Cutting Cords

Since getting my Apple TV for Christmas and getting ready for the digital switchover I’ve been cutting cords. 

I don’t watch TV much at all, I’m far too lazy for adverts. I prefer to watch TV Shows purchased from iTunes and I’ve gotten into LoveFILM in the last couple of months of 2011. With iPlayer and TV programmes on the iPlayers/Demand it’s great. 

And now Netflix has finally come to the UK – free for a month and £6 thereafter. Cheaper than LoveFilm’s £10 a month for unlimited streaming, and it comes with Airplay. 

Sold already… though you can probably already tell from this excited blog post out of nowhere.

10 years ago, of course its September 11…

Tragedy of course, and one of those days where you always remember where you were when you found out.

I had come home from school, my mother glued to the tv. Surprised, shocked and scared that it could even happen. Being just 12 at the time I can’t say I ever really understood what or why it all really happened.

One of my favourite books, “Why do people hate America?” (by Merryl Wyn-Davies and Ziauddin Sardar) tried to put these events into context. It’s an insightful read but I’m unsure if we’re any closer to resolving the issues at hand since then – radicalism, oil dependency, etc. It’s something the authors attempt to address in the sequel to the book, “Have America Changed?” which is one I’ve yet to read but as of today I feel the urge to read up on it.

So I think I will. As an aside, The Huffington Post has a good post of today’s remembrance:

http://t.co/yaPQezl

Which is well worth the read.

Back to 9/11 itself, I don’t think I’ll ever understand why this happened, just my thoughts go out to the families, victims and those affected by the events that day.

How to make your own delicious cheese fingers.

Ingredients:

3 fish or chicken fingers (whichever you prefer).

1 ham shank.

250ml tub of mashed potato. 

100g of lard

Plenty of batter (you can’t have too much)

Blue dye (of the M&M food colouring variety, E13 I think). 

Directions: 

• Thaw the fish or chicken fingers.
• Place two of them together, with the other one separated in a V-shape.
• Compliment the separation and hold its shape with a spreading of lard in between and around, the fingers.
• With the rest of the lard, melt this in the microwave for approximately 5 minutes.
• Apply the food colouring dye to the batter mix and leave to stand for one hour 30 minutes.
• With a knife, carve into the ham shank enough space to fit in the fingers.
• Position the fingers in the end of ham shank
• Glaze the melted lard over and around the ham shank and the fingers.
• Apply plenty of mashed potato to the ham shank and the fingers.
• Slow cook this in the oven for 25 minutes.
• Apply the food colouring (batter) and slow cook in the oven for a further 2 hours.
• When ready, remove cheese fingers from the oven.
• Expose to the elements for 30 days, and serve with chilli relish.
• Enjoy!

In other news, I’m still getting views and this blog hasn’t been updated in months… until now!

In probably the most dullest news ever this week, Religion is becoming extinct. In at least 9 countries. Personally I feel a bit bad because I put down Catholic for my “religion” on the 2011 census. I don’t even go to church. Not afraid to say it, or embracing atheism or anything. The beliefs of one person are no less valid than the beliefs of millions who follow a religion. The real interesting survey would be to ask people about what they believe, and compare it to the main religions. I doubt then, that religion is becoming extinct. Just going to places of worship. The philosophy of religion as values will last a lifetime.

…But anyway, Geek moment. Who cares!

In other and more exciting news, a dog who pooped on his neighbours lawn caused a man to get shot with a shotgun. This is what’s so great, because it can only happen in America. A dog, quite literally dropping a hot one, and his owner takes a bullet, and survives. Amazing.

I can imagine it now, a South Park spoof of a dog pooping on Randy Marsh’s lawn, and Randy using Jimbo’s shotgun to shoot somebody.

But whatever. Anyway, apparently the dog just ‘ran out of control’. I think, in fairness to my lack of updates, so has this blog.

I’m not sure what to feel.

Pride for where I am today & how happy I am….

Or just plain old?

I’m not someone of a few words, it’s just a lot has happened since that I never quite found the time to write, like I used to. University’s finished, I’ve moved and had nowhere really to call a home for three months in 2010. But now that I have, I have started reading again. Just not books.

