iPhone 3G Review

This is my first iPhone so can't compare it to the original. Up until recently I had an iPod Photo from 2005. Upon setting up the SIM card I immediately upgraded the OS to 2.2 so I won't write about how it works straight from the box.

Aside from the fact that it's a cool piece of kit, I wanted to upgrade my phone and have one device for my music and phone. The iPhone is perfect because it allows me to sync my existing iTunes library whereas other phones would require me to set something up from scratch. Additionally, as mobile providers charge more and more for downloads the inclusion of an unlimited (but within reason) download limit was also attractive so that I don't have to pay through the roof to check my emails when I'm out and about.

Texting
I use my phone for texting more than anything so I was a little concerned that my chunky thumbs wouldn't be able to type properly on the touch screen keypad. Texting is far easier than I had feared. I was able to type quite quickly albeit in an error prone fashion. If you accept that it will correct your typos you can generally type quickly. When I was just using my (right) index finger I kept hitting b or v instead of the space bar. I have improved that since I started using my thumb to press the keypad and index finger for letters. I sometimes use my middle finger in a three-pronged attack. The Apple demo video shows someone using both thumbs in the same way that my friend types on her Blackberry but I'm not comfortably doing this with my chunky thumbs. I probably could if I gave it a chance but it doesn't feel right to me. I can also type old school, with one hand using just my thumb. I'm still having to go back and correct a few mistakes if I type quickly but the one real drawback of using a touchscreen to type is that one can't type without looking - because there's no keys to feel. [Since writing this a few months ago I've now taken on typing with both thumbs or just one thumb if i'm out and about]

The SMS interface is different to all other phones I've seen. Rather than dividing texts into Inbox, Drafts, Outbox, Sent it displays messages per user as a continuous chat. This is good because it enables to look at the message you're replying to without closing a current composition. It also adds a feelgood factor by seeing a "chat" with a friend. However, the disadvantages are that, without an outbox, it's easy to miss that fact that you haven't sent a message (which I did on New Year's Eve and realised three days' later). Also, if you reply in quick succession to a message it only displays the time that the "conversation" started unless there's a reasonable amount of time between messages so you can't always be sure when you received/sent a particular message.

My other gripe with chat system texting is that you can't add a new recipient in the middle of a chat. If you receive a message and then want to reply with the same message to more than one person you have to start a new message and individually add each person. This is time consuming because you can't multi-select and add recipients.

MMS
iPhone current supports no MMS. If you receive one you get a text directing you to a website. However, the O2 website is not enhanced for mobiles so you have to zoom in - O2 should fix this. It seems likely that Apple will update the OS to incorporate MMS in the near future.


Email
Emailing is good, using Gmail IMAP so that I have access to all my folders. Doesn't currently allow push (immediate) email unless you're on MS Exchange, yahoo or Mobile Me (a subscription service) but it's thought that push email will soon come for google mail. You can view attachments such as MS Word, MS Excel and Adobe Acrobat but there's no way of saving them.

Contacts

Contacts can be synced with Windows Contacts or Outlook but not Windows Live Mail contacts. I had hoped to sync with my google calendar but instead used Outlook and synced that with google.

Camera
Camera is 2MP but much quicker and therefore more effective than the 3.2MP autofocus on my Samsung U600. The quality is good enough for snapshots taken out and about but not of a high enough quality for serious photography. But, I always think you'd want a proper camera if you're going to get that serious about photos.

Web Browsing
3G is pretty fast as long as you find yourself in an area with a 3G signal. However, web browsing is not that fast using the phone's in built Safari browser. Even on a WiFi connection is takes a while to load the pages. This is particularly noticeable when loading content heavy pages such as guardian.co.uk. No preferences can be set for the browser so there's no obvious way of clearing cookies and history. Without a 3G or Edge, web browsing is excruciatingly slow.

