Michael Quigley's Blog

Today I saved a forrest!

2010-05-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

This isn't a techie blog (there are plenty of great blogs out there on the Sony e-readers - and indeed other e-readers), but a blog to say that I've bought myself a new present. It's a treat for proving to people that I've actually been working - something PhD students are often accused of not doing! Not wanting to bang on about how hard a PhD is, I just want to say that mental exhaustion is a fair description!

I'm a huge book and article reader, so it's both practical and cost saving for me. I will save on hundreds of printed pages for reading journal articles by downloading them to the reader. It's not good for the eyes to read these pages off the computer, but with the the e-readers not being backlit it's not stressful on the eyes.

I've installed a load of book from different sites, and I've uploaded some photos and music to it too. The first book I read on it was A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift. A Modest Proposal is a short satirical book written in 1729, looking at how to make best use of the children of Ireland.

It going to save me 3 books worth of space for when I go on holiday - though I'll probably still take a paperback for the beaches (depending on where I go!) Just think of that, 2 extra shirts or an extra pair of shoes... woop... all hail the technological revolution.

Smug train journeys

2010-05-10T12:32:00.003-07:00

I'm sat next to a guy on the train, who's revising for his Statistics A-Level. I know this because I took Maths and Stats at A-Level.

Point being, he looks smug because he thinks he's doing something I don't understand. Whereas, I'm smug because I know he's doing something I don't understand!

Amazing what the mind forgets.

What do you want to drink?

2010-05-10T12:32:00.001-07:00

It seems to me that I'm drinking a lot of "bad" things. It's either alcohol or coffee, coffee or alcohol. I'm not even getting to eat with my drinks.

I shouldn't complain... I've a good job, great social life and wondeful girlfriend. My health is the best it's been for years, thanks to joining a leisure club (and actually playing tennis 3 times a week), but still... starting a ne job and joining a new club means you meet new people. Some become your friends and before you know it every available day and night is spent drinking in either coffee houses or bars.

It's the start of May. I've not had a free weekend since March and the next is Mid-June! This doesn't even include mid-week meet-ups.

I always enough my time with friends, but I need a weekend to detox. No coffee. No alcohol. No social events. Roll on June!

Stolen Chair

2010-04-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

In need of a better a chair I took the liberty of taking one that has been in the corridor outside my office for a couple of days.

Will anyone notice or care?

I'll let you know.

In other news, chess match tonight, tennis on Friday and Lancashire are doing well in the cricket :-)

It's Started!

2010-04-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is a post that only one person will get, but I can't speak to everyone all the time!...

"Day one, to me!"

MCF Victory

2010-03-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

I picked up 5 out of 6 (only losing to the eventual winner) at this year's Manchester Chess Rapidplay.

I nice trophy and £50 cheque!

Mike

I did it!

2010-03-07T04:39:00.001-08:00

I've got the email notifications working on my chess site again. Nothing a bit of ham-fisted programming couldn't fix.

Now to improve the analysis board!

New Forum

2010-03-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

For those who play in the Manchester Chess Federation Chess League or competitions head over to the MCF Site and check out the new forum.

Contributions are always welcome and I expect some lively debate.

These guys?

2010-02-26T13:10:00.001-08:00

They are made out of lego and are standing in The Trafford Centre for no reason! No sign, no shop just like they've been left behind!

What are these?

2010-02-24T07:33:00.001-08:00

Mega strong, very cheap and completely foreign to me.

This where I work!

2010-02-16T05:33:00.001-08:00

Cool isn't it!

Ships Passing in the Night

2010-02-16T01:07:00.000-08:00

It seems as though every time I come to University Ian and Stuart are off, and when I'm off they are in.

Do they not like me or is it just a coincidence? I do tend to get more done and have a better structure when left to my own devises, maybe long-term it's for the best.

With no-one to disturb me I thing I'll watch QI at lunchtime. I think it's "gravity" this week.

Oh well, back to work.

Terrible

2010-02-16T01:06:00.000-08:00

Well the team won last night, but there was some dodgy play and I tried to force a win (after refusing a draw) and lost! Gutted. Still a lot to learn in the chess world!

Busy, busy, busy...

2010-02-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

Not done much in the way of bloggling recently, but that's because I'm too busy!

Emergency dental hospitals, emails, jobs, cleaning, cooking, chess matches, birthdays, weddings, blogging, PhD, bulbs, driving license and more have been keeping me busy.

How about you?

Today I Brought in Real Milk

2010-02-11T08:47:00.001-08:00

Stuart still prefers the powdered variety!

Got it!

2010-02-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Well I got myself the job, in fact "got" two, but had to turn one down. In the long run I think it's best to go private rather than stay in the university system. Time will tell.

Other than that, I've been playing with the new Google Buzz, going over my win for Worsley Chess Club last night and working on the old thesis.

I've updated the "my games" on my website, so check that out and see what you think.

Tennis tonight!

Toodles,

Mike

Failure?

2010-02-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Not a great day, as I don't think I'm what my potential employer is looking for.

I think the interview went okay, just not well. I was a little underprepared thanks to communication breakdowns between my agency and me (namely getting the wrong info off them). But I have to remain positive and focus on the fact that it's good experience.

I'll let you know the feedback, when I have it.

As for the Bupa 10K Manchester Run... I'm not doing that because I wasn'c hosen in the ballot. I've done it 3 times in the past and after missing last year wanted to give it a go again. Hey ho, on to the next opportunity :-)

How to Prepare!

