Thursday, May 26, 2011

The End of Days - or Just The Beginning?

I have frequently quoted the grouchy old bugger known as Wirecutter over at Knuckledraggin My Life Away.  He is witty, forthright and his writing is highly entertaining.*

One of his recent posts started me thinking about how advanced our society is, especially as we are moving more and more towards recycling, reusing, garage sales and generally thinking twice before spending too much money on new items.
Blam - Oscar the Grouch, an old fave: London g...



My truck has been getting worse and worse gas mileage and I have my registration due soon, requiring a smog check. Total cost for a full tune-up and smog check will run me about $500 - I've got the money but don't want to part with it if I don't have too. So today I wander down to my mechanics' garage (who I've bartered with before) to see how I can knock down the price.
 
The whole, worthwhile post, can be read here.



kthanxbai!

*if Wirecutter turns out to be a group project for a psychiatry research paper out of one of the smaller universities I wouldn't be too surprised...
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

How Would You Say 'I Do?'

It all began with a tweet. It was an innocent little tweet

'Guaranteed to make you a weepy mess: Greatest Marriage Proposal EVER!!! http://youtu.be/pnVAE91E7kM'

So I clicked on the link and found this:



Which I thought was AWESOME!!

So I went onto the good ship Google and looked for a few more interesting proposals. You know, there aren't that many intimate, subtle proposals on film, here are a few outlandish, public and I'm guessing, somewhat scary, proposals.






kthanxbai!
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Angry Birds & Pomplamoose

As I mentioned on this very blog back in November 2009, in the brief yet interesting post Put your ears back and listen I like cover bands and I especially like Pomplamoose.


I also like me a little bit of Angry Birds on my iPhone.

Image representing Angry Birds as depicted in ...Image via CrunchBaseIts all harmless murder of innocent pigs with a catapult and a variety of birds as ammunition.

Yeah. That didn't come out as well as I'd hoped.

Anyway, Pomplamoose are a great cover duo, so good in fact that I have included a variety of their offerings below.

Enjoy!










kthanxbai!

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Monday, May 16, 2011

English for Americans

I'm a simple Englishman. Give me a warm pint of dark ale and a lit fire in the fireplace and I am a happy bunny.

And yet I married an American. We speak the same language and yet we don't.

When I visit our family in Chicago its embarrassing enough that I have to speak slowly, and yet they still do not 'understand' me. 

Luckily I am not alone in this plight and help is at hand:

I think I'll send this off to the in-laws as well.

hat tip to @jackschofield 

kthanxbai!
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Dancing Google Logo

In all honesty I was just wowed that the Google logo on their search site was dancing. It blew my mind.

I work in the Internet Environment (sounds flashy eh?) and I was still impessed.

Enjoy my quick screen-shot capturing of the event for you.







Oh, and well done Martha Graham on reaching 117 years young!




Kthanxbai!
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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Dancing Google Logo

In all honesty I was just wowed that the Google logo on their search site was dancing. It blew my mind.

I work in the Internet Environment (sounds flashy eh?) and I was still impessed.

Enjoy my quick screen-shot capturing of the event for you.







Oh, and well done Martha Graham on reaching 117 years young!




Kthanxbai!
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Keep Your Eyes Open

I've been surfing in some unusual places on the interwebs. 
I bring unto thee these offerings.
I hope they please.








kthanxbai!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Tina Fey @ Google

I'm a great fan of 30Rock and Tina Fey especially so I was happy to sit and watch part of the video below. But I got engrossed. Its surprisingly interesting and human. Have a watch and I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments.






 Perhaps former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has a shot at a TV career, if his recent fireside interview with comedic legend Tina Fey is any indication.

The current executive chairman of Google spent an hour with the 30 Rock creator and star during one of its Authors@Google chats at its headquarters in Mountain View, California. Fey and Schmidt discussed everything from her experience raising her daughter to her advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs and writers. If you’re a fan of Tina Fey’s improvisational humor, you’ll love this video.
Original is here

kthanxbai!


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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Where To Go And What To Do?

I've been thinking about where this blog is going and what it’s all about recently, as I have found myself with more time to focus on Jumblerant than I had expected.

Its not like I’ve been thinking too deeply mind you, after all its a blog, not the answer to life itself, the solution to MidEast problems or even the ultra-secret formula to Coke.

So I turned to some bloggers who I really respect, like Frank W. James over at Corn, beans, spent brass, an empty page and a deadline where he posts great movie reviews like this one on Hanna - which I'd never heard of before but now really want to watch! Or this general blog called When Things Go Wrong On The Farm which is just an example of his blogging greatness.

Then I went over to Jay G at Marooned  and saw some funny stuff, which is more like the output I've been creating recently. So I was relieved to see that I was not the only one out there blogging this (for want of a better word) genre.

