DJ REYES

Real book Vs e-Book reading: My experience

deejay — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:30:38 +0000

I have always been a fan of reading books, since a young age. When e-books came around I never really took interest. I preferred reading from physical books. So much better holding a real book in your hand, flipping the pages, sitting on your bed with a torch or bedside lamp trying to read it at night. However, last week I wanted to read a book, Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. The book we had was a big hard back that my partner’s son had bought and I wasn’t keen on lugging around. The previous Dan Brown books we had (The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons) were small pocketable-sized ones, so I thought I’d try getting it in e-book form. I had the Amazon Kindle app installed on my Dell Streak so I thought why not. I must say, after getting through a whole book through e-reading, I may have been swayed a little, not to the point that I would stop reading books but there was convenience in being able to read from an e-book. I could open it up wherever I was, my place was always kept, as opposed to losing what page I was on to a bookmark slipping out, it was easier to read at night, even with the lights off, it was light to carry around, I felt I could get more reading done. I just felt it was easier to get some reading time with it as opposed to reading a proper book.

I have since downloaded a few more books to read on my Kindle app. However, I haven’t been reading as much as I thought. Maybe it was just the book I was reading. The Lost Symbol was quite the page turner. Not my favourite of the Robert Langdon series but certainly a good read. I’m currently reading The Becoming: Outbreak by Jessica Meigs, a zombie horror novel. Not normally one to read horror books but since this one was written on a BlackBerry device I felt compelled to read it. Check out more here.

So, I like I said I would still read books but I have been enlightened by my recent experience in reading an e-book that I will certainly be a little more open to reading a few more. Just wish a BlackBerry Amazon Kindle app will be released for non-US users in the near future.

I would also be grateful if anyone could recommend and other books for me to read. Drop me suggestions in the comments.

The correct way to eat a chicken wing?

deejay — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:40:29 +0000

I love chicken wings and I’m pretty sure that most people do. When I came across this article from Bit Rebels about how to correctly eat chicken wings I was quite amazed to see what I saw.

When I eat chicken wings I don’t leave any piece of meat on the bone. That’s how much I love eating chicken wings. And I’m not talking about the drumstick part, I’m taking about the actual wing part that has two bones in it. Once I’ve eaten the meat around, I separate the bones and eat the meat in between. That’s pretty much how I’ve been eating chicken wings all my life.

After seeing the video I was surprised to know that some people eat the wing part by just going around the two bones and wasting the meat pieces in between the bones. Why would anyone do that? I’ve eaten chicken wings the same way I have ever since I was a child and the way shown in the video below is a nice, neat, new way to do so without wasting any meat but the fact that some people do surprised me a little. I may not change the way I eat chicken wings to the one suggested in the video but it certainly is a great way to eat them with dip.

Check out the video for yourself.

My plans for the future

deejay — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:18:28 +0000

Aaaargh

So, today I received yet another job rejection letter. I know I’m not the only one in this position as the news lately is all about how hundreds of thousands of people are all currently finding it hard to find work. However, after much deliberation over a cup a coffee I’m going to take this situation as a positive sign. Since completing my third year at university I’ve been putting all my energy in to finding a job that could turn into a career but in the deepest parts of my mind I know that what I really want is to work for myself. I thought about it a lot while being at university, have had many ideas. I have previously worked for myself even if it was for a short period of time so I can build on that experience. My biggest problem however is finance. Some of my ideas require a initial budget which I just don’t have but in-light of my current situation and hordes of rejection letters (okay maybe not hordes but a handful), it is a sign that I must pursue these ideas of mine and jump in with both feet and procrastinate too much about it.

I’ve already got the ball rolling with creating a few websites, one of which is a BlackBerry unlocking service, as well as a BlackBerry repair service, amongst other BlackBerry support services. My only problem now is getting my services out there. I’ll get there slowly but surely but wish it would come by a little quicker.

I am also looking to re-launch my IT repair business, the one I started long ago with my partner. With three years of my degree under my belt I feel a lot more confident than I did before so hopefully it will be more a success this time around. So, if anyone is in any need of computer help hit me up. Most especially if you’re in the Ayrshire area.

