Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Archer]

Imagine trying to sort that out, especially in the UK, where our utility companies are not joined up.

Look at the services that needed sorting;

Sewage pipes

Fresh water pipes

Electricity cables

Gas pipes

Comms cables

And so on.

And it soon filled with water, which had to be drained before work could start.

7 days later, the whole job had been completed.

In the UK, that would take months.

Bravo the Japanese.

I've not played "spot the difference" for many a year but I've  looked closely at the before and after pictures and I can only conclude the photo on the right was actually taken before the sink hole. 

I don't believe you're right.

If you look at the pavement on the right hand side, it's been tarmaced (is that how you spell it?) further up and the lines repainted.

The left is the same.

Looks like the photos might have been taken from the same place but with slightly less zoom on the "later" one on the right.

I clicked on the .jpg file and zoomed in.  The condition of the road and surrounds north of the sink hole look in better condition  or different in the "before" picture compared to the 7 days "after" picture on the right:

Why would a legible yellow "40"  in the left hand lane change to an almost  illegible white "40" in the "after" picture?
Why is there a new looking tarmac area on the right hand side just before the zebra crossing on the "before" picture compared to the mess in the "after" picture? Also there is a fence down the side in the right hand picture.
Why has the perfectly alligned pavement (2 paving stones wide?) all along the right hand side in the "before" picture disappeared to be replaced with what looks like a yellow line and a single paving stone width all along the right hand picture.

These changes or differences  don't make sense to me. Rather, I should say didn't make sense but they do now courtesy of our friend Dr Google:

http://www.citylab.com/tech/2016/11/fukuoka-japan-sinkhole-repair-video/507962/

If you watch the fascinating video it all becomes clearer and you are definitely right. The clincher is when the yellow line comes into view at about 1.20.

[tikay]

^^^^^

Good spot, that video, Archer.

Stunning efficiency.

[tikay]

Life's great mysteries (part 736)

I was searching for something recently for an article I was writing, & I needed something Pacman related.

In doing so I came across this.

It is a 2 hour (TWO HOUR) long video of the Pacman soundtrack.

It has 26,000 views.

Take a look/listen, though you don't have to watch all 2 hours.

In fact, a 10 hour "Pacman Remix" version has 55,000 views. 

[Chompy]

Anyone care to guess what these cylinders contain?

Dead people?

Exactly that.

Each cylinder contains 6 bodies, which are stored "upside down", with the heads at the bottom.

They are cryonic chambers. The theory is that the bodies may be re-energised, bought back to life at some point in the future.

That leaves me cold.

Haha, was semi joking when I guessed, but it just screamed out dead people for some reason.

Not a fan?

I'm ambivalent really.

I just thought it odd that so many are prepared to pay £37,000 to have it done.

I suppose if it brings comfort to the dying or bereaved, it has a benefit.

The cynic in me believes there may be a rip off in progress here. Is there a shred of evidence it could ever bring back the dead?

I read £160,000 and they're thinking that's too cheap. Anyone that wants it will pay chunks for it, so £37k seems super cheap.

Recommend 1 x upside down freezing procedure, £37,000, cryonics.org.

[Lonohray2]

Anyone care to guess what these cylinders contain?

Dead people?

Exactly that.

Each cylinder contains 6 bodies, which are stored "upside down", with the heads at the bottom.

They are cryonic chambers. The theory is that the bodies may be re-energised, bought back to life at some point in the future.

That leaves me cold.

Haha, was semi joking when I guessed, but it just screamed out dead people for some reason.

Not a fan?

I'm ambivalent really.

I just thought it odd that so many are prepared to pay £37,000 to have it done.

I suppose if it brings comfort to the dying or bereaved, it has a benefit.

The cynic in me believes there may be a rip off in progress here. Is there a shred of evidence it could ever bring back the dead?

I read £160,000 and they're thinking that's too cheap. Anyone that wants it will pay chunks for it, so £37k seems super cheap.

Recommend 1 x upside down freezing procedure, £37,000, cryonics.org.

 

I thought this too, such an incredible business if they manage to get a monopoly on it going to be making serious Wonga.

I have no clue whatsoever about this but there's got to be a greater than 0 chance it can work in the next X years even if that is 1000 from now. £37k seems a very small price to put on potential life to those who can afford it.

[tikay]

Anyone care to guess what these cylinders contain?

Dead people?

Exactly that.

