Sun - May 1, 2005
H2G2
Warning - possible spoilers ahead
I just got back from seeing the Hitchhikers Guide movie. I'd been waiting to see it, although with a fair amount of trepidation. I must have first seen the TV series at the age of 4, and from there went on to devour the books and radio series. Just to recap for those unaware, Douglas Adams penned the Radio 4 series first, then the first two books, then the tv series, then the rest of the books, and finally part of the film before he tragically died, far too young and with so much ahead of him. Each version was slightly different to the others, so I wasn't to concerned with a lack of continuity.
Overall the movie was good. The cast all performed very well, and the inclusion of Simon Jones and the original Marvin in cameos was a great touch, as was using the pub from the tv series. All the new parts were excellent, but some parts were awful. The Deep Thought part was dire. The pacing was bad and the delivery poor, and I felt that so much of witty writing that Adams used for the narration of the Guide itself was missing, a real shame. It's worth seeing, but I'm not sure it will ever replace the TV series in my affections.
Radio 4 is about to start the radio series of the 4th book, just so you know.
I just got back from seeing the Hitchhikers Guide movie. I'd been waiting to see it, although with a fair amount of trepidation. I must have first seen the TV series at the age of 4, and from there went on to devour the books and radio series. Just to recap for those unaware, Douglas Adams penned the Radio 4 series first, then the first two books, then the tv series, then the rest of the books, and finally part of the film before he tragically died, far too young and with so much ahead of him. Each version was slightly different to the others, so I wasn't to concerned with a lack of continuity.
Overall the movie was good. The cast all performed very well, and the inclusion of Simon Jones and the original Marvin in cameos was a great touch, as was using the pub from the tv series. All the new parts were excellent, but some parts were awful. The Deep Thought part was dire. The pacing was bad and the delivery poor, and I felt that so much of witty writing that Adams used for the narration of the Guide itself was missing, a real shame. It's worth seeing, but I'm not sure it will ever replace the TV series in my affections.
Radio 4 is about to start the radio series of the 4th book, just so you know.
Posted at 05:32 pm
Mon - April 18, 2005
Your future's so bright...
You gotta wear shades! So begins this week. I
decided driving around in non-prescription sunglasses was probably a bad idea,
and finally got round to replacing my trusty pair (a freebie from the first
Diesel Fashion Show in London) with some that now not only block the light but
also allow me to see things.
Also, well done to Rob, cracking the 6 minute barrier on the Nurburgring. When I get some time I shall see if I can get close...
Also, well done to Rob, cracking the 6 minute barrier on the Nurburgring. When I get some time I shall see if I can get close...
Posted at 02:39 pm
Thu - April 14, 2005
Hi there.
I do apologise for the infrequent updates. Work
got super busy, and on top of that any spare time for writing got swallowed by
Ars . Here's a link
to their RSS feed. Perhaps of most interest to people that read this page will
be the news of the BBC creative archive license.
Well, spring has sprung. The farmer's market is outdoors again, and the cherry trees in our square were blossoming this week. I'll leave you with a picture.
Well, spring has sprung. The farmer's market is outdoors again, and the cherry trees in our square were blossoming this week. I'll leave you with a picture.
Posted at 09:37 am
Wed - March 23, 2005
Hello again
I apologise for not writing anything recently,
First GT4 was sucking my time, then my powerbook had to go back to Apple for a
screen transplant. Life here continues, everyone is well, and tonight I pick up
my car which has finally had it's new roof fitted. Can't
wait.
Yesterday, whilst leaving the overflow parking lot by the big sports stadium, I spotted a most unusual sight. Luckily I had my phone with me, so I can share it with you:.jpg)
No idea what it was doing there (other than pecking for food) but there you are.
Yesterday, whilst leaving the overflow parking lot by the big sports stadium, I spotted a most unusual sight. Luckily I had my phone with me, so I can share it with you:
No idea what it was doing there (other than pecking for food) but there you are.
Posted at 04:52 pm
Tue - January 18, 2005
-9˚C. Seriously.
Elle came running back into the house this morning
with a warning - "it's really cold outside". Well, I just checked and in fact,
it's minus nine in real numbers. That's insanely cold. Cold enough that I'm
not going to be stupid and try and de-ice my rear window (tried that a couple of
weeks ago and put a huge crack in it, advancing the timeframe for roof
replacement. Cold enough that I wish I'd gone for the more expensive option of
buying my new Carhartt coat here rather than ordering it online and having to
wait for it to arrive.
