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July 31, 2003
Latest Honeymoon Ideas
I am a very cautious person by nature, and the prospect of going to Antigua for our honeymoon in the middle of the hurricane season was worrying me somewhat. So it was back to the drawing board.
Zanzibar is winning for me at the moment, although The Maldives and Mauritius are still in the running. The Virgin brochure has a nice looking place in Zanzibar
http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/worldwide/hotelpages/9756.shtml
More information about Zanzibar can be found here:
http://zanzibar.net
July 30, 2003
Jamie Oliver Hoax
As Duggie has kindly pointed out the Jamie Oliver recipe book was a hoax, and I fell for it hook line and sinker:
I pride myself in spotting a hoax a mile off, and I was sceptical of this one, but it did seem so genuine. I couldn't understand why someone would decide to hoax the book. Unless of course ....
"It would be a cracking way to get publicity for a new book, hash together parts from other books, host it on your publishing website behind a password protected directory, send the password to 'your friend' by email and hey presto, instant publicity for your new book."
Matrixy Nonsense
This is probably one of these things that's been going round for a while and I have missed it as usual, but hey it's funny,
http://www.gwyncole.com/blogfiles/gwync/CowFu.asf
So cool and alternative
In another really cool and alternative post highlighting an event that I am very unlikely to attend:
Free in the Park
Botanic Gardens, 9th August - 12 midday.
Music - Explosion sound system / Homespun / Dj Ru
/ So Com Voice
Food - Free Barbeque (burgers) from 1pm - 'first
come first served'
It's not complicated...music, food ...simple
The Other UTV site
This is a great local site, I have just discovered it this morning, but it is a wee cracker. One of those local sites developed out of enthusiasm for a subject rather than for aesthetic benefit. The content has a fantastically nerdy attention to detail.
http://members.lycos.co.uk/outvw/index.html
The Northern Ireland Ads page covers an easily 'pisstakeable' subject in just a slightly 'tongue in cheek' fashion.
July 29, 2003
Stick it On Belfast
Stick it On are holding an interesting night in Auntie Annies on the 10th August.
You register your details on their flash heavy website, and that allows you to DJ for 15 minutes. There is no musical snobbery, records do not have to be mixed, just play the tunes which you would prior to going out for a night on the town.
I think it's a great idea, what records would you play?
Predictably I reckon the 'Ace of Spades' would be in my 15 minutes somewhere.
YAPC::Europe
The YAPC ("yet another Perl conference" for those unfamiliar with the acronym) is to be held in Belfast next year. (from Stepen Rushe's blog). Congratulations to those involved with the proposal.
Was home in Portadown last night, and nicked a load of gardening books from my folks. I am determined to make more of an effort in the back garden. I have dug a few flower beds and thrown in random plants with little thought as to what goes where. They have all grown up much bigger than I expected and are now competing with each other and looking messy. This new book tells me how to lay paths, build compost containers, make window boxes. I have an endless list of things that I can break now.
July 28, 2003
Blog Rankings
My head hurts after reading this.
http://www.sifry.com/alerts/archives/000228.html#000228
July 27, 2003
Helen's Tower
Went for a dander up to Helen's Tower today.
It's a nice wee walk along a section of the Ulster Way, apparently there is a path which will link you down to Helen's Bay from the tower, I haven't investigated that yet. For those that don't know it, turn right off the Belfast - Bangor road just after Dixons garden centre, go under the railway bridge and take the first left. Pass the Clandeboye Lodge on your left and Shanks on the right, drive for about a mile and park beside the saw mill.
barbie
Went to a barbie last night, whilst there I met the Occupational Therapist who is looking after my grandmother, who is in hospital with motor neurone disease.
Was reassuring to speak with her about what can be done, and what gadgets and gizmos she can hold of to help her along the way.
We had a bit of excitement in the street last night, I learnt a lot about one of my neighbours but the least said about that the better, 'keep the head down and say nothing!'
July 25, 2003
Jamie Oliver Slip Up
One of the girls I work with has just been emailed the entire Jamie Oliver Naked Chef 2 book. We think it is not in the shops yet. Apparently some bloke from the publishing company emailed his mate who passed it on, and it is now appearing in everyone's mail boxes. Someone will get into trouble.
Butterfly Bar
I went to the opening of the Butterfly Bar at Milk in Tomb Street last night. It was one of those invites only evenings, we got given tickets by a friend of a friend's sister or some other odd way.
