I was seriously considering selling all my stock options and purchasing a 1GB USB memory stick for an amazing 30 GBP. Then I thought I would get an account at box.net and upload all the precious files, that my wife sadly lost when my hard disk died a couple of years ago, there instead. This has the advantages that if I ever need to take my memory stick to Seattle to show Auntie Rita, this will be possible, I won’t be able to leave the memory stick in a client’s PC in Eastern Europe and, finally, it will cost me 30 GBP less. ...

I have started a book club. I am the only member. I realise that this is a little unusual but I prefer to choose the books myself rather than someone else (or even worse, the Daily Mail). I held my first meeting last night which was very well attended by all members. Norman gave a fascinating review of ‘Into Thin Air’ by Jon Krakauer. This book was written by a journalist and experienced climber who took part in a commercial, guided expedition to climb Mount Everest in May 1996. After reaching the summit, bad weather struck resulting in the death of eight climbers from three different expeditions. ...

I am lazy. I buy my gas from British Gas and my electricity from Seeboard. It takes a lot for me to overcome my inertia and change provider to save money. However, I am interested in Carphone Warehouse’s offer of 8M/bit broadband, unlimited UK landline and international (28 countries including Australia) calls, all for 21 GBP per month. This is much less than I am currently paying Telewest for an inferior package of telephone and broadband services. ...

Absolutely no-one has ever asked me: ‘Norman - why don’t you start a photo blog of all these interesting places you visit ?’ So here we go. No. 1 in a very occasional series. The Sage Gateshead in Newcastle (from the Tyne Bridge)

You start to feel small and insignificant. [ Via Populicious ]