Category: learning curve

H2G2

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I’m re-reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. It’s unusual for me to read a book and it’s even more unusual for me to enjoy it.
I’ve probably read (and enjoyed) this one about twenty times, but it’s been a long while since I last did, so this weekend seemed as good as any time to start again.
Now you might not agree with my views on reading, but then maybe you just need to look at things from another angle:

It is an important and popular fact that things are not always what they seem. For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much – the wheel, New York, wars and so on – whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time.
But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man – for precisely the same reasons. 

It’s wonderful stuff, and what’s more, I’m reading the compilation of all four of the books in the trilogy.
And what’s more, I’m reading it in a clumsy, unwieldy book made of paper!

Old Skool Rulez!
#vintage #paper #oldeworlde #hipster

An important lesson in parenting

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I saw this yesterday and it’s actually rather thought-provoking:

image

Sometimes we need to remember that while we want our kids to grow up “in our image”, they need to maintain their individuality as well. I was desperate for Alex to become a world-famous footballer – after all, that was my dream as a kid, wasn’t it every young boy’s? – but he’s simply not interested. He has other things he wants to do.
I tried for a while before I finally realised that he’s not me, he’s him. And that’s just great.

Fortunately, we never got as far as him having to write it down on a football and kick it to me.

How cool is Points?

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Described as:

The most advanced directional sign on earth

Points looks very cool – and very useful.

The festival/concert idea shown in this promo video is an excellent idea. And in case you think that this just a computer generated video of some designer’s vision, that same designer is at pains to tell you otherwise:

This is REAL footage of Points shot in Brooklyn, NY.
Everything was captured on camera, and no CG is being used. More info at http://breakfastny.com/points

I want one for my garden: “Pool”, “Braai”, “Beer”.

Cape Town’s Traffic Cameras and Message Boards Are Now Online

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Here: i-traffic

So you can see the hateful M5 (this will look particularly hateful in evening rush hour):

And/or anywhere else.
There’s also a link to the dot matrix electronic message boards dotted around Cape Town’s highways.

In addition, you can register to create and save routes, meaning that you can see feeds from all the cameras along your journey route. I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but… “Well Done SANRAL”!

(Note that Gauteng’s and KZN’s cameras are also available on there)

Get Better Service

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David Clarke has written a column on how to get better service at restaurants.

A couple of points spring to mind here: Firstly, that what he tells us is not rocket science. Secondly, that the list involves a combination of basic good manners and common sense, and we shouldn’t really need to be told. That said, the way that society generally behaves these days (i.e. with a distinct lack of basic good manners and common sense), maybe it’s a good thing that he’s documented these suggestions.

Here’s an example:

Be polite. The service staff are not your servants.
Service staff, just like everybody else, do not like being treated rudely – but unlike everyone else, they cannot really do much about it. Except ignore you. You are far more likely to receive better service if you are courteous to your waiter or waitress. Using words like “Please” and “Thank You” do not cost you anything – use them. Problems in restaurants get solved much quicker for people who are rational and polite.

See what I mean? Other headings include the dangerously subversive: Be on time and the frankly outlandish If you get drunk, realise you are probably annoying those around you.

Go and have a look and see if you have ever been guilty of being rude and stupid not following his simple steps.

I’m going to stop short of saying that you deserve a poor dining experience if you don’t follow his advice (although…), but I’d love to know if people posting nasty reviews of restaurants and dining establishments (Hi Chris!) have been good customers or if they’ve been unnecessarily difficult and earned the wrath of the restaurant staff.