Databases

So, I;ve just found a lovely way to store geographical polygons within a database - however its an addon for PostgreSQL - and microsoft dont seem to have a similar implementation - grrrr

A link to this great addon called PostGIS:

http://postgis.refractions.net/docs/ch04.html
http://postgis.refractions.net/

STOP CENSORSHIP - ANTI SOPA and ANTI PIPA

..

The taps are dry....

Oh joy, just received an email from the accomodation office saying that welsh water have cut the warter supply to PJM because while doing their works, they broke something - yay:

Dear Residents,

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we need to urgently inform you that the workmen working on the main Penglais Hill have had to turn the water supply off with immediate effect to repair the problem.  Please ensure your taps are turned off so it does not flood the area once the water is turned back on.

Sincere apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

Many thanks,

Trains, again, *sigh*

Need I say much more? The trains failed again last night. Some selfish person deicded to throw themself infront of a train at Bilbrook - meaning that the line was shut down.

Spent 2 hours at Wolverhamption waiting for information. Finally a bus arrived (a small 32 seater) that went straight to Shrewsbury where onward travel was waiting.

Oh wait, it wasn't. Another one and a half hour wait there in the freezing cold, arguing with station staff for a taxi, hotel or refreshments - none of which would be given because there was a bus coming, just no idea when or how many free seats it would have.

So after that cold hour and a half there, a bus arrived, and guess what, it was a 52 seater that did all stops from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, and was now going to Aberystwyth via Newtown and Caersws - so at least that avoided the wavey roads between Machynlleth and Borth.

Normal time of arrival at Aber = 23.24
Actual time of arrival at Aber   = 02.54

Joy :(

< R A N T >

Just failed my HGV Test - all because of some stupid BMW driver thinking he owns the road.

Scenario:

Yeading lane at Whiteheart Roundabout, next to the petrol station. I come up to the junction, wanting to turn left. However, as you can see in the google StreetView image below,  there is this little funny lane that appears. In a truck, you cannot take the whole of that little lane when turning left, otherwise you hit the curb (fail), therefore you can only cover part of it.

View Larger Map

This therefore means that the lane is still partially open for people exiting the petrol station. The BMW decided that he would attempt to use it to turn right IN FRONT OF ME. He was even partially on the curb. Obviously a big truck that looks like this with loads of 'L' plates all over it means that he is always right and can do anything, not: oh, I better be careful, there is a learner in there.

So I nearly take out this nice near-new black BMW because of his idiotic driving. The only reason I missed him is because the examiner shouted "STOP!" = game over :(

So that's ~£400 pounds down the drain because of a black BMW in my blind spot.

Note that if you own one, and I happen to have a golf club / cricket bat etc. in my hand, it may suffer a a consequence - you have been warned.

&lt; / R A N T >

Round 3, you say?

I guess the only mature (aka immature) thing I can say at this point is:

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

First email to say that I have passed online tests. Hey, why not paste it in here since its such an achievement for me:

Dear Kristian,

Congratulations, you have successfully passed the online tests. You have therefore progressed to the next stage in the process which is a telephone interview.

Your telephone interview will consist of both CV and competency based questions and will explore your interest in the BT Technology Graduate Programme.

We will be in contact in the next 14 days to arrange your telephone interview.

Proof - yay is the one other word that comes to mind.


Well, its nearly time to go for my HGV / LGV / Truck driving exam - lets hope it goes well

What is the world coming to?

So, many of you have probably heard about the "urinating on the dead" video that has sprung up over the past few days (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16538159 ).

Well, another has suddenly come to light on youtube:

CAUTION THE FOLLOWING LINK CONTAINS A VIDEO THAT MANY WILL FIND DISTURBING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp2cmWMOJqk

So here are my two pennies on this:

Anyone considering starting a war, maybe it should be against these guys. Although not all US service personal are like this (I know some really nice ones - AFN guys in Wiesbaden) there do seem to be some really dumb ones too.
First urinating on the dead, now beating a poor sheep with a baseball bat.
Lets just home that this video and the others are fake trying to get people to turn against those who we trust to keep us safe.

**UPDATE** - Apparently some of the people in the urination video have been identified as actual US service personnel - oh deary me :(

Assignments Galore

hmmm, so, you get an assignment, and the lecture says the following in the doc:

Estimated effort: As a guide, it is expected that you spend in the order of 2 hours on this task. This includes time to read the articles, think about the issues and write a report.

Have I missed something here folks? The articles are like 20 page docs (or one of them is at least), and it seems to have somehow taken me an hour to read it (including some understanding time).

hmmmm, either the lecturer has mistimed this bit, or erm, I dont know.............
Well, anyway, the doc is nearly written and ready for submission using the (silly) blackboard system.

