Year: 2009

Media

1st October 2009 admin Uncategorised 1 Comment

Watched 2 Films recently at the cinema. Gamer and Soriety, are the kind of films you can take a chance with, when you have an unlimited cinema card.

To give an example. Bruce Willis film I would pay money to watch, Final destination is a gamble I can take.

Using Love Film, I was able to re-watch (and this time see the ending) of a brilliant BBC Drama, from about 15 years ago called Gallowglass. There just doesnt seem to be quiality drama like that around anymore.

I also watched a film called Whitechappel, with Rupert Penry Jones, who you might remember from Spooks. It really was a superb thriller, if you get the chance, watch it.

I continue to watch season 1 of The Unit, as recommended by Kingsley, who I met in India (and also a mate from Corning, called Glenn). The simplest way to describe this program (which goes on for 4 series) is like Ultimate Force, but done properly !.

An absolutely fantastic film I saw recently (presently showing on sky box office) is Traitor. Don Cheadle made a name for himself in Hotel Rwanda, and this film is just as interesting, exciting and informative.

US TV wise, new series of Fringe and Dollhouse have just started, and are even better than last season (much like season 2 of True Blood, which has only just finished).

Law and Order – Special Victims Unit (normally shortened to just SVU) is back for its 11th season, if you can believe that. First episode of the season was on the other evening, and its one of the best Ive ever seen (and there are hundreds of episodes to compare it too !).

Finally, house is back, in season 6. I wont go into any details, as some people wont have seen the final part of season 5. Suffice to say, its the best episode of house, that I have personaly ever seen.

Moon Landing

1st October 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

I was on a train the other day, and I overheard some students (obviously experts in everything 🙂 ) discussing the moon landing, and if it was real.

What do i know, there’s supposed to be a load of evidence in both directions (none of which I understand).

To me it comes down to 2 simple things:

1. Do you believe the hybrid nation (America) had the resolve and drive to put a man on the moon.

2. Isn’t faith supposed to be belief in the face of unproven evidence ?.

For what its worth, I think they did it.

Football

24th September 2009 admin Uncategorised 1 Comment

Last Saturday marked the first time in my life that I actually went out to watch a football match. My family have always been keen City supporters and Ive spent a lot of time watching United while out with Dan, so I decided to go out and watch the Manchester Derby.

Before the match, a sign was held up at the United end saying welcome to Manchester. I wondered how many Silver BMW driving, Surveyors from Surrey, it had taken to make it.

The match begins, and Rooney score’s early (in the first 2 minutes). As Rooney slides around on the wet grass, I shout Red Bastards. I realise, that I have actually chosen a side (something I wasn’t intending to do).

Loyalties in the Pub are clearly behind United. Dan points out, that there is only one city player on the pitch, who was playing for them last season, calls me a glory hunter, and then asks which “spreadsheet” football team I will be supporting next season. City score not long after.

His point is perhaps a fair one. City have always been supported as the underdog. Today, they are the wealthiest club in the league, and on paper have the best team in the world. I wonder for a moment about their identity, but a man with a beard who has a womans voice, distracts me, and its back to the action.

The match continues with breakneck action, which had everyone on the edge of their seats (including me, who normaly says he would rather watch Goldfish swim around a bowl !). The bearded lady tries to engage everyone (or anyone !) in converstation, and then its half time.

In the 2nd half, I realise:

1. Danny isnt a complete Biggot, and compliments City on thier Goaly.

2. A player called Berbatov, looks a lot like Andy Garcia.

In the last couple of minutes, United score (extra time) to win the game. Several people comment that the referees watch was a gift from Alex Ferguson :).

Well, the point is, I travel all over the world, to meet new people and enjoy their customs, and I just wanted to try out a traditional UK one for a change.

Hope I havent offended or misrepresented anything (you can post replies if you think I have).

John.

Update

16th September 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

First of all, apologies, if you’ve been trying to call or text me. Both my phones have gone south, and I wont have received the call/text.

Until I get things sorted out, probably best to email me.

I was supposed to go out jogging this morning, but since I turned my ankle in the woods yesterday, I can hardly walk (apart from losing the use of my tongue, that’s one of the worst things that can happen !).

Ive just booked Capetown. If everything goes to plan, then I will be standing on Table mountain, and have completed the blue list, 7 weeks from now.

The last 18 months, have been pretty up and down for me, but in balance, the last 6 years, overall, have been pretty fantastic.

I can’t help thinking though, that when I embarked on the bluelist and all the adventures that came with it, that it was like constructing a “matchstick” replica of the Eiffel tower on the dining room coffee table.

Non euphemistically, I had a very happy and secure home life to start with (the coffee table if you will) , and the adventures (the matchstick “Eifel tower”) were an enhancement.

The whole point in the beginning, was to seek at adventure, while keeping the balance of a normal life. That’s the reason its called the adventures of an ordinary person.

We all know people who can sell houses, take a years sabatical etc and see the world, what I wanted to show was that it could be done, whilst buying a house, getting married, building a career etc.

Ive felt lately, as though the “Eiffel” part of my life, has received so much attention, that the coffee table underneath has been neglected to the point that its a bit wobbly.

Once Ive been to Capetown and completed the bluelist, I’m going to stop updating johnsunter.com (it will act as a timeless record of 6 years of adventure).

I’m then going to concentrate the next 6 months, sorting a few things out (im still a bit overweight, there are loads of good friends I haven’t kept in touch with, that type of thing). There are also loads of cool things in the UK that I want to do, and Ive neglected my love of hill walking.

Ill probably draw up a 2nd bluelist, who knows !.

Well, near and far, have a great time, and remember the quote by Helen Keller, ” Life is either a daring adventure or nothing !”.

John

Update

11th September 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

Just read this really cool thing on BBC News. Most of you know already, that this website is dedicate to Alan Turing.

Some of you will remember a couple of months ago, I was experimenting with some budget adventures.

The other Sunday, I got the chance to complete one, that had evaded me for some time. For £4.40, its possible to get a return from Chester to Southport (its like I always say, adventure is everywhere, you just have to look).

I haven’t been there, in something like 14 years, but it was a pretty cool place. It was very family orientated. Although families aren’t really my thing, it was this focus that removed the tackiness and which is normally associated with places like Blackpool.

I broke the rule of Sunter, and didn’t actually take an spare trainers or anything like that.

We even had lunch at MacDonald’s, and Coffee at Nero (for budget adventuring, this would normally been a distinct no-no, but finances have change, and I just haven’t eaten a MacDonald’s in ages !.

We wandered around the promenade, which was spotlessly clean, and then headed for the beach (okay, it could have been sunnier !).

As we wandered towards the Ocean (Amelia came with me) I realised that the actual Sea, is about 2 miles out from the beach !.

The last time I stood in such a vast open space, was in the Moroccan desert.

Last weekend, I spent Saturday afternoon in the cinema. I went to see District 9. I want say anything else about this film, but if you haven’t seen it, you really should.

I hate it when pretentious people describe something as excellent on many levels, but in this case that was completely it.

As a drama, thriller, action flick and public commentary, this film scores, in just about every category.

On another subject, one thing I really hate in films, is when there is a really great premise for a film, but the end product, just waste’s it completely. A film I watched with Love film recently (21) was exactly like this.

The basic premise, is that a group of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the most genius University’s in the world) go to Vegas, and attempt to beat the system and make a fortune.

Overly long, it really was just a wast of my time.

In other Media recently.

Great news: Big brother is being canceled. Thank God. It symbolizes, for me, everything that’s wrong with society.

Bad news: Oasis have split up. Although don’t live there anymore, Ill always be a son of Manchester (although the thing is, I still thing that the Smiths are the best things to come out of the city !)

Ive been watching True Blood. I thought the premise sounded a bit iffy, but its one of the best programs to appear on HBO in a while. Season 6 of House commences on the 21st of September.

Jude and Nathan are on holiday at the moment. Since Ive recorded about 25 episodes of Family Guy, and the Cats and I, are working our way through them.

Sunday morning, I wen for a walk around Chester and took a couple of pictures. On my way back from the Forest, I visited the Racecourse and took this picture.

This weekend (ie Tomorrow) is Chester Races, so Ill be sure to hide in my house).

The good news, is that there are loads of cool places to explore and relax in, which the visiting “Mongol Hoards” don’t know about. This is one of my favorite places (I wont say where it is, for obvious reasons) and I come and sit, and read here all the time.

After this, I popped over to Bar Lounge, where my friend Julian was exhibiting one of his paintings. Unfortunately, it was ticket only, so I never got to see it.

Well, Ill get going now, but near and far take care and hope to hear from you all soon.

Update

28th August 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

Just found out, that the next Big Brother will be the last. I don’t know when it ends, but Ill be holding a party.

Okay, first the good news. Its the last Monday bank holiday of the year, and Ive managed to get Friday off.

Unfortunately, I was feeling a bit unwell yesterday. So ill in fact, that I had to miss my friend Sarah’s wedding. I had been looking forward to it for some time, as it was, I spent the evening in bed, and I was too ill, to even watch Special Victims Unit (Ive been going back over them, I only have 6 more episodes to watch, then I will have seen every one).

Well, what else has been happening lately ?.

Well, work continues to be fun, but one thing that occurred to me the other day, is how different it is, not working in the IT department (the IT guys at my company, really are a credit to our profession). The weird thing working in Internal IT, is that having worked there a month, I would normally have personally met and talked to every person in the company, as I was fixing their computer.

It had never occurred to me before, but I have done the same type of work for nearly 20 years, and now I’m doing something different. In the end, its the technology that has always driven me, and the stuff were doing is at the cutting edge of virtualization.

Talking of meeting people, I remember the 4 difficult months being unemployed. Signing on can be difficult, for one thing, they aren’t particularly partial to giving you any money, and the other thing is that you will sit there, listening to people demanding to know when their washing machine is going to arrive.

Let me make this clear from the start. I completely agree with the British system of the welfare state and the NHS. Although it seems unfair at times, I have traveled around the world (with insurance) and seen the alternatives.

That said, there are around 60 million people in the UK. At full employment, there are 20 million working people. That would mean that on average wage, each working person pays for them-self, and at least 2 other people.

I don’t mind any of that, I am happy to put money into the communal bucket. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be allowed to be surprised when there are roving gangs of child criminals, who I didn’t pay towards educating, and now don’t know any better.

Still, when times are hard, I would like to be able to put my own hand in that bucket, and this didn’t happen. Galling, was the fact that I had to spend ages answering questions and filling in forms before they told me they wouldn’t give me any money. Ive just been paid, and the state has taken hundreds of pounds of my money, and they didn’t have to call or fill in any of my forms !.

On a positive note, one group of people who did help and show me kindness, were the Citizens Advise Bureao. I had to speak to someone, some of the banks call center staff chased me for late payments (I had lost my job) and talked to me, as though I had broken into their house in the night and kidnapped their children !.

As I was leaving the CAB, the receptionist asked me for the pen they had provided. He commented that a lot of people forget, and they frequently run out of pens. First thing this morning, I went over there and gave them 4 boxes of pens (200) and thanked them for their help.

A new Shere Khan restaurant opened in Chester about 8 months ago. I went over there the other evening to try it out (I had been saving it for a special occasion, and payday, seemed to be that). I was shocked to find, that it changed its name. As a Manc who frequently visited Rusholme, I was a bit shocked, as that brand is known all over the world.

Had a discussion with Darius at work. I mentioned that Id like to get back into learning German (one of my colleagues on the desk can speak it very well, and it got me thinking). I was debating the best way to learn conversational German quickly (if you have any suggestions, give me a shout).

Darius (not his real name, a Wirral republican) suggested that I watch Das Boot. I queried how saying “Dive, Dive” in German would help anyone !.

