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Asimo Robot.
Built by Honda, its the most advanced Biped robot in the world. It has hand/eye co-ordination, so it can direct people to places by pointing. It can address people in up to 16 languages and is able to recognise facial characteristics, and address people it has previously met by name. It has recently been modified to run. Astounding.
If you move over the image, you'll see my own robot, C.O.B.B.L.E.R.S (which doesn't stand for anything). It was designed using lego technic components, on my dining room table, whilst downing a few cans. It writes things on paper.
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Bushcraft Fishing Rig.
A personal gift from Ben Mcnutt at Woodsmoke, after I admired the one he had. A fishing rig, made up of a length of paracord, with a weight at the end, normally with drops of different lengths with hooks and different bait.
This one features a stone, with a naturally occurring hole in the middle. The ultimate irony of possessions. It cost nothing, but its priceless.
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HTC Computer Organiser.
I have had a PDA in one form or another for nearly 15 years (starting with a Psion 3). After several versions, I moved to Pocket windows devices.
The HTC organiser I now own is the most advanced smartphone in the world. It features a full set of MS apps like excel etc, can receive emails on the train, has a GPS system, can browse the web... Oh, and most important, it has a to do list and a calendar. It can be used hand held or with an internal keyboard and the quality of the build is amazing.
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KSC Space Pen.
I have owned various "space pens" they are quite common now and you can buy them all over the place. I have lost several of them, over the years. I won't be losing this one as my brother bought it for me at the Kennedy Space Centre.
In the 3rd century many people foraged for food and lived in the wilderness. In only 1700 years (before I was even born) a man walked on the moon. I believe the exploration of space represents the pinnacle of human achievement and using this pen gives me a personal representation of that endeavour.
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Ainsley Herriots 30 Minute Sunday Lunch.
Okay, it's not a proper roast. The real trick is to heat most of the ingredients in the microwave and then crisp them under the grill. The actual beef for the roast, is thickly cut roast beef of the kind normally used for sandwiches.
Is it as good as a "proper" Sunday roast ? Not really, but it's 70-80% as good, and it only takes half an hour to make.
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Suunto Observer.
I got one for my birthday (I had to buy it myself !).
It has a thermometer, an altimeter, a barometer
and a compass. The compass has built in declination, and the barometer can be set to set off an alarm when the weather
is about to change.
It looks like an ordinary watch rather than some kind of diving accessory. I bought the titanium one.
I can definitely recommend it.
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Sony Vaio Laptop.
I have used various types of laptop in my career and normally use a Dell for performance and
reliability.
Thing about the Vaio is that its got all of those things and style as well. It's also very light. |
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The Falcon, 17th century Chester pub.
One of the best pubs in Chester
Lager from around £1.50 a pint, "proper" atmosphere and decor from an era that no longer exists.
Many people like the Albion, and I certainly enjoy it there, but my favourite has to be the Falcon. |
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X-Files poster.
Bought on the Internet for £50 and shipped from America.
In the series, Mulder and Scully work in a basement and Moulder has this poster above his desk.
One of my offices is in a basement, so I put it up on the wall there (Scully and Moulders first conversation in the series
is featured on the scrolling quotes list).
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My Oil Painting.
Bought in the Northy one lunchtime from some art students. I come from humble roots and I couldn't resist
the idea of owning my own, one of a kind oil painting.
I chose this as it shows people doing their
job but having fun as well (no surprise then, that I hang it up at work).
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Piccadilly Railway Station in Manchester.
Recently voted best railway station in Britain !.
I pass through here when I visit my friends in Manchester (of special interest is the bar, which has a balcony
overlooking the entire station).
It has more in common with an airport than a railway station.
For me it symbolizes everything to be proud of in Manchester.
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James Bond Cars.
I have the full set of Corgi Cars from all of the James Bond films.
A few of them were quite hard to find and I had to get them from Ebay.
There is also stuff like the space shuttle from Moonraker. |
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Doug Scott picture
I had the honour of meeting Doug Scott when he gave a talk in Chester. I purchased a picture taken
on the Ogre (a mountain and story of special significance to me) and he was good enough to sign it.
I contacted Sir Chris Bonnington (the other person on the fateful trip to the Ogre) and he agreed
to sign it as well, only asking for postage.
It hangs on my living room wall. The poster actually cost £10, but I can't describe what it means to me. |
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Treasury in the Ancient City of Petra.
Decades ago now, I met my friend Yvonne as I was passing through Glasgow. She showed me some
pictures from her trip around the world.
One of them in particular, always stuck in my mind. The treasury in the ancient city of Petra.
I have a thing about lost cities anyway, seeing it that morning was an epiphany to me. |
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Ben Orford Woodlander Knife.
My Parang used to be my favourite of my edged tools.
This is a handmade knife and features a leather combination neck/belt sheaf and fire steel.
Cost a lot of money, but was made for me personally, and probably the only thing I own that was made just for me (in a world
where nearly everything is mass produced.) |
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Money Books.
Without going into details, during a difficult time in my life, I picked up a book by Alvin Hall.
All I can say is that from that day, my life was changed forever. I also read the Money Saving Expert
which has loads of useful money saving/optimising features/tricks.
You can buy both books for a tenner on Amazon. Buy them today, you won't ever regret it !. |
