Tag Archives: 2010

Classic The Late Late Show 2010 – Stephen Fry Special

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[CLASSIC] The Late Late Show

23rd February 2010

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Here’s a classic episode of The Late Late Show featuring Stephen Fry. In 2010, Craig Ferguson and Stephen Fry did a whole show without an audience, and what was the result, well an award winning episode of The Late Late Show with a great interview with Stephen Fry.

*This episode of The Late Late Show is available in 2 versions. An online Flash player and a mobile version using H.264 that works on iPads, iPhones, Android devices and beyond.

Blog Wednesday 22nd December 2010 – Oww my leg, Christmas and E-Mails

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Well, it’s been quite a few days extra since my last blog, if I’m been perfectly honest it has just been pure can’t be bothered-ness, but hey, this is the holidays for crying out wolf noises … yeah! Anyway, there of course were other reasons why my blog might have been slightly put to the side for a while, which I will of course get in to, so sit back and … hang on if you’re sat back how are you gonna read this … oorrrr, you’re gonna use one of those … arrr right, well, do that if you can and enjoy? Yeah, the moments gone, lets just roll with it.

Trip to Grandads leading to a trip of a whole new perspective!
Well, as you know I’ve been heading off to the Drunken Duck quite a lot more often recently, well its nearly crimbo and what not, but anyway, picture the scene, a night in the Duck with a challenge by Kai to go on the Wii, yeh sounds fair enough so far. Now, as much as I’m a fan of Nintendo’s range of consoles, I mean I can see a GameCube from where I’m sat now, the Wii is a bit different and is definitely the one that changed everything with of course Microsoft and Sony following on with Kinect and Move respectively.
Anyway, Wii Sports enters the drive, if I’m been honest the one game I don’t like playing out of the lot are probably boxing and golf, well golf was the option that was picked. Although I must say this before I continue, that Grandad Lee’s Wii remotes are no where near as sensitive as other Wiis I’ve gone on, telling ya now, that’s an issue and after this I might sue! Ooo ayy!
Basically I did what can only be described as a pure epic fail, I jumped whilst I did my shot, my leg when in a weird position that kinda stayed whilst landing causing me to have what looked like a fist within my heal, yeah, it kinda BLUDDDY FFFFFFFFF… killed, yeah. Which lead to me being in the “care” (note the quotes) of two of the least trustworthy people I know in this situation, Rob and Kai, Caddy and Grandad just watched, like ya do. Anyway, things lead to an other, A&E was avoiding very swiftly by me, seriously if I’d of said nothing I could be in hospital, which lets be pretty honest was a bit overdoing it. Anyway, I’m recovering day after day people and can walk, but stairs are the enemy.
Christmas Presents
Now, as I think I may have mentioned before, if I haven’t then ah haaa, if I have then … welcome to Repeat Zone. Anyway, I’ve got all my Christmas Presents for everyone now which is great, but what kind of has really annoyed me, is the fact that other people seem to be getting presents for me, which of course ends up reflecting the response ‘get me something fool’, OK maybe not fool but ya know what I mean. But it actually really does annoy me because literally all my life my friends and I have never got anything for each other for Christmas, and thats been fine, maybe a card or something. Its annoying because I actually can’t get them something so err, this is kinda of a sorry guys basically. It has annoyed me though, I only tend to get Christmas presents for family or relationships I’m in at the time … hang on relationships, why’s that plural, is rare that I get one, EDIT: … for family or a relationship that I may be in at the time … < there sorted. But yeah, thats really all I get for, so err… yeah basically.
Sidenote on Relationships
And just for note keeping, prior to some people assumptions I am not in a relationship, that was two friends meeting up, it was never a date. And to be honest I never said it was a date or a relationship, see that’s what happens when people “assume” things. Keeping things short and minute, we can’t be in a relationship as unfortunately at the time we can’t see each other enough, we’re talking 3 hours stretching it a week, so maybe in the future, of course I hope so as I really do love her.
B-Sides Baby
Now I’m feeling chuffing sad, we will make things up-beat. This week, whilst thinking I had every single Blur song (100 Songs) including tracks of all their albums, I of course didn’t, drr, B-Sides. Well, now I have all Blur B-Sides, A-Sides, everything, nearly 300 songs man, and there isn’t really a bad one, pure awesomeness.
Gorillaz – The Fall
Sticking with Damon Albarn, Gorillaz are to release a brand new album on Christmas Day of all days for free!!! The album will be called ‘The Fall’ and was created during the Plastic Beach tour on Damon’s Apple iPad. To be honest I’m interested in hearing it plainly on the fact it was made on an iPad, awesome!
The album will be released December 25th on Gorillaz.com and a free download available for Sub-Division members, non-Sub-Division members can hear it on stream through the G-Player. Also the single Phoner to Arizoner will have a music video on the 24th December for all, although note the music video won’t have much animation if any unfortunately.
Christmas Songs 2010
I said I’d update it, and there has been a few more. Well, for starters X-Factor winner Matt Cardle has reachedChristmas Number 1, wey big deal, but here are the actual Christmas songs we’ve got through 2010.
HARRY HILL – Ken (not a Christmas song, but pretty awesome, Ken Barlow!)
The 2010 Blog
As you know I always like to do a year blog, well, 2010 will be no exception, a nice beefy 2010 round up blog will be released in January 2011, look out for it.

New E-Mail Addresses
Now when RKUK Media became rkukmedia.co.uk we knew we couldn’t just use a Google G-Mail account as our e-mail address, so kabam! we … aren’t anymore, here are our e-mail addresses and what they’re for.
RKUK Media E-Mail Addresses
E-Mail Address | Used for in RKUK
ben@rkukmedia.co.uk Contacting RKUK Media management
support@rkukmedia.co.uk Any help with the RKUK Media website or services
music@rkukmedia.co.uk Anything relating to music on RKUK Media
video@rkukmedia.co.uk Anything relating to videos on RKUK Media
mail@rkukmedia.co.uk Pretty much everything else.

We do have more e-mail addresses, but these are the main ones.

Well, to be honest that’s about it, E-Ya Later
Ben

Blog Friday 3rd December 2010 – Snow, -20˚C, alot of it! and … what not!

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Well its definitely been a while since my last blog hasn’t it, but if I’m been perfectly honest, we’ve reached that stage of the year where nothing kinda happens until the 25th, then kaboom, its a new year!
I’d be lying if somethings haven’t happened recently and I’d also be lying if I was to include them all in this public blog, but hey, read on and you’ll find out.

Snow!
This week has been College-less, nearly. Well basically last weekend came this incredible mass of snow, which unfortunately wasn’t enough to stop our Monday of College, even though there were barely anyone here, but then it kept going and snow it definitely has, plus record temperatures overtaking -20˚C which is just ridiculous man, ouch! This did of course result in multiple sledging visits through the snow, and a surprising number of trips to Grandad Lee’s bar as it were. Of course I’m talking in past tense, it still is very cold outside and the surface is white, so who knows. I was actually very glad actually, for some reason since coming back from the holidays I just haven’t been the same me, less willing and what not, hopefully a break will bring back that … I dunno, umf! Although it hasn’t been that bad going to Grandad Lee’s drunken duck, apart from the fact its always absolutely freezing down there anyway, even with what is lets face it a useless radiator. Been playing on the Wii which has actually been pretty fun, had a great laugh last night as well with Caddy, Grandad and eventually Kai, some disagreements put the mood down for a minute, but when Kai arrived, we were back!

Mini Blogs
I’ve decided that every Friday, literally, I’ve to write a little mini-blog, bought time this thing had a schedule, of course if something does happens and the keys keep typing for a long time then they’ll be a proper blog, so there you go, kinda always a blog every week!

MONKEYS!!! About!
No one likes PG Tips, or did like ITV Digital, but you’ve got to love the monkey. So I’m following MONKEY on his adventures, of course this is FaceBook friends of me only. I may … only may, post these on a public mannor, but currently are available through my FaceBook page. Follow the adventures of MONKEY on BookFace friends.

Meet up with an old friend!
I’ve no idea if I mentioned this before, and for the love of god I’m not going back to check now, but I recently, which is a month ago, got a request on BookFace from what we’re going to call on this blog D (thats not her name, I just don’t know if she’s mind been mentioned), who is the sister of James H, ya know, James, that guy who used to come around when Aaron used to … never mind. Anyway Di… D, was his sister and to be honest pretty awesome back in the day, of course being her brothers friend kinda meant we didn’t become that close of friends, and the fact I actually had a crush on her at the time probably didn’t help, especially as this was the time of the whole “Mary” fiasco. Anyway, we had some very … interesting chats on FaceBook, which led to texts, then last week actually meeting up in person. Now, because I’m a man, I did some things stupidly, like telling her I actually really “like” her few days before actually meeting up, although she seemed to respond rather well to that, which was a bit of a shock.
Anyway, we met up and due to my previous outburst of loveness, it kinda left the first few hours and minutes rather awkward, but when reality struck home that I was in all fairness with an absolutely beautiful women who chose to turn up to see me, ya know you’ve kinda of got to just roll with it man. We actually had quite a laugh, I enjoyed myself, telling if she did was many times rather debatable, you can never tell with women. Well basically I told her that I love her, which I really do, and ya know, well, she didn’t leave put it that way.
What I love about when we met up was, the entire snow weather didn’t occur until that day had ended and we’d said buy, even the weather wants us to be in a relationship, I sure hope so. Although she’s been pretty quiet since then so I’m still kinda on the fence on whether it all went as well as it seemed, although I know she’s got quite the troubles of her own, which I’m definitely not going to go in here! But hey, if she’s looking for someone who loves her, and will support her through any lows, me’s ya man!

I’m really loving Blur right now!
Now seen as age restricted me from been a pure Blur fan, kinda because Leisure album came out before I did, if you know what I mean …. wow that was a bit nasty. But seriously after getting all 5 Blur albums, and with rumours of a 2011 project, I’m loving it, in comparison with Oasis, Blur are just gods. Seriously though, if you want cheering up listen to a bit of Blur, well, except Think Tank, thats the lovey dovey depressing one!

Christmas Songs 2010
This list will probably be updated later, but here are all NEW Christmas Songs that have arrived this year!
COLDPLAY – Christmas Lights
HURTS – All I Want For Christmas Is New Year’s Day
MARIAH CAREY – Oh Santa
This list is sure to grow. I’ll be adding our classic collection of Christmas songs soon to the RKUK Media, and all Christmas songs on RKUK Media are available here!

RANDOM SIDENOTE: Does anyone spell Grandad correctly, seriously you’re supposed to spell it Granddad!

Well thats all folks, E-Ya Later

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Monday 11th October 2010 – Got the 4, Reunion and Well that were crap!

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Since my last visit to you campers, well quite a bits happened so err… lets get to it then shall we!

iPhone 4
Well, in my last post I was talking about what deal to get with the iPhone 4, and well, now I kinda have one so lets get in to that shall we. The first day of October I spent on a train going to my “LOCAL” Apple Store, if you call two long trains and a bus local. I ordered a SIM Free iPhone 4 32GB online, I actually went in Google and searched for reserve and well did! When I got to the store they actually funnily enough didn’t even know how I’d done it as they stopped pre-ordering weeks ago, oh well, still got it so I’m happy of course. I also got an iPhone 4 dock, which many think is a waste of money, but I really do use them rather regularly, and seen as I’ve no intention getting a case it’ll lower the chance of possible scratches, which is swell. Yes, I haven’t had a case on the iPhone 4 and had it well over a week now and can clearly say I’ve had absolutely no issues with reception (Vodafone UK). I have to say though I’ve been more than happy with the iPhone 4, haven’t had a single headache, its a real fantastic phone, it even gets girls to sit next to ya, more on that later! The battery life is insane, I tried my best to drain it through an 8AM – 3AM day, yeah, long day, and it still had 24% juice. Everything is just great, camera, performance, design, its as I put in my review, perfect! The contrast of what I’ve been saying about that bluddy Android phone I’ve got compared to this is just amazing! Its not that I think Android is sh*t, its just that its completely sh*t now, but I do think that will change in the future, but the way the iPhone 4s going, its quite the thing to catch up to, especially when in the UK, the iPhone 4 works on every single network! So, yeah loving the iPhone 4.

