Well, that was fun. ^_^ Word went out a few weeks ago regarding Apple's iPhone Tech Talk World Tour, but most of the venues filled up within hours; but they encouraged people to sign up anyway, in case space became available. So, Friday saw me pop up to the University of Middlesex, and join a couple hundred other geeks in hearing a potted tour of the platform's development environment, OS, and design philosophies. (I'll admit I'd probably have gained more from the time had they not convened at 9.30am, compelling me to set the alarm for a dust-inducing 5.45am. =:P) After then, I followed my nose in seek of a good pint with accompanying good food, with space to sit and relax, on a Friday night. So, of course, I headed for the seclusion of Leicester Square, and discovered The Bear and Staff, with a charmingly peaceful dining room upstairs, where I enjoyed a chicken, glazed ham, and leek pie, with carrots, beans, and cabbage, plus herbed potato & parsnip mash, followed - perilously - by some wondrous vanilla cheesecake & forest fruits. Very good service, too.
And there is indeed such a thing as a free lunch: a chicken/ranch burrito, salmon skewers, and battered prawns. =:9 Followed by a free t-shirt, which wasn't nearly as tasty. (Simple design, with just "London" on the front, next to an iPhone Maps pin, and the cities on the back)
I did not touch the private rod. |  |
 | Via  vandringar, a most interesting point is raised: in being the major backer for Prop. 8, did the Mormon church violate the law that grants it tax exemption? "Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes [...] no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation [...]" The author invites people to submit IRS form 13909, along with suitable evidence of their violation, as an official complaint on those grounds.
Elsewhere in politics, Minnesota's providing an interesting battleground, between the Republican incumbent, Norm Coleman, and the DFL newcomer and SNL alumnus, Al Franken. As of the weekend, some Coleman was about 220 votes ahead, out of about 1.2m votes each - as slender a margin as it gets, whomsoever is eventually sent to the Senate. Current results can be found here.
And amongst California's propositions was one to fund high-speed rail from the Bay Area to LA, which, to my mild surprise and considerable pleasure, passed.
gatcat apparently has an eye for bunnies too, in his quite superb phographic repertoire, in this shot of evilyena's commendable work.
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Is there any better vodka than Grey Goose? I'm largely unfamiliar with vodka, but to my palate, Grey Goose is leaps ahead of Stolichnaya. What do
you do with vodka more or less by itself - just chilled, straight? Twist of lemon? (Wouldn't mind hearing cocktail suggestions, either, though I usually tend to have just some combination of cider, beer, red wine, and possibly vodka and/or cider brandy in the house)
Ooh! I see Monkey: Journey to the West is on
at The O2 in the Meridian Gardens. (Is it worth using cheap ticket agencies? What are the catches?)
