Isn't there a song about this place?

Isn't there a song about this place?
Originally uploaded by Citizen Dave.

If it's tuesday it must be copenhagen.

1453 and all that

It doesn't get much better than this. Here I am walking up to the Hagia Sofia in Istanbul this morning...



Afterwards, we walked over to the Sultanahmet Mosque (the "Blue Mosque") through the park and fountains, in beautiful sunshine, pausing only to fend off the legions of carpet sellers. Later on we're going to a cocktail reception on the roof of the hotel, which has a fantastic view over Istanbul, and then after dinner we've got tables booked at a bar to watch the Champions League Final between Arsenal and Barcelona.

Technorati Tags: travel

Jesus

Jesus
Originally uploaded by Citizen Dave.

Pottering around in cambridge today at jesus.

The weather is glorious!

Working out

A friend of mine pointed me to Music 2 Work 2. It's a fun idea: music specifically composed to be on the background while you're working. Not muzak, but music that is supposed to help you focus. While I was working yesterday, I was listening to an album of cover versions of AC/DC favourites by female country & western singers on acoustic guitars. Probably not as conducive to getting anything done. Anyway, I came, I listened and I purchased. Check it out.

Looking from my hotel balcony in Dubrovnik

Looking from my hotel balcony in Dubrovnik
Originally uploaded by Citizen Dave.

Looking toward the old harbour.

Genetic software enginnering

Well, this is exciting. I tried genesreunited on Friday, just out of vague curiosity because I had an e-mail mentioning it from "friends reunited". I entered a simple "three level" family tree: me, my mum and dad and their mums and dads. Within a few hours -- really, not even a day -- I got an e-mail from a cousin who I have never met (although my mum has mentioned him from time to time) and from someone in a branch of my dad's family that I never even knew existed. It's truly astounding, yet another "only because of the net" revelation. I've been adding additional persons to the tree, just a few every day, and I can't wait to see what will happen. If you're at all curious about your family history -- perhaps through watching "Who Do You Think You Are" on the BBC -- then give it a shot.

Name that tune?

Apropos of nothing, I'm trying to track down a favourite ballad "It's going to be a straightjacket Christmas again", but I can't remember who it's by and Google can't help me. While I recover from the terrible discovery that there's something Google doesn't know, can anyone help me?

At first I thought it was by Diesel Doug and the Long Haul Truckers, the artistes behind the country and western masterpiece "If I'd Shot Her When I Met Her I'd Be Out Of Jail By Now". But it's not.

UPDATE. Turns out that the chorus running through my head is all there is. It's an advert for a non-existent album called "Cowboy Dick's Christmas Special" by the American Comedy Network. God knows where I heard it. Anyway, the song is actually called "Looks like a straitjacket Chrismas for me" (the other song is called "There's no mistletoe down on death row").