Monday, October 27, 2003

I don't suppose any of you have got one of my David Sanborn CDs have you? It's an album called "Close Up". I have the box, but there's no disc in it. I can't begin to tell you how INCREDIBLY ANNOYING this is...

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Now this has really thrown me into turmoil. You can now have Apple's rather excellent iTunes software on your PC and sync it with a PC compatible iPod. The only reason I wasn't going to buy an iPod was because the PC software for it was rubbish, but now they've brought out iTunes for PC I can't use that excuse any more.

The bad thing is that I've already encoded about 15 gigabytes of my CD collection as Windows Media files, which won't play on an iPod. So do I bite the bullet, re-encode all my music as MP3s using iTunes and buy a very sleek and sexy iPod, or go with what I've got already and buy a cheaper (but infinitely less sexy) Zen NX? Oh the choices!

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

The very shiny new Creative Nomad Zen NX has finally been released in the UK - and about time too. It's been around for months in the USA. Creative are reckoning on a £250 retail price, but I've already found it for £216 including VAT and delivery on www.ebuyer.co.uk. If I leave it another couple of weeks, I reckon I might get it for under £200.

Sunday, October 12, 2003

So then, who'll be the new Doctor Who? Apparently the smart money's on Alan Davies. He'd be quite good I reckon.

Thursday, October 09, 2003

Sorry to keep harping on about this Derren Brown thing, but it has got me really intrigued. I like the way that he's being very pragmatic about it all: "Seeing this press question of whether it was real or not real, I could not have hoped for a better response. As a performer you want to create a piece of really riveting television and an event that people will talk about." Well, I reckon if that was what he wanted, then it's worked. And he's now more famous and more wealthy than ever. What a clever chap.

Tuesday, October 07, 2003

So it was all an illusion apparently. But so what? It was still damn clever, and great television.

Sunday, October 05, 2003

Derren Brown is one serious nutcase. Not exactly the most relaxing television programme I've ever watched, but strangely compelling... Mrs Lacey watched it from behind a cushion.
So then, my gadget wish-list is becoming increasingly overcrowded. Why do electronics companies insist on making my life so expensive and complicated? And as well as being expensive, I have to invest a disproportionate amount of time and thought into my gadget purchases. Which should I buy first? Should I save up for the most expensive thing for a couple of months, or should I just by a couple of the cheaper things right now? Do I really need any of these things? I'm telling you, there's much to consider. You can't just go off and buy stuff without the necessary amount of research and planning. Invariably, purchasing gadgets first requires buying the appropriate geeky magazine to read up on your chosen item to avoid a costly mistake. You have to buy a decent brand, from a reputable dealer, and at the same time get a good price. There's so much to think about. In fact, just thinking about thinking about it makes me tired. I need a lie down...

Saturday, October 04, 2003

Now that was a fantastic evening's entertainment - five solid hours of Fame Academy! And the British public actually voted for the right person for once. Excellent. The whole thing was great - fabulous singing, high tension, comedy, Cat looked gorgeous and Claudia's outfit had a mind of its own (which was nice). And the moral to TV producers everywhere is to think twice before asking someone with ADHD their opinion on live national television! Excellent. But now what am I supposed to do on a Saturday evening?

Friday, October 03, 2003

I think it's fair to say that I'm a geek. I like being a geek. I embrace my geekdom. But not even I am sad enough to buy this. And if any of you are, then whatever you do, don't admit to it.
I'm having a day off today. I can't explain why, but it feels like I'm doing something really naughty by not being at work. How odd. Ah well, I'll get over it.

Wednesday, October 01, 2003

So then, anyone want to buy some stolen goods? Lightsabre, nearly new, one previous owner...
I can understand why Royal Mail have just been fined £7.5 million - it's because they're bloody useless. I have a parcel (with a gadget in it) that was supposed to be delivered to me yesterday, but wasn't. When I rang and enquired this morning as to its whereabouts, they said that they didn't really know. They did have the parcel, it should have been delivered, it wasn't, and now they're not sure where it is. Silly buggers. I think I'm jinxed when it comes to deliveries - it doesn't matter what it is (fridge freezers, sofas, cameras, wireless routers, USB cards), they never turn up when they're supposed to. Is it me?!