Infectious Greed: "We Realize You Have a Choice of Bankrupt Airlines ..."

From a post on Fury.com today:

“We realize you had a choice betwen several bankrupt airlines to fly today, and we thank you for choosing our bankrupt airline."
-- my Delta Airlines pilot this morning

Infectious Greed: "We Realize You Have a Choice of Bankrupt Airlines ..."

SMS service sez “You’re too drunk!”

Following on from the highly popular Aussie drunk dialing prevention service Virgin has been offering, the Czech's have a "Am I too drunk to drive?" service. Apparently you just text them your details, and how much you've had to drink, then they text you back with a yes or no on the driving. Pretty surreal (and probably too complicated to use if you are wasted).

SMS service sez “You’re too drunk!” - Engadget - www.engadget.com

Nixta Sinks: Whatever next, restraining orders for abusive babies?

Nixta picks up the story of the week on the BBC site. I was thinking he seemed pretty calm for a Friday, but then realized he posted it on Wednesday. The week had hardly began.

Nixta Sinks: Whatever next, restraining orders for abusive babies?

Palace date for US breakfast show

So ABC, following on from the widely successful "Desperate Housewives", has a new show called "Desperate Queens" (starring both the Queen and Prince Charles), and broadcast direct from Buckinghma Palace.

Actually, I'm lying, obviously (MI5/6 would have a nightmare about this). Instead, the crew of Good Morning America have been given the opportunity to broadcast from inside Buckingham and Windsor. Unfortunately, the Queen will be buggering off elswhere while this goes on, so no chance of her sneaking past in the background in her nightie and slippers, cup of tea in hand.
BBC NEWS - Palace date for US breakfast show

Steve-O on Comedy Central

Brought to you by Drunk Report, last night had Steve-O (from Jackass) on Corolla's Comedy Central show. For some reason, they thought it would be funny to get Steve-O drunk before he came out for his segment. Now, if anyone's seen some of the old Jackass shows (I think more in the movie), he gets a little crazy after a couple of drinks (even more so than normal). Anyway, the video is in the link below if you fancy being severely entertained for the next 5 minutes.

Oh, and just looking up his credentials on IMDB, and it turns out he's English - did anyone realize that? I always thought he was an american....

Video of Steve-O on Comedy Central

Mr Batty's Latest Pet?

So the gadget owner extraordinaire has the chance to add to his already bulging (well, 2 at last count) herd of Sony Aibo "Pets" with the latest version. Best remembered for being used as a "watch our friends suffer after drinking too much" device, to allow us to concentrate on the footie on the big screen (given the amount of throwing up involved, it was probably the safest way anyway).

So Pete, you gonna get one of these? Comments on a postcard to "Blue Peter, PO Box 29, London, W18"

Fetch! The New AIBO ERS-7M3 - Gizmodo

Neil's Birthday Nights Out

A big weekend by my standards, all instigated by the fact that Neil was getting a year older. Rodizio Grill on Friday, Fado's on Saturday (with a block party earlier in the day on our street). All was fun - classic highlight of the weekend - Neil's Mam liking the shots so much that she cleaned out the last drop of liquid from the glass with her finger to make sure she didn't miss anything.

Anyway, you can tell we had a blast. Photo's courtesy of the birthday boy himself.

Neil's Birthday Nights Out - a photoset on Flickr

The Complete Bushisms - By Jacob Weisberg

You never quite get the full grasp of how bad he really is at public speaking until you read a long list of all the mistakes. I know it's not the easiest thing in the world, but I'd think you'd try and master it a little bit better when the future of the free world could disintegrate on your watch (how's that for overkill...)

Anyway, my favo(u)rite here, with the rest by following the link (it's a long list)

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."—Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005

And was I wrong in thinking that MSN had sold Slate off to some other news/publishing type agency, or did that never happen? I need to pay more attention or something....

The Complete Bushisms - Updated frequently. By Jacob Weisberg

Bring it on

Although I hardly ever make it up to the mountains to board these days (dodgy back, general laziness and an addiction to anything other than exercise), I still get excited about opening day. It looks like A-Basin and Loveland have began their annual race to be the first to open (and put a winter grin on Rob's face).

