Month: July 2004

bookmark_borderMoney matters

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Awaiting two more quotes for the new boiler installation. Both from local companies, one of which Scottish Gas would’ve subcontracted anyway. Both of them have suggested the boiler can be placed in the loft with a remote control unit (wireless) sited anywhere we want. It felt much better dealing with the people who will actually be doing the work rather than a salesman. Here’s hoping the prices are a bit cheaper.

However I’m not holding out. Grade A Condensing boilers will be mandatory in about 9 months time so there’s little point in us taking an old style combi-boiler. This is why the quotes have been so high. I think.

And I’m off to the IFA today to see about remortgaging. Our three year fixed rate period is up in August and I’m sure we can get a better deal and free up a little more cash. Considering I’ve not had a pay rise in two and a bit years and unlikely to get one in the foreseeable future, anything we can save now is almost double the money… if you follow my (somewhat flawed) logic.

bookmark_borderMy new keyboard

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My new keyboard Posted by Hello

UPDATE: OK and explanation. I had one of those big MS Office keyboards for a while but the damn thing was just too noisy. I work late into the night and the computer is in the spare room next to our bedroom. This keyboard has laptop style buttons, is much quieter and about half the size of the old one to boot. The fact that it lights up was not a factor in the purchase. Well maybe it was… if only they’d had the purple one…

UPDATE to the UPDATE: Illuminated keyboards on eBay – I’d suggest going for one of the UK ones. Might even try and sneak one myself as the US layout is annoying at times.

bookmark_borderN.M.F.

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I’m useless at coming up with new ‘buzz’ terms as I prefer my English to be plain and simple and easy to read.

That aside, his series of posts (articles?) on New Musical Functionality, finds me once again agreeing, to a point, with Mr. Tom Coates.

If you have ANY digitised music, and any interest in the future of consumer use in that area, I strongly suggest you get over there and start reading:

1. The New Music Functionality.
2. The New Musical Functionality: Portability and access.

bookmark_borderToday

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Will someone remind me to:

  • Finish the redesigned redesign here, switching content order.
  • Pay the overdue gas bill.
  • Send off details to activate internet savings account (why I have to POST these is beyond me as I already have two verified accounts with the bank in question).
  • Pay the council tax.
  • Take a picture of my funky new keyboard.
  • Get draft outline designs to Keith.
  • Clean up my desktop(s) – real and virtual.
  • Create some new CDs for the car – suggestions welcomed.
  • Sort out the spacing in these bulleted lists! (yes?)

Honestly, I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to do any work.

bookmark_borderAdvice

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If I was asked to offer one piece of advice, it’d be this: Life’s too short.

I’m not going to elaborate, but there is a bit of a tiff going on and ultimately my view is that agreeing to disagree may stick on your throat but if you know the argument will lead nowhere then.. well life’s too short.

That is all.

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bookmark_borderAnt Weddings

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Walking to the train station this evening I, and my fellow “must get home as quickly as possible so I’ll be rude and barge past everyone” commuters, were accosted by swarms of flying ants. Swarms as in hundreds of the wee buggers, several of which made it onto our train.

Luckily I didn’t end up almost eating one like the guy across the aisle from me.. but then I wasn’t snoring either.

The look on his face was priceless it has to be said, and several of us sitting near him were struggling to surpress giggles, having just shared “christ, he’s loud” glances and raised eyebrows minutes before.

I had a nice ham salad for dinner. Hold the ants.