Thursday, March 31, 2005
Bird.
DotMac for Mac.
Being a Mac user, I finally talked myself into subscribing to Apples DotMac service. For £68 a year this gives me an "exclusive" e-mail address, online backup and storage facilities, my own homepages, and discounts on selected software.
After using it for six months or so, I wish I hadn't bothered. I have found the performance of e-mail and iDisk patchy and buggy. Having backed up my bookmarks I can't access them, and apparently I do not have sufficient permissions to delete some things.
The homepages might be better if I was using my own software for building pages, but the templates provided by Apple are useless for my needs.
Discounts on some software could be tempting for some people, but nearly all my requirements are met with excellent Open Source applications which cost nothing.
All in all I don't find DotMac good value for what is offered, and I wont renew my subscription.
After using it for six months or so, I wish I hadn't bothered. I have found the performance of e-mail and iDisk patchy and buggy. Having backed up my bookmarks I can't access them, and apparently I do not have sufficient permissions to delete some things.
The homepages might be better if I was using my own software for building pages, but the templates provided by Apple are useless for my needs.
Discounts on some software could be tempting for some people, but nearly all my requirements are met with excellent Open Source applications which cost nothing.
All in all I don't find DotMac good value for what is offered, and I wont renew my subscription.
More Professionals!!!
Just one day after my post about crazy teachers, a report of them moaning about being bullied by head teachers. They describe being undermined, harangued and put down (not by shooting, I presume).
One teacher describes being bullied by school leaders because she was too small.
Just how a lot of kids feel THEY are treated by their teachers, but who listens to THEM?
One teacher describes being bullied by school leaders because she was too small.
Just how a lot of kids feel THEY are treated by their teachers, but who listens to THEM?
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
The Professionals.
A Manchester special needs teacher was jailed today for firing a gas powered pellet gun at "yobbos", as she "ranted and raved like a lunatic".
In my experience, most teachers rant and rave like lunatics, whether in the classroom or about the stresses of the "profession", and quite a few I have known were, undoubtedly, completely insane. However, I must be a relatively wonderful guy, because none of them has gone so far as to try shooting me.
In my experience, most teachers rant and rave like lunatics, whether in the classroom or about the stresses of the "profession", and quite a few I have known were, undoubtedly, completely insane. However, I must be a relatively wonderful guy, because none of them has gone so far as to try shooting me.
A New Addition.......
to the Clan. A female Border Collie pup. Five and a half weeks and very sleepy after a long journey home from Balmacara near Kyle of Lochalsh.
Monday, March 28, 2005
That Was That I Suppose.
OK, That was Easter. Fine. I ate 6 Cadbury Creme Eggs, felt sick, got my Sunday Times, and haven't opened it yet. Why is it always Monday nite before I read Sundays paper?
Best news right now is the clocks have changed. It might be cold, raining and crap outside but summer is here. I didn't have to change the time on my watch - it's on summer time all year. Now I don't have a clue what time it is 'cos I look at my wrist and if it says 3 o'clock I think it's 2 o'clock. Or the other way round - who knows?
In fact, who cares? Time is such an obsession. There's nothing can be done about time. It's there, it wont go away so it's hardly worth wasting life worrying about it.
Except I want it to fly this week. The Mongrel is buying me an iShuffle as a (belated) birthday pressy, and.......
"Life is Random".
Best news right now is the clocks have changed. It might be cold, raining and crap outside but summer is here. I didn't have to change the time on my watch - it's on summer time all year. Now I don't have a clue what time it is 'cos I look at my wrist and if it says 3 o'clock I think it's 2 o'clock. Or the other way round - who knows?
In fact, who cares? Time is such an obsession. There's nothing can be done about time. It's there, it wont go away so it's hardly worth wasting life worrying about it.
Except I want it to fly this week. The Mongrel is buying me an iShuffle as a (belated) birthday pressy, and.......
"Life is Random".
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Have A.......
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Petty Praelectors.
Praelector. Sounds like some type of extinct dinosaur, doesn't it?
Wrong. Just a bunch of elitist idiots at Cambridge University who have managed to outlive their extinction date.
Wrong. Just a bunch of elitist idiots at Cambridge University who have managed to outlive their extinction date.
Good Advice.
