Gullible's Travels
Monday, March 03, 2008
Sainsbury's line caught Haddock fillets
extra trimmed
a succulent flakey white fish
So says the label on tonight's supper and on the back label the legend:
Ingredients
Haddock.
(!) Allergy advice
Contains fish
Well I suppose it would! Another gem from the labelling geniuses.
extra trimmed
a succulent flakey white fish
So says the label on tonight's supper and on the back label the legend:
Ingredients
Haddock.
(!) Allergy advice
Contains fish
Well I suppose it would! Another gem from the labelling geniuses.
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 7:02 PM 1 comments
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Jury Service
It has been such a hectic week that I have not had time to write about the jury service. Mary prudently suggests that I do not identify the specific trials nor am I allowed, by law, to discuss the jury's private deliberations.
What I will say is that I sat on two panels: one trial each week and the jury acquitted in both cases.
In the first trial my personal view was that both complainant and defendants were lying but for different reasons. A "not guilty" verdict was not difficult to arrive at.
In the second case I was sure the accused was guilty but based purely on the evidence presented by The Crown we could not be *sure* - tafka "beyond reasonable doubt". In the end it went to a majority verdict based on some good defence work and the poor quality evidence put forward by the prosecution. Bit of an own goal by the police and CPS.
There were various instructive and entertaining aspects to the whole business. One of which was hearing Mi'lud and learned counsel utter the F-word and other demotic English phrases in their best BBC English.
Another item was the little ritual exchange as each police-person gave evidence:
Counsel "Did you make notes?"
Police person "I did."
Counsel "And were those notes made within two hours of the events?"
Police person "They were."
Counsel "And were the events still fresh in your mind when you made those notes?"
Police person "They were."
Counsel "Would you like to consult those notes?"
Police person, turning to the bench "If I may Mi'lud."
Mi'lud "You may"
Counsel "Thank you Mi'lud."
At the end of the evidence the usher swears an oath to conduct us to a "private and convenient place" where we deliberate our verdict. I have to say that in both trials we, as a group, took our responsibility seriously and a good quality discussion, based on the evidence, lead to the verdict.
Wikipedia on: Jury (England and Wales)
It has been such a hectic week that I have not had time to write about the jury service. Mary prudently suggests that I do not identify the specific trials nor am I allowed, by law, to discuss the jury's private deliberations.
What I will say is that I sat on two panels: one trial each week and the jury acquitted in both cases.
In the first trial my personal view was that both complainant and defendants were lying but for different reasons. A "not guilty" verdict was not difficult to arrive at.
In the second case I was sure the accused was guilty but based purely on the evidence presented by The Crown we could not be *sure* - tafka "beyond reasonable doubt". In the end it went to a majority verdict based on some good defence work and the poor quality evidence put forward by the prosecution. Bit of an own goal by the police and CPS.
There were various instructive and entertaining aspects to the whole business. One of which was hearing Mi'lud and learned counsel utter the F-word and other demotic English phrases in their best BBC English.
Another item was the little ritual exchange as each police-person gave evidence:
Counsel "Did you make notes?"
Police person "I did."
Counsel "And were those notes made within two hours of the events?"
Police person "They were."
Counsel "And were the events still fresh in your mind when you made those notes?"
Police person "They were."
Counsel "Would you like to consult those notes?"
Police person, turning to the bench "If I may Mi'lud."
Mi'lud "You may"
Counsel "Thank you Mi'lud."
At the end of the evidence the usher swears an oath to conduct us to a "private and convenient place" where we deliberate our verdict. I have to say that in both trials we, as a group, took our responsibility seriously and a good quality discussion, based on the evidence, lead to the verdict.
Wikipedia on: Jury (England and Wales)
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 5:30 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Firewall blues
Well it had to happen I guess. Ever since working at the current client site their company firewall has banned access to inappropriate sites. Fair enough. Their definition of inappropriate has always included web mail, so no catching up on your correspondance even at lunchtime.
Now the inevitable has happened and they have added blog sites, discussion forums and photo-sharing sites to that list :-(
That means no blog-surfing at lunchtime to catch up on the blogroll; no more quick posts from work; no more commenting on others blogs. Oh well. Apologies to my regular reads.
