a n d r e w – i r v i n e . c o . u k

Coffee Machines: Which to get?

// May 13th, 2013 // No Comments » // General

I don’t talk about much outside the usual geeky stuff but bear with me on this one. If you’re a geek too, you’ll understand…

I’ve been a coffee lover for a long time. In fact, I can’t remember when I started taking a liking to it. I grew up in a family of tea drinkers, and drank tea since an early age, but at some point the shift changed over to coffee. It definitely got me through some gruelling times (Uni all nighters, for example) and now I can’t imagine waking up without having a good cup of Joe. The funny thing is, as much as I love my coffee, for the most part I’d never owned a dedicated coffee machine. I’ve often looked into the idea of purchasing one, but then decided to carry on with my Nescafé Alta-Rica instant coffee. I have one which takes ground coffee; a free gift from the Readers Digest if I remember correctly. After a while it became a nuisance because I could only make one cup at a time before having to clean it out. I really wanted to get a new one.

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The Apple iPod and why I think people go mad about them

// October 16th, 2012 // 1 Comment » // Geeky Stuff, General

Anyone who knows me and reads my blog knows I’m what they call a Android “fanboi”. If given the choice over iOS and Android, I’d choose the latter every time. It’s boggled my mind how people can be so strong for Apple products when, for what they are, they are severely over-priced, have poor sound quality, lack connectivity, limits you to use proprietary software, and promotes slave labour.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a “2nd generation” iPod Touch available for sale, second hand, for £30. It was only an 8Gb model – the lowest of those available for sale – and it was scratched and battered. Assured by the seller that it was in full working order, I decided to take the leap and buy it. I figured that it’d give me some proper experience with an iOS device without spending all my money, as well as give me another medium on which to test the Country Attire website on. At the very least, I could stick some music on it to listen to while I walk to work, saving vital battery power on my (Android) phone. The point of this blog post is to outline my experiences with (albeit, an earlier) iOS and share my conclusion. (more…)

Jenni’s birthday night out

// March 25th, 2012 // 2 Comments » // General

Tonight was the night of my friend Jenni’s birthday bash in Buxton. Took a few photos…

Jen and I enjoying her birthday night out

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New wing mirror put on the car now. A perfect match and fit!… except it stands out cos it’s clean and the car’s filthy! Haha!

// March 14th, 2012 // No Comments » // General

Loving my new duffle coat! Its been keeping me warm through this cold winter.

// March 9th, 2012 // No Comments » // General

I’m seeing too many Disney references today…

// March 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // General

Parmo

// February 25th, 2012 // No Comments » // General

What?? Not an acceptable word?? It SO is!

// February 23rd, 2012 // No Comments » // General

Pancaaakkkkkeeeesssss!!!

// February 21st, 2012 // No Comments » // General

Welcome to an all-new blog!

// February 19th, 2012 // 2 Comments » // General

Regular visitors will have noticed that I haven’t made any blog posts for a long time, since July 2011 in fact! Why is that? Well… it’s been for so many different reasons. Being in and out (and back in) of work, moving, Birthday, Christmas, to name but a few! I simply haven’t had any time to settle and get any posts written. (more…)