Q-Continuum

A very interesting court case in Swindon this week - I know that sounds unlikely, but in this case it's true.
A salesman was summoned to court for speeding. It was alleged that he was doing 59 in a 30mph zone.
The driver was convinced that this was not the case. He took the police to court to demonstrate their mobile speed cameras can produce wildly incorrect readings in some circumstances. (The police hold this is only when equipment is used by untrained personnel). Anyway, he won his case!
If the laser fired by the mobile camera "slides" or "slips" along the target vehicle (a few milimeters will do it) then a false reading can be obtained.
The local tv news (BBC Points West) ran an experiment and found the same issues - in one instance, they even clocked a stationery vehicle at 72mph!
After hearing this, I was driving along the motorway and noticed a vehicle on the bridge scanning the motorway. Let's hope those bridges don't move by 1-2mm or the camera mounts, or the cars on which they are positioned.
Given this, how realiable are any mobile camera readings?

(Before you all complain, I'm as opposed to dangerous driving and reckless speed, but I am far from convinced about the current policy. It's strange that most of the locations around my area are high volume roads rather than continuing blackspots)..

I suppose it's back to the law being there to protect rather than make money

So we have another first - a question via the blog. I'm sure for the more experienced bloggers this is nothing to write home about (or even to blog cyberspace about) - but for me it's something of a landmark, thanks Safriz.

safriz [Member]
http://www.conspiror.blog.co.uk
2007-01-25 @ 17:55

hi,
an irrelevant question,out of curiosity.
What is your opinion about,the catholic church's recent denial for letting gay couples adopt any children from it's institutions?

I suppose my views may well be biased not being as other girls, but then again I suppose that's why you asked me. For what it's worth my view (and not necessarily those of my people) is that it's a totally illogical and indefensible position that the Roman Catholic church is taking. I do accept that many people have deeply held religious and moral views and I wouldn't question their right to hold them, but I certainly couldn't agree with them.

If the legislation is being introduced to counter discrimination against gay and lesbian people then how can discrimination be ring-fenced as somehow acceptable behaviour if it's committed by a church?

Perhaps my view is simplistic, but if the Church is prepared to home children with single gay men/women why does cohabiting or taking a civil partnership somehow invalidate them? Does this mean that if a couple split and lived independently they may somehow become "valid" again. It may be perceived as more of a threat to "marriage" but their personality, beliefs, parenting abilities etc don't change when becoming a couple rather than single.

Lastly, I suppose it's a bigger question of how religious belief could give people the right to opt out of laws that impact everyone else? If we are all equal under the law (at least in theory) I think we should be just that.

Quite an interesting state of the nation address from President Bush don't you think?
Are we really to believe that someone who denied the impact of global warming until the change in balance of congressional power has really made such a significant change of mind?
Don't misunderstand me I'll happily accept anyone reducing carbon emissions in an effort to prevent us all frying ourselves to a crisp - but this seems all too convenient.

Is it me or were his last sentences equally revealing. The President said (paraphrased) - a reduction of this scale would see a reduced reliance on the middle east for oil - now could that be the real reason?

Given that the expedition into Iraq has been such a horror for all involved, could this rush to a greener future be more about finding an alternative strategy for securing future oil and gas supplies?

On the road again for a meeting tomorrow so it's the joys of Huntingdon for me (and work booked a decent hotel for once - it must be a fluke).
So how do you amuse yourself on a 2.5 hour journey - I chose to listen to some "Sorry I haven't a clue" CD I was given for Christmas.. What do you know it was really funny.
So much so that when I arrived at the hotel I was still chuckling away to myself at the most recent funny bit (we've all done it I'm sure) but then I realised I was checking in with a idiot savant look (without the savant) and daft grin. Obviously the receptionist had noticed it too but was too professional to draw attention to it.. but I knew none the less..
Then off to my room, catch up on some preparation for tomorrow and read todays funny blog contribution from Janey Godley about middle aged women and their urge to form a pottery collection. It's so true but I hadn't really noticed it before. (Excellent blog by the way and well worth a look).
The internet is on the blink so off I troll to reception having plucked up courage and convinced myself I'm an adult and can recover the situation..
Then as soon as I walk into reception and am greeted by the receptionist what faces me.. Two women checking out the "commemorative Huntingdon plates" in the reception display.. Welcome back chortling idiot.. I feel like I'm in an episode of One foot in the grave.

Firstly as a former police officer I have to declare an interest - but today has made me wonder why politicians think they're entitled to be treated differently to those they legislate for.
Let's face it this government hasn't exactly resisted new legislation with over 2000 new laws in the past two years. Many via secondary legislation not requiring debate or scrutiny in Parliament.
Today one of Tony Blair's aides was arrested and questioned for allegedly perverting the course of justice. This was related to the alleged sale of pierages. Almost immediately Ministers queried why she was arrested at her home without any prior notice at an early hour? - Do they think Joe Bloggs is asked when his arrest might be convenient? Or is this simply a sign that they are somehow above the laws they are imposing on the rest of us. From what I can see the treatment of this individual is no different from anyone else committing the same offence.
Strange isn't it that when former politicians (Lord) Jeffrey Archer and Jonathan Aitken were arrested for similar matters there was a stoney silence. No similar complaints at that time. I don't suppose that could have anything to do with the fact that they are from the opposing gang?
On a more serious note the emphasis seems to have moved from the original allegations of sold pierages to investigating what could be a subsequent cover-up. I was reminded yesterday that Watergate only led to the political implosion as a result of the cover-up rather than the initial theft. - Some things never change.

It's strange that news either floods in or forms a drought with just the silly season stories making the news. Today was certainly nearer the flood.

Living in the west country we've been bombarded with severe gales for most of the day. 90mph with stronger gusts, not what we're used to - at least not often. Six people killed across the country and more to come over the next week. The roof is still on (just) although it's improved the view by flattening a fence or two!

Then the Big Brother fiasco. Not being a fan of reality television I can honestly say I don't watch it but even I was taken aback by the goings on in the past two days. For those who don't know, the Big Brother house has a Bollywood starlet and a couple of fairly unsophisticated English female 'celebrities'. I'm not sure what I found most curious; the fact that we should be alarmed at allegedly racist remarks made by two basic personas or the fact that it led to protests in India, questions in the House of Commons and questions to the Prime Minister. And through all of this the production company Endemol keep a cynical, (rating building) silence. Is this type of programming really the best we can expect? Doesn't anyone else want something more challenging, less trivial and about real issues. (Not suggesting that racism isn't a real issue but let's face it Big Brother is certainly going to do nothing but stir up more of the same.) Can't we do better than this?

Thanks for all the comments on the earlier blog entries. Particular thanks to Musingsofamenopausalmama for her steer on Obama (US democratic senator) - From what I've found so far he looks a really interesting and genuine politician. I wasn't making a quick joke about his name by the way I genuinely did misread it on a text as Osama and assumed it was Bin Laden ... You can see why that might be confusing in relation to running for the Whitehouse.
I'm not sure he has the money behind him that Hilary Clinton has but from what I can tell the democrats have a great team from which to select a strong candidate - assuming they don't battle each other.

There's a striking difference with the last piece of news I heard today. It's reported that Mr Blair will be requiring the services of a butler for his last few weeks/months in office. So what I hear you cry ... the twist is that the butler costs £50,000 ($100,000 US) and guess who's paying? - Wait for the tax code change I suppose. So Obama - if you don't get selected in the states.... look east - I think we could do a lot worse !

A quick journey into London today to start a project off which took me past the Central Criminal Courts (Old Bailey).

Imagine my surprise when the taxi drove past and the ever jovial London taxi driver said "There's a sight you don't see every day!" - Looking out at the Court about 50 Tony Blair's were outside the court to promote a new TV series. Needless to say it took me slightly by surprise.

Then I get home and read that Osama Bin Laden has just walked into the whitehouse.. not quite what I had expected..

A quick click on this amazing story soon puts me right as I find I've misread the surname. I find the correct name is Barack Obama US Senator ..

I mention this mistake on a webchat with my cousin in Texas as it seems mildly relevant at the time. In a flash he tells me that a black democratic senator will stand less chance than Osama Bin Laden in some states.

It looks like the Democratic party nominations could be really interesting for the next elections. Who knows if Hilary (Clinton) will stand - but if she does the battle between a female or black presidential candidate would be really interesting. - Personally I don't know enough about either's policies but think I'll start finding out. One thing I do know is that I'd rather have either than George Bush again (even if that was possible).

Just back from a brief visit to Glasgow which explains the few days of no blog entries.

Alan's father died one year ago last weekend so it was a family get together with a potentially sad undercurrent. Although everyone was focused on what had been happening a year ago, the weekend was a real celebration of Huw (his father) and from what I could see helped everyone talk about their memories for the first real time since he died. - So all in all an unexpectedly positive outcome.

