festive felicitations

Hey all!

I hope everyone had a fun Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa period and are looking forward to a prosperous New Year.

As an aside, my official Ubuntu cds arrived in the post yesterday, so I have 4 going spare. If you wish to avail yourself of one, just holler and I'll send it to you! I will even waive the P&P charge (it is Christmas after all!)

Timmy "Have a magic 2006" Magic

ubuntu linux

I have recently made the move from Windows ME to Ubuntu Linux Breezy Badger and thought I would post to let you know how I am getting on.
(Ubuntu is a South African concept of humanity towards others)

For a start, Linux uses the resources available on the machine much more effectively. During installation it asks what you intend to use the computer for, and only installs the required software (eg network software, graphics programs and music players as per your needs). It makes use of some of the best free software on the market, including the cross-platform web browser, Firefox, which I use on my desktop in addtion to on my laptop and the GIMP, one of the best graphics programs around. Another great bit of software is OpenOffice.org which offers compatability for the entire MS Office suite as well as Adobe PDF support.

What is best of all is the fact that all of this is free. Linux advocates open source software, that is to say, the source code is freely available to be tweaked and changed to suit your requirements. As a result of this, even getting the CDs to install the operating system are free. To save on postage costs, and to widen the Linux usage, Ubuntu's Shipit system offer free postage of CDs, which are distributed as minimum orders of 5 discs. Do let me know if you want one - I have 4 going spare when they arrive.

The system requirements for the full installation are very low by today's standards, requiring only 128 megabytes of RAM & 2 gigabytes of hard drive space for desktop installation and 64 megabytes of RAM and 500 megabytes of hard drive space for server installation.

So if you are looking to broaden your computing horizons, or have a unused and antiquated PC lying around, Linux, and Ubuntu, might be the way to go!

Timmy "Blogging from Ubuntu" Magic

translations via MM

Further to the comments made the other day about playing a Dekan Jones piece at Expressions, there is soon to be a concert at Wembley by the famous pop group, "Nehmen sie", supported by the French group, "Prenez qui"

Timmy "Take What?" Magic

the chronicles of narnia

The time has arrived - the first film of the Narnia series, but as I said of the Lord of the Rings series, I won't see the film until I have read the books. This time round, however, I have started to read the series (actually I have finished the first book, 'The Magician's Nephew') and am really enjoying it. It is well worth a read.

Official Film Site

IMDB Site

Timmy "The Magician" Magic

bbc blogging

If you got the chance to see "Have I Got News For You?" this week, you will have seen the BBC's political editor and Andrew Marr's replacement, Nick Robinson. Nick Robinson has a blog, the BBC's first, on which he comments on the current UK and world political climate as well as his episode of HIGNFY and his debut as a Queen musician.

Here is the link to his blog, with his latest post talking of Charles Kennedy and his leadership issues with the Liberal Democrats.

Timmy "has a blog" Magic

lack of pictures

Thankfully I now have new hosting and a new URL - which means the pictures and other files will soon be speeding back when I get round to changing ALL the links to suit the new arrangements.

Also, the site can now be accessed through www.magicmusings.co.uk

Timmy "magicmusings.co.uk" Magic

magic - 6 weeks on

It has been about 6 weeks since I last posted, and my web hosting is still being stupid!

Having said this, lots of things have been happening!

* The Conservatives are looking for a new leader
* George Bush is President during the Gulf War
* Take That are popular

Hang on... are we still in 2005 or have we warped back to the early 90's?

For those of you who are out of the loop, I have stopped working too many hours at the Rink, and now work in R&D at THQ.

I have also passed my interview and medical for the Metropolitan Police. I am hoping to start as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in the New Year. I will, of course, keep you updated with the progress of my training and job.

Over and out!

Timmy "PCSO" Magic

tim's sunday

While sitting on the train this mornming, I decided that I would take photos throughout the day. I got about 15 of the train journeys to and from the Rink, and while we were at the Hog's Head for Dave's 21st birthday.

Having said this, my hosting is still down, so I will link the pictures into the post later on, or maybe even find a new hosting company.

(Any suggestions would be welcome)

Timmy "Discovered the monochrome setting on his camera" Magic

expressions 2005 - the day after the night before

Yesterday evening was Expressions 2005.
It was good!

Guest soloists for the evening were Philip Cobb (cornet/trumpet) and Nick Hanover (vocal) and they were both great. Both offered a variety of pieces, including show tunes, jazz, swing and classic hymns.

Regent Hall Band accompanied both soloists in their pieces, and played Dean Jones's "Soulsa", "Let There Be Praise" and their main piece for the evening, "Credo" by Lorne Barry

Brett Baker's website says this about the piece:

'‘Credo’ (Lorne Barry) was introduced in the UK at the 2003 Territorial Music School, and had an immediate impact. The strength of melody and scope of colour make it a very satisfying piece, for performer and listener'

While World of Brass says:

'Credo, by Lorne Barry, introduces some interesting sounds on its spiritual journey. The old gospel song "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" is the main thematic basis of the work and the ending leaves the listener in no doubt that one’s trust can be place in Jesus.'

The piece itself contains a couple of tunes, thought they are not immediately recognisable. The main theme is a song which is no longer (or may never have been) included in the Salvation Army Song Book.

As far as I could judge the reactions, it was well received and one audience member suggested it was the best of the 'Expressions' that they had been to.

From a personal point of view, my playing went well, and I coped with all my tough glockenspiel solos!

Timmy "Wounded setting up for Expressions" Magic

video playing ipod

As expected, Steve Jobs of Apple today revealed the new iPod, capable of video playback. From next week, the new, thinner, video enabled iPods will be available in the US, while no dates were given for a European release.

