I wonder how many of us will be checking our VISA accounts from today to see if we have secured tickets for next year's Olympics.
After a six-day delay (originally it was from 10 May), money will be taken out of our accounts between today and (I assume the original end date remains the dame) 10 June if we have been successful in our ticket applications.
If some money has been taken out of your account, it will be then a case of waiting until 24 June to find out which events we have tickets for, unless you have applied for very few, or conjure up some algebraic equation to figure out how many tickets at exactly what prices you have got! Good luck on that one.
It seems that a lot of people "over-ordered" the number of tickets they actually want, so I have a feeling that the return of tickets and the subsequent re-sale (I believe in early 2012) will prompt a bigger frenzy for tickets as people realise what they really want and that this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Off to check my VISA account...
Monday, 16 May 2011
Thursday, 5 May 2011
The final WWI veteran passes away
It really is the end of an era today, as the last veteran from World War I has died in Australia.
British-born Claude Choules, was 110. Having joined the Royal Navy in 1916 at 15, Claude watched the surrender of the German fleet in 1918.
Having been posted to serv near Melbourne in 1926, Mr Choules met his future wife and moved to Australia.
In spite of serving in the Navy, Mr Choules became a pacifist, and disagreed with the celebration of Australia's most important war memorial holiday, Anzac Day.
Having taken a creative writing course at the age of 80 he recorded his memoirs for his family, and those were turned into his autobiography, The Last of the Last, which was published in 2009.
It is the loss of the final fighting connection with the First World War, and the sad memories that go with it.
British-born Claude Choules, was 110. Having joined the Royal Navy in 1916 at 15, Claude watched the surrender of the German fleet in 1918.
Having been posted to serv near Melbourne in 1926, Mr Choules met his future wife and moved to Australia.
In spite of serving in the Navy, Mr Choules became a pacifist, and disagreed with the celebration of Australia's most important war memorial holiday, Anzac Day.
Having taken a creative writing course at the age of 80 he recorded his memoirs for his family, and those were turned into his autobiography, The Last of the Last, which was published in 2009.
It is the loss of the final fighting connection with the First World War, and the sad memories that go with it.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Tweeting heck - how Richard Keys tops twitter trends!
I was struggling a bit today for what to write about. "Well, don't write, then!" might be a good response.
However, I decided to see what was TRENDing on twitter. What are the hot topics?
Ignoring "Promoted" tweets the top 10 today are:
However, I decided to see what was TRENDing on twitter. What are the hot topics?
Ignoring "Promoted" tweets the top 10 today are:
- Richard Keys - for reasons of sexist comments "off-air" on Sky Sports.
- #improudtosay - and people say what they are proud of. An example is: "I'm an ELF" by @_ki_chan_
- #celebritydeaths - example: "Homer Simpson, murdered by Ned Flanders. Pissed Ned off for the last diddly-ass time." by @MrGBIZ
- #talksport - because they interviewed Richard Keys.
- Force India - driver news at the Formula One team.
- Sian Massey - see numbers 1 and 4 above. Sian is the object of the comments made by Keys and fellow (sacked) presenter Andy Gray.
- NTAs - huh? National Television Awards, being screened by ITV tonight.
- Razorlight - something about their new press picture.
- Alan Partridge - apparently (tongue in cheek, presumably) being recommended to take over from Andy Gray/ Richard Keys (see numbers 1, 4, 6 above) as a sexist football pundit.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
BBC cuts 200 websites. How many?
I see that, as part of a cost-cutting exercise, the BBC is to close down about 200 websites.
What? The BBC has over 200 websites? Obviously loads more than 200, because presumably they're cutting only a minority, not a majority.
What on earth is it doing with all those websites? It's trying to be too many things to too many people - that's what. Although people respect the BBC's views (as being accurate and impartial), they don't have to be the mouthpiece for everything.
The British Broadcasting Corporation should stick to broadcasting in the traditional sense and work on making quality programmes - the competition appears to be concentrating more and more on making dross.
Among the BBC sites to close include teen services Switch and Blast,as well as Raw, Video Nation and community site 606. I've heard of 606.
It looks like there have been far too many niche websites. Let's face it: there are plenty of other Internet players out there, who can cater for niche markets. The BBC should stick to the mainstream.
What? The BBC has over 200 websites? Obviously loads more than 200, because presumably they're cutting only a minority, not a majority.
What on earth is it doing with all those websites? It's trying to be too many things to too many people - that's what. Although people respect the BBC's views (as being accurate and impartial), they don't have to be the mouthpiece for everything.
The British Broadcasting Corporation should stick to broadcasting in the traditional sense and work on making quality programmes - the competition appears to be concentrating more and more on making dross.
Among the BBC sites to close include teen services Switch and Blast,as well as Raw, Video Nation and community site 606. I've heard of 606.
It looks like there have been far too many niche websites. Let's face it: there are plenty of other Internet players out there, who can cater for niche markets. The BBC should stick to the mainstream.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Who can tell me about their iPad?
I'm considering getting an iPad for my wife.
She currently uses an old laptop that is slow, the battery has failed and the mains connection is 'dodgy'. She uses it mainly for browsing the Internet, email and music (iTunes). She uses it while sitting on the sofa watching TV.
It seems to me that an iPad is looking like a sensible replacement.
Would anyone like to share their iPad experience to tell me whether or not it will be a good investment for my wife?
Thanks!
She currently uses an old laptop that is slow, the battery has failed and the mains connection is 'dodgy'. She uses it mainly for browsing the Internet, email and music (iTunes). She uses it while sitting on the sofa watching TV.
It seems to me that an iPad is looking like a sensible replacement.
Would anyone like to share their iPad experience to tell me whether or not it will be a good investment for my wife?
Thanks!
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Our thoughts remain with Australian flood victims
The continuing stories of the floods in Australia are an ongoing nightmare. The latest news is that residents of the south-eastern town of Kerang have been told to leave their homes, as the river continues to rise.
“You should ensure you have left your property immediately,” a State Emergency Service (SES) message told the 2,500 townspeople by text at 1920 GMT on Tuesday.
The day before a boy drowned in Victoria, and further north in Queensland more than 30 people have died as victims of the floods.
A 13-year-old boy became a national hero, but sadly died, when he insisted that rescue forces save his younger brother first, after the family car had been swept along by the floodwater.
The weather forecast says that there is more rain to come.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to Australia where the floods are said to be the country’s most expensive natural disaster.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Pigs on the rampage in Southampton
No, it's no the police charging down a protest march!
Apparently, two pot-bellied Vietnamese pigs have been on the loose in Sothuampton sicne Saturday afternoon.
In a somewhat mysterious statement the BBC reported that the police said the incident may have be linked to a "breakdown in the relationship" between the couple which own the farm.
["Oh well, if you're going to be like that I'm going to set the pigs free." "Go on then." "Right I will!"]
The one black and one white pigs have been sighted several times, but so far they remain at large. They're probably motivated to stay away from the arguing couple.
Apparently, two pot-bellied Vietnamese pigs have been on the loose in Sothuampton sicne Saturday afternoon.
In a somewhat mysterious statement the BBC reported that the police said the incident may have be linked to a "breakdown in the relationship" between the couple which own the farm.
["Oh well, if you're going to be like that I'm going to set the pigs free." "Go on then." "Right I will!"]
The one black and one white pigs have been sighted several times, but so far they remain at large. They're probably motivated to stay away from the arguing couple.
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