All-round weirdness
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
A day of things unusual:
Silly weather where get sunburnt, blown about and rained on all at the same time.
The police were called to work today. Two ambulances turned up. No police.
A colleague created himself a piece of work that had to be done in six hours and then sat on it for 3 days. I asked him for more details on what the problem is and took some action to get the issue resolved properly, as is my job. He decided to complain and referred to me using unrepeatable words. I sometimes get stressed about this kind of thing, but today I couldn't have cared less.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Crisp/Savoury Snack Review 7
Monday, June 28, 2004
Manufacturer: Walkers
Description: Walkers Mediterranean Greek Kebab flavour crisps
Calories (per 34.5g bag): 176
Fat (per 34.5g bag): 11g
Misc: "Also available in Feta Cheese and Tomato & Basil flavours"
First of all, let's set the record straight: I haven't been a massive fan of Walkers of late. I did, however, buy these with the full intention of giving them an impartial review.
First thoughts: The packaging differs only slightly from standard Walkers packs in looks. To me, though, the bag feels a bit more "waxy" and less metallic than a standard bag. Whether this is intentional or not is anybody's guess, it feels nice though. But what is this "Mediterranean" sub-brand? Is it just a seasonal gimmick? Is it a long-term effort to launch a range (or ranges) at the midpoint between the "standard" and the "Sensations" brands? If so, why? Questions, questions.
The tasting: Not really being sure what a Greek Kebab is meant to taste like made comparisons a bit difficult. I can summarise the initial taste as "Greek Kebab, bollocks - unless I am very much mistaken, Walkers have used the flavouring from Chow Mein Pot Noodle". Quite how, or indeed, why Walkers would collaborate with Golden Wonder in any such manner is a mystery.
Further consumption amended this initial view to "85% Walkers Cheese & Onion flavour, 15% Walkers Roast Chicken flavour". About as "Meditteranean" tasting as the large sausage, chips and curry sauce I had from the chippy the other day.
It is painfully obvious that this flavour could never make it in the "Sensations" range. Perhaps it is for that reason that this 3-variety "Mediterranean" range has been unleashed on an unsuspecting public?
Summary: Walkers spectaculary outclass themselves in the disappointment stakes by, well, being staggeringly disappointing. One "line" too many for the marketing guys at Walkers (in more ways than one, if you get my drift).
Points: 5/10 (2 of those points are for the more tactile packaging).
Jane says: "That's all right dear, you have them"
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Shouldn't that be irreplaceable? (Narrowband unfriendly)
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Was looking around with idea in mind to possibly doing some kind of online events calendar on this site. The idea being to facilitate pub going, gigs, weekends etc. Am still looking and toying with idea, but thought I'd share the name of this town with you. I am going. I want to send a postcard from there.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Hungarian Goolie-ash?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Will we all become Microsoft "drones"?
Friday, June 25, 2004
Do you use Microsoft products? Are you worried that, through you, Microsoft may be gaining a scary world dominance? Well, you and the conspiracy theorists will go nuts over MS's latest patent. It would appear that Microsoft could be aiming for that goal, and may well be planning to achieve it through you - quite literally!
There's an article here that, if true, could be a little worrying. Intriguing stuff though - will I get to be in the same hive as Seven of Nine?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Confectionery Review 4
Not sure if it counts as confectionery, but here we are with the Fab Orange:
Manufacturer: Nestle
Calories: 81
Fat: 2.7g
First thoughts - intriguing label, apparently "this product may stain". What, if I boil it up and pour it all over my white carpet, it may leave a mark? Why do I need to be warned of this?
Opening the wrapper shows why. Seriously, this lolly takes "orange" to a whole new level. Forget Sunny D, this is the most orange it is possible to get something. Anything more orange would have to be kept underwater at Sellafield.
