3days (and nights) of non stop coughing, I am utterly shattered, ribs and throat are sore as hell. and I am totally wrecked...but finally it seems to be passing, I even managed a few naps today
Need to try to get some more UK cold meds, its not so much that you can't get meds here but there are pretty week usually just paracetemol and/or vit C. Nothing to help with congestion, or other symptoms of colds which leads to other things.
Had to call in sick today which is a pain as I really wanted to go in to voice some concerns I have over peoples perceptions of what we do at NHTV..
There is a slowly developing idea that interactive Apps, are "games" which is partly true, but there is a world of difference between am advertising app for a phone and a 2 year project built from scratch for a console...They are both "games" but the difference in what they are, how they are made and how they are sold is so vast that its hard to see any synergy with them...but people seem to be forcing that and pushing NHTV as a place to learn to make apps, rather than games....to my mind this is utterly wrong and needs addressing.
We had an education day today where someone from a company that develops these apps was going to give a talk... I really have no idea why they were brought in, and wanted to make that point, but I simply wasn't up to it.. I do hope I get a chance to voice my concerns another time.. We need to put some of our high ups in the picture a little more.
Ahthankyew
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Nearly better
Not Man-flu
Just a heavy cold this time, think I'm over the very worst symptoms now...though today am getting a bit worried about the dry cough I seem to have developed over night.. I hate getting chest infections here cos the docs are so unwilling to give you antibiotics for them and as a result they seem to last for weeks.
In the UK a quick course of something non penicillin based (I'm allergic) has any chest problems cleared up in no time, without them it seems to take 2-4 weeks and they end up giving you steroid puffs, which probably do more harm than good. Given that I am now having to pay for my annual drugs due to the 375euro own risk policy, if I have to go to the docs I'll be insisting on some decent AB's.
I've not had to go into the office the last couple of days so just been busying myself at home wrapped up warm, with students work and some of my Z80 project which I have gotten back into, I can finally see an end to this, and the client is start to get impatient, so one last push and I should be done.
Oh and I finally have my new LED HDMI projector up and running, I had to order special tools to remove the mounting clamp from the old one, as well as new screws to mount the new one into the clamps, then risk life and limb on a not very safe looking, but really quite secure ladder arrangement on the stairs to fit it. But it is finally up and running and I'm now up to date with a BluRay based cinema system... I suppose I should buy a BluRay film so I can see if there really is much of a difference.
Still sad that the old one is broken, I could have sold the complete unit for a decent wedge but as it is just selling the old projector alone, won't raise more than a few quid.
Ahthankyew
Just a heavy cold this time, think I'm over the very worst symptoms now...though today am getting a bit worried about the dry cough I seem to have developed over night.. I hate getting chest infections here cos the docs are so unwilling to give you antibiotics for them and as a result they seem to last for weeks.
In the UK a quick course of something non penicillin based (I'm allergic) has any chest problems cleared up in no time, without them it seems to take 2-4 weeks and they end up giving you steroid puffs, which probably do more harm than good. Given that I am now having to pay for my annual drugs due to the 375euro own risk policy, if I have to go to the docs I'll be insisting on some decent AB's.
I've not had to go into the office the last couple of days so just been busying myself at home wrapped up warm, with students work and some of my Z80 project which I have gotten back into, I can finally see an end to this, and the client is start to get impatient, so one last push and I should be done.
Oh and I finally have my new LED HDMI projector up and running, I had to order special tools to remove the mounting clamp from the old one, as well as new screws to mount the new one into the clamps, then risk life and limb on a not very safe looking, but really quite secure ladder arrangement on the stairs to fit it. But it is finally up and running and I'm now up to date with a BluRay based cinema system... I suppose I should buy a BluRay film so I can see if there really is much of a difference.
Still sad that the old one is broken, I could have sold the complete unit for a decent wedge but as it is just selling the old projector alone, won't raise more than a few quid.
Ahthankyew
Saturday, 17 January 2015
17 days... a new record
17 days into the new year and I managed to stay fit and healthy, until I started sniffing and sneezing and became the world largest producer of raw snot....
Bugger... I have a cold....just as I was going to go to the gym....again..
I've also been risking life and limb trying to install my new projector, which turned out to require some interesting ladder placement, coupled with some surprising degrees of vertigo resistance.
Also a lack of tools as it turned out. I did finally managed to unhook and remove the old BenQ unit, after working out its clap was secured in place with a squeeze pin system. But actual removal of the clamp from the unit so I can put it onto the new one, requires special tools I didn't know existed. Tamper proof Allen keys..which are basically the same as normal Allen keys but have a hollow middle. the screws themselves having a bump in the middle of the hole, preventing normal Allen keys from going into the hole and allowing you to engage....major pain...
Will pop to Hornbach later, before the major manflu symptoms kick in and buy a set. The Ladders are still in place until then making access to the attic tricky, so don't want to leave it in that state too long.
