Recently in Technical Category
I've now learned how to solve the good old rubik's cube 3 times in 3 years. I basically learn how to solve it, practice till I'm really fast, and then put it down and walk away thinking "job done!!". And then 1yr later have to start from scratch and learn all over again.
So I picked up the cube again on Monday after months of non-use, only to discover that I'd forgotten most of the algorithms all over again. This was made even more frustrating by the fact that I taught Chris (the CYFC intern) how to solve a cube earlier in the year, and now he's super speedy at solving one.
Hence the challenge to, once again, be THE BEST!!
And today it happened, after just 3 days, I beat Chris is a rubiks face off (best of 3) and am now well pleased.
The question is, will I now put it down and forget it all again?
And the bigger question... will anybody actually get to the end of reading this rather dull post all about my competitiveness and rubik's cubes?
If you do, let me know!!
Byseee bye!!
Wow, it's really been a long time since I was last here, which means as usual I have so much to report that I'll probably forget half of it by the time I get to the point where I may have considered writing about it, and if that is the case I can only appologise in advance for the small amount of detail that is missing regarding the last month of my life!!
Anyway, what was I saying? I forget... Oh yes...
Aaaarrrggghhh!! I've now officially been waiting over 2 months for my new mobile phone upgrade - that's frustrating enough, not helped by the fact I decided to use Lara's 4yr old phone for a while til it came so I could sell my orange replacement pda phone (the one I lost in France) before it got all scuffed and well used. But now to add insult to injury, I called Orange on Wednesday and amazingly they said they had the phone in stock, it finally got ordered, and I worked from home all day yesterday excitedly waiting to receive it. However, by 4pm I was bored of waiting so I called to get a consignment number in an attempt to track the courier, only to find that (apparently) between being told that it was in stock again, and actually completing the order process, it went BACK OUT OF STOCK!!! Aaaarrggghhhh!! So still no new phone and a very annoyed Jon to-boot.
So, what else has happened - oh, the CYFC exec agreed to buy me a spanky (nearly) new Macbook Pro, with a budget of just £700, and I managed to find one for £650 with a dodgy keyboard but 1yr warranty left so that got replaced for free, leaving me £50 to upgrade to the latest mac OS (leopard, for those of you that care). Owner/Carer and baby are doing fine, don't know the weight, but you get the idea!!
I would have totally written more about that if I wasn't trying to cover a whole month in one blog entry!!! (incuding the ebay purchase of an unsuitable operating system that I then re-auctioned and sold for a huge profit of -£19.00 (yes, that is a minus sign).
I'm gradually running out of beer. I bought a new kit like 2 weeks ago, and just haven't got round to it, so that's not much of a story.
Our new house is small but warm and the outside light finally works after 2 evenings replacing the whole lot and tracing wiring for faults - it turns out, you have to plug it in as well!! (oops) Lara actually made the discovery whilst trying to find somewhere to do the ironing. @What do you think this plug is for?@ she asks all innocently. Eureka!! (notice the strange quote marks... anyone that every changed from PC to Mac should find that quite amusing.)
And I've discovered a new found passion for the guitar - mainly through many nights with lack of an internet connection and seeing young people who can play better than me.
I really should have broken this down into several entries - do let me know if you need any more info on any of these points.
Oh, 2 other things...
Our house still hasn't sold, and now that our 2yr tracker has run out we're paying £200 more per month for a house we don't live in - GREAT!!
And Work at CYFC is going really well - a few interesting teething issues, but nothing that I wasn't expecting.
And thirdly, (for those of you that don't know where number 2 comes in the numeric system) Zak is having an amazing time at school - he gets so many stickers that we've run out of things to stick them to.
Oh, and fourthly, Lara now works part-time for St Matts as Children's worker, and Maisey has started going to nursery (the Maisey thing should really have its own point, but this is quite frankly getting ridiculous)
And I'll stop there.
Ciao people!!
ps. check out the new Cov YFC website - www.covyfc.org
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Yes, it has been nearly a week since my last post - and yes, as usual it's because I've been quite busy (as usual). But there really is no excuse for not telling people what I've been up to, so here goes...
I guess the big thing I did this week was some training for a load of youth leaders from around the region, on "planning a great all age worship session". As you may have guessed from earlier posts, this was quite similar to the session I lead a few weeks ago with a different group on "Planning great assemblies" - just with a few key tweaks. The whole thing went really well, except when I mentioned trying to avoid filler words - and then proceeded to lose my place and spent five minutes saying "um," over and over again. Grrrrr.
