Author Archives: jon

Showing Freya Yoda

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It’s about time I joined the throngs who, because of lack of content, include a YouTube video on their site. This not only makes me look like I actually have something to offer to the outside world, but gives the impression that I’m hip and know what is hot on the “Internet”.

Anyway, Jo has started work on creating Freya’s Yoda costume for next week’s Halloween party, which takes place at Freya’s nursery school. Freya has been reluctant to try on Jo’s work of art, so we’ve been showing her what/who Yoda is. The best place to do this is YouTube, and I found this little gem that is an Easter Egg on the Revenge Of the Sith DVD.

This is one of the first entries I’ve written that will no doubt be obselete in a few years when:

a) the above video gets deleted because of copyright infringement.

b) YouTube gets closed down due to copyright infringement.

c) Google (who recently acquired YouTube) get bought out by Microsoft, who then make it impossible to embed any video in any non-Microsoft software.

d) Technology advances enough to make the quality of this video look even more laughable than it already is.

HTML Code: Lists

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I don’t know why I’ve never bothered to find out before, especially because it is something I have had need of on numerous occasions, but I’ve finally found out how to mark off a list using HTML. Now I can do this:

  • the beginning of a list
  • the middle
  • the end

    The dots look ugly, but they serve a purpose, and will suffice until some other method comes along to replace it.

    • How To Be Popular As A Teacher

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    Years 7, 8 and 9 had a theme day at school today. They were split into four groups, and spent the day taking turns to visit the four “themed” rooms. This year the theme was countries: France, Japan, England and Zimbabwe.

    I was, of course, involved in the organisation of England. This involved preparing tea, toast and marmalade, and showing an episode of Fawlty Towers.

    Had we have had more than 60 minutes per group, there were more humourous itmes planned (English humour being the theme within a theme), but even with the shortened schedule, we seemed to have succeeded in sending away the children happy.

    In the corridor there was talk of the day’s event, and I overheard a couple of times how the English offering was best. I gladly take credit for the idea, though the actual ingredients (sugar and brilliant comedy) are always a recipe for success among young adults.

    Freya’s First IUP Talk

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    I’ve just got back from Freya’s nursery school where Jo and I had our first Individual Development Program (IUP in Swedish) meeting with Freya’s teacher, Janet.

    We’d been asked to fill in a form prior to the meeting, to include questions and thoughts about Freya’s development; this was a very difficult task for us. In the end we managed to put together five or so ideas on paper, though none of them major.

    Janet informed us that Freya is a fantastic little girl with a personality to match (as well as parents – Janet’s words, not ours). She is calm, well-liked by all (including the older children), and manages to be independent where others give up (when putting on her clothes, for example). She’ll try, and is curious about, everything.

    She can take initiative and decide herself if she wants to be a part of someone else’s play, though can sometimes be dominated by those who are, by nature, more dominant. When someone comes along and interupts her puzzle-playing she can just walk away and find another activity to engage in.

    Jo and I both agree that this is actually a good thing. We know she can stand up for herself, but it is not always desireable or necessary to do so. Neither is it Freya’s problem that such incidences happen, and, as long as the guilty party is confronted about his/her behaviour, we see nothing wrong with our daughter’s choice. In fact turning the other cheek is a personality trait we are more than willing to encourage.

    This is Janet’s last week at school. Selfishly, we wish Janet were to stay, but understand her need to develop as much as we do Freya’s. Janet has been wonderful, taking care of Freya’s skills, and keeping an eye on the vegan (and sometimes not) food she gets.

    Thank you Janet, for being there for Freya and us.

    Piracy Insured

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    The war is already lost. The film and music industry will demand sacrifices, nonetheless, though their attempts are pitiful. As if trying to make a point that ANY amount of illegal filesharing is worth the fight, several “pirates” were convicted and fined this week for sharing one film and four songs between them.

    Coming to their aid is delaut.se, who insure filesharers against such fines for a minimal monthly fee. A one-month packet costs £1.50, while a year’s insurance is £9.

    This type of organisation isn’t the first in Sweden. Planka.nu is a similar idea for those willing to shirk payment on public transport. For 6 months of protection one pays about £35, less than the cost of one month’s legal travel. Tagen.se is another such site for drivers who get caught for speeding

    It surprises me that these type of ideas do not become illegal. Planka.nu has been in operation since 2001; however, with the newly elected Moderates taking power from the Social Democrats, this may be a short-lived

    Interstingly, planka has about 600 paying “members” per month, whilst the nascent delaut about 2000.