The reconditioned Roomba I got on ebay is fantastic...It arrived yesterday, and could not wait to see it in action so left it run through a cycle which also helped to flatten the battery, which is apparently a good thing on 1st use....Aside from being a bit of a cable puller-outer, so I need to make sure cables are not loose on the floor, it works perfectly. Especially on my hard floors downstairs.. So its now set up and scheduled to do its thing every other day at 6am while I sleep. No more hovering downstairs...and once a week letting it loose upstairs which also has hard floors should be more than enough. Though not this week as there will be more snotty tissues on the floor than a teenage boys bedroom before and after his 1st prom.
There are apparently mop versions of this you can get which would also be nice to do once a week, but I am not so impressed with those so I will have to stick to the bucket an mop method..once a year.
I thought Harvey might go a bit nuts at it, but he just looks at it with distain and keeps out of its way.
Better get a lemsip or 2 down me then head over to Hornbach... I can feel the life draining from me as my eyes start itching..........manflu!!!!!!!
Ahthankyew
Bugger... I have a cold....just as I was going to go to the gym....again..
I've also been risking life and limb trying to install my new projector, which turned out to require some interesting ladder placement, coupled with some surprising degrees of vertigo resistance.
Also a lack of tools as it turned out. I did finally managed to unhook and remove the old BenQ unit, after working out its clap was secured in place with a squeeze pin system. But actual removal of the clamp from the unit so I can put it onto the new one, requires special tools I didn't know existed. Tamper proof Allen keys..which are basically the same as normal Allen keys but have a hollow middle. the screws themselves having a bump in the middle of the hole, preventing normal Allen keys from going into the hole and allowing you to engage....major pain...
Will pop to Hornbach later, before the major manflu symptoms kick in and buy a set. The Ladders are still in place until then making access to the attic tricky, so don't want to leave it in that state too long.
The reconditioned Roomba I got on ebay is fantastic...It arrived yesterday, and could not wait to see it in action so left it run through a cycle which also helped to flatten the battery, which is apparently a good thing on 1st use....Aside from being a bit of a cable puller-outer, so I need to make sure cables are not loose on the floor, it works perfectly. Especially on my hard floors downstairs.. So its now set up and scheduled to do its thing every other day at 6am while I sleep. No more hovering downstairs...and once a week letting it loose upstairs which also has hard floors should be more than enough. Though not this week as there will be more snotty tissues on the floor than a teenage boys bedroom before and after his 1st prom.
There are apparently mop versions of this you can get which would also be nice to do once a week, but I am not so impressed with those so I will have to stick to the bucket an mop method..once a year.
I thought Harvey might go a bit nuts at it, but he just looks at it with distain and keeps out of its way.
Better get a lemsip or 2 down me then head over to Hornbach... I can feel the life draining from me as my eyes start itching..........manflu!!!!!!!
Ahthankyew
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Operation clean up....nearly done
So without actually setting any specific resolutions I have been quietly cleaning up. My house, my work, my life...kinda
The very cool sale at C&A has allowed me to restock my wardrobe with garments more fitting a man of my advanced years....though I did also buy a few new pairs of jeans to replace the desperate old and ill fitting ones I cling on to, like much loved children... I can wear them at weekends.
Sales in the shoe store also reaped some new basic shoes, so I can keep my "good" shoes for....y'know I never know what you should keep good shoes for?
But a few hundred euros of sales spending has given me a totally new wardrobe and look, which pretty much everyone at work has commented on, saying how smart I looked? what the !@&*#!? ...making me feel a little self conscious but I guess it proves my old "style" was a little too scruffy, just wearing a collar shirt and jumper makes stand out so much now...I must have really been a bit of a sight.
Now I really have to learn how to iron.
The house is also cleaning up nicely...I am still pissed off about the death of my old reliable (well it did last nearly 7 years) DVD home cinema, now replaced with a Sony BluRay unit, but which also resulted in the need to replace the old and still reliable, just no longer up to date, BenQ projector... It can't handle the output from the BluRay. I suspected as much as my projector could not handle PS3/PS4 output either....At least I can sell it on.. It will still be useful.. I did briefly consider setting it up downstairs..but...why have the attic cinema then?
Fortunately I managed to find a decent priced HDMI unit on ebay... only a few hundred for a new one. I just got myself out of a financial deadfall, thanks to the Xmas bonus, so don't want to be spending too much replacing these things. It should have arrived yesterday but I was out when the DHL man arrived and it seems he didn't want to leave it with the neighbours.
But overall a good ebay buy if it all works ok.
Oh and while on ebay, I could not resist a bargain bid on a Roomba Robot Vac....an extravagance perhaps but I think it's perfect for my hardwood floors and it can be set to work when I am not around... assuming Harvey does not try to kill it. It should be here in a day or 2.
New projector will need a bit of installing as will the speakers for the new BluRay, so the attic at the moment is a work in progress, still a bit messed up.... I will have a proper go at it (maybe let the Roomba loose) soon.
I also want to source a couple of nice recliner chairs for the attic.. I really don't like the Ikea sofa bed any more, its far too bulky and not that comfy when you want to actually watch movies... Time for something else.
