Recently things at home have been going great guns on the refurbishment front.

Well. We have been talking about it alot and looking through alot of catalogues to help us redesign the garden and bathroom. Thats about as far as we have got!

Our garden is long and thin (like me) with a shed at one end standing on a patch of concrete laid down as a hard-standing by a previous owner. There is some grass too which impressively measures about 16 by 30 feet, leading off a broken down patio which is as wobbly as my old skateboarding impacted knees.

We had a design in mind which I put down on graph paper and showed to a potential "work man" today for technical approval and then decided to put my geek spin on the project and laid it out using Google SketchUp for the full 3d walkthrough effect.

I have never used SketchUP before and was quite impressed at how quick it was to get something done. I have used CAD and 3d programs in the past, but SketchUp seemed pretty intuitive to use. One of the best parts was when I came to put the Pergola on. There is access to an online repository of pre-created and user submitted models that you can download and insert direct into your sketch called 3D Warehouse. So off I went and typed in pergola, selected the one I wanted and dropped it into the sketch, resized it and plonked it in the right place. Easy! I then did the same for a set of table and chairs too.

The sketch is not finished yet (notice the gaping hole just before the pergola where more patio should be) and is not quite to scale - but it is pretty close to the idea we are after. My "work man" was also kind enough to point us in the direction of a local merchant who stocks over 2000 different types of bricks, so we are off there next weekend to have a look and probably get more confused.

I wonder where I can fit one of these or these

GOOGLE SKETCH UP KEYBOARD STICKERS FOR COMPUTERS LAPTOP $6.50

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I had to sit through 3 hours of corporate drivel today regarding KPIs, SLAs and future growth in IPOs.

After putting up with this for over 13 years with my previous employer and having every inspirational and motivational process forced on me one after another - it was rather a walk in the park.

Even my wife who works for a well known upper-class retail store has also recently undergone a similar presentation and has been asked to design a card or poster of Key Business Goals to keep with the staff at their designated tills to remind them why they are there.  Ummm... sell?  Even the retail workplace is not safe from this rubbish.

In my next job I am going to go small.  A small company that is.  Some place where crap like this is despised and downloading torrents and listening to the radio whilst you work is encouraged!

Alot of these KPI, SLA, QOS type presentations are all about common sense.

Do your job.  Do it well.  Keep your head down and get on with it!

Those were 3 hours I  would rather have back, but then again I got paid for it so who am I to complain!

After revealing the link to the NIN Garageband format track the other day, DriverChris has emailled me over a little composition of his own complete with his own banjo noodlings!

When I get time off from tweaking my webpages and surfing xTube, I will try to add to it and then email it back.

My idea was that with a little effort, you should be able to bounce a track back and forth for other people to collaborate on, add tracks and share ideas.

Turns out, that there is already a website that provides this function: Kompoz

I have'nt looked into the full how-and-why it works stuff, but it looks like you can upload partial tracks and people and add extra stuff and post it back for acceptance. The tracks can be in which ever format you see fit. But that does'nt explain how someone using a different OS could update it and pass it back.

Looks cool. Might give it a go.

Just been reading this list of the summer's upcoming big blockbuster films.

My favorites are definitely going to be The Simpsons Movie, Spiderman 3 and Transformers!

You...?

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Got the ROM this morning and my Son has been playing this for a little while today.

This version of the game seems really good with a new slight-3D effect to the graphics and a healthy amount of "touchscreen" input included - but most could be done with your finger instead of the stylus.

At first imression, it looks excellent!

He will be playing Pokemon Diamond, and I will be playing Pokemon Pearl.

POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION VOL 4 NEW DVD $9.12

POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION VOL 2 NEW DVD $11.62

POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION VOL 5 NEW DVD $11.62

POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION VOL 6 NEW DVD $8.63

POKEMON TCG DIAMOND PEARL GREAT ENCOUNTERS THEME DECK NIB $12.95

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Series 2 Deluxe Figure Prinplup $19.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Figure Monferno Moukazaru $29.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Magmortar Plush Brand NEW $34.95

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Adventure 6 by Shigekatsu Ihara 2010 Paperback $6.12

2 POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL SERIES 4 CHERRIM 2 NEW $15.99

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Battle Dimension Vol 6 DVD $8.66

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Battle Dimension Vol 4 DVD $9.15

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Battle Dimension Vol 5 DVD $8.66

