Moving house

We are looking to sell up and move house to get a bit closer to London and my wife's job based out of Paddington. So I have been thrown into using property sites and dealing with the estate agent industry again. It has been 6 or 7 years since we did this last time and I was looking forward to seeing how the tech can help us.
Firstly selling. Well this seems to still be a slightly old fashioned approach and calendar and diary management is a bit ad hoc with Estate Agents. Not a centralised calendar and online casebook to share information. Lots of phone calls, not emails or texts. I guess the drive to apply sharing tools online is generally diminished as your house is sold by a local estate agent. But still this could do with an upgrade :)

Our house does though appear straight away on Rightmove and on Zoopla. Two excellent property search sites. Though I can's edit the detail as this is all done through the agents so corrections or enhancements take a long while.
Both sites are brilliant for starting the search in a new area. Each is hooked to google or bing and provides rough street areas. You have to place hunt the house usually as the address and postcode are "secret". The things that are missing are really based on that lack of address precision. I spen a lot of time checking the BT infinity broadband availability. Things like this (for me anyway) are essential and I think that would be more use than the property energy efficiency certificates that we all have to have now.
As a virtual world person, having just a 2d floor plan and a few well placed still shots is not the right amount of information. I realise that creating a 3d model to walk through is complicated but with sites like Floorplanner making that much more accessible we may eventually get to that. This is obviously less of a problem when you live in the same area as a prospective place but when you hunting area is spread over a larger area the more triaging you can do the better. It is highly likely we have ignored some places because the photos were not good and the plan was unclear.
Next is schools, we have the predlets. There are schools on the maps but then having to trawl through Ofsted reports which generally offer every school as a 3 it seems, all average and can do better. The reports are like the worst of any corporate performance review and seem to offer very little to me as a parent. So much for league tables, but then we have a local school in the top 10 in the country so I am guessing we will have a hard time matching that :(
We have the additional challenge of looking for a property either with or with room in the garden for a good size annex. The property listings really don't help with that again as the sizes of gardens and precision is lacking. Sometimes a garden is mention as ample, spacious, or uses acres. I could just do with them being measured in the same way the floor plan is. After all that is what you are buying too.
So how long before the agents have a handheld kinect powered device to wander around building a 3d model as that walk around ? Then we can go from google street view into the house (with the permission of the seller of course). It would make this a lot more interesting, accurate and fun.
Let's see how it goes.

Yellow belt Predlet 2.0 #ckd

Yellow belt Predlet 2.0 #ckd, originally uploaded by epredator.

Our grading went really well this weekend. Our first Colour belts.
A huge thank you to all the instructors and assistant instructors who put on the grading for everyone.
Give Choi Kwang Do a go. :)
If you are down here then look up South Coast CKD and join in.

Choi Kwang Do still feels great

Predlet 2.0 and I are still very much enjoying our now biweekly Choi Kwang Do sessions with South Coast CKD. We started on the Tuesday family sessions in Sarisbury Green but now regularly head out to Fareham for the Thursday family session then he takes a rest whilst I join the adult class. Yes a double session ! It is not so much a social occasion in gossip and human relationships but a social occasion in a shared goal and helping one another enjoy the training. It is a real pleasure training with everyone not to mention we have a great Sabumnim in Mr Webster - Pil Suhng Sir!
I am still mixing this with my daily dose of UFC Kinect training, which is primarily a gym workout at home with lots of press ups and weights. It does have punches and kicks of course but I now modify the straight locking punches of that code with the rolling round punches of CKD. The Kinect sensor and the application only really count the direction, which it great, if it sees a fist coming forward from the right it does not cause it problems or mark you own for rolling with the punch. The CKD patterns and combinations also give me something to focus on in the free striking sessions on the Xbox.
It used to be when doing the UFC workout over the past year that I was trying to clear my mind of the days stresses and strains. Now when I do it I am concentrating on what it means for the CKD training which makes it much more meditative.
CKD is proving to be hard work, but also very rewarding and relaxing. As with everything thing effort is relative to your capabilites. The lack of competitive tension  may seem counter intuitive if people want an art that is about winning, but it seems to fit my attitude.
I thought about this some more and I think that CKD is like Blues and Jazz compared to other arts that may be more Classical or Operatic. It has some scales and some forms but much of it is about a flow of improvisation and relaxed enjoyment whilst telling a story. In many ways it also becomes a set of dance movements too but with a real meaning and intent behind them. These are real punches and kicks after all. The technique used to wind up a punch and return to deliver the next blow seems pretty real!
We do also, in particular in the adult classes get to unleash some physical aggression though on pads and shields which makes it a real mix of relaxing Blues jams and frantic high impact Jazz numbers.
CKD has just had its 25th anniversary but it is of course built on the foundation of many years of traditional martial arts. I am sure it is regarded as slightly quirky in mainstream aggressive competitive martial arts, but then I like quirky :)

