Jury awards spanked employee $500K

Weird workplace practice of the week (trying saying that after a couple of beers) has a winner this week. A California woman got spanked by colleagues for not winning a team building exercise or something - sounds like the perfect way to get a quick half a mill if you work for one of those big companies...

CNN.com - Jury awards spanked employee $500K - Apr 28, 2006

New Years Eve Video

Courtesy of Mr Tonkin - we're messing around with a couple of video upload options, so apologies if this doesn't work..... (note to self - "never get the PM and PE working on techie stuff without some real techies to help out....")

The conversation that never officially took place - Engadget

It's an interesting theory - guess we have to stick around for a few more years before we get to find out if it's on the money.

The Clicker: The conversation that never officially took place - Engadget

Shearer Retires

It's official now - the knee injury he picked up at Sunderland means he will not take any further part in the last couple of games left this season. Like he said, it wasn't a bad way to retire - scoring away at the Mackems to help the team win 4-1, but I'm sure he'd have preferred a hat trick at St James in the last game of the season to guarantee us European football. At least he gets to watch Amoebi (sp?) from the dugout - the boy has found a new lease of life the last couple of weeks and got another couple yesterday in the easy win over West Brom.

Anyway, just in case anyone forgot how good Shearer was, the film is for you. I think one of my favourite bits is when he manages to entice Keane into completely losing his rag - it's a classic.

Memories

Couple of things about this clip. One, my old car of course (well, the 06 version anyway, but it's the first time in the UK for the 2.5 litre engine and the adjustible centre diff), and two, how much fun it must be to get a gig where you drive cars round circuits for TV as a job, with a bit of talking thrown in. Based on how much fun this lass is having (and in Wales - can you believe it!), it might be my new favo(u)rite job, replacing the rally driver I had always aspired to be.

World Cup Year

And I suddenly realized we might have to play these guys. Be afraid (a little).

MMMMMM x3

Car is ran-in, and I almost had a full day off work today. That means the radar detector was in place, and I had a big smile on my face all day. Still didn't really need to engage the sport button (it just speeds up the throttle response, nothing else), but the whole experience confirmed my theory that this is one amazing car. Definitely the best I've ever driven anyway - there's so much communication going on that it makes you smile all the time (or giggle wildly if you're called Heidi, in the passenger seat, and we're doing over 80 down a little back road behind her work).

Anyway, enough of the rambling - here's a video to give you an idea of what it was like ;-)

Sun starts the war with Germany (again)

Well, not literally, but never one to miss a dig(g) at the Germans, especially in a World Cup year, they sent some intrepid photographers into a brave new world, snapping the German Chancellor while on vacation. Not only that, they manged to find the exact moment her robe wasn't covering what it should have been, to get the snap on the left.

Unfortunately, she's no Charlize Theron, so there's outrage all over the place. The Germans think it was unfair, and the British I presume are just complaining that they have to see stuff like this in their picture.

I just think we should start voting for younger leaders based solely on looks. Angelina Jolie for World Leader anyone?

Hong Kong Phooey coming to DVD

Oh happy day.....

Hong Kong Phooey coming to DVD (and Magilla Gorilla, too) - TV Squad

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

OK - Glenn's officially crazy (not that we didn't know this before), but he's started pushing a new theory on evolution. It seems a little out of his league if you ask me, but anyway, I'm doing my duty in trying to keep him happy and productive by giving you the link, in case you feel like reading up on it.

Not sure how they get the link between average temperature and number of pirates, but after reading Freakonomics, anything is possible.

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

One for the wife

As a special treat for Heidi, and as thanks for going the extra mile and taking my car in for it's inaugral service, I've posted up the latest (or only maybe?) RS4 video/advert I could find. This seems to be the latest choice as to her next car, and who am I too complain (at least until we decided who's going to be paying the monthly premiums I suppose). It should make for some interesting races home anyway......

Bookcase...Chair..Bookcase....Chair

Given the number of books we have lying around the house these days, and my inability to set up any shelves in the office (both technical, financial and pure laziness), this looks like a perfect solution. You don't even have to get up when you've finished one book the start the next.

TankChair

Continuing the weird and wonderful world of gadgets today, is this - a tank chair. No, really....

Designed by a guy who's wife got stuck outside their cabin while looking for Elk, it's the go anywhere alternative for anyone in a wheelchair.

TankChair - Gizmodo

Bully's back on the box

Here's one we'll have to get George's high tech UK TV recording system onto - Bullseye is returning after far too long away from the TV. All the old catchphrases are in there (but no Jim Bowen), and the equally crap prizes for everyone to win.