The taste experience continues the so-concentrated-it's-gravitional-pull-is-causing-tidal-anomalies theme. The special orangey hundreds-and-thousands are a bit unusual and quite pleasnt, the white middle bit is the same as traditional Fabs, but the orange part is too much for me. There's a whole lot of sweetness here and the orange flavour is very synthetic. I am not a big one for items that are overly sugary; I prefer "diet" cola drinks to normal ones and I think that is why this product does not appeal. And I have five more in the freezer...
Summary: 5/10 Orange.
Kids will love it, whether it's good for them (and their unstained clothes) is another question.
Jane says: "I'm not eating anything that colour"
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Things to make and do
Crash bonsai
Bored? Got grapes and a microwave?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Grrr
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Bought some nice lollies the other day and was going to submit the "sighting" to SnackSpot, but have been beaten to it. Not fair. Will review them tonight, providing it's hot enough for lollies - Chris will have to finish slagging off the weathermen so that stop punishing the rest of Sheff with buckets of rain.
Noah would feel at home today...
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Crisp/Savoury Snack Review 6
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
The beer's a flowin', so here we go:
Cheddars then.
Manufacturer: McVities
Pack size: 150g
Calories (per 100g): 509
Fat(per 100g): 27.7g
They've been around for ages. They've always been the same. Packed in thin plastic they are undoubtedly smashed to smithereens by the time you get them home. Surely the biggest change in Cheddar history was when they introduced the red plastic "tear here" strip to facilitate easy opening? Of course, prior to this, a sharp knife and a keen sense of judgement was required. The only improvement required was sturdier packaging.
Well, recently McVities have decided that "35% more cheese" was required. Bastards. Cheddars were perfect as they were - they were smashed-up biscuits that tasted of salt and hence perfect for nibbling on. Now they taste cheesy. I don't like cheese.
Summary - One customer lost. 3/10 (the 3 points are a "hang-over" from the glory days, a reward for past service delivered if you will, nothing more, oh no).
Whilst we're on the subject of Cheddars:
Manufacturer: McVities
Pack size: 50g
Calories (per bag): 266
Fat(per bag): 15.1g
Ah, that's better. The company the half-brings us the Snickers Flapjack redeems itself...
You may now be saying, "Ah, but Phil's on to nothing new here, Peperami Mini Cheddars have been around for ages". I would then sit back, light a fat Cuban, look smug and point out that previously these have only been available as a limited edition, dismissing your comments with the kind of superior air that only a true connoisseur could carry.
The point here is that the above packaging indicates that Mini Cheddars Peperami are here to stay. Another genius McVities cross-branding exercise. I love these. I have gone off Peperami a bit at the mo as am conscious that to (hopefully correctly) quote Rimmer from Red Dwarf "You reach that age, 24, 25, and your muscles give up, wave a little white flag, and without any warning at all you're suddenly a fat bastard". Peperami's are apparently quite fattening and I have been laying off them recently. They are also very, very vegetarian unfriendly.
Still, Mini Cheddars Peperami ROCK. If you like your savoury biscuit snacks and you like your spices, buy these.
Love them.
Summary - 8/10 (two points knocked off for the product association with the now-tainted Cheddars (see above, in case you'd forgotten, tell you what though, no more beer for me tonight).
Jane's verdict - Bearing in mind she hates Cheddars and Peperami, it is safe to assume that I don't get too many kisses if I eat these. She would dance on the ashes of the production line if the Mini Cheddar Peperami factory burnt down.
I would cry...
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
It's a .de domain - nuff said
Attach this to all critical equipment
Somtimes truth is stranger than fiction
Who's awake?
I'm behind on my art. But is this Technology meets Art meets Biology, or just a crock of shit?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
More Downtime
Yep, we were offline again today from 10:06 to 17:10ish. Problem this time: Memory. Not the computer kind, mine.
When we moved here, the previous owner had pre-payment gas and electric meters. We decided to get them replaced with "normal" ones. Haven't quite done it yet. Hadn't run out of electric yet, either. Until today. D'Oh!
Cue several worrying minutes at lunchtime frantically pinging my server and getting no response. Resigned myself that there was nothing I could do about it till got home. Arrived home and problem was immmediately apparent. Drove to the cash machine at the petrol garage knowing full well that because I needed it, the Post Office inside would be shut. But guess what, the company that loses one million pounds a day and continually demonstrates a reluctance to drag itself into this millenium and improve the process of taking money from me, was OPEN!!! Only when being served did I realise that the only reason they were still open is that the witch wasn't allowed to leave until the van had picked up whatever meagre collection of parcels they managed to stack up during the day and the van had only just arrived. I'm gonna go off on a tangent, but the Post Office really bugs me. I want to give them money, but they just won't let me. I work normal office hours. I work when they are open. I find it difficult to get to them. They rationalised/closed my local Post Office (not that I could ever get to it). When oh when will they realise that I might like to buy a present on the way home, wrap it after tea and then make a quick trip out to post it. Idiots. I mean, how hard can it be. Even at Christmas (even I know there's a possibility that they may be slightly busier than normal) they couldn't organise themselves to take money from me. I wanted to post something to Australia. You'd have thought I wanted them to perfect cold fusion using only 3 Smarties and a matchbox. For a start, the first three Post Offices I visited were shut, it was of course between 12:30 and 13:00 on a Saturday when no working person would ever want to do this kind of thing. Eventually getting to the front of the 40-minute queue at the "Main" Post Office a couple of days later I was told that I couldn't post my parcel as they had run out of the green Customs labels that must be attached. At the "Main" Post Office. This is not rocket science.
I would call for some drastic changes, the service could be much better run by a set of amusingly-shaped vegetables (some may argue that, in fact, it is). I would call for an end to the monopoly, but I worry that the fear, confusion and general profiteering that seems to be proliferating following the Directory Enquiries de-monopolisation (is that the right word?) would be the final mental straw for many of the countries permanently dazed and confused. I guess I've gotta live with it....
Sorry, went off on one there (that'll be the Carling). Either way, server back up and running. England through to second bit of Euro2004 apparently. Those tacky England flags are starting to fall off cars. All is well.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Red Hot Chili Peppers Weekend
Monday, June 21, 2004
Proper good. Went to see RHCP at Manchester City's football stadium:
Was unable to get out of work too early on Friday and was overjoyed that it took me one whole hour to drive from bottom of Ecclesall Road to my house (bearing in mind it takes about 55 minutes to walk it). The prospect of driving to Manchester over the Snake Pass in the rain on a Friday evening rush hour was very attractive.
However, as soon as we set off towards Manchester, the clouds parted and out came the sun. Even more extraordinary was that we only saw about 4 cars the whole way over the Snake. Unbelievable, it took LONGER to get from Ecclesall Road to Ball Road than to get from Ball Road to the "Welcome to the City of Manchester" sign. There' something seriously wrong with Sheffield's traffic (I have ranted about it a little in this thread).
A man who owns a field near the stadium obviously saw me coming and asked for £10 to leave the Bullet parked there for the duration of the gig. It was pointed out by Chris that the car probably isn't worth that much and I should just have left them the car. He is probably right.
Having walked to the top tier of the stadium I was unpleasantly struck by a fear of how high we were and how steep the steps were. It didn't help that the "barrier" directly in front of us was at knee-height - meaning that you can see everything when you're sat down, but should you be unfortunate enough to topple whilst standing up, you'd go over. And let's remember that the whole tier was bouncing worringly as people danced. One outrageously expensive pint of Bud later and I had relaxed a bit.
We had arrived shortly in to James Brown's set, man, he's good. For someone so obviously a bit older than is entirely sensible, he can still move. Enjoyed him immensely.
We missed the first support band ("Chicks on Speed"), who were apparently booed off - that's gotta hurt.
When the Chili's came on we were all given a telling-off for reacting that way to the Chicks. I wasn't even there and they made me feel guilty. Bit of a shame, I mean if you spend £35 (plus booking fee, plus "delivery" fee - yes really, they manage to charge extra for "delivery"), then you should at least listen to and respect the bands. Booing them isn't going to achieve anything - it's not going to make the Chilis come on any quicker.
The set the Chilis played was amazing. I am so glad I went to see this gig, they're one of the few bands that I really would kick myself if I didn't get to see "live" at least once. I especially enjoyed the idiot who managed to get through security, climb up on the stage, go and hassle Flea, grab a mic, shout something inaudible and run off the stage with the mic. This caused a bit of a delay. The band handled it well and the gig continued. They played every song I wanted them to play. The encore was fantastic.
One thing I found interesting, as a possible reflection on our current society, was the lighter-waving during slow songs - the lighters were actually vastly outnumber by the luminescent glow of the LCD screens of digital cameras and mobile phones.
I listened to the Radio 1 broadcast of the band's Hyde Park gig last night hoping to re-live some of the magic. The set they broadcast was shorter and no encore. Am very, very glad I got this opportunity to see them "live".
If you get the chance, go!
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Passage of time
Good, but not quite the same
here goes lunchtime
Forget F1
Think you know your superheroes?
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Gigging
Friday, June 18, 2004
Am off to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Manchester tonight! Hooray. Am very much looking forward to it, especially after Nick's review.
Have also calmed down a bit from speaking to stupid woman yesterday and just had KFC for lunch ("Fast Food Friday) so all is looking rosy.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Thursday, June 17, 2004
LOL
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Cash Paid!
I'm on the lookout for a 60Gb hard drive to replace the one in my server that failed. The thing about 60Gb drives is that it seems they are "old news", and hence the cost:Gb ratio is higher than for a new, big drive. Frankly, if I'm gonna buy a hard drive I'd rather splash out on a proper big one and get "more bang for my buck". So, do you know anyone who is upgrading or has a spare 60Gb drive? If so, point them my way and I'll make them a good offer.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
WOOO!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
He lives! After much fiddling last night by Tim, my e-mail at home is back up and running again. And for once, I didn't lose all my old stuff as the backups worked (eventually). Hooray. Very happy. Joy-joy.
I've still got a bit of fiddling to do e.g. formatting my desktop up to be a BDC to try and prevent further catastrophes, but I'll prob do that at weekend.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Yep, I spelt it wrong. The gallery is called "Szumowski's". Close.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Strangely addictive
Dubious claim to fame
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Comments
I've changed back to using HaloScan for the commenting on this Blog. Although using Blogger's own commenting kept things tidily together, I didn't like the interface or the way visitors had to either have an account with Blogger or post anonymously, so I'm ditching them. My suggestions are that they allow posting without having a Blogger account and that the Comments screen's attributes(for example, the colours) be customisable.
On a different note, some Society News: a bit of culture comes to Infirmary Road - Zumovski's (think that's the correct spelling). Infirmary Road in Sheffield is a bit of an odd road. I didn't know it before it became a major public transport link (both trams and buses), but looking at all the empty shops is not inspiring - some of them are in a condition that can only be described as "takings-are-down-again-so-I've-torched-the-place-for-the-insurance". The vicinity seems to exemplify the "urban decay" and demise of the small business that we hear and read so much about. My guess is that a lot of the businesses simply couldn't cope with competition from the out-of-town superstores, rising business rates and the weird traffic regulations/reduced parking spaces caused by the tram infrastructure.
So it is refreshing to see a new business try to start up in this area - Zumovski's. Apparently, Zumovski's is a "Digital Art Gallery Opening Soon". No, I don't know what one is either. Perhaps they'll want to exhibit my high-quality digital picture of my dinosaur:
Seriously, Zumovski's sounds intriguing and I will be doing my best to support it. Who knows, it could be just the kick-start the area needs to encourage a bit of regeneration.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Multi-talented
Monday, June 14, 2004
Been a long time since I did this, but thought I'd do a quick Google on myself and see what I've been up to.
My, I have been busy!