And as the end of Block B approaches I can look forward to 3 reasonably quiet weeks to get my work stuff back on track, I have let a few admin things slide, I need to stop letting things slide and get on top of them..
I also made a more focused effort on my Z80 project, I have been having issues with it over the last few months as lack of free time and chronic lack of memory in the ROM, have really stopped me getting on with it.. But I scrapped some of the early set up code on it in favour of some new code and its starting to pull back together again...I really want to get that out there, and start another one. This experiment in the feasibility of Z80 work has taken too long..its fun in some ways but I need to get a proper project done and make a bit of money with it...so this test project needs to get out there...establish my name in the market place and see what the next one can do.
2015 .might even see me visit a gym soon... I almost went on Friday...almost... I at least considered it...but it was raining and decided not to....damn that rain.... ;)
Ahthankyew
The very cool sale at C&A has allowed me to restock my wardrobe with garments more fitting a man of my advanced years....though I did also buy a few new pairs of jeans to replace the desperate old and ill fitting ones I cling on to, like much loved children... I can wear them at weekends.
Sales in the shoe store also reaped some new basic shoes, so I can keep my "good" shoes for....y'know I never know what you should keep good shoes for?
But a few hundred euros of sales spending has given me a totally new wardrobe and look, which pretty much everyone at work has commented on, saying how smart I looked? what the !@&*#!? ...making me feel a little self conscious but I guess it proves my old "style" was a little too scruffy, just wearing a collar shirt and jumper makes stand out so much now...I must have really been a bit of a sight.
Now I really have to learn how to iron.
The house is also cleaning up nicely...I am still pissed off about the death of my old reliable (well it did last nearly 7 years) DVD home cinema, now replaced with a Sony BluRay unit, but which also resulted in the need to replace the old and still reliable, just no longer up to date, BenQ projector... It can't handle the output from the BluRay. I suspected as much as my projector could not handle PS3/PS4 output either....At least I can sell it on.. It will still be useful.. I did briefly consider setting it up downstairs..but...why have the attic cinema then?
Fortunately I managed to find a decent priced HDMI unit on ebay... only a few hundred for a new one. I just got myself out of a financial deadfall, thanks to the Xmas bonus, so don't want to be spending too much replacing these things. It should have arrived yesterday but I was out when the DHL man arrived and it seems he didn't want to leave it with the neighbours.
But overall a good ebay buy if it all works ok.
Oh and while on ebay, I could not resist a bargain bid on a Roomba Robot Vac....an extravagance perhaps but I think it's perfect for my hardwood floors and it can be set to work when I am not around... assuming Harvey does not try to kill it. It should be here in a day or 2.
New projector will need a bit of installing as will the speakers for the new BluRay, so the attic at the moment is a work in progress, still a bit messed up.... I will have a proper go at it (maybe let the Roomba loose) soon.
I also want to source a couple of nice recliner chairs for the attic.. I really don't like the Ikea sofa bed any more, its far too bulky and not that comfy when you want to actually watch movies... Time for something else.
And as the end of Block B approaches I can look forward to 3 reasonably quiet weeks to get my work stuff back on track, I have let a few admin things slide, I need to stop letting things slide and get on top of them..
I also made a more focused effort on my Z80 project, I have been having issues with it over the last few months as lack of free time and chronic lack of memory in the ROM, have really stopped me getting on with it.. But I scrapped some of the early set up code on it in favour of some new code and its starting to pull back together again...I really want to get that out there, and start another one. This experiment in the feasibility of Z80 work has taken too long..its fun in some ways but I need to get a proper project done and make a bit of money with it...so this test project needs to get out there...establish my name in the market place and see what the next one can do.
2015 .might even see me visit a gym soon... I almost went on Friday...almost... I at least considered it...but it was raining and decided not to....damn that rain.... ;)
Ahthankyew
Friday, 9 January 2015
Another Great Gig
the Mighty Starrcase played yet another Graduation party, and were brilliant...a few minor flubs but still brilliant.
I really do enjoy the feedback from these gigs and seeing people dancing is very cool
Next one in May/June....better get practicing.
Ahthankyew
I really do enjoy the feedback from these gigs and seeing people dancing is very cool
Next one in May/June....better get practicing.
Ahthankyew
Monday, 5 January 2015
And back to ....
Sadly not the future..but back to work
A New Year and a new fresh start. I will do my best to keep things going for the better. Time to get on with stuff that has been lingering far too long, also a bit of an image change.
I suspect my Jeans and T-shirt look is starting to seem a little jaded, as is my weight...so not exactly a new years resolution but I am definitely going to lose the weight I half heartedly set out to do last year..no more yo yo-ing.
Am going to cut back on the cake...hmmmm cake..
And get myself trimmed...I won't make empty promises about gyms, but I will at least try to go, I have noticed my condition as they say here in NL is less than stellar, so.....we'll see
Also during the sales I stocked up on some sensible clothes, collar shirts and slacks....not quite enough to see me through a week but enough to start the image change..
