Out with the mechanical, in with the ‘computerised’

I like to think I’m comfortable with new technology, that I’m a woman who embraces new exciting developments in the world around her. I almost grew up online, dad always made sure there was a computer in the house and I thank him for that, because if it wasn’t for the BBC there wouldn’t have been any Chuckie Egg (imagine a world without Chuckie Egg, not even). I had one of the Motorola bricks at college and finally my own HP Desktop computer at university with shiny shiny windows 2000.

I always want to urge people to try new things, new things can be better, worried that those that are ‘happy with what they have’ could be missing out on better processes, saving time, seeing more awesome.

But today, today I saw the other side. Today I got a new sewing machine.

Full Article ➺14th November, 2014

I want a sarcasm element!

<sarcasm>Throws toys out the pram</sarcasm>

For aaaggees now I’ve wanted a way to express my sarcasm over the internets. When you’re typing this can be pretty hard… it can get lost pretty quickly when words on a screen don’t come with tone.

Enter the <sarcasm> element*. I, (as well as others), have been know to add this to IRC chats, or at least end a line with </sarcasm>.

It suddenly changes the tone of the conversation. You become enlightened as to body language that otherwise gets missed when not in direct vicinity with another person.

And why stop at sarcasm, could we express other emotions too – just with one element and it’s attributes?

<emotion type="excited">I'm going to the fair tomorrow!</emotion>

Are there too many emotions, (and variations of such), or maybe I’m just about to step into a debate about how emotions don’t matter and only logic prevails.

<emotion type="scared">I'd better get out of here!</emotion>

*This idea is in no way practical.

EDIT 9.1.15: There is a sarcasm punctuation mark, as I discovered whilst watching University Challenge the other day. There’s more about it on the sarc mark website.25th April, 2014

Rolling Your Own

I don’t like to spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning.

I like to spend a lot of time in the shower, cos showers are nice, but the whole idea of styling hair and painting on eye makeup has always made me feel like I could be spending my time better… Like an extra half hour in bed for instance.

So, as a time saver, I make my own face cream, I always have. It’s a mix of my preferred moisturiser, foundation and skin cream. This means I only have to slap this on once and I’m done.

A couple of years ago cosmetic companies started to produce a thing they dubbed BB cream. For those unaware its a similar idea, foundation, moisturiser, skin cream, serums, oils etc… All rolled into one.

I still make my own.

I’ve checked out a number of these BB creams and I don’t feel like any of them are suitable for my needs. Although the concept is the same, I like my own recipe.

Sometimes its cool & ok to roll your own for your own specific needs… Even if there are things out there that are similar.9th March, 2014

Happy (belated) International Women’s Day

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, a celebration of being of the fairer sex all over the globe.

I work in the web/app development industry. It is male dominated. I have seen lot of sexism in my career, but then I have in my everyday life as well. Just yesterday my middle aged next door neighbour Nigel was explaining I couldn’t possibly know what size screws were. Why Nigel? It it my bleach blonde hair? My fair skin which makes me look in my twenties (thanks mum & dad). Or is it my breasts.

It was the latter wasn’t it, let’s be honest.

I regularly, as many women, face everyday sexism, just like this.

But this weekend, I want to take a different approach.

I want to be thankful.

Full Article28th February, 2014

I got nominated for a net Award!

Isn’t that amazing!

I’m totally chuffed. Some lovely person/people actually nominated this demo. (NB The last two links work best on an android device with vibrate functionality 😉 )

I’d really luv to get to the shortlist… the voting for that closes at the end of March (24th), if you want to vote for me you can here.

Thank you in advance you lovely peeps :D28th November, 2013

So I like making stuff…

I got into crochet a couple of years ago. I was bought a book on how to do it, by my then housemates, cos they knew I liked making stuff. And so I sat there and taught myself how to do it. (If you’re unsure what crochet is it’s a bit like knitting but instead of two needles you have one hook).

I really liked it a lot, one of the main reasons was it was so portable. All you needed was a hook and some sort of yarn. It meant I could take it anywhere and if I was sat on a train, waiting for a bus, sitting in front of the telly, I could still be making something.

Full Article ➺30th October, 2013

CSS Dev Conf

Recently I was lucky enough to have an awe inspiring holiday to Colorado, but I managed to plant CSS Dev Conference within it. The location was amazing – set in the Stanley Hotel, right bang smack in the middle of the Rockies. The same hotel that Steven King was inspired by to write The Shining #truefact.

It felt like the first time in an age where I was just attending a conference and not speaking. But this one was definitely the conference for me. CSS is probably my favourite thing and I got to talk about it non stop – with such great people!

Full Article ➺25th September, 2013

I Will Never…

The theme for today seems to be ‘never’.

I was sitting at breakfast when my Mum entered the room, rushing around in a flurry, explaining to both me and my Dad why she was running late. It’s photo day at school, so she had to do her make-up. She looked up and asked me if she looked alright. She looked lovely, of course she did.

My Dad suddenly exclaimed “I wouldn’t worry, no one looks at the photos anyway.”

My brow furrowed and I became slightly puzzled, “I probably would” I replied, imagining myself walking into a school reception and as I was waiting, (cos there will inevitably be a moment of pause), scanning over the photos on the wall.

Full Article ➺12th September, 2013

The Dungeon Master Was Evil?

Mention The Dungeon Master to anyone of a certain age and it instantly conjures up a cartoon image of a sweet, little guy who assists a group of kids who have found themselves trapped in the realm of Dungeons and Dragons, by giving them cryptic clues to help them find the portal back home.

See, look, pretty innocent looking.

I, on the other hand, spent most of my adult life thinking he was evil…

Full Article ➺29th July, 2013

Shower Fail

So I fell over in the shower this morning.

I say in the shower, I ended up outside of it.

It was all very odd, one foot slipped and as I tried to steady myself with the other that went from underneath me as well. I clung on for dear life to the shower head, which I perceive helped me with my landing. With all the tumbles I have taken in the past few years, I came out of this one pretty unscathed, however it got me thinking: