The trees out my window

Compromised

2007-05-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well really it was only a matter of time till my blog gets discovered at work. Ultimately, it is not such a big deal, as now it will have to become that little more serious.

No more mention of potential flames and certainly no images of marginally inebriated escapades.
Sadly Greg, there will not be that much juicy stuff on here.

Rather this is a great opportunity for turning it into a somewhat more serious blog, that takes a look at all the technological wonders out there ( and of course the ever recurring Hasselblad) and puts them here as a reminder of all the things I have yet to learn. And yes I realise that a lifetime is far from sufficient. But I will die in the knowledge that I will have at least tried!

Bobby bobby

2006-08-19T03:51:00.000-07:00

BObby is coming over later today. I failed to be able to dispatch a helicopter, but it will be good to see a good friend again. I look forward to the witty remarks, nonchalant cynicism (very understated)

In the meantime I have to consider whether I stay in and read "Beginning Oracle Programming" (incidentally the book is over a 1000 pages .. somewhat ironic.) or go to the Tate, to quell that inecplicable urge for freedom and escape I have.

Decisions decisions.

My Xmas Wishlist

2006-08-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am trying to be modest here, despite the appearances... I am not under any illusions as to whether it may happen or not, but I just thought I would let you know anyhow. It is all about the HAsselblad.

Nicotinew

2006-08-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

I will give up eventually ...

Just about the only thing that works on London Underground!

2006-08-10T04:06:00.000-07:00

Right, there you have it, a 90* Celcius wash, and 30 mins in an industrial tumble dryer. And the damn thing still works, albeit in a somewhat shrivelled form.

The oyster can indeed shelter the information that is stored on it. No colour leek either. Awsome. Of course this was all in the name of science.

Weather Change

2006-08-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

It is surprising really how the weather goes from the unbearable heat of last week to near winter conditions this week. This morning had to dig out a pullover as it is quite impossible to walk around in a tshirt anymore.

Mind you I much prefer it this way. Primarily for practical reasons . I have far more clothing that is suitable for this sort of weather. Somehow the cosiness of a sweater is far more enjoyable than a breezy tshirt. Dunno. Just my opinion.

Other than that my day is pretty standard. I write this as I go along, taking a little breather from more serious stuff. And speaking of less serious stuff, the absolutely hilarious story today of a Doberman going on a rampage in a Teddy bear store. He destroyed Elvis Presley £40 000 pound teddy bear.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5240832.stm

Now I am sad for the owner, though I personnaly think it is sad to hold on to teddies for any other reason than emotional, with a view that someday a child may play with it again.

Seems a bit strange that a grown man should spend that amount of money to then lock away his new “toy” in a cupboard. Granted the stuff increases in value, but still…

Oh and incidentally the …playfull… dog is a gorgeous Doberman… Love Dobermans.

….

Word 2007 Beta

2006-07-21T02:41:00.000-07:00

Well well, what do you know!

I have been playing around with the new word 2007 program. And can I just say that it looks pretty cool. Not sure if you can still get it, but for those interested, you should register for the beta testing service on the Microsoft website and you can then download it from there, along with a bunch of other beta programs ..

A really cool feature is that it allows you to post to your blog directly from word. I think that is just cool, as it removes the drag of actually having to sign on and go through the painfully slow ( and somewhat unpredictable ) process of online editing..

So thumbs up so far, and we look forward to the full version. Can only get better…(somewhat optimistic, it is a Microsoft program after all.)

Mozilla Firefox Start Page

2006-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

I came across this really strange sign today. It advertised a course teaching adults to read and write. Now that strikes me as somewhat odd because surely such people that would require the service would find it somewhat difficult to ehem... read the sign.

Well I suppose it is a bit cynical of me to point it out.. but I thought there was some humour to it. Photo will follow shortly.

Pressure Log 1

2006-07-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Vlad (Aka Bobby) and Tarmo have decided to besiege me until such point as I give in to their demand to come to Romania.
Accordingly I am receiving pictures showing their *his* frustration about the fact that I am still not sure when I can do just that ... Here is a sample, I am sure is going to be one of many!