Contrasting entertainment experiences

What? Two visits to shows in two days. Are you some sort of entertainment critic or something? Not exactly, but on Saturday night we popped to Southampton Guildhall to see Paul Merton's new stand up show on tour. I have always been a fan of his particular blend of old fashioned humour, clever word play and then thrown in with extreme flights of fancy. The unexpected turns up and adds to the humour. This shows was a journey through his noggin as he referred to it. Unlike most stand up this was actually more of a sketch show with monologues and other performances put together with 3 other comedians. It really was a tremendous show. He made some references to Have I Got News for You and how people think he only ever sits down, hence doing stand up. The only criticism was that Southampton Guildhall lacks atmosphere and the school type seating arrangement, no stagger makes it difficult to see whats going on. Not his fault :)
The other major event though was completely different. We took the predlets to Brighton to see Diversity performing their new Digitize show. I am fairly certain this is the best show I have ever been too. It is truly stunning. The predlets decided to practice a bit before we went in as you can see below



This is extremely evolved street dance performance and whilst it has its roots in those sheets of lino we used to backspin on Ashley and his crew have elevated it to an extremely accessible piece of entertainment.
The music was very varied too, not solely relying on the fast cut hip hop tunes. They featured a live pianist and also a live oboe player. Tunes like Stevie Wonder's Superstition and other soul songs and Evanescence bring me to life. Other dancers supported the storyline that included martial artists Trinity warriors and the amazing Chuck from the Sky Got to Dance finals. The kids that support them too are just amazingly clever, and strong dancers.
The story is clearly inspired by Tron, as they get digitised into a video game and have to fight their way out, but it is a brilliant journey.
The Jackson inspired routine that featured in the Got To Dance Semi finals was also part of the story.
So look at this and ramp that up by 2 hours of high paced action packed action and musicality and you have the show.

It is sell out tour, but if you can get to see them, who ever you are... Do!

Choi Kwang Do - First Grading how it happened

Levelled up to white belt senior along with Predlet 2.0 #ckd, originally uploaded by epredator.

For a couple of months Predlet 2.0 and I have been attending Choi Kwang Do classes with South Coast CKD. Those first few sessions teach you the basics of this self defence martial art and get you into the general ethos of the non competitive nature of it.
Sunday saw our first grading. A Dojang is set up in a large hall and this time over 150 students attended to take part in their belt gradings and levelling up.
This may seem counter intuitive to a non competitive ethos but it does work.
In our grading we perform each of the basic moves en-masse several blocks, punches and kicks concentrating on the form whilst being observed.
Then we took part in paired drills involving straight line defence and then the far more exhausting shield and mitt drills.
With the shield (a large padded block) one person holds on whilst the other practices full contact punches and kicks.
Lots of CKD is about flow and biomechanics, these drills add to that with real physical effort.
The gradings are part of the journey, recognition placeholders and also a ig communal experience as all the schools come together in the area.
You think of exams as solitary things, you versus everyone and the questions. This felt completely different. It is something that I will take to the next grading to relax and enjoy. I certainly enjoyed this experience and put a lot into it but I believe I can do that with a less competitive yet focussed attitude.
Both Predlet 2.0 and I were awarded out White belt senior (the black stripe indicates the senior level of a particular belt). So we are not on a journey that we are both enjoying a great deal and one that we get to do together.
I don't have to worry about him when we are training at the same time as this is really a peaceful yet powerful art form.
At the grading we got to see a very experience student about to head to black belt grading performing the same moves with us in the groups. This mix occurs naturally with every level working together at regular classes. There is rank and formality, but at the same time a mutual respect and willingness to help one another. So this really is turning into the ideal martial art for me and I know predlet 2.0 is enjoying it too. Pil Sungh! (The arts motto - Certain Victory) to all everyone on the same journey.

