My latest order of goodies came through today - four 2GB CF cards for the camera. I figure alongside my current 4GB card I should have enough to shoot all of Egypt without having to upload to a computer en-route.
I chose multiple smaller cards over one larger one after hearing a pro tip. This way if I lose a card or it breaks I don't lose all my holiday pics in one go...
So, a couple of weeks ago Apple announced movies in the UK for the ATV (Apple TV). This weekend I thought I'd test it so I bought a non HD movie (Juno) and rented a full HD 5.1 movie (The Mummy). Juno took about 30 mins to download whilst The Mummy took nearer a couple of hours. Both movies were good qaulity but I noticed jitters a few times on fast moving scenes. There were not too many compression artifacts and the sound was good. The rental lasts for 30 days but once you play it you only have 48 hours to finish it. The purchased one backloaded to my PC and is mine to keep forever. Overall I am prety impressed - Blockbusters watch out!
K got a bass this weekend - awesome! A nice shiney perl white Ibanez (she has taste!). So far, in two days she has mastered an REM song and is busy - as we speak - bashing out some riffs from a book she is self teaching herself from.
She got herslef a GSR200. It is nice and light and has a small pre-amp built in to give an overdrive sound.
On the amp side she went for a Marshall MB15 which has a built in compressor too.
I like coffee - not just like - I like coffee A LOT. So, it has surprised me that it has taken me this long to buy an espresso machine. We had a half-hearted attempt for some time but it was never quite right. So, this lunchtime I went out and got a proper one. The De 'Longhi EC300S is a pump driven machine with removable water container, single or double sized filter, steam pump with seperate thermostat and best of all can take either pods or freshly ground beans. It is a nice shape and easy to clean - hopefully K won't mind it in the kitchen (she has yet to realise we own it). Just made my first espresso with it and it seems great - only small problem is the noise and vibration it makes!!
I have my results for the year, for Agile Project Management I received an A2 and for Comms and Leadership I received a B1. So, total scores so far after 4 of the 8 modules are 3 As and 1 B. Bit annoyed about the B but the course did not spark my imagination in the same way the other 3 did.
The lovely people at Virgin Media have shipped me a new modem (came this afternoon) which allows me to get 10Mb/s - even better is that it is a free upgrade from my 4Mb/s - nice!
I finally found it - a near as perfect Indiana Jones hat. Now I am ready for Egypt :)
I was shot by A2Zoom studios for the Parish Council yesterday. Great little studio and a VERY nice 1Ds MkIII :)
K and I went to Hertford last night to the Safer Neighbourhoods Awards. As a heat winner I had been invited to receive a certificate. The evening started with drinks and then the ceremony - which went on and on. I reckon of those on Neighbourhood watch I was at least half the age of the rest! Afterwards we left and had Thai which was much more entertaining - although it felt wrong to be there without Linda :)
I finally caved and bought rakh1.com. As such this blog can now be gotten to by simply typing rakh1 and then hitting ctrl and enter at the same time :)
I forgot to mention that we went to the zoo last weekend - I took my big camera and got some great shots. Link in title.
Gears over at CoolSmartPhone is doing daily video reviews of a trial HTC Diamond. They are excellent and offer many answers - head on over to watch them.
The moment has finally arrived (although at least 2 months later than promissed) and HTC have released the Windows Mobile 6.1 update for the TyTN II. I am installing as we speak as it offers several benefits: improved bluetooth, threaded SMS, more stability, etc etc. It takes about 10 mins to upgrade... Almost a shame I only have the phone a few more weeks before the Diamond arrives.
K and I went to the Doctors today for our vaccinations. We needed HepA and Typhoid boosters and then Diptheria and Tetanus. One in each arm. I am sore...
The order for the A-Class went in today - woohoo. Now I just have to wait for the engine option to become available and then Personal Collection will contact me. Can't wait!
I should have the order for my next work car in by then end of this week. As a bit of fun I am going to use the Mercedes Personal Collection service. They'll fly me business to Germany, taxi me from the airport to the hotel, provide dinner and breakfast with overnight accomodation. In the morning they'll taxi me to the factory and give me a tour. I then pick up the car and get to drive it home with insurance, transit plates and Eurotunnel included. The best bit - it is free!
I've once again been nominated for a Police Award. This time the county Safer Neighbourhoods Awards to be held in County Hall, Hertford. I am to be presented with a certificate and then, if I win the nominations also get a trophy. Sounds all very posh :)
I had to re-spec the Merc as a load of options changed with the new-look car coming in Sept. A shame as I lost some good options (climate control), but gained others (auto-parking) :) The new spec is:
A150 Classic SE, black with black
Exterior sight and light pack (auto wipers, lights, mirror)
Seat comfort pack (adjustable lumbar and cushion angle)
Cruise Control/limiter
Leather wheel, gear and handbrake
Centre arm rest
Panoramic fixed glass roof
Multi-contour driver's seat
Active park-assist
Adjustable steering column
6CD changer with multimedia interface (iPod control)
Here's a demo of the 'Active park assist' :)
Our final stop of the day was in London to wish T&H a happy move to Denmark. Great party even if I was the only one who ended up in the Jacuzzi :)
After the tea rooms we continued to Ely where we med T (just bought new flat) and J (down from Aberdeen). Strolled down to a river-side pub where we ate and drank and generally enjoyed the heat and the sun.
K and I popped in to the Orchard Tea Rooms en-route to T's this weekend. We enjoyed some cold drinks surrounded by beautiful surroundings. A suitable place to take the Swedes when they next visit methinks! Thanks to Mel from Uni for the tip.
At 15:15 yesterday I completed my last exam for this year's MSc course. A load of us drove to the Brocket Arms afterwards for a few drinks and to relax in the sun. Most of these guys are full time and as such this is the end of their degree - me, I'll be back next year for round 2.
Excuse my absence for the last week but I have been somewhat busy. After Prague I found myself presenting a large piece of coursework on Mon, followed by Swansea on Tue/Wed and then Aberdeen Thu/Fri. I got back home for midnight on Fri and have since been studying hard for my two end-of-year MSc exams (the last of which is today).
However, in a small fit of celebration for completing the year I have pre-ordered this little gem. The HTC Touch Diamond will be their new flagship model complete with all the usual extras such as GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc but also a VGA screen for the first time and a 3.2MPix camera - nice! It has a novel new 3D GUI that should be interesting too but best of all it is much slimmer that the TyTN II I currently have. It is released on the 19th June...)
We went to Prague for the weekend to celebrate N's 30th birthday. Had a fantastic time, went karting, drank beers, did tours, drank beers, saw the castle, drank beers, ate great food, drank beers, watched the F1, drank beers and soaked up the cluture (and drank beers). Brilliant! More pics on Flickr - link in title.
J and I went to see a Pink Floyd covers band on Fri. OffTheWall were playing at Stevenage and for £16 we thought it'd be fun. The band were excellent and I managed to get a front row seat right by the lead guitarist. The only let down was the venue - it was an indoor gym hall with seats and worst of all, no drink allowed in!!
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