I Made It Back Alive!

I'd never stood in front of 20 kids before and talked to them about computing, but I have now. It's started, but there's a long way to go. I won't say I wasn't nervous, of course I was, but I didn't let them see it, apparently if they smell fear, they'll tear you limb from limb. Still, I've survived, even though I was pretty much thrown straight into it. That's probably the best way. The teacher even left the class, almost straight away, and somehow I got through it unscathed.

I'm not saying it went perfectly, because it didn't. Some of the pupils were talking and I had a job getting them to quieten down. I also need to use my voice to much greater effect in future, that much I sussed out for myself. I've got a load more lessons lined up anyhow. Things are really going to start piling up on me very quickly over the next few weeks, that's for sure.

Good TV last night, with Top Gear once again showing us how easily the BBC can spend our money, dragging the team out to Botswana to race 3 second-hand cars across the country, through a massive salt-pan, which no-one has been stupid enpugh to cross before, then at break-neck speed through a game reserve. All quite ridiculous and clearly costing a king's ransom, but never the less, compelling viewing. Some people hate it, they told me so. That's their God-given right I suppose. Me, I like it!

Odds and Sods!

Just some odds and ends today because it's been a long day, I'm tired and I've got a bit of a sore head. Some good telly last night with Top Gear and the first part of Ewen McGregor's "Long Way Down". If you haven't heard of Ewen McGregor, or happen to be uncertain about why he might be travelling down the way for some distance, then try Wikipedia or Google. It's not up to me to clarify every little point you want to nitpick.

Random irritations today. No wait, major irritations actually. The railway-men (whomever they may be) were installing new signals between Dyce and Aberdeen over the weekend and they were meant to be finished by 4am this morning. But nay, they weren't finished and delayed my train by 45 minutes, causing me to be late for perhaps the most crucial lecture ever, by over 20 minutes. Sods Law, I think they call that.

Anyway, my problems are not so bad. My son had to get 2 teeth extracted today, and there's another 2 to get pulled next Monday, in preparation for his first brace fitting next Wednesday. I've assured him that it's all for a good cause, as with his teeth straightened, he'll be able to get a better looking girlfriend, and therefore potentially, my future grand-children will probably be better looking than otherwise. Safe to say, at the age of 13, this is not the kind of stuff he wants to hear me saying, but hey, valid points don't you think?

Top Gear Rules the Waves!

If you are a resident of the UK then you will be familiar with "Top Gear"! If you're not then it's a bloody shame, because Top Gear is absolutely immense. It is a motor show, but, anyone will tell you that I have no interest in cars whatsoever. And yet, my kids and I (and I suspect the wife even) enjoy Top Gear no end, because it's so funny. They're prepared to be outrageous, they take enormous risks and clearly enjoy driving and cars in general, particularly fast ones.

On Top Gear last night, the team: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, each built an amphibious vehicle (part car, part boat), which they then had to drive from London to Dover. Once at Dover, they recieved the next part of their challenge, to sail their ridiculous amphibious vehicles 28 miles across the English Channel to Calais. The idea was just plain stupid. There was no way any of their vehicles could possibly make it. At least that's what we thought.

Thei first attempt was a trial run within the harbour, which went quite well, but the second attempt was fairly disastrous. As they left the calmer waters of the harbour, James May's boat sank, Richard Hammond's rudder jammed and he started going around in circles in the harbour entrance as the gigantic Sea-cat came steaming towards him. The timely intervention of the coastguard saved the day. Attempt 3 saw James May join Richard Hammond as cabin-boy. This time the sea was much calmer, so they made a good start. Several miles out to sea however, Hammond's boat began taking on water and then capsized. The three hosts then all ended up together on Jeremy Clarkson's boat, which was a converted pickup truck.

They were going great, but then came the shipping lanes. The English Channel is quite probably the busiest shipping lane in the World, and these nutcases were weaving in and out between tankers, ferries and cargo ships in a floating pick-up truck with an outboard. It was completely insane. They are crazy. Then they started to take on water, but as they drew closer to France the water calmed and unbelievably they made it. They landed somewhere near Sangatte, off target, but considering they had no maps or guidance systems of any sort, pretty good I would say. Rivetting viewing that's for sure. Here's a preview to give you some idea if you missed it or couldn't watch it. Check out some of the videos on the Top Gear website though, and you'll see what I mean!