New "Earbud" style headphones on the way

I have decided to treat myself to a new pair of headphones for my Archos MP3/FM Jukebox recorder (now obsolete unfortunately).

My current phones (Sony MDR-EX71SL) have served me well for a couple of years now, but I am looking for a pair with better noise issolation, and better quality drivers, to that end I have chosen the Etymotic ER-gi (white) from Widget.com

As they are white, people may be fooled into thinking that I am cool and trendy and have an overpriced, underperforming, battery guzzling player from apple... NO! been there, done that, bought the iPod, sold the iPod, bought an Archos, installed Rockbox

Once Rockbox is available for the iRiver, I may be tempted to change the player to a H140, or even a H340... Not just yet tho'

W.Blogger version 4 is now available

fed up with logging into the dasboard every time you want to update your blog....? You should get yourself a copy of w.Blogger, it's now at Version 4 and best of all - It's Free!!

Sod's Law

Just typical... 1 month before collecting the new car, we have a problem with the megane. OK not a huge problem, but I really don't want to be spending any more than I have to on it at the moment.

One of the kids got out the back and managed to shut the seatbelt clasp in the door, unfortunately, it contacted directly with the rear door switch - smashed it and pushed it in. I have had a look, and it seems simple enough to change, I just have to go to the dealers and buy a new one, hope they have it in stock, and that it isn't too expensive.

A Very Annoying Thing

http://www.turboforce3d.com/annoying/index.htm

40 years ago today

The death of Sir Winston Churchill aged 90 years.

This must rank high up there for the title of "My oldest Memory", I was only 3 years old, had no real idea who Churchill was, but still remebre this being a major event.

The Official Formula ONE website

http://www.formula1.com/

does a really good job of explaining the various technical changes etc being made for the new season.

Going to give CSS another go...

Some time ago, I attempted to rebuild my website using Cascading Style Sheets, and it really did not go well.. the difficulties of making it work with IE's limited support for the W3C Standards just caused to to scream and shake uncontrollably!

I have now decided, since I now use Firefox as my main browser, to have another go. This time there are two major differences...
1) Firefox is allegedly much better at following the standards, so it should be easier
2) I now also have the .com version of my domain

The plan is to modify the Redbreva.com site to be a HTML 4, CSS2 based site, leaving Redbreva.co.uk as an HTML 3 Table based layout

I have also downloaded a series of training courses from WestCiv in an effort to better understand what I am attempting to do, and why. I chose the Gold Package at $70 (£45.48 thanks to VAT!!) which starts you again from basic HTML, with the emphasis on separating Structure from Presentation, moving thro' CSS Level 1 support, before finally introducing CSS Level 2 support.

I expect it to take a few weeks to work throught the courses, so I am not planning on making any major changes to my site much before March... I will however keep you posted!

January 24th - The 'Bleakest' day of the year?

According to the BBC, a researcher at Cardiff University, Monday, 24 January will mark a zenith of misery for the country as semi-sucicidal Brits descend into a black mire of depression and despair...!

personally, I have found it to be quiet a good day... I have been to the dentist and had an impression taken of my mouth (Not fun, but it least it didn't take long), and then as the weather was lovely and sunny (bloody cold mind!) I took a walk up to the top of the Clent Hills. This gave me a good opportunity to play with the new camera

OK, not the greatest photo's in the world - I never said I was good - but I have 10 new Wallpaper pictures :)

It was FA Cup replay night...

Thankfully ManU played much better than on the 8th and ended up 2-0 winners.

The game was not without it's moments of excitment, and exeter held United for long periods, and even had a couple of decent attempts at goal, but in the end :-Class shows

Success on E-Bay

I have sold both "The DaVinci Code" (£31.50) and "Shrek 2" (£13), So I am happy.
I am, however, especially pleased with the Audio Book - that made a PROFIT of £11

I am waiting for two other Dan Brown audio books to be delivered, both of which are the longer 13/15 disc versions - I am hoping that selling thos recovers costs equally well...