Apart from my attic, the house is clean and tidy, and I will keep it that way, new vacuum has proven its worth. Just have to work out how to use that iron thing...can't seem to work out where you insert the clothes!!!
Come on the 2015...I'm ready for you.
Ahthankyew
A New Year and a new fresh start. I will do my best to keep things going for the better. Time to get on with stuff that has been lingering far too long, also a bit of an image change.
I suspect my Jeans and T-shirt look is starting to seem a little jaded, as is my weight...so not exactly a new years resolution but I am definitely going to lose the weight I half heartedly set out to do last year..no more yo yo-ing.
Am going to cut back on the cake...hmmmm cake..
And get myself trimmed...I won't make empty promises about gyms, but I will at least try to go, I have noticed my condition as they say here in NL is less than stellar, so.....we'll see
Also during the sales I stocked up on some sensible clothes, collar shirts and slacks....not quite enough to see me through a week but enough to start the image change..
Apart from my attic, the house is clean and tidy, and I will keep it that way, new vacuum has proven its worth. Just have to work out how to use that iron thing...can't seem to work out where you insert the clothes!!!
Come on the 2015...I'm ready for you.
Ahthankyew
Friday, 26 December 2014
no way to hide it.
Have to be honest, that was an utterly shit Christmas, on my own, for the 1st time in many years.
I have spent a fair amount of it drinking and watching movies to keep me occupied and stop myself getting all wound up. I might do some coding soon when my brain starts to clear. I did however enjoy my mince and tatties Christmas dinner....no really I love that stuff and no point cooking a roast for 1.
I suppose I have to get used to the idea that the future I had partially planned out for "us" is simply not going to happen, things I had convinced myself were going to make my later years happy and fun, are just not likely now.
Oh well... I cheered myself up by buying a new vacuum cleaner for Xmas....yes a strange present for sure, you'd have thought I'd have got a new guitar but the old vac is broken, and though it might be fixable with some glue and a ring clamp(ohh I need to go buy one of those) , I thought it best I just got a new one...it got me showered and out of the house to buy it at least.
Another Christmas casualty is my trusty old Phillips Cinema surround system... I have had it since I arrived here and its served me very well these last 6.5years..but when setting up some lights, I accidently unplugged it while it was showing a menu, and now it won't load any vids at all....I think the motor that spins got damaged
bugger...I suppose it is time to get a new one, but I have held out knowing that any new one I get probably won't work with my now quite old 720p projector...I didn't really want to get a new one of those too...Also...Blu Ray is upon us...oh well... I guess I have some spare funds since I don't need to buy the new mattress Brenda wanted to buy..I'll go see if I can pick up something cheap in Media Markt.
Better go shower....
I'm also going to try to catch up on some jobs that needed doing....the shed needs a clear out, I was going to build a little herb garden ready for spring, several rooms need a lick of paint, and I still have not put up any wall paper in the Attic after the new walls were fitted. I will swing by the DIY store in the next couple of days and sort that out... Keeping myself busy stops me moping about.
I'll try to head into the new year with some purpose.....................yeah....well whatever.
Ahthankyew
I have spent a fair amount of it drinking and watching movies to keep me occupied and stop myself getting all wound up. I might do some coding soon when my brain starts to clear. I did however enjoy my mince and tatties Christmas dinner....no really I love that stuff and no point cooking a roast for 1.
I suppose I have to get used to the idea that the future I had partially planned out for "us" is simply not going to happen, things I had convinced myself were going to make my later years happy and fun, are just not likely now.
Oh well... I cheered myself up by buying a new vacuum cleaner for Xmas....yes a strange present for sure, you'd have thought I'd have got a new guitar but the old vac is broken, and though it might be fixable with some glue and a ring clamp(ohh I need to go buy one of those) , I thought it best I just got a new one...it got me showered and out of the house to buy it at least.
Another Christmas casualty is my trusty old Phillips Cinema surround system... I have had it since I arrived here and its served me very well these last 6.5years..but when setting up some lights, I accidently unplugged it while it was showing a menu, and now it won't load any vids at all....I think the motor that spins got damaged
bugger...I suppose it is time to get a new one, but I have held out knowing that any new one I get probably won't work with my now quite old 720p projector...I didn't really want to get a new one of those too...Also...Blu Ray is upon us...oh well... I guess I have some spare funds since I don't need to buy the new mattress Brenda wanted to buy..I'll go see if I can pick up something cheap in Media Markt.
Better go shower....
I'm also going to try to catch up on some jobs that needed doing....the shed needs a clear out, I was going to build a little herb garden ready for spring, several rooms need a lick of paint, and I still have not put up any wall paper in the Attic after the new walls were fitted. I will swing by the DIY store in the next couple of days and sort that out... Keeping myself busy stops me moping about.
I'll try to head into the new year with some purpose.....................yeah....well whatever.
Ahthankyew
Monday, 22 December 2014
And another door closes
So, thats another chapter in my life over with. Brenda and I are no more, it wasn't working out, lots of reasons, some undoubtedly down to me, but I honestly could not see any genuine future for us as long as the problems we had individually and together were not resolved.
