The X-Factor goes Chinese
Posted at November 19, 2005 08:12 (UTC) from London, UK
The very popular X-Factor from the UK expands now even to China. First contestants already are starting rehearsal. LOL
UPDATE
Here is the original very first version of the Backstreet Boys video clip. Not much difference to the Chinese boys' one.
The Nation Remembers - Short Clip
Posted at November 13, 2005 20:36 (UTC) from London, UKA short clip form today's Remembrance Day celebrations. It will give you a good impression how it was like.
And the two mins silence (didn't get the whole two minutes) with Big Ben's toll at the beginning and the ending cannon shot.
The Nation Remembers
Posted at November 13, 2005 19:41 (UTC) from London, UK
The British nation remembers its dead, most of them died in both world wars. However, this year the nation certainly also remembers the dead of the July bomb attacks in London, the first dead in suicide bombings on British soil. Representatives from all groups were present including members of the current as well as past government: Tony Blair, Jack Straw, Margaret Thatcher. The Queen and other members of the royal family were also there.
After setting up the scene and laying down the wreaths, survivors, soldiers, heroes and helpers of the wars passed by the memorial, followed by members of the police, paramedics and many others. The entire celebration started at 10.15 a.m. and ended two hours later at 12.15 p.m.
It takes place every year in Whitehall, where the government buildings are situated, a bit further down from Horse Guards Parade towards Houses of Parliament.
Hampstead Heath - Parliament Hill
Posted at November 12, 2005 18:48 (UTC) from London, UK
Going to Hampstead Heath on Parliament Hill is always a good time enjoying the amazing view over London's skyline. From up there it is really hard to imagine how busy, crowded London can be and often is. How long it may take you to go from A to B whereas it seems so close together seen from Parliament Hill.
If you want to go there, take the Silverlink Trains to Gospel Oak station and walk up the east side. Enjoy the view to your left when walking up and, of course, the great view on top of Parliament Hill. Then walk the west side down to Hampstead Heath station, crossing the Hampstead Mixed Pond. Of course, you may also walk the other way around.
The Logic of British Retail Banking Rip-Off
Posted at November 11, 2005 13:52 (UTC) from London, UKHere is a recent short conversation between me and Barclays UK:
Me (on 8/11/2005): Hello. When will it be possible to do a simple, standard electronic money transfer using Online Banking instead of going to a branch and filling in a A4 sized form every time. Thanks. Kind Regards, Daniel Schaller.
Barclays (on 10/11/2005): Thank you for your message. You can make an international payment using your online banking on the Payments/Transfers option. The fee is £30. Regards, Andrew Howard, International Personal Banker [Name changed, ed.]
After reading this, I couldn't really hold myself back and fired this message:
Me (on 11/11/2005): Hello. Excuse me, you say, if I do a simple, electronic money transfer online, where no human action is involved, you will charge me £ 30? However, if I go to a branch and fill in an A4 size form which is then typed in your system manually, you will charge me £ 10. I don't see any justification why something that involves less cost causing actions costs more at the end. Please can you tell me, how much you'll charge when the money transfer is made in EUR.
Speechless. Just speechless.
Waiting for an answer, especially for my last question.
UPDATE
Barclays (on 11/11/2005): Thank you for your message. The charge does not change, whatever the currency of the transfer. Barclays in the UK have different charges to ourselves. If you wish to make a transfer online with ourselves then the charge is £30.. Regards, Andrew Howard, International Personal Banker [Name changed, ed.]
Now, not just speechless. Now I am in stasis.
The Blitz is on in London again!
Posted at November 5, 2005 21:02 (UTC) from London, UKSome of you may recall the time when the German Luftwaffe attacked London in the so called Blitz. However, most of you may not remember how it must have been in London during the Blitz. However, London wouldn't be London, if it didn't offer some special attraction to all of you who wants to get a small impression of how it must have been.
Each year, on 5th November (and actually even a few days before) there is a special occasion that gives you a small impression of London 1940's the sound scenery. People here call it Guy Fawkes Day or also Bonfire Night and celebrate the failed blowing up of the Parliament, today exactly 400 years ago. However, there is a thing that not only surprises me: Why do they celebrate a failed blowing with fireworks that last for almost a week and larger and longer than in any New Year's Eve night?? I think you have to be very English to understand this.
My blog is worth $3,951.78 only.
Posted at November 3, 2005 15:56 (UTC) from London, UK
My blog is worth $3,951.78.
How much is your blog worth?
Dane has created a small applet that calculates how much your weblog is worth. It's quite clever but simple at the same time using the power of links from Technorati. Find out more and how much your weblog is worth by going here.
I think I should blog more again and encourage people to link to my posts in order to increase the value of my blog. :-)
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