I don’t know what it is – maybe it’s the weight of a book in your hand, always needing a light to read (well actually, it’s probably because I’m lazy). Maybe University killed it, having to read chapters of books or skim reading for your own knowledge, which quickly became a chore and no enjoyment. And so died books for me. But today, I finally read a book.

I haven’t read a book properly since the one I read during university – which was a good read – for one of my essays. And before that, probably the Da Vinci code, and that was when I was on holiday. So maybe I’m changing, and finally getting through books I’ve actually bought in paperback, only, with my Kindle app for iPhone. I just can’t read a real book anymore. So Mum/Dad,  if you’re reading this – please, sell and/or burn my books I’ve left at home.

Books on a iPhone are brilliant, and they are great way to kill time that’s not something as addictive as Doodle Jump, or South Park’s Imaginationland.

Of course (!) – what am I saying – this isn’t a book review. Just a realisation of how time flies when you’re having fun, and changes too.

On that note, I’m going to eat my amazingly mental Chicken Vindaloo, whack on some telly and swivel it down with some Brain Food. Good times.

Much is being made as of late about how a Hung Parliament would be bad for the economy and the country as of late. It is no surprise that we are due a parliamentary political mashed potato scenario after the expenses scandal. But is it a good thing, or a bad thing?

Having studied the dangers of ‘Hung Parliament’ in depth last year, there are a couple of things I think we need to note:

Hung Parliaments or Coalition Governments, are not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing:

• Italy is seen as the ‘bad example’, with 60 governments since WW2. Germany might be seen as a ‘good example’, with Merkl’s Grand Coalition not fairing too badly.
• In the UK, it might seen to be bad, since the last Hung Parliament was followed by the ‘winter of discontent’. But then, at the same time, the Coalition Government of the war years is a good counter-example.

I personally find the whole thing very fascinating, electoral systems and the state of our democracy, and I am a fan of strong government but also, a political system that reflects the will of the people. That is why an electoral system in the form of AV+ and other electoral reforms would be, I think, the best solution to the problems of representation and corruption.

It would, if implemented work in the following way (if I had any say):

The Local Constituencies we have in place as currently, with First-Past-The-Post to elect our MPs in the House of Commons, would remain.

The House of Lords, would be reformed, with proportional representation.

The third, other issue, I think is obvious when I think about the election debates recently. It all seemed irrelevant to me who is in effect, our head of state, since we have no say. I can vote for my local MP, but I don’t choose my Prime Minister. That is something, I think that needs to change. We need to choose our head of state (PM or President, whatever you want to call it), whether or not the Queen gets to keep her freebie, millionaire existence. Will the Republic Campaign please stand up?

So, if I had to choose, the next election after the coming one would have a ballot, similar what we have now:

1. Choose your local representative in your local constituency. They will be your MP in the House of Commons. TICK ONE BOX.:

• Joe Bloggs of Labour
• Sebastian Chowdery of Conservatives
• Michael Blanc of Lib Dems
• Flora Tree of Green Party …. etc etc.

*Elected via FPTP (First Past the Post)

2. Vote for a political party in your local ward (wards to take the forms of the European Elections). They will be your PR (Political Representative) in the House of Representatives (formerly House of Lords). TICK ONE BOX:

• Labour
• Conservatives
• Lib Dems
• Green …. etc.

*Elected by Proportion Representation (PR) as in European Elections

3. Vote for your head of government/state (Prime Minister/President – whatever we want to call it). [As seen on TV in the Rupert Murdoch sponsored debates] TICK ONE BOX.:

• David Miliband of Labour
• David Cameron of Conservatives
• Nick Clegg of Lib Dems
• Caroline Lucas of Green Party …. etc etc.

*Elected by FPTP, as in 1.

1. would be a political MP we, as citizens can relate to. (There are constiuencies where voting for our preferred party is rendered pointless because of FPTP).

2. would be a political party we agree with. Again, as with one, we might like the bloke or lass we vote for, but as an overall party, not a big fan. (For example, I like Nick Clegg, but wouldn’t trust him with voting on things to do with national security).

3. would be a political heavyweight we want in dealing with foreign policy. I can’t understand the life of me why in the debates we are hearing all about Trident and the Euro when effectively we vote for the bloke down the street, not the bloke going into Number 10.

