Played Off

Image by jrk via Flickr

Yesterday it all went wrong during the Gillmor Gang, Michael Arrington asked Leo Laporte whether he bought the Palm Pre or got it free and in advance of the launch. Leo took offence to the accusation, shut down the show, Arrington wrote a blog post, the comments on TechCrunch then got shut down and then keyboard cat played off the whole situation.

This is the first time I have encountered keyboard cat and it did make me laugh out loud. In fact the tune the cat played was like the theme to my entire day! I started the Gym this afternoon and seriously, that tune, it must have played every time that I took to a machine. My personal trainer provided instructions and although I attempted the machines, the tune would begin to play and I could feel my frame only just managing. The biggest blow came when I was pressing 20kg and I turned to my left to see a man larger than a car lifting what appeared to be every weight available. The cat can play but I feel good and will be returning to a different beat Tuesday :)

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The Saturdays

Image via Wikipedia

This was supposed to be a quiet weekend, time to reflect and compose! Distance created to address what's important, required actions and regain control. I didn't have the children this week as they were with their mothers. Saturday morning usually a buzz of activity was a different experience with calm and quiet although I prefer the usual routine.

Eventually the day got started and later that afternoon I was to be introduced to Frank-the-Tank for the first time. The event was to celebrate my friends birthday and there were the usual drinking games but also a contraption (Frank-the-Tank) to consume alcohol via a 'bucket' through hose pipes. An innovative concept that really worked and when I eventually departed people were visibly feeling the effects. I participated - obviously - but the amount of Vodka/Cider introduced was enough to convince me that once was enough!!

Woke this morning, greeted by text messages that my partner had outdone my efforts considerably by consuming vast amounts of Goldschlager, Vodka, Wine etc. We're all entitled to unwind, I think she surpassed all expectations! At least when referring to the evening in future she will always emerge as the main topic!!! Is that a hole...

Better The Devil You Know?!

Image by gl0ri via Flickr

For the times they are a-changin' ~ Bob Dylan

You have to admit that there is a lot of change taking place; the Internet is evolving whether we're about to embrace Web 3.0 or the 2010 Web; the way we interact with video games has taken a new direction; the sporting world with the transfer window, management changes, Nadal losing in the French Open, England losing in the Cricket and much more...

Even my personal life is changing, usually I'm with my partner and the children for the duration. This weekend though I'm confronted with being alone due to the current circumstances. Thankfully you can always rely on friends and although the weather is expected to be a let down my friends aren't so looking forward to joining up with them Saturday evening!

The Pieces Of The Puzzle, They Don't Fit...

Image by Jake Mates via Flickr

The Internet has provided us with a valuable tool for communication, allowing us to have conversations, share information and follow the latest stories online as they happen.

The social web continues to evolve and mature, providing new and exciting ways to communicate with peers. Today though I find that I resent the very openness of the Internet that I have written so much about over the last few months.

Relationships are always difficult but in the age of social networks, instant messenger, email, blogging, lifestreaming etc.. It's hard to disconnect so in an effort to generate some space and time to reflect I have deactivated my Facebook account for a short period of time. Largely due to the latest relationship breakdown, but also because I feel that without the social networking site and constant distracting commentary through the status updates that I will be able to find composure. I spend my time thinking too much about other people and not enough about myself but that has to change, starting now..

The Italian Job

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It wasn't exactly a surprise but Carlo Ancelotti was yesterday unveiled as the new Chelsea manager. Ancelotti replaces Russia coach Guus Hiddink, who ended his three month reign winning the FA Cup Saturday. Hiddink had become a popular figure at the Bridge so incoming manager Ancelotti has a big act to follow!

Ancelotti has stated that winning the Champions League will be his priority, he has an impressive record in the competition so hopefully he will succeed. As a manager he guided AC Milan to Champions League final victories in 2003 and 2007, as well as winning it twice as a player. Ancelotti has been given a three year contract and formally starts as manager on July 1st. He becomes the club's fifth manager in 21 months following Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink. Hopefully he will be given the time to build a team capable of challenging in all competitions although I feel we are almost there now!

Manager

Club honours

Juventus

• Intertoto Cup: 1999

Milan

• Coppa Italia: 2002–03
• Serie A: 2003–04
• Italian Supercup: 2004
• UEFA Champions League: 2002–03, 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

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Microsoft Announces Twitter, Facebook And Last.FM Integration For Xbox Live

Image by joedawson via Flickr

I used to be an active member of the Xbox community, I was involved with the first build of the forums and was appointed a moderator before becoming a Microsoft MVP. It was an enjoyable and exciting experience with the highlight being presented the opportunity to attend the Xbox 360 launch in the Mojave Desert. The problem with forums is that they're repetitive and eventually I moved onto blogging and social networking.

Earlier today at the E3 expo, Microsoft announced that they were to introduce social networking functionality through Facebook Connect and Sign-In With Twitter integration which will be arriving on Xbox Live this fall. They also announced that Last.fm is also set to bring its services to the Xbox. For Gold Xbox Live members, providing free streaming radio from your console. Expect further details over the next few days but what we expect is that activity in games could soon be published to our Facebook newsfeed through Facebook Connect or tweeted out to our followers through Sign-In With Twitter. I have wanted to see this introduced for a while now and the announcements expand the social functionality of the Xbox Live service considerably!

Tea Towels, Shoes And Caves

Image by joedawson via Flickr

The weather is glorious and today presented an ideal opportunity for us to spend the afternoon down the beach. I didn't have the best night but still managed to wake up early and start the preparations. Earlier in the week I had seen a friend of my partner upload an album to Facebook featuring photos taken at Botany Bay. What made this so appealing is that there were caves to explore! You wouldn't have been able to hold us back..

We had planned to all travel down together but unfortunately we didn't, instead there were 'last minute' alterations and I travelled with just my two children. It was a shame that we didn't all attend because it made a change from the usual Saturdays. Another disappointing aspect of the journey was that I managed to smash the iPhone screen when trying to find a parking space near the beach. I placed the iPhone onto my bag but the screen shattered as it connected with one of the [vanity] products I had on my possession. Thankfully the handset is insured although I have to pay a small excess charge when my next bill comes through which isn't too significant!

Although the mainland was roasting, the coast was quite windy so we made our way to the caves for a short period of time and then in the direction of a restaurant. Luckily they were also showing the football so we had dinner whilst enjoying Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 (3-1 the goal should have stood) to win the FA Cup. This created the perfect departure for Guus Hiddink who has restored order to the club during his three months in charge and hopefully we may see him return in the future at some point! After the match we went back to the caves briefly before leaving to travel home!

Botany Bay Flickr Set...

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