I’m actually felling a bit less knackered that usual.
That’s the benefits of an early night, I think.
~≈§≈~
Were you ever much of a fan of the Smiths? The band?
I wasn’t.
Although I did buy a few of their early singles. Morrissey and Marr managed to turn out some great indie pop.
Unfortunately? Morrissey, the former Smiths frontman, has express some sympathy for former English Defence leader, Tommy Robinson. AND for right wing party, For Britain: led by former UKIP member, Anne Marie Waters.
He’s made one or two similar comments, before hand.
Not something I’d’ve expected from the world’s best known animal rights activist and vegan.
But given that?
I’m not surprised he’s cancelled some upcoming tour dates.
I think I’m getting a sense of general malaise: caused by the simple fact today is payday …
And the money I get … isn’t going to last much beyond today.
Wouldn’t you know it … ?
I do know that — last year — I got a tax rebate. An honest to God, tax rebate.
Enough to put a chunk towards my rent, and get a new pair of glasses.
I’ve not had the form that tells me if I’m due another, this year.
And, frankly? Much as I’d LOVE a great big chunk of money landing on my doorstep, I’m also realistic enough to realise I’ve never had a tax rebate, two years in a row.
And it has to be said, Caroline Quentin’s doing rather well for a first timer!
And as for what Samantha’s doing … !
Well … !
~≈§≈~
Can I make a (quick) confession? And it’s not that often I talk about work.
I took a call on Sunday: for someone seeking temporary accommodation in Kensington and Chelsea, one of the clients my company takes out of hours calls for.
The man’s flat had burned down.
Two others in the building been affected by fire.
And police and the fire brigade were in attendance.
The block, I should should, was in a street called Appleford Road.
I though to myself, at the time? That that would get a mention in the news.
Post Grenfell, a fire in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea would.
It did.
Going by this piece, the fire’s been noted by the BBC: was in Appleford Road, in Ladbroke Grove, in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Well, the fire had been noted …
As had the fact that the police had — in one flat — found a body.
What got me immediately email work to key them know they might want to pass details of the call, and the recording of the call, to the police?
Was that the chap who phoned it in, said they flats had ‘exploded’ …
And that there were rumours petrol was involved.
Petrol.
As far as I know … ? Petrol’s never involved with fires, accidentally.
I have a feeling that fire was started deliberately.
Yep, that’s right … I’ve got my laundry going in the background.
Because?
I worked yesterday: which is my usual laundry day.
So, right now? I’ve got my pants on the go.
Which is possibly too much information, but there you go.
Frankly?
My only hope is that my pants are dry by the time I need them.
~≈§≈~
Something else I mentioned, over the weekend?
Was the Bombe: the device invented by Alan Turing, and used Bletchley Park to decode German Enigma traffic during World War Two.
The rotors on it? Moved: while they were working out the start position of the rotors on the Enigmas, stopped when they’d got an answer … and ticked whilst working.
They stopped ticking, they’d — metaphorically — exploded.
I’ve only seen one, once: on my last visit to the Museum, there.
I like TV: and will happily admit I’m not a sports fan.
So, normally?
Don’t watch football.
And TEND to ignore tennis, as well.
But … ?
Did notice that the BBC iPlayer will be screening this years Wimbledon championship in glorious 4K.
Via the iPlayer.
Frankly?
Long may that reign.
Again, I’m thinking of the pub game, here: where, in all of the fourteen years I was pulling pints, management’s biggest cost — out side of beer, food and staff? — was TV subscriptions.
Just as an example? I worked in one pub where the area manager decided to cut cost for the year, and cancel its Sky TV subscription. We lost half a dozen potential customers that first day: all of whom walked in, asked if we were showing the next big game …
And walked out, just as quickly, when they found out we couldn’t.
So the fact that the BBC is airing World Cup games, and the upcoming tennis, for free, to anyone with a smart TV, or TV box?
Or, at least? It’s the Summer Solstice … if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere!
It’s the middle of winter, of course: if, like regular readers, @BudgetDude and @MrDStrict … ?
You’re south of the equator, and it’s the middle of winter, and the Winter Solstice.
At any rate … ?
I’m knackered …
Knackered … on the day daylight’s going to be hanging around …
~≈§≈~
Oh, while I’m here … ?
I mentioned in yesterday’s Teaser that English schools were facing a dilemma.
And gave you my thoughts about it.
The other bit of tech news that caught my eye?
Was the fact one hundred Microsoft staff had written to Satya Nadella, the company’s CEO: protesting about the US government’s use of Microsoft services in the various processing centres that had separated asylum seeking families.
Which looks like it’s over, thankfully: after an international outcry.
My personal thinking … ?
Was sort of mixed.
Had Microsoft withdrawn any services provided to the US government, it would have forced the government to look at alternative software providers: including open source options like LibreOffice, OpenOffice or Thunderbird mail.
Something I’ve believe would be a better — and cheaper — option for a government.
They’d save taxpayer’s money.
It’s a little late for that, now, I think.
Firstly? The President’s has signed an executive order: that eases up on separating children from their families.
Thankfully.
Secondly?
I’ve had the impression for many years, that most of the IT industry is a touch left wing.
That the makers of most open source software? Like their colleagues in Microsoft?
I’m thinking I’ve got an extended run: from today until next week.
With no actual day off until next week.
Frankly.
It’s money: so I can’t complain much.
But, BOY, I’ll be looking forward to time off.
~≈§≈~
Something I noticed on the Tech news, yesterday … ?
Was that UK education is having a specific issue.
Recently, the UK’s various education authorities has toughened computer science classes: making them harder to do.
And less appealing to kids.
One reason for the UK’s tech sector doing so well? Is simply that kids get interested as youngsters.
They certainly did, when I was young.
Most of the coders and IT people my age? All grew up, as I did, working out how to make a ZX Spectrum — or BBC Micro, or Oric, what have you — go beeeeeeep*^ when you pushed a button.
At ANY rate … I think making the classes harder will be a bad thing, long term.
There’s something else.
I know — as an adult — I did what’s called the European Computer Driving License: a computer literacy course.
I knew most of it.
But wanted the paperwork that said I’d done it … to reassure potential employers that I could sit in an office, use a computer, and not melt down, working out how to switch the thing on.
And have the impression that, until recently, that’s what ‘computer science’ classes focused on. Making sure people had a basic level of computer literacy: enough to be able to function in today’s modern society.
I think these days?
Using a computer — a tablet, laptop, phone, till, what have you — is on a par with reading and writing, or driving.
A basic skill that makes life a lot easier.
Frankly, these days?
I think compulsory computer literacy glasses would be good.
No: really: I’m not a football fan: as I managed to mention in last night’s post about American Horror Story.
Roanoke is looking rather good, I should add: they’ve hideously slaughtered Kathy Bates, twice.
At ANY rate … I was making the point that I thought the first England games was on, tomorrow night: and made the point that — as I had the day off? — I wouldn’t be watching it.
Turns out I got the date wrong.
It seems the games on, tonight.
I still — hopefully — won’t watching it.
A) I’m not a fan.
B) I’m at work.
What more can I tell you … ?
~≈§≈~
Talking of productivity?
Which we weren’t, but you can see the drift, I hope.
The World Health Health Organisation has announced it’s adding video game addiction to its list of its list of mental health conditions.
Frankly? Giving my own personal history, I’m very aware it’s something I need to keep an eye on.
I’m VERY aware getting hooked on something — from alcohol, to video games, to gambling — is not a good thing.
And can have a serious effect on health, and productivity.
That’s if you don’t mind me burbling on about my street?
Here …
That video’s the result of many things.
Partly? It’s a response to the Grenfell Tower fire: today’s the first Anniversary, so you know.
But ALSO … ?
If you don’t mind me being blunt, it’s ALSO a response to the area I’m in.
I live in Brentwood: near the station.
My particular part of the area has — as I feel the video shows— always been heavily congested: with parked cars impeding any emergency vehicle access.
That’s something that’s been concerning me for the decade I’ve lived here.
And something — if memory serves — that also affected emergency vehicle access around Grenfell Tower, this time last year.
The congestion is something I thought — initially — wouldn’t last long. The other end of Rollason Way was still a building site, when I moved in.
How long, I asked myself, would it stay a building site?
About three years, as it turns out.
Now … ? The congestion’s being caused — mostly — by parked cars and delivery vans …
And the building work around the corner.
The more things change …
~≈§≈~
That’s ONE thing.
The other?
We have what’s called a ‘stay put’ policy in place.
In other words? In other words, if a fire breaks out in one of the flats on Rollason Way, other people are supposed to stay in theirs.
The compartmentalisation in these buildings is supposed to protect us.
One thing I DO know? Is that the Grenfell Tower enquiry has highlighted the fact that — when it was refurbished a few years ago — the various works done affected this compartmentalisation: meaning the fire spread faster.
The blocks, here, haven’t been refurbished: they’s still relatively new.
But?
That was enough for me to contact my landlord: to see if the policy was to be reviewed.
I’ve not heard back.
Oh, I’ll contact my landlords.
And possibly the fire brigade.
But it is rather worrying …
~≈§≈~
As is one final thing.
RIGHT now, the BBC are reporting a fire in a block of flats in Lewisham.
And, yes: I’m looking forward to my next day off, Sunday.
Frankly? Catching up with sleep will be good, as would … well … all sorts of things.
~≈§≈~
Actually … ?
Not being a mussel would be .
I’ve got Radio 4’s Today program on in the background: as ever.
In amongst the daily updates on Brexit, other stuff about Brexit, and the Cabinet’s feuds — triggered by Brexit — there’s been a report …
That all mussels bought in shops are contaminated by seaborne micro-plastic waste.
That’s …
Well, frankly? I’ve never really been one for shellfish.
The effect we’re having — on our own diets — is one more reason for me to not try it.
~≈§≈~
Oh …
One more thing …
You’ve realised that I’m not a football fan. But am a technology watching ex-barman.
One who’s noticed that Amazon have bought the rights to screen various English Premier League football matches from 2019.
I’m THINKING that could have a big impact on the pub trade.
As — if I’ve understood things correctly, and depending on the price structure — all a pub; would need would be a Fire stick, and an Amazon Prime subscription.
Which, from what I could see? Are a LOT cheaper than the prices Sky and BT charge pubs.
Frankly?
If the hospitality industry can move fast on this — in negotiating those prices — it could save itself a fortune on costs.