The last two issues are, fixed electoral terms (yes please!), and who forms legislative government. Ideally, this would be somebody appointed by the Head of Government who has the confidence of both houses.

Rant over, I suppose. Point is, the electoral system is a mess and needs sorting. We need democracy in this country fit for the 21st century and not political soap operas and elitist DINOsaurs (DINO = Democracy in Name Only). Hung Parliament, itself is a problem because its not part of British political culture, and hopefully electoral reform similar to what I’m suggesting (except maybe 3., {but keep campaigning Republic!}) is on the horizon.

PS. If you’re interested, you can read my ‘Hung Parliament’ Research paper, here (also available on the Resources tab). Funny how my research a year ago was fuelled by the idea that we were likely due one after years of Labour, and crap opposition. It’s so relevant. And yes, one day, it will be available in e-Book and paperback form. To read a good Q&A on the subject, read the BBC article here.

Happy Politicking!

Last week, my iPhone 3G died, due to accidental damage to the edge connector, meaning it was impossible to charge the phone again. Never fear though, I had insurance, success, and a new iPhone 3G and an “upgrade” to a iPhone 20 simplicity 30-day tariff.

Fantastic, eh? Not quite.

I had a gander everywhere, Orange and Vodafone and found why o2 wins when it comes to having an iPhone – unless you unlock, go elsewhere and get a unique tariff. o2 wins, because of their mobile usage on pay&go.

Mobile 3G p/m

o2: unlimited

Vodafone: 500Mb

Orange: 250Mb

The iPhone is a unique device, in that, it relies on its 3G/2G/Edge connection. As yet, we can disable 3G but not 2G/Edge, so where possible, it will connect to the data network, and download your emails, push notifications etc. Good at times maybe. But lets say you want to tether your phone with o2.

You will lose your Mobile data allowance, and your iPhone is only allowed to receive data on the tariff when it is tethered to your PC/Laptop.

The prices, at 3Gb for £10 p/m, for £2 a day (for 500mb) – make this extortionate, if you lose your data allowance and wish to use your phone when its not handcuffed to your usb port.

Consider that you do plan to tether for a day out at the library (as I would).

From midnight that day, until I tether the device, I’m charged for any data my phone picks up. And again when I ‘untether’ until midnight again, after I’ve rang o2 to pull the plug on my tether bolt on. Inconvenience at its best?

The iPhone is dependant on being able to pick up data, otherwise it is useless.

Still, it for that reason, that for the networks selling the iPhone, it comes up top.

At 250Mb or 500Mb a monthly allowance, that’s a pittance.

Yet tethering isn’t worth it with the hoops o2 currently have us to jump through.

Of course, we can always jailbreak, unrestrict 3G, to suck the juice off the network and o2 are none the wiser. It’s proven by iTunes that affordable content WILL be paid for by consumers, otherwise people will jump through hoops to get what they want/need.

I do wonder, if by having a £10 a month, I really will be charged for what data I download onto the phone…. if o2 can tell whether its my phone or my tethered device I would like to know.

Let’s have a real, ultimate iPhone tariff for people that want it – Data, and the ability to use it as a Dongle!

Why not?

It’s been a long while since I’ve blogged, but upon hearing this story, and my merry-go-round of Facebook membership (activating, deactivating), It’s something I felt worth discussing. I have to say the introduction of a panic button (on the face of it), is a great danger. I just couldn’t resist feeling that Facebook and society are ‘jumping the gun’ with installing what is little more than a virtual rape alarm, or potentially, a virtual whoopie cushion. It is going to open a can of worms.

The story I refer to, of course, is this one.

I have to say, as sad as the story is, and other Facebook horror stories I’ve read, the whole issue of virtual social reality and interaction needs to treated with more common sense and not horror stories. I have met people originally through contact online – made friends, girlfriends – and I’m not afraid to admit it. I’ve not been a victim to pranks like this one, and obviously not being attacked (or god forbid, murdered) – so maybe I’m doing something right. I’m sounding a little crass and blunt perhaps, but the whole thing really needs putting into perspective.

