Disqus - Latest Comments for vanroojdotcom

Re: First iPhone photography exhibition opens in Ireland

vanroojdotcom — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 07:53:40 -0000

The objective of a great art project is that is should have boundaries and set parameters, these can aide, but it's the restrictive limitations that challenge Artists the most. A project is interesting and stand-out if those limitations are overcome in creative ways, or make the artist start each assignment in a different way to his or her normal working methods.

I like this idea but feel that the use of multiple applications has diminished it slightly... using only standard built in apps, or one download, would have been much better and easier for the general public to grasp the point of the art.

I too have been working on a similar idea, only using the very limited built-in Instagram filters on my Android phone (LG G2). The other being only photos taken on my journey around Thailand. And finally, uploading only one photo per day, every day for one year.

You can see them here if you're interested:
http://instagram.com/vanrooj/

Re: 'Bank account typo cost me £25,000'

vanroojdotcom — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:38:17 -0000

"Michelle Henry? Oh, hello. The £25,000? I've sent it to you... yesterday. Yes, definitely sent yesterday. You haven't received it? Mmm, strange. Let me check. Yes it definitely went. Went to 123456798. What? 798. Oh, you are are 789? Ah, that must be it then, I sent it to 798. Sorry about that. Hope it not going to be a problem. No? Oh great. Right then, I'd like to order another 625 bottles of single malt. Yes, I'll get the number right this time! Cheers."

Re: We can’t assume the National Lottery can go on forever unless we close loopholes in the law

vanroojdotcom — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 02:52:48 -0000

What is the current rate of claims for the new raffle prize? How many £20,000 raffle tickets are going unclaimed? What is the minimum percentage of claims set-out by Camelot to gauge whether this new format is a success? 90%? That's 45 of the 50 available and still leaves £200,000 every week back in Camelot's pocket (£10.4 million each year). When are the figures going to be released to indicate this? Will the Government step-in and force Camelot to change their format if it is proved that unclaimed raffle tickets are too high? I would expect 95% to be the minimum in a six month period.

Re: Technology sounds that are dying out

vanroojdotcom — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 07:44:41 -0000

A sound I miss is the "crackling telephone" commentary of European Cup away matches in the 80s. Hearing a distant Barry Davis with a fuzzy microphone and high distortion really gave the feeling of an overseas far away battle, just remembering the bit where Trevor Francis knocked in that goal for Forest, the sound of it is also part of that little gem.

I think that this "Old Skool Away Game Microphone Effect" should be offered on Sky Sports.

Re: Ireland's central bank misquotes James Joyce on limited edition coin

vanroojdotcom — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:41:29 -0000

"It's in keeping with Joyce's irreverent style" Said Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan, "It's an homage, if you will. The extra word was a deliberate attempt to engage with a modern twist, to connect with our younger audiences, reconstructing a familiar verse in a new and perplexing style that Joyce himself would have approved of." He added, denying that someone in the office had just copied and pasted it from a Google search.

Re: Cyprus bail-out: live

vanroojdotcom — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:31:03 -0000

"Exo i Troika tora!"
Troika, they go towards the house?

Re: Margaret Hodge's family company pays just 0.01pc tax on £2.1bn of business generated in the UK

vanroojdotcom — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:18:45 -0000

The problem is smart Accountants. Let's say, the UK should get more businesses into The latest Technology (TLT). Companies complain that it's too expensive to invest in TLT, so, to encourage them, the Government, quite rightly, announces a scheme to help start-ups in this new field. Sometimes it's lower tax or a rebate.

So, an Accountant sees this announcement and thinks, "Hey, if I can somehow make it look like my company is investing in TLT then we can pay less tax."

So, they set-up something, to make it look like they're doing something that means they can right off something else to pay less tax. All legal, and in part, an initiative that does some good for genuine start-ups in TLT but is abused by others, simply to avoid paying tax. We hate tax loopholes, but sometimes they are there to help generate business in an expensive and new field.

Re: George Entwistle admits Newsnight Tory sex abuse claims should never have been broadcast

vanroojdotcom — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:13:41 -0000

I can't step down, this issue is so important, the cock up so large, that if I resign the new person won't know how to sort it. I need to keep this job, so I can properly look into how I got it so wrong. So I'm ordering an long, protracted investigation into this, and hopefully by the time this is finished everyone will have forgotten why it was launched in the first place.

Re: Comet firesale leaves customers disappointed

vanroojdotcom — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:07:35 -0000

Rushed down to Comet today expecting cheap electrical goods at the misery of others. Plan was to bulk buy and then smugly put them on e-bay and make a quick profit. Unfortunately, I paid a little too much and underestimated the interest in them from the public.

Paid huge amounts to adwords, but still no takers... must be the recession. I've got to pay my mortgage in three days and the bank says if I don't cough it up they'll send in the bailiffs and repossess everything.Anybody want a discount laptop?

Re: Beijing hints at bond attack on Japan

vanroojdotcom — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 07:38:08 -0000

Take a football. Kick it against a wall. After many months you will be the best footballer in the whole of your garden.

You will dream of scoring winning goals and being lift high above your comrades shoulders as they declare you the super player. A legend of football.Come the actual match – a real 11 man-a-side on a muddy field in Barnsley – you jump up and down on the touchline, swing you leg in an imaginary free kick practice.

It's time - you're on. And off you sprint. Ten minutes of ball-chasing and a twisted ankle on an unseen divot - you are clattered bang on with a knee to the back. Shaking heads and disapproval is all you are aware of as you are lifted gently into the Ambulance, a sympathetic St Johns carrying you teeth in a Tesco carrier bag.

Yes, we shall see, what the Chinese can do when push comes to shove. They've planned and dreamed and talked a good game... laid plans n Africa, hoarded US debt, occupied a sandbank near the Philippines, but the World is full of hardened fighters and bullies and in times of self-preservation you have to kick first and go in guns blazing.

China knows international courage leads to domestic courage - of the people - and the first bloody nose the Chinese get could lead to internal war.

Re: Bank of England to auction £50 note for £400

vanroojdotcom — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 03:08:33 -0000

I want one of the Ibanknotes, designed by Apple, I believe. Much better than the Samsung ones for £50.

Re: We speech fascists need to keep our perspective

vanroojdotcom — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:05:35 -0000

My favourite quote has to be Versace's "I may not agree with what you have to say, but if you want to say it, at least wear a nice suit."

A sentiment that would make the world a nicer place to live in.

Re: New overseas aid logo carries Union Flag

vanroojdotcom — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:19:42 -0000

mmm... the people of the UK seem nice and generous, I wonder if I went there, it'd be a lot nicer than living here.

Re: Revealed: how popular is your name?

vanroojdotcom — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:08:27 -0000

I always like the story of French first names. Originally, in France you could only name your baby after a Saint, then, relaxing the rules, it was anyone who did good deeds, or upheld the principals of the French ideal. Later, the rules were abolished, and, due to certain circumstances (Kevin Costner winning the César Awards for Dances with Wolves and Sharon Stones' epic Basic Instinct - circa 1992) the most popular names in France during that period, included Sharon and Kevin.