Well it had to happen I guess. Ever since working at the current client site their company firewall has banned access to inappropriate sites. Fair enough. Their definition of inappropriate has always included web mail, so no catching up on your correspondance even at lunchtime.
Now the inevitable has happened and they have added blog sites, discussion forums and photo-sharing sites to that list :-(
That means no blog-surfing at lunchtime to catch up on the blogroll; no more quick posts from work; no more commenting on others blogs. Oh well. Apologies to my regular reads.
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 7:10 AM 3 comments
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Innocent Drinks Label
It would be unfair to mention Tom Bihn's Care Label without giving a mention to our very own Innocent Drinks fruit smoothie labels which keep Mary and I amused on a regular basis.
The ingredients often include spurious items with matching footnote, such as Rubber duck (* Pass the soap) or Double-decker bus (* Hold very tight please, ting, ting!). Here is a typical label (click on it for larger version):
They also make An Innocent Promise such as "We promise that anything innocent will always taste good and do you good. We promise that we'll never use concentrates, preservatives, stabilisers, or any weird stuff in our drinks. And we promise we'll never cheat at cards."
Or "... And we promise always to wipe our feet" or "... And if we do you can tell our mums" and so on.
More at "The Label Museum"
It would be unfair to mention Tom Bihn's Care Label without giving a mention to our very own Innocent Drinks fruit smoothie labels which keep Mary and I amused on a regular basis.
The ingredients often include spurious items with matching footnote, such as Rubber duck (* Pass the soap) or Double-decker bus (* Hold very tight please, ting, ting!). Here is a typical label (click on it for larger version):
They also make An Innocent Promise such as "We promise that anything innocent will always taste good and do you good. We promise that we'll never use concentrates, preservatives, stabilisers, or any weird stuff in our drinks. And we promise we'll never cheat at cards."
Or "... And we promise always to wipe our feet" or "... And if we do you can tell our mums" and so on.
More at "The Label Museum"
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 1:18 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tom Bihn Care Label
Thanks to Paris Parfait for this one, nice to see companies with a sense of humour. Tom Bihn make travel bags. They have produced a novel care label:
<quote>
The inside label carries instructions on washing and caring for the bags. Because the bags are sold in Canada, the instructions are also printed in French. The French version, however, contains an additional phrase: "NOUS SOMMES DESOLES QUE NOTRE PRESIDENT SOIT UN IDIOT. NOUS N'AVONS PAS VOTE POUR LUI." Translated to English, the phrase reads, "We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We did not vote for him."
</quote>
source="http://www.tombihn.com/"
Thanks to Paris Parfait for this one, nice to see companies with a sense of humour. Tom Bihn make travel bags. They have produced a novel care label:<quote>
The inside label carries instructions on washing and caring for the bags. Because the bags are sold in Canada, the instructions are also printed in French. The French version, however, contains an additional phrase: "NOUS SOMMES DESOLES QUE NOTRE PRESIDENT SOIT UN IDIOT. NOUS N'AVONS PAS VOTE POUR LUI." Translated to English, the phrase reads, "We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We did not vote for him."
</quote>
source="http://www.tombihn.com/"
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 3:50 PM 0 comments
Thursday, January 18, 2007
CSC Alumni meet in the Crusting Pipe
Another CSC alumni gathering. Like last time in the congenial surroundings of The Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden.
Much the usual band of suspects, again: there was me, Tony Korn, Simon Hargrave, John Warren, David Pelta, John Patient, Carolyn MacDowell, Tony Hazel, Roy Thompson, Barry Wilton and Anne Carter. Apologies from David Martin and Paul Toledo (not yet on the mailing list). A good turnout - thanks chaps.
I learnt from the last time and got my food order in early, I just can't take drinking on an empty stomach like I could in my youth. I remember in my mid twenties when I worked at Coopers & Lybrand (as they were then) how a crowd of us went drinking regularly after work. I always used to tip the lemon from the previous Gin and Tonic into the next so I knew how many I'd had by counting the slices. At least in those days many city pubs shut early (sometimes as early as 7:30pm) which probably saved our livers.
