Just seen this link to the Newton Project while I was reading the Sunday Times. This is a very usefel project to make all of Newton's work available online. It makes an interesting counterpoint to James' Gleick's recent biography of Newton.

BBC News - Alastair Campbell quits. Hooray!

An interesting article on credit card culture in the UK. More and more people are getting themselves into big debts. People use the excuse that houses are too expensive, so that they can justify being in huge amounts of debt for their day-to-day expenses. In reality, it seems that more and more people look at credit as a way to get instant retail gratification rather than planning what they really want and then earning the money to afford it. I suppose it's always been like that.

Well, I'm back after a bit of an absence. I've been away at a workshop in Berlin, and intended to write some summaries of what was happening while I was there, but it turned out that there wasn't enough time each day, or more importantly anough battery in my laptop while I was sat there in the seminar room! The moral of this tale is that while wireless networking is all very well, it ain't much use without a battery. Similarly, my digital camera broke (again!) while I was away, so only a few pictures as well.... Usually I rate Sony products, but this camera (a 2MP P-51) has had a recurrent shutter problem. Ho hum , I'll just have to see whether I get any joy from the Sony Repair Centre - they were a real hassle last time.

Just found a useful link on how to find papers in AIP Journals: Physics Finder.

Just foun this interesting link from this week's Nature: Politics & Science, covering the alleged distortion of science policy to political ends. Makes interesting reading.

Of course, she's not in....

Just been trying to find out my Auntie's new telephone number using the Cesky Telecom website; however, it doesn't work. They've changed every number in the country, including the local codes. It was worth using 118 003 to get it....

Well, the results of the National Eisteddfod instrumental prize were announced yesterday, and one of my Dad's pupils won for the 6th year running. I've added a picture of Dad on his new motorbike to my Fotolog page.

Watching the Eisteddfod (sp?) on the telly - some duff flautist playing Faure. But then, even if it was played well I wouldn't like it. Come back James Galway, all is forgiven.

Hot

God.... it's still hot. It's 1 am, I've escaped to Wales and it's STILL hot. Went to the George Borrow hotel in Ponterwyd tonight - the 3rd set of owners since my Dad moved here. They're selling up as well. Met a mate of my Dad's, who used to live round the corner from us 30 years ago in Willesden Green. My gran used to work with his dad. Amazing. The world is full of coincidences.
The pool table still doesn't work properly though.

I've taken a photo of the new Science Park building. You can see the roof panels going on the left.

Well, I've finally sorted out my website and made it look half-decent, so people can find stuff. Hopefully the links on may page will help you navigate more easily. I've also created a Fotolog account. This is a really nice idea, as you can post images day-by-day as well as do text logs here. For example, my latest pictures are here.

Today is a long day at work. I'm getting some results together for a workshop in Berlin and for a conference in California - all CSR-based ones.

Work on the new science park across the road from Daresbury is going quickly. The building framework is up and the panels have arrived. However, the addition of roadworks on Keckwick Lane mean that the entire journey from home to work has roadworks now. Still, at least it gives the impression of progress. All be over by Christmas with any luck.