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Latest News and Blog Posts from Wayne “Pendragon” Owens.
Article: The Road Magazine – 3 Day Tour of Wales
I had a very small article published in the MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) Magazine “The Road” Issue #48. The article is on the Combat Stress Charity 3 day Bike tour of Wales we ran this year.
For those of you unaware, we organised a 3 day circuit of Wales on motorcycles in aid of the charity Combat Stress. Basically it was a no-brainer. Get a large group of people who love Motorcycles, ride around Wales stopping off at various places, and having a few drinks overnight. Then get those people to gather sponsorship, and to pay a fee to come along, and you end up raising thousands for charity.
Ride for Combat Stress
On the 3rd May 2013 a group of bikers from all over the UK met up in Connah’s Quay, North Wales for a three day sponsored tour of Wales for the benefit of the military charity Combat Stress.
While the event was organised by Freemasons who are bikers, it ‘was open to all, and about 40 bikes made the run,
The tour started off from the Masonic Lodge at Connah’s Quay where they were waved off by Lord and Lady Barry Jones.
The Bikers followed the coastline of North Wales, with a quick stop over in Anglesey, before continuing down the coast to Aberystwyth where they spent the night, also throwing an impromptu live music concert in the nearest pub to where they were staying.
The second day saw them continuing along the coast of Wales, visiting Swansea and Cardiff where they met Falklands veteran Simon Weston. Then it was on to Brecon where they stopped for the second night, before heading north through Wales on the final leg of their tour, ending up where they started in Connah’s Quay, after a trip of 550 miles spread over three Days.
Between sponsorship, Lodge donations and the end of tour entertainment evening, over £15,500 was raised all of which went to Combat Stress since everyone taking part paid for their own petrol, food, and accommodation.
Combat Stress is the leading UK charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health ‘They are currently supporting just over 5,000 ex- Service men and women. This includes 637 who served in Iraq and 284 who served in Afghanistan.
Funny Support Emails – Apple Sucks”
Dear Constant Reader,
I got into the Insane Asylum this morning to find the following email on your support system, and it was too amusing not to share 😉
Enjoy!
F*cking iPhones. His iPad has exactly the same settings as his iPhone. iPad connects and retrieves email. iPhone does not. Have advised him to test it against a brick wall.
iShit really is the spawn of the Devil. You would NOT believe the problems I have with them (or perhaps you might). Wi-fi connection seems a favourite one. Happy to connect to one AP but not another (same manuf, same encrypt etc…).
They are as shi**y as a very shi**y thing.
You can tell I’m not happy.
Ps. Until a few months ago I had a mac. Just for testing purposes. I need blood pressure medication and I had to get rid of it for medical reasons. The day some dork won the eBay bid was one of the happiest of my life…
50 Questions
Last weekend I found a Questionnaire Meme thing. Basically it was 50 Random Questions which I answered over the two days of the weekend, and I thought I would share it here.
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
UG!… Need coffee. Also I should Shave.
2. How much cash do you have on you?
On my person?
Zero. I emptied my pockets when I got back from the Supermarket, and I have no cash on me, since it is all over there *POINTS*…
3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Whore!
Don’t judge me!!!!
4. Favorite planet?
I am going to say Pluto. Because Pluto will always be a planet to me, and you other Hipster planets who won’t let Pluto into your group can kiss Pluto’s rocky arse!
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
My Office Phone. I believe I was testing some forwarding rules.
6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
Well My ring tone is currently “Nerds are King by SFO” But I fancy changing it to Dance Macabre.
7. What shirt are you wearing?
2600, HOPE t-shirt
8. Do you label yourself?
I tried to label myself once, but the labels kept falling off and then my boss shouted I was wasting all the labels from the label maker. ;-(
9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing?
I have no idea.
10. Bright or Dark Room?
Depends on what I am doing. But I would go more for the Dark room, I am a Goth you know.
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
What? You mean I am not the first?
12. What does your watch look like?
Which one? I have a silver pocket watch for formal wear, 3 fancy wrist watches, and even an Android watch that controls my phone (Geeky!!)
13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Watching Criminal Minds. And wanting the computer set-up the analyst has.
