Archive for the ‘Enjoyment’ Category
Does exactly what it says on the tin; just the posts that relate to the above...
Festive thanks
Just so you know, we are closed for the Christmas recess from Friday 23 December 2011 til’ Tuesday 3 January 2012. We have gifts to give, food to be eaten and beer to consume.
Thank you folks!
2011 has been a great year for Mixd and we have had the opportunity to work on some really exciting projects for some lovely clients. A big thanks to all those that have worked with us and here’s to a fantastic 2012. It’s not just clients that make us tick though. We value our relationships and interactions with suppliers, digital peers, students and anyone else who cares to engage with us!
To all of you, from the bottom of the Mixd heart, we wish you a truly fantastic festive period and all the very best for the forthcoming new year.
Merry Christmas! WIN some festive fizz!
When Santa hit the streets of Harrogate last Christmas to collect charity donations, he took 3 ‘stooges’ with him to help conceal his true identity. But which one is the real Santa?
Win champagne!
To enter and be in with a chance of winning a magnum of champagne, just visit the Mixd Facebook page and add your comment to the picture. Your comment should include who you think the real Santa is in the picture and your reasoning as to why. The winner will be drawn at random from all qualifying entries made on or before the 31st December 2011
Merry Christmas folks!
What’s the Internet done for Christmas?
Christmas Eve 2008
There I was, traipsing around a bland town centre, with arms full of bags blowing in the wind, a light shower to add to my woes and a bag of roasted chestnuts that resembled charcoal… all whilst a Peruvian pan pipe band played ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’… repeatedly.
Mid-December 2011
Christmas gift and food shopping all done. Purchased online. From the warmth and comfort of my own home. With a large glass of port. (It’s not necessarily all plain sailing; you must be prepared to take the odd trip to your local, friendly sorting office to exchange your ‘Sorry we missed you’ cards for parcels.)
Okay then. So other than taking the strain out of the Christmas shopping…
What has the Internet done for Christmas?
Surely the biggest thing must be how it has broken down barriers of geographical location, so people can communicate and see loved ones easily wherever they are on the planet?
No. Sadly not. It’s ‘The Christmas Madness Bandwagon’. Digital Christmas tat is another way of putting it. But we love it…
Track Santa’s movements (not those ones) on Christmas Eve!
For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) claim to have tracked Santa’s flights. How the heck would you do that you may ask. Well, to quote from the NORAD Tracks Santa website:
“NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa cams and fighter jets.”
Of course.
Now you can join the fun at the NORAD site and see Santa’s movements live at any time on Christmas Eve! As well as fascinating information about NORAD and Santa himself, seasonal digital features include ‘The Countdown Village’ for kids festive games, the official NORAD Tracks Santa App (featuring the game ‘Elf Toss’) and the ability to follow Santa on Google Earth!
Personalised Santa video message!
As you may well have seen all over Facebook and Twitter, PNP is a hot Christmas topic this year. PNP (Portable North Pole) brings Santa to you or your loved ones via the medium of personalised video message. The blurb on the Portable North Pole site boasts:
“With just a few clicks, you help Santa gather the necessary information and he prepares a unique, tailor-made video that would delight even Scrooge himself.”
Since 2008, PNP claims to have helped Santa deliver over 20 million personalised video messages worldwide. Some stat. However, the site isn’t mobile friendly (uses Flash) so don’t try it on your iPhone. There is of course an App available though!
One more thing… I was slightly concerned about the privacy of my data. But if you say ‘Bah Humbug’ to that, get on it and enjoy!
UK Snow Map
If you’re a Twitter addict, there’s always the UK Snow Map that is powered by tweets. You can use Twitter to have the snow conditions where you are plotted on a map of the UK in real-time. To find out more, get on over to the UK Snow Map website.
Phil in Lycra
I know many of you will be disappointed having read Phil’s post about commuting, not to see him in Lycra… so here you go!
Your commute just got interesting
Happy 1st November everyone! Whilst driving to work this morning I was thinking how lucky I am to have the commute that I have to Harrogate. I am sure that I am not alone to say that I have had my fair share of long, dull and tedious commutes. Perhaps the longest of which was the 5-hour drive that I did to Scotland every weekend when I worked as a white water raft guide! I have to say I am glad that working in Harrogate means I no longer have to compete with the masses travelling into Leeds each morning – something I spent many years doing in previous employment. I’m hard placed to beat the commute I have from the market town of Otley (on the outskirts of Leeds) across the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and over to Harrogate where Mixd is based… it’s a great little ride on the bike too!
Wait, you bike to work?