More Qualifications

WOO HOO XD

Yupp, thats right, I just passed my RSCM Silver Bishops Award exam in St. John's Church Boxmore. Thank you to the wonderful and talented Stuart for playing for me, and obiviously the two examiners for passing me.

As for how good a pass it was, I'm just going to have to wait for the results in the post.

Meenwhile, I now get a nice shiny medal to wear while singing. YAY

"So, how was it driving that beast?"

Thats the question I've had from a few people. The answer:

"Not that bad."

My instructor Simon seems to think there is hope in me. Just gotta remember the basics of driving that one forgets after driving a car for several years:

**MIRROR SIGNAL MANEUVER**

Otherwise, it seems that that the hard bits I'm getting right, the easy bits wrong. Well, thats not supposed to be right, is it?

Oh well, I'm not going to complain. Another lesson tomorrow and then more next week.

Test on Friday - eek :S

Truck drivin'

Arrrrr, I'm gonna be a truck driver......

Thats what I'd be saying if I were, however since I'm a computer scientist, I'm not going to say that. But I am doing my category C licence - first lesson tomorrow at 6am.

Review to come after the lesson.

Another Airport Security encounter

Why oh why do you, dear airport security people, not like moi? Whats not to like about me:
I'm not in the suspicios looking category - just look like any other student in smart casual with a Starbucks cookie in a bag.
I've nothing in my bag that I shouldn't.
I gave them everything off my person (even offered my jeans since they were almost around my heels after taking off my belt).

But no, you didn't like me today - apparently something to do with my shoe (not both, just one). Can't think what that can be, unless there was trace leftover firework on it?

Oh well, you had your fun today..... now to fly

Assessments :(

So, I'm up after a reasonable New Years party, alive, and not hungover (me not being a big drinker).

but why am I up at such an early hour on New Years Day? - because I have an online assessment to do.

Soneone at an undisclosed company decided that its a good idea to give people assessments to do over the party period.

Down to work then :(

Welcome to the last year 2012 - give us your worst

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!
from a very not snowy Germany

Peace xx

New Years Plans

So, according to Kev, sounds like a warm up at home, with some food in the agricultural shed and older friends, followed by a youth party in Schonborn with loads of fireworks and alcohol.

Me not being much of a alcoholic, I shall be looking forward to the German tradition of fireworks galore in the streets just after midnight.

Anyway, before any of that, I'm off to Limburg Cathedral to sing with the choir there at the end of year service. You know me, can't turn down a good sing....

Stay safe everyone and enjoy

Merry whatchamacallit

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!!!!!

Now that I have unwrapped my new ASUS 3D monitor (I'll talk about it later), its time to go to the Christmas morning service at church and have yet another good ol' sing. Just shattered after the last sing and only 6 hours sleep...

More Carols? Yes Sir!

Another day, another carol service, this time in my own church back home, the little church of St. James' Bushey. Lovely little place, and I'll try to talk about it some more later on.

Anyway, beautiful evening, another great sing - and this was a big plus:

The "Swinger" wasn't there, therefore meaning that I didnt have to wear a gas mask to sing and breathe.

Oh, and one week to Christmas Day XD

The journey back

So today I drove back from Aberystwyth for Christmas - the joys of packing the car with almost everything - and as it just has to happen, you've guessed it, SNOW in the Welsh mountains.

So the journey was fun, saw a few cars on their roofs, and another the wrong way around in a ditch. But since I have the SmartMobile in winter mode (winter tyres, 0W40 super-cold oil and snow chains at the ready) the weather was no match for me.

Just home was the problem, minor issue of keys and me having to break into the house........

Anyway, I'm still in time for choir rehearsal at St. James', so off I go

St. Albans Singing (again)

Well its this time of year, and last night was the infamous Aldenham School Carol Service in the Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban. interesting catch, the choir was so big, they ran out of candles. So there were 10 tenors and basses at the back who were in darkness. Suppose it was for the best, as the older ones should never be trusted with fire.

Anyway, a very good sing, got to catch up with a few people (students and staff) and well worth the train journey back from Aber just for it.

Now that I'm on the way back to Aber (with mum beside me), I just have to put up with a few more lectures, then a drive back home.

Dissertation?

Hmmm, soo may assignments from other departments and modules seem to somehow of caused my dissertation to be forgotten for the past week. Thats negative :(

However, I guess there can be a plus side to this: A fresh mind and view after the little break will hopefully improve the project. Lets see that this is the case.