Superconductivity

Watching the Big Bang Theory again on TV, an American comedy that I have grown to love, and in a similar way that Frasier has affected me. It is geeky, clever and funny at the same time. I seem to be watching different seasons of it, depending on the time of the day, and I note that there is already been four seasons of it, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do. I might even buy a couple of seasons with my Play trade funds.

It is weird how people like Brian Cox has made science all sexy again. After his star gazing nights Amazon have reported a five fold increase in the sales of telescopes. Even Jim Al Khalili makes electricity sound fizzing on his recent series on it. I watched the third part of that series tonight on BBC4 whilst cousin was up the pub. Tonight he looked at the development of transistors leading to the microchip and how electricity works in these tiny circuits, and why computers have fans to cool them down to counteract heating up caused by resistance. Resistance drops when things are supercooled and conductivity flows better when resistance is very small, thus the next stage is to try to get superconducting components at room temperature. Once that happens a new age in computing power will emerge, and will be better for the environment , since resistance creates heat.

My battered old laptop will do for now, anyway.

An Apology

Deep apologies goes to a friend of my utter buffoonery, and that not enough words can say how sorry I am. Perhaps I can send her some lipstick or something. I feel I need to do something …

… that is all I can say. Words are not enough.

Мои твиты

• Сб, 15:56: Like Bill and Ben i fancy some flob a dob weed
• Сб, 16:02: Man i need a head shop in Kent like you get in Brighton
• Вс, 01:14: Favourite two American comedies of mine has to be Frasier and the one i just watched, The Big Bang Theory
• Вс, 01:50: Superconductivity http://t.co/FhmjtxJ0
• Вс, 13:10: I favorited a @YouTube video http://t.co/gJjVsNaX Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun

Writer's Block: Thesaurus Day

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Heart felt ramblings of a frustrated writer and cultural geek , supposedly.

David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas

While experimental in his genre leaping poatmodern, interlocking Möbius strip narrative, Mitchell never loses focus of the important elements of a novel- it has something to say and it says it well. k. Authors who attempt tour de forces and experimentation can have a tendency to leave the reader scratching his head wondering what the hell is going on. Mitchell's echoing stories are very accessible with a caveat to which I will come back, and just fine, fine storytelling. The caveat. One chapter takes us to 19th century sailing, another to a future world and the middle story to an even later post-apocalyptic future world. The vocabulary in the first can be archaic and its references obscure if you are not familiar with that time period. While some may accuse Mitchell of purple prose in this section, that would be missing the point of who the narrator is, an educated 19th century gentleman. Anyone familiar with journals of this sort will see that the language is excellently suited. The other potentially challenging sections are the two futuristic ones. As is often the case with futuristic stories there is an argot, partly invented, and partly appropriating common words and giving them new meanings. With a modicum of patience these can be easily deciphered. Readers who have muddled through Hoban's “Ridley Walker” or Burgess's “A Clockwork Orange” will have not trouble.

I will not attempt to describe the plot or characters since there are 6 separate but interlocking sets. There are continuing thematic threads-identity, freedom, self, life progressions, failure of assumption, betrayal....the nature of truth, the role of stories.

At times, incredibly intellectual, at others surprisingly simple, but always extremely engaging. David Mitchell creates 6 totally different, yet related stories. Sometimes the connection seems a little too contrived, but at the same time, I appreciate the idea that he's trying to go for. The narratives are flawless, in that he masters 6 different voices so completely and effectively. . Awesome read! So far, favourite novel in my challenge.

Keeping Pubs Going

An article in the Tory rag The Mail (washes mouth out in disgust) today about how we can keep our pub tradition going was on the whole sound and spot on. I agree that supermarket prices on cheap booze should be increased , but I personally doubt it will stop binge drinking and the social problems associated with it. Unfortunately it has become a cultural problem where it is cool to get wandered, and drink to excess. It is like a badge of honour, I only have to look somewhere at close quarters to know that is true (and I am not talking about myself).

Also whilst increasing supermarket prices , the tax on drinks in pubs should be lowered to encourage social drinking and the appreciation of a good pint. Connected with this the government should look into the situation of tied houses where any landlord who does well gets his rents hiked up. It is madness that Phil can only sell Guinness form his company at a higher price than buying it on the open market, and that he is not allowed to sell guest beers unless specified by Shit n' Scream.

Food is one way that pubs can survive, and things like putting on poker nights or evening entertainment do help,but unless the prices in the pub of normal drinks become more profitable for the pub rather than the tax man and all the middle men, then this situation will see more local pubs close leaving a coterie of city pubs aimed squarely at the young and irresponsible.

This is why I am still amazed that places like the Evening Star do so well, despite not being a food venue, and then perhaps not, when you consider it is generally a real ale drinker's venue that has a big turnover of drinks from the weakest 3.4 % beer to the strongest imperial ale. Prices are reasonable as well. Dark Star Revelation was £3.50 a pint and the half of the Bearded Lady was the same price for a half, (and these are strong beers which I respect – you can't have too many of them), and I don't mind paying those prices against bog standard Masterbrew which is almost three quid a pint.

So guys and girls support your local pub.

What Do You Do?

Well it is official. Spot does not care about anyone's opinions and does not give a fuck about being an alcoholic, and says the wants to live his life as it is, and that nobody cares for him or give a fuck if he dies tomorrow. So ladies next door, my bro, or anyone who reads this, there is not much we can do about it.

He has been to the pub every night this week , he has hidden or tired to hide, bottles of whisky and cider from me.

I have had enough , and just let him drink himself to death.

I wash my hands of him.

He had his washing machine money back and has done nothing about getting a new one. He said he does not care any more. The words of a typical alcoholic.

What Do You Do?

Well it is official. Spot does not care about anyone's opinions and does not give a fuck about being an alcoholic, and says the wants to live his life as it is, and that nobody cares for him or give a fuck if he dies tomorrow. So ladies next door, my bro, or anyone who reads this, there is not much we can do about it.

He has been to the pub every night this week , he has hidden or tired to hide, bottles of whisky and cider from me.

I have had enough , and just let him drink himself to death.

I wash my hands of him.

He had his washing machine money back and has done nothing about getting a new one. He said he does not care any more. The words of a typical alcoholic.