RSA, Shitetalkers!

The RSA are always harping on about something or other got to do with the wonderful work they do on road safety. Well I was in the RSA's driving testing centre today and there is "mounds" of ice on the roadway. Not an ounce of grit in sight in the RSA's centre. Now I could harp on about it all day, and how the testers who are not doing tests today because of conditions should get off their holes and clear it. This is typical of the bullshit that rots our country to the core, "Gay Byrne grab a fucking shovel"!

Double click photos for larger view!

Long Exposure Part 1

My contribution to long exposure photography starts here!

Are Spiders getting bigger?

Has anyone noticed that there are loads of spiders around this year, and that they are huge. This one was in my garden, and I know the photo makes him look small but he was huge. Is this an Irish spider or did he sneak over with a bunch of smellys?

Deer Patrol, Part 3

Should think of renaming this to almost everything except Deer Patrol due to the lack of deer.
What we did capture this week was some kind of rodents, and a great example of a Hare. What is impressive is that the camera is sensitive enough to pick up the rodents even tough it is set to medium sensitivity.
I plan at some stage in the future to put the camera near a badger or fox den to see what results we can see. We have moved the camera to view pasture instead of trails, and have returned it to picture mode so fingers crossed.

My PC wont work.

I have just been told that Mr A cant turn on his PC, and I am to help him out.
I have complied this chart for him to follow.

Deer Patrol, Part 2.

A disappointing result from this weeks camera, I had it up a week and only captured one Deer.
I have moved camera, and switched it to video mode. The place where I have it placed has about 80+ tracks so finding the most used one is a challenge. More next week depending on the mood of the deer, camera placement and if someone doesn't rob my camera.

Time 04:30

Deer Patrol, Survey setup

Camera setup

After choosing a good place to set up my camera, I mounted it on a tree.

Now we wait for a week or so, and see what it catches.

"Interesting" Van = Amber alert

I took a menial trip to the Shopping Centre in Blanchardstown today, and while passing an ordinary van I had to do a double take.

I nearly fell off my bike when I seen this. Is this the overflow from his house?
It is type of van I would expect to hear muffled screams coming from, or appear on a episode of Criminal Minds or Ireland's version, Garda Patrol.


If you double click on the pictures you can view them bigger!

Shenanigans at the TV Store

I have worked a bucket load of overtime recently (48 hours overtime last week) so I decided to buy a nice new TV for the bedroom. I decided on a nice LCD 36" LG with VEGA ports, and went to purchase it in the store last night, as there was a one week sale on it accelerated the purchase. I was in at the start so the week, and had asked a few questions about it and was quite happy with my choice. When I went back to the store last night I had another look around, and confirmed my original choice as the perfect fit for us.

I got my (Foreign born) wife  to ask for the TV to be brought to the till. This is a little game I like to play with the sales staff in almost every store. First the "really clever" sales staff will do his/her best to sum up and create a profile of the customer, and gauge how much shite they can talk and or make up on the spot. Half way trough their sales pitch, I enter and throw the whole dynamic into chaos, thus throwing the sales person out of their comfort zone, and off their game putting me firmly in control. Now they have to reassess the situation, and are trying to put us into a category. Lots of things are going trough his mind, are these together, yes they are, they are a different race, where did they meet, was he abroad when the met, and what was he working at when he was abroad? All this slows them down at making new assumptions about me so he transfers his assumptions of my wife onto me.

Wife: Can I take one of these?

Salesman: Oh sorry they are all sold out, but for an extra €50 you can get one of these (Points to a horrible Sony), and its a much better TV.

Enter me from the side like a bolt of lightning

Me: Nah thats horrible.

Salesman: Well if its just the frame you don't like, its the same TV!

Me: I thought you said it was a better TV (When you were talking to my wife)?

Salesman: Hmmm, well its much the same.

Me: How is it much the same, the LG is Full HD (1080) with VEGA ports, and the Sony is HD ready(720) with no VEGA ports?

Salesman: Ahh, Hmm I'll just double check the LG. Briskly walks away.

Me in my mind: Yeah ya proper bastard, ya better check it ya spoofer. Did not see this coming did ya? Did not cover this in sales school, did they? I seen 2 seasons of Lie to me, and 5 seasons of Criminal Minds so I think I have the upper hand here.

Salesman shadowed by me miraculously has just one left in stock, "get it, and bring it to the till Byatch"!

MotionX GPS

I downloaded this App from Itunes store a while ago, and have been using it on and off for months. I must say I am highly impressed with with. It used triangulation, and the iPhones GPS to secure a location quickly.

While on your home network it uses your data connection to display maps, much like the way google maps work.

I was "horrified" at the data charges for roaming that Eugene O'Loughlin mentioned in his blog, but not surprised. I myself being incredibly tight fisted with money have Data Roaming turned off on my Iphone so I keep my costs down when abroad.

This is where MotionX GPS comes into its own. Before you leave home MotionX GPS can preloaded maps of the area you are going to. I found this feature invaluable for my last trip abroad. You can select the detail and the area to be downloaded, and this is stored directly on your iPhone for instant access thus avoiding data charges.

Types of Maps

Bing Road

Microsoft Bing Road maps

Bing Aerial

Aerial Maps by Microsoft Bing

Bing Hybrid

An overlay of Bing road maps on Bing Aerial

MotionX O-Road

Road maps by MotionX

MotionX O-Terrain

Topographical maps by MotionX.

Topographical Maps

These (for those who don't know) are detailed maps of a topographical area, and are of the same style as OS maps with contours, spot heights , and physical features. These are great for off road activities like walking or mountain biking.

Tracks

MotionX tracks your path on your maps, and overlays on the maps, and these can be shared on Facebook and Twitter.

This App cost me €2.39, compare this to the €195 I paid for my garmin gps 12 I purchased a few years ago (and it only has grid refs, and not maps) or the prices you can pay for other maps.

Verdict

Thumbs up, 5 Star product.

As always GPS systems do not replace experience or proper navigational equipment such as paper maps & compasses. Equipment can never replace common sense.

Student more expensive than Adult ticket?

Click on image to enlarge!

I never seen a pricing where a Student is charged more than an Adult!

Methaphethame / Crystal meth effects

Breaking Bad

This was recommended to me by my brother, and I have to admit I never even heard of it. I gave it a go, and was immediately hooked on it.

Plot:High School chemistry teacher who has to work a second job to support his family is diagnosed with lung cancer. He decides he has to provide for his family even when he is dead so this leads to him "cooking" Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth as its better known. Breaking Bad follows him trough his "adventures" that are caused by his chemistry talents.

Excellent show by any standards

Classic Shop Name

I came across this little classic last week in Spain.

Angry Birds

Every now and again an iPhone App comes along, and I am addicted.

This one is called Angry Birds, and quite simply you have to "knock out" the other birds by catapulting your "Angry birds" at them. Its a great game, and I am totally hooked.

Rui's (Cindys) Trip to China 2010

As some of you know Rui had to make a detour because of the Ash cloud hanging over Ireland. Hopefully she will get to fly in the morning, and if she does the Red line is the path she will take, the Purple was the original she was meant to fly today.


View Rui's (Cindy's) flights in a larger map">
View Rui's (Cindy's) flights in a larger map

Mr Chequers

While out, and about I spoke with this young fella. He was going to a party, and had made some effort.
(Double click photo for larger image)

Yes, I went shoplifting in a Hi-Viz jacket!!!

Dear Muppet Face,

Thanks for following me around my local German discount retailer, and suspecting me of trying to steal a case of energy drink.
Just for your information if I wanted to steal them I can assure you that I would have made a lot more effort. I am slightly disappointed that you you think I would make such a half arsed effort, as to try to steal the whole case in a High-Viz jacket.
Just to clarify with you, "I don't give a fuck if you follow me around, but you could have carried them for me as they are pretty awkward to carry".

It is interesting that you ignored the actual shoplifters behind you while you were wasting your time with me.

Every time I enter your store in future I am going to catch your attention by eyeballing you or some other suspicious action so I can enjoy your company. By the way you are shite at trying to remain undetected while observing suspected offenders.

I look forward to my next visit (in my track suit).

Garda thrown from car

Car speeds away from a court in Clonmel, and that Garda must have had a big red face.

Source http://www.ppai.ie/photographer/Liam-Burke/

Dance Flick (Movie review)

Thought it was rubbish. Wayans brothers worse movie ever (and I like them). I was a great fan of White Chicks, but this movie was way off the mark.....

What a difference a day makes

West Pit Fushun China (Asia's largest open pit coalmine)

Located in the city of Fushun in northern China, and at over 6.6 km in lenght, 2 km across the west pit is the largest open cast coalmine in Asia. To stand on the verge of this beast is an incredible feeling, and from the moment I seen how huge it was compared to the city of Fushun (population 2.3 million) on Google maps I knew I had to see it.

View Larger Map

The mine is unmissable in the city due to its size, and has not only left its mark on the earth but on the air quality as well.