Yes, whilst the drive across the edge of the Dales can be positively up-lifting, it does get better on the days when I can leave my car at home and cycle to work. I thought I would give you a little insight into what my commute is like on the days I bike to work, so here goes…
Lights on
It’s that time of year again… so like many enthusiast cyclists out there I have invested heavily in lights so powerful they put Blackpool illuminations to shame! I reckoned I could do the distance in about 45 minutes each way. So the choice was either a road bike which I reasoned would be fast but meant I’d need to wear the Lycra outfit back and forth and since they don’t have mudguards I’d be getting a wet bum if it rained. Or I could go for something more ‘cool’… use my mountain bike, cut the corner off and go through the woods at Norwood Edge. The choice was made! Potential for a wet arse and how I’d look in Lycra meant there was no contest. Mountain bike it was then.
Take the rough with the smooth
Setting off from Otley in the dark is always a tough call. Especially when it’s wet and windy and you know you’ve got 45 minutes of pain to follow! Out of Otley and over the river before the right towards Farnley. Bang! It’s hits you… the first climb that leads gently up towards Lindley Wood reservoir. On with the iPod and dare I say the new ColdPlay album. Feels wrong to say I like it but it helped me tackle the mighty Norwood Edge climb before cutting off and going cross country. This is the biggest and worst climb of the ride and despite the tough gradient when you get going, it’s really not all that bad. When I got over the top you’d be forgiven for thinking it was an entirely different country; there was barely a cloud in the blue sky and the sun was just starting to come up. It’s for moments like this that I do it! Down the hill to Beckwithshaw and down into Harrogate. There done. 42 minutes and 38 seconds. Argh, it’s a hard life being a web designer!
So what is the ideal commute and how long is acceptable?
So what is your commute like? Just curious to see how long it takes folks to commute to work? How long before its ‘too long’ and wastes too much of your day, where do you draw the line? Does the method of transport influence your decision? Currently my commute is 30 minutes in the car or 45 minutes by bike!
Blown-away
You’ll have to pardon the pun, but I was blown-away when I was shown this the other day. Flabbergasted even! Take a peek:
Now I’ve done some pretty silly things on the bike in the past but this is next-level silliness. I didn’t even know a sport like this existed! But there you have it, Wingsuit Base Jumping
Fair play to ‘em
Mountain bike madness…
I just wanted to say a huge thanks for all the support and the money raised from the 100 mile South Downs Way ‘bike ride’ that I took part in last Saturday for the British Heart Foundation. It is the 3rd year I’ve taken part in this event so in fairness I knew what I had let myself in for. The 100 mile off-road cycle route runs from Winchester to Eastbourne covering the entire length of the South Downs Way with a staggering 3,550 metres of climbing! It’s a tough route and a great test of endurance but also a thoroughly enjoyable event for a great cause.
100 miles in just over 10 hours!
I’m pleased to say I completed all 100 miles in a total time of 10 hours and 20 something minutes; a full hour quicker than my time from last year and I crossed the finish line in fourth spot! However, I was staggered to hear the fastest recorded time on the day was 7 hours 15 minutes by some elite rider… clearly I’ve got room for improvement!
It’s for charidee, mate…
I am also very pleased to report that I have raised quite a bit of money for the British Heart Foundation along the way. If you’ve not yet shown your support you still can at: http://www.justgiving.com/phil-shackleton.
Cycling rules
Looking back on the past 6 months of training I have learnt quite a few things about cycling. A few points in particular from a set of rather random cycling rules taken from Velominati’s – The Rules:
- Rule 12: The minimum number of bikes one should own is three. The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
- Rule 24: Speeds and distances shall always be referred to and calculated in kilometers. This includes while discussing cycling in the workplace with your non-cycling coworkers, serving to further mystify our sport in the web of their Neanderthalic cognitive capabilities. As the confused expression spreads across their unibrowed faces, casually mention your shaved legs. All of cycling’s monuments are measured in the metric system and as such the English system is forbidden.
- Rule 25: The bikes on top of your car should be worth more than the car. Or at least be relatively more expensive.
- Rule 56: When wearing a cycling kit and enjoying a pre or post ride coffee, it is only appropriate to drink espresso or macchiato. If the word soy/skim latte is heard to be used by a member wearing cycling apparel, then that person must be ceremonially beaten with CO2 canisters or mini pumps by others within the community.
Back on the bike
The appearance of a bit of sunshine in England brings about many changes. Those early mornings seem easier, everyone’s in a happier mood, beers taste better and the ladies don their bikinis.
