Author Archives: jon

The Shoe Maker Makes News

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We have been remiss in following Formula 1 the last few years, but Michael Schumacher‘s decision today to retire is the end of an era.

Despite the critisim that he is arrogant, we see past this superficial view to see the absolute brilliance that he encapsulates. Regardless which team he drives for, and which start position he takes, he always impresses, and he shall be remembered as (in my limited knowledge of the sport) the best ever driver in the history of F1.

Goodbye, Michael (may I call you Michael?), and thank you.

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We Are Victims

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We checked our credit card status the other week and were most surprised to see the total for the month somewhat higher than expected. It turned out that someone had gained access to our Paypal account and “bought” two items for the total of $1200.

I feel like I have joined an exclusive club, and my kudos has risen in the “Internet Club”. I know of no-one else that has been subject to such fraud, and feel a bit special because of it. I say this, of course, because we have been recently credited the monies by Paypal, and suffer no lose, except that of the inconvenience of communicating with them. Even if Paypal had considered our case to be our own fault, the credit card company that we use for Paypal transactions would cover the bill with their 100% protecton against Internet fraud.

I now need to fax Paypal a utility bill with my name on it, which is impossible since all such bills are in Jo’s name. This shouldn’t be a problem, though, if their hitherto efficieny and professionalism is anything to go by.

The only part of their process that has caused raised eyebrows is the word “fax”. Do people still fax nowadays?

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My Most Embarrassing School Moment

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We never forgive those who make us blush – Jean Francois De La Harpe

I happened to be taking a group of first-years back to their classroom today when a mother of one of the girls came to talk to her. I thought I’d earn some brownie points, and explain to the mother that this particular pupil was very good at English (which she is) and works well (she does).

All I got from the mother was a half-shocked look and a gesture that implied she did not understand me, so I asked one of the other girls in the class to come and help translate. I was determined to let her know just how good her daughter was.

The lady’s shock became understandable when she informed me that she was the girl’s sister. Her shock became my embarrassment, which increased exponentially when she also told me she was also a pupil in the same school I work in. This means she is between twelve and fifteen years old.

In my defence, this girl began last year, when I was on paternity leave, and I do not have classes 7-9 any more. She wears a shawl, like many of the girls, and is not one of the boisterous pupils.

It’s an ice-breaker, though, providing she doesn’t take offence at my blunder.

Not Quite The Muppets

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Continuing the outing theme, we went to a puppet theatre today, Dockteatern Tittut, puppetry for children from two years old.

Today’s show was a forty minute version of H.C. Anderson’s Thumbelina, with two puppeters/actors taking on all the story’s roles. Unusually, they weren’t hidden behind a black veil, but were as much a part of the story as the puppets they were controlling.

Freya was a bit tired, had just drunk some juice (sugar-kick, anyone?) and was part of a 40-odd audience; she phased in and out of the performance, sometimes interacting with some of the other children present. All in all, though, she enjoyed herself and must have earned some experience points from the event.

Jo and I liked the show very much, too, and will definitely be making more frequent visits to this theatre.

Suits You, Sir

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There are very few places that exist on God’s Earth where this costume would be considered cool; however, at those places you would be a god of sorts.

For a mere $55 you could be the extremely proud owner of this Super Snake fancy-dress costume, which would be exceptionally cool if Super Snake had existed in the arcades. But, being interested in such things, I’ve checked The Killer List Of Video Games, the authority in these matters, and I cannot find it listed. So it loses its appeal. Big time.

Still, hardly anyone would know the non-existence of said game, and you could easily reel off a list of “facts” a that would be as true they ever could be, thus increasing your kudos immeasurably amongst folk that actually mean anything.

Still, the joystick is conveniently placed for a miriad double-entendres.