By the end of last night transport demands has whittled the crowd down to a hard core half dozen all of whom worked for Inforem which was subsequently acquired by CSC. We got all nostalgic for those glory days and it set me thinking.
When I look at the friends I have made and kept in contact with they come mostly from specific groups. For example I am not in touch with friends from school, nor college, nor my first two jobs. But I am from my time at BIS Applied Systems and my time at Inforem. Something about working with a set of similarly educated, trained and dedicated professionals. We were good at what we did (I think I can say that), we enjoyed it and worked hard at it. There was a real sense of camaraderie and that is why we are still in touch.
That reminds me I must given the BIS crowd a call...
Also, in a piece of brazen and shameless self-promotion, I promised a link to our holiday home - now available for rent.
http://www.trulli-puglia.com/ (don't forget the hyphen).
Previous gatherings:
No really it's networking not drinking!
CSC alumni meet in All-Bar-One
Another CSC alumni gathering. Like last time in the congenial surroundings of The Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden.
Much the usual band of suspects, again: there was me, Tony Korn, Simon Hargrave, John Warren, David Pelta, John Patient, Carolyn MacDowell, Tony Hazel, Roy Thompson, Barry Wilton and Anne Carter. Apologies from David Martin and Paul Toledo (not yet on the mailing list). A good turnout - thanks chaps.
I learnt from the last time and got my food order in early, I just can't take drinking on an empty stomach like I could in my youth. I remember in my mid twenties when I worked at Coopers & Lybrand (as they were then) how a crowd of us went drinking regularly after work. I always used to tip the lemon from the previous Gin and Tonic into the next so I knew how many I'd had by counting the slices. At least in those days many city pubs shut early (sometimes as early as 7:30pm) which probably saved our livers.
By the end of last night transport demands has whittled the crowd down to a hard core half dozen all of whom worked for Inforem which was subsequently acquired by CSC. We got all nostalgic for those glory days and it set me thinking.
When I look at the friends I have made and kept in contact with they come mostly from specific groups. For example I am not in touch with friends from school, nor college, nor my first two jobs. But I am from my time at BIS Applied Systems and my time at Inforem. Something about working with a set of similarly educated, trained and dedicated professionals. We were good at what we did (I think I can say that), we enjoyed it and worked hard at it. There was a real sense of camaraderie and that is why we are still in touch.
That reminds me I must given the BIS crowd a call...
Also, in a piece of brazen and shameless self-promotion, I promised a link to our holiday home - now available for rent.
http://www.trulli-puglia.com/ (don't forget the hyphen).
Previous gatherings:
No really it's networking not drinking!
CSC alumni meet in All-Bar-One
Labels: observations, social
¶ Permanent link: 8:19 AM 1 comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Suitable for Vegetarians
I have friend, let's call her - say - Danielle Byrne, who is a vegetarian. On flights her veggie meal is usually accompanied by some kind of tisane or herbal infusion. Her reaction is along the lines of "What is this? Bring me red wine!" Just because one might be vegetarian that does not mean one is also TT.
Last night I was finishing off a bottle of 2004 Saint Joseph when my attention wandered to the back label. There I spotted a large "V" and the legend "Suitable for Vegetarians". Phew. that's a relief then!
As if any dead animals went into the making of wine, honestly what an egregious bit of labelling. See also [Full of Fruit Goodness]
I have friend, let's call her - say - Danielle Byrne, who is a vegetarian. On flights her veggie meal is usually accompanied by some kind of tisane or herbal infusion. Her reaction is along the lines of "What is this? Bring me red wine!" Just because one might be vegetarian that does not mean one is also TT.
Last night I was finishing off a bottle of 2004 Saint Joseph when my attention wandered to the back label. There I spotted a large "V" and the legend "Suitable for Vegetarians". Phew. that's a relief then!