Seriously, I thought the South was supposed to be warm??
Roll on spring.
Seriously, I thought the South was supposed to be warm??
Roll on spring.
Posted at 12:51 pm
Sun - January 16, 2005
Cincinnati
Kentucky has no Costcos. We have Sam's Club, the
Walmart alternative, which sells pretty much the same things for the same low
prices in the same large sizes, but I always feel dirty at having to funnel
money to Uncle Sam (Walton) and their monopolistic, anti-union, megalithic
corporate juggernaut.
Cincinnati, 70 odd miles north of us in over the border with Ohio, does have Costcos. They also stock Bridgestone tyres, and were offering $60 off a set this week. Now, when I bought my MX-5, it came with new tyres, but they were by a company called Road Hugger - yes, I'd never heard of them either, and after 27000 miles I'm not really surprised. Dry traction wasn't amazing, the wheels locking and losing grip if you had to throw out the anchor in a hurry, and driving in the wet was an exercise in increased heart rate and very gentle throttle inputs. Lord alone knows what would happen in the snow.
Equipped with my new Kentucky license plate, complete with an odd, staring cat and dog (some of the registration fee goes to the Humane Society, we set off up I-75.
Navigation was accomplished using my iPod mini and a nifty little app called pod2go - among other things it will download driving directions and stick them in your Notes directory.
We arrived at Costco and had them fit the tyres I'd ordered, and passed the 90 minutes we had to wait by stocking up on a few things - Cashew nuts and DVDs mainly. Elle was rather happy to discover a reduction on the Sex and the City dvds, and I spotted the Pink Panther Collection. After staring wistfully at their watches and plasma tvs for a while, we picked up the car and set off again.
Now, I'd always heard it said that the tyres are the most important part of a car. They're the only bits that come into contact with the road, and whilst I'd assumed it to be true, now I'm in no doubt. After only a few miles I could tell that the ride was transformed - no longer do I have to brace myself for the spine jarring that occurred when driving over a pothole, or an expansion gap, the steering felt less nervous and the 65 mph shimmy was gone!
Since we'd driven all the way up to Cincinnati, there were a couple more stops to make. Next up, Jungle Jim's. Somewhat of a local landmark, it has a monorail outside (although with lots of missing sections of track, not one I'd wish to ride in). Specialising in groceries from around the world, we stocked up on real bacon, some Stella Artois, and then discovered the foreign foods sections. The french area had tapenade (some of it from Opio!), good mustards and those premade stocks, whereas the large English section let me stock up on twiglets and Yorkies. Even better was the adjacent South African area, where i bought them out of their stocks of Peck's anchovette, a delight now unavailable in the UK.
Elle had a similar experience in the Filipino section, cooing with delight over various snacks and products fondly remembered from childhood, and we set off for the last of our stops - the Apple Store.
You may have noticed from a previous entry that Apple has released a new cheap mac - in the hopes of playing around with one we popped in to the Cincinnati Apple store, rendezvousing with Clint and Jacqui , friends from Ars Technica.
Unfortunately the Apple store was devoid of new hardware, but we did get some iPod Socks, and if you're one of those people to whom an iPod is winging it's way (or did so recently), then expect to find an adorable little cosy in with the rest of the packages (Rob - the dark blue one is for you).
Cincinnati, 70 odd miles north of us in over the border with Ohio, does have Costcos. They also stock Bridgestone tyres, and were offering $60 off a set this week. Now, when I bought my MX-5, it came with new tyres, but they were by a company called Road Hugger - yes, I'd never heard of them either, and after 27000 miles I'm not really surprised. Dry traction wasn't amazing, the wheels locking and losing grip if you had to throw out the anchor in a hurry, and driving in the wet was an exercise in increased heart rate and very gentle throttle inputs. Lord alone knows what would happen in the snow.
Equipped with my new Kentucky license plate, complete with an odd, staring cat and dog (some of the registration fee goes to the Humane Society, we set off up I-75.
Navigation was accomplished using my iPod mini and a nifty little app called pod2go - among other things it will download driving directions and stick them in your Notes directory.
