Technology - GPS and more

What a nackering day or so. After spending yesterday in both Worcester new college working on a WIFI issue and the afternoon using Trekker in Wellingborough and sorting out some office admin stuff. The evening was relaxing though as Clare had already arrived at my place. We didn’t do much apart from listen to a bit of BBC7 and have a Chinese, but very nice all the same.

Wadherst is my destination today for a full blown GPS fest to a town council. I’m looking forward to it as the sun is shining and I just have a good feeling about the demos. Plus, GPS is such an empowering technology for the visually impaired.

Speaking of GPS, work have ordered me a new and better Bluetooth receiver for the PK/mPower that can track satellites in some trains, this will be most helpful.
We have no proper plans for the weekend, however the Steven Fry version of the latest in the Harry Potter trilogy is going to get an airing. I also have to get together with Don and Paul to sort out the final date and numbers for a gathering in Cornwall we’re setting up for mid October. More on this as the plans unfold.


So, not all GPS, but it's my blog and I can do what I like.

General - Blubbing About

I’m starting to put on a few lbs at the mo, I think this is mainly because of my preference to beer in the summer rather than whisky. I’ll have to rectify this. Though I may lose a few I’m hoping this bank holiday weekend with the help of Clare as we’re going to spend some time with each other. I am now resolving to nock back on the crap food and stuff after the holiday. It’s shit though because after a day travelling around the last thing I want to do is make a salad or eat –f*cking new potatoes. I want a huuuge vat of curry or a pizza or pork chops but can’t be bothered; oh, and a beer or two also. Well, will just have to get my house in order or it will get silly. Not a blubber yet and don’t want to be.

I’ll also have to cut back on the junk when going away, when you’re in a hotel it’s so easy to go for comfort foods. I’m not sure how well I’ll do in Ireland in a week or two, but never mind. Just stay off the food and just drink may work.

Ah well, better get on, I’m out of Epsom at 6 AM.

Beer - A Trip to Young's

Graham Met me in the Railway Guard on Friday evening because our planned trip to watch Steve and go to the Surrey pub of the year fell through. We had an enjoyable night, but it was nothing to the fun we had on Saturday. Travelling by train and car we 6 intrepid friends landed within the confines of the Ram pub next to the Young’s Brewery for the visit Don and I managed a quick pint of cask Ramrod before the tour started and the whole thing lasted around an hour and half. All credit to the tour guide, Justine who was 3 weeks away from giving birth because there were many steps around the tour, around 150 to be precise. She was from Poland but had worked for Young’s for a long time and regaled us with interesting facts and stories about the brewery, it’s staff and the processes they use such as insisting on whole hops rather than pellets. The brewery is rather large and quirky, and quality control appears to be strict. They have many animals including horses for pulling the drays around Wandsworth, a pet Ram called Ramrod miniature ponies cats and huge Carp.

After our tour we all had more beers in the Ram pub and I picked up some souvenirs from the shop.

The evening was spent back in Epsom in the Railway guard with Graham and I opting for pints of Landlord bitter. We all had a little too much to drink, and Steve Graham and Emma from the pub ended back at mine for a music listen and a few more. When Emma went home Graham and I did some more music, then eventually hit the sack.

I’m now travelling back from North London to Epsom so thought I’d kach a moment to update this blog a little. The travelling has been strange today with myriad delays and problems with taxis and trains but I’m just out of Wimbledon so won’t take long before I’m home.

I’m going to try some new Trekker maps out this afternoon after I’ve taken half an hour lunch break, so looking forward to that.

General - Cash is flowing

I’m back at work now after a few days off. Nothing exciting happening really. I’ve spent a bit of money though. Bought a beer fridge, got a bracket fitted in my shower at last and generally putting a bit of cash in to the flat. I’ve purchased tickets to go and watch Nickel Creak on the 9th of September, I’m really looking forward to that one.


I’ve had to purchase a new base driver for one of my Monitor Audio GR20 speakers. Jaid managed to smack it one while playing, so that’s dented the cash flow this and next month. I love the speakers. Check out this review.

My time with Clare was really good fun and I feel much better for the rest.

Better crack on working I guess.

general - off to Ipswich

It’s been a while since an update on what I’ve been up to, so I think a quick scribble is in order.

Last weekend Steve and I on a whim went to the Railway Guard and had 3 varying beers. Batasy bitter which tasted like the dogs from the associated home had pissed in it, reasonable Young’s Special, and splendid Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. We then walked the short distance to the Barley Mo and I had 3 or 4 to many pints of very lovely Fuller’s ESB and Steve had Discovery. They had a BBQ on the go and our freshly cooked meat in pitta bread with salad was fantastic actually. The dogs went down with the children enjoying themselves outside also. We drunkenly swayed out of the place and had a long conversation with two members of the constabulary. It was all very friendly and they had a good laugh with us.

