Spontaneity

Awesome beats

2007-02-07T14:23:00.000Z

Ok, not that i've got time on my hands or anything, but check out this video. You'll get the picture after they go through the kitchen. If you don't want to go through all 9 minutes then skip to around minute 6.20 when they go into the living room, absolutely brilliant...

Annelise Hesme - The girl from the Renault Adverts

2007-02-07T13:32:00.000Z

I think i'm in love. How gorgeous is Annelise... Every time i see the adverts she does with the actor Jeremy Sheffield (Holby City) about England Vs France i almost die with lust. She's nigh on perfect.

As refreshment:

Goddamit she's great...

Scene just after my motorcycle crash on 4th December 2006

2006-12-06T17:29:00.000Z

I wanted to capture the scene just after my motorcycle crash. Was very shaken up and have a bruise on my arse which feels stiff as a result of the impact. Was bloody lucky not to lose my leg. Anyway,the guy came from over the bridge ran the red lights and hit me as i was moving east towards Westminster. I went up his bonnet and over the side of his windscreen. Eyewitnesses said it was pretty spectacular and gave me 7.5 out of 10 for style ;)

The first thing the guy did was pull over (thankfully) and hurl abuse at me about going too fast...

er...

Right

1) i couldn't believe he didn't ask if i was ok. Unbelievable!

2) I'm moving at right angles to him, with the lights on green, GREEN, not RED. How on earth did he have the audacity to say i was in the wrong???

But that's the state of this country today, no honour. No nobility. Everyone out for themselves. Screw you if you get in their way.

So, let the insurance shenanigans begin...

Hayley looking sheepish - Eurosport blogging demonstration.

2006-12-06T17:24:00.000Z

06122006(003)
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Hi to the guys at Eurosport

2006-12-05T18:29:00.000Z

Gabcast! Spontaneity #2

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

2006-11-01T10:48:00.000Z

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

just put a deposit on this baby

2006-07-19T00:57:00.000+01:00

just put a deposit on this baby
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Time to upgrade my bike. Have had it a year and its been excellent but now its time to try something bigger. In this case a 98 Fireblade. Whaddya reckon???

in Stewards Car park...

2006-07-02T21:01:00.000+01:00

in Stewards Car park...
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

At Henley Regatta. This is the first try out of my new Nokia e70 while enjoying the best of British!!! More to come...

The forgotten photos of St Anton

2006-05-22T15:41:00.000+01:00

Stanton, as the Americans were calling it, was fantastic! Had a great time and, at the time, i said i'd put up pictures when i managed to find the V800's data cable.... Well i found them....

Beautiful isn't it? The snow was surprisingly good considering the time of year AND my boarding has come on leaps and bounds. Can now nail it from top to bottom of the mountain, fast, under control, with good carving lines (or so the boys say). Wicked!

In the Tate Modern

2006-05-01T15:37:00.000+01:00

My name is Rachel Corrie

2006-03-29T13:35:00.000+01:00

Went to see the above play last night with Hels an old university friend of mine. Its a production by Alan Rickman based (very closely) on the diary and emails of Rachel Corrie who went to act as a peacekeeper and human shield in the Palestine around 2001. The girl who acted as Rachel was fantastic! It was the opening night and she was word perfect. She kept up the monologue for 90 minutes, it was very impressive and you were always captivated.

It is a very depressing tale of the hell the palestinians are living through with regard to the fighting with Israel at the time. You really did get a sense of the injustice and purgatory the common, innocent, palestinian had to live with. It did not excuse the violence of the Hamas or the suicide bombers but it did reveal the plight of ordinary people caught up in a war they did not want or understand and that was out of their reach to control.

Rachel died standing in front of a bulldozer as it demolished yet another Greenhouse complex, one of the few left producing much needed vegetables and fruit for the common man.

At the end of the play you are left subdued, frustrated at the injustice and angry at the lack of humanity displayed by those in power, on both sides. The play is well worth going to as it does open your eyes and does play with your emotions, which i believe, all good plays should.

St Anton pictures update

2006-03-27T12:42:00.000+01:00

Man, I've been having massive trouble getting the photos off my Sony V800, carphone warehouse, Orange, Vodafone and the O2 shops don't have a usb cable, i even bought a bluetooth dongle which connects to the V800 but doesn't see the photos.

So, at the moment, you'll just have to take my word for it that it was a wicked weekend and the weather was stunning... sorry :-(

Fight night

2006-03-27T12:39:00.000+01:00

The interesting thing about boxing is that it is exactly like what you see on TV. I mean, motor racing is excellent when you're right in front of it. The smells, noise and speed are amazing! you don't get a sense of that on the TV. But, with boxing, its the same. The only difference is the punches sound harder in reality, oh, and there's alot more blood that you can see than on sanitised TV.

York Hall - Bethnal Greem

2006-03-27T12:33:00.000+01:00

Was at the David Hayle vs er, someone from Denmark, Cruiserweight European Title match at York Hall Bethnal Green on friday night.

Now, i've never been to a boxing match before and if you're going to do it, do it in style. We were guests of a friend of mine, Karen White. She's a lawyer for Sky Sports and we had front row tickets and i mean literally front row - when the boxing started we were hit by the sweat (although, fortunately, we didn't find any blood on us).

While the evening started at 7.30 it wasn't going live on Sky Sports until 10pm and that was just for the main event of the night.

Here we are waiting for the first match.

Odeo and St Anton

2006-03-21T11:54:00.000Z

Wow, been a while since i blogged. Just got back from St Anton. God it was WICKED! I've moved 'to the next level' of boarding, I can now start at the top of a mountain and ride all the way to the bottom with some wicked carving action! I'm waiting for a few friends to send through photos and then i'll update them here.

I've sorted out Odeo and created my first audio blog. Nothing special, just seeing how it sounds and works. Let me know what you think of the quality of the sound (not the content ;)) and ease of listening to my charismatic, charming voice...

The Royal Commonwealth Club

2006-03-03T12:31:00.000Z

Waiting for a lunchtime business meeting.

Another fantastic day

2006-03-01T21:36:00.000Z

I've only got 1 more hour before i have to come back to miserable England (i hear it's been snowing). The trip has been a fascinating insight into both the american and american government employee psyche. I'm feeling particularly reflective, as i often do before coming home. I'd like to get away more often and explore. I also felt quite lonely and would like to change that too...

Back in the main conference.

2006-02-28T18:52:00.000Z

Back in the main conference.
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Bugger! Was enjoying the sun...

me working

2006-02-28T17:42:00.000Z

me working
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

No honestly! Am on my computer doing work but in 25 degree sun!

NENA

2006-02-27T19:09:00.000Z

NENA
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

National Emergency Number Association Conference. This is it. I'm currently listening to VoIP funding and regulatory issues, which is actually quite interesting, if a little fluffy and without an outcome. It now appears that i've joined the significant few who are actively involved in determining the future of the US's Emergency services... Blimey!

subsiding museum

2006-02-27T18:58:00.000Z

subsiding museum
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

A local museum 'designed' to be falling through the floor... Wacky... or not.

Kres Chop House in Orlando

2006-02-27T18:54:00.000Z

Kres Chop House in Orlando
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Photo may be too dark but a funky, sophisticated place where i've just eaten Elk, which was delicious! Not many people out tonight, apparently its because there's a Nazi parade on tomorrow... Thinking i picked a great time to come...