So...bugger...
Please ignore any clearly drunken posts for the next few weeks, I may not be in full control of myself to post much.
Ahthankyew
So...bugger...
Please ignore any clearly drunken posts for the next few weeks, I may not be in full control of myself to post much.
Ahthankyew
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Working on the train.....I think not
So am on the train to Utrecht, and I think to myself, I 'll do a bit of work and upload a retake file to our school system
log in,..ok that works, I have internet for 15 mins on the train
14 mins later I'm still trying to sign in to our school portal, or any other site. Including this
The idea that working via the internet on the train is even remotely possible is laughable.
I'll be amazed if this actually posts!!!
Ahthankyew
log in,..ok that works, I have internet for 15 mins on the train
14 mins later I'm still trying to sign in to our school portal, or any other site. Including this
The idea that working via the internet on the train is even remotely possible is laughable.
I'll be amazed if this actually posts!!!
Ahthankyew
Saturday, 29 November 2014
Tommy..gig..busy...
Tommy Emmanuel was utterly incredible, I felt humbled and dazed at the mans talent, I know there are many great guitar players around, and I strongly truly believe that saying someone is better than someone else is a pointless exercise.....But, this man...this man,.is in a league of 1. He's so far ahead of the others the comparisons remain pointless...genius isn't good enough. He really is the Best Guitarist in the WORLD today.
phew
I'm in two bands, Starrcase is the school band made up mainly of NHTV teachers and partners, and we do fairly regular gigs at school events. But also I am in another band, my friends the Gadgeteers... our progress to gigging has been a more labored process as we struggle to find a sound/genre we all agree with so we've only really played for family and friends, but we had our 1st proper pub gig this month, it went pretty well!
We have some video I am going to edit together mainly to remove my shocking backing vocals...but it did actually go well. We learned a lot, made a few mistakes and got great feedback that we can hopefully use to take us to new levels.. The Gadgeteers are coming, to a small backyard pub near you.
And marking hell is upon me...as always, has taken almost all my work and spare time...and I've got some more to do, so hence the lack of an update.
Time for some guitar playing then bed...so I can get up early for more marking.
Ahthankyew
phew
I'm in two bands, Starrcase is the school band made up mainly of NHTV teachers and partners, and we do fairly regular gigs at school events. But also I am in another band, my friends the Gadgeteers... our progress to gigging has been a more labored process as we struggle to find a sound/genre we all agree with so we've only really played for family and friends, but we had our 1st proper pub gig this month, it went pretty well!
We have some video I am going to edit together mainly to remove my shocking backing vocals...but it did actually go well. We learned a lot, made a few mistakes and got great feedback that we can hopefully use to take us to new levels.. The Gadgeteers are coming, to a small backyard pub near you.
And marking hell is upon me...as always, has taken almost all my work and spare time...and I've got some more to do, so hence the lack of an update.
Time for some guitar playing then bed...so I can get up early for more marking.
Ahthankyew
Saturday, 8 November 2014
I appear to have grown up
I have finally realised that Dr who is in fact a kids show, not an actual intelligent Sci Fi show for adults...At least not when Stephen Moffat is writing it.
That last episode of the finale was UTTER SHIT, I CAN'T GET MY CAPS LOCK LOUD ENOUGH TO SCREAM HOW UTTER SHIT THAT WAS.
and breath
I think that's it, 50 years, and I have to say goodbye to my childhood.
Bye Bye Doctor at times it was brilliant, but those times are few and far between now, time for me to move on.
Ahthankyew
That last episode of the finale was UTTER SHIT, I CAN'T GET MY CAPS LOCK LOUD ENOUGH TO SCREAM HOW UTTER SHIT THAT WAS.
and breath
I think that's it, 50 years, and I have to say goodbye to my childhood.
Bye Bye Doctor at times it was brilliant, but those times are few and far between now, time for me to move on.
Ahthankyew
Here's how it should be done.
Not had time to do a video, been marking non stop all week, and coding. But I have been doing the guitar parts of Night after Night and have almost worked out the entire song :D Soon as I memorise the words I'll start on a video.
Might be a few more weeks now as marking hell has come with 80 odd projects to grade from the 1st and 3rd years...will take a bit of time to get it all sorted.
As a treat though about the time I finish all that.. I get to see the greatest guitarist in the world,...yup...he really is...playing in Utrecht.
The amazing Tommy Emmanuel .....Cannot wait to see this amazing player.
http://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/616/Support_Rick_Price/Tommy_Emmanuel/
Ahthankyew
Might be a few more weeks now as marking hell has come with 80 odd projects to grade from the 1st and 3rd years...will take a bit of time to get it all sorted.
As a treat though about the time I finish all that.. I get to see the greatest guitarist in the world,...yup...he really is...playing in Utrecht.