Ive always worked in technology, but someone asked me the other evening (okay, so we were in the pub) if I didn’t have to work, would I work in adventure travel or bushcraft. Ive often thought about this, and the answer: Well, for a job, I would love to work in a bookshop and give the money to charity. I love books, and being around them for 2 days a week, in between travelling, and having sex with Princess Beatrice, would be my idea of heaven.

About 10 days ago, I was wandering around Chester and ran into Phil and Lorraine. They previously ran the Firkin, in its hay-day (only Dan, Amelia and I remain of the “regular 20” that drank in there then. It was pretty smart, meeting up with them again.

I recently attended the Chester food and drink tour. Loads of cool things on there (ill be writing up the tour this weekend) but a butchers shop we visited was really good (they showed us how to make Sausages). I bought a Steak pie while I was there.

Only a couple of pence more than they cost in Tesco, but much nicer, and contributes towards local business. If you normally shop at Tesco as I do, why not pop into a butchers or grocers shop and see what they’ve got. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Well, between my Unlimited Cinema card, Love film membership and 3G Internet dongle, life gets back to normal (and since the Frog are now doing 2 Steaks for a tenner on Tuesday, I can eat it even more often than before).

If you enjoyed Battlestar Galactica (and I certainly did) you might find these articles interesting (here and here).

Finaly, I know Ive been a bit of a rubbish blogger lately. I promise to update this website at least every week, from now on (and daily tweets from my twitter account, are featured at the top of this page).

Also, with everything thats going on, Ive not been in constant touch with some of you, as I normally am. I commit to getting on the phone/email this weekend and putting that right.

Near and far, have a great weekend.

John

My first month in a new job.

22nd August 2009 admin Uncategorised 1 Comment

Its Friday evening and I’m out Jogging (yeah right, I’m in the Pub, working on my laptop).

Well, Ive just finished my first month in my new Job. Its pretty interesting, Ive learned loads of cool new stuff about infrastructures, VM Ware and Citrix.

For example, some of you reading this (that even care !) will think that there are 3 types of entity in the client side virtualization model (there are in fact 5).

Its pretty cool, I have my own laptop, my own server and other stuff like an IP phone and an RSA key.

To resolve various technical matters, we use state of the art technology. One of them, is a program called Windbg. Apparently it stands for the nickname, Win-debug. I personally think it should be called Windbag, which is much easier to remember.

In the evening, Ive been watching a DVD by Brian Madden (a legend in the virtualization world, I read his blog every week).

Culturally, the firm is very modern and progressive, as you would expect a software house to be.

On my first day, we had an induction with the boss ( a very charismatic guy). Amongst the various things discussed, were some management strategies that had evolved with the company, and one was the metaphorical “hill of hell”. Its Ironic, that every day, I face my own personal hill of hell, as I walk from the station to the office, up an enormous hill.

The lad I walk in with, is a lot fitter than me, so I am usually exhausted when I get to the top (although I feel like I’m getting a lot fitter).

As well as the lad I walk into work with, Ive made some other friends. One of them, Darius (that isnt his real name) who looks a lot like Dave Angel from the Fast Show.

Darius, initially accused me of racism. His argument centered around my lack of cultural sensitivity towards residents of a particular peninsula near Mersey side, which purports to be part of Cheshire.

His allegations, centered around the fact that I call it The Wirral. He points out, that there is no such thing as The Manchester, or The Liverpool.

I have therefore, spent the last 3 weeks, practising saying <pause> Wirral, which has resolved the problem.

Darius (who goes rowing) and Ro (it isn’t her proper name, but it rhymes with it) teas me by making up songs containing my surname.

In terms of working benefits, there is a canteen. Although I take sandwiches Monday to Thursday, they always do “Pies” on Friday, and I make a point of starting the weekend early by eating one (along with chips and gravy).

The office is casual dress code as well, which I think is much more comfortable than I traditional suit. I resist the urge to dress like a 70’s punk rocker and try to maintain some sense of occasion in my clothes and grooming.