The Communications Revolution

2006-02-23T12:24:00.000Z

Well, it would appear that its about time i brought you up to date with my new blog. It's taken a while to get used to Typepad but i think it looks a bit more professional than Blogger for my business blog... let me know what you think.

www.edhodges1.com

Beautiful Chambery

2006-02-22T00:10:00.000Z

DSC00622.JPG

2006-02-22T00:03:00.000Z

DSC00622.JPG
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

This is Eric in the foreground. He's an old pal of Georges and they've often

boarded together. In fact, I believe (and George will tell me otherwise)

that they've starred in Extreme Boarding videos together!

DSC00613.JPG

2006-02-21T23:48:00.000Z

DSC00613.JPG
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

"The Don". Having arrived in Chambery we heard of a Pimps and Prostitutes

party which happens once a year. We'd obviously only got ski clothes but

somewhere, out of the blue, Anthony came up with this concoction. Suits him

well.

Sarah drinking tequila

2006-02-21T23:46:00.000Z

Chambery February 2006

2006-02-21T23:41:00.000Z

Chambery February 2006
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Out at the Pimps and prostitutes party in Chambery. Was a wicked night, didn't finish till 4 and we needed the mornings skiing to clear our heads...

Chambery February 2006

2006-02-21T23:39:00.000Z

Chambery February 2006
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

On our last day having a slightly boozy lunch before the last slope home and back to Blighty.

Chambery February 2006

2006-02-21T23:38:00.000Z

Chambery February 2006
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Just spent 4 days in Chambery, Switzerland with my old uni friend George,

his housemate Anthony and two lovely Australian girls Catharine and Sarah.

Here we are about to go out to a Pimps and Prostitutes party and a picture

of me a George in a mountain restaurant on the last day.

jack looking pensive...

2006-02-10T15:44:00.000Z

jack looking pensive...
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

more of this bloke, check out the media around him.

2006-02-07T17:13:00.000Z

more of this bloke, check out the media around him.
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Talk about the presence of the media making his rants more influential than they should be...

some bloke ranting on about how we're all wrong

2006-02-07T15:19:00.000Z

some bloke ranting on about how we're all wrong
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Straight outside my offices...

Bush-Blair

2006-02-06T23:06:00.000Z

I found this through K3ith's blog NumberOneSnowStreet . It's bloody brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/?v=yUUKPhIvbCY. Unfortunately i can't show you on an embedded player as the links broken. But its worth checking out.

BBC NEWS | Have Your Say | Should 'anti-Islam' cartoons have been published?

2006-02-05T15:32:00.000Z

BBC NEWS Have Your Say Should 'anti-Islam' cartoons have been published?

I am aghast! What is this world coming to??? God it frustrates me (no pun intended)! Yes, i can understand that it was an insensitive act, printing a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad with a turban looking like a bomb. Yes, i can understand that it doesn't help put over an impression of a kind, peaceful, loving religion and therefore is misrepresentative... er, hang on, looking at the demonstrations in Central London, burning the Danish flag, stopping trade with Denmark, ransacking and burning diplomatic embassys in Damascus... well, how wrong was the cartoon???

I mean, what the fuck has it got to do with the government when it was an independent newspaper that printed it???

What the fuck has it got to do with the UK that leads to threatened reprisals when our INDEPENDENT newspapers have chosen NOT to print the cartoon?

I was thinking recently that the Americans were unreasonable to be bullying and bludgeoning Iran on its quest to refine nuclear power, but based on these crazy reactions of a few muslims i can see why they are so concerned - just out of interest, i believe we'll see a war with Iran occuring in the next 18 months, one which i hope the UK doesn't partake in.

I feel sorry for the majority of muslims worldwide who are slurred by this threatening, violence inducing, extremist reaction to something which otherwise would have not raised an eyebrow in the west. I mean, satirical, sarcastic (and evidently often correct) cartoons are printed everyday, they carry some humour factor, sometimes you agree with them, but mostly you pass your eye over it and move on. If they had chosen to take it up politically with the newspaper in question, there'd be much more respect with the way they're protesting and the average westerner might start to see muslims as peaceful, friendly, kind people...

I find it a real struggle to be a reasonable person and see it from both sides. Overall I think its pathetic, unjustified, unreasonable and just an excuse for violence by a minority of yobbish, uncultured, introverted idiots who do not want to add to a society, just break it down - and that's something i don't think any religion extols.

Rugby & Antigua

2006-02-05T14:47:00.000Z

As you can see, yesterday was good fun. Good to see England win even if it wasn't an emphatic victory, we'll have to be on much better form than that if we want to win the 6 nations and more importantly the World Cup next year...

Henry joined me and we left the pub with Ruth (in the picture below), Charlie (her boyfriend, or am i meant to say partner these days... bloody PC bollox) and James. We headed over to Wandsworth Old Town and had pizza at Pizza Express, god it was needed, hadn't eaten before i arrived at the rugby so it had only taken 4-5 pints for me to feel pretty pissed. Anyway, the carbs did their work and we thought we could take on a few more beers so headed up to the East Hill which was packed but the atmosphere was great. Finished up around 12 and headed home. All in all a wicked day!

Now then, my sister has gone to Antigua for a couple of days. She's looking at getting a new job working out there as a kind of entertainer/events manager/personal party officer for the rich and loaded who are looking at buying houses and want to see some of the island and nightlife too. What a wicked job! and it'll suit her down to the ground, it fits her personality very well. I say get in! So, she's there on an inspection tour to see if she'd like it, if so, she's in. Good luck to her!

more beer, more rugby.

2006-02-04T17:18:00.000Z

more beer, more rugby.
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

watching the rugby with friends

2006-02-04T17:00:00.000Z

watching the rugby with friends
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Down at the Duke of Cambridge in Battersea.

Ashenka is ill :(

2006-02-02T17:16:00.000Z

You'll be disappointed to hear that Ashenka (other half of the Starbucks duo to Olenka) is ill... But it does mean that she's been at home checking out my blog! :-)

So, get well soon, 'bucks needs you!

Almost there

2006-02-01T22:55:00.000Z

Following the drinks with the head of Strategy for the company i work for last week and the ensuing request to advise on blogs, podcasting et al, I've spoken to Ewan and between us realised that the real way to blow his socks off is to create a REALLY professional blog.

I'm doing this for 2 reasons, 1, i want him to be blown away, i want him and others in the company to see me as a 'SME' Subject Matter Expert. It's ok having someone you work with ask you to write a script for them on Web 2.0 etc for an interview, its another having colleagues worldwide seek your advice and besides, you never know where it might take you. 2, I want to know more, i want to learn more, I need to know more. It's become apparent to me that while (at this stage of my life) i don't have the immediate 'killer application' in my brain which will see me (and Ewan) as entrepreneurial business tycoons, I do LOVE technology particularly with regard to emerging technologies, the internet and telecommunications. It's the area i envisage becoming a true SME in and creating a professional, truly multimedia blog is a great way of expanding my knowledge in this area and again, you never know where it might lead.

Give me another day or two to make sure it looks like the mutts nuts and i'll post a link. It essentially takes the information from my business blog 'TechnologyDecoded' and puts it in a new, sticky, interactive site. I'll be looking to update this new site more than i've managed until now.

So, keep reading and all will be revealed...

Bloody Krispy Kremes

2006-01-30T13:51:00.000Z

I knew it was a bad idea having that first jam donut. Have just had lunch (footlong Chicken Teriaki from Subway, my favourite sandwich) got back to my desk, am looking through my 'to do' actions and WHAM! "I need a jam donut" has hit me in the head. I'm trying to forget it, but i'm about to head out for my second coffee of the day, obviously at Starbucks and the little buggers are just round the corner at Tesco.

