tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-11-08:/The further adventures of Procrastination Boy.MokoFeed2009-11-08T11:12:28+01:00tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-11-05:/2009/11/05/tagopalypse-7311738/scoobydoofus2009-11-05T12:46:02+01:002009-11-05T12:46:02+01:00 <p>So, the powers that be at BCUK decided they wanted to change the tag system in an attempt to make us use them properly.</p> <p>They want us to use short, concise tags to enable other users to find our posts more easily. And to be honest, in general, I do already, so their tag massacre hasn't affected me too badly. I lost a couple on my music blog, where some artists or tracks have long names, and there's not much I can do to shorten those to make them "improve the searchabilty" of my blog. I'm going to have to truncate words, which is certainly NOT improving searchability. My tag "Florence + theMachine" will not be linked with someone else's "Florence+ the Machine". </p> <p>However, a lot of people <em>don't</em> use short, concise tags for no other reason than they don't want to. They want to tag their posts however they like and are not particularly bothered about other people finding their posts. They just want to be able to find them themselves. These people are understandably annoyed that their personal contents page has been disrupted.</p> <p>This was a badly managed PR disaster. There was a post on <a href="http://the.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/improvements-to-the-tag-system-7263090/">the.blog.co.uk</a> telling us that changes were imminent, but I for one do not read that blog regularly. The post was made on the 2nd, just two days before the changes were implemented. If this was such a vital change, BCUK should have told us their intentions beforehand via PM, giving users time to get used to the idea, and giving them the opportunity to amend offending tags. </p> <p>This site is "made by us". We should have been kept properly informed of big changes like this. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/11/05/tagopalypse-7311738/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-11-01:/2009/11/01/movember-7288660/scoobydoofus2009-11-01T23:15:44+01:002009-11-01T23:15:44+01:00 <p>So Landers, Jake and myself have signed up for <a href="http://uk.movember.com">Movember</a>.</p> <p>Basically, we're growing a 'tache to raise awareness of and funds for prostate cancer. It's a bit of fun, but it hopefully will prompt people to think about prostate cancer and other mens' health issues such as testicular cancer, and maybe even help someone get diagnosed earlier.</p> <p>I'm clean shaven for the first time in aaaages and I hate it. Can't wait til I get some stubble back and stop looking 12 years old. Also, stubble helps hide the double chin I didn't know I had until I shaved today.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open(" title="Day 1"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/971/4065971_aa62432b10_m.jpeg" alt="Day 1"></a></p> <p>Now, as much as I'd love to say I'm growing a moustache because I like them, I'm actually doing it in the hope that people will take pity on me and sponsor me. If you would like to do so, please click the link below and sponsor me <del>because Jake is winning</del>.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://movember.scoobydoofus.com">CLICKY!</a></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/11/01/movember-7288660/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-10-31:/2009/10/31/friday-five-31-10-7281802/scoobydoofus2009-10-31T18:13:44+01:002009-10-31T18:13:44+01:00 <p>As seen <a href="http://thefridayfive.blog.co.uk/">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>1. Are you superstitious?</strong><br> No. I have habits about some things, but I'm not worried that something horrible will happen if I don't do it.</p> <p><strong>2. Are you attending or hosting a halloween party this year?</strong><br> Nope, I don't even have a pumpkin! First time ever, I think. We had trick or treaters this year though, which we don't normally get.</p> <p><strong>3. What's your favourite scary movie?</strong><br> Um. Tricky one. When I was small, I was terrified of "Poltergeist" (I never watched it all the way through until I was about 12), and so it has a special place in my heart.</p> <p><strong>4. Trick or Treat?</strong><br> I like playing tricks and getting treats, so both.</p> <p><strong>5. The best Halloween costume is...?</strong></p> <p><small>Disclaimer: Landers showed me that video.</small> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/10/31/friday-five-31-10-7281802/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/16/the-blogger-s-pledge-7178278/scoobydoofus2009-10-16T00:29:49+02:002009-10-16T00:29:49+02:00 <p>Thanks to <a href="http://rainbowsnbutterflies.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/the-blogger-s-pledge-7178168/">Malakeas</a> for this wonderful idea.</p> <p>----</p> <p>My name is Brad and I will no longer tolerate online stalkers or trolls.</p> <p>I will not feed their fire by responding to their comments or posts except in three ways:</p> <p>1. I will choose to delete their offending comment if I can<br> 2. I will ignore their comments/posts on another blog<br> 3. And then, I will move on.</p> <p>I will not give them blogging space or another thought for there are many other people here that deserve my energy and attention.</p> <p>May this blogging community regain its blogging spirit and take back this community from stalkers and claim it as their own.</p> <p>If you believe this as well, then copy and post this on your blog with your user name. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/10/16/the-blogger-s-pledge-7178278/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/15/guys-press-the-delete-button-7175877/scoobydoofus2009-10-15T16:55:19+02:002009-10-15T16:55:19+02:00 <p>Sorry to those of you not in the know; you can just ignore this.</p> <p>If you're getting these ridiculous comments from a certain ex-blogger in one of her many guises, just delete them straight away. Don't reply - that's what she wants, the attention. That comment and others have been left on Landers' blog over the last few days, and he has been refusing to post them. That's why she's posting them elsewhere. If you delete them, she'll have to come up with something else. If we ignore her, she's got nothing.</p> <p>I know this post gives her attention, but I think that on balance it's worth it.</p> <p>If you read this, whatever you're calling yourself now, you've made another big mistake by making out you can't contact him any other way - you can PM him, despite what your comment says; his PM status is open to everyone, unlike yours was when you claimed he had messaged you. You have his email address. If you really want to communicate with him you have other options than posting these ludicrous comments. You're clearly just out for as much attention as you can get, and you weren't getting it from Landers - well, hopefully you won't get any from anyone else now, either.</p> <p>If you want to open a proper dialog to put this to bed, then you can do so. But it had better start with a bloody good apology.</p> <p>I've said it before, and I'll say it again - STOP, before you alienate absolutely everyone. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/guys-press-the-delete-button-7175877/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-09-08:/2009/09/08/coming-soon-6922529/scoobydoofus2009-09-08T13:25:49+02:002009-09-08T13:25:49+02:00 <p>I've been really bad when it comes to blogging lately, but fear not, I'm working on an epic post covering the following and more:</p> <p>- My family's visit in July<br> - My brother's visit in August<br> - The Hull blogmeet, including our trip to Manchester<br> - The farce that was my ECDL course last night</p> <p>Might be up later, but this is me we're talking about.</p> <p>I've been around, checking out posts. Might not have commented but I've been here! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/09/08/coming-soon-6922529/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-08-30:/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-no-doubt-6857154/scoobydoofus2009-08-30T23:55:05+02:002009-08-30T23:55:39+02:00 <p>Yeah, so I haven't blogged for weeks, I'm so bad. Have a meme.</p> <p><strong>Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer the following questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. Repost as "my life according to (band/musician name)"</strong></p> <p><strong>Are you a male or female?</strong><br> Excuse Me Mr.</p> <p><strong>Describe yourself</strong>:<br> Under Construction</p> <p><strong>How do you feel?</strong><br> Hella Good</p> <p><strong>Describe where you currently live:</strong><br> Greener Pastures</p> <p><strong>If you could go anywhere, where would you go?</strong><br> Home Now</p> <p><strong>Your favorite form of transportation:</strong><br> Running</p> <p><strong>Your best friend is:</strong><br> Just a Girl</p> <p><strong>What's the weather like?</strong><br> Six Feet Under</p> <p><strong>Favorite time of day:</strong><br> Too Late</p> <p><strong>If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?</strong><br> It's My Life</p> <p><strong>What is life to you?</strong><br> Big Distraction</p> <p><strong>Your fear:</strong><br> Spiderwebs </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/08/30/my-life-according-to-no-doubt-6857154/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-08-14:/2009/08/14/packing-6721441/scoobydoofus2009-08-14T10:37:00+02:002009-08-14T10:37:00+02:00 <p>So I didn't get round to blogging about my parents' visit, and today my brother and his girlfriend go home after spending a week with us...</p> <p>Also, today we fly to Manchester for an epic curry with Ms The Boat, and then tomorrow we get a train to Hull to <del>get hammered</del> meet some fellow bloggers for drinkies.</p> <p>Might eventually get round to blogging some of all this!</p> <p>I'd better go; Landers is at panic stations despite the fact that our flight isn't until 5:30pm... Although having said that, we have got to drop my bro off at an airport in the complete opposite direction to the one we need to get to later... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/packing-6721441/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-29:/2009/07/29/wild-in-the-aisles-6613513/scoobydoofus2009-07-29T20:17:15+02:002009-07-29T20:17:15+02:00 <p>Just a quickie before I finally jump in the bath. I just found this and it really made me smile, so I thought I'd share it.</p> <p>We've all seen those surprise first dances at weddings on youtube, well, this is something a bit different. It's the original, and they've disabled embedding. Rather than go find a copy, I thought I'd just post the link, and give them all the hits they can get. Go look, and have a great Wednesday evening.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0">CLICKY</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/29/wild-in-the-aisles-6613513/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-29:/2009/07/29/flying-visit-6612258/scoobydoofus2009-07-29T16:39:21+02:002009-07-29T16:39:21+02:00 <p>Just got home from dropping the parentals and associated offspring back at Shannon Airport after their stay. Had a good week overall, with a few ups and downs. Highlights include two flat tyres in the middle of nowhere, a stunning day at the lakeshore, a dip in the rather chilly Atlantic and around 40 bottles of beer.</p> <p>Will post more later or tomorrow.</p> <p>Who am I kidding? It'll be next week sometime. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/29/flying-visit-6612258/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-08:/2009/07/08/what-comes-after-gigabyte-6473233/scoobydoofus2009-07-08T17:29:09+02:002009-07-08T17:53:42+02:00 <p>This post is a bit of a geekgasm, I'm afraid. Please bear with me.</p> <p>I've been thinking about digital storage; it's pretty amazing how quickly it expands. Companies are working tirelessly to fit more memory into smaller spaces, and it's never enough. I talked about it a while back, but it bears repeating - remember when we had floppy disks? 1.4MB if you were lucky. That's not even enough to store one full-resolution photo from modern digital cameras today. 1MB is almost nothing today.</p> <p>Remember when Windows or Office (or was it Works?) came on loads of floppies, and you had to swap out the disks all the time you were installing? What a pain in the bum.</p> <p>Then came CDs. 700MB, the equivalent of 500 floppy disks. That kept us happy for a while, but pretty soon applications and games gobbled up all that space and started coming on multiple CDs.</p> <p>DVDs hold 4.8GB on a single layer, which is around 6 CDs worth of information, but they can have two layers, effectively doubling their capacity. This is where most people today are storage-wise, and commercially it's plenty of storage for most applications and games, as well as movies, of course. Recordable dual layer discs are becoming more common, but are still fairly expensive.</p> <p>Blu-Ray discs are the newest "optical" format - and quite possibly the last. They hold 25GB of data on a single layer, 50GB over two layers. That's plenty for now, but we thought 1.4MB was enough once upon a time.</p> <p>I've not got to the point I wanted to make yet, but stop and think about that for a second. A dual-layer Blu-Ray disk, an item <em>exactly</em> the same size as a CD, which potentially holds the same amount of information as 70 CDs. Pretty amazing, huh?</p> <p>I said above that Blu-Ray is possibly the last optical format. That's because other storage mediums are developing faster than optical technology. Look at flash drives/pen drives/key drives - whatever you want to call them. USB devices that store your files. You can pick a 1GB drive up for a couple of quid now, and they're available in MUCH higher capacities if you're willing to pay. Related to flash drives are memory cards - one of the most common being SD cards. Used in a variety of devices, and capacity going up all the time. Not only is the capacity going up, but the physical size is coming down - MicroSD cards are used in many mobile phones now.</p> <p>Flash memory is more convenient, portable and sturdier than CDs or DVDs, but the cost of higher capacity drives or cards is prohibitive. One compromise is portable hard-drives. These come in a great variety of sizes, but you can easily get a 500GB drive for under £100.</p> <p>500GB. That's insane. It's nearly 36000 floppy disks. In one small device. And that's not even the biggest drive available. 2 terabyte hard drives are now readily available if you've got the cash to spare. A terabyte is 1000GB. </p> <p>2000GB on a single device. That's over 300 DVD-quality movies, or nearly 3000 CDs.</p> <p>So, with storage so cheap, and broadband speeds increasing, before long DVDs are bound to go the way of CDs - MP3 downloads are becoming the norm for music purchases, and plenty of movies and TV shows are available to download already. It's surely just a matter of time before you don't think twice about buying a newly released movie online and downloading it to your television's built in hard drive.</p> <p>So. The reason for my post. Terabyte is the current benchmark for data storage, but even terabytes are starting to feel limiting. I have around a terabyte of data hooked up to my telly via a computer and various external drives. It's running out. So, soon I'll have 2 terabytes.</p> <p>But what's next?</p> <p>Petabytes.</p> <p>A thousand terabytes. A million gigabytes. A billion megabytes. That's the equivalent of over 13 <strong>YEARS</strong> of continuous HD video. Not DVD quality, HD. There are companies working to bring the first 1PB drive to consumers within a couple of years.</p> <p>And I can't wait to fill it up with my crap.</p> <p>This post was inspired by an image from <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5309889/what-is-a-petabyte">Gizmodo</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/08/what-comes-after-gigabyte-6473233/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-05:/2009/07/05/drat-6453081/scoobydoofus2009-07-05T14:16:33+02:002009-07-05T14:16:33+02:00 <p>Just did a lovely long post about the sudden downpour we just had here, and it cocked somehow up as I posted it. It just got truncated and ended with "%20".</p> <p>That'll teach me for blogging. I shan't do it again.</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/05/drat-6453081/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-04:/2009/07/05/just-trying-summat-6449686/scoobydoofus2009-07-05T00:08:01+02:002009-07-05T00:08:47+02:00 <p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>This is my first post via my iPhone. It's a bit fiddly cos I'm not used to the keyboard yet, but I'm getting better at typing on it. It helps that the autocorrection feature is quite good...</span><br><span></span><br><span>Also, I've noticed that my tweets aren't being posted lately, and they're posted by email like this will be, so I won't hold my breath until this post finally appears.</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><br></span> <span class="Apple-style-span">EDIT:</span> <span class="Apple-style-span"><br></span> <span class="Apple-style-span">The site that posts my tweets is down, that's why they aren't appearing. And as for this post, it wad human error as per usual - I had my "secret" word wrong!</span> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/05/just-trying-summat-6449686/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-07-03:/2009/07/03/i-m-so-gay-6443069/scoobydoofus2009-07-03T16:14:37+02:002009-07-03T16:17:10+02:00 <p>And I'm also a geek, which is why I flippin' love this! A modern retelling of West Side Story. Ladies and gentlemen (and Nick), I give you...</p> <p>Web Site Story.</p> See more <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/videos">funny videos</a> and <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/pictures">funny pictures</a> at <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/">CollegeHumor</a>. <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/i-m-so-gay-6443069/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-30:/2009/06/30/recent-tweets-6423478/scoobydoofus2009-06-30T06:04:01+02:002009-06-30T06:04:01+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>12:47</em> So, O2IE offer inclusive calls to UK numbers while you're in the UK, but when you're at home, they charge international rates. Hmmm.</li> <li><em>14:16</em> Off into town to pay the rent.</li> <li><em>14:46</em> Nearly left my wallet in the bank - realised just in time. Phew!</li> <li><em>20:03</em> Pizza and chips in the oven. Smells so good, I'm drooling...</li> <li><em>22:31</em> He's better than Tim ever was, isn't he?</li> <li><em>22:34</em> I do feel sorry for the Swiss fella; the whole crowd cheers every time he cocks up. (C'mon, Andy!)</li> <li><em>22:41</em> So, Andy Murray vs. Ferrero Rocher in the quarter finals. Go Andy! #wimbledon</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/30/recent-tweets-6423478/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-29:/2009/06/29/recent-tweets-6417633/scoobydoofus2009-06-29T06:04:02+02:002009-06-29T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>17:05</em> Seriously, Sky News, SOMETHING else must have happened since Michael Jackson died...</li> <li><em>22:38</em> Think am slightly OCD when it comes to apps on my iPhone. Am unable to arrange them in a manner which pleases me.</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/29/recent-tweets-6417633/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-28:/2009/06/28/recent-tweets-6409838/scoobydoofus2009-06-28T06:04:01+02:002009-06-28T06:04:01+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>13:43</em> First tweet from my lovely shiny new iPhone 3GS! Yay!</li> <li><em>15:44</em> A third of the way through copying my music onto my iPhone. This is the downside of storing my music on a networked hard drive. *sigh*</li> <li><em>17:24</em> 500 tracks to go! Come oooooon...</li> <li><em>20:55</em> Apple Mail.app seems slow to recognise that gmail accessed by IMAP has been read elsewhere - anyone else getting that?</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/28/recent-tweets-6409838/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-27:/2009/06/27/recent-tweets-6402712/scoobydoofus2009-06-27T06:04:02+02:002009-06-27T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>07:38</em> On my way into Galway to try to get an iPhone!</li> <li><em>08:56</em> Just waiting for the OK from O2 head office. Come the fuck on!</li> <li><em>09:54</em> Still nothing from O2. Sat in a cafe, chewing my mug of coffee in anticipation.</li> <li><em>11:59</em> So, no iPhone 3GS yet, but as soon as they are able to get through on the fax line to head office I should be sorted. Yay!</li> <li><em>12:03</em> My orange juice smells like wet cat. I think it's the glass... Maybe we need to put some more rinse-aid in the dishwasher...</li> <li><em>12:31</em> There's a family on "Holiday Showdown" who regularly go to Birmingham on holiday... As if!</li> <li><em>12:48</em> Michael Jackson will be survived by his children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, Prince Michael II, 7, and his last nose, 4.</li> <li><em>13:34</em> 5 hours with no word from bloody buggery O2. This is becoming a saga now... [/Papa Lazarou]</li> <li><em>15:31</em> Starting to get very annoyed that I haven't heard about my iPhone yet. 7 hours to fax through a form???</li> <li><em>16:24</em> Unable to get through to the store, I called customer services. My iPhone account was approved at 2:30. Nice of them to tell ME that...</li> <li><em>18:13</em> Very. Fucking. Annoyed.</li> <li><em>18:50</em> JUST got through to the O2 store. I could have collected my iPhone at 2:30pm. They close in 10 minutes. GRAAAARRRR!</li> <li><em>20:00</em> Right. Off to collect Chinese food for tea. Sweet and sour chicken, nom!</li> <li><em>21:29</em> Oof. Full of chinese. May burst. Watch out.</li> <li><em>22:35</em> Arse. I broke my own cardinal rule and fed an über troll. Couldn't resist.</li> <li><em>22:49</em> I managed to keep the front door open while it smelled of cow poo, but I can't cope with the flies. *slam* *swelter*</li> <li><em>00:32</em> Right, the trolls are fed and tucked in for the night with plenty to keep them going. Night!</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/27/recent-tweets-6402712/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-26:/2009/06/26/o2-or-oh-poo-6399371/scoobydoofus2009-06-26T18:50:33+02:002009-06-26T18:54:17+02:00 <p>Landers kicked me out of bed at 7:15 this morning so we could go into Galway to try to get me an iPhone. The new model was launched here today, and despite reassurances from the staff who run the o2.ie forums, indications were that stock was going to be very limited, particularly of the 32GB model, which is the one I wanted.</p> <p>Got to the store at 8:15, 15 minutes after they opened. Two members of staff, no customers in sight. They'd sold one 32G model already, and said they'd only had a few delivered.</p> <p>We asked for a 32GB for me, to be added to Landers' contract as a second line as I don't have a job and wouldn't get a contract approved. After about seven seconds deliberation, Landers decided he wanted one too, and asked for an upgrade for his iPhone. The girl said she'd try her best but she thought it might be limited to one per customer because of the limited supply, which was fair enough.</p> <p>We filled out some very brief paperwork, and were told to go and have a coffee, she had to fax it off for approval and would call when she heard back from head office.</p> <p>We went and had breakfast. We had coffee. I put more money in the parking meter. Two hours passed. We went back to the shop, and the girl said she was just about to call us (yeah, right), the fax number was very busy with all the stores trying to get contracts approved, and she hadn't been able to get through. Also, we could only have one phone, like she thought.</p> <p>We decided to go home, and she said she'd call. This was 10:30am. </p> <p>Come 3:30pm, I'm starting to get antsy, so I call the store. It rang out.</p> <p>I try, periodically, for two hours.</p> <p>No answer.</p> <p>I appreciate that they are probably busy dealing with customers in-store, but come on, SOMEBODY must be able to answer the phone. They aren't all dealing with customers 100% of the time.</p> <p>Eventually, I called O2 customer services, pretended to be Landers, and asked about the approval. It went through at 2:30.</p> <p>So where's my fucking phone call?!</p> <p>So. It may well be that there is a 32GB black iPhone 3GS waiting for me to collect it in the O2 store on Shop Street in Galway.</p> <p>Alternatively, it may be that the girl got fed up of waiting for my paperwork to be processed and gave it to the next person who came into the shop looking for one.</p> <p>We're not prepared to make the 70km round trip (again) just to find it's the latter. I've been calling ever since.</p> <p>No. Fucking. Answer.</p> <p>Grraaaaarrrr!</p> <p>----</p> <p>UPDATE:</p> <p>I JUST managed to get through, it's all sorted and my phone is still there. I could have picked it up at 2:30. They close at 7. Fucking fuckers. I will be collecting it tomorrow morning.</p> <p>I shall wait until it's in my hands before I send my strongly worded email. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/26/o2-or-oh-poo-6399371/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-26:/2009/06/26/recent-tweets-6392919/scoobydoofus2009-06-26T06:04:02+02:002009-06-26T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>17:13</em> Ants in my pants! Have the cashola for an iPhone 3GS when they're launched over here tomorrow, but will there be any available?!</li> <li><em>17:28</em> Barbecue time! Beefburgers with slices of gouda cheese melting on top and lashings of ketchup. *drool*</li> <li><em>19:01</em> Just had a call from O2 IE to say NO pre-order, stores open at 8:30, first come first served. Odd, the email from O2 said stores open at 8.</li> <li><em>22:19</em> Unconfirmed reports of Michael Jackson having a cardiac arrest, currently in a very bad way. <a href="http://is.gd/1dslA">is.gd/1dslA</a></li> <li><em>22:23</em> Cardiac arrest could be due to an overdose, right? #michaeljackson</li> <li><em>22:25</em> Lots of tweets about a sleeping pill overdose for Michael Jackson. Nothing concrete though...</li> <li><em>22:31</em> People are tweeting that Michael Jackson is actually dead from an overdose of sleeping pills.</li> <li><em>23:09</em> I do feel sorry for his kids, but I can't help but wonder if one of them is a clone...? #michaeljackson</li> <li><em>23:13</em> Twitter seems to be struggling under the strain of people tweeting about #michaeljackson.</li> <li><em>23:23</em> LA Times saying they have confirmation from City Officials that Michael Jackson has died. #michaeljackson</li> <li><em>23:27</em> Why wouldn't Uri Geller comment on when he last heard from #MichaelJackson? Odd.</li> <li><em>23:46</em> RT @gjkooijman okay, so MJ died. Shame. Can we now move on instead of pretending to be sad for someone you called Wacko Jacko yesterday?</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/26/recent-tweets-6392919/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-25:/2009/06/25/recent-tweets-6385264/scoobydoofus2009-06-25T06:04:02+02:002009-06-25T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>15:35</em> 2.5 hours until I know whether we can afford to get me an iPhone on Friday...! *crosses fingers and toes*</li> <li><em>19:58</em> Off to see Transformers 2 later. I feel like I'm 6 again. *wees with excitement*</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/25/recent-tweets-6385264/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-24:/2009/06/24/recent-tweets-6375780/scoobydoofus2009-06-24T06:04:01+02:002009-06-24T06:04:01+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>13:01</em> I just bought some herbal sleeping tablets. Reassuringly, the box says "may cause drowsiness".</li> <li><em>13:16</em> Oh man, I've got the front door open cos it's so hot, and now the house is full of flies... The downside of being surrounded by fields!</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/24/recent-tweets-6375780/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-23:/2009/06/23/recent-tweets-6367938/scoobydoofus2009-06-23T06:08:02+02:002009-06-23T06:08:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>21:11</em> Just back from dropping off @rowwrites at the airport. Had a lovely weekend, much alcohol and food and fun.</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/23/recent-tweets-6367938/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-22:/2009/06/22/gently-down-the-stream-6365721/scoobydoofus2009-06-22T21:15:40+02:002009-06-22T21:15:40+02:00 <p>Just got back from dropping Rowtheboat off at Shannon Airport, finishing off a lovely weekend with her. Details to follow (yeah, right...) but briefly we frequented many pubs, threw the dogs in the lake a few times, and debated crab camouflage.</p> <p>It was great to see you again, Row!</p> <p>x </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/22/gently-down-the-stream-6365721/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-20:/2009/06/20/recent-tweets-6347062/scoobydoofus2009-06-20T06:04:02+02:002009-06-20T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>14:57</em> Man I hate hoovering the stairs. I think I might start shaving the dogs in future to prevent stair-hair of this magnitude.</li> <li><em>15:11</em> Ok, so I need to leave in (checks watch) (realises he isn't wearing one) (checks clock) 3 and a bit hours. Go-go gadget mop-bucket!</li> <li><em>15:16</em> RT @qikipedia: Sometimes even advertising can be Quite Interesting: <a href="http://bit.ly/Tvw1T">bit.ly/Tvw1T</a> - Flipping MENTAL advert.</li> <li><em>15:34</em> I think one of the cats just fell off the windowsill. A pathetic attempt to get my attention so I'll let him in and feed him. Pah!</li> <li><em>16:30</em> Sing singing along to the Ting Tings while I clean. ? <a href="http://blip.fm/~8icsu">blip.fm/~8icsu</a></li> <li><em>16:42</em> Still love this, even though it makes me want to cry. Robyn - With Every Heartbeat. ? <a href="http://blip.fm/~8idkx">blip.fm/~8idkx</a></li> <li><em>18:33</em> Off to collect @rowwrites from the airport, yay!</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/20/recent-tweets-6347062/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-19:/2009/06/19/recent-tweets-6339813/scoobydoofus2009-06-19T06:04:01+02:002009-06-19T06:04:01+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>13:02</em> Our prehistoric Sky+ box is making funny grindy noises... Hope it's the fan and not the hard drive!</li> <li><em>14:22</em> LOVING the internet TV plugins for #XBMC.</li> <li><em>17:15</em> Woo! On waiting list for iPhone 3G S from store in Galway. Most people want 16GB so I should be in luck. Just need to find some money now...</li> <li><em>17:21</em> What is the medical term for the fatty tissue surrounding the clitoris?The wife.</li> <li><em>17:25</em> A charity pantomime in aid of paranoid schizophrenic homosexuals descended into chaos yesterday when somebody shouted 'He's behind you?!</li> <li><em>18:55</em> My shitty Nokia is having real trouble syncing all my contacts lately. Ah well, no problem after next Friday! :)</li> <li><em>19:28</em> There's a beautiful rainbow outside the window. Of course, that means it's raining...</li> <li><em>23:31</em> Watching X-Men 3 - man I love the scene between Phoenix and Xavier! Breathtaking!</li> <li><em>23:48</em> Disgusted to discover that the official F1 iPhone app, as cool as it is, costs £4.99 PER RACE. Telegraph version is £1.79 full stop.</li> <li><em>01:22</em> So, a split F1 championship from next year. That's a bit shit, eh?</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/19/recent-tweets-6339813/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-18:/2009/06/18/recent-tweets-6330514/scoobydoofus2009-06-18T06:04:01+02:002009-06-18T06:04:01+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>13:02</em> I need a one-liner for a father's day card - come on Tweeple, help me out!</li> <li><em>13:51</em> T-minus 10 minutes to Irish iPhone announcement!</li> <li><em>13:55</em> OK, so the iPhone info is up early - <a href="http://is.gd/14rOG">is.gd/14rOG</a></li> <li><em>14:18</em> Soooo if I want a 32GB iPhone 3G S I need to save ?299 by next Friday...</li> <li><em>16:26</em> Have made a smoothie from frozen fruits - it's full of seeeeeeds!</li> <li><em>17:52</em> If I was on Divided, I'd just be shouting at everyone. "FUCKING PRESS 'A' YOU TWAT!"</li> <li><em>19:52</em> Mmmm mojitoooooo... #bliss</li> <li><em>00:10</em> Right, speed limiter on my torrent software has clicked off, that means it's time to go to bed! Nuh-night!</li> <li><em>00:52</em> How are they making new episodes of The Real Hustle? Surely everyone knows what they look like by now...</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/18/recent-tweets-6330514/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-17:/2009/06/17/recent-tweets-6320634/scoobydoofus2009-06-17T06:04:02+02:002009-06-17T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>22:48</em> Aaaaand you're back in the room!</li> <li><em>22:48</em> Watching "Twilight". I can feel myself becoming more emo by the second.</li> <li><em>22:58</em> Have given up on Twilight. Onward to Supernatural. Yay, Jensen Ackles!</li> <li><em>23:51</em> This is rather cool, Sophie "Moonface" Ellis-Bextor and the Freemasons - Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer ? <a href="http://blip.fm/~8cj3s">blip.fm/~8cj3s</a></li> <li><em>23:58</em> Right. I'm off to bed too, then. Noight!</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/17/recent-tweets-6320634/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-16:/2009/06/16/recent-tweets-6312974/scoobydoofus2009-06-16T06:04:02+02:002009-06-16T06:04:02+02:00<ul class="loudtwitter"><li><em>13:14</em> Aaaaah. I getcha. :)) Bit slow on the old up-take-arino today.</li> <li><em>15:44</em> Someone seems to be learning! Is truly a miracle.</li> <li><em>16:17</em> The troll from "Enchanted" looks exactly like the ogres from "Gummi Bears"...</li></ul>Automagically posted by <a href="http://www.loudtwitter.com">LoudTwitter</a><p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/16/recent-tweets-6312974/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk,2009-06-15:/2009/06/15/stop-it-mr-griffin-6309522/scoobydoofus2009-06-15T17:08:25+02:002009-06-15T17:08:25+02:00 <p>Get a load of <a href="http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/news/general/an-open-letter-to-nick-griffin-chairman-of-the-bnp-and-mep-for-north-west-england">this</a>!</p> <p>A letter from the Royal British Legion to Nick Griffin, which makes interesting reading.</p> <p>Stop it, Mr Griffin. Not in my name. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://scoobydoofus.blog.co.uk/2009/06/15/stop-it-mr-griffin-6309522/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>