Friday, 16 March 2007
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
"I be concubining"
From Ananova's Quirkies:"A music producer told a US court he has six children on the way - all with different women.
Ricky Lackey was asked by a judge how many children he had during sentencing on an attempted theft charge.
Lackey, 25, of Cincinnati, told Hamilton County Judge Melba Marsh: "None, but I have six on the way."
"Are you marrying a woman with six children?" asked the confused judge.
"No, I be concubining," he replied, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Prosecutors said Lackey is the expectant father of six children with six different women. The women all are expected to deliver in August, September and October.
Lackey's lawyer, Stephen Wenke, stopped his client from saying more."
Whoa fella!
Monday, 12 March 2007
On moving into a new pad...
Moving house is always a weird sensation.
I have just moved into a shared pad in Buenos Aires; a flat on top of the penthouse which would seem to be the old servants quarters. It is by no means luxurious but has wireless internet (not 100% sure whose) and a gorgeous terrace complete with great views (San Telmo to the Rio Plata) and a barbeque (naturally... this is Argentina, after all).
It's lovely to have some space and privacy, although I guess it will be a while before it actually feels like home here.
I spent the afternoon helping to tidy the place up... it's the first time the rooms have been rented as they used to be inhabited by the owner's daughters, who have now grown up and moved out. Well, I say grown up... judging by the stickers on the window in here I'd say the daughters are roughly my age, give or take a few years. The desk that my laptop is perched on is still full of their stuff and the urge to snoop is a strong one! Karma says no, though.
I guess it I could have held out a little longer for something a little more luxurious. I am paying $300 a month to live here, which can go a bloody long way in this city. My friend is paying the same for a flat of her own near Palermo, which is quite a nice little pad. I wouldn't fancy living in somewhere so new, though, because the walls always seem to be made of cardboard. This is very much the case with her place. Anyways, I'm not tied into a contract, so can always give it a couple of months and consider my options.
To be honest, it's just lovely to have my own space again, to be able to unpack by bag (finding some clothes I had forgetten I owned in the process) and to sit at a desk, undisturbed.
Next things that need doing are the purchase of a couple of beanbags to make the living space more liveable, some speakers for the laptop - with enough cabling to reach onto the terrace for some late-night raving type action - and some hooky DVDs for entertainment as the flat is lacking in the delights of cable TV. To be honest, I think this is a positive aspect rather than a negative one, as it lessens opportunities for just sinking infront of the telly for an evening when living in one of the most exciting, lively cities on the planet. At least with the hooky DVDs I have to go and meet someone to get them!
Righteo... I'm off to explore San Telmo and get some water.
Chau for now.
I have just moved into a shared pad in Buenos Aires; a flat on top of the penthouse which would seem to be the old servants quarters. It is by no means luxurious but has wireless internet (not 100% sure whose) and a gorgeous terrace complete with great views (San Telmo to the Rio Plata) and a barbeque (naturally... this is Argentina, after all).
It's lovely to have some space and privacy, although I guess it will be a while before it actually feels like home here.
I spent the afternoon helping to tidy the place up... it's the first time the rooms have been rented as they used to be inhabited by the owner's daughters, who have now grown up and moved out. Well, I say grown up... judging by the stickers on the window in here I'd say the daughters are roughly my age, give or take a few years. The desk that my laptop is perched on is still full of their stuff and the urge to snoop is a strong one! Karma says no, though.
I guess it I could have held out a little longer for something a little more luxurious. I am paying $300 a month to live here, which can go a bloody long way in this city. My friend is paying the same for a flat of her own near Palermo, which is quite a nice little pad. I wouldn't fancy living in somewhere so new, though, because the walls always seem to be made of cardboard. This is very much the case with her place. Anyways, I'm not tied into a contract, so can always give it a couple of months and consider my options.
To be honest, it's just lovely to have my own space again, to be able to unpack by bag (finding some clothes I had forgetten I owned in the process) and to sit at a desk, undisturbed.
Next things that need doing are the purchase of a couple of beanbags to make the living space more liveable, some speakers for the laptop - with enough cabling to reach onto the terrace for some late-night raving type action - and some hooky DVDs for entertainment as the flat is lacking in the delights of cable TV. To be honest, I think this is a positive aspect rather than a negative one, as it lessens opportunities for just sinking infront of the telly for an evening when living in one of the most exciting, lively cities on the planet. At least with the hooky DVDs I have to go and meet someone to get them!
Righteo... I'm off to explore San Telmo and get some water.
Chau for now.
Friday, 9 March 2007
Learning Spanish
There really is no feeling quite like speaking a new language. This comes from an English speaker - obviously - who has never had the pleasure of conversing in anything but my mother tongue before.
