Bloody vending machine in work is only taking exact change so I could only get a Smarties bar. But this is no ordinary Smarties bar - it's an "exploding one"!
Massive flashbacks going on here. What the hell was the name of that sweet crystalline stuff in a bag that you shook on to your tongue in the 1970's and it exploded all over it? it's the same stuff. Hurrah, I've got a disco on my tongue. I thought they had banned it cos it contained plutonium or some other such "bad for children" thing.
But then this is Nestle, so it probably does contain plutonium.
Clackers anyone?
Monday, May 30, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
I finally get my own character in Dilbert
I've always thought I was a dead ringer for Wally in appearance if not behaviour. Today's Dilbert has "Milt", a married man.
It's me I tell you, it's me.
I need to lie down now - yesterday was both Oscar's and Catherine's birthday.
27 kids in KidzKlub going mental. I was exhausted just trying to remember their names.
Why is it that little girls know how to cartwheel but little boys don't? Is it genetic?
It's me I tell you, it's me.
I need to lie down now - yesterday was both Oscar's and Catherine's birthday.
27 kids in KidzKlub going mental. I was exhausted just trying to remember their names.
Why is it that little girls know how to cartwheel but little boys don't? Is it genetic?
Thursday, May 26, 2005
A Wee Dram of Bill Hicks for a dark wet night
Another reason to like JWZ - he is a Bill Hicks fan too by the looks of things.
The good always die young. Saw him live once when he played Dublin about a year before he died. He was on his anti-smoking kick at that stage (too late obviously) which to be honest wasn't half as funny as his pro-smoking rants. "Non-Smokers die.........every day".
Painful irony.
Excuse me whilst I giggle for a few minutes as I remember:
"Goat Boy"
"Kind of like going up to Jackie Onassis with a rifle pendant on, you know"
"Dinosaur fossils? God put those there to test our faith."
And the one I think of most often when I encounter idiots:
"what you readin for?"
The good always die young. Saw him live once when he played Dublin about a year before he died. He was on his anti-smoking kick at that stage (too late obviously) which to be honest wasn't half as funny as his pro-smoking rants. "Non-Smokers die.........every day".
Painful irony.
Excuse me whilst I giggle for a few minutes as I remember:
"Goat Boy"
"Kind of like going up to Jackie Onassis with a rifle pendant on, you know"
"Dinosaur fossils? God put those there to test our faith."
And the one I think of most often when I encounter idiots:
"what you readin for?"
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Job supply-demand equilibrium in Cork?
The job scene is Cork seems very strange to me (coming from working 11 years in Dublin). I hear complaints about the lack of tech jobs down here but at the same time we are having severe problems getting CVs from contractors for Argolon Solutions. To date we have done a Monster ad, an Examiner ad and mentioned openings on this blog and we have received a tiny number of CVs in response. Is every techie in Cork in gainful employment? If you look at the job ads tho, there are very few - hence my comment about Supply-Demand Equilibrium. Basically is it a fixed number of people in a fixed number of jobs, moving between those jobs every once in a while?
So in an attempt to prove myself wrong:
We need contract developers to work on some custom developments with us for a major US multinational based in Cork. Ideal candidates will be comfortable with SQL and Java (J2EE preferably) targetting either SQL Server or Oracle. Knowledge of Workflow products and their integration with legacy data sources would be a major plus. It would be useful to have some experience of reporting products like Crystal. Experience level should be 2+ years of strong development. CVs please to hr@argolon.com
So in an attempt to prove myself wrong:
We need contract developers to work on some custom developments with us for a major US multinational based in Cork. Ideal candidates will be comfortable with SQL and Java (J2EE preferably) targetting either SQL Server or Oracle. Knowledge of Workflow products and their integration with legacy data sources would be a major plus. It would be useful to have some experience of reporting products like Crystal. Experience level should be 2+ years of strong development. CVs please to hr@argolon.com
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Oscar wins his category in Bandon Show
Oscar got best Handwriting Prize for Junior and Senior Infants for
all schools in Bandon and environs at the Bandon Summer Show! Next
year - best Aberdeen Angus impersonator.
all schools in Bandon and environs at the Bandon Summer Show! Next
year - best Aberdeen Angus impersonator.
Elephant No-Show Shocker at Bandon Show
Oisin O'Neill (3) of Old Chapel Bandon, registered his utter disgust this past Sunday over the non-appearence of elephants at the 2005 Bandon Summer Agricultural show. Proceedings have been served on Conor O'Neill (37), also of Old Chapel Bandon, for mis-leading advertising regarding the nature of the beasts which would appear at the show. Disappontment was also expressed over the lack of tigers.
On a positive note, none of the attending O'Neill family had ever seen bulls that large despite the elder family members having seen calves born in the farm across the road in Ratoath in 1972 at the age of 4. Luckily no awkward questions arose over the size of the tackle on display.
Highlights of the show were the aforementioned bulls and cows, some fabulous horses, a genuine 1960's Ford Mustang (drool) and some fine loking tractors.
Lowlights were the goddammed rain, the frankly disturbing Punch and Judy show done in an indecipherable accent, the candy floss and the fact that Mickey Joe Harte did appear.
A special mention must go to the winner of the best hay in it's category. We live and learn.
Late breaking news: Oscar O'Neill (nearly 6), got first prize in writing in the "nearly 6" category. Would have been nice to know it had been submitted in advance! We belive €10 may be winging his way today.
Nokia Crap-Cam pictures from the event:
Huuuuuuuge Cows Daddy (yes I know they are bulls/bullocks):
Candy Floss looks a lot better than it tastes, can I have an ice-cream:
On a positive note, none of the attending O'Neill family had ever seen bulls that large despite the elder family members having seen calves born in the farm across the road in Ratoath in 1972 at the age of 4. Luckily no awkward questions arose over the size of the tackle on display.
Highlights of the show were the aforementioned bulls and cows, some fabulous horses, a genuine 1960's Ford Mustang (drool) and some fine loking tractors.
Lowlights were the goddammed rain, the frankly disturbing Punch and Judy show done in an indecipherable accent, the candy floss and the fact that Mickey Joe Harte did appear.
A special mention must go to the winner of the best hay in it's category. We live and learn.
Late breaking news: Oscar O'Neill (nearly 6), got first prize in writing in the "nearly 6" category. Would have been nice to know it had been submitted in advance! We belive €10 may be winging his way today.
Nokia Crap-Cam pictures from the event:
Huuuuuuuge Cows Daddy (yes I know they are bulls/bullocks):
Candy Floss looks a lot better than it tastes, can I have an ice-cream:
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Gender Confirmed by computer
Just in case there was any doubt, The Gender Genie confirmed that I'm a bloke. Huge sighs of relief from my wife. Interesting wee tool actually (The Gender Genie, not me). I just cut n paste some blog entries and it gave 247 male vs 146 female.
We're off to the Bandon Show in an hour or so. The last time I was at anything like this I must have been in my mid-teens and my parents took me on the annual pilgrimage to The Spring Show in the RDS. I used enjoy it so I hope I haven't over-hyped this one to the squirts.
In keeping with the Eurovision theme of this weekend, Mickey Joe Harte is headlining the entertainment. Oh sorry, he's Micky Harte now - yeah, that's far more suave and sophisticated sounding.
Oisín will be gutted when he finds out that there are in fact no elephants at agricultural shows. But he's right - there should be.
We're off to the Bandon Show in an hour or so. The last time I was at anything like this I must have been in my mid-teens and my parents took me on the annual pilgrimage to The Spring Show in the RDS. I used enjoy it so I hope I haven't over-hyped this one to the squirts.
In keeping with the Eurovision theme of this weekend, Mickey Joe Harte is headlining the entertainment. Oh sorry, he's Micky Harte now - yeah, that's far more suave and sophisticated sounding.
Oisín will be gutted when he finds out that there are in fact no elephants at agricultural shows. But he's right - there should be.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Is that a bullseye painted on your back?
I can't help myself. I know they are world's easiest targets. Twenty Major had tears rolling down my face talking about what a pair of utter mingers they are.
But then I found the lyrics - dear god, is English even his first language? "Love can make you happy, love can make you cry"?
Coincidentally, I found this site which sings lyrics for you. So I entered the first verse. A massive improvement I think you'll agree. The result cudda made us a contenda!
http://www.sr.se/P1/src/sing/index.htm?key=5HU5OP13
I heard the sister half of the duo on The Ray D'Arcy show. From what red-neck, hick, cousin-marrying, squeal-like-a-pig hole did they crawl out of? She told Ray that she spent her time in Kiev trying to spot "all the gays". What age is she? 12? I was expecting Daffyd to suddenly make an appearance.
Next year can we just accept the Eurovision for what it is and send a drag-queen?
But then I found the lyrics - dear god, is English even his first language? "Love can make you happy, love can make you cry"?
Coincidentally, I found this site which sings lyrics for you. So I entered the first verse. A massive improvement I think you'll agree. The result cudda made us a contenda!
http://www.sr.se/P1/src/sing/index.htm?key=5HU5OP13
I heard the sister half of the duo on The Ray D'Arcy show. From what red-neck, hick, cousin-marrying, squeal-like-a-pig hole did they crawl out of? She told Ray that she spent her time in Kiev trying to spot "all the gays". What age is she? 12? I was expecting Daffyd to suddenly make an appearance.
Next year can we just accept the Eurovision for what it is and send a drag-queen?
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Has Flickr always been free?
I thought it was pay-only the last time I checked. Excellent, I now have a hosting site for any piccies I want to link to. Just looking through the features - bloody hell, I can see why people are raving about it. Can upload pictures via email, so I can send direct from my camera phone to Flickr. Can get it to automatically post the pictures to my blog, so straight from camera phone to blog. I think we'll be dumping the Canon Imagine site pretty soon for the Ixus photos if Flickr proves to be as good as it looks. I'd better check the upload limits I guess.
This wouldn't be Conor's blog without
Baby Announcements!!
We just found out that Maria and Maurice had a baby girl back on April 17th. Baby Ellen is an absolute cutie and either has dark red hair or bright red hair depending on whether you ask Claire or Ethna.
Oh, and the Pierce's finally named 3 of 9: Rianna Gail Pierce. That's a very cool name. I'd nick it only for the fact that our next one is a bloke. But then I did meet a bloke called Shelley last week.
Next up Kieran & Lou Walsh, followed by us.
We put Kartik (an American based in Sacramento) into shock when we were out for a pint last week in Framingham. He asked the three paddies at the table if they had kids. The count was Donagh 4, Denis 4, Conor 3 plus one on the way. And they say the Irish are having fewer babies.......
We just found out that Maria and Maurice had a baby girl back on April 17th. Baby Ellen is an absolute cutie and either has dark red hair or bright red hair depending on whether you ask Claire or Ethna.
Oh, and the Pierce's finally named 3 of 9: Rianna Gail Pierce. That's a very cool name. I'd nick it only for the fact that our next one is a bloke. But then I did meet a bloke called Shelley last week.
Next up Kieran & Lou Walsh, followed by us.
We put Kartik (an American based in Sacramento) into shock when we were out for a pint last week in Framingham. He asked the three paddies at the table if they had kids. The count was Donagh 4, Denis 4, Conor 3 plus one on the way. And they say the Irish are having fewer babies.......
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Recording Streaming Audio for later listening
I've been trying to figure out how to record streaming audio so I can listen to it later (and start/stop when I like). Actually it's specifically for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Quandary Phase. I didn't really enjoy the last radio series and the repeats of the TV series aren't that great either. But it became a technical challenge that I wanted to get to the bottom of. I finally cracked it today. Note that the solution below will not work behind some corporate firewalls but seems to work fine on my NATed setup on a Linksys Wireless Router at home.
Download MPlayer for Windows and all the codecs.
http://www2.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/win32-beta/MPlayer-mingw32-1.0pre7.zip
http://www2.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/windows-all-20050412.zip
Unzip MPlayer and unzip the codecs.Copy the unzipped codecs to the codecs sub-dir of the mplayer dir.
Open a command prompt in the Mplayer dir and type:
mplayer -dumpfile hitchhikers.ra -dumpstream rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/hitchhikers.ra
It streams in realtime so it'll take 30 mins to download.
Listen to ram file later at your leisure using realplayer (or the nifty stripped down, bloat-free Real Alternative)
Do that once a week to get each new episode.
Don't try this with VLC. I spent ages trying to get it to work before I realised it doesn't support realaudio!
Download MPlayer for Windows and all the codecs.
http://www2.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/win32-beta/MPlayer-mingw32-1.0pre7.zip
http://www2.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/codecs/windows-all-20050412.zip
Unzip MPlayer and unzip the codecs.Copy the unzipped codecs to the codecs sub-dir of the mplayer dir.
Open a command prompt in the Mplayer dir and type:
mplayer -dumpfile hitchhikers.ra -dumpstream rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/hitchhikers.ra
It streams in realtime so it'll take 30 mins to download.
Listen to ram file later at your leisure using realplayer (or the nifty stripped down, bloat-free Real Alternative)
Do that once a week to get each new episode.
Don't try this with VLC. I spent ages trying to get it to work before I realised it doesn't support realaudio!
Mock-Tudor Edwardian Georgian Castle with Irish Bar
Ah yes, those Sheraton folks in Massachusetts really know their architecture. Our hotel was only bettered by the one we drove under which straddled the Massachusetts Turnpike. I've always wanted a room with cars whizzing past 20 feet under my floor.
Shopping disaster - only had time for Toys R Us. Kids happy even if I'm still without a new keyboard and mouse.
On the other hand, we had some very successful meals. If you are ever in Framingham, check out "Legal Seafood" - great food, good buzz and grumpy waitresses; "are you finished with that or do you want to pick some more?" (that's an exact quote). Arturo's Italian was more downmarket but incredibly friendly and not bad food - better than 99.99% of Italian joints in Ireland. Having said that, my risotto is better. And finally "The Naked Fish" - another top class fish restaurant, really tasty food and impressive considering it seems to be a chain. How the hell did I not get a burger in the entire week?
Our "Summit" was a major success. It's nice to know that the work you do, beavering away in Cork, is actually appreciated coast to coast in the US. Came away with tons to do which is always a good sign. And a week after I first heard the phrase, someone else said: "we suck less". Amen brother.
Oh, and I gotta get me one of these for the Bandon-Ballincollig commute: Lincoln Navigator
Shopping disaster - only had time for Toys R Us. Kids happy even if I'm still without a new keyboard and mouse.
On the other hand, we had some very successful meals. If you are ever in Framingham, check out "Legal Seafood" - great food, good buzz and grumpy waitresses; "are you finished with that or do you want to pick some more?" (that's an exact quote). Arturo's Italian was more downmarket but incredibly friendly and not bad food - better than 99.99% of Italian joints in Ireland. Having said that, my risotto is better. And finally "The Naked Fish" - another top class fish restaurant, really tasty food and impressive considering it seems to be a chain. How the hell did I not get a burger in the entire week?
Our "Summit" was a major success. It's nice to know that the work you do, beavering away in Cork, is actually appreciated coast to coast in the US. Came away with tons to do which is always a good sign. And a week after I first heard the phrase, someone else said: "we suck less". Amen brother.
Oh, and I gotta get me one of these for the Bandon-Ballincollig commute: Lincoln Navigator
Monday, May 16, 2005
Greatest Failures in Engineering
Seems to be mainly focussed on Civil. Interesting enough tho
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=95907&page=1
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=95907&page=1
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Oh my god, they removed Kenny's feeding tube
Only if you are really, really bored.
Planearium
The title of the post is related to a recent episode of South Park which I cannot wait to see.
http://mediavillage.com/jmentr/2005/04/05/jmer-04-05-05/
Planearium
The title of the post is related to a recent episode of South Park which I cannot wait to see.
http://mediavillage.com/jmentr/2005/04/05/jmer-04-05-05/
Not an April Fool
From yesterday's ElectricNews:
----------------
Irish company Vordel, the XML web services security company, announced the appointment of German firm, SHE-IT as a reseller of its XML security software in the German marketplace. SHE-IT has a strong reputation for delivering security systems integration expertise to leading companies in the financial services, telecoms and industrial sectors in Germany, Vordel claimed.
-------------
Anyone else have an image in their head of a southern US good old boy stubbing his toe, spitting out some chewing tobacco and swearing "she-it", probably followed by "goddam".
ElectricNews.net:News:For the record 10 May
----------------
Irish company Vordel, the XML web services security company, announced the appointment of German firm, SHE-IT as a reseller of its XML security software in the German marketplace. SHE-IT has a strong reputation for delivering security systems integration expertise to leading companies in the financial services, telecoms and industrial sectors in Germany, Vordel claimed.
-------------
Anyone else have an image in their head of a southern US good old boy stubbing his toe, spitting out some chewing tobacco and swearing "she-it", probably followed by "goddam".
ElectricNews.net:News:For the record 10 May
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Why Dave Barry is God
From a 1992 Column in the Miami Herald Tribune:
----------------------
Speaking of true quotations, please repeat the statement that Sonda Ward of Nashville, Tenn., swears she heard made by a man expressing concern to a woman who had been unable to get a ride to a church function.
He said: ''Estelle, if I'd a knowed you'd a want to went, I'd a seed you'd a got to get to go.''