After having a decent bit of decent weather of late, I decided sitting in front of a computer all day needed to be offset with some sort of outdoor activity to set me up for the summer.
Something that a lot of people don’t know about me (I’m not one to brag) is that I used to be a bit of a dab-hand on a bike. By “dab-hand” I mean, you know, stunts an’ that. Two or three years ago, my life-long hobby fell by the wayside a little bit (probably due to growing up and the responsibilites of forging a career path!) Oh, and this happened…
Enough to put someone off I think you’ll agree! And it did.
You must be mad!
I’m pleased to say I was okay (physically) after that crash (minus a broken pair of glasses!) and spurred on by the recent sunshine — as well as watching a few of my old riding videos one evening — I decided it was time to start riding again!
So that’s what I have been doing, and will be doing over the summer months. It’s not been going too badly so far, after a dozen rides I’m slowly but surely working my way back up to the sort of things I was doing a few years ago. I’m actually off to Bristol this weekend to ride in a street jam / contest organised there, although I will probably get a bit of a shock at how good everyone else has got in the time I’ve been away!
Watch this space as I’m determined to film some new clips and perhaps make another video sometime in the future. You can watch a video of me “nailing it” below, from back in my hay-day!
What about you..do you have any hobbies you will be dusting off this summer? Go on!
Alternatives to the Royal wedding (29 April 2011)
Are you one of the people desperately looking for an alternative to the Royal wedding on Friday?
Well, we’ve had a good search around the font of all knowledge that is the internet and are pleased to bring you a Mixd [sic] assortment of alternative things to do.
Alternative things to do on Friday 29 April 2011
(to escape the Royal wedding)
Our favourite!
Kate Middleton may have kissed a few frogs to find her Prince, but if you’re in the USA, jump on board any one of a number of events to mark the 3rd annual ‘Save the Frogs Day’!
England
- Funeral procession and living wake to mark the demise of vital public sector services (Manchester)
- The Croft, hosts ‘An Alternative Indoor Royal Wedding Street Party’ featuring live acts including ‘Cesspit Rebels’! (Bristol)
- Outdoor Cinema at The Red Lion presents ‘The Italian Job’ (Hunningham)
- Queer Resistance presents ‘Royal Zombie Celebration & Flash Mob’ (Soho)
Ireland
- Bray Jazz Festival (Co Wicklow)
- Lunchtime Arias at The Gaiety Theatre (Dublin)
Scotland
- The Scottish Baby and Toddler Show (Glasgow)
- Republic presents ‘Not the Royal Wedding’ party (Edinburgh)
Wales
- The Welsh National Scooter Rally (Builth Wells)
- The Socialist Party presents ‘A Socialist Party republican alternative BBQ to the royal wedding’ (Swansea)
Elsewhere
- The Cyber Bingo Network’s online bingo hall known as Bingo Zest, will close down. So get in quick! (Online)
- A full day’s viewing of ‘The Only Way is Essex’ starting at 8.10am. I kid you not. (ITV2)
Whatever you’re doing. Have fun and enjoy it!
Do let us know if there are any events that you feel should be in this list!
So, what are you doing this weekend then?
I was just sat here this Friday afternoon (wasting time) thinking about those halcyon days of being a ‘youth’. When lengthy school holidays meant everyday was a Saturday. Your normal ‘working’ day finished at 3.15pm. And your biggest worry was if that new girl you fancied thought your trainers were cool. “Those days are gone my friend” I told myself.
The older you get, the more responsibilities you have and the greater emphasis you put on weekends. So, I asked around the guys in the Mixd team and it’s safe to say they are relishing their weekends:
- Matt will be sipping Sangria, eating Tapas, looking at Gaudi architecture and generally lording it up with his good lady in Barcelona.
- Mike will be riding around his garden in a JCB Bobcat undertaking some groundworks for a new wall and what not.
- David will be largin’ it behind the wheels of steel at Janet’s 50th in the function room of the Three Horseshoes; spinning the tunes and knocking out phat beats to keep the whistle posse happy. Along with a spot of DIY.
- Phil is off to the Lakes with his wife to celebrate some friends’ engagement… although he hasn’t told his better half that he is taking his bike to get some training miles under his belt (sure Lou will be ecstatic).
- As for me… well. I’m ‘discussing wedding things’ with my best man tonight, which actually means some decent grub and a gallon of ale down t’pub. Tomorrow, I’ll be at Sound It Out records in Stockton, being the sound technician for some instore gigs to mark International Record Store Day. Marvellous.
What about you?
What are you doing to escape the stresses and strains of the working week?