Visiting Vlad and other stuff

2006-06-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

WEll hey, I did not actually get to update my blog for the longest time. Quite busy at work, marginally interested in football ( a bit of an understatement, albeit only valid during the world cup ) and yeah, i sit in fornt of a computer all day, so not my idea of fun wehn I come home to gratuitously add a few more hours.

Hence the reason I was unable to answer the insisting calls of Vlad ( better known as Bobby ) who recently went strutting her stuff in Florence...and Tarmo, ( can't quite find a nickname for him ). BOth have been asking me to visit Romania no less!

It is one of the numerous places that I have to go, not least because I miss the people that are in those various places. Finland, France.

Quite frankly the answer is that I do not know when I will be able to make it, my life being its habitual chaotic self :) But I do promise that I will come. Pain of death, cross my heart...

On a less serious note, I also have posted some new pictures tha tI hope some of you will enjoy, as it may well bring back some memories. Others not, but you can look at them anyway.

Random couple in Tottenham Court Road. I was waiting for the bus and saw this scene that somehow seemed a bit cliche and had an American feel to it. I like it... You don't have to.

SLightly eary, I thought this chair nonetheless accurately conveys the atmosphere of the halls in Tufnell. For those that have left the confines of Tufnell and will not be coming back that soon, you will find it interesting that the place has been "refurbished". Groundbreaking changes such as putting numbers on the toilet doors will guarantee much better value for money, cleanliness and another few benefits that are naturally expected.

AH! The wall. I loved my wall. Well actually less the wall but more the pictures on it. Since I have moved out, it has been quite a weird feeling to have blank walls. I plan to put new stuff up, but not really sure what and how. Definetely needs a slightly more sophisticated feel to it this time. Wooden frames sort of thing, with black and white pictures. Minimalisme oblige.

Sarah and Nada

2006-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Thus she displayed her bum, a very cute bum in public.
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Nada, one of the loveliest people
I know. Perhaps at some point, I will get round to show her face
as well.

Flloyd

2006-06-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

Lloyd, one of my dearest friends has asked me how a blog works. THis is merely a text demonstrating the ease of the endeavour. REgister, write and post... If you feel really creative, add a picture...

Mobiles and other nasties ... BAd BAd Evil Mobiles

2006-06-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

Well well, Folks, I have a close friend of mine that is quite concerned about the nefarious effects of mobiles on people. Though I much doubt that people will change their habits because of this blog entry, I nonetheless said I would spread the word...Mobiles are bad for you, cause cancer (apparently) and should be used only in emergencies (not sure if that includes looking for your friend after a heavy night out....)
/there are some reports that may verify the above, some contradict it ...You are all savvy people, Google it and make your mind up for yourselves! Beat the System... Be a rebel...
Go Children

