Month: May 2003

ukbloggers-discuss mailing list is currently hosting an ‘interesting’ discussion concerning the possible, maybe, start of a discussion about discussing the possibility of arranging a UK conference for something remotely blog related, or in that general sphere of the internetwebthingy.

OK, I’m taking the piss slightly, but there are several (at least 3) bright people making some excellent points, and one of the mad fools has grabbed the bull by the horn (always unpleasant) and has started the ball rolling, down the hill where it will gather no moss…. ehh… losing track here…

My view of conferences, whether work related or not, is to meet people (sorry, to network..ick). The topics and speakers are a part of it, but usually only act as a catalyst to provoking discussions over lunch, and comparisons, and so it begins. It’s all about the people.

(Although the geek in me really, really wants to go to Gnomedex to see and hear all the latest ‘cool’ ideas and gadgets!)

Karen at Rise is looking for your top five books.

Here’s mine:

1. American Tabloid – James Ellroy
Mainly for the writing style, and in part for my fascination with this particular time period in American history (around the Kennedy assasination), a wonderful twist on the topic.

2. White Trash – John King
Straightforward enough to read, yet deals with some big issues and makes you think more about them than you realise at first. Sympathetic use of the ‘villain’ is slightly scary.

3. Adolf Hitler: My Part in His downfall – Spike Milligan
Hilarious and with a wonderful turn of language, you should read it for that alone.

4. Animal Farm – George Orwell
My first Orwell and still the one that made the biggest impact (reading 1984 in the year 1984 kinda nullified it slightly)

5. Miss Smillia’s Feeling for Snow – Peter Hoeg
Not sure why I picked this up (I suspect Catrina had an influence). Wonderful characterisation, and set in a place foreign to me, what more do you want?

Yes, the next riveting episode in the saga.

is it a saga if it’s only two entries long?

Clarification first: Elephant are owned by Admiral. The main difference is that, with Elephant you have to pay your premium in one go.

Direct Line were the most expensive, topping Churchill by a further £80, More Th>n (I hate typing that, and that’s only the first time I’ve done it) were there or thereabouts. Tesco, Norwich Union, Eagle Star, Budget, Nationwide and a few others, all came in at a similar price, but all were more expensive than my renewal quote with Admiral, and only a few offered the same level of legal cover (up to £100,000) that Admiral offer.

Having clocked the fact that Elephant and Admiral are the ‘same’ company – the big hint being the online form which is identical bar the colour scheme – I thought I’d phone Admiral and play dumb. I told the renewals department that I’d had a cheaper quote from Elephant. He quickly, and correctly, pointed out that Admiral owned Elephant, and that if I took the Elephant quote I’d have to pay it all in one go (something I’ve never been inclined to do). I hummmed and hawwwed a bit, and he said he would speak to his boss and see if he could match the Elephant quote but allow me to pay for 12 months.

He did, and I’ve managed to knock over £200 off my car insurance (works out at about £20-something quid a month cheaper).

Thanks for the tips folks!

Car insurance time again. The last three years I’ve thanked my lucky stars for the internet as it has saved me dealing with 20 minute phone calls, repeating the same information over and over and over and over and over and over and …..

So, that’s what I’ll be doing tonight… so far Admiral (current providers) aren’t the cheapest, mainly because they provide 10 months cover at a time, and the Halifax have given me the same price (actually one pound cheaper) for 12 months cover.. Churchill are £200 over that, and esure won’t take us because we don’t have 4 years no claims (and that’s cool as it fits with their advertising). Elephant are the cheapest as yet. Wow, this is exciting stuff…

So, any suggestions for a cheap insurance quote?

NOT going on hiatus, but lacking any impetus to post.

Hey, that’s what a blogroll is for… ehh.. isn’t it?

OK, so I’ve not taken any Pharmaton for a few days but still feel a bit bleuch (no headaches thankfully) so I’m guessing that it’s not the drugs then… hmmm…

And I don’t know if it is connected in anyway but I’ve been in a thoroughly hacked off mood for the last day or so, you know the type, when even the silliest little thing REALLY pisses you off.

I’m hoping some exercise tonight will clear my head a bit, as I can’t quite figure out what it is I’m pissed off about. I’ve got a few ideas – the usual irrational ones of course – but nothing that I should be really worrying about.

Hmmm indeed.