I got my laptop back today all cleaned, pressed and rebuilt.

Now all I need to do is get the data back onto it.

This could be a long night ….

Posted by Mark at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Laura over at The Poet Laura-eate reveals today that her friend is another victim of Felicity Jane Lowde.

“I have witnessed my friend go to hell and back with this woman, as I’m sure Ms North has in her own case.

It is urgent that Ms Lowde (currently on the run from her conviction) is caught and sentenced before she can do any more damage to innocent people, not to mention give blogging a bad name. She is malicious in the extreme.”

The Poet Laura-eate|The Oxford & London Cyberstalker

This follows on from this post from Zoe at My Boyfriend is a Twat supporting the growing campaign to find Lowde as a result of Quarsan having been the object of Lowde’s attentions.

The story was covered today in The Oxford Mail and in their Editor’s comments section where another victim speaks out in the comments section.

If you are in the London or Oxford areas please keep your eyes open and if you see her please report it to Crimestoppers. You can do this anonymously on 0800 555 111. Let’s all try to stop the worrying and saddening sight of more and more people we know online, who we read and enjoy confessing to being the subject of bullying.

As Zoe says, “we just want to get FJL to the help that she so obviously needs”

** update **

The Oxford Mail covers the story of another victim

Posted by Mark at 7:13 PM | Permalink

As I was talking on the phone, wandering from room to room at home, I noticed more and more people arriving in the road.

You could tell from their faces that this wasn’t a happy gathering. Dressed formally, flowers in hand, the black ties gave it away : someone in the road had died.

Outside number 6 a man stood watching his eyes searching down the road for the next arrival, checking his watch.

I stood and tried to remember who lived there. I knew it was a woman, I’d vaguely heard Val speak about her, but I couldn’t remember talking to her or even what she looked like.

Luckily, this time there appears to have been many people who knew here better than me and who came together today to mark her passing.

But what if there hadn’t been ? What if her passing hadn’t been noticed ?

Posted by Mark at 10:17 PM | Permalink

A trip to Churchill’s birthplace; tomato soup for lunch; watching the joys of parenting and an attack of the sharp tooths and killer spiders …

Posted by Mark at 8:36 PM | Permalink

Rachel’s story has gone public in The Telegraph this weekend and a growing campaign has started amongst bloggers to publicise the face of her tormentor. Thanks to Mike Rouse for designing and hosting the buttons.

Posted by Mark at 6:44 PM | Permalink

With the promised rain and bad weather settled in for the day there wasn’t much to do other than go shopping for clothes to wear in warmer times….

Posted by Mark at 10:22 AM | Permalink

Evenin’ all.

Some of you reading this may well be in a cyber cafe, library or somewhere with cheap Internet access in good old London town. If you are (or recently have been) please take a moment to turn to your left and smile at the person sitting there, then the right and do the same then please check out this entry on Rachel North’s blog.

If you see (or have seen) the person described there (one Felicity Jane Lowde of Oxford) then please contact your local police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

As Rachel writes :

“Therefore I say that the best way to protect free speech and blogging from the damage done to it by people like Felicity Lowde is to use the internet for good purposes. We do not need to be regulated, we can look after ourselves and our own, and we can self-regulate. Here is an opportunity to help the police bring a woman who brings blogging into disrepute, to justice, and to do so safely and legally.

Please do not do anything that could jeopardise her arrest and sentencing. Please do not respond to her or anything she says. Please just help the police do their job of bringing her to justice.”

Rachel from north London: Cyber-stalking: Your help is needed

Thanks for your help….

Posted by Mark at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

“I’m going to a new school !”, said Richard, breathless from running up the hill to tell me.

For some very good reasons, and in a matter of days, it’s all been decided. “They have a lot more computers and they are wireless” he said. I think Richard’s idea of heaven is a day spent in front of a computer and being paid for it. Sadly, I know it’s not always all that it could be.

As we sat and listened to music and drank beer I wondered where I’d lost the innocence and openness to accept changes like this and if it would really be that hard to move on …

Posted by Mark at 11:10 PM | Permalink

You walk away to make a cup of tea and at that very moment an attractive blue screen appears.

It looks like it’s time for the annual laptop rebuild ….

Posted by Mark at 6:40 PM | Permalink

Baby, shall we go out skippin?
Careful, amigo, you’re flippin’,
Speaks Latin that satin doll.

Satin Doll By Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Johnny Mercer.

Over at Fistful of Euros the third annual Satin Pajamas Awards are up now.

Loads of worthy potential winners but if you’re a reader of Petite Anglaise, Francis Strand, Random Acts of Reality or Rachel In North London then head over there and vote.

