Thursday, December 27, 2007
Cork City Council - WTF ?
Monday, December 24, 2007
It's time to track Santa again.
progress via Google Earth and Norad ( www.noradsanta.org ) . He's
currently over Russia and hopefully he'll avoid any hassle with Putin !
A site well worth visiting if you have children.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
BBC Climbs Down over "Fairytale of New York"
decided that "Fairytale of New York" was having its naughty words
edited out. What a crock ! This is the quintessential Christmas song
with two folks looking back on their past and rueing the fact that it
didn't in any way live up to their expectations. An emigrants song
also and one that's very poignant (leaving out the fact that who would
have expected Shane Mc Gowan would outlive Kirsty Mc Coll ?).
However I've just seen on the BBC site that BBC Radio 1 has decided
that the song can now be played in its original fashion.
Thankfully sanity reigns once again.....
I could have been someone....and so could anyone...
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Well down Invisible Shield !
shield over the screen so I decided to go for an Invisible Shield
(www.shieldzone.com) because it looked good (a thin film that goes onto
your screen) and they shipped to Ireland free of charge. I knew that I
would eventually take the plunge and buy an Ipod Touch so I ordered a
screen shield for that as well.
Anyways I got my Touch (what a cracker of a device with excellent
design) this week and when I went to apply the shield I discovered that
they had sent me one for the iPhone which meant that there was an
earpiece cutout. I emailed Invisible Shield and got a reply back that
they had popped the correct shield in the post and would I please send
back the other one and they'd refund the postage. Oh, and by the way,
here's a voucher for 25% off your next order.
So here's a big thumbs up for the folk that supply Invisible Shields. A
good product and good customer service !
Monday, December 10, 2007
10122007027.jpg
- Taken at 7:54 PM on December 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Do Security Guards have to wear ID ?
From : http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/act/pub/0012/sec0030.html
"30.—(1) An individual who is a member of a prescribed category of licensees shall, when providing a security service, wear an identity badge. "
What exactly is this prescribed category ? Heuston Station is full of bruisers who look like they were released from a Serbian prison and they are wearing STT Rail Security uniforms but have no ID badges. The majority of bouncers don't seem to have actual ID (though some have "numbers" ?
What are their responsibilities ? What are our rights when confronted by rent-a-cops ?
Our rights seem to be hard to find
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Irish Roads.
was behind an artic. No safe chance to get in front so I pondered the
state of Irish roads instead.
for a lot of the journey on this MAIN road between No.2 City and No.3
City the truck had barely enough room on its side of the road. It often
drove along the centre-line with less than 1ft clearance between it and
the dashed-margin line. Of course beyond the margin line was pure ditch.
It doesn't leave a whole lot of room for manoeuvre if the truck needs
to take avoiding action.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Oh my Lord - It's back ! Now where's Rolf ?
- Taken at 11:32 AM on November 24, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu
Hmm.. that logo looks familiar..
Friday, November 23, 2007
I didn't know we had an Information Commissioners Office in Ireland ..
According to the Examiner we do:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/business/mhmhqlojqlgb/
"Social networking 'could affect future employment' 23/11/2007 - 07:31:51
Internet blogs risk leaving a permanent electronic footprint which could be seen by future employers, the privacy watchdog warned today.
Many young people post content on social networking sites and online blogs which could embarrass them at a later date, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)."
Or maybe it's just another case of de Paper just copying and pasting UK press releases without thought...?
It is a valid worry though - the fact that the Bebo generation don't expect privacy or have concepts of privacy.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
13112007091.jpg
- Taken at 3:05 PM on November 13, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu
Monday, November 12, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Changing the wheel on our flight to Paris
ShoZu
Enjoy the view
Thursday, November 01, 2007
More Berlin
excellent museum and great for children with a wealth of hands on
displays ranging from flight to trains to shipping. If you go there
make sure to visit the outside platform on Level 3 where you can see a
DC3 and get a nice view of Berlin. The adjacent Museum park is very
good too - its the old land of the Anhalter railway station and there
are walks through the tracks with windmills there to view. The
Turntables are also worth a look.
Part of the museum, but in a separate building, is Spectrum which is 4
floors of hands-on science for children. They can make noise, see
music, play with electricity (and see great arcing and sparking),
learn about optics and of course observe Foucault's Pendulum. All in
all a great sport for children.
