Useful Tech

I guess you could argue, by the very fact that we now live in a predominantly technology-driven age, that all 'tech' is useful. I would disagree with that assumption on some level since - in my limited experience - some technology seems to exist purely for technology's sake. That said, my current 'favourite thing' in the 'useful tech' category is my (fairly) recently-purchased Tecknet bluetooth keyboard for my iPad.

While the iPad has a (very usable) touch-keyboard as standard, the down-side of using it for any prolonged period (e.g. for anything more than entering web-addresses, completing on-line forms or search chains) is that you 'lose' a considerable amount of screen space to it; therefore if you are writing emails of more than two lines, composing documents or updating your latest on-line journal entry, this creates an annoyable level of inconvenience.

The Tecknet bluetooth keyboard is only one such example of a number of equivalent offerings on the market place but is - in my humble opinion (having used one or two other such pieces of kit that purport to do the same job) - the best that I have used so far. 

It has a 'hard' keypad ( as opposed to a soft gel/rubber keypad offered by some inferior competitors) with full Mac keyboard equivalency (a major advantage if - like me - you are a reguilar iMac or MacBook user). It's bluetooth connectivity means it requires no 'hard' connection other than the 'slide- in' iPad holder (which moves through a 100 degree [plus] angle) giving the resultant look of an extremely cool notepad. Once your work is done you can keep the keyboard physically coupled to your iPad whereby it serves the job of an extremely effective hard screen cover for your device. 

I have been using my keyboard for a little over 2 months now (all blog entries to date have been created using this 'add-on' device) and so far I have had to charge the device only ONCE!! 

I must stress that I have no affinity to the manufacturers/marketeers of this device and post this blog entry as a purely independant opinion of a piece of kit that I have personally purchased ( a VERY well spent UK £17.00).  I would summarise by saying that, all in all, I find that this is an extremely usable, cool-looking, great piece of bluetooth hardware.

Check one out for yourself.....

Politics

So, when I started this blog, one thing I promised myself is that I wouldn't be political (never discuss religion or politics in mixed company, right?). That said, it would be remiss of me NOT to acknowledge the fact the we here in the UK have a General Election looming in a few weeks (for those of you not from the UK that's when we elect our Government for the next 5 years).

While I would not presume to tell anyone HOW they should vote, I would urge all of you who are elgigible to vote to do so. In my opinion a 'no-vote' is not a protest - it is a waste of a consitutional right that people died in the process of ensuring that everyone over 18 is entitled to.

Also please do everything you can to ensure you are as fully informed as you can be before casting your vote: read all the Party manifesto's, read all the facts from the last 5 years (and more) that make up the basis for some of the claims and policies contained in the manifesto's (don't forget the recent economic crisis was a Global phenomenon and not necessarily the fault of the incumbent UK government of the period) and consider all this information before putting your cross on the ballot paper.

Here endeth the sermon - Politics will never again feature or influence future posts.

Thank you.

Under-ad[dressed]

The dearth of readily available, good quality, classic menswear for men of a 'certain' age is - in my humble opinion - quite lamentable. Men over 30 do not all want to be tarred with the same 'cardigan and cords' brush; there is a [rapidly expanding] strata of men within this 'catch-all' category that still wish to take pride in their appearance, wear [age appropriate] quality and [dare I say] 'trendy' clothing and who are all but dismissed from existence by menswear manufacturers and their associated marketeers.

And quite frankly, the clothing industry is missing a trick: the [what I will call here] 'Silvering Generation' are - generally speaking - a demographic with enough life experience to NOT be lead by the nose by the shallow advice of the current  'in-vogue' fashionista but, instead, have a taste and understanding that demands affordable, classic, quality clothing - something that shouldnt be an 'ask' too far for a strata of men that [lets face it] generally have a good [but not inexhaustable] amount of disposable income to spend on such items.

While there are - of course- notable exceptions to this gap [Paul Smith, for example, offers classically styled clothing with a 'twist' for men of all ages], such gap-plugging often comes with a hefty price tab.

I, clearly, am not the first such disgruntled person to have noticed or blogged about this perceived market 'gap' - indeed there are now some excellent blogs out there wholly dedicated to addressing this percieved 'shortfall' in the mature male market:-

 - David Evans [aka 'Grey Fox' ( http://www.greyfoxblog.com )] has been very vocal in his criticism of and ancouragement for this gap to be bridged. Now a VERY sccessful blogger [still carried out in his spare time alongside his full time job as a solicitor!], Grey Fox champions style for the older man with focus on good british-made products

- Mark Hollingsworth in his 'Style over 50' blog [http://slightlyimpoverished.blogspot.co.uk] takes a more personal and subjective view of the struggle for men of a 'certain age' to meet their requirements for clothing of style, quality and durability

Several more blogs exist dedicted to the same overall quest for something between 'teen style' and 'old man slipper' - the two I mention here are simply two that I enoy viewing on a regular basis

In closing, I would summarise by saying that - although this gap in the market is subjectively discernable - it is [no doubt thanks to the efforts and flag-waving of blogs and bloggers like 'Grey Fox'] gradually closing as the manufactruers and marketeers begin to hear the raucus shouts being uttered. To this end, I give you a couple of images of Oliver Sweeney's attempt to close the gap and to illustrate same via use of a mature male model.

                                   

                                         images courtesy of Oliver Sweeney/Grey Fox

                                

Still a way to go, but the 'end of the start' may be nigh....

Why? What for?

So - Post 1: - what to write? I'm here to pick up my blogging once again... - why??

I'm at an age where I find myself all too easily dragged down by the drudgery of everyday life and the lack of enjoyment in my current business venture(s): desperate to find some advice on how to 'bring back the happy' Ive been reading various 'self help' and 'self-improvement' articles and various of them have said how therapeutic and 'happy-inducing' writing can make a person... so I thought "I'll give it a go".... why not pick up my blogging again??

So here I am - Nothing really to say in this first post other than to set out what I hope to chat about and achieve as result of this 'enterprise': -

• I'm a particularly shallow man and I find enjoyment in various material items and pastimes:-

• Wristwatches - I have a passion for wristwatches: I spend far too much on them and own a shameful number (well into double figures) so my enthusiasm for this little obsession will almost certainly feature in future posts
• Menswear - as a man of a certain age working in a particular profession, I am keen to ensure my self-presentation is of the correct standard without being too 'stuffy' or looking like I'm trying too hard. Quality, age-appropriate clothing is an interest of mine so, no doubt, opinions and views on this subject are bound to feature
• Music - I listen to and make music: always have and always will .. so no apologies for blogging about matters musical in the future
• Cars - I'm not an out and out petrol-head but I do like a nice car. Ive had the pleasure to own some stunning cars in the past (ranging from hot-hatches to Aston-Martin supercars) and hope to do so in the future. Cars will definitely be an element of future posts
• Sport - I'M A BLOKE!!!! all sports - playing and watching - captivate me. Yes - sport will be blogged about(!)

So, there you have it - why I'm here doing this and what to expect in the future.

Stick with me dear reader.... -  hopefully it will be fun and entertaining.