April 26, 2004: Chip and PIN
So I've just started to see the adverts on TV. Chip & PIN is making it's way into the UK.
At the point of sale we simply tap in our 4 digit code for authentication. Great! Seldom does a shop assistant say "sorry, you're signature does not match that on the card" & that's even if they've bothered to look (I don't think petrol station attendants even know what a signature is).
Somebody said to me that a mugger could just watch you type in your PIN, steal your card & use it. True, but they can do that now anyway & take your money from a cash point.
April 19, 2004: Customer service
Trying to find an alternative to an iPod I came across a Toshiba Gigabeat. Looked alright but I couldn't find any info on the Toshiba web site, so I contacted them via email. This was my reply...
Thank you for your email
We don't know when, or if, it will be available in the U.K. and for further information may we suggest you try a search engine such as Google and type Toshiba gigabeat into the serach criteria box and there you should find the information you are looking for.
Regards
Customer Contact Centre
...guess I wont be getting a Gigabeat then.
April 18, 2004: Dealing Lilys
Just a quick one to brighten up the place. Went to get some flowers from a stall on the way home of Friday. The guy was packing up & offered me a whole bunch of Red Lilys for £5. Bargain I thought & took them.
Some woman turned up & tried to buy some of them before they were handed over, but quick thinking flower stall guy told her they we sold to us for £25.
Result!
April 18, 2004: Greenpeace scale Disney
The first thing I saw on Thursday (15 Apr 2004) morning was Mickey Mouse waving at me - which was nice, until I realised that his paper-mache head enclosed a Greenpeace Activist who, along with Minnie & 2 helpers had managed to scale the UK headquarters to building to protest against their use of hazardous chemicals in childrens clothing.
With their massive banner which read "Disney: Stop selling toxic pyjamas to kids - Greenpeace", Greenpeace camped out on the reception part of the building until half way through Friday.
April 13, 2004: Second album syndrome
Many bands find that second album difficult. Artists spend years striving to be heard & perfecting the work & seldom get noticed by a record label to release it. That difficult second album can, often prove to be simply pony!
Here though, it's my problem. Trying to invest in more of the great sound I originally stumbled upon is causing problems. Not always the next album chronologically, but they next album I purchase. They are increasingly failing to hit the spot.
Is it the impact of the first offering is so original that the next purchase can't sound so fresh? Or is it because I'm listening to the albums repeatedly all day & getting bored? Or is it the fault of the artists themselves who can not cover more than 5" of polycarbonate substrate with their talent? Or (my greatest fear) I'm getting old & like my elders, buying an album on the strength of a single & thinking I'm still cool!
April 10, 2004: Saw Concorde & a parrot
Where was I? - London. Yesterday was such a lovely day that we needed to make something of it & went for a walk. Walk became trek as we crossed the Thames to Barnes & eventually hiked from Chiswick to Richmond.
Saw a woodpecker, a parrot (which I think has escaped from some stupid Chiswickian - good luck Polly!) & then BAs last Concorde which is on it's was to Scotland.
Wish I took my camera instead of relying on my crappy Sony Ericsson T610, so many photo opportunities slipped away.
I recommend everyone to get out once in a while & see London from a different perspective.
April 04, 2004: brainfire's first blah blah blog
That's right! I've managed to set up my first blogness using Movable Type. Which is already proving to be an awesome piece of kit.
This space will be used to vent the fat lump in my skull of any subject I see fit. For now though, I'm empty.
Thanks to Andrew for getting me to set this up & helping me with the Perl stuff.