It always seemed impossibly difficult to get talking in a second language... especially after years of language tuition at school ended up going nowhere. After a couple of years not practicing the Spanish I learnt in school, it has effectively all gone out of the window. Which sucks!
But learning a second language can't be all that difficult... after all, almost two billion people around the world can get by in English, with less than 1/5 of these living in English-speaking countries. A large number of these also come from countries lacking in the standard of education that we have in the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. How does this add up?
Well, it's interesting being in another part of the world and seeing it from another perspective. Basically, it is seen that learning decent English is an essential step on the career ladder for anyone with ambition here (Argentina). Which is fair enough, as a huge percentage of the world's business revolves around English speaking (and American in particular) companies and corporations. The same necessity simply does not exist for English speakers, except those with very specific career goals that involve living, working or trading abroad.
So I'm now learning Spanish. It's coming along at a decent rate, largely as a result of having to speak Spanish to get the best out of life in South America (not to mention getting along with the hottest of the hotties, many of whom don't speak English). This week has seen lessons on the uses of the different past tenses, which is a major variation between Spanish and English. The best lessons, however, have happened outside of the classroom, for instance finding a flat this week, or spending a week in Mar Del Plata, as the only Englishman. Great stuff!
Righteo... that's quite enough of this English speaking for now - time to get back to the homework.
Tengo que practicar mi Espanol, etc, etc.
Hasta luego
It always seemed impossibly difficult to get talking in a second language... especially after years of language tuition at school ended up going nowhere. After a couple of years not practicing the Spanish I learnt in school, it has effectively all gone out of the window. Which sucks!
But learning a second language can't be all that difficult... after all, almost two billion people around the world can get by in English, with less than 1/5 of these living in English-speaking countries. A large number of these also come from countries lacking in the standard of education that we have in the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. How does this add up?
Well, it's interesting being in another part of the world and seeing it from another perspective. Basically, it is seen that learning decent English is an essential step on the career ladder for anyone with ambition here (Argentina). Which is fair enough, as a huge percentage of the world's business revolves around English speaking (and American in particular) companies and corporations. The same necessity simply does not exist for English speakers, except those with very specific career goals that involve living, working or trading abroad.
So I'm now learning Spanish. It's coming along at a decent rate, largely as a result of having to speak Spanish to get the best out of life in South America (not to mention getting along with the hottest of the hotties, many of whom don't speak English). This week has seen lessons on the uses of the different past tenses, which is a major variation between Spanish and English. The best lessons, however, have happened outside of the classroom, for instance finding a flat this week, or spending a week in Mar Del Plata, as the only Englishman. Great stuff!
Righteo... that's quite enough of this English speaking for now - time to get back to the homework.
Tengo que practicar mi Espanol, etc, etc.
Hasta luego
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Places I want to go...
...and stay up all night!
Having spent the last three months a long way away from rainy/snowy/sleeting (delete as appropriate) Northern Europe, I've really been bitten by the travel bug. It's funny how being away from home for a decent chunk of time opens your eyes to the possibilities of other ways of living.
For example, there are thousands of my countrymen (Brits, that is) floating around the world with a seemingly unquenchable taste for hedonistic pleasure. The strong pound puts us in the best position to get away and see the world, while living it up along the way. So far, the only nationalities I've encountered for whom this travelling lark is so financially easy are the Irish (of course) and the Norwegians (strange but true).
This, along with a number of recommendations, has lead me to compile a list of three party hotspots which I shall be visting in the next two years, all things going to plan. So, in no particular order...
Salvador, Brasil
While Rio takes all the international plaudits for being a hedonist's delight, outside of carnival the real action is happening a couple of thousand miles up the coast in Salvador. Perpertually sunny, Equatorial days set the backdrop for some of the wildest parties anywhere on the planet.
Berlin, Germany
The home of so much fantastic, progressive electronic music. My favourite record label of the last couple of years - Gomma - is based there and all reports suggest that the clubs of Berlin are the place to hear the next sound of dance music. I do like it filthy... Berlin offers plenty of the filth.
Tallinn, Estonia
The countries of Eastern Europe are partying doubly hard as they shake of the legacy of Soviet rule. The current generation of twenty-something club heads are the first generation to have grown up in an independent Estonia and all reports suggest that Tallinn, along with many other cities in the region, are just going wild in the Noughties.
Hmm.... I reckon more will have to be added to this list as time goes by and the recommendations pour in.
Anyways, take it easy.
Having spent the last three months a long way away from rainy/snowy/sleeting (delete as appropriate) Northern Europe, I've really been bitten by the travel bug. It's funny how being away from home for a decent chunk of time opens your eyes to the possibilities of other ways of living.
