Hello

I haven't forgotten you, I just have better things to do these days.

I was hoping to play some music today

But I clicked on the "Yes, I would like another update for itunes" button.

In summary...

Before:
Play music - yes

After:
Play music - yes, eventually

Waiting......

The company I work for got bought by the biggest company in the universe. Information on the future is heavily filtered by management teams on both sides, so all we can do is sit and wait. People whisper and have private meetings, new allegiances and plans are formed. Empty speeches and utopian visions. These are not good times for cynics like myself.

I'm going to buy myself a fancy outfit - 3/4 length coat, smart jeans, good leather shoes, some nice shirts and jumpers, colourful socks, and a MacBook Pro. Then we shall go to lunch to discuss your idea.

Boards of Canada, cup of tea and some minute pixel work. Another day.

My new iPod

After careful consideration of what best to replace my old iPod with I choose an... iPod. Pathetic? I did actually take the opportunity to look at what else was available, as I felt very uncomfortable about wasting any money, but the competition is practically non-existent if you are looking for larger capacities. My needs were no different than before, so I went for the most sensible option: an iPod Classic 80GB (in silver, since the black ones in the store had chipped paint) at £159.

You've probably read a lot about the new iPod range - but it's quite hard to choose from, so here is my very quick guide:

Shuffle (1GB: £49)
Pros: tiny
Cons: very limited functionality, not really that cheap for 1GB

Nano (4GB: £99, 8GB: £129)
Pros: small, loads of functionality considering it's size (appears to have all the same features as the classic - video etc)
Cons: annoying price - for £30 more you can get 80GB with a Classic instead of 8GB

Classic (80GB: £159, 160GB: £229)
Pros: sensible, huge capacity, and for me it has loads more features over my old iPod equivalent
Cons: not tiny, not flash based, new menu not entirely suited to reading off a HD

Touch (8GB: £199, 16GB: £269)
Pros: incredibly cool, great fun to play with
Cons: expensive, seems like a dumbed-down iPhone, pointless if you're just interested in the music, very small capacity for price

Anyways, go waste your money, and if my iPod breaks soon after the very limited warranty runs out then I only hope the competition has finally got it's arse in gear.

The day my iPod died (again)

People look at me with astonishment when I whinge about Apple, because I have no right to do so. They produce superior products that look great and perform well. So why is it that I only ever hear about Apple products going wrong?

This is my second iPod. The first had to replaced about a month after purchase because it failed. The second started to fail just after the warranty ran out, and has been very erratic ever since then. This latest failure seems permanent. It cost me a lot of money and it's a reasonably significant device in my life, so I am understandably annoyed.

My question is: At what point did it become acceptable to sell such expensive products that fail so dramatically and after such a short lifespan? This isn't specifically a knock at Apple, but they do make for a good example. My friends are quite secretive about the number of times they have had to return their products for various fixes and replacements. They laugh at me when Outlook crashes for the millionth time, but nothing compares to that pain in their eyes when their proud and expensive MacBook goes wrong. They, like me to some extent, have bought into a lifestyle and have high expectations. I want to own a MacBook, but I'm not prepared to risk that level of disappointment.

I know this is a pointless argument, because I've had it many times before and I never win. But my iPod is dead and I feel cheated. I don't want to fork out more money for another device that may only last 1 year, but I know I will. I hate that.

How do you make the perfect Margarita? (Part 2 - research in the field)

On a recommendation, me and my new (and more willing) assistant went to a Mexican bar in Covent Garden called Cafe Pacifico. I held high hopes, expecting the "best Margarita in town". There was certainly plenty of Tequila but a slightly limited menu with only a few variations on the straight Margarita.

Firstly we tried a slightly fancier Silver Tequila based one. Nice, tasted better than my one at home. It was made with Cointreau and limes, and I really couldn't spot any particular tricks the barman did other than that he made a much better salt rim than me.

Secondly one with a 10 year old aged Tequila. Nice, tasted exactly the same.

Thirdly the house Margarita, made from a cheap mix using Triple Sec and lemons, and served frozen (crushed ice). Nice and, as suspected, tasted exactly the same. There was no discernible difference between any of the drinks. I can't explain this, but my assistant thought the same. Disappointing. Is it possible that it really doesn't matter what the basic ingredients are? What's the secret here? I'm lost at this point and I need a new approach.

Of course, observing the newly introduced "3 Margarita Rule" this meant that all sensible research was now over. I have little recollection of the 4 Margaritas that followed at other bars along with several beers. Nor do I have much recollection of the "special" club we ended up at. I do, however, have excellent recollection of the hangover this morning which left me paralysed for half an hour at South Kensington Tube Station on my way to work. An unusual route, thanks to an accommodating assistant with whom I agreed never to drink with again.

More photos here

How do you make the perfect Margarita?

Seems there are quite a few methods, so some experimentation is required...

The basic ingredients are:
Tequila, Cointreau or Triple Sec, and Lime or Lemon juice.

So, off to the shops:
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Especial
1 bottle Cointreau (Triple Sec looked a bit tacky)
10 lemons (since I couldn't find limes)
10 limes (when I spotted them at the next shop along)
Pringles

Tools:
Cocktails glasses (I don't have any, used tall glasses instead)
Electric lemon squeezer (Saves a lot of energy!)
Various jugs (with measures)
Shaker
1 friend for moral support

Preparation:
Lots of squeezing of limes into a jug.

Margarita 1 - The common mix
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice in a 2:1:1 ratio mix, with a little water. Shaken with ice, then poured over ice in a salt rimmed glass.

Notes:
Made far too much of it. Taste was not right - it lacked edge somehow. I think the water spoils it, but my friend thought it was ridiculously strong and refused to participate in the experiment any longer. Salt rim is easy to overdo. We've run out of Pringles already.

Margarita 2 - Nick's version
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice. I figured you should be able to do this by eye. 1 shot glass of Tequila, and 1 half each of Cointreau and Lime Juice. Mixed in the glass with a coaster on the end. Skipped the salt.

Notes:
Hmmm, tasted ok - poured in a little more Cointreau - this made it a bit smoother but lost the tequila edge. Missed the salt.

Margarita 3 - The official International Bartenders Association (IBA)
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice in a 7:4:3 ratio mix. Shaken with ice and poured over ice in a sea salt rimmed glass (my idea).

Notes:
This tasted pretty good! It's strong though - maybe water would work better with this mix. Still overdoing the salt a bit, but sea salt worked much better and didn't melt a bit like the regular salt.

Note on the salt rim:
Dip the rim of the glass ever so slightly in the lime juice, then turn the glass upside down and gently sprinkle a little salt all round the outside edge so that it sticks. Not everyone likes the salt, so best to ask first or serve with a straw so they have the option.

Margarita 4 - Nick's version 2
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice. All by eye in the glass, shaken with ice. Forgot the salt. Poured into another glass with salt.

Notes:
I'm pissed and starting to dance a little. God, these things are powerful. Enough for today. Must remember to try a white Tequila next time, as I suspect it might taste better. The lemons are worth a try too.

To be continued...