Also announced was a new and more powerful desktop, the iMac G5, which will be shipped with software named Front Row. This will allow use in a similar fashion to Windows Media Centre PC's.

For more in-depth information, check out these links

Apple

BBC News article on the new iPod

Think Secret - Mac Insider News

Engadget

Wired News

Timmy "It's called iTunes" Magic

bbc licence fee prices

While I was browsing the BBC News website, as I often do of an afternoon, I came across this article:-

BBC Licence fee changes

The BBC are hoping to increase the price of the TV licence by 2.3% above inflation, a rise of £3.14 per annum until 2013.

It did set me thinking though. Why should I pay my licence fee?

We have, no doubt, all seen the adverts that the BBC put out at prime time encouraging people to avoid a £1000 fine buy spending £126.50 on a TV Licence. So why this tax on TV watching?

As a loyal Sky customer (my subscription was a Christmas present in 1996), I already pay enough for my TV watching habits. I was pleased that terrestrial TV lost the rights to the Test cricket, and that Champions League football is shown almost exclusively on Sky. That way I am guaranteed to see my favourite sports without excessive corporate sponsorship and advert breaks.

So my money is not being spent on popular live sports, and the BBC rarely show expensive Hollywood films, so where is it going? Does the BBC really need £126 from the 2-3 million households in the UK to maintain their website? (Incidentally the biggest in the world.)

In an age of alternatives, where the BBC is not the only thing on, is a licence fee necessary and relevant? By refusing to use a car, one pays no fuel tax. By refusing to smoke, the consumer pays no cigarette tax. Yet even if I were to tune my TV permanently away from the BBC, I would still be subject to a licence fee.

Timmy "Not watching the Snooker" Magic

expressions 2005

It's that time of year again, Expressions is nearly upon us.

If anybody is at a loose end (or even if you aren't) on Thursday evening at 7.45 pm, then Regent Hall Band and Songsters, together with soloists Philip Cobb and Nick Hanover, will be live in concert at the Rink.

Tickets are a measly £6 and will be available on the door.

Text or email me if you want more information!

Timmy "express yourself" Magic

cultural london

Last weekend I decided I was going to embark on a weekend of culture in London, to see if it can be done by someone who is not a tourist and generally takes the opportunities for granted.

After a fairly lazy Saturday morning, I made the toss up between the Tate Britain at Millbank and the Tate Modern at Bankside (which oddly enough is on the opposite side of the river to the Bank of England.) The fates decided in the coin throw that I would journey to the Tate Modern. This however turned out not to be quite the experience I was hoping for.
I was looking forward to seeing the Frida Kahlo exhibition, but decided not to spend £10 of my hard earned money on it and the queue was massive.
Apart from a couple of pieces and a few artists I had heard of, it was generally rubbish by people who could be anybody as far as I am concerned. There was a pretty cool Jackson Pollock,



a passable Damien Hirst



and a nice video project of rotting fruit by someone I can't remember.

After Army on Sunday, I went with some other people from the corps to the Royal Albert Hall, where Wynton Marsalis was playing his newest commission, All Rise, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and the London Adventist Chorale, all conducted by Kurt Masur. Principally I was disappointed because I was expecting Blue to be performing.

The other reason that I was a bit disappointed was because it was weird. The fusion between jazz and classical music is one that Wynton Marsalis himself has mastered, having a successful career in both markets, but didn't quite work in this piece.

The programme notes state that the work is in 12 movements, mirroring the 12 bar blues. I found that to be a few to many, and could have coped better with 8 movements. While the orchestral parts were excellently written, they didn't quite mix with the jazz sections. While the classical influences were noticeable, such as Stravinsky in faster sections and Gustav Mahler in the slower sections, it seemed to me that Marsalis, like the rest of his family, suits the jazz scene better.

Thankfully the jazz sections werephenomenall, taking in music from across the spectrum, encompassing New Orleans jazz, ragtime, salsa and samba. This, along with the encore of Embraceable You in Marsalis' inimitable style proved to be the saving grace of what would otherwise be an uninspiring evening.

Timmy "Glad I only paid £4 for the ticket" Magic

feeling (royal) flush? - the poker sensation

Poker. It conjures up some images doesn't it? Smoky bar back-rooms in 1920's Chicago? Sending the Mafia boys round to collect unpaid debts? Today's images of poker are different.

Aged around 8, I joined a new class at school. Thoroughly by chance I came to sit next to a boy named Leyton. Over the next few weeks, I became friends with Leyton.

Then one rainy day, Leyton showed me a new game his parents were playing. It was called 'Poker'.

Flash forward to early 2004, a communal kitchen in Camden, around 2300.

Sitting at the kitchen table are 5 young men and 2 young ladies. Standing behind them is myself, wondering why I was familiar with the basic concept of poker.

The stakes are not particularly high, with a buy in of £1. Still, this situation is one that was repeated numerous times over the following months. In fact, post-band and songsters, the residents of the ground floor of Dennis Holland Lodge would gather to share drinks and a quick few hands of 5 card stud.

So what has caused this resurgencee in gambling?

How has it come about that a 32 year old IT consultant from Surrey can be the new poker legend? Everywhere you look nowadays poker is in your face. On tube trains, billboards, in newspapers and on TV there are adverts aplenty for online casinos, offering higher and better rates of return than the others. One company, vcpoker.com, uses average run of the mill people to advertise.

Poker high roller Nick "The Greek" Dandalos claims that the next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing. Then again, he is successful. So are people in it to get rich or for the fun of the game? I suspect the former.

Modern day poker, much like the rest of the internet, allows people to fool others perceptions. If a 57 year old builder from Stoke wants to be a rich and successful property developer from the Docklands, he can be. Online poker makes players faceless and nameless. You can be anyone you want to be.