FAST 2DAY UPS NEW POKEMON DIAMOND AND PEARL BATTLE DIMENSION BOX 3 DVD $25.59

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Battle Dimension Vol 2 DVD $8.66

Pokemon Diamond And Pearl Battle Dimension Vol 1 DVD $8.72

Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum 1 by Hidenori Kusaka 2011 $7.98

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Figures Chatot Glameow Monferno $21.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Figure 3 Pack Buizel Shinx Grotle $22.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Chikorita 8 Plush $23.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Sticker Promo Promotional Swag $10.99

Pokemon Diamond Pearl Plush Toy 6 Magmortar $18.38

Cleffa 78 130 Diamond Pearl REVERSE HOLO MINT Pokemon $1.05

Infernape 5 130 Diamond Pearl REVERSE HOLO MINT Pokemon $4.19

Infernape 5 130 Diamond Pearl HOLO MINT Pokemon $3.99

Staraptor 16 130 Diamond Pearl HOLO MINT Pokemon $2.59

Staraptor 16 130 Diamond Pearl REVERSE HOLO MINT Pokemon $1.99

NEW Pokemon DiamondPearl Pokedoll Takaratomy Pachirsu $14.99

BLACK WHITE DIAMOND PEARL PLAYSET Battle Dome 25 POKEMON ACTION FIGURE Lot $8.99

Pokemon Electronic Handheld Game Lot Jakks Diamond Pearl and Original Pokedex $14.80

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Adventure 1 by Ihara Shiig $5.50

Official Nintendo Players Guide Book Pokemon Diamond Version Pearl Version $5.99

Ultimate National Pokedex Pokemon Diamond Version Pearl Version Guide Book $5.99

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Plush lot of 7 New with Tags Series 3 Jakks Pacific $39.99

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl theme Deck box Storm Front Dark Rampage $16.20

Pokemon Diamond Pearl vinly decal Sticker Skin cover For Wii Console Remote $3.99

TOMY POKEMON DIAMOND PEARL MINI DARTS GAME JAPAN $8.95

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Pokemon Dialga Palkia Diamond Pearl Figure BANPRESTO $29.99

Nearly Complete Pokemon Diamond Pearl Stormfront Set $0.01

I told you I would find you some footage from In The Night Garden - so here it is:

You get to see all the characters!  Iggle Piggle, the blue potato headed retard, the 3 alien babies, Ragga Upsie-Daisy, The MakaPakka stone monster and the Ninky-nonk train thing too!

Just, plain, fuckin, weird!

In the Night Garden board game by Playskool $1.57

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN IGGLEPIGGLE ACTIVITY COLOURING BOOK $5.99

NEW SEALED IN THE NIGHT GARDEN PLAYDOH SET MAKES CHARACTERS RARE + BONUS 3 CAN $69.99

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN IGGLEPIGGLE PLUSH ACTIVITY BOOK $16.99

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN 24 PC PUZZLE PRESCHOOL AGES 3+ BRAND NEW SEALED $6.99

Hasbro IN THE NIGHT GARDEN sleepy eyed UPSY DAISY plush doll chase play bed 12 $49.99

FUN IN THE NIGHT GARDEN SPIN AND SEE NINKY NONK TOY $14.99

IN The NIGHT GARDEN Pink Hand Puppets children Toy New Free Shipping $6.99

PERFECT In the Night Garden Igglepiggle Baby Romper in Beautiful Blue $10.81

In The Night Garden Sleepwear SIZE 0 $7.00

3 UPSY DAISY In The Night Garden Embroidered Iron On Patch $3.99

Personalised In The Night Garden Edible Cake Topper VARIOUS multiorder discount $16.21

in the night garden bouncy ball By Andrew Davenport $1.99

Noisy Ninky Nonk In the Night Garden By Andrew Davenport $5.99

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN PVC CHARACTER FIGURES COLLECTION $18.97

In The Night Garden Birthday Card Bag 126 Stickers Book $5.40

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN WHAT A BUSY DAY NEW DVD $18.68

In the Night Garden Bumper Activity Book $11.24

In the Night Garden Buggy Book Andrew Davenport $8.89

In the Night Garden Little Library BBC BRAND NEW $10.13

In the Night Garden What a Noisy Pinky Ponk $19.32

DE FALLA Night in the Garden of Spain DEBUSSY Fantasia YOKHELES MK Stereo RARE $39.00