Once I had finished surviving on virtually no cash I took time to reflect on my big screen acting debut as Zed squatter No 2 in Judge Dredd, which I managed to juggle with my post in the Environmental Protection Agency in Queensland, and I can tell you, I'm glad I moved on from the job at the correctional institution. At night I have been gigging as part of Joanne's band.
As I continue to extend my skill set I will update you.
Or I could do a Dave Gorman (for those of you who missed this BBC2 series - watch out for it, one of the funniest, most original ideas I ever saw)
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Sucked into it
Not been doing a lot of proper posting for a while. For some reason the nice weather seems to inhibit Blogging. Also have had far too much time sat in front of PC doing things like setting up the new Blog template (not quite finished yet - suggestions welcome). The Poll has gone for the minute - apparently the code was stopping my page being valid xhtml 1.0 transitional, which is allegedly a good thing to be. I knew very little about web-pages and stuff, but am picking bits up and will read a book shortly - it's got to be better than Bridget Jones' Diary that I am currently half way through again (I am only reading it because I ran out of other books that I wanted to read when I went to bed one evening and it was handily close by).
Chris has been incensed by Euro 2004's opening weekend. Not being a big soccer fan myself I thought I may escape a lot of the associated celebrating/whinging, but alas, I got sucked into the tournament's festivities in spectacular fashion at the end of last week. The boss tasked me with running a Euro 2004 predictions competition. This means I have to know all the scores and show a passing interest in the coming together of Europe's finest teams to play "the beautiful game". On the plus side, I got to do a funky spreadsheet based on the one at http://www.adambowie.com, customising it to do all kinds of calculations based on predicted match outomes - keeps my hand in some Excel formulas and stuff. Am actually quite proud of it for the amount of time I was given to do it.
I did, however, manage to not watch "the match" on Sunday night, instead being coerced into watching a film. Jane went a bit DVD-rental-crazy last week. Here's what she rented, and my opinion of each:
The Score - filmed almost entirely in the dark, took ages to get going, then twisted (quite predictably), then ended
The Guru - amusing, quite short
Real Women Have Curves - yep, didn't even watch this
The Bourne Identity (the remake) - quite enjoyable, if a little predictable, not nearly as pacy or suspenseful (is that a word?) as it set out to be
Chicago - again, didn't bother
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Revealing little test
How big is the internet? Well, when these guys last looked it had reached 10,000 pookies (no, I didn't know what a 'pookie' was either).
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Sunday, June 13, 2004
a little odd
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Ok. Bad situation. Am in bar that is too trendy for me (I do not have asymmetric hair style). I am a little bit tipsy and a colleague is here with his partner. She has just pointed out that she knows that when she last split up with him I tried to console him with the phrase "that's a shame, she had a nice rack". I am leaving now.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Does my head in
Interesting tactic
Silly
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
AudioBlogging
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
My last post was a very bad sound clip of me muttering something like "So it all works then". This was done by using www.audioblogger.com - something I am very excited about!
I ring a number in the US, speak to a computer which records my message. My message is then converted to mp3, given a unique id and stored on a server. A link to the mp3 is then automatically created in to a Blog post and published to my server. All in seconds. Amazing. I can even do it from my mobile.
It is going to be fun at parties...
Some days I am staggered at how cool technology is. They are mainly the days it all works... Like now, for instance, as I describe AudioBlogger to you, typing into my phone as I walk home!
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Idiot Driver Of The Day 2
LJ02 LZX. It's a wonder I make it to work in one piece.
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Idiot Driver Of The Day
YS51 UAW
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Cool hobby
How to be a ninja
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
If you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team...
(only works if your enemies can't run very fast)
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
Some links
Monday, June 07, 2004
Having a baby? Stuck for names? Try here
Pretty cool pictures of smoke
Ultimate compatibility
Save seconds over the course of an average week, try shoelace tying, the fast way
I'm not sure about this, it makes me feel a little bit uneasy
Author: HotPhil » Comments:
