Jacob's Digital annoyed me this week. After ordering my Lowpro Slingshot from them expecting to pay the advertised rate they contacted me to say they couldn't send it to Ireland for the normal £4.50 rate. Instead it would cost £18.50!
So naturally I told them that I was not happy to pay that siting that I could buy the bag cheaper elsewhere - and by elsewhere I meant Amazon directly. But after sending the message I logged to Amazon to order it from them and discovered that their price had gone up! More than a little irritated, I then added a second reply to Jacob's Digital (via Amazon's Marketplace) voicing further displeasure at the whole thing. They ended up just refunding my for the bag.
But the good ending to this story is that on the way home from London I called into the Dixons store in Stansted airport. There I found the same bag at under £30 and didn't need to pay delivery as I did that bit myself!
It seems like a pretty good bag and has been doing its job well so far - although it hasn't been rigorously tested yet!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Fairer Essex
I've been travelling with work again. Last week I was in London. Normally that would mean staying in the city but as my trip required me to train staff at an office other than main one I based myself in Essex at the Prince Regent Hotel (pictured below).
It was a pleasant stay with the staff and other guests proving very friendly. My only gripe would be aimed at the TV in my bedroom. Although impressed at the obvious upgrade over my previous stay some years ago the new 32inch LCD HD began to really irritate me. Basically, the volume control was knackered and continually turned itself up without any kind of input from me. Even removing the batteries from the remote control didn't help - the problem must have been in the TV itself.
Anyway, that was a minor irritation. I mean, its not like I missed much. Being in London I didn't even get to watch the Northern Ireland match - I had to put up with watching England getting beaten by Germany which was only small compensation.
The area I stayed in is pretty affluent. One taxi driver told me we were close to Alan Sugar's house. It was easy to believe given that we then turned to drive through Chigwell - home to a few footballers, snooker professionals and generally wealthy people. Huge houses, most tastlessly designed it has to be said with multiple cars, big gates and the odd security camera to protect these modern day castles.
Aside from the hotel and surrounding area, my trip went well. The training seemed to be well received and I survived the week in spite of feeling incredibly tired.
It was a pleasant stay with the staff and other guests proving very friendly. My only gripe would be aimed at the TV in my bedroom. Although impressed at the obvious upgrade over my previous stay some years ago the new 32inch LCD HD began to really irritate me. Basically, the volume control was knackered and continually turned itself up without any kind of input from me. Even removing the batteries from the remote control didn't help - the problem must have been in the TV itself.
Anyway, that was a minor irritation. I mean, its not like I missed much. Being in London I didn't even get to watch the Northern Ireland match - I had to put up with watching England getting beaten by Germany which was only small compensation.
The area I stayed in is pretty affluent. One taxi driver told me we were close to Alan Sugar's house. It was easy to believe given that we then turned to drive through Chigwell - home to a few footballers, snooker professionals and generally wealthy people. Huge houses, most tastlessly designed it has to be said with multiple cars, big gates and the odd security camera to protect these modern day castles.
Aside from the hotel and surrounding area, my trip went well. The training seemed to be well received and I survived the week in spite of feeling incredibly tired.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum
Dermo, Mark and I headed to the cinema on Friday night to catch the third instalment of the Bourne series.With a lot to live up to after the first two outings, 'The Bourne Ultimatum' did not disappoint. Some good action sequences, especially the one on one fight scenes and car chase.
Just be careful with how close to the screen you sit. The camera does not stand still. This does give it a more of a gritty reality but made me slightly queazy during some of the quieter parts! Probably best viewed from a little further back than we were.
Also, you gotta love that Moby track at the end. You can get Extreme Ways by Moby from iTunes.
Moby - 18 - Extreme Ways
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Always wanted a Slingshot
No camcorder is complete without a bag to safely transport it!This one seemed pretty cool so I ordered it from Jacobs Digital through Amazon! This way I benefit from a cheaper price than buying from Jacobs directly but benefit from a faster delivery than Amazon promise!
Its a Lowepro Slingshot and if you check out the photos on Amazon you will see how handy it is. I know it is made more for SLRs etc but at the end of the day its a padded back with movable compartments - right?
We'll see how it performs when it gets here.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
My New Camcorder
Finally, after many years of wanting one I got a camcorder.
Firstly, I was really impressed with the service I got. I got it from UK Digital Cameras but ordered it through Amazon. I placed the order on Sunday afternoon, the camera was dispatched on Monday and it arrived at around lunchtime today!
Second, the price was excellent. Constrained somewhat by a self imposed budget I was keen to get as much bang from my buck as possible. The Canon MVX450 I got was as much as £305 on Pixmania but I got it for £235 delivered!
Thirdly, its a dandy we camera for the money. It uses MiniDV (none supplied) but I discovered I can also record to the SD Card (not supplied either) - with cards available up to 4GB! I can plug a powered condenser style mic into it too which helps eliminate the tape hum you get when the in-built microphone is used - something unavoidable in my price range.
There are lots of other features that I'll not bore you with. But I will, for Dermo's interest, point out where it differs from the MVX460. It doesn't have the wide angle feature and it doesn't allow analogue-digital conversion. The digital conversion is something I would have missed a few years ago but given it has been so long since I even saw a VHS I'm not too bothered. Mind you I would still like to get my Pirate of Penzance performance in the digital can at some stage!
Firstly, I was really impressed with the service I got. I got it from UK Digital Cameras but ordered it through Amazon. I placed the order on Sunday afternoon, the camera was dispatched on Monday and it arrived at around lunchtime today!
Second, the price was excellent. Constrained somewhat by a self imposed budget I was keen to get as much bang from my buck as possible. The Canon MVX450 I got was as much as £305 on Pixmania but I got it for £235 delivered!
Thirdly, its a dandy we camera for the money. It uses MiniDV (none supplied) but I discovered I can also record to the SD Card (not supplied either) - with cards available up to 4GB! I can plug a powered condenser style mic into it too which helps eliminate the tape hum you get when the in-built microphone is used - something unavoidable in my price range.There are lots of other features that I'll not bore you with. But I will, for Dermo's interest, point out where it differs from the MVX460. It doesn't have the wide angle feature and it doesn't allow analogue-digital conversion. The digital conversion is something I would have missed a few years ago but given it has been so long since I even saw a VHS I'm not too bothered. Mind you I would still like to get my Pirate of Penzance performance in the digital can at some stage!
Martha Wainwright
Last night I had the pleasure of listening to Martha Wainwright sing and play guitar at a concert in Lisburn. It was just her voice and her guitar but those two together were enough to captivate and entertain.
I arrived not knowing any of her songs but left wanting to learn them! Except of course for the swear words which were, admittedly, a little to frequent for my liking.
Sadly I didn't get a photo of the performance as Eventsec were out in force ensuring none were taken. But I did get a couple of the signing session Martha did after the show. She's the one behind the table - somewhere! My brother is in the bottom right in blue.
I arrived not knowing any of her songs but left wanting to learn them! Except of course for the swear words which were, admittedly, a little to frequent for my liking.
Sadly I didn't get a photo of the performance as Eventsec were out in force ensuring none were taken. But I did get a couple of the signing session Martha did after the show. She's the one behind the table - somewhere! My brother is in the bottom right in blue.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Amazing Grace - music from the film
No its not the Chris Tomlin one, which I also like.
I thought this was a fantastic version of the well known tune. Traditional sound with the bagpipes but also very moving. I love how it builds with the drums then finally with the brass section.
This is not present on the soundtrack album - disappointing, especially given its centricity to the story and title!
Some of you may prefer a Tomy Emmanuel take on things.
I thought this was a fantastic version of the well known tune. Traditional sound with the bagpipes but also very moving. I love how it builds with the drums then finally with the brass section.
This is not present on the soundtrack album - disappointing, especially given its centricity to the story and title!
Some of you may prefer a Tomy Emmanuel take on things.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Just felt like a change
Just felt like I wanted a brighter looking blog. What do you think? Its just one of the standard templates but I like it.
Also I removed the Adsense bit because it wouldn't let me colour it properly and lets face it, it probably wasn't used very much!
Also I removed the Adsense bit because it wouldn't let me colour it properly and lets face it, it probably wasn't used very much!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Amazing Grace
I watched the movie tonight and to be honest was moved to tears.
William Wilberforce worked for decades before his calls for the abolition of the slave trade were finally heeded. Those who lived in slavery waited during that time, hoping and praying for deliverance.
Their freedom was finally granted 1807. How did that feel for Wilberforce after many years of pain staking efforts? How did it feel for those enslaved to be finally set free?
Then I thought of this:
"So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 5:3-7
I was reminded that as hard as Wilberforce worked for the freedom of the slaves in the plantations, there is One who worked so much harder and paid so much more to free me from my sin.
In the movie Oloudaqh Equiano said that when sold into slavery he was branded by the person who purchased him. This he said was to show that he was now owned by a man and not by God.
But the Bible says:
"because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:4-10
The fact is, our sin condems us. But God in his mercy offers us freedom from sin that was purchased when Jesus died.
I'm that undeserving wretch that was saved by God's amazing grace!
William Wilberforce worked for decades before his calls for the abolition of the slave trade were finally heeded. Those who lived in slavery waited during that time, hoping and praying for deliverance.
Their freedom was finally granted 1807. How did that feel for Wilberforce after many years of pain staking efforts? How did it feel for those enslaved to be finally set free?
Then I thought of this:
"So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 5:3-7
I was reminded that as hard as Wilberforce worked for the freedom of the slaves in the plantations, there is One who worked so much harder and paid so much more to free me from my sin.
In the movie Oloudaqh Equiano said that when sold into slavery he was branded by the person who purchased him. This he said was to show that he was now owned by a man and not by God.
But the Bible says:
"because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:4-10
The fact is, our sin condems us. But God in his mercy offers us freedom from sin that was purchased when Jesus died.
I'm that undeserving wretch that was saved by God's amazing grace!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The New Apple iMac
You're drooling over your computer aren't you. Your now very old, very crappy, very ugly looking computer.Visit Apple UK for more.
Time for a cold shower.
Life in the Fast Lane
As you will already be aware, I have been travelling through JLA quite a bit recently. Everytime I head home I have to pass by this sign which I have to admit really annoys me. They say I can avoid queuing if I pay £2.
To allow them to offer this facility the airport have paid out quite a bit of money to segregate us into paying and non-paying customers. Then there are the machines - a bit like parking ticket machines. The question I have is, would this not be better spent just getting the security right so everyone can get through in a reasonable time rather than making it super quick for a few?
From what I can see the fruit of this 'brainchild' is that the 'ordinary' line is getting worse so the overall service to the majority of customers has declined.
Is this a sign of things to come? Will Easyjet and Ryanair start up a fast lane at check-in, for a small fee of course? We already have speedy boarding!
Bar & Grill - Liverpool
I couldn't remember the name of this restaurant the other day - probably because it was so simple! The Bar & Grill was the first we visited during the course in Liverpool and turned out to be a very good experience for the group.
As soon as you walk through the door of the Liverpool Bar & Grill you will be impressed. I found myself looking up, down and around for the first 10 minutes or so.
That said, having read reviews on the Restaurant Guide I'm wondering if we got special treatment because we were 'corporate' customers and therefore automatically friends of the manager!
Although the menu was limited the food was great. Friends around me ordered different dishes and they all looked fabulous. Those that I got to taste were very nice indeed.
We were there on a Monday night so it was maybe quieter than other nights therefore the tables being close together didn't really bother us. It may have annoyed other smaller and quieter groups!
As soon as you walk through the door of the Liverpool Bar & Grill you will be impressed. I found myself looking up, down and around for the first 10 minutes or so.
That said, having read reviews on the Restaurant Guide I'm wondering if we got special treatment because we were 'corporate' customers and therefore automatically friends of the manager!
Although the menu was limited the food was great. Friends around me ordered different dishes and they all looked fabulous. Those that I got to taste were very nice indeed.
We were there on a Monday night so it was maybe quieter than other nights therefore the tables being close together didn't really bother us. It may have annoyed other smaller and quieter groups!
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Some Restaurants
I ate out a lot when in Liverpool. Here is a run down on a few of the places that we tried.
Il Forno
It claims to be an authentic Italian restaurant and I guess it is - given that I couldn't read the menu. Even though I didn't get the pizza I thought I had ordered (I got it wrong - not them!) it was delicious. The staff were friendly and even put up with questions from people like me who don't understand the wine tasting process or what fork to use etc. (I can sense Dermo cringe reading this!). Also, a few helped us stage a fake happy birthday incident that embarressed the life out of one of our Danish contingent!
Christakis Taverna
This Cypriot run Greek restaurant feels like the real thing. Sitting with the group at the long table it took me back to good times spent under my grandmothers vine eating with the family. It was just like eating in Cyprus! I can recommend this to anyone - unless of course you are only into poncy, overly fancy food.
HA HA
Food and service so bad you'd think they were having a laugh. Do not go to this restaurant. Spend your hard earned cash somewhere else on something you have a better chance of enjoying.
Pizza Express
Sometimes it is good to walk into an establishment that you just know. You know what to expect from Pizza express and you get what you expect - decent food at decent prices.
The Olive Press
I found out what Gnocchi was when I ate here. I found out later it is part of the Heathcotes chain but it didn't feel like a franchise. Very reasonably priced, good food, top notch service.
Il Forno
It claims to be an authentic Italian restaurant and I guess it is - given that I couldn't read the menu. Even though I didn't get the pizza I thought I had ordered (I got it wrong - not them!) it was delicious. The staff were friendly and even put up with questions from people like me who don't understand the wine tasting process or what fork to use etc. (I can sense Dermo cringe reading this!). Also, a few helped us stage a fake happy birthday incident that embarressed the life out of one of our Danish contingent!
Christakis Taverna
This Cypriot run Greek restaurant feels like the real thing. Sitting with the group at the long table it took me back to good times spent under my grandmothers vine eating with the family. It was just like eating in Cyprus! I can recommend this to anyone - unless of course you are only into poncy, overly fancy food.
HA HA
Food and service so bad you'd think they were having a laugh. Do not go to this restaurant. Spend your hard earned cash somewhere else on something you have a better chance of enjoying.
Pizza Express
Sometimes it is good to walk into an establishment that you just know. You know what to expect from Pizza express and you get what you expect - decent food at decent prices.
The Olive Press
I found out what Gnocchi was when I ate here. I found out later it is part of the Heathcotes chain but it didn't feel like a franchise. Very reasonably priced, good food, top notch service.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Liverpool
Laura is right, I've been neglecting my blog! I could use the excuse that I have been away in Liverpool for a while but given that I had my computer with me there and the fact that I have actually been home for a week it doesn't really stack up.
Anyway, I had fun in Liverpool. It was a tiring two weeks where I was trained to be a trainer as part of a new sales process overhaul that we are going through in work. It was challenging not least because I had to stand up in front of some very experienced people and try to convince them that change is a good thing.
After several days of this mental strain we decided to take in some live music. We heard some Irish music which unfortunately did not include the Mountains of Mourne, then a fantastic guitarist/singer doing lots of covers (including battle of the banjos on one guitar!) and then just a hint of a hint of what it must have been like to experience the Beatles live at the Cavern. We caught a tribute band which you can see below - they were pretty good!
Although many parts of the country were swimming in flood water we enjoyed a few good days in Liverpool. We even had some beautiful sunsets. This was the view from my room in the Radisson on one such evening - I'm just sorry I forgot to turn my lamp off!
I think I'd like to go back to the city as a tourist and take in more of the sights. Maybe I'll go catch a concert, see a few museums or catch a top class premiership match. Or I could go to Anfield.
Anyway, I had fun in Liverpool. It was a tiring two weeks where I was trained to be a trainer as part of a new sales process overhaul that we are going through in work. It was challenging not least because I had to stand up in front of some very experienced people and try to convince them that change is a good thing.
After several days of this mental strain we decided to take in some live music. We heard some Irish music which unfortunately did not include the Mountains of Mourne, then a fantastic guitarist/singer doing lots of covers (including battle of the banjos on one guitar!) and then just a hint of a hint of what it must have been like to experience the Beatles live at the Cavern. We caught a tribute band which you can see below - they were pretty good!
Although many parts of the country were swimming in flood water we enjoyed a few good days in Liverpool. We even had some beautiful sunsets. This was the view from my room in the Radisson on one such evening - I'm just sorry I forgot to turn my lamp off!
I think I'd like to go back to the city as a tourist and take in more of the sights. Maybe I'll go catch a concert, see a few museums or catch a top class premiership match. Or I could go to Anfield.
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