One thing about both places is that they were damn hot. The German's
seem to have a thing about heating up vast buildings when its cold
outside. The places were warm enough to go around in a t-shirt.
Afterwards we hit KaDeWe and a few other places. Prices in KaDeWe
aren't bad and the boys loved the toy area (I'm partial to the food
floor myself) and I noticed that they do have a lot more handmade toys
than we have at home probably because they have a tradition of
woodcarving down in Bavaria.
After breakfast today it was off to Schonefeld for the plane home.
This has to rate as one of the most cramped airports with everything
seeming to be confined to a long corridor - it makes it feel crowded.
Security is tight - they scan your hold baggage as well as everything
else. For some reason the guy on the security desk seemed to be fazed
by our five boarding passes and the fact that there were five of us.
There wasn't anyone else around but he counted us and the cards twice.
The X-ray stations were staffed by a few bruisers some of whom
insisted on everything being emptied out of pockets even plain paper
and some of whom didn't care. It too is a cramped area with no real
space to gather your belongings. Still it will all change when the new
airport is built and I'm sure the staff can't wait either.
EL AL fly from there and whilst they are on the ground there are a
couple of armoured cars around and armed Polizei guard the plane. When
taxiing the plane is escorted by an armoured car as well.. This sort
of security must cost a fortune.
Flight home was fine - arrived in early, no passport control but
plenty of customs guys prowling around (all the opposite of the
usual).
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Only 10k ill take them all
The dearer ones were not on display.
ShoZu
Enjoy the view
Berlin - what to do.
Our room was late being ready so we had a round of drinks on the house - the boys love the apfelschorle (sparkling apple juice) and we like Berliner Pilsner !
Dinner was in Maredos a very tasty chain of steakhouses.
Berlin.
Arrived into Berlin Schönefeld and made our way to the station which has to be the most tourist unfriendly place ever with extemely poor signposting of platforms and no staff.
We bought the welcome card which works out grand if you've an entourage with you buy its a devil to find the book of vouchers as you need to go to a manned ticket office and they are few and far between even Potsdamer Platz doesn't seem to have one.
Weather is misty and gray as forecast and the Aer Lingus fry is as tasty as ever !
Saturday, October 27, 2007
the view from the jazz cruise
Friday, October 26, 2007
Housing slump hypocrisy or just stupidity ?
Over the past few years newspapers and TV programmes have been talking up the poperty boom and encouraging folk to get deeper than their eyeballs into debt. All in the name of getting on the "property ladder".
Meanwhile back in the real world - from: Breaking News
"Cowen and RTÉ under attack over housing slump THE president of the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) will today accuse Tánaiste Brian Cowen and RTÉ’s Prime Time programme of creating huge uncertainty in the housing market. In a speech to be delivered today, IAVI president Robert Ganly will take a broadside against the Tánaiste for not having the political bravery to reform stamp duty laws, a failure which has been partly blamed for the sharp drop in house sales this year. Mr Ganly is also expected to severely criticise RTÉ’s Prime Time for its documentary Future Shock The documentary, written and presented by business journalist Richard Curran, predicted that the bursting of the housing price bubble would have a deeper effect on the market than the “soft landing” predicted by Mr Cowen. Mr Ganly’s criticism will mean the programme is itself being blamed as a factor in the slump. The identification, in this fashion, of a single TV programme is surprising. However, the IAVI president is expected to criticise the programme makers for presenting a thesis, which he will claim was unsubstantiated, that in itself had a chilling effect on people. "Monday, October 22, 2007
Cork Airport - A Rant
Friday, October 19, 2007
John West Seared Tuna Fillets
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Amgen Gone - the week after they inaugurated the White Elephant traffic lights.
Cork Amgen project put on hold
Wednesday, 3 October 2007 14:54
A plan to provide 1,100 jobs in Co Cork has been indefinitely postponed.
Biotechnology company Amgen was to have provided the jobs in a billion
dollar investment at a manufacturing facility in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork.
However, the company has decided to put off the project indefinitely.
Advertisement
IDA Ireland has described the decision as disappointing.
It said decisions by the US Medicare authorities, concerning some of
Amgen's main drugs, have caused business difficulties for the company.
Amgen is reducing its staff globally by up to 14%, closing two plants in
the US, and reducing its planned capital expenditure.
