Archive for January 2006
A new year.
Well its a new year. I welcomed 2006 relatively modestly – no real reason to celebrate I don’t think. Just another new date to write incorrectly for a few weeks.
I’ve treated myslef to a new laptop. This one is coming up for two years, and while (shockingly) it still works superbly, and feels quick, and the only real problem with it is that the ‘e’ key is loose, it has served incredibly well. I’m no expert (this was my first laptop after a good ten years amongst desktops), but I didn’t expect it to survive two years without me spilling something on it, or dropping it or something terrible. But its still going strong. However, the inner computer geek in me has decided that it is time to upgrade – and learn new methods. So I’ve ordered an Apple iBook. For a long time I’ve been wanting to fiddle with Mac OS X, and learn how Macs work. Theres also a large element of ‘new toy’ to it, plus the fact my mother paid for this laptop (even though I use it well over 99% of the time), so it would be nice to have my very own. Needless to say, I can’t wait to get to grips with a brand new machine and operating system.
My decision has led to some issues about how I will connect the Mac to the web. I remember when the present range of Macs were announced, a big deal was that you could get online within 15 minutes of getting it out of the box. I don’t doubt this at all. Unless of course you use AOL. AOL Broadband is not supported for Macs. Full stop. They just don’t. I find it fairly ridiculous but thats how it is. So I either need to change ISPs or (what I’d prefer) get a wireless modem and router. I’m looking into both options. I should have my iBook toward the end of next week. Watch this space…!
Work’s going ok still. As part of the audio/visual security, we’re trialling a new design of DVD case made by Amaray. (if you recall this post from back in October) Well the new cases ar designed to be stronger, and put an end to the cases being snapped open, with the red security tag in place. Well, 500 cases were shipped to our branch, to trial the new prototype. Quite an honour, and fairly interesting. Well, after several hours (around 10 in total) of re-casing the current stock, we have our sample of 500 new cases out on the shelves. I’m now to let my contact know how the cases bear up. What they want to hear is that we have no more thefts. Well, there have been four over the Christmas break (in other words, the school holidays), and one of which was one of the new cases, broken in exactly the same way. Bummer. But I’ll stick with it and monitor it for a month or two and let my guy know how it goes. Ironically its just annoying that the kids are back at school now, so it’ll be quiet on the DVD thefts front, anyway, regardless of new cases. Roll on half term!
The only other stuff going on in my life revolves around a week of next month. Between 14th-24th February, I will be travelling between London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester, to see my favourite musical artist live, solo. Alt.country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams (ex-Whiskeytown; see previous post) is touring the UK for a third time, having cancelled the last two tours for a broken wrist and an ear infection, respectively. This time round things seem ok, and the dates are so soon now. I’m very lucky to have friendly managers and leave left, and friends in useful places, and some spare cash. Trains are booked, floors/sofas/hotel rooms are also booked, tickets are long since booked. I’m all set, and I can’t wait. I may well photoblog (ie, live image updates from my mobile phone on the go, with small captions/updates) for much of that week, I’ll see what I think as it comes nearer the time.
And finally, a minor grate – the Guardian has put its price up to 70p. For a daily newspaper! Thats a bit much… Though I do enjoy the paper, and will most certainly buy it tomorrow, mainly for the Film & Music section, and Charlie Brooker’s column. I would link you to some of his stuff here, but thats for another day… The guy’s writing is hilarious. I’ll be posting about it soon.
Its good to be back. (I plan to make this blog slightly more regular after a mild hiatus)
