Billy Connolly colonoscopy.
Actually, if you're sensitive, don't go there.
It's not that she needs one, but instead has that nasty tummy bug that's been going round. We visited a house yesterday where they were still recovering and ate there, and that's probably been enough to pass it on. Do feel sorry for the poor lass though, as she's been shivering violently as well as spouting both ends. I can also feel a certain gentle pressure in my nether regions, but while it's still comfortably containable it shall remain contained comfortably.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Saturday, 27 February 2010
A bombshell has hit our livingroom today.
Well, actually it's the contents of the cupboard under the stairs.
For some time I've been wanting to tackle it and reduce the clutter (in so many ways) but who would have thought one could get so much into such a tiny space? The living room is full, there's stuff in the kitchen and the cupboard still has all the model planes, balsa wood, radio control gear, tools, my Vox AC30, a large box with LPs and a bunch of other odds and ends in it.
Sat 4 feet away is a large stack comprising empty speaker and head cabs, plus 6 loudspeakers (2 of which don't work). There's piles of magazines, a collection of power tools (mostly still boxed) framed pictures, computer stuff, wood and metal raw materials, 3 separate camera holdalls, a RC model plane belonging to a friend, a wooden chest containing radio gear and aero engines, a boxed German language course on cassette, crash helmets, spare bags, a couple of guitars and a draw full of hand tools.
I've already been through and cleared a lot of stuff: there's a huge pile of PC bits: MOBOs & processors from jobs I've done + old PS2 mice etc. I've filled a couple of rubbish bags with foam and things that really need chucking now.
The high point?
Finding a tiny DC Merlin diesel engine mounted on a piece of 2 bee 2 (as we'd call it). The engine was a gift from my father when he ran a model shop, and the wood was an offcut from the legs of the bunk beds he made for my brother and I. It still had the original tank and pipe (still supple!) held with a piece of heavy electrical wire twisted together to keep it all in place. The engine was gummed up and wouldn't turn by hand, but I squirted in some lube before popping it away in the hope it will soften and one day be recoverable.
The engine is important to me, not least because it's fully 40 years old, but also for the memories it brings. On Friday my mother asked if there were any possessions I wouldn't ever want to get rid of, and at the time, I could only think of my first decent electric guitar. However this is another one, and I'd be really sad to ever have to let this one go for good.
For some time I've been wanting to tackle it and reduce the clutter (in so many ways) but who would have thought one could get so much into such a tiny space? The living room is full, there's stuff in the kitchen and the cupboard still has all the model planes, balsa wood, radio control gear, tools, my Vox AC30, a large box with LPs and a bunch of other odds and ends in it.
Sat 4 feet away is a large stack comprising empty speaker and head cabs, plus 6 loudspeakers (2 of which don't work). There's piles of magazines, a collection of power tools (mostly still boxed) framed pictures, computer stuff, wood and metal raw materials, 3 separate camera holdalls, a RC model plane belonging to a friend, a wooden chest containing radio gear and aero engines, a boxed German language course on cassette, crash helmets, spare bags, a couple of guitars and a draw full of hand tools.
I've already been through and cleared a lot of stuff: there's a huge pile of PC bits: MOBOs & processors from jobs I've done + old PS2 mice etc. I've filled a couple of rubbish bags with foam and things that really need chucking now.
The high point?
Finding a tiny DC Merlin diesel engine mounted on a piece of 2 bee 2 (as we'd call it). The engine was a gift from my father when he ran a model shop, and the wood was an offcut from the legs of the bunk beds he made for my brother and I. It still had the original tank and pipe (still supple!) held with a piece of heavy electrical wire twisted together to keep it all in place. The engine was gummed up and wouldn't turn by hand, but I squirted in some lube before popping it away in the hope it will soften and one day be recoverable.
The engine is important to me, not least because it's fully 40 years old, but also for the memories it brings. On Friday my mother asked if there were any possessions I wouldn't ever want to get rid of, and at the time, I could only think of my first decent electric guitar. However this is another one, and I'd be really sad to ever have to let this one go for good.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Bath pics
To wet an appetite or 2.
It's interesting how every out-door pic I selected was vertical. That may tell you quite a bit about the city.
