Indeed, we are a changed Nation!  Though if you were to blink like me - you’d hardly have noticed it?  we have a new Prime Minister; Gordon Brown - Born a Scot, but since we are such a multi-national and multi-cultural place these days, nationality should have nothing to do with it.

What surprises me, is the relatively quiet manner he seems to have fallen into the position?  Or maybe it’s perhaps because I simply haven’t watch much current affairs this week?

Either way.  Fundamentally the country is now different, and yet, the same…(blink)

On Friday just gone, I decided to carry out something of an experiment with an old Webcam, a Phillips model where the lens assembly simply unscrews making life a lot easier for my experiment. 

The background - Most digital camera’s have a sensor which is capable of seeing “near” infra-red - however when they are shipped they have a small usually square translucent filter in line with the lens to block this out, as it can impact the quality of the picture when decoded onto the computer - allowing for a more realistic reproduction of the visible light.

The challenge - Basically to reverse the functionality so that it ONLY allows the “near” infra-red portion of light through.

So - anyways, I quickly took the lens assembly apart with the aid of a small screwdriver for leverage and located the offending filter….actually it just fell out :P  In order to block out visible light I took out some old holiday snaps and looked for a bit of underexposed developed film - this is the bit that looks black; and I cut two pieces the same size and shape as my infra-red filter (as these are perfect for blocking visible light whilst still allowing infra-red through) - these got put back in the lens assembly and I pieced my camera back together.

Connected it up and tested it, initially I couldn’t see enything - that is until I fired up a TV remote in front of the camera and it shone like a bright torch!!  I’ll grab a screen shot of this and post it later.

Moral of experiment is, whilst we cannot visibily see “Near” Infra-red with our eyes, and our eyes don’t physically react to it, it is still powerful enough to damage our eyes and can even burn the retina, so once you see the picture result of my little experiment you will hopefully learn that it is dangerous even to look at the end of an ordinary TV remote control!

I’m not trying to sound snobby, or upper crust.  However, when it’s time to make a change in you’re life, there’s nothing better than BIG changes; in my opinion…. it’s a great way of finding your limits - the good old…. “Sink or Swim” mentality.  “Fight or Flight” - it’s quite an adrenaline buzz, throwing almost everything to chance (however still with a moderate level of planning of course?! I’m not a sadist).

I’m currently on the cusp of just such a moment in my life, and whilst I wish I could say more - it’s still too early to go into much details (but for the perceptive amongst you, the clues are “out there”)…

Once the wheel of change is well and truly in motion I will blog some more - to share some of the adventure that’s about to happen.

I’m not going to beat around the bush, I’ve been treading water with my current employer for over a year.  This has sapped my drive, engagement and some of my ambition where I am currently.  BUT - it turns out there could be just the medicine hiding around the corner, an opportunity to push my skills to the limit, at the forefronts of technology, and it’s an exciting prospect indeed.  I won’t go into too much detail yet until I know myself. 

Suffice to say, I am currently doing my homework towards, not just a new job, but a new life as well.

And it’s not just the filling I had at the dentist today either.  My head is swimming, and I don’t honestly know what to think…yes I am told I am “safe” - yet people around me have been made redundant in what appears to be a very arbitrary fashion; something which you may get away with in America, but certainly not here in the UK….  I feel for all those people; for some maybe it’s a blessing in disguise, for others a downright insult for years of tireless support and dedication. 

On the one hand the message being given is one of plenty, the figures are on the up, we’re out of chapter 11!!  Wooo Haar! Yet the other hand - the one so many people never quite see, like a magician suddenly reduces the head count once more (an activity almost as regular as the yearly bonus!)…

So, I am just supposed to blithley ignore all that’s going on around me and carry on working because I’m “safe” right?  Don’t rock the boat!  What boat?  Our boat sank over five years ago, we’re floundering in a life preserver and a dingy!  These latest redundancies clearly illustrate that. 

All I’ve had from the management circle to date is lip service.  “We listen”, “We want your opinions and thoughts”, “We want to ENGAGE you as employees”…

So our office is due a refurb ok?  What happens? They paint the reception area “Mental Institute Brown” (and trust me I’ve seen a few, though not as an in-patient! Despite what dad may say) apparently this is the new corporate colours (oops sorry.. colors! we’re an American company see?) 

So anyways, all of this is making me kinda NUMB where work is concerned, I’ve done this for a good 10 years, constantly telling myself things will change, things will get better…I guess this dingy brown reception area is my wake up call…. 

onto something else in the news…

The Olympic Emblem released by London!!!

How rubbish is that?!?!   I’m sorry but if they paid lots of tax payers money on this image then, I am disgusted!!  To prove a point I have come up with my OWN design following the K.I.S.S. approach (Keep It Simple Silly) as follows:-

So, there we go….simple and clearly British in design, soooo simple!

It just goes to illustrate when you lose sight of a proper education, and emphasis moves away from the “3 R’s” you invariably end up with a logo like the first you see in this post!

 I wish I could say it was before it’s time….but I am afraid there are limits to my charity.

I know it’s probably not exciting for Aztec Chemicals right now, but thanks to there current misfortune, I have been evacuated from work, and have to log on from home!!

Thanks to this>>

This is what happened about 2 hours ago, and currently is being fought by upwards of 50 firefighters!  Having worked on a Chemical plant for a number of years in the past, I know that this sort of thing “especially” on an Aerosol Plant can drag on for days, if the fire crews can’t find the right approach quickly! 

Meanwhile - it’s not a holiday for me, as I am capable of remote working….(my laptop is switched on next to me as I write this on my home PC!!)….the mad thing is I can still hear the odd explosion from my home, as I am only a quarter of a mile away as the crow flies anyways!

More of the latest from SKY News, including a video report:-

Aztec Chemical’s in Flames

More news and pictures, as this blaze continues>>

one witness has reported this was started by a new can crushing machine on the premises; although no facts will probably come to light until this has been brought under control.

I’m off “up” North - to blow my trumpet (cornet actually) with the band in several villages around Saddleworth.  Not really looking to win any prizes, but it’s the taking part thats important!

More on who the day went later, hopefully with some pics