As if any dead animals went into the making of wine, honestly what an egregious bit of labelling. See also [Full of Fruit Goodness]
Labels: observations, wine
¶ Permanent link: 12:50 PM 2 comments
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
ICE: In Case of Emergency
Chatting to JohnP over lunch I mentioned ICE and since he had not heard of it I thought many others might not have either. Very simple idea:
In your mobile phone book include an entry with the name ICE and the number of someone you would want to be contacted in case of emergency e.g. when the paramedic scrapes you off the road after an RTA.
The original idea came from a Cambridge paramedic [full story / further tips]. I have two programmed into my phone: "ICE Mary" and "ICE Parents".
Chatting to JohnP over lunch I mentioned ICE and since he had not heard of it I thought many others might not have either. Very simple idea:
In your mobile phone book include an entry with the name ICE and the number of someone you would want to be contacted in case of emergency e.g. when the paramedic scrapes you off the road after an RTA.
The original idea came from a Cambridge paramedic [full story / further tips]. I have two programmed into my phone: "ICE Mary" and "ICE Parents".
Labels: observations, travel
¶ Permanent link: 3:25 PM 1 comments
Friday, December 22, 2006
Three pearls of wisdom
There is much advice out there in the world, some wise, some helpful, some complete tosh. These are three pieces of advice I have been given over the years that have stuck with me:
There is much advice out there in the world, some wise, some helpful, some complete tosh. These are three pieces of advice I have been given over the years that have stuck with me:
- Think general
- When trying to solve a problem, aim for a solution that is flexible and adaptable. An adjustable wrench not a spanner.
- Never go out without money
- You never know when you might need it. At the very least have your bus fare home.
- Always button your cardigan from the bottom
- Then you can see what you are doing and don't end up a button out at the top.
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 8:17 AM 3 comments
Thursday, June 15, 2006
England swings like a pendulum do
Three times this last week Horse Guards Road has been closed for various events related to QE2's birthday and the ceremony of Beating The Retreat so I have been forced to cycle down the Mall, past "Buck House" and through Victoria.
Along the Mall there were not one, not two but three pairs of 'Bobbies on bicycles, two by two'*. Make no mistake these are not your rose-tinted bobbies but pedal-powered traffic cops. They have words with cyclists who run red lights and, I presume, can pursue pickpockets through crowds where a car chase would be, to say the least, inadvisable.
See http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news/2002/aug-12-02.html
and
"Flashing Blue Bike"
* England Swings by Roger Miller
Three times this last week Horse Guards Road has been closed for various events related to QE2's birthday and the ceremony of Beating The Retreat so I have been forced to cycle down the Mall, past "Buck House" and through Victoria.
Along the Mall there were not one, not two but three pairs of 'Bobbies on bicycles, two by two'*. Make no mistake these are not your rose-tinted bobbies but pedal-powered traffic cops. They have words with cyclists who run red lights and, I presume, can pursue pickpockets through crowds where a car chase would be, to say the least, inadvisable.
See http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news/2002/aug-12-02.html
and
"Flashing Blue Bike"
* England Swings by Roger Miller
Labels: cycling, observations, street life
¶ Permanent link: 4:47 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Bits and bobs
Pied-a-terre: My sister Jane and husband have exchanged on their one-room flat in Soho with completion early next month. So we can look forward to some evenings of jollity in Soho (see "Walking in the Wild West End").
I'm sorry I'll read that again: It must be having done too many crosswords that causes me to parse things oddly. Last time I was in Waitrose I bought a stir fry pack containing "Free Range Egg Noodles".
That's nice I thought, these egg noodles are keep in fields and allowed to roam free, not like factory farmed noodles. Then I re-read and thought Ah I think they mean the chickens that produced the eggs.
Marriage of Convenience: I was amused by Empire Magazine's 'Book of Movie Trivia' suggestion that Whoopi Goldberg should marry Peter Cushing so she could become Whoopi Cushing.
Pied-a-terre: My sister Jane and husband have exchanged on their one-room flat in Soho with completion early next month. So we can look forward to some evenings of jollity in Soho (see "Walking in the Wild West End").
I'm sorry I'll read that again: It must be having done too many crosswords that causes me to parse things oddly. Last time I was in Waitrose I bought a stir fry pack containing "Free Range Egg Noodles".