TheDenverChannel.com - News - Ski Resorts Begin Making Snow For Season

Streaming TV and Google Video

So, the Google taking over the world post from the other day took another step forward today - they're streaming the first episode of Everybody Hates Chris over the wide world interweb thing. Admittedly, it's a week after it broadcast on TV, so there's probably a few copies of this floating around a file sharing server near you, but this is legal, and I think a step in the right direction. I haven't watched it yet, so I don't know if the adverts are still in (or if you can tivo'esque like fast forward through them), or whether you can make the picture bigger, and haven't spoken to the brothers on the other side of the Atlantic to see if they check which region your connecting from, but this is kind of exciting - it's like, the future.

UPN and Google Video

BMW M5 review - Jeremy Clarkson

Mr Clarkson has been at the top of my admired journalist list (it's not very long) since I was a wee boy. He used to write amusing, insightful columns and articles in Performance Car back in the 80's when I still had car posters on my bedroom wall (the wife put a stop to that, so now I have to make do with blogs and desktop backgrounds being adorned by the latest and greatest - or sometimes just the greatest).

Obviously (although he lives in England, so talent doesn't always get you to the top without the associated connections and boyhood love fests with the top prefect in some boarding school down south), he moved onto bigger and better things as time went on, so now he writes for The Times (The, as in the real one), entertains the masses on Top Gear, and gets imported onto the Discovery Channel over here in the good old US of A (Wednesday, 10 ET if you want to check it out - it's great!).

Anyway, he finds a way to review cars that tells you everything you need to know, while making you grin from ear to ear. It's in stark contrast to the lack of pleasure I've been getting from my US based car magazines lately - I swear the last Car and Driver review of the Solstice was written without them even driving the car (and if they did, they either forgot about it, or it was so crap and they didn't want to say anything bad about it, coz the American Car industry might just crumble at the thought of another failed launch).

Anyway, the M5 review is linked here (and if you like it, try the Mustang review if you're not American and over-sensitive about your car industry).

BMW M5 - Jeremy Clarkson - Times Online

It's Friday - let's drink!

And now you can, with the latest and greatest invention - a blow up pub. It could make hiking bearable, trips to those friends and family who live in the middle of nowhere less of a pain, and of course, immediately give you many more new friends. Now we just have to work out if it's pre-stocked with beer.

Blowup Pub

Jordan is married?

Coz I don't live back home in the UK, I don't get my daily dose of crap news and gossip from The Sun. It also means I apparently missed out on the wedding of the year for Peter and Jordan. Living over here just keeps bringing up more and more benefits, especially given the look of that dress. More photos here if you're really interested...

Joke of the Day

Definitely not going to make a habit of this, but as we were out a comedy club last night, and then I found this joke in the most unexpected place, I thought I'd blatantly copy it for your enjoyment. Brecke, I think you'll like this one.....

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the President his daily briefing on Iraq.

He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

One for the brother

Given that my brother spends all his days painting cars (or fixing them when his boot flies off.....), this one is especially for him.

Those pesky Germans are inventing more paints than you can shake a cats tail at, including a new chameleon paint, which sounds a little like flip on steroids. Luminesce at dusk - hows that for a phrase...
With Mighty Paint Technology, The Krauts Are Never Second-Best! - Jalopnik

Dedication

I've done a few things in my time to make sure I get to see a game - called in sick to work, faked illness to the girlfriend (I won't go into the time the psycho ex locked me in her house so I couldn't get the train back for the Bank Holiday home match against Chelsea) etc etc. However, this one takes the biscuit.

Faking being low on fuel so you can land at an airport close to your countries game (and a U17 one at that) is pretty far out there, but what makes it even more ridiculous, is that it appears that it was the President of Gambia's plane. Can you imagine Blair or Bush creating an international incident to see a game? Well, actually, I can sort of see Blair doing it if we ever manage to get to a final of something.

CNN.com - Airliner fakes emergency so passengers can watch soccer game - Sep 21, 2005

Declaration of Revocation by John Cleese

An oldie but goody....

Declaration of Revocation by John Cleese

Google Takes Over the World

So there's been a lot of talk recently about Google's WiFi experiments, buying up huge amounts of dark fibre (fiber), investing in internet over power line technology companies etc etc, and people speculating on the future company direction. Free internet access for everyone, location based adverts at hotspots, attempting to control the whole internet thingy majiggy are just some of the theories.