The Routard guide to Scotland, published in France, is warning French visitors coming to this country of the danger to their liberty because of our anti-terror laws. It advises that foreigners could face unlimited detention without trial, and that Britain is failing to live up to its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. The guide includes the contact numbers for Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Among other warnings, the difficulty of getting a decent espresso, the limited Scottish rail network, the price of whisky, "taste it in Scotland then buy it back in France". The prohibitive prices of food in restaurants, with the advice "opt for pub meals instead".
For "the real Scotland", the Routard recommends Glasgow, which should please the folks of Edinburgh.
Hard to disagree with any of that.
It's a pity they didn't warn readers bringing cars here about the A82, the third world pot-holed cart track that serves as a road between Fort William, the Loch Ness Monster (oh yeah) and Inverness.
Among other warnings, the difficulty of getting a decent espresso, the limited Scottish rail network, the price of whisky, "taste it in Scotland then buy it back in France". The prohibitive prices of food in restaurants, with the advice "opt for pub meals instead".
For "the real Scotland", the Routard recommends Glasgow, which should please the folks of Edinburgh.
Hard to disagree with any of that.
It's a pity they didn't warn readers bringing cars here about the A82, the third world pot-holed cart track that serves as a road between Fort William, the Loch Ness Monster (oh yeah) and Inverness.
Friday, March 25, 2005
The Sparrow.
Nice to hear that sparrow numbers have risen in Scotland after a 25 year decline. When I was a kid there were hordes of them, and nobody really took much notice, just took the "cheeky wee sparra" for granted and threw out the crumbs for them.
Apparently there was an average of 10 house sparrows per garden in 1979, and that fell to a low of 5.2 last year. By February this year numbers had risen to 5.8. Experts don't know why they became so scarce or why the population is suddenly going up again.
There are still none in my garden, although the habitat here is ideal for them. Because of that, I don't have a picture of a sparrow, only something that EATS them.
Drawing by Colcam.
Apparently there was an average of 10 house sparrows per garden in 1979, and that fell to a low of 5.2 last year. By February this year numbers had risen to 5.8. Experts don't know why they became so scarce or why the population is suddenly going up again.
There are still none in my garden, although the habitat here is ideal for them. Because of that, I don't have a picture of a sparrow, only something that EATS them.
Drawing by Colcam.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Poppa Cuppa.
We like our wee cuppa here in Scotland. I drink the stuff endlessly as I sit here in front of the computer.
The development of a tea pill by Indian scientists is a mixed blessing, depending on your point of view.
The Mongrel, who is forever running up and down the stairs for refills for me, will love the idea. How long before she lobs a box of pills in my direction?
And what do I do when I want my tea "fortified" with a dram of the Famous Grouse?
The development of a tea pill by Indian scientists is a mixed blessing, depending on your point of view.
The Mongrel, who is forever running up and down the stairs for refills for me, will love the idea. How long before she lobs a box of pills in my direction?
And what do I do when I want my tea "fortified" with a dram of the Famous Grouse?
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Flog 'em I Say.
A politician has raised concerns about pensioners in electric wheelchairs. These Hell's Grannies are causing chaos and mayhem on British pavements and roads.
Damn oldies, just no haired layabouts. No discipline, no respect. Flog 'em, I say, bring back the birch - no, hang 'em I say, bring back the death penalty, that'll soon put a stop to them.
Damn oldies, just no haired layabouts. No discipline, no respect. Flog 'em, I say, bring back the birch - no, hang 'em I say, bring back the death penalty, that'll soon put a stop to them.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Glencoe.
Sunday was a rare day of sun, no rain, and not bloody freezing, so nipped off on the Vespa to photograph fish farm cages in Loch Linnhe on the west coast. I went as far as Port Appin and after a quick look I retreated - far too picture postcardy and touristy for my liking.
I headed for Glencoe. Incredibly brave of me with my name, and not even 400 years gone since the wee local difficulty.
I headed for Glencoe. Incredibly brave of me with my name, and not even 400 years gone since the wee local difficulty.
Poison And Vermin.
The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland have Home Office permission to keep a poison garden at their country pile, Alnwick Castle. The plants are so deadly they have to be guarded at all times.
Belladonna and strychnine, hemlock, poison ivy and plenty more besides. They even have magic mushrooms, opium poppies and cannabis plants (try THAT in your council house).
Sadly, nobs with titles who live in castles tend to be Tories, so while they might invite leader of the opposition Michael Howard over for drinks, they are unlikely to give him a "cocktail" that will send him to Hell.
Good news for racists and bigots, bad news for Gypsies, immigrants and ordinary folks that like human rights.