Battery Life
According to some reviewers and bloggers battery life has been improved in OS 2.2 but I can't compare it. Battery life is not long but it's to be expected considering the fact that it's essentially a small computer in your palm. Battery life is dependant on use and will last longer without 3G and WiFi. As it's still new and I've had some time off I've spent a lot of time using the phone which requires me to charge it every day but if I used it less frequently or "normally" I'm sure it would last longer.

iPod
I've only used the headphones which come in the box but the sound is an improvement on the Ipod photo I previously owned. There's greater depth of sound, even in traffic. It will also ring and play message alerts when listening to music, fading out and in accordingly. Alternatively, the phone can be set to silent/vibrate so that it won't disturb your playback.

Navigation is much quicker than on the old iPod but that should go without saying.

The iPhone and more recent models allow for gapless playback, eliminating the annoying half a second gap which would occur on live albums or Sgt Peppers.

General Use
There's not much of an instruction book and you need to watch the demo video on the Apple website to get the best use of it. The phone is easy to navigate with the touch screen which responds very well. It's only when using the slow web browser that it can be a little infuriating.

Applications
Applications can be downloaded directly to the phone over WiFi or 3G. It's extremely slow or impossible to download Apps on a slower connection but they can be downloaded via iTunes on your Mac/PC and installed. Some apps are pre-installed on the iPhone running 2.2 OS:

Maps has GPS and directions. Useful, but slower is you only have a 2G connection.

Podcasts can be downloaded over 3G provided that they're less than 10MB, otherwise it's WiFi only - just like purchases from the iTunes store. These purchases will transfer to your main library when you sync with your PC/Mac.
On a PC, at least, the syncing is quite slow. It's good that it creates a backup of the phone (and you can cancel this facility) but it seems to take much longer than it does an older models to update music. [Note, since writing this, syncing is much quicker following an OS upgrade]

I bought it from the O2 shop and Visual Voicemail was not set up by default. I had to check the o2 website to find out how to activate it. The server seemed to timeout when I initially tried to set up my password but worked after a while. I never get a great deal of voicemail but it's a really useful function - provided that the caller hasn't withheld their number.

No speed-dial by number but you can have a list of favourites and select from there - but this doesn't seem as speedy as opening the keypad and holding down a number (of course, that system requires that you memorise 8 numbers because you can't override 1 (voice mail) or 0(+ symbol).

Other info
BBC iPlayer can be watched over WiFi (only).

DVDs can be converted using software from the internet or you can by/rent from the iTunes store but only from a PC/Mac.
A lot of youtube is available but I don't think it's not as quick as when using a PC/Mac.

One can use the GPS to geo-tag photos.

Home key returns everything. Seems to allow only one application at a time. Don't seems to be able to navigate through different open apps. If you're using one App and you get a text, once done with that text you have to press the home key and then open the App again. It remembers your last position but it would be good and quicker (albeit more resource hungry) to flick between active apps.

Volume rocker on the side is convenient for pocket use, rather than unlocking an iPod and then turning the wheel.
Headphones come with a built-in speaker/remote. When listening to iPod one-click pauses and two-clicks skips tracks which is particularly handy if you're shuffling through 3000 songs. One click will also answer the one and it serves as the hands-free speaker. However, my clicker has now become a bit fussy about what it will and won't do.

Comes with a a few basic ringtones but it's simple to create your own for free. Apple UK isn't yet set up to create your own from the music that you've bought but there are videos on youtube which tell you how to get around this.

Alarm clock doesn't seem to wake up from sleep, like other phones do. If you don't want to be woken up by a call in the night you can switch to Airplane mode which turns off the phone function of the iPhone but sometimes you'd just like to turn it off overnight. A lot of people (me at least) use their mobile as their alarm clock.

Clock is set automatically (and accurately) unlike other phone which purport to do this but don't.
No crashing yet although I did have a couple of Apps which crashed but worked on re-install.

In A Market Down In New Orleans

Today was largely given over to a hangover. I met a friend for a couple of drinks last night but he had to go home fairly early. I saw a friend in the pub across the road and joined him. I played darts with him and his friends. At the end of the night I got up on stage and mimed Brown Sugar. There was no one in the room to see it.

I've only got 100 pages left of Don DeLillo's Libra. I've really enjoyed it. Now watching MOTD in bed but might read more after it finishes.

