From the Orient

This is a test post from a command line tool to post to MT called “MT Send”:http://scott.yang.id.au/archives/000092.php. I had to hack it a little bit so I could use it behind the firewall at work. A little bit of code yanked from Mark “proxy.py”:http://markpasc.org/lj/200301/proxy.py. It is a great little bit of code. You can post and edit posts, and get information about your blogs, all configurable for multiple users. I’m not sure if it pings weblogs.com when I post though.

As I’m now cycling to work, instead of the exhaust of the car in front me, or the armpit of the man next to me on the train, I am treated to the following sights.

The local council plants daffodills on the verge next to the cycle path. Every spring the bulbs send forth their yellow and white payloads, giving a visual delight.

This single flower head leant forward to greet me, ernestly.

The swans on the canal jostled for position in the hope that the would get some food from a passing human. Whilst I was there they were disappointed, but someone must feed them at that exact spot because they are there every morning.

BBC 2 Idents is a website showing the history of Idents on this channel. The BBC2 Ident is particular as it is entertaining and interesting. Some particular idents are specific to programs they showed (e.g. check out the “Dalek Ident here”:http://thetvroom.com/p-bbc-two-1997-a.shtml).

Looks like newer updates are in “the TV Room”:http://thetvroom.com/m-bbc-two.shtml

??Sam Buchanan?? liked the last episode of Farscape, praising the series for not talking down to the audience, something that Voyager did constantly. Another trouble with Voyager was there was a huge reset button pressed at the end of every episode.

Sam, however, was “kind of glad it was finishing”:http://afongen.com/blog/archives/000416.php#000416 due to patchy writing. He levels the same critism with Buffy). Personally, whilst there were a few not-so-good episode, I thought both series still produced the goods into their final series.

It seems I have the majority view with Farscape, as most people “believe it never Jumped The Shark”:http://www.jumptheshark.com/f/farscape.htm. Some programs just go too far, dare I say Red Dwarf 8; well 6-8; okay 3 onwards; it was never the same after Rimmer died (hang on that was the first episode). Some end just on time, whilst some are “cut down before their time”:http://www.dellah.com/orient/2003/03/11/to_be_continued.shtml. Farscape certainly lives in the last category.

The Nine Planets is a reference guide for all the solar system’s objects, with plenty of information on the planets and their moons.

I was woken this morning with a card shoved in my face. Now, this may not seem the best way to be woken, but compared to a crying baby, or a blaring alarm clock it’s not so bad. Particularly as the card was followed up with the words “Happy Birthday to you” and my daughter’s smiling face. In the words of many before me :- Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.

She helped me open my presents and cards, which were good and great. I got a telephoto lens from my parents so expect some closer-in long range pictures of “swans and daffodils”:http://www.dellah.com/orient/2003/03/19/daffodils_and_swans.shtml tomorrow. I got a great windproof top for my cycling, so expect me to be a bit warmer whilst taking pictures of swans and daffodils. I got plenty of good books, which I’ll add to my pile of books I have yet to read from Christmas.

It was a busy weekend. Starting with the football Saturday where my team tried their hardest to be top for my birthday (but ultimately failed), I then proceeded with my Dad to spend a fortune in a DIY store on two new doors and a pile of timber for fencing (making the garden safe for the small ones to run around and keep them from dodgy sections of the garden). Just back in time to get ready to go out and visit “Jongleurs”:http://www.chortle.co.uk/ukvenues/readingjongl.html for a great night of entertainment. Good laugh (liked Ian Moore the best, quite similar to Jack Dee).

Sunday was door fitting day, which was tiring but ultimately successful. The doors are in, fitted and keeping the cold out (unlike the old doors). We just had time to go down to the local and had food and drink outside. The weather was great, sunny and you’d think it was August, but a little colder (except it usually rains and is miserable in August). Then home for birthday cake.