Me, my blog and I
The wierd and sometimes insightful workings of a wendyDecorated animals – what gives?
Ok – so I’m a sucker. I have just plumped out the pennies for a pro flickr account because I have flickr diarrhoea (and the in-laws have just got broad band and have finally found the full interweb-thingy). So I have uploaded a few of some older photos which are not gonna win any photographer of the universe prizes (unlike my other ones – modest I know) and I got an invite to add a photo to a flickr group. All good so far, i hear you say….
Well, no. The invite was to add a picture to a group called ‘Decorated Animals’. And so I have a look, and there we have pictures of dogs, cats, rabbits and even sheep dressed-up. It’s just not right. It’s wrong I tell you. Foot fetishists – ok, (I was hoping I might get this photo into a group of foot fetishists but it was not to be) people who look at food in the wrong way I can live with, but dressing animals up – it wrong. And to make matters worse the picture was of a camel – not even dressed up! They are obviously getting desperate for a hit.
But of course I added it, because my obsession with seeing how many people look at my photos is more important to me than judging people who dress animals up. Although if this thing works, there are a few nice scarves I think my cat would look good in….
Southerners – all mouth as usual
I enjoy a bit of friendly banter as much as the next person – especially when it comes to rugby, but guys – engage the brain before you open your mouth. Following the ever so charming comments by the Australian big cheese, and the confident claims of the All Blacks and fellow kiwi rugby pundits, you must be feeling a little humble now.
After being at the England Australia game, I am not so sure where the “all northern hemisphere rugby is crap” claims come from. The mighty wallabies weren’t so mighty, and later that fateful day the unbeatable all blacks were very much unbeatable (although you gotta feel for the guy who bet 5 million NZ$ on the All blacks winning the cup!).
Oh how the mighty have fallen…
From Turkish delights to French Fumbles
Wow – Istanbul is incredible. Just got back from a few days on business in Istanbul and I am amazed by the city. Colour, emotion, people, cars, lots of cars, more cars, rivers, beautiful sunsets, food, architecture… I could list all the things great about it for quite some time – but that would not be a very good read so I won’t. Definitely going back as soon as possible, and get a bit more quality time with camera.
Just as well I had such a great time in Istanbul because Thursday morning I learnt that the SNCF have yet again surpassed the limits of stupidity in quite glorious fashion. As of 1st October 2007, bicycles are not allowed on the trains during peak hours – apparently to make sure that all passengers are happy in transit.
Well – be careful here comes the rant – maybe all passengers would be more comfortable travelling if the sncf did the following before alienating a significant amount of its customers:
- STOPPED STRIKING AND CANCELLING TRAINS WITHOUT NOTICE!
- Increased the number of seats available during rush hours (then people wouldn’t need to stand – or are they standing because the bikes have taken the seats?)
- increased the number of trains during rush hour (less people waiting to get on and off the train means less time stuck at the station, means more trains on time – basic physics…)
- made sure the Air con works in summer, and the heating works in winter
- trained staff in customer service and that ever allusive facile spasm I believe they call the smile – although to be fair that applies to France in its entirety not just SNCF.
- made a train available on a saturday night later than 8pm – or am I the only eco-vampire in this country that doesn’t want to have to take a car to go out.
I’m not even going to start about how the major sponsor of the Rugby world cup doesn’t provide a train from St. Etienne to Lyon after a match – as that would seem all too logical ludicrous an idea.
Now these are just some basic observations about the general service that is provided lovingly by the sncf. I could, but I won’t, go into the alternative business models they could use to actually make money because that would be a waste of my time and yours as it seems that is not the goal of the french public service.
All I have to say is that I am glad that the great train god in Paris has thought through how this action will increase the number of users of the trains, and of course help in affirming the sncf’s pact towards climate control, amongst other noble missions.
In this day and age of modernisation it is good to see that the french are sticking to their core values and keeping the long standing tradition of a french farce alive.
Have yourself a giggle and read this (french-only version, sorry.)
Thank you for your attention – normal service will now be resumed.