We arrived at Costco and had them fit the tyres I'd ordered, and passed the 90 minutes we had to wait by stocking up on a few things - Cashew nuts and DVDs mainly. Elle was rather happy to discover a reduction on the Sex and the City dvds, and I spotted the Pink Panther Collection. After staring wistfully at their watches and plasma tvs for a while, we picked up the car and set off again.
Now, I'd always heard it said that the tyres are the most important part of a car. They're the only bits that come into contact with the road, and whilst I'd assumed it to be true, now I'm in no doubt. After only a few miles I could tell that the ride was transformed - no longer do I have to brace myself for the spine jarring that occurred when driving over a pothole, or an expansion gap, the steering felt less nervous and the 65 mph shimmy was gone!
Since we'd driven all the way up to Cincinnati, there were a couple more stops to make. Next up, Jungle Jim's. Somewhat of a local landmark, it has a monorail outside (although with lots of missing sections of track, not one I'd wish to ride in). Specialising in groceries from around the world, we stocked up on real bacon, some Stella Artois, and then discovered the foreign foods sections. The french area had tapenade (some of it from Opio!), good mustards and those premade stocks, whereas the large English section let me stock up on twiglets and Yorkies. Even better was the adjacent South African area, where i bought them out of their stocks of Peck's anchovette, a delight now unavailable in the UK.
Elle had a similar experience in the Filipino section, cooing with delight over various snacks and products fondly remembered from childhood, and we set off for the last of our stops - the Apple Store.
You may have noticed from a previous entry that Apple has released a new cheap mac - in the hopes of playing around with one we popped in to the Cincinnati Apple store, rendezvousing with Clint and Jacqui , friends from Ars Technica.
Unfortunately the Apple store was devoid of new hardware, but we did get some iPod Socks, and if you're one of those people to whom an iPod is winging it's way (or did so recently), then expect to find an adorable little cosy in with the rest of the packages (Rob - the dark blue one is for you).
Posted at 02:16 pm
Mon - January 10, 2005
Overdosed America
Yes, I know it's been a while since I wrote
anything. First off, Happy New Year!
I was planning on writing something earlier in the month but arrived at work to discover that the ATVB deadline is next friday, so i've been slaving away with bits of RNA and a real time PCR machine. In between that I had a deadline for Science.Ars and some writing for the NPA, so you can see how things began to slip...
I've been reading Overdosed America, and it's fairly disheartening. It looks at the health system in the US - one that costs more than all the other industrialised countries, yet delivers worse health than everywhere but the Czech Republic, all the while leaving 40 million people uncovered. That i already knew, but it's the co-opting of the health process by the drug industry, selling more and more expensive therapies that don't seem to offer any real benefit over cheaper, pre-existing ones that depresses me, given the line of work I'm in. I'll report back more when I'm done with it.
I was planning on writing something earlier in the month but arrived at work to discover that the ATVB deadline is next friday, so i've been slaving away with bits of RNA and a real time PCR machine. In between that I had a deadline for Science.Ars and some writing for the NPA, so you can see how things began to slip...
I've been reading Overdosed America, and it's fairly disheartening. It looks at the health system in the US - one that costs more than all the other industrialised countries, yet delivers worse health than everywhere but the Czech Republic, all the while leaving 40 million people uncovered. That i already knew, but it's the co-opting of the health process by the drug industry, selling more and more expensive therapies that don't seem to offer any real benefit over cheaper, pre-existing ones that depresses me, given the line of work I'm in. I'll report back more when I'm done with it.
Posted at 01:16 pm
Fri - October 15, 2004
Thus spake Hitchens
I know today's title is rather lame, but what can
you do at such short notice?
The more observant amongst you may have noticed the new colour scheme. I've been hearing that the black on grey was a little hard on the eyes, and knowing about as much as a bonobo does when it comes to coding html or javascript or whatever these things are written in, I just changed it in iBlog.
Last night Elle, Ben and I went to see Christopher Hitchens speak at Transylvania University, round the corner from the house (and no, we didn't see Dracula). It was very interesting. Hitchens is now reviled by many on both sides of the political spectrum, those on the right for his former position as poster child for the left, and by his old colleagues for his outspoken stance on the war in Iraq and islamofacism.
