Advogato: Personal info for ringbark

ringbark is currently certified at Journeyer level.

Name: Ian W H
Member since: 2001-10-24 10:17:29
Last Login: 2006-11-23 21:44:59

Notes:

My background is in I.T., but I have most recently worked for the Credit Risk Management department of an international bank.

Opinions I offer at advogato are my own opinion and not supported by my employer.

I have experience in three island nations:

United Kingdom (1961 to 1990 and 2005 to date)
Vanuatu (1990 to 1993)
New Zealand (1993 to 2005)

I'm a friendly soul, who will talk about most stuff, even if I don't know what I'm talking about. I am married with three sons, believe in God, speak at Toastmasters and waste far too much time on this sort of thing.

Geek Code: GM/CS/O d++(--) s+:+ a+ C++ U*++ P- L E--- W++ N++ o? K? w !O M- V PS--(+++) PE++$ Y+ !PGP t+ 5? !X R+ tv- b++ DI++ D--- G++ e++ h---- r+++ y++++

Member of American Express since 1987

Member of Advogato since 2001

Articles Posted by ringbark

The new Basel Accord: Competition v Co-operation 29 Jun 2001 at 23:05 UTC

Recent blog entries by ringbark

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16 Jul 2008 »

Wembley on a Wednesday

Good morning, olgeta!
Once I arrived at the office, it all started. There was no let-up till
after ten o'clock when I finally set off, exhausted, for Wembley.
Along with far more passengers than I expected, I hurried from
Marylebone Bakerloo to the mainline to catch the northbound train.
Just made it. Won't say anything about the hotel here: I'm still in
discussions with the manager.
Tuesday was a relatively quieter day, though I was alarmed by the
realisation that the thought "at least I can leave early tonight" as I
was packing up came at half past six.
This morning, a stupidly overcrowded train as a result of a mech
failure meaning only two cars instead of four. Yes, we did get an
apology. Now, on to Bishopsgate.
The word from home is that Christopher is still as well as might be
expected. Matthew is still off to school till the end of the week.
David is still in Vancouver, unless he has headed off to Rockridge by
now.
Viv is in Keswick, and will be back to Wirral mid-afternoon as far as
I know. And Betty is keeping an eye on what's happening.
I phoned Matthew this morning: "ah, so you've called to harass me
too?" Sorry. It shows we care, I suppose.

This just in: +Rowan apologises that Christianity is offensive to
Muslims. I suppose that nobody worries that Islam is offensive to me.
That's the problem with discrimination. Nobody takes it seriously if
it's against a white, Christian, heterosexual male. I suppose I'll
have to "get over it". One rule for you, one rule for me.

Syndicated 2008-07-16 07:51:04 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

14 Jul 2008 »

Euston Square

Defective train at Great Portland Street, so delays on all eastbound
services. Further, I'd guess that when the trains do come through,
they'll be somewhat on the full side. "Thank you for your patience."
Well, we'll just wait and see. Pity. I was all set for a record
door-to-door time.
The empty train has just passed through Euston Square. Next train:
Aldgate 1 minute...
Oh, the humanity. I think I'll take my chances waiting another minute
for the next one.
Circle Line via KX... Here it comes... Much better. I can even stand
in comfort on this one. Don't know what it'll be like after KX.
Worse, but this isn't the worst trip I've ever been on. Oh no, indeed.
That was on the Sloop John B with my grandfather.
And so to Farringdon, where you will be saved any more of this drivel
if there's mobile signal at the platform. Have a great day, all.

Syndicated 2008-07-14 08:26:38 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

14 Jul 2008 »

No, I don't know why

Just past Milton Keynes. After the service last night, it was curry
time again. Then off to bed for an early start again. Up at 05.15 as
usual. Live rail info told me that the 07.15 out of Chester was
cancelled AGAIN. But I had time today to rush to catch the 06.08 out
of Bromborough and the 06.30 out of Chester to catch the 07.05 from
Crewe to Euston. That will get to Euston around nine o'clock which is
ridiculous.
But it is a beautiful morning, and Virgin have started their summer
rules, so I'm sitting pretty in Coach G. Sally, are you paying
attention? Coach G is Standard Class on all Pendolinos till 7 Sept.
Nothing much else has happened since last night.
Christopher is feeling much better but isn't happy about what he can't
do at the moment. Yes, he can probably go to the cinema but not by
himself. And what 14 year old really wants to go to the cinema with
Mummy? This is something to sort out over the summer, of course.
And that's about it from me for now. More soon. But don't count on it,
as I think it will be a very busy week.

Syndicated 2008-07-14 07:38:11 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

13 Jul 2008 »

Sunday night sunset

Just about nothing happened to me yesterday. After Viv left to go to
the trustees meeting, I went back to bed and didn't get up till
o'clock. Then it was time to wash dishes and cook some eggs for lunch.
In the afternoon, Christopher and I took a leisurely walk to the local
shops to buy bread, milk and, for Christopher, a 99. Then back home.
Viv was home before too late in the evening. This morning, I was
leading the morning service and leading prayers in the evening.
Between the two, there was time for a chicken dinner, a game of
Flutter, a walk round by the Dibbinsdale and a cup of coffee. And now
I'm at Port Sunlight station, filling in fifteen minutes as I just
missed the train before. Well, maybe 14 and a half if everything is on
time.
It's a sunny evening here in the Wirral. But will the good weather
last the week in Boris Johnsonville?

Syndicated 2008-07-13 19:44:15 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

11 Jul 2008 »

Trains

There is something about the look and sound of a train. The excitement
of seeing the locomotive and coaches of the express train to London
from a provincial town. It's a powerful image. All through last year,
almost every morning I would see it at Chester Station and it was
truly a wonder that I never got on it anyway. Now, of course, I catch
it at least once a week.
Sometimes, when it is stupidly overcrowded, I'm not so sure, but it is
still a special event. Perhaps less so in some places. The Flying
Scotsman at noon from King's Cross, first stop Newcastle. Well, not
these days, but it does still leave at noon.
These are the magical rail services. The speed, the convenience, the
opportunity to snooze, read, have a snack or a drink and now the
environmental benefit over flying (long distance) or driving (short
distance) all add up to something very wonderful.
But why do governments of all political colours over so many years
spend so little on rail infrastructure. Even now, as oil prices rise
and demand increases, more is still being spent on roading by a great
many times. The time is now to turn round the evils of Beeching and
Thatcher and their woeful and arrogant short-sightedness and invest
heavily in railways. Improvements and new lines in Britain are
urgently needed for passenger and freight traffic. You know it makes
sense.

Syndicated 2008-07-11 20:43:32 from C'est dur de mourir au printemps tu sais

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