The amazing Tommy Emmanuel .....Cannot wait to see this amazing player.
http://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/616/Support_Rick_Price/Tommy_Emmanuel/
Ahthankyew
Monday, 3 November 2014
Coding catchup, and time for bifocals
Marking is going ok, still takes a lot longer than I want it to, I got fed up with students demanding their 1st homework grades, so after I did them I decided not to give them...They need to realise grades are not as important as their actual assignments they'll get their grades when I have finished the 2nd assignments, then have to start grading the final assignments...they better be good.
Also doing a bit of coding on other things, my own projects and learning new PS4 stuff, lot of work...I have to do a course next block that I've never taught before, so have to do a shed load of revision. I know the material, but its far away from being something I specialise in but it is daunting but fun.
Age is catching up with me so fast now, 51 in a few months and everything aches, creaks, or is misfiring. Knees, back, groin, the only thing that is not hurting at the moment is my shoulder..its probably taking a rest before coming back with a vengeance.
My eyesight is also becoming noticeably worse, we revamped the living room a few weeks ago, and now the TV is a full 2-3 feet further away, just far enough that I can't actually read the TV guides of program summaries,
So I have had to wear glasses, more often, when watching telly...its all nice and bright and sharp now :(
Trouble is I can't switch focus to things I am reading, or working on my laptop...so looks like bifocals for me next time go for an eyetest which I think I going to be soon.
Ahthankyew
Also doing a bit of coding on other things, my own projects and learning new PS4 stuff, lot of work...I have to do a course next block that I've never taught before, so have to do a shed load of revision. I know the material, but its far away from being something I specialise in but it is daunting but fun.
Age is catching up with me so fast now, 51 in a few months and everything aches, creaks, or is misfiring. Knees, back, groin, the only thing that is not hurting at the moment is my shoulder..its probably taking a rest before coming back with a vengeance.
My eyesight is also becoming noticeably worse, we revamped the living room a few weeks ago, and now the TV is a full 2-3 feet further away, just far enough that I can't actually read the TV guides of program summaries,
So I have had to wear glasses, more often, when watching telly...its all nice and bright and sharp now :(
Trouble is I can't switch focus to things I am reading, or working on my laptop...so looks like bifocals for me next time go for an eyetest which I think I going to be soon.
Ahthankyew
Saturday, 1 November 2014
wow, thats a song and a half
I was watching a really impressive drama documentary on BBC the other night about WWI tank crews. It was pretty harsh but very informative.
But at the end credits I heard a song that just blew me away, I'd never heard it before, even though its a few years old now.. thank you google for helping me find it.. It is this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMxAYkU7gQ
I think this is possibly the most beautiful sad song I have ever heard and it just speaks to me.
I'm going to record it as soon as I have some free time, the original is in a drop D tuning but I was able to work out a reasonable normal tuning version, I just need to practice it a bit more and find a key I can sing it in.
Anyway readers, if you are both reading this, check it out, its wonderful. Mine won't be 10% as good, so soak it in before I ruin it for you.
Ahthankyew
But at the end credits I heard a song that just blew me away, I'd never heard it before, even though its a few years old now.. thank you google for helping me find it.. It is this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAMxAYkU7gQ
I think this is possibly the most beautiful sad song I have ever heard and it just speaks to me.
I'm going to record it as soon as I have some free time, the original is in a drop D tuning but I was able to work out a reasonable normal tuning version, I just need to practice it a bit more and find a key I can sing it in.
Anyway readers, if you are both reading this, check it out, its wonderful. Mine won't be 10% as good, so soak it in before I ruin it for you.
Ahthankyew
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Mid week chillax and cost of drugs.
3 lovely days of peace and quiet...lots of coding done, and some guitars plonked..I can feel the stress falling away.
I have some marking to do, so will probably do that tomorrow, then continue to enjoy my break, but I can definitely feel the return of my calmer self. No rants at people doing daft things, just me time.
My tennis elbow has pretty much gone, I have full function again and very very little pain, apart for my wallet. I got an odd bill from my medical insurance company, which I managed to find out online was for drugs and hospital visits, which I have to pay the 1st 360euros of...ouch. I didn't know that.
But the pills the doc gave me for the nerve damage was a shock, nearly 60euros...for a pack of 24 pills.....WTF.... and a couple of other odd charges I need to ask them about.
I'm a bit ticked off that the doc never mentioned that there was such a high cost attached to the meds, if she had told me I think I would have passed on the idea and just loaded up with the much cheaper, 7euros oxcontin, I'd have been stoned for 3 weeks but the pain would have been manageable.
Lesson learned, always ask the cost of drugs.
We have some visitors staying this weekend, so Brenda wants to do a tidyup.....hmmm well its tidy as far as I can see, its how we live, why make it tidier??? Anyway Spare room does need a bit of a clean out.
Ahthankyew
I have some marking to do, so will probably do that tomorrow, then continue to enjoy my break, but I can definitely feel the return of my calmer self. No rants at people doing daft things, just me time.
My tennis elbow has pretty much gone, I have full function again and very very little pain, apart for my wallet. I got an odd bill from my medical insurance company, which I managed to find out online was for drugs and hospital visits, which I have to pay the 1st 360euros of...ouch. I didn't know that.