As for the rest of the week, I finished the week with my regular game of snooker with Tony (the year out guy), and then had a lovely (if brief) visit from Lara's Dad, Trevor, who stayed over last night and then caught a train back home this morning.
Also, after being constantly on the phone to orange customer services about the lack of a "voicemail" icon on my phone, and my interesting encounter in the t-mobile shop last week, Orange called me yesterday to let me know that (apparently??!!) my phone has a fault on it!! So they're sending me yet another one. These PDA phones are really great, but I can't believe how often I have issues with them, and end up getting them replaced.
And the moral to this story - If you're gonna get a fancy mobile phone, make sure you take out an insurance package (or that it's covered on your contents insurance) cos you never know how long it will last.
And that's it - quite a dull week really. Next week will be more fun, with Easter assemblies and a trip down to Sussex to see Lara's mum (she has another hip op on Wednesday - and possibly a new fella??) I guess we'll know more when we get back.
Ciao for now!!
I guess the big thing I did this week was some training for a load of youth leaders from around the region, on "planning a great all age worship session". As you may have guessed from earlier posts, this was quite similar to the session I lead a few weeks ago with a different group on "Planning great assemblies" - just with a few key tweaks. The whole thing went really well, except when I mentioned trying to avoid filler words - and then proceeded to lose my place and spent five minutes saying "um," over and over again. Grrrrr.
As for the rest of the week, I finished the week with my regular game of snooker with Tony (the year out guy), and then had a lovely (if brief) visit from Lara's Dad, Trevor, who stayed over last night and then caught a train back home this morning.
Also, after being constantly on the phone to orange customer services about the lack of a "voicemail" icon on my phone, and my interesting encounter in the t-mobile shop last week, Orange called me yesterday to let me know that (apparently??!!) my phone has a fault on it!! So they're sending me yet another one. These PDA phones are really great, but I can't believe how often I have issues with them, and end up getting them replaced.
And the moral to this story - If you're gonna get a fancy mobile phone, make sure you take out an insurance package (or that it's covered on your contents insurance) cos you never know how long it will last.
And that's it - quite a dull week really. Next week will be more fun, with Easter assemblies and a trip down to Sussex to see Lara's mum (she has another hip op on Wednesday - and possibly a new fella??) I guess we'll know more when we get back.
Ciao for now!!
A friend of mine has just recieved a new nokia smartphone that he's wanted for ages, and had to hassle orange in order to get the one he wanted. (retentions are a wonderful department).
Anyway, yesterday I decided to go into a few phone shops to take a look at this marvellous new beast, only to discover that only the T-mobile shop actually had one in stock.
So I ask to have a look at it, and the guy point-blank refuses to go get one from the stock room, because "You want to get a Windows Smartphone, not a Nokia". I mean, maybe HE wants to get a Windows device, but he doesn't know what I want - in fact, yes he does - I just told him I want the Nokia one.
After 10 minutes of this guy telling me how amazing the Windows phone is (I decided not to tell him that I actually had that exact phone in my pocket already) I finally leave the store knowing nothing new, other than that mobile phone salesmen are fatheads who will only talk about the phone that THEY think you should have.
So, where do I go to actually get a look at this new "miracle phone"?
Let me know if you have any ideas (and yes, I'm very aware I didn't mention the model number - surprise me).
Anyway, yesterday I decided to go into a few phone shops to take a look at this marvellous new beast, only to discover that only the T-mobile shop actually had one in stock.
So I ask to have a look at it, and the guy point-blank refuses to go get one from the stock room, because "You want to get a Windows Smartphone, not a Nokia". I mean, maybe HE wants to get a Windows device, but he doesn't know what I want - in fact, yes he does - I just told him I want the Nokia one.
After 10 minutes of this guy telling me how amazing the Windows phone is (I decided not to tell him that I actually had that exact phone in my pocket already) I finally leave the store knowing nothing new, other than that mobile phone salesmen are fatheads who will only talk about the phone that THEY think you should have.
So, where do I go to actually get a look at this new "miracle phone"?
Let me know if you have any ideas (and yes, I'm very aware I didn't mention the model number - surprise me).
I really feel annoyed today, primarily because we've had to re-call the boiler repair people.
The thing is, it's to fix a problem that I told the guy about when he came out on New Year's Eve, and he simply ignored. So why do I have to pay another £50 callout fee to get something fixed that should have been fixed last time?
The basic problem, is that our hot water is only hot when you turn the taps on just enough to get a ridiculously weak stream of water. Any faster, and we just get cold water again. We've always lived with that before, but now we've got this new shower to fit, we need to get it sorted.
Everyone I speak to says that the hot tap should produce very hot water, even when turned on full (and yes, we've tried turning the taps on gradually), but no joy - above a certain flow-rate, it comes out cold every time. If this isn't correct, and it's perfectly normal to get cold water from the hot tap at high speed, please comment and let me know. Then I can cancel this call out before we get charged again!!
Grrrr, I hate boilers!!
The thing is, it's to fix a problem that I told the guy about when he came out on New Year's Eve, and he simply ignored. So why do I have to pay another £50 callout fee to get something fixed that should have been fixed last time?
The basic problem, is that our hot water is only hot when you turn the taps on just enough to get a ridiculously weak stream of water. Any faster, and we just get cold water again. We've always lived with that before, but now we've got this new shower to fit, we need to get it sorted.
Everyone I speak to says that the hot tap should produce very hot water, even when turned on full (and yes, we've tried turning the taps on gradually), but no joy - above a certain flow-rate, it comes out cold every time. If this isn't correct, and it's perfectly normal to get cold water from the hot tap at high speed, please comment and let me know. Then I can cancel this call out before we get charged again!!
Grrrr, I hate boilers!!
Luke (the film guy) left this morning after having a minor transport
emergency - National YFC called him last night to say his van had no
MOT. Luckily, the garage down the road from us were able to do an MOT
first thing this morning, so all was sorted.
However, in the process, I also ended up being left with a dvd of the NSYFC promo video that doesn't really play, and a raw video file on my computer that looks really pixelated and grainy. So, it looks like He's just gonna have to send me another DVD and raw file through the post. What joy!!
If you're into techie video stuff, I've explained the exact problem in the extended entry (link @ bottom).
On a positive note, I finally got round to filming a short movie that I thought up a few years back, and it's actually pretty good. I'll try to upload it soon, either as a podcast, youtube clip, or both. It's called "apple".
And also, having thought about setting up in web design recently, this week doing film stuff has really reminded me that just cos I can DO web design, that doesn' t mean that I actually ENJOY it. I like to see the finished product, and will do whatever it takes to get there, but that regularly means spending days working on timy bits of HTML code and often getting to bed at stupid-o-clock in the morning.
What I really love (and always have since I was 8) is film!! Producing high quality video that actually serves a purpose. The strange thing is, I've always known that, but it took a week of doing it constantly to really re-ignite my passion & creativity for stuff like that.
So, where does that leave me? I really don't know. Maybe I need to contact the guys who runs the "Junction 15" media company down the road and talk to him, or maybe I need to try offering my "services" to people I already know. Hey, maybe National YFC will call me and beg for help with some of their projects. I simply don't know where I'm going with this section of ramble. sorry!!
And that's it. Another ramble over, a completed apple movie, and a promo video that needs to be re-rendered!!
And who said life is boring?
However, in the process, I also ended up being left with a dvd of the NSYFC promo video that doesn't really play, and a raw video file on my computer that looks really pixelated and grainy. So, it looks like He's just gonna have to send me another DVD and raw file through the post. What joy!!
If you're into techie video stuff, I've explained the exact problem in the extended entry (link @ bottom).
On a positive note, I finally got round to filming a short movie that I thought up a few years back, and it's actually pretty good. I'll try to upload it soon, either as a podcast, youtube clip, or both. It's called "apple".
And also, having thought about setting up in web design recently, this week doing film stuff has really reminded me that just cos I can DO web design, that doesn' t mean that I actually ENJOY it. I like to see the finished product, and will do whatever it takes to get there, but that regularly means spending days working on timy bits of HTML code and often getting to bed at stupid-o-clock in the morning.
What I really love (and always have since I was 8) is film!! Producing high quality video that actually serves a purpose. The strange thing is, I've always known that, but it took a week of doing it constantly to really re-ignite my passion & creativity for stuff like that.
So, where does that leave me? I really don't know. Maybe I need to contact the guys who runs the "Junction 15" media company down the road and talk to him, or maybe I need to try offering my "services" to people I already know. Hey, maybe National YFC will call me and beg for help with some of their projects. I simply don't know where I'm going with this section of ramble. sorry!!
And that's it. Another ramble over, a completed apple movie, and a promo video that needs to be re-rendered!!
And who said life is boring?
Continue reading Anamorphic? - Pantyschmorphic!!.
I need your opinion on 4 counts:
1. Should I start adding you-tube videos that I find interesting to this blog? would anyone look at them, and would they make the site more interesting?
2. Should I scrap the whole "podcast" thing, or make it more regular? And should I stick to video, or just do audio ones from now on?
3. Should I just put a snippet of each entry on the main page, that then links to the full entry if you want to read it, or should I just blog the whole lot every time?