And don't give me no shit about "this is old news" ...I read the papers too...#

::::: Transcript of discussion that lead to the above... :::::
ducderaph says:
une émission de TV le jeudi soir sur France 2 qui parle de sujets assez dérangeants mais dont les medias ne parlent presque pas...
Philip says:
y a moyen que tu enregistre sur ton pc?
Dis moi, t'as des filmes francais en Divx?
ducderaph says:
ex: les camps de redressements juveniles aux USA qui font payer 30000 USD par an aux parents pour les placer dans des "behavioral modification camps" qui ressemblent surtout à Abou Grahib
Philip says:
hehe
je suppose y a un site qui va avec ?
ducderaph says:
autre ex: les recherches inquiétantes sur les effets du portable avec les ondes electromagnétiques et le lobby des telecoms qui cache un problème de santé publique qui pourrait menacer... plusieurs MILLIARDS de personnes
Philip says:
hmmm
ducderaph says:
Depuis je ne parle au portable qu'avec l'oreillette ou le hautparleur et le portable posé sur la table... advice: fait pareil, éloigne à au moins 50 cm de diamètre
Philip says:
?? porque
ducderaph says:
Les ondes électromagnétiques gravitent autour de l'antenne lors des communications, mais ne dépassent pas une certaine distance (estimée à environ 50 cm de diametre par des médecins qui avaient été chargés d'étudier ce probl
donc si tu poses le portable sur la table à 50 cm ou si tu es dans la rue, et que tu dois parler, prend ton portable, met le hautparleur sur volume maximum et tiens le devant toi à bras portant
Si tu es dans un train ou un bar, tu peux pas forcéement mettre le haut parleur mais dans ce cas là, a moins d'une urgence, écourte ta conversation
Philip says:
i c...
ducderaph says:
?
Philip says:
I see
I will take it on board
ducderaph says:
Oui et passe le message à tous les gens si possible
Philip says:
Dumm though if you have no loudspeaker on the phone or a headset..
Well I think that is actually old news...
ducderaph says:
You need at least one of them and preferably both
Philip says:
people just dont take the warning seriously
me for instance...
ducderaph says:
Yes because the telecom lobby makes damn sure they don'y
t
Just to give you a perspective on this: the house of the doctor who published the results was burned down soon after he went on tv to talk about it... mysterious ain't it
Philip says:
Nothing to do with the telecom lobby, it is just more convenient, people are lazy
sounds like another conspiracy theory to me...
ducderaph says:
People are lazy because they are not informed properly
Philip says:
I dont think so
Reports that mobiles are health hazards have been round for ages now
ducderaph says:
Je te rappelle mon ami, que les premières recherches démontrant les relations entre l'amiante et divers cancers datent de 1920... l'amiante a été abolie en 1980 peu de temps après le constat des premiers cancers liés à l'amiante... et le pic de cancers dus à l'amainte devrait aparaitre en 2015 selon les cherchers
Philip says:
Raph, what do you want me to say
not like I can do much about it
ducderaph says:
Yes but it's not because just a few reports have been published that the public takes the health hazards seriously
Philip says:
I very much doubt that the people I know in their vast majority, though aware of the risk, will actually change their habits
ducderaph says:
C pour ça que je tout ce que je te demande, c'est pas grand chose: juste d'en parler à qq amis, qui en parleront à leurs amis... et donc bouche à oreille... c tout
Philip says:
less you make mobiles illegal... and there is a fat chance of that happening.
ducderaph says:
I am not saying everyone will change their habits immediately but at least it can help speed up the process...
Philip says:
Ok ok, I will stick it on my blog..
how about that
ducderaph says:
Ok cool
Philip says:
the info will be available 23/7
tufnell.blogspot.com btw...
ducderaph says:
Shouldn't take too much time... i'll continue spreading the word

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY!!!

2006-06-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

And you Thoughty I had forgotten ... Tss tss

Tufnell - The last days

2006-05-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

My My, it has been 9 months already. It is quite daunting to think that it all went by in a flash. So much happened, or so little, depending on the perspective you lookk at it from.

Friendships, bonds I hold dear to my heart are certainly among those things I will take away with me. Other encounters, I certainly care to forget.

Finished are the days where I would have someone knowck on my door at six in the morning asking me to fix a laptop. A laptop, as faith would have it, inconveniently took it upon itself to lose the painfully written essay.

The new internet connection I will have in my new place is also something I look forward to. As well as future moments in Romania and Finland ( not necessarily in that order, I will have to toss a coin to be fair really ... ) ...

Moving on to working life, suits, cufflinks, that sexy citizen watch I have drooled over the last couple of years, a scooter ( though I have no idea where to park it just yet... )

More Pics..

2006-05-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Colour and black

2006-04-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

Black and colour

2006-04-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Jamal got beat

2006-04-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

The following post is pure vanity really. I wish to announce that Jamal has been beaten four times at chess today ... by me. And also a number (unspecified) of games he lost at pool. The latter is not really my game, quite frankly I suck at it.. Though if I were a good player. I would beat him too...

