Have you tried to install Oracle XML BI Publisher Desktop and the installation complains part way through that Word isn’t installed but you know it is? Quick tip: Try updating to Office SP3.
Last night was the Cubs night hike around Rother Valley. Four or so miles, setting off at 7pm in the dark (well, it would be wouldn’t it, it being a night hike) from the Scout HQ in Killamarsh, down to the park, back to the south end of the park, up on to the TPT and back in to the village, most of it off road or on the closed park access roads.
It was a bit cloudy so the planned star gazing was out of the window, and it was cold. So cold in fact that it was starting to freeze as we were walking. The mud was getting crunchy under foot and the puddles were starting to solidify. The freezing was more advanced in some areas than others. It was particularly advanced in the area on the Park access road when I put my foot down on the far side of a speed bump. My foot shot from underneath me and I was rather unceremoniously dumped on the floor. This morning, I’ve got a bump the size of a mango on my rear end and the makings of a marvellous bruise. Funnily enough, I think I was the only casualty. It’s probably a good job I was at the back of the procession so the witnesses were fewer.
Despite that, it was a pleasant enough walk.
Daniel now has his night hike badge to go with his Scientist badge (they did things with cress seeds) and his water awareness badge. That in itself was fun because the Christmas treat for the cubs was scuba diving at Eckington pool. They did the water awareness as part of that, but the scuba diving seemed to be enjoyed by all, and as a consequence, all the kids got their PADI Bubbleblowers badge and certificate.
Tonight’s job is transferring the third lot of home brew to the keg in preparation for Christmas supping. It will keep nicely cold in the garage. It also looks like this brew, a Canadian style lager is going to better than the last Mexican style one. It seems to have more body and a fuller taste. Hmmm.
How to make a million?
Don’t pass on VAT cuts to your customers. That’s exactly what Microsoft appears to be doing with subscriptions to XBox Live. Priced at £39.99 inc VAT for some time, after the UK VAT cut from 17.5% to 15%, strangely, XBOX Live is still £39.99 instead of around £39.15. Admitted, £39.15 doesn’t sound as sexy as £39.99, but it’s not on.
On a positive note, the new Guitar Hero World Tour is the dogs what-nots.
Coming soon, some seasonal pictures…
I set off early this morning as I wanted to be in our Birmingham office for 9:30-ish. The satnav said I was on target for 9:15 but she soon revised her opinion to 9:35 after a congested M1. I could live with that though. There was nothing spoiling particularly. We were planning to bring a new phone system live today, but the actual cutover wasn’t slated until around lunchtime and it was the handset training that was taking place first thing.
Everything was therefore pretty rosy until I hit the back of the traffic jam on the A42 around 9:15.
…time passed…
…and passed a bit more…
…and a bit more…
…and eventually at 12:15, I reached the problem. A car transporter heading North had tipped over, taking a fair bit of the central reservation Armco with it, depositing several cars on the north and southbound carriageways. Not a particularly pretty site. Unfortunately, caught slap bang between the two junctions, there was nowhere for us to go. We had to sit and wait it out, so it took three hours before we were able to get past the obstruction that was only a mile or so in front of us.
So, today, I’ve set a personal worst for Sheffield to Birmingham of five hours.
It could have been worse though. I was pretty close to the accident itself. As I write this, the A42 is still closed southbound and only partially open northbound.
On a positive note, we got the new phone system up and working ok, and we’ve got SIP trunking working between the two systems. This forms the first part of a pan-European system linking all four offices with trunking between the offices. It’s something I’m really looking forward to getting implemented and will, I think, be a considerable feather in the cap of my team in Sheffield.