Bad for parents who heard him say, just a few days ago, that the banning of handguns after the Dunblane massacre in Scotland was a mistake, and that he would rather see people with guns taught how to use them responsibly instead.
Right now, sadly, we are hearing of a shooting tragedy in Minnesota leaving at least eight people dead and others injured.
Are we going to witness the arrogant, smirking Howard lecturing President Bush on educating crazy citizens in the responsible use of guns? I doubt it.
Belladonna and strychnine, hemlock, poison ivy and plenty more besides. They even have magic mushrooms, opium poppies and cannabis plants (try THAT in your council house).
Sadly, nobs with titles who live in castles tend to be Tories, so while they might invite leader of the opposition Michael Howard over for drinks, they are unlikely to give him a "cocktail" that will send him to Hell.
Good news for racists and bigots, bad news for Gypsies, immigrants and ordinary folks that like human rights.
Bad for parents who heard him say, just a few days ago, that the banning of handguns after the Dunblane massacre in Scotland was a mistake, and that he would rather see people with guns taught how to use them responsibly instead.
Right now, sadly, we are hearing of a shooting tragedy in Minnesota leaving at least eight people dead and others injured.
Are we going to witness the arrogant, smirking Howard lecturing President Bush on educating crazy citizens in the responsible use of guns? I doubt it.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Highland Clearances.
No words with this one.......
Colcam.Image
Colcam.Image
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Up Too Late As Usual.
Today was the sunniest and warmest day we have had here this year. I missed most of it 'cos I spent till the wee sma' hours last nite buggering about on this Mac.
Amongst other things, I did this on The Gimp from one of my drawings.
I didn't wake up till midday!
Amongst other things, I did this on The Gimp from one of my drawings.
I didn't wake up till midday!
Tory Vermin.
Forget the rights and wrongs of gun control and whether air rifles should be banned or not. Forget the rights and wrongs of newspapers putting people up to ambushing politicians.
Remember the supercilious smirk on Michael Howard's face
as he brushed off that woman who buried her toddler just a couple of days ago after he was shot with an air rifle.
Little doubt that the Scots will do their best to see the cold hearted arrogant fleabag is stuffed back under whatever stone he crawled out from.
Remember the supercilious smirk on Michael Howard's face
as he brushed off that woman who buried her toddler just a couple of days ago after he was shot with an air rifle.
Little doubt that the Scots will do their best to see the cold hearted arrogant fleabag is stuffed back under whatever stone he crawled out from.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Doggy Tales.
The Mongrel and me drove over to Kyle of Lochalsh the other day to see a man about a dog.
A collie puppy actually. Since we lost our two collies before Christmas, one to cancer, the other to old age, the house and even the car have been very empty.
Now we are finding that even Spike Psycho Jinglebells the cat, who grew up with the dogs and thinks he's a collie, is lonely and pining.
Anyway, we chose a pup from the litter and should get her in about five weeks.
It was a nice day out. More snow on the mountains than we've seen all winter, all very pretty. Doggy job done, we drove into Kyle, got out of the car and looked over at Skye, stared into the windows of a couple of tourist trash shops, and decided against a bag of chips because we know better than to buy anything in the Highlands if the shop doesn't feel able to display the prices.
Ten minutes covered all that excitement, then it was off out of there. We stopped at Eilean Donan Castle on the way back - the visitor shop there sells a better class of tourist trash, and they aren't too embarrassed to put price tags on what they sell.
The Mongrel bought me a Campbell of Argyll lambswool scarf, ancient tartan, not the modern, just in time for summer when I will probably need it.
A collie puppy actually. Since we lost our two collies before Christmas, one to cancer, the other to old age, the house and even the car have been very empty.
Now we are finding that even Spike Psycho Jinglebells the cat, who grew up with the dogs and thinks he's a collie, is lonely and pining.
Anyway, we chose a pup from the litter and should get her in about five weeks.
It was a nice day out. More snow on the mountains than we've seen all winter, all very pretty. Doggy job done, we drove into Kyle, got out of the car and looked over at Skye, stared into the windows of a couple of tourist trash shops, and decided against a bag of chips because we know better than to buy anything in the Highlands if the shop doesn't feel able to display the prices.
Ten minutes covered all that excitement, then it was off out of there. We stopped at Eilean Donan Castle on the way back - the visitor shop there sells a better class of tourist trash, and they aren't too embarrassed to put price tags on what they sell.
The Mongrel bought me a Campbell of Argyll lambswool scarf, ancient tartan, not the modern, just in time for summer when I will probably need it.