LP DE FALLA NIGHTS IN THE GARDENS OF SPAIN EL AMOR BRUJO EPIC LC 3305 VG++ $3.99

Rare In the Night Garden Pontipine Popping Piano Musical Baby Toy $42.21

Through the Garden Gate Night Lite NEW IN BOX $23.95

WHAT A FUNNY NOISE MAKKA PAKKA BRAND NEW BOOK SOFT COVER $3.88

WHERE IS THE PINKY PONK GOING IN THE NIGHT GARDEN BOOK SOFT COVER BRAND NEW $3.88

IGGLEPIGGLE LOST IN THE NIGHT GARDEN BOOK SOFT COVER $3.88

NINKY NONK TRAIN IN THE NIGHT GARDEN USED EXCELLENT CONDITION $5.88

USED IN THE NIGHT GARDEN DRESSING GOWN AGE 4 5 YEARS $3.17

IGGLE PIGGLEUPSYDAISY AND MAKKA PAKKA 6 PLUSH NEW WITH TAGS $44.88

UPSYDAISY DOLL PLUSH MUSIC SOUNDS NEW 12 TALL $35.88

MAKKA PAKKA DOLL PLUSH MUSIC SOUNDS NEW 11 TALL $58.88

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LOOKING FOR EACH OTH NEW DVD $21.75

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN HELLO UPSY DAISY NEW DVD $32.07

ALNIZ IBERIA FALLA NIGHTS IN THE GARDENS OF SPAI $6.38

The Machine In The Garden One Winters Night NEW cd $14.80

2 X Cute In The Night Garden Reward Sticker Book Sheet $0.01

In the Night Garden Snowy Day NEW by Andrew Davenport $14.53

Funny Noises In the Night Garden $33.75

It's a shame that some local government departments are too short sighted and are anal enough to remove some things that people enjoy, respect and love in our community. BBC News reports that the infamous Banksy stencil painting from Pulp Fiction has been painted over.

Gits! Banksy is cool. Arm yourselves and get out there people!

A4 BANKSY ART PHOTO PRINT FOR 99P GIRL WITH BALLOON $1.57

A4 BANKSY ART PHOTO PRINT FOR 99P FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS $1.57

Kaws Banksy Keffpristine Original Art Canvas $0.99

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP BANKSY POSTER T6 $8.99

obey giant prints shepard fairey mr brainwash banksy $80.00

Suicide BOMB vs PEACE DOVE Bird Mens T SHIRT banksy M $11.99

Suicide BOMB vs PEACE DOVE Bird Mens T SHIRT banksy L $11.99

Suicide BOMB vs PEACE DOVE Bird Mens T SHIRT banksy XL $13.99

Invader Invasion Kit 9 from 2008 LIMITED EDITION OF 150 Banksy Space Invader $650.79

Mr Brainwash Rolling Stones Poster Mick Jagger kaws banksy invader art beatles $25.00

Banksy Crayon HUGE GRAFFITI CANVAS PRINT READY TO HANG $102.67

Banksy Print Graffiti Bulletproof Vest Children 5X7 $6.50

Banksy Police HUGE GRAFFITI CANVAS PRINT READY TO HANG $102.67

Canvas World Graffiti + Banksy Diver and lil Bird On Wall Street Art Urban Pop $10.99

Banksy Difaced Tenner Prints x2 Tenners Di Faced Note $87.30

Banksy Print Bristol Museum Marble Bust Pitt Jolie $6.50

Canvas World Graffiti + Banksy Stripper Teddy Bear On Wall Street Art Urban $10.99

Eva Cassatt Signed Limited Edition not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

Simon Oxley Signed Limited Edition not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

Elliot Gedda Signed Limited Edition not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

Sid Price Signed Limited Edition Art not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

David Burke Signed Limited Edition not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

Sally Whitley Signed Limited Edition not Banksy Damien Hurst Dface Dolk Obey POW $7.92

Banksy Girl on Slide Blowing Bubble Canvas Print $29.99

BANKSY A1 Poster Wall Art LOVERS at the WINDOW $6.33

SET OF TEN BANKSY POSTCARD SIZE PHOTO PRINTS $5.54

Mr Brainwash Love Charlie Chaplin NYC Icons SN 250 30 x 22 MINT Banksy $1,999.99

MRBRAINWASH HAND SIGNED MAXWELL POSTER WITH PROOF BANKSY KAWS $299.00

A4 BANKSY ART PHOTO PRINT FOR 99P CORANCAN $1.57

A4 BANKSY ART PHOTO PRINT FOR 99P LAUGH NOW $1.57

RARE Space Invader Low Fidelity Book NEW 1 900 Banksy Brainwash Street Art $60.00