All the so called beautiful people were out, spotted a few ex miss northern ireland's, a few people who work in clothes shops and hair dressers, a few aging dj's with attractive hangers ons, and a woman who reads the news on UTV and who wears a lot of makeup.
The new bar is very nice, it has a boudoir theme, lots of over the top decor in an ironic fashion I would imagine. Chandeliers in glass cylinders, embossed wall paper, the dj was playing on top of a grand piano, which had candles on top of it. The club upstairs has been levelled to try to illeviate the bottle neck up the left of the dancefloor, it's got a new white rubber dance floor. Downstairs at the back near the toilets, they have a nice dark room, with thick carpet and a small bar. Toilets are much the same except there is a wee bloke with a few cans of lynx lurking in the corner.
July 24, 2003
Comic Con 2003
Whilst in San Diego, Comic Con 2003 was on (America's largest comic book and pop culture convention). There was loads of sci fi women walking about in mini skirts, stripey socks and spikey S&M bags. Loads of blokes that looked like this running about chasing the women in mini skirts and S&M bags.
I wish I was into the whole thing because I am sure there are many people I work/have worked with in the past that would have loved to have been there.
Southern California
I really enjoyed my time in San Diego. It's a lovely city. I know I only had a small amount of time and probably didn't even scratch the surface. Balboa Park looked well worth a visit as we briefly skimmed it on our way to the zoo. We ate in numerous places, but Rock Bottom proved the best value and the nicest food.
The Harbour Tours were interesting, definitely take the 2 hour tour, then you see both the North Bay and South Bay tours, if you have only time for one do the South Bay one, this takes you passed all the American navy ships, when we were there two aircraft carriers were docked including USS Kitty Hawk .
A short walk from the Harbour Tours is Seaport Village which houses a nice little book/coffee shop where those who don't like shopping can go while those who do can waste a few hours. The Harbour House restaurant in Seaport Village was very good, I ate the New Orleans Catfish which was very tasty. They also stock a great collection of local brews.
The tram to Mexico takes about 20 minutes, but the queue to get out takes about 2 hours, bring plenty of water and your passport with visa attached to get back in. Tijuana has an air of danger which made me uncomfortable, but the locals were generally pleasent, bottles of Sol were about 70p and free tortilla chips, so for that alone I would recommend visiting it for the day. There are lots of bargains to be had, ceramic pottery and woven rugs seemed very good value, and with the minimum wage being $4 a day, the prices are great and haggling encouraged and fun.
The Horton Plaza which is owned by the same crowd who run Castlecourt has all the shops you would expect Nordstrum seems like a good shop, I had never heard of it prior to going to the states, but it managed to produce most of my pressies.
Only in Japan
http://www.ntv.co.jp/channel/kasoh/kin10.html, just decline all the prompts to install japanese character sets.
July 22, 2003
Wee cup of tea and get the feet up!!
Arrived back from the States today, and have that paranoid feeling which occurs with loss of sleep, my eyes are stinging and my bed is calling, but in true Scottish Presbyterian style I am prolonging climbing in to it.
I will write more about my impressions of Southern California, and will make many sweeping generalisations about America in general based on my few days there.
Things I loved
Deli breakfasts, strawberry french toast, the fact that all the yanks at the conference didn't stay out past 8.00pm and gave us all their free beer tokens, enthusiasm, lack of cynicism, stretched hummers, komodo dragon and Galapagos Giant Tortoises at San Diego zoo,nuclear submarines in the bay,micro breweries.
My head is now pickled and it is becoming increasingly more difficult to write, so I am signing off....Good Night!!!
July 21, 2003
Mexico
Sitting in an internet cafe in Downtown San Diego. Just arrived back from Mexico, and the veritable hellhole of Tijuana. We had to queue in 110 degree heat for over 1.5 hours to get through immigration. Tijuana was even worse before the Marine training centre in San Diego closed thus reducing Tijuana's income by over 80%. The remnants of the past are still there, the main Revolucion shopping area has numerous dodgey strip joints and many odd people knocking about. In true smuggler style I came back over the border with a ceramic frog and three stained glass stars....Rock and Roll.
July 16, 2003
San Diego
What a place. The hotel I am staying in is on the 11th floor overlooking a marina, everything is on such a grand scale, it really is 'awesome'.
I had no concept of the size of LA, the city is just incredibly large. San Diego appears to be a much nicer size, although I haven't had the chance to explore much yet.