The Sun of course makes this into their longest article I've ever seen, complete with photos and a video as well! I never knew they bothered with any article more than 3 paragraphs long (unless it was about Germany, Argentina, or how Wayne Rooney gets his rocks off with old age pensioners).

The Sun Online - Life: Bully's back on the box

This ones for Gareth

There seems to be some pretty space age toys being developed these days - not long before the Back to the Future reality of hover boards are upon us. In the meantime, we'll have to settle for this little contraption. Rumour is that it'll be released next year to the general audience for sale. I'm dreading the price, but guessing Mr Thompson will be planning on using next years bonus for it......

Former West Ham boss Lyall dies

John Lyall was the manager of West Ham for pretty much my whole youth. Although never one of the top top teams, they were renowned for playing good football no matter what, and never failed to entertain. This was especially important given the rise to prominence of teams like Watford and Wimbledon (and the rise of Graham Taylor), who believed a good punt up the field to a big man was better than keeping the ball on the gorund and passing through teams.

So, sorry to see him go, but glad he had such a positive influence on the game, and the real way it should be played.

BBC SPORT | Football | Former West Ham boss Lyall dies

Hansen says nice things about a Newcastle player?

Well, it is Shearer, and not one of our defenders, so we shouldn't be too surprised. Anyway, a pretty good column on why Alan has been the best striker in the Premiership.

I'm sad to see him go, but it was great to have the pleasure of watching him for all those years.

BBC SPORT | Football | Alan Hansen's column

Mackems defeated

Of course, I couldn't let the day pass without mentioning the fact that the mackems self destructed half way through the local derby (while leading 1-0 I might add), to somehow concoct a defeat of magnificent proportions. 4-1 was the final score, and they even let Mr Shearer get his final goal against them, along with helping our cause in general with goals from Chopra and Luque, both who needed a bit of a confidence booster.

Anyway, what might have been considered a perfect match was somewhat spoilt by a tough challenge on Shearer which resulted in him being injured. It looks like it might be a little on the serious side, so there's a decent chance he may never wear the black and white stripes in a competitive match again. Guess, we'll have to wait and see on that front, but like the man said, if he has to go out 3 games before the end of the season after scoring a goal in a 4-1 win against the local rivals, it could have been a whole lot worse of an end.

And sorry Pete, but we needed the points for our late push to get to Europe (without the intertoto cups help).

New 3 Series Coupe Pix

Being a fully fledged owner of the BMW club these days, I pay more attention to their car stories/gossip than I ever used to.

So here is the latest spy pics of the 3 series coupe, looking all nice and shiny.

I haven't decided 100% yet whether I like it or loathe it, but given my current ride is going to be around for a very long time (like possibly for ever and ever), I don't have to make up my mind yet. And I know the M3 version looked a lot better than the standard coupe the last go round, so I guess it might be the same this time.

Probably the most interesting bit will be the 335i that's rumoured to be released as a new model. Running over 300 BHP, and having a 3.5 litre (I presume) turbo-charged engine. From what I hear, the extra power is needed to push along all the extra weight in this model, but hey, I'm biased and I know it ;-)

The A-Team - Mission:Denver!

So it looks like Face and Murdock are coming to Denver. This was definitely one of my favo(u)rite programs growing up, so I might just wander along to check out what's happening. Although seeing a couple of actors who must be hitting their pension age by now pretending to re-live the good old days might break a few of the precious memories I have of the show.

Denver YourHub.com > Federal Heights > Stories > The A-Team - Mission:Denver!

Napolean Dynamite

Teachers occasionally get their groove on

Brief Safe Scares Away Thieves

This is a truly truly scary thing, but then when you think about it, it sort of makes sense. Who in their right minds would rummage through some very dodgy underwear to check to see if there are valuables inside. I don't think they had to go so over the top with the stains though...

Brief Safe Scares Away Thieves - Gizmodo

Duct tape roundup - Lifehacker

After the success of Heidi's wallet making escapades for Jacob, I thought some people might be interested in this link that lets you know how to do a few things with duct tape (including making the wallet shown above).

The only one the concerns me was the "Bandaid you boo boos" link - I was too scared to click on it to see what it was.

Duct tape roundup - Lifehacker

Real World comes to Denver

This could make the summer trips downtown a little more interesting. I just hope they stay away from Fado's so we don't get bothered with all the cameras and stuff that always tag along...

Real World comes to Denver - TV Squad

Saturday Morning Dreams

The Simpsons Really exist

Bush lied, White House lies to cover Bush lies

Not sure why everyone is acting all surprised about this (unless they actually believe politicians are incredibly honest and have the good of the nation at the forefront of their minds at all times, and not their own careers).

