House Audio Project

The house audio project is nearing completion. I have an AppleTV downstairs linked to the main TV and Stereo. I have another AppleTV in the main bedroom linked to the TV there. I then have an AiportExpress in the rear bedroom linked to a set of satellite speakers. Finally in the bathroom I have an AirportExpress liked to an in-ceiling audio system. With all this I can watch movies down or upstairs and use any computer on my network running iTunes or either of the AppleTVs to play through any set of speakers (the house is effectively zoned and can play the same music in every room or different in each). I can also use K's iPhone as a remote to the whole lot. Sorted!

Bathroom Audio

I unboxed my bathroom audio system to have a look. There are two 2.5" speaker units, one with a built in IR port. they connect to a central unit hidden in the ceiling. You operate it via a 2-way remote control. Reviews state it sounds great - I'll let you know once I've fitted it.

UPDATE: sounds pretty good - needs a better radio aerial though.

New Pedals

I swapped my pedals over this lunchtime. Out go the old Crank Bros Smartys and in come the Candy Cs. They're a smaller and lighter pedal and are better protected against the dirt and wet. Plus, they're black so they look better on my bike :) The Smartys are off to Crank Bros for bearing replacement under warranty - not sure if I'll keep them or not though once they are back...

I also bought a crud-catcher and have a frame-guard coming to give my bike that battle ready look :)

Busy Weekend

What a busy weekend... I had quite a lot of Uni coursework to get done and as such spent around 12 hours over the weekend! On a lighter note I received my module results from last term (B1 and an A2). I also took delivery of my bathroom audio setup (pics later) and some new Candy C pedals for my bike - just in time as my current ones are feeling very rough. I went out for an hour on Sun morning and can feel them grinding away. We also went into town on Sat night for a friends surprise birthday which was awesome! Also, went to the dentist this morning - apparently I have excellent oral hygiene, but more importantly no work needed. Busy busy busy...

Short MBK

J and I went for a short but to the point ride last night. Only 7 miles but had a couple of excellent runs - the part labelled in red was just fantastic! You need good lights though - it was pretty dark!

Le Manoir

K and I went for lunch at Le Manoir on Sat. It was very VERY good. We stated with a pumpkin soup, then a mushroom and truffle risotto, followed by gurnard with squid, then chicken beast with a foie gras sauce and finally a pistachio souffle. Probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten :)

Night Snow

It started snowing yesterday evening and by night time we had a good 3cm on the ground. I braved the cold to take a few snaps (link in title).

Knebworth ROCK Festival

It's official - the Knebworth Rock Festival is returning. When I first moved here there was one happening every 4 years - that stopped (actually, pretty much when I moved here) - but now it appears to be back on - albeit under a different guise.

So, Aug 1/2nd we shall be hosting Metallica, Foo Fighters, Linkin Park and some others.

Check it out...

Google Latitude

I've been playing with Google's new product - Latitude. This allows you to publish your location from either a mobile phone (in my case WinMo 6.1 on an HTC Diamond) or from your computer - either automatically running Gears or manually.

It is pretty easy to set up although you might have to specifically point your browser to http://www.google.com/ig?hl=en to stop the 'not supported yet' message that the V1 interface shows.

It promises to display the location of all your friends and track them as they move about. Of course, you can turn off reporting if you are on a private trip somewhere and to track people you must be invited by them. Seems pretty good to me!

Shuffle...

K bought me a shuffle on the weekend so I can take it MBKing instead of my Nano (which I use almost exclusively for the car). It seems ideal as it has no screen to crack if I fall on it :) She also bought herself a second shuffle - now she has a silver one for the gym and a pink one for Yoga! I worry she is going Mac mad!

Snow MBKing

A and I went out for a ride in the snow this morning - managed just under 10 miles (pics linked in title). It is REALLY hard work - much more so than mud. The snow and ice makes you slide everywhere with the only advantage being it is soft to land in. We stopped half way for A to make a Snow Angel (YouTube here). Exhausted by the end of it and ready for a hot bath to warm up in!

Snow again...

Yet more snow today - not as persistent as earlier in the week but it is set to be coming down throughout the day. Secretly I am hoping for 20cm :)

Xbox returns

At last my beloved Xbox was returned - apparently with a new motherboard and optical drive! Seems happy although it sounds noisier than ever :) I also took delivery of an Apple Airport Express allowing me to play itunes wirelessly in another room - if I like it I'll get a couple more and 'sound up' the bathroom and spare bedroom :)

More snow....

It snowed again last night - but not as heavily this time. However, the freezing temperatures meant it is now very icy. There are large patches of ice all over the lcoal roads. As such many things are closed - like University where I was meant to be this afternoon.

I am also waiting on 3 seperate deliveries now - all with UPS and all delayed due to the weather... my xbox is in one of them!

SNOW!

It started last night - when I was out MBKing - and continued into the small hours. This morning we awoke to roughly 10cm and it is still snowing now - link to pics in title! Times like this you wish you didn't work from home. No matter what the weather is like - my office is always open :)