Reunion with old friends, and bump in to another … you can’t write this stuff … hang on!
I don’t normally go out on Fridays, unless I’m purchasing an iPhone 4, but I was very happy to recieve a phone call from my iPhone 4 WHILST HOLDING IT WITH MY LEFT HAND IN THE DEATH GRIP (such rubbish I tell ya) from Nathan Chalmers. Hadn’t seen him in … well, since school, so nice to catch up, and nice that he kept his promise when I bumped in to him on the bus. Had a blast to be honest, after setting up my Grandma’s new HD TV (yeah I know, techy!), I was straight there. There was also Ben Yates, now Ben I haven’t seen for bluddy years, we probably would of been reunited in Year 9 if we didn’t get put in alternate sets, so haven’t seen Ben Yates really since I was in Year 4, kricky! We had a few pints of catching up, most of which I didn’t pay for which was an even bigger bonus, always happens that when you actually can afford to pay, just you wait next time when I’m skint. So yeah, made a few random videos that I uploaded to their own YouTube channel through my iPhone, don’t even ask what they were doing, bluddy hilarious though.
Now this is gonna get confusing, whilst hanging around with Ben Y, Nathan and his girlfriend, I bumped in to Ben Hunter, I KNOW … … three Bens. No I was rather shocked to see him to be honest, very quick howdy doody then buy as we kinda was with our own crowd, but yeah there ya go!
But overall I really enjoyed catching up with them lot so err swell.
Oh and sticking to a more recent note, Nathan you’re attempt on phone pranking this morning was quite frankly dreadful, it was so obviously you, made my morning just to hear the silence when I replied to your attempted disguised voice “hello Nathan”!

Grandma’s Birthday =/= Rob’s Leaving Do!
For reasons which became apparent recently Rob suddenly was leaving the Charnwood, his work for years now, and moving on to a new job, which of course meant a leaving do, which we we’re all invited to. Unfortunately this kinda was on exactly the same day we’d planned a little do for my Grandma’s birthday, which kinda just meant I was later thats all. Anyway, I have to say whilst I was excited for a rock ‘n’ roll night, with the knowledge that Kai, Caddy and Grandad Lee would be there, I was incredibly disappointed with the (cough) entertainment that followed. For starters, Kai wasn’t their, but the biggest disappointment was it wasn’t really a do, it was just a bunch of people squashed around a small bar talking about history whilst what was now Caddy, Grandad Lee and me, were just sat bord out of a tree. I think it all started to get pointless being there when Caddy left, seriously I was about 3 seconds from leaving, it was utterly boring. I’ve never really liked the Charnwood lot, apologise will not be sent if you’re reading this, I was expecting Rob’s leaving do, bit of a woah-hoo, whilst having a laugh with the lads in the corner. So yeah, safe to say I didn’t enjoy it. Although as we all agreed when Rob pointed her out (whoever she is), the randomer in blue was rather good looking, only rather though, although compared with her surroundings she was the most beautiful thing in the world.
The night, eventually ended and me and Grandad got dropped off in Cleck as we fancied some sh*tty chips, the chips you only enjoy when you’ve had a few pints, I was becoming quite a regular at the place, especially when I’d only been there the previous night ordering the same thing. Reflected on the night, then went home. So, yeah, Grandma’s low-key do = Not bad quite a laugh. Rob’s leaving do = Utter sh*t.
Just noticed I’m swearing quite alot, no I hope he enjoyed it but seriously inviting us, as in Kai, Grandad and Caddy oh and me, was rather pointless as we were left out throughout the night, and when a twat spat in my beer that just settled it.

Ought Else
Yeah actually. You know when your on a bus and you’re alone on a seat, meaning there is one seat left, which leads to people eventually if it gets busy having to sit next to you. Its always weird and awkward when someone sits next to you when there’s other places available isn’t it, and its always an old woman, ugly person or someone that absolutely reeks so bad you go noticeably pale. But hey, listen to this. Today, the bus had plenty of seats, even full rows behind me, but an absolutely beautiful lass got on the bus and sat next to me, I was like WAAATTT, it was also funny to see a chav who thought he was the best thing on the planet do the same thing. Yeah, how bout that, the magic of an Apple product. I almost wished I didn’t have to get off at the next stop, left with a smile from her and left the bus to College. Always awkward to leave a bus when a part of your bodies larger than normally when your entering College, say no more … you would though!

Anyway, on that incredible revelation, I’ll E-Ya Later, until next time!

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Friday 5th and 6th November 2010 – Holidays, College, Trips Out, Data and more!

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I really need to start keeping up my blogs, been nearly a month ouch! Coming up in this blog, yes we are now a TV show, week holiday, which in itself I catch up with an another old friend, Mt Desolation and ooh so much more!

So, lets get to it. Before I start I must say what I’m changing in my blogs, my blogs like this one (may) have/has two sections, one for Life and one Other, life for life, Other for tech stuff and more, so yeah!

LIFE

Holidays
Well, week holidays, woo, a million miles of activity should be going off right. Well, kinda not really. To be honest I’ve been spending most of my months adding music videos to RKUK Media, but something did happen in the holidays which put a nice smile on my face, a nice catch up with an old friend, Diza. You might remember a few months back, we’re talking May/June time here, I caught up with James Hodgson, who I hadn’t seen for ages, and to be honest haven’t seen since due to that thing that everyone seems to do, the “see you soon mate/gimmie ya number I’ll call you” scenario … no you won’t basically. But anyway, Diza is his sister, who I did not fancy to bits when I knew her in school, cough triple cough lol. Now I didn’t really obviously get to know her as much as James as I was more James’ friend back in school, but enough to know she’s pretty awesome, my type of person, random and all-in-all awesome. So, we had a bit of a catch up on the Thursday before the holidays (holiday started early, mention later), then saw her in Dews the day after, although annoyingly it was in passing in a hurry. Unfortunately since then haven’t seen her in person, we’ll have to arrange because we seem to get on so well and I just love her man. So, yeah, Diza, lovely! I would be lying if I didn’t censor some of that.