So is poker the new Pokemon? Or will it fade to relative insignificance like so many fads before it?

Timmy "Three of a kind" Magic

giants fall to padres

It is with great sadness that I report the loss of the San Francisco Giants' chance of winning the National League West Division after a 9-1 defeat to the San Diego Padres. The Giants trail the Padres by 5 games with only 4 games left.

After a good start to the series, with a 3-2 win, the Giants lost 9-6 on Tuesday, despite Barry Bonds hitting career home run no. 708.

A final game against the Padres this evening ends the 4 game series, before a 3 game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks ties up the season.

Roll on the post-season and the World Series, where hopefully the other California teams, the LA Angels and the Padres will prosper!

Timmy "No career homers" Magic

tim's hosting

Due to an exceedingly rude bit of hacking, my hosting service has gone down indefinitely. The result of this is that there are now no pictures on the site at all. Thankfully I have everything backed up, and it will hopefully return soon.

Tim

i'm alive!

Contrary to what some of you may believe, I am still alive. I have had a really busy few weeks with mucho banter going on.

For those who haven't heard, my profile is currently wrong, as I am no longer a lazy, tax dodging student. I have entered the world of not-quite-so-lazy, tax dodging employment. Having dropped out of UCL I am looking for a job (offers glady received, preferably lots of money for minimal effort), so am in the midst of applications aplenty.

Hopefully I'll be back in action on Thursday afternoon to impart some of my famed wisdom (?) to you all!

TTFN

Timbob

maynard ferguson - living legend

Last Wednesday night/Thursday morning, I was able to do something I had been looking forward to for months. I went to Ronnie Scott's to see the legendary Maynard Ferguson.

In my humble opinion, words cannot sum up what an experience it was! (Not sure why I am bloggin about it then!) To experince the man and his work is the only way to get the true representation of his skills.

Before the warm up act, we were enjoying drinks when there was a kick to my chair, and on the end of the foot kicking the chair was the man himself, Maynard! Exciting, eh?

After drinks and the warm up act, The Christian Brewer Quartet, Maynard and his Big Bop Nouveau came on stage to rapturous applause and cheering, and started with the same tune he has been using since the 60's (or so I've heard!)

He obviously hit lots of screamy notes but the highlight of the set was the baritone sax player/flautist/scat singer Denis DiBlasio, who has been with the band since the early days, and write arrangements for the band. He can do things to a flute you would never think possible.

Having heard the MF Hit Medley live I can die happy!

Ask me for a listen next time you see me with my iPod!

Timmy "I could play notes like that but I don't want to" Magic

i am tim jones

As the more observant people may have noticed, I am Tim Jones.



See!

But so is this man



Tim Jones the Professor and Head of Theoretical Physics

and this man



Tim Jones the writer, editor, Web administrator, husband, father, political activist, and lover of cricket, music, and many other fine things

and this man too...



Tim Jones 'Stunt Astronomer'

and this one



Tim Jones the Songwriter

and this man here



Tim Jones the Software Developer

and another professor



Tim Jones the STS/Sumitomo Professor of Electronic Materials

and a former Pittsburgh Pirates player, Tim Jones.

Or the visual effects artist from Alien vs. Predator Tim Jones

This one is a comedian



Tim Jones the Funny Man

or how about



Tim Jones the 2000 Builder of the Year

or



Tim Jones the Senior Veterinary Investigation Officer at the Veterinary Laboratory Agency Langford which is now part of DEFRA



or research assistant Tim Jones.

Here is another Baseball player



oddly enough, named Tim Jones.

Here comes another one,



Tim Jones the Music lecturer at Exeter University

And yet another baseball player, who made his debut on my 3rd birthday in 1988, Tim Jones

So there we have it, I have a pretty common name!

Tim Jones

© all images are copyright of their respective owners

london terror

Here I am, safe and well at home, blogging in the midst of the 2nd London terror attacks in as many weeks. Seven days ago the country was remebering theose lost fourteen days ago. Fourteen days ago the country was reacting to the news that our country was under attack.

The solidarity shown throughout the world has been unbelievable, with Prime Minister Blair stating that the siuation is lamentable, and that terrorism will not stop daily life in the city.

Despite the competition currently taking place between Australia and England in St John's Wood, Australia and their PM, John Howard, have pledged their unfailing support in the war on terror.

i left my hat in san francisco!

Yo! If you have noticed the lack of activity on los blog on the past couple of weeks, I have a good reason. I have been in, among other places, San Francisco.

On Tuesday 28th, I flew with my parents to San Francisco for a few days work and a few more days holiday. Mum and Dad received an invitation from a fellow ICO colleague of Mum's, now DC in the Golden State division, to go and do the Divisional Family Camp.

After the 10 hour flight, we arrived to beautiful sunshine and a short drive to the house we would be staying at. After a quick rest, we met up with some of the other officers in the division and had a nice Italian meal.

Wednesday was our first proper day in SF and we took a quick tour of the city, seeing Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard St ("the crookedest street in the city"), Ghiradelli Square (home of a fab ice cream and chocolate shop) and various other landmarks. We did go for a quick walk on the Golden Gate Bridge, but it was so foggy that we couldn't see it. We continued not to see it throughout our stay and are thus convinced that it doesn't actually exist.

Thursday was the day that we set off to Camp Redwood Glen to prepare for the weekend. We stayed at the DC's other house, which is assigned specifically as the DC's. It was on this Thursday that I encountered two firsts. It was the first time I had ever eaten Mexican food. Mexican is nice, and I thoroughly recommend it. It was also the first time I had ever seen a black widow spider. In case you weren't sure, the black widow is one of the most venomous spiders in America, and although not enough venom is injected to kill a grown human, it will certainly hospitalize you for a few days.

