!!

Catchup

Its been a great few days for me catching up with some friends. Down on site I met up with Brett, who I've not seen for a while and also Trapper John (which is always a pleasure). Last night I had a quick beer with Stubbs and we met up with some old faces from EMCON. It was great to see them all again - good times. Tonight I've opened up the email and had some mail from Robin, Mike & Chi who I've not heard from for ages. Stirling and I had a conflab this morning too.

Tasha has been busy in the garden and its made a fantastic difference to the space that we have. We are having a skip next week and are having a major clear out of the loft/shed etc.

I've got some things ready for eBay too.

My new lens arrived for the camera today - other than slapping it on to check that its OK I've not had chance to play. Hopefully get some shots over the weekend.

Going to the footy tomorrow night, crucial game.

Florence likes Merlin Mann!!

I got back from site yesterday and was chatting with Florence (7). She was asking whether there was anything good about being away from the family and living in a hotel. I tried hard to think of some things

1. I get to see my friend trapper, who lives near the site
2. I get to watch all my video podcasts that I don't get time for at home
3. ...

... "Oh with Merlin Mann" she says, "I like him, he has a funny laugh and cool glasses!"

Eggs-citing!

Had a fun time decorating eggs with Florence & Nate.

Dull day at work, Tasha & kids went to Sutton and had a great day - wish I was there. Think we've managed to pin a few days down to get away before the summer holiday.

Holiday Roundup

See the photos here

Our first full day away, saw beautiful weather and our friends came to see us too. We had a great walk down the Monsall Way, followed by a BBQ back at the caravan. Was really good to see them and their dog!

Had a little “A time” with the mac and investigated iMovieHD and started going through some of the footage from earlier in the year. Seems to be a lot easier to use than Premiere - I don’t need fancy really, cropping, the odd transition and titles is all I want. I try to do most of the editing in camera.

Tasha had some great news. The show that she produced last year - Godspell - won “Best Production” in the regional NODA awards on Sunday night.

Monday - Drove into Bakewell, forgetting that it was market day. Unless your there really early, the car parks get full and they close the roads off, so that was a non starter. We’d not got up and going very quickly as we’d had a restless night. Nate, who has been suffering with a cold the last few days, got into a coughing fit and was sick - not the best thing in a caravan! We came back and went for a great walk down to the Wildlife reserve near the site before lunch. After we’d eaten (like kings) we headed into Buxton, which wasn’t nearly as busy. We bought some great food and had a good afternoon. Got the BBQ out again today (as it was fantastic weather).

On Tuesday we went over to Chatsworth House - a beautiful stately home. Obviously with the kids in tow we only saw it as we passed on the way to the massive adventure playground and farm. We all had a great time, but it was bitterly cold. Stopped at the farm shop and were lucky to escape, without spending more!! Just listening to Florence read - she’s so good - I’m glad she likes books.

Thursday and with the excellent weather comes the inevitable onslaught of people at the site. We left the site early this morning, being the only two vans, to explore Lathkill Dale and returned (via Chatsworth) to reports of gridlocked traffic and a site 3/4 full!! Our explore was fantastic though, the sun in the valley really made the whole place look beautiful. Slightly worried that the site will be too busy, but we can also go home.

Friday started to another beautiful day on the now much fuller campsite. We had a good early start and went up to the climbers haunt of Froggatt Edge. We went via the farm shop at Chatsworth and bought loads of goodies for a picnic. Had a great walk along the top of the ridge, before returning to our feast!! After lunch we went to the outdoor shops down the road and then drove back to the site via the scenic route - where we saw tomorrows walk!! The site managed to accommodate a view more vans and a lot more tents while we were out. Cooked steak on the BBQ and an early night all round.

The rest of the bank holiday weekend was spent, trying to stay out the the way of tourists! We avoided Bakewell & Buxton and “headed for the hills”. We did some great walks and we were really impressed with the children and their stamina. I think the fresh air did us all the world of good and blew away many cobwebs.
Its been the best holiday we’ve been on for a long time, I felt really rested on our return and didn’t feel that it had been too short (not to say I would have stayed for another couple of weeks!)