Crow Croaked.
Not a good landing if you happen to be a bird.
Don't try this at home either (obligatory warning from health and safety police).
Don't try this at home either (obligatory warning from health and safety police).
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Marmite.
The current TV ad for Marmite (I can't stand the stuff personally) has been banned from being shown during childrens programmes because of 6 complaints from parents who said their brats were terrified when they saw it. They claim their kids are now frightened to watch TV.
I can only assume these are the sort of parents who already have their little darlings terrified of life itself.
Me? I think the advert is hilarious. Anyway, there's got to be something good about anything that makes kids watch less television.
I can only assume these are the sort of parents who already have their little darlings terrified of life itself.
Me? I think the advert is hilarious. Anyway, there's got to be something good about anything that makes kids watch less television.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Loch Hourn Fish Farm Pollution.
Loch Hourn is the beautiful sea loch at the far end of Glengarry on the west coast of Scotland.
It featured in the controversial ads for Sainsburys featuring "culinary whore" Jamie Oliver.
A diving team recently investigated the seabed below Marine Harvest's cages in the loch and found disturbing levels of pollution.
Take a look at the Farm Salmon Monitor then off you pop down to Sainsburys / Tesco / Asda for your dose of poison.
To be continued.......
It featured in the controversial ads for Sainsburys featuring "culinary whore" Jamie Oliver.
A diving team recently investigated the seabed below Marine Harvest's cages in the loch and found disturbing levels of pollution.
Take a look at the Farm Salmon Monitor then off you pop down to Sainsburys / Tesco / Asda for your dose of poison.
To be continued.......
Monday, March 14, 2005
Bloody Typical.
That's what I get for ranting about rain.
Within a few hours of posting `Bloody Rain` it was snowing. It's been snowing on and off since.
When Spring might happen in this Godforsaken bit of the country is anyones guess, and I desperately need some serious sunshine.
Within a few hours of posting `Bloody Rain` it was snowing. It's been snowing on and off since.
When Spring might happen in this Godforsaken bit of the country is anyones guess, and I desperately need some serious sunshine.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Scary Britain.
The UK is becoming a very sad place to be in.
Freedom and civil liberties apparently mean little to Tony Blair. We already have the prospect of compulsory identity cards for every citizen, and now we have detention without trial, control orders and house arrest.
A culture of constant surveillance is already with us. Ordinary people are watched and recorded everywhere on CCTV. Other cameras read our facial structures and computers match them against "wanted" suspects.
The UK Campaigns Director of Amnesty International Stephen Bowen, said:
"We shouldn't lose sight of the simple fact that depriving people of their liberty without even putting people on trial is plain wrong."
Freedom and civil liberties apparently mean little to Tony Blair. We already have the prospect of compulsory identity cards for every citizen, and now we have detention without trial, control orders and house arrest.
A culture of constant surveillance is already with us. Ordinary people are watched and recorded everywhere on CCTV. Other cameras read our facial structures and computers match them against "wanted" suspects.
The UK Campaigns Director of Amnesty International Stephen Bowen, said:
"We shouldn't lose sight of the simple fact that depriving people of their liberty without even putting people on trial is plain wrong."
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Special Places.
There are little roadside memorials like these dotted all over the Highlands. Little cairns with plaques, or stones with a name and dates carved.
These places must have meant something to somebody, but we can only wonder at what the story behind them might be.
These places must have meant something to somebody, but we can only wonder at what the story behind them might be.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Bloody Rain.
It rains almost every day here. This has to be the worst place in Scotland for Bloody rain.
I know you can shoot pictures in the rain, but how many rain pictures does anyone want? Maybe I could specialize in rain fotos, but no way am I that keen to live like a fish with a camera.
Rain, rain, rain. How about downpour, drizzle, monsoon, shower, pour, sprinkle, precipitation, cloudburst, deluge, pelter, torrent, mizzle.
I know you can shoot pictures in the rain, but how many rain pictures does anyone want? Maybe I could specialize in rain fotos, but no way am I that keen to live like a fish with a camera.
Rain, rain, rain. How about downpour, drizzle, monsoon, shower, pour, sprinkle, precipitation, cloudburst, deluge, pelter, torrent, mizzle.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
G-Force.
If you use iTunes (and you really should) you need visualizers. G-Force is up and away the best of the bunch.
Use it as it comes, or configure it to suit you. You can even drop in fotos or movies. The visuals are beautiful and make your crappiest tracks bearable.
