Monday, May 31, 2004
IS IT A WEEK SINCE I WROTE ANYTHING?
Jeepers its been over a week since I wrote anything, guess I'd get a slap on the wrist and a must try harder in my report home, if I was at school, but I'm not at school so it doesn't really matter.
I'm joining the MP3 revolution relatively late, I've sort of used them before but not all out embraced getting all my CD collection on to my computer. Just too much hassle I guess, but I've had a bit of a rethink and have been busy getting the obscure songs that I like from CDs I've never really played much. The reason I've not really played them much is due to some of the songs being dire or highly irritating, that sort of puts you of even very good songs.
The convertion process has not went smoothly, I found loads of clipping was occuring when listening to songs that I had just burned. So I asked for some advice and ended up with oddles of software to help me in my task of improving the levels of my songs. I got Audacity, Audiograbber, this codec and that codec, LAME, things to normalise, basically anything and everything to do with audio. These did have some success, but I still had clipping which ruined my musical enjoyment. As a last resort I decided to get a new MP3 player (dBpowerAMP), rather than use MS Mediaplayer 9 and lo and behold the new MP3 player played the tunes perfectly.
So if you are having problems with something, check to see your not using a MS product, their free products are crap. So are some of their paid for products, I have OUTLOOK and Outlook Express, but I can't use OUTLOOK because MS in their wisdom doesn't include the same options for downloading as Outlook Express i.e. the option to not download something and keep it on the server, a pretty fundamental flaw I'd have thought.
While I'm ranting here about crap programs, Realplayer gets on my tits, spreads itself over your harddrive and trys to takeover everything. I so dislike Realplayer I didn't have it on any of my computers, so I got used to not seeing .RAM downloads. Happily I have a solution now which appears to work a real treat k-litecodecpack , it doesn't appear to be spyware and you don't have all the hassle that realplayer causes.
I'm joining the MP3 revolution relatively late, I've sort of used them before but not all out embraced getting all my CD collection on to my computer. Just too much hassle I guess, but I've had a bit of a rethink and have been busy getting the obscure songs that I like from CDs I've never really played much. The reason I've not really played them much is due to some of the songs being dire or highly irritating, that sort of puts you of even very good songs.
The convertion process has not went smoothly, I found loads of clipping was occuring when listening to songs that I had just burned. So I asked for some advice and ended up with oddles of software to help me in my task of improving the levels of my songs. I got Audacity, Audiograbber, this codec and that codec, LAME, things to normalise, basically anything and everything to do with audio. These did have some success, but I still had clipping which ruined my musical enjoyment. As a last resort I decided to get a new MP3 player (dBpowerAMP), rather than use MS Mediaplayer 9 and lo and behold the new MP3 player played the tunes perfectly.
So if you are having problems with something, check to see your not using a MS product, their free products are crap. So are some of their paid for products, I have OUTLOOK and Outlook Express, but I can't use OUTLOOK because MS in their wisdom doesn't include the same options for downloading as Outlook Express i.e. the option to not download something and keep it on the server, a pretty fundamental flaw I'd have thought.
While I'm ranting here about crap programs, Realplayer gets on my tits, spreads itself over your harddrive and trys to takeover everything. I so dislike Realplayer I didn't have it on any of my computers, so I got used to not seeing .RAM downloads. Happily I have a solution now which appears to work a real treat k-litecodecpack , it doesn't appear to be spyware and you don't have all the hassle that realplayer causes.
New gardening photos
Just a little note to say that I've added quite a few photos to my garden album from last weekend.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Saturday Stuff - Including IQ test
Another dander down to the Post Office with a pitstop at the tea-rooms (in the post office) to read the papers and my magazine, this in pretty unusual as I don't normally get to read Saturdays paper until about mid-week.
The Washing Machine has not stopped since Friday morning, which is partly down to the extra-ordinary amount of clothes we have to wash and also the decidedly long wash time energy efficient machines take. I've also finished caulking the skirting boards with "no more cracks", just to make it a little more professional looking.
Managed to up end 200kg of Cotswold chippings into the remaining bare bits of the garden, so a new fountain and about 100kg of pebbles will probably finish off the stones needed for the back garden. Then its just a matter of getting rid of a load of pot plants, a bit of a tidy up, a new fence and things should be more or less finished.
The garden furniture took a bit of a pounding over the winter, especially the table, with a lot of the wood starting to crack and the stain starting to lift of the table surface. So thinking that it would be a quick job I got the extension cable out, along with the 1/3 sheet sander and started to annoy the neighbours (sorry sand the table). The sander is not the best design and the sander eventually gives ups the grip on the sheet of sandpaper, but for 10 quid its not bad at its job.