Luckily, none of them are correct - The Onion, using the latest techniques in advanced journalism and fact finding, have found out Google just wants to control all the information in the world. So breathe easy. I'm glad Google promised to not be evil, otherwise we could be in real trouble......


Google Announces Plan To Destroy All Information It Can't Index | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Ferrari F430 Challenge - my next car?

Maybe in my dreams (or real life if I manage to hit the winning number on Powerball, given it's up to $108 million this week). Anyway, it's gorgeous, it's fast, it's light, but what would I do without the snow setting on the E-diff?? It would take a lot of the fun out of winter....
Frankfurt Wrap-up: Ferrari F430 Challenge - Jalopnik

Back on Track

First win of the season, 3 goals, Bellamy silenced, and both Shearer and Owen scoring (along with Charles N'ZZZZ getting another one). Finally the season looks like it's started (2 months later than it should, but better than never).

Anyway, the boys look happy - lets hope it continues......

Ronin Espionage Jacket - Burton Snowboards

Burton once again comes out with some cool jackets pre-integrated with bits and pieces of technology. Due to the fact that I'm a very lucky boy, my wife spent about 3 years trying to track down one of their jackets and backpacks with the integrated iPod wiring and soft-touch buttons on the sleeves/handles. The search led down many a dark alley, involved 15 million phonecalls, and some money I'm sure changed hands, but I now am the proud owner of my very own iPod integrated backpack. Anyway, back to the point of this long rambling entry - Burton keep releasing cool stuff that just can't be bought - the link takes you through to their site, and it tells you how ridiculously expensive it is (500 bucks), but it's not currently available. I think they made 2 of the iPod jackets (total) based on how scarce they are, so maybe if you track one of these down, you can make your fortune on eBay. Good luck.....

Ronin Espionage Jacket - Burton Snowboards - Burton.com

Nintendo's new controller

Never having been much of a fan of Nintendo game consoles (I'm a big XBox fan, and have owned, and sort of enjoyed the PS2 and Sega stuff in the past), I wasn't that interested in the Revolution console.

But then they announced the new controller - apparently you move it about and the movement controls what you do in the game. Could be quite handy for Frank Brunos Boxing Legends game (made up name) or something similar. It still has buttons and stuff, and some of the other picks I saw showed something else for your left hand that looked like a joystick, so maybe it isn't going to be totally different.

Anyway, it hasn't changed my mind that I'm getting an XBox 360 (and maybe the PS3 if I get rich and it's good), but I might have to give the controller a whirl in the shops to see how it all works.

Aussie sportsman happy about losing finger

They're a strange bunch (I should know, half of mates over here are Aussies). They love their sport (except when they lose the Ashes ;-) ) and one guy goes way too far to prove it.

Now given their outside eating preferences, I wonder if the appendage will make it onto the barbeque? Watch out for bones in your sausage Mr Bland (or something like that anyway)

IOL: Aussie sportsman happy about losing finger

Xbox 360 release date announced

November 22nd over here, December 2nd back home, and December 10th in Japan.

Now the only issue is my likely vacation in Vegas on this date - I could come back broke and unable to purchase.......


Xbox 360 to hit shelves before Thanksgiving | CNET News.com

Petrol Direct - petroldirect.com

I knew prices in the UK were getting bad, but this seems a little on the extreme side of things. Petrol (Gas) delivered right to your door.

I was particularly impressive with the NOS laced petrol, and of course "Vin Diesel".... ;-)

Petrol Direct - petroldirect.com

Infectious Greed: The Strangest SEC Filing Ever

Too many cars lately, so thought I'd get back to other things. And this just couldn't be resisted - those Canadians are at it again - filing with the SEC to raise funds for a new company with the aim of creating a world with a single language, a single currency, a single God etc etc.

And that's not all - they've listed a few prominent people on it's supposed board of directors (like the Bush's, although this could be genuine I guess - sorta fits in with recent foreign policy (and I've probably just guaranteed myself a visit from the Secret Service)).

Obviously, the SEC isn't happy and have started proceedings. I just hope the comedians don't get prosecuted, or fined too much...