Mighty Healthy Still only 25 cents T Shirt L rat banksy $15.00

Banksy Winged Cherub graffiti 24x36 Canvas Art Print $29.99

BANKSY T Shirt WINNIE THE POOH XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL ART Tee URBAN CARTOON $25.38

Banksy Mosaic HUGE GRAFFITI STREET ART CANVAS PRINT READY TO HANG $102.67

A4 BANKSY ART PHOTO PRINT FOR 99P MAID IN LONDON $1.57

DEATH NYC Prints Large LV Signed Ltd Mona Lisa Banksy MBW Spray Art Painting $23.79

DEATH NYC Prints Large LV Signed Ltd Starbucks Banksy MBW Spray Art Painting $23.79

BANKSY Ghetto Blaster Graffiti street art $89.99

DEATH NYC Pop Dog Large Prints Signed Banksy MBW Art Painting Spray Koon $23.79

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At the moment I am currently watching 2 TV series. LOST and Heroes. The two series are quite similar in some ways with lots of different stories coming together and weaving in and out of each other.

I am only up to episode 5 in the series, so have a long way to go to catch up for when it starts airing again in the US next week, but I am trying to watch an episode on my laptop during my lunch hour each day. Only about 13 episodes to go! It's one of those series where you could quite easily sit and watch several episodes back-to-back.

Flying Congressmen, people who paint the future, Japanese Time Benders, indestructible cheer-leaders and killer Internet Porn actresses.

It's got it all!

The Greatest American Hero Season 1 DVD 2 Disc Set $6.49

My Hero Vol 2 Classic TV Good condition Robert Cumm $5.46

Pokemon Heros The Movie and Pokemon 4 ever $5.00

HERO NEW DVD $7.73

Hero Wanted Very Good DVD Cuba Gooding Jr Ray Liott $1.75

GREATEST HEROES AND LEGENDS OF THE BIBLE LAST SUPPER CRUCIFIXION NEW DVD $5.15

ALBERT LEE HOGANS HEROES LIVE IN PARIS IMPORT NEW DVD $27.55

Maradona HERO Film of the 1986 World Cup on DVD All Regions $8.99

THE AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES VOL 1 NEW DVD $15.72

MY HERO VOL 4 NEW DVD $2.56

HEROES OF WWII NEW DVD $6.87

THE AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES VOL 2 NEW DVD $15.86

HERO NEW BLU RAY $13.87

MY HERO VOL 3 NEW DVD $2.56

LEGO HERO FACTORY RISE OF THE ROOKIES NEW DVD $7.65

THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO SEASON 1 NEW DVD $10.01

AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS HEROES IN ACTION NEW DVD $8.81

GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO SEASON 12 NEW DVD BOXSET $23.34

EAGLE SHOOTING HEROES NEW DVD $15.88

HEROES SEASON 1 NEW HD DVD $79.52

MY HERO SEASON 2 NEW DVD $12.87

Heroes Season 2 DVD 2008 $15.00

FAST 2DAY UPS NEW Wonder Pets Big Missions Little Heroes DVD 2009 3Disc Set $25.59

A Real American Hero Biography DVD NEW Brain Dennehy Ken Howard Full Screen $3.59

A Real American Hero DVD 2006 BRAND NEW $0.50

Heroes Season 1 DVD 2007 7 Disc Set $9.99

The Dragon The Hero $29.99

Heroes Myths and Legends BBC English $9.70

The Super Hero Squad Show Vol 2 DVD 2010 $12.99

HEROES WW II $10.00

South Bronx Heroes The Black Godfather DVD 2004 $1.79

Last Action Hero SharonStone Schwarzenegger BLU RAY DVD $5.00

DVD Watchmen MOVIE 2009 watchman WarnerBro DC Comic Super Heroes WS $3.00

DVD Greatest American Hero Season 2 TV series 80s NEW $7.00

DVD Greatest American Hero Season 1 TV series 80s NEW $7.00

DVD LADDER 49 fireman Phoenix TRAVOLTA Hero RESCUE New $3.00

DVD2 In 1DEADLY DUO HEROS BLOODBRAND NEW $9.99

Andy Griffith Biography Hollywoods Hero DVD BRAND NEW $15.99

Heroes Collectors Set Hardcover Graphic Novel Season 1 and 2 DVD $9.99

STORM HAWKS Heroes Of The Sky 2 Disc Set REBOOTHEAVY GEAR BEAST WARSNew+SS $2.99

Its been several years since I was into Industrial music such as Nocturnal Emissions but when I read that Nine Inch Nails had released one of their tracks, Survivalism as a 101mb download for remixing in Garageband, I had to jump at the chance to download it and have a play!