With the table sanded to my satisfaction, I brushed the dust away and rubbed the table surface with white spirit to get rid of any contaminants, before applying a good layer of linseed oil. I'm not sure this is the best thing to do if I'm looking to varnish the table, but regardless of that it should give it a good protective layer against the weather for the coming year.
Test the Nation
I got curious and started doing the IQ test on BBC1 this evening - try it yourself - at: www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/ now I'm normally pretty crap at these things as I either get bored or end up misunderstanding something pretty fundamental. I still made a few balls-ups, but managed a respectable 115, which is not exactly a genius, but not a numpty either, given that I actually missed the first film regarding "Smith & Jones" it might even have been a little higher, but then again maybe not.
The Washing Machine has not stopped since Friday morning, which is partly down to the extra-ordinary amount of clothes we have to wash and also the decidedly long wash time energy efficient machines take. I've also finished caulking the skirting boards with "no more cracks", just to make it a little more professional looking.
Managed to up end 200kg of Cotswold chippings into the remaining bare bits of the garden, so a new fountain and about 100kg of pebbles will probably finish off the stones needed for the back garden. Then its just a matter of getting rid of a load of pot plants, a bit of a tidy up, a new fence and things should be more or less finished.
The garden furniture took a bit of a pounding over the winter, especially the table, with a lot of the wood starting to crack and the stain starting to lift of the table surface. So thinking that it would be a quick job I got the extension cable out, along with the 1/3 sheet sander and started to annoy the neighbours (sorry sand the table). The sander is not the best design and the sander eventually gives ups the grip on the sheet of sandpaper, but for 10 quid its not bad at its job.
With the table sanded to my satisfaction, I brushed the dust away and rubbed the table surface with white spirit to get rid of any contaminants, before applying a good layer of linseed oil. I'm not sure this is the best thing to do if I'm looking to varnish the table, but regardless of that it should give it a good protective layer against the weather for the coming year.
Test the Nation
I got curious and started doing the IQ test on BBC1 this evening - try it yourself - at: www.bbc.co.uk/testthenation/ now I'm normally pretty crap at these things as I either get bored or end up misunderstanding something pretty fundamental. I still made a few balls-ups, but managed a respectable 115, which is not exactly a genius, but not a numpty either, given that I actually missed the first film regarding "Smith & Jones" it might even have been a little higher, but then again maybe not.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Extra Busy Day
I've been busy today, something I haven't been for a while. After procratinating all week I decided to go all out to finish laying the flooring in the utility room. Why? Well a package from www.Allders.com containing a new washing machine. The old washing machine stopped working when it heard it was getting moved from the kitchen to the utility room. People say machines don't have souls or personality, but sometimes you have to wonder. The new washing machine is going to get a right hammering tomorrow, I have sort of put off doing all but essentials.
Anyway the utility room was a bit of a state, although a lot better in comparison to what it was like before I fitting the lights, electricity (thanks Troll) and plumbed in the new sink and wastes.
>
After a few pitstops I made pretty good progress and was able to lay the whole floor, had to go stopping after I realised I had not enough glue for the skirting boards.
>
Then as usual the batteries in my camera gave up the ghost so more photos will have to wait until tomorrow when the new washing machine is delivered.
Anyway the utility room was a bit of a state, although a lot better in comparison to what it was like before I fitting the lights, electricity (thanks Troll) and plumbed in the new sink and wastes.
>
After a few pitstops I made pretty good progress and was able to lay the whole floor, had to go stopping after I realised I had not enough glue for the skirting boards.
>
Then as usual the batteries in my camera gave up the ghost so more photos will have to wait until tomorrow when the new washing machine is delivered.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
M' Da
You could write a book on the antics of my da. I guess like all of our family we are given to a small bit of embellishment to make the story a bit smoother, but in essence they are all "True Bills".
Had a phonecall today from my da, after about 6 days of trying to get through to him. He says he is cursed, neither phones, watches or traffic lights will ever go right for him, especially when it is an emergency. I tend to counter these criticisms with examples of when they did go right. While I may have convinced myself, I've yet to convince him.
My da doesn't like phoning for "a bit of craic" he normally needs to have a reason before he will initiate using a phone to contact me. I'd say we were pretty close, but we are not touchy-feely types, we feel much more comfortable in our own skins being at arms length and just talking for hours.