4. Do you want more theology stuff, just general ramblings, or a focus on another specific theme?
Your thoughts really are appreciated - there's no point me blogging my heart out if it's just boring people.
As usual, answers by comment are appreciated.
1. Should I start adding you-tube videos that I find interesting to this blog? would anyone look at them, and would they make the site more interesting?
2. Should I scrap the whole "podcast" thing, or make it more regular? And should I stick to video, or just do audio ones from now on?
3. Should I just put a snippet of each entry on the main page, that then links to the full entry if you want to read it, or should I just blog the whole lot every time?
4. Do you want more theology stuff, just general ramblings, or a focus on another specific theme?
Your thoughts really are appreciated - there's no point me blogging my heart out if it's just boring people.
As usual, answers by comment are appreciated.
The weirdest thing...
I was chatting with one of my colleagues @ work this morning about how we need to make more use of NSYFC's media facilities, and then literally 1 hour later I get an email from National YFC saying that one of (lol) their guys from the YFC film team is at a loose end and is available to help local centres for FREE!!
So I call him and the upshot is that he (Luke) is coming to North staffs for the whole of next week to do some film stuff with us.
How excellent is that!!
Also, you'll notice that I have a new blog banner - courtesy of Dave Saunders from Highlands & Islands YFC - I challenged him to design me a new one when he stated that the old one was "a bit rubbish" during staff conference.
I mean - how dare he? - does he not know that I won "YFC website of the year 2008"?
Right, that'll do me.
Ciao, my little darlings.
I was chatting with one of my colleagues @ work this morning about how we need to make more use of NSYFC's media facilities, and then literally 1 hour later I get an email from National YFC saying that one of (lol) their guys from the YFC film team is at a loose end and is available to help local centres for FREE!!
So I call him and the upshot is that he (Luke) is coming to North staffs for the whole of next week to do some film stuff with us.
How excellent is that!!
Also, you'll notice that I have a new blog banner - courtesy of Dave Saunders from Highlands & Islands YFC - I challenged him to design me a new one when he stated that the old one was "a bit rubbish" during staff conference.
I mean - how dare he? - does he not know that I won "YFC website of the year 2008"?
Right, that'll do me.
Ciao, my little darlings.
Staff conference is over for another year, and has been filled with meeting friends, deep theological insights, discussions with important people, magic and the occasional late-night drinking session.
The coolest news of all is that on the only night that I missed the begining of the main session (I'd left a video projector switched on lying on my bed and needed to turn it off) at the beginning of the session, they announced that North Staffs had won the YFC website of the year award, and I was given a cool new dab radio for my efforts. Bingo!! Trust me to miss my 2 minutes of fame!!
Speaking of fame, when I got back yesterday, a friend popped round to give me a copy of his band's (The Queensberry Rules) new album, and I get a mention in the credits for the IT and web support that I do for them. So that's pretty cool too.
Anyway, I'm back now, and excited about the challenges that lie ahead with NSYFC, web design stuff and other potential life opportunities.
After sleeping for 11hrs last night, I woke up this morning feeling prety good really, and we all went walking at Trentham this afternoon (and bought a new tea-pot for the kitchen).
As I'm writing this, I'm realising that it's not really "ground-breaking" news, but I'm afraid it's the best I've got.
I also called orange as my mobile phone camera has died, so they're sending me a new one tomorrow, which is good.
And that's it.
I'm gonna go write more on my leadership blog now!!
Bon Voyage!!
The coolest news of all is that on the only night that I missed the begining of the main session (I'd left a video projector switched on lying on my bed and needed to turn it off) at the beginning of the session, they announced that North Staffs had won the YFC website of the year award, and I was given a cool new dab radio for my efforts. Bingo!! Trust me to miss my 2 minutes of fame!!
Speaking of fame, when I got back yesterday, a friend popped round to give me a copy of his band's (The Queensberry Rules) new album, and I get a mention in the credits for the IT and web support that I do for them. So that's pretty cool too.
Anyway, I'm back now, and excited about the challenges that lie ahead with NSYFC, web design stuff and other potential life opportunities.
After sleeping for 11hrs last night, I woke up this morning feeling prety good really, and we all went walking at Trentham this afternoon (and bought a new tea-pot for the kitchen).
As I'm writing this, I'm realising that it's not really "ground-breaking" news, but I'm afraid it's the best I've got.
I also called orange as my mobile phone camera has died, so they're sending me a new one tomorrow, which is good.
And that's it.
I'm gonna go write more on my leadership blog now!!
Bon Voyage!!
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