Hi, and welcome to my blog kebabShopBlues!
My name is Nigel Rheam and I live in North London. My first computer was a Sinclair ZX Spectrum when I was about 12, but despite this early start I did not really get involved in programming and more technical thoughts on computers until a few years later. One thing led to another, and I ended up programming IBM Mainframes, then Unix / Oracle RDBMS, then primarily web-based applications, and now I am primarily programming in C# / ASP.Net and working closely with Sql Server.
Why the Blog?
I guess that it is because I sometimes see things that I have an opinion on, that I want to discuss or consider more fully. I always believed that you could prove to yourself that you understood something if you could write a program to do it. In the same vein, if you can communicate a thought well in writing, then perhaps you have thought it through well? Nevertheless, some of my more rant-like blog entries should undoubtedly carry the warning:
This post has not been fully thought through!
Furthermore, this may well turn into a clipboard of some of my ideas for further development.
A lot of my ideas centre on programming and computers, but also any aspect of life that consumes my time! Hence the title of the blog; cooking is not something I spend a great deal of time on, instead I have the kebabShopBlues ~ visiting fast-food establishments far too often.
A Bit more about my Personality
I’ve always considered myself lazy – but the kind of lazy that acknowledges that other people should be allowed to be too. That means, I am very dedicated to getting computers and systems to work in constructive, and hopefully time-saving ways. This does not always involve hectic coding or advanced use of several applications; sometimes it is as simple as an index of a paper filing system.
Two aspects of my character that often are at odds are a pragmatic streak, opposed by a desire for perfection! Another two contradicting aspects are that I can be very serious, yet I try not to take things too seriously. So that’s all clear then.
I consistently fail to write short sentences.
Things I Enjoy
My interests are wide ranging and perhaps indicate that I can be a little fickle with some interests. I tend to enjoy certain activities in concentrated doses. So for example, I like to read a lot and quickly, but then I might not pick up another book for weeks. Same goes for photography, various other artistic attempts like painting, and I enjoy riding motorcycles. Sometimes I ‘DIY’ (Do It Yourself – Home Improvements) in my spare time, and occasionally I even enjoy it 😉
Hi Nigel, just wanted to say thanks for posting the images of the timer manual.
I’m somewhat like you in having bursts doing different activities and then guilt at having a sit down.
I just built an irrigation system to water around 30 plant pots and hanging baskets from bit’s of pipe and a washing machine water valve. I had a couple of timers but not the instructions……thanks. its now all automatic and has to be because I would forget most days.