College
As I kinda mentioned above, I finished for the week holiday a bit earlier, that was due to something that went on that apparently will go on another 2 times this year, review week, essentially the same as review day, but in a week, although still has the same concept just the fact that they randomly just cancel all lessons in a week, I know, its really bad. So yeah, kinda finished for the holidays, dinner time on Wednesday before, so week and half holidays it became. To be honest thats all I didn’t mention since the last blog, yeah nought really happened since my last blog College wise.

The most Pointless Trip ever
This week I came back to College from the well needed holidays, if I may say so myself. But one thing that did annoy me is interrupting my schedule, Wednesday and Fridays are my days off and they always interrupt them, but this time it was just ridiculous. I spent my day off traveling to Hudd on two buses, get lost and start running for an Award Ceremony! The very small excitement that may have started for me when you read that out really should stop right now as I went and ended up getting incredibly bored and picking up an empty sheet of paper as recognition for going and I actually will have to wait for a certificate for something in a way I’d no choice but to do, and which no one failed. So yeah, starting at 10AM, arriving home about 4:30PM for lets face it no reason, great. Although I did for the probably 3rd time this month see Richard Whittaker, who claimed when he was in bullsh** mode say he lived in the US and was a millionaire, YYEEAAHH! Love finding out people are bullsh**ers, AHH-HAA!

The most AAARGHH Trip ever
And we reach the present. Today I spent going to IKEA, which I actually had a bit of a laugh with to be honest, went with Grandad Lee and Caddy, and when I was over the fact they’d woke me up it was kinda fun to be honest. We went to Birstall Retail Park, and I there failed by test, if I could not have McDs in a week by having some, although getting there Caddy did the most incredible and fantastic fall ever, although when we got to McDs he was actually bleeding all over so we kinda felt a bit harsh for laughing our eyes out but hey, I think he’s lying to say he wouldn’t of done the same to me or Lee. Then, we pondered on to IKEA, where after looking around, having 4 IKEA Hot Dogs, why I don’t know, probably because they were the best piece of plastic I’ve ever had, left with 4 Stools. Now, these are for Grandad Lees awesome bar, but carrying them home through 2 buses is quite awkward to say the least, but fun never the less. Then got home just in time for the week end reward, some nice chippies!

OTHER

iPhone 4 Data Test
When I purchased my iPhone 4 (SIM FREE) I decided to continue my Vodafone SIM I got my terrible HTC Desire, terrible when I discovered how bad Android is. Anyway, I had 500MB of data usage each month for my iPhone, and well, is that enough. Well, I can say after using my iPhone 4 36 days I’ve used up 240MB, so quick answer, yes. In that time I’ve uploaded a YouTube video (on 3G), updated FaceBook/Twitter regularly, e-mail and quite abit of internet use, and of course watched a view videos. So, in a nutshell, its enough.

Well, thats it, I’ll be back to more regular blogs now, even though I said that last time this time I really will be, trust me!

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Saturday 25th September 2010 – iPhone Revelation, Blackpool and more!

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Since my last blog quite a lot has happened to be honest, most notably rather recently which is swell, nice to see stuff going on, so where to start. As usual I’m going to start in completely random order of when the event actually happened because thats the way I roll.

iPhone 4 Next Week!

Thanks to an increase in money for reasons outside this blogpost I will be getting an iPhone 4 FINALLY next week, next week because I’m waiting for a check to clear, ugh, but hey, good things come to those who wait, except that time when I was in the queue for an Android phone a few month back, BIG MISTAKE! Now, whilst all over RKUK Media I’ve been posting blogs about which networks are best to go for, results being; BEST 12 MONTH & Overall: Tesco / BEST 18 MONTH: O2 / BEST 24 MONTH: 3 (Others don’t come close) –; Having said that, I’ve come to the conclusion that Pay Monthly is worthless for me, for the obvious reason that I don’t use Calls and Texts that much, and based on my recent Vodafone Contract scenario process I’ve really become put off by the whole contract thing.
So, what now, well Sim Only was an option, but again I had the same problem, paying £10 (Unfortunately only with T-Mobile) / £15 / £20 / £25 for minutes and texts I won’t use. All I care about is data, which unfortunately again no one offers ‘unlimited’, apart from Orange who are fooling no one in the fact that its actually 750MB per month. Anyway, when it comes to Pay As You Go, which seems to be the route I’m taking data became a bit of a problem, with Orange and Vodafone only offering 250MB per month, err no. In Pay As You Go cases it looks like I’ll be returning to O2 with them offering 500MB of data, which if we’re all perfectly honest is enough, especially when I spend over 70% of the time in a Wi-Fi area, I know that as I’ve been using an iPod Touch recently.
So thats that, next Friday I will be (Friday’s my day off by the way) traveling to any O2 Store with stock of a 32GB iPhone 4 on the 1st October! Wanted a White one, but hey, what-ya-gonna-do! I’ll of course be bloggiting on that!!!
Full information on O2 deals, whilst most is in small print, use Safari 5 and its Reader, I do, anyway, info on o2.co.uk/iphone

Blackpool Trip
This trip would of been a better trip had it occurred on a day of College and not a day off, but hey. Our £25 input to the trip resulted in a day of essential IT related things like Unlimited rides all day, buying ridiculously expensive food that tasted bad, having as much of a laugh as you can in Blackpool and all-in-all angering at British traffic when low-key accidents happen and how a massive overload occurs on the entire motorway making you even later than planned. So yeah, very IT related. I have to say though I actually liked the day to be honest and we had quite a laugh, the first hour or so for whatever reason dragged, we like went on 100 rides and only 40 minutes had past, but when time finally catched up it ended on a high note which can only be a good thing, well after the more or less pointless 30 minute presentation on the history of the place, which not to brag but everyone already knew. But yeah had quite a laugh, but to be honest, its more about the company in this sort of things. Highlights included us lot scaring one of those people trying to scare you, which was pretty funny. Others included laughing how bad a so called “scary” ride was, then going “oh sh**” when we went on one ride that we thought wasn’t ought special, then ooohhh deeeaarrr”, that was the big dipper by the way.