But the pills the doc gave me for the nerve damage was a shock, nearly 60euros...for a pack of 24 pills.....WTF.... and a couple of other odd charges I need to ask them about.
I'm a bit ticked off that the doc never mentioned that there was such a high cost attached to the meds, if she had told me I think I would have passed on the idea and just loaded up with the much cheaper, 7euros oxcontin, I'd have been stoned for 3 weeks but the pain would have been manageable.
Lesson learned, always ask the cost of drugs.
We have some visitors staying this weekend, so Brenda wants to do a tidyup.....hmmm well its tidy as far as I can see, its how we live, why make it tidier??? Anyway Spare room does need a bit of a clean out.
Ahthankyew
Saturday, 18 October 2014
gaps are getting long?
I'm not neglecting you reader, its just been a rather busy month, lots of work to do, and been playing with some toys and trying to get some stilly end of project bugs out of my Z80 game..
My BeatBuddy has been proving to be fun and frustrating at the same time...its fun as a drum machine, it really does exactly what it should, I was however hoping to sync it with my loopers so I could have drum backings on my loops but that's proven problematic...ironically not because of the BB, but the loopers themselves really don't want to play with MIDI. I need to keep playing with them.
The software for it arrived, or a least a beta, its just about usable, but I am buggered if I can see where 10+months of development has gone. Its very limited and lacks a lot of functionality...but hey ho....I might be able to help them out with it later, the guy who invented it is very approachable.
In other news...ummm not much to say, my tennis elbow/nerve damage has slowly improved and I am almost pain free.
I finally went to Den Haag to find the famed M&S and have so far made two trips...Pork Pies....oh god such nice pork pies...sausages, that even Brenda loves, pies, pasties and packs and packs of Jammy dodgers and ginger nuts...lovely.
We tried a small financial experiment this month too, setting a fixed food budget and making sure we paid cash for things...we seem to have managed to eat very well all month so far and will get to payday with a few quid spare...Normally we're a little bit short, but we eat far too much takeaway and restraint meals, so this has been quite an eye opener. Given that this month we had the council bills all due too we didn't want to get into the red...We will keep this up and should be able to put a small buffer into the savings account so big council bills and unexpected holiday expenses won't hurt as much.
Ahthankyew
My BeatBuddy has been proving to be fun and frustrating at the same time...its fun as a drum machine, it really does exactly what it should, I was however hoping to sync it with my loopers so I could have drum backings on my loops but that's proven problematic...ironically not because of the BB, but the loopers themselves really don't want to play with MIDI. I need to keep playing with them.
The software for it arrived, or a least a beta, its just about usable, but I am buggered if I can see where 10+months of development has gone. Its very limited and lacks a lot of functionality...but hey ho....I might be able to help them out with it later, the guy who invented it is very approachable.
In other news...ummm not much to say, my tennis elbow/nerve damage has slowly improved and I am almost pain free.
I finally went to Den Haag to find the famed M&S and have so far made two trips...Pork Pies....oh god such nice pork pies...sausages, that even Brenda loves, pies, pasties and packs and packs of Jammy dodgers and ginger nuts...lovely.
We tried a small financial experiment this month too, setting a fixed food budget and making sure we paid cash for things...we seem to have managed to eat very well all month so far and will get to payday with a few quid spare...Normally we're a little bit short, but we eat far too much takeaway and restraint meals, so this has been quite an eye opener. Given that this month we had the council bills all due too we didn't want to get into the red...We will keep this up and should be able to put a small buffer into the savings account so big council bills and unexpected holiday expenses won't hurt as much.
Ahthankyew
Monday, 29 September 2014
Worth the wait
Nearly 10 months, maybe longer, and way past its original April target date..My BeatBuddy has arrived, with the added bonus of not being asked to pay customs, despite a waybill on the packet that suggests I probably should have...I am sure I'll get a reminder if I have to pay something.
I've played with it for 2 minutes, and I can immediately tell you this thing is genius, utter utter genius, easy to use, easy to set up, fantastic, just fantastic to play along to.
Being able to transition to chorus/verse and add high hat or other accents (depending on the track) is just such a simple obvious idea....yet no one did it..until now.
I always like to play along to a rhythm track but that sensation of being locked into the same groove eventually kills the pleasure...it may keep you in time but it does not give much of a dynamic, especially for transitions in the song.
Now every solo musician can have a drummer.....
flipping brilliant.
Now I just need the software, which is also delayed but, I know more than most how that is....I will wait and master my BB in the meantime.
Ahthankyew
I've played with it for 2 minutes, and I can immediately tell you this thing is genius, utter utter genius, easy to use, easy to set up, fantastic, just fantastic to play along to.
Being able to transition to chorus/verse and add high hat or other accents (depending on the track) is just such a simple obvious idea....yet no one did it..until now.
I always like to play along to a rhythm track but that sensation of being locked into the same groove eventually kills the pleasure...it may keep you in time but it does not give much of a dynamic, especially for transitions in the song.