----------------------
Please un-retire Dave, please.
----------------------
Speaking of true quotations, please repeat the statement that Sonda Ward of Nashville, Tenn., swears she heard made by a man expressing concern to a woman who had been unable to get a ride to a church function.
He said: ''Estelle, if I'd a knowed you'd a want to went, I'd a seed you'd a got to get to go.''
----------------------
Please un-retire Dave, please.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Bawstan Bound
A week in Massachusetts from 9th-14th. Staying in Framingham, working in Hopkinton. I was in Boston once in 1996 whilst I was working in Silicon Valley and I met up with Catherine there. Great place. Felt small even tho it wasn't. Brass Monkey weather in November. Looks like it isn't too cold there now. I've already Google Mapped my way from the hotel to CompUSA, Toys R Us, Best Buy and Baby Gap. A couple of forays to Walgreens and maybe a sports store and I'll be sated for another six months.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Loo Blog
Saw a funny cartoon in The New Yorker (courtesy of sis Fiona) yesterday about guy sitting in traffic, blogging his utterly banal whinges in real-time. Today, I read that Google have launched Blogging from your Mobile Phone. US only for now but hopefully I'll be able to blog my musing from the lav some day soon.
Tim Nice But Dim
Well it was obvious since Paul was fired but what a disappointment. Tim has not excelled once in the entire series of The Apprentice. Can you think of one thing he did where you went "wow"? The series for me consists of some great scenes involving Paul, James and Saira.
But maybe that's what Sugar wants - an average MOR guy who won't challenge him and will do what he is told. However that is not the sort of manager who replaces you when you retire. But I guess Sugar Jr will get that job.
I've noticed that with strong leaders I've worked with over the years. The sort of people they hate are people exactly like themselves. Fatal flaw.
Roll on Series 2. Hopefully they'll find some women who have a clue and spend more than a fiver getting their hair coloured every month. Meow.
But maybe that's what Sugar wants - an average MOR guy who won't challenge him and will do what he is told. However that is not the sort of manager who replaces you when you retire. But I guess Sugar Jr will get that job.
I've noticed that with strong leaders I've worked with over the years. The sort of people they hate are people exactly like themselves. Fatal flaw.
Roll on Series 2. Hopefully they'll find some women who have a clue and spend more than a fiver getting their hair coloured every month. Meow.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Potential - Not everyone gets to be an Astronaut when they grow up
I'll be reading this site all day.
Consulting - if you're not a part of the solution, there is good money to be made in prolonging the problem.
Despair Inc.
Consulting - if you're not a part of the solution, there is good money to be made in prolonging the problem.
Despair Inc.
Nice Car Mate
That Vauxhall Astra ad is an absolute stonker. I love it. Catches the concept of a petrol-head perfectly.
Oisín, my 3 year old, is already well on the road to being a car nut. But somethimes it's just spooky. We were stuck in a traffic jam in Killeagh on Sunday and were stopped beside a new Bangle-era BMW 5-Series. Oisín looks out his window and says "that's the same as grandad's car". How the hell could he suss that with only the side profile in view when his grandad drives an old-model 7-Series? Then he goes "the wheels are the same". Holy crap, I love cars but I never notice the bleedin wheels. Oh I think we may have a future Schumacher on our hands (preferable to a future Irvine anyway).
This is the same child who shamed me at my latest niece's christening on Saturday. We are sitting not-quietly in the church waiting for the gig to start and someone hands Oisín a missal. He "reads" it for a moment, looks at me and says "I'll have burgers, chips and ketchup please". Yes, we are a very religious family.........
Oisín, my 3 year old, is already well on the road to being a car nut. But somethimes it's just spooky. We were stuck in a traffic jam in Killeagh on Sunday and were stopped beside a new Bangle-era BMW 5-Series. Oisín looks out his window and says "that's the same as grandad's car". How the hell could he suss that with only the side profile in view when his grandad drives an old-model 7-Series? Then he goes "the wheels are the same". Holy crap, I love cars but I never notice the bleedin wheels. Oh I think we may have a future Schumacher on our hands (preferable to a future Irvine anyway).
This is the same child who shamed me at my latest niece's christening on Saturday. We are sitting not-quietly in the church waiting for the gig to start and someone hands Oisín a missal. He "reads" it for a moment, looks at me and says "I'll have burgers, chips and ketchup please". Yes, we are a very religious family.........
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