Not preparing for a 10k is one thing, but not preparing for a half marathon is just plain stupid. I know this to be the case, but yesterday I found myself lining up for the start of the Cardiff Half Marathon having prepped with a massive 3 runs (4 miles, Swansea 10k, 8 miles indoor), but for some reason I was feeling pretty good at the start in my new bright yellow running top, Nike+ strapped to my arm just after queueing for 40 mins for the toilet... and boy was that toilet grim when I got in there.
I didn't fly it, I picked a sensible pace (for me) averaging between 10:30 and 11 minutes per mile but I was very pleased with the results. I kept on going I ran the entire distance without stopping and got round the course in 2:22:06. No injuries to speak of (although my knee started doing something at around 10 miles) so it appears to be all good!
One advantage I have is I've learnt some things though practise, when to drink, when to eat, what to drink etc, that probably drove me on a bit, but I was very happy, especially considering the course isn't the flat PB buster it once was. It was still mainly flat, however sections involving the link road were long and uphill and as there was no crowd up there, eerie and quiet... but I thought to myself, if I can run up all this uphill bull, I can run the rest, so I did!
Best part though, was the buzz of finishing something like that quite well. It's got me well and truly interested in keeping a bit fit again which my interest had drifted in before, I'm today signing up for the Llanelli half marathon (doubtful for charity this time, it's too soon to try n bleed people again) which is in March, a target is a great motivator!
The photos will be out on Thursday so I'll have the chance to see how rough I looked at the end, if they got me this time, they missed me on the Swansea 10k completely. Which isn't a shame really...
I also ended up with £185 for charity which is more than I expected, my page is still open too... anyone?
Monday 17 October 2011
Thursday 13 October 2011
iOS5 and the 3200 error
I've had some fun with technology the last few days. Firstly I switch on my netbook on Monday evening and the screen is screwed up, green lines, flashing pixels like green snow, colour scheme that would make Windows 95 look classy, to say I wasn't impressed wouldn't exactly be an understatement. After some brief internet searching, I discovered the area around the side of the screen was somehow coming apart, so I clicked that back in, still the same.
Then I closed the netbook in annoyance and noticed the battery bit thing wasn't straight, somehow something there had come loose too. Out came the battery, and a quick repair later and I had one netbook looking like nothing had ever happened to it.
So I thought right, that's my weekly machine break down, it's all good. Then last night I decided to try n get a bit of iOS5 action going on for my little soon to be out of date little iPhone. I was expecting slowness having the drawn out process of going os3 - os4 still in my memory, but thought fuck it lets go.
The first part was more a lesson than anything, don't ignore iTunes updates, as I think I had to do about 150 updates to that first (that may be an exaggeration... may be). But then I was ready to go. I began the download, all ok and done in about 30 mins, much better than I was expecting, iTunes then backed up the creatively titled 'Andrews iPhone' (imagination pumps from every pore on times), it was time.
Time? Yeah! Time to friggin crash!
I was greeted with the soon to be infamous 3200 error, iTunes didn't know what it was or if it did it didn't want to tell me. The update stopped and the phone reverted to its previous state. OK, no big deal, no harm done. Let's try again. Same thing happened.
"To google!" I exclaimed (in my head) and started a search for this problem. Of course the Internet was instantly filled with know-it-alls who were making it their business to tell everyone how to fix it as they knew cos they were clever. They varied from restarting PCs to restarting phones to reinstalling iTunes itself. Nice one assholes, I've heard people talk shit before and I spotted it a mile off, so ignored them. However there was one, reasonable sounding post saying to just keep trying eventually it worked and they thought 3200 was some kind of server issue due to traffic.
This all made sense, it was doubtless busy at the moment, so I soldiered on. Numberous times I was thwarted at the metaphorical gates of Mordor by this 3200 error, but I battled back, only to be pushed back again. Then finally... it connected, the installation started, this was it... iOS5 would be mine.