I...

Will...

Resist...

Podcasts and blogging

2006-01-27T15:57:00.000Z

Ewan would be proud of me...

Every last thursday of the month we have a Comms & High Tech Strategy get together where we discuss hot topics like, where the dollar is going for 2006, will Google rule the world?, is IPTV the way forward and other stuff like that.

Yesterday was a bit different as the worldwide head of Strategy for Accenture was in the building and he came to talk us through, you guessed it, our strategy. He's keen to get involved with creating a Strategy community website. A colleague of mine (Andreas) creates a monthly newsletter called the Recharger which, i have to say, is very good. Walt (Strategy guy) loved it and has asked him to be the worldwide editor in chief of the new website! Now, that's all cool and everything but i was thinking "yeah, that's all yesterdays news, what about Podcasting, using ODEO, RSS feeds, blogs, moblogs and Vlogs?" anyway, i made the mistake of saying this to him over a few drinks after the discussion was finished....

I arrived into work this morning to find an email chain which, to summarise, now has Andreas as the Editor in Chief and me as the Podcasting and blog director/advisor for Walt and other worldwide senior partners of the firm! Er, bloody hell, er, ok then....

So i have a conference call this evening (god knows what time... see what opening your big mouth does) and further meetings next week.

I hope it leads to trips to the US ;)

Shad Thames

2006-01-23T13:45:00.000Z

Had a great time in the pub with Henry and Brendan. What was a 'bit of lunch' turned into dinner as well and home by 12.30. We chatted about Billy Elliot which i saw at the Victoria Theatre on friday night, it was brilliant, well worth going to see. Billy Elliot and his friend Michael were excellent, particularly Michael who stole the show in a musical number about dressing up in girls clothes!

Other than that i've taken the first foray into pastures anew in my social life. I went out and bought my first cigar! I don't and have never smoked, but, having played poker 4/5 times last year i got into having a cigar with 'the boys' and found i quite enjoyed it. One good friend, Jiorgis, is a cigar afficionado (he's publishing a book on the subject) and has been teaching me about them. On saturday i quite fancied one so tried a Monte Cristo No. 4 (42 gauge, 4 7/8 inches). It was pretty reasonable, medium to full taste, the smoke wasn't too heavy with a smooth draw, not bad at all. Anyway, i'm thinking it might be something i get into... we shall see.

more beers

2006-01-21T19:55:00.000Z

more beers
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Having fun discussing everything under the sun. Still in Browns.

In Browns

2006-01-21T16:24:00.000Z

In Browns
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

At Shad Thames. Will be here with Henry and Brendan for a while.

Bllluurrghhh

2006-01-17T21:16:00.000Z

Bllluurrghhh

I feel so nauseous, been to the gym again, did 20 minutes on the bike, it’s the one where you have your legs out front so your fighting gravity as well as the resistance of the bike. I kept it at 80 RPM from start to finish and had it set on interval training. I was knackered. I did the isolated leg exercises and suddenly felt really dizzy, sat for 3 minutes and knew it was time to call it quits for the night.

I just can’t believe how unfit I’ve got over the last couple of years and I’m so glad to be going back again to rectify it.

Olenka, Ashenka, Kidi et al

2006-01-16T14:12:00.000Z

I feel compelled to blog about Starbucks close to where i work. I go everyday and have been known to stretch that to 3 times in a day! Over the last year i've got to know the staff who are wicked! They offer the best customer service i've ever seen, always greeting everyone with a smile and a ready laugh, they're great. I even got a christmas card from them this year, it's brilliant as it keeps me coming back. Two of the girls who work there are Polish (as the names might imply in the title!), they work hard as Coffee 'Baristas' during the day and act as hostesses at Chelsea Football club in the evenings. I don't think they know they have generated such customer loyalty in me and around 5 other friends of mine who go regularly (which is perhaps why they remain so good at it), even though I actually prefer Neros coffee.

Anyway, thought i'd give them a mention as they always brighten up my day...

Cheeky Decadance

2006-01-16T14:07:00.000Z

Needed to get some cash this morning for the obligatory Starbucks "Grande Americano white" coffee. As I got to the ATM i noticed Tescos had started offering Krispy Kreme donuts... bast*rds. How's a man meant to look after his weight and keep fit when you put these little things in the way. I don't have a sweet tooth per se (I'm a starter, not a desert man) but i had to pop in and get a raspberry donut. Got back to work looking guilty and only managed about 3 minutes before i tucked in. Delicious!

Only problem is I now know where they are and how good they taste. Only a matter of time before being tempted by the dark side again.

bayraider: Genuine Lightsaber, One Careful Owner...

2006-01-13T12:40:00.000Z

bayraider: Genuine Lightsaber, One Careful Owner...

How cool is this!!! The actual lightsabre used in The Return of the Jedi!!!

If i had spare cash i'd go for it. Don't know what i'd do with it, but who cares.

the cheek of it

2006-01-13T11:32:00.000Z

While i've split out my thoughts on business from personal life in to my blog here. I'm not sure quite where to put this post.

I've been approached by a guy i work with to talk on what Web 2.0 means, how it might affect Accenture, how the company should get involved etc. Obviously i was delighted to give my opinon, thougths and analysis on the subject... only to find that HE'S being interviewed for some TV program on the subject and doesn't have a clue about it...

I remain more than happy to help, but honestly, surely it should be me in the staring roll ;)

Oowwwwwww

2006-01-12T10:08:00.000Z

Woke up this morning and tried to get out of bed... OH my f**king god! my arms, shoulders, back and legs were SOOOO stiff. I'd forgotten its 2 days after you have a big workout that everything bloody hurts, i thought i'd got away with it yesterday when i felt fine. I stood in the shower for ages hoping the heat would reduce the soreness but to no avail, getting on my bike was a pain and i can still feel my forearms now.

The good thing is is that its not a 'bad' pain. It doesn't feel like proper damage, just very stiff. So, i'll be back at the gym tomorrow having had a couple of days break, no doubt the stiffness will still be there but i'll warm up well and i don't mind shocking my muscles back into practise after so many months with nothing. After all, its only 5 weeks until snowboarding...

More real life pub knitting... the next big thing?

2006-01-11T20:53:00.000Z

Image(174).jpg
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Just in case you didn't believe me...

Yukiko

2006-01-11T20:52:00.000Z

Image(175).jpg
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

As we were having a beer, er, soft drink talking about 'stuff', we spotted Yukiko and a few of her Bona Fide Japanese friends sitting at a table KNITTING! was a bizzare sight. They were nattering away, completely at ease in a (crap) English pub with their needles out dropping one and pearling one...

Anyway, i went over introduced myself and got this lovely picture of a rather cool handbag Yukiko had knitted. I'd have to admit that even in my completely non fashion(able) sense i thought it was well made and looked like a boutique item...

They laughed as i took the picture but were happy to pose for it. Great fun!

UCL alumni meeting

2006-01-11T20:19:00.000Z

UCL alumni meeting
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Er, yes. There are 3 of them here and i'm the random punter... So, Ewan wondered if i'd join him and his friends from UCL for a couple of beers and chat about life and work, naturally i said yes. We had a beer in Weatherspoons!!! can you believe it, i feel so soiled ;)

Anyway, there were 3 of us there and another 2 "er, just coming". It was good fun to meet Tim who's a Useability expert with regards to web interfaces. he's the guy to trys to make webpages intuitive for navigation. Was all good fun, have got home now and can feel the 3 pints of orange juice and lemonade sloshing around.

