Greg N Baker » News

Daily Rant: Part Two

Greg — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:39:34 +0000

Age ratings for websites being discussed | News | TechRadar UK
“The Cabinet minister describes the internet as “quite a dangerous
place” and says he wants internet-service providers (ISPs) to offer parents “child-safe” web services.” (Interview with Daily Telegraph)
UK Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has stated that the government is considering applying film-style ratings to websites…Good Lord, what will they suggest next? Never mind the arguments (of which there are many) about the ‘nanny state’, privacy, freedom of speech and so on, it’s a bureaucratic nightmare!

Daily Rant: Part One

Greg — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:33:55 +0000

Don’t believe the spin about speed limiters | News | TechRadar UK
First rant of the day; the proposal to fit devices to cars that will limit speeds…As TechRadar point out, the figures used have been ludicrously spun on the hot cycle and don’t even match up with the report!
“At the end of the day, if driving is reduced to sitting in uniformly
moving queues of traffic, isn’t that just sitting on a train by another
name?”

FT’s guide to the new-look global banking industry

Greg — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:15:25 +0000

FT.com / In depth - Bank Street
Take a walk down Bank Street and follow the fortunes of some of the world’s largest banks as they navigate the global financial crisis. A handy graphical guide from the FT.

What’s Greg watching now?

Greg — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:12:29 +0000

In a follow-up to my previous post and Rob’s initial question, I thought I’d summarise what’s keeping me hooked on TV currently.

Heroes - Now onto Season 3, I’m enjoying the battle lines being drawn in the classic good vs evil fight to come…plus great cameos by Seth Green and Breckin Meyer who run…wait for it…a comic book store and ‘advising’ one of the Heroes. In their words: “Best…Day…Ever”.

Fringe - From J.J. Abrahms, this follows a team of FBI agents and scientists as they investigate ‘fringe science’ events…a little like a new X-Files. Decent length episodes, great cast (in my opinion), creepy corporation; here’s hoping they renew this for another season!

Californication - Season 2 has started, I’ve watched the first few episodes and frankly got bored…may give it another go over the Christmas period.

House - Still on good form, nice to see Cameron and Chase still playing reasonable roles…watch if only for Hugh Laurie

Prison Break - Season 4 has become less about breaking out and more about breaking IN to places, but still highly enjoyable…if a little predictable. The show has changed substantially since Season 1 (partly by necessity, I admit) and I’m yet to decide whether the change is for the better.

Chuck - Still fun, still geeky, glad it’s back. Easy-watching humour for a weekday night

Spooks - Season 7 has started here in the UK and the season-arcing plotline seems to involve Russia, Russians and more Russians. The writing is still tight, action scenes are believable (mostly) and newcomer Richard Armitage adding more depth in his role as Lucas North. A must-watch show, the writers continue to go where viewers never expect them too…see Episode 7.

Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles - Following on from the events of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, watch if only for the creepy Shirley Manson (Garbage) as a T-1001 and Summer Glau (Serenity) as John Connor’s protector (most of the time).

Life - This intriguing show stars Damian Lewis as Charlie Crews, a detective who was recently released from prison after serving twelve years for a crime he did not commit and is on the hunt for the comspirators…plus he’s very Zen and loves fruit. Watch if only for his detective partner, Dani Reese played by Sarah Shahi.

And briefly, I dip into Smallville (guilty pleasure) and Dirty Sexy Money (if only for the fantastic Donald Sutherland) as well as the usual Top Gear, Mock the Week and Have I Got News For You.

Is there anything I’m missing?
Needless to say I’m eagerly awaiting the return of Battlestar Galactica in 2009.

Sophie’s 21st Photos

Greg — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:07:26 +0000

I’ve just got back from a week in Sweden (more on that in a later post) but it was Sophie’s 21st birthday party last Saturday and it was fabulous! It was held in “arguably the most remote country house in England” a few miles from the Scottish Border; a fabulous house called Stonegarthside Hall near Kershopefoot.

For the full photo gallery from the party, please CLICK HERE!

Bellinzona, Ticino

Greg — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:54:58 +0000

After my stay in Geneva and my great visit to the Montreux Jazz Festival, it was time to move on. I took a beatiful train journey through Switzerland to Zurich, where I changed trains for the the Cisalpino high speed line through the Swiss Alps to a small town called Bellinzona in the Swiss-Italian canton of Ticino.
This area has to be one of the most beautiful regions in the world and appears in many films where the scenery often looks like it has been inserted with CGI…there´s no way it could be real…
Bellinzona is a small town close to the larger towns/cities of Lugano and Locarno, both on beautiful lakes. The town is nestled in a valley with three large castles strung across the narowest part. It´s quite a climb to reach the highest one, especially in 30 deg heat but well worth it for the views.