And finally I visited ASM826 over at Random Acts of Patriotism and saw some of his posts such as Doing My Part (aka Save the Tatas) where I concluded that there really are great bloggers out there who I can try and emulate.

And I will strive to do so!



kthanxbai!


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Sunday, April 24, 2011

These Vids Are Quite Funny

I've had the honor and privilege of trawling through my RSS feed and have found some amazing vids to share with you.

Enjoy!











kthanxbai!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

No buy Chinese fakie - kay?

I was recently advised by a co-worker to buy something online from China. At the time I declined as I really had no use for the product. After seeing the below over at Damn Cool Pics I will never, repeat NEVER, buy anything from China over the internet.

One guy brought this failed 500Gb hard drive to service center because of some problems. When workers of the center opened it they were very surprised, because there was... 128 Mb flash drive inside instead of the 500GB hard drive. The man explained that he bought this fake Samsung HDD in a Chinese store. Be careful what you buy.




kthanxbai!


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Monday, April 18, 2011

European Flight of Shame


Yes, I think it is very brave of the European politicians, especially the exceptionally pro-Arab French, to send their Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines to go and bomb that nice tyrannical megalomaniac Mr. Gaddafi, but come on guys, be a little prepared.


Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter ta...Image via Wikipedia
 




First we hear RAF Typhoon jets 'grounded owing to spares shortages' via the BBC and now NATO Runs Short of Munitions in Libya: Report over at Defense News. 



Come on NATO, get your fingers out - I am sure that lives are more at risk than normal because of your incompetence.




kthanxbai!
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Back to basics

I've had more time on my hands recently so I've been able to surf the interwebz looking for great 'stuff' to pass onto you.

Anything that makes me LOL (laugh out lewdly) or makes me want to share or, in all honesty, just gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, will get put up here.

Enjoy!

Best MLB play ever - Rick Monday saves our Flag

 



With heartfelt thanks to that cheery old smile-a-minute man Wirecutter

kthanxbai!
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Star Wars, Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street

Star Wars, Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street -  a heady mix indeed. But one which artist James Hance has taken as his muse. And he creates amazing stuff;


 James Hance is a relentlessly cheerful painter with a superb eye for celebrity portraits, a twisted view on TV and movie fueled contemporary culture, and a passion for Star Wars. What more could you ask for? Don't go looking for deep meaning and conceptual theory in Hance's paintings, it just ain't there, and it doesn't need to be. James is probably one of those people you'd meet at a party who started off the life and soul but ends up taking it too far by dancing on the kitchen table or kicking a football through the window.

And now he has created a book of his own where he translates the classic A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh into Star Wars. It looks quite cute to me.





After all that there is yet another twist - James' daughter Madison has an illness and he is raising money to get her treated in Boston. May I humbly suggest you go over to the James Hance website and see what Wookie the Chew is all about.


kthanxbai!
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Saturday, April 2, 2011

Old joke, new twist

 As you may have realised by now I am slightly bitter, and more than a little bit twisted.

That probably explains why I laughed so hard when I saw the joke below.


Enjoy!!



Hats off to his amazingness the Wirecutter over at Knuckledraggin My Life Away

kthanxbai!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Finally, An Inspirational Formula 1 Story

The Formula 1 season began last Sunday with the first race at the street circuit in Melbourne, Australia. It was a very exciting and interesting race with some twists and turns at the end.

But that's by the by.

I follow F1 quite seriously and thus read 50 - 100 blog entries a day on the subject. Recently one has really come to the fore with their interesting but personable attitude to the sport, and to their followers.

www.formula1blog.com is where they are and if you even consider following any open wheeled racing - listen to their blog. It rocks.

Normally F1 stories are quite dry and technical; how will the new wings affect down-force, how will the new tires perform and what will Grace be drinking next week? But they came up with a great story about Lewis Hamilton's younger brother;

This coming weekend, another Hamilton will be making his motorsports debut at England’s famous and historic Brands Hatch circuit. A constant figure of familial support in the McLaren garage over the last several seasons, Nicolas Hamilton, younger brother of 2008 World Champion Lewis, has signed with the championship winning Total Control Racing team for the 2011 ELF Renault Clio Cup series.

Nineteen-year old Nicolas, who has cerebral palsy, has already tested a BMW M3 GTP, race prepped by PalmerSport, as well as one of TCR’s Renault Clio Cup racers. Team principal Lee Brooks said, “Obviously it’s fantastic for the team to be running Nicolas in his first season in the sport. As Lewis’ brother, it’s guaranteed he’ll attract a lot of attention in the paddock throughout the year but we’re confident he’ll make good progress and become a very quick racer in his own right. Nicolas has superb passion for motor racing and great support behind him so it is a great honor for Total Control Racing that he will be racing with us.”

