BiSScuiTT's Rants...

New Site

2011-04-30T16:33:00.002+01:00

Hey guys.

My site has been down for ages, and i've not updated the blog in forever.

Got a new site running at http://www.tekuiti.co.uk/ so update your bookmarks and feed readers.

Have Fun,
Gravybeard!

See you soon

2010-01-18T03:29:00.002Z

Maybe something I said.. maybe something somebody said to me.... maybe even
some song lyrics. Either way It's just some words that really meant something
to me (or that was funny and memorable) over the past few months while we've
been changing countries. It's been a busy and difficult time and I really wanted
to atleast document something about it.

In a reasonably cronological order (as memory serves):

*singing* "'cause I'm not a loser!! not a looooser! ... "
"OMG... We are really going to do this!"
"No Mum, I hope I do feel that way one day... Because then I'll know that I've rasied my son to follow his dreams no matter what!"
"Hunny... I just realised that we are now living out of the back of our car!"
*Walks out of the pub* "Have we forgotten anything ?.. o.. wait.. EVERYTHING WE OWN is in this car!"
"We've just upgraded to living out of my Mum and Dad's garage!"
"goodbye."
"If you miss somebody, you have to let them go" -- Ruben
"OK... lets go and burn some memories"
"I knew atleast one of our bags would go missing!"
"No!!!! That's gross! I don't want a scorpion on a stick! :("
"These undies are NOT desinged for a westerners undercarriage!"
"No... we didn't come halfway across the world to go to McDonalds!"
"Now we are living in my brothers back bedroom!"
"Burger rings!!! nom nom nom"
Ruben: *Shouting* "I just did a great big poo!!!"
"Can you beleive we are actually here ???"
*!!!SMASH!!!* "Dude! you should just not come into people's new houses anymore OK !?"
"She reminds me of an asian version of your mum!"
"I am soooo happy"
"Living the dream"
"WTF is Yum Cha?!"
*thinking* "Yeah... I could live around here.. Oh.. wait.. I do !! yay!"
"Will I ever get tired of this view?"
"Lets go home!"

And the single sentence that started it all 8 months ago:
Ruben: "My heart feels like it's falling out"

Thanks to everyone who helped us out (even if it was just listening to me whining)
Thanks to everyone who came to get drunk with us before we left.
Thanks to all my nay sayers for giving me the strength to want to turn around and say "Screw you!"

Mike, thanks for putting up with us for so long (and for so much longer neigbourino!!)
Dan, thanks for buying all my crap and throwing it in the tip!! Come see us soon!

Dad. You are amazing! I couldn't have made my dream come true with out your support. You rock. I love you!
Mum. I know you hate me for leaving. I miss you so much it hurts! Please know that I am happy. I love you!

Australia: Week One

2009-12-02T22:13:00.001Z

Hey all! A quick montage of our exploits in Australia over the past week....

I only got the camera on sunday so that's why it's pretty sparse ! :)

We've also looked at a few houses over the past week but the Sydney rental market is a little trickier than what we were used to in the UK.

Have fun !

Capn' BiSScuiTT

Resignation 2009

2009-10-20T12:55:00.003+01:00

Below is a copy of the actual resignation letter I handed in today. I used to work for a HUGE multi-national as an IT engineer and I'm leaving these dingy UK countryside for the sandy shores of sunny Sydney.

Sadly neither my Manager or my Boss were available to accept the resignation so I had to hand it into a senior memeber of management (with hilarious consequences).

Yes: I drew the T-rex myself as a tribute to spider guy.

Date: 20th of October 2009

Dear Sirs,

Under the watchful eye of his Noodlyness, Her Majesty's Royal Service has condemned me to deportation to the colonies. Due in part to several recent acts of piracy, heresy, excessive web browsing and a recent attempt at regicide (those damn Corgi's should keep the hell of my lawn). Fortunately, I have been granted one month to get my affairs in order.

I hereby give notice of my termination of employment with your company as of today, leaving my final date of employment as the 20th of November 2009.

As a token of my appreciation for all the enjoyment and excitement I've had working with you over the last few years, please accept this picture of a Tyrannosaurus Rex which I have drawn for you.

May the sauce be with you!

Capn' Ian Bissett

Ramen.

HOWTO: KDE 4 and Google Pim data (akonadi)

2009-06-11T10:33:00.009+01:00

Hi,

Wondering how to setup KDE with your favourite google PIM data ?

The following howto is based on Ubuntu Karmic Koala but you can tailor it to your distro.

Install the required packages for building

$apt-get install build-essential libgcal-dev libgcal0 kdelibs5-dev kdepimlibs5-dev akonadi-kde

Get the googledata Akonadi resource from KDE's svn

$ svn co svn://anonsvn.kde.org/home/kde/trunk/extragear/pim/googledata

Build the module:

$ cd googledata
$ cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr
$ make
$ sudo make install

If you hit problems with the initial cmake then make sure you have all the required packages it is asking for.

Once you've got the library installed you need to configure Akonadi:

System Settings -> Advanced -> Akonadi Configuration

Click Add and choose one of the new Google resources listed. Enter your login details and it will automatically sync.

Congrats, all your KDE PIM Apps now have access to your Google contacts and calendar.

Feel free to post a comment if you need any help / advice.

Happy Hacking!

Solaris Password change one liner

2009-04-02T10:31:00.005+01:00

I searched for a while this morning looking for a quick and simple answer to a very simple question: "How can I set a password non-interactively for a user on Solaris 10 ?".

Under Linux this job is very simple (use the '-p' option to useradd) but for Solaris I found ridiculous posts about admins using multi-line PERL scripts or even expect scripts to change a password. Expect?! EXPECT? I didn't even realise people still used such things ?!

Any how... here is a simple PERL one liner for updating the shadow file:

perl -pe 's/^USERNAME:.*?\:/USERNAME:NEWPASS\:/' /etc/shadow > /tmp/shadow.tmp && mv /tmp/shadow.tmp /etc/shadow

Note: This oneliner requires the password to be crypt()'d first. This can be done easily as a one liner in PERL:

[bisscuitt@asimov ~]$ perl -e "print crypt($ARGV[0], substr(rand(date),2));" PLAINTEXTPASSWORD
50kq0KhJnHwU2

Hope this helps someone.

Have Fun,
BiSScuiTT

Saw the Ride Video blog - Review

2009-03-15T18:17:00.006Z

I've been following the Project Dylan blogs for months now and to be honest I was expecting to be let down by all the hype.

When the e-mail came out from the Annual Pass guys to win 2 free tickets for the preview day on the 13th of March you can't imagine how fast I was clicking! An instant win... what a result and very rare for me to actually win something!

The park entrance had a red carpet.. but there was nothing special laid on until we actually got near the ride entrance. Thorpe Park certainly know how to put on a show. They had scary ass (but VERY sexy) stilt walkers freaking people out AND they had a fire breathing pirate juggling body parts. The first thing that got my attention was the Head Chopper spinning, it looks awesome! The rest of the theming is spectacular and I love the way they have integrated the photo both and shop into the theming as with the other rides in the park.

I was amazed to see an empty queuing system?! I couldn't believe my luck. From the video you can see some of the theming elements from the queue... it looks very authentic. Entering the final stage of the queue system inside the building is awesome. The staff were in a great a mood and even though they were blue shirts; they still put on a great show. After walking past a (once again quite sexy) actress being *tortured* in an original film prop, we were half way up the stairs when two blue shirts stopped us. They wouldn't let us past, and wouldn't tell us why. It was confusing at first, but it worked out pretty comical when they started freaking out the only girl in our group before sending us up to get straight on the ride.

At this point I paused the camera phone, which sadly meant we missed some important theming inside the building. Then, at the top of the stairs we approached a blue shirt at the station. We checked our bags and queued in Row 2. (Back of first carriage). The station is laden with theming making it look just like one of Jigsaw's game control centers.

The ride starts (this is where the camera comes back on). Gears and machinery is moving around on the theming by the track. Jigsaw's puppet rides out on his tricycle to meet you laughing freakishly. The countdown is zero. We've made our choice, and we are stuck with it...

Around the corner are swinging axe blades in front of the track, but before they hit the car suddenly falls on to spikes and proceeds quickly around sweeping bend. Suddenly an array of mechanised crossbows begin firing at us as we ascend slowly along the track... Then its down as we slowly corkscrew over the jigsaw lying face down on the floor and proceed to the climb outside.

At the bottom of the climb there is a brief video from Jigsaw (via the puppet of course). We are left to wait a few seconds to take in the gravity of the 100 foot drop and climb we are about the take.

The vertical ascent give you little more to look at other than the sky which really starts the adrenaline pumping. As the camera cut out we went over the summit... The configuration of the track over spinning blades of the head chopper really makes you feel like you are going to fall directly onto the them. The 100FT, 100 degree drop reaches speeds of 55 MPH.

From then on the coaster experience is not themed, but still incredible. This is an extreme ride which will leave even the experienced coaster buff like myself feeling at least a little dizzy and unsteady. Don't be too quick to leave the station building... there is lots more theming on the stairs on the way out that you should check out.

After riding 4 times my body is physically exhausted. I still ache 2 days later and I have several bruises on my shoulders from the harnesses. Either I'm getting old... or this ride is just THAT extreme! I'm going back to ride again in 3 days time!!!

Tips for riding:

Check out the blood splatters just after entering the building while in the queue.

The best place to ride to get the BEST experience is ROW 3 at the station. You get a little more theming and a great view from a front row seat

Conclusion: BEST COASTER *EVAR*!

Saw the ride Video Blog - Into the park

2009-03-15T13:11:00.001Z

In this second video, we've arrived at the park and are walking upto the ride. You can see the awesome theming elements and also a pirate. which was fun!

Saw the ride video blog - morning before

2009-03-15T13:10:00.001Z

My first attempt at a video blog... don't laugh at me.

iConceal - how to hide TV cables

2009-03-11T15:16:00.001Z

A great way to hide your TV cables!

I have an iConceal. I should do.... my dad created it didn't he. It is the bomb. Sleek, sexy, easy to fit and a sinch to add new cables later.

Most people would rip a hole in the wall. I never wanted to do that. Even with internal conduit adding new cables is a pain in the arse!

iConceal made putting my TV on the wall quick and easy.

Having my TV on the wall is great for playing the Wii. Being able to play House of the Dead and Wii Sports at eye level is the bomb!

If you were considering putting your TV on the wall. iConceal is the way to do it. If you have a Wii, then get your TV on the wall for more immersive game play!

iConceal - http://www.iconceal.tv/

Cruftastic

2009-03-08T13:23:00.001Z

Enzo the giant schnauzer (dan's dog) won second in class today! An awesome result for your first year. Congrats guys!

Brainsssssss

2009-02-13T22:32:00.001Z

UrGh!

Responsibility

2009-01-06T22:27:00.003Z

OMG... just applying Ruben for school... How did he get so old so fast !! :)

I'll tell you what though, looking at our local schools... if he gets any of the 3 prefered options we've chosen, he can't possibly loose! They'll all lern 'im proper! just like 'is Daddy ! ;)

It's all good news for once. Hurrah! I'll let you know which ones the council have chosen for him.

Have Fun,
BiSScuiTT

Obligatory holiday photo

2008-12-24T09:29:00.001Z

Ruben in the woods at center parcs

Back on the wagon

2008-12-12T21:10:00.001Z

Bisscuitt decided to ease slowly back into drinking.

Decaffinating and other stuff

2008-12-09T00:13:00.004Z

Well.. it's been over 2 weeks since I kicked the caffeine habit. I'm not sure why I'm still getting the DT's now though.. it should have only lasted a few days. I'm *supposed* to be feeling better at some point right ?

Current mood is super depressed and I am unable to focus, but I'm powering through it. Also I had real trouble staying awake at work today and I kinda have a bit of a short fuse! ;)

In other news, I went back to see the doctor the other week regarding my sinuses. He said all the crappy infection has cleared up. He was very proud of his work on my nose... so if he's happy, so am I. My breathing is so much better now, but it looks like I'll be stuck on the nasal spray for at least a year, and I'll be using the saline wash for many years to come.

All in all, the nose and sinuses are much better. The only thing getting me down is the caffiene but I'm confident the aches and pains will subside in the next couple of days.

I took some great pictures of Ruben in the playground the other day: Tekuti Photos: Phone Photos - 20081206

Have Fun all !
BiSScuiTT

Arr! Ahoy me proud beatuies!

2008-09-19T10:13:00.006+01:00

Hearty greetings ye swabs and a merry TLAPD to ye!

Wether it be beer, rum, O'er whisky... let ye drink hearily and be merry! ARRRR!!!

There shall be a most prestigeous, outrageous drinkin' party within the port of Tekuiti this evenin' Ye be welcome at me doors from 20:00. I wish ye god's speed!

Capn' BiSScuiTT

---
Update:
Me salty, bossomous wench has been slavin' away on making me a fair vessel:

A sweet treat for all me pirate breterin to enjoy! Tuck in lads!

10 Things I Learnt From My Nose Job

2008-09-18T13:48:00.000+01:00

I've been asked a lot about the nosejob. The surgery went well but i'll have to wait 2 months to see if it was succesful. Here are the things I've learnt from the process:

1. It was not done for vanity reasons... People are beautiful the way they are.. I had it done because my sinuses were infected, swollen and full of puss. My Sinusitis is painful, debilitating and drives me mad with constant pressure, paranoia, anxiety and vision disturbances.

2. The doctor shoved fibre optics up my nose, Used a hammer and chisel to "re-shape my septum" and roto-routered my sinus passages with his surgical Dremel Multitool. Yes... Ofcourse it hurt.. it still hurts 2 weeks later and I expect it to hurt for at least another 2 weeks.

3. If the above pain was not enough.. they also packed an entire middle finger of a rubber glove up each nostril stuffed with wadding. Which they removed the next morning *AFTER* my morphine had just about Worn off. This bit gave me the most pain.

4. Genreal Anaesthetic is horrible. Even if your lucky enough for it to NOT make you vomit violently.... it can still make weird things like make you blood pressure crash or sky rocket. Having to deal with pain is one thing, but then having to deal with the effects of general anaesthetic at the same time is not fun.

5. The after care for a nose job is disgusting... I've had to rinse my nose with salt water (I've been using Sterimar) at least 3 times a day for over 2 weeks. At first you end up coughing up disturbing mixtures of soft dark red mucus encrusted blobs that make you want to be sick when you see them slump in the sink. They look something like small slithers of sheep liver.

6. Just because you woke up during one operation 22 years ago, it does not mean it is likely to happen again... even if it drives you to a psychiatrist when you remembered waking up in the first place.

7. Modern medicine is amazing!

8. The human body is amazing! The things you can put it through are incredible.

9. Doctors know nothing about how painful something is. Everybody deals with pain differently, but describing the pain from a Septoplasty and FESS as being as bad a "bop on the nose" is WAY off base!

10. If you have an option to get Private Medical cover from work. Do it! You never know when you'll need it and it is Fantastic! From initial GP consultation to surgery was less than 1 month.

House-ism

2008-09-12T10:55:00.004+01:00

You know you've been watching too much House when: at 10.30 am the doorbell rings.... you answer in just your dressing gown to find two retired women, slightly wrinkled with whispy white hair standing in front of you clutching books.

"Good morning, this morning we are asking your neighbours if you think there will ever be peace on earth?"
Me: "Oh, are you selling religion!? ..."
"... ermm.. were not sell.."
Me: "Oh, it's ok.... I bought islam just last week!"
Door: *slam*

Do you think god will smite me !? Maybe if there was a little less smiting there would be a lot more peace eh ?!

Have Fun!

Atheros AR242x Wireless Linux Ubuntu problem [SOLVED]

2008-09-08T17:45:00.008+01:00

OK, so i had my ubuntu working perfectly with wireless until a kernel update. Trying to update the modules again made things go south...

The problem I was having after compiling the madwifi modules were:

[ 31.067538] ath_hal: module license 'Proprietary' taints kernel.
[ 31.068968] ath_hal: 0.9.18.0 (AR5210, AR5211, AR5212, RF5111, RF5112, RF2413, RF5413)
[ 31.251611] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol _ath_hal_attach
[ 31.251615] ath_pci: Unknown symbol _ath_hal_attach
[ 31.251720] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol ath_hal_process_noisefloor
[ 31.251722] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_process_noisefloor
[ 31.252092] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol ath_hal_computetxtime
[ 31.252094] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_computetxtime
[ 31.252339] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol ath_hal_mhz2ieee
[ 31.252341] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_mhz2ieee
[ 31.252518] ath_pci: Unknown symbol _ath_hal_detach
[ 31.253072] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_print_decoded_register
[ 31.253608] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol ath_hal_init_channels
[ 31.253610] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_init_channels
[ 31.253840] ath_pci: disagrees about version of symbol ath_hal_getwirelessmodes
[ 31.253842] ath_pci: Unknown symbol ath_hal_getwirelessmodes

I solved it with the following:

Remove all files in: /usr/lib/`uname -r`/net/
Unload existing modules: modprobe -r begining with names:
- ath_
- wlan_
svn co https://svn.madwifi.org/madwifi/branches/madwifi-hal-0.10.5.6
cd madwifi-hal-0.10.5.6
make
make install
depmod -a
modprobe ath_pci

Hope this helps somebody.

BiSScuiTT Needs a Nose Job

2008-08-29T09:08:00.007+01:00

So.. no luck on getting any pictures of the interior of my head. But, when I asked the doctor, he did promise to break my nose and drill out my tear ducts!

On a more serious note he's going to do the following 2 procedures on my face:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septoplasty
http://www.entkent.com/FESS.html

The procedures look pretty fun.. basically he is indeed going to break and reset my septum. Then he's going to use a miniature drill to open up the sinuses near my eyes as are they are "a bit small and obstructed".

Than plan is to give my sinuses more room to drain... making them less likely to get infected again and leaving me in pain and feeling sick and dizzy.

I'm going in on Wednesday 3rd September (you gotta love how fast private medical care works compared to NHS) and quite frankly I'm shitting myself! If the doctor (who I'm sure is very talented) makes a quick slip... he could accidentally pierce the base of my skull allowing my precious brain fluids to leak.

On the other hand... if he slips in the other direction he could pierce either of my eyeballs leading to my precious eye juices leaking and leaving me [partially] blind. (however... if only one eye is affected it may give me a good excuse to permanently wear a eye patch ! Yarr!!)

Here's an awesome video of some sinus surgery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-IlHOdqrms -- Septoplasty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIQ5juqMqg0 -- FESS

Sinusitis

2008-08-11T15:07:00.004+01:00

Phht.... so anyways... turns out that braking my nose on Tom Denton's head when I was playing rugby at school some 10 years ago has finally come back to haunt me.

The searing pain in my head is a direct result of the littel bastards head displacing my septum so badly that it is blocking one of my Sinus ducts... which has inevitibly lead to a killer sinus infection.

I'll get you for the this Mr Denton.... You'll rue the day I tried to tackle you with union rules!!

I've had a head scan becasue the scores of antibiotics don't seem to have worked too well... back to see the doctor on Thursday.

The pain is quite bareable now... and the sickness seems to have dissipated.... it'd be nice to have my sense of taste back tho.... I can't taste steak pie anymore !? How's a person supposed to live if they can't taste steak and ale pie ?

On the plus side.. I did get to see what the back of my throat looks like via my nose.... Fibre optics are this: ACES! I'll ask the doctor very nicely if I can have a picture :)

Tiger Babe

2008-07-29T13:49:00.001+01:00

We spent a weekend at Marvellous '08 with my friends from work. We had a great time.

Hopefully I'll have some more pictures soon too. Just waiting for Andrew to sort through them.

Thanks for the free Tickets Andrew! We all had a great time!

Thanks to JennyP for the awesome picature !! :)

Nursery pillager

2008-07-23T10:23:00.001+01:00

Arr... Another picature of me wee lad, this time dressed in honour o' is fine daddy to pillage and plunder the children at nursery :)

Yarrr!

2008-07-08T21:04:00.001+01:00

There be not enough blogging on 'er as of late!

Mancunian Money Maker

2008-03-28T09:41:00.001Z

So... my Bro takes the train from his quaint hometown of Macclesfield to the big city of Manchester to see his friend.

My brother arrives at the station early evening. An attractive young woman approaches.

Woman: Hey *flutters eye lids*... you got the time.
Bro: Sure... it about 8 45.
Woman: Oh, Great...
Bro: ...
Woman: You er...
Bro: ... (thinking his luck is in)
Woman: Looking for any er... business ???
Bro: ... ??
Woman: ...
Bro: Oh... Ermm... Err... erm.... No.. er.. Thankyou. tho... ermm... no thanks! err... bye!
Bro: *Turns and walks away thinking how funny this story will be when he tells it to his friends*

My brothers friend lives in a reasonable area of Manchester.. however, the quickest way to get from Manchester Picadilly station to his house is via a reasonably rough neighborhood (i.e: Most of Manchester).

Bro: walking... keeping quiet.
Bro: Still walking...
Shiny Merc: *Pulls up at side of road near my brother*
Bro: *notices car*
Shiny Merc: *Drivers Side Window Opens*
Bro: *Walks over to car presuming he needs directions*
Bro: You alright there ?
Driver: Ermm.... you doing any bussines ???
Bro: Ermm... oh.. err... no!?
Shiny Merc: *Speeds off*
Bro: WT?!

Music Help

2008-02-22T10:57:00.000Z

I need help finding new music. Everything I listen too lately is too depressing. I'm finally finding myself in a good mood.. and all My media player wants to give me is depressing crap because I've been in a bad place for a while and that's what I *was* listening too.

Why is it so difficult to stay positive! seriously it's hard work.. and the last thing i need is my music player making presumptions about me ! :)

So.. I need *YOUR* help. Recommend some decent fun music that'll keep me in a good mood! Preferably something punky.

I listen to NOFX and Zebrahead a lot.. and Blink182 also have some fun lyrics... but I need something fresh!

My last.fm tags have 'emo' all over them ffs!!! halp me please!!!!

Awesome photo

2008-02-15T16:44:00.001Z

Ruben looking awesome at Dylan's birthday party.

Comedy Linkages

2008-01-31T10:22:00.000Z

The above image is of my 2 Screens being filled with the bookmarks automagically created every time Seanie sends me teh linkage!

These are the links for last year.... as you can see there is barely 10% of my visible screen left after displaying all the bookmarks. Seanie... seriously... i'm scared.. look at some of the titles of those links!

The list of links can be found here: http://www.2shared.com/file/2788177/845114cb/Seanie_bookmarks.html

BEWARE: Most of these links are NOT SAFE FOR WORK, EYES OR BRAIN. Seriously... you should NOT look at *ANY* of the links.. ever!!!!

Have Fun!

MythTV and USB Audio Problem [Resolved]

2008-01-29T21:54:00.001Z

So, I have been struggling for months to get MythTV to play all my videos and audio correctly!! and i Finally got it figured out this evening ! Hurrah!

I was getting the following error message:

AudioOutput Error: Rate doesn't match (requested 44100Hz, got 48000Hz)

My current setup consists of the follow 2 sound cards:

$ aplay -l
**** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices ****
card 0: SI7012 [SiS SI7012], device 0: Intel ICH [SiS SI7012]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: UA1D [EDIROL UA-1D], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

The second of which is a USB Audio device with only SPDIF in and outputs. I want all my audio to go through this SPDIF interface and into my Surround Sound AMP. Sadly, The above error was preventing most of my media to play correctly through mythtv... especially when it came to music.

This error message appears becasue mythtv tries to set the spdif interfaces to 44100khz when spdif only supports 48000khz audio modes.

The following .asoundrc in my mythtv frontend users account ~mythtv/.asoundrc solved the problem once and for all.

pcm.!default {
type plug slave {
pcm "hw:1,0"
rate 48000
format S16_LE
}
}

So simple huh. This basically sets the default soundcard to be second (in this case USB) card and then informs ALSA to set re-sample all input to 48000khz in 16bit Little Endian format.

Then I simply set the sound devices in mythtv and mythmusic to use ALSA:default to seal the deal.

You might need to change the above to your specific hardware numbers. If so, don't forget to use the card number show in aplay -l (number start from 0).

Grandad sitting

2008-01-01T22:34:00.001Z

We sent grandad up to put Ruben to bed. 10 minutes later we hear snoring and i find Ruben playing with his rocket and grandad away with the fairies ! Happy New Year folks ! :)

TuxTrooper...

2007-11-30T13:11:00.001Z

Is guarding my desk.

Corporate Dress Code

2007-11-01T09:51:00.000Z

So.. That's me yesterday.. At work.. dressed as a Pirate! I have fulfilled a career long dream of arriving at the office in full Pirate Regalia!

And it felt good. Oddly tho.. it wasn't being the center of attention for the day made it so great. Tbh, that part made me feel a slight peculiar. The fuzzy warm feeling came from the smiles, glances, double-takes and occasional "Arrs!!" I received from random strangers, both inside and outside the office.

Who would have though a few pieces of cloth/leather could change people's perspective of me so dramatically. Most people don't usually even give me a second glance.

It was enjoyable to reach out from the norm... not just for myself, but for everybody else too. And I know I made those strangers day because they saw a Pirate! It was awesome !

The best part was walking out of the local Sainsbury's and seeing two small children running around infront of me... they both stopped and stared at me as I walked passed... stunned and silent... then, from behind my back I heard: "Look MUM!.... a PIRATE!!!!"

May you be touched by his Noodly Appendage.

Updated: Redhat Linux RHEL 4 NIC Bonding

2007-10-31T13:05:00.001Z

Update: The below configuration for multiple bonded interface *does* work, but involves loading the bonding driver multiple times using precious system resources.

The other option is to use the following in modprobe.conf

alias bond0 bonding
alias bond1 bonding
options bond0 miimon=100 mode=1 max_bonds=2
options bond1 miimon=100 mode=1 max_bonds=2

This will only load the module once, and setup 2 (as specified by max_bonds) bonded interfaces in it's initialisation. However this means that if you wanted to add another bonded interface at a later date you would have to re-load the bonding driver causing the other bonded interfaces to be disrupted.

I can't see any reason why using both config simultaneously wouldn't work. So intially you could setup modprobe.conf with the above config, and then add some of the config below to setup a new interface with no down time.

i.e:

# Inital 2 Bonded interfaces
alias bond0 bonding
alias bond1 bonding
options bond0 miimon=100 mode=1 max_bonds=2
options bond1 miimon=100 mode=1 max_bonds=2

# Additional (temporary) bonded interface:
alias bond3 bonding
options bond1 -o bonding3 miimon=100 mode=1

Alternatively, setting max_bonds to a high number such as 8 or 16 would also help solve this issue, but would leave you with a large number of unused interfaces.

Using RedHat Enterprise 4, I was having major trouble getting multiple bonded interfaces to work.

I tired:

/etc/modprobe.conf:
alias bond0 bonding
alias bond1 bonding
options bond0 miimon=100 mode=1
options bond1 -o bonding1 miimon=100 mode=1

But I kept getting the error:

[root@newbuild ~]# ifup bond1
bonding device bond1 does not seem to be present, delaying initialization.

However bond0 would come up at boot time fine.

When trying /sbin/modprobe bond1 manually there was nothing returned, no log entries created and no interface appeared. Adding the options to modprobe directly worked correctly:

/sbin/modprobe bonding -o bonding1 miimon=100 mode=1

I eventually solved the problem by completely removing the above configuration and putting the following in /etc/modprobe.conf:

install bond0 /sbin/modprobe bonding -o bonding0 miimon=100 mode=1
install bond1 /sbin/modprobe bonding -o bonding1 miimon=100 mode=1

And finally both bonded interfaces initialized correctly.

Showing people how to mofoblog

2007-10-03T20:12:00.001+01:00

Drinking beers at the Ben Crouch. It is awesome place

My a pirate!

2007-09-16T22:37:00.001+01:00

Yarr!! Were me bed wench!?

Open already !

2007-09-16T16:08:00.001+01:00

Waiting for the fair to open

2.56

2007-08-24T15:29:00.000+01:00

anyho.. so.. i walk into sainsuby's after drinking three free prints, and the price of my purschases comes to 2.56..

bisscuitt: That's a nice round number!
cashier: *blank look*
cashier: You want a recipt ?
bisscuitt: no.... no.. it's ok....

New car

2007-08-01T18:32:00.001+01:00

Just got a bargain on our dream car :) We pick her up next week.

Most Random Series of Events.

2007-07-03T21:52:00.000+01:00

Once again, it's been a while... But the most recent events have been somewhat strange and have clogged my head.. So I'm going to pop this proverbial brain pimple upon the mirror which is my blog. This is probably going to be a three part story.

We travelled up to Hull on Friday night (22nd June) to see my parents. The plan was to leave Ruben with my parents while me and Jo spent a relaxing break in sunny Mallorca (Majorca) for 3 nights to celebrate our 3rd Wedding anniversary.

The weekend went without incident. We spent time with the family and a few close friends. Our flight was due to leave Doncaster (Robin Hood) airport on monday evening and we stocked up on a few more supplies.

Monday morning was when everything kicked off. A cry came from Jo in my parents downstairs bathroom. "Ermm... There's a problem with the toilet". This and Rubens earlier re-enactment of the rather unusual "Glub, glub" noise coming from my parents downspout led me to cautiously peer out of the front window and into the street. Sure enough... the rain was pouring, and the street was filling with a muddy concoction. Rousing my parents with "zOMG.... Guys... They street is teh Flooded" filled the house with panic, a little more tact might be in order next time.

As Jo bailed water (etc..) out of the stricken downstairs commode using a bucket and a soup ladle, I tried contacting the slashdotted flood line website and their over crowded telephone system, but to no avail.

The water quickly rose over the next hour. Me, my dad and several neighbours frantically waded through knee high waters lifting items out harms way in neighbourhood garages, and rescuing escaping wheelie bin contents as the water continued to rise.

We left for the Airport 5 hours before our flight. This may seem excessive for a 45 minute drive, however the TV and Radio was warning that Roads were starting to be closed. At 12 o'clock, 3 of my parents neighbours garages were flooded and we set off to the airport.

The rain was falling hard, and fast. Just as it had been for the previous 4 hours since I had awoken. The planned route took us down Major roads only. But approaching the exit on the Beverley bypass towards Beverley and the Humber Bridge brought the small amount of traffic to an abrupt halt on the slip road. The entire exit was an enormous puddle. It didn't look too deep... but I knew we wouldn't make it through when I saw the stricken purple Nissan Micra in the centre of the puddle, it's passengers stranded.

A decision was soon made to continue down the bypass to the roundabout at the end of the road... without intervention the SatNav calculated a new route.

We arrived at the roundabout after fighting a partially flooded road to find chaos. Water had taken control of all 3 exits. But this was our only way to get to the airport. Straight ahead was a HGV battling through the flooded exit, the exit to my right was going completely the wrong direction, and the exit to the left was swamped with water. It was however clear of traffic and the direction TomTom suggested. I took a chance... I dropped my 7 year old 1.3l Toyota Corolla down to 2nd gear and slammed my foot on the throttle....

Water engulfed the car... it was much deeper than it seemed... water easily covering the sills. The engine started to cough and splutter. I squeezed more and more revs out of the engine. The fan belt slipped... The car filled with the stench of burning rubber and petrol fumes. The car never stopped moving. The rev counter jumped about like a seismometer in San Fransisco. Until finally, we Just made it through. "Wahooo!!!". Meters from the roundabout was a small farmhouse. A torrent of water pouring from it's driveway and onto the roundabout, as though somebody had turn on a fire hydrant. Altough we made it past the roundabout, This was not over.

Our new route took us over a sweeping landscape... Travelling to the higher ground eased our nerves, while the downward hills brought fear of more what watery fate may lurk below. The roads here were relatively clear, only a few large puddles and fast moving water to deal with.

We reached the village of Walkington. The entire highstreet was now a shallow river. As we travelled up the highstreet, a Yellow Range rover sped past engulfing the car in water once again... The wipers strained to clear the deluge. But finally after navigating all this and more like it in North Cave, we reached the A63. We were home free.

The opposite carriage way was gridlocked for miles. While ours was clear. Rain was still falling as it had been all day. Now, my thoughts passed to my parents, and my son, back in the flood stricken suburbia that was my parents home. The radio spoke of closed roads, schools and evacuations... I felt like a character in a movie... fleeing a disaster zone.

... To Be Continued ...

Mis-beehiving

2007-05-15T19:35:00.001+01:00

This bee swarm in our front garden is half the size of 2 others in the back garden. There must be over 1000 bee's here, and atleast 2-3 thousand in each of the swarms in the back.

We are begining to feel like they have us surrounded ! :)

Have fun.

Long time, No post...

2007-05-13T13:56:00.000+01:00

Hey guys.

Just a quick post to say I have some new photos up on the Photo Site. Lots of pics of Ruben and the things we have been doing since we moved to Reading.

I've been really busy at work, things are really hotting up on a major project. It's fun and exciting...

Jo is currently laid-up after an operation to remove all 4 wisdom teeth. Everything went well, it just hurts... alot...

I'm going for the same operation in a few weeks time.

Have fun ppl. Also, you can find me on Skype (Username: bisscuitt)

Spider Mugging

2007-03-29T12:35:00.000+01:00

This spider dropped from the ceiling onto the step infront scaring the bejebus of me.. it landed on it's back and appeared to die slowly on the step.... Then when I went to take a photo of this overside spider, I decided to use a penny to add scale. The spider then stood up and took complete control of the penny. I have been officially mugged by a very clever spider!

Ruben: Chicken Pox

2007-03-26T13:17:00.001+01:00

It finally happened... Ru got chicken Pox.... We are at the hospital now, but no need to worry. We are going home again very soon.

24

2007-03-18T20:34:00.000Z

A quick photo entry for my birthday, the whole day was summed up with this pie and a chorus of waitresses singing happy birthday. Have fun guys ! :)

Mmmm.... Muffin.

2007-03-17T14:21:00.001Z

Ruben chomps down on a giant muffin in reading.

Woo hoo!

2007-02-17T14:12:00.000Z

We finally sold our crappy house!

Ruben: back home

2007-02-13T19:49:00.000Z

Ruben is back at home and feeling much better. We'll see you in hull this weekend ! Ruben's neutraphil count has dropped to 0.2. See you soon!

A whole new world....

2007-02-12T14:01:00.000Z

Ruben fell ill again this weekend... So we had to check him into the Royal Berkshire hospital for the first time.

And I must say we are impressed. The admission process saw us with a doctor within 20 minutes of steeping onto the ward. The nurses seemed to know all about the Neutropenia and were in awe of Ruben's immense cuteness.

They knew exactly how to use his Port-A-Cath and the nurses took blood instantly and knew exactly what they weer doing. The whole process went like clockwork.

They then took Ruben to his suite, That's right... his Suite... After being used to a pokey little room in Hull Royal with dirty wallpaper falling from the wall, we were taken to a room which featured a proper bed, Full size wardrobe and other Bedroom furniture (as-well as the luxury of a window that opened).

We were shown the en-suite bath and shower facilities and then were introduced to our adjoining room featuring a TV/Video/DVD player, Double sofa bed and Kitchenette with our own Fridge and microwave. I was almost in tears it ha already made the whole experience much easier.

As for Ruben, he was just impressed with the sit-in car that was in the room waiting for him.

Ruben is doing well, He is currently going to be receiving IV Anti-biotics until Thursday at the earliest.

If you want to get in-touch, his patientline number is: 07040 264573. Please call us anytime. Calls from the phone are expensive and we are not allowed to use mobiles on the ward. Please call us. We want to hear from you!

In good news, His latest Neutraphil count came back at 1.0 when it was checked on Saturday night. Sadly tho, his platelet count was down. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that means apart from: "They are the cells that are used to clot the blood". The hope is that the platelets should recover in the next day or so when they are retested.

No need to panic (At least that is what I keep saying to myself.)

And for the record, We have never felt more distant from our friends and family than we do right now. We miss you guys!

Crap

2007-01-20T18:19:00.000Z

God damn we own a lot of Crap :)

Ruben: Great News!

2007-01-05T18:00:00.000Z

Hey Hey all!

We had some great news about Ruben today! His Neutrophil count came back at a High 1.58. This is an almost normal level (normal being 1.7). In actual fact, Neutropenia is defined as being a Neutrophil count of below 1.5.

Compared to recent constant readings of around 0.02 for the past few months, this could show some real signs of the 'spontaneous recovery' we have been hoping for and hearing about for many months.

We are trying not to set our hopes too high this early, but this news was far too good to just keep to our selves!

If the count is still up next Friday then we'll probably have reason to celebrate!

I'll keep you posted !

In other news: next weekend we are moving to Reading!

Have Fun Kids!

NSFW: Wayne's pornstar bedroom

2006-12-31T19:42:00.000Z

NSFW: Wayne's Pornstar Bedroom

Wayne's brand new silk sheets which his mother got him for Xmas are put to good use for the first time.

Happy New Year Wayne!

Job Update

2006-12-22T20:52:00.000Z

I started my new job with Siemens 2 weeks ago. The job is awesome, I'm working on some really big projects and the people I am working with are fantastic. In bad news though, I've already had to take a day of on sick. I was up all night with a high temperature and I have been laid in bed all day swallowing pain killers and Flu tablets like mad.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jo and Ruben tomorrow night tho!

Jo Has handed in her resignation to Kingston Communications, and has applied to start a nursing course in September.

We have also found a gorgeous new house we are going to be moving into as soon as possible in January.

Right now tho, I'm concerntrating on get Well, Getting home and spending XMas with the family. I really miss everybody back in Hull and can't wait to see them all again over te holiday period.

Have Fun peeps,

See you soon!

Super Pirate-Ninja

2006-12-04T15:45:00.000Z

Super Pirate-Ninja

You are 32% Pure Ninja, 67% Pure Pirate, and 88% Hybrid!

You are skilled in both Ninja and Pirate training, but you are slightly more of a pirate. You don't like to work alone, and your favorite weapons include pistols, swords, and cannons. You are pretty lazy, and have a lust for money.

Weapons: Pistols, Swords, Cannons, Hooks, Ninja Stars (occasionaly).
Special Moves: Dissapearing, getting drunk so you can't feel pain, or getting really drunk so you go berserk and slaughter things.
Your fear factor: 85%/B

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 12% on Ninja
You scored higher than 94% on Pirate
You scored higher than 94% on Ninja-Pirate

Link: The Ninja, Pirate, Ninja-Pirate Test written by bluemanrockss on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

An Unexpected Ending.

2006-11-28T14:53:00.000Z

You know how sometimes you watch a movie... Which you are not particularly enjoying, and you wish you weren't actually watching it, yet there is something engrossing you to the point where you can't just get up and walk away, but then, right there at the end of the movie... something happens that saves the whole thing from being a disaster.

A bit like Armageddon, the movie drags, the dialog sucks and the storyline is unrealistic an full of bad science. But then, right there at the end... the Hero (in this case Bruce Willis) dies! This has left my memory of the entire film as 'Not that Bad' as a posed to just 'plain awful'

Well, This is kinda how I am viewing the past year. Not the taking my whole life part... but in the fact that this year has been nothing but misery, the most terrible year on record infact.

The year began with a terrible start when I began commuting to Leeds on a daily basis, by train no less.... This made me quite miserable very quickly. Then, A few weeks into the new year, Jo was prescribed anti-depressants and diagnosed with post natal depression. No sooner had she finished said anti-depressants due to 'Irregular and severe side-effects' Ruben became ill for the first time.

After the doctors basically telling us to prepare for the fact that our son has Leiukemia, he was diagnosed with Neutropenia, as many of my previous posts will tell you. Then, after his operation my mental health deteriorated to the point that I had to see 2 separate psychiatrists.

My infant memories of my torturous treatment of cancer were brought forward 22 years by the similarities of the treatment Ruben was receiving, brining me horrific flashbacks and basically turning me into self-depressing emotionless monster.

Finally however, after all our treatments and after all the hardship and stress, we have found new light. My PTSD is now managable thanks to my amazing Doctors, Jo has worked not only through her PND, but has surpassed herself and been working with counsellors regarding her assertiveness. She is a new woman, more amazing than before. So amazing infact, that she is beginning to amaze even herself! We are now coping with Rubens Illness much better, and are getting into the routine of frequently visiting the hospital. Everyday we learn more about the condition and it gets easier and easier to manage.

There are big changes comming our way. I have scored a new job working with Siemens looking after the WWW and Streaming Media Servers which hold the bbc.co.uk content. This however will mean moving to Maidenhead near London.

Plans are already in place, Our house is on the market (with an interested party), Jo has been able to get a job In Hemel Hemstead (still working for Kingston Communications), I have found somewhere to stay until the new year and we are both really looking forward to it.

It's going to be hard leaving all our friends and family behind, but we really feel that a new start like this is going to be the best way to move forward with our lives. We also understand that moving away while Ruben is ill isn't going to be easy, but his condition *could* be permanant and our family have to move on with our lives around any problems.

I start my job in a few weeks, but I am not going to say goodbye just yet, I'll be home for Xmas, and we are planning a big party to make sure we see everybody before we go!

Well, that's my rant, sorry it's so long, but it's been a while and it ain't easy to sum up an entire year in one blog entry! Especially one that has been as eventful as this.

Peace out y'all!

Naming Ceremony Video

2006-10-18T13:35:00.000+01:00

I finally got around to putting this online.

The naming Ceremony took place well over a year ago and I finished the Video just in time for it's anniversary earlier in the year.

You can download the video here: Ruben's Naming Ceremony

It is pretty long and a lot of it is in-audible... But you'll like the video messages I have attached to the end. We plan to use this video to embarrass Ruben on his 18th Birthday! :)

It's my first ever real video editing... so be gentle! I used a program called Kino to edit the video stream from the camera. It's a pretty basic, but very easy to use package.

Re: Compo Entry

2006-10-17T15:32:00.000+01:00

I received the following this afternoon:

--- SNIP ---
Re: Compo Entry
From: Perlcast
To: BiSScuiTT
Date: Today 3:17:46 pm

You won a copy of Perl Hacks! Could you send me your address so that
I can have the book shipped?

--
http://www.perlcast.com
--- SNIP ---

OMG WOW ACES!

I won something!.... something useful! Thankyou Josh McAdams and the PerlCast team!

Perlcast is a podcast with information and updates on the PERL language. For more info, checkout the site: http://www.perlcast.com

Fair

2006-10-14T17:45:00.000+01:00

it's hull fair week, and Ruben is well impressed.

He especially enjoyed the slides, and was mesmorised by all the lights and sounds...

We have totally spoilt him rotten, but we don't care because we are just enjoying having him out of hospital!

I took an unhealthy amount of fair goodies to work in leeds, but nobody seemed to understand the whole hull fair concept... but seeing peoples faces light up like they were kids again really lightened my day.

Ruben: Meningitis Scare over

2006-10-10T09:56:00.000+01:00

Good news everybody!

Ruben doesn't have meningitis!!! It seems that some Meningococcal Bacterium managed to infect the blood sample after it left Ru's body, probably due to poor hand hygiene (hopefully in the lab). However, he was promptly given the anti-biotic for the Meningitis as it took 2 days to confirm the results.

The repeated blood tests however did show a Diplococcus bacterial infection, which CAN lead to Meningitis infections... However, the anti-biotic that had already been administered will have killed this infection.

Ruben is currently happy and healthy at home. The Neutropenia is still a major issue and has not improved.

Ruben: Meningitis Scare.

2006-10-06T21:14:00.000+01:00

Well, it all started as a routine trip into the hospital when Ruben's temperature reached 39.6 celcius (thats very high btw). As usual, the doctors did blood tests and had a good look at Ru.

They sent us home the next day with some oral anti-biotics, as it appeared to be a viral infection.

On wednesday morning, we had a call from the Hospital stating that the blood tests had come back and there was some concern.

It seems Ru's blood contained some meningogcoccal bacteria (i.e: meningitis). However, the Doctors and Lab Technical believe it was just some bacteria that was resting on the skin.

Just to be on the safe side, he is back on the strong antibiotics until his repeated blood cultures tests are back on sunday.

Ruben is suprisingly well, he is laughing and playing happily today.

It is certainly an un-nerving time, however we are all keeping our spirits high and fingers firmly crossed.

A ray of light.

2006-08-23T16:16:00.000+01:00

To be perfectly honest, The last few weeks since my last post have been crap. More to the point, I've been crap.

With all the shit that's been going on I've abandoned all my friends, constantly screwed up at work and generally been quite shit. I managed to crawl into my own little pit of misery were I lay wallowing in my depression.

Ah, but things have changed now. A ray of light hath appeared up on to me.

We finally got some results from Ruben's all important Bone Marrow test. It was Good news... Probably the best news we could have hoped for actually. The tests showed that Ruben's Bone Marrow was performing excellently, and that it was prodcuing the Neutraphil cells and depositing them into the blood stream just like good marrow should.

The problem then, appears to lie in the blood itself. It would seem that Ruben's other antibody cells are destroying his neutraphil cells. This is known as Auto-Immune Neutropenia.

The Good News:
Ruben's Illnesses should not be as severe as with other forms of Severe Chronic Neutropeina.
The condition will disappear when Ruben is roughly 5-7 Years old.
Most illnesses Ruben gets *should* be treatable with standard Anti-Biotics

The Bad News:
There is no cure, only waiting and treating infections.
Ruben is more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections.
These Infections still need rapid treatment to prevent serious infections.
It will mean Me, Jo and Ruben will spend most of his Infant Life in and out of hospital.

As you can see from above, Things could have tunred out much worse. Sure, there are some bad points, but ultimately there is a positive end insight. Providing we stay vigilant to Ruben's frequent infections I'm sure we can get to a happy ending.

As ever, for information about neutropenia, Wikipedia will fill you in

Other things that have happened in the past Few Weeks:
* Jo has been on tour in Germany with the Orchestra
* My Brother Mike Has Been visiting the UK
* Went to Wacken Open Air metal Festival - Photos
-- TODO (Before Death): Crowd Surfing <Tick>
* Got Stoned In Amsterdam
* Been Seeing a Shrink to get me head fixed
* Wallowing in self-pitty
* Trying to get work done.
* Been skating at Ings Skate Park
* Pulling self together and getting life back on track. (Most recent)
* Slowly beginning plans to start a PirateCore Punk Band.

Ruben: Operation Port-A-Cath

2006-07-03T09:22:00.000+01:00

Rubens Operation ran very smoothly on Tuesday afternoon.

He had a Port-a-Cath fitted, which is now a raised bump (about 150mm radius) underneath his skin about 200-300mm below his right nipple. He also had a bone-marrow biopsy taken, the results of which we should have in a few weeks.

The Tube which lies underneath Rubens skins goes from the Port, up to near his neck, where it is inserted into a main artery and then goes down right to the heart.

This will make it very easy for the doctors to take bloods and administer IV Antibiotics when Ruben is sick. It is left underneath the skin and goes directly to the heart to greatly reduce the risk of infection.

This all feels so very strange... My brain doesn't quite know how to comprehend everything.
----

OK, This is where things went strange.... While typing the above blog entry, I realised how Dull and boring it actually was... I wanted to write about how I felt about the whole thing, but my brain was having none of it.

So, I finally decided to go and face some demons and get this figured out in my head.

An hour later I'm riving about on the bed having flashbacks from the cancer treatment i had over 20 Years ago, when I was Rubens age. I saw memories i never knew I had. Things that had be blocked away. Things I should have never had to remember, but due to the similarities of Ruben's port to my treatment I have been forced to remember.

The flashback was the single most excruciatingly painful thing I have ever done, both physically and emotionally. The power of the mind is amazing... I was living through my treatment for a second time. I was physically held down, I could hear the noises of the Radiotherapy machines, I could feel my hair falling out!!!

After it all, I just sat there on the floor, almost catatonic for nearly another Hour... I honestly could not believe what had just happenend. Where these real memories or just things i thought i should be remembering. After a quick chat with my (now totally freaked out) mum, she assured me that these were real memories.

I'm obviously not coping with things as well as I had thought. I've talked to the Ward nurses and I'm going to get some counselling... see if there is anything else my sub-conscious needs to tell me.
----
Back to Ru News, He's still in the hospital today, and back on the strong Anti-biotics. His last Neutraphil count was 0.19.

Ruben: Not good news.

2006-06-08T01:34:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I just wanted to put on an update about Ruben.

Sadly, Ruben's neutropenia hasn't cleared up by it's self. The graph below shows no trend of improvement regarding Rubens neutraphils.

The condition is considered as severe if the count is below 0.75. Only on one occasion has Rubens blood result been above 0.75 (13/03/06). The result on 23/05/2006 was a processing error from the lab.

To make matters worse... it seems that the doctors have now used all Ruben's veins to the point that they are finding it very difficult to get IV access to administer the Antibiotics he needs when he is ill. So, the doctors and ourselves have come to the decision of having a central line installed. This has hit us pretty hard, because it is the same type of central line that I had to have fitted when I had Cancer when I was Ruben's age.

While Ruben is in his operation for having the central line fitted, the doctors are going to take a bone marrow sample. They can then use that sample to try and shed some light onto Ruben's neutropenia. They may be able to tell us what type of neutropenia he has and may shed some light on what the issues currently are. It is unlikely that they can tell us the cause of the neutropenia though... infact, it may give us no information what-so-ever.

Naturally we are anxious to get some answers. Since my last post, Ruben must have been into hospital 5 or 6 times (totalling over 15 admissions). It is really beginning to become a strain on all our lives, and the hospital stays seem to become longer and more tiring each time.

As soon as I have the results of the biopsy, I'll be making a post.

Fingers x'd!

Have Fun,
A very depressed and anxious BiSScuiTT

On a high

2006-04-25T22:35:00.000+01:00

It could be the alcohol in my veins and the 'Code monkey' song in my brain, but i am on a totral high tonight!

I have acheived so much in so little time.. I have a beautiful family, and now, a great job were i actually feel appreciated.

I just wanna say that I love you Jo, and you and Ruben are my most greatest acheivements in life. The fact that we all work so well together are testemants to our own greatness!

Nobody could make me feel bad right now!

I hope everyone can all feel like this atleast once in there liftime... I feel like I have reached nirvana... Ru and Jo and me! Does it get any better ?

We have been though so much lately, things have been very hard, Ru has been in hospital and Jo has been unwell... I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown... But now we are so close to each other, a real family, and together we are unstoppable! I never want to forget this feeling!

Team Bissett unite!

Good mood!

2006-04-24T21:54:00.000+01:00

Seanie chats up teh babes at the Linux Expo!

I'm in a good mood today, We managed to go an entire weekend without having to take Ru to hospital! Woo Hoo!

I'm taking my Wife out on a Date tonight. It's been such a long time since we had a 'Date'.

Also, Makeing the above image put me in a good mood, and there is a great track floating on the web today.

You should totally listen to Code Monkey By Jonathan Coulton

My life summed up in a song ! ;)

Peace out ppl!

Ruben: There and back again...

2006-04-17T09:49:00.000+01:00

We got Ruben home on Thursday night (about 11pm) It had been a tiring week for us all. Jo had been ill with a bad chest infection, I was at the hospital going out of my mind in that tiny room for at least 20 hours everyday and suffering from chest pain myself. My Mum was also unwell and was unable to put too many hours in at the hospital. Phew! what a week!

Well, low and behold, Ruben's temperature jumped over 38 again on sunday morning. So it was straight back to the hospital for another 5 Day course of antibiotics. I must say, we did expect him to get ill at his birthday party, but we only had him home for 2 days! :(

On the Plus side tho, Jo is feeling MUCH better, and is now able to spend plenty of time at the hospital with Ru, which makes things easier for us both. Also, while we were at the hospital, i decided to go to A&E to have my chest pain checked out. It turns out I bruised a Rib while I was Snowboarding. AWESOME! Nothing a few strong painkillers won't sort out!

But, the best news is that of Ru's Birthday party. After a very depressing birthday in that dingy hospital room, Ruben was released and we had his birthday party as planned. Everybody turned up for what was an amazing day. Ruben loves all his new toys, and we think his new clothes are awesome! Thanks Guys! And a big thankyou to the Wacky Warehouse on Sutton Fields in Hull for a most enjoyable morning. Ruben LOVED the bouncy castle!

There are Pictures of the day.

Well, have fun everybody.
I'll keep posting about Ru when I have the chance!

Ruben: Back in Hospital Again.

2006-04-10T20:24:00.000+01:00

Well... Ru was back at Hull Royal again on saturday afternoon... For another 5 day course of anti-biotics. That means he is going to be in the Hospital for his birthday :( but we are still going to celebrate it, and everything is still set for Saturday!

Jo has also come down with a bad chest infection, which doesn't make things any easier for any of us.

Well, it's my turn to stay over tonight, so i'll have to get moving...

Peace out y'all!

My New Job is this: ACES!

2006-04-06T14:30:00.000+01:00

Today, I got a free Donut!

Bonza!

Ruben Update

2006-04-03T10:22:00.000+01:00

Sorry for my lapse in updates lately! I've been pretty busy.

I thought you might like to know how Ruben is doing! Well, he's been back in hospital twice since the last time I posted on here! For at least 5 Days each time.

He is however currently at home and feeling fine! His walking is coming on very well indeed (photos soon).

Ruben has been diagnosed with a condition called Neutropenia. In lamens terms, this is a deficiency in his immune system which leads to him being very susceptible to bacteria and viruses. The condition is untreatable, all the doctors can do at the moment is treat the infections he is getting with anti-biotics.

At last count Rubens Neutraphils were at 0.02 Million per litre of blood. They should be between 1.5 and 7 Million per litre of blood.

However, the doctors are very optimistic that the Neutropenia is currently being casued by a virus, which will eventually pass through Rubens system and his immune system will return to normal.

If his infections are not treated quickly, they can become very serious very quickly! We have Open Access to the Ward in the hospital, So if Ruben's temperature reaches 38°c, we have to rush him straight to A&E.

The constant to-ing and fro-ing has been very hard on me and Jo, and Ruben has really been to hell and back. Thanks again to my bosses and co-workers at 186K for being so understanding during this difficult time. It has allowed me to spend some very important time with Ruben while he has been ill.

It really has been a rollercoaster these past few weeks.

Thnakyou for everybody's support. I'll post more news about Ru as soon as I get chance.

In other news:
* The Kitchen is demolished (pictures soon).
* I need to find a new Car share.
* We'll soon have new neighbours.
* Really nothing else exciting!

Ruben Update: Back Home

2006-02-28T23:03:00.000Z

Yay! Ruben has been sent home from hospital. A day earlier than we expected to be the earliest! Yay!

He's not 100% yet, but he's now on an oral medicine to combat whatever viruses or infections are still in his system.

His immune system is almost back to normal, but not quite.. so he has to stay indoors, and keep him away from anybody who is sick.

He's due back at the hospital on Thursday to check his bloods again,=.. To make sure everything is returning to normal.

Thanks to all the doctors and nurses for making him better. And Thankyou to everybody for your kind words and support.

Thanks to my Boss Dave, for being so understanding even though I only started a few weeks ago!

More pictures at: TPS: Ruben in Hospital

Ruben Update: Streptococcus

2006-02-26T15:15:00.002Z

The Verdict is in:

Ruben has contracted Streptococcus. We are still awaiting the results of some blood cultures that will tell us exactly which strain of this bacterial infection is to blame for Rubens malaise.

Ru is currently receiving Anti-biotics (Tobramycin and Meropenem) at regular intervals day and night (via his cannula).
The entire course takes 5 days, so the soonest we can expect Ruben home is Wednesday. This however depends on wheter his White Blood Cell count (Immune System) is back to normal by then.

His cannula became blocked today and had to be removed. He has had a new cannula inserted into his foot, but heh.. at least he gets to suck his thumb again now, which should be ultimately more peaceful for all of us.

He was sick earlier today, but this is most probably due to a side-effect of the antibiotics.

More updates later tonight, and hopefully some more pictures.

Ruben Update

2006-02-25T21:32:00.000Z

Ruben is doing quite well... The last blood test results showed that his White Blood Cell Count is increasing, slowly but surely.

He is still on the Antibiotics.

I have posted some videos of him at:
http://www.tekuiti.co.uk/tekuwiki/Baby/Video

So you can all see how happy and healthy he is.

I'll keep you posted!

P.S: Big Thanks to Kaz & Eris for the Sleep suits and Baby Grows! It's very appreciated!
P.P.S: Big Steve and Stacie for providing me with food! Get well soon Stacie! Steve: XBox 360s Still suck!

Ruben Update

2006-02-25T09:46:00.000Z

Ruben was up most of the night... He's not been feeling very well at all...

However, his fever did not spike, so that is good news.

He has received 2 more doses of antibiotics...

I'll try and get some pictures posted today... But it's tricky getting internet access at the hospital.

There are some recent pictures of Ruben on The Tekuiti Photo System

More soon...

Medical De-ja-vu.

2006-02-25T01:04:00.000Z

As some of you might know, Ruben was in Hospital last weekend.

He had been a bit funny last Friday morning.. and then we decided to rush him into A&E after he turned blue, passed out, regained consciousness a second later and proceded to projectile vomit everywhere.

We were sent home on Saturday after a night in hospital, with the diagnosis of: "It looks like he is fighting a virus, and he just needed some help with his blood sugar levels. He is fine now, and will be rid of the virus in a few days".

When i woke up this morning (Friday), I went to check on the little guy, to find him burning up! I'm surprised his bed sheets weren't on fire!!! We stripped him down and fed him some Calpol and things calmed down very quickly.

He was due in at the Hospital the same day to have his blood checked. To make sure his blood Sugar levels and White Blood Cell Count were returning to normal.

When Jo got to the hospital, she explained to the doctor about what happened this morning, and he told her not to go anywhere until the results came back. so, 6 Hours later (6pm), the results returned and we were told that his White Count had dropped dramatically since the blood test he received on Tuesday.

He Has now been admitted into hospital for at least the weekend, but it could take up to 5 Days to administer the course of intravenous antibiotics.

In the mean time he is being kept in strict isolation due to the low white cell count giving him very little immune system.

I left him there tonight with Jo, He arm all bandaged up with a cannular in his right arm, in one of the hospitals children's isolation suites. Anybody who enters has to scrub up and wear a special disposable apron to reduce the likelyhood of him catching anything in his fragile state... It's honestly all quite heart breaking.

I'm going back first thing in the morning... I just couldn't sleep until i had written about things.

I'll keep you posted!

Rest in peace Neo

2006-02-09T19:00:00.000Z

Goodnight sweet Degu. Although your time here was short, you became a big part of our lives. I hope we served you well, and that you needed for nothing. We will all miss you. Especially your life partner, Binary.

Neo. May 2003 - 9th February 2006.

Hard Drive Woe

2006-02-07T13:19:00.000Z

Fecking Hard Drive blew up this morning at work.... so I'm just buying time until my data is copied to my new HD.

Have Fun Y'all!

Work, Work, Work....

2006-01-26T18:10:00.000Z

That's all I feel like I'm doing lately. When that isn't exactly true. My routine consists of:

0600 Alarm Wakes me up
0610 Bus to Station
0630 Train to Leeds (sleep)
0740 Wake Up in Leeds(hopefully)
0800 Arrive at work after brisk walk.
1600 Leave work
1640 Train to Hull
1740 Arrive Hull
1800 Get home for family time
2230 Sleep.

This past week has been busy, what with all the overtime i've put in to put the new mailsystem live.

In other news:
* I slipped on a banana skin! Can you believe it ?
* R00bz is nearly walking!!
* The Robots will kill us all!

Photos

2006-01-17T14:26:00.000Z

I've uploaded some photos from the XMAS period.

KC LEaving / XMas drinkathon

Rubens First Xmas

Have Fun ppl!

Great Job - Bad Start!

2006-01-03T19:50:00.000Z

Well... I've learnt today that trains suck... Big time.... I missed My train this morning because they never told me that they changed the platform.... I nearly ended up in Doncaster!! And then missed the train by literally seconds!

And then I missed the train on the way home! And had to wait another Hour in yet another station !!

On the plus side: my new job is pretty cool! It's just like when I started at KI, but I'm be referred to as an expert ? I know? It was weird!

Oh well... Atleast tomorrow can't be any worse!

Insomniatic

2005-12-22T01:08:00.000Z

Well.... I can't sleep.... I suppose i'm nervous about starting my new job... oh well... atleast it's given me time to setup blogging via my iPAQ again :)

My train commute should give me plenty of future Blogging time... that's if I can think of something interesting to write about!

Only 2 more days left at work... woo hoo.

Shopping Days till next Xmas: 368.25

Parting Sentiments

2005-12-08T15:16:00.000Z

So, Last night was the KC X-MAS Party.

I figured I'd go... seen as I have resigned, I decided that I'd like the company to get me Pissed one last time.... So, I donned my penguin suit and escorted Jo to our Stretched Limo.

At leaving time, I decided it was Time to have a word with the Big Boss Man. So, my Boss, Phil, was stood there... I had to say something! I'm leaving.... What have I got to loose!

So, I walked up, and shook his hand and said "I've learnt a lot working for you".I then proceeded to ask him to Kiss Daphne, The inflatable sheep i stole from the bar earlier in the evening. He sadly declined, and I ran off before I made an even bigger DRUNKEN GOIT of myself.

But, I look back in fondness of the moment, and it will be with me forever!

also: Chuck Norris pwnz j00

pwn3d.

2005-12-06T13:51:00.000Z

Location: A Quiet City Centre Newsagents (a fair distance from the hospital).
Time: Lunch.

Seanie: I should just like to enter into this Local Convenice shop for a chilled beverage to complement this Cornish Pasty that I Recently purchased.
BiSScuiTT: Right Ho' old chap!, I shall shelter near the entrance to escape this ghastly weather.
Seanie: *Goes to Refrigerator at the rear of the shop*
BiSScuiTT: *waits*.

Mr.X: *Quietly asks the purveyor of the convenience store* Do you have any with Big... ermm... *cups hands over his chest*
ShopKeep: Try up the top.... that one at the back might be what you want
Mr.X: Oh yes.... that's perfect... *sudden realisation that there are other people in the shop, including an elderly gentleman who just entered*
Mr.X: ERmm... it's errr... FOR MY MATE! In.. err.. Hospital ! Yeah.. Hospital, Definitely Hospital, and in conclusion.... HOSPITAL!
BiSScuiTT: *Secretly Sniggering, but trying not to judge*
Seanie: *Hears Everything*
ShopKeep: *Raises left eyebrow*
Mr.X: Hand over Cash

*Two Women enter the Worlds Busiest City Centre Newsagents.*

Woman1: Oh... 'ello Bill!
Mr.X: *Realises his name is Bill*.
Seanie: *Queues behind Mr.X*
Shopkeep: *Hands Razz Mag To Bill (i.e: Mr. X)*
Mr.X: Errmmmmm.... Er.... Ello Luv! Ermm... How's you *hugs*
Woman1: What you been buying....
Mr.X: Ermm... It's err... For my Mate... In Hospital... Yeah... errmm... he's stuck in bed and all that!?
BiSScuiTT & Seanie: *Can barely hold laughter*
Seanie: *Quickly completes his transaction for a chilled bottled beverage*
Woman1 (i.e: Mrs. X): What the?! but...
BiSScuiTT & Seanie: *Quickly flee the Now Overcrowded shop to allow for breathing, and hysterical laughter*

I resign.

2005-11-18T16:01:00.000Z

Date: 18/11/2005

<Manger's Name deleted>
Kingston Communications
Ferens Court
16-22 Anlaby Road
Hull
HU1 2PA

Dear <Manger's Name deleted>:

Being sound of mind, I Tender my Eventual resignation from kingston communications. My Years of Service Here Inevitably Need to Yield to a Marked End. The Achievements of my time here have Left me with Assorted Specialised Skills which will endeavour to help me in my future career.

I hereby give notice of my resignation from Today.

Sincerely,

Ian Bissett
Software Engineer

(can you spot the hidden message?)

It was this: ACES!

2005-09-28T14:08:00.000+01:00

So, Anyways... I'm on my way home from work, and i stop to cross the road (at the junction of Anlaby road and Albert Ave.) The lights are red, and as I start to cross, the car the the front of the queue Bangs the horn.... I look round to see a hot 20-something female driver blowing a Kiss... "At me ?" i ask myslef "Surely not... moron".

After crossing the road, and walking a few more meters, I hear a nother beep. I turn to see her frantically waving at me thru the window!

W00p! I'm MONEY BABY!!!

It was a good day!

I would have got pictures, but I was in far too much shock !

All is forgiven

2005-08-09T11:14:00.000+01:00

You work me to the bone, and stress me out all day long for measly peanuts. But I forgive you for all that with your latest offering of a 30 Foot high Fluffy Bunny on the front of the Kingston Communications' Telephone House.

Any company that can manage to work cute fluffy bunnies into their advertising campaign is allright in my books.

It's this: ACES!

Vote-Me-Doo!

2005-07-25T16:33:00.000+01:00

It's Baby Of The Year time, and we entered Ruben for good measure...

Anyways... it turns out this thing is a jipp, and the only way Ruben will ever win is if you go out and buy 1.2 MILLION papers and send in a voting slip.

So... We task you with this: buy as many Hull Daily Mail papers you can get your grubby hands on, and vote for Ruben Bissett (Entry Number: 1028)

We don't want him to loose to some to a scummy Chav now do we eh ?

P.S: Free Bacon for everybody who votes for Ruben and comes to me with the Claim code of: '1-800-IT5-4-J1P'.

Nerdgasm!

2005-07-15T15:53:00.000+01:00

<Nerdgasm>
OMG... OMG... OMG... I must have one:

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

This is the world's single most sexiest computer peripheral. Imagine a keyboard with a background of your choice, or with animated keys depicting and assigned to anything you want your computer to be doing!

I must have one NOW!
</nergasm>

BiSScuiTT's Test-O-Matic Quizzulator

2005-06-07T15:26:00.000+01:00

I've setup an online quiz for you all to take. Take my Quiz!

Once you've done the quiz, Check out the Scoreboard!

I had fun setting it up... I hope you guys enjoy it.

A Day in the Life...

2005-05-31T15:30:00.000+01:00

If you've ever wondered what I get up to during the day at the office, then this will give you a pretty good idea of how things go at the minute:

http://www.lashells.com/files/qbr.wmv

It's like somebody saw my life and cloned it.

Have Fun People.

Thankyou!

2005-05-11T10:57:00.000+01:00

It would appear today that I made the frontpage! A story it would seem dedicated to me and my own personal miracle.

I can't help thinking that the story should have been about somebody really special. Such as the doctors and nurses who administered my treatment, my family for holding up all the way through it or to a local police station for raising treatment money for me all those years ago.

To you, and everybody involved in my life. Thankyou! I've never been more proud of all of you!

The Hull Daily Mail: Against All Odds

Driving goodness

2005-04-29T14:08:00.000+01:00

Now that we are all settled back into our routines at Home (and me at work) I'm pushing on heartily with getting my driving test passed.

This Afternoon I managed to pass my Theory, even with it's new Hazard Perception and Car maintainence Mumbo-Jumbo!

Everybody at home is reported as well, which is more I can say for everybody in the office!

Have Fun Y'all

Who's The Daddy ?

2005-04-17T15:54:00.000+01:00

Sadly due to time constraints and lack of GSM & WiFi at Hull women's and children's Hospital, This post has been sometime coming...

Ruben Dade-Alexander Bissett was born at 12:17 on April 12th 2005. He weighed a mighty 9lb 12oz and was eventually delivered by Emergency caesarian 26 Hours after Jo was induced, and 32 Hours after her waters had broken.

Photos Of Ruben

I must say I have never been more proud of both of them! Jo stuck at things, even though they looked really rough, and managed to stick to her plan of avoiding Heavy Pain relief. The C-Section however did require a spinal (anesthetic directly into the spine via a big fat needle). Jo handled this incredibly well, taking into account her phobia of needles.

We'd like to say a GREAT BIG THANK to everybody involved and at the hospital!

More information and birth stories later.

My PDA Rocks.

2005-04-04T18:41:00.000+01:00

Sorry about the huge amount of posts today... however I am trying to make my posts more random.... and to do so I am writing a test entry from my PDA. this way I can uodate anywhere, anytime!

The Tekuiti Annual Sheep Sheering Competition.

2005-04-04T16:13:00.000+01:00

Details Below.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0504/S00011.htm

Sounds like a complete riot... Wish I could have attended.

* No bad jokes to day.... the article has it's fair share of Puns and Innuendo. I mean... fancy a name like FAGan... really ?? sheep shearing.... my god !!

Have Fun Kids!

DIY Woe

2005-04-03T12:15:00.000+01:00

Considering that my darling wife was due to pop the sprog on Saturday... I figured it was about time i pulled my finger out and got on with getting the little tyke's bedroom sorted out.

You know the Wooden flooring I'm talking about. That stuff that clicks together... My God.. it's fine when you have a couple of people to do it, but seen as my 'Large As the Queen of the Sea Cows (with child)' Wife was wholly incapacitated all weekend due to a cold, the flooring as left to yours truly (Excluding a good 30 mins of help from Rozza).

Have you tried to do that flooring single manned before... the first couple of bits are easy, but when you are in a 10 Meter Square room, you have to be some sort of amazing contortionist to be able to reach everything moving at the same time. Reading the black and white instructions on the back of the Flooring boxes really didn't go into any details on repositioning limbs to where they need to, yet should never be i had to figure things out for myself. Anyways... a few scraped knees and dislocated joints later. BAM! the flooring is all done.

Next job was the Skirting... Unbeknownst to me the floor of my early 19th Century house appears to be concave in the center by +2 Inches... MY god.. the skirting looks great in the middle, but at either end there is a enough room for a heard mongolian traffic wardens! Gaaaaaaaaah!

And to top things of, the missus is still bearing (hogging) the fruits of our marriage within her belly.

More woe later...

The Icy Finger of Death

2005-02-26T10:13:00.000Z

Well, it seems Thursday turned out to be an unexpectedly 'interesting' day.

We were due at our Antenatal (now called 'parent-craft') classes at 7pm on thursday. So, seen as both me and Jo finished work at 6pm, we decided to have a quick bite to eat in the Admiral and then walk down to Antenatal classes which were less than a mile away.

While eating my Peperonni and Mozarella Paninni, and supping on my botlle of Corona... Well, you know those heart palpitations I mentioned here a while back... Well, they came on, and they came on bad! I Kinda thought nothing of it, Even though they were beginning to become quite painful.

We left the pub at about 6:30pm, where I mentioned to Jo that I had been having strong palipations, and that I was now beginning to feel quite strange... At first I thought it might have been the beer doing what beer does best.... but one bottle? I don't think so! After about 5 minutes or so of walking, my knees started to feel weak and swollen and then I started getting pins&needles and numbness in my fingers and toes... which rapidly spread to my hands and feet.

At this point I was feeling quite strange... I was very light headed, and I was having trouble concerntrating and putting sentences together (yeah, yeah... I mean WORSE than usual! Jackass!).

Just around the corner of the clicnic (conveniently located just behind the hospital) I nearly passed out, but Jo, and a nearby building helped me keep my balance (cheers guys!) than, a short walk through the car park clutching to my pregnant wife's arm began to render searing pains up my arm...

Brain: "OMG! OMG! pain in arms? Palitations? Tight Chest? Dizziness? Holy shit! were are having a heart attack dude!"

Well... nice one brain.. it was the wrong arm! I had searing pain in my Right ARM, It's the LEFT arm for heart attacks! Anyhoo, I digress....

After sending Jo (NOT running, she is pregnant remember) to get some help from the now literally '2 seconds away' Nurses who run the Parencraft Classes. I began to fall to the floor... I soon figured this wasn't a heart attack when I didn't clutch my chest and keel over. I manged to hobble to some railings and collapse over them (i didn't want to get my jacket dirty now eh?) and awaited some assistance. Moments later several guys (including the car park security guard, who had seen my trouble from accross the car park) and the nurses came to my aid and found me a nice comfy seat inside the surgery... while Jo waited outside and called an ambulance.

Now, with me being just behind the hospital, you wouldn't expect an ambulance to take very long would you... well... you were right... it must have been less than 10 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

The paramedics checked my blood pressure and pulse as i informed them of all my past medical history... there wern't particularlaly worried, but they took me to the ambulance for a quick ECG before taking me to the hospital to get checked out by a doctor.

4 Hours later, and after 2 more ECG's, a Heart monitor, 2 Vials of blood, a piss in a jar ( I'd had that beer remember!) and several visits from a doctor, I was told that they could find nothing wrong anywhere and I could go home.... and I did just that!

However, still curious about my predicament (I mean, healthy 21 year old male's don't just keel over in the street for no reason do they?), I visted my GP the next day. After mentioning that I am still awaiting my test results for the 24 Hr ECG I had in december, she stated that what had happend at the hospital meant good things... if they couldn't find anything wrong with my heart there anf then, it was pretty likely that my ticker is in tip-top condition! which is always nice to hear...

She put it down to the 2 things left for docotors to blame: it was either a viral infection, or simply releated to stress/anxiety.

That's my story, and i'm sticking to it! Have fun y'all!

Brusells

2005-02-05T15:03:00.000Z

OMG! OMG! OMG!, this is sooooooooo cooooooooooool!

I'm sat in a hotel in the middle of Brusells, Belgium. And guess what? THEY HAVE FREE WIFI! w00t! :)

We have had an awesome day.. it's currently 16:05(GMT+1), and after too pints of strong dutch courage (also know as duvel (a localbeer (nicknamed the 'devil'))) I'm rather sozzled... but not to sozzled to actually spell sozzled in it's correctness*. We had a great morning looking in choclate shops and at really old buildings.... it's been fun, i'm sure this evening will hold even more.

The hotel is awesome (this should be aparent due to it's free wifi.) and Is located infront of a majestic church, who's market place today has been occupied by a veryy quaint antiques market. It's so... well... nice! very quiet, very relaing, exactly what I need to clear my head.

More tomorrow... have fun ppl!

* Sozzled is not a dictionary word, and i'm assuimg it's spelling, and therefore it's correctnes... (Sozzled is a trademark of Tekuiti Systems**, Copyright 2005***)
** Trademark not withstanding
*** Copyright not actaully held.

Funniest Story ever written

2005-01-31T11:31:00.000Z

The boy who pierced his labia!

I nearly cried laughing reading this....
http://web.archive.org/web/20010410043509/www.lipsmackin.com/labia.shtml

Enjoy!

Crazy Irish Punk

2005-01-28T17:28:00.000Z

Today, heard something I have never heard before. The music from a band called "Flogging Molly".

They are some crazy up-tempo punky Pogues rip-off band.... I love 'em, they are awesome! And i've only heard one track ! :)

You can expect to see them in the "Tekuiti Top 20" Very soon!

Speaking of the "Tekuiti Top 20", I found a bug on the software which generates the ratings that the page and Radio.Blog is based from. I have fixed the bug, and the whole thing should look much better very soon.

I've also got a bunch of new music.. .you'll see some of my favourites there soon ! :)

Merry Weekend everybody!
Have Fun!

Nerd Test

2005-01-25T08:58:00.000Z

Sorry ppl, but i just had to post this.... i was so incredibly impressed with my score!!!! 94% Nerd! w00t! Supreme Nerd! Does it get any better ? :)

Take the test, see what you score.... it's made my day!