I will hopefully return on Tuesday to recount the rest of the week's tales.

Tim

good old aussies... wrong as usual

I took this article from a UK cricket website, though it originally came from The Daily Telegraph (Aussie version):-

Gloating before battle starts
By Ray Chesterton
June 22, 2005

ONCE the sun never set on the British empire.



Now it rarely shines on a home-grown Briton. At least in most of their sporting teams.

Ah, the joy of sport in England.

Wandering over to Lord's to watch a one-dayer between Australia and a United Nations side masquerading as England.

Listening to the historic ground resonate with great names such as Tony Greig, Allan Lamb, Robin Smith, Andy Caddick and Graham Hick.

All Africans, except Caddick who was a Kiwi but don't quibble.

And don't forget Geraint Jones, England's current wicketkeeper, was raised in Queensland.

After the one-dayer, let's go to Wimbledon when well-known Pom, Sir Cliff Richard (born in India), will lead the cheering for another popular Pom, Greg Rusedski (born in Canada).

Ah, Mother England.

Who knew you spread your favours so wide?

Driven by sheer snivelling, embarrassment and decades of being an international sporting joke, the desperate Brits have become Check Point Charlie in world sport.

They process foreign visas into English passports to turn foreigners into Poms the way ancient alchemists tried to turn other base material into gold.

Even their promising batsman Kevin Pietersen is about as English as a barbecue on the veldt.

He petulantly walked away from South African cricket and qualified for England because of his English-born mother.

When Australian born-and-raised fast bowler Martin McCague was picked in the England side in 1993 he was described as "the rat who joined a sinking ship".

Martin meet Kevin.

The reason England is delirious with joy at the moment and more on the nose than cheap perfume is because its cricket team won a one-dayer and a Twenty20 game against Australia.

That's it. Just winning a couple of puff-and-powder one-dayers was enough for England's cheeks to rouge with excitement and her crinoline petticoats to fly at mid-calf.

It is like being able to tell the difference between jellied eels and welks and saying you're a gourmet.

Australia have won the past eight Ashes series (in 1989 4-nil, 1991 3-nil, 1993 4-1, 1995 3-1, 1997 3-2, 1998-99 3-1, 2001 4-1, 2002-3 4-1.

In all that time, England have won just one "live" match (first Test 1997). The other wins were in dead rubbers where compassion might have stayed Australia's hand.

In one of the Tests a car backfired outside the ground and a player said loudly: "Good God, Mike Atherton's shot himself."

Atherton was steadily working his way towards a Test record 19 dismissals by Australian bowler Glenn McGrath at the time.

The most excited England became was in 1997 when they won all three one-day games and the first Test.

Then the heavens realigned themselves and Australia yelled "April Fool" and won the next three Tests by (1) 268 runs (2) an innings and 61 runs and (3) 264 runs.

When Sir Cliff is at Wimbledon he might talk to Lleyton Hewitt who says England might be sorry for poking the Tiger.

"I'm thinking that with England it will all come back to bite them," he said.

"England talk themselves up every time."

In New York Harbour the Statue of Liberty proclaims: "Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tossed to me."

The Poms have the same sign hanging off Brighton Pier, but they added an extra line.

"Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tossed to me.

"And we'll put them in our sporting teams and pretend they're home grown."

They were going to make offers to Japanese sportsmen but they could not reach agreement.

The whale wouldn't fit in the Thames.

One day Australia will lose the Ashes to England and it will be as horrific as waking up after a night on the drink in a room full of images of Camilla Parker Bowles.

But it won't be this year.

Original Article

That may be true, though all of the people mentioned as being English hold UK passports, which in my eyes qualifies them as being true Brits.

This train of thought then brought me to the Cricinfo Australian squad website, which quotes Andrew Symonds, the Australian Andrew Flintoff, as being born in Birmingham.

I also looked at the page for Stuart MacGill, or fully "Stuart Charles Glyndwr MacGill".

Stuart - Royal House of the UK 1603-1714
Charles - name of two UK kings, as well as the current heir to the throne
Glyndwr - Welsh nationalist from 1349-1416
Mac - Scottish prefix, indicating "son of"
Gill - English word, meaning "a valley or woody glen; a narrow dell with a brook running through it; a small stream"

But don't worry, he's definitely an Aussie!

If genealogy comes into one's qualification to play for a country, then the Aussies are all Brits, albeit the reject Brits removed in the 18th and 19th centuries.

A letter to the author of the Telegraph article asks:-

A cursory glance at the list of Australian athletes at the Athens Olympics will reveal, amongst others, Irina Lashko, a Russian born diver appearing under the Australian flag, Alex Parygin, who despite being born in Kazakhstan represented your country in the Modern Pentathlon, Miao Miao was born in China yet represented Australia as a swimmer, Sergo Chakhayan is an Armenian born Australian Olympic wrestler. And I assume you are lobbying for the Australian sporting authorities to return Russian born pole vaulter Tatiana GrigorievaÂ’s silver medal back to the International Olympic Committee forthwith?

So how about we wait until the Ashes and let the results speak for themselves?

Tim (British and proud!)

blogging this week

When I said I was going to report on the Amsterdam Staff Band at the Rink, I may have been telling a few white lies. Nothing particularly interesting happened so I decided not to bother.

It is a special day for Nicole Kidman, who is 38 today, and for my blog, which reaches the ripe old age of 1 today.

I can still remember the happy Sunday afternoon when I stumbled across Blogger and decided to share my vast wealth of experience(!) with my pals.

