10 or possibly less reasons that i know I am getting old!

1. I am mystified as why a sixteen year old would go to a fancy dress party as a schoolboy/girl;
2. I listen to radio comedy from the late 1960s and find it 'superior';
3. I find myself shouting at political commentators on TV to 'Let the other guy speak for heavens sake!';
4. Er...I talk to televisions...;
5. I automatically assume that any advice from anyone under the age of 25 will be wrong in some fashion;
6. I feel able to address a group of thirty-something males as 'you lads';
7. I actually care what the weather will be like tomorrow and find myself saying that the 'nights are drawing in' from about mid-September onwards;
8. I share emails via the social networking sites with old school friends that I barely knew in school and recall 'the good old days';
9. I use phrases like 'well in my day' and refuse to listen to any version of a song except the original;
10. Just in case anyone is unsure that I am getting old, I make lists on my blog to prove the fact!
    

Dr Who spin offs

http://www.radiotimes.com/blogs/425-who-spinoffs-never-filmed

The Doctor Who spin-offs that will never be filmed

• Posted at 4:55pm
• 02 October 2008
• by DavidBrown-RT
• 6 comments

Who'd have thought that when Doctor Who returned in 2005, there'd be so much scope for spin-offs? The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood and now even the possibility of a Who movie being mooted. Not bad for a sci-fi show whose only previous stab at a TV offshoot was the creaky K-9 and Company back in 1981. So how long will it be before they milk a winning formula so much that we end up with the following?

The X-terminate Factor

Saturday-night entertainment as Davros and Dalek Caan audition potential allies in their bid to enslave the universe. The X-terminate Factor: You're Fried! will immediately follow with analysis of that week's executions, plus behind-the-scenes footage of Davros reaching near hysteria over relatively trivial matters.

The Long Haul

Sitcom centred on the frustrated attempts of Harwood's Haulage transport manager Rhys Williams, husband of Torchwood's Gwen Cooper, to start a family. Gwen is never actually seen, but can often be heard shouting "Reeeeeeees!!!!" down the phone as she abandons her hubby for work yet again, leaving him eating pies alone on the sofa at home.

The Wilf Files

Alien conspiracy drama starring Bernard Cribbins as newspaper-selling astronomer Wilfred Mott. Armed only with a paint gun and a rolled-up copy of London's Evening Standard, Wilf does battle against extraterrestrial forces, assisted by fellow allotment owners Peter Sallis and Donald Sinden.

Top of the Class

Krillitane headmaster Mr Finch is given one term to turn a failing school around. Can he get the tearaway kids computer literate without bringing in his crack squad of supply teachers to effect a transformation?

Who Do You Think You Are?

One-off special of the hit genealogy show as the Doctor delves into his own history to find out about his past selves. Features moving footage of Christopher Eccleston crying over missed opportunities.

Run Rose Run

Urban adventure featuring a jaded Rose Tyler who, realising she's been lumbered with a sociopathic carbon copy of the man she loves, tries to abandon him at a motorway service station. She soon realises that the cloned Doctor will stop at nothing to get her back and will slaughter anyone who gets in his way in order for them to be reunited.

Life Swap

The Slitheen highlight dietary and health problems when they move in with Britain's most obese families after killing a member and using their skin as a disguise. Might not get beyond the pilot stage once the human participants realise what the trade-off actually involves.

Are You My Mummy?

The gas-masked Empty Child tries to reunite adopted children with their birth parents in a heart-warming Sunday-evening family entertainment series co-hosted by Cilla Black.

Acting Up

Fly-on-the-wall documentary as Martha Jones - having failed to convince anyone that she's a doctor, a scientist or a member of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce - roams the country hoodwinking employers into believing she's capable of work. As disappointments pile up, will Martha resort to acting lessons in order to succeed?

Freddie Horton circa 1993

A little Youtube blast from the past...

Used to listen to this band back in Croydon,in the mid 1980s in a complete dive called "The Cartoon". I hear courtesy of Facebook that his band is still playing.

Memories of "Faust" lager, a brew so indescribably awful that in more enlightened times it would be regarded as some kind of chemical weapon and after one particularly heavy evening of "New Town Soul" and lager, staggering into the local mini cab company and slurring "Gitttacbburef's'helarrrrrrrr!" and having this successfully translated as "A cab for St Helier." Ah. Grey days...er I mean great days indeed...

A walk in the park...

The art of the possible

This is what happens when you have too much time on your hands and access to a half way decent editing application called GIMP.

Fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) on Facebook

Taken from Cook's first epistle to the Face Book comunity Chapter 1, verse 1-3

Hello all!