It's interesting how every out-door pic I selected was vertical. That may tell you quite a bit about the city.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Anyone want to lend me
a small-medium bass amp? Like a Trace Elliot Commando or similar. Somewhere between 50W and 100W and enough to fill a largish hall at lowish volume (rather than a large room at high volume). The Pignose ain't man enough for it, even with a Hartke bass speaker installed.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
A great 4th and final post
.....on congregation participation in worship from Matt Blick's blog. If you've not been over there yet then I very strongly recommend reading this plus the other 3 articles below. They echo my heart for worship to involve the whole church together, and not just each one in their own private place of worship.
Monday, 15 February 2010
First post from Linux Mint
It's kind of like Ubuntu, but subtly different. Quite a lot slower starting up, for one thing.
It looks better crafted than Ubuntu (on which it's based) with better screen fonts, but not slick like Sabayon.
It looks better crafted than Ubuntu (on which it's based) with better screen fonts, but not slick like Sabayon.
Can I have the real Facebook now please?
An article on El-Reg made me chuckle a bit. Especially funny are some of the comments (though not all by any means).
Mikey - gimme back my web 1.0.
Mikey - gimme back my web 1.0.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
There's something which is odd about hearing God.
But not in the way you might think.
This evening we had a bit of an open prayer time at the chapel, and prayed for certain things. I just felt God say 'do such and such' and when I did them it seemed natural and right to say certain things, much of which seemed appropriate to aspects of the situation I had no knowledge of until later.
That's not the odd thing.
The odd thing is that people sometimes look at me as if to say "wow, how did you know that" and of course the answer is, I didn't and in many ways still don't, really.
There is someone we know who is gifted prophetically who would quite often stand up in church meetings and give people accurate prophetic words. In one case a couple who he had never met nor knew anything about had come with us and he gave them first an accurate description of their jobs and relationship before giving them a word of direction. Chris and I would sometimes joke together at those times: "missed me" etc. One day I asked God 'why aren't there ever any words for me' and He said 'because I can speak to you and don't need to do that with you'. It all seems perfectly natural, but it really isn't about me being special, but about Him talking to me.
And this is why it's not like some gift or ability that I have to 'know' things about people, to peel back their masks and see their thoughts and feelings. Instead it's simply God showing me stuff for a purpose. For my part, increasingly over recent years I've tried to be faithful to speak up, rather than doing the obvious 'that couldn't be God - must be my imagination'. The result of that, I'm sure, is that He's talking to me more in a way I can hear, instead of just through feelings and wishes. I hope that increasingly I'll learn to recognise that voice and speak out.
This evening we had a bit of an open prayer time at the chapel, and prayed for certain things. I just felt God say 'do such and such' and when I did them it seemed natural and right to say certain things, much of which seemed appropriate to aspects of the situation I had no knowledge of until later.
That's not the odd thing.
The odd thing is that people sometimes look at me as if to say "wow, how did you know that" and of course the answer is, I didn't and in many ways still don't, really.
There is someone we know who is gifted prophetically who would quite often stand up in church meetings and give people accurate prophetic words. In one case a couple who he had never met nor knew anything about had come with us and he gave them first an accurate description of their jobs and relationship before giving them a word of direction. Chris and I would sometimes joke together at those times: "missed me" etc. One day I asked God 'why aren't there ever any words for me' and He said 'because I can speak to you and don't need to do that with you'. It all seems perfectly natural, but it really isn't about me being special, but about Him talking to me.
And this is why it's not like some gift or ability that I have to 'know' things about people, to peel back their masks and see their thoughts and feelings. Instead it's simply God showing me stuff for a purpose. For my part, increasingly over recent years I've tried to be faithful to speak up, rather than doing the obvious 'that couldn't be God - must be my imagination'. The result of that, I'm sure, is that He's talking to me more in a way I can hear, instead of just through feelings and wishes. I hope that increasingly I'll learn to recognise that voice and speak out.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
I've not been this bushed in ages.
Yesterday we had a load of firewood delivered - the thinking being that we'll turn the rayburn down and use the radiators less (saving oil) and light the stove when we need to keep warmer.
Back in the day (well, the first 5 years up here anyway) we were mostly heated by wood, and we'd spend around 1 weekend in 4 cutting and stacking wood for the next month. It kept us fit, cutting and carrying, but we were young enough to cope OK. Now a sedentary 48 year old, a morning moving a ton or so of beech logs is hard work, and I'd really like to just curl up in a hot bath instead of taking rubbish from our shed and garden to the tip.