Strange thought...
Buy the books on e-bay, rip to MP3, listen to on Walkman, delete files (2 GB is too much to keep!), sell on e-bay, make a (small) profit or at least break even. Result, Free access to the audio book, all completely legal
Download mp3 files from web, listen, delete. Result, Free access to audio book, but completely illegal

And some more in November / December

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
(Nov. 18)

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
(Dec. 9)

KING KONG
(Dec. 14)

Must plan some "Cinema" weekends in May and June...

THE HITCHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
(May 6)

STAR WARS: EPISODE III — REVENGE OF THE SITH
(May 19)

WAR OF THE WORLDS
(June 29)

Selling on E-Bay for a change

I am selling my 13 disc Audio Book of "The Da Vinci Code" on E-Bay... It only cost £12 + P&P from the states, so I am hoping to at least get my money back...

I have also put a spare copy of Shrek 2 for the XBOX on there... Silly santa managed to leave 2 copies here - with no recipts!! Ah well, doubt I will get much back for it - but you have to try,,,

Read books online!

http://www.fictionbook.ru have a lot of e-book (including the 4 Dan Brown - Dyen Braun - books) that can be accessed for FREE and read online.

Wow! A new album by a modern group that's actually good!

I have just been listening to "Franz Ferdinand" by Franz Ferdinand, it is amazingly good... Excellent Guitars & Drums, Vocals that can actually be heard and understood, Lyrics that make sence, deleivered by a good singer, and no bad language!! Why the heck are these guys successfull?

Go out and buy the album now! (Or get on line... iTunes, AllofMP3.com etc :D )

Comments are enabled

Just got around to checking out the options on the Blogger site again - have not looked since I set it up many months ago - and realised I can enable comments...

So I did...

It's FA Cup Day...

Today is the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

For Premier league teams it's the start of a potential season saving cup run, and a ticket to European ccompetition next season. For the lower division and non league teams left in, it's an opportunity to play against the big boys, have their day of glory in the sporting press, dream of giant killing and make some much needed cash!

Exeter City have drawn the tie of the round - they are travelling to Old Trafford today to take on Manchester United.

I have my ticket and will be there this afternoon hoping to see a resolute thrashing by Man Utd, prefereably by 5 or 6 goals! My worry is that Exeter will play out of their skin, frustrate united for 80+ minutes and seak a lucky goal in the final minutes!

Ah well... only time will tell - COME ON UNITED!!!

Update
I was close... it was a frustrating 90 mins for United's 2nd string team finishing 0-0... A replay at Exeter's ground in 10 days has now been added to the fixture list. I hope they play their strongest team this time, and take no chances!!

A New fave author

I am currently half way thro' "Deception Point" by Dan Brown, and as soon as I catch up on e-mails, I will be back reading... It's the forth (and latest) of his books that I hav read, and I have not been disapointed with any of them.

In case the name sound familiar but you just can't place it - Dan Brown is the guy who wrote "The DaVinci Code"

This one, is based more in the American Political scene in the run up to a presidential election, and the number of plot twists is amazing. If you have not read it yet - Go out and buy a copy today! My only disapointment is that by the end of this weekend I will have read all his books.... No new ones to read!

I have just won an e-bay auction for the audio book of "Angels and Demons". This is the full 15 CD (19 hours) unabridged version, and it has cost me £25.50 with international shipping.

Barry - An Apology

Sorry mate, when I said your blog was as boring as mine, I did not mean to cause any offence...!

As you pointed out, your's is far more boring than mine!

Anti Spyware solution from Microsoft

Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

Download the Beta version (For Free) here...

"Egg-Box" addict....

Ever since I started to play "Burnout 3" on the "Egg-Box" I have been hooked... be warned!

Even Barry is 'At it' now

My mate Barry has decided to start a blog for the new year, it's just as boring as mine (no offence mate!) but have a look-see any way at http://barrysweblog.blogspot.com/