Ray from a submarine

Ray from a submarine, originally uploaded by epredator.

we went from the extremes of the volcano to the depths of the ocean the next day here in Lanzarote.
We went on the submarine to about 29 metres down. A diver got sent out to feed the Ray whilst we were resting on the sea bed. It was very impressive.

Underwater photos

Had a great day snorkelling properly with the underwater camera in Lanzarote. Used predlet 1.0's camera for her as it was her 6th birthday today. She had a great time too and enjoyed some snorkelling.
There is a full set here, I was surprised how many were in focus :)

Ironman Macdonalds

Ironman Macdonalds, originally uploaded by epredator.

It was slightly ironic that here in Lanzarote lots of people are getting geared up fo the ironman race (happening now), but they have to cycles and run past maccy d's in the process :)

Wimbledon Roof

We got to go to the opening/closing event for the new roof on Centre Court at Wimbledon. I did find the ticket amusing though given the wording.

It was also very interesting being there as a punter and not actually working as I have for the past 10 years at the championships, with an added weirdness hanging with IBM team :)
I shot a video of the roof and it was interesting seeing the lights flare as they have on this shot, because you dont actually really notice them, the whole place gives an interesting feel of daylight.

There are a set of photo's here but I am looking forward to seeing Andy's given the huge lens he had against my humbe compact and mobile phone.

PSN gets a gamercard just like 360

Playstation network has finally got itself a show off gamer card. One that lets you show what you have been up to on your gaming console to a web audience and here is mine :)

Dangerous Sports R Us

Predlet 2.0 decided to take a swing seat and find a new use for it. No prompting from me.

Big Ben under surveillance

Big Ben under surveillance, originally uploaded by epredator.

I was in London this week and happened to notice that from this angle it seemed like the CCTV camera was pointing at big ben.
Has the commons got some webcam gig set up to see what time it is?
I was going to make some comment about keeping the MP's expenses ring fenced, but I wont :)

Top Gear

Car World, originally uploaded by epredator.

And welcome to a brand new series of Top Gear. As you can see this series we have a huge range of vehicle that we have road tested.
(Just a small selection the predlets decided to gather together for a photo) :)

Losing our freedom on the internet with the EU?

We have only a few days left to make sure we dont have our internet, that is the comms channel for the people, restricted in its use by EU regulation. 

Act now, write, speak up, make sure we dont lose our freedom to operate.

Its a subtle balance to protect copyright, stop crime, but as with all these measures it seems it will be applied incorrectly. We see this time and time again.

Take Pride

I stopped in the mall in DC for a snack. The cup says take pride in america. A slight sense of irony struck me eating junk food at 10am

Evangelising the ACE unConference

Evangelising the ACE unConference, originally uploaded by ace_conference.

Me in full flow, have mac will travel

Dreadlocks and a mask whatever next?

Dreadlocks and a mask whatever next?, originally uploaded by epredator.

The irony of predlet 1.0 having her hair in a nearly dreadlock fashion and coming back from school with a Kangeroo mask as a combination was not lost on me :)
That's my girl!

G20 come on guys get it sorted, we have!

In the spirit of trying to get some conversation going around the coming G20 summit and the We20.org movement that goes with it I thought I would share a perspective I gained from visiting Derry for the ACE conference the past week.

It is hard not to be moved by the story of Derry, in particular once you are there and on one of the excellent walking tours of the walls. 

Growing up seeing and hearing about the subtly named "troubles" does not prepare you for the extremely deep history Derry has. However, what is clear is that the hundreds of years of conflict in such a relatively small space have only come to anywhere near a conclusion through dialogue. 

People deciding enough is enough and standing together does not mean they all agree, but it does mean they can get things done. It was not just the job of the politicians to do the talking, everyone had to decide.

The moment a partisan interest or niche need pops into the equation then problems are going to occur. All the politicians need to realize though that everywhere is now local, we are all connected to one another in ways that country based geographic boundaries really go no where near addressing.

Take Derry again, a fantastic totally walled city. The walls have stood since the 1600's and have never been breached. Yet now anyone from any part of the city could work with someone on a project using the web and not even know it. The walls are gone in effect. 

The worlds financial collapse has show the interconnectedness of things too. The hidden underworld of money systems, debt, deals, gambling etc has shown that what a few people decide to do on one side of the planet has a potential massive impact everywhere. (The finance systems being closed loop systems fit nicely into the chaotic mathematics area so the old idea of a butterfly flapping its wings having a planet wide impact holds true).

That said it means that we as individuals do not have to wait on the politicians though we do have to bother to act, that means voting, but that is not fast moving enough to wait several years to make a tick in a box about a general direction. Hopefully the g20 will start to realize the massive change and the way we may choose to self organize globally for common good.

It may seem idealistic to suggest if we all talk to one another we can solve the worlds problems, but its got to be worth a try hasn't it? 

