Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

Curtailment


Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

Life without my computer !

  • No more blogging
    • Shock horror, I’d have to revert back to keeping a diary/journal
    • Or perhaps writing to people I know.
  • No more photo preparation
    • I take 1000’s of photos every year. That would come to a grinding halt. Perhaps I would revert to film and take up processing my own prints. I’m not sure my pension could support such a transition.
  • No more emails
    • I remember work life before email was invented. Communicating via telex and fax as well as good old hand written notes/letters
    • Emails were the bain of my life during my latter work years. Just too many to deal with each day.
  • No more social media
    • I think this might be a good thing. No more photos of people’s food or tiresome cat videos.
    • Also a positive thing, more letter writing. We recently received a letter from family in Australia. Amazing the joy it brought.
  • No more online retail therapy
    • I would be forced to go out to the shops ! I was ever the reluctant shopper before computers and the Internet. Especially while still working, when shopping was compressed into the weekend or even just a Saturday. I hated it.
  • Would we ever see a doctor again ?
    • Ever since the pandemic, access to doctors has become severely restricted. At least things like repeat prescriptions can currently be managed online. And there are econsults to bridge the gap when you can’t get an appointment. I dread to think what would happen without computers.

Free speed cameras in east Hampshire


BBC News – Free speed cameras offered to curb dangerous drivers in east Hampshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-66934570

Twenty speed cameras are being offered to community groups in a bid to put the brakes on dangerous drivers. The discreet, solar-powered devices can track vehicle movement, speed and number plates, and are up for grabs for locations across east Hampshire.

This is good news and positive action from the authorities. but I have two points to make

  • This is only going to tackle the boy racers. This technology isn’t going to deal with the noise nuisance. How about deploying some noise cameras
  • This is East Hampshire so it doesn’t include my local roads

To be quite honest, I couldn’t care less about drivers breaking the speed limits. And yes I can hear the protests now. Speed kills, what about the emergency services that have to deal with the aftermath ? What about the families of victims ?

But they don’t encroach on my home life. Whereas the noise nuisance impinges on my life, right inside my living space.

Was It Worth The Magistrates Time ?


The act of discarding a cigarette butt in the street led to Paun Paun appearing in court

Surely, this was a waste of the courts time and would have been better dealt with by way of an on the spot fine / ticket.

Sickening Act Of Vandalism


BBC News – Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian’s Wall ‘felled overnight’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-66947040

I can not even begin to imagine what thought processes were in play when cutting down this beautiful tree seemed like a good idea.

Photo: Paul Flannigan Photography

Det Ch Insp Rebecca Fenney-Menzies said: “The senseless destruction of what is undoubtedly a world-renowned landmark – and a local treasure – has quite rightly resulted in an outpouring of shock, horror and anger throughout the North East and further afield.

So far, a sixteen year old youth and a sixty year old man have been arrested.

I’ll leave the final words on this senseless act to Paul Tavernor Art ….

From: Paul Tavernor Art

Haggis Herders – Rare Photo


The Haggis, rich in vitamins and minerals is reputed to give the Scots super human powers, making Scottish soldiers feared worldwide.

The largest domesticated Scottish haggis herd to ever exist was raised in the town of Selkirk, nestled in the Scottish Borders.

Their faces were much cherished for use as Sporans on Burns Night.

These are the Lowland Haggis. They can be differentiated from the Highland Haggis by examining their legs. The Highland variety had shorter legs on one side to enable them to run around the mountains.

Unfortunately, this led to their extinction as they could only run one way and were easily caught.

There has always been a huge argument amongst highland Jocks and lowland Jocks as which was the best for Burns Night.

The Right Decision


It’s great news that the courts have further punished this guy.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/2023/09/25/convicted-county-lines-drug-dealer-has-prison-sentence-extended-after-failing-to-pay-back-money-made-from-illegal-operations/content.html

Detective Superintendent Nick Plummer, Head of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “The outcome of this hearing demonstrates how we will continue to pursue drug dealers for the assets they obtain as a result of their criminal activity. Drug dealing usually involving the exploitation of the young and vulnerable and causes harm across our communities.”

I agree that criminals should not profit from their crimes. All monies and property gained on the back of others’ misery should be forfeit.

Well done to the police and the courts for ensuring this guy pays in full.

The Woman In The Wall


Who out there watched this six-part psychological drama which came to a close on BBC One last night ?

And how many found the ending disappointing ? I watched this through to the very end, then found myself ask “And ?”

When the series began I struggled to maintain interest as we were confronted with lead character Lorna Brady and her psychotic episodes. She apparently had a long history of sleepwalking based in trauma she endured during her time spend in one of Irelands infamous Magdalene Laundries.

Having battled through the first episode I found the story line drawing me in. Admittedly there were annoying elements, which I felt were superfluous to the plot. Aren’t there almost always in any drama. But this intriguing story was masterfully told by a strong cast of actors led by Ruth Wilson. By the end of episode two I was hooked. So much so that the sixth and final episode , broadcast last night, was essential viewing. For an hour I was glued to the screen, and then it was all over and the titles were rolling.

I can only compare the the feeling I had, to the anticipation of a roast dinner. For hours you smell the meat and tatties roasting, and associated veggies cooking. Then the dinner is plated up and it is spread out in all its glory. But the meat is bland and tasteless, roasties soft, not crispy as they should be, and the veggies have had all the goodness boiled out of them. The meal is eaten, hunger pangs satisfied but mentally you are disappointed.

And so it was with this show. Six weeks of anticipation but no real closure.

I hate it when dramas end and leave you to make assumptions, leave loose ends hanging. I want to know if the hard faced bitch of a nun got her comeuppance . Were all of the accomplices rounded up and prosecuted. Did the duplicitous James Coyle wriggle out from under, or ….. ?

No spoilers here. Well not really. But …. ?

Police seize bikes in behaviour patrols


Police seized one Sciron bike from a rider who had no licence and no insurance. Another bike was confiscated after the rider was found to have been disqualified from driving.

They were summoned to court for a later date. Officers also chased a rider who was travelling on a moped which was believed to have been stolen.

The vehicle was recovered and the investigation is ongoing. Police were also involved responded to other offences including people driving through red lights.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/2023/09/24/police-seize-bikes-in-leigh-park-and-havant-thicket-area-in-anti-social-behaviour-patrols/content.html

Great news. Although these may not be the hoons disturbing my neighbourhood, I congratulate the police for curtailing their activities.

Keep up the good work. Now go get the morons disturbing my life.