Trunk Guys'

I love Paris...

2008-07-03T18:37:00.003+01:00

...maybe in the winter, maybe in the fall but not so much when it chucks it down with rain!

That said we had a lovely day and as ever our lunch (Richards birthday lunch) at Cafe du Commerce was fantastic ;0)

More photo's after the jump!

Happy Bearday!

2008-07-02T04:15:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday to my baby

(He's the one on the right!)

We're off to Paris for the day ;0) Au revoir!

Craziness

2008-06-30T18:13:00.003+01:00

Last week was crazy - every day something happened - something major and something to put the spanner in the 'ol works.

This weekend was also very eventful (not to mention me suffering from a horrendous bout of hay fever).

Did I blog or pod cast about it - no. I was too busy surviving!

Hopefully this week will sort itself out. At least during his birthday on Wednesday, Richard and I get to escape to Paris for the day ;0)

I could ramble on and one but I choose not to - I do however have to ask what is up with the sick bastards in the world these days?

I'll sign out for now with a photo I took whilst waiting for my train this evening. I love London when it's sunny...

Had 2 do it

2008-06-25T11:18:00.008+01:00

I took this photo of our neighbours kittens out by our bird table...

This is perfect for LOL cats. Therefore I created this:

moar funny pictures

Please vote 4 me and my kitties!

Following the flock

2008-06-23T17:12:00.004+01:00

We had a nice weekend at home in Devon. Sadly it went by far too quickly.

My mum is recovering well from her operation and although she won't admit it she is very battered and bruised. I just wish she would take more time to rest!

I don't envy her one bit.

My dad's looking well too.

For once the weather at home was really nice but Richard and I chose to take it easy.

Annoyingly our trip home was shortened by a day (long story), so we didn't get the full benefit of our four days off. Mustn't grumble though as we are back down there again in a fortnight!

There are a number of photos from Richard's mums retirement celebration here.

I thought I'd follow the latest trend and take part in this quiz. Here are my results:

The questions:

1. What is your first name? *******
2. What is your favorite food right now? Strawberries and Cream
3. What high school did you go to? Plymstock
4. What is your favorite color? Red
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Ben Cohen
6. What is your favorite drink right now? Strawberry Milshake
7. What is your dream vacation? Egypt
8. What is your favorite dessert? Jelly
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? Free
10. What do you love most in life? Richard
11. What is one word that describes you? Honest
12. What is your flickr name? trunkguysw

1. Keith Richards, 2. Strawberry and Cream Cupcake, 3. Radford Park Serenity, 4. the Army of the Brave Milk Bottles, 5. Ben Cohen, 6. Strawberry Milk Splash, 7. Giza, 8. got water ?, 9. Mulher Maravilha, 10. Jonathan Livingston Seagull “I am ready,” he said at last. And Jonathan Livingston Seagull rose with the two star-bright gulls to disappear into a perfect dark sky., 11. 20050815-vs-0110, 12. Rainbow Phone

Waddling 'round London

2008-06-19T19:12:00.004+01:00

Well this photo is proof that even when I am at my busiest we can still manage some time to have fun at work!

We have just finished a two day intensive workshop and I was charged with the task of finding an activity (you may remember I had us all ice sculpting last year). Anyway as I knew a number of the team were coming from South Africa, Asia and Argentina etc i thought it'd be nice to have a tour of London. Of course I booked something out of the ordinary.

We went on the Duck Tour which takes place on an old amphibious WWII vehicle which does the standard tour around the roads before heading into the Thames!

I wasn't sure what to expect but as you can tell from the photographs it was a fantastic experience and everyone had a great time.

Sadly Paddy and I didn't win the quiz but we came close - I think the other teams were cheating anyway. I know my boss was getting the answers from her husband via her mobile - she still came second though (although Paddy and my marking might have something to do with that ;0) ).

If you want a fun way to see London I couldn't recommend the Duck Tour highly enough (although do it on a nice sunny day to get the best benefit from the land and the river!)

C'est la vie

2008-06-15T15:24:00.002+01:00

Eggs, tutus and a killer hook - how can Martin Sloveig fail?

Fun Filled Saturday

2008-06-15T09:56:00.001+01:00

We attended the Wycombe Aero Expo yesterday which is an aviation trade and public show where you can go check out the latest kit, buy you next plane and all the bits you want to kit it out.

As you know Richard is a a bit of a plane buff so as you can imagine he was in heaven.

I was pleasantly surprised. There were hundreds of cars at the show and indeed there was plenty to see. Unlike the Paris Air Show or Farnborough the exhibitions included planes that Joe Public (ok rich Joe Public), could buy and fly. Including planes, helicopters, gliders, hang gliders etc. This made for an interesting mix of exhibits on the ground and in the air.

After the show we popped into High Wycombe to take a look at the redevelopment of the town centre. Sadly the ten minutes wasted trying to negotiate the new car park just about summed up the new layout of the town - it is so hap hazard, Richard and I ended up going around in circles.

That said we stopped for a hearty lunch, browsed the odd shop before heading home later in the day.

A lovely day, nice weather, no pressure and just enjoying what was locally available.

Today? Well the wethare is gorgeous and I think we may spend another sunny Sunday in the garden ;0)

Ping!

2008-06-14T07:39:00.004+01:00

If you have downloaded Release 6 you would have grasped at just how busy I am at present. This is why I wanted to write about a fab new service from ping.fm. What does it do? Well it enables you to update many web sites (social sites and blogs) from one location, all at the same time. I know I could just as easily not update all these sites but when running a blog or a pod cast, it's a good idea to promote what's going on.

Ping.fm allows me to enter blog entries and status updates (the kind of things you put into Twitter or Facebook) without having to open all the services to do them individually. I think this is a fantastic idea and am lucky enough to be part of the public beta.

If you seem to spend your time updating various online profiles then I suggest you check it out.

Again if you have downloaded Release 6 (see what I did there!), you will know I talked about the recently announced iPhone 3G.

I have been looking into all the press and all the online chat regarding the iPhone 3G and I still want one but even I can note a couple of failings:

No Flash - doesn't sound like a big problem and it probably isn't, just a surprise there isn't one as it appears to be standard nowadays
Stereo Bluetooth - Believe me as a commuter with bags and jackets to carry being free of headphone leads would be wonderful. Stereo Bluetooth has neither been confirmed or denied but it'd be great if it were included.
Video Recording - Now I stick by my comments in Release 6 that I really don't feel video recording is crucial so I don't see this as a flaw. What I do see however is a positive that certain developers such as Qik and Flixwagon have already achieved online video streaming from a standard iPhone.

I see lots more positives on top of these few minor negatives:

Extended Battery life - Best available for 3G use and great as a standard iPod and Phone.
Apps! - Never have I known there to be so much enthusiasm and support for applications on a mobile device. Sure you can add applications to other mobiles but they never seem to live up to their promises. The apps for iPhone look amazing and if the recently announced winners/runners up from the Apple Design Awards are anything to go by, we're in for a treat! To me this seals the iPhone 3G as a device which will not only increase productivity but will also enable me to have more fun - especially during periods when I am commuting or travelling...
GPS - Regardless of whether Tom Tom are allowed to install their software on an iPhone, the Google system that currently works has already helped me out of a few jams over wi-fi in the city (my sense of direction is shocking) - with the new GPS system and the extended wi-fi network - how can it loose?
Extended Wi-Fi Coverage - Not only do us UK benefit from the excellent 3G services here but we also get extended wi-fi coverage thanks to a deal 02 have done with BT which adds their OpenZone wifi areas to the already hefty list of wi-fi spots offered by The Cloud

Honestly I could go on and on about this top but I guess the litmus test will be when I have mine in my hand... How many days to go?

Release 6

2008-06-12T19:36:00.000+01:00

Release 6 is out of the gates! ;0)

Enjoy!

(That has to be my shortest blog entry ever!)

Happy 50th Mr Rogers Nelson!

2008-06-07T12:49:00.001+01:00

50 years ago today Prince Rogers Nelson was born into the world and the face of music and never been the same again.

I cannot quite believe he's 50 years old but to be honest he doesn't show it - last years 21 Nights in London gigs are testament to how energetic and full of life you can be when approaching 50. As ever Prince shows no signs of stopping.

I cannot say I agree with the highs and lows of his career as plotted by the BBC but it's a nice indication of what Prince has achieved over the years (personally I feel the chart would be much larger and have much more detail as he really has achieved so much).

Happy Birthday Prince - here's to the next 50 years.

I have created a celebratory Mux Tape full of Prince goodness (not mainstream stuff though). Be sure to check it out!

(RED) 3G iPhone

2008-06-07T11:34:00.000+01:00

If this is true - I WANT ONE (like I didn't anyway)!

Courtesy of Crunch Gear

Over for another year

2008-06-07T10:16:00.004+01:00

Remarkably the annual trip to the vets went quite smooth this year!

Richard managed to get Brandy into the box quite quickly and I have just returned from a pretty stress free visit.

Thankfully we didn't get beardy vet (who Brandy hates) but a nice lady vet who was very gentle!

Brandy has been given her shots and a clean bill of health, which as any parent will know is always good news.

I would like to share this with you... Basically as soon as the cat carrier comes out of the cellar Brandy is off and as you will see once she's home she cannot wait to leave it either! (Excuse my hairy legs in frame!).