This morning's run

Where I went this morning:

Premiership Predictions

Saturday, 25 April 2009
Bolton v Aston Villa, 15:00
Next season's Champions League is clearly beyond Villa's grasp. They're only a point ahead of Everton and have a weaker goal difference but they're nine points clear of seventh place West Ham. Bolton will like the comfort of getting the magic number of 40 points (enough to stay up in most seasons) and should present a challenge to a tiring Villa.
1-0

Everton v Man City, 15:00
The Toffeemen don't seem to give up. If they had more money to spend I could see them challenging the top four. Man City are a farce, especially on the road. Hughes's prospects of being their manager next season are dim.
2-1

Fulham v Stoke, 15:00
Roy Hodgson has turned Fulham from relegation battlers to being a comfortable Premier League side. His problem in future might be keeping his better players. As it stands, his side are good enough to beat Stoke who are almost safely in next season's Premier League.
2-0

Hull v Liverpool, 15:00
What price 4-4? Liverpool's midweek game was full of thrills and spills but mostly spills in the form of defensive errors. Before Arsenal scored it looked as though The Gunners weren't that bothered and that Liverpool would eventually score. A lapse by Mascherano lead to the first goal and opened up the contest. Liverpool might be emotionally drained from that game but it's hard to see Hull capitalising on that. I was in Hull this time last week.
0-3

Man Utd v Tottenham, 17:30
Spurs haven't won at Old Trafford since 1989. I think Redknapp has a good record against Ferguson. A loss for United would open up the title race once more but with the trophy within touching distance I can't see the Champions slipping up.
1-0

West Brom v Sunderland, 15:00
West Brom have no chance of remaining in the top flight. For all Mowbray's pragmatism about playing good football he hasn't got the results. Being at home, against a Sunderland side who are almost safe, might yield three points for the Baggies.
2-0

West Ham v Chelsea, 15:00
East meets West as the Hammers taken on the Blues. Chelsea could only eek out a stale draw midweek and will not relish the trip across London. Chelsea's title hopes are all but over but they should be keen on a second place finish.
1-1

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Sunday, 26 April 2009
Arsenal v Middlesbrough, 13:30
A win here would still leave Boro in the bottom three. That won't happen so they might as well save their energy for next season's Championship battle.
3-1

Blackburn v Wigan, 16:00
I would love to see Big Sam get relegated. He's an obnoxious Cry Baby. Therefore Wigan to win.
0-2

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Monday, 27 April 2009
Newcastle v Portsmouth, 20:00
The Magpies are counting on winning their remaining home games to stay up. It would be incredibly humiliating for Alan Shearer if he becomes the man to take them down. With the roar of the crowd and a Portsmouth team who will now have a keen eye on their summer holidays, Newcastle should get three points here.
2-0

I'm Batman

My fridge has a strange habit of developing a wall of ice at the back even though it has no freezer compartment. I have to defrost it once in a while. I would have done so before today but there was too much food in there that I didn't want to spoil, and the one time I tried I forgot to turn it off. In doing so today I lost my balance fell forward and banged my head on the sideboard and seemed to bounce backwards. I've felt a little dazed and confused ever since.


It affected my activities today. Slightly. I slept in quite late so didn't quite have the urge to seek out a job. I did the aforementioned housework, shopping, Guardian reading and had lunch before taking a trip to the park. It was colder than expected but I read some. I was having concentration problems.

I've felt the same all evening. I would have liked to have gone running but I wasn't up to it. I'll hopefully go tomorrow morning instead. I'm watching Tim Burton's Batman at the moment. I might review/discuss it tomorrow if I have the time and inclination.

The Reader

I applied for a couple of jobs yesterday (Tuesday) so was happy to use the rest of the day to sit in the sun reading. However, I bumped into a couple of friends and had coffee with them. I then realised it was too cold to sit outside so I came home and should have written this.

I managed to fit in playing football last night with watching the Liverpool v Arsenal game immediately afterwards. I scored a scorcher. The Premier League game was goal filled but only due to shambolic defending and effectively ends Liverpool's title challenge. I cycled home afterwards and was starving so popped out to get take away. I could see a friend in the pub across the road so I went there instead and had a couple of pints. Didn't satiate my hunger but I enjoyed the drinks. Wore me out quite a bit.