Each cylinder contains 6 bodies, which are stored "upside down", with the heads at the bottom.

They are cryonic chambers. The theory is that the bodies may be re-energised, bought back to life at some point in the future.

That leaves me cold.

Haha, was semi joking when I guessed, but it just screamed out dead people for some reason.

Not a fan?

I'm ambivalent really.

I just thought it odd that so many are prepared to pay £37,000 to have it done.

I suppose if it brings comfort to the dying or bereaved, it has a benefit.

The cynic in me believes there may be a rip off in progress here. Is there a shred of evidence it could ever bring back the dead?

I read £160,000 and they're thinking that's too cheap. Anyone that wants it will pay chunks for it, so £37k seems super cheap.

Recommend 1 x upside down freezing procedure, £37,000, cryonics.org.

Stick to Reality TV nonsense, Chomps.

[tikay]

Anyone care to guess what these cylinders contain?

Dead people?

Exactly that.

Each cylinder contains 6 bodies, which are stored "upside down", with the heads at the bottom.

They are cryonic chambers. The theory is that the bodies may be re-energised, bought back to life at some point in the future.

That leaves me cold.

Haha, was semi joking when I guessed, but it just screamed out dead people for some reason.

Not a fan?

I'm ambivalent really.

I just thought it odd that so many are prepared to pay £37,000 to have it done.

I suppose if it brings comfort to the dying or bereaved, it has a benefit.

The cynic in me believes there may be a rip off in progress here. Is there a shred of evidence it could ever bring back the dead?

I read £160,000 and they're thinking that's too cheap. Anyone that wants it will pay chunks for it, so £37k seems super cheap.

Recommend 1 x upside down freezing procedure, £37,000, cryonics.org.

 

I thought this too, such an incredible business if they manage to get a monopoly on it going to be making serious Wonga.

I have no clue whatsoever about this but there's got to be a greater than 0 chance it can work in the next X years even if that is 1000 from now. £37k seems a very small price to put on potential life to those who can afford it.

Does it not bother you that it might all be a con?

PS - Do I owe you any money, David? We had a bet this weekend, & I'm not sure if I'm in credit with you or not.

[tikay]

Life's Great Mysteries (Part 737)

Costa have introduced Winter/Xmas themed cups.

Why?

Are we more likely to buy a Costa because it comes in a ridiculously silly themed cup?

What exactly is the Business case to do this?

Tossers.

 

[DaveShoelace]

Life's Great Mysteries (Part 737)

Costa have introduced Winter/Xmas themed cups.

Why?

Are we more likely to buy a Costa because it comes in a ridiculously silly themed cup?

What exactly is the Business case to do this?

Tossers.

 

You must have missed the great politicization of coffee cups last year

http://fortune.com/2016/11/04/starbucks-cup-red-controversy-christmas/

http://www.countdowntoredcups.com/

[tikay]

Life's Great Mysteries (Part 737)

Costa have introduced Winter/Xmas themed cups.

Why?

Are we more likely to buy a Costa because it comes in a ridiculously silly themed cup?

What exactly is the Business case to do this?

Tossers.

 

You must have missed the great politicization of coffee cups last year

http://fortune.com/2016/11/04/starbucks-cup-red-controversy-christmas/

http://www.countdowntoredcups.com/

I certainly did miss it, I'm glad to say.

Are people so petty minded that get upset & make forum posts about chuffing coffee cups?

Utterly ridic.

What are the Family Carter plans for Xmas? Walk the dog, kiss the wife, go watch Sheffield Wednesday, exciting stuff like that?

[DaveShoelace]

Are people so petty minded that get upset & make forum posts about chuffing coffee cups?

You know my fascination with the darker recesses of the human mind, it's remarkable how much is politicised these days. Video games and comics, for example, are currently undergoing these bizarre trivial culture wars. Personally I think it's a form of infantilisation, people do not want to think about the real political horrors of life like the middle east, the devaluing of currency, climate change and whatnot, so they stick to 'politics lite' like this. It's a distraction, there is a term for it 'narcotising dysfunction' ---> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotizing_dysfunction

What are the Family Carter plans for Xmas? Walk the dog, kiss the wife, go watch Sheffield Wednesday, exciting stuff like that?

Ooh I've got a good one this year, the Missus is a big fan of this fella

Click to see full-size image.