For example, there are thousands of my countrymen (Brits, that is) floating around the world with a seemingly unquenchable taste for hedonistic pleasure. The strong pound puts us in the best position to get away and see the world, while living it up along the way. So far, the only nationalities I've encountered for whom this travelling lark is so financially easy are the Irish (of course) and the Norwegians (strange but true).
This, along with a number of recommendations, has lead me to compile a list of three party hotspots which I shall be visting in the next two years, all things going to plan. So, in no particular order...
Salvador, Brasil
While Rio takes all the international plaudits for being a hedonist's delight, outside of carnival the real action is happening a couple of thousand miles up the coast in Salvador. Perpertually sunny, Equatorial days set the backdrop for some of the wildest parties anywhere on the planet.
Berlin, Germany
The home of so much fantastic, progressive electronic music. My favourite record label of the last couple of years - Gomma - is based there and all reports suggest that the clubs of Berlin are the place to hear the next sound of dance music. I do like it filthy... Berlin offers plenty of the filth.
Tallinn, Estonia
The countries of Eastern Europe are partying doubly hard as they shake of the legacy of Soviet rule. The current generation of twenty-something club heads are the first generation to have grown up in an independent Estonia and all reports suggest that Tallinn, along with many other cities in the region, are just going wild in the Noughties.
Hmm.... I reckon more will have to be added to this list as time goes by and the recommendations pour in.
Anyways, take it easy.
Sunday, 18 February 2007
Controlling Spending
On of the great struggles we face in the Twenty First Century is keeping our heads above water financially.
We are not helped in this struggle by the constant bombardment we face day in, day out, from companies advertising products we don't need and didn't even want before seeing the advert. I believe this situation is on the verge of changing, largely due to the influence of the internet.
Traditional advertising (TV, newspaper) works because the commerciak images are fed to us while we are already absorbing information. A commercial break, for example, should be a great reason to go and make a cup of tea, do some stretches or have a chat. In reality, we often sit there, transfixed by the procession of short films, usually with higher budgets and production values than the programs into which they are wedged.
The internet - in particular search engines and news feeds - offers us a different way of accessing and collecting information. While Google makes billions from advertising each year, the truth is that the majority of experienced internet users filter out the keyword advertising which accompanies most searches and just go for the good stuff in the middle.
The upshot of this, to my mind, is that people are less likely to buy something just because an advert says they should. They are still, however, just as likely (if not more so) to buy things they don't need.
Which raises the issue of overspending.
With the news that Britain's credit culture is reaching meltdown, now seems like a good time to pass on a few tips that I have found useful for saving money.
Firstly - plan your monthly budget and be honest in your assessments. While this is pretty boring, you will find yourself thinking twice before buying that new digital camera/iPod/pair of trainers when you consider what impact it will have on that holiday you are saving for.
Secondly - earn more money! While this sounds obvious, if you are addicted to a consumerist lifestyle and can't change your ways, it sounds like you need to get yourself a higher income. This can be from having a second job, working overtime or finding a new job. If you love your job and can't imagine changing it to chase the buck, think about that when you are about to splash the cash and plaunge yourself into money worries until next payday.
Thirdly - and my top personal tip - don't take your cards with you! Debit and Credit cards are by far the easiest way to blow money. While it takes a while to get used to, withdrawing a personal budget from th bank one day every week works a treat. That way, when you see that gorgeous jumper, you have to think about how you will get by for the rest of the week if you DO buy it. This is a pretty old-school way of budgeting but works a treat once you get into it.
Finally - get out more! (but not to the pub) Good lord, there are so many fun things to do that are either cheap or free. In Britain, our social interactions are based around a pub culture. Round my neck of the woods, a typical pint costs more than £3, meaning that a typical trip to the pub, including crisps, beer, kebab, it-box and fags (although not for long!) comes in at between £20 and £30. In most other European countries, and particular Scandinavia, this money would instead be spent on getting some decent meat and a few bottles of wine/beer in and having a group of friends over for dinner. If that is too much (weather permitting), head to the park/beach. You enjoyed it as a teenager, didn't you? Why not now?
Saving money can be fun. Yeah!
We are not helped in this struggle by the constant bombardment we face day in, day out, from companies advertising products we don't need and didn't even want before seeing the advert. I believe this situation is on the verge of changing, largely due to the influence of the internet.
Traditional advertising (TV, newspaper) works because the commerciak images are fed to us while we are already absorbing information. A commercial break, for example, should be a great reason to go and make a cup of tea, do some stretches or have a chat. In reality, we often sit there, transfixed by the procession of short films, usually with higher budgets and production values than the programs into which they are wedged.
The internet - in particular search engines and news feeds - offers us a different way of accessing and collecting information. While Google makes billions from advertising each year, the truth is that the majority of experienced internet users filter out the keyword advertising which accompanies most searches and just go for the good stuff in the middle.