There is a superb coffee machine, which is free. Its amazing, the sort of coffee, that you pay £3.50 after a meal, is the stuff that we drink throughout the day. I prefer a mix of Italian, and occasional Arabic brands.

I spend my lunchtimes either reading or going out walking. I have worked out a circular route, that takes in the Canal and can be completed in about 40 minutes. Its very peaceful and relaxing.

Unfortunately (for the purposes of this blog) the company functions in a competitive market place, so Im not able to discuss what we do, how we do it etc (you’ll just have to take my word, that its pretty exciting stuff).

Overall, things are pretty good. Life is getting back to normal (after 4 months of unemployment). I have enough money to pay the bills and pursue adventure, and I have interesting work to do each day. If there is more to working life than that, Id like to see it.

Sorry.

5th August 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

Everyone. As most of you know, Ive recently started a fantastic job, and had virtually no free time during my first week (I was too tired each evening, to do anything apart from make sandwiches and pack my bag for work).

To top it all, I had planned to go camping, the weekend after that, so there was no time to catch up.

I still have loads of articles to put up, about budget adventures, the camping trip, and loads of new stuff about virtualization (if that’s your bag).

I have set aside several hours on Saturday morning, to get the site up to date, and from then on, it will be updated at least twice a week.

In the meantime, I continue to “micro” blog with twitter, so stay tuned.

Will get going now, but thanks for coming back to johnsunter.com, the adventures of an ordinary person.

ps, if Claire from work is reading this, I just thought Id give you a quick mention.

John

Chester Cathedral

16th July 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

I always say, that I don’t have any regrets.

That’s not strictly true. If I’m honest, there are 2 things which have always hung around in the back of my mind.

One of them, is about joining the Navy. I’ve always wondered how my life might have been different if I had joined the Navy at 17. I would have seen the world, worn my countries uniform and become part of a team.

On a more down to earth note, I wold have known how to Iron a pair of trousers, drive a car, look after myself in a fight, and stuff like that. But I didn’t do any of those things.

The 2nd one, is more interesting. After watching Raiders of the Lost Ark aged 13, I really wanted to be an Archaeologist. I reasoned that I would travel around the world, looking for adventure, going to mysterious places, flirting with danger and seeking out sacred treasures.

I never went to University to study it, but I’ve often wondered what would have happened ?. Well, the other evening, I was speaking to a chap called Tim (a friend of Sean and Mandy’s, who I’ve become friends with).

He studied Archaeology at University, and I was asking him about all the things he had done. The things he said didn’t add up to me, so I explained my thoughts on what archaeology was and what life as an archaeologist would entail.

At this, he laughed and said what your describing is treasure hunting. If you’d gone to University to study archaeology, you would have been bitterly disappointed.

So, after 20 years, one of those doubts has been removed. Thanks Tim.

While we were talking though, Tim asked if I had ever seen Chester Cathedral. When I told him I hadnt he suggested I go and see it.

Chester Cathedral dates back nearly a thousand years, but from the 1500’s was the central place of worship around Chester.

I didn’t realise at the time, but if you can prove that you live in Chester, then its free to enter. I paid £5 (I didn’t mind realy). Its a spectacular building, and it costs a million pounds a year to keep it running, with no grants from the Council or the Government.

Not many people know this, but 2000 people are employed by the Cathedral.

The whole place had amazing atmosphere. When I said I hadn’t been here before, that wasn’t strictly true. I came here with school when I was 8.

I was delighted to find that everything was just as I had remembered it. But then it occurred to me. It probably looks the same today as it did 500 years ago !.

The Garden inside the Cathedral was about as authentic as you could get. I sat there for about 10 minutes, and you could imagine Henry the 8th walking up to you.

I dont normaly get excited about stained glass windows, but this was far and away the pretiest one I had ever seen.

Elsewhere, there was an art exhibition, where you could buy paintings. I was a bit confused, as I remember from Sunday School, something about a church being used as a market, and Jesus up-ending all the tables.

Still, what do I know.