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
“She lending Georgia money lol. I can pick it up later if u got it? I need her jar money too!! chocking on nut! Dad told g she was drunk x”
15. Where is your nearest 7-11?
No idea, Do not think we have 7-11′s in Wales. Nearest convenience store is in Rhosllanerchrugog, which is about a mile that way *POINTS*.
16. What’s a word that you say a lot?
the
17. Who told you he/she loved you last?
I have no idea. I honestly can not remember.
And now I haz all the feels.
18. Last furry thing you touched?
My Dog Max.
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?
Caffeine (LOTS) Alcohol (Moderate)
20. How many rolls of film do you need developed?
One that I recently found in a draw that must be 11+ years old. I tend to use digital cameras.
21. Favorite age you have been so far?
25. Well mid 20′s really.
22. Your worst enemy?
All those people who are stopping me from fulfilling my primary goal in life. The total domination of the world. They are my enemies and they will all fail, once my orbiting space laser is complete they shall all bow down before me!!!!!
23. What is your current desktop picture?
Well Since I am typing this on my laptop, I guess we will go with that its a yellow cross and bones hackers wall paper.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
“wooo, hold up, you phoned the wrong Wayne again.”
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be?
A million pounds please. Flying would grow old, and how far could you travel really? and carry stuff? A million pound would make me much happier!
26. Do you like someone?
I do not like anyone.
I am a grump old man, and you people can get off my Internet now!!!
27. The last song you listened to?
“your friend Wil” By MC Frontalot
28. What time of day were you born?
LOL. Are you taking the piss or what? Narrow the time of my birth to an actual time? or part of the day?
I know I was born sometime between the start of October 31st and the end of November 2nd. I am not sure of the actual day I was born on, let alone time of day. ;-(
29. What’s your favorite number?
42
30. Where did you live in 1987?
Maes Teg, Pen-Y-Cae, Rhosllanerchrugog
31. Are you jealous of anyone?
Yes. Wil Wheaton whose job is to play games with cool people. That is his job people, HIS JOB!!!
32. Is anyone jealous of you?
I do not know. Maybe people are Jealous of my extremely high IQ, or my total awesomeness, or maybe my fantastic Modesty? I do not know, Some have claimed Jealousy over my flirting with celebrities on Twitter, but..
I doubt anyone is jealous of me.
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was on a training course, I got a text saying “GET NEWS ON NOW” and I was able to get online and watch what was happening.
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Cry Havok and let loose the hounds of war!
Or, calmly look at the machine, and use secret Ninja-Hacker ways of getting my money back, or the item I was trying to purchase.
35. Do you consider yourself kind?
Yes, but at the same time No!
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be?
A cool dragon on my shoulder. Since I’ve been using Dragons as online Avatars since the very early 90′s.
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?
Japanese.
38. Would you move for the person you loved?
Yes.
39. Are you touchy feely?
Not normally, but when in love, Yes.
40. What’s your life motto?
I have many. In fact there used to be a Website of “Pen’s Laws”
-
-
- It aint easy being an egomaniac with an inferiority complex
- If you are not living life on the edge, you are taking up to much space.
- Do unto others as they would do unto you. But do it first!
- Rules are made to be broken.
- If they are under 16 they are protected by law, Over 60 by Nature, anything in between is fair game.
- The rat race is mainly for rats, so make sure you are the person in the white coat. Its a lot less stressful.
- Try anything at least once..
- Don’t get Mad. Get Even!!
- When Threatened do the opposite of what they want.
-
41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?
Phone, Swiss-army Key, Glasses
42. What’s your favourite town/city?
Birmingham?
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?
Cornish Pasty & a coffee (Just got back from the Ponderosa)
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Write? Paper & Pen? Sheesh? That would be, 1997/98 Ish and it was a letter to a friend in Staff’s Uni.
We are in the email era now!
45. Can you change the oil on a car?
Yes. I have a Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, I am a highly Qualified Electrician, I once stripped and rebuilt a Motorbike, after a fire based incident!
I can do the Engineering things when I have to. But normally get a mechanic to do the work for me.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
She got married.
47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?