His arguments about Kissinger are comprehensive and persuasive, and I must admit his defence of the current war is eloquent and well intentioned, yet to me ignores the fact that many of the same characters are involved in the highest levels of government for both. If a noble minded plan is prosecuted by incompetents doesn't that make it a bad idea?
I was too afraid of being verbally julienned to ask him anything during the question, but we spotted him having a fag as we walked back to the car, so I got him to sign my copies of his books. He seemed pleased that I'd been reading the Orwell book, although he noted I'd not got very far through it. Truth be told I hadn't picked it up for a while, but it's back in the (huge) pile marked: Things to Read.
Next, something for you to download and listen to: the song occupying number one position on my mental jukebox right now.
Click me for download (I had embedded the file but it made the page >4 MB and I thought that might be a bit much).
Easy by The Beta Band. Reminds me of the score to the Man with the Golden Gun.
Finally, does anyone want to buy a cheap car? Dave is selling his .
The more observant amongst you may have noticed the new colour scheme. I've been hearing that the black on grey was a little hard on the eyes, and knowing about as much as a bonobo does when it comes to coding html or javascript or whatever these things are written in, I just changed it in iBlog.
Last night Elle, Ben and I went to see Christopher Hitchens speak at Transylvania University, round the corner from the house (and no, we didn't see Dracula). It was very interesting. Hitchens is now reviled by many on both sides of the political spectrum, those on the right for his former position as poster child for the left, and by his old colleagues for his outspoken stance on the war in Iraq and islamofacism.
His arguments about Kissinger are comprehensive and persuasive, and I must admit his defence of the current war is eloquent and well intentioned, yet to me ignores the fact that many of the same characters are involved in the highest levels of government for both. If a noble minded plan is prosecuted by incompetents doesn't that make it a bad idea?
I was too afraid of being verbally julienned to ask him anything during the question, but we spotted him having a fag as we walked back to the car, so I got him to sign my copies of his books. He seemed pleased that I'd been reading the Orwell book, although he noted I'd not got very far through it. Truth be told I hadn't picked it up for a while, but it's back in the (huge) pile marked: Things to Read.
Next, something for you to download and listen to: the song occupying number one position on my mental jukebox right now.
Click me for download (I had embedded the file but it made the page >4 MB and I thought that might be a bit much).
Easy by The Beta Band. Reminds me of the score to the Man with the Golden Gun.
Finally, does anyone want to buy a cheap car? Dave is selling his .
Posted at 01:56 pm
Fri - August 6, 2004
Norman and his son
Not much to tell today - work is going well,
Elle's car is playing up so I'm doing driving duty. Living close to work is
pretty neat - instead of filling up twice a week, I've only used a quarter of a
tank this week. I do miss my route through Rancho Santa Fe though. I've also
been dreaming of the ocean and pining for a fish burrito from Wahoo's.
Our three cats have been on the receiving end of a pasteur pipette full of olive oil to treat their ear mites - it hasn't made me very popular with them, but hopefully they'll thank me in the long run.
Speaking of the little furry fellas, here they are:
Gizmo - the girl and also the leader of the bunch;
Tuffy - the pretty one:
and Tuxedo - the loner:
Oh, and there's an interesting dialogue between Norman Mailer and his son here. Some of you might like it.
Our three cats have been on the receiving end of a pasteur pipette full of olive oil to treat their ear mites - it hasn't made me very popular with them, but hopefully they'll thank me in the long run.
Speaking of the little furry fellas, here they are:
Gizmo - the girl and also the leader of the bunch;
Tuffy - the pretty one:
and Tuxedo - the loner:
Oh, and there's an interesting dialogue between Norman Mailer and his son here. Some of you might like it.
Posted at 09:26 pm
Mon - August 2, 2004
Goddamn Junkie Bastards
That's odd, I thought to myself, as I got in my
car this morning on the way to work. I didn't leave my sunglasses on the
passenger seat. I didn't leave the passenger door open
either.
Oh great. You'd think living in an off-street development with big electric gates and no public access (unlike Bloomsbury Place) you'd be safe, but no. Some little shithead broke into my car and stole my iPod last night. I can't even claim for it on my insurance thanks to a $500 excess.