I feel more confident in the belief of working for myself now more than ever. Of course, I’ll still contribute to CrackBerry.com, I love the site and I love the team and it’s great to be a part of that.

So watch this space, as there will be good things to come. In the meantime you can check out my current projects – www.thematrixfactor.com, www.ravingtigers.com.

Reeder for Mac

deejay — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:14:56 +0000

Not a lot of people use RSS feeds anymore, mainly because of Twitter. To be honest there was a short period of time when I didn’t check my RSS feeds, making it accumulate to around about 2000 unread posts. I pondered upon reading some of them but promptly decided to click on “Mark all as read”. However, once I cleaned it out and started afresh I began reading my feeds again. Although, Twitter is still the main thing I regularly check I find I still want to have my RSS feeds, mainly because I already follow quite a lot of people on Twitter and I sometimes miss some news that I know would interest me. At least with the RSS feeds I can scroll through them at some point in the day and catch up.

Until, recently I had been using Google Reader to pull my feeds. I would always have a tab open for Google Reader. There was nothing else better to use. That was until I discovered Reeder for Mac. I never looked back and I no longer need to have a tab open for Google Reader. I just have Reeder opened and it pulls all the feeds I have through Google Reader. This is what makes it awesome for me. All I need is to login with my Google account and viola, my feeds are there. Reeder for Mac has previously been in beta but no the full version has been released and can now be found in the Mac App Store. It is the best Google reader client I have come across. I love the ability to reader the whole article from the app but also have the option to open the article up in the browser. It even gives me the ability to send to Instapaper if I don’t have the time to read it now. Of course, there’s the option to favourite it too.

If you use a Mac and also use Google Reader for your RSS feeds, I highly recommend Reeder for Mac, it’s worth the £5.99 ($9.99) from my pocket. Check it out in the Mac App Store now.

UKITF Scottish Championships 2011 – My first experience

deejay — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:43:45 +0000

Sunday 27th March 2011 the day the UKITF Scottish Championships took place. It was also the first time I’d ever taken part in a competitive sport. In the week running up to the championships I’d been preparing myself mentally as well as physically of course, though mentally seemed to be the one I focused on a lot. Watched lots of videos to gain insightful sparring techniques. Sparring however was not the only category I would be competing in. There were four categories in all – Patterns, Sparring, Destruction and Special Technique. I signed up for all of them.

The event took place at Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell and the bus journey up, along with fellow competitors from our Ayrshire Club had my stomach turning as excitement, nerves and apprehension took turns in affecting me. As we arrived at the venue, there were already plenty of competitors suited up ready for the 10am start. So I registered and got suited up too.

Championship hall

Changed and back in the main competition hall I took a look around, corners of the hall were occupied with people warming up, practising and sparring. I joined up with another two girls from our club, all a bit nervous and apprehensive not really knowing what to expect. As the time was approaching 10am we were expecting an introduction to be made, little did we realise that some events were already taken place as were saw boys and girls about 5 years old already performing their patterns in front of a panel of judges. Thus marking the start of the Championships. We decided to find a spot too, in order to warm up. Had to make sure that all my muscles, mainly leg muscles were warmed up and flexible enough to execute my moves properly. I’ve always had this thing growing up where my legs or arms would turn jelly ending up with my fluffing up. I was determined not to let that happen especially with patterns to perform.

The waiting around was the most nervous part. There was really any agenda posted up so you had to make sure you listened carefully to the announcements to know when your time came. This proved hard at times as the speakers buzzed and you could not always clearly here what was being said. Though this was only the case in certain areas of the hall and we had to pick that spot of all places.

There were three rings (squares really). Each had some event going on. First the black belts were getting through their patterns starting with the seniors and then making their way down the age groups. Then came the colour belt categories, this time starting with the younger ones. My category had not yet been called up and the black belts were starting their sparring matches. Watching these matches take place was both enlightening and nerve-racking at the same time. It enlightened me as these were seasoned fighters who had attend many championships previously, you could take some good tips from them, watching the way they fight and counter was very interesting but it made me nervous because it made me look at my own way of fighting and made me think about whether I would be good enough to last a round without getting pounded. I was determined to not let it get me down and I tried to hold my nerve and practised more.