Boom in comes a 3004 error and stops it dead, only this time no revert, I'm stuck in restore mode. I have no idea how to get out of restore mode. I stomp off for 5, phoneless...
A bit of research tells me how to reset the phone using the buttons, I do so and try again. 3200 kicks my ass all over again. Twitter is alight with part 'yay os5' tweets and part '3200 gumble grumble' ones. With a side helping of smug Android users (easy to be consistent if you never try anything new). One more item I think, just one more time...
Battle of Los Angeles (that's battle of, not Battle: Los Angeles) had been playing in the background thanks to Syfy+1 and was about to finish (and may I say what a piece of dog turd that film is. I know it's one of the Asylum low budget cash in films, but Jesus Christ, how do you make films this bad??) so I knew it was late.
I hit restore one last time and bingo, it worked, iOS5 was mine took seemingly an age to update and then it was done. To be honest, looks a bit prettier in places but so far not noticing a ton of changes, but I have used it for about 15 minutes to date. But improvements are the subject for another day. This was about my battle against 3200 and how I won!
Go me...
Then I closed the netbook in annoyance and noticed the battery bit thing wasn't straight, somehow something there had come loose too. Out came the battery, and a quick repair later and I had one netbook looking like nothing had ever happened to it.
So I thought right, that's my weekly machine break down, it's all good. Then last night I decided to try n get a bit of iOS5 action going on for my little soon to be out of date little iPhone. I was expecting slowness having the drawn out process of going os3 - os4 still in my memory, but thought fuck it lets go.
The first part was more a lesson than anything, don't ignore iTunes updates, as I think I had to do about 150 updates to that first (that may be an exaggeration... may be). But then I was ready to go. I began the download, all ok and done in about 30 mins, much better than I was expecting, iTunes then backed up the creatively titled 'Andrews iPhone' (imagination pumps from every pore on times), it was time.
Time? Yeah! Time to friggin crash!
I was greeted with the soon to be infamous 3200 error, iTunes didn't know what it was or if it did it didn't want to tell me. The update stopped and the phone reverted to its previous state. OK, no big deal, no harm done. Let's try again. Same thing happened.
"To google!" I exclaimed (in my head) and started a search for this problem. Of course the Internet was instantly filled with know-it-alls who were making it their business to tell everyone how to fix it as they knew cos they were clever. They varied from restarting PCs to restarting phones to reinstalling iTunes itself. Nice one assholes, I've heard people talk shit before and I spotted it a mile off, so ignored them. However there was one, reasonable sounding post saying to just keep trying eventually it worked and they thought 3200 was some kind of server issue due to traffic.
This all made sense, it was doubtless busy at the moment, so I soldiered on. Numberous times I was thwarted at the metaphorical gates of Mordor by this 3200 error, but I battled back, only to be pushed back again. Then finally... it connected, the installation started, this was it... iOS5 would be mine.
Boom in comes a 3004 error and stops it dead, only this time no revert, I'm stuck in restore mode. I have no idea how to get out of restore mode. I stomp off for 5, phoneless...
A bit of research tells me how to reset the phone using the buttons, I do so and try again. 3200 kicks my ass all over again. Twitter is alight with part 'yay os5' tweets and part '3200 gumble grumble' ones. With a side helping of smug Android users (easy to be consistent if you never try anything new). One more item I think, just one more time...
Battle of Los Angeles (that's battle of, not Battle: Los Angeles) had been playing in the background thanks to Syfy+1 and was about to finish (and may I say what a piece of dog turd that film is. I know it's one of the Asylum low budget cash in films, but Jesus Christ, how do you make films this bad??) so I knew it was late.
I hit restore one last time and bingo, it worked, iOS5 was mine took seemingly an age to update and then it was done. To be honest, looks a bit prettier in places but so far not noticing a ton of changes, but I have used it for about 15 minutes to date. But improvements are the subject for another day. This was about my battle against 3200 and how I won!
