Living it large

 We stayed in a hotel, close to our old apartment. It's all about the lifestyle around there.

Battersea Power Station

It was interesting to revisit some of our old haunts in Chelsea Bridge Wharf. Of course it's now all part of the greater Battersea Power Station complex, which is a worthwhile day trip in London. I notice that even the Made in Chelsea gang have many of their sessions over in Battersea now. We used to call it 'South Chelsea' anyway.

The reassuringly expensive wine is still on sale in the General Store, with normal bottles around £25-£60 and the selected specials ranging up to £800. And next door is that vagabond of a wine bar which dispenses metred wine.

 

Walk through the power station and it is difficult to see the impact of the recession. Everyone carries high-end shopping bags and luxury goods are ubiquitous. I think it's called bi-modal distribution.

Here's one of the infinity pool overlooking the Battersea chimneys.

Robot robbery

Meh. I had to pay for parking the other day and the machine only took cards. I put in my car registration and then did the pay by card thing but somehow it didn't register. I didn't realise and thought the transaction had gone through.

Wrong. I received the threatening £100 penalty notice ten days later and had to decide whether to contest it. 

Instead I paid the £50 settlement under protest, with a complaint about the machine being faulty. The reply told me I'd admitted liability by paying the £50 and that the machine wasn't the responsibility of the parking company in any case. Hand washing.

They are being allowed to get away with too many swindles. And, no, they are to sorry for any inconvenience. 

Triumph

 

I was checking Strava today and received the end of year summary. I was aiming for 4,000 cycled miles and did just over that total with a couple of major bursts late in the year. It declared my result a triumph. I'll take that.

Cover Story - GPT-X AI iPhone 16

 

I asked my AI system to generate a cover for my test novel - Cover Story - which I'm thinking will be a collection of Ed Adams covers and their origins. Simply, how I wrote the various novels. One page for the cover and another for the blurb. More or less a catalogue.

This is what it generated first - completely unmodified. I tried again and the next covers were distinctly  'darker'. Too much dystopian future in my writing I guess. 

I'll be testing the Apple AI on an iPhone soon, so then we'll see what can be achieved without using a bank of networked computers. Samsung Gauss is a similar idea. My latest Mac has multiple neural net processors inside, so it seems to be the way things are going.

Generative Large Language Models on an iