*eating chocolate* Long weekends are still way too short, aren't they? Did you have nice Easter? Lots of free time in the sun of in front of the telly? Lovely! Even though I had to work yesterday I had lovely three days off. Sure I can tell what I was doing, ta for asking. :-)

Well, on Thursday I went to cinema with a friend of mine and mostly we were enjoying the thoughts of the long evening ahead of us since the next day was off work. We planned to watch "The Fighter", but as we arrived the cinema we noticed a poster of this movie and so "The Fighter" lost this battle. It was a good choice. What an incredibly, incredibly sad story!!! And before you ask: yes we cried. A lot. I highly recommend this movie. It’s not only for girls, in case you wonder.

Good Friday. Yes. Long sleep. Ahhh, yes. Lovely. I spent the day reading a book about rowing brothers, recommended by Christine (thank you for that) and I would like to recommend it further, in case you haven't read it yet. Not only a nail-biting drama for sports fans, "Blood over Water" also looks at the darker side of sibling rivalry and asks just what you would be willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams. And what an insight into rowing!!! This boys are heroes. Who said rowing was boring? Not me.

Saturday was Super Sport Saturday. I had training in the morning and in the afternoon there was time to watch others sweat. Telly on, legs up, it's footie time. :-) Fernando Torres might have scored his first goal for Chelsea, but seriously, who cares? We played Birmingham and ...5:0 baby!!! For me it was a MAXImum delight. :-) Find more results here. And in Spain there was loads of goals too!

Sunday. Hmmm ... it was times for some tennis. Rafi Nadal and David Ferrer faced each other (again) in a final of Barcelona Open. Rafi won his 6th title. Lovely.

On Sunday I managed to read a whole book at one go. I haven't been able to enjoy a book that way for ... well, for quite a long time. It was good book though.

On Monday I had to go back to watching sports for money, however I made myself a nice morning with a high interesting book (and chocolate) about the history of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Once again: who said rowing was boring? Did you know that in 1929 when the first boat race took place the crew lived chiefly on beef? They weren't allowed to eat fruit or potatoes or stuff like that. No smoothies, and yoghurts and ... chocolate. Haha Very interesting.

Well and that was it, my sporty Easter weekend.

This week is the Champions League week again and the third Clasico in a row (tomorrow night). I hope Sergio Ramos won't mess it up this time ... Though far more important than the Clasico is today's match: Schalke 04 vs. Manchester United. Normally I don't read Rafael Honigstein's stuff, but this time ... I made a sacrifice. An act of desperation? Very much so. Schalke are my last hope. You better be right, Honeystone!

Lots about me today, ay? :-) Since it's my birthday I believe I am allowed to be selfish for one day.

Don't miss the Tweets of the Week and have a great Tuesday. :-)

Ta ta!

593 responses

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 06:05

    Happy Birthday Amanda :)

  • startledbunny26/04/2011 at 06:13

    Happy Birthday Amanda!

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 06:31

    Good morning to All, birthday greets to amandoloss!

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 06:31

    Happy Birthday Amanda!

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 07:00

    Amy, Greg Rust has joined twitter! http://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=Thrusta1

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 07:02

    Amanda shares her birthday with four F1 drivers! http://bit.ly/haYe5X

  • Alex Andronov26/04/2011 at 07:22

    Happy Birthday Amanda!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 07:50

    Amy, Greg Rust has joined twitter! twitter.com/inten…een_name=Thrusta1

    ew

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 08:07

    Ping! http://amysrunning.posterous.com/week-6-day-1

  • Matt G26/04/2011 at 08:09

    Good UK Morning

    Amy, Greg Rust has joined twitter! twitter.com/inten…een_name=Thrusta1

    ew

    Hilarious, really can't stand any of the OneHD team....

  • Amanda26/04/2011 at 08:14

    Thank you all!

    "Amanda shares her birthday with four F1 drivers! http://bit.ly/haYe5X"

    That's fab! hehe :-)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 08:19

    That's fab! hehe :-)

    Thought you'd like that!

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 08:19

    No prizes for guessing what tony is up to then!

    http://twitter.com/#!/tonyfernandes/statuses/62791746697969664

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 08:51

    Morning all.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 08:56

    Morning all.

    Good Morning,

    good tuesday?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 08:58

    good tuesday?

    So far so good.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:02

    good tuesday?

    So far so good.

    Half the office has gone to lunch the other half is in a meeting, and i cant carry on with what i want to do without an approval... tee dum tee dum tee dum

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:04

    Looks like the Fifth Driver is on the road to Turkey: http://twitpic.com/4poid2

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 09:04

    Looks like the Fifth Driver is on the road to Turkey: http://twitpic.com/4poid2

    Roooooad trip!

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:05

    Roooooad trip!

    No thanks, took us a total of 8 hours to drive back from Berlin on Sunday!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 09:06

    No thanks, took us a total of 8 hours to drive back from Berlin on Sunday!

    Awww. It's okay if you're prepared for a road trip, not so much fun if it's traffic and the like.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:07

    Awww. It's okay if you're prepared for a road trip, not so much fun if it's traffic and the like.

    Actually it wasn't too bad, had my iPhone for company and the traffic was ok - the German autobahns are a bit monotonous though!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 09:08

    Actually it wasn't too bad, had my iPhone for company and the traffic was ok - the German autobahns are a bit monotonous though!

    Mmmm, speedy.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 09:09

    Awww. It's okay if you're prepared for a road trip, not so much fun if it's traffic and the like.

    I was just plotting if I can fit a road trip to my actual home town into my visit home in October. I miss it.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:16

    Mmmm, speedy.

    Not as much as I thought though. The motorways in Germany have a speed limit of 120, but although parts of the autobahn are unrestricted, most people were going less than 150 ... and to be honest, with the condition of the roads it's harder to go much faster than that.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 09:17

    Not as much as I thought though. The motorways in Germany have a speed limit of 120, but although parts of the autobahn are unrestricted, most people were going less than 150 ... and to be honest, with the condition of the roads it's harder to go much faster than that.

    I don't think my car would go much above 90mph anyways, but it's a nice dream :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:18

    I don't think my car would go much above 90mph anyways, but it's a nice dream :)

    I think you have a similar one to ours - 90 would be pushing it I reckon!

    We travelled down in my parents in law's diesel Ford Focus though. We briefly hit 160 but it could have done a bit more...

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 09:19

    ooh McLaren have changed their membership program a bit

    For 2011, members are allocated a voucher to use in an exclusive members-only category available in the McLaren eShop. Members can select items from a range of merchandise, from official Team Member pin badges to actual used F1 car parts, allowing them the flexibility to personalise their own welcome pack.

    That's smart, I reeeeeally don't need another McLaren hat, shirt or backpack.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 09:19

    That's smart, I reeeeeally don't need another McLaren hat, shirt or backpack.

    cog!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 09:20

    cog!

    unfortunately my membership is not due for renewal until September, so it'll be a while before I can check for cogs :D

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 09:21

    more detail from tony on the animated f1 data: http://blog.ouseful.info/2011/04/26/a-first-attempt-at-looking-at-f1-timing-data-in-google-motion-charts-aka-gapminderf/

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 09:25

    No prizes for guessing what tony is up to then!

    he's no steve jobs when it comes to keeping things quiet, is he?

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:27

    No prizes for guessing what tony is up to then!

    he's no steve jobs when it comes to keeping things quiet, is he?

    Joe's on it too... http://wp.me/ppB1o-1Du

    Team Lotus Caterham sounds like a bit of a mouthful, but I like his idea of providing cheap sports cars to Asia...

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:28

    more detail from tony on the animated f1 data: blog.ouseful.info…s-aka-gapminderf/

    I love graphs, i really do. I make a lot of them, often for no reason other than they fill a monitor with data and make me look more productive.

    But i really cant do timing graphs, perhaps i am being a luddite but i can visiualise the data a lot better looking at a list of numbers than all the graphic representations

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:29

    Team Lotus Caterham sounds like a bit of a mouthful, but I like his idea of providing cheap sports cars to Asia...

    Caterham Team Lotus perhaps isnt quite as bad

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:31

    But i really cant do timing graphs, perhaps i am being a luddite but i can visiualise the data a lot better looking at a list of numbers than all the graphic representations

    That's just how your brain works. Do you feel the same way about the graphs I made yesterday?

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:31

    Ant is awesome: http://twitpic.com/4pop7i

    Collection of models of all the cars he has driven since F3

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:34

    That's just how your brain works. Do you feel the same way about the graphs I made yesterday?

    Dont want to sound mean, but yes

    Perhaps either using a bar chart instead or missing out the in and out laps for pitstops might help?

    I dont know, I love reading a lot of data off graphs, but not F1 timing for some reason

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 09:36

    Dont want to sound mean, but yes

    You're not. Perhaps you don't have as much a visual brain as you think you do?

    Perhaps either using a bar chart instead or missing out the in and out laps for pitstops might help?

    I already exclude the pitstop laps but the in laps are important because that is often where time is made up or lost. An overlaid bar chart might be too confusing or have too much data ink to look meaningful though?

    I dont know, I love reading a lot of data off graphs, but not F1 timing for some reason

    It is odd to look at timing graphs - I think there can be a lot of things that can be interpreted from the data though.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 09:38

    in the office with mike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_COVTUcaJ0

    not as good as previous videos, but worth a watch.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 09:46

    my grandparents house is for sale a year after we sold it, it looks sooo weird to see it full of someone elses furniture. Browsing real estate should come with some sort of 'you might know this house' warning :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 09:47

    in the office with mike: www.youtube.com/w…tch?v=-_COVTUcaJ0

    Dennis the Menace t-shirt.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 09:49

    You're not. Perhaps you don't have as much a visual brain as you think you do?

    Give me price fluctuations of conversion rates over a period of time as a graph any day!

  • lou26/04/2011 at 10:07

    Happy Birthday Amanda!!

    Hi everyone

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 10:24

    Give me price fluctuations of conversion rates over a period of time as a graph any day!

    Fair enough. If you guys have any bright ideas on how to display the data better I'm all ears. I prefer clean graphs with clear colours and only a few series as I think they look better though.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 10:36

    Fair enough. If you guys have any bright ideas on how to display the data better I'm all ears. I prefer clean graphs with clear colours and only a few series as I think they look better though.

    I agree with that, perhaps because there are so many values at play over 60 odd laps it becomes to much for me

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 10:44

    I agree with that, perhaps because there are so many values at play over 60 odd laps it becomes to much for me

    I see what you mean. It is a hard thing to display - I have made graphs like for Turkey last year where I only plotted a few laps and it looked better. What annoys me are posts like James Allen's where he writes a really good strategy review and then ruins it with a lap chart for all the drivers and it looks like coloured spaghetti!

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 10:51

    Happy birthday, amandoloss, and I very much enjoyed the Daily :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 10:56

    Sounds like if you can get to Duxford tomorrow you can go and see Team Lotus do the straight line tests...

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 10:59

    Sounds like if you can get to Duxford tomorrow you can go and see Team Lotus do the straight line tests...

    Sounds great, especially since a lot of Lotus' drivers will be there.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 11:43

    Sounds like if you can get to Duxford tomorrow you can go and see Team Lotus do the straight line tests...

    Ooh fun!

  • Sidepodcast Update26/04/2011 at 11:45
  • Amy26/04/2011 at 11:45

    Sounds like if you can get to Duxford tomorrow you can go and see Team Lotus do the straight line tests...

    Someone needs to go and take pictures of Heikki for me :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 12:34

    Ping: http://www.f1minute.com/news/robert-kubica-leaves-hospital-and-prepares-for-rehabilitation

  • Amanda26/04/2011 at 13:07

    Once again thanks for the birthday wishes. :-) Enjoying my half day off work and #eatingchocolate :D

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 13:08

    Once again thanks for the birthday wishes. :-) Enjoying my half day off work and #eatingchocolate :D

    Excellent stuff!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 13:18

    Ping (finally): http://mrschristine.com/2011/04/26/doctor-who-series-6-episode-1-the-impossible-astronaut/

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 13:31

    Once again thanks for the birthday wishes. :-) Enjoying my half day off work and #eatingchocolate :D

    Ooh, happy birthday!

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 14:04

    Ooh, bit of a dig at Tony Fernandes here: http://www.metrof1.com/blogs/metrof1/2011/04/tony-fernandes-seven-wonders.html

    but we know which side Adam falls on anyway ;)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 14:45

    but we know which side Adam falls on anyway ;)

    who pays his wages again... oh yeah, group lotus.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 14:46

    happy birthday amanda.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 14:46

    who pays his wages again... oh yeah, group lotus.

    Yup. At least he says so at the top.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 15:03

    Ooh, bit of a dig at Tony Fernandes here: www.metrof1.com/b…even-wonders.html

    I've seen far worse digs! :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 15:07

    I've seen far worse digs! :)

    sounds more like he's after a job :)

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 15:08

    sounds more like he's after a job :)

    Perhaps he can't make his mind up which Lotus is right either.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 15:13

    Perhaps he can't make his mind up which Lotus is right either.

    he's clearly following a different formula 1 series than us. f1 is more accessible than a lot of sports these days and it's very much been no-frills for the past two years.

    adam's still partying like it 1999.

  • Journeyer26/04/2011 at 15:15

    he's clearly following a different formula 1 series than us. f1 is more accessible than a lot of sports these days and it's very much been no-frills for the past two years.

    Not quite yet as accessible as NASCAR, though. That said, F1 strikes a very good balance.

    He makes a good point I didn't know before, though: Caterham's colours are also green and yellow.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 15:15

    he's clearly following a different formula 1 series than us. f1 is more accessible than a lot of sports these days and it's very much been no-frills for the past two years.

    I have had 6 paddock tours but I aint never seen where Roger Federer lives inside the bowels of Rod Laver Arena :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 15:15

    adam's still partying like it 1999.

    If it's alright for Prince, it's alright for Adam.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 15:16

    If it's alright for Prince, it's alright for Adam.

    :)

  • Journeyer26/04/2011 at 15:17

    adam's still partying like it 1999.

    If it's alright for Prince, it's alright for Adam.

    :D

    Hello, folks.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 15:17

    Hello, folks.

    *nods*

  • Journeyer26/04/2011 at 15:18

    I see what you mean. It is a hard thing to display - I have made graphs like for Turkey last year where I only plotted a few laps and it looked better. What annoys me are posts like James Allen's where he writes a really good strategy review and then ruins it with a lap chart for all the drivers and it looks like coloured spaghetti!

    Mmm, spaghetti... :D

    Well, you could just ignore the charts, right?

  • RG26/04/2011 at 15:21

    Happy birthday Amanda (April is an awesome month) and hello everyone.

  • Journeyer26/04/2011 at 15:26

    Happy birthday Amanda (April is an awesome month) and hello everyone.

    Hey RG. :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:16

    adam's still partying like it 1999.

    He yearned for that in an older post when he was talking about Red Bull's old quirks going missinhg

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:17

    Well, you could just ignore the charts, right?

    Yeah but I'm a Data Analyst by trade, so it actually upsets me to see such a hatchet job!

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:17

    Oh and I saw Vladimir Putin today ;)

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 16:18

    Oh and I saw Vladimir Putin today ;)

    Things you don't expect to read in the daily.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:20

    Oh and I saw Vladimir Putin today ;)

    Things you don't expect to read in the daily.

    I didn't expect to write it, in fairness!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 16:27

    I didn't expect to write it, in fairness!

    Did you say hello?

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:32

    I didn't expect to write it, in fairness!

    Did you say hello?

    No, he was 100m away (but in the same building)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 16:44

    booo turns out you can't scan a passport photo from an actual passport without getting reflections of all the security features the government have shoved in there. Must remember to get photo taken tomorrow.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 16:47

    booo turns out you can't scan a passport photo from an actual passport without getting reflections of all the security features the government have shoved in there. Must remember to get photo taken tomorrow.

    anyone would think they did that on purpose :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 16:48

    booo turns out you can't scan a passport photo from an actual passport without getting reflections of all the security features the government have shoved in there. Must remember to get photo taken tomorrow.

    It's as if they don't want people to make copies of it or something? ;)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 16:48

    anyone would think they did that on purpose :)

    this Air Asia prize is costing me more money by the day! :D

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 16:55

    I think they will be getting proper paddock passes with our photos on them though so the photo is important :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:01

    I think they will be getting proper paddock passes with our photos on them though so the photo is important :)

    wow

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:03

    wow

    I am basing this off the blog post of the guy who won in Melbourne

    "Walking to the paddock & swiping your card as you enter, your face appears on the screen & that's when you know this is something different!"

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:03

    "Walking to the paddock & swiping your card as you enter, your face appears on the screen & that's when you know this is something different!"

    i'm so glad you're doing this not me :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:04

    i'm so glad you're doing this not me :)

    ahh with all the travelling around you've been doing the last few days its only a small minor leap to get you on a plane to Singapore.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:05

    hey Journeyer, I didn't know Manny Pacquiao could sing???

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:05

    ahh with all the travelling around you've been doing the last few days its only a small minor leap to get you on a plane to Singapore.

    do the planes to singapore have wifi yet?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:06

    do the planes to singapore have wifi yet?

    um.....yes....*shifty eyes*

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:07

    um.....yes....*shifty eyes*

    :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:08

    :)

    but you can fly to Singapore on Air Tony from London for cheaper than my flight is costing me! I'm not flying Air Tony though, that might be the key.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:09

    but you can fly to Singapore on Air Tony from London for cheaper than my flight is costing me! I'm not flying Air Tony though, that might be the key.

    you're paying for your flight?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:09

    you're paying for your flight?

    to Singapore, yes.

    I thought there'd be more chance of getting you there then there would be to Korea :D

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:10

    to Singapore, yes.

    ahh yes. too many races!

    i would like to try out fanvision, but valencia is closer than singapore if i'm gonna do any race.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:11

    i would like to try out fanvision, but valencia is closer than singapore if i'm gonna do any race.

    good point. I should be on Fanvision commission.

  • lou26/04/2011 at 17:17

    i would like to try out fanvision, but valencia is closer than singapore if i'm gonna do any race.

    ohhh... go to Valencia! :) it's nice there.. :) plus you can go to the aquarium! :)

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 17:18

    i would like to try out fanvision, but valencia is closer than singapore if i'm gonna do any race.

    If you split the difference you get... Abu Dhabi!

    Withe fee accomidqtion, beer and a chauffeur it's a real bargain!

    #GetSidepodcastToAbuDhabi

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:18

    Evening all and happy birthday Amanda

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:19

    Withe fee accomidqtion, beer and a chauffeur it's a real bargain!

    but do they have wifi on the plane? we can drive to valencia (just) and use 3g all the way. #whereweregoingweneedroads

  • Janna26/04/2011 at 17:20

    Hello all, Happy Birthday Amanda.

    Home alone for the first time since Thursday. It's lovely having my Mum & sister here but it's also nice to be back to the normal routine.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:20

    i would like to try out fanvision, but valencia is closer than singapore if i'm gonna do any race.

    Turkey has tickets half the price of Silverstone. I checked. (didn't check the flight tho) :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:21

    Turkey has tickets half the price of Silverstone. I checked. (didn't check the flight tho) :)

    turkey is more the middle of nowhere than silverstone. you'd struggle to see a race from your hotel there :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:21

    but do they have wifi on the plane? we can drive to valencia (just) and use 3g all the way. #whereweregoingweneedroads

    you should meet my dad when he's in London, you'd get on well.

    "If I can't hop in the car and drive there, I don't want to go" is his holiday motto.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 17:21

    but do they have wifi on the plane? we can drive to valencia (just) and use 3g all the way. #whereweregoingweneedroads

    I think they do in the A380 #bigplane

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 17:23

    "If I can't hop in the car and drive there, I don't want to go" is his holiday motto.

    How did he get from NZ to London then?

    Hi all

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:23

    "If I can't hop in the car and drive there, I don't want to go" is his holiday motto.

    That's the thing I found funny about NZ - takes you a day to drive North to South per Island. A day's drive in Europe can take you across the continent!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:24

    How did he get from NZ to London then?

    my mum talked him into it by happening to catch him at a time when he's really interested in his ancestry, then promising him he can go to Scotland.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:25

    turkey is more the middle of nowhere than silverstone. you'd struggle to see a race from your hotel there :)

    I know a guy who can sell you a weekend at the Fairmont in Monaco, overlooking the hairpin from their roof.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 17:28

    my mum talked him into it by happening to catch him at a time when he's really interested in his ancestry, then promising him he can go to Scotland.

    How can he fight against the pull of Scotland?

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:30

    I know a guy who can sell you a weekend at the Fairmont in Monaco, overlooking the hairpin from their roof.

    wonder where you'd park if you drove to monaco?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:30

    How can he fight against the pull of Scotland?

    precisely. He then sent a letter to every Fulton he could find in the region his however-many-greats grandfather came from and asked if he knew if they were related and if so could he meet them. If I got a letter like that I'd go 'wow crazy' but he's had some positive replies. Turns out the son in law of one of the Fultons he wrote to is in charge of the historical society in the area so sent him lots of old stuff and has promised him a tour when he arrives. Dumb luck, that is.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:30

    wonder where you'd park if you drove to monaco?

    Nice?

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:31

    How can he fight against the pull of Scotland?

    Easy. he lives in the South Island?

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 17:31

    Nice?

    :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:31

    wonder where you'd park if you drove to monaco?

    Hotel car park. As long as you got there when the road is open. :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 17:31

    precisely. He then sent a letter to every Fulton he could find in the region his however-many-greats grandfather came from and asked if he knew if they were related and if so could he meet them. If I got a letter like that I'd go 'wow crazy' but he's had some positive replies. Turns out the son in law of one of the Fultons he wrote to is in charge of the historical society in the area so sent him lots of old stuff and has promised him a tour when he arrives. Dumb luck, that is.

    Sometimes you just can't beat being lucky

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:31

    Easy. he lives in the South Island?

    all my school friends who have been to Edinburgh say its great fun to go there and freak out at everything being named the same :D

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:32

    precisely. He then sent a letter to every Fulton he could find in the region his however-many-greats grandfather came from and asked if he knew if they were related and if so could he meet them. If I got a letter like that I'd go 'wow crazy' but he's had some positive replies. Turns out the son in law of one of the Fultons he wrote to is in charge of the historical society in the area so sent him lots of old stuff and has promised him a tour when he arrives. Dumb luck, that is.

    One of the companies who do maintenance for us at work is called Fulton Boilers. I must look up where they are from. :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:33

    One of the companies who do maintenance for us at work is called Fulton Boilers. I must look up where they are from. :)

    one of the major road works firms in Australia and NZ is Fulton Hogan. I have lost count of the number of times I've been asked if thats my families company. No, if it was we'd have a lot more money :D

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:37

    One of the companies who do maintenance for us at work is called Fulton Boilers. I must look up where they are from. :)

    one of the major road works firms in Australia and NZ is Fulton Hogan. I have lost count of the number of times I've been asked if thats my families company. No, if it was we'd have a lot more money :D

    My Uncle in Invercargill works for them ;)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:37

    one of the major road works firms in Australia and NZ is Fulton Hogan. I have lost count of the number of times I've been asked if thats my families company. No, if it was we'd have a lot more money :D

    Hah :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:39

    Hah :)

    people who know the company though swear my dad looks just like "old man Fulton" who founded it in 1933, so you never know. Dad has gone back far enough to know that they're not related via his ancestor who came to NZ, but they're probably related once you get back to Scotland.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:40

    Hah :)

    people who know the company though swear my dad looks just like "old man Fulton" who founded it in 1933, so you never know. Dad has gone back far enough to know that they're not related via his ancestor who came to NZ, but they're probably related once you get back to Scotland.

    If you don't mind me asking, when did your branch of the Fultons move to NZ?

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 17:41

    I know a guy who can sell you a weekend at the Fairmont in Monaco, overlooking the hairpin from their roof.

    http://grandprixadventures.com/race-package/Monaco2011/Diamond

  • Sidepodcast Update26/04/2011 at 17:45
  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:45

    If you don't mind me asking, when did your branch of the Fultons move to NZ?

    1863 I think it was

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 17:46

    If you don't mind me asking, when did your branch of the Fultons move to NZ?

    1863 I think it was

    Wow that's quite a history!

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 17:50

    Dear comments, please help me!!!

    Nick has at the last minute asked me to get some Olympics tickets and I need to do it before it closes tonight and he's not in to ask. Which tennis sessions should I go for??

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:51

    Wow that's quite a history!

    In Britain terms 1863 is like, yesterday. It's why I was always confused when I met British people who were impressed by Oamarus Victorian precinct. I only recently learned its one of the best preserved in the world. Possibly because Oamaru is so small they never bothered to knock down anything :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 17:51

    Don't forget it is Christine's Rankings day today so your fabulous suggestions are more than welcome.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:52

    Nick has at the last minute asked me to get some Olympics tickets and I need to do it before it closes tonight and he's not in to ask. Which tennis sessions should I go for??

    I'd say not the ones I went for but I'm in a separate ballot to you, so um, if he is fine with seeing any tennis I'd say early day ground passes but if he wants to see big name players, maybe early day center court/court 1?

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 17:52

    In Britain terms 1863 is like, yesterday. It's why I was always confused when I met British people who were impressed by Oamarus Victorian precinct. I only recently learned its one of the best preserved in the world. Possibly because Oamaru is so small they never bothered to knock down anything :D

    I guess at that time they were miners?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 17:53

    I'm lucky I have a huge student overdraft still available. I can't believe they don't tell you how much money they're taking in advance.....

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:54

    I guess at that time they were miners?

    I think there was a bit of it but they actually made all their money as the frozen meat industry in NZ started there. We have a monument to frozen meat up on a hill :D

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 17:57

    I think there was a bit of it but they actually made all their money as the frozen meat industry in NZ started there. We have a monument to frozen meat up on a hill :D

    How unusual

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 17:58

    How unusual

    and just as Dunedin stole most of its street names from Edinburgh, Oamaru stole most its street names from English rivers. We're just a big bunch of stealers down in the South Island.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:00

    and just as Dunedin stole most of its street names from Edinburgh, Oamaru stole most its street names from English rivers. We're just a big bunch of stealers down in the South Island.

    Really it was people from here going abroad and trying to take home with them. I hate when people refuse to come up with new names. We have planets full of features named after things and people here

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:01

    Really it was people from here going abroad and trying to take home with them. I hate when people refuse to come up with new names. We have planets full of features named after things and people here

    its hard to think of new names for things though, if I ever founded a village I'd be mighty stuck. Good thing I have no plans to found a village.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:01

    Can I borrow a pen off someone please? :D

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:02

    its hard to think of new names for things though, if I ever founded a village I'd be mighty stuck. Good thing I have no plans to found a village.

    But people with less knowledge came up with all the original names.

    Call it Sidepodville. Easy

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:02

    Can I borrow a pen off someone please? :D

    Not vey #mfc

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:02

    Not vey #mfc

    very

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:03

    its hard to think of new names for things though, if I ever founded a village I'd be mighty stuck. Good thing I have no plans to found a village.

    i'd call it team lotus.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:03

    Don't forget it is Christine's Rankings day today so your fabulous suggestions are more than welcome.

    Mark's egg selection is good:

    http://twitpic.com/4p2846

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:04

    i'd call it team lotus.

    I learned something Finnish related tonight as I answered the McLaren members competition question of the month, 'which McLaren driver set the fastest lap at the Malaysian GP two years in a row'

    Turns out it was Mika. I never would have guessed him first.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:05

    Not vey #mfc

    I keep trying to double book myself while looking at lympic tickets. Paper and a pen would help a lot. I was gonna write on the back of a used envelope if that makes it more ecologically sound?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:07

    I keep trying to double book myself while looking at lympic tickets. Paper and a pen would help a lot. I was gonna write on the back of a used envelope if that makes it more ecologically sound?

    I did mine on a spreadsheet #mfc

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:08

    I did mine on a spreadsheet #mfc

    I'm doing that now but honestly... I'm yearning for a pen.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:08

    I'm also looking at the site, its all very complicated.

    #leavingittothelastminute

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:08

    I'm also looking at the site, its all very complicated.

    I signed up for an account but then gave up :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:09

    you all need to get tickets because my mum was concerned that i'm going alone.

    "Mum, do you realise how many friends I have in the UK? It's the one place I can go and be sure I won't be alone"

    :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:09

    Nick wants to go to waterpolo final and closing ceremony (zzzzzz) but they're on the same day. Can we make it from Waterpolo Arena to Olympic Stadium in 90 minutes? I'm assuming everything will be rammed.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:09

    I'm lucky I have a huge student overdraft still available. I can't believe they don't tell you how much money they're taking in advance.....

    Buy it all!

    Anyone else coming to the fencing?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:11

    Nick wants to go to waterpolo final and closing ceremony (zzzzzz) but they're on the same day. Can we make it from Waterpolo Arena to Olympic Stadium in 90 minutes? I'm assuming everything will be rammed.

    you also need to allow up to an hour to get through security for the opening and closing ceremonies, it's where its at its tightest.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:11

    Nick wants to go to waterpolo final and closing ceremony (zzzzzz) but they're on the same day. Can we make it from Waterpolo Arena to Olympic Stadium in 90 minutes? I'm assuming everything will be rammed.

    Dont worry, we will have jetpacks by then or sumtin

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:11

    Nick wants to go to waterpolo final and closing ceremony (zzzzzz) but they're on the same day. Can we make it from Waterpolo Arena to Olympic Stadium in 90 minutes? I'm assuming everything will be rammed.

    Ooh walking distance = problem solved!

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:11

    Good afternoon everyone!

    That's it! I've just completed my first post-Easter day at highschool.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:11

    Dont worry, we will have jetpacks by then or sumtin

    I blame you for being so disorganised. I need help with this!!!

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:12

    I signed up for an account but then gave up :)

    There's always the marathon and the cycling, those are free..

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:12

    There's always the marathon and the cycling, those are free..

    TV for the win! :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:12

    Hi Marti

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:12

    Once I know what I've been allocated I'm going to have a look and see what comes up for public sale and buy anything that fits into my gaps that sounds remotely interesting. Although I'm sure the only things that won't sell out in this round of ticketing are the really boring odd things :D

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:12

    I blame you for being so disorganised. I need help with this!!!

    The !!!!!! are back

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:13

    TV for the win! :)

    Find an outside bigscreen TV somewhere, apparently some cities will have them. Means finding a city.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:13

    There's always the marathon and the cycling, those are free..

    Oh yeah! Sign up for the cycling thing with the electric bike!

    Forgot that 1!

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:14

    #sidepodspace

    The countdown has started

    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:14

    Oh yeah! Sign up for the cycling thing with the electric bike!

    I was gonna just buy some cycling without consulting you tbh. That's my favourite.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:14

    Oh yeah! Sign up for the cycling thing with the electric bike!

    kieron (sp?)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:14

    Q. How long does the security screening procedure usually take?

    The security screening procedure is similar to airport security. Due to the volume and set up of each venue, security screen times may differ dependent on the venue. The security check itself usually takes no more than a few minutes. The wait for the security screening is usually within 15 to 30 minutes except for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies where the wait may be over an hour.

    Q. What can I do to reduce my security screening time?

    Whenever possible, do not bring bags or any oversized items with you to Olympic event venues. Most event venues will have express lanes for spectators without bags.

    Note to self: Pack clothes with pockets, don't take a bag.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:14

    Not the robot one though. If you get robot on the same day then lucky you :P

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:15

    I was gonna just buy some cycling without consulting you tbh. That's my favourite.

    I dint mint as ling as electric bike is in there!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:15

    www.nasa.gov/miss…e/main/index.html

    Oooh. Am I Factbyte Factboxing this one?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:15

    I dint mint as ling as electric bike is in there!

    Been on the beer?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:15

    I didn't put in for cycling, as much as I'd like to see my neighbour :D

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:15

    www.nasa.gov/miss…e/main/index.html

    Oooh. Am I Factbyte Factboxing this one?

    you must1

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:15

    you must1

    must!

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:15

    Oh dear, no spelling... Back to pubbing

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:17

    www.nasa.gov/miss…e/main/index.html

    It would be very curious. Then you could record 'An Aside with NASA' and so on ^^

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:17

    Why is it too difficult for them to put up a simple list of where everything is. Telling me where the venues are is useless if you don't tell me what sport is at what venue.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:17

    Oooh. Am I Factbyte Factboxing this one?

    Of course. It launches on Friday evening. The wedding is just an excuse to give people the day off to watch. Even Obama is going to the Cape

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:17

    Last message was supposed to be sent to Christine's...

    Oooh. Am I Factbyte Factboxing this one?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:18

    Of course. It launches on Friday evening. The wedding is just an excuse to give people the day off to watch. Even Obama is going to the Cape

    I suppose it would be a bit rude to just do the second to last one and ignore the last one.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:18

    It would be very curious. Then you could record 'An Aside with NASA' and so on ^^

    Dan knows an astronaut. Just saying

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 18:19

    NIIIIIIIIIIIICK

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:19

    I suppose it would be a bit rude to just do the second to last one and ignore the last one.

    This is the second last one. There is an extra one in the summer now.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:19

    This is the second last one. There is an extra one in the summer now.

    what?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:19

    This is the second last one. There is an extra one in the summer now.

    A bonus Shuttle?

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:20

    what?

    They managed to get funding to fly a final mission with Atlantis in July I think

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:20

    A bonus Shuttle?

    Yes

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:21

    Yes

    Ah ha. No need to do this one then :)

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:23

    Whenever possible, do not bring bags or any oversized items with you to Olympic event venues. Most event venues will have express lanes for spectators without bags.

    Sounds nightmarish for anyone attending who expects to be able to take a reasonable amount of stuff for attending a sporting event with them :(

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 18:24

    Sounds nightmarish for anyone attending who expects to be able to take a reasonable amount of stuff for attending a sporting event with them :(

    Or expensive

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:24

    Sounds nightmarish for anyone attending who expects to be able to take a reasonable amount of stuff for attending a sporting event with them :(

    you can do it, you'll just have to queue :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:24

    Ah ha. No need to do this one then :)

    But it is the second last one and the last one for Endeavour and the only one you can do with a president there

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:25

    But it is the second last one and the last one for Endeavour and the only one you can do with a president there

    What if they keep extending it and I keep on doing the second to last one?

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:25

    What if they keep extending it and I keep on doing the second to last one?

    :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:26

    BMX could be fun

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:27

    What if they keep extending it and I keep on doing the second to last one?

    Groundhog shuttle.

    They have no more budget. There will be no more. The last one only has a crew of four so there is not even a chance of a rescue mission if the crew gets stranded on the ISS

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:27

    Groundhog shuttle.

    MARMOTS!!!!

    How can you object to constant marmots?

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:28

    A bonus Shuttle?

    Buy 134 shuttle missions and get one free

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:28

    Buy 134 shuttle missions and get one free

    :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:28

    Buy 134 shuttle missions and get one free

    Hehehe.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:29

    you can do it, you'll just have to queue :)

    For an hour in large crowds (because a) there'll be a lot of people in the same situation and b) this is the government so all estimates will be underestimated)? That's likely to be more than I can cope with. And given that my idea of essentials for watching sports includes a decent-thickness book for the lulls and intervals, it's very unlikely that I'd be able to get everything I needed in the venue even if I won the lottery.

  • Leigh O'Gorman26/04/2011 at 18:30

    evening all

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:30

    For an hour in large crowds (because a) there'll be a lot of people in the same situation and b) this is the government so all estimates will be underestimated)? That's likely to be more than I can cope with. And given that my idea of essentials for watching sports includes a decent-thickness book for the lulls and intervals, it's very unlikely that I'd be able to get everything I needed in the venue even if I won the lottery.

    you could just watch it on tv.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 18:30

    For an hour in large crowds (because a) there'll be a lot of people in the same situation and b) this is the government so all estimates will be underestimated)? That's likely to be more than I can cope with. And given that my idea of essentials for watching sports includes a decent-thickness book for the lulls and intervals, it's very unlikely that I'd be able to get everything I needed in the venue even if I won the lottery.

    Doesn't sound like the Olympics are for you then.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:31

    you could just watch it on tv.

    I could - but I could do that with every other Olympics ever...

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:31

    you could just watch it on tv.

    Mmm screens.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:31

    I could - but I could do that with every other Olympics ever...

    sounds like a plan then.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:31

    For an hour in large crowds (because a) there'll be a lot of people in the same situation and b) this is the government so all estimates will be underestimated)? That's likely to be more than I can cope with. And given that my idea of essentials for watching sports includes a decent-thickness book for the lulls and intervals, it's very unlikely that I'd be able to get everything I needed in the venue even if I won the lottery.

    ahh yes, doesn't sound ideal for you. I think as long as I have my wallet, and a camera and my phone I'll be OK.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:32

    For an hour in large crowds (because a) there'll be a lot of people in the same situation and b) this is the government so all estimates will be underestimated)? That's likely to be more than I can cope with. And given that my idea of essentials for watching sports includes a decent-thickness book for the lulls and intervals, it's very unlikely that I'd be able to get everything I needed in the venue even if I won the lottery.

    I think the security will take way longer than they say. It takes forever to get a few hundred people on a plane so getting tens of thousands in and out of various events will be horrific

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:33

    ahh yes, doesn't sound ideal for you. I think as long as I have my wallet, and a camera and my phone I'll be OK.

    will you be our on-the-scene reporter (again)?

    amy from the internet: going outside so you don't have to (since 2009)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:33

    will you be our on-the-scene reporter (again)?

    of course :)

    amy from the internet: going outside so you don't have to (since 2009)

    Best motto ever.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:33

    sounds like a plan then.

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:34

    I think the security will take way longer than they say. It takes forever to get a few hundred people on a plane so getting tens of thousands in and out of various events will be horrific

    Hence why I think it'll be an underestimate.

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:34

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

    How much would you have to pay to go to the Olympics?

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:34

    I think the security will take way longer than they say. It takes forever to get a few hundred people on a plane so getting tens of thousands in and out of various events will be horrific

    There are a lot more entrances to the stadium

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:34

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

    quite a lot of people will go and no-doubt enjoy it.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:35

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

    Getting the Olympics to Britain has never been about the people.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:35

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

    75% of the tickets are reserved for the British public, in general I'd say it's pretty accessible.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:36

    How much would you have to pay to go to the Olympics?

    Well, everyone in the country's going to end up sharing a large bill whether they go or not because I can't see tickets coming close to covering the costs.

    Tickets for individual events vary from £20 (for a full day of endurance swimming events) to £2012 (most expensive tickets for the closing ceremony).

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:36

    There are a lot more entrances to the stadium

    the main stadium will hold 80,000, I wonder how many entrances it'll have. *ponder*

    Out of everything I've applied for the Opening Ceremony is what I want to get the most, and it's probably the one I'd be least likely to get. I'd say it will be many times oversubscribed :(

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:36

    It does defeat the point of having the Olympics in Britain and paying a fortune for it when the experience is identical to the ones before and after it. If you're going to have a people's Olympics, then really it should be made accessible to people who want to see the events...

    They are fairly accessible, but this is London and London is understandably the most paranoid place about terrorism etc. Gotta put up with a few more searches and things there.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:37

    How much would you have to pay to go to the Olympics?

    the total cost of everything I've applied for came to about $1350 Australian dollars, so at least thats less than the cost of the flight to get there. Stupid isolation.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 18:37

    They are fairly accessible, but this is London and London is understandably the most paranoid place about terrorism etc. Gotta put up with a few more searches and things there.

    In fairness it's no worse than most other cities in that regard...

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:37

    Tickets for individual events vary from £20 (for a full day of endurance swimming events) to £2012 (most expensive tickets for the closing ceremony).

    And I guess you'd like to go there more than just one day...

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:38

    There are a lot more entrances to the stadium

    But everyone at an airport knows what they are doing because they do it every day. This is going to be people with limited knowledge who on the first day are going to be swamped

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:39

    quite a lot of people will go and no-doubt enjoy it.

    Will it be a sell-out? Probably not at these prices and ticket allocations (either the tickets needed to be cheaper or more needed to be made available to non-British people).

    Will it be enjoyed? Probably - if the mess-ups that sound like they are going to happen don't happen. The overriding message I'm getting from what's being posted here is that the authorities haven't thought this through and should have learned from (for example) the British Grand Prix organisers.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:39

    And I guess you'd like to go there more than just one day...

    I'd be fairly happy with one day, I shudder to think about hotel costs that month.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:40

    I'd be fairly happy with one day, I shudder to think about hotel costs that month.

    oh yes, Bassano has offered up Sidepodhospitality and I'm going to hold him to it :D

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:40

    Will it be enjoyed? Probably - if the mess-ups that sound like they are going to happen don't happen. The overriding message I'm getting from what's being posted here is that the authorities haven't thought this through and should have learned from (for example) the British Grand Prix organisers.

    seems unduly negative to me, but fair enough.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:40

    They are fairly accessible, but this is London and London is understandably the most paranoid place about terrorism etc. Gotta put up with a few more searches and things there.

    There's paranoid and there's estimating needing an hour of queue time due to security. The former shows sense and preparation, the latter shows the opposite.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:40

    Will it be a sell-out? Probably not at these prices and ticket allocations (either the tickets needed to be cheaper or more needed to be made available to non-British people).

    I expect the athletics and velodrome will be sold out, probably the only gaps will be in the corporate sections. Things like weightlifting maybe not so popular.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:41

    Will it be a sell-out? Probably not at these prices and ticket allocations (either the tickets needed to be cheaper or more needed to be made available to non-British people).

    I think the main events will all sell out.

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:41

    I'd be fairly happy with one day, I shudder to think about hotel costs that month.

    Yes. I thought about going to London and watch the Olympics, it would be a great oportunity to enjoy such a event and discover one of the most important cities of Europe, but I don't know... It's unlikely.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:41

    Yes. I thought about going to London and watch the Olympics, it would be a great oportunity to enjoy such a event and discover one of the most important cities of Europe, but I don't know... It's unlikely.

    I guess you were either far too small or not around at all when Barcelona hosted them?

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:42

    And I guess you'd like to go there more than just one day...

    Even one day would be good (with a train ride before and after to avoid hotel fees), but the way it's being done it's not going to be feasible to do even that.

  • Leigh O'Gorman26/04/2011 at 18:42

    so how is everyone today?

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:43

    I guess you were either far too small or not around at all when Barcelona hosted them?

    I didn't exist hehehe. I was born in the '95, and the Olympics were celebrated in the '92.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:44

    I didn't exist hehehe. I was born in the '95, and the Olympics were celebrated in the '92.

    My maths was really fail then, for some reason I was thinking 1992 was not 19 years ago :D

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:44

    oh yes, Bassano has offered up Sidepodhospitality and I'm going to hold him to it :D

    Is everyone invited? :)

    If I can find the right events (and get given the tickets) I'm sure I can manage a 6am train, be in London 9.30 or so if SW Trains pull through (*manic laughter*) and stay all day.

    Although in reality I'm applying for what I like and will worry about logistics in 12 months.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:45

    I think the main events will all sell out.

    The cheap seats will definitely sell out, as will the "elite seats" for the premier stuff and those Britain traditionally does well in like sailing, but the expensive seats (of which there are a very large number) in most events won't. Cheaper seating or wider international availability would have helped.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:45

    so how is everyone today?

    I'm OK, thank you.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:45

    The cheap seats will definitely sell out, as will the "elite seats" for the premier stuff and those Britain traditionally does well in like sailing, but the expensive seats (of which there are a very large number) in most events won't. Cheaper seating or wider international availability would have helped.

    have they announced how many expensive seats there are? I'm sure they wouldn't be stupid enough to have so many that half the stadiums are empty.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:46

    Is everyone invited? :)

    I baggsied first so I'm claiming the spare room :D

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:46

    I'd be fairly happy with one day, I shudder to think about hotel costs that month.

    oh yes, Bassano has offered up Sidepodhospitality and I'm going to hold him to it :D

    I will have the same if the lady with the mouse gets the tickets!

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:46

    I baggsied first so I'm claiming the spare room :D

    how does bassano know where he'll be living in 2012?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:46

    I will have the same if the lady with the mouse gets the tickets!

    Minnie?

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:47

    I will have the same if the lady with the mouse gets the tickets!

    Minnie?

    :) :) :)

  • RG26/04/2011 at 18:47

    I think the main events will all sell out.

    Seb Coe has said best ones to go for will be hockey and volleyball... http://twitter.com/#!/Pearcesport/status/62938168630067201 So presuming they are selling weakly or something.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:47

    have they announced how many expensive seats there are? I'm sure they wouldn't be stupid enough to have so many that half the stadiums are empty.

    They haven't announced how many of each there are, but they've described the type of seat each ticket type gets. So if you know that and know how the international versions of each type of venue is generally set up, you can guess what sort of seat quantities are involved.

  • Leigh O'Gorman26/04/2011 at 18:48

    I'm OK, thank you.

    Good stuff Ali

    Seb Coe has said best ones to go for will be hockey and volleyball... twitter.com/#!/Pe…62938168630067201 So presuming they are selling weakly or something.

    Can't imagine hockey being a big seller

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 18:48

    I think I should get a discount for having an account with their banking sponsor.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:49

    Seb Coe has said best ones to go for will be hockey and volleyball... twitter.com/#!/Pe…62938168630067201 So presuming they are selling weakly or something.

    It must be said that neither is exactly a high-profile sport in the UK, so I wouldn't be too worried if they're the only problems the authorities have sale-wise.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:49

    I think I should get a discount for having an account with their banking sponsor.

    :D

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:49

    I didn't exist hehehe. I was born in the '95, and the Olympics were celebrated in the '92.

    #ScaryPerson!!!! :D

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:49

    Seb Coe has said best ones to go for will be hockey and volleyball... twitter.com/#!/Pe…62938168630067201 So presuming they are selling weakly or something.

    ooh his tweets are quite interesting

    "Here are 2 more #2012 events which I'm told are high demand and maybe heading for ballot. Finals of badminton and canoe slalom"

    They're not what I'd call events I'd expect to be in demand, I think your crowds shall be fine :)

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 18:50

    I will have the same if the lady with the mouse gets the tickets!

    Minnie?

    :D Love it!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:50

    "Here are 2 more #2012 events which I'm told are high demand and maybe heading for ballot. Finals of badminton and canoe slalom"

    Badminton did get popular when that duo were good at it, but I think she retired anyway.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:51

    They're not what I'd call events I'd expect to be in demand, I think your crowds shall be fine :)

    Britain has recently had a very good badminton duo, so I can see why that is headed for ballot. Canoe slalom, on the other hand, is a good sign that some unexpected events are thriving in terms of popularity, because normally few people would think twice about that event in the UK!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:51

    His tweets are all quite negative about anyones chances of getting tickets to anything. Hopefully the travel involved from Australia means the number of people applying for our ballot will be a lot less. Then again, the country will have been allocated a lot less too. Nothing to do but wait and see :)

  • RG26/04/2011 at 18:52

    Badminton did get popular when that duo were good at it, but I think she retired anyway.

    Gail Emms retired cos she was pregnant I think, I think its Tomlinson (I think) and Kellogg these days.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:52

    Badminton did get popular when that duo were good at it, but I think she retired anyway.

    She did. I think I've seen her play in an exhibition match since, but it was for entertaining the crowd alongside some other badminton "masters" rather than a serious competition.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:53

    "Here are 2 more #2012 events which I'm told are high demand and maybe heading for ballot. Finals of badminton and canoe slalom"

    They're not what I'd call events I'd expect to be in demand, I think your crowds shall be fine :)

    Britain has won a few badminton medals in recent Olympics so maybe it will draw a crowd

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:53

    Badminton did get popular when that duo were good at it, but I think she retired anyway.

    He is still playing.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 18:54

    He is still playing.

    I'd wager not as well.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:54

    His tweets are all quite negative about anyones chances of getting tickets to anything. Hopefully the travel involved from Australia means the number of people applying for our ballot will be a lot less. Then again, the country will have been allocated a lot less too. Nothing to do but wait and see :)

    Of course his tweets are negative - he's got to be to convince the British public that things are going well. He doesn't need to worry about putting people off because this is the last day to apply for tickets (if I remember correctly).

  • RG26/04/2011 at 18:54

    Gail Emms retired cos she was pregnant I think, I think its Tomlinson (I think) and Kellogg these days.

    No idea where I got Tomlinson from, I meant Robertson.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 18:54

    I'd wager not as well.

    Can't say I have paid to much attention

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:55

    His tweets are all quite negative about anyones chances of getting tickets to anything.

    Who are you talking about?

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:56

    Who are you talking about?

    Sebastian Coe, one of the ambassadors of the Olympics and chairman of one of its committees.

  • RG26/04/2011 at 18:56

    Who are you talking about?

    James Pearce: http://twitter.com/#!/Pearcesport. He does the sport for BBC News.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:56

    Who are you talking about?

    http://twitter.com/#!/Pearcesport

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 18:56

    If you want to take a look about the changes the main teams did during the Chinese GP, take a look at this article.

    I didn't write it and it's in Spanish, but there are plenty of useful pictures. http://www.caranddriverthef1.com/formula1/articulos/2011/04/16/que-hay-nuevo-en-los-coches-shanghai

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 18:57

    Of course his tweets are negative - he's got to be to convince the British public that things are going well. He doesn't need to worry about putting people off because this is the last day to apply for tickets (if I remember correctly).

    gosh thats rather pessimistic!

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:57

    If you want to take a look about the changes the main teams did during the Chinese GP, take a look at this article.

    I didn't write it and it's in Spanish, but there are plenty of useful pictures. www.caranddrivert…s-coches-shanghai

    oooh, good find. ta.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 18:57

    Of course his tweets are negative - he's got to be to convince the British public that things are going well. He doesn't need to worry about putting people off because this is the last day to apply for tickets (if I remember correctly).

    wut?

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:59

    Force India is attempting to start another version of Follow Friday - #watchwednesday. Even I have to query the advisability of going up against that powerful a hashtag...

    #points

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 18:59

    wut?

    Politics...

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:00

    Politics...

    i get that. i don't get your point of view. mind you it's not even on this year, so i'll sit quiet until 2012.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:00

    For the benefit of the tape I am using Notepad to record my choices.

    (do you hear that on TV cop procedurals any more?)

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:01

    i get that. i don't get your point of view. mind you it's not even on this year, so i'll sit quiet until 2012.

    In a nutshell, if it's difficult to get tickets, then the Olympics have sold well. If it's easy to get tickets, it hasn't. The former helps the political careers of those involved in organising the Olympics a whole lot more than the latter.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:01

    For the benefit of the tape I am using Notepad to record my choices.

    (do you hear that on TV cop procedurals any more?)

    oooh, i likes that.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:01

    Politics...

    I just don't get what you mean by convincing the public it's going well. The Olympics is MASSIVE. I'm sure it's going well.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:02

    In a nutshell, if it's difficult to get tickets, then the Olympics have sold well. If it's easy to get tickets, it hasn't. The former helps the political careers of those involved in organising the Olympics a whole lot more than the latter.

    it's not a robbie williams concert. there's no-one pretending to be popular.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:02

    In a nutshell, if it's difficult to get tickets, then the Olympics have sold well. If it's easy to get tickets, it hasn't. The former helps the political careers of those involved in organising the Olympics a whole lot more than the latter.

    he's a BBC journalist, I'm sure he doesn't give a rats about the organisers political careers.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:02

    he's a BBC journalist, I'm sure he doesn't give a rats about the organisers political careers.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:02

    Of course his tweets are negative - he's got to be to convince the British public that things are going well. He doesn't need to worry about putting people off because this is the last day to apply for tickets (if I remember correctly).

    For one thing it isn't him tweeting, and for another he'd be upbeat saying "it is the last day and we're selling out!"

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:02

    I just don't get what you mean by convincing the public it's going well. The Olympics is MASSIVE. I'm sure it's going well.

    If you knew how much scepticism there was about it round here...

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:03

    it's not a robbie williams concert. there's no-one pretending to be popular.

    That's not the impression I got.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:03

    it's not a robbie williams concert. there's no-one pretending to be popular.

    Plus, no one (the papers) actually cares about it yet. Particularly this week.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:03

    If you knew how much scepticism there was about it round here...

    on sidepodcast? we're stocked about it aren't we? i'm planning on christine taking the whole event off work to factbyte factbox it.

    :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:03

    on sidepodcast? we're stocked about it aren't we? i'm planning on christine taking the whole event off work to factbyte factbox it.

    stoked, rather.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:03

    he's a BBC journalist, I'm sure he doesn't give a rats about the organisers political careers.

    He doesn't but the guy he interviewed does.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:03

    on sidepodcast? we're stocked about it aren't we? i'm planning on christine taking the whole event off work to factbyte factbox it.

    Ooh, work. Good point.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:04

    Ooh, work. Good point.

    (assuming you have a job by 2012)

    ;)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:04

    he's a BBC journalist, I'm sure he doesn't give a rats about the organisers political careers.

    I filled in the extra word myself without even thinking :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:04

    If you knew how much scepticism there was about it round here...

    the sceptics also tend to be the ones who are the least aware of whats actually happening around them. The UK has a population of approximately 62,000,000. You don't need a very large percentage of people to apply to fill an 80,000 seat stadium and thats on the large end of the scale, some of the events will only fit 2000 people into them.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:05

    on sidepodcast? we're stocked about it aren't we? i'm planning on christine taking the whole event off work to factbyte factbox it.

    3 weeks of daily FBFB :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:05

    3 weeks of daily FBFB :)

    we're gonna need a bigger server.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:05

    3 weeks of daily FBFB :)

    I should be practiced enough by then.

    AND at least it will be in a decent timezone :)

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:05

    on sidepodcast? we're stocked about it aren't we? i'm planning on christine taking the whole event off work to factbyte factbox it.

    I meant the people I meet face-to-face. Maybe it's different where you are, but the majority of people I've spoken to about the Olympics where I live are either neutral or highly negative about Britain's handling of the event.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:06

    the sceptics also tend to be the ones who are the least aware of whats actually happening around them

    I have a feeling I know which newspapers they buy without asking or checking, but that's all I'll say..

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:06

    the sceptics also tend to be the ones who are the least aware of whats actually happening around them. The UK has a population of approximately 62,000,000. You don't need a very large percentage of people to apply to fill an 80,000 seat stadium and thats on the large end of the scale, some of the events will only fit 2000 people into them.

    You don't - but an awful lot seems to be happening to prevent that filling-up from happening.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:07

    You don't - but an awful lot seems to be happening to prevent that filling-up from happening.

    Like what?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:07

    You don't - but an awful lot seems to be happening to prevent that filling-up from happening.

    You seem to be presuming an awful lot.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:08

    I have a feeling I know which newspapers they buy without asking or checking, but that's all I'll say..

    If they're getting their information from a newspaper, they're not the ones I know - most of them don't even have papers any more and the others are in a scheme whereby they share pretty much every one on sale at their local shop (which covers pretty much the entire spectrum of British journalism, good and bad).

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:08

    I meant the people I meet face-to-face. Maybe it's different where you are, but the majority of people I've spoken to about the Olympics where I live are either neutral or highly negative about Britain's handling of the event.

    we drove down the new road to weymouth over the weekend, it is absolutely stunning (as roads go). that's there because of the olympics.

    haven't driven to weymouth for about 10 years, but the last time i went it was a crappy little winding road that nearly got me killed. i have nothing but good things to say about the olympics in the uk so far.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:08

    You seem to be presuming an awful lot.

    I certainly haven't seen any ticket sale numbers yet.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:09

    haven't driven to weymouth for about 10 years, but the last time i went it was a crappy little winding road that nearly got me killed. i have nothing but good things to say about the olympics in the uk so far.

    Although... when it's done... that's gonna be a big ol' road just to get to Weymouth :)

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 19:09

    the sceptics also tend to be the ones who are the least aware of whats actually happening around them. The UK has a population of approximately 62,000,000. You don't need a very large percentage of people to apply to fill an 80,000 seat stadium and thats on the large end of the scale, some of the events will only fit 2000 people into them.

    it's ok, when I win the lottery before 2012 I'll buy 50 seats for everyone on sidepodcast

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:09

    If they're getting their information from a newspaper, they're not the ones I know - most of them don't even have papers any more and the others are in a scheme whereby they share pretty much every one on sale at their local shop (which covers pretty much the entire spectrum of British journalism, good and bad).

    Then it sounds like a lot of old fashioned British cynism and a whole load of nothing to back it up.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:10

    I meant the people I meet face-to-face. Maybe it's different where you are, but the majority of people I've spoken to about the Olympics where I live are either neutral or highly negative about Britain's handling of the event.

    we drove down the new road to weymouth over the weekend, it is absolutely stunning (as roads go). that's there because of the olympics.

    haven't driven to weymouth for about 10 years, but the last time i went it was a crappy little winding road that nearly got me killed. i have nothing but good things to say about the olympics in the uk so far.

    I drove down that two weeks ago, lovely road.

    #roadnerd

    Also, WHAT, you were half an hour from me and you didn't say. Pfft. :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:10

    Although... when it's done... that's gonna be a big ol' road just to get to Weymouth :)

    i assume the place will grow into it.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:10

    I certainly haven't seen any ticket sale numbers yet.

    Mr BBC said chances of getting a ticket to the opening ceremony is like winning the lottery. I'd say those 80,000 tickets will be sold many times over by now :)

    Melbourne has no trouble filling its 100,000 seat stadium and we don't have 62,000,000 residents :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:10

    If there are seats left over after the ballot it's a good thing anyway - means that people who don't know if they can go until last minute get a chance to.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:10

    Like what?

    Transport links not being completed on time (the electrified line from London to central England that's not even been started yet was meant to be finished by next year). Finals tickets where 4 hours at the lowest price costs more than general admission to Silverstone. Hour-long security checks. Ticket purchase procedures that don't reliably work (and that's other people saying it because I haven't attempted to book an Olympic ticket, so no point blaming my computer for this). These things matter when it comes to accessing the event.

  • MartiV826/04/2011 at 19:11

    Time to leave.

    See you tomorrow, have a nice day (not in Bon Jovi's song meaning hehe) ;)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:11

    Also, WHAT, you were half an hour from me and you didn't say. Pfft. :)

    ooh, we could've, but i'm not sure we knew where we were as christine buggered her lighter socket, which makes charging phone, sat-nav and what-not a bit of a problem :(

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:11

    haven't driven to weymouth for about 10 years, but the last time i went it was a crappy little winding road that nearly got me killed. i have nothing but good things to say about the olympics in the uk so far.

    The way from Dorch was a slow slow slow slow road which was only slow because of the heavy traffic. I was shocked at how it only took 5 minutes to get there instead of half an hour.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:11

    See you tomorrow, have a nice day (not in Bon Jovi's song meaning hehe) ;)

    :) :)

  • RG26/04/2011 at 19:12

    haven't driven to weymouth for about 10 years, but the last time i went it was a crappy little winding road that nearly got me killed. i have nothing but good things to say about the olympics in the uk so far.

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    Also consider the dreadful handling of events regarding legacy of places like the Olympic Stadium, its been pretty poor in my eyes. And the price cost hikes...

    I'm not sure its relevant but I felt the need to say it.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:12

    I certainly haven't seen any ticket sale numbers yet.

    We've seen tweets implying sale numbers for certain things.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:12

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    ahh, true. sorry.

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:13

    If there are seats left over after the ballot it's a good thing anyway - means that people who don't know if they can go until last minute get a chance to.

    agreed.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:13

    i assume the place will grow into it.

    :D

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:13

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    that happens in every country that hosts it.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:13

    Also consider the dreadful handling of events regarding legacy of places like the Olympic Stadium, its been pretty poor in my eyes. And the price cost hikes...

    I agree with this - how come Spurs get the right to the stadium when they only want to knock it down anyway?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:14

    Transport links not being completed on time (the electrified line from London to central England that's not even been started yet was meant to be finished by next year). Finals tickets where 4 hours at the lowest price costs more than general admission to Silverstone. Hour-long security checks. Ticket purchase procedures that don't reliably work (and that's other people saying it because I haven't attempted to book an Olympic ticket, so no point blaming my computer for this). These things matter when it comes to accessing the event.

    Ah, right. That seems like an awful lot of "hasn't happened yet" stuff, so I'll leave you to that.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:14

    I'm having trouble timetabling myself :P Too much choice :D

  • RG26/04/2011 at 19:14

    that happens in every country that hosts it.

    I'm aware, I just don't like it when they say its the UK Olympics when really, it isn't.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:14

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    What city has benefited from it in ways other than increased exposure and tourism though?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:15

    I'm aware, I just don't like it when they say its the UK Olympics when really, it isn't.

    ahh. I've only ever heard it called the London Olympics down here :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:15

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    It was only meant to be London but we've got a nice shiny new road and we're 3 hours away from the place.

    Good points though.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:15

    Mr BBC said chances of getting a ticket to the opening ceremony is like winning the lottery. I'd say those 80,000 tickets will be sold many times over by now :)

    The opening and closing ceremonies are always the most popular events. The thing is the Olympics and Paralympics combined are going to cost £20 bn at least. The "like winning the lottery" will be true in the broader sense of the term.

    It's the events in the middle which worry me.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:16

    Although... when it's done... that's gonna be a big ol' road just to get to Weymouth :)

    I have a feeling some visitors may be disappointed when they arrive. :D

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:17

    It was only meant to be London but we've got a nice shiny new road and we're 3 hours away from the place.

    it is a lovely road.

    wish we'd taken some pictures now.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:17

    The opening and closing ceremonies are always the most popular events. The thing is the Olympics and Paralympics combined are going to cost £20 bn at least. The "like winning the lottery" will be true in the broader sense of the term.

    They don't open up enough tickets to foreigners to make much money from tourists, but if they had less availble to the UK, much of the UK would whine. But they whine regardless so you really can't win :D

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:17

    There's a key thing in that sentence I don't agree with and its 'in the uk', it isn't. Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the top 2/3 of England have got nothing bar a few football matches, they get no improvements, nothing is beneficial has come from the Olympics for everywhere bar London and a few places a few miles from there.

    It may explain things if I say that I'm also in the 2/3 of England in question. In the organisers' defence, I will say that the Olympics in Britain is spread out over a larger proportion of the country than usual (most of the time only football gets delegated to other cities, but Britain's been thoughtful enough to do so for several other events, notably sailing).

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:17

    wish we'd taken some pictures now.

    Wonder if I can tape a camera or phone to my dashboard or window

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:18

    Wonder if I can tape a camera or phone to my dashboard or window

    If you have a little camera/phone, you just need an elastic band and a rear view mirror.

    Not that I've tried it. Obviously.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:19

    If you have a little camera/phone, you just need an elastic band and a rear view mirror.

    Nokia E71 would be too heavy and I don't have a modern ultraslim camera.

    Not that I've tried it. Obviously.

    :D

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:19

    hmm, I have to leave for work in 3 hours, perhaps I should try and sleep.

    Stupid public holidays, I'm broken

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:20

    Ah, right. That seems like an awful lot of "hasn't happened yet" stuff, so I'll leave you to that.

    It's a "been promised explicitly or by implication", except for the transport links (the line I cited as an example - which is the only Olympic improvement that it looks like my area will get - is estimated to need 3 years to install due to not wishing to introduce excessive problems for current rail users), the ticket prices (which are clearly indicated in the brochure) and the ticket purchasing.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:20

    hmm, I have to leave for work in 3 hours, perhaps I should try and sleep.

    A bit late now

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:20

    A bit late now

    It'd be ok if I could come home and nap but I'm going out for dinner :(

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:20

    Now that Nick is buying me some Olympics tickets, I'm feeling a lot more positive about the whole thing :D

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:21

    Now that Nick is buying me some Olympics tickets, I'm feeling a lot more positive about the whole thing :D

    I thought you were buying him tickets

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:21

    hmm, I have to leave for work in 3 hours, perhaps I should try and sleep.

    That'll hurt

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:21

    ahh. I've only ever heard it called the London Olympics down here :)

    Round Derbyshire it's called the Olympics, the assumption being that everyone means the 2012 one unless the context makes it obvious it's not.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:22

    That'll hurt

    I knew it would happen, I've gone to bed at 4am every night since Wednesday last week. This 5.22 is new to me though :)

  • Mr C26/04/2011 at 19:23

    Round Derbyshire it's called the Olympics, the assumption being that everyone means the 2012 one unless the context makes it obvious it's not.

    you may want to avoid sidepodcast next year, i'm guessing it'll be just like the world cup in terms of threads. incidentally, we need a summer sport to follow this year...

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:23

    you may want to avoid sidepodcast next year, i'm guessing it'll be just like the world cup in terms of threads. incidentally, we need a summer sport to follow this year...

    Wimbledon is one.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:23

    you may want to avoid sidepodcast next year, i'm guessing it'll be just like the world cup in terms of threads. incidentally, we need a summer sport to follow this year...

    Well there is the Rugby World Cup later in the year...

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:24

    They don't open up enough tickets to foreigners to make much money from tourists, but if they had less availble to the UK, much of the UK would whine. But they whine regardless so you really can't win :D

    The trick is to alter the proportions according to what people are likely to want to buy. The less popular events and rounds could easily have had more non-UK spectators invited, while the more popular ones could have had high UK crowd numbers in order to satisfy demand.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:24

    I thought you were buying him tickets

    With his money.... Obviously you're better off in the UK pool so I have to do it.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:26

    The trick is to alter the proportions according to what people are likely to want to buy. The less popular events and rounds could easily have had more non-UK spectators invited, while the more popular ones could have had high UK crowd numbers in order to satisfy demand.

    I think most things will have fairly high demand tbh.... If I get to see a few different things, I'll be really happy! :) They'll reopen the ticket sales if things aren't sold I'm sure.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:26

    you may want to avoid sidepodcast next year, i'm guessing it'll be just like the world cup in terms of threads. incidentally, we need a summer sport to follow this year...

    I'm happy about the Olympics, it's the government's handling of it that bugs me. Once the sporting events themselves start and the politicians and psuedopoliticians shut up, and assuming major calamities are avoided, I'll be fine...

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:26

    I knew it would happen, I've gone to bed at 4am every night since Wednesday last week. This 5.22 is new to me though :)

    Have you considered just staying up through the night. I have done that a couple of times recently just to get my bodyclock back to something like normal

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:27

    With his money.... Obviously you're better off in the UK pool so I have to do it.

    OK

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:27

    Have you considered just staying up through the night. I have done that a couple of times recently just to get my bodyclock back to something like normal

    I do it quite often but normally on the weekend. It's too much with 8 hours of work ahead of me, and it's going to be a really ridiculously busy day too as I'm going to be two people for the rest of the week.

  • RG26/04/2011 at 19:27

    incidentally, we need a summer sport to follow this year...

    Don't forget the Euro Champs (which were awesome in 2008) are just a month before the Olympics too... as for this year, its a perfect opportunity to get into speedway I think...

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:28

    I think most things will have fairly high demand tbh.... If I get to see a few different things, I'll be really happy! :) They'll reopen the ticket sales if things aren't sold I'm sure.

    over here the applications have closed, we find out what we've got the week beginning may 23, and then on june 28th anything not already sold goes on sale as first come first served.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:28

    I do it quite often but normally on the weekend. It's too much with 8 hours of work ahead of me, and it's going to be a really ridiculously busy day too as I'm going to be two people for the rest of the week.

    I was awake for 38 hours straight last week and couldn't sleep at the end of it

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:28

    I was awake for 38 hours straight last week and couldn't sleep at the end of it

    although being two people at work means theres no one else there to keep an eye on me and make sure im not asleep at my desk. hmm.

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:28

    I was awake for 38 hours straight last week and couldn't sleep at the end of it

    Why???q

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:29

    although being two people at work means theres no one else there to keep an eye on me and make sure im not asleep at my desk. hmm.

    500ml can of energy drink, slowly.

    now shoo :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:30

    500ml can of energy drink, slowly.

    I don't like energy drinks. I had one last week because the vending machine gave out 5 instead of 1 to one of my colleagues. Still don't taste any better than when I last had one :)

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:30

    I don't like energy drinks. I had one last week because the vending machine gave out 5 instead of 1 to one of my colleagues. Still don't taste any better than when I last had one :)

    Five for one sounds like an excellent deal!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:31

    Five for one sounds like an excellent deal!

    our vending machine often jams and the only way to get the stuck can out is to shake it a bit. Then more tend to fall out :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:31

    Why???q

    It's not that rare. I stay up right through about once or twice a month for a bit of a reset. Quite often can't even sleep after I've finished work.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:32

    our vending machine often jams and the only way to get the stuck can out is to shake it a bit. Then more tend to fall out :D

    Our machines are all anti tilt.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:32

    I don't like energy drinks. I had one last week because the vending machine gave out 5 instead of 1 to one of my colleagues. Still don't taste any better than when I last had one :)

    I don't like many of them but the ones with real juice are nice (Relentless and Rockstar).

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:32

    Our machines are all anti tilt.

    I'm always scared someone is going to pull it over on top of themselves.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:33

    Why???q

    My body clock was so far out of sync it was the easiest way to get it close to normal

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:34

    Does it do this? (keep watching)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqT_dPApj9U

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:35

    I'm always scared someone is going to pull it over on top of themselves.

    That would hurt.... Coca cola got wise to people tipping machines to get things out. They're alarmed and everything here now if you try and tip them. Nothing comes out at all :(

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:36

    With his money.... Obviously you're better off in the UK pool so I have to do it.

    The only pool I have is 27 floors down and full of water...

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:37

    The only pool I have is 27 floors down and full of water...

    Jealous.

    I'm stuck btw. Help me.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:37

    Does it do this? (keep watching)

    A coke machine that does pizza mmmmmmmm

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:37
  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:37

    I'm stuck btw. Help me.

    All the stuff is bunched in the first week is that okay?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:38

    That would hurt.... Coca cola got wise to people tipping machines to get things out. They're alarmed and everything here now if you try and tip them. Nothing comes out at all :(

    Our vending machine is stocked with skinny cans whereas I think its built for normal cans or bottles which is why they all fall out and jam it in the first place.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:39

    How do you feel about Badminton?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:39

    NIIIIIIIIICK!!! Help meeeee!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:40

    How do you feel about Badminton?

    if he's on the internet right now...which he is....why isn't he doing this himself?:D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:40

    NIIIIIIIIICK!!! Help meeeee!

    Good grief.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:41

    Ping: http://sidepodcast.com/post/robert-kubica-makes-his-debut-on-christines-rankings-this-week

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:41

    NIIIIIIIIICK!!! Help meeeee!

    I hope this 0 looks like a life saver ring?

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:41

    How do you feel about Badminton?

    It's cruel to the horses

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:41

    I hope this 0 looks like a life saver ring?

    This is too many decisions all at once! I struggle to decide what I want for a meal.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:42

    How do you feel about Badminton?

    I prefer the tennis outfits on the ladies?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:42

    I prefer the tennis outfits on the ladies?

    Is that a no?

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:42

    How do you feel about Badminton?

    I prefer the tennis outfits on the ladies?

    Beach Volleyball it is then.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:43

    Is that a no?

    I really don't get why you're doing this :)

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:43

    Beach Volleyball it is then.

    I do worry about the weather for that!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:43

    I really don't get why you're doing this :)

    And inflicting it on us! :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 19:43

    I must be hungry. I'm reading a list of events and read "Foil Individual Round" as "Foil Individually Wrapped".

    Dinner break.

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:43

    if he's on the internet right now...which he is....why isn't he doing this himself?:D

    I am in the pub...

    If I wanted tickets I need to apply through my local OC

    ...that or watch paint dry

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 19:43

    I must be hungry. I'm reading a list of events and read "Foil Individual Round" as "Foil Individually Wrapped".

    :)

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:44

    I prefer the tennis outfits on the ladies?

    Is that a no?

    Probably best to go for more tennis instead?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:44

    I am in the pub...

    thats the worst excuse ever.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:44

    I must be hungry. I'm reading a list of events and read "Foil Individual Round" as "Foil Individually Wrapped".

    :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:45

    Probably best to go for more tennis instead?

    There aren't enough days in the week. Why are you not helping me with this??

  • Nick26/04/2011 at 19:45

    thats the worst excuse ever.

    I was in an Aussie pub earlier and asked for tui...

    ... I got tooheys :D

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:46

    Beach Volleyball it is then.

    I do worry about the weather for that!

    Yeah - I don't think they'll need to worry about sunburn!

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 19:46

    I was in an Aussie pub earlier and asked for tui...

    Aussie's don't know what that is so I'm not surprised.

    And with that, I'm actually off to bed :)

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 19:47

    I was in an Aussie pub earlier and asked for tui...

    They are both awful beers anyway

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:47

    Beach Volleyball it is then.

    I do worry about the weather for that!

    It is never going to work in rain an wind

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 19:47

    I must be hungry. I'm reading a list of events and read "Foil Individual Round" as "Foil Individually Wrapped".

    :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 19:57

    Errrm I have a problem. I have to ship tickets to my billing address for security and obviously my billing address is here but there's no way I'll be living here next year.

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 19:59

    Errrm I have a problem. I have to ship tickets to my billing address for security and obviously my billing address is here but there's no way I'll be living here next year.

    Can you not change the billing address later (even for a fee?)

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 20:00

    Can you not change the billing address later (even for a fee?)

    I've decided I probably can and just paid up. You owe me Nicholas, wherever you are. This has taken me a whole evening!!!

  • Alianora La Canta26/04/2011 at 20:01

    I've decided I probably can and just paid up. You owe me Nicholas, wherever you are. This has taken me a whole evening!!!

    Phew (I hope)

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 20:15

    Ping: http://sidepodcast.com/post/live-blogging-gains-points-on-this-weeks-team-rankings

  • RubberGoat26/04/2011 at 20:23

    Daily is done and includes the rankings. Now off to watch the end of the footy and then sleep. see you later!

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 20:24

    Daily is done and includes the rankings. Now off to watch the end of the footy and then sleep. see you later!

    Byee.

  • RG26/04/2011 at 20:24

    Daily is done and includes the rankings. Now off to watch the end of the footy and then sleep. see you later!

    Night mate.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 20:29

    Daily is done and includes the rankings. Now off to watch the end of the footy and then sleep. see you later!

    Night

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 20:33

    I forgot to ping this earlier

    http://toomuchracing.com/2011/04/26/tmr-game-2011-week-14/

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 20:33

    Errrm I have a problem. I have to ship tickets to my billing address for security and obviously my billing address is here but there's no way I'll be living here next year.

    I don't know if I'll be living here this time next year, they must realise people move house though.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 20:35

    I don't know if I'll be living here this time next year, they must realise people move house though.

    Yeah I'm sure I can change it somehow later.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 20:55

    I've just had some sad news :( One of my cousin's kids is 17 and he's been training with a proper football club since he was about 10 but we've just found out he needs major knee surgery and won't be allowed to play again for 9 months. Bad times.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:01

    I've just had some sad news :( One of my cousin's kids is 17 and he's been training with a proper football club since he was about 10 but we've just found out he needs major knee surgery and won't be allowed to play again for 9 months. Bad times.

    I thought it was going to be something really serious with that start.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:01

    I've just had some sad news :( One of my cousin's kids is 17 and he's been training with a proper football club since he was about 10 but we've just found out he needs major knee surgery and won't be allowed to play again for 9 months. Bad times.

    9 months is alright, isn't it?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:02

    I thought it was going to be something really serious with that start.

    :( He was very good. They were interested in taking him on. I'm totally gutted for him.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:04

    9 months is alright, isn't it?

    It's a lot for a footballer at that age. He could go from top of their list to being of no interest to anyone in that time. Happens a lot

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:05

    I thought it was going to be something really serious with that start.

    :( He was very good. They were interested in taking him on. I'm totally gutted for him.

    Your intro made me think he had been killed

  • RG26/04/2011 at 21:05

    9 months is alright, isn't it?

    9 months is a long time for a footballer, in fairness injuries that long and you often aren't the same player afterwards. Its a shame for a promising player like that to get such an injury :(

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:06

    9 months is a long time for a footballer, in fairness injuries that long and you often aren't the same player afterwards. Its a shame for a promising player like that to get such an injury :(

    Ah, okay.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:07

    Your intro made me think he had been killed

    Hah! That's probably how he feels tbh.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:09

    Hah! That's probably how he feels tbh.

    While he is convalescing, you should get him into F1. He can come and comment with us.

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 21:09

    While he is convalescing, you should get him into F1. He can come and comment with us.

    What an excellent word. That's two new words I have learned today!

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:11

    What an excellent word. That's two new words I have learned today!

    Which words?

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:11

    While he is convalescing, you should get him into F1. He can come and comment with us.

    Great idea. You don't even need knees fo that

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:11

    Which words?

    F 1?

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 21:12

    Which words?

    Convalescing, which Christine just used, and the other was another word for a model of something, Miquet... it was a french word Lou said to me earlier and it's sooo much fun to say out loud. :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:12

    Great idea. You don't even need knees fo that

    I think I'll volunteer you to go harass football club so they don't forget about him. You anywhere near Glasgow??

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 21:13

    I don't know how to spell the french word I should add, I just enjoyed saying it out loud

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 21:15

    As if the Playstation Network outage could get any worse for Sony (7 days it's been down now since they've been trying to fix it), it seems whoever has been hacking it has got credit card and address info of users. What an absolutely huge disaster, yikes.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:16

    I think I'll volunteer you to go harass football club so they don't forget about him. You anywhere near Glasgow??

    Million miles away.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:16

    I think I'll volunteer you to go harass football club so they don't forget about him. You anywhere near Glasgow??

    ooh you don't want to get messed up between the Glasgow clubs

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:16

    Million miles away.

    Oh well I'll let you off with phoning them.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:18

    ooh you don't want to get messed up between the Glasgow clubs

    True

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:19

    Oh well I'll let you off with phoning them.

    No point hassling anyone till his leg is working

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:19

    No point hassling anyone till his leg is working

    Hmmmm if they don't remember his name, I'm blaming you!

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:20

    Cycling time trial is free at Hampton Court Palace, August 1st. Sounds like a nice day out. Women's at 10am, Men's at 1pm, wander the palace in between the races.

    Maybe head to London afterwards for the evening swimming session.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:20

    Hmmmm if they don't remember his name, I'm blaming you!

    Hardly seems fair. You didn't say what his name was.

  • RG26/04/2011 at 21:20

    As if the Playstation Network outage could get any worse for Sony (7 days it's been down now since they've been trying to fix it), it seems whoever has been hacking it has got credit card and address info of users. What an absolutely huge disaster, yikes.

    Really glad I don't have a PS3 or a PSN account... oh.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:20

    Hmmmm if they don't remember his name, I'm blaming you!

    Sew you into a Celtic strip and drop you off at Ibrox?

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 21:21

    Really glad I don't have a PS3 or a PSN account... oh.

    Mmm. I haven't had a PS3 for a while but I know my account still exists so it is slightly disconcerting.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:23

    Hmmmm if they don't remember his name, I'm blaming you!

    I know enough about football to know that you can't get anyone interested in a player who can't play. Once he can play and train again you have a chance of people taking an interest

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:23

    Hardly seems fair. You didn't say what his name was.

    I didn't even think of that

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:24

    Sew you into a Celtic strip and drop you off at Ibrox?

    Do that with Nick

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:24

    Do that with Nick

    Nick won't come with me to Scotland. Perhaps this is why :D

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:25

    Maybe head to London afterwards for the evening swimming session.

    Oops. Might have left it a bit late. Website timed me out and is struggling to log me in.

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:26

    Oops. Might have left it a bit late. Website timed me out and is struggling to log me in.

    :S I'm glad I got mine out the way. It was working fine an hour ago so I would persist with it.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:27

    :S I'm glad I got mine out the way. It was working fine an hour ago so I would persist with it.

    It just worked, got the opening ceremony and some swimming so far..

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:36

    It just worked, got the opening ceremony and some swimming so far..

    I'm not into all this flag waving stuff but Nick seems very keen.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:42

    Ping: http://mrschristine.com/2011/04/26/the-post-office-more-than-just-post/

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:45

    Good evening

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:46

    Good evening

    Don't undo the top before you shake it

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:48

    Don't undo the top before you shake it

    Good advice, just 24hrs too late :D

    Staying safe with Ciabatta tonight

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:48

    Ping: mrschristine.com/…e-than-just-post/

    I don't know if this is a new thing or my computer gone mad or whatever, but the font on there is near impossible to read. It wasn't like that yesterday.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:49

    I don't know if this is a new thing or my computer gone mad or whatever, but the font on there is near impossible to read. It wasn't like that yesterday.

    Yea, I'm testing out Typekit stuff. It's driving me bonkers.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:49

    I don't know if this is a new thing or my computer gone mad or whatever, but the font on there is near impossible to read. It wasn't like that yesterday.

    I was just about to say similar

    Very thin

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:50

    Yea, I'm testing out Typekit stuff. It's driving me bonkers.

    Ah yeah it can take a while to find one which works

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:51

    Good advice, just 24hrs too late :D

    Hello and what on earth have you done?? :D

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:51

    Ah yeah it can take a while to find one which works

    I'll do anything to get away from Georgia, but I can't remember the last thing that made me this angry.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:51

    Hello and what on earth have you done?? :D

    It was yesterday... one sec

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:52

    Hello and what on earth have you done?? :D

    It was yesterday... one sec

    http://sidepodcast.com/post/daily-25th-april-2011#comment-1078571

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:53
  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:53

    I'll do anything to get away from Georgia, but I can't remember the last thing that made me this angry.

    The Country or the State?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:54

    I changed it to something darker but who knows when the caches will actually fix themselves.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:54

    Nick is that you??

    Yeah, it was quite dippy of me. I blame ... err, I don't know.

    I reserve the right to blame something when I think of it :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:56

    Good advice, just 24hrs too late :D

    Didn't want a repeat

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 21:56

    I'll do anything to get away from Georgia, but I can't remember the last thing that made me this angry.

    Squarespace? :)

    If you look at mine or Lukeh's blogs and click the Typekit logo, the fonts on those are pretty good if you want something readable until the caches sort themselves out and you can look properly again.

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:57

    Squarespace? :)

    Oh yea. And I went there to get away from Georgia. Funny ol' world.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 21:57

    Didn't want a repeat

    Appreciate the thought

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 21:59

    I changed it to something darker but who knows when the caches will actually fix themselves.

    That's a lot better

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 21:59

    Bassano is there staff parking at Heathrow for non BAA staff?

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 21:59

    That's a lot better

    Wow. Only took ten minutes that time then.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:01

    If you look at mine or Lukeh's blogs and click the Typekit logo, the fonts on those are pretty good if you want something readable until the caches sort themselves out and you can look properly again.

    Or obviously just use one of those..

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:01

    Bassano is there staff parking at Heathrow for non BAA staff?

    Airline staff you mean or general airport staff?

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:01

    Airline staff you mean or general airport staff?

    General airport staff.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:01

    That's a lot better

    Agreed

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 22:01

    Or obviously just use one of those..

    Heh, appreciated. It's not a service that encourages changing your mind.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:05

    General airport staff.

    ALL people [well, nearly all] who work at the airport park off-site, usually near the long term car parks and get a shuttle bus to the terminal of their work location. Very few will have passes that let them park in the short-term multi-stories that are next to the terminal building

    The maintenance base is 1 or 2 stops away from the terminals and the airlines have there own car parks too for various locations in the area

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:06

    ALL people [well, nearly all] who work at the airport park off-site, usually near the long term car parks and get a shuttle bus to the terminal of their work location. Very few will have passes that let them park in the short-term multi-stories that are next to the terminal building

    I'm mainly bothered about the cost. Do you have to pay the same as punters in the airport?

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:07

    Bassano is there staff parking at Heathrow for non BAA staff?

    Generally, the emploter will have to fork out for a permit from BAA for the privelege too and well as the cost of the ID

    I think the use of runways is quite far down the list of their revenue

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:08

    I'm mainly bothered about the cost. Do you have to pay the same as punters in the airport?

    Cost of what? The employer pays for parking, the courtesy bus is free

    Generally, all the local airport buses are then free too

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:10

    Cost of what? The employer pays for parking, the courtesy bus is free

    Oooh okay. That's all I'm bothered about! Just weighing up some options etc. for the next few months.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:11

    Oooh okay. That's all I'm bothered about! Just weighing up some options etc. for the next few months.

    Admit it. You want to nick Bassano's space

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:12

    Oooh okay. That's all I'm bothered about! Just weighing up some options etc. for the next few months.

    Bear in mind, the process adds about 20-30mins to your journey at each end of your shift.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:13

    Admit it. You want to nick Bassano's space

    Technically, I don't work at the airport, just next to it. Right next to it, granted :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:14

    Admit it. You want to nick Bassano's space

    :D I want to get out of my current workplace before the **** hits the fan. They'd pay me £££ for working unsociable hours in an airport :) I'd need to move again if I did that though. It's just deciding what's best really.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:14

    :D I want to get out of my current workplace before the **** hits the fan. They'd pay me £££ for working unsociable hours in an airport :) I'd need to move again if I did that though. It's just deciding what's best really.

    If you are studying in Southampton, that has a (little) airport

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:16

    They'd pay me £££ for working unsociable hours in an airport :) I'd need to move again if I did that though. It's just deciding what's best really.

    Shift pay's not huge but it does help. I'll email you

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:17

    If you are studying in Southampton, that has a (little) airport

    I flew out of there a few times. Not a bad little airport

  • Christine26/04/2011 at 22:17

    That's a lot better

    Agreed

    Goodo. Now I have a vaguely legible blog, I shall retire.

    Night all.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:18

    Shift pay's not huge but it does help. I'll email you

    I may need a reminder, I'm in the middle of something

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:18

    Good night Christine

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:18

    Night all.

    G'night Mrs Christine

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:18

    I flew out of there a few times. Not a bad little airport

    Same. Scared my sister there once when 'forgot' to mention until the departure lounge after check-in that our plane was a turboprop rather than a jet, she'd only ever been on big jets. :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:19

    Night all.

    Night

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:19

    I may need a reminder, I'm in the middle of something

    Thanks :D I'll try and remember.

    It's hard. My living costs are so low here that I'd probably need to earn an unrealistic amount to make it worthwhile to move. It's hard to decide because I'm very restless at the moment.

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:21

    Same. Scared my sister there once when 'forgot' to mention until the departure lounge after check-in that our plane was a turboprop rather than a jet, she'd only ever been on big jets. :)

    :D

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:22

    Hahahaha epic job advert. Looking through our internal vacancies. Someone's made a typing error on "shift leader" It's missing a letter :D

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:22

    It's hard. My living costs are so low here that I'd probably need to earn an unrealistic amount to make it worthwhile to move. It's hard to decide because I'm very restless at the moment.

    Would this be before Uni starts?

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:22

    Hahahaha epic job advert. Looking through our internal vacancies. Someone's made a typing error on "shift leader" It's missing a letter :D

    Who would want to lead sift? Shocking.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:22

    Hahahaha epic job advert. Looking through our internal vacancies. Someone's made a typing error on "shift leader" It's missing a letter :D

    Maybe they are being really honest :)

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:25

    Maybe they are being really honest :)

    Probably! I'll probably end up just staying here. I get a lot of overtime. Just need to get my head down for another 6 months, got to keep telling myself.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:28

    Probably! I'll probably end up just staying here. I get a lot of overtime. Just need to get my head down for another 6 months, got to keep telling myself.

    The cost of living is considerably higher in the South, especially near big cities. The areas near Heathrow are either affluent or... not the nicest.

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:38

    evening all.

    I've learnt something this evening, i'm soooo pleased i didn't choose to do a graphic design course.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:38

    I've learnt something this evening, i'm soooo pleased i didn't choose to do a graphic design course.

    Avoiding bad decisions is a great discovery. Hi Lou

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:40

    I've learnt something this evening, i'm soooo pleased i didn't choose to do a graphic design course.

    indesign still being a pain?

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:41

    I've learnt something this evening,

    Was it a French word for model that Lukeh can't spell?

    i'm soooo pleased i didn't choose to do a graphic design course.

    Ah!

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:42

    Avoiding bad decisions is a great discovery. Hi Lou

    the best. :) i can also now sympathise with my flatmate who is always stressed.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:43

    Was it a French word for model that Lukeh can't spell?

    Mannequin?

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:43

    indesign still being a pain?

    not really, i now understand alot of the programme, it's just the stress of coming up with a good layout that not only shows of my images but also isn't too boring. Then there is choosing the colours and text... soo much choice!

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:43

    Was it a French word for model that Lukeh can't spell?

    word of the day!! :)

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:43

    Was it a French word for model that Lukeh can't spell?

    you mean maquette? ..

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:44

    you mean maquette? ..

    No, that's a monkey ;)

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:45

    word of the day!! :)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maquette

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:46

    Application succesful... I may have just bought £500 worth of Olympic tickets.. but the liklihood of getting either of the two BIG athletics nights (each with 100m finals), let alone both, is very very small.. and the opening/closing ceremonies. And the velodrome as that's popular.

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:46

    you mean maquette? ..

    That's quite a specific word, were you discussing architecture or did it come up on your course?

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:46

    Application succesful... I may have just bought £500 worth of Olympic tickets..

    Wow!

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:46

    Blue skittles and maquettes, today has been a knowledgeable day indeed

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:47

    That's quite a specific word, were you discussing architecture or did it come up on your course?

    erm i was making a maquette for my indesign final piece booklet i'm making. which is driving me slowly insane btw.. :)

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:47

    Application succesful... I may have just bought £500 worth of Olympic tickets..

    and i thought my £90 worth was alot! that is alot of tickets..

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:48

    Application succesful... I may have just bought £500 worth of Olympic tickets.. but the liklihood of getting either of the two BIG athletics nights (each with 100m finals), let alone both, is very very small.. and the opening/closing ceremonies. And the velodrome as that's popular.

    wow, well you never know until you apply :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:50

    you mean maquette? ..

    I have no idea because he couldn't tell us because he couldn't spell it. But you told him the word earlier today

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:50

    and i thought my £90 worth was alot! that is alot of tickets..

    It's only 8 tickets though! If I win everything, which is so unbelievably unlikely it won't happen, is I'll spend £410. Max is £530 I think.

    But 4 of those tickets are going to be oversubscribed, one in a million chances on each of the four tickets. Realistically I'm expecting to win maybe two at about £80-£100 total.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 22:50

    i got two smoothies for breakfast. Wake me up, fruit sugar!

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:51

    wow, well you never know until you apply :)

    That's what I thought.. If I only go for one and I lose it, that would be a shame. So go for lots knowing they have slim chances anyway. :)

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:51

    Blue skittles and maquettes, today has been a knowledgeable day indeed

    Don't forget convalescing

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:51

    Don't forget convalescing

    yes!! Spoilt with new knowledge :)

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 22:52

    That's what I thought.. If I only go for one and I lose it, that would be a shame. So go for lots knowing they have slim chances anyway. :)

    I'm gonna be so sad if I don't get at least a few things :(

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:52

    i got two smoothies for breakfast. Wake me up, fruit sugar!

    Feel better after 2 and a half hours sleep?

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 22:53

    Feel better after 2 and a half hours sleep?

    i feel the same as i did before 2 hours sleep. It's around 1pm the trouble starts!

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 22:53

    i feel the same as i did before 2 hours sleep. It's around 1pm the trouble starts!

    Just keep sugar loading

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:53

    @London2012:

    Some people experienced a temporary delay in accessing the Olympic ticketing site following a surge of applications around 10:30pm this eve

    We apologise for any inconvenience this delay may have caused and the ticketing system will remain open until 1am.

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:54

    I have no idea because he couldn't tell us because he couldn't spell it. But you told him the word earlier today

    :D

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 22:54

    It's only 8 tickets though! If I win everything, which is so unbelievably unlikely it won't happen, is I'll spend £410. Max is £530 I think.

    I may or may not be going to a beach volleyball event at Horseguard's Parade :)

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 22:55

    Some people experienced a temporary delay in accessing the Olympic ticketing site following a surge of applications around 10:30pm this eve

    I love how British that is. Leaving it until the last minute :)

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 22:57

    i feel the same as i did before 2 hours sleep. It's around 1pm the trouble starts!

    Just keep sugar loading

    Sugar and caffeine and apples.

  • lou26/04/2011 at 22:57

    I love how British that is. Leaving it until the last minute :)

    speaking of which. suppose i should do my mclaren thing soon.

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 22:59

    Just keep sugar loading

    once the smoothies are gone I'll have to move onto office coffee.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 23:00

    I love how British that is. Leaving it until the last minute :)

    Yep. Myself, and I saw several on Twitter doing same :)

    Now I have to clean the bathroom for a flat inspection, she's turning up at the momemt I'm due home from work tomorrow.. last minute stuff again..

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:00

    speaking of which. suppose i should do my mclaren thing soon.

    What be that then, overalls?

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:01

    Now I have to clean the bathroom for a flat inspection, she's turning up at the momemt I'm due home from work tomorrow.. last minute stuff again..

    Landlady or flatmate?

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:01

    i have given up on choosing a typeface and appealed to my flatmate who does graphics. it's just too hard. i can now see why Mr C says he can take days to choose one for sidepodcast.

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 23:02

    Landlady or flatmate?

    Agency on behalf of landlady

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:03

    Agency on behalf of landlady

    You moving again soon?

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:03

    i have given up on choosing a typeface and appealed to my flatmate who does graphics. it's just too hard. i can now see why Mr C says he can take days to choose one for sidepodcast.

    fonts are serious business, even going through typekit for clog fonts can have you sitting there for ages just trying to find the perfect style. There really in something oddly interesting about fonts..

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 23:04

    You moving again soon?

    Nope. Contract renewal.

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:04

    Oops, blog fonts silly HTC. My clogs don't need new writing write now thank you very much

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 23:07

    Agency on behalf of landlady

    I'm so glad I don't have this nonsense. I pay my rent and my landlady leaves me alone... She never took references or anything. Oddly trusting :P

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:07

    I nominate Phlebotomy as Wednesday's Word of the Day!

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 23:08

    I nominate Phlebotomy as Wednesday's Word of the Day!

    Oooh I'm good at that!

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:08

    fonts are serious business, even going through typekit for clog fonts can have you sitting there for ages just trying to find the perfect style. There really in something oddly interesting about fonts..

    i think this may take months. i need the perfect font, i even need to justify it my sketchbook! Then i need to think about the layout of my images, and if i want them within borders or just embedded in the text...

    ... then i need to think about what i'm going to write.

    so when i try again tomorrow you may not see me for months!

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 23:08

    Oooh I'm good at that!

    #useless skill

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:08

    I'm so glad I don't have this nonsense. I pay my rent and my landlady leaves me alone... She never took references or anything. Oddly trusting :P

    you're Amy from the internet, she knows you're cool see

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 23:08

    Oooh I'm good at that!

    Bloodsucker

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:08

    I'm so glad I don't have this nonsense. I pay my rent and my landlady leaves me alone... She never took references or anything. Oddly trusting :P

    Is that because everyone knows each other in Liverpool? I've seen it on Brookie, must be true

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:10

    you're Amy from the internet, she knows you're cool see

    Alison is now Amy?

    Am I dreaming?

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:10

    Bah. Sorry Alison, thought that was Amys comment.#fail

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 23:10

    you're Amy from the internet, she knows you're cool see

    that wasn't me :D

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:11

    Oooh I'm good at that!

    Bloodsucker

    Shouldn't let that pass without a chuckle :lol:

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 23:11

    Is that because everyone knows each other in Liverpool? I've seen it on Brookie, must be true

    No, I searched for a houseshare on the internet. Chose a nice cheap one, had a look round and decided it would do.... The lady wanted cash payments at first and I had to basically wait for her to come over and run after her with cash. It took me ages to get bank details for a standing order. I'd ask her if the money was coming through okay and she said she hadn't checked for about 6 weeks... Oddly trusting as I said. I could probably stop it and I doubt she'd notice.

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:11

    that wasn't me :D

    my mind is exhausted from learning 2 new words :)

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:11

    Bah. Sorry Alison, thought that was Amys comment.#fail

    you are now discovering my troubles with HTC quoting with the doohickey i see. :)

  • Alison26/04/2011 at 23:11

    that wasn't me :D

    Amy has a militant letting agent!

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:11

    I nominate Phlebotomy as Wednesday's Word of the Day!

    Though Venipuncture is pretty close

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:12

    so when i try again tomorrow you may not see me for months!

    well as long as youre around for your birthday in October ;)

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:12

    well as long as youre around for your birthday in October ;)

    no i'm thinking of missing that too. i don't want to turn 20 yet thanks :)

  • Amy26/04/2011 at 23:13

    Amy has a militant letting agent!

    we never heard from them after our last inspection so for once they're not saying 'the inside of your dishwasher was dirty, EVICTION'

    The silence is scary. She could be plotting anything.

  • Lukeh26/04/2011 at 23:13

    no i'm thinking of missing that too. i don't want to turn 20 yet thanks :)

    in that case, happy pre-emptive new year!

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 23:13

    no i'm thinking of missing that too. i don't want to turn 20 yet thanks :)

    It would be horrible to be that old. Imagine not being a teenager any more?

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:13

    in that case, happy pre-emptive new year!

    :D

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:14

    no i'm thinking of missing that too. i don't want to turn 20 yet thanks :)

    I'll take your birthday this year if you want, I'll need strong shoulders anyway come October

    #Biggun

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:16

    It would be horrible to be that old. Imagine not being a teenager any more?

    i know! so i think i've decided to stay a teenager for another year, just so i don't have to act like an adult just yet. :)

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:16

    i know! so i think i've decided to stay a teenager for another year, just so i don't have to act like an adult just yet. :)

    Getting older doesn't stop that. You just get better at pretending to be grown up

  • Steven Roy26/04/2011 at 23:17

    i know! so i think i've decided to stay a teenager for another year, just so i don't have to act like an adult just yet. :)

    Good plan. The earlier you start lying about you age the easier it is to fool people and convince them that you are younger than you are.

  • lou26/04/2011 at 23:17

    Getting older doesn't stop that. You just get better at pretending to be grown up

    :D

  • Bassano26/04/2011 at 23:18

    Getting older doesn't stop that. You just get better at pretending to be grown up

    :D

    I'm actually pretty good at it now

  • Pat W26/04/2011 at 23:42

    I'm so glad I don't have this nonsense. I pay my rent and my landlady leaves me alone... She never took references or anything. Oddly trusting :P

    Quarterly inspections so far, but I think the first 3mth one was just because I'd only just moved in. Now I've renewed for a year they should leave me alone until next April.

  • Nick28/04/2011 at 09:20

    The lady in the etihad office remembered I bought f1 tickets last year, and my name!

    Scary lady!