Go me...
Monday 10 October 2011
Top 5 Web series and the like
The Internet is a weird and wonderful place, but it has some damn creative people on it, some funny some serious some a bit of both (*ahem*) but some stand above the rest obviously. I've decided to use today to make a list of my 5 favourite web released media, whether it be via personal websites, youtube etc, see if anyone wants to have a watch themselves:
Does exactly what it says on the tine really, animated bunnies perform popular movies in 30 seconds (or thereabouts) it's not a hit every time, but when it's good it's great (Grindhouse, Evil Dead 2, Rocky Horror). Your general enjoyment of the short is pretty much in line with your enjoyment of the film as a rule so if you pick your favourite films, you'll enjoy the shorts, appriciate the jokes, the touches of details, which can be outstanding at times. Much recommended!
Apparently there's a DVD available, but I wouldn't go that far...
I've stuck an example below!
There may be a fairr bit of local loyalty here but Dai does crack me up. He, along with some other users, play XBOX 360 online, particularly Call of Duty games and practise the art known as griefing. Generally being a dick to get a reaction out of the other players, and of course with people who take COD far far too seriously, he generally succeeds in getting a reaction, and as he's pretty quick witted to stay ahead of them, it's highly amusing.
Of course after a while this can become dull as fuck so Dai has branched out into older game reviews, playthroughs, prank calls and the like. Without spoiling too much, he appears to be gifted with accents and uses a voice changer, it's best to listen to him to be honest.
Oh and highly NSFW, strong language.
Here's a classic:
5.
30-second bunnies theatre
Source http://www.angryalien.com/ and youtube (abetoons)
Does exactly what it says on the tine really, animated bunnies perform popular movies in 30 seconds (or thereabouts) it's not a hit every time, but when it's good it's great (Grindhouse, Evil Dead 2, Rocky Horror). Your general enjoyment of the short is pretty much in line with your enjoyment of the film as a rule so if you pick your favourite films, you'll enjoy the shorts, appriciate the jokes, the touches of details, which can be outstanding at times. Much recommended!
Apparently there's a DVD available, but I wouldn't go that far...
I've stuck an example below!
4.
Dai Ling Ping
Source http://www.dailingping.co.uk/ and youtube (MrLBXv2)
There may be a fairr bit of local loyalty here but Dai does crack me up. He, along with some other users, play XBOX 360 online, particularly Call of Duty games and practise the art known as griefing. Generally being a dick to get a reaction out of the other players, and of course with people who take COD far far too seriously, he generally succeeds in getting a reaction, and as he's pretty quick witted to stay ahead of them, it's highly amusing.
Of course after a while this can become dull as fuck so Dai has branched out into older game reviews, playthroughs, prank calls and the like. Without spoiling too much, he appears to be gifted with accents and uses a voice changer, it's best to listen to him to be honest.
Oh and highly NSFW, strong language.
Here's a classic:
3.
The Guild
Source http://www.watchtheguild.com/ or XBOX live or Zune or youtube (theguild)
The guild was the brainchild of Felicia Day and is now the ripe old age of 5 series old (the series 5 finale due out tomorrow in fact!) and apparently was an inspiration to other titles on this list. It basically it a sit-com regarding the interactions of a guild from an unnamed online video game (actually only ever called 'The Game') not entirely dissimilar to World of Warcraft.
They start off having never met, and personal issues, eventually force them too and the series develops from there. Some of the acting is very good and the cast cameos can be superb on times (Star Trek, Big Bang Theory, Eurika and Stand By Me actor Wil Whedon is regular, Nathan Fillion, Brent Spiner, Colin Ferguson have all guested in series 5).
Many people who play such online games (me) will identify with the situations and personalities and overall this is a top series. DVDs available again but only region 1 I believe.
I've attached the pilot!
2.