Anyway (you'll see a lot of that word, its something I'm comfortable with) NB. to self: look up new words to use instead of Anyway - around, at random, haphazard, haphazardly, however, nevertheless, random, randomly, regardless, whatever happens are possibles he got round to talking about buying a small table saw and how impressed he was about its ability to rip and its acurracy. He said he liked it, but it did make a powerful amount of dust and that it wouldn't do to be an asthmatic around it. I then asked the fateful words:
"where have you it set-up"
he said "ohh in the living room"
Yep that's my Da alright.
I then got the rundown on what he was up to: spraying about 3 acres of nettles and docken leaves in the reminants of a garden; the trials and tribulations of bodging up a solution to the sprayer breaking down and the 45 gallon drum falling down and breaking the bodge-up sprayer.
Like all of our family we have trouble getting off the phone once we are on it, I've been on the phone with my dad's cousin for up to 4 & 5 hours just cracking and talking and all the time meaning to actually hang-up the phone. It must be something to do with feeling guilty at stopping someone talking, when they have something else to say.
Had a phonecall today from my da, after about 6 days of trying to get through to him. He says he is cursed, neither phones, watches or traffic lights will ever go right for him, especially when it is an emergency. I tend to counter these criticisms with examples of when they did go right. While I may have convinced myself, I've yet to convince him.
My da doesn't like phoning for "a bit of craic" he normally needs to have a reason before he will initiate using a phone to contact me. I'd say we were pretty close, but we are not touchy-feely types, we feel much more comfortable in our own skins being at arms length and just talking for hours.
Anyway (you'll see a lot of that word, its something I'm comfortable with) NB. to self: look up new words to use instead of Anyway - around, at random, haphazard, haphazardly, however, nevertheless, random, randomly, regardless, whatever happens are possibles he got round to talking about buying a small table saw and how impressed he was about its ability to rip and its acurracy. He said he liked it, but it did make a powerful amount of dust and that it wouldn't do to be an asthmatic around it. I then asked the fateful words:
"where have you it set-up"
he said "ohh in the living room"
Yep that's my Da alright.
I then got the rundown on what he was up to: spraying about 3 acres of nettles and docken leaves in the reminants of a garden; the trials and tribulations of bodging up a solution to the sprayer breaking down and the 45 gallon drum falling down and breaking the bodge-up sprayer.
Like all of our family we have trouble getting off the phone once we are on it, I've been on the phone with my dad's cousin for up to 4 & 5 hours just cracking and talking and all the time meaning to actually hang-up the phone. It must be something to do with feeling guilty at stopping someone talking, when they have something else to say.
Thoughts on being too candid
It's a weird feeling writing things down. First you are wary of putting down information that people will know about you and will be archived for ever and a day, but then you think what if no-one ever bothers to read anything that I've written. Which would be worse? Guess I'll have to suck it and see.
I think I probably think a bit too much about what I am writing, rather than splurge it all out and deal with the consequences later. I'll give an example. I'm a bit of a petrolhead and my favourite website online is probably www.pistonheads.com, on Pistonheads there are forums discussing everything and anything. I've probably read it at least 3 times a week for the last 38 months and I have posted a grand total of 113 posts (sorry 115 now). Thats around 3 posts a month, how sad is that when you compare to one poster who has notched up 12967 posts in 19 months, thats like 682 a month. I mull over getting the right nuance (and go to www.dictionary.com to spell it correctly) and then promptly leave out a very important word that I have thought about in my head, but not translated it into the page.
I think I probably think a bit too much about what I am writing, rather than splurge it all out and deal with the consequences later. I'll give an example. I'm a bit of a petrolhead and my favourite website online is probably www.pistonheads.com, on Pistonheads there are forums discussing everything and anything. I've probably read it at least 3 times a week for the last 38 months and I have posted a grand total of 113 posts (sorry 115 now). Thats around 3 posts a month, how sad is that when you compare to one poster who has notched up 12967 posts in 19 months, thats like 682 a month. I mull over getting the right nuance (and go to www.dictionary.com to spell it correctly) and then promptly leave out a very important word that I have thought about in my head, but not translated it into the page.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Missing Photos - oh how embarrassing
One of the reasons I thought a blogger would be a good idea was really to get a few photos online, so that friends and family could have a good gander. As we had already published details of how to get to our house for Anna's party on the Berkswell.org.uk site, I thought it might be easier for people to remember that URL.
