One Man's Notes

Tour of Dublin

A few weeks back, Karl and I went to Dublin, to visit the offices of Irish Medical Times. Michael, the mag's publisher, took us on a quick walking tour of the city after lunch, and I grabbed a few photos on my phone:

23/05/0723/05/0723/05/07


Cameraphone Letdown

While the humble mobile phone has all but replaced my digital compact camera for taking snaps on the go, once in a while I get frustrated by its limitations.

There was that pic of a field of rape a few months back. And I've just found this snap left on my phone. It was meant to be of the wonderfully warm, rich, orange light I could see one evening from my office window.

And it looks, well, mundane.

Maybe I should start carrying my digital SLR with me everywhere,

Vox Hunt: I Hold It In My Hands

Show us what you hold in your hands the most every day. 
Submitted by lezlee.

Somewhat obvious: my Starck-designed mouse. It's a little the worse for wear, but it's done good service.



A Windows Safari

Safari on Windows.

It feels weird. But a good weird.

Oh, and there's a cool benefit for Vox users - the compose window mostly works in both the Mac and Windows versions of Safari 3.

Happy Holiday Memories

It all seems so long ago now…

Coffee Forecast: Monday 11th June

Today, I forecast three cups of coffee, because I'm a little tired.


QotD: In Case Of Emergency

Who is your Alert In Case Of Emergency person?  

Why, the science pixie, Dr Evil herself, Lorna.

This isn't just squishy sentimentality, either. I would trust her more than anyone else to actually do whatever was needed should anything go horribly wrong.


Podcast of The Day: Media Talk

I commute for about an hour each way right now, depending on traffic and the time of year, and I use that time productively by catching up on podcasts. On Mondays I liste to The Guardian's Media Talk podcast, the latest episode of which is below:


Pretty much essential listening for anyone working seriously in media. You can subscribe in iTunes.



Anti-Ginger Nuts

Gingerism: is it racism? - Styledash:

According the BBC, red-head hating is still going strong around the world, but especially in the UK. Based on anecdotal reports, nearly every natural red-head has faced at least some kind of discrimination ranging from childhood taunting, to sexual rejection to violent hate crimes. (The most extreme case of anti-red-head sentiment, of course, being the 2003 stabbing of a red-headed 20-year-old man.)

Personally, I think this is all about lingering cultural prejudice against the Celts. They were the one-time rulers of the British Isles, who eventually got pushed to the very edges of the islands, and their distinctive characteristics became undesirable, as it marked you as one of the losers.

However, i have to be careful here, as my wife is very much a redhead…

Which reminds me, does anyone else think that there's something missing from this? In particular, that female redheads actually get an easier ride than male redheads? Certainly in much of the US, and the UK too, a red-headed woman is seen as an attractive proposition.

Why is it cool for women to be redheads, and embarrassing for men?


The Mystery Of Food

Brits in the dark over food production | Food | Guardian Unlimited Environment:

"Farmers produce 60% of all the food consumed in this country, yet many adults questioned didn't associated everyday foods with British farms.According to the survey, 35% did not know that porridge comes from a British farm.

The origins of bread were a mystery to 23% of people, and 22% did not believe that sausages and bacon came from British farms."

This is just depressing beyond belief. That our understanding of the link between food, farming and plant and animal life has broken down so badly is very worrying. 


We can rebuild her

Because Lindsay and Karl were asking:

Bionic Woman – Coming to NBC


Today's Office Nostalgia

Terry And June Opening Titles
Today's bit of 1970s TV nostalgia: Terry & June.

I used to love this when I was a kid, before I became a teenager and realised just how painfully uncool it was.

Looking at it now, I can see why I liked it so much.

Terry & June look disturbingly like my Mum & Dad did back then...

More Serious Rural Journalism from Farmers Weekly

Young farmers and gratuitous nakedness...

Farmers Weekly - Full Monty


At Adobe Live


Focus HQ

Nadia and Stan hard at work at Estates Gazette.


Team Lunch

Because, sometimes you need to go out for a Chinese…


Cheery Mr DennyRemains of a lunch



Explaining Volcanicity

About a year ago, Jo (my sister-in-law) had scribbled "explain volcanicity" in her big book of lists as one of her objectives for 2007 in her job.

This, I suspect, is the result:

Volvic 'What is Volcanicity' TV advert




Vox Hunt: Villainous

Video:  Show us your favorite TV or movie villain. 
Submitted by Felipe Anuel.

Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Kevin Costner vehicle Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

He was the single best thing in the movie. Never has Christmas been cancelled so stylishly.

QotD: I Turn My Camera On

What kind of camera(s) do you own?


Most of my photography is done with a Canon EOS 300D, which I believe is known as the Digital Rebel in the US. Which is a bit sad.

I also own a film Canon SLR, but that's hardly ever used. I must get around to flogging it on eBay.

I have a couple of digital compacts, but they've been neglected of late for the camera built into my mobile phone, expecially given that I can upload pics straight to Vox with it.


Who's That Spoiler? Jack's Back

Preview clip of Captain Jack returning to Doctor Who:

Doctor Who - Utopia! Clip ( Captain Jacks Return )




The Secret of Fox

The Simpsons - Fox News and the Liberal Media


Commute From Hell

The traffic this morning is hell. Locked solid from Beckenham onwards, I've spent more time checking email on my phone than driving.


Spot the car

At Gatwick. Looking for the car in the car park.
Note to self: it's the one covered in Cornish mud…


Suffolk again

Start the day in Suffolk - finish it in Dublin…


QotD: Search Me

How well does your name Google? Who are you up against? (Celebrities, etc.)
Submitted by Matt Blank.


Pretty well, thank you. Mind you, I don't do nearly as well for just "Adam".