The deal for Nicolas to drive in the series was brokered by his father, Anthony Hamilton, who said “Nicolas has followed his brother’s career from an early age and it was natural he would want to get behind the wheel competitively himself.”

“I have loved motor sport from a young age and watching my brother achieve so much has given me inspiration to make my racing debut.” Nicolas himself admitted. “I know this will not be easy, but I hope that my doing this will give inspiration to others who have challenges in their life. I can’t wait to be racing.”


kthanxbai!

Angry Birds

Until recently I had an iPhone 4 from work and, if all goes well, I intend to have another by the end of the week for myself too.

One of the most fun and addictive games I have ever played on a was Angry Birds by Rovio. And it appears that I am not alone. International diplomacy is being feted with them;




kthanxbai!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

An un Jumbled Rant

I don't want you to think that I'm a complete raving fool, so here is a pair of video-clips about where I'm coming from.

I would love to hear what your thoughts are.



Oh, and the BBC wouldn't let me embed this video so here is the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12846841


kthanxbai!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Google Rule The World

In my post,'iLike it' i explained that I wasn't much of a techno-geek. I do work in cutting edge hi-tech so I guess I actually am a bit more of a techno-geek than I thought.

Anyhoo.... a close friend of mine insists that Google is taking over the world, and thus he hates them with a passion. Not that this stance is actually doing him any good!

I love Google. I love what they stand for which is boiled down to, wait for it, ... The Truth.

The more truthful your website the better ranking you get. The longer you've been telling the truth, the higher you go and so on.

And if you didn't believe that they were taking over the world or you are just interested - here is how Google have shaped the internet;

Google's Collateral Damage.
Infographic by SEO Book

For the whole story go over to SEOBook.com

kthanxbai!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Dyslexic Author Giving Back

I recently came across this article and was uplifted by the spirit of the dyslexic author, Claire, in not only writing a book, or two - well actually 3! But, she also donates BIG TIME to great UK charities such as Dyslexia Action  and Help for Heroes.




 Here's an excerpt -

The main aim of World Book Day is to celebrate books and encourage children to explore the pleasures of reading them.  The questions and answers session I did with the children at my local secondary school was inspiring.  A handful of the children had already read Dead Game so the questions were much tailored to Dead Game’s characters, plot and sequel.  That said, they really grasped the emotions that I poured into Dead Game and the questions quickly turned from that of basic ‘plotting the adventure’ questions to ‘the inspiration behind the story’, which fascinated them, it seems, just as much as the actual book did.
Read the rest of the blog here


kthanxbai!

Monday, March 21, 2011

iLike it

I don't think of myself as a techno-geek. My computer is 5 years old, my iTouch I won in a raffle and my iPhone 4 (ahem) is from work. My 'ipod' is actually a Sansa something-or-other and I love it.

So what is it that people so adore about Apple?

The iPhone is great. I get to send photos of my 2yr old from the camera directly by email to his grandparents, aunties and uncles. No need to wait until I remember to upload the photos from the camera - or, like we did 15 yrs ago - wait for the photos to be sent back by mail from the developer!

But here is something to explain Apple's secrets;




Its by College Humor so you just know its going to be a hoot! 

kthanxbai!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Sell-out or buy-in?

A friend of mine on Facebook (oh yeah Princess L., I'm talking about you) mentioned the marvelous OKGO and their videos.

Admittedly. she is a bit behind as I have mentioned them a few times in my blog: like here and here  and more...

But it got me thinking and so I went over to the OKGO YouTube site and looked at their latest video. And I was disappointed, I think....

You see, their latest video is fun, and colorful and interesting but was sponsored by Land Rover. Now I get that they make music because they love it and that they need to eat and pay the rent but really? Get sponsored to make the video? I think that's a bit much.



So what do you think? How does the latest video compare with their previous vids?

Heck, a video with musicians in ghillie suits? Respect!!







kthanxbai!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Getting Personal Now

The horrendous earthquake and tsunamis in Japan were a shocking event for me. But the same as a bus flipping over in New York and killing 14 or the uprisings in Bahrain, Libya and Egypt they don't actually affect me in any way, shape or form.

Not how you want your local nuclear power plant to look


So the 3rd explosion at the Fukushima Daiichi facility should have no affect on my life. At all. Whatsoever.

How many people do you know who fly to the Far East on a regular basis? I only have 1 friend who goes there at all. One of the few friends I have been in contact with over the last 12 years, through thick and thin. He works with airports and cameras and technology and stuff.

What are the odds that he'll be at a Japanese Nuclear Power Plant for crying out loud? Seriously? Infinitesimal. And what are the odds that if he is there, it'll be when two tectonic plates decide to release the energy of their movement?

Well, you guessed it. He was in the area.

He is home now, and we'll have a beer or three when he pops over next Sunday. But heck, I learnt that NOTHING is to be taken for granted these days.


kthanxbai!