Felt fine this morning once I'd had a coffee. Had (another) leisurely day. Got lunch with a friend, wandered round before coming back here. Went shopping and it wasn't long before I made dinner, in between adding videos to Facebook. Made up for the lack of reading with a session this evening, so making good strides with my current book. Hope to finish it soon.

The Bizzaro Kev

I'm catching up with a few days' worth of blogging. I had an interview on Friday so spent the preceding day preparing for that interview. I had to travel to Hull for the interview itself which was an hour and a half each way. The job I interviewed for will hopefully be based in Wakefield, which is nearer. I'm still waiting to get my provisional driving licence so I can't yet look at driving lessons. I'm contemplating doing a "crash" course (or a "how not to crash" course) because it would be more convenient than weekly lessons.

As before I can't really tell how the interview went. The only true indicator will be if I get a job or second interview. At the start of the interview I felt that it was going badly for no apparent reason - based on the looks on their faces. I don't know if this was actually the case but I kept going and seemed to change their expressions. I might know by the end of this week.

I was looking forward to having a few drinks on Friday evening and started off OK. However, a friend's friend was also out and I found him increasingly annoying. He's in no way malevolent but he wouldn't stop talking and I'm not interested in what he has to say. That's not to belittle him as a person; I'm just not interested in "real" beer or how good his college was. He also kept making David Brent like innuendos which I got sick of. He's not a bad person but it had been a long day and it put me in a foul mood that I couldn't shake off. In recounting the things that annoyed me I can't help but see a bit of myself but also the opposite of me. Perhaps he's my nemesis.

My mood pretty much continued into Saturday. I felt incongruously hungover and couldn't be bothered to do much at all. I shook off that mood with a (near) five mile run yesterday morning (see yesterday's map). Having made a proper Sunday dinner last night, filled with nutritious veg, I had a quick workout with my dumbells and felt ultra healthy.

It was sunny when I got up this morning. I always feel better when it's sunny which leads my to believe that I may be from Krypton. That and my messianic complex. I hung around the house, playing guitar until I thought the Sun was actually hot enough to go outside in shorts and T-shirt. A friend of mine, who doesn't know I live here, was outside having just successfully been for a job interview on the same street. I joined him for a pint. As I'd only eaten a slice of toast I resisted having a second pint. One was enough for me to have to walk it off.

After coming home for lunch I went to the park to read, twitter, text and e-mail, as well as encouraging my freckles to come out. Later tonight I will either look very healthy or ridiculously red. I had the sense top wear some sun block though.

Oh yes, I should have continued my pursuit for a job today. But the weather was too nice.

A run

This morning

96 Remembered

My scheduled interview on Friday is not in Wakefield as I'd first been told but in Hull. It will take me an hour and a half to get there. I didn't even want to work in Wakefield let alone travel to an interview in Hull but with no offers on the table I have to see what I can get. It seems silly to travel that far, and with the expense, for something I don't really want. I can't remember what the potential salary is but I don't think it would be particularly worth it.

I should have spent some time this afternoon researching the company in preparation but I needed to do some cleaning and I watched the Hillsborough Memorial on BBC News. It was difficult to watch, emotionally. I didn't know anyone who was killed that day and it happened when I was starting to lose interest in football. I can remember coming home that Saturday afternoon and my Mum telling me that something had happened at that game's afternoon. The game had been stopped after 6 minutes and there was a rising death toll. Questions were asked whether the game should be replayed but my Mum said (possibly what a lot of people were saying) "They were there because they loved football..." It was a fair enough assessment at the time but it's scandalous that no one has yet been held accountable for something that happened twenty years ago.

Twas only an Easter absence

On Easter Sunday I quickly hopped on a train and went to a friend's house for dinner. I stayed the night there so had no chance to write any kind of blog. I could have got myself ready for it in plenty of time but I stayed in bed all morning texting and trying to overcome the twitter mikeyy worm. Also, I smashed a mug on the kitchen floor which totally threw me off. Did a pub quiz that evening which we won. Huge winning of three quid each.