Posted by Mark at 10:14 PM | Permalink

“I recognise that face over there as well”, said Martin as we stood on the balcony drinking Guinness.

Tonight was always going to be about those haunting memories from the past because, after all, we’d all grown up with this music.

For me it had started all those years ago at college. The lunchtimes spent in music rooms trying to learn the fingering and listening to the records over and over again before those lunchtime concerts in the old deserted drama hut. No surprise then that there were faces here from those times.

“The support sounds like the main act”, I said to Martin but even that didn’t really matter because then he appeared. Wheeled on, arms outstretched like an aeroplane he reached for the microphone and said, “Gentlemen, adjust your goggles - we’re off”, and for those of us sitting and listening we were.

Time changes us all and for Martyn it’s been a tough road of late. Now in a wheelchair after loosing part of a leg to a burst cyst he sits like Falstaff by the fire listening to the band, urging on Martin Winning’s saxophone as he strokes the guitar on his lap.

“I hope no one stickles, we don’t play the tracks in the same order as the album - too many guitar changes for sticklers”, he says tapping at the arrangement of fuzzbox, phase-shifter, and Echoplex into which this guitar is plugged and then the music washes over us again.

This tour of Solid Air (acknowledged by many as his best album) sees the music evolve to cover all of Martyn’s many musical interests. His 1977 album One World led to many crowning him the ‘Father of Trip-Hop” and there were elements of that style along with folk, jazz and blues here tonight.

But at the center of it all was the man the support called “The Guv’nor” and those final numbers when he put down the guitar to sing Rock, Salt and Nails and Never Let Me Go were the most touching. Fragile and strong he held the audience and I wondered just what he could still achieve if he had the wider recognition late in life that Brian Wilson found.

Let’s hope it happens before it’s too late …

Posted by Mark at 11:50 PM | Permalink

We hope that people can take the despair they have felt and channel it into positive action. We have said we must look forward and turn hope into action.

‘We believe our Madeleine is safe and we won’t go home without her’ | the Daily Mail

As the hunt for Madeleine McCann enters another week just want can we all do ? How can we take the request of her father to “turn into action” and make it something real ?

Here’s a few ideas :

• Display one of the posters available from www.findmadeleine.com in your shop / work

• Take notice of the people around you - if you’re an estate agent do your clients have a child who meets Madeleine’s description or a teacher who has a new starter at their school in fact anyone in service industrys from dental nurse to pizza delivery driver can help

• Publicise the issue using one of the banners available from www.findmadeleine.com on your blog, myspace page or website. The code to do this available here

• If you were in the area where Madeleine went missing and you have pictures of the area and of the people that were there at the time you can upload them to www.madeleine.ceopupload.com for review by the UK police. If your photo’s are on film then Jessops are supporting this latest initiative and will digitize your pictures free of charge. More information from Jessops here

It doesn’t take much time in your day and your contribution could just make that break through we all want so much.

Posted by Mark at 7:36 PM | Permalink

After an amazingly short time things just seem back to normal.

A family gathering; swapping recipes; talking about cameras and weddings; the odd bit of IT support; food and wine.

All in all a very happy Sunday.

Posted by Mark at 7:18 PM | Permalink

Quote of the day :

“Look at that dog it’s curl’s all tailed round” - K to me …

Luckily booking a holiday was a lot easier - even if we both needed a bath sized cup of coffee afterwards to get over the excitement …

Posted by Mark at 7:59 PM | Permalink

I spent much of today re-writing something someone else had done.

Rather like those balls of wool my mother had stuck at the bottom of her sewing box the largest part of the day was taken up trying to find an end from which to unravel the rest.

I don’t mind this sort of work. There’s something satisfying in putting these ideas into a logical order but what occurred to me from yesterday is just how bad I am at self-promotion.

This work will be submitted for review most probably under someone elses name. It will be them, and not me, who will get the recognition and kudos.

Maybe I to be a little more bullish and a better self-publicist. Maybe I need to rethink my career…

Posted by Mark at 8:44 PM | Permalink

Wolf
One that is regarded as predatory, rapacious, and fierce.

wolf - definition of wolf by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

“The US and other rich countries must now show that they are serious about good governance by allowing the next head of the bank to be appointed based on merit through an open, accountable process,” said Bernice Romero, the advocacy director of Oxfam International.

After bitter battle, Wolfowitz resigns from World Bank | Business | Guardian Unlimited Business

The Board has better things to do than watch Paul Wolfowitz’s every move in the next six weeks, and suffer the shenanagans of his cronies. They should all be on administrative leave until their departure dates. Period.

That way, we get back to work and move on with the Bank’s mission. This includes a serious discussion of how the governance of the Bank can be fixed, the qualities the next World Bank president must have and how he or she will be identified and selected, and how some of Paul Wolfowitz’s dubious policy reform achievements can be amended so they will work.