Now every solo musician can have a drummer.....
flipping brilliant.
Now I just need the software, which is also delayed but, I know more than most how that is....I will wait and master my BB in the meantime.
Ahthankyew
Friday, 26 September 2014
Beat Buddy on the way
After being stuck in Hong Kong for a week, my Beat Buddy is finally on its way
http://mybeatbuddy.com/
I've been waiting over 9 months for this little beauty to come, it started out as a crowdfunding idea
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/beatbuddy-the-first-guitar-pedal-drum-machine
Way back in December and I immediately knew this was a great gadget to have, and signed up, I still worry that the bigger companies will realise the awesomeness of this, but no matter. The team at BeatBuddy have managed to see this through, and despite a hiccup at the customs in Hong Kong its finally on its way. Wonderful to see that something which was so passionately put forward, has actually become a reality.
I just hope that it plays nice with my RC-300, traditionally RC's don't like to midi sync with other units, but that's kinda essential....but if doesn't I do have other loop systems I can use.
It should be here next week, as soon as I get it I will be trying it out on my loops, and see how it does..
Vids will follow.
Ahthankyew
http://mybeatbuddy.com/
I've been waiting over 9 months for this little beauty to come, it started out as a crowdfunding idea
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/beatbuddy-the-first-guitar-pedal-drum-machine
Way back in December and I immediately knew this was a great gadget to have, and signed up, I still worry that the bigger companies will realise the awesomeness of this, but no matter. The team at BeatBuddy have managed to see this through, and despite a hiccup at the customs in Hong Kong its finally on its way. Wonderful to see that something which was so passionately put forward, has actually become a reality.
I just hope that it plays nice with my RC-300, traditionally RC's don't like to midi sync with other units, but that's kinda essential....but if doesn't I do have other loop systems I can use.
It should be here next week, as soon as I get it I will be trying it out on my loops, and see how it does..
Vids will follow.
Ahthankyew
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
StarrCase Rocking
We did a birthday party at the Clarenbeek a few weeks ago, here's some vids
Ahthankyew
Ahthankyew
91Kg
No I don't know how either
but still 3kg in a month is good....its all so far down to just not shoveling pies down my face, no snacks, cutting out sugar and avoiding treats... I still eat normal lunch and dinner meals, just choosing healthy when possible, also we were pretty broke after GC so we ate a lot of cheap veg...it was not always exciting to eat but it filled a hole and clearly helped.
I have not been to the gym yet (lol) but I do have a genuine reason.
Stop laughing, I do.
As I noted in a previous post, I've got some nerve damage in my arm, maybe neck surgery related or a strain, but either way I have brachial neuralgia, which is basically sciatica in your arm which gives a fairly constant level of discomfort at points on my arm and a weakening...I can't even open a jar of pickles any more....the ignominy of asking Brenda to do it will never leave me :(
I've been hoping it would settle down and go away but it got a lot worse, and I had a couple of very severe pain attacks from my neck down to my little finger that left me speechless with pain.
So had to go see the doc..she was very helpful.
Got some pills, been taking them.
Not noticed a massive difference, in the levels on constant pain, though the "arggh please cut my arm off now", kind of pains have not re-occurred so maybe it is working.. So the oxycontin the doc gave me just in case, has not been needed....yes...oxycontin...morphine...it was THAT bad.
I will go back to the docs next week to follow up, and possibly go see the sadist Chinese massage woman in town who did my feet, to see if she can loosen up the neck and shoulder muscles..while gleefully watching me cry like a baby no doubt.
Ahthankyew
but still 3kg in a month is good....its all so far down to just not shoveling pies down my face, no snacks, cutting out sugar and avoiding treats... I still eat normal lunch and dinner meals, just choosing healthy when possible, also we were pretty broke after GC so we ate a lot of cheap veg...it was not always exciting to eat but it filled a hole and clearly helped.
I have not been to the gym yet (lol) but I do have a genuine reason.
Stop laughing, I do.
As I noted in a previous post, I've got some nerve damage in my arm, maybe neck surgery related or a strain, but either way I have brachial neuralgia, which is basically sciatica in your arm which gives a fairly constant level of discomfort at points on my arm and a weakening...I can't even open a jar of pickles any more....the ignominy of asking Brenda to do it will never leave me :(
I've been hoping it would settle down and go away but it got a lot worse, and I had a couple of very severe pain attacks from my neck down to my little finger that left me speechless with pain.
So had to go see the doc..she was very helpful.
Got some pills, been taking them.
Not noticed a massive difference, in the levels on constant pain, though the "arggh please cut my arm off now", kind of pains have not re-occurred so maybe it is working.. So the oxycontin the doc gave me just in case, has not been needed....yes...oxycontin...morphine...it was THAT bad.
I will go back to the docs next week to follow up, and possibly go see the sadist Chinese massage woman in town who did my feet, to see if she can loosen up the neck and shoulder muscles..while gleefully watching me cry like a baby no doubt.
Ahthankyew
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