Over doing it

2006-01-10T21:02:00.000Z

Just been to the gym. No big thing you say, well, its been around 2 years since i last went and much longer in terms of going regularly. I need to get fit for the ski season, i have a 6 week time frame before the first 4 day snowboarding session.

Have got home, had a shower and boy am i stiff already ;) sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, my muscles are still shaking and i feel slightly nauseous, i can't lift my arms above my head and am thinking i completely over did it. Should have been softly softly to get back into it, *sigh* its going to be painful tomorrow...

Still, getting the old arms pumping again did feel good and it did remind me of the old days when i really was fit and that's a good thing, so i'll be back again on... er, Friday i think, friends leaving drinks on Thursday and need a day to rest tomorrow... can't over do it now can i?

Separation of thoughts

2006-01-10T10:32:00.000Z

Boy! this is all getting serious...

I've decided to separate my thoughts on business from personal. It's an obvious split I know, but sometimes the brain doesn't work very quickly, however, last night i did the deed. From now on you can see my musings on the 'communications revolution' at:

www.technologydecoded.blogspot.com

I will, of course, be shamelessly promoting it as more is added to it.

as always, let me know your thoughts.

Black + Blum

2006-01-09T20:38:00.000Z

Have just received an email from Dan Black after sending out the mass email that i was now alive and well on the internet. Dan is another one of those pesky successful entrepreneurial types, he designs, er, things. All his household objects are artworks but with an ergonomic, useful meaning. Check out his stuff at Black + Blum.

Did you know that...

2006-01-09T15:11:00.000Z

...165 million texts were sent between midnight 31st Dec and midnight 1st Jan this year! An average of 6.9 million an hour! 160 Characters reports:

"Person-to-person texts sent across the UK GSM network operators on New Year's Day 2006 show a growth of 24% on the 2005 figure of 133 million, as increasing numbers of people chose text messaging to convey New Year messages. Previous New Year's Day SMS Figures Monitored by the MDA were 111 million in 2004 and 133 million in 2005."

It goes on to say that the Mobile Data Association expects an annual total of 36.5 billion messages to be sent in the UK in 2006.

Just thought you'd like to know...

Doh!

2006-01-09T13:44:00.000Z

Perhaps i shouldn't mention this, but, er, I've split my trousers...

Am sitting at my desk at work, thinking my trousers feel really light and felt a 5 inch tear running left to right in one of the trouser legs...

thank god i'm wearing good boxer shorts ;-)

I'll just have to grin and bear it.

Things to learn about Blogger... Part 1

2006-01-08T23:35:00.000Z

Don't,

I repeat don't

Write an article about the book you're reading at the moment (The Tipping Point), then try to use the spell check function (which is blocked by the Google Toolbar) and agree to unblocking the page to 'pop up' the application. Why?

Because the bloody thing doesn't save what you've written (which was bloody good ;-)) and presents you with a new blank page which is now ready for the spell check...

Google Pack

2006-01-08T13:58:00.000Z

Ewan's advice to get the Google Pack was right, this is a great application, simple to download and it does the rest AND i want to use all the applications that come with it. Check it out, go to

Google Home page -> More -> (bottom of page) Google Pack

It is an application which contains all the other applications on that page, it manages them and will automatically update them as newer versions come out.

Google is just such an exciting company. Half the world's internet population, 1bn plus, either have them as their homepage or as their primary search engine. They are in control of the 'webtop' (much the same as Microsoft to the desktop). I know that at the moment they're still essentially (as the analysts put it) a 'one trick pony' with 98% of their revenues coming from advertising, but you gotta hand it to them, they REALLY know their customer.

I think this is their 'unfair advantage'. Everything they're creating is simple, easy to use with nicely rendered graphics, lots of white space to remove information overload and even if you don't need their applications they're fun to play with anyway.

Now don't get me wrong, every dog has its day and I'm sure there will come an end to Google's meteoric rise (IPO August 2004 $85, close of play friday $465 with Bear Stearns giving a 'buy' guidance and target of $550), but lets be fair, Google knows this and is using its almighty market valuation of $113bn to get all the techie and marketing brains together to stave off that chance and turn it into the world's dominant communications company.

To me it appears to have a 'land grab' strategy. Screw Microsoft, Yahoo, eBay and anyone else, they want as many eyeballs at whatever price now and will work out how to extract revenues at a future moment. This is working well, they are in their honeymoon phase with the markets and are using their cash reserves to acquire the necessary eyeballs. As the markets chose their next favourite, Google will need to work out how to convert their audience to a wider revenue set beyond Adsense and Adword.

Of course, they recognise this and are making headway into Wifi / Wimax (Mountian View, San Fran), developing Map and Location Based Services based on the epic Google Earth and Google Maps and are even partnering with Sun Microsystems to offer the Java Runtime Environment to people who want to develop applications which could be used by Google and perhaps more interestingly for the rest of us, OpenOffice, an open source office suite (much like Microsoft Office) which is free to download. These and other partnerships and application development projects are all designed to get under our skin, making them indispensible which frankly, is and will be correct for the mainstream consumer over the next 3 years, especially if the basic versions remain free. Once embedded in the Google consumer psyche, 'standard' and 'premium' versions of the applications will be monetized and, in my opinion, providing Google keeps the price low (ergo volume take up high) they will establish themselves as much more than the aforementioned 'one trick pony' and we really will see Google standardised as THE webtop.

Overall, such an exciting company to watch and one which i will come back to time and again.

In my next post on Google I want to spout about the potential damage it can cause to the world wide telecommunications industries with its land grab strategy and Google Talk.

Thoughts?

A new dawn for the blog

2006-01-08T13:50:00.000Z

Well, I've gone and done it. Up till now I've not felt any particular pressure to actually 'blog', only really Ewan mentioning it in an exasperated kind of way every now and again. But today, I've sent the URL to a lot of my friends suggesting they check out what I'm writing about. I really feel like I've 'opened up the kimono' (er, perhaps that's too much Accenture speak...) and am inviting all sorts of comment.

Oh well, I guess we'll just find out.

The creative arts

2006-01-07T14:13:00.000Z

Been home for a few days, which was nice. Mother was disappointed to see me leave, I did think about staying for the weekend but wanted to get back to base to braise myself ready for the return to work. Well, that and the great curry night i organised with Marcus and Bay a couple of my closest friends. It was quite an occation as it was the first time i'd had people over for supper since i moved in!

Tonight i'm off to join another friend of mine, Adam. He got the Hardens Guide for christmas so we're going to find a restaurant we've not been to before and try it out and then see where the rest of the evening takes us. I always enjoy catching up with Adam, he's an unlikely entrepreneur, on first meeting you'd have no idea that he's one of the country's most successful artists who's gaining international acclaim. Check out his website:

AdamBallonline

As you can see from the Review section, the bast*rd has been in GQ, Arena and other magasines. He's had centre page spreads in the Sunday Time Magazine which has the largest readership in the country and all because he bloody paints...

Anyway, i'll be delighted to see what he's up to at the moment and what direction his next collection is taking.