Drunken Duck is Surfacing!
Yes, the duck of the drunk is arriving below the residence of the one and only Grandad Lee. Basically on Tuesday as arriving home from College I witness the rise of the bar, well the surface and resting area, which became the bar, all it needs now is simple decoration oh and the obvious, the drinks, get that sorted and we’ve a new local, especially for Grandad Lee himself.

Ought Else
Not really to be honest. The big thing happening next Friday as well is the beginning of Music Month on RKUK Media, which is something to look out for!

Anyway, E-Ya Later

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Friday 17th September 2010 – End of Hols = Last Minute Trip + New Timetable

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Well hasn’t this been a wait. In light of all the excitement going off during the holidays we’re finally back to a prompt due schedule, be it a new one, but the whole mo jo is still the same.

September So Far!
September has been a rather interesting month so far, quite some things have happened, I’ve ventured off on an unexpected trip, heard about having a second, and the usual banta of having a holiday of course.

Unexpected Venture, well holiday!
Well, whilst on multiple trips out with Rob and co I learned about their trip to holidaying out, well this one in particularly ended with me with a train ticket to go their! The holiday itself, be it in Bridlington, was actually something I wasn’t too sure about, wasn’t sure whether to bother or not, but hey paid for ticket now, so kinda have to. So, we’ll see how it goes.
Anyway, the Saturday arrived to set off and, obviously I did, set off on my own unexpected epic journey of traveling on 1 bus and 2 trains. Be it the first time I’d taken such a major trip, as in length and due time, rather nervous but made it, rather annoyed about my 40 minute wait in Hull, which I thought I’d occupy by walking in to Hull and looking at the iPhone 4 deals, but NO every phone shop was closed, whilst pretty much all shops were closed their still was a suspicious amount of people around, hmm!
Arrival
When I arrived in natural train time, which is actually bang on time, eat that bus services … yeah told them. Any way, few minute wait and was greeted by Rob and Helen, why I named them in that sentence in some random fatal case that it wasn’t them and this was some sort of trick by an Egyptian man to kill me! … … Well! So, yeah, after that we went to the massive nearby, very convenient Tesco, then went round “Night Bridlington”, wooo! Got a pint at the local Weatherspoons, yes I know, they are everywhere! Got an Hot Dog, which was bluddy lovely, then after a tour round Night Brid, went to the area of residents.
I have to say I was rather impressed with the place they’d got for Brid, which was a house rather than a Caravan, less Beach house more Farm house, but had had some work on it so it was pretty good. One of the rather good additions to the place was indeed the highlight, a hot tub, jacuzzi thing! Two words that mean more or less the same thing, everytime I mentioned it I had to chose in my mind what I was going to call it that time, but hey, enjoyed using the Hot jacuzzi Tub.
Day Out, and then … Out, shoo!
The next day, after spending the night in a surprisingly large bed, we headed in to “Day Bridlington”, I must stress for foreigners that these are not two places. Anyway, got some doughnuts, the iPhone info I wanted to get in Hull on the way their, and then went on two rides, Twister and the one where you get very wet, unless your Rob and sit in the back.
Then, before you knew it, the day had past, had a pint finale headed back on what was to be the journey back.
Un-Arrival … leaving then … shuttup!
The way back was a lot more troublesome than going to be honest, as the reason I had to go back was the same reason alot more people had to go back, jobs and education. Despite been stood up on the longest of the two trains I had to take, then having to take a bus which takes longer in which diverts you on to another bus making the journey last 5 hours, it wasn’t that much of a troubling journey! … Yeah! From tea time to pitch darkness my journey took me. Come on guys turn on the epic music.
No, in all seriousness had a good time, which is very very swell!

College and ought Else!
The day after my journey back from my … journey, was to College, oh joysee joy. After finishing a week of the new timetable I have to say its pretty much the same as last year, so like last year I will not bore you with the info, longstory short, 2 rather than 1 day off on Wednesday and Friday, which is why I’m in a better mood today, so overall, very good.
As for anything else, well saw Grandad Lee and Kai a few days after, which was a pretty good night, especially as Grandad on Wednesday took my trip to see Rob as well in Brid.

But that leaves us at point nemo. Obviously as we’re no longer in the hols, more things’ll happen, meaning mroe regular blogage! ooo goody.

But for now, E-Ya Later

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Apple September 1st 2010 Event – iPod Shuffle, Nano, Touch and Apple TV

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When it comes to iPod updates, they don’t get much better than this! Aside from the Shuffle, which I’ve always thought was a waste of space, I think we’ve some great updates here!

iPod Classic

Before I start with the new models, some people were a bit worried that Apple never mentioned (not even once) the iPod Classic, which is actually the ONLY iPod with the good old ClickWheel, I feel like we’re seeing the end of an era (sob). But, just to let you know the same Silver and Black 120GB iPod Classic will remain on Apple’s line for another year unchanged.

iOS 4.1 and 4.2 info.
Before we get in to the next and possibly best thing to come out of the event, we really need to mention the upcoming (as in next week) iOS 4.1.
iOS 4.1 is a very important for iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 owners as it fixes bugs, performance for the 3G and proximity and Bluetooth problems with the iPhone 4.
But, iOS 4.1 as well as Bug fixes and some amazing new APIs, the big thing to come out of iOS 4.1 is Game Center. Game Center is amazing, think XBox Live meets iOS, wirelessly play multi-player games through buddy lists etc. A preview of its potential was shown at the Keynote, which you can watch through the link at the bottom of this blog, by a fantastic game debut by Epic Games. Game Center will also be coming to the iPad as part of iOS 4.2 in November, which will also be for iPhones (3G or later) and iPod Touch (2,3,4).

iPod Touch

The iPod Touch has never felt so pampered with new features! We’ll be honest with you, we didn’t see this coming at such a high scale, lets go through this now, these all may sound familiar, but its an iPod!