The upshot of this, to my mind, is that people are less likely to buy something just because an advert says they should. They are still, however, just as likely (if not more so) to buy things they don't need.
Which raises the issue of overspending.
With the news that Britain's credit culture is reaching meltdown, now seems like a good time to pass on a few tips that I have found useful for saving money.
Firstly - plan your monthly budget and be honest in your assessments. While this is pretty boring, you will find yourself thinking twice before buying that new digital camera/iPod/pair of trainers when you consider what impact it will have on that holiday you are saving for.
Secondly - earn more money! While this sounds obvious, if you are addicted to a consumerist lifestyle and can't change your ways, it sounds like you need to get yourself a higher income. This can be from having a second job, working overtime or finding a new job. If you love your job and can't imagine changing it to chase the buck, think about that when you are about to splash the cash and plaunge yourself into money worries until next payday.
Thirdly - and my top personal tip - don't take your cards with you! Debit and Credit cards are by far the easiest way to blow money. While it takes a while to get used to, withdrawing a personal budget from th bank one day every week works a treat. That way, when you see that gorgeous jumper, you have to think about how you will get by for the rest of the week if you DO buy it. This is a pretty old-school way of budgeting but works a treat once you get into it.
Finally - get out more! (but not to the pub) Good lord, there are so many fun things to do that are either cheap or free. In Britain, our social interactions are based around a pub culture. Round my neck of the woods, a typical pint costs more than £3, meaning that a typical trip to the pub, including crisps, beer, kebab, it-box and fags (although not for long!) comes in at between £20 and £30. In most other European countries, and particular Scandinavia, this money would instead be spent on getting some decent meat and a few bottles of wine/beer in and having a group of friends over for dinner. If that is too much (weather permitting), head to the park/beach. You enjoyed it as a teenager, didn't you? Why not now?
Saving money can be fun. Yeah!
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Well then...
Hello there.
Blogging seems to be all the rage nowadays.
Well, actually blogging was 'all the rage' around 3 years ago and is now just another part of everyday life on the internet. The trouble is, most blogs are really quite boring. Other blogs are deliberately (and overly) provocative and thus equally tedious reading.
I write from the position of someone who works on the internet and spends and ungodly amount of time sifting through blogs and, yes, adding to the steaming piles of cyber-excrement that characterise the blogging community in 2007. Hey... everyone's got to make a living.
I'll give you some examples of what I consider to be good, bad and just plain ugly blogs.
A good blog can be something interesting and useful, such as Matt Cutts' Google related blog. While most people may not be into what Matt is blogging about, anyone working in or around search will be well aware of this well-written and informative blog.
Another great blog, to my mind, is Diary of a London Cokehead. This is a guy working in London's music industry venting his spleen and generally letting the world know what's going on in his life. When I'm in the UK, I spend many weekends standing behind the turntables in various bars and clubs... the London cokehead says many things which ring true.
Finally, on the topic of good blogs, The Guardian and BBC have a tremendous selection of high quality content going up every day. On top of their usual output, the blogs make these two fantastic British sites even better.
The most offensive blog I've stumbled upon recently is that of Peter Hitchens - an outspoken British rightwinger who is opposed to gays, peace, vegetarians and the like. Check out the voice of middle England here.
Alright. Until next time.
Blogging seems to be all the rage nowadays.
Well, actually blogging was 'all the rage' around 3 years ago and is now just another part of everyday life on the internet. The trouble is, most blogs are really quite boring. Other blogs are deliberately (and overly) provocative and thus equally tedious reading.
I write from the position of someone who works on the internet and spends and ungodly amount of time sifting through blogs and, yes, adding to the steaming piles of cyber-excrement that characterise the blogging community in 2007. Hey... everyone's got to make a living.
I'll give you some examples of what I consider to be good, bad and just plain ugly blogs.
A good blog can be something interesting and useful, such as Matt Cutts' Google related blog. While most people may not be into what Matt is blogging about, anyone working in or around search will be well aware of this well-written and informative blog.
Another great blog, to my mind, is Diary of a London Cokehead. This is a guy working in London's music industry venting his spleen and generally letting the world know what's going on in his life. When I'm in the UK, I spend many weekends standing behind the turntables in various bars and clubs... the London cokehead says many things which ring true.
Finally, on the topic of good blogs, The Guardian and BBC have a tremendous selection of high quality content going up every day. On top of their usual output, the blogs make these two fantastic British sites even better.
The most offensive blog I've stumbled upon recently is that of Peter Hitchens - an outspoken British rightwinger who is opposed to gays, peace, vegetarians and the like. Check out the voice of middle England here.
Alright. Until next time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