We have seen some highs (like the Reading Festival) and some lows (like the Reading Festival aftermath) and shared in some momentous occasions. The UK General Election, The Presidential Election, Euro 2004, Wimbledon, Butlins at Bognor and two Gospel Arts Concerts!

Here's to another year of jollility and merriment!

Tim

sounds of praise - gospel arts 2005

This weekend the time came round for the Army's annual Gospel Arts Concert, held once again at the Royal Albert Hall and entitled "Sounds of Praise"

The Internationla Staff Band kicked off the evening with a rousing rendition of JS Bach's "Toccata in D Minor", played to their usual high standard. As if in a subtle juxtaposition, the International Staff Songsters were next up with a piece entitled "With Wings As Eagles". I must say I was a little disappointed with their diction and performance, and if I didn't have a programme, would have guessed the piece to be called "With Wins as Eels".

After Major Peter Ayling's prayer/mini-sermon, the evening's guests, the Amsterdam Staff Band and VasaGospel, as well as cornet soloist David Daws.

The ASB started with a piece named "Vitae Lux", a nice and lively arrangement by Norwegians Frode Alnæs and Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.

In the presence of the composer, Lt-Col Norman Bearcroft, David Daws played the solo he is most well known for, "Golden Slippers", ably accompanied by the ISB.

The ISB continued the programme with a Kevin Norbury piece, "Rhapsody On A Theme By Purcell", a piece which was heavy to say the least.

VasaGospel then brought two songs, both of which were well performed and well received.

The ASB's next contribution was "Sinfonietta - The Dawning" by Peter Graham, which served as the band's big piece for their "Symphony of Hope" tour of the UK. A number of people I spoke to during and after the evening felt this was a bit too much like a test piece and that it took a bit too long to get going. These comments notwithstanding, the piece was played well and appreciated by the most part of the audience.

The second half began with Michael Clack on the RAH organ (which presumably didn't break when he played it this time) playing the Marche Triomphale "Now Thank We All Our God". In my humble opinion those who consider this to be music perhaps will not see eye to eye with me on what music is.

Next up was "A Time of Praise and Worship" (what was the rest of the evening?) which did seem a) to be a token gesture and b) to be a little forced.

The ASB then brought "Chassidic Dance" by their leader Howard Evans, before VasaGospel brought another three songs, which were the same kind of songs as they had previously contributed.

David Daws brought two more solos, again accompanied by the ISB, "'Mid All The Traffic" and "Hejre Kati".

In an unexpected (or not on the programme at least) appearance by the TC, Lt-Col Cr Ray Steadman-Allen was awarded the Order of the Founder, and in a break from last year's tradition, the presentation and acceptance did not take an hour.

By this point, the concert had been going on for about 3 hours, and people were getting noticeably bored and agitated.

The ISB premiered a new Kenneth Downie piece, "King Of Heaven" based on the great hymn "Praise, My Soul". This was again rather heavy and not so well received due to the fact it was a long way into the evening.

The ISS then brought their feature on 25 years of ISS, featuring former members and leaders. Sadly they did not perform to the high standard one would expect of the premier Salvation army choir.

After Commisioner Helen Clifton brought a scripture message, the ISS brought the RSA piece "Vesper" and the evening was concluded with "Hail, Thou Once Despiséd Jesus". The Salvationist described this as "poignant" but I describe it as a bit raucous and too loud.

Back tomorrow with the happenings of Sunday at the Rink with the ASB.

Tim

jackson trial over - acquitted

So Michael Jackson, the self-styled King of Pop, has been acquitted of all child abuse claims against him. What almost evaded the news were the interviews with the jurors, many of whom believed him guilty but felt unable to reach a guilty verdict due to insufficient evidence. The man had a lucky escape!

Tonight's Evening Standard had an interesting headline:-

Jackson: I will stop sleeping with boys

Almost seems like a token gesture!

Timo

live 8 and g8

I was curious as to what G8 is and what they do, so I checked it out. My findings are thus:-

"The G8 stands for the 'Group of Eight' nations. It began in 1975 when President Giscard d'Estaing of France invited the leaders of Japan, the USA, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy to Rambouillet, near Paris, to discuss the economic problems of the day. The group expanded to include Canada in 1976 and Russia in 1998. Unlike many other international bodies, the G8 does not have a fixed structure or a permanent administration. It is up to the country that has the Presidency to set the agenda and organise the annual G8 Summit.

At the Summit, the leaders of the eight member countries discuss major issues of the day. They seek to reach informal agreements on measures that they can take individually, but in a cooperative manner, to achieve their goals more effectively. At each Summit, leaders agree upon certain initiatives; there are follow-up meetings throughout the year to make sure commitments are being honoured.

G8 Summits are hugely important if we are to manage the effects of globalisation, a task more relevant today than ever before. The G8 is able to help secure political commitment to action on key global issues. It involves the Heads of Government of the major economic powers and their decisions can make a real impact. The G8 is unique in bringing together the key like-minded players from Asia, Europe and North America. This small, informal grouping is still capable of setting the agenda thanks to the economic and political weight of its members and their shared commitment to global security and prosperity. As well as being an opportunity for the world’s leaders to discuss major issues, G8 summits have achieved many concrete things such as:

* Setting up the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Health Fund). Between them, the G8 have given $1.4bn to this fund. This money is now being used for many different projects: rebuilding clinics in Sierra Leone and training over 2000 healthcare workers in India are just two examples.
* Establishing a new relationship with Africa with the G8 Africa Action Plan in response to the African-led New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
* Making safe nuclear facilities in Russia, through the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction: $20bn was pledged over 10 years for this initiative.
* Launching the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, an agreed process for cancelling the debt of the world’s poorest countries.
Action against money laundering (through the Financial Action Task Forces). The G8 led in setting up these regional task forces, which many other countries have now joined. They have produced specific recommendations to prevent criminals and terrorists financing their operations.