Talking of friends making headway in this rat race, check out The Heart Strings composed of twin brothers Max and Todd Roache. They've been into music all their lives and while we were in 4th year at school (14-15 year olds) they teamed up with Paul another close friend who was initially the front man before turning into their manager when they left school. They've been together ever since and the band is about to make it big!

I could swear it was my turn next ;)

in pub with Henry.

2006-01-03T23:38:00.000Z

in pub with Henry.
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

This is our 6th pint. Still early doors...
Brendan and I joined Henry at his local village pub in Wiltshire on the 30th for a few beers before New Year. We ended up having 15 each (over 12 hrs) and a few tequilas. As a result New Years was a quiet affair with Shepards Pie and Apple Crumble seeing in the new year.

Quite a strange sensation waking up on new years day without a hang over...

Henry and i came back to London around 6pm and promptly went out to the pub. Brendan had headed over to east london but we managed to get him back over to the 'west side' and another riotous evening prevailed. All good fun.

Chez Gerard

2006-01-03T23:36:00.000Z

Chez Gerard
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Having chateaubriand with Ewan.
You wouldn't believe it but Ewan and I have been sitting on our arses for 8 hours... I've just got home. Been a marathon session, we've discussed life, love (well, kind of, more about women actually and what we've been up to and would like, buts thats a different story) and business. The 2 former were cool as they've helped us catch up on the last month or so. But the business chat was excellent! its made the day well worth it and we're both well motivated to see where the new idea goes.

Having ideas is not something Ewan or I struggle with. They come naturally, unbidden, sometimes unwanted and usually at inappropriate times. For me, its often when i'm doing something completely different, no connection, I'll be trying to focus (usually on creating yet another powerpoint deck) and WHAM! an idea pops into my head. It's usually around technology and its use to solve, improve or create revenues. Unbidden is most annoying as i lose focus (whether i want to or not) on what i'm doing and have to play out the logical or creative steps in my head to reach a satisfactory end point where my brain can store it.

Dendrites, I was learning last month about dendrites and this was one of the things i talked about today. Dendrites are the neurons which pop into existence when a brand new thought occurs, or you learn the beginnings of a new skill or you make a logical connection. We still don't know how this happens, but its these spontaneous connections which give us the idea, or make the link. When the idea is unbidden, it needs to be seen through to an end point or i think the dendrite doesn’t 'cement’ in my head. Today however, we gave ourselves enough time to get into blue sky and lateral thinking and here we are, we have a good one, one with legs.

Obviously i'm not going to tell you about it yet. I'd imagine various of you will hear about it from us individually but for now its about firming up the idea, crystallising the value chain and developing the revenue stream. Each requiring new dendrites to form and the 'whole' cement in our heads.

Trying a goatee

2006-01-03T23:23:00.000Z

Trying a goatee
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Didn't shave over New Year and ended up with 4 days of growth today so i

thought i'd try shaving it into a goatee. Only done it once before when i

was travelling as a 19 year old. Wanted to see how it looked again. It'll go

tomorrow morning, i kinda like it, its a different look, but i don't know

what message goatees send out, so i think i'd rather shave it off...

THE most beautiful mouth in the world

2005-12-22T16:13:00.000Z

I wanted to use this as the skin for my LastFm Artist chart, but as i've only just set up the service i haven't listened to enough artists yet so you wouldn't get the full picture, instead, here are the firt tracks i've listened to. So i want to share with you Miss Angelina Jolie's mouth. Quite frankly, the most sensuous lips on the planet.

Mesmerising.

Learning about blogger

2005-12-22T15:47:00.000Z

Well, I'm loving this!

I've learnt how to put my Lastfm playlist in the side bar on the right hand side (my first foray into html!) and now i'm putting video on my blog from youTube. I feel like a real techie!

I was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the event is particularly famous for the 'race' up the 1 mile drive to the front door of Goodwood House. Any supercar, classic and vintage car (that's registered) can have a go over the weekend. I'd just got to the bottom of the drive and was standing behind these cars getting high on the noise and (i realised later) the high octane petrol they ran on. So hopefully the noise of their engines will come out well because its beautiful... i only wish my bike sounded the same...

Don't EVER use www.getmetickets.net

2005-12-14T23:28:00.000Z

Now this IS worth blogging about. I'm incenced. I can't believe it.

DON'T EVER USE Getmetickets.net.

Let me tell you why. I ordered 2 tickets at £77 each a couple of months ago to see Coldplay tomorrow night. That's £47 over the list price but it was completely sold out (supply and demand and all that) and it was for standing right infront of the stage. So no worries there.

Ok, so, I still haven't received my tickets. I rang on Sunday, it took 15 minutes to get through, the guy politely says they'll courier the tickets to me this week, indeed it said they would in the terms and conditions. No worries there...

Nothing happening on tuesday, so i spend a HALF HOUR during my working day trying to get through to find out when these tickets are to be delivered. The woman who answers is gruff, "sorry, can't send them to you, you'll have to pick them up from a bloke who'll stand outside Earls Court on the night". Well that's bloody shit, but, i do like Coldplay and i've been waiting months. So, not happy with the service, but at least i'm getting there.

So, this evening. I get a call from some bloke who was a complete See U Next Tuesday (if you get my meaning).

"Mr Hodges, Ed Hodges?"
"Yes"
"We won't courier the tickets to you and we're not going to give them to you at Earls Court"
"I'm sorry, I don't think i understand"
"You'll have to come into town tomorrow and pick them up from our offices, or you can have a refund"
"Whooaa, hang on, I paid 2 MONTHS ago for £154 tickets, for you to TELL me that i either come to your offices tomorrow or i can't go?"
"yes"
"I'm sorry, i'm still not..."
"either come and collect or i'll refund, you've got 5 SECONDS TO DECIDE"
"WHAT, well to be honest, SCREW YOU, give me my money back"
*phone goes dead*

What a bunch of FUCKERS. I repeat, DON'T USE getmetickets.net.

Narnia - Complete pants!

2005-12-14T23:15:00.000Z

It's not often i'm compelled to write a blog as you'll well know, but i've just got back from watching Narnia and i need to vent otherwise i'll not sleep tonight.

It was complete pants. Now, i've not read the books since i was 11/12 but i'm sure i remember them (the series) as being considerably richer in style and content. The film was dry, shallow, often badly acted and christ, for a paid up public school kid i was struggling with the plummy accents. It was crap, things 'just happened' all at the right moment with no explanation... e.g. Lucy (who incidently with the fawn and the ice queen were the best actors in it) and Susan are faced with 3 slavering wolves, no weapons and completely alone, the next thing you know is they're up a tree having avoided the speed, stealth and dexterity of the wolves, sitting pretty waiting to be saved - bollocks, utter bollocks.

I guess i should also explain that i'm a Fantasy and Science Fiction geek. I love it. I was and am a massive Lord of the Rings fan, I love David Gemmell, Ian M Banks, James Barclay, Trudi Caravan, Ian Irving etc. I know most of the Marvel characters, their history and powers and a fair few of the DC comic characters to. So, I'm not adverse to shedding the physics of Earth and expanding my mind to encompass new universes, magics, mages, heros and villans and Narnia, well, it left me cold, bored, incredulous at the scene cutting and wishing i was back watching LOTR.

There were a couple of good bits, the Griffins were well done (part eagle part lion for the uninitiated)there was some imagination used in the villianous minions which i'd like to have seen more of, but honestly, it was shit.

Ahhhhh, feel better. Hope you do too.

