Maelstrom

Right. Drugs: "http://www.pagga.net/cgi-bin/vBulletin_v3/showpost.php?p=163180&postcount=10" - apparantly they're going to assert phys-reps a little better this time.

I'm almost there with my prep.

Having located my camo-net and tarp, I now have two nets, and so can do a 'double toga'. And if the weather is shite, turn the tarp into a poncho, and wear that underneath.

I still need:
Gas bottle for patio heater (another one, because I suspect it'll come in very useful).
2x 'webbing' belts to support my costume
Several more guy lines, because I strongly suspect that extras will come in handy.

Edit: I'd recommend that if anyone has a bit of spare cash, another gazebo might come in handy. I'm running out of cash quite thoroughly, so I'm not going to I'm afraid.

I'm also thinking of acquring alchemical grog. Probably a bottle of teachers or something similar, because I seem to recall the_wood_gnome mentioned a shortage of whiskey last time.

Also I have a thermos to bring along for hot water storage.

I'd also strongly recommend some 'wooden thingies' for the canvas tent. It'll make pitching it _much_ easier.

Anything obvious i've missed?

The weather for event is looking a little grotty. The satellite passes for today look like this:
( 300k images that'll fuck up formatting. )

See that bank of cloud across the atlantic? That's hurricane hangover, and if we're unlucky we'll be getting that over the weekend.
However UK Weather seems to indicate that the weather will have 'broken' by the weekend, and so we'll be in for 'scattered showers, and light winds'.

This is England, so 5 days is a long time, but it's necessary to consider what you'll be doing/wearing if it _is_ cold, pissing it down, and blowing a gale.

Quote for the day

"Too much redundancy in our organisation has led to not enough redundancy."

Ideas needed

Right. I'm trying to diagnose a problem with our backup server.
I have a log file, that tells me: start time, finish time, 'quantity' of data backed up and number of files. Along with things like filesystem and backup 'level' (incremental or full).

The problem is, I _know_ it's running 'a bit slow'. And I need to figure out how best to represent this information, such that it's 'obvious' if there's a particular culprit.

My suspicion is that we're just 'overloaded' and need more tape drives, but they're not cheap, and so if we go that route, it'd better fix the problem...

Anyone got thoughts on the subject?

Insurance

Sigh.
Just had a call from the insurance company.
They 'just noticed' that I put in an email too, about needing documents, and therefore need 'coverage' for Sunday.

The bit of paper they posted this morning would have been from Tuesday, rather than backdated.

So I've arranged for a fax copy tomorrow, and it sent out by 'special delivery' for by midday thursday.

So regarding preparation for Maelstrom, I'm still going to be helping, but I'm _not_ going to be leaving the house before that piece of paper arrives...

(Unless the fax arrives wednesday, and proves acceptable).

Failing that, well I guess I just get to go ask for an extension.

(*mutters about insurance schedule not being enough proof of cover*)

Edit: Just found this article from the BBC. Scroll down a bit, and have a look at the 'average fine' for driving without insurance... No wonder people do it - I'd have to get nicked 6 times a year (ok under the assumption that I got 'average' each time, and didn't lose my license) in order to pay the same amount as my insurance is currently.

Crusades

Now a while back, I seem to recall Dubya's immortal reference to a 'Crusade on Terrorism'. Which given it was aimed at Islamic nations, was really ... well a bit tasteless really.

I mean, in medieval history, the Crusades were a bunch of sanctimonious bastards, who happened to do it under the pretence of a religious banner. They invaded the middle east, raped, pillaged, tortured and converted by the sword. And basically just went in there to steal all their stuff, hiding behind a flag of 'higher purpose'.

Quite ironic really. I mean, all things considered.

Karma

Seems like my karma still isn't quite straight.

The council still want money.

You see, they passed our 'old' debt onto some bailiffs.
And they issued us with a statement for this year.

I and another housemate paid part of this year's sum.

And separately I settled the account with the bailiffs.

Guess what the council did though? That's right. They sent the money on to the bailiffs, who now have probably been overpaid by £150, and have now sent out a 'red demand' again, for the amount we owe them.

So now, instead of doing my gluing and cable tying of my Maelstrom costume, I'm instead going to leave it, and drink beer instead.

Why me?