Oh great. You'd think living in an off-street development with big electric gates and no public access (unlike Bloomsbury Place) you'd be safe, but no. Some little shithead broke into my car and stole my iPod last night. I can't even claim for it on my insurance thanks to a $500 excess.
Posted at 09:29 am
Mon - July 26, 2004
HitchHikers Guide To The Galaxy
Well, this sort of belongs in books. Here's a
link to a teaser trailer for the HHGTTG movie.
I'm becoming less and less ambivalent towards this film, but I guess I'll only
know if it stacks up when I watch it.
In other news, here's the new 997 cup car:
Mmm tasty.
Another weekend spent wandering around Lexington, I'll stick a couple of pics up tomorrow. It's fantastic to be able to walk places again.
In other news, here's the new 997 cup car:
Mmm tasty.
Another weekend spent wandering around Lexington, I'll stick a couple of pics up tomorrow. It's fantastic to be able to walk places again.
Posted at 02:32 pm
Sat - July 10, 2004
Forty Signs of Rain
I finished reading Forty Signs of Rain , the Kim Stanley Robinson
book I mentioned the other week. A good read, although the topic made me a
little depressed and angry, dealing as it does with cataclysmic climate change
and the general failure to do anything about it. It's set in a familiar world
though - postdocs and PIs, the NSF and Washington, Encinitas, Leucadia and
Torrey Pines. Like White Teeth and Pattern Recognition , I'm always bound to like a
book better if it's set in a world I'm familiar
with.
After watching qualifiying in bed this morning, Elle and I went off to the local Farmers Market - so nice to have it right on our doorstep. Still getting used to the heat and humidity here though.
After watching qualifiying in bed this morning, Elle and I went off to the local Farmers Market - so nice to have it right on our doorstep. Still getting used to the heat and humidity here though.
Posted at 03:26 pm
Wed - July 7, 2004
There's foucault to do here.
Well, we're starting to get properly settled in
here. I start work tomorrow, and at the moment I'm working on finishing off a
manuscript.
Lexington is a cool little town, but my word is it hot here. Having no AC in my car might prove to be uncomfortable.
Last night Elle and I went to the Lexington Public Library, a short walk from the house. It's rather cool, with a large atrium that contains a clock built in to the underside of the top level and a Foucault pendulum. I'm reading Forty Signs of Rain now, so expect to hear more about it soon.
Lexington is a cool little town, but my word is it hot here. Having no AC in my car might prove to be uncomfortable.
Last night Elle and I went to the Lexington Public Library, a short walk from the house. It's rather cool, with a large atrium that contains a clock built in to the underside of the top level and a Foucault pendulum. I'm reading Forty Signs of Rain now, so expect to hear more about it soon.
Posted at 09:19 am
Wed - June 16, 2004
The Face 1980-2004 In Memoriam
I just found out. I grew up with The Face. From a copy in 1991 with Bart Simpson on the cover and an article about Chipie and Raggas, through house and hip hop, Jason Donovan being outed (still haven't gotten over my mother leaving that issue in LA), love sees no colour, Carhartt and Evisu, Brit Pop, Gavin Hills , reading The Face had been a constant. It even published my letters.
Sadly, following EMAP's purchase of Wagadon for Arena, it had been on a downward spiral. More and more ads, less and less real content. More teeny boppers, or perhaps I was showing my age? Well, it suffers no more. If I were drinking a beer, I'd pour some on the kerb in memory of a fallen friend.
I really ought to email EMAP and tell them I want a refund for my subscription...
Posted at 01:09 am
Thu - April 22, 2004
Pattern Recognition
You'd think the journey from Lexington to San
Diego would only be about a book long, but no, midway between Atlanta and home
I'd finished Oryx and Crake and began on William GIbson's new book, Pattern Recognition . The father of cyberpunk
has set his new novel in the present, recognisable world, starting in Parkway,
NW1, where we find Cayce Pollard, a trend finder with an allergy to labels and a
passion for the footage, a mysterious series of film clips hidden on the net. A
startlingly familiar world in fact, full of Primrose
Hill , Duffer of St George , bulletin boards and Neal's
Yard.
I've not read much of Gibson's previous work, but he's a damn good writer. You'd do well to pick this one up too.
I've not read much of Gibson's previous work, but he's a damn good writer. You'd do well to pick this one up too.
Posted at 06:29 pm
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