It's free to download, -Link- and, although you don't have to, you can upgrade to G-Force Gold for $10, or just over a fiver in UK dosh.
If you're unfortunate enough to not have a Mac, you can download iTunes for your Windozy heap of crap, then get G-Force for X Pee.
Use it as it comes, or configure it to suit you. You can even drop in fotos or movies. The visuals are beautiful and make your crappiest tracks bearable.
It's free to download, -Link- and, although you don't have to, you can upgrade to G-Force Gold for $10, or just over a fiver in UK dosh.
If you're unfortunate enough to not have a Mac, you can download iTunes for your Windozy heap of crap, then get G-Force for X Pee.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Ben Nevis.
I like this. They should carve the name on the real one and hang a big red arrow in the sky so I know what the Hell I'm looking at as I drive by.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Hot Scotland.
Dounreay Nuclear Research Station in Caithness have released hundreds of thousands of radioactive plutonium and uranium particles into the environment over the years.
A stone contaminated with caesium-137 was found just last week on a beach 20 miles from the plant.
There is a leukaemia cluster around Dounreay.
Contaminated beaches are still open to the public.
A whistleblower has described the plant management as "nuclear cowboys" deserving execution, not prosecution.
A stone contaminated with caesium-137 was found just last week on a beach 20 miles from the plant.
There is a leukaemia cluster around Dounreay.
Contaminated beaches are still open to the public.
A whistleblower has described the plant management as "nuclear cowboys" deserving execution, not prosecution.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Lethal Sheep
Our gallant Highland police force, referred to locally as PC Plod, wear bulletproof vests at all times. Not just those in Inverness, but the village based ones. They wear them day and nite.
Police in Glasgow can be seen patrolling without them, as in other Scottish cities. Police in Belfast wear them at their discretion, and tend to leave them off whenever possible, because of the bad image they create.
Not the image I would choose to present to visitors, but those Highland sheep that are specially trained to jump out into the road right in front of cars COULD conceal guns and knives under their wooly coats.
Police in Glasgow can be seen patrolling without them, as in other Scottish cities. Police in Belfast wear them at their discretion, and tend to leave them off whenever possible, because of the bad image they create.
Not the image I would choose to present to visitors, but those Highland sheep that are specially trained to jump out into the road right in front of cars COULD conceal guns and knives under their wooly coats.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
For Freedom
On the top of a hill just outside Spean Bridge stands the Commando Memorial. It looks out over the mountains where the commandos trained during the second world war.
It's a beautiful spot, dedicated to men who fought for freedom.
I wonder what they would have thought if they could have foreseen a Britain as it is in 2005, with compulsory identity cards on the way for every citizen, a possibly illegal war in Iraq, house arrest and imprisonment without trial, more surveillance cameras on our streets than anywhere else in Europe, and British soldiers being jailed for torturing prisoners.
Not to mention kids being banned from throwing snowballs.
It's a beautiful spot, dedicated to men who fought for freedom.
I wonder what they would have thought if they could have foreseen a Britain as it is in 2005, with compulsory identity cards on the way for every citizen, a possibly illegal war in Iraq, house arrest and imprisonment without trial, more surveillance cameras on our streets than anywhere else in Europe, and British soldiers being jailed for torturing prisoners.
Not to mention kids being banned from throwing snowballs.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Inverness Mess
As a completely culture free zone, with ugly buildings, pot holed streets and traffic lights that work against each other to halt any flow of traffic, generally unfriendly shop staff and even an IMITATION castle, Inverness is hard to beat. I think it tries to compete with Fort William for title of worst place in Scotland, but who is ahead is too close to call.
For a long time now we have avoided it. If we want to buy anything much more than milk and baccy, we do a 260 mile round trip to civilization - Perth, Dundee, sometimes even Glasgow, further away still. This compares to a 100 mile round trip to Inverness. Despite the extra fuel costs it doesn't take us much longer, we SAVE money, the shop staff are helpful and friendly, and we always get the goods we are looking for.
The kebabs are better down there too.
For a long time now we have avoided it. If we want to buy anything much more than milk and baccy, we do a 260 mile round trip to civilization - Perth, Dundee, sometimes even Glasgow, further away still. This compares to a 100 mile round trip to Inverness. Despite the extra fuel costs it doesn't take us much longer, we SAVE money, the shop staff are helpful and friendly, and we always get the goods we are looking for.
The kebabs are better down there too.
© Colcam 2005-2007