As for an idea, why done we have a global micro payment financial system such as we see in individual virtual worlds, having it open to all and not gated by large financial institutions that are driven by larger and larger profit requirements to cover their huge structure. Surely its better to spread the risk and the rewards. 

Make Emo History

Make Emo History, originally uploaded by epredator.

On a family bike ride today we found some interesting stencil graffiti. Make Emo history :) I happen to like Emo music, but I assume the sensitive artist that produced this interesting rendition is not that sensitive after all.

Mist erasing Fawley

Mist erasing fawley, originally uploaded by epredator.

Today had an unusual mist layer, or marine layer as they say in the US. It meant that fawley power station over the water looked rubbed out like a bad photoshop, but in real life.

It made quite an eerie site though it soon cleared. I had intended to take my morning task planning walk and head the other direction along the water, but I saw this and was drawn to it.

Fitness beckons

Fitness beckons, originally uploaded by epredator.

Way back as I was turning 30 I went somewhat mad on the exercise front. As a kid I was not a "jock" to use the US parlance but I did enjoy sports. I never wanted to be 1st team, but somehow that would occasionally happen.
I ended up playing a lot of squash when I was a mid teen too. Again a moderate obsession.
When I went to poly/uni in Leicester I used to walk most places to save money for partying so was quite thin it has to be said.
Once I started work in 1990 though it was a downhill slide. There was no room for working out.
However when I was talked into going skiing and realized I was totally unfit round 1995 I decided to workout. I knew gym membership was a no hoper. Too many people buy and leave that. So I set about a very Rocky like routine, hand weights mixed with cycling off road.
From 95 to mid 98 I did this every day 5 days a week and got pretty strong and bulked up, not quite arnie, but it felt pretty good.
Once the web hit me and the insane hours of corporate life in a growing area I just stopped. Only the odd bike ride.
Then came the kids and then the insanity that has been late night round the clock metaverse evangelizing.
The upshot is that I got pretty unfit. I was also quite stressed to chicken and egg means it hard to motivate for working out when all your energy and very being is dedicated to a cause,
Anyway, with my new found energy, whilst heavily focused on the multiple strands of getting < a href="http://www.feedingedge.co.uk">feeding edge going we ended up going out on a family bike ride. I had predlet 2.0 on the back and whilst it was only a 40 minute one we had some mud and hills to contend with.
This combined with some brisk walks I have taken to get planning on things away from the computer is getting me re acquainted with physical fitness.
I am sure my heart monitor will be back out again soon to make sure I am in the optimum rates for fat burn and fitness. I feel the obsession coming back again.
As a recent study said it was never too late, there may be hope for my lethargic corporeal form after all.

Do Bears?

Do Bears?, originally uploaded by epredator.

When I first saw this sign at Itchen Valley park near Southampton I was not immediately sure what it was saying.
It could be referring to not allowing any furries, which is not a very nice thing to do.
It could suggest that picnics are not to involve any toys.
We thought it referred to what bears do in the woods, and saying dont do that please.
Still a nice try at a universal sign :)

What does freedom feel like

I am now a few weeks into my freedom from my corporate shackles. Its obviously an difficult time financially, as starting to get that pipeline of paying work requires a certain amount of goodwill and engagement. It was also made a little more tricky by the slow payment processing of my former employer of my shares that I sold back on Feb 3rd before I even resigned.
For some reason the money has sat around waiting on payroll, all the tax etc makes it difficult for them. Also having left with some of the month left to run and having a salary paid in advance means I now owe them money. The net should be some money coming my way, but the actual manifestation of this was a payment into my bank today (traditional payday) followed by a pulling it straight back out again. Something of a pain, but it will get sorted very soon, or at least it better!
Another thing to put on the list!
We had a bit of drink up last night and the guys I have been working with the last few years gave me a good send off. Having left straight away I had not had a chance to physically say goodbye, and explain all.
The great thing now is that the freedom to engage with people, to make my own deals and trade offs and to general be influential in the industry looks extremely rosy.
I seem to be even busier than ever, especially with the influx of contacts and linking of ideas and people together.
I have some speaking engagements to do. Monday is metanomics in SL later in the month is a conference in Derry with the creative industries. More on that on feeding edge
The balance now of taking short interesting pieces of work versus long term full time roles is going to be an interesting one.
I know I will still get the questions why did you choose leave whats the real story, but I think that will all become clear in the fulness of time in an appropriate forum, which for now(for once) is not the blogs :)

Quite a week

Not only is the main Feeding Edge website up but now there is a blog attached to it. Life at the Feeding edge
So in a week I have gone from IBMer to Director and already seeing the pipeline of work look promising.
If nothing else the massive support from everyone has seen me through a traumatic but exciting week.

feeding edge logo

feeding edge logo, originally uploaded by epredator.

I launched my metaverse and emerging technology consultancy this week. Feeding Edge
An exciting change and it will be interesting as to what this enables me to explore with various other companies, partners and suppliers.
Watch this space, or that space :)