She has no idea but he is touring the UK just before Crimbo so I am taking her to Nottingham just before Xmas to see him. It's actually my personal idea of hell because it's a very audience participation type of gig and I'm a miserable chuff at the best of times, so the real present is that I'm going to be quiet and not ruin it. Doing my damnedest to keep it secret until we arrive at the Arena, I figure she is not subbed to your diary.



Other than that a very quiet one, you?

[Woodsey]

Are people so petty minded that get upset & make forum posts about chuffing coffee cups?

You know my fascination with the darker recesses of the human mind, it's remarkable how much is politicised these days. Video games and comics, for example, are currently undergoing these bizarre trivial culture wars. Personally I think it's a form of infantilisation, people do not want to think about the real political horrors of life like the middle east, the devaluing of currency, climate change and whatnot, so they stick to 'politics lite' like this. It's a distraction, there is a term for it 'narcotising dysfunction' ---> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotizing_dysfunction

What are the Family Carter plans for Xmas? Walk the dog, kiss the wife, go watch Sheffield Wednesday, exciting stuff like that?

Ooh I've got a good one this year, the Missus is a big fan of this fella

Click to see full-size image.

She has no idea but he is touring the UK just before Crimbo so I am taking her to Nottingham just before Xmas to see him. It's actually my personal idea of hell because it's a very audience participation type of gig and I'm a miserable chuff at the best of times, so the real present is that I'm going to be quiet and not ruin it. Doing my damnedest to keep it secret until we arrive at the Arena, I figure she is not subbed to your diary.



Other than that a very quiet one, you?

Ha, I went to see him last year 

Took my old mum she loves him....

[Lonohray2]

I can't say it bothers me, the freezing thing, people have all kind of thoughts towards death and different ways of comforting themselves when the time comes.  I've signed my body and organs away and feel that is a far better use than being burnt or dropped in the ground. But if I did have a spare £37,000 I also like the idea of this 

No money owed, just missed out on a place in that one but still £25 in credit.


The coffee cup things will definitely have an impact, can't go a day without seeing someone on social media hash tagging #costa #starbucks #chocopumpkinspicedlatte #coffee #wintermornings. Followed by a picture of a cup behind their steering wheel (bonus points for expensive car badges or watches in the picture too). No chance they'd miss an opportunity with a fancy new cup   

[tikay]

Andre Rieu



Well I have to confess I had never heard of him.

I only know of 2 violin blokes, Yehudi Menuhin, & that punky one, Nigel Somebody.

So I Wiki'd Andre, & was stunned by how many people go to his concerts, & how much money his tours gross;

Recent world tour results in Billboard / Pollstar annual worldwide top tours lists



2015 #20 101 shows $51,151,367 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2015[5]
2014 #17 70 shows $42,983,266 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2014[6]
2013 #20 70 shows $49,881,605 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2013[7]
2012 #10 99 shows $46,785,71 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2012[8]
2011 # 9 102 shows $67,104,756 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2011[9]
2010 #16 86 shows $39,992,285 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2010[10]
2009 # 6 112 shows $95,854,338 Billboard Top 25 Tours 2009[11]
2008 # 8 71 shows $76.9 mll Pollstar’s top 10 worldwide tour acts 2008


Isn't that something? 101 gigs in a year, that like 2 every week.

I actually think it'd be good to go see him, Gill would love it I think. I just loathe using Ticketing Websites though, they irritate & spam me to bits for ever more, so maybe we'll try & catch him on telly.


I bet Jeff Lynne's ELO or Robbie barely get more people at concerts than that Violin Bloke.

[tikay]

I can't say it bothers me, the freezing thing, people have all kind of thoughts towards death and different ways of comforting themselves when the time comes.  I've signed my body and organs away and feel that is a far better use than being burnt or dropped in the ground. But if I did have a spare £37,000 I also like the idea of this 

No money owed, just missed out on a place in that one but still £25 in credit.


The coffee cup things will definitely have an impact, can't go a day without seeing someone on social media hash tagging #costa #starbucks #chocopumpkinspicedlatte #coffee #wintermornings. Followed by a picture of a cup behind their steering wheel (bonus points for expensive car badges or watches in the picture too). No chance they'd miss an opportunity with a fancy new cup   

I guess so, yes. Everything (in Business) is driven by Social Media these days.

Its hard to remember what a world without Twitter or Facebook would be like, but I doubt either existed, what, 10 years ago?

£25 in credit? LIKE.