I bring pre-Xmas good cheer to you all from the Geek at the seaside, having received my umpteenth warning about a virus/trojan/rootkit/ boy/girl genius hacker, I thought I would just slip on my anorak and send out words of comfort to all those Facebookers who have been so worried that their machines and those of their friends will be reduced to so much beige colour plastic if those evil genii get their mitts on them – then changed my mind and decided to opt for the full on rant...are you sitting comfortably, no me neither, think its these trousers...!

So if you get an email/attachment/invite/postcard/smoke signal or ethereal message from the unknown realms, 99 times out of 100 you can feel free to open it, ignore, ponder its unearthly meaning or laugh at the foolish American with no fear of crashing your hard drive, taking over your address and emailing information to all your friends about your love life or links with known terrorists groups; inviting all your mates to sign up for the 'Glen Miller appreciation page' on MySpace or causing your PC to immediately disassemble itself, pack the bits neatly and return them to the manufacturer.

Despite the assertions of various big budget films and small minded TV shows its actually quite hard to 'hack' into a PC and do any real damage - always assuming of course that you the user have decent and updated anti-virus (which of course you all have...haven't you?) and a firewall set to block all the usual ports – and the software will know which one these are.. There is, however, some danger in opening attachments from people you have never heard especially if the said attachment has a file ending with something like .exe, .scr or .bin - opening these from an unknown source is not dissimilar to covering yourself in gravy, plaiting your hair with Antelope burgers and climbing into a lions cage at feeding time.

Most warnings about how, if you let Mr X into your on-line life you will find yourself the helpless victim of his extraordinary 'hacking' prowess are complete myths, their purpose is to either get Mr X kicked off one forum or another or to simply spread the warning around the net as far as possible - big clue here, the warning always claim to be genuine and tell you to tell all your friends. They want to see their warnings spread as far as possible. Are these people idiots? In the words of Churchill, the insurance dog. 'Oh yes!'

There *are* viruses on Facebook, the 'Storm worm' is one that springs to mind, but it needs you to actually click a link which is an .exe file and takes you to an external site and no one would be silly enough to do that, would they! Hmm....seems to have gone a bit quiet out there...

So a few tips

1. if you get a warning about a virus, check in out before you pass it on - www.snopes.com is an excellent site for this.
2. Ignore spam email, if you click the 'take me off the list' link, you have just told the spammer this is an active email address, expect invites to buy Viagra and Rolexes soon!
3. Official organisations seldom ask for personal information by email! Seldom in this sense is defined as never, if your bank or similar does - find another bank.
4. Be wary of pictures and other files from unknown sources and watch for those with .exe endings
5. Never give bank details or similar out on the internet, its highly unlikely that any bank would ask for these details. If you are asked, ignore the email link and go to the site by typing in the URL in the address bar, look for a URL that starts 'https:// that 's' is important it means the site is secure.
6. If you are not sure what you are doing, don't do it. If in doubt ask. Lots of geeks about the place, myself included, who will be happy to help. You may have to put up with sentences which includes acronyms like SSH and TCIP and possibly even some references to operating system architecture but at least your computer will be safe.

OK so rant over, but the number of these warnings is getting silly..So with a little caution and a lot of common sense we can all rest easy in our bed knowing that tomorrow our is another day for us and our computer...

Ron

PS: Amazingly Facebook tagged this message as possible spam and suggested I send a nice picture instead....sigh!

Far flung Vista

Checking email this morning this was an interesting cry for help from a Vista user. It seems that he install of Vista had managed to hide all her desktop icons and then store them inside a series of recursive folders. Nothing the user has
done seem to prompt this action and it seems that Vista had just decided to difficult. It was sorted out - after a fashion - in due course but frankly should not have happened. Someone said that if Vista was a car it would stop working for no reason whatsoever and the only way to make it work again would be to replace the engine and suspension! Googling for the solution to the lady's problem I was alarmed to see advice like

Use REGEDIT to view HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell, click on Bags and select Edit > Delete > Yes. Delete the BagMRU key as well, and restart

Letting the inexperienced loose on the registry is a sure fire way to get the "it just stopped working" email or phone call pdq! What amazed me was the way that the mess was accepted by the user as one of those things and when I suggested a move to a more stable OS, practically any of them really, the note of surprise in the user voice at this suggestion clearly suggested I was in dodgy territory. A downgrade to XP or 2000 made not sense since Vista was the latest version and therefore the best and the idea of a move to Linux or OSX dismissed since they would not support the programs the person needed. ho-hum...!

Bonfire Night

Mildy miffed that due to the logistics involved in moving small children, not to mention some of the adults, we didn't make it to the Bonfire until after the societies had finished their procession. We did make it in time for the Bonfire but I was detailed to have small child sitting on my shoulders which pretty much precluded any photography. The firework display was as good as always and judging by the screaming well down well with the munchkin contingent...