This week has just been work really, but I have taken a few days off to spend with Clare in Ipswich. I am on my way as I type. While on the way I went to a pub which has the unfortunate name of; Dirty Dicks. It’s a Young’s pub, and my pint of Special was the finest it’s ever been my pleasure to drink. I ended up talking to a woman called Michelle from Australia and her friend John from Woking., they were kind enough to furnish me with a second pint, and then Michelle accompanied me to Liverpool Street. A very nice experience. I’ve always thought of city pubs as dodgy, but in London, this was a very good example with a good crowd.

I’ve been sorting out a little detour for the Riser crew and a few friends next weekend. We’re off to the surrey pub of the year next Friday night, then to watch Steve’s band. The day after our group of intrepid explores are going on a tour around the Young’s Brewery, can’t wait.
L8R

Technology - Who will buy Skype? Yahoo!? or Google? or Rupert Murdoch? | The Register

Who will buy Skype? Yahoo!? or Google? or Rupert Murdoch? | The Register
one to keep an eye on.

General - a fab Friday

What a strange day

I had a really tiring work day at an technology show in London organised very well by the RNIB. Jaid was a complete angel. She only sniffed one or two people, and generally kept her little nose under the counter. Even when other dogs came around, she didn’t respond. Fantastic!!!

I then took the underground and train back to Epsom and had a pint in the Albium. When I got back home, I had a phonecall waiting. It was Matt’s mum. Now anyone who knows me will know about Matt Parkinson. Surely one of the best friends I ever had, it was an honour to know the guy. Well the upshot is that Clare and I may go to stay with his parents and sister. I never expected that, and fait has strange ways sometimes, but I’m really grateful.

Not long after I had the pleasure of talking to my Iranian friend Amir. He’s once again an inspirational guy. We talked using Skype. The quality was very good considering he was on phone connection. Man, religious war is total bullshit. Look mate, you’re welcome over here for a visit anytime ok?

Brewer recreates 9,000 year old beer

Ananova - Brewer recreates 9,000 year old beer

Technology - Kurzweil Educational Systems Press Release - Assistive Technology Software for learning disabilities

This is great. I've been using the beta now for many months, and recognition is much improved with the new OCR systems included. Users can obtain better scanning and recognition results with Kurzweil 1000 Version
10 as it now incorporates ScanSoft OCR 12.6 and finereader 7.1. In addition, a new noise filter option
lets users ignore regions near the edge of a page that were incorrectly identified
as text.

General - Weekend over

After a very good night in Wimbledon’s watershed watching some interesting marillion influenced comedy BY THE MIDDLE CLASS AND INIMITABLE COMEDION Will Smith.
‘2005 marks the 20th anniversary of Marillion’s Misplaced Childhood album. Will Smith traces the cultural legacy of this rock milestone, and examines how childhood’s have changed in this time. A child in ‘85, he got his kicks making Star Wars guns
out of Lego, unlike today’s ‘obese law-breaking drug-addled thieves and brigands!’
Since 2004’s Liverpool and Edinburgh shows Will Smith has been nominated for a South Bank Award for comedy and appeared in the Royal Variety performance.’ plus a stint by 3 South African comedians all of these Edinburgh festival previews BTW, we said our goodbyes to Rob Young and took a taxi back to my place detouring past one of the most greasy and nasty tasting chicken fillet sandwiches in the world, even Dave couldn’t finish it, so I know it must have been bad. Jolene Steve Dave and I partied long in to the night making way too much noise and at the end only Steve and I were left.

Saturday saw me waking early because of the man from DFS coming to fix my couch. The incompetent buffoons forgot to bring the feet, and it took calls over 3 days to get it sorted. The poor bugger though, to walk in to my home at that time of the day on a Saturday is a brave thing to do. I was in a towel, and Dave and Jo in bed. Tell ya what, he couldn’t get out fast enough!! The remainder of the afternoon was spent with us having a quiet few hours then going to Paul’s bbq at the Rising Sun. he had purchased a cask of Progress to mark the occasion, and food was plentiful and yummy. Dan Wilmot came over to enjoy a few hours with us, and Don’s performance of singing in the rain whilst outside with a brolly was particularly accurate and scary.

Because of lack of sleep on Saturday I was first back to Roberts mansions, but woke up again when the rest of the rabble returned. Dave was first asleep, a sure signed the guy is getting old, Jo Steve and I spent a few hours on Skype talking with friends then we all ended up sleeping.

I woke on Sunday in les than good form, and couldn’t even eat my Sunday roast. The libation of choice for me yesterday was water, and this did taste indeed like the drink of the gods.

I’m having a day off work today and generally tidying up, catching up with mail and chilling. I think I will have a Chinese tonight.

L8R