Geneva and Montreux

Greg — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:57:25 +0000

My three days in Geneva have come to an end and it was a great place to start my trip. I know the city back to front so while I did take the time to wander round the lake front and through the Old Town, my stay was more about meeting up with old friends.
I spent a very chilled evening on Geneve Plage and yesterday managed to drop in to the Montreux Jazz Festival. I’ve been before and if anything it has improved. For starters, you can’t get a much better location; palm tree lined shores of Lac Leman, mountains towering round on all sides and the entire lakefront transformed into foor stalls, boutiques and music stages.
The beauty of the Festival is that the majority of the acts are free to watch and only bigger names require tickets. Should you wish, you can see this year everyone from 30 Seconds to Mars and The Ting Tings to Lenny Kravitz and Sheryl Crow!
Anyway, I took along a group of fellow backpackers and we spent the day watching the likes of the Oxford Uni Big Band.
Needless to say, pictures and videos will be up on Flickr when I get the chance!
Right, next train to catch, this time to the stunning Bellinzona in the Swiss-Italian canton of Ticino.

London-Paris-Geneva

Greg — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:53:40 +0000

The first leg of my trip is almost over. I was on the 09:26 Eurostar from shiny St Pancras to Gare du Nord and happily arrived early…to be greeted by muggy wet conditions. Ah well, I had not planned on spending any time in Paris this time as I’m saving it for a weekend break in the Autumn. Anyway, I made my way to Gare de Lyon and sat around reading and people watching all afternoon…trying to get rid of my poorly-timed man flu!
I’m writing this from a rather busy TGV train to Geneva and according to my GPS we’re travelling at around 160mph…not sure about its accuracy but we certainly seem to be moving fast.
Right, back to playing Scrabble in French with some random fellow passengers!

Update: The TGV broke down last night. Something about lightning hitting the points, which I thought was a purely English excuse. Anyway, arrived into Geneva Cornavin about 23.15 and checked in to the Youth Hostel at 23.30.

It’s been a while

Greg — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:28:19 +0000

I last wrote in January which is, quite frankly, appalling. My apologies, if anyone is actually reading this.
A quick rundown of what has been happening since then:
February saw me sit the first set of LPC exams, those relating to my compulsory subjects. I had a week in which to sit exams in Criminal Litigation, Civil Litigation, Property and Banking. It’s fair to say they were tough; open book exams are far more difficult that you’d imagine. Anyway, I feel I did pretty well in them and am actually looking forward to getting my results.
I then had a week away in Barcelona with about 50 other LPC students. All I can say his I had a much needed break and it was rather messy…ahem.
Following Barcelona, it’s been rather quiet. I have started my electives and am studying Public Companies & Equity Finance, Acquisitions and Banking & Debt Finance. Following my year in an investment bank, I have a slight headstart on most people but in any case, the electives are enjoyable and see me in college 3 or 4 days a week, which is nice.
I’ve had a couple of trips up to Durham to visit old friends and am off up North again this weekend at the start of my (strangely late) Easter holiday.
All in all, not much to report but just thought I’d check in!

2007 In Review

Greg — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:47:19 +0000

Predictable this is very late, but my excuse is an unbelievable workload in the run up to final exams in February. Anyway, here goes:

2007 was a year in which I spent a lot of time out of the country, I returned to study, I became single rather suddenly, I have grown even fonder of London and my future plans all fell nicely into place. I’ll recap with some main events from the year 2007.

I saw the New Year in at The Weir with girlfriend and friends and it was a perfect NYE. It’s not often anyone can say that!

February saw me in Jersey for almost a week, celebrating my ex-gf’s father’s birthday, and a good time was had by all

The major event of the year was my success in March in gaining a Training Contract at a major US law firm here in London. I’d finally achieved my dream of training at a top law firm in London and had done so before starting my final year of study.

Skipping forward to July and into my newly single status, I was coming to the end of a year working in the bank here in London. I finally got to see Muse live when I flew over to Geneva for the Paleo festival. they were just as awesome as I expected.

After the end of my 11 months working in banking, I spent a very relaxing week back in Switzerland. A perfect end to the summer and all it entailed.

College started in August and proved to be interesting, challenging and a very different experience to the GDL.

I managed to fit in some more sunshine before winter set in by jetting off to Turkey for a week’s sailing with a friend and his family. Turkey was lovely, almost preferable to Greece and it was a much needed break from a tough first term at college.

In the run-up to Christmas, there were the obligatory Christmas parties, afternoon drinking sessions and of course, work to be done. However, there was one thing keeping me going, the much anticipated trip to New Zealand!

New Zealand was just…incredible. Photos are going up on Flickr once they’ve been sorted but suffice it to say there will be records of (a lot of) wine tasting in Marlborough, sailing in the Marlborough Sound, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, a trip to an active volcano, beautiful scenery and lovely weather. A brief stop-over in Los Angeles for some shopping and tourist sights rounded off a wonderful trip.

Finally, some numbers:
8 gigs
7 weeks out of the country
7 foreign countries
1 job acquired
1 girl leaving
0 girls arriving
1 successful year to be honest!

Here’s to 2008.