The Angry Video Game Nerd
Source
or youtube (JamesNintendoNerd)
This guy cracks me up, he also has a video game collection that I'm amazingly envious of. The guys name is James Rolfe and he makes videos reviewing retro games, typically pretty damn poor retro games, under the persona of The Angry Video Game Nerd.
He's typically foul mouthed and very very NSFW but delivers it with such venom that is comes across as funny. He also manages to make the reviews informative resisting the temptation to nit-pick.
Under different sections of the site (and app which I own, I also have Dai Ling Pings app, but this guys I actually paid for) he does movie reviews, plays board games (Bored James), and does short rants under the title 'YOU KNOW WHAT'S BULLSHIT'. It's all good and very funny. Plus I do wish I had 1/50th of his collection... Send donations too...
Here's a good example of his little reviews an an awful game to boot:
At this point I'll mention the ones who didn't make the top 5, and there are plenty of good ones out there, whether it be The Legend of Neil, Dragon Age (Day in both of them again), the Mortal Kombat trailer (ok rubbish, but somewhat interesting despite), the Various Star Trek series, Fallout, Red Vs Blue. There's loads more out there so go investigate!
So, on to...
1.
Dr Horrible's Sing Along Blog
Source Various including iTunes, youtube etc
Yes I know it's not exactly the same kind of production values as some of the others. But this is awesome!
Joss Whedon used the writers strike to produce this, makes the strike worthwhile all on its own if you ask me! Starring in it were Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), Felicia Day (again), and Simon Helberg (Big Bang Theory) and each was excellent.
The script is as slick as you'd expect, the songs good and memorable and at 45 minutes, you'll wish it was longer. Apparently there is to be a sequel once Joss is finished working on The Avengers. I mean honestly where's the priorities!!
I have the DVD and the commentary track (well one of them) is produced as an entirely different musical to compliment the one on screen with the actors (in varying degrees of character) interact and clash about the show and themselves.
This needs to be watched by all. Hate Musicals? Well see it as a superhero film? Not doing it for you, ok romantic comedy etc. Works on so many levels.
Here's the first bit from youtube:
Once you've seen it all, 8-bit Dr Horrible is excellent too.
TTFN
Friday 7 October 2011
Please sponsor me!
Hello,
No rant today, more of a beg!
In just 9 days time I, under the persona of runner 6695, will be one of a massive 14,000 people tearing through the streets of Cardiff as a runner in the Cardiff Half Marathon.
I do these things as a personal challenge, something always to keep ahead of me to work for, although this time the work has been beyond non-existent, I'll do better next time I promise, but I also do them to do what I can for charity. This run as my last couple have been is for Velindre Cancer Hospital in Cardiff.
I could spout endless amounts of shite about their good work but it's generally better to let them do the talking, their information is here:
http://velindrefundraising.com/
So if you have a spare pound, fiver, grand (maybe not) and want to give it to Velindre, I'll be happy to be the conduit for that. Plus it'll help spur me round the 13+ miles of disaster and torment that lay ahead of me.
You can sponsor me at:
No rant today, more of a beg!
In just 9 days time I, under the persona of runner 6695, will be one of a massive 14,000 people tearing through the streets of Cardiff as a runner in the Cardiff Half Marathon.
I do these things as a personal challenge, something always to keep ahead of me to work for, although this time the work has been beyond non-existent, I'll do better next time I promise, but I also do them to do what I can for charity. This run as my last couple have been is for Velindre Cancer Hospital in Cardiff.
I could spout endless amounts of shite about their good work but it's generally better to let them do the talking, their information is here:
http://velindrefundraising.com/
So if you have a spare pound, fiver, grand (maybe not) and want to give it to Velindre, I'll be happy to be the conduit for that. Plus it'll help spur me round the 13+ miles of disaster and torment that lay ahead of me.
You can sponsor me at:
Thanks in advance!
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Yodel
Previously on this blog:
http://andrewdrisc.blogspot.com/2011/06/early-learning-centre.html
Now the continuation...
http://andrewdrisc.blogspot.com/2011/06/early-learning-centre.html
Now the continuation...
Yodel, Yodel, Yodel, so our paths cross again...
I have serious issues with this company, the above link contains details of my only ever previous dealing with them so for a start they were 1-0 down. This time I ordered some new running stuff (top, shorts, trainers) from sportsdirect, paid a bit extra for Saturday delivery so I'd get it nice and fast, clicked but and thought I'd be slipping into my new trainers within days.
Did I think wrong? Of course I thought wrong as the delivery agents for SportsDirect are fucking Yodel...
Saturday comes and we hang in the house as long as we can knowing that if we miss it, they'll just leave it in a random house as usual. Wait, what's that in the door? It's a Yodel failed delivery slip... hmmm didn't knock hard there did you gringo. Oh well shit happens, particularly when it comes to these fuckers.
I ring their automated redelivery service and the next available appointment is Tuesday (I personally passed 2 Yodel vans driving round Merthyr on Monday) so after some discussion (not with the computer I'm not mental) I booked 'Tuesday' of course no times or anything, that would be good service. I of course leave a contact number so any problems they can get hold of me.
Nobody does, the sun sets and rises a few times and Tuesday comes. It just so happens I'm off work Tuesday to have my Diabetic Eye Screening, life's one long party in the house of 3 Driscolls I tell you! Nobody comes all day, it gets to about 4pm and concern is creeping in. I nose through the sports direct confirmation email and find a tracking link, click away and it tells me the thing is still in the depot in Nantgarw.
Not impressed.
On the phone I go and get through to someone who I'll kindly describe as new. Picture an older woman both index fingers extended searching the keyboard of each letter she has to type. The conversation is slow to put it mildly and the guy over her shoulder is clearly audible on the line! She says I haven't requested a redelivery, I protest, offering to show her a phone bill with my call to them on it from Saturday. Then it changes to, it's held in Nantgarw, as per my request... my request... what request was that then?
She kindly offers to arrange a redelivery for Thursday, I kindly ask them to shove it up their arses and return the package to sender. This confuses them, much button searching follows and eventually I'm assured this has been done, and it will head back to Sheffield tomorrow (now today) I'm not confident.
(At this point I've just checked the Yodel site and the package is still awaiting collection in Nantgarw... Jesus wept, now they're delaying my refund off SportsDirect)
I then asked to make a complaint, I was told no basically, no way to do so at the moment. I ask to speak to a manager, nobody around (I can fucking hear him telling you what to do!!) but she can take the complaint details from me and they'll be in touch. Cool. She then informs me this is the first complaint she's done... believe me love, it aint gonna be the last.
After much detail taking, such as name, address (they didn't know my address, explains a bit) and quite a bit of 2 finger typing, she has all the details. Then tells me she's taken all that in error and I need to write in to the following postal address, I ask for an email alternative and eventually get one. I'll be writing the complaint later today!
I then had to contact SportsDirect to cancel the order, which had a big big waiting time, but was easy and they were really apologetic. Nothing against them, but they're a Yodel user!
So new rule, if a company uses Yodel for deliveries, they don't get my business, simple. Yes I may be massively limiting my options, but these fuckwits have crossed the line, they are so far past the line, the line is a dot to them.
I've already cancelled my Arkham City pre-order from the Yodel using Amazon.co.uk and will move it to the TNT using shopto.net.
I apologise for the use of language through this blog, but Yodel really grind my shit.
Monday 3 October 2011
Welsh Cup football
The Welsh Cup is one of the longest standing club competitions on gods green earth. Wrexham won the trophy for the first time in 1878 and up until 1996, one of my favourite competitions to watch my beloved Merthyr Tydfil FC in. 1987 saw Merthyr win the damn thing 1-0 in a replay final at Ninian Park against Newport, they then proceeded to beat Atalanta 2-1 at penydarren park before getting done 2-0 in Italy in the 87-88 Cup Winner Cup. I was only 5 so can't really remember this, but it's all good.
Then to everyone's disappointment we were excluded from the cup as we played in the English System. Merthyr joined Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Colwyn Bay as teams excluded from their own national cup competition. Booooo
Then news came out at the start of this year we (now of course Merthyr Town) we once again invited to join, along with the other 5! 3 accepted (Merthyr, Newport and Wrexham) and the excitement began. Now as Merthyr play in a very backwards league at the moment (and who knows for how long) we joined in the 2nd qualifying round, playing 2 games in 2 days and with a second string beating a small team 5-1. All good. The draw came out and Merthyr got Barry Town in the first round. Much additional excitement!
Merthyr and Barry had an awesome rivalry back in the day, yes now both teams have fallen on hard times and dropped down the respective league systems, but the rivalry was still there. This was potentially the tie of the round with the Welsh Premier and Blue Square Premier teams not joining for 2 more matches.
Game day came and Merthyr put their team on twitter and I went what? It was a second string. I knew at that moment we'd get beat against by all accounts a tidy Barry side. I'm very sorry but who exactly do Merthyr think they are playing 'fringe' players in a cup match against a team that'd give our first side a potentially even match.
What was the thinking?
Is the Welsh is (was) not a priority? Then why enter it, nobody had a gun to their heads.
Did we disrespect the opposition? Arrogance? Someone needs to have a long hard look at some of the players in the side, even the first team, then have a look at the teams who've beaten us in competitions so far this year and reassess how good they think we are again. Last years league wasn't a pub league, but it certainly wasn't high quality, had to be won, but don't get carried away.
Did the manager(s) misjudge the game? They both played in Merthyr v Barry games, they know the rivalry. Sounds a bit naive to me.
Anyway, Barry won easily and deservedly 3-0 and Merthyr sit out the business stages of the competition. Based on that as well looks like I'll be saving myself some £7's in the upcoming weeks, oh well!
Then to everyone's disappointment we were excluded from the cup as we played in the English System. Merthyr joined Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Colwyn Bay as teams excluded from their own national cup competition. Booooo
Then news came out at the start of this year we (now of course Merthyr Town) we once again invited to join, along with the other 5! 3 accepted (Merthyr, Newport and Wrexham) and the excitement began. Now as Merthyr play in a very backwards league at the moment (and who knows for how long) we joined in the 2nd qualifying round, playing 2 games in 2 days and with a second string beating a small team 5-1. All good. The draw came out and Merthyr got Barry Town in the first round. Much additional excitement!
Merthyr and Barry had an awesome rivalry back in the day, yes now both teams have fallen on hard times and dropped down the respective league systems, but the rivalry was still there. This was potentially the tie of the round with the Welsh Premier and Blue Square Premier teams not joining for 2 more matches.
Game day came and Merthyr put their team on twitter and I went what? It was a second string. I knew at that moment we'd get beat against by all accounts a tidy Barry side. I'm very sorry but who exactly do Merthyr think they are playing 'fringe' players in a cup match against a team that'd give our first side a potentially even match.
What was the thinking?
Is the Welsh is (was) not a priority? Then why enter it, nobody had a gun to their heads.
Did we disrespect the opposition? Arrogance? Someone needs to have a long hard look at some of the players in the side, even the first team, then have a look at the teams who've beaten us in competitions so far this year and reassess how good they think we are again. Last years league wasn't a pub league, but it certainly wasn't high quality, had to be won, but don't get carried away.
Did the manager(s) misjudge the game? They both played in Merthyr v Barry games, they know the rivalry. Sounds a bit naive to me.
Anyway, Barry won easily and deservedly 3-0 and Merthyr sit out the business stages of the competition. Based on that as well looks like I'll be saving myself some £7's in the upcoming weeks, oh well!
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