Retina Display
Yes, the iPod Touch, dispite been even thinner still can package a 326ppi display with an insane 3 1/2 res of 960×640. The display is also LED backlit with IPS technology.

A Whole New “”"Camera System”"”
Yes, the iPod Touch finally has a Camera, but being Apple that wasn’t good enough, so err… how about two!!! A front facing VGA 640×480 camera for FaceTime, and a 920×720 video recording or camera stills.

FaceTime
The iPod Touch can connect with iPhone 4s and fellow iPod Touch 4th Gens and join the FaceTime family thanks to a front-facing VGA Camera. Whilst the iPhone 4 connects (whilst through Wi-Fi) through a Phone number then through a VOIP connection, on the iPod Touch it works through your Apple ID, or your iTunes User and Pass in English.

HD 720P Video Recording
Oh yes, like the iPhone 4 again, the iPod Touch also has a rear camera that can shoot 720P High Def Videos at 920×720, which is the same resolution the camera also can take stills.

iMovie
Whilst the iMovie app has been exclusive to iPhone 4 users, now iPod Touch 4th Gen can get a bit of the action.

Gyro
The iPod Touch also has the fantastic 6-axis Gyro giving you even more reasons to call it the #1 Gaming device.

These are just a few of the amazing new features of the iPod Touch, not including Game Center and all other amazing things that make iOS 4.1. In fact the only thing that separates the iPod Touch from the iPhone 4 is, well, the phone, flash on the camera and 2 rather than 1 microphones!
Watch the advert for the iPod Touch below;

iPod Nano

Now, this is completely unexpected, check out the all new iPod Nano! The device features a QVGA 2.2″ multi-touchdisplay … and thats it. The UI is very iOS like but keeps everything that makes it an iPod such as NIKE Plus etc. The iPod Nano even has a clip like the Shuffle does. Watch the ad below to get a better feel of the device!

iPod Shuffle

We were never impressed with the iPod Shuffle, and kinda still aren’t. The buttons are back and all, Genius playlists, multiple playlists are all good, but put this next to the Nano and it just looks like a waste of money! Speaking of which check out prices at the bottom.

Apple TV

In the US, the Apple TV is priced at $99, which makes £99 feel quite insulting, and thats not all! More or less all the high points of getting an Apple TV are not available (some yet) in the UK, so without a Hard Drive, its worthless. Although we’ll admit the Airplay feature which allows you to control the Apple TV from any iOS device is pretty cool, but aside from that, its still a waste of money unfortunately. Come on Apple through BBC iPlayer in, 4OD etc and you’re sorted for the UK, I mean they’re free services!

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UK BASED PRICES
————–
iPod Classic: £193 (Silver or White)
iPod Touch: £189 (8GB), £249 (32GB), £329 (64GB)
iPod Nano: £129 (8GB), £159 (16GB)
iPod Shuffle: £39 (2GB)
————–

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk
————–
Apple TV: £99

Apple September 1st 2010 Event – iTunes 10

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Introducing iTunes 10, a whole new logo, but is it the whole new iTunes we’ve been wanting?

First Look

iTunes 10 has had a few UI tweaks, including the (on a Mac) the traffic light controls are now laid out sidewards to house a more cleaner top, it doesn’t even say iTunes within the app. The volume control looks even more metallic, tick boxes look more err… ticky, and all icons from LIBRARY, STORE, DEVICES etc are now in grey rather than colour, which actually looks pretty good, and the obvious, a new logo. And, based on multiple close and opens, and overall response of the program does feel a lot more snappier, so far so good.

New Features
So, why would you want to download iTunes 10 straight away over iTunes 9, well it turns out this time theirs actually a lot going for this version of iTunes. To be honest we were a bit sad that it wasn’t ‘iTunes X’ as it would of fitted Apple style, but hey.

Album List
One new feature you’ll notice as soon as you install it, that is providing you’ve music is the new 4th view option. Album List is basically the same as List View but if an album has more than 5 tracks it will display the Album Art rather than repeating the same Album name, nothing special but nice to have a new option, I’m still sticking to good ol’ Cover Flow.

It’s Quicker
Many say that iTunes on the Mac is different than iTunes on Windows based on performance, well let me just close that rumour right now as that is not true, unless you’re on Vista, which is why speed increases in the software is always welcome, and ever since I first opened iTunes 10 everything just seems to work that little bit more quicker, which is a pleasant surprise.

Pop-out Now Playing
This feature hasn’t been noticed by many. Basically whilst playing music in iTunes you can see the album art in the bottom left (if you can’t click the arrow pointing up in the square on the right of the 4 bottom left options), when ‘Selected Item’ is set on Album Art you can click it (whilst playing music) and you’ll get the album art, as normal, but you can resize that window and use it to change track, drag through music etc. This is very useful if you’re doing something that occupies the iTunes display, or if you’re doing something else on iTunes like syncing or telling people about that new album on PING, more on that in a minute.

Re-designed iOS Controls
As soon as you put your iPhone, iPod, iPad in to iTunes 10 you’ll instantly notice the (not drastically) tweaked interface. Everything still does what it did before and more or less in the same way, but more clearer. You get a very simple bar at the top that you can click through and change settings for that subject, for example on an iPod Touch, the bar shows ‘Summary’, ‘Apps’, ‘Music’, ‘Movies’, ‘TV Shows’, ‘Podcasts’, ‘Books’, ‘Photos’ and ‘Info’. One also really useful add-on is if you click Music for example it tells you how much songs you have on your iPod, same with everything else. Also, you can play music from your plugged in iOS device (when logged in) with automatic sync music selected.