The main themes for the G8 in 2005 are Africa and climate change. Both are pressing issues for the world. Africa demands particular attention as the world’s poorest continent. Climate change is happening and should be of concern for all. Holding the G8 Presidency gives the UK the chance to focus international attention on tackling these issues."

taken from the G8 Gleneagles 2005 official site

In recognition of the Scottish location of this year's summit, an official tartan has been produced



In addition to this, I can only ask that you support the Live8 and Sail8 campaigns via the official websites, as well as the Make Poverty History campaign

Toodles

Timo

random stuff from the past week or so

Whilst on a quick jaunt around the South Bank, where I bought a new book, the excellent "Baghdad Blog" - linked on the left - I took what I think is a cool picture of the London Eye



I also spotted a pigeon on the Tube, which I helped to escape after a few stops!





I also spotted a box of rat poison with an ironically amusing warning on it.



Surely the rats don't eat the poison and die of the box is kept away from children and animals...

Timmy

work work work

Hey folks!

After what feels like a month of working continuously at the Rink coffee shop, I finally have a few days off! So I will return to my blgging ways hopefully, and give you all the exclusive goss on bad warnings on rat poison, pigeons on the tube and other random stuff that has happened in the past few weeks!

Magique

tv download sites hit by lawsuits

As you can see from this article, a number of TV download sites have been shut down by the MPAA.

BBC NEWS | Technology | TV download sites hit by lawsuits

But I debate the validity of the MPAA's claims for all sites to be shut down.

Surely if a TV programme is broadcast it becomes part of the public domain? If it is not illegal to record TV shows onto DVD or video then why should it be illegal to record TV shows digitally?

Was I commiting copyright fraud by taping WWF programmes from Sky and sharing it with my school mates?

I can understand the furore over the pre-release of Doctor Who, as this was handling stolen goods. Yet a broadcasted show becomes public domain, and provided suitable references as to the source are given, distribution should not be illegal

Tim

what a week!

Hello there fans!

What a week this week has been! And what excitement it has seen!

Chelsea were crowned Premiership champions, my exams finished and Manchester United were bought out by the US tycoon, Malcolm Glazer.

I have heard Chelsea described as a great team, but can't help but feel that the pundits are jumping the gun slightly. This season is the first time in 50 years that Chelsea have won the league, the second time in thier history that they have won the league cup, they haven't won the FA Cup in 5 years and have had no European trophies in 7 seasons. To be calling them a great team after one great season is a bit presumptuous. Look for example at Blackburn Rovers, who won the League in 1995 and were relegated only a few seasons later.

I can see it now - Chelsea - Championship Winners 2006/07

Exams are over! Rejoice greatly!

Lastly, Manchester United has been bought by Malcolm Glazer and there has been uotrage amongst the fans. This takeover bid (stop singing!) will ruin the club, or so the fans say. The BBC News site reports that people are cancelling their memberships left, right and centre. Calls of "Not another Leeds!" are heard. Now I am sure we will see the the real glory-hunters are.

See the club through the good times, and when a decision doesn't go the way you want, get stroppy and throw your rattle ou of the pram.

It almost makes me sad to be a Man Utd fan... almost!

Magic

percussion extravaganza

Yo dudes!

Yesterday night was Jonny's Percussion Extravaganza at Bedford, and it was really good!
The first half was just Jonny doing a solo recital, which was excellent, albeit with a few less serious moments (it wouldn't be Jonny other wise would it?)

After the interval Jonny was joined by his "friends" for the ensemble part of the evening. This was also quite good, though Jonny did make some inappropriate jokes.

Now to the crux of the matter! If you were not able to be there, I am certain you will want to purchase the official DVD of the evening, available at the "suggested donation" price of £7.

Let me know if you want one and I will sort it out!

That's all folks!

Bimto

rover and their future

This appeared on "Have I Got News For You?" a few weeks ago, but I have only just found the image!

A bit mean, but quite funny!



Tim

election fever

Hey folks!

I hope you all exercised your democratic right to vote yesterday.
I must say I was slightly disappointed that the party I voted for didn't win, but such is life!

As I write, news has just broken that David Trimble, leader of the UUP and former first minister in Northern Ireland has lost his seat to Rev. Ian Paisley's DUP. Can we now expect an extra loud version of "Praise God from whom all blessings flow"?

What also concerned me was how much of the BBC election map is not red, considering the result.



Timbo

the magic musings music, movie and (m)book club

Friends, Romans, countrymen...

I had an idea the other day and thought it worth sharing/bouncing off some people.

We could start, via the wonders of blogging, a little segment on a good book/film/album that you have read/seen/heard recently. Obviously we wouldn't want specialist recommendations (like Dave's baby books, my Scandinavian books or John's German books) but other than that it would be a free-for-all!

Let me know what you think

(It would be like Oprah's Book Club, but it would be good!)

Tim

balamory to end

I received some terrible news this week. The favourite programme of many young Rinkers, Balamory, is to end!
What will we do without our dose of Edie McCredie and Josie Jump?

Children's TV hit Balamory to end

Timbo

off on the road to roehampton

I am under strict instruction to write about what a jolly time I had with Louisa when I visited her on Thursday evening.

I arrived at the University of Surrey (Roehampton) and talked my way into Lou's flat and sat outside her room for 40 minutes before she arrived!

After partaking in Neighbours, we went on our way to the lovely Nando's in Putney. It was nice apart from having to pay 30p for a small tub of mayonnaise! Outrageous!