I came back on the train yesterday lunchtime feeling OK, if feeling the need for more sleep. As the day wore on I felt more and more tired. I had a siesta after I'd eaten but didn't sleep properly. I had hoped to watch a film but after discovering that Valkyrie is out of sync and not being in the mood for Synecdoche, New York I watched an episode of Life On Earth. I had found it a bit boring in places up until this point which covered the first creatures to come out of the water - having seen all of The Blue Planet, much of the earlier stuff was a bit too familiar. I think I shall watch the rest of it in earnest as it covers mammals and, eventually, humans. I have already watched the episodes on reptiles and birds.

In bed I watched most of the new Tyson documentary. Tyson is both an abhorrent creature and a fascinating man. He was the most exciting boxer since the era(s) of Ali combining speed and power against much bigger opponents. But, he's also the guy who but off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear, was violent to Robin Givens and, most tellingly, was convicted of rape. Tyson still fervently denies the rape. I haven't looked at any of the evidence but I know that only a small proportion of rapes and in conviction so it's hard to believe him.

I have a job interview on Friday morning so I shall be spending the next couple of days preparing for it. It's almost an hour away on the train so it's not a job I want but I'm in no position to turn it down if offered. But, given the fact that I have thus far had zero offers I don't think I should be too worried about a lengthy daily commute.

Film Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (and Crank)

Yesterday (Friday) I managed to watch two films. In the afternoon I watched the leaked workprint of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I liked the X-Men trilogy but sold the DVD set when I needed the money. I didn't think that a Wolverine movie would be anything more than a cash-in. And I wasn't wrong. This print of the film lacks a few FX shots (and has animatics in place instead) and lacks 10-20 minutes of pickup shots. One can see why they might have watched this print of the film and realised that they needed to add more to it.

It plays like a big budget TV movie. The film shoes Wolverine being a couple of hundred years old, fighting in in successive wars with his brother Liev Shrieber playing someone named Sabretooth who appears to a less advanced version of Wolverine - he has the same skills except that he had claws that grow from his fingers rather than the knife-like things which grow out of Wolverine's knuckles. The brother's fighting ability in Vietnam is recognised by some kind of CIA/Military organisation who them to form an elite group with other muscle bound fighting mutants. Wolverine questions the ethics of the organisation and leaves his slightly more evil brother behind. Wolverine seeks solace in an American cliche by chopping logs in remote Canada because he's that manly. Wolverine has settled down with a woman and we finally get the inciting incident to get the plot going.

The film is not a total mess but it's badly paced. It's not that it's slow but incidents happen in the wrong place. Once the plot get going there's a set piece after set piece which are enjoyable enough until we reach the twist laden climax. Perhaps the new scenes will rescue the film but the filmmakers will need to consider cutting down the first half an hour of the film.

In the evening I watched Crank. I have a wide selection of films I've never seen but I had been drawn to the absurdity of the plot and scenario since it came out. It is as ridiculous and absurd as I expected but it has the good grace to do so with a sense of humour and to execute it in a cartoon-like fashion. I'd be in no rush to watch it again but if I was channel hopping one night, I might not turn it off.

Premiership Predictions

Saturday, 11 April 2009
Chelsea v Bolton, 15:00
It was a shock to see Chelsea blow Liverpool aside so easy in Wednesday's Champion's League and it can only have boosted the team. What chance they fall at the next hurdle in the league to Megson's men? Well, it's not beyond belief but I believe we're at the stage of the season where that won't happen.
2-0

Liverpool v Blackburn, 12:45
The Reds must shake of feeling of being punch drunk after effectively being knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea on Wednesday. Liverpool have soared in recent weeks with Steven Gerrard playing in a free role behind Fernando Torres but injury is likely to keep him out of this game. It's hard to predict whether Benitez will try and replace him directly with a second striker such as Yossi Benayoun or the unstrusted and unreliable Ryan Babel. Allardyce's side will present a physical challenge but Liverpool should be able o cast aside their European misery and continue their march on the holy grail of a Premier League title.
3-1

Middlesbrough v Hull, 15:00
Boro were humiliated in their last game. Thankfully for them they only have to play Hull and have the opportunity to regain some credibility.
2-0