A long way back. My ancestors come from a small part of Wales that was thrice cursed by Monks, and is described in a papal decree as the most unholiest place on earth.
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy?
Err, Last Monday I was in full suit & waistcoat, etc at the Installation meeting of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter I am a member of.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
Nope. Not a thing.
50. Have you been burned by love?
Yes, Both emotionally, and Physically (there was a candle based incident!)
This Article was originally from the 100 Days Blog
One for sorrow, Two for Joy
One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
OK, So we are all aware of the Magpie fortune telling poem. “What do you mean you have no idea what I am on about?” Right for a primer go read this “Greetings Mr Magpie. One for Sorrow…” I will wait here for you while you do.
***Time Passes***
OK, So we are NOW all aware of the Magpie fortune telling poem, But I have some Questions relating to it.
1) How do you count the Magpies?
You see a magpie by itself and you go “ONE”, Then you see another one and go “TWO” but? Is it two or is it two single Magpies?
2) Is there a set area in which to count the Magpies?
If there are two or more Magpies standing next to each other then the counting is obvious. But what if there are say two Magpies together and a third three foot away, does it count?
3) Do you count based on the Photograph affect?
If when you saw the first Magpie and in your mind took a photograph do you count all the Magpie’s you can see at that minute. So if a second or two later you see another Magpie does that count to the total score or do you start recounting.
4) Do you count based on a time frame?
So after the first Magpie is spotted does a timer start, and you count every Magpie you see in the follow few seconds? Does it go by blinking?
Hopefully its blinking, because I can go a long time between blinks. This would allow me to cheat and not blink until I hit a score that is beneficial to me.
5) How does multiples count?
OK. so you have your counting rules fixed in your mind. And you see a Magpie (ONE) then a short while again you see another Magpie (ONE) now, which of the three options does this count as?
a) Fortune is confirming that you are in for Sorrow
b) You are going to have two lots of sorrow
c) Your sorrow is now going to be twice as bad
This may seem a bit of an odd thing to contemplate, but its for a very very good reason. “Three for a Girl” If we can get the rules agreed on (go for blinking) I could fix it so I always get to count Magpies as being three, then if I can get two lots of three Then according to (5b) I would get a threesome, more than two lots of three and we are in for an orgy!
Real Life Heroes
We here at the Ninja Temple would like to take a minute to give our respect and thanks to the real life heroes who stepped up when they were needed yesterday at the Boston Marathon.
The Videos of the first explosion show the first-responders running towards the explosions before the smoke even clears, No concern for their own safety or that more could go off, they ran towards danger because people needed help.
There were medical people taking part in the marathon, and even after running for 26 miles they went right to helping the injured, or helped at the medical tents.
Other runners who had just ran the 26 Miles continued running to the nearest Hospital so they could donate much needed blood.
Then there were the people who lived local who brought out drinks and blankets for the runners who were stranded waiting for the area to be declared safe.
And the Coffee shops opening up their wifi to let people contact each other, recharge their phones, and have drinks even if they did not have money on them.
Basically you only really see the inerrant good in the human race when they step up under such evil situations and show the true meaning of “human spirit”
To all the people affected by the incident we send out thought, wishes, and prayers.
And to those who showed the good in mankind we Salute you, and send our thanks.
The Three Ninjas Staff
Police Target the Wrong Groups
So once again the Men and Women of the North Wales Police force are pushing a campaign to make the roads safer. With a ‘Fatal 5’ series of checks.
In case you are unaware The Fatal 5 are :-
- Drink/Drug Drive
- Speeding
- Not Wearing a Seatbelt
- Dangerous Driving
- Using a Mobile Phone
Now We here at The Three Ninjas Temple fully support their attempts to cut down on people breaking those Five dangerous laws. But we feel there Should be a sixth one added to the list (Suicidal Six)
6. Pushbikes
I know that they are allowed on the roads, but Consider it for a minute. To be allowed onto the DANGEROUS and fast roads on either a Motorbike or a Car you have to pass tests, both written and practical. You have to prove you know the Laws, Rules and can travel the highways of this country safely and without causing danger to others.