Infectious Greed: The Strangest SEC Filing Ever

Brothers Pimped Ride

So my brother got himself a new car (which is pretty nice if I say so myself). So obviously, after a full month of ownership, he's started to change it. Luckily the changes are for the better (unless you're a sensitive passenger type), so I promised I'd drop a pick or two on here for everyone to see.

More picks hosted on Flickr here (more for an experiment than laziness to upload to my webserver)

Blog Searching From Google

Google released it's blog searching tool into Beta today, which wasn't too unexpected. What was unexpected was the fact that it appears that this site made it onto the list. I was a little worried after it appeared that some downtime on the site had removed me from their lists (either that, or I just can't set all this meta data crap up properly to make sure the spiders hit me - I really should read up on that stuff).

Blogsearch on Google

Pimp My Mini

Ok - lots of car stories this week (I'll get back to a more balanced life soon), but my excuse is it's the Frankfurt Motor Show, and it seems like there are alot of new releases and concept cars. Anyway, enough of the excuses - you know you don't have to read this thing if you don't want to (and not sure if anyone except my brothers do anyway...)

Jalopnik - Concept Cars

The new Jag

So a few picks of the new Jag Coupe came out a couple of weeks back, and I sort of liked it, but then wasn't too sure. Some angles, it looks like a baby Aston (same designer I think - Ian Callum), but then others, it seemed to look like a bit of a botched job of mixing the Peugeout 405 and the Ferrari 550 Maranello.

Anyway, once I saw this picture from the back, I was hooked. Anything that looks this wide and mean (especially with those exhausts) is a winner for me (just like this pic of the C4S)


Jalopnik - News

Tis the season

For babies, that is. Heidi counted up the other week, and there are something like 20 kids being born (or have been) this year, and the beginning of next.

In keeping with the "if I get photos I'll post them" tradition (started just now by me, althoug I seem to remember posting a pic of Matt and Lori's latest one), please be introduced to Sophia Fowler, new daughter of Nickie and John. Luckily, it looks like she takes after her mother in the looks department.

Yummy

Continuing on the car theme, Lamborghini presented it's new Gallardo (say it the Spanish way) Spider. Apart from the fact that it's gorgeous, you can somehow do 190mph with the top down!!!!

Frankfurt Premiere: Lamborghini Gallardo Spider - Jalopnik

Small Cars coming to the US

The recent surge in gas (petrol) prices over here does have some benefits (apart from getting a couple of the hideously large SUV's and trucks off the road). Toyota and Honda have both announced that they're going to start bringing into the country their baby cars. Rumours (again...) of the Smart car being officially imported have began.

My brother just recently got himself a nice new ride - the VW Polo GTi - small, fast and very nice in the handling department. The interior dashboard lighting even gloes blue like it's big brothers (which would make the wifes day). I have never really understood why cars like this hadn't made it here before, especially given how theoretically cheap they would be in dollar money.

So my one wish as part of all this - bring across the Renault Clio 182 Cup (or whatever they call it with the Blistein suspension). I know, never going to happen, but if the normal (almost) pound to dollar for the same car applies, I could get one of these for the winter with some decent snow tires, and a nice new Elise for the rest of the year when it's nice and sunny. Neither would be quite as quick as my current STi, but probably put a couple of more smiles per mile on my face with their increased level of involvement. Plus, I could put the back seats down in the Clio, and have the perfect Home Depot pickup car available whenever I need it.

Given this isn't going to happen, I'm still holding onto the Porsche dream - a 911 C4s - which, in my own head, is the perfect Colorado car (as long as you get a set of thinner wheels for winter that can take the snow tires it would need). Now does anyone know the winning numbers for tomorrows Powerball?

Small Ads from the UK

Some light entertainment for you - newspaper ads

Digital Eye Wristwatch-Camera

I wanna be James Bond, and given my lack of physical prowess these days, gadgets are the only way to go.

I also found the white Esprit for sale down the road, so I'm well on my way (once I find the money to buy both, and obviously how to retrofit the rocket launcher in the back window...)
Digital Eye Wristwatch-Camera

iPod Nano Announced

So given all the hype about the Rokr phone (and the fact that everyone knew it was coming, and it doesn't really offer anything that isn't already available in the marketplace), Apple did it's usual surprise with a new iPod. The Nano looks like it replaces the mini - super thin, colo(u)r screen and nice and sexy. Now if only I could afford one....

