Michael's Meanderings

So I got another call from my Mum last night, a new router had been just bought and some of the IT kit wasn't working could I come over and sort it out. So she came over this morning and I've sorted stuff out more or less.

Since I was last here....
I've been watching more TV than previously (and re-reading quite a lot) in particular the Sarah Jane Adventures and Strictly Come Dancing. A rather odd pairing, but they cover two of my favourite things (science fiction and dance/theatre). I've also been listening to podcasts and a few audio books (on my iPod) I recently finished "Citizen of the Galaxy" by Robert Heinlein, and I've just started "Matter" by Iain Banks (this was a freebie from the guardian). Most of the audio books I've bought previously, have been ones I've got hard copies of. This is the first time where the audio book is the virgin read. I've just bought "Cryoburn" by Lois McMaster Bujold from Audible.com very soon after the hardback was released. Which means (apart from "The Spirit Ring") all her stories are now available in audio format.

I had a meeting with a impartial consultant (set up via jobseekers) basiclly an hour discussion of how I felt and where I want to progress in the job market. It was actually very helpful, but might have been more helpful if it had occurred earlier.

Last Thursday was my medical day... In the morning I got my flu jab then in the afternoon I got a temp filling, and an appointment for a permanant one, which will be fairly costly! (£100) so I don't think I'll be able to get to Novacon after all ;-(

One of the problems of not working is that I don't bother to go out of the house unless I have to. So on Wednesday I decided to get out and went to the Cinema for the first time in months. I was able to wear my new long distance glasses. Bought ticket for "Despicable Me" and discovered that due to half term, ticket prices were reduced, to I also got a ticket for "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole" both animated features, but the former was a super hero movie, from the villain's point of view, redeemed by [spoilers!]. The latter was almost live action quality and was basically Lord of the Rings (looks) married to Star Wars (plot) with owls!

Last Wednesday, was the last in the month, and so was the night for Science Museum Lates. This time it was celebrating the science of genius.

Arrived at 6pm after getting a 6" sub for dinner. After 50 minutes waiting went straight it.

Renewed my Plus+ membership, which got me a free drink (I had a bottle of Mangers cider usually £3) and this also gives me access to the IMAX and exhibitions for free. It also gives advanced access to the workshops and talks, at the smlates without queueing.

The first thing I went to, and the best thing of the evening, was a demo of The Babbage Difference Engine No 2. The noise was awsome, and even the printer was Babbage's design.

The next talk was about the history of IQ testing, with example of physical tests, some from decades ago, to the most recent.

TruFact the first testing of intellegence, with statistical analysis, occured at the site of the Science Museum over 100 years ago!

I then checked out the Tenori-On demo a rather strange electronic musical instrument. (there are iPhone apps that simulate this behaviour).

And the final item was The Guardian's Science Weekly podcast Live! With A twitter feed broadcast behind the participants. It over ran til just after 10pm so we has to be escorted out, as the event had already closed! Oh yes I met someone fom the ZZ9 fan club!

Over the Bank Holiday weekend I upgraded my PC operating system to Linux Mint 9, which is the third version I've had installed, which means that I've been running Linux now for over six months, possibly even a year.

Mum phoned to let me know she'd just got back from Spain, having once again put out her hip and having to spend most of her time in hospital. fortunately she was at church when it happend so there were a lot of people to rally round and help. (It was almost exactly a year ago that a similar problem with her hip put her in hospital, in Spain.)

On Sky1 there was an excellent two part adaption of Going Postal by Terry Pratchett. Charles Dance as Vetinari was chillingly perfect, though I'd not previously imagine the patrician as a blonde. The Clacks were just wonderful, as was the smoking gnu!

I used my slow cooker to make rice pudding, the first use since I got the replacement pot (rice pudding was the first thing I'd cooked previously too). I also made some bread. I really must get back into the habit of bread making, there is nothing like fresh bread and butter.

And then back to work today!