Monday, 31 August 2015

Quantum Mechanics

Despite been a computing geek my first degree some time ago was physics and the topic I found most interesting was Quantum Mechanics. The quantum world is a strange world, one that Einstein wasn't convinced of, and a theory that underpins a number of modern inventions. There are all kinds of potential consequences, infinite universes, cats that are both dead and alive and much more.

My interest was perked up by a new series on BBC that I caught up on via the iPlayer and chats with Matt whilst he's home - he too is studying Physics at Uni but is doing better than me!

Somehow I manged to wedge Schrodinger's cat into a BNI education slot at Vision Chapter in Billingham this week, you'll have to get in touch if you want to know how.

I love science me!

Saturday, 15 August 2015

Labour Leadership


I normally don't do political on here but here goes ...

First I need to make it clear that this is a personal blog not a company blog so they are my own views.

Secondly, I am an unashamed socialist which is not as unusual in the small business community as you may think.

I have signed up as a Labour supporter as I do support its aims. This means I can vote in the leadership election and also that I am bombarded via email and post with election pitches.

Today I received a "letter from Tom Blenkinsop" my local MP and a man you can talk to any time, as long as there is an election ha ha. The communication essentially urges me to back anyone but Jeremy Corbyn. There are a couple of things in the letter that have confirmed my belief that Jeremy Corbyn is the man to vote for.

1. "Labour can only help the people who need it most when we are in power..". Whilst there is a lot of truth in that a sa statement of fact, how does more austerity help the people who need it most? We are redistributing wealth from poor to rich. Why get elected if it's not what you believe in? That is power for power's sake and sums up the careerist group that my MP represents. I would rather be open and honest and try and change others' opinions than do anything for power.

2. A badly photocopied letter that is faded and makes it almost impossible to read the email address really convinces me that the MP is genuinely concerned about what I think. Try making an effort!! If I was wavering I would probably vote Corbyn purely for that reason.

I think those of us on the left have a genuine opportunity to create an alternative. I am very much in favour of having a genuine choice come election time, even if my preferred choice doesn't win and last election without the minority choice of the Green Party there was no real anti-austerity choice in England (well done Scotland).

As a result I will be voting for Jeremy Corbyn and sincerely hope this is the start of a real movement to oppose austerity and take the Labour Party back for the people its aims represent. I want to live in a society where all who are able to do contribute and those that can't are looked after. I want to part of a society that believes that educating its young for free is the route to future success, that care is for all based on need and not ability to pay, that allows working people rights and dignity at work, that champions the needs and aspirations of ordinary people above those of the rich and powerful.

That's a big dream and a seismic change from the current mainstream politics - but if we don't dream and work for better then we deserve more of the same. It's time for those, like Tom Blenkinsop, to step aside and let us build a better society.

Sunday, 9 August 2015

A Couple of Days Off

An office move is pretty stressful and a couple of days relaxation has been the order of the day, therefore a trip to Scarborough for a couple of days watching the mighty Yorkshire play cricket with copious refreshments in the North Riding to boot.

A great 2 days with Matt and Dave the ex-brewer at Scarborough cricket ground including 20 wickets on day 1, a great partnership between Maxwell and Rashid on day 2 with both scoring centuries and copious amounts of North Riding's Peasholm Pale Ale, which was stunning.

Nice 2 days in the sunshine, chat, beers and Yorkshire ahead when we left - I love cricket me!


And on day 2 the Ashes were won, Sunderland lost, Hartlepool won - we just need a Boro win on TV today and all is well with the world.