Stephen's space

A friend of mine refuses to reply to texts that are written in 'txtspk' as this is abhorrently described as an absolute infective disorder and degradation of the English language.

In such a short space of time texting has become something that nearly everyone has at least tried, or is using on a day-to-day basis to communicate. No one could have envisaged years ago, that such a simple format of communication would dominate the airwaves with such power and magnitude. You only have to walk around and watch and within minutes, you will come across someone either reading or writing a text message on his or her mobile phone. The amount of jokes of all description, passing between phones is staggering!!

Once again, I hear myself saying that I am amazed to the wide range of ages that use on a day to day basis the shorthand method of writing text, in short 'text speak'

How far has text evolved? In Malaysia a court decreed that a man may serve a divorce to his wife by text.... as long as the message was clear and unambiguous it was valid under Islamic Sharia law. Yes, that is reassuring.......

My parents were slightly technophobe to the usage of a mobiles, and teaching them text messaging was probably reminiscent of myself, once upon a time, being taught to ride a bike with stabilisers, albeit less frustrating. You know when you have succeeded in your lessons when the next time you go around, there are 5 post-it stickies attached to the phone with scribbled numbers for quick access.....<sigh>

Bluejacking was rife at one time, and now with tightened mobile security, BJ'ing is dying down. What is bluejacking? Simply put, you  create a phonebook contact and name it - 'U been bluejacked', in the 'Name' field. You then search for other phones with Bluetooth switched on and then send that phonebook contact to them. A message will appear displaying "'U been bluejacked' has just been received by K800i" . Most people will be clueless to how the message appeared on their phone.

Believed to be one of the first bluejacking experiences, this story possibly stirred and started the craze back in the year 2002...

“I was in the bank today and was waiting for my number to be called as there were many people in the bank. Out of boredom, I did a Bluetooth discovery to see if there was any other Bluetooth device around. A name appeared on my screen "Nokia 7650" which obviously means some poor Nokia users has his Bluetooth switched on.

I looked around and did not see anybody around me using that brick... I mean Nokia 7650. I then proceeded to create a new contact in my phone which had all it's fields empty except for the first name which I gladly filled with "Buy Eriksson!" and made my R520 send that business card to the Nokia 7650 and a guy a few feet away from me suddenly had his 7650 making obscene noises in the bank. He took out his 7650 and started looking at his phone (and looking lost at the same time). I couldn't contain myself and left the bank”

The adaptation of bluejacking has evolved where people name their phones with curious names and 'handles' that may hint to whom they may be. Ah, Bluetooth, there is nothing like the scene of men in their 50's swapping ringtones and jokes in the local....

Finally a new gadget that is worth mentioning. Orange has launched a 'Dance-powered mobile charger' by the method of kinetic movement of a system of weighs and magnets, which move as you groove.' The system is contained within a jogger-style MP3 arm strap, and means you never have to worry about your phone running out of power again, as you fatally sink into the slime and mud pools of Glastonbury Festival whilst dancing away to the sounds of your favourite band playing live      ...in the rain....

                              CUL8R :-)

There are some experiences from life, that just leave a horrid taste in ones mouth, one of these is 'camping' I just cannot get my head around this pastime which is nothing more than a dive into pseudo poverty ... and to be fair the only time you will find me treading the ranges of a camping site, is to pass through it to get to the hotel! The thought that camping in the U.K is less dangerous than some other countries where you could be possibly wrestled, strangled or eaten by the wildlife just outside your tent, is reassuring. Mind, there is also no forgetting Australia, the home of the largest collection of the deadliest animals......

One friend told me that 'you haven't really lived till you've cut your way out of a sleeping bag with a Swiss knife'.....hmm. It has also been brought to my attention that in an emergency, a drawstring from a parka is adequate enough to be used to strangle a snoring tent mate, ah!, see, there are some plus points then!

Ok, so you wake up and trudge over to the shower block to clean up after your walk to the hygienic toilets and showers to walk back and find that all was in vain, as your now worse than before you started. I still don't get it. <blank look>

The new Selk bag (Around £89 – picture right) is the only dawn of sunshine in the small possibility of hope for me getting near a tent. This little beauty of a sleeping bag is made with the intention of you being able to wander around tucked up cosy and snug. Perfect for those cold nights when your gas bottle is blocked and no matter what you do, that bottle is a dead parrot......

I leave you with a smirkingly flavourful smattering from the American way of camping with suggestions sent in by U.S. Backpackers to the U.S. Forest Services...

"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? “

“Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.”

"Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."

"Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."

"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.”

"The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.”

"Too many rocks in the mountains."

"A McDonald's would be nice at the trail head."

Sweet dreams all.

A friend of mine owns several pubs that specialise in free live music, from Thursdays
to Sundays bands play whilst upholding a free entry to all policy.  All that
is required from the punters is to voluntarily throw their odd change in the
bucket that goes around to help support the bands whom play there (Yes, the
bands get paid too....).

This system works remarkably well and the bands do
regard the venues with high esteem, all the more reason it succeeds, and this
in turn radiates to the crowds be entertained from genres of
blues to punk...
Last night a band played I particularly enjoy called Punk'd. No stab in the
dark guesses for what kind of music is being played....

It struck me last night, how much the tastes of people have merged and changed!
Whilst the political and anti-government songs of the seventies through
even to today, strived to keep the aggressive attributes that brought shock, outrage
and distaste to the masses with sounds that categorically avoid remotely
being labelled mainstream ... well, you may ask where I am going with this...
so....

I stood watching the crowd last night of ages 18 to 80 of all ilk singing along
to 'God Save The Queen' and 'Pretty Vacant' and albeit the smile on my face,
it reflected to me how profusely times have altered and how a monster that
professed to be so hostile, is now so acceptable and embraced by all ages. A gentleman in his 80's
of gentile manners along with his wife singing all the words to 'Pretty
Vacant' topped it all for me!