BUT! If you wish to travel the same roads on a push-bike, you just buy one and start off. You are sharing the road with vehicles that can travel a lot faster than you, and will do a lot of damage to you if you are not careful, yet you need no test or training.
How often have you been driving and seen a cyclist just pull out at a junction without waiting for a gap, Or just going right out on roundabout (I’ve even seen them go the wrong way around them) Because they do not have to learn the rules of the road, or abide by the laws, and worse. They know if they get hit it will be the driver of the cars fault!
Additionally consider the road rage they inspire, by travelling at a crawl on country roads where its impossible to overtake with them right in the middle of the lane, so the drivers of the cars stuck behind them are almost stalling from travelling so slow.
This morning there was one at a crossroads, He wanted to go straight across, but it was a busy road and he was waiting for the traffic to stop so he could cross. But he was waiting in the middle of the road, preventing cars passing on the inside if they were turning left and did not need to wait for a gap. The tail back was for miles, and several cars got annoyed after waiting for ten minutes and were forced into dangerous driving.
I really believe a lot of lives would be saved, if the police included Push Bikes in their campaign. And pulled them over to check they not drunk, on drugs, stupid, and at least know the laws of the road.
INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP DAY
Hi Guys.
March 30th is now booked to be “International TableTop Day“.
What is “International TableTop Day“. I hear you ask? Well Basically it is an Internationally picked day for Gamers New, Old, or newly Interested to met up and play games. Yes, a day of games. Go to your local Game shop, Coffee Shop, Pub, Community centre. Arrange to meet friends at your house, Just play games and enjoy yourself. Just play games!!!
Oh, there are no local events near you? and your gamer friends live far away? Not a problem, Play online with them. There are even groups arranging Skype or Google Hangout game sessions. So there is nothing stopping you.
But do not take my word for it, Lets hear from The King & Queen of #TableTopDay
Geek & Sundry, the award-winning original YouTube channel, is proud to announce the first International TableTop Day on March 30, 2013. International TableTop Day encourages people from around the globe to participate in the joys of board gaming by empowering the community to host thousands of gaming events internationally. Participants can sign up at www.tabletopday.com for free events at their favorite local game stores or submit their own event at their home, community center or business. Participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #TableTopDay on social media to share and connect their own events on a global scale.
Inspired by tremendous fan response to the the critically acclaimed show TableTop co-created and hosted by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek, Big Bang Theory, Leverage), Felicia Day and her team hope that the day will grow the gaming community by encouraging fans to come together and play more games. “Gaming is a huge passion of mine, and I’m thrilled to help launch this event that will allow gamers all over the world to celebrate their passions together in real life.” Felicia Day, Creator and Founder of Geek & Sundry said. “The response we’ve received around our show, TableTop, has shown us that tabletop gaming brings people together in a unique and powerful way. We want to celebrate this on a larger scale and give back to our wonderful community.”
Industry-leading sponsors such as Asmodee Editions, Days of Wonder, Mayfair Games, Steve Jackson Games, Wizards of the Coast, and many other major publishers are offering free promotional items and games as part of International TableTop Day to over 1,000 game stores around the world. “In the 20 years I’ve been in the game industry, nothing has moved the needle the way TableTop has,” said John Zinser president of Alderac Entertainment Group. “We’re proud to be a partner for International TableTop Day and take Geek & Sundry’s success to the next level.”
In conjunction with this announcement, Geek & Sundry has revealed their website www.tabletopday.com, the central hub for the community to bring together tabletop fans, publishers, and retailers from around the world. The tabletopday.com website provides fans with resources such as the interactive event map which tracks all #TableTopDay events worldwide, inspirational videos from their favorite YouTube stars, blog posts by popular columnists on how to plan for their event, and fun downloadable content to keep fans excited leading up to March 30th, 2013. Organizations, businesses, community centers, retail stores, and fans worldwide are – See more at: http://www.tabletopday.com/index.php/about#sthash.MdhAer56.dpuf
Dear Roadwork Gods, Whatever I did I am sorry!
I am sure I have done something to offend the God of Roadworks, there is no other explanation for what has been going on for the last few weeks. Let me explain.