PING
I know Microsoft have Bing and Apple has Ping, whats all that about, but anyway, what is PING? PING is Apple’s very own social network built in to iTunes, here it is shown on the iPhone and iPod Touch iTunes app.
It essentially is a feed you can follow from your favourite bands and artists and get quick updates. You can also add friends and share albums, songs and purchases with your own written “ping”, you could say, about it. You also get your own profile as do the official artists/bands. Not many bands/artists are on yet but Apple is sure more will arrive soon. One pretty good feature is you get your own personal iTunes Top 10 of musicdownloaded based on music you’ve purchased.
Having said this I am still not convinced with PING … yet, I am in no way saying it has no future, but with the right tweaks here and there it could be pretty awesome, especially when within literally a click of a button billions of users worldwide can start out with PING.
I’m gonna keep using it to see what I truly think, as it is now its not that impressive, but overtime I think it could be a great additional feature to the best music downloading service.

You can download iTunes 10 for yourself by launching Apple*Software Update on your Mac or Windows* PC, or go to Apple iTunes page by clicking here!

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Friday 27th August 2010

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Well since my last blog, crazy woman in takeaway place, home randomness, cancelled barbecue and all in all stuff.

Before I start I should probably mention that it is the holidays which basically mean I don’t know what day anything happened on, but … … they did basically!

Weird Random Woman
The only problem with this story is writing and conversation can’t possibly give it justice, but we’ll try. Basically the end of the night basically as it always gets you have a few to drink then suddenly you quickly have an appetite for absolute garbage .. with salt on. And this night was no exception, seen as at this stage of the night there was only me and Rob, we decided to bring in some company, in came the saviour, the man who embraces the Clubcard point and can rescue glasses from the highest of buildings, Grandad Lee. Well as nights go we embraced the british pint then as the Weatherspoons closed we went to the closest food establishment. Whilst we all waited for the food to arrive we took a seat and got on waiting. Then came about 5 people all that had come from the recently closed Weatherspoons including in which was this woman, which we thought nothing of. But as the minutes drew by and Grandad got his cheesy chips the crazy one took a shine to the saviour that is Grandad Lee, but we all quickly found out that their was quite an in-depth history between these two individuals, I know, utter shocker!!! Long story short, they were married and Grandad Lee of all his previous accomplishments, left his only child with this woman, I know, double shocker! And … oh yes there’s more, when the woman tried to make amense with Lee, he turned her down, I know, triple shocker! BUT THERE’S EVEN MORRREE! Once Lee had finished his Cheesy Chips in an incredibly quick way and left he ran away from the Woman as she ran after him up a public street in Cleckheaton, I know, quadruple shocker! … … phew. Right, now I know this is a lot to take in so we’re gonna give you a minute to take all that in. (minute). < told you.
So, yeah, interesting night.

The Drunken Duck!
Sticking to Grandad Lee, we move on to the cellar of excellence. Grandad’s cellar is rather quickly going to be turned in to a masterful bar, which has been geniously named by Kai as ‘The Drunken Duck’. So far, there’s … one drink. But we’re getting there, bar, more drinks and more its all coming together. Although it may take a bit longer whilst he goes on a two week holiday. But yeah look out for The Drunken Duck.

Objective Obsessions
As you may or may not know, I’m a very very big fan of certain objective obsessions, in which are microwaved fish fingers, which in a recent experiment on an 800watt microwave, 7 Birds Eye fish fingers are actually incredibly tasty 1:50 (first time) then turn around for 1:40, then yumm, but stick to Birds Eye, other brands have gone very wrong.
Anyway, there’s also the scones, in question either TESCO or ASDA’s brand of All Butter Scones, don’t even bother with other Supermarkets, especially the one with the M.
Oooh, and not to forget SMITHs amazing Bacon Fries.
But recently I’ve had a new obsession … NO NOT THAT, we already knew about that, no I’m talking about CARLING Premiere. That Premiere is very important. CARLING by itself is a very average Lager, but put Premiere at the end of it you not only gain 1% of alcoholic goodness, but smooth and to be honest the only lager that is 97.3% beer like. So check it out ….. if you can find anywhere that sells it.

Weeks Alone
Now Weeks Alone normally come to pass when members of family go on holiday, had mine a few weeks back and rocked out to Damon Albarn’s amazing music expertise, including music from his creations including Blur, Gorillaz and The Good The Bad and the Queen. But this time it was Rob’s turn and today marks the last day, which based on the fact I’m writing a blog today, nothing happened today. But, well to be honest throughout the week has been getting drunk, watching … TV, and well a very manly week, but with the twist of randomness that we bring to every situation, so yeah not bad week to be honest. Although we had to cancel a big barbecue that we had that was a bit of let down, oh well.

Ohh, Laughing Gas does effect me!
Had a dentist appointment this week and a filling which was for the first time with the Gas of the laughing. Now, I had a previous test to see how I was, and I was fine, to be honest didn’t realise (part from the smell and noise of the machine), but this time I was alive dead, if that makes sense, I couldn’t move and was seeing sunshine in my temporary double-chin, and to add to that don’t remember a thing about the filling, well, obviously you’re reminded when you look in a mirror and notice (once I found one that didn’t shatter upon my appearance) that your face is lopsided, but yeah, and all through the day really I was just … happy, for some reason, nought happened, all I remember is a random invitation to go places which resulted in Shortbread biscuits in a cupboard, so err.. result!

Copyright
You always end on a low don’t you, well skip the paragraph!
Yeah, just when I thought Copyright was out of the way, RKUK Media got a music request from a few labels, long story short, I’m having to revamp music on RKUK Media so bare with us, it takes a while to re-upload 2,040 (and growing every week) music videos. We’re getting there, in time. On a low note, MP3ME, the service that allowed certain artists to be listened to through RKUK Media has been forced to completely close, more information in thePRESS section of RKUK Media.

(Sidenote) – We must for the stupidest of individuals that this was purely a drunken joke and Grandad Lee has not run away from his marriage with one child.
Grandad Lee = Lee Tonks, not really a Granddad.

But to be honest, thats the load for a while, till next time, E-Ya Later.

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Blog Tuesday 3rd August 2010

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Well its been quite a busy few weeks to be honest these holidays have been kinda dragging so far, but the odd things have been happening now and then which can only be err.. swell!

Errors and .co.uk
RKUK Media finally got its only URL last week with RKUK Media becoming rkukmedia.co.uk which lets face it is rather easy to remember.
Unfortunately on Saturday I discovered that their was some issues with the Box.net embed folder widget which is used to display Selection DVDs on RKUK Media, basically the videos play squashes in the middle whilst it says ‘Buffering’ over the video when fully buffered and you can’t forward and back inside the video, obviously this is ruddy annoying, so I’ve decided to take Selection DVDs to the next level with ‘Artist Profile’.
What is Artist Profile?
For one it’s gonna take a while, but Artist Profile is essentially the easiest way to view music videos ever on RKUK Media, basically search, find end enjoy. But you can now comment, rate, and embed EACH track on your own site or share on FaceBook or Twitter, not bad eh! Its not going to be easy to add all 87 released Selection DVDs (as of blog date) but 7 have been added so far and it seems to be going well. So, its gonna take a while but look out for it.

The Big Production Week
Or, where do I start, if you’ve been viewing RKUK Media recently and following us through FaceBook etc you’ll know that we recently closed all involvement in the ‘Dr Who’ (© BBC Ltd 2010) Production, you can read the full press report here, which I have to say aside from the Copyright issues was actually quite an enjoyable experience, they were a few actors that weren’t that good but hey it was amateur. I was going to talk about it in this blog but in all fairness I explained it in the Press statement so read that if you’re interested. Long story short, I had fun but in all fairness NOTHING was ready, the quick replacement actors were obvious replacements, nothing went together, the camera … well thats another story and, well, ya get the picture.

To the Present
Well this week I’ve got the house to myself again, which has become a ritual since it went so well last year, although with having to put loads of Selection DVDs on Artist Profile ASAP it hardly feels like an holiday, but its not just that. For reasons beyond understanding the holidays just seem to be dragging and god damn it I want to sell that freaking phone (HTC Desire) so I can end my contract with Vodafone. Selling an HTC Desire for £400 Unlocked with double storage is a deal, but now I’ve reached £300 which is just an insane price. Anyway, when the world comes to its senses and buys the Desire, I’m waiting till September. As Apple said in September they are to look over the iPhone 4 again for an extra fix, even though most if not everyone says its over-exaggerated, then of course join the field of iOS. Then iPad for Christmas time, or Birthday haven’t decided yet.

Mining Museum
Today I was awoken at hours I don’t, AM basically, to go to the Mining Museum, again a place I’m not that keen on, but hey it meant doing something so I’m up for it, so me, Rob and James went to the Mining Museum, wasn’t that bad of a day to be honest, well aside of the fact that their was literally no food places ANYWHERE, but I survived for the time being on 2 Milkyways, two basically because by purchasing one, led to James purchasing a Mars which knocked a Milkyway meaning 1 free, which is pretty awesome. I was doing my Murdoc Niccles voice all day, which was rather interesting, but not as interesting at having major problems setting up my battery before going down the mine, nothing seemed to work, ugh, right after my hat f**ked up as well! Anyway, after discovering that the day had actually gone to plan, yes we are talking about a trip with Rob here, we decided to go “Just round the corner”, which is Rob for a mile to Go Outdoors, why, who knows, we err.. just went! But hey, one thing that did annoy me was we never had that pint which is always used to get me out of the house, apart from that not a bad day I suppose.

Well thats all for now

E-Ya Later

Ben

http://rkukmedia.co.uk

Apple July 2010 Update – Magic Trackpad, Apple Battery Charger and Cinema Displays

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This is the last of the trio of updates that Apple have made, but inside the last update is another three updates. Apple have updated one product and introduced two completely new ones!

Cinema Display Update

Well, less of an update but there you go. Apple have released a 27 inch version of the LED Cinema Displays. The display has exactly the same resolution of the 27 inch iMac of 2560×1440 and features IPS technology. The advantage of using the Cinema Display if you have a MacBook (Pro/Air) is that it connects through Apple’s Mini Display Port but also has a Magsafe adapter capable of charging Apple’s notebooks through the same displays output meaning it saves electric. The Cinema Display also has a USB plug that plugs into a Mac to power the 2x USB ports on the display. The 27″ Cinema Display also has a subwoofer on the built in speakers, along with an iSight Camera (or webcam to you and me).
Apple’s displays are always rather expensive and the 27″ display is no exception at £999, the same price as the base 21.5″ iMac. And you really have to question whether it is worth it based on the fact that the 27″ iMac starts not far off, but if you’ve got a Mac Pro or are happy with a notebook then this is more than a perfect display for you.

Apple Magic Trackpad

You know that revolutionary trackpad found on the MacBook and MacBook Pro, wouldn’t it be brilliant if you could experience that with a desktop … well, now you can with the new Apple Magic Trackpad. The unit is the same size as the wireless Apple Keyboard front to back and fits perfectly next to it in exchange from a mouse and is powered by (like the Magic Mouse) 2 AA Batteries. It is a weird concept though having a trackpad on a desktop and it will be interesting thing to check out. The trackpad works on Mac OSX 10.6 only though Bluetooth.
The Apple Trackpad is available now for £59

Apple Battery Charger
In light of all these wireless products Apple has on offer, in question the Magic Mouse, Wireless Bluetooth Apple Keyboard, and the new Magic Trackpad, all these devices require batteries, so Apple have released a Battery Charger, ta dah! for £25 you get 9 AA batteries that can be re-charged, 2 at a time. But according to Apple, their charger is the most energy efficient than any other charger they’ve tested. We’ll see about that of course. You can buy the Battery Charger here on the Apple Store for £25.