QoS wins

Despite all the talk from the Aberdeen fans in the office, I was surprised to read that the Dumfries team had actually won at the weekend. The Dons fans were on about the terrible game and how it was a waste of money ... I was under the impression that it had been a walkover for Aberdeen. But no. The underdogs win.

I don't follow football at all, but Queen of the South are from my home town, and also the only football game I have ever been to when I was young, so what the heck.

That means they are through to the finals of the Scottish Cup. Wow.

Match details from BBC site

PS: if anyone wants to console Sheila, feel free.

New Camera pt2

Another couple of shots with the Canon Ixus 950 IS. After nipping up to Tescos to get a bigger SD card (ooh, play.com doing large giggage for low poundage), I stopped at the Beach Boulevard for some low light shots.

Tower blocks. F/2.8, ISO 250, 1/8seconds, hand-held.

The Beach Boulevard (maplink) - I had to wait a few minutes until I could get an 'empty' shot. F/2.8, ISO 250, 1/8seconds, hand-held.

The only image manipulation that I've done with the images has been the cropping. Everything else is straight from the camera. I've using the rule-of-thirds grid on the LCD monitor. Photos set to 'superfine' JPG quality, and 3264x2448 pixels. Image size varies from 1mb to 4mb, depending on content.

Becycle

Becycle is an interesting project being run up at Aberdeen University.

In September 2007 a number of students started to develop a fully free bicycle repair workshop and bicycle lending library. The workshop supplies tools and know how to students to assist them in bicycle repair works. Additionally it has shown very successful to repair unused bicycles- gathered through sponsorships- to send them back onto Aberdeen’s roads in form of a lending library- again free of charge.

The workshop managed not only to circulate a number of bikes in the University community but also gained access to repair tools, spare parts and knowledgeable folks and runs a web page that has been having over 1250 visits since it went online in October 2007.

In only three months this project has proven very popular and could potentially grow to great things.

The aim of the workshop is to support sustainable transport, to encourage students to do simple repair works by themselves and to provide a space for exchange and skill development complementing the University’s sustainable transport policies. Source

I wish it success.

That's Alright

Watched some of the "Elvis: '68 Comeback" dvd from June 1968. (trailer)

Just under 40 years ago. The youngest person in the audience looked to be around 10 years old. Some 50-, 60-, 70- year old folk are walking the streets, being pestered by thieves and wasters because they are old, but they have the knowledge that they experienced something unique. Something that the modern stolen, downloaded, processed music can't reproduce.

So; go and see live music when you can.

Will it be enough to save the Lemon Tree? Who knows, but you'll have the experience in your brain and no-one can take that away from you.

First of Many

Today I went to work in daylight, and left 10 hours later in daylight. I am sure that this is a first for 2008.

Drink Driving Figures

Police have released the figures for the first week of their seasonal anti-drink driving campaign.

Grampian Police are disappointed to report that despite their advice and warnings, 18 motorists have been detected driving under the influence of drink or drugs during the first week of the Grampian Festive Drink Drive Campaign. Source 

The report goes on to mention that one person caught was five times over the limit, and another person was four time over the limit. As Chief Inspector Forrester says, they are risking "not only their own lives but the lives of other innocent members of the public." That means you and me folks.

Launch report.

Fun in the Sand

Just as i started to pack up, two chaps started setting up their kite buggies. The cold had drained one battery and i was at the last few shots of the 2gig memory card. No problem, as i had spares of both with me. Switching to 1600iso, and handheld, i wonder how the shots will turn out. I gave one of the flyers my bloggercard so he could contact me for a set off the photos. It was the least i could do in return for an entertaining and dramatic photo session.

Close-ups

Panorama

Drama

Portraits

Favourite

Thanks chaps.

Due to speeds, ISO1600 used (I tried a few at ISO800 but they came out blurred). Aperture F5.6. Settings reflect the aim of one story to tell, and that's with a fast-moving subject. Shooting in RAW, I filled a 2gig card. In 45 minutes.

FMAO Aberdeen Beach

Sun just shone as crescent and line through clouds. Ship about to obscure it. By jimminy, it's cold.

In dawn's early light, there was still life down at the sea front.

The sun suddenly cleared through the off-shore cloudbank.

Only to be partly obscured by a passing ship for a few minutes.

And then a clear run, with only the polarising filter on.

 

Turning round, the view up the surfline looked so different. (maplink)

Police Launch Festive Campaign

From the Grampian Police RSS feed and website:

Motorists across the north of Scotland are being given the stark message this festive season – Don't Drink and Drive.

"Our message is again very simple and very real," said Chief Inspector Tom Forrester, Head of Roads Policing in Grampian.

"Research indicates that drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs greatly increases your risk of being involved in a collision," he continued.
"Those people who choose to drink and drive or drive whilst under the influence of drugs are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in a collision than those who don't - a collision that could result in serious injury or death to themselves, the death of someone close to them or the death of an innocent member of the community.  Ask yourselves this - could you live for the rest of your life with the death of another human being on your conscience?"

Chief Inspector Forrester added:  "This year we are launching a text service where members of the public can report anyone they suspect to be drinking and driving.  You will see posters displaying the text number 07739934444 throughout the Force area and I would encourage anyone with any information about drink /drug drivers to use this facility, or 'Crimestoppers' to report anyone they know to be drinking and driving.  I guarantee your information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
"During this campaign we will be deploying additional resources in all areas of the Force to deter and detect offenders. 

You will be breathalysed for committing any moving road traffic offence, whether that's exceeding the speed limit, failing to wear a seat belt or driving your vehicle with a defective light.  Don't ruin someone else's Christmas this year.  Don't risk it – Don't drink and drive!"

Drinking and driving or taking drugs and driving have an obvious effect on drivers' abilities and this effect can last for several hours afterwards – even after a night's sleep.  Over indulgence at the office party or Christmas night out can mean motorists are still unfit to drive the following day and no amount of fresh air, food or coffee can change that - only time will.

Chief Inspector Forrester concluded:  "If you have to ask yourself whether you are fit to drive the 'morning after', there is every likelihood you are not.  So don't risk it! Don't ruin this festive season – or those for years to come...Don't drink and drive."

Other media from the "Think! Road Safety Website"

Appeal for Witnesses

Grampian Police are investigating a Robbery which occurred around 3.40pm on Wednesday 5 December 2007, in Aberdeen.

At this time, a 21 year old male was threatened and assaulted by two females whilst outside Aberdeen College, on the Gallowgate.  The stole a small quantity of money and other personal items from him.

The male victim was shaken but uninjured as a result of the incident.

The female suspects are described as white, approximately 16 years of age with long brown hair.  One of the females was wearing blue tracksuit trousers and a blue top with white stripes on the sleeve.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

Source

Dusk over the City

It seems the mark of the times. Beautiful sunset, but only my cameraphone to catch it with. Still, at least i can savour the view even if you can't.

Library Sale

Message up on the College intranet from Malcolm Smith:

To make space for new books, some older editions are available for sale.

• Paperbacks are 20p each
• Hardbacks are 40p each
• Journals are 10p per issue
• Textbooks and ACCA texts are included

I know where I'll be going at lunchtime. They'll make ideal (and cheap) Christmas presents for workmates too. Books are great. Sadly I can't learn by osmosis, and either read them, skim through them, or have them available to read/skim later. I'm envious of people who can read rapidly. I take ages to read books, as I like to get as much knowledge/entertainment/flavour from them as I can.

Dreich is The Word

I like having a choice of waterproofs. I noticed, however, that i was procrastinating as it got near time for me to leave the warm, dry baseroom and leg it across town to the Foyer. As much of Aberdeen is built on a grid system, some streets funnel the strong winds whilst others are reasonably sheltered. Umbrellas are often worthless, often essential. I did wonder about wearing my Paramo trousers today. I didn't.

Meditation by Paddyrasta

Paddyrasta's "Meditation" video, filmed here in Aberdeen. See how many locations you can spot.

Safe Drive, Stay Alive

Sadly, I missed this display last week. Hopefully some of you didn't. Having driven the road to Peterhead Academy and back successfully for about 7 years, a good day was one in which I wasn't almost killed by speeding, dangerous or inconsiderate drivers. Hitting a patch of black ice on the dual carriageway at Balmedie doesn't count, 5 other cars weren't so 'lucky' that day.

In 2006, 62 people died on Grampian's roads. 25 of those who died were under the age of 25. A further 217 were seriously injured. Almost half of the fatal collisions involved drivers under 25 years old.

Figures from the Safe Drive, Stay Alive information poster. They also have a Grampian-specific micro-site.

There Was a Soldier

Permission to blog, sir?

I'm still a novice with photographing people. I get nervous when asking there permission unless i know them. So you won't see a photo of the squaddies in the information cabin outside M&S playing bowling on their Wii. One was wearing a sniper's ghillie suit.

Nothing but blue skies

With the weather conditions today, it might be cold and gusting but the sky is just so clear. Shame about phonecam quality as i leg it to my class at the Foyer.

Sunset from the towerblock

One of the advantages of working here is seeing Nature at work.

Another glorious day at work

Wakee wakee, rise and shine.