Apple - iPod nano

Micky tried for an escape

Having spent a good few hours in Home Depot and the Great Indoors the other week, trying to work out what light we should buy for the dining room (now lightless for the 4 years since I moved in), I found this little thing to answer my prayers. Only two problems - we already bought a light (without fan), and the chance of getting this past the wife (and it matching with our spiffy dining room furniture) are none existent.

Little Bird overhead - Engadget - www.engadget.com

PGR 3 is coming

So Project Gotham Racing 2 is probably my favo(u)rite game of all time. It cost me many hours of practise, a couple of blisters and lots of money (I had to get the brothers up and running with an XBox, XBox Live and home network so we could chat and play from across the Atlantic).

Needless to say the snipets coming out about 360 and the next gen of games is pretty exciting - here's the latest I could find - it's a 3d pic from the developers. If you pay close attention, the detail level is pretty damn amazing. I'm just hoping the game play is as good or better than the last one - every car seemed to handle pretty much like it would in real life (based on the cars I had driven, and reading the reviews of the ones I hadn't).

Now if only I could work out how to get an advance copy, I'd be a happy boy......

BizarreOnline.net - Home run!!!!

Sprint Sucks

And I'm not the only one to think so.

I'm in the process of trying to get the companies phones switched over the a provider that has equipment that actually works, instead of consistently dropping calls, or sending callers straight to voicemail.

And don't even get me started on the fact that text messaging on my phone is so appaling that despite being completely addicted (in true European fashion) before I moved to Sprint, I have since given up completely. And then there's the "I will not work anywhere else in the world", and the "all our phones are crap, but you can still pay 400 bucks for it coz you've got no choice".

Ok, rant over before my fingers break through the keyboard.

tompeters! management consulting leadership training development project management

Frosties reborn

Although still not (fully) up and running, it looks like Phil has finally got off his arse with a complete rewrite of Frosties. Using some nice funky Mambo contenty managementy type stuff, it's all pretty. There's even some new photos from one of the millions of nights out I missed in Denver.

frosties beta - Home

Philips’ SMS pillow

This is just what everyone needs, a pillow that flashes text messages across it. Just imagine the fun you could have waking up your mates after a night on the beers. And what if he had pulled.... The entertainment could be endless.

Philips’ SMS pillow - Engadget - www.engadget.com

Oh ho ho

Owen go to Wigan? Now that would have been a shocker. The following appears to be a little contradictory

"Our move was not a publicity stunt. I was even prepared to put a clause in that would allow him to move at Christmas."


Anyway, I'm just happy we got him and Nobby, and I can look forward to our next match with a little hope, instead of the dread I was feeling before Tuesday.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

Gas (petrol) goes ballistic

I sort of promised myself that I would never ever complain about the gas(petrol) prices over here. Ever since I got off the plane all those years ago and realized I could fill a car up for the same price as a pint of stella and a packet of crisps, I've even smiled when I went back home and it cost me 50 quid to fill up the rental car.

However, things might be changing (if only I could remember the conversion from litres to gallons). Gas prices are allegedly heading for 4 bucks a gallon, and at an extremely quick rate. I managed to go to work yesterday, and by the time I drove home, the price of gas at the local (new and supposedly cheaper supermarket) gas station had increased by 15 cents a gallon. During the day! while everyone was at work!! Was it so urgent that they couldn't wait until midnight, so people might not notice?

Anyway, putting my foot down in the Scoobymobile is still way too tempting to be put off by the price of a gallon, so nothings changing for now. Some of the guys in the office with the big American manly trucks have however filled every available container for future use. I still think they should buy a normal car ;-)

Euro English

Just when we thought it was safe........

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords containing "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensibl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

Little Cars

They weren't lying, they're tiny. And it looks like they work as well. I want one, and I'm going to stamp my feet until I get one....



Little Cars

Mr Broson is Dead

Not sure whether or not this made me happy or sad. The actor who played Mr Bronson in Grange Hill died yesterday. I just remember him being very scary, and never really helping the kids much. I think he calmed down a little after a couple of years, but he scared the crap out of me when I was younger.


BBC NEWS | Entertainment | TV and Radio | Grange Hill favourite Sheard dies

Booze is the way