Yahoo RSS feeds to SMS

2005-12-08T12:12:00.000Z

Just a quick one. I've seen the news that Yahoo is offering RSS feeds to SMS! Bloody brilliant, i love it! I'm currently hooked into around 20 RSS feeds at the moment and try to get through all of them each day. Obviously that's too many to be sending an average of 15 posts each to my mobile each day, but for a precious few its an awesome idea, or so i thought...

It turns out that its for Yahoo USA only and i can't find anything that says it'll be rolled out worldwide yet, bloody annoying and bloody useless. Sigh, i guess i'll just have to wait.

But it has got me thinking, what are the potential business opportunities? Which companies / industries could really benefit from this technology? Obviously there are the sports results and stock quotes being sent straight to your mobile, but this is already done (albeit at a premium price - something i suspect the RSS feed will do for free). So lets remove the obvious ones, what else could there be?

I'll think on this and work it out, perhaps i'll be that entrepreneur yet.

George Best... among other things

2005-11-28T17:55:00.000Z

I don't get it, i really don't. Who is this George Best guy? Where did he come from. All I can tell about him is he was an old wisened drunkard who was particularly selfish and thick.

First of all, i know there is not much news going on in the world at the moment so he fulfils a spot (i am of course, taking a leaf out of Ew4n's book about the media which i totally agree with), or at least there can't be much out there to report because i'm now faced with a footballer who played for Manchester United 30 YEARS AGO about to have the biggest funeral after PRINCESS DIANA! Fuck me! what is the world coming to????

Christ, he's done nothing for 30 years except shag girls, get really shitfaced and, er, get really shitfaced. I mean if he'd been at the forefront of numerous charities travelling the world using his celebrity status as a footballer (remember that's kicking around a pig skin) shagging girls in the 60's then i might have some understanding and empathy as to why anyone gives a shit. But no, i can't see any of that. I'm sure he was a loving father, good loyal friend and on a day to day level couldn't have been a better person, but, looking at the wood from the trees...

And perhaps even more to my chargrin, I find that the old coffin dodger (albeit not any more) had a liver transplant as his body had given up on his alcohol substance abuse only to CARRY ON! I mean, what! you get a second chance, you go through hell in arriving at needing a liver, having the transplant, recovering from the transplant and then you celebrate with another 3,000 bottles of whiskey (well, something like that). The poor bastard bloke who gave up his liver so that Mr Best can drink his way through that one in record time must be up in heaven feeling completely incredulous, gobsmacked at the frivolous use of his liver. What about all those who would be desperate for the use of a good liver to enjoy a long and fruitful life...

So, we've given George Best more funeral coverage than the Pope, we stand to see him have the second largest public funeral after Princess Diana and all for a guy who played football 30 years ago, got shitfaced, used someone elses liver, got shitfaced again and died...

rrrriiiiggghhhtt...

what is it with the british public and our media?

tell me, where do i get off this bus...

Sigh. So, another week starts. Am out tonight to a bar called 6 Degrees to meet up with a couple of friends and discuss all things Wireless. Geeky i know, but good fun.

Will attempt to fill you in on the details if they're interesting, oh, and if they inspire me enough to write a blog, much like George Best has done, come to think of it, maybe that was his purpose in life...

The new puppy

2005-10-24T09:43:00.000+01:00

Been a weekend of 'consolidation'. Having moved into my new flat in Wandsworth last weekend i needed to put everything away, bin stuff i haven't used in years and have a general spring clean. This all started with bringing something new into my life. I'd been to look at her, in fact, alot of them, over the last week. Been 3 times! Anyway, i finally settled on the one i wanted on Friday evening.

Was on my bike so had to pay a taxi driver to bring her home. It must have been traumatic yet exciting, upping sticks and coming back to mine. I got her in to the lift got her into the flat without too much fuss, no banging on doors, walls. I put her in her rightful place, turned her on and sat back and admired.

I found it difficult not to play with her for the rest of the weekend. I had all the spring cleaning to do, but everytime i turned and looked at her, she brought a smile to my face. Sharp, bright and with a tremendous response time (at least 12ms i think) she has been a bundle of fun and i must admit i'm happy and proud i brought her home.

Sigh.

Anyway, start of a new week and one which should prove to be very exciting. I have an interesting proposal i'm putting forward to a company on Friday and Ewan and i need to prepare for that. Otherwise it's a week of picking up on new ideas and working out where i'm going with all this technology (see last post).

Technology applications

2005-10-21T13:26:00.000+01:00

I don't think i'd realised how far advanced some of my thinking was with regards to new technology, specifically internet and data platform related. Granted there are those of you out there who know SO much more than me. But that's just the point, its you who are reading this who are the correct socio/technical/demographic who might very well know more than me. It's those who don't and there are LOTS more of them than i'd realised.

I work with some bright people, very bright people, at least academically bright. These people have the ability to think hard and break down into manageable chunks some of the most technically complex systems in the world, perhaps ironically, specifically the telecoms and communications industry. They can take legacy CRM applications interned into a global acquisitor in 18 different countries and transform them into a single unified system which can show you your personal details, habits and desires (well, nearly) anywhere from northern Finland to southern Italy.

But ask them what a blog is, ask them if they understand what behavioural marketing is about or did they know that GPS was slowly being integrated into mobile phones enabling the onset of location based marketing and what were their thoughts on how revenue would be secured on this technology (pause, breath...) and they haven't a clue. Blank looks, shrug of shoulder, "really, ooooh, that sounds interesting, what did you say again?".

I mean i've only really got into trying to understand where the internet is going in the last 2 years. I read as much as i can (far more interesting than politics, but then i fall into that particular bracket of disaffected (late) 20 somethings) to understand this amazing creation called the internet so i should have some knowledge, more than the lay person. But really, i had assumed A LOT more people my age, who are cultured, read lots and talk about what's happening in the world, would know more...

And so there's my realisation. I've always known it, but it seems to have crystalized. There is money to be made. Creating that name, gaining the recognition and getting to that point where what you say becomes self-fulfillilng because people therefore believe that's the future, all becomes possible in this space. BRING IT ON.

Since my previous idea has been, er, 'put down' I'm back open to ideas, ventures, adventures even. This internet space feels exciting, evolving, huge, organic, just bloody fantastic. I want to be involved.

Watch this space!

South of the River

2005-10-17T10:12:00.000+01:00

Moved house this weekend. Have moved from the plush surroundings of Notting Hill to Wandsworth. Have had my vaccines - Viles Disease, Malaria, Yellow and Dengie Fever and am generally ready to take on the gambit of living in the deep south.

Had no idea i had so much crap. Even though i've tried to be ruthless in getting rid of 'stuff' it seemed to multiply in the car on the way across. Anyway, i've very happy with the flat. It's on the top floor of a purpose built block on the back left hand side. It over looks the River Wandle which is a tributary to the Thames only a few hundred meters away. There is a wier outside my bedroom and if i listen carefully i get the beautiful, calming noise of the water passing by below. Can't wait to have a couple of chairs and a table on my balcolny where i can have coffee and oj in the mornings reading the paper and listening to the river...

I have to admit that while it is only rented, i feel quite proud of living on my own. I feel like i needed it for a long time now that i'm there (don't want to be at work today, want to be absorbing the flat and its atmosphere). Am looking forward to getting Ewan over for a drink or two to pontificate on the state of the business world.

Will take some pics and let you have a look yourselves.

Am going to buy a flat panel TV. Can;t work out whether i want a plasma or LCD, 32" or 42". Don't want to spend more than a grand. Don't believe in High Definition because it won't become widespread until 2010.