Awarded Gold for patterns

Then there was the first call for the coloured belts female pattern category. Ring 3. I made my way down there, all the way from the other end. My family were on that side, almost ring side you could say, so that was comforting. I warmed up and little bit and then was called up first against another competitor a belt above me. Ready position for our chosen pattern commands the head judge. Ready. “Sijak” (start), I get through the pattern managing to hold my nerve, making sure my execution was the best I could do. “Junbi” (back to ready position) shouts the head judge. Anticipation builds up at this point as judgement comes. All three flags go blue. “Yes!” I should in my head. I won that round. We were dismissed and give a congratulatory shake to my competitor. The next batch go up. A winner chosen. Round 2, final round. I go up against last year’s champion. (At the time not knowing this until afterwards). The head judge calls out a pattern to perform. I start the Do San Tul but my competitor starts a different one. Slightly confused that I’d done the wrong one, I decided to continue, doesn’t look good if you start again. Got through to the end. Flags go up, all blue again. The head judge shouts to chose another pattern of our choosing. I get in the Won Hyo ready position (my favourite pattern so far), my competitor also choosing to do the same. I get through but feeling I stumbled a little at the second bend and ready stance. Felt very relieved at the end when I saw three blue flags go up again. Had I just won? It was not at first very clear but we were dismissed and I had a brief giggle with my competitor at the mix up in the patterns. She realised she had done the wrong pattern. We were then whisked away to the medal podium and presented with our medal. I had won gold. Up on the first position of the podium I went, gold medal hanging from my neck, camera flashes going off here and there, I had mixed feelings, good feeling though.

Medals lineup for patterns

The wait until the sparring match was long, very long but it was good watching all the black belts’ sparring matches even if it did scare my a little. It was also enjoyable watching the cadet’s (7-13 year olds) spar, amusing most of the time, though there were some good ones, executing their kicks and punches beautifully.

Sparring

It wasn’t until about 4pm that I was called up for the sparring event. And I’d also almost missed. I had been practising in the one corner where sound was very good that I didn’t hear the call. It was only when I noticed competitors from my patterns category at Ring 2 that I realised I was meant to be there too. Rushing to put on my sparring gear, I got to the ring on time. Feeling nervous I was trying to figure out who would be my opponent. Turns out she was a blue belt also her first time, something we both took comfort in knowing it was both our first championship. We were called up first. The round was 90secs long. “Sijak” was called, the timer had started, I needed to start fighting. One of the things going through my head was she was so nice how am I going to hit her. I needed to get out of that mindset and spar, she through the first kick I countered, the rest went by so fast. Punches where thrown back and fourth. I know a side kick got through and I do recall a light punch touch upon my shoulder. Next thing I know she was down. But I hadn’t hit her, instead her foot got stuck as I twisted to avoid her kick, instead in set her off-balance and she was floored. I had this urged to go pick her up but had to resist as this was not to be done. We continued for a while then I heard the whistle blow. Times up. I got through it. All the worry could now pass. I got gold again. Wait what? My category was that small that there was only two of us. I got gold, she got silver. We were whisked to the medal podium again and presented with our medal. I had got another gold. The first one was only beginning to sink in and I had received another one. I shook hands with my opponent again for giving me a good fight. She was so nice and I’m glad that I came away with someone I hope to keep in touch with.

Winner!!

Sadly, I could not stay around for the Destruction or Special Technique as our coach was schedule to leave. The championships had run a little longer than expected. I felt a little disappointed but could not do anything about it. We had come by coach and it was our only transport home. Couldn’t really complain, I was very happy with the two results already. Especially when I wasn’t expecting to come home with any on my first try at a championship.

All in all it was a good experience. I gained a lot in terms of Taekwon-Do knowledge and new friends. Friends I hope to see at the next event. I have caught the bug and I am looking to train a little more and compete in the UKITF British Championships this October. I have a little more work to do as this a bigger event with close to 800 competitors. The challenge is exciting and in some ways I’ll still treat it as my first as it is my first British Championship event and will be a completely different experience.