That's nice I thought, these egg noodles are keep in fields and allowed to roam free, not like factory farmed noodles. Then I re-read and thought Ah I think they mean the chickens that produced the eggs.
Marriage of Convenience: I was amused by Empire Magazine's 'Book of Movie Trivia' suggestion that Whoopi Goldberg should marry Peter Cushing so she could become Whoopi Cushing.
Labels: family, humour, observations
¶ Permanent link: 8:43 AM 0 comments
Sunday, May 14, 2006
My name is Ozymandias
king of kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"
* Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
For I have built a mighty shed and the name of that shed shall be "Jackson".
As previously written I had decided on a second shed (see "Arthur 'Two Sheds' Jackson". On Wednesday between the full day's work and the ten mile training ride I popped down to Homebase and picked up the flatpack shed. The next couple evenings have been assembling it and Saturday morning saw me putting the final touches.
It is already stuffed full of garden chairs and gardening bits and pieces for, as everyone knows, a full shed is a happy shed. Now I think some kind of "topping out" ceremony is called for so the two sheds can be officially named.
king of kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!"
* Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
For I have built a mighty shed and the name of that shed shall be "Jackson".
As previously written I had decided on a second shed (see "Arthur 'Two Sheds' Jackson". On Wednesday between the full day's work and the ten mile training ride I popped down to Homebase and picked up the flatpack shed. The next couple evenings have been assembling it and Saturday morning saw me putting the final touches.
It is already stuffed full of garden chairs and gardening bits and pieces for, as everyone knows, a full shed is a happy shed. Now I think some kind of "topping out" ceremony is called for so the two sheds can be officially named.
Labels: humour, observations
¶ Permanent link: 5:37 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
May Morning in Oxford
Yesterday we set the alarm for 5:15am, threw ourselves into our clothes,stumbled rushed out into the streets of Oxford and headed for Magdalene Bridge. There thousands of celebrants had gathered to greet the dawn. Some looking the worse for wear in their DJ's (US:Tuxedo) and posh frocks having been up all night at a May Ball, some entering into the festive spirit.
At six o'clock, as the chimes of clock tower faded, the choristers sang in Latin to greet the start of Spring. Then a blessing on the crowd, another burst of singing and the crowd disperse. In our case to a cafe on "The High" for a glass of champagne and 'Full English'.
The blessing may have been Christian but the roots of the occasion are pagan. There were Morris Men with clogs on their feet and "bells on their toes" dancing traditional dances.
One troupe was accompanied by Jack 'o the Green, looking more like a Christmas tree than anything else, a primitive symbol of fertility.
[BTW this dancing / Jack is happening under the bridge of my alma mater, Hertford college]
There was street entertainment such as this energetic percussion band. After all this we went back to bed for an hour then checked out the hotel and caught the train to London in time for lunch.
Yesterday we set the alarm for 5:15am, threw ourselves into our clothes,
At six o'clock, as the chimes of clock tower faded, the choristers sang in Latin to greet the start of Spring. Then a blessing on the crowd, another burst of singing and the crowd disperse. In our case to a cafe on "The High" for a glass of champagne and 'Full English'.
The blessing may have been Christian but the roots of the occasion are pagan. There were Morris Men with clogs on their feet and "bells on their toes" dancing traditional dances.
One troupe was accompanied by Jack 'o the Green, looking more like a Christmas tree than anything else, a primitive symbol of fertility.
[BTW this dancing / Jack is happening under the bridge of my alma mater, Hertford college]
There was street entertainment such as this energetic percussion band. After all this we went back to bed for an hour then checked out the hotel and caught the train to London in time for lunch.
Labels: observations, street life
¶ Permanent link: 5:03 PM 1 comments
Friday, April 28, 2006
Cherish Plate Spotting
Cycling over Chelsea Bridge yesterday I spotted a van with the registration mark "NO 5". As I drew level I saw it was a Chanel company van. Unless it was fully laden the plate was probably worth more than the van.
This morning driving along the M27 I spotted "KOI 7777" which belonged to a supplier of tropical fish to the trade.