Upon leaving the restaurant, we ambled towards the cinema, only to find that there were no good films showing at the time, so we headed to Sainsbury's.

This trip was enlightening for me, as I realized that Lou shops in exactly the same way I do. That is to say, when you walk in and decide what you want to eat as you see it!

We engaed in the usual banter, and got some funny looks for accusing each other of being "racist", being Essex-y and buying 2 balloons, one of Bob the Builder and one of a Tweenie (I would say the purple one, but they could all be purple!)

These caused us some amusement, particularly when one of them fell off, and we walked about half a mile with a BTB balloon and a plastic stick.

Thus we had to leg it back to find the Tweenie and replace its stick.

After a long evening of fun banter, I headed back to Burnt Oak at about midnight to prepare myself for a fun day of Rink coffee shop work!

Timbo

jonny and timothy

As some of you may know, Jonny Whitmore is doing the Timothy Programme this coming September, and is in the midst of fundrasing.

As a result of this, he is holding a McCredie-esque Trombonaza (but with percussion) at Bedford on Saturday.

If anyone feels able to go, details are below.

If not, let me know and I will pass your ticket money on to Jonny!

Timothy Programme Fund Raising Concert

Percussion Extravaganza

Jonathan Whitmore and Friends!

Saturday May 7th 2005 - 7.00pm

Bedford Congress Hall Salvation Army

A light hearted evening of fun and entertainment...
…welcome to the varied world of the Percussionist!
Hear Marimbas, vibes, xylophones, glocks, drums of all shape and sizes…with a few surprises!

Tickets £5

In June this Year Jonathan will graduate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and in September he will be undertaking a Timothy Training and Development year with the Salvation Army. He plans to move into a poor inner city area and explore how music can be used to outreach and impact the community. Come along and hear a wide range of percussion music, whilst learning more about his Timothy year and help him raise some of the funds required!

Thanks guys!

Tim

hero of taramasalata

In the afternoon meeting at the Regent Hall today I, Timmy Magic, was declared to be "the hero of taramasalata". This was after the band had played their piece for the afternoon meeting, Tomado De La Mano, a nice latin cha-cha number. As well as a nice kit part, ably played by Anne, there is a part for maracas, tambourine, whistle, vibraslap (or anything that can be found in Jonny's toy box!)

I tried my best at playing it, only to cause much amusement to the ladies sat behind me, BM Steve H and the horn section of the band.

When asked about my technique, I suggested that it goes a lot better if you "camp it up" a bit!

Camp Timmy
(I watched The Italian Job the other day...)

pope benedictus xvi - the german shepherd

I saw this on the BBC News website on Sunday morning and thought it worth sharing!



Tim

holiday pictures

I found a new tool on the internet, so I have published all the pictures from Hamburg, Stockholm and Schwarzwald.

Hamburg

Stockholm

Schwarzwald

Toodles

Timbob

easter in the black forest

Here is a brief run-down of the holiday I have just spent in Germany.
The first part is here, the second part will appear when I write it.

Day 1

4.30 am start

Early ferry, warned of possible industrial action.
Arrival outside Calais at 10.45 local time. Warned of strike again, told we could enter the port, Got to the berthing bay and the French port workers refused to accept the ropes from the boat. We then sat on the boat until 2pm local time, at which point we turned back towards Dover and sailed home again. Trips to Continental Europe = 1, days = 1, channel crossings = 2

Upon arrival back in Dover, we were given Eurotunnel tickets and we made our way to Folkestone for our free trip to France. We were put on the 16.33 train and half an hour later, we arrived in France (again)



Trips to Continental Europe = 2, days = 1, channel crossings = 3.

Upon arriving in France we searched in vain for a place to stop and bed down.
Upon arrival in Belgium, we found a place to bed down within minutes.

Day 2

We awoke early again, awoken by the sound of cockerels.
After packing up we made our way towards Luxembourg.

Not much happened apart from an accident on the way.
The chief navigator only erred twice, but got in trouble both times (He (or I) blame(s) bad instructions!)

We arrived on an almost dead site and set up. We then journeyed down the road about 1km to the quaint (read old fashioned) town of Larochette (or Fiels in Luxemburgish)



Along the road a bit is the town of Medernach and further along is Diekirch, where we walked along the river for a bit.

After tea we went into Luxemburg City via the route for day 3. This however proved to be a bad idea as we got a little bit lost on the way home. The roads were not signed and we ended up stuck in a diversion.

We eventually arrived home, and watched the start of a DVD before bedtime.

Day 3

After a leisurely breakfast, we departed Luxemburg with the help of a tractor to pull us out off the pitch. To prove we actually made it we have some photos and a lanyard keychain from the site.

The journey to Germany via France was uneventful, and I daresay not very interesting. We did however feel more at ease when we got into Germany.

We arrived to a closed campsite only to discover that the booking company had not got us a reservation for the site.

Eventually we got set up, and went to the local supermarket where I broke my toe. It was nice, (the supermarket that is!) and they had a Tchibo there.

After tea I played against my maternal figure at table tennis which I won 2-1 (although I had the light advantage in the tischtennishalle)

Day 4

We woke up, ate breakfast, had a quick swim in the Hallenbad then went into Staufen, a few minutes walk along the road. Staufen is reportedly the town where Faust sold his soul to the Devil, as represented byt the mural on the Rathaus.
As it was Good Friday (or Karfreitag) much of the town was closed, but alas it was very pleasant.



We ate lunch (Brötchen mit Nutella) then decided to go out. What we filed to remember was that the site gates are closed form 12.30 until 3pm, so we stayed in and read for a bit (I can recommend ‘London Bridges’ by James Patterson as a good read.)