A funny book - pirates in an adventure with scientists

A funny book - pirates in an adventure with scientists, originally uploaded by epredator.

So I was in heathrow, thought I needed a book and I picked this up on a kind of blink moment. I did not notice it said now a major motion picture at the top to start off with. Then it turns out to be very funny and a great read that I got through on the trip to and from vienna (when not playing the 3ds... you know descent and takeoff time)
The movie ends up being an Aardman animation which means it will be brilliant !

Shed shrimp ghost

Shed shrimp, originally uploaded by epredator.

The wonderful little shrimps we added to our aquarium seem to be thriving.
I noticed this external skeleton case that one of them must have shed as they started to grow.
The ghostly shrimp indicates they are thriving. :)

Archiving some old games

Archiving some old games, originally uploaded by epredator.

As we are clearing space for the Xmas tree it was time to archive some of the less played xbox games into the loft.
A small subset of the games are in this picture.
As you can see I do ALOT of gaming. Though I admit I don't finish them all !

iPhone case? for 6 month old

iPhone case?, originally uploaded by epredator.

I saw this in Argos, the photo is blurred a bit as I was laughing as I took the photo.
This is a real case for an Iphone to protect it from babies and toddlers. It is actually a good idea but seems amazing that a £500 iphone has a plastic drool free case. But babies love smartphones

Forza4 epredator scooby

Forza4 epredator scooby, originally uploaded by epredator.

Stunning images get created, plus my decals got imported from forza3 :)

Amazon, Royal Mail, Forza4 delivery fail

I have been using Amazon for years, I am an Amazon prime customer too. I used to pre-order all my games and receive them on release day. This may sound petty but when they don't arrive on release day it detracts from shared gaming experience.
As I don't get buckets of free early access games from PR companies I have to rely on Amazon's service.
Recently the releases have been arriving either very late on the release day, or as on the next day's post. However this time even 2 days after dispatching my Forza4 has not arrived for the xbox.
I was particularly looking forward to winding down after the 3 days of filming Cool Stuff Collective with a driving game I really enjoy. Now the post has been and the amazon complaint has been raised I am left with a proforma "It will turn up by the 20th October" when it was posted on 13th for the friday 14th release day. There is not post on Sunday either.
That is just not good enough and I put it down to royal mail. I am paying for that expedited delivery by subscribing to prime. That is not working.
So I am off to the shops, in a huff. The forza experience is now also dented by my experience being tainted by the delivery process too. So I am going to annoyed about this for a while. I will also be annoyed as I print out my returns label and post the thing back to amazon when it finally does arrive.
Now for all those other pre-orders and major games, I guess I best cancel the amazon orders on those too! Or are they going to sort it out?
Yes its only a game, but its what I do, and timing is critical as is service.

Game of life - TV shows and Cool Stuff Collective

Game of life, originally uploaded by epredator.