Get yourself a job using social media

deejay — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:21:43 +0000

Source: matthamm on Flickr

We all use social media websites nowadays, from Facebook to Twitter, FourSquare to GetGlue, to connect with friends and family, as well as our newly found friends around the world. We share our pictures, stories, memories, even sharing those drunken party pics from the weekend. They’re a great way to reconnect with old friends and remember those high school years, even share a few photos from then and laugh at the hairstyles that were in fashion during those times.

Social Media doesn’t stop there. As we all know, business have looked to social media to promote their business, reach a wider audience around the world, even giving real time support via the social media sites. If business can use it to promote their business then you too can use it to promote yourself. You can use them as a platform to get yourself known within the area that you wish to work in, showcase your work, promote your work.

I came across an article on a site called Bit Rebels on this subject and thought I’d share it here. It included a video (which I have put below) from VideoJug.com that advises on the the best ways to use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to help you land yourself a job.

It made me look at the way I currently use social media sites and I must I am not far off from what they have advised. Currently, I use Facebook to connect with family and friends, as well as “newly” find friends. By newly found friends I mean people I meet online with similar interests, or new friends I meet along the way. Occasionally I’ll share my work on Facebook but most of the time it is personal things I share on Facebook. I use Twitter to promote myself and the work I do much more. The people I follow are people who are in the field of work I wish to excel and in turn similar people follow me. Of course I follow a few friends and family via Twitter too but it is mainly used to showcase myself and my work life. The video also mentions the site LinkedIn. It is a more business oriented social media site, helping connect businesses with businesses and is also a great way to try and find work. I’d like to hear from anyone who has successfully found a job through LinkedIn. If you have or know anyone who has please share your success story.

We all know how hard times are right now in trying to find work, I too find myself in this situation so why not try to gain a little edge by using social media sites. Check out the video below for tips on how to get yourself a job with social media.

If you’d like to link with me I’m on:
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It’s a brand new year!

deejay — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:35:25 +0000

So, we’re approaching three weeks in to 2011. I’m still in holiday mode, I don’t go back to uni until Monday 17th January. My sleep pattern is still off, I’m not sure how I’m going to make it to my 9am classes, when I’ve been waking up at almost midday. Anyway, I digress, well actually no as there was never a point to begin with.

So, as I started off saying, it’s a new year and it’s now time for me to knuckle down and get to work for the year. I haven’t been entirely lazy, I have been working on some websites over the holidays, as well as a few posts over on CrackBerry. I’ve been working on a new project and hopefully I can reveal it soon when it gets underway.

It’s also time for me to start my training, fitness training that is. I am planning to take part in a tournament in March and really need to work off all the holiday food fest. We all do it, year after year, making resolutions. We make good on them for a month, maybe two, or three, then we get back to our old ways. I made good last year since I went to weekly classes but I plan to do more this year and really get into good shape, especially if I want to do good in this tournament.

If you’re still reading this, I applaud you. I’ve waffled along too much. I’ll have something more juicy next time.

Musical Medley on a PVC Pipe Instrument

deejay — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:42:10 +0000

I’m a musician and love watching and hearing others play too. It both inspires and enlightens me to come across videos on the web of other musicians and the like display their talents. I could spend hours watching them.

I recently came across this video, where I guy and created an instrument out of PVC pipe. Very well thought of I think, very creative indeed. I would also love to have a go on it.

Have a watch for yourself and lay your thoughts in the comments.

Welcome to my redesigned site

deejay — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:49:04 +0000

It was only recently that I decided to redesign my site as it had been sitting stale for a while as I concentrated on my tech site over at www.thematrixfactor.com.

Over the summer, as I started to redesign, I thought I’d try out iWeb from Apple, it seemed to be going well and I found a site dedicated to helping anyone looking to use iWeb for creating websites. Eventually though, it just seemed to have a little too many restrictions for me and I also couldn’t find a way to blog on the go from my BlackBerry. So I looked to alternatives. Previously to iWeb I was using Blogger but I moved from there when they stopped using ftp.

That brought me here to WordPress, I heard so much about it, many blog sites where using it, so maybe I should try it out. I do not know why I never tried it before. I guess I was just too lazy to go around creating the database. Poor excuse really.

Anyway, I’m here now and hope you enjoy my blogs. You may find regular visual tweaks while I find the best theme to use.

Have a browse and enjoy your stay