Yes, there are dangers to meeting online, with what you share, with who you meet. Perhaps more so than meeting somebody in a nightclub on a night out because there’s more anonymity through the internet. Accidents happen with people going home with strangers on a night out, as well. So, what do we do? Go back to primary school “don’t talk to strangers policy”? Of course not, everyone’s a stranger until you become friends with a person. The whole idea of meeting people online is a novel one, but it does need to be done safely and done with more discretion – more so than when you’re introduced to a John or Jane Doe in Nightclub XOXO offering to take you home to get a bit of ‘privacy’. In short, the whole thing requires more education of the users of social networking, so they are more aware of what they might be doing. Here’s a good starting point for “Safely meeting a person you’ve met online“.

It cuts both ways. It is great that we can alert certain people to the authorities, but we can do so already. Installing a big red ‘PANIC’ button to people’s profiles could well invite whoopie cushion pranks. I even fail to see the need for such a “feature” in any case as it is already integrated to an extent. We already have the option to report a person for whatever reason – perhaps this needs to become more visible and better integrated in order to address suspicious activity. This is what will happen, I suspect, but is this the beginning of Facebook gone Big Brother?

The slippery slope may amount to moderation and monitoring of minor’s messages and interactions with others (or worse, monitoring us all). Whether the first amendment in the US and free speech and privacy laws are compatible with such an option, I don’t know. With a happy slap, litigation culture we live in in the Western world, is it beyond some to abuse the virtues of a ‘panic button’? I’m not sure.

Despite the sad stories and realities, there is little reason to ‘panic’. If it were something that became easily abused, (Panic button = ’cause trouble here’) then it’s going to be more trouble than it is worth. Educating our users more, especially the younger ones are the way forward. Perhaps even a more novel ‘parental control’ option, whereby users under the age of 18 must be linked to a guardian’s/parent’s account which can then be monitored by them, as well. If a child then decides to lie, (let’s say 14 year old says they are 18) to obtain their Facebook freedom then they should be aware that they are virtually on their own and unless they went to somebody else or reported via Facebook for suspicious activity, they are rightly responsible for their own actions (for which there are consequences, rightly or wrongly). Parents too, should look after their child’s welfare, and not blame the state or other organisations like Facebook for not doing it for them.

It was once said: ‘Knowledge is power’. Distressing over extraordinary cases, bypassing due diligence on our online peers and throwing up more safeguards, barriers and scare tactics is only going to destroy our own personal, moral and intellectual development.

Educate the masses. Panic at the Facebook? No thanks.

It reminds me of the Titanic film – get the woman and children into the boats first! I suppose, in them days the disabled weren’t allowed on boats so we will pretend for a second they are special too.

A couple of weeks ago, I was told I was ‘high risk’ of swine flu. A great relief as I have been in close contact with two people before they contracted the flu. People are dying and of course, people have panicked. I took it all as a bit of fun and went for it, but I was a bit bemused I was told I was ‘high risk’ because of asthma.

…Asthma? I smoke! (better quit, right?)…. No, turning up at the appointment, I learn that it is probably down to my ‘CP’ (Cerebral Palsy) – and I could quickly forget that the GP had somehow confused me with my dad (my middle name is his first and the confusion has been made before, much to our amusement). ‘Probably down to my CP’ – it strikes me as ironic, but of course, I’m not complaining. The vulnerability of having a disability can give some surprising benefits, as there and then, I was offered, and took the Seasonal Flu vaccine as well.

Given the choice, I think all people should get the vaccine if they are not going to become ill from it (and not just because they are high risk or over 60). Can’t do any harm, can it? Best part of all though, is I’m getting on top of my vaccinations now. I’ve learned that TB is no longer given unless to children travelling to and from Pakistan, which to me strikes me as a tad racist, but maybe the NHS knows what they are doing (for once). I’m also going to learn, soon enough, whether I need my polio/tetanus/booster shot, because I’ve no idea if I’ve had one.

In the meantime though, I’m looking forward to going back to Oxford to remove my cast this coming Thursday. And should the vaccination I’ve just been given not kill me over the next few weeks, I can look forward to a flu-free life. And at least I won’t have to look like this guy when I want to get my flu jab: