bookmark_borderTequila

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, four.
Poor little Gordon, sprawling on the floor…

OK, not quite, but it was certainly the theme of the weekend.

Friday night saw me out with some ex-colleagues. I hesitate to call them that as they are really more friends, or certainly acquaintances, than just a bunch of people I used to work with. This is evidenced by the fact that I didn’t really feel like I’d been away, and pretty soon the jokes were flying, alcohol was consumed and the dancing began.

And then came the tequila.

Ohh and I don’t know who made the decision, but having a branch of Subway open until 2am is GENIUS. Finally something, reasonably, healthy to eat for that post pub snack. Thank you thank you thank you.

As it turned out Saturday morning wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, which was just as well as, after watching some hugely one-sided games of rugby, we were off out again that evening.

I have never played squash so wasn’t quite sure what to expect of a BBQ at a squash club but it was a good night made all the better by a stonkingly good blues band called “Harmonica Lewinsky” who, and I mention this only to provide the somewhat tenuous link referred to in the post title, played an excellent version of “Tequila”. The BBQ finished at 1am, and it was back to my brother-in-laws for music and beer before we finally landed in bed somewhere around 4.30am.

And so endeth my weekend of binge drinking, add me to that government list for I am a risk to myself and others!

bookmark_borderImages of self

A couple of things have prompted this post.

I seem to have been sucked into Twitter recently, I’m still not exactly sure why it appeals so much but it is annoyingly addictive whilst remaining relatively useless (to me). The odd snippet of information here and there is all well and good but I do wish I could find something a little more productive during the “down” minutes that, these days, find me heading towards Twitter. Twit.

One thing, and it’s been commented on elsewhere, is the tendency for people to use photos of themselves on the site, rather than the old school style graphical representations (the new ‘head’ up there on the banner in my case). This is not necessarily a bad thing, it does somewhat depend on the photo being used I guess, but still begs the question: “what prompted this change?”

I’ve not followed this trend, yet, for one very good reason. I don’t really have a photo of me that I like. Well there is one but it looks like I’ve got a plant growing out of my head, and it was about 2 stone ago and.. well, vanity is such a sin it would be a shame to waste it, right?

Today I spent a little time looking for tips on taking a good portrait photo, with the thinking that I’d set up my camera on the tripod, set the self-timer for stun and try to take one myself. The efforts are wholly uninspiring.

Now, if this was JUST for Twitter, then yes I’d probably just go with something daft, but I may need to have a “headshot” photo for other reasons (more on that later). Do I really need to go to a professional? I do know a couple of photographers who might gimme a few hints, or even offer a free (short) session but it does seem a little OTT. Mind you, I suppose all these people who already have headshots had to go through the same kind of thing.

In a related note, having recently used the rather fantastic vzaar to record a video to post with an item I was selling on eBay, I was reminded what my voice sounds like. I had forgotten how nasal I sound and that I have a tendency to mumble, ohh and of course I had forgotten the basic fact that I SOUND NOTHING LIKE I IMAGINE!

It’s odd how we build up our own idea of how we look, act and sound, yet the reality is usually further removed than many of us would like to admit. The truth of the matter is that I’m a little taller and thinner, than I imagine, my face is more defined, my voice is deeper and more authorative, and I’m never ever cute, just “dashing”. Yes, yes, that’s the truth of the matter and I won’t hear another word said on the topic.

bookmark_borderRecently Read

Another week, another list of articles that I’ve found interesting or useful. As usual they are spread across various areas, from technical writing, to information architecture and web design. Hope you find them interesting:

  • Scenarios and Minimalism – if you only visit one of the links today, make it this one. To summarise hugely, it’s all about user and task analysis, and matching the outcomes of your analysis to your writing methodology.
  • User Centred design – a paper investigating the different theories and methodologies evolving in this area. A bit dry at times.
  • MIKE2.0 Wiki – I’ve been looking into MIKE, purely out of curiosity, and this wiki is the best place to start.
  • 7 Lies of Information Architecture – an excellent starting point with links to respected resources. Should help debunk some myths, e.g. Lie 2. “There is a magic number (plus or minus two).”
  • What is Success? – “Success means… engaging with a social world: a world of clients and employers, but also of readers, users and other designers. It is those things that make us rich.”

Other than that, I’ve updated the TechComms RSS list (over on the right there), and if you do download it and find it useful, please let me know. I’m maintaining it for myself but happy to take requests if there are any sites you think I’ve missed.

bookmark_borderMixed Fruit

I do feel a little guilty doing this kind of post for the second time in as many days but.. well.. see the previous post as to why.

So let’s start with, and you knew it would be this way, the recent Apple ‘event’ (product launch). If that doesn’t interest you, skip the next paragraph and read on from there, can you help me get out of my contract with Orange!

Is the “iPod Touch” a fallback position because they couldn’t garner contracts with the mobile telecoms in Europe? Why DID they add Video to the Nano, it was perfectly suited as a music only player and if they are keeping the Shuffle as a highly focussed product, why are the others all starting to converge? Why WILL it take Starbucks until 2009 to roll out their partnership stuff and, frankly, do I even care?

Apples and Oranges, purely coincidence I promise.

I have a contract with Orange which lasts another 8 months or so (it’s an 18mth contract). However, I’m less than happy with their services, coverage at our house is appalling, and the handset whilst not broken is full of annoying faults which force me to hang up on calls now and then (the sliding mechanism doesn’t always seem to lock in).

I’ve spoken to them about the handset but, and I think I’ve got this correct, if the fault isn’t listed on their system then they can’t offer replacement handset. I argued that one for a while but eventually gave up, as even the ‘supervisor’ (presuming it was actually said person) confirmed that the ‘system’ wouldn’t allow such things. Handy that, eh?

That, coupled with various other interactions with their customer service department, has me cringing every time something goes wrong with my account or my mobile phone. So I wanna ditch them before the end of my contract? Any suggestions? Saying that I’m going to working abroad for the next year is an option perhaps??

So it’s R.I.P. for Pavarotti. I’m not a fan of opera, but he seemed a nice big chap, didn’t he. Couldn’t half warble. Admittedly I’m less than thrilled that the airwaves will be filled with Nessun Dorma for the next day or so as I’m sure that he had better highlights but, well you’ve got to pander to the proles don’t you. I’m sure Gert will be expressing her sadness.

And finally, bananas. I used to work with a woman who found them wholly disturbing things, couldn’t even look at one. Isn’t that odd?