Portsmouth v West Brom, 15:00
West Brom are as well known for winning away as Portsmouth is for being landlocked. Tony Mowbray continues to prefer style over results and that preference is unlikely to be altered here.
1-0

Stoke v Newcastle, 17:30
Is this where Shearer's presence garners a point or three? The self-styled Geordie Messiah and his assistant Iain Dowie have had longer to work with his players and might just get something from this Stoke side. But I would laugh if they didn't simply because I dislike Alan Shearer.
0-1

Sunderland v Man Utd, 15:00
United have grown complacent, salvaging a win in the dying minutes courtesy of a 17 year old in their last league game and drawing 2-2 in Tuesday's Champions League game. If Liverpool have won earlier in the day, United will know exactly what they have to do.
0-2

Tottenham v West Ham, 15:00
Redknapp returns to his old stomping ground. I'm hazarding a guess that he still lays close attention to the Hammers team and will know how to beat them.
2-1

Wigan v Arsenal, 15:00
With little fanfare Arsenal have regained their status as one of the Big Four. Wigan were destroyed in their last game and won't be taking the challenge of Arenal lightly either.
1-1

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Sunday, 12 April 2009
Aston Villa v Everton, 14:00
The counter-puncher against the south paw step up to face each other in the tenth round with little between then on points. Nothing will change at the end of the game except that both sides will have an extra point each.
1-1

Man City v Fulham, 16:10
City have attracted all the attention due to the vast cash injection they have received whereas Fulham have quietly gone about their business and find themselves two points ahead of the boys in blue. Perhaps Robinho can leave behind his winter of discontent and resurrect his and his team's credibility of Easter Sunday.
3-2

Meatballs

I wasn't too pleased with Liverpool's defeat last night. I finished the bottle of wine I had wine I got back during the game - after Chelsea went 3-1 up I left after finishing my pint. As a result I needed a coffee first thing this morning. I've been trying to ween myself off coffee. I'm not going to go cold turkey because that results in a bad headache and extreme tiredness. I've gone from my usual 3-4 strong cups gradually to one cup a day. After one in the morning I managed to last the rest of the day, although I almost habitually made one this afternoon.

I almost have housing benefits and council tax benefits. I got a call today asking for more bank statements so I clarified my situation and then took statements to the city finance centre. The finance centre (or at least the bit for benefits) had a numbered ticketed system like a deli counter. The difference is that you're not waiting for cold cuts, instead you're waiting to submit your details and hope that they'll give you some money. I guess it's what I've paid my taxes and National Insurance for, for all those years.

I had invited a couple of friends round for dinner tonight and had no idea what to cook for them until I got to the supermarket this afternoon. I thought that I've always wanted to make meatballs so I got a recipe from the Internet on my phone and bought the requisite ingredients. I gave it plenty of prep time to get everything ready and synced up. I think it went OK.

Tomorrow is Good Friday which means I have a day off tomorrow. In contrast to every other day which is hard work. I hope the sarcasm comes across. That said, it is a relief to know that I can have days where I can assuage my guilt about not doing anything. Still no word about real jobs so I'll look at temping from next week. Meeting friends for breakfast tomorrow so I won't stay up late watching a film.

This was the recipe I used:

http://bit.ly/UXa0E

Pump Up The Jam

As promised I am back for another day.

I played football last night, wearing my newly purchased white boots. I seemed to play a bit better as the boots are lighter and I could move my feet more quickly. I almost scored a multitude of great goals but actually scored no goals. I almost didn't get there. I was all set to cycle the the sports complex and got my bike ready early on - I live in a 2nd floor flat and have to take the front wheel off to get it up and down the stairs more easily. All was going fine until I decided to add a little more air to the back tyre. My pump broke and I removed almost all the air from the tyre (is this the correct or American spelling of those round rubber things which go round wheels?). I had to phone round for a lift and had to run about half a mile to meet my lift. Not ideal preparation for an hour's running round chasing a ball.

