I went to my hosting company yesterday to drop off a copy of my books and say hello to put faces to the emails we have had over time. I was introduced to one of the Andrews (sales) and then met Andrew (the owner). A very nice couple of people but what impressed me most was the professional layout of where they are based and also the professional set up host-it has. I was shown around their server room and how it was set up and all the fail safe systems they had in place were certainly impressive. The security of their office and the group of offices within the complex included fingerprint door openings as well as strong gates and fence to deter any intruders. I originally decided to host with them because they were local and were happy to talk to me at the time. The host virtual servers, co-location and dedicated servers including both Linux and Windows. They are always very very helpful (I dont know who is the sadest but I put in a support ticket o ... Read More »

Ellen and Cameron, the two "challenges" on my banner on the left, are learning the guitar. It had come the time for Cameron to move on from a 3/4 size guitar to a full size one so we trooped off to Milton Keynes to have a look. I did consider an accoustic electric guitar, in otherwords an accoustic guitar that had the ability to have an amp output, just to give him a bit of "noise". Well that proved a bit too expensive but we plumped for this creamed coloured guitar that had a really nice sound. Ever since then he has been thumb strum strum to David Bowies Space Oddity (and from this has called his guitar as he gives names to everything, Oddy). (For example he has over 100 cuddly toys and each has their own name! but thats another story....). So I thought perhaps that he and Ellen could perhaps do some duet work as Ellen is the sole owner of the 3.4 guitar. I tried to think of a good, but simple song, a few chords using chords Ellen knew. STUPIDLY.... Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCar ... Read More »

I havent been to many rock concerts in my life but by far the best was Deep Purple, Knebworth, 198something, just after The Purple reformed with the original line up.... (yes Gillan and Blackmore did occupy the same stage once again). Well Monsters of Rock, June 3rd is starting up again after a few years absence. This time in stead of being at Donnington its just down the road in Milton Keynes! I know, its now a case of rockers with long thinning hair than a full head of hair, and still the same denim jackets they wore in 1970, and possibly never washed in that time either... thats the jackets rather than the people.... mind you......

But The Purple and Alice Cooper are headlining so far, but it would be good to see The Purple one more time... wonder if Rush will also be there... now that WOULD be cool!

For a while I had a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse. It was brilliant. Lasted for many years, thumped in furstration, the mouse thrown in temper and still came back, forgiving, and working like a new one. However, after about 7 years, the left mouse wasnt clicking 100%. So, it was looking grubby etc so felt it was time to buy a new one. Well, wht ca I say. My new (major manufacturer) keyboard and mouse must be getting interference from somewhere as keys are missed, the mouse clicks dont, or when they do its a "sticky click" and I have to click elsewhere to get back. I like these curvey keyboard types. Being a fat bar steward it lets my arms curve round my belly nicely and get a good hand and wrist position. However I think I am going to have to take it back and either get a different wireless set or go back to "fixed wing". The downside to this is that well, its just so much more limiting, especially if you get a short cable. Its just a bit of a mare so need to get the old thinking ca ... Read More »

I have a Sony Vaio PCG-GRT916V. Its a brilliant little notebook, if not a tad little heavy as well as a heavy power pack. However, the screen size at 15.1 inches is perfect and the picture quality is second to none. Its been with me for nearly two years and it is just the best computer I have ever owned. But I am fearing after 24 months of day in and day out usage, in and out of my computer bag, slammed about on the train, tea dropped inside it, dropped from 5 feet up and surviving the display is not as reliable. When I open the lid the screen flickers and yesterday I couldnt get any display at all. Think its time I got it checked up, or do that and now that my current book writing is over, get myself a new lighter, smaller model. Its hard to decide....

Here I am sitting at home watching Big Brother on UK channel, Channel 4. There are a number of "celebrities" and in fact one who isnt even a celeb. However, the mix of people this time is such that its gone past the interesting TV to cringe factor. It makes you wonder if reality TV, which I think in some cases was on the downward slope, is now starting to implode. Its hard at the moment to describe why I am getting to this feeling but I do think that this series of Celebrity Big Brother is just a step too far. The best bit is that one of the favourites does seem to be the "non-celebrity". We also have another celeb that looks as if she is cracking up, with tears, tantrums and her discussions just give you worries about her mind. I do find it amazing that "Joe Public" can survive things like this a great deal better than celebs. I am finding it very hard to put down my feelings on this but lets see what we come up with

Today was weigh in today for my 4 week diet against "Fat Kav". Kav weighed in at a whopping 94.6kgs and I weighed in at a disappointing 123.8 kgs. But then again, I have done no exercise but this coming week its down to the gym and being stricter on the diet. Very disappointed but then, I need to be stricter, less nuts and so on.

Well, after a tough away game in the quarter finals against Otley, the semi final draw has given Bedford what can only be seen as a just as difficult a draw away to Exeter. Harlequins have just as hard a draw away at Nottingham. This is going to be a very hard game at the Country ground with a repeat of last years "winner goes to Twickenham". Last year the two teams met at Goldington Road with Exeter piling on the pressure for the last 10-15 minutes with a stalwart Bedford defence denying them. Exeter have had an awkward season with a lot of disruption and are not as strong as previous recent years but I can see this being a major uphill climb for Bedford. It will be a forwards dominate game as it was against Otley on Saturday.

Julie and bought ourselves for Christmas a Tassimo beverage drinks machine. We have bought a couple of different beverage machines in our time but this is by far the best piece of kit. You buy little discs that hold your tea, espresso, capaccino and the best hot chocolate ever and place these within the machine. The discs have a bar code on them that allow the machine to heat the water to the right temperature and do what it needs to do to make the best drink! Its clean, straightforward and makes a drink quickly for everyone.

Just back from a long old trip from Bedford up to Otley and back. 166 miles each way to watch an 80 minute game of rugby. Rained all the way there but had a nice meal in a garden centre then off to the game. We were 3-11 up at the half over a relatively even half but the second half it was all Otley. Great defence by Bedford it has to be said, and I thought we would have "given away" a penalty try but we held on, broke out of our own 22 with minutes to go, and gained a penalty in front of the post. Harris (unusually) got this "easy" one (he usually gets the hard ones) which put our noses in front 13-14 and we held out. Nerve racking, not sure we "deserved" it for possession but we deserved it for our defencive qualities. A pitch that was very slippy and muddy underfoot evened up the two teams and it really was down to the grunters to get the job done.

So we are in the quarter finals against one of Harelquins, Exeter or Nottingham.