DjMagra’s stuff ‘n’ stuff

Ok ok, lots of people have been asking for some pics on my new iMac, so, here goes!

Alongside my laptop for size comparison

To say that I’m happy with it is a major understatement. I had managed to stay away from any Apple Stores from the moment the 24″ was released in order to suprise myself when it arrived. Monday afternoon opening up the package was such an experience, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer size of the screen, it’s HUGE!!

Then, once things are plugged in and up and running, the screen is so crisp and sharp and bright, it makes going back to any other computer such a drag!

The machine itself is so super quick it’s not funny. Photoshop, even through Rosetta runs a treat, I had contemplated throwing XP onto the machine via BootCamp for heavy PS work, but, I’m really thinking this is not going to be necessary.

If you’re considering a machine to buy anytime soon, can I wholeheartedly urge you to buy an iMac, the 17″ and 20″ versions are nice but the 24″ is simply stunning!

In just 4 days, the fundraising site in aid of the Yorshire Air Ambulance Service has raised more than £126,000. These were the people who rescued Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame following his accident last week, but, given the success of the campaign, the organisers are now extending it to benefit all air ambulance units throughout the UK.

If you haven’t yet donated, take a wander over, it’s a very worthy cause!

As I’m sure most people are aware now, BBC Topgear presenter Richard Hammond suffered significant brain injuries in a crash yesterday whilst filming an upcoming episode of Top Gear. The services of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance were called upon to airlift Richard to a hospital in Leeds for treatment. Yorkshire Air Ambulance are plauged by funding problems, and as a result, a fundraising site has been set up to try and raise some much needed funds. Donating is simple, and there is already £11,136.00 raised. Go get yourself over there and give what you can.

I was at the Ryder Cup today, and really enjoyed myself, more than I thought that I would, given I’m not the worlds greatest golf fan. This is going to be an amazing exhibition of The K Club, and Ireland on a global stage over the next few days, and anyone who is going along is going to really enjoy themselves, even thought the weather forecast is absolutely disgusting!

Check out my pics from today as proof of how well the place looks.

Just received notification that the macs have shipped, and current delivery estimate is Sept 25th or sooner, fingers crossed they arrive by Friday and we’ll be able to play with them over the weekend!

I at long last got around to ordering myself an iMac last night! Few holds up along the way, but most glad that I waited, as they’ve recently gone and introduced a 24″ iMac which promises to be a thing of great beauty!

So can’t wait to get my hands on it, looking like it’s going to be next Friday before I do, but, I’ve waited long enough at this stage that another week isn’t going to make a whole lot of difference.

Barry’s also gone and ordered a MacBookPro too, so, the house will be Apple’d out next weekend, can’t wait!

I was just browsing through ireland.com this morning, and decided to have a look back to see the front page of the Irish Times on Sept 11th 2001. Obviously, with the fact that the paper went to print before the attacks of 9/11, this was a pretty good indication to how things were before the world changed that morning.

Ironically, they led with a story by former International Business Editor, Conor O’ Cleary, who I remember so vividly from the day of 9/11 being on the phone to Joe Duffy or Garreth O’ Callaghan on the radio, describing the scene in front of him at the twin towers, and then, stopping in horror as he started to see people jump from the upper floors of the towers to escape the horrors there. I’ve actually written about that here and here before. The story US hoping tax rebates will help economy outlines how the White House believed that tax rebates from President George W Bush’s $40 billion (&euro44.5 billion) refund scheme would lead to “fairly robust” economic growth in the final quarter of 2001. Ironic, given on that day, the US economy would nose dive on the backs of the terrorist attacks on their own soil.

Other headlines from the IT that day include “Renewed foot-and-mouth risk threat sinks national ploughing event” “Bush adviser Haass pressures Sinn Féin over arrest of suspected IRA members in Colombia” “Cowen and Peres meet to discuss Mid-East situation”

Dec has posted a brilliantly funny comment over on The Dublin Community Blog, pure classic, if you haven’t read it yet, go do it!

Every now and then an image just catches you, makes the hair stand on the back of your neck, and holds your gaze for a long time. I look at literally hundreds of images every now and then, many truly amazing, but these moments are still few and far between, when something really catches you.

Donncha highlighted this image from this months Digital Journalist which has had just such an effect on me. I’ve got loads of 9/11 photo books at home and haven’t yet seen this perspective. Just puts such an ordinary slant on such an extraordinarily tragic day.

That’s it, I think we’re officially stuck in limbo. Summer’s most definately over (was nice whilst it was here mind), and Autumn and Winter are still a bit off. It’s become dark sooh early tonight it’s not funny, and it was almost dark when I crawled out of bed this morning, certainly dark enough to require lights to find my way around, and I hate lights!!

But, it’s not Autumn, if it was, I’d be delighted with the Autumn light and colours for some amazing photo’s (hoping to get over to the Lake District again for that!!), so, it’s kinda limbo, a nothing time of the year, when nothing seems to happen, aside from rain falling from the sky, and traffic of course getting worse. Spending just under three hours commuting today was not fun, and every day this week will no doubt get worse as the weather closes in.

All I can say is that I’m looking forward to winter when it’s cold and frosty and bright now!