My friend, who has been staying with me, returned from seeing her girlfriend in Belfast last night. This meant a night on the uncomfortable air mattress for me. I think I would have slept better were it not for the Pringles, Crunchie and glass of red wine I had in the evening. Also, I discovered the music of Camera Obscura yesterday. Their album's not officially out yet but I've acquired a copy and think it's fantastic. The thrill of enjoying their music was still running through me when I went to bed. In bed I listened to this album:

I was captured by the string arrangements.

Film about copyright and sampling

Just watching this now so I don't know if it's any good at time of posting

Back?

I've either forgotten or not bothered to write anything here for a couple of months but have been meaning to do so for quite a while. Football predictions don't count as I reel them off as a matter of course.

I am still without a job but have had a few interviews. I had two interviews with the NHS in one day. I had hoped to prepare for three days in advance but I was hindered by a hangover on the first day and an ongoing cold on the second and third days. Apart from the hungover day, I did what I could, illness permitting on the other days. Unfortunately I was still very ill on the day of the interviews themselves and managed to see myself through with paracetamol and Pro Plus. I was later told that I was appointable for one but lacked the experience and, for the other, told that I lacked experience and that I hadn't researched enough in advance - I stated this explicitly in the interview.

I had another one which I'm still waiting to hear from. Unlike some jobs I will definitely hear even if I don't get it. I'm keen to get a job as a financial necessity but am getting very used to my life of leisure. I get up pretty much when I want and relax for much of the day. I've had a friend staying recently so I've done laundry when she's been out. I think I would make an excellent house wife one day.

I've written barely anything here since I received my redundancy payout. I've been much more active since then as I can afford to eat out, drink or go out for coffee regularly. Also, the aforementioned friend became single on my last day of "work" so I've seen a lot more of her. AN odd thing is how quickly a day can go with seemingly so little to do. A shopping trip or a trip to the post office can consume an hour or two and if that's sandwiched between meal times the days fly by.

Therefore, in this lethargy it's time to start writing this again. I shall write it every day, or write something the next day from now on. The fact that I've been twittering has denuded the need to document everything. But, this will be the first of many. Honest.

I may even come back this evening.

Premiership Predictions

I forgot to write this a couple of weeks ago and results went in my favout so it's with some reluctance that I write this today!

Saturday, 4 April 2009
Arsenal v Man City, 15:00
City have looked like a declining force whilst Arsenal have looked better and better. City will continue that decline.
2-1

Blackburn v Tottenham, 12:45
Two sides, close together in the league managed by two Englishmen brought in to rescue their respective teams from dismal starts. Can there be anything between them on the field? Possibly not.
1-1

Bolton v Middlesbrough, 15:00
Boro rarely get thrashed and are capable of turning it on at home and beating Liverpool. But how will they fare against lesser opposition. One can see them losing to Megson's strong side.
2-1

Fulham v Liverpool, 17:30
Liverpool hardly have an excellent record at CRaven Cottage but are on a roll and must keep going. Furthermore, Fulham player Danny Murphy has said as much that he wants Liverpool to win.
0-2

Hull v Portsmouth, 15:00
Pompey have improved under Paul Hart whilst Hull have been making their way back to the Championship. Hull being at home should be to their advantage.
1-1

Newcastle v Chelsea, 15:00
Will Newcastle benefit from the boost of Shearer's appointment? He has no previous credentials as a manager. Chelsea are a far better side with an experienced manager.
0-2

West Brom v Stoke, 15:00
Hardly licking my lips in anticipation of this one. Could not care less.
2-0

West Ham v Sunderland, 15:00
West Ham are now in a comfortable position, having avoided relegation. Sunderland are only three point clear in a close competition so will be hoping to get something out of the game.
1-2


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Sunday, 5 April 2009
Everton v Wigan, 15:00
Wigan looked to have been in contention for a UEFA Cup spot but Everton have pulled 7 points clear of them. At this stage of the season, it's unlikely that even Steve Bruce can see his side clawing it back. Everton will want to emphasise that with a win.
2-1

Man Utd v Aston Villa, 16:00
It's virtually inconceivable that Utd will expericence a third consecutive league defeat. Villa's shallow squad had meant that they've lost the momentum that had them holding on to fourth place. That place now looks to be Arsenal and it looks a daunting task for them to get anythibng from Old Trafford.
2-0