Notes to Myself

Air Courier

Have you heard of air couriers? That is, people who carry documentation/packages for companies on airplanes in return for discounted ticket prices? It sounds like a dodgy idea, but I've heard a number of people talk about it.

Somebody I know was talking about flying to Japan and it turned out that he is paying half the price that I am! When I asked how that was possible he said it was via an air courier service. As there is only one person per flight who can qualify his partner is flying out on the second flight of the day. Now that is money saving!

Is this practice legal? Would you risk carrying something for somebody? I'm not sure I would.

07/07/07

Well, how lucky was your day? Mine was decidely average.
(・_・?)

ISA Renewal

Last year I took out an NS&I ISA, which has one of the best interest rates, at 5.80%.

In case you don't know about ISAs, they are basically untaxed UK savings accounts. With a Mini Cash ISA you can deposit up to £3,000 per tax year.

In the run up to the new financial year I was expecting some kind of letter describing what would happen with regards to renewing the ISA or about how to start using another provider's product. However, I have received no information and cannot find it on the website.

Though I've submitted a query, maybe one of you know how this works - if so, please tell me. If I pay into my NS&I account will my ISA provider for this year automatically become NS&I? If I would like to use another provider for this year do I need to inform NS&I first or simply apply elsewhere?

666

I was about to post something to my blog when I realised today's date: 06/06/06. Scared?

Double Vision

You know, it's not uncommon to see children wearing the same outfits is it? Twins, especially, of course. Although I'm not a huge fan, it's something you get used to seeing. What I saw today, however, was a little different.

I went into Mitsukoshi, the Japanese department store in Piccadilly. At the book section, I noticed two ladies who must have been in their 30s or 40s. 'Hmm, they have the same jacket,' I noticed. But when I looked again, I realised it wasn't just the jackets. Everything about them was identical. Their hair; their glasses, their jewellery, their little black rucksacks, their trousers, their shoes... everything! Really freaky, wouldn't you say?

A few minutes later and I saw them walking side by side along the road. What a strange thing to see.

Sour Skittles

My favourite! Beware, their sourness may surprise you; however, persevere, for there is much sweetness hidden inside.

[Credit to Yaz for introducing these to me]

Coca Cola C2

On my usual morning 'combini' (convenience store) breakfast buying run I came across a huge display of the new Coca Cola C2! I'd heard about it before but thought it was a new flavour. It turns out to be a low calorie version. Well, calorie levels never really bother me but anyway, I wanted to try it to bought my first bottle today.

I wasn't expecting the low calorie version to be as full of great sweetness as the original and I think I was right. The adverts claim to lower the calories while keeping the flavour. Well, I think I'll stick to the original and choose a different drink when I want fewer calories.

Green Sun

Just a thought but: when you come inside from bright sunlight why does everything turn green?

Matrix II Coming

I am excited! Are you? Have you seen the final trailer for Matirx Reloaded? "Mmm, these are exciting times!". All I can say is it looks superb. Today I was pleasantly surprised to see the sound track in HMV... do sound tracks normally come out before the film? Maybe for Japan where they can import audio while having to wait for the film. I don't know. Hmm, also there are huge posters advertising 'Reloaded'... very swish indeed.

I think I quickly caught sight of the fact that the film has already started being shown in American breaking box office records? Well, too bad we have to wait until June, or was it July? The posters say "6.7" - surely 6th month, 7th day?? Please... How about in the UK?

Transformers Theme

Ok, I also found the [transformers theme tune 555K] in some of my downloads! Bring back any memories - wow, that was a long time ago now.

There are loads of Transformers websites out there. If you are interested, check out this google category.

Crying Shame

On my way home last night I noticed a girl hunched outside the bike parking area near the train station. I thought to myself that something was up and it was - she was crying her eyes out, on her own, in the dark. I felt really bad as people cycled past her as if she wasn't there, and I didn't want to do the same. I was wondering whether to talk to her and offer her a tissue, but I guessed she wouldn't want to talk to a stranger - a foreign stranger who can't even speak her language. Thankfully, as I got to my bike, she started to walk away, though very slowly and still crying. Hope she made it home safely.

Wellies

The weather has been so fickle of late here. On Saturday night it rained in a super-heavy fashion after building all day, then yesterday was cool and fine, and today the sky is overcast and a gentle cooling rain soothed my ride to school. I realised half way along my route that the rain was so light that it would be better to put away my umbrella and stay cool. I saw one other young guy who had the same idea. For the heavier rain though, I need some proper rain gear.

This brings me to Wellington boots - or wellies. Now, this is the term I use for 'rubber boots'. I had an interesting conversation with other ALTs (imported teacher types) the other day while trudging along in the pouring rain. "I could do with some wellies," I said. "What?" ... US ALT: "Those are called galoshes." Australian ALT: "We call them gum boots". Hmm, galoshes and gum boots - great words!

Go Bird!

After 64 days it's all over - Big Brother that is. Congratulations to Kate!! Commiserations to Alex, and well a little pat on the back to Jonny. From a long time ago my choices to win were Alex and Kate, so I was disappointed with Alex came third, but delighted that Kate won, becoming the first female winner of Big Bro UK. She's just so lovely.

When Alex got kicked out, did you see his parents? Two things nearly made me sick. The first thing was the 'kiss-triangle' that Alex and his parents did, a kind of pecking session between them. The second thing was when Alex was being interviewed; the camera cut to his parents, and his mother was resting her head blissfully her husband's shoulder, both of them in heaven. Too many sickening 'wholesome family displays' as I like to call them - (ah just bitter).

Lastly in the cringe stakes was the transferring-money-from-Big-Brother's-account-to-Kate's-account visual on the screens. Two horrible little sort of progress bars (well one was an anti-progress bar borrowed from WindowsME). I mean, do you really think people see that sort of thing at the bank?

God, I've moaned a lot this morning. Anyway, I became an avid fan about half way through and am pleased by the final evening and eventual winner - Top Bird!!!

Episode II

I dread to think how many people have written about Star Wars, so I don't intend to dwell on it for long here.

My only expectations were to be entertained by light sabres and Force powers, and in particular, Yoda's! I wasn't too disapointed in that respect. Recently I finished playing Jedi Knight II on the PC and so my Star Wars interest levels have been higher than usual so I was really looking forward to seeing the film.

However, we were more than a little disappointed with the quality of the acting. I had heard about this from people at work, but wasn't sure if it would be that bad. Usually, in fact, I am not that sensitve to bad acting, but it was plainly evident during parts of the film.

On the whole it was so-so for me, but my friends were not so impressed.

Big Brother: 3

On Friday evening I suddenly remembered that the 3rd series of the British Big Brother was starting. I was a huge fan of the first series, but didn't watch that much of the second series.

Unfortunately, I missed half of the first show, but did get to see all of the new contestants and the new house. Davina as ever is presenting and told us about the surprise public vote to nominate the first two people to leave the house, whom the people in the house will then have to vote for! There are one or two annoying people so perhaps I should phone in.

Maybe it takes a while for the people to grow on you, but was it missing something? Does the whole thing feel different? Fingers-crossed to see how it develops - I am trying not to be too critical in these early stages! Will I be a big fan again? Or only in as much as series 2?

Films

I've had the 'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within' DVD for ages now, but it was only last night that I actually finished watching it. It was pretty much what I expected: impressive graphics and a fairly uninteresting story. How long did it take to render? I was not at ease with familiar voices not matching their real owners' bodies though!

What else? Is there some sort of Van-damme season going on at the moment? I was watching a bit of Lionheart the other night, then was it last night or the night before, Timecop was on.

Got to see Star Wars: Episode II at some point in the near future - wanna see Yoda kick-ass!