Checking out the DVLA Sale of Marks site I discover that "7 MSM" sold for GBP 10,600 in September 2003 and "M4 RKS" sold for GBP 11,800 in April 1999. All of which make GBP 499 for "MM52 MSM" seem like good value (see "Vanity thy name is MSM52").
Mind you a little more rummaging revealed that "1 A" sold for GBP 160,000 in December 1989 so that be worth a few bob now. But who, I want to know, has that kind of money to spend on a car number plate?
Cycling over Chelsea Bridge yesterday I spotted a van with the registration mark "NO 5". As I drew level I saw it was a Chanel company van. Unless it was fully laden the plate was probably worth more than the van.
This morning driving along the M27 I spotted "KOI 7777" which belonged to a supplier of tropical fish to the trade.
Checking out the DVLA Sale of Marks site I discover that "7 MSM" sold for GBP 10,600 in September 2003 and "M4 RKS" sold for GBP 11,800 in April 1999. All of which make GBP 499 for "MM52 MSM" seem like good value (see "Vanity thy name is MSM52").
Mind you a little more rummaging revealed that "1 A" sold for GBP 160,000 in December 1989 so that be worth a few bob now. But who, I want to know, has that kind of money to spend on a car number plate?
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 6:24 PM 1 comments
Friday, March 31, 2006
Talk To The Hand
Mary does not like having her picture taken. If you looked at our holiday snaps you might be forgiven for thinking I travelled alone. Personally I am more of the Japanese Tourist school of photography. I like grinning pictures of me in front of famous monuments.
A couple of weeks ago we were in the local wine bar discussing thecrap poor quality of the mobile phone built in camera. Mary remarked that these new phones allow you to associate a picture with a contact in your phone book. Quick as a flash I whipped out my phone to take a picture of SWMBO but Mary's anti-paparazzi circuits were faster.
So for the last two weeks whenever I get a call from Mary this is the image that pops up on my phone's screen:
Talk To The Hand
Mary does not like having her picture taken. If you looked at our holiday snaps you might be forgiven for thinking I travelled alone. Personally I am more of the Japanese Tourist school of photography. I like grinning pictures of me in front of famous monuments.
A couple of weeks ago we were in the local wine bar discussing the
So for the last two weeks whenever I get a call from Mary this is the image that pops up on my phone's screen:
Talk To The Hand
Labels: observations
¶ Permanent link: 12:47 PM 1 comments
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Tide Is High
but I'm holding on *
My mental jukebox is normally triggered by word association (see "Light Blue Car" and "Musical Malapropisms") but my cycle ride usually begins with the same two tracks cued by visual images.
It starts as I cycle into Battersea Reach (apartments *from* GBP 279,000) where all the hoardings are plastered with images of beautiful young things smiling, chatting, laughing, drinking wine and generally being nauseatingly trendy cool Yuppies and Dinkies. And off goes the play list starting with "Shiny Happy People" by REM.
Then I pass through the plaza and turn onto the Thames-side path. The first sight that greets me is a small stretch of river bank planted with water side plants. If the tide is out I get a view of a wide expanse of river mud and off goes track two, "The Tide Is High", and Blondie keeps me humming as far as the London Heliport.
* The Tide Is High by Blondie
but I'm holding on *
My mental jukebox is normally triggered by word association (see "Light Blue Car" and "Musical Malapropisms") but my cycle ride usually begins with the same two tracks cued by visual images.
It starts as I cycle into Battersea Reach (apartments *from* GBP 279,000) where all the hoardings are plastered with images of beautiful young things smiling, chatting, laughing, drinking wine and generally being nauseatingly trendy cool Yuppies and Dinkies. And off goes the play list starting with "Shiny Happy People" by REM.
Then I pass through the plaza and turn onto the Thames-side path. The first sight that greets me is a small stretch of river bank planted with water side plants. If the tide is out I get a view of a wide expanse of river mud and off goes track two, "The Tide Is High", and Blondie keeps me humming as far as the London Heliport.
* The Tide Is High by Blondie
Labels: cycling, observations
¶ Permanent link: 8:46 AM 0 comments