The dream of a world free of poverty can be met only with a World Bank free of Paul Wolfowitz. And June 30 is too late.

World Bank President: Even Wolfowitz’s Departure Stirs Controversy

I told you appointing Paul Wolfowitz would end in tears ….

Posted by Mark at 6:03 AM | Permalink

No not a commentary on the state of the weather at the moment - my blocked gas issues are over - I have a new fridge.

So, after a day in the office rewriting some documents I came back to the game of swap the doors around on the new white goods.

That’s two things which have been a little unhinged today….

Posted by Mark at 10:50 PM | Permalink

It’s Alan Johnston’s birthday today.

Unlike last night there will be no family gathered around him and no presents. That doesn’t mean that he’s forgotten. There’s a message from his parents that you can watch here and you can also leave message on the 5 Live Breakfast Blog here and sign the petition (currently with 90,000 signatures) here.

If you are having a special day, or just an ordinary day, spare a thought for Alan ….

Posted by Mark at 6:54 AM | Permalink

Fish and chips with champagne, loads of presents and hours playing Scalextric.

Happy Birthday Richard !

Posted by Mark at 11:29 PM | Permalink

Scattered on the floor are holiday brochures, splattered across my laptop are a selection of Firefox windows with travel sites.

Outside it’s grey and drizzling. Inside the heating is on.

Somewhere there’s a holiday ….

Posted by Mark at 10:05 PM | Permalink

I just happened to glance at a credit card bill the other day and found something I didn’t expect.

A quick call to their helpline revealed I’d been shopping in town I hadn’t been to for womens clothes.

After a promise from the card company to credit my account my new, new resolution is to keep a better track of my money. So, tonight I’m sitting here installing GnuCash surrounded by bits of paper and hunting for more phantom shopping sprees…..

Posted by Mark at 9:50 PM | Permalink

“Lovely weather isn’t it - even nicer as you have the day off…”

“All you do is sit at home and do nothing …”

The fact of the matter is working as part of a geographically dispersed team isn’t easy. Working in a self directed way when we all seem to be lacking direction is even harder.

I’ve noticed recently that even outside of work my motivation and desire to generally get on with things is suffering.

So, tonight I’m working on a list of things to do this week in the hope that at the end of it I will have some idea of how much I’ve done and if any progress in any direction has been made …

Posted by Mark at 8:41 PM | Permalink

“It’s an expensive business being blind…”, said the sales assistant at a well know high street opticians.

“You can’t say that ! I’m sure that breaks all sorts of policies”, I replied laughing at her comment. The fact of the matter is that it is, especially if you chose frames from the designer ranges in the shop.

Many years back I was working with a salesman called Alex Patrick-Smith who, when traveling across India on a train, sat next to Mrs Zelma Lazarus, CEO of Impact India Foundation. As she talked about her charity, which funds the Lifeline Express trains which provides a mobile hospital bringing medical care to remote rural areas, he decided there and then to spend his honeymoon with his bride, Dana,on a year long trip cycling around the world to raise money for them.

You don’t need to get married, nor to learn to ride a tandem or even spend as much money as I did today : just £25 or $49 restores the sight for one person by surgery with Intra Ocular Lens implant.

Learn more about Impact India here and send them some money using this handy form here.

It’s costly being blind but bringing sight back to someone is a real bargain …

Posted by Mark at 11:14 PM | Permalink

After seeing his son send his first text (and doing it faster than he could) then being shamed for having an email account for over a year and never using it Martin - at last and under instruction - sends a mail …

Posted by Mark at 11:09 PM | Permalink

Amazing, if bittersweet news, from the BBC today :

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | BBC’s Johnston wins press award

BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, who was abducted in Gaza nearly two months ago, has won a major journalism prize at a London awards ceremony.

He was named broadcast journalist of the year by the London Press Club for his work reporting from the Gaza Strip.

What a shame he couldn’t pick up the award himself.

Remember to support the campaign to free him by signing the BBC petition or by adding the button to you blog or website.

Posted by Mark at 6:29 PM | Permalink

It seems that they have arrived, albeit a month late.

Over at Phooto Simon Taylor has been running a petition at e-Petitions to stop proposed restrictions regarding photography in public places.

There’s been a few stories circulating such as :

no photo news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums

Innocent photographers face a potential crackdown on taking candid pictures in public as a result of new measures warning parents to be vigilant about strangers taking pictures of children using digital cameras and camera phones in London’s parks.

The alert – announced by London Mayor Ken Livingstone - will fuel existing fears which are supported by the past experiences of AP readers that police officers presume guilt on the part of amateurs taking pictures of children in public

There have been several cases where photographers have been asked for identity cards or proof that they are members of a photography club or a professional photography organisation, as if only officially approved photographers are allowed to take pictures.

There was also the case of Adrian Arbib, a professional photographer, and his treatment at the hands of nPower’s security men which I wrote about some months back.

There’s more on this issue over at Phooto and the petition is online here which seems to be getting more response than the petition to replace the National Anthem with ‘Gold’ by Spandau Ballet which you have until 15th May to show your support for….

Posted by Mark at 10:11 PM | Permalink

“We ain’t stocked scuzzy cables in free years”, was the eloquent reply to my inquiry about a YH2-0343 - otherwise known as a 50 pin SCSI cable.

After a short trip under my desk I discovered two things. There’s a lot of dust back there and the reason my film scanner isn’t working is the bent pin in one end of the cable.

I managed to work out the card is OK with the aid of my vintage Apple PowerCD which appeared with no problems on my Windows desktop after I swapped out the SCSI cable and rebooted Windows.

At least I’ve worked out what’s wrong. Shame PC World’s closest match on the search phrase on their website for SCSI is a CSI PC game.

Says something about my knowledge of PC hardware and probably my career …

Posted by Mark at 7:08 PM | Permalink

“I can’t see why you got it really”, said K as we wandered in the sun admiring the architecture of John Carr.

Part of me isn’t really sure why I had got it but, like this building, there’s something satisfying in the simplicity of the design and function and on a sunny Bank Holiday it’s nice to hear a re-assuring click as you press the button …

Posted by Mark at 10:29 PM | Permalink

With an extra day off tomorrow we decided on a day of total relaxation.

No rushing around, no places to go or people to see just a little wander into the town and some sausage rolls to bake for a very late lunch.

Posted by Mark at 6:52 PM | Permalink

“Let’s go to Soho !”, said Sophie.

Clearly the plan of wandering along the South Bank, taking pictures and learning how to use her new camera, wasn’t going to work. The weather had broken and instead of warm days and clear skies a cold wind was blowing along The Thames under a lead gray sky.

So, with cameras around our necks more like fashion accessories than serious photojournalists we headed for Liberty’s to look for material (nice but way too expensive) before walking down to Soho.

“I’ve been to this shop once before, but I didn’t take any notice of where it was”. I started to rack my brain as the truth dawned on me - we didn’t know where we were going.

Luckily, I’d seen one silk shop on my wandering and we headed their first.

“Come and look at this one”, said Sophie from a corner of shop. Easier said than done as the place was tiny, the floor littered with rolls of material and there were enough people in the place to make the local fire inspector have kittens.

I looked at K, wondering why she wasn’t moving to see. “She means you !”, K said clearly worried at the amount of interest I’d been showing in materials recently.

“That’s right he loves it - he’s in touch with the poof inside”, laughed Sophie.

Posted by Mark at 10:16 PM | Permalink

The pile of unread books has now spilled from under the bedside table to across the floor.

Clearly I need to stop buying and start reading, even if there’s new William Gibson due soon; there’s a new Nigel Slater out and Deborah Copaken Kogan’s autobiography to read.

For now I’m at the start of 608 pages of William Dalrymple’s review of The Mutiny Papers, The Last Mughal.

Posted by Mark at 7:56 PM | Permalink

“It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream.
When you have a nightmare, you will wake up and tell yourself that it was only a dream.
It is said that the world we live in is not a bit different from this.”

Hagakure

Posted by Mark at 7:14 PM | Permalink

Hopefully soon I will be able to show you exactly why I’m sitting here with a few cables, a pile of CD drivers and an errant SCSI film scanner.

This could be a very long night …

Posted by Mark at 10:30 PM | Permalink

Last night was the 50th night of Alan Johnston’s abduction.

Somewhere, as I sat down to a curry and laughter with Martin, Fhai and the kids tonight, he faces another night of uncertainty.

Rather ironically it was reported that the Palestinian Deputy PM Azzam al-Ahmad had said :

“It seems the abductors feel they are in real trouble,”

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Missing BBC man ‘alive’, MEPs say

Probably not as much trouble as Alan feels he is in.

I suppose the one consoling thing from the meeting between Mr Azzam and a 12-member delegation of MEPs is that Alan is at least alive.

As Stephen Farrell noted back on the 13th April :

At the outset one prominent Palestinian broker sighed: “This is going to be a long one.” He has, unfortunately, been proved right.

I know what my friend Alan will be thinking-Comment-Columnists-Guest contributors-TimesOnline

Support the BBC petition to free Alan here.

Posted by Mark at 11:13 PM | Permalink