So having finally organized some photo editing software on my beastie, I proceeded to look at the Pictures of the Party that Janet had sent to Anna. Hmmmmm! Well the CD certainly works, as I can read the directory the photos were in supposed to be in, but there ain't no photos on the CD.
Now this missing photo problem has set me to thinking, I phoned Janet and Tom last night and the CD did come up in conversation. Now I didn't admit that I had never actually got round to looking at the photos, its not the done thing, but who is going to be more embarrassed, me for not looking at the photos or Janet for not putting them on the CD in the first place.
I've decided to fudge the issue and tell Tom, then maybe we can get another copy of the photos and we can take the proverbial out of each other the next time we all meet up.
Marie-Ann & Andy told me they have only one more week to go before their baby is due. I think there is a baby epidemic going on, Nina (Anna's sister) had a little girl last week and Ellen (Anna's baby sister)is 5 months pregnant, undoubtedly it will be another girl, I've been told they run in the family.
So having finally organized some photo editing software on my beastie, I proceeded to look at the Pictures of the Party that Janet had sent to Anna. Hmmmmm! Well the CD certainly works, as I can read the directory the photos were in supposed to be in, but there ain't no photos on the CD.
Now this missing photo problem has set me to thinking, I phoned Janet and Tom last night and the CD did come up in conversation. Now I didn't admit that I had never actually got round to looking at the photos, its not the done thing, but who is going to be more embarrassed, me for not looking at the photos or Janet for not putting them on the CD in the first place.
I've decided to fudge the issue and tell Tom, then maybe we can get another copy of the photos and we can take the proverbial out of each other the next time we all meet up.
Marie-Ann & Andy told me they have only one more week to go before their baby is due. I think there is a baby epidemic going on, Nina (Anna's sister) had a little girl last week and Ellen (Anna's baby sister)is 5 months pregnant, undoubtedly it will be another girl, I've been told they run in the family.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Walk
Went for a wee walk with Anna today, nothing to strenuous as I'm completely unfit and Anna is not long out of the hospital after having her tonsils removed. Anyway living in a very picturesque village in the West Midlands of England, I thought a picture of the church would be a good idea. There have been builders and their paraphernalia in the churchyard for getting around 18 months.
I really like the olde worlde look of the church, not that I've actually been inside it as yet. The builders have been around the side of the church installing a small hall and have really made a good job of blending it in.
Afterwards we took the footpath through the graveyard and over the field leading up to the main road and made our way home and low and behold we actually got talking to one of our neighbours doing her gardening. During our conversation she was telling us about her plans to do a bit of remodelling to the front of her house (Bit of softening up, maybe - although I wouldn't care). To make a long story short we sort of invited ourselves into her kitchen to see what way they had extended it. Anna would like to make the kitchen larger by building sideways and I personally didn't think it would be a very good idea, however looking at what I saw I have to admit that Annas idea was good and I have been persuaded that it is a goer, once we have the money. Which will probably be in the distant, rather than the near future.
I really like the olde worlde look of the church, not that I've actually been inside it as yet. The builders have been around the side of the church installing a small hall and have really made a good job of blending it in.
Afterwards we took the footpath through the graveyard and over the field leading up to the main road and made our way home and low and behold we actually got talking to one of our neighbours doing her gardening. During our conversation she was telling us about her plans to do a bit of remodelling to the front of her house (Bit of softening up, maybe - although I wouldn't care). To make a long story short we sort of invited ourselves into her kitchen to see what way they had extended it. Anna would like to make the kitchen larger by building sideways and I personally didn't think it would be a very good idea, however looking at what I saw I have to admit that Annas idea was good and I have been persuaded that it is a goer, once we have the money. Which will probably be in the distant, rather than the near future.
Feeling wick
Yup I do feel rather silly, sitting here writing to myself (and others), but blogging is the new craze (okay it was a new craze about 2 years ago, but I'm not exactly an early adopter) and I thought that I should join the crowd and start and do the same. This is not exactly my memoirs you hear, but all the same it might be nice to go back and see what I did on a night that I was feeling bored. I don't expect this to take on dramatic proportions as in all likelihood I'll get bored again and try something else.
So why now? Well its vanity really, but I'll say that its because I take photos and no-one but myself ever gets to see them. The ever thoughtful Janet was very kind and sent Anna and myself some photographs and I thought now would be the time to let you get a "looksee".
So why now? Well its vanity really, but I'll say that its because I take photos and no-one but myself ever gets to see them. The ever thoughtful Janet was very kind and sent Anna and myself some photographs and I thought now would be the time to let you get a "looksee".