Managed to find images on Flickr to compensate:




Videos

Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival: Programme of Events 2008

Saturday 20 September

The Launch: Walking the Fish

Starts 10am at Breeds Place outside Iceland (opposite the fountain). To open the festival, there will be a colourful and musical procession of giant fish and seafood effigies called Walking the Fish. This tradition started 10 years ago, with Radiator Arts group and children from schools in the area working together to fashion sculptures that reflect the community in which they live.

The Plaice Festival Site - Food and Wine

Free entry - open to the public from 11am Find a feast of food stalls and plentiful produce at The Plaice site at the Stade fishing beach. Try delicious seafood dishes with international influences, and taste Hastings' Marine Stewardship Council eco-label fish.

All exhibitors come from within 30 miles of Hastings.

Cooking Demonstrations by local chefs

Demonstration times will be posted on demonstration area notice board - please check on site.

Restaurants in and around Hastings have some of the best chefs anywhere, and a great reputation for the quality of their food - especially fish and seafood. Let your taste buds be inspired as our local chefs prepare flavoursome fish and succulent seafood dishes before your eyes.

Tutored Wine Tasting Sessions in the Wine Tasting Marquee

Tickets are required for events in the wine tasting marquee. Over 18s only.

Places are limited, so book tickets early at Hastings Information Centre

Learn to Taste Wine

1pm - 2pm Tickets £9
With vintner, Alexander Carr-Taylor.Learn the tricks of tasting wine while sampling the produce of one of our best local vineyards. A fun and informative talk for those who find the world of wine a little confusing. Alexander is winemaker at Carr Taylor Vineyards and won the Vinter's Scholarship in 2004.
www.carr-taylor.co.uk

Chapel Down Wines take on France

3pm Tickets £11 With Richard Bampfield, Master of Wine
Compare select English wines from the Chapel Down Wine estate in Tenterden with some classic French wines. Richard Bampfield MW spent many years working with Brown Brothers Australian Wines, he will explain the difference in style between six wines.
www.winevents.co.uk

Matching English Wine with Fish and Cheese

5pm - 6pm Tickets £12 With wine specialist John Radford. Get expert guidance on how local wines can complement local fish and Sussex cheese. John Radford is a Sussex-based freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer, speaker and actor.
www.johnradford.com

The Sole Beach Marquee

Free entry, open to the public between 12 noon and 7pm.Entertain your soul in The Sole Marquee where top class local acts will be performing. The First In Last Out Public House will be serving their locally brewed beers, with guest ales, organic lager and local wine. Tuck into a barbecue on the beach. Kids' play tent next door.

Local Heroes 2pm - 3.15pm Local Heroes bestow edgy and infectious rhythms upon classic songs under the influence of reggae and old school R'n'B.

Engine, Clutch and Gearbox

5.30pm - 6.45pm This lively rock-jazz trio plays a variety of material from Armatrading to Zappa and all sorts in between.

Memphis Flyers

5.30pm - 6.45pm A trio playing rockabilly, hillbilly, rock'n'roll, a bit of country and lots of fun. Guaranteed to get you dancing.
www.myspace.com/thememphisflyers

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Sunday 21 September

The Plaice Festival Site - Food and Wine

Free entry, open to the public from 11am Find a feast of food stalls and plentiful produce at The Plaice site at the Stade fishing beach. Try delicious seafood dishes with international influences, and taste Hastings' Marine Stewardship Council eco-label fish. All exhibitors come from within just 30 miles of Hastings.

Cooking Demonstration by Tom Aikens

Tom Aikens Approximately 1pm Demonstration times will be posted on demonstration area notice board - please check on site.

Tom will be sharing his love of cooking and his passion for fish. Tom Aikens is one of the most exciting chefs in the UK. He launched his first restaurant in London in 2003 which has earned numerous prestigious accolades. He has opened two more restaurants since: Tom's Kitchen and Tom's Place, a fish restaurant. All the fish is sourced from sustainable stocks, including Marine Stewardship Council certified fish landed in Hastings.
www.tomsplace.org.uk

Local chefs share their culinary skills

Demonstration times will be posted on demonstration area notice board - please check on site.
Restaurants in and around Hastings have some of the best chefs anywhere, and a great reputation for the quality of their food - especially fish and seafood. Let your taste buds be inspired as our local chefs prepare flavoursome fish and seafood dishes before your eyes.