We played a family game of life (not played this for years). It was very odd to land on this square, whilst not strictly true (yet who knows) it was good because The Cool Stuff Collective starts again this coming Saturday Oct 15th ITV 7:35am :)
I also landed on being a movie star and Elemming ended up as a millionaire.
Predlet 2.0 had all the children and Predlet 1.0 arrived late but still won a load of money at the end despite being in huge debt on the way around.
So we all did well. Fingers crossed for RL :)

Watch out for the Common Plec

Common Plec, originally uploaded by epredator.

We are new to the whole aquarium keeping hobby. It is way more complex than just sticking a fish in a bowl. It is also possible to make mistakes.
I was concerned that we were getting a lot of algae on the glass and rocks in the tank and that would upset the eco system.
So I went to a shop and asked to a plec. These little fish each algae. The thing was the Common Plec seems to be a bit of a monster. It turns out it can grow rapidly to over 0.5m which is actually bigger than out tank.
Luckily maidenhead aquatics take in over growing plecs. I felt very guilty rehousing out plec and the predlets were a little upset as they had seen him grow up (the past few months) however it seems that this is a very common problem.
So when getting fish, go somewhere like Maidenhead aquatics, they really know their stuff and would not have even had a common plec on sale to the average aquarium owner. 5 -6 a month get taken in.
So research, read, and ask a few experts. There a lots of Plec species, and they certainly do keep the tank clean but its all about balance.

Bird in beef pie

Bird in beef pie, originally uploaded by epredator.

The premier inn we stayed at this week had an unusual addition to the beef and onion pie, a ceramic blackbird (baked in the pie like the nursery rhyme)
The photo is a bit blurred as the light was bad and I was still laughing as a took the picture

That's today - Getting on a bit

That's today, originally uploaded by epredator.

"digital watch what on earth is a digital watch...."
I have a super mad geek watch for my birthday that tells the time and date in base units.
Thanks also to DK for pointing out the predator style reference that somehow I missed and when I saw his message on FB I nearly spat my coca cola everywhere.

rocking predlet 2.0

Here is predlet 2.0 giving it some listening to live music at the steam fayre.

Toasted centre

Toasted centre, originally uploaded by epredator.

The internet and blogs, twitter etc are often hit for being "what I had for lunch". Well this is what I had for lunch :)
Working from home means that lunch is often short, but sometimes requires some variety and thought.
Today was based on something Heston did. A sandwich but with a toasted bread centre.
In this case mayo and cheese, spinach and chicken on bread had the delicious crunchy toasted layer in the middle.
Food preparation and cooking is very good at breaking any mential or creative blocks caused by technology. Lets hope this one works ;)

Predlet 2.0 gets the hang of donuts

Predlet 2.0 gets the hang of donuts, originally uploaded by epredator.

This was a magic moment. Predlet 2.0 was playing on the car rallying and hooning game Dirt 3 on the xbox. I explained how he could use the handbrake and steering/acceleration to put the car spinning in a donut.
He was most pleased with himself as you can see.

It then let us have a father and son moment as we did synchronized donuts around these concrete pipes. Bear in mind he is 4 years old too :) We were being a couple of hoonigans

(plus as I have been writing over at feeding edge, the ability to directly share the footage to youtube is really very cool indeed)

Long legs ?

Long legs ?, originally uploaded by epredator.

Sometime the world just looks funny :)

A different view of the world - the urbanized redneck

Russ is one of the guys that back in the days of being on the Wimbledon project it was (and still is) a fantastic meeting of cultures. He knows how to spin a good southern country yarn but for us brits with less hunting/gun culture it was hard to tell where the embellishments were and what was just part of a way of life. It was great when this URL got shown (thanks Ricky/Andy) around to those of us that know him. However I think it is worth a watch for anyone. It is part spoof, or is it ? Your cultural experiences and perspectives will adjust your ideas on that. I hope he gets on the show that this is an audition film for. He really should be on TV more :)
It his his description "urbanized redneck" as it is the clash of country vs city ways, farm vs corporate life that fill his real life stories

Top Shot - Gordon Russell Chapman Esquire from Russ Chapman on Vimeo.