2010-02-07T04:04:00.000-08:00

Well I've a lot to do today! With an interview tomorrow, where I have to give a presentation, and the other usual interview questions to prepare it would already be enough, but I have to brush up on my SAS and complete 2 more online tests too!

A long day is ahead. The trick is not to panic, plan, be methodical, take regular rest periods and list what needs to be done. So, on that note, here is my list:

Get directions
Prepare Clothes
Put together folder of everything I need to take
Complete my presentation
Complete some online tests
Review interview questions

There's no order to this. So, let's get cracking...

Playing with Bullets

2010-02-05T16:07:00.001-08:00

Played a few Bullet games of chess tonight (1-2 minutes) which doesn't really help your game, but is good fun. However, after a long day at the office I lost a shed load of rating points. Now, I'm not that bothered about the rating loss but I'll be having another few games when I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, because I hate to lose!

It's that drive that makes me work hard at chess This year I haven't worked as hard, due to my work and PhD being more important. But this is a warning to all those I play later in the year: "I'll be gunning for you!"

Additionally, it's midnight... time for bed? Nope, because I haven't eaten all day. I've tennis in the morning, so I'll have to get some fuel in me. Hate to say it, but it might be a McD's! I'll eat it whilst watching Ghost In The Shell or Modern Family to try and distract my taste buds.

Night all,

Mike

A long day...

2010-02-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

...and still going. I've a list as long as my arm of things to do, but only 24 hours in the day. 16 hours at uni today. Time to go home.

Oh, and I demoted John Terry from the Captain of my Fantasy Football Team. I gave the armband to Rooney!

Eccles make further excuses

2010-02-04T05:44:00.000-08:00

Good old Eccles Chess Club have managed to cancel 3 times already in a season. Impressive when you note we only have to play them twice a season! More impressive is the fact that we are in the second half of the season and have yet to play them.

It seems as though there is no end to the excuses that club can come up with. Worsley Chess Club being a friendly and pleasant place keep offering to rearrange (last nights cancellation was a rearranged fixture), but we are starting to suffer from fixture congestion as more and more clubs (Three C's and Manchester University are also guilty this year) take advantage. We are rightfully allowed to "claim a win", but winning be default isn't our style. I'd rather lose a game I did play than win one I didn't. But if we can't squeeze these fixtures in then I'm sorry Eccles but we'll be claiming the win.

I hope we get these days sorted out and Eccles stop with the excuses.^

Mike

^Last night a retired guy got caught in traffic coming home from work! I despair!

Bargain of the day

2010-02-04T05:36:00.000-08:00

So not a pointless daily feature, but a bargain so great that it needs to be shared!

Lucozade Sport is the KING OF SPORTS DRINKS. They must put nicotine in it (they don't by the way!) because it is super addictive. And at my tennis club I always buy a bottle. No problem there, 3 bottles of a fine drink a week is hardly excessive, but at £1.60 a bottle it's not the cheapest...

Well it is now! Quality Save (a shop near me) is selling it for 29p per bottle! That's more than 80% off.

Stuart, don't give last nights winnings back to Paddy Power, get to Quality Save and stock up. The amount of liquids we need to go through on a daily basis to keep hydrated in the burning cauldron of insanity (our office, where people turn the temperature up to 28 degrees Celsius) will taste all the better.

Ta ta

Mike

So this is how it's going to work...

2010-02-03T04:05:00.001-08:00

This is a personal blog and will be published pretty regularly. The content will be mostly sent from my phone, to help keep the content in realtime, but also to stop me having to spend precious time trying to recall things when sat on the computer.

I'm crazy busy finishing my PhD, applying for jobs and organising the Friday afternoon speakers at the UK System Dynamics Conference, so don't expect too much in way of "a life" anytime soon. Having said that... I've a chess match tonight and a club tennis session tomorrow. Which is currently working better the mind or body? Tonight's match is in the Bolton District League, so I can afford to play fast and loose, as it won't affect my ECF grade.

Anyway, it's lunchtime. Bye for now.

Mike

Hard Times = Coffee Mate

2010-02-02T10:06:00.001-08:00

Hard times in our office, as they've taken the fridge away. This has led to Stuart buying Coffee Mate! Now, I'm going to have to use powdered milk or cart milk to and from the office everyday. A good mix of the two options is probably in order :-)

Video Test

2010-02-01T05:22:00.001-08:00

This is a video upload test.

Gambit Books to Review

2010-01-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

The great chess book site Gambit Books (www.gambitbooks.com) has sent me a couple of books to read and review. I'll be posting the reviews on my Chess Podcasts (www.chesspodcasts.blogspot.com) in a few weeks, but check here for updates!

Ta ta,

Mike

And With Pictures...

2010-01-22T13:19:00.001-08:00

I'm testing a picture.

This position is from a game I played against the computer. I'm White and winning. It's Black to move, but White ends up with a positional advantage and great attack, no matter what. A few more moves and I had this won.

Mike

Here I Go...?

2010-01-22T13:06:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

If you are reading this then Blogger's new email blog system works and I can blog anytime and on the move.

I'll test the capabilities of this system and be blogging quite regularly on work, chess, tennis and everything else. However, there won't be spell check so expect typos and badly spelled words!

I like this over twitter because it's less restrictive.

Now, I'm going to press send and see how this works...