It looks like there are some new housemates again in the George Lucas section of the Endemol Film and Television Studios in the marine-ply box called the Big Brother House. I am amused to think that as they came in, dressed to, em, alarm, they soon found out that they may have got in the hotel, but as yet not checked in! There are 16 of them; Angel: A boxer with an Artistic Side. 35. Beinazir is a Study coach. 28. Cairon is studying “performing arts” and is American. 18. Charlie is shop floor worker and Gay. 22. Freddie is the next Alan Sugar. 23. Karly is Scottish and does not work. 21. Sophie is a Glamour Model from the North West. 20. Kris sells things visually in a Shrews manner. 24. Lisa also does not work and comes from Brummie. 41. Marcus, is from London and fits windows. 35. Noirin manages an Irish shop. 25. Rodrigo is a half Brazilian / Italian student. 23. Saffia consults for the Beauty industry. 27. Siavash is no longer Iranian and organizes events. 23. Sophia works in the Banking profession. 26. Sree is works for the NUS and is Indian. 25. These people thought they were in, but were promptly told by Rodrigo that this was not the case after he entered the Diary room and was told that no-one was a housemate until they earned a place through tasks. His was to find someone, and shave their eyebrows and draw glasses and curly moustache on their face. (Tools provided). Noirin (along with every other housemate who was talking at the same time) volunteered. They passed and were accepted. The others are currently up for public vote!!!!

With Christmas finally here, we decided it would be a good idea to celebrate it in the Traditional Manner. 

We went over to Simons bearing some Biscuits, Muffins (from Costa Coffee), an orange, and a Rookie (a Rook scarer "banger" that may be used in the celebration of the failed Gunpowder plot).

First the Biscuits - a tin of Butter Cookies bought from the Pound Shop. On putting in the Rookie, lighting and Taping, the tin was ruined with it pealing from its base. The biscuits, along with their paper wrappings were decimated. 

Next, just before "midnight mass" we made a christingle from the orange, Costa Coffee ribbon that came with the muffins, and a Rookie to replace the candle, which, sadly, was not available.

It worked very well, however, after a few seconds, it exploded!!

Merry Christmas!! 

Download video - Christingle.3gp (127.59 kb)

While up in Scotland, I joined the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society's annual trip for Field Day (HF/SSB). This year it was on the Isle Of Colonsay!

I joined Ross, Cam, Alan, Jurij, John and David in the "Carahome" (a cunningly modified caravan mounted, carefully, on the back on an LDV 200 van!!

It was great fun. We used CalMac ferries to get over to the island where we were met by a welcoming committee of about 100 people. This is because the ferry comes only a few times a week, with visitors and supplies, so I it can be quite an event.

We set off for the Location where we had special permission to setup.

Once set-up, which took some time, we had our antennas in place and the Carahome. We had a few equipment problems, but Ross and Cam soon get the station up and running. This was the appropriate time then to go off and do some exploring. We walked across the island and over a large hill as well as visiting the local watering hole and clocking up about 10 miles on foot. 

We also took the opportunity of good weather to try the Sea. It was freezing. Though I did try to go out as far as I would. Not frightened by the cold or Drifting out, I was defeated in the end, by little crabs and fish which scared me!!!!q

 More Pictures can be found at http://www.wosars.org.uk/ 

 

 

Hello, 

I thought i had better add some stuff!!

I have been so busy up in Scotland, yet again. this time, at a Radio Station called Talk107. Had great fun up there including meeting old mates, some Scottlish Radio Legends such as Scott Wilson and working with some great people at a very professional Station. One of the best bits was the edinburgh Festival, where I found myself not just running the technical for the OB we had there, but being given Daily challenges that i had to report back on.  

 These challenges included, but not limited to, Getting my Face Painted as Badger, Running up Arthur's Seat and back again within the Hour, and Finding a Celebrity, in this case, Nicholas Parsons!!

Other Broadcasts we had were the Kickabout which had a tendancy to go out and about once a month. Venues included Musselborough Racecourse, Speedway, Scotbet Betting Shop and The Vu Restaurant!!

 The station ran Master Control,  with S2 desks, Glensound ISDNs with the Chain running through a BCD router which also managed the Profanity Delay. 

 Unfortunately, the station was closed down on the 23rd December as it had high costs to its parent company. But it was good fun while it lasted. 

 

 

 

 

Hello, 

It is amazing how you know something is coming up and keep thinking "Oh, yes that is soon" and before you know it, you realize that you are about to miss it!! I found myself in a pickup truck with a friend driving from Preston to Crawley, after having spent two and a half hours on a train from Edinburgh where I am working. Although I managed to see everyone enter the house, I was annoyed that I was not there in Borehamwood to actually see them go in (like some kind of bad-luck charm). Especially as I know one of them!  So what do I make of them?,  Not that much so far. I mean you cannot judge a reality tv contestant by their re-recorded video demo because Endemol could not use the original! 

I see that they have a couple who came in. Thinking how dull. They will just be all over each other and have nothing better to do thinking somehow that their togetherness will somehow lead them to the final. Only later I was ecstatic to hear that their synergy was to be shattered by Stephanie coming on the scene. Once things started, Mario was told that his real partner, Lisa, a bodybuilder and tanning salon manager (Tanager) would would be his partner no more. Well, I guess she'll just have to be strong and if Lisa or Mario get to close, give them a good tanning.  We seem to have a few interesting other characters, Kathreya, a Thai girl who has lived in the UK for over 7 years ago and is a Buddist. Hopefully her relaxed attitude will keep this calm. But maybe her fears of Height and Feet combined with a non-understanding of british humor may cause friction and keep her on her toes. I hope she doesn't fall from grace, she seems nice.  Rebecca looks after kids, I hope she can look after the housemates as well - she supports the Monster Raving Loony Party - probably a good thing in here. Then there is Luke, who all I know is that on seeing his demo, he may well lose his "dramatic" hyper approach and non liking of people who want to be famous. Not that I disagree, but a short course on public speaking may get his point across better. He is a commentator on wrestling, no doubt he will wrestle with the others to make the house work.  

Finally the two people I am watching closely. Michael and Dennis.  Michael, coming from the same part of scotland as David last year, makes audio for the blind and is also a stand up comic, who dresses slightly female. He is also blind. Although a bit eccentric, I think he'll do well. I think it is great to have a blind person on, I dare say that he'll keep watch on the right people better than anyone else. Dennis. Well, I know him. He is cool and a really nice person. I hope he does well (and scotland proud).