One for the not-a-poem collection.
Hello Loneliness, my constant companion. Wrap your icy black tendrils around me once again. Remove the warmth of any dwindling hope.
Loneliness
Feb 8th, 2010 by simon
New Clock Project
Jan 31st, 2010 by simon
I have a a new clock project, to work on:
RSPB Garden Watch
Jan 30th, 2010 by simon
My results (birds seen together, at the same time) for Garden Watch:
3 x blackbird, 1x collared dove, 1x greenfinch, 1x robin, 1x blue tit, 4x house sparrow, 2x jackdaw, 6x starling, 6x chaffinch, 2x goldfinch.
There was a rook just outside the garden, but I couldn’t count it.
Just got myself a new mountain bike from Wiggle. A friend recommended them a few years back, so thought I’d give them a go.
They have a very comprehensive website! Guides and FAQs to getting the right size of bike and a seamless ordering process. They even have a seven-day trial period: if you’ve bought the wrong size – you can return it, within seven days. Instructions galore, tool kit and even a bag of sweets were part of the very well packaged parcel that arrived.
Order placed late afternoon, bike setup and posted the next day, arrived the following day.
If you order more than £500 of goods you also become a Gold/Platinum member, giving you up to 12% off on further orders. So – totally impressed.
How Not to Run a Website
Jan 25th, 2010 by simon
One of, what used to be, my favourite websites – thesixtyone .com (can’t be bothered to turn it into a URL – they don’t deserve any more search-ranking) recently completely changed not only the design, but the fundamental operation of their site.
- They didn’t beta test with all the users
- They turned the beta test into a live site, without telling the users or the artists
- They don’t reply to any feedback, or e-mails
- They’ve destroyed a thriving community of artists and listeners
- They are an ignorant collection of money-grabbers.
I’ve moved to Uvumi, which has a promising community and developers who actively communicate with the community.
I know I’m sarcastic quite a lot. Sometimes I can’t help myself, it’s one of multiple character-flaws.
I’m going to try and remove my only form of defence for a while. I use it to deflect attention away from me, or end a conversation abruptly – as it’s uncomfortable for me to waffle aimlessly.
Like milk – isn’t hair brilliant?
So many different types – head, nose, eyebrow, eyelash, facial, chest, armpit, pubic, arm, leg….
Stay tuned for more fascinating blog entries. Next time – table legs.
There was a redwing in the neighbours’ garden, which is a rare sighting. It looks like a thrush, with red under its wings. I think this was quite a young one, as it was fluffy (might have been the cold) and its feathers looked new.
New header image, with blackbird.
Book-selling Lesson #1
Jan 4th, 2010 by simon
Some lessons:
1. Modern fiction is worthless as soon as it’s purchased.
2. Modern first-editions won’t become really valuable for a long time.
3. Make sure your book is worth more than it costs to post it. Significantly more.
4. Try and describe all the main flaws with a book’s condition.
5. Find a niche market.
How does one start out being a hitman? Working on your own, with some nice money coming in is appealing.