We're out tonight, doing Valentine stuff courtesy of the couple that head up HPC. Wasn't Valentine a ballet dancer? I hope they don't expect me to perform when I'm all stiff and achey.
Back in the day (well, the first 5 years up here anyway) we were mostly heated by wood, and we'd spend around 1 weekend in 4 cutting and stacking wood for the next month. It kept us fit, cutting and carrying, but we were young enough to cope OK. Now a sedentary 48 year old, a morning moving a ton or so of beech logs is hard work, and I'd really like to just curl up in a hot bath instead of taking rubbish from our shed and garden to the tip.
We're out tonight, doing Valentine stuff courtesy of the couple that head up HPC. Wasn't Valentine a ballet dancer? I hope they don't expect me to perform when I'm all stiff and achey.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Let's hope Avatar
is as good as everyone's suggested.
I've just booked tickets for the 11pm showing at the Kassam on the wrong side of Oxford, finishing at 2.10am.
Today I was up at 5.30am, working away from home, getting back at 7.30pm this evening. Hope I can stay awake.
I've just booked tickets for the 11pm showing at the Kassam on the wrong side of Oxford, finishing at 2.10am.
Today I was up at 5.30am, working away from home, getting back at 7.30pm this evening. Hope I can stay awake.
Monday, 8 February 2010
After being smug about fixing my heating system
I had to do another 'fix' this evening.
When I did last weeks repair I used some stainless steel Ben had laying around to create extra supports for the heatproof block in the top of the firebox. By about Wednesday last week I could hear something wasn't quite right, because after the burner shut down there was still a rumbling noise from the firebox. Popping the inspection hole while it shut down confirmed that flames were still present.
So tonight I pulled it apart again.
Not all Stainless Steel is created equal.
This stuff had burned through in a week, and the cause of the problem was that the bits had fallen into the burner. So this time it was a complete strip of the firebox, pulled the burner unit out, cleaned it up & checked it over before popping it all back together.
This time.
This time I hope all will be well. Until summer, when I have some preventive maintenance scheduled.
When I did last weeks repair I used some stainless steel Ben had laying around to create extra supports for the heatproof block in the top of the firebox. By about Wednesday last week I could hear something wasn't quite right, because after the burner shut down there was still a rumbling noise from the firebox. Popping the inspection hole while it shut down confirmed that flames were still present.
So tonight I pulled it apart again.
Not all Stainless Steel is created equal.
This stuff had burned through in a week, and the cause of the problem was that the bits had fallen into the burner. So this time it was a complete strip of the firebox, pulled the burner unit out, cleaned it up & checked it over before popping it all back together.
This time.
This time I hope all will be well. Until summer, when I have some preventive maintenance scheduled.
Ever come come across someone
who says pretty much all the things you wanted to tell people on a topic, but with humour to make make it all the more palatable?
Read Matt Blick's blog post: 12 ways to increase congregation participation (in worship).
Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.
Of course you may feel that it should all be for the Glory Of God and wish the congregation would just shut up and enjoy the show, in which case you are very welcome to your 'worship as a concert' meetings, as long as I don't have to be there.
Read Matt Blick's blog post: 12 ways to increase congregation participation (in worship).
Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.
Of course you may feel that it should all be for the Glory Of God and wish the congregation would just shut up and enjoy the show, in which case you are very welcome to your 'worship as a concert' meetings, as long as I don't have to be there.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Saturday, 6 February 2010
This morning I was mostly
driving round upper Heyford for 20 min, fruitlessly search for someone's house for a 7am men's house group. When people give you an address, giving you a number and then telling you the road their back entrance is on without making that plain is not useful.
Oh well, at least I managed to get an email or 2 answered.
Oh well, at least I managed to get an email or 2 answered.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Success.
I took Chris to see 'ABBA Mania' (tribute band) tonight in Oxford, as a complete surprise. Because of the way things worked out, we actually got inside the New Theatre and sat down without her knowing what she was going to see. If it hadn't been for someone with a program sat in front the secret would have been kept right up until the first song.
Jethro Tull are on in March, but at £30 a ticket (plus another tenner booking fees) I think it's a bit spendy. Judging by tonight's sound it's also not a good music venue: either that or my ears don't hear things like everyone else's (tonight's sound lacked warmth and mids, though it was very crisp to my ears).
