They won't let me in!
They won’t let me in!,
originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
Can’t think why.
Technorati tag: moblog
Monthly archives: September 2006
They won’t let me in!,
originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
Can’t think why.
Technorati tag: moblog
Kittens! (Now with less sneezing)
I love cats, but I’m allergic to them and end up sneezing and short of breath if I get their hair on me. Which is why the news of hypoallergenic kittens appeals. On the other hand, having paid two and a half grand for Tiddles you’re unlikely to let it do all those independent things that make felines so arrogantly endearing in the first place.
How not to write a web design CV/resume
As I’m currently trying to bag a web design or similar role, I should start following these instructions.
Technorati tag: CV, Web Design
Mongrels – Adrift
After an unplanned two week hiatus, Adrift returns today. I’m afraid the publication schedule may remain erratic for a while.
Driven by oil
I missed the other three episodes, but the last edition of Driven by Oil on Radio 4 covered possible solutions, including Sweden’s biofuel drive and the plant that renders turkey guts down to their constituent hydrocarbons. You can use the listen again facility to hear the programme.
Technorati tag: Driven by Oil, Radio 4
Cowboys and indians
Cowboys and indians,
originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
I didn’t get Emily a birthday present, so she got little men.
Technorati tag: moblog
For future reference
Vodka marinaded steak. To be investigated.
Bikes not bombs
Bikes not bombs,
originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
Update the Bikes not Bombs bunch had cycled over from Sheffield. We’d only managed to cycle from Withington. More pictures when they get developed.
Technorati tag: Demonstration, Bikes Not Bombs, moblog
Random stencil art
Random stencil art,
originally uploaded by spinneyhead.
Spotted on the way to the shop for milk.
Technorati tag: moblog
Timeless Simplicity
Timeless Simplicity came highly recommended, so I feel guilty to say I wasn’t that impressed by it. It’s not so much that there’s anything wrong with the book, but that I’ve been saying similar things for years.
John Lane’s philosophy is straight forward enough- in this supposed age of plenty we’re becoming emotionally impoverished. Money can’t buy you love, or any of the other things that are really important. But as a society we’ve swallowed the lie that we can only be happy if we buy enough stuff, but to buy enough stuff we need to work harder at the sorts of jobs that are contributing to our unhappiness (and damaging family life with unsocial working hours). And around and around the vicious circle goes. Most of my generation have no future but debt.
How do we break out of this cycle? This is where the book falls down for me. Lane’s solution seems to be a withdrawal to some rural idyll away from technology. those of us stuck in the city with our computers are doomed. I guess I was looking for some sort of how-to but what I got was idealistic whimsy.
There could be room for a book on finding simplicity in the modern world. As I strive for it myself I may start to write notes for one. If you already know that Modern Life is Rubbish and want to make The Great Escape (gratuitous Blur affiliate linkage because I can), then this book isn’t really for you. However if you just have an inkling that the daily grind is wearing you down but don’t know why, then read Timeless Simplicity and come back and start hassling me to write my simplicity-with-technology guide.
Technorati tag: Timeless Simplicity, Downshifting, Review
Heavensent 11.3
“We’re not going back are we?”
“Not unless that shadow of yours holds oxygen or scrubbers.”
“It’s not fair! The Search was gonna make me rich!”
JonPaul examined his navigator. The boy was only sixteen adjusted, he had every right to be upset. But JonPaul wasn’t in the mood to be consoling. “BoyChild, the Search is about keeping life on the Rock going. As we’re not returning with technology to keep the system working, we’re going on and out and we’ll never waste any more precious oxygen or nutrients.” The boy didn’t reply, merely slouching deeper into his seat. “So you didn’t get relocated to another Rock. You could have chosen to take the sleep and be recycled.” The boy winced at the thought. “Look, why don’t you go and talk to the twins. They like you, y’know. And we’ve got nothing to do for the next day until we rendezvous.”
“Which one?”
“What?”
“Which one likes me?”
“They both do. They’re twins, they think alike.”
BoyChild pondered this. With a self concious grin he released his belt and floated out of his seat. He paused at the hatch. “They’re not, you know. Not twins.”
“No?”
“They just look similar and dress the same. The Rock wouldn’t risk losing a bloodline by sending both of a set on a Search.”
“Of course not. I knew that.”
BoyChild launched himself from the hand hold at the end of the corridor. He tapped the wall once to adjust his trajectory and rotated to land in the free seat of the monitor room.
The one thing the Rock had in abundance was old spaceships to cannibalise. Even old Search engines had a homing instinct, in case the crew found something interesting before expiring. This particular vessel was on its third time out. The few working screens in the room were clustered around the twins’ seats. The empty spaces at the other three stations had been converted to storage.