Anyway, Bush authorized the leak/release of classified information to help him start a war that wasn't really justified, got into a bit of hot water, and so de-classified the information a week or two later to make it "legal". This is how I am reading it anyway, but the White House Press Guy needs to go back and check on his timeline.

What makes this a little more intriguing is Bush's commitment to prosecuting to the full extent of the law anyone who releases classified information when this whole Scooter Libby investigation/CIA name dropping thing happened. Does that mean he'll impeach himself soon?

It's all getting a bit too complicated for me to keep up with, but you know with all the manouvering around Bush and Cheney are guilty. However, given the different political landscape over here (compared to back home where Blair has to face quesitons every Tuesday from the other politicians, and has nearly been forced out twice in recent times), it's not like anything is really going to happen. The only entertainment we can have from this will be the commentary from Jon Stewart, and the continuing nose dive of Bush's ratings to historic lows. Worst case scenario of course is if Bush decides he needs another war to deflect attention from his presidency problems - Iran, I would keep quiet for the next week or two....

CNN.com - White House: Bush did not flip-flop on leaks - Apr 7, 2006

Conspiracy Theories Become Reality

Welcome to the land of the free, where all internet traffic going through AT&T gets automatically forwarded to the NSA. Maybe they're just trying to get an idea of the Page Rankings before any other site? Somehow I doubt it. I'm going back to using two cups and a long piece of string....

Spam Daily News | EFF: AT&T forwards all Internet traffic into NSA

LInkedIn Gets Some Local Press

Denver Post, never (or rarely) first with much news, had an article today about LinkedIn, the business networking site. I've been on there for a while and got a couple of contacts, but nothing like some of the members. It's come in handy a couple of times when we're looking for contractors or past colleagues for work etc.

Anyway, sign up (it's free) and invite me into your little list - I'm sure we'll have lots of fun... LinkedIn

DenverPost.com - BUSINESS

Limited Edition Brown Ale Bottles

So Big Al is retiring soon, and in commemoration of the occasion, there's a special Newcastle Brown Ale bottle being released, decorated in what is said to be a black and white label (although it looks silver and black to me in this pic).

The odds on this making it over the water are slim to non-existant, so I'm relying on my brothers back home to pick me one up when they're released if they get a chance.

And thanks to the only place to get reliable and up to date Newcastle Info for the story and pic - NUFC.com

New Audi TT Announced

Not sure if I like it or not yet. You'll have to give me a day or two....

Press release and more pics, courtesy of Jalopnik, is here.

Eva Longoria can be seen from Space

Not literally of course - she's a big star and all that, but relatively small in real life. However, Maxim, doing 6 million things to publicize their 100th issue, built this in the ground, on a direct path to Vegas from California. I just want to know how they actually did it - some guy with a big spray can maybe?
CNN.com - Eva Longoria is really, really big - Apr 6, 2006

Mini Bus

Apart from the fact that this looks like a ridiculous amount of fun, it's also for sale!

Ebay is the place you can (almost) buy anything - direct link is here if you want to make a bid.

You Tube is down

Hence the blank white screens where entertaining and witty videos should be. Apparently they were rolling out some new software, and it broke (never heard that one before), so we're in wait mode until it's all nice and fixed. Sorry, Mr Wallace, you'll have to wait to see your Funky Rims video.

R.I.P. Dixons

The things you miss when you're in another country. I didn't even realize that Dixons was shutting down. I'm not sure if this makes me sad or not - having experienced customer service in the US (mostly) as it should be, the walking around Dixons desperately trying to get one of the sales people to talk to me when I want to buy something seems a little outdated. It's been a good few years since I bought anything here (I think my Dad's DVD player birthday present one year was the last thing), and I guess that's it....

BBC NEWS | Magazine | R.I.P. Dixons

Apple: Windows on a Mac is here

Biggest news today (apart from me being in Denver for a couple of days) - turns out those Apple guys really know how to sell their stuff. They announced an official solution to dual booting the Mac with Intel chips, meaning you can have all the benefits of Mac when you need them (and believe me, there are lots), but then when you rock up to work and _have_ to use XP, you can select that from the menu. I've already put in my request to Ivo for our new office standard to switch, so we wait with baited breath.

The scary thing is, if lots of companies go this way, how high will Apple's stock go? The hardware bump could just be incredible if it all comes off.

Apple: Windows on a Mac is here | CNET News.com

How to get money from the Venture Capital Firms

Ali G Stylie of course. Some days you just need to laugh, and Ali G always helps out.