Tutored Wine Tasting Sessions in the Wine Tasting Marquee

Learn to Taste Wine

12.30pm - 1.30pm
Tickets £9 With vintner, Alexander Carr-Taylor.
Learn the tricks of tasting wine while sampling the produce of one of our best local vineyards. A fun and informative talk for those who find the world of wine a little confusing. Alexander is winemaker at Carr Taylor Vineyards and won the Vinter's Scholarship in 2004.
www.carr-taylor.co.uk

Red, White and Rosé - a splash of local colour

2.15pm - 3.15pm
Tickets £11 With Master of Wine, Clive Barlow
Clive Barlow MW will show you classic white styles as well as the latest fresh rosés and aromatic reds from within 30 miles of Hastings. Clive runs an independent wine merchant business at the Goods Shed in Canterbury.

Matching English Wine with English Fish and Cheese

4pm - 5pm
Tickets £12 With wine specialist John Radford
Get expert guidance on how local wines can complement local fish and Sussex cheese. John Radford is a Sussex-based freelance writer, broadcaster, lecturer, speaker and actor.
www.johnradford.com

The Sole Beach Marquee

Free entry, open to the public between 12 noon and 6pm. Entertain your soul in The Sole Marquee where top class local acts will perform. The First In Last Out Public House will be serving their locally brewed beers, with guest ales, organic lager and local wine. Tuck into a barbecue on the beach. Kids' play tent next door.

Jazz Breakfast

11am Tickets £10 including breakfast
Spaces are limited so book early at Hastings Information Centre
Bar open from 11am By popular demand, Herbie Flowers on bass and Mike Hatchard on keyboard and vocals return to entertain you with their unique brand of jazz music and humour. This time they are accompanied by Malcolm Mortimore on drums/percussion, a founder member of 'Kilburn and the High Roads' with Ian Dury, he has also worked with Tina Turner and Chuck Berry.
Ticket includes breakfast of an organic pastry, plus organic fruit juice, or fairtrade coffee/tea. Free entry for children under 14 if accompanied by an adult (breakfast not included). Mike Hatchard, Malcolm Mortimore and Herbie Flowers

The Fabulous Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers

1.15pm to 1.45pm and 3.30pm to 4pm Back by popular demand! Entertaining you with energetic Lindy Hop from the 30s and 40s brought to Europe by American GIs.

Tea-Chest Blues

2pm to 3.15pm T-Chest Blues were formed about five years ago, inspired by the Sun Record Company sound of the 50s. Expect to hear the songs of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Arthur Cruddup and Muddy Waters.

Soul X Press and the Blues Brothers Show

4.15pm to 5.30pm
This local band is possibly the biggest Blues Brothers tribute band touring the UK. The 12-piece outfit will knock out all the film classics and selection of soul favourites.

The Lifeboat House

A Choral Banquet for the Seafood and Wine Festival

12.30pm to 1.30pm Free, but donations to the RNLI welcome. The community choirs of Hastings and its French twin town of Bethune will be raising the roof of the Lifeboat House. Shore Sounds will welcome La Choeur de la Lys to present an exciting and vibrant vocal blend, including folk, African, gospel and French chanson.

Alexandra Park

eat @ the Park Café - Seafood and Wine Barbecue

Open 9am - 7.30pm Enjoy a delicious Seafood and Wine barbecue lunch at eat @ the Park Café (weather permitting) in the fabulous setting of Alexandra Park.

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All Weekend

English Wines Marquee at the Plaice Festival Site

English wine is gaining deserved recognition for being among the finest produced today. Within a radius of 30 miles of Hastings there are many vineyards producing award winning wines that bear comparison with the best in the world. Take your time to browse and talk to the wine producers. The vineyards will bring a wide range of their finest wines and fruit juices for you to try and to buy - by the glass, or the case! Sit under our outdoor gazebo and relax with your favourite tipple. Participating Vineyards:

Events in St Leonards on Sea

Coastal Currents Arts Festival brings you Shakespeare in the Park
A Midsummer Night's Dream (abridged) at St Leonard's Gardens

Saturday and Sunday at 7pm
Tickets: Adults £8, Children £3, Concessions £6 and Families £18
Tickets from: McCarron's of Mercatoria, 64 Norman Rd, St Leonards on Sea or telephone: 01424 201192 / 07903 561007
Photo Copyright Fuga
www.coastalcurrents.org.uk

Azur at Marina Pavilion - Special Festival Seafood Menu

Azur at Marina Pavilion is a sophisticated new development on St Leonards promenade. Savour the Special Festival Seafood Menu offering locally-sourced fish in the Azur Restaurant for lunch or dinner, accompanied by live music and a full bar.

Open 7am to 10.30pm for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a drink in the beach front bistro. For more information call 0845 812 1066.

Arts Forum Seafood and Wine Festival Exhibition at Marina, St Leonards

Exhibition of local artists' work inspired by the events and themes of the festival. Visit theartsforum.co.uk for more information. Photo courtesy of Sid Beynon

Video from the St Leonard's Festival

The St. Leonards Festival

Images from the St. Leonard's Festival 2008