I was surprised to see these TVs. At first I thought that they took something away from the majesty of the building, but then I realised. Its so big, that without them, you couldn’t actually see anything.

I decided to sit down, relax and take in the moment (I’m not religious, and I don’t pray, but it seemed like a fitting moment for reflection). Within about 3 minutes, they started to do a sound test on the organ. That was the end of that.

My favourite place in the whole Cathedral. This meeting room, was originally where the Benedictine monks received there lessons.

Its one of the most atmospheric places Ive been on earth. It was cordoned off, so I didn’t get to go inside. I almost wish I had a meeting to organise, so that I could have it there.

Well, 5 quid to see something as old as the Angkor Watt (although that doesn’t really work here in Chester, you can walk along a wall twice as old as the Angkor Watt, for free !).

Is it a bit cheeky to charge people to enter the house of God ?. Possibly, but this trip wasn’t about that, it was about seeing one of the oldest buildings in Britain.

Seeking out adventure

15th July 2009 admin Uncategorised Leave a comment

I wake up, the sun is shining, and its time to go out, in search of adventure (oh, and I’ve only got a fiver).

Whats this ?. That Laura Croft of the English upper classes, Amelia Webb, is already up and about, and touring the Grosvenor Park.

We arrange to meet by the River, at the Blue Moon cafe, to plan our adventures.

It should be mentioned at this point, that Amelia is an old friend, who has recently arrived in town. For those of you who are thinking there’s someone new on the scene, its worth mentioning, that we really are JUST friends.

Anyway, back to the adventures. Ive never been in the Blue Moon cafe. Whenever I pass it, I always think of my friend Frank, and my Brother David, who are both keen Manchester City fans.

Inside its 60’s themed and really rather quaint. No need to worry about that, I’m meeting a woman for coffee, which therefore means Ill be forced to sit outside, with none of the ambiance, the smell of diesel, and assorted malcontents walking past.

From this point on, the word adventure, should be substituted with the word misadventure, as we are hit with a number of setbacks.

We decide we will both return home, sort out some chores, do some admin and then meet up at 2pm, to do the Chester Rows tour . We arrive 3 minutes too late, and the tour has gone without us. Bugger !.

No matter, we decide to wander over and see the famous Castle.

Despite living in Chester for 8 years, Chester Castle, is something Ive never gotten around to visiting. Its a lovely day, so we walk over to see it.

But whats this, the Castle is closed due to Elf N Safety regulations. I cant help thinking, that its a good job H&S weren’t around when the Castle was in use. Otherwise, the City would have been plundered !.

With nothing much else to do, we end up visiting the Little Roodee car park cafe. Although the coffee was nice (and cheap) sitting and looking at cars and coaches, isn’t exactly marching across the Great Wall of China, if you know what I mean.

Well, there’s a nice park nearby, so we decide to head for there and explore. It starts to rain !. Is anything going to go right today ?

Finally we head for the ruin at St John’s church.

If you’ve read this website before, you know I love exploring lost cities and stuff like that. In its own way, this Church, is much the same as the City of Petra, Machu Picchu or the Angkor Watt (although its a lot smaller).

It had some gardens around it, which were fenced off separately from the nearby Park. Because of this, there was no “through” traffic, and the park was very quiet and relaxing. Sun shining, birds singing and exploring an ancient ruin. Bliss.

To summarise, what near-to-home budget adventure travel lessons can we learn.

1. If you really want to do a tour, buy the tickets in advance, and be at the tourist information 15 minutes before the tour begins.

2. Before heading of to see something, ask at or telephone the tourist information and confirm its actually open, times/days its open, and how much if anything it costs.

3. Never forget, the rule of Sunter – always wear old trainers and have waterproof/warm clothing to hand (we could have gone to the park, if we’d had these).

4. Take a flask and save a sodding fortune on coffee !. Take some sweets, for when things get dull.

5. If your taking a companion, take someone like Amelia, who doesn’t blame you and give you loads of sh*t when things don’t go to plan 🙂

Happy adventuring.