Still she had a good time, and that was what it was all about.
Jethro Tull are on in March, but at £30 a ticket (plus another tenner booking fees) I think it's a bit spendy. Judging by tonight's sound it's also not a good music venue: either that or my ears don't hear things like everyone else's (tonight's sound lacked warmth and mids, though it was very crisp to my ears).
Still she had a good time, and that was what it was all about.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Tomorrow I shall be married
to a 47 year old woman.
And to celebrate I'm taking her to something Dixie would appreciate (even though there is no Merryl Streep present).
And to celebrate I'm taking her to something Dixie would appreciate (even though there is no Merryl Streep present).
Macbook clamshell mode - advice?
Thought I'd finally cracked (no pun intended) the issue of running the Macbook in clamshell mode. Plug everything into the various ports, making sure the monitor is switched on, hit the power button and close the lid: voila! When it starts then the external monitor gets the full feed from the booting computer, and it will run with the lid closed giving >5 hours battery life even with the wireless network activated.
Except.
Except when you leave it unattended for a couple of minutes and it turns the external display off to save power, as though it were the laptop display and hibernates. Then the external display will work briefly when the machine wakes up before going blank again (because the lid's shut) and it returns to the hibernation state. Then you have the choice of shutting down a restarting or leaving the lid open as you did before.
This is really sucky.
Every other laptop I ever touched in the last 8 years would automatically divert the video to an external display if one was attached when the lid was shut, saving battery power etc. After hibernation it would awaken just as it was before, using that display. Like the failure to handle some CDs and DVDs properly, I'm sure this is just a software issue.
Any other users out there have advice/settings suggestions (not that there's much that control panel will let me change anyway).
And one more question - anyone ever use a non-Apple power supply? It would be useful to have a spare, but at the £20 ebay price, rather than the £60 Apple UK price. However I'd prefer not to fry any batteries.
Except.
Except when you leave it unattended for a couple of minutes and it turns the external display off to save power, as though it were the laptop display and hibernates. Then the external display will work briefly when the machine wakes up before going blank again (because the lid's shut) and it returns to the hibernation state. Then you have the choice of shutting down a restarting or leaving the lid open as you did before.
This is really sucky.
Every other laptop I ever touched in the last 8 years would automatically divert the video to an external display if one was attached when the lid was shut, saving battery power etc. After hibernation it would awaken just as it was before, using that display. Like the failure to handle some CDs and DVDs properly, I'm sure this is just a software issue.
Any other users out there have advice/settings suggestions (not that there's much that control panel will let me change anyway).
And one more question - anyone ever use a non-Apple power supply? It would be useful to have a spare, but at the £20 ebay price, rather than the £60 Apple UK price. However I'd prefer not to fry any batteries.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Heard this morning on the radio - depression & the internet
Apparently there's a significant correlation between net use and depression.
Subjectively I'd say that I've noticed this to be true, although that hasn't always been the case. I've certainly been through times of very high net-usage and was apparently unaffected. However in my present more susceptible state I'd say it's certainly been true for me. A couple of weeks back I got a temporary ban on a forum for using an abbreviation (Jap, to describe the origin of my Japanese made Fender guitar. White Americans find it offensive on behalf of the Japanese they used to insult with it) and I've taken the opportunity to detach myself a little more. Hopefully this will result in less sleep lost (both to net usage and unhappiness) and a better outlook on life.
Subjectively I'd say that I've noticed this to be true, although that hasn't always been the case. I've certainly been through times of very high net-usage and was apparently unaffected. However in my present more susceptible state I'd say it's certainly been true for me. A couple of weeks back I got a temporary ban on a forum for using an abbreviation (Jap, to describe the origin of my Japanese made Fender guitar. White Americans find it offensive on behalf of the Japanese they used to insult with it) and I've taken the opportunity to detach myself a little more. Hopefully this will result in less sleep lost (both to net usage and unhappiness) and a better outlook on life.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
I'd love to know
Who our Australian visitors are.
You there, living somewhere around Sydney or Newcastle. Maybe inland a little toward Tamworth.
Hey fellers/lasses. Nice to see you.
Thank Clustrmaps for giving the game away.
You there, living somewhere around Sydney or Newcastle. Maybe inland a little toward Tamworth.