Germany - the sequel

2006-04-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

Well well, chaotic weekend spent, in a very ad hoc fashion! It is now easter monday, nephews are sitting at the table trying (reluctantly) to solve suduko puzzles.
God am I glad that I am old enough for my parents not to enforce that sort of thing on me anymore. Can't see Miffy going after any such pursuit either../

Got a comment from Cuz cuz, spending a year or so in Mordor ( New Zealand ) getting well acquainted with Kiwis and Orcs alike. The elves, as you know are famed to be rather shy and withdrawn. Takes a bit longer to get to know those. Or a really long telephoto lens on your camera. Arguably it would take just as long to save up to buy one of those, as it would just to wait till the elves finally warm up to you. So really, less you are a photo buff do not go out and buy a lens.

So, the plan now? Apparently, in a neighbouring city there is something like a Spring festival, and I am thinking perhaps I should go and have a look. Supposedly it is a bit of an eye opener to German culture, you know, beyond the wurst, Heidi and Beer. ( Note the capital B! :) )

Having nephews is really quite an eye opener too, one might argue, into German youth culture that is. The crazy little dudes are into a sport known as Parcour( essentially freestyle climbing in an urban environment) . Girls and boys alike that is. They jump up and down walls, almost as if they had wings or the rules of physics did not apply to them. They are therefore also suitably enthusiastic about "urban or street wear, Bob Marley, and graphiti...". They design their own, decorate their rooms accordingly, and come back with torn shirts, Jeans and wrecked shoes. To the great despair of their mum.

But hey, the "sun is shining, the weather is easy". And the ever so entertaining blond jokes they come up with guarantee that they will always be forgiven. As do the medals and seriously good grades brought home from school and championships!

Germany Germany

2006-04-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

So I got here... More later..

The first Hurdle - Passwords and Bachata

2006-04-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

BACHATA BANTER

Well well, what do you know. I am back. Should I be proud? Not really, as apart from the enthusiastic request from a good friend of mine, the other main reason for me posting up this new piece is mainly due to me avoiding academic duties...

We all love studying law don't we? I mean it is so engaging as a subject. Not like photography, or fine arts. I marvel at my outstanding attempt at sarcasm, with a big self indulgent smile on my face.

Bachata is playing in the background. I keep downloading the music, (legally of course) in the hope that maybe one day I will get to like it. So far, 3 years on, it has not worked.
I have this theory that for everything you see in life, for every picture you take, there is a matching soundtrack. Like London bridges are best appreciated with some upbeat soul, or jazz. It is, so to speak their soul. That is if one is crazy enough to believe that bridges have a soul.

Some people I know would greatly resent the thought, but hey, for the sake of this blog, let us romanticise a bit...
Coming back to point I was trying to make earlier. Bachata, for me seems to have absolutely no matching picture or memory. Yet I refuse to see it as a soulless music. There must be a bridge, a corner or a person somewhere that is truly Bachata. I will let you know whenever I find it.

The below picture is a bit to powerful in my opinion to attach any one tune to it just yet, though I hope that Miffy at least will appreciate the aesthetics that I boldly proclaim it has.

FIRST HURDLE

Ok, I also wish to complain and moan a bit. Can I just say that I find it totally outrageous that I had to spend a whole hour to log in to Blogspot... Nothing to reinforce my resolve as a reluctant blogger ..

Reluctant Blogger

2006-04-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

Well here we are. I finally got one. A blog that is. Well quite frankly it is hardly the first one, though this one I intend to actually nurture and care for ( haha- that's gonna last ) .

But really I have the firmest intention to do so. I got (re) pushed into it by my dear friend Miffy who was constantly going on about my need for a blog. So I thought to myself, why the hell not. I mean how hard can it be.

To push this honest streak of mine a little further, though I have every intention in the world to see this through, I am already faced with the most challenging of problems. Namely what the blog is all about. Capuccino would be one thing... All the Coffee shops in London reviewed, with a distinct preference for Nero cafes...

That or parks in London, or to do a completely wild thing, backstreets of Soho late at night ( once I renewed the insurance policy onmy v expensive and cherished camera.)

Hmmm. Well then, on the premise that I will return here and fulfill the promise above, we will soon find out how this is going to go ahead won't we...

Boo

2006-04-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

Re bou