Wireless connections are class too.
July 14, 2003
California here I come
Tomorrow night I will be sitting in the Sheraton San Diego (I hope) having a few beers. You will notice my blog expanding dramatically over the next few days, as it normally does when I want to blow my trumpet. Ta Da!!! Look a me!!! Look at me!!! I'm in San Diego!!!!
July 12, 2003
Humming-bird Hawk-moth
We were in the garden this afternoon, and saw a huge insect hovering over the honeysuckle, it had a huge beak at the front and was flying like a humming bird, Rebecca was convinced it was a humming bird. I did a bit of googling and came up with this immigrant:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/index.html?/species/moth_faqs/002.html
Glastonbury
I heard about this woman, but wish I hadn't seen the pics:
http://www.gurn.net/meza/glastowank/
July 11, 2003
11th Night
It's the 11th night, how times have changed 7 or 8 years ago I would have been up Edgarstown direction in Potydown with my carryout waiting for the bonfire. This year I am sipping a glass of wine on the sofa waiting for Big Brother to start, having spent the day decorating.
Went for a drive round the east this afternoon, my new home. There were many plastered people lurching on to the road at 4.oopm, god knows what sort of a state they will be in by midnight. I am not sure if it is because I am not that familiar with the area I live in now, but I have no intention of leaving my house tonight.
Like a lot of young first time buyers in my street we are closing the curtains, keeping the head down, and keeping ourselves to ourselves. We will nod at each other tomorrow as we get in our cars and disappear for the day.
I wish I was more active in the community around here, I have gone as far as getting the number of the local residents group, but it's difficult to motivate yourself when you just see the area as a stepping stone to somewhere else.
July 09, 2003
Science Park at Queen's Island
I came across a small magazine today called 'Parklife' it appears to be a magazine providing information about the science park at Queen's Island. The cover article was about a new technology called i-Burst, a wireless broadband solution that is to be trialled for the first time in Europe at the site.
http://www.investmentbelfast.com/content.asp?nSectionId=441&nContentId=416
As far as I can make out, the article was claiming broadband wireless access for employees of the Science Park on the move throughout Belfast. This is possible not from one single hub, but from a network of base stations in Belfast, like a mobile phone network. It sounds very cool.
http://www.arraycomm.com/prods/ib_sys_overview.htm
July 07, 2003
Searchterms script
I have just run my searchterms script, be afraid, be very afraid, there are some wierdos out there.
Search Terms Results
Wireless Yolk
Just bought myself one of those wifi cards for my laptop. Marty's post on San Diego wifi inspired me, I was contemplating getting one , the conference I am attending is wired (or not wired as the case may be) for it. Now are there any choice locations in Belfast where it would be advisable to check if my card is working?
Any of those old chalk marks floating about anywhere?
July 06, 2003
anything but what I should be doing
Spent the day avoiding writing the theory side of the showcase for the conference I am attending, It reminded me of revising for exams, doing anything but what needed to be done. All the odd jobs round the house that needed completed got done. Trellis got put up, a window box got put up, some old heating pipes that were protruding from the floor boards where a radiator was removed are now gone.Plants were potted, my granny was visited in hospital, but still no presentation written. The practical part is 99% complete, but I guarantee the rest is written on the plane.
I always have hated theory, I like to show things working rather than talking about things working.
July 05, 2003
Flour Belfast
Tried out Flour today, Belfast's first creperie, and it was first class. It's in Upper Queen street just opposite the Diesel shop at the back of the Spires, they do a collection of tasty sounding crepes the one I had which I would certainly recommend was parma ham, parmesan,rocket and black pepper.
They are open for breakfast and do big bowls of porridge,and crispy bacon and maple syrup crepes. The bloke who runs it seems really decent too, so go buy his crepes. They do sit in or take out.
Had a really exciting day of shopping, bought a new carpet for the spare room, the floor boards were decent enough but were painted blue, as it used to be a kid's room, I couldn't be arsed sanding them, so down goes the carpet.
We also bought a honeysuckle and a jasmine plant for the garden, climbing plants seem to be pretty easy to grow, I planted a clematis a while back and it's starting to flower so I feel like a bit of a Percy Thrower.
July 04, 2003
Best Kept Large Town in Ireland
I heard that Holywood won the 'best kept large town in Ireland' tonight. Part of the prize is a bracelet for a tree in the town. They have chosen the tree down by the priory. The bracelet will be cast in bronze with castings of the leaves from the tree intertwined in the design.