I have to admit I am absolutely knackered - the vets is a 15 minute walk away and I think just purely due to the fact Brandy fidgets and the box is rather large cause me to break into a real sweat. I am off for my second shower of the day, Brandy; well she's hiding under the bed!

Stress levels to the max

2008-06-07T08:18:00.002+01:00

Oh no it's that annual event, the one day of the year that Richard, Brandy and I all dread. The annual check up at the v-e-t-s.

It's such a performance - we've only just got the box out of the cellar and Brandy is already freaking out. To get to this stage takes a lot of effort - if I recall last year she managed to pee on Richard as he put her in the box!

This year it's my turn and I am not looking forward to hearing her howl as we go to the vets. If she gets Beardy she'll bite him and unlike the performance at home she will be in a rush to get back into the box once at the vets!

We'll also get the silent treatment too which I hate, especially as Brandy is such a social cat.

Oh well here we go, wish us well!

Touch and Go

2008-06-01T16:02:00.004+01:00

We spent the afternoon at the local aerodrome - what a civilized way to spend a Sunday ;0)

Photos available here.

You make me sick

2008-06-01T15:37:00.001+01:00

I am sorry but I really do not understand what it wrong with this country.

The new London Mayer, Boris Johnson has decided to reinforce the ban on drinking on public transport. I may not be a fan of Boris' but I applaud this action - it's illegal to consume alcohol on public transport anywhere in the UK and so it should be.

I have never ever drunk on the bus, the tube or train etc and nor have I ever wanted to - I don't see the point.

Imagine my surprise and shock that people had decided to host parties on the underground last night to mourn their last night of freedom.

Web sites such as Facebook were used to organise these events and considering what happened last night I feel they should be held accountable.

Excuse me but get a fucking life! Typically this evening of ad hoc celebration turned into chaos with trains being cancelled and stations being closed due to the drunken behaviour.

We did witness drinking on the tube as we were making our way home last night and indeed there was an incident at Kings Cross St. Pancras which involved British Transport Police and a Riot Squad from the Met.

Why do people feel they have the right to such idiotic behaviour? From our observations most of the drunken revelers were foreigners - mainly Australians.

There is a law and we should all abide by it - I don't agree with all laws but to be honest not being able to drink on public transport isn't just necessary, it's practical and promotes a safe transport system.

I am amazed that people have become so addicted to booze that they have to mourn such an occasion. Even if they did feel the need to attend why did they have to get drunk - could they not just do with one drink as a gesture and then go home? Have they no will power?

I just hope all the police officers that were occupied with these festivities were not taken away from more serious crimes elsewhere.

Sex AND the City

2008-06-01T09:42:00.005+01:00

Richard and I spent yesterday in London as we had booked to see the Sex and the City Movie.

We had a wander around the capital before heading to our favourite branch of Paul for a cake and a coffee. On our walk we made our way to the South Bank via the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern - I finally managed to capture some images from the exterior of the gallery following the current Street Art exhibition. We have watched these pieces of work take shape from the office and it's been intriguing.

Another recent addition to London is the Electroscope which enables you to stand in front of it and see people in live in New York who are looking back at London. A novel twist on the web cam me thinks (especially at a tenner a pop!). I love the Jules Verne style of the Electroscope though. As you can see it was certainly drawing a crowd.

Of course the main event of the day was Sex and the City. For the majority of the female viewers at the Odeon in Leicester Square it certainly was turned into an event. The cinema was completely sold out and I'd say 90% of the women were all dressed up in their best frocks and come along with their girlfriends. I don't think I have ever known such an atmosphere for a film - there was applause when the film started, gasps during the film and a huge round of applause at the end.

To say it was an emotional viewing would be an understatement - then to be fair it was an audience that consisted of girlfriends and gay couples!

That aside the film was brilliant, funnier and wittier than I had ever imagined. The writing was spot on and there were enough plot twists to keep you guessing. It truly was a great film and it didn't feel like an extended episode of the show. There were some truly laugh out loud moments which had us in stitches.

I had heard rumours that a sequel is being discussed as this film has been so successful (it's already outsold the likes of the new Indy movie). Personally I think the SatC movie rounded all of the stories off perfectly and I wouldn't want to see the story continued for the sake of another movie.

New York didn't appear to play such a big part in the movie as it had in the TV shows but it was still great to be able to spot all the locations throughout the film.

Of course the fashion was stunning and you can see where every effort was made to make the film as up to date and as relevant as possible (right down to magazines which featured headlines about the housing problems and Hillary Clinton's campaign).

This truly is a relevant film set in this time period and the studio have to be given credit for achieving such timely content.