Hey fellers/lasses. Nice to see you.
Thank Clustrmaps for giving the game away.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
With great pleasure today
I fixed the heating again.
20 quids worth of insulating materials and an hour of hands on time. It's very pleasing to have the rayburn running again.
20 quids worth of insulating materials and an hour of hands on time. It's very pleasing to have the rayburn running again.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Welcome the iPad
Which the observant among us will already know is the Point Of Sale device that all those helpful people in Apple stores have been using for years to swipe your credit card.
Or those people in New Zealand have been living in.
Personally I think the Kiwi version looks cooler, even if it is larger.
*edit*
Just said to Chris "Apple have launched a new device, called the iPad". Her immediate reaction was to ask if it was some kind of sanitary towel. This doesn't work well, Apple. Are you listening, Steven Jobs?
Or those people in New Zealand have been living in.
Personally I think the Kiwi version looks cooler, even if it is larger.
*edit*
Just said to Chris "Apple have launched a new device, called the iPad". Her immediate reaction was to ask if it was some kind of sanitary towel. This doesn't work well, Apple. Are you listening, Steven Jobs?
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Mama we're all achey now.
We've just got back from a great time at the Milton Keynes snow dome, courtesy of my mum paying for us to go skiing. 3 hours for £30 a person including ski hire is pretty darn good. Chris had a couple of falls, I managed a faceplant courtesy of someone standing around at the bottom of the run. Ben didn't fall, but did catch some air over the jumps.
Pizza is in the oven (at 10.55pm) and we'll fuel up before hitting the sack. Good times.
Pizza is in the oven (at 10.55pm) and we'll fuel up before hitting the sack. Good times.
Google chrome for Mac
On a completely different topic, I've been trying google Chrome for a few weeks on here. The browser is quick (great) looks like Safari with it's minimalism (sucks then) and makes other applications crash/refuse to work.
It it in beta still? Certainly should be. I can excuse apps designed for windows the odd fault because windows machines are made up of any number of different bits of hardware. Not so apple kit: even legacy stuff just a few years old gets axed brutally, and there's only a very limited range of hardware by comparison. I don't think people appreciate what a good job M$ have done with their OS, likewise Linux (considering it's all FOC).
It it in beta still? Certainly should be. I can excuse apps designed for windows the odd fault because windows machines are made up of any number of different bits of hardware. Not so apple kit: even legacy stuff just a few years old gets axed brutally, and there's only a very limited range of hardware by comparison. I don't think people appreciate what a good job M$ have done with their OS, likewise Linux (considering it's all FOC).
Processing processing.
I’m processing stuff from the men’s group this morning. There was a discussion about various sins and the need for purity. The obvious male areas – sexual immorality – was touched on of course, and also less obviously, idolatry.
I’m having to go back and ask myself about this area. A big deal for me still is the whole issue of guitars, music, worship and my almost complete barring from this area. When I can take hold of it in faith I’ll trust that it’s God who has blocked me from this, though there are certainly times when I’m pretty sure he’s being given a human helping hand. But I’ve had to go back repeatedly and ask myself why: was my worship and playing in worship all about me?
I know it was both for God and for myself: there was no way I could have played week after week, year after year if it wasn’t something I found personally rewarding. I’ve been talking recently with someone who has found themselves in a somewhat similar position to the one I had, but instead of finding it a joy, for them it is a drain. Yes, I DID love doing it, but I loved that I was I was moving in the Spirit too, and not just playing a show. I’ve played a show since and it’s a hollow experience.
Over the last 10 years, maybe more I’ve probably spent more time talking, thinking playing and enjoying guitars and worship than anything else outside work, and church. It’s been my hobby and place of expertise. Maybe it has become too significant and has got to go: I dunno. Despite my natural acquisitiveness there’s a side that is now saying “let’s flog the lot and walk away”. It would be easier in some ways, as it’s certainly not a source of joy for anyone right now and would free up space in the house. Actually thinking things through, it’s a lot like having been married 30 years for your wife to turn round and say “I’m sorry darling, but we can’t have proper sex any more: all we can do now is cuddle a bit”. Good worship is a lot like sex (God always seems to recycle patterns, and His descriptions of the church as the Bride of Christ are likely a lot less allegorical than we think: but that’s another blog post).