July 03, 2003
Tumbleweed
The blogging world definitely suffers when The Toaster Man is on holiday.
I had to travel to Coleraine for a meeting today, I left early because of the roadworks, but made it to Ballymoney with 45 minutes to spare so I decided to take the road through Ballybogey that drops down to Whiterocks. I was driving into Portrush when I saw two hitchhikers trying to hitch on the other side. The looked really interesting characters, both wearing black duffel coats with big lapels and two rows of shiney silver buttons down the front, they looked like something from the American Civil War. Unusually they were carrying sticks with their belongings tied in handkerchiefs on the end, like in 'Puss in Boots'.
It was such an unusual site that it got me thinking about 'Round Ireland with a Fridge' by Tony Hawkes, one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.
I wished I was going the other way because I would have given them a lift, I made a pact with myself to pick up my first ever hitch hiker next time I passed one.
I drove along Crocknamack Rd and headed out passed the Metropole, just on the brow of the hill coming out of Portrush a lonely figure stood with thumb outstrecthed.
First impressions were not good,but I had made the pact with myself, so on went the indicator and I pulled over, and that is how I met Sean. Sean was about 35 years old, I thought he had perhaps escaped from a lunatic asylum, one where everyone has a 40 a day habit. He had that unmistakable smell of someone eho had been on the drink for a few days, rather like the inside of your student house the night after a big party.
His eyes were the last to loose the alcohol, one was pointing left and the other was trying to catch up by chasing it round the back of his head from the right.
I tried to instigate a conversation about having walked the road before and it being a long way, to which Sean answered with a nod and a grunt. He also had a nervous twitch, excentuated by the paranoia of his last few days drinking, he was making me very nervous. From what I gathered he was just back from England where he had been working on the sites, he had an Irish accent, he had only asked to get to Coleraine and I wasn't going to tell him I would be heading to Belfast after my meeting, the car was beginning to smell really bad and I wanted rid of him. You can imagine my relief at reaching the roundabout before the University where my last sight of Sean was him hobbling towards Coleraine on his disabled shoe in my rear view mirror.
I feel dirty of all the people in the world to take my hitchhiking virginity it had to be a drunken paranoid cross eyed Sean and his club foot shoe.
July 02, 2003
gambling's for fools
I am spending a very enjoyable evening editing mini disc compilations for my flight to the States. It's like being back in the 80's chopping and recording with a double tape deck. It's great fun hoking through your collection, and rearranging your choice bits to a new recording,I have just started with Goldie 'Timeless' followed by Motorhead 'Ace of Spades', I like to put two totally different tracks together, especially so I can look really cool and alternative if someone asks to borrow my MD player on the plane. ;-)
McDonalds,McDonalds,Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut.
Northern Ireland Speed Cameras
Locations of mobile and fixed speed cameras in Northern Ireland:
http://www.psni.police.uk/index/safetycameras/pg_camera_locations.htm
Lagan Boat Company
I am sure most people know about this company. I just spent a few minutes browsing their website, I like it very much.
The boat can be rented for private parties which sounds fun.
http://www.laganboatcompany.com
How I laughed
Pretty hefty video file, but very funny:
http://willworkforfood.net/~doom/tidbits/beatdown.wmv
July 01, 2003
Fox Hunting
It looks like a ban on fox hunting is just around the corner. I am very glad to see this. I come from a country area, where fishing and shooting are a common pursuit, and I have never had a problem distinguishing between fishing and fox hunting/hare coarsing/badger baiting. Perhaps that is hypocritical, however I feel that fishing, especially with a fly is miles away from a pack of dogs tearing a fox limb from limb. These days I put almost all the fish I catch back, I used to kill a lot more, but I find the greatest pleasure in catching fish is seeing the fish swim away afterwards. I may still take the odd one for the pan, but only for my own consumption.
A lot of fishermen would hold the view that a ban on fox hunting would be the first step towards banning other country pursuits, I disagree and think that it is important to distance ourselves from pro hunting groups. The vast majority of fishermen that I know are very much interested in the environment as a whole, and particularly in the conservation of indigeonous species of fish, animals and plants.
I am not sure what the general public's views on fishing are, and if all country pursuits are lumped together, but there is a definite seperation in my mind between fox hunting and fishing.