Now I would love to talk about the ups and downs of the movie but I feel that most of my audience will be going to see the film so I won't spoil it - I shall just say it's well worth it. Even if you're not a fan of the show it's probably the best romcom ever brought to the big screen.

21st Century Life

2008-05-31T07:35:00.005+01:00

I really do appreciate this age of new technology and entertainment available to download. I think without it I would never be as experimental with my music purchases. iTunes has created a library of songs rather than albums just thinking of the money saved purchasing songs over CDs is frightening.

It seems that there has either been a rash of great new music or I have gone on a musical hunt.

After acquiring the latest Kaskade release, and Justices best efforts I am now plugged into the eclectic styles of Sam Sparro. I have been meaning to listen to this album for some time now and I have finally and happily bitten the bullet.

Lots of people have made comparisons to Prince over the years and I think few of them come close - Prince is simply my way of explaining Sam Sparro the album. It's such a mix of styles and vocal ranges that Prince must be Sam's inspiration.

The boy must be good as he comes recommended from no other than Chaka Khan.

This electro Aussie also gets points for singing on the left side of the dance hall!

Seriously though the album has few low points (trying to remember any) - I can see why he has become an overnight success.

Why is it?

2008-05-30T16:00:00.002+01:00

Why is it that the simplest of things can be so damn complicated?

I have been working from home today and have managed to crack on with a lot of work but I have had no end of problems with the connection to my office network - I know our broadband has been up, it's the level of security on my office laptop - it keeps kicking me off and it's infuriating!

I popped down to the high street at lunch and even there I was confronted with ridiculousness. I am attending a rather important awards ceremony in July and need a tuxedo. I don't own one so I thought I would hire one. After investigating online I noticed that Moss Bros deliver in the central London area. I decide to play it safe I'd go to my local branch for a fitting and to sort out the details. Unfortunately my local branch was not able to even then my measurements - when I told them I wanted delivery in London they informed me I have to go to a London branch to sort everything out! Looks like I will have to waste a lunch break now to sort out this job - what's the point in going to a company which has lots of branches if they are not prepared to work together?

Oh well it's nearly the weekend and I cannot wait to go and see the Sex and the City movie. Thankfully I pre-ordered our tickets - I found out yesterday that all the tickets in the West End have sold out.

It would seem Carrie and the girls are far more popular then Harrison Bored and the Last Crusade to Make Money from a die-ing franchise! Is there anyone who has actually enjoyed the latest Indi film?

I am enjoying the latest round of releases and think the new format is one that I can move forward with (in fact I have had lots of positive comments). I hope Release 5 grabs everyones attention and I also hope that you all get what I was trying to achieve with this edition. These releases take a bit longer to produce (I left the Mac rendering the video last night and uploaded whilst having my breakfast) - I think it's worth the effort though as Release is consistently in the iTunes Pod Cast charts. Thanks for all your support.

Harder Stronger

2008-05-30T07:00:00.002+01:00

This is inspired! I wonder how many takes the guys had to make before they got this one in the can?

Dun dun dun dun...

2008-05-28T20:23:00.001+01:00

We have our tickets, do you?

Fat Bottomed Girls

2008-05-28T19:50:00.004+01:00

I am saddened to hear the news that local (and internationally renowned) artist Beryl Cook passed away today.

Who will fill the galleries full of cheerful candid portraits now?

Move for Me

2008-05-27T18:29:00.006+01:00

I am absolutely loving Strobelight Seduction from Kaskade.

I love Kaskades work and this latest trip is so chilled and yet the perfect album for Summer.

Thanks to LT at electro^plankton for the heads up - I was totally out of the loop with this release.

Many thanks for all your help mate ;0)

Live on the Internet!

2008-05-26T16:29:00.002+01:00

Ok I don't know when or how I may use this technology but for now I will leave this online... It's a live video streaming service from my mobile phone - who knows what you'll see!

Feel free to contact me via the application!

Washed out

2008-05-26T15:41:00.003+01:00

Well it's safe to say this weekend has been as predictable as any other British Bank Holiday - the weather for the majority of the time has been appalling.

We drove to Hampton Court Palace in atrocious conditions yesterday but thankfully it cleared up while we were in the house.

Unusually I didn't take many photographs this weekend (which was a shame considering it was Robs birthday yesterday). I am very proud of some of the shots from the palace though. Please feel free to have a browse and leave a comment or two.

I was lovely to see Andy and Rob and as ever it's been far too long between visits. Richard and I will make every effort to see them again as soon as we can.

I am sure we all had a nice weekend regardless of the weather. The decision to have dinner in Richmond by the Thames yesterday was inspired - we all returned home very fat and full following our hearty meals.

We need a couple days to recover but sadly I am staring a week of work chaos straight in the face :(