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Lies, damn lies and politics

I myself for one never bought into the "buying our way out of a recession". Like most sensible, sense and middle class people; when times get tough, I cut back on my own spending. I do not think, much as the government was encouraging, hmm...I have no money, I know what I'll do, let's go out and spend more money I dont have. And whilst I understand this, I can also see the government's perspective to keep spending at the start of the recession. When times get difficult and general public spending stops all that is left is the government.

2010: The Year in Review

You join me today from on-board a train. In one of the few ways that these days still surprise me, both as a technology fan and as a man that finds himself ever increasingly disappointed by the British mentality of "that'll do".

The country currently seems to be run with a "that'll do" mentality. Rather than creating a long term solution or at least a slightly future proofed system, the country as a whole seems to be settling for a half arsed solution now, and may again in 6 months when it all goes wrong and breaks.

UEA efficiency

Once again this week I've been graced with some wonderful email from UEA's very own Postgraduate Research Office. These are the people that ultimately will decide whether the university shall award my PhD. No pressure then.

Dear Morgan I note that you were enrolled on the PPD course "How to write a thesis" (SCI3RE1Y) on 16 December 2010 and did not attend.

Could you please clarify the reason for your non- attendance.

Best Wishes

Anne

Anne Other

Clerical Assistant

Packaging, packaging everywhere, but not a drop to drink

Now dont get me wrong I love the people behind play.com; for many years now they have serviced me with cheap CDs, DVDs and in more recent times blu-rays.Â All with the wonderfulness that is free postage, which allows for some genuinely brilliant deals from time to time. However, I do have to question their packaging and dispatch department. Observe:

Intro to computing methods seminar

As part of the Government's endless bureaucracy it was decided that PhD students just arent skilled enough for the world. So, as a result of a certain Mr Roberts I am required to jump through even more hoops in the way of a selection of transferable skills seminars. As I have a GNVQ, A level and years of hands-on computing experience I thought a seminar on computing methods would be an easy hoop.

Progress Report

I'm aware that I haven't been blogging in the last week or two and well I guess it comes down to one rather obvious reason; that being I don't feel like much is actually happening in my life at present. Now don't be going feeling sorry for me just yet, I'm not exactly unhappy with the situation, it's just a case of realisation. I don't feel terribly motivated to do much at the moment but then it could also be argued why should I?

Copenhagen: who do we believe?

Snow blindness

Well upon Friday night despite the snow in these parts I journeyed back to the remote parts of Norfolk. This resulted in a good local curry and a pint or two down the pub. But the real pain came on Saturday. As part of my mother's madness and desire for as long as possible holiday, it was decided that we shall pick up her mother in a day.

Christmas Eve

Well I'm very very happy to see that Rage Against The Machine won the Christmas number 1, with a '92 classic. Better yet to thank the UK public, RATM have announced that they shall reform for a one off free gig (or as free as they can make it) which to add insult to injury they've invited Simon Cowell to host. Tom Morello went on to say on nme

Christmas: the aftermath

Christmas in the Bye family house was and always is a quiet affair, and this year was no exception. My brother decided to grace us with his presence at 11 after he promised that he'd be home before we awoke. Not that it mattered cos his was the only present exchanged this year in this house (a laptop).

So after the present and then Christmas lunch, again a traditional affair with turkey and overexuberance in the form of sherry and champagne, there was the inevitable desserts that no one really wanted but still were terribly tasty.