Just like when the Madonna samples from the track Music were released as ACID Music compatible loops for a competition.

I think this is an excellent idea. ACID Music also ran competitions featuring free samples from other artists like Black Eyed Peas, Tatu and William Shatner! Most of the competition entries and winners tracks are still available to listen to online too.

Now, only if I could find that version of The Shamens 'Move Any Mountain' CD with all the samples on...

iPad 2 Microphone USB Recording Kit for Garageband and iPad 2 Studio Quality $158.71

Making Music with GarageBand and Mixcraft Book DVD $26.77

Various Artists Garage Band Tribute To The Beatles CD $3.59

Apple Loops For SoundTrack and GarageBand NICE $14.99

Apple Garageband Jam Pack WORLD MUSIC Retail MA211Z A SEALED $64.84

Apple Garageband Jam Pack VOICES Retail MA990Z A SEALED $64.84

Apple Garageband Jam Pack REMIX TOOLS Retail MA371A A $64.84

EXPLOSIVES 45 PICTURE SLEEVE TEXAS PUNK GARAGE BAND $9.99

The Ponys Celebration Castle Digipak cd Chicago garage band in the red records $0.99

GARAGE BAND 40 WATT Peak 20 WATT RMS BASS Guitar AMPLIFIER Amp NEW $89.95

Hard Rock TrackPak Apple Loops For GarageBand And Logic $32.47

Acoustic Rock TrackPak Apple Loops For GarageBand And Logic $32.47

1970s Rock TrackPak Apple Loops For GarageBand And Logic $32.47

Apogee Jam iPad iPhone Mac GarageBand Guitar Interface Mint Condition $71.00

Making Music with GarageBand and Mixcraft by Michael Fein James Frankel and $29.98

Making Music with GarageBand and Mixcraft BRAND NEW $30.57

GarageBand 11 Power The Comprehensive Recording $32.73

Apple iLife 09 iMovie iPhoto GarageBand iWeb iDVD Full Version $17.95

ALFREDS TEACH YOURSELF GARAGE BAND NEW DVD $18.97

ELECTRIC BASS LOOPS Garage band Acid MPC Sonar $9.99

Garage Band Graphic Novel by Gipi NEW $12.99

MAE WEST Way out West Mae with a garage band Tower LP $15.99

The Street Corner Garage CD Doo Wop harmony and Garage band meet 1961 66 $5.00

Apple GarageBand Jam Pack Voices Mac MA990Z A $9.99

BEGINNING GARAGEBAND 09 PRO AUDIO TRAINING DVD $19.70

Jolees Music Rock Roll Garage Band 3D Stickers $3.32

Garage Band 45 The Misfits on Charay Records Turn on Your Love Light $7.99

Garage Band 45 The Deep Six on Soft Records promo copy One and One $8.49

Original Sins MOVE Folk Rock GARAGE BAND Bethlehem Pa $6.49

Garage Band 45 Jaguars on Aztec Records Back Up Train Black is Black $7.99

Garage Band 45 The Inside Trax on Tassel Records Youre My No 1 Girl $7.99

9th Wonder Drum Sounds Sample Samples CD MPC Reason Logic Garage Band FL Studio $0.99

Dr Dre Samples Loop Loops Sample CD FLP Studio Ableton Reason Garage Band $0.99

JUST KICKS DRUM WAV SAMPLES FOR FOR APPLE GARAGE BAND $7.95

KITCAR Move Me garage band Minnesota CD $7.99

GARAGEBAND 09 POWER BY TODD M HOWARD RECORD GUIDE NEW $19.99

THE DEANSMEN THE HUBCAPS College Garage Band Private Century Stereo NM $29.95

Jolee Sticko Garage Band Lot $4.99

NEW iLife 06 iMovie HD iPhoto6 iDVD6 GarageBand 3 iWeb $69.00

Garageband Andy White Import $16.26