Damn good read
Last week I finished reading a book that has been sat on my book shelf/floor/bathroom for quite some time, and one that I have been meaning to read for a while. Once I got started on Death and a Penguin I was glad I made the effort. Really is an excellent book. I also had the follow-up Penguin Lost in the same book, and quite quickly mentally devoured that one too.
My glowing review of this book will come as no surprise to you who know me and my love for penguins – I am sure if the books contained only the word ‘penguin’ written 10 000 times I would have liked them – but they weren’t they were just really good black comedy books.
My animal adventures have continued despite finishing the book however. The darling little fluff balls that roam our house are now slightly less hormonal thanks to the vet – the male is now nick-named snowballs, but he doesn’t seem to have noticed.
On that note I will leave you to the dark depths of the interweb and all its glorious information.
over and out
Serious cosmos disalignment
I feel like I had a really productive weekend, managed to get loads done round the house, set up my flickr account, ate sushi, took some photos, and went for a long walk in the mountains without getting sun-burnt. Top notch.
This week however has been less pleasing, with stupendous amounts of rain, me getting wet on the cycle-commute, and being a bit too tired to watch Anchorman. Shame, but such is life. Here’s hoping that the week will get better.
Other news from the ellis household shows some recent plant purchases, a spree of breakages and an accident involving white trousers and a substance that should not be seen near it. I feel that all this points to a premature midlife crisis. Worrying.
I can only hope that a good nights sleep tonight, following a couple glasses of the red stuff will help put the cosmos back in order. I’ll keep you updated.
Full respect
No matter what anyone says, the Russians know the versatility of a good pair of stilettos. I am in complete admiration of the 100 girls that took part in the Russian High Heel Sprint – I am now seriously considering moving there! Full respect to all, and they even managed to do it with a smile on their face. I wonder if there is an official training regime….
The drugs don’t work
Well, the Tour de France is over once more, and the drug controversy hangs heavy on the organisers yet again. As a cyclist I truly want to believe that we are some kind of superior being, both physically and mentally, but this is just livinig proof of how we are not, and how our sport is just as corrupt as any other. Shame.
One good thing that has come out of it, along with the promise of a nice new shiney bike, is the desire to get out there and ride a bit more than just the usual commute, hope the new wheels land soon, and I get a free sample of good weather to try it all out!
In the interim bike-void I am having at the moment (my singlespeed is dieing a death slow and hard, poor girl) I might try and go for a jog tonight – or I may just spend a lot of time searching the net for some bargin new bike bits. I think I know who is going to win.
Other news, the flickr page is getting closer and closer after the swifty purchase of a 320gb hard drive this weekend. Computer is much happier now, and the photo processing is now back in business. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use Photoshop and we are cooking on gas!
Well have a good evening y’all, adn don’t go grazing too many knee-caps.
out.
I ain’t afraid of no ghosts…
I was doing my daily blog reading yesterday and came across this article. I enjoy reading Valeria’s posts as she always has some intelligent things to say, however I read the first comment left and had to react, and so left a chain of comments on the blog. The comment left by Lewis Green (don’t try and get business from Big organizations unless you are a big organization) I thought was all too typical of giving up the ghost before the fight has even started.
And this got me thinking (not always a a good thing) that we are all too often victim of this attitude – can you imagine what some of our greatest inventors and politicians would have become if they had given up at the first pitfall? So lesson to be had by all is that we can accomplish so much more than we sometimes think we can. Keep it in mind next time you see that gorgeous looking huge chocolate cake, and you think you couldn’t manage it, just maybe you can!
GO!
Ok – I have finaly got the blog set up to go (nearly). Now all that is left is to add in some content – should be easy.
I thought I would add on my first post what I want to use the blog for – quite simple idea but a good one. After starting to blog on my company site quite regularly, I felt a bit constrained in what I could put (due to the topics defined etc.) and so having a blog of my own would help me get my ideas and thoughts out there.
What I will try and not do is talk about the weather too much – although this could be quite a challenge as I am British.
Happy reading!