My commute to work has been extended for a while now due to multiple roadworks and a diversion. I’ve just managed to time my trips to get me to the office in time when they decide to close a major duel carriageway that I use one my trip.
No problems. I’ll bypass that with a country road I know.
Well that worked for two days then they decided to divert all the traffic from the very busy duel carriageway down the small country road i use. making it basically a car park for hours on end.
Ok. some problems but I can drive over the mountains on a single lane country road that no one uses.
Well that one worked for one day. The following day and there are now three sets of road works on that country road. What have a done? What?
Was it that time I moved all the cones in Whitby? I was just trying to save their lives, they were standing in the middle of the road, they could have been run over? What was it? please, I cant go on…
Conversations with Support
This morning as I was in the Support Office attempting to dismantle a multimeter using a Swiss Army Key (Long story and totally Irrelevant here) the following conversation happened between OfficeBitch1 and myself. I should point out OfficeBitch1 (A name given him by TheGovernor) used to be the main Support Guy of the Asylum many years ago, and has recently come back one day a week to get himself back into IT.
OB1: “I cant log in!! Has my password been changed?”
OB1: “Stupid keyboard is broke! the m key doesn’t work, no wonder I cant log into my account”
WO: “The m key is broke? do the other keys work ok?”
OB1: “Yes, everything is fine bar shift-m”
WO: “Hang on, lower case m works? just shift-m doesn’t?”
OB1: “yes. m works by itself, it doesn’t with shift”
WO: “Why don’t you use caps lock then?”
OB1: *Typing* “arrgh That doesn’t work either!!!”
WO: “Did you turn caps lock off after you typed the M?”
OB1: *mutters* *types*
In his defence, the issue was that he was using the wrong email address as his username, and he had his laptop set to numlock so the m was in fact a 0. Even still I feel for anyone phoning the Asylum today for support.
Update:
I was right in worrying. I just had a simple “add this text to dns record” support ticket escalated to 3rd line Server support on the one day of the week when we have double the normal amount of support guys in. Apparently Cut & Paste is too advanced for 1st & 2nd Line Support.
Saved by the Snowmen
After months and months of constant rain the country is about as water logged as it can be, for a while now it has only taken a couple of hours light rain to cause flooding all over the place. So with the ground already to capacity, there has been a kind of Nationwide concern over what would happen when the several feet of snow finally melted.
In fact, the Nationwide worry was so “worrying” that the Government environmental agency issued advice on how to prepare and even help prevent flooding. That amazing, scientific, flood defence advice was………….
…………..Wait for it……………
To build Snowmen!
Yes, the cunning plan was that if everyone went out and built a snowman then flooding would be prevented. The logic being, Snowmen take longer to melt than normal snow, so by converting a lot of normal snow into Snowmen, the melting is staggered and flooding prevented.
Now my first thought on hearing this advice, was the same one you are probably having right now. That somehow “The Great Intelligence Institute” had infiltrated the environmental agency, and was planning on taking over the Earth with its army of Snowmen. (I’d seen something similar on a Documentary screened Christmas time)
I did try to investigate this further by checking with the person who answers to the name “The Doctor”, which was not as easy as it sounds. Knowing that with an army of Snowmen were being built, he would be around somewhere I kept an eye out for an old blue police box. I did not find the Police Box because he had the chameleon circuit working an the Box was now in the guise of a old Red Telephone Box. Unfortunately the Doctors recent regeneration seems to have caused problems with the language centre of his brain. The conversation went something like this :-
WO: “Doc, Can I call you Doc?“
Doc: “What? Can I help you?“
WO: “I think the Great Intelligence is trying to take over the earth again with an army of Snowmen“
Doc: “What? what are you going on about? Who are you?“
WO: “The government’s plan to build an army of snowmen“
Doc: *picks up the phone* “Police. I need help“
I decided then that my work was done, The Doctor was obviously contacting the Police/UNIT in an attempt to help. And help he did.
We had a weekend of rain, all the snow melted but there was no flooding this morning, and suspiciously no Snowmen. I can only assume the Doctor did what he did and fixed it all as we slept… So I’d like to say.
Thanks Doc..