Maybe my time is done. Or maybe I just haven’t got things in proportion. Or maybe I just need to go through another year of testing to not learn what I didn’t learn the last time I went through a year of testing. Chris and I talked about this a bit this morning. She wondered whether I’ve been forced to drop it so that it doesn’t become an idol. Makes me wonder, is one allowed to have a life outside of church meetings and works?
Me? Nah, I’m not in a great place either, but hey ho.
Life IS naturally unsettled. Some time back I remember hearing about the various areas of one’s life: work, family, faith, friends, hobbies that we relied on for stability. Take one away and normally you’d cope. Take 2 away and things become MUCH more difficult. We’ve had 2 of those shaken, and in my case probably 3. No doubt this is good training – IF I survive it. We were too comfy to be challenged at BCC, so we’ve been put somewhere we are stressed. And I’ve certainly made mistakes (playing back some conversations in my head hasn’t been great).
I realised this morning too that I still haven’t developed relationships with any real depth to them. I still don’t trust people and don’t really know what they’ll do.
Guess tomorrow is another day.
I’m having to go back and ask myself about this area. A big deal for me still is the whole issue of guitars, music, worship and my almost complete barring from this area. When I can take hold of it in faith I’ll trust that it’s God who has blocked me from this, though there are certainly times when I’m pretty sure he’s being given a human helping hand. But I’ve had to go back repeatedly and ask myself why: was my worship and playing in worship all about me?
I know it was both for God and for myself: there was no way I could have played week after week, year after year if it wasn’t something I found personally rewarding. I’ve been talking recently with someone who has found themselves in a somewhat similar position to the one I had, but instead of finding it a joy, for them it is a drain. Yes, I DID love doing it, but I loved that I was I was moving in the Spirit too, and not just playing a show. I’ve played a show since and it’s a hollow experience.
Over the last 10 years, maybe more I’ve probably spent more time talking, thinking playing and enjoying guitars and worship than anything else outside work, and church. It’s been my hobby and place of expertise. Maybe it has become too significant and has got to go: I dunno. Despite my natural acquisitiveness there’s a side that is now saying “let’s flog the lot and walk away”. It would be easier in some ways, as it’s certainly not a source of joy for anyone right now and would free up space in the house. Actually thinking things through, it’s a lot like having been married 30 years for your wife to turn round and say “I’m sorry darling, but we can’t have proper sex any more: all we can do now is cuddle a bit”. Good worship is a lot like sex (God always seems to recycle patterns, and His descriptions of the church as the Bride of Christ are likely a lot less allegorical than we think: but that’s another blog post).
Maybe my time is done. Or maybe I just haven’t got things in proportion. Or maybe I just need to go through another year of testing to not learn what I didn’t learn the last time I went through a year of testing. Chris and I talked about this a bit this morning. She wondered whether I’ve been forced to drop it so that it doesn’t become an idol. Makes me wonder, is one allowed to have a life outside of church meetings and works?
Me? Nah, I’m not in a great place either, but hey ho.
Life IS naturally unsettled. Some time back I remember hearing about the various areas of one’s life: work, family, faith, friends, hobbies that we relied on for stability. Take one away and normally you’d cope. Take 2 away and things become MUCH more difficult. We’ve had 2 of those shaken, and in my case probably 3. No doubt this is good training – IF I survive it. We were too comfy to be challenged at BCC, so we’ve been put somewhere we are stressed. And I’ve certainly made mistakes (playing back some conversations in my head hasn’t been great).
I realised this morning too that I still haven’t developed relationships with any real depth to them. I still don’t trust people and don’t really know what they’ll do.
Guess tomorrow is another day.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Well that was 'exciting'
While my appreciation of French car design (although I suspect the 307 is really a Ford underneath) is diminished, it seems the Germans know how to get it right.
Despite having a good, hard and dry standing start, the 307 couldn't make it up the first hill (not even half way). However rather than just giving in and walking, I tried the beetle instead and that has just made it all the way in and back again (to collect the laptop). The second hill section of the Ardley road was difficult, but some kind soul has gritted the junction with the Fritwell and Souldern roads, and so I went that way.
Interesting.
Someone told Chris that the Fritwell road had been cleared, but judging by the depth of snow, I'd say it was significantly deeper than the Ardley road, and I was really scared that if I ever stopped the car would sink into the snow and not move. I had just one hairy moment coming into Fritwell with a van coming the other way and both of us going a bit sideways as we tried to move out of the centre of the road. Just as I thought he would sideswipe me he got it straight and we missed each other.
So I've come home again, and should be able to work from here. Tomorrow and Friday I should be leaving early, with a 75 mile drive each way to work for another company. We shall see if it's happening later, I guess.
Despite having a good, hard and dry standing start, the 307 couldn't make it up the first hill (not even half way). However rather than just giving in and walking, I tried the beetle instead and that has just made it all the way in and back again (to collect the laptop). The second hill section of the Ardley road was difficult, but some kind soul has gritted the junction with the Fritwell and Souldern roads, and so I went that way.
Interesting.
Someone told Chris that the Fritwell road had been cleared, but judging by the depth of snow, I'd say it was significantly deeper than the Ardley road, and I was really scared that if I ever stopped the car would sink into the snow and not move. I had just one hairy moment coming into Fritwell with a van coming the other way and both of us going a bit sideways as we tried to move out of the centre of the road. Just as I thought he would sideswipe me he got it straight and we missed each other.
So I've come home again, and should be able to work from here. Tomorrow and Friday I should be leaving early, with a 75 mile drive each way to work for another company. We shall see if it's happening later, I guess.
Back to front?
Sometimes people read things, particularly bible things, and understand them back to front.
Matt 24 v36-41 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
The various revelation societies have assumed it's the Christians that are taken, and I understand why. But the context of this passage suggests it is the Christians who are left behind. I'm not building an alternative theology on this, but it's worth noting that the current 'classic' interpretation may not always be correct.
Matt 24 v36-41 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
The various revelation societies have assumed it's the Christians that are taken, and I understand why. But the context of this passage suggests it is the Christians who are left behind. I'm not building an alternative theology on this, but it's worth noting that the current 'classic' interpretation may not always be correct.
Yesterday I drove to work for the first time
Someone kindly towed the car out of the place it was parked.
Today's theme tune is 'All white now'. We've had another inch or 2 of snow, and it's still snowing. However ordinary cars are still travelling, and it seems foolish not to try too. Especially as I left the laptop at work yesterday.
Today's theme tune is 'All white now'. We've had another inch or 2 of snow, and it's still snowing. However ordinary cars are still travelling, and it seems foolish not to try too. Especially as I left the laptop at work yesterday.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Note to self re: Conti Eco tyres
DO NOT USE.
At least, don't use in winter.
I can just imagine the development process for these. "How can we reduce drag to make an 'eco' tyre while still having decent grip in the wet and dry?" Smart Aleck technician "let's make a slick tyre with deep water clearance bands running round the circumference. Smooth rubber=low drag and the deep channel will clear water. Of course, they'll have no grip at all on snow or mud, but we'll sell them in England, where it doesn't snow and all the rain washes the mud away".
And yup, they are a slick tyre, loads of wet and dry grip, good economy and absolutely no grip on snow. This morning I saw a small car drive up and stop beside the Pug, unload and reload children, then drive off with barely any wheelspin at all. The chap behind me in an Alpha with big sports Pirelli's had a lot of spin, mostly because he was injudicious with the throttle, but still made it. Ben made it (got stuck on Camp road, but at least he got out of the village. I couldn't even get out of the parking space.
Nuts.
In the summer I'm buying a set of snow chains for each car.
At least, don't use in winter.
I can just imagine the development process for these. "How can we reduce drag to make an 'eco' tyre while still having decent grip in the wet and dry?" Smart Aleck technician "let's make a slick tyre with deep water clearance bands running round the circumference. Smooth rubber=low drag and the deep channel will clear water. Of course, they'll have no grip at all on snow or mud, but we'll sell them in England, where it doesn't snow and all the rain washes the mud away".
And yup, they are a slick tyre, loads of wet and dry grip, good economy and absolutely no grip on snow. This morning I saw a small car drive up and stop beside the Pug, unload and reload children, then drive off with barely any wheelspin at all. The chap behind me in an Alpha with big sports Pirelli's had a lot of spin, mostly because he was injudicious with the throttle, but still made it. Ben made it (got stuck on Camp road, but at least he got out of the village. I couldn't even get out of the parking space.
Nuts.
In the summer I'm buying a set of snow chains for each car.
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