When we were finally able to escape, we went off towards Mt Belchen, the mountain of which we have a ‘blick’ from our campsite, Camping Belchenblick. Unfortunately, owing to conservation concerns, the mountain road was closed, so we will return to take some pictures after our trip on the new ski-lift.



We came back to have steak, sausage and campsite chips (sadly bereft of paprika) for our tea.

The evening found us in the caravan watching a DVD of Inspector Morse.

Day 5

We woke up, ate breakfast etc etc. Our friends from Wales had now arrived, so we set out to have breakfast with them at around 12 o’clock. Now, at 17.20 local time, we have just returned from our walk with them, having walked around Staufen for the past 5 hours. We took in a bratwurst and a coffee at the local coffee shop, and then wandered aimlessly to the Bergruin and a couple of supermarkets.



Day 6

Normal morning rituals, then lunch, then off to the lakeside town of Titisee, which boasts some lovely views and various gift shops, including a Christmas Market with so nice products to buy.





After a wander down around the lake past some nice authentic German clock and watch shops (if anyone wishes to buy me a present, a titanium touch-screen Tissot watch wouldn’t go amiss!) we partook of yet another sausage and some Bratkartoffeln, (fried potato pieces with spices and bacon) before heading home for more campsite high jinks. Once again it was Tim vs. Mum in the tischtennis, in which I triumphed 3-0.

Our chums then came round for tea and biscuits and much merriment was had.

Day 7

We went to Colmar in France, it was closed.



Day 8

After an early start we set off for Schaffhausen in Switzerland. We took a very scenic route through the South German Mountains, passing a few ski runs and a toboggan run. (Ask me about the tobogganist joke when you see me!) We took some nice pictures of the Rheinfalls at Schaffhausen, then took a boat trip across the river. Then it was home for tea and another Inspector Morse DVD.





Day 9

Today was our shopping day in Freiburg, where we accidentally came across my favourite German shop, Media Markt. A few moments were spent there before we offed ourselves to Wal-Mart (like ASDA but good.) Oh the merriment of a Jones holiday!

stockholm - the pictures

The long awaited Stockholm pictures are here

The Swedish Parliament Building, the Riksdag



The Underground track at Globen station, covered in snow yet still working



A train at Globen station, still moving despite the snow - take note TfL



Two pictures of a Stockholm sunset, one high exposure and one low exposure





The Changing of the Guard at the Konglige Slott



Another view of the Riksdag on a different day



A street in Gamla Stan - the old town



Hej då

Magikk

international noteriety

Such is my worldwide success in the blogging world, I have been having comments, or more specifically, complaints about the lack of posts in the past months or so.
I have been working very hard on my uni work in order not to arrive in the same predicament as last year (that is, as a miserable failure!)

However, I have finished lectures for the year, and have completed my work so I am up to date. I will endeavour to put some Sweden pictures on here later, and perhaps some banter from the past month or so!

Timo

stockholming it up

Yo folks!

I am in Stockholm with Richard at the moment, and will blog much of the banter upon my return.

To keep you hooked, here is a picture of a Swedish flag



Timöthy

stupid london part 2

The other day I was partaking in one of my favourite lunchtime pastimes, going for a Subway sandwich.

As is customary, I ordered an Italian BMT with marinara sauce and warmed up nicely so the cheese melts.

Despite the fact that I asked the Indian woman, the Chinese woman and the Russian woman to warm it up, it didn't happen. To further my anguish I asked for 2 Sub Club stamps, which the Russian proceeded to give me. On two seperate cards. Thus making the object of getting the stamps pointless (when you get enough stamps, you get a free sandwich).
In order to express my displeasure, I took the largest cup I could find, filled it up and drank the contents several times. Then I filled it up and threw it away!

That'll teach them!

(I also completed a customer comment card, rather than just spiting them!)

Timo

stupid london

During various parts of my aimless wandereing around London I have noticed some stupid things.

a) This sign at Golders Green station



The town/station is called Edgware. It only has 2 e's not 3! Well, it's not as if Transport for London would know would they?

b) The two below signs





What else would men flush down the toilet?

c) People on escalators

Those who ever, or have ever, travelled on the Tube will know of the standing etiquette on the escalators. The right is for standing, the left is for walking.
However I have noticed that those people who stand while riding start walking at the end and those who walk down stop and stand for the last few feet. Why exactly? It's like the old Peter Kay cliche of grandmothers and seatbelts.

Timbo

googlewhacking part 2

As has already been inferred, I may have spent a little too long googlewhacking! It is alas true

I found 2 more



The other one I found

Timbob

help!

Yo my homies!

Sincerest apologies for my lack of blogging recently. I am in the midst of a ton of reading for my assignment this year.

If anyone feels they can help with 25 pages on "The Origins, Development and Demise of the Norn Language of Orkney and Shetland" feel free to phone, email or visit.

Further posts later today and tomorrow (to make up for the few weeks since I last blogged!)

Timo

googlewhacking

Having just purchased Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure on DVD for the princely sum of £4.99 I set out looking for one. Alas I wasn't able to find one!

So I am creating my own!

establishmentarianism boules

No results as yet...

Timbo

bristol civic carol service

Reported in this week's Salvationist is a Civic Carol Service in Bristol.

In the service, they collected around £3300 from the 1500 or so people that were there.

However you do not need to look so shocked (as no doubt you are) as I know why:-

Guest Soloist - Richard McIntosh (Chatham)

Laters

Timbo

happy new(ish) year!

Hello fans!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas/New Year/generic holiday period.
I shall return to my blogging ways in the next couple of days, when I will have stuiff to write about, rather than just bumming around the house.

TTFN

Tim