Be Excellent To Each Other

I just bought a new camera and have been having a play. I took this picture of a frog:

That's great. I love frogs.

What camera did you get? Nice shot btw.

I got a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3:

I wanted something that had plenty of options for messing around but also good point and shoot gubbins which this one seems to. Also I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I didn't really need to spend a lot anyway to see a huge difference, I just realised that the one it's replacing is nearly seven years old

I also picked up one of these funky tripod things at Asda:

When will you be strapping it to an RC plane?

That's going to be the old camera's new job

I don't think they do the SLR Zoom, but they do the other two sizes. My local one does anyway.

They aren't especially cheap at Asda anyway, I just happened to be there and saw it.

Yeah, I have the SLR version but even with my 18-55 lens on the D80 it's too heavy for it. Don't particularly want to pay huge money for the SLR Zoom version though.

I have the SLRZoom one, and it's been plenty strong enough to take everything I've strapped to it so far.

I assume that comment comes with a Lord Flashheart "Woof" and hip thrust?

It does. In seriousness though, I've had it strapped to the front of my car and gone down the road at 70ish with no problems.

Random Bits and Bobs thing: REGGAE REGGAE CHICKEN SUBWAY

Is it just a new sauce option, or a bespoke sauce/chicken sandwich combo?

Bespoke sauce/chicken sandwich combo. With roasted peppers.

Sounds great! I'll have one in 25 days time.

They might have stopped selling them by then

I'LL MAKE MY OWN

That sounds awesome. I need to get me to a Subway soon.

I played Totemball last night.

Possibly the worst game I've ever played.

I've just been warned by Facebook for "spamming", even though I've just been having a conversation with someone on there with their messaging system. OK, the conversation is lengthy and messages numerous, but it's hardly spamming.

I check their FAQ and it says "Even if your interactions are legitimate conversations with friends, you may still be blocked for spamming. Facebook's messaging service is not intended to be a chat service."

Uh... right. So yeah, they've got that IM thing but even so, that's a bit wank isn't it?

Sounds like they threw it in without any scalability testing then, hoping that people 'wouldn't use it too much'.

Just had my appraisal after 12 months in the new job.

I am offically awesome.

You don;t need someone into bioethics and the law that you might, err, I dunno, pulling one from the air here, will turn into a lawyer, do you?

That reminds me, must do some work.

Mr Chris, when they said "We just don't know how you can bring yourself able to come into the office each morning!", I don't think they were wondering about your commute...

Ummm- can't think that we do, no. Although we're short on cleaning staff, I believe.



No, they're amazed that I can come into the office and put in a decent day's work after the 0.5 hours sleep a night my son is currently graciously allowing me.

I think the word you're after is 'disbelieving'.

Oh-ho!

Back in your box.

I think that means you've levelled up Mr Chris.

Where did you put the points?

Next time I level up I going to put the points in whatever stats reduce procrastination.

I missed the "take over the world" achievement, though. That's on my objectives for next year.

Surely now you're allowed to shout Objection! and wear a curly wig?

He can, but it doesn't make the tea any quicker to serve up.

*Points and laughs*

Well, I did warn you.

I'm undecided whether I hated it more than I was bored rigid with Luxor 2.

I got that today.

For daring to OPEN a message that went to other people too.

I think it's broken.

Today I got soaked:




I also managed to sit in a puddle so ended up more soaked.

Upshot of the day - Free Muller Rice at Tower Hill station.

Spoke to VW this morning. They managed to put a real dampner on my day by telling me that if they needed to replace the airbag, the work would total over a grand. This managed to put a real dampner on the day as I had no choice but to authorise the work knowing full well this was going to have a very serious financial impact come September (when I get married). They did promise to try and rescue the existing airbag but there was a real risk they'd have to take the old one out which could set it off.

Thankfully I spoke to them again at 5pm and they had managed to rescue the airbag. No update on cost, but not a grand. They had managed to release the steering lock as well but the key barrel is a write-off. The part will take 3-5 days to get to them because it will be coming from Germany (apparently replacements are seldom needed). Whatever has happened to my car is very very rare apparently as they've serviced VW's for years and they've never seen one like this.

So the car may still be out of action for my return but they've promised me a hire car for Monday if it's still in then. Although I should fucking think so as it's still going to be expensive.

In other news, remember the bridge in the photo? Well I've just been taking photos of some bats that are currently flying all around it. Also cycled up the steepest hill ever and realised that although I've been doing long cycle rides in Hampshire to try and condition myself for Devon, Devon hills are bloody steep. 800 metres of a 40 degree gradient.

Could you not just say "I'll do without an airbag, thanks"?

<partridge>
Into me!
</partridge>

You know that bit in Alan Partridge where the passenger airbag goes off but his doesn't so he gets pissed off? That would be me x 1000.

Seriously though, no. They'd have to modify the car as well to stop all sorts of alerts going off on the dashboard. I'd rather have it there in anycase. Luckily though I'm keeping my existing airbag so if I ever do have an impact I will feel it go off in my face as I shout "INTO ME!".

Apparently airbags also have to be ordered in as they can't store them at the garage as they are classed as explosives. Chinnytrufax!

Woah, Perfect Dark Zero is fucking gash! If I'd bought a 360 on launch day with this, I'd have killed myself. What a load of shite!

Many people here did tell you that.

Messing around with my camera again last night, long exposure and RC helicopter :

I like dat.