Then I came back this evening and found a number of comments on my blog! - Thanks to all those who commented - a real bonus and quite an outcome given that the blog has only been live for a week or so.

A little weary after a hefty drive today, but I will be back to writing tonight or tomorrow. Once again, thanks for your comments and encouragement.

I don't think I'm about to enter into the politics of greed - but .... did I really hear what I think I heard?

The clearly very talented footballer that is/was David Beckham is looking for a new challenge so is leaving Real Madrid. Fair enough. However, the next sentence stuck in my craw just a tad when he said "It's not about the money" - That's $162,000,000 US

It's not that I doubt his talent, but can anybody really be worth a million dollars per week, or put another way £42 per minute for the next five years?

If you really want to find a new challenge try stringing a sentence together without "you know" or sending out Victoria with the prerequisite that she must return with no additional shoes, bags, houses, cars or £70,000 ear-rings.

I feel I need to justify myself - if anyone has worked for their salary then good luck to them and on one level I don't really care ... but this is more than some 3rd world countries entire aid budgets. It's the vastness of the payment that makes it almost obscene - at least to my mind.

Then I see in the news that we're worried that we're paying doctors £120,000 p.a. in flat rates and retainers with no real incentive to do anything. - Just skipping between stories that means Becks could fully fund 20 doctors for a year and still not notice he'd missed a months money...

Am I going totally round the twist or is something slightly rotten in the state of Denmark?

All change requires an unreasonable man - George Bernard Shaw

I've been working all over the place this week; Monday saw a quick visit to Peterborough, Tuesday was Bristol and today the joys of Coventry. In one sense I can't complain as the consultancy I work for is taking off well and we're starting to get involved in some decent projects. The travel this week has been a little unexpected as I've been standing in for a colleague who is ill - it's quite pleasant to be back home.

One of the clients I worked with this week operates in the public sector and wants to start working with some related agencies. I was finding it hard going at one point today when I was told "as part of these changes you can look at any sort of change .... but we don't want you to change anything." - You see the challenge.

Then on coming back home I watched a BBC programme where a business change "guru" is working within the NHS to try and improve the situation in a particular hospital. It was like groundhog day with exactly the same issues, similar levels of resistance, no communication to the people expected to change and no real consideration for the end user (the public who use the services).

Although at least I'm not alone and that brick wall I was encountering earlier on today clearly runs longer and wider than most people realise. The real frustration was that there was so much scope to improve things for everyone - employees, public and partners. - Still grumble over I'm sure the challenge will still be there tomorrow.

Ok so its the New Year and everyone has over-indulged; surely everyone knows that January is the month for guilt. In addition,that Bar of Toblerone is shouting "Eat me - just one piece - eat me" at me every time I walk past it. So far I've held out but I can sense my willpower is becoming brittle.
What's worse is I've also decided to go to the gym to beat the pan-dimentional spread that has crept up on me over the past 6 months. No diet (I've not heard of one that works) but some attention to what I'm eating again... This looks like a good couple of months ahead!
What really smacks the final nail in the coffin is that the gym I have chosen is open 24 hrs a day and is run by people in their 40's and doesn't focus on the "body beautiful" bunch - could it get any better - or worse. Where will my excuse come from?

I'm always surprised by the memories we retain from childhood, not least in my own case. Given that the days seemed to blend one into the other and everything was a new adventure, it is often the smaller insignificant items that remain in my mind.
This morning, as I walked the dog, I saw something that took me back to a long summer afternoon that had been dormant in my memory, but long forgotten. The strange thing was that I had discounted the original event, but now it made me wonder.
I was lucky to be brought up in a village which at the time was still fairly rural. It was the kind of place where people knew each other and we still had innocence enough to play; do different from today it seems.
In the village was a character who struck fear into most of the children as well as a fair few of the adults. "Bob" was a farm worker who was more often than not sleeping. He had two loves from what I remember, talking and scrumpy cider which accounted for his nodding off so regularly.
On the afternoon I saw him, I would have been about twelve. I had cycled out to see some friends and found Bob sleeping off the last of the scrumpy cider in the verge. It never occured to me not to stop as I thought he may be injured being unfamiliar with the signs of a hangover.
Bob told me the farm he was working on was going broke and as a result he would be out of a job. That was cause enough for him to get the biggest bottle of rough cider and drown his sorrows (and his sorrows appeared to float quite well).
He told me the current farmer had brought his family in from the city and it had all been something of an experiment - not quite what he had expected. The farm would be shut and sold to someone from London to build an impressive country house. Bob told me he had been told this by the current owner and he had just had a dream about the new manor house all red brick with a dry stone wall and gates with the family coat of arms and a flag in the grounds.
Needless to say I put it down to the cider talking and thought I had forgotten about it.
A few weeks later, Bob was proven partly correct when the farm was sold - but then in the late 70's it was taken over and farmed successfully. No sign of building - Bob's dream had been just that, a drink induced vision with no truth to it.
This morning, some 30 years later, I walked the dog past the same location and was frozen to the spot for a moment by what I saw and the recollection of this forgotten tale.
The farm had been sold when the current family chose to retire - I knew that much, but hadn't heard what had become of the land. Today, I saw the farm entrance had become a building site. Apparently the small farm (little more than a small holding) had become uneconomic.
The year was now surrounded by a dry stone wall, newly built in a style that evoked thoughts of the Cotswolds. - A large portacabin and showroom was at the entrance which was locked with a large pair of wooden gates.
On the gates, the crest of the development company and behind the portacabin the building site with the addition of three flag poles to advertise the new build. - The development is to be called New Manor Crescent.

Wherever you are Bob ... I take back all I had thought.

The politicians came back with a massive thud today. Mr Blair's holiday now apparently over has seen him come back to the UK while both Bush and Blair are commenting on how poorly the execution of Saddam Hussain was handled. In the UK the health service topped the agenda.

Every channel seems to be playing the gallows video, showing Saddam's final moments balancing the "public interest" to see how he was taunted with what I suspect is their real desire to show the point at which he was hanged. Loads of noise on all fronts but very little substance.

I'm fearful that this is the way of things to come over the next months as rather than a wild goose chase we seem to have a lame duck race between Blair and Bush. Today saw the Democrats in the US gain a majority in the congress (as well as the Senate which they already hold) and immediately the calls for forces withdrawal from Iraq start.

In the UK virtually nothing to challenge Blair, Mr Brown appears paricularly quiet (although the holidays always have been more closely observed in Scotland) The Conservatives seem to have dropped off the face of the earth and there seems to be a growing sense of resignation that the status quo will remain until the personalities change at the top.

I spent the day presenting to three police forces in the east of England today which was challenging but enjoyable, more of that in the coming weeks I think. I found myself listening to the Ashes commentary for the final cricket test. We've been well and truly beaten by the Australians - totally white washed, trounced, beaten, humiliated, destroyed.. You get the picture. Although I do find some of the more acidic Australian dislike of the English distasteful, I do have to admit they thoroughly deserve their win - though it doesn't mean you can have the ashes urn lads... that should stay at Lords.

I'm in a totally arty mood today. That tends to happen when I'm off work for long enough for my natural character to come through (roughly 2 days - which always makes Mondays pure hell)

Two tasks occupied me for the majority of the day - editing a DVD of the town's history for a local Trust and researching my family tree after some unexpected contacts from abroad.

It turns out my ancestors (all from the Somerset area of UK) were fairly prolific in the late 1800's and I'm busy tracking down family branches in Canada, USA (North Dakota) and Australia. Nothing in the world is new! We think we're free spirited today and travel great distances with work and to seek better lives - well most of our families were doing the same 200, 300 and 400 years ago. Just goes to show how important history is to help us retain some perspective.

Then to take a break I worked on the DVD editing. Coming from a background that was firmly analogue I was used to the comfort of actually splicing and cutting tapes, so doing the same digitally was something of a culture shock at first although I love the immediate results and ability to re-jig things on the fly. I'll post a link here when the deed is done.

I've also decided that this blog will be for my benefit at this stage - getting onto any of the publication lists seems to be a non starter so I'll just focus on my thoughts at present and if anyone else dips in ... so be it.

I knew starting this blog just prior to the New Year was a good idea - at least I can say I managed to continue it between 2006/7 !

A fairly eventful and busy New Years Eve yesterday given that Alan is a party animal and really likes to celebrate the day, where as I would much rather have a quiet change of year on this of all days. - So we compromised and went to Birmingham for their celebrations and I was quiet ... more seriously, it was a fairly good evening with good spirits throughout.

It was quite interesting speaking to people about their approach to the changing year. Only two types came out last night those for whom it is just another day so no big deal, and those who see it as full of promise but suspect things will revert to normal by the end of January. Interestingly, I always feel New Year is something of an anticlimax. The remnants of childhood Christmas mean that season should be longer but is built up and over in 24 hours. - Then New Year comes along and we're as far away as ever again. It feels like plunging over a precipice to me and always has done.

Certainly there are hopes and loads of opportunity but no resolutions or promises as I reckognise those as hostages to fortune.

Needless to say I was somewhat delicate this morning. Not I hasten to add due to the excesses of the grape or pharmacist, but because I was nominated driver and am just very tired at present. So a quiet day of television and reading. Speaking of which, am I the only person who feels that something terrible has happened in relation to Jennifer Saunders writing of late? I've just seen the last ever episode of "Vicar of Dibley" and am still jaw on floor with embarrassed shock at just how bad it was. Purile, juvenile, weak and not worthy of a swan song to what was a good series (at times). Then to add to the litergy of miswits we have "Jam and Jerusalem" also from Ms French which is a who's who of British Comedy talent but remains as humerous as root canal surgery without the benefit of a decent anasthetic. - What has happened to the French and Saunders of old.. If anyone spots signs of the original humour please let me know on a postcard!

Trivia today, nothing worldly at present. - Well I am on holiday.

Well would you believe it winter arrived with a biting northerly wind today. So why I wonder did I chose today to update some images of the Wilts and Berks for some work I'm doing for the group. (http://www.wbct.org.uk) I must admit this isn't one of my shots, it was taken by Gary Mason who specialises on wildlife and waterways photography.

I didn't think I would spend so much time trying to work to getting this canal restored - but living near Swindon I'll work on anything to give the town some much needed character. So if you're feeling charitable or just want to see what people are working towards why not take a look at their web site.

It felt a little like being back on school holidays today. You know the point in the holiday when you start counting down to the return to school/work. - Well today was that day so I'll have to make the most of the remaining days before it's back to the fun palace. Speaking of which, where are all the New Years Eve events? I keep hearing the same comment - "Well it's a Sunday this year so everything will be really low key" - I don't understand why that would make any difference?

A quick trawl through the linked blogs gave me pause for thought today. Newsnight's ethical man was telling us about wringing the neck of his turkey this year - this on the same day that Sadam Hussain was hung. I was quite worried that I felt more for the turkey. Not because it was a comment on the undoubted evils of Sadam, but more that the thought of killing an animal - even for food - has always troubled me. The call of the vegetarian has never felt so attractive.

I must admit to having been surprised at how difficult a first blog entry can be to commit to the page. Not the practicalities of course, I'm passed the two toed typist stage, but more the assumptions that sit behind the blog.

In some ways an electronic journal is just the same as writing a diary. It lulls you into a sense of personal disclosure - and there is the first challenge - is it personal? Would this be of interest to anyone else? Should it be written for me or for a wider audience? Then my practical side kicks in and tells me not to over-analyse and just enjoy the space the think out loud. This accounts for the blog description if nothing else.

I don't know why an electronic record should be more attractive or more readily maintained than a written record, my previous attempts at keeping a diary have always ended before the month of January so lets at least make it to the end of this month by starting on the 30th December.

A comment for the benefit of AOL - your moods dropdown doesn't contain melancholic (I hardly thought they would as the word is so Victorian) but somehow that sums up my mood most of the time during Christmas and New Year. Perhaps they'd consider adding thoughtful or blue - not totally the same for the purists but as close as the modern era will permit I think.

I don't know what it is about this time of year that makes people so reflective? The closeness of family (that always puts me off for starters) the almost mandatory need to be seen to be having fun. I have plenty of fun, believe me, it's only when I need to demonstrate it constantly for the benefit of others that I have problems with it.

As an aside the constant barage of classic films where all the cast are long dead probably started the tail spin. Today to keep the peace I watched My Fair Lady and a Sherlock Holmes adventure starring Jeremy Brett. Not the most active day but the howling gail and rain limited things somewhat. - Both of them excellent, far better than most of the prime time "entertainment" that followed. What a shame we have so few who could carry of any of these roles today. That fed into the general air of things becoming generally less good and then it was just a hop and skip to .... melancholy !

So all things considered probably not the best day to start a blog - or entirely the best day depending on your view of the world. In any event I'm fairly convinced I'll make it into an electronic 2007.