“Hello ladies.”
“Hello BoyChild.” they answered in harmony.
“JonPaul says we’ve got a day to go. We should get some down time.”
“Did he tell you to spend it with us?” GirlChild was the younger twin.
“I…….”
“Because that’s what we told him to say.” YoungLady was shorter, but not by much.
“I….. Errr…..”
“Come on, BoyChild. Have you never had a Search fantasy?” GirlChild released her belt and floated to his seat.
“This is ours.” YoungLady flicked switches and the monitors shut down.
“Oh. Okay.”
Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent
The art of writing a good headline
Something like “Student nudity creates tension” is good for getting attention. Lap dance, anyone?
Technorati tag: Lap Dance, Student, Manchester
Impure!
The Purity Test! In good, old-fashioned, pen and paper interactive mode.
Technorati tag: Purity Test
Johnny Knoxville (nearly) RIP
Whilst we’re worrying about one TV presenter nearly killing himself for footage, here’s another coming close as well. This behind the scenes on Jackass 2 piece shows a cartoon styled rocket failing in an entirely new and unexpected way and shooting a high velocity chunk of metal out of the side just a foot or so below where Knoxville was straddling it.
Technorati tag: Jackass, Johnny Knoxville, Stunt
1:3rd scale Ferrari
More incredible miniature engineering. Pierre Scerri of Avignon, France has spent 20,000 hours over 15 years to make a 1:3rd scale replica of the Ferrari 312PB.
via Jalopnik
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Miniature Engineering, Ferrari
Skate Photos
The 100 best skate photos on Flickr. Nice.
Technorati tag: Skateboard, Photo
Home coffee roasting with a popcorn maker
I’ve already achieved the 100 Things aim of roasting my own coffee, but I’d still like to do it again. Preferably in a less smokey way. So I’m bookmarking this page about roasting coffee with a popcorn maker.
Home Roasting Cafe Press shop.
Technorati tag: Coffee, Coffee Roasting
10cc? Building a very small engine
Iqbal Ahmed builds very small working internal combustion engines. He learnt how to work a lathe running a business from his garage to make ends meet but, with some books from England and a lot of self teaching, he now creates miniature engineering marvels for fun.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Miniature Engineering
Heavensent 11.2
“You are from one of these ‘Seeds’!” Jayn exclaimed. All the space fiction she had ever read was coming true before her eyes.
“No.” Bobb shook his head, smiling.
“Oh.”
“You are.”
Jayn’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. Bobb had been treating her as his main audience for the tale. She was certainly the only one who remained attentive throughout whilst others drifted off for food and grog. Keeping her occupied pushed the trauma of ditching at sea out of her mind. “But I was born here.” she said after a while.
“As were several generations before you. But humans arose on this planet because a Seed landed here thousands of years ago.”
“But then, where are you from?”
Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent
Wedding Lists at Amazon
I just noticed that Amazon now has, as well as “Add to Wishlist”, an “Add to Wedding List” button on its product pages. A quick perfect wedding list list-
Daily Mirror, 28 April 2004
“…an excellent investment…”
It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce
KoKo is a realistically sad unisex bear who learns the divorce is not KoKo’s fault, that those sad feelings will pass, that a child can love and be loved by both parents even when living in a family apart. I believe this book will make a difference in your child’s adjustment to divorce.
The 50-Mile Rule: Your Guide to Infidelity and Extramarital Etiquette
If you’re considering having an affair (or suspect that your partner is having one) THE 50-MILE RULE gives you the information you need to make smarter decisions when pursuing sex outside of marriage. Discover who makes a suitable affair partner, the rules you must never break, when to call it quits, and what to do if you’re caught. This is the ultimate handbook for cheater and scorned alike.
The Toybag Guide to Clips & Clamps
The Toybag Guide to Canes & Caning
The Toybag Guide to Dungeon Emergencies & Supplies
Toybag Guide to High-tech Toys
21st Century Swinging: A Guide for the Tempted
Have you ever: fantasised about being watched while having sex? imagined having a threesome? Or a foursome? wanted to watch your partner make love to someone else? Then this is definitely the book for you. Basic swinging etiquette is clearly explained together with real-life swinging experiences, all of which will help to identify whether you’re ready to enter into the ‘swinging’ world. It also addresses questions such as: where can I meet swingers? what can I expect at a swingers’ party? what should I wear? where could I advertise and what should I write? This book promises to enlighten, entertain and turn on!
I could go on, but I think I ought to stop now before people start crossing me off their guest lists.
My (non-wedding) wish list can be found here. Be nice to me, buy me presents.