Will keep you posted on what i'm looking at.

Post poker

2005-10-17T10:06:00.000+01:00

Poker turned out to be excellent fun, as it was the third time i've ever played it and last time i raked in the cash, i decided to play it safe. That was my intension at least but unfortunately i ended up 'balls out' playing much better players than me with absolutely nothing in my hand and losing everything within the first half hour... bloody brilliant...

So i forked out a further £25 and joined in again having watched the table for a bit. This time i kept my head and at the end of the night had come in around £5 up on the second £25 or £20 down for the evening. Not bad when you consider i'd easily spend twice, three times that on a friday night.

I remain at the head of the leader board as a result of my big win so don't feel too embarrased (plus it is only my third time at the game...

Poker

2005-10-13T15:03:00.000+01:00

So, I think we can say my blog is certainly spontaneous if not regular. Thought I'd share with you that I'm having a poker evening tonight with the guys from work. Am expecting around 12 people. Here are the stats:

Texas Hold'em
12 people
1 girl
Green Baize
1 set of professional chips
2 Games running
Â£25 to play
25 Cuban cigars (2 open windows)
2 Oak Matured 15 year old bottles of Whiskey
24 Beers
1 2kg bag of ice
3 tubes of Pringles
2 bags of Doritos
Dry roasted peanuts
Cashew nuts

I think we're all set...

I've only played twice before once a few years ago and last time was with the same guys at my house around 3 months ago. I cleaned up then! I remembered just enough from the first timeIi played and added it to a 'perplexed, slightly giggly, oh-fuck-itIi-don't-know' kinda playing tactic and then bluffed in frequently but BIG TIME to take some huge pots.

Was a good tactic as seasoned players just couldn't work out ifIi knew whatIi was doing or not so would fold. Walked home with Â£500!

Anyhow, I'm not stupid. I know it was a mixture of thought and luck (otherwise known as beginners luck) which only lasts once. As a result i've played it smart. It's my house sI i set the price MUCH lower this time to play and you can only come back in once. I'm mitigating the risk of 1) me losing lots of money and 2) people wanting the shirt off my back and going out aggressively to get it.

Smart thinking huh! Means that next time we plaI i won't be the focus of attention anI i can clean up again ;-)

Anyway, will let you know how it goes...

Actually have quita lotot of stuff to tell you, much has changed, buI'llll do that in the next blog.

One more for your viewing pleasure

2005-09-18T20:41:00.000+01:00

One more for your viewing pleasure
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

I don't want you to feel like I've posted too many ;)

FE1_3032.JPG

2005-09-18T20:40:00.000+01:00

FE1_3032.JPG
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Another awesome picture...

2005-09-18T20:39:00.000+01:00

Another awesome picture...
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Brands Hatch didn't know what hit it ;-)

2005-09-18T20:30:00.000+01:00

Brands Hatch didn't know what hit it ;-)
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Haven't posted for a while. but wanted to get up these pictures from Brands

Hatch, Valentino Rossi watch out!!!

Seriously, it was THE most excellent day I've had in years. Went with Bay

who is as crazy about bikes as me. We're now looking at getting a couple of

track bikes for next year and doing a few days around the country.

I could see this becoming a serious pastime!

Unbelievable Monkey

2005-08-23T17:49:00.000+01:00

Unbelievable Monkey
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Proof of the pudding... an excellent Monkey spanker...see Ewan's blog for monkey spanking speeds.

The kittens looking cute

2005-08-07T22:19:00.000+01:00

The kittens looking cute
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Outside Totemham court tube

2005-07-23T11:25:00.000+01:00

Fw: Outside totemhan court tube
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

People catching an update on the terrorist activity. You could see people waivering as whether to take the tube or not.

Kittens after 4 weeks

2005-07-23T11:08:00.001+01:00

Kittens after 4 weeks
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Bouncing round the house now, becoming mischievous, adventurous and much

harder to photograph.

Kittens after 4 weeks

2005-07-23T11:08:00.000+01:00

Kittens after 4 weeks
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Bouncing round the house now, becoming mischievous, adventurous and much

harder to photograph.

Crashing

2005-07-20T18:35:00.000+01:00

Had an interesting time on friday. Was coming into work along Holborn Viaduct, had just passed a police officer (now stationed, post 7/7, in his little box overlooking who's coming into the City) and so naturally was watching my speed and was heading upto the lights to turn right down Old Bailey. Next to me was a taxi, which with no effort to look to his right U turned...

Now, i've been riding round London for about 5 years on scooters to start with and now proper bikes, in that time i've learnt not to watch the indicators but where the driver is turning his head, the movements of his hands and the direction of the front wheels, this might seem obvious but it requires being both relaxed on the bike and concentration at the same time. On this particular occasion I learnt what it really means when there is nothing you can do. I saw the taxi drivers hand slide round the wheel catching the indicator on the way round and at the same time turn the wheel leaving me absolutely no time to avoid the crash. i was doing 20-25 mph and was 'turned' by the taxi into the oncoming traffic lane, obviously he wouldn't U-turn into traffic but it did force me to the other side of the road. Remarkably i held the bike upright managing to break, turn and slide along the taxi at the same time.

Having stopped on the other side i took stock. I was bloody lucky. If i'd been a couple of seconds earlier i'd have T-boned his cab, a few seconds later and he'd have T-Boned me, in effect, as it was going to happen, i was in the best place, right along side.

I suffered heavy brusing to my hand, a broken indicator and scratches down the left hand side of my beautiful Honda VFR800. I took the bike to my garage which i've posted on earlier, Dyno was excellent, he's ordered a new indicator and using nothing more than a pot of dubbing and some elbow grease has removed all the scratches making it look better than new!

Has the experience made me think twice about riding... er, NO. Is it still my passion, YES. All i know is that it is a risk i take every time i get on it but, like the London Bombing, there's only so much you can do before events take on a life of their own and i'm not going to be cowed into submission for fear of lazy, non concentrating, ignorant-to-motorbikers taxi drivers.

Start of a new week

2005-07-18T09:46:00.000+01:00

Feelin' pretty good this morning. I spent a good proportion of the weekend working on 'stuff' that required some discipline as the weather was excellent outside. Having done that i joined an old friend, Paul, my room mate from school, for a few drinks at London Bridge on saturday night. These turned into a few bottles of wine and before i knew it was in deepest darkest Hackney at a cool house party.

It was a warehouse type apartment full of arty, media actooooorrsss, quite different to Fulham (where i seem to spend much of my time when i have a beer in hand) but supprisingly similar to Notting Hill (where i reside). Left at about 4am and thought it would be a good idea (as you do) to catch the night bus back into town and make my way across to Notting Hill. Made it back around 5am... slept till 12 noon. felt like death for the rest of the day.

Only good thing on the horizon was Top Gear. Bloody marvelous programme, i say Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister, he'd get my vote!

Anyway, woke up this morning feeling fine and refreshed and looking forward to a good week.

Bring it on!

my music

2005-07-14T21:52:00.000+01:00

Have had the time to go shopping for music on the iTunes music store, bought a few songs i like, which I'm not going to repeat here for being ostracised and the Jamie Blunt album. It's awesome! I love it! I guess if you like Coldplay, David Gray, Dave Matthews Band, Amy Winehouse etc then its going to be right up your street. I really recommend it.

There's one particular song that has 'meaning' cheesy as it is, it's the one which fits with something in your life at the present. I split with my girlfriend about 2 months ago and am not over it yet, as I was going through his album - Back to Bedlam - I got to 'Goodbye my Lover' and have had difficulty concentrating for the last couple of hours. Now, as you'll know I'm saved i.e. I'm not going to lose my job as I've had no work to do for the last couple of hours, which is good, the downside being I've had more time to indulge in the song and get morose. I need to find an upbeat track...

Ah yes, Nancy Sinatra - Bang, Bang (my baby shot me down)... hmm, on second thoughts...

Boooorrrrrrreeeeeedddddd

2005-07-14T21:42:00.000+01:00

Stuck at work in a 'bottleneck' where each person with a specialised role (yes i know, the idea of me being a specialist in any way is controversial) completes their 'value add' and the information is then passed onto the next one. This leads to periods of no work whatsoever followed by intense eyes-at-the-back-of-your-neck pressure to get the work done in double quick time. Then the iteration period starts agian...

I'm currently in downtime. I think around 11pm this evening things will kick off again for me and i should have my 3rd, 4th (or is it 200th) iteration done within the hour...

Will i be able to go home... will i get some sleep... no, will be hear at (i guess) 3am to do the next iteration, which has to be the last as the partners present tomorrow at 10am to the client.

Standard corporate stuff i guess...

Had a shocker

2005-07-14T00:10:00.000+01:00

I live by it, i swear by it, i can't do without it... bloody well gone and damaged my Blackberry haven't i!

Aarrgh, sad as it is, i feel like my left arm has been removed. It'll be DAYS before i get another...

Kittens at 2 weeks 4 days old

2005-07-11T19:48:00.000+01:00

Kittens at 2 weeks 4 days old
Originally uploaded by blueboyeddie.

Still not got their balance and eyes just starting to open. One I think is

going to be a different colour - probably a blue or lilac point. Ears and

tails just starting to change colour and noses going brown. All doing well!

Big bangs and blows

2005-07-07T19:03:00.000+01:00

Am sitting on the No. 23 packed with other suits finding their way home to the West of London. Been a strange day, odd feelings have been with me, let me explain:

As you'll know I'm a motorbike rider, I'm passionate about bikes, a complete bike geek who takes pride in riding to work everyday in all weathers. Now, habit has it that I leave the house in the morning and ride up onto Harrow Rd before coming out at Paddington police station, I'm usually opposite Edgeware road tube station by 8.30am. I travel into London on the A40 and just passed the Great Portland St underpass, turn right at about 8.45 am into Russell Square... Everyday I do this, except today.

Today I have my bike in for a service. Do you get the picture? I know its tenuous and I'm building up the picture a bit, but I feel a bit like those guys who had a dentist appointment on Sept 11 2001 and didn't go into work at the World Trade Centre. I feel lucky. Of course, chance has it that I'd have never been near the Russell Square bus explosion which occured at that time, but it does make you think.

I spent the rest of the day wondering if someone's looking over me.

I also firmly believe that if I was to be hit by a bus today, I'd want to die with a smile knowing I was doing what I wanted with my life. Today was a blow, I'm striving to do want I really want with my life but I'm not there yet and today left me TOTALLY frustrated and remotivated to move forward, the second blow was that I was then surrounded for the rest of the day (on the internet) by the very area I want to work in utterly detached from it, with no influence over it and a chasm between. It has felt like a subtle mind bending form of torture. All the more difficult to take as its completely self inflicted.

I know to you this sounds criptic, well, bar Ewan and Hetty but I just wanted to get it down on paper.
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Sent from Ed's Blackberry.

Slow day

2005-07-06T18:13:00.000+01:00

Don't you hate slow days? God they seem to go on forever... Time really does seem relative to the amount of effort your putting in. I even ended up remembering what I felt when I went Stag Hunting up in the Scottish Highlands and watched as the rifle bullets killed the living spirits of the does wwe'd been stalking... Oh, and before you cry fowl (geddit) I refused to shoot (even though I'd shot for my school). Bizzare day!
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Sent from Ed's Blackberry.

Prolific blogger.... Ewan!!!

2005-07-06T09:32:00.000+01:00

While Ewan may be a prolific blogger, my once-a-day approach (more if you're lucky) carries considerably more depth per blog for you to masticate over.

Just making sure you're in agreement.

Live8

2005-07-04T11:51:00.000+01:00

Now i know you're not going to like this... it's a bit right wing... but i'm thinking from a business/economic/selfish view point. It does come to a sound middle-of-the-road conclusion that i know people are trying to get to, but what about this view point:

As with all species, overpopulation within an area of finite resources leads to in-fighting, disease, starvation and the removal (death) of the oldest, youngest and sick, until balance is restored. I think we all know this from GCSE Biology and perhaps more interestingly, from David Attenborough and his fantastic natural history programmes.

Africa represents this exact issue, humans, have overpopulated a place with scarce resources as a result there is poverty, starvation, disease etc etc. It just so happens that in the Western hemisphere and the more temperate climates there are more resources and natural selection means humans can congregate in larger numbers with less disease, starvation etc. If i was an alien looking on at the planet and i saw that lots of 'consciensius' western hemisphere people were looking to stop the debt repayments and allow 30,000 more people to survive each day and for more trade to flourish, i'd think they were insane.

Not only would they be helping overburden the scarce resource, they'd also be paying into their own doom through the increased pressure on the environment. More people consume more resources and keeping them alive by issuing drugs which use the planets resources in the first place just puts a spiral of decline on not a continent, but the world's finite resources...

There are 2 answers, 1) don't help, let nature, and i could probably argue economics (which acts as a quasi natural selector)take their course and put a brake on these species from destroying yet more of the worlds precious resources...

or 2) aim the objectives of Live8 at the real issues, Family Planning, Education especially with regards to HIV/AIDS and contraception.

I agree there are some subsets to this being the removal of corruption within the African states otherwise economically they are never going to be able to trade effectively with the west/east and perhaps enough drugs to maintain a healthy workforce that can develop efficiently what resources they have been gifted with.

I didn't see Live8 advocating these issues and personally, albeit from a pretty black and white, business like, harsh position, I think they are the most crucial if we're to help Africans develop and work within the concept of 'natural and economic selection' without burdening the planet any further.

As an addition i would state that i believe the west should also be doing significantly more to increase environmental sustainability in any form it can. This is not just Africa's problem...

Thoughts???

Getting tired

2005-07-01T13:57:00.000+01:00

Thought i'd got away pretty much scott free from the few beers and late night... unfortunately not, it's all settling in on me now... bugger.

Long Names - for those who care

2005-07-01T11:18:00.000+01:00

Chackravarthy Lakshminarasimhan (the guy i'm now working with)

Bacon Bagel

2005-07-01T11:14:00.000+01:00

God's own breakfast. Only one reason why i'd have a bacon bagel rather than a healthy apple, honey, yogurt and granola breakfast... booze. Had a few too many last night, what the hell, is good to do once in a while especially when you get to appreciate a bacon bagel the next morning. Still could do without that 'wooley' feeling, you know, where you turn your head and your brain has to catch up. Still, i don't think anyone's noticed at work yet... shhhh ;-)

Long Names

2005-06-30T11:22:00.000+01:00

Have just started working with a guy who has a surname 17 characters long... no particular problem (apart from its unpronouncable) but isn't that an arse when filling out forms, registering for things where the field length is shorter... sigh, alright, alright, was just wondering.... jeez.