IDA Ireland said the decision to halt the project did not reflect in any
way on the business environment in Ireland, and that further investments
could be expected over the coming months.
IDA Ireland said Amgen will retain the Cork site, so that changed
circumstances may lead to a recommencement of plans.
In a statement, Amgen said it will cease all current activities on the
site in co-operation with the Government and its agencies, community
groups and business participants.
'The decision will affect up to 79 staff, 65 of whom are based in Cork.
All staff will be notified regarding the likelihood of redundancy',
according to the statement.
Amgen said it would work with staff during the consultation period to
identify potential options elsewhere in the company. However, it is
likely that the majority of people will be offered redundancy packages.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
National Consumer Agency - a toothless quango
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Politics In Ireland - an updated site.
Friday, September 14, 2007
How to get win friends and influence people - the boreenmanna Road way.
08 September 2007
Developer accused of cynicism as Travellers move in
By Eoin English
A DEVELOPMENT company was accused of blatant intimidation last night for
allegedly allowing Travellers move on to a site at the centre of a
bitter planning dispute.
An extended family of Travellers was camped on the grounds of the former
Induchem Limited site on Cork's Boreenmanna Road last night.
Two caravans, a camper van and two English-registered vans parked just
inside the gates of the site. The site is the subject of a contentious
planning application by the Freeland Partnership.
The company applied to Cork City Council last December to demolish the
former Induchem buildings and construct a neighbourhood centre comprised
of a two-storey commercial block of retail and local service units and a
three- storey apartment block.
Residents objected on grounds of scale and density. Following a council
request for further information the project was given the green light
recently with conditions including a reduction in the size of the retail
units and the omission of a betting shop.
However, the council's decision was appealed earlier this week to the
planning appeals board, delaying the project further.
The Travellers moved on to the site on Thursday night and said they have
permission from the developer to be on the site as long as they wish.
They were seen using warehouses last night and it is understood they
have access to running water and toilets.
Gardaí in Blackrock were in contact with the developer, who is
understood to be abroad, and said he has confirmed to them that the
Travellers are on the site with his permission.
Gardaí have no grounds to move the Travellers on.
A spokesman for the Freeland Partnership could not be contacted late
last night.
Green Party Cllr Chris O'Leary said residents are furious and he accused
the company of using the Travelling community to stir up tensions in the
area.
"The members of the Travelling community may have been coaxed into this
situation without knowing the background to it. They are pawns in the
middle of this," he said.
"This is a cynical ploy and blatant intimidation by the development
company."
Planning enforcement officers will be asked to examine the situation on
Monday morning.
Bord Pleanála is due to rule on the planning application in January.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pixmania me ar** - shower of muppets.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Ipod Nano 3G
tracking - after days stuck on "Billing Info Received" it suddenly
popped to Cork - In Transit after 9am ?) and I'm very pleased with it.
It's the Product Red version and the colour is more of a metallic
burgundy than red.
The photos don't really do it justice - you have to feel the slimness to
appreciate it and the screen. Well the screen is sweet - I popped on
"The Wall Live in Berlin" (which was a rip for the Archos and then
converted for the ipod) and the quality is great - extremely clear and
very watchable. It might be worth considering the AV cable as it would
be a compact way of bringing videos on holiday/travel for quick
connection to a TV in a hotel room etc.With 22 hrs for music and 5 for
video the battery life promises to be excellent. It also comes with a
dock insert so it will fit snugly into my JBL OnStage.
Things that don't go so well include Coverflow which sorts by artist
rather than album (sorts by Album on iTunes) which means that it has
broken the Coverflow for compilation albums - this is mentioned a few
times in the Apple discussion forum so I expect that it will be resolved
in due course. Coverflow itself is a nice way of browsing music - I
spent a few hours at the weekend adding album art to my music library.
The back of the unit is polished steel - I think I prefer the all-over
colouring that the previous gen has. Unlike the Shuffle it doesn't have
autofill so seeing as I have more than 8GB of music I'll need to go off
and poke around using Smart Playlists.
Overall opinion ? It's a sweet device. It's easily pocketable and
discreet. It feels sturdy but is also oh-so-light.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Litter - a crying shame.
Is it too hard for folk to manage their rubbish ?
Is it too hard for the Council to supply and empty a bin ?
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