Your Family Were Pirates!

This week marked the return of a series which I can actually say that I take enjoyment in watching, although sometimes I do wish they would pursue certain threads a little further, as I know well they can. I am of course talking about the brilliant "Who Do You Think You Are?" For those unfamiliar with the programme, it takes celebrities on a journey of discovery, finding out who their ancestors were, where they came from, what they did, and looks at the major events which they were caught up in. The first show featured newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, whose family came to the UK from Belarus, via South Africa. Turns out her family, who were Jewish, were treated just as badly as most European Jews during WWII, and were murdered by the Nazis. What always amazes me about family history, is just how little people know about their own family when it comes down to it.

Other TV treats this week. The IT Crowd continues, not as good as the first 2 episodes,. but still showing the odd flash of brilliance, such as this clip form the start where Moss and Roy are about to watch a pirated dvd and are reminded quite expilicitly how piracy is theft:

How did you enjoy that? Yeah, I thought so too, isn't humour marvellous?

Information Technology and Political Correctness!

OK, I'm sort of recovered from ny knackering day yesterday. I do have an assignment of sorts for tomorrow, based around Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech. Apparently social inclusion is to be a key component of the course. I see what they're trying to achieve here, but I am slightly concerned about getting caught up in some political correctness orientation, since I'm not particularly aware of which current politically correct tendencies and usages are acceptable. Ah well, winging it again I suppose!

On a lighter note, I had intended to mention previously, the return of the Channel 4 comedy "The IT Crowd" last week, which I had decided wasn't that brilliant first time out, although to be honest, I can't really remember if it was or not. Anyway, new series and willing to give it another chance, and how clever was I, it was actually hilarious. This fits in neatly with the political correctness theme, because the characters found themselves at a gay musical called "Gay" and mucho capers ensued, managing to drag in disability as well without actually offending any minorities. Dangerous ground, but they got away with it. Funniest thing I've seen in some time, British comedy really has gone stale hasn't it?

On the IT difficulties front, I saw something in the paper yesterday about some of the ridiculous problems that people had phoned up AOL about. Some guy said that his modem wasn't working and it transpired that it was still in the box. I also found these:

• Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
  Female customer: A white one…

• Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can’t get my diskette out.
  Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?
  Customer: Yes, sure, it’s really stuck.
  Tech support: That doesn’t sound good; I’ll make a note.
  Customer: No , wait a minute… I hadn’t inserted it yet… it’s still on my desk… sorry….

• Tech support: Click on the ‘my computer’ icon on the left of the screen.
  Customer: Your left or my left?

• Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
  Male customer: Hello… I can’t print.
  Tech support: Would you click on “start” for me and…
  Customer: Listen pal; don’t start getting technical on me! I’m not Bill Gates.

Who'd want to be the IT guy? Makes teaching look like a safe bet!