Geekery freakery

I haven't posted for a while as I have been craeting and populating my own database. That right I have an Oracle database running on my own Linux server and I have input 50% of my vinyl collection so far. The cds will follow. The database may, or more, probably won't, be useful. It was just the chalenge to myself to see if I could do it and I did it!

I may well be retired by the end of March as the work I'm doing is coming to an end. I was quite worried about this over Christmas and New Year but I'm not worried any longer. I'm looking forward to it. Having no responsibilities will be ace.

And now some music. This is the Portico Quartet and the round thing on the ground is called a "hang". They were invented by the Swiss aparently. I saw a new age hippy playing one in Catalunya last year.



Fab sound init?

Eldest son may have a new job, passed the interview just has some technical tests to do. Who's a proud dad then! Only daughter is pregnant again!! Who's a proud grandad!!

2008 is picking up.

Oh 2008

I'm begining to think this New Year is going to be crap. Its only the 16th and my optimism is waning already. I've been ill! I returned to work on the 2nd and I've actually worked 5 days including today. I was only ill for 3 days but the sickness and dire-horror bug that emptied my body - by various methods too nasty to mention here - left me quite literally drained. I don't know how this sort of thing affects other diabetics but it just wipes me out.

The sickness has ruined my resolutions - of which there are many, so many in fact I am going to have to make a list - the first resolution was to be healthy!!

Perhaps things can only get better - we'll have to wait and see.

Eye spy

My health is suffering following the Xmas and New Year festivities. My heart seems to be beating quickly all of the time. My resting heart rate is 68 beats per minute! Doesn't feel right at all. There is however life still present in this body.

Two of my granddaughters stayed over at New Year. J and I had breakfast in bed and the girls sat with us playing I-spy. The 4 year old went over to the window and looked out and said "I spy with my little eye something begining with P - its outside". After many guesses we gave up. "Its the Planet", she said. That was the best bit of whole holiday.

Happy New Year

Happiness 4

Christmas is almost upon us and its a time of year that should be one of fun and happiness. Sadly its not that way for many people; some are orphans, some are starving, some are homeless, some are ill, some are guilty and some depressed.

Christmas can be spirtual time and I'm not talking about religeon. Christmas can also be the anniversary of a personal disaster.

I think that we have 3 major opportunities for refelection and resolution (allthough every day holds the same opportunity - its just that other things can get in the way). The 3 times are Christmas day, New Years Eve and your birthday.

In the West the spirt of Christmas (and a lot of other things) has been lost underneath our severe materialism. Above all Christmas is seen as a time to purchase items, presents, objects that are meant to confirm love and friendship. There's nothing wrong with that I suppose - who doesn't enjoy watching excited children opening their presents and I can't deny that I enjoy gifts from my family. The important thing about Christmas for me is that its an opportunity for the family to get together at a time when the rest of the world is not looking.

Just being with my family is the best buzz available. I always have a few moments to myself on Christmas day because I make the breakfast. Its time I use to reflect on the year my family has had and in recent years it has been a bittersweet experience. Mind you each time I end up feeling the same. Optimistic for the family's future, full of love for everyone in the family and happy that we are all still able to spend some time together. 2007 was a hard year and 2008 will be just as challengin but as long as we are all together then the world can f*%$ itself!

Merry Christmas!

What happened when Stargate ended?

I'll tell you what happened. Sanctuary happened. Sanctuary started in May this year its an internet TV show. Click on the link underneath the message from Amanda Tapping to be taken to a page where you can watch the first episode (or webisode).

Amanda Tapping promo sanctuary
Uploaded by -oneill91-

Its December already

and Christmas is just around the corner. I was watching "Later with Jools Holland" the other night and a band from Sheffield (or "Shef" as those in the know call it) came on.

Reverend and the Makers is on my Christmas list (thats for any family members who still read this blog.



The video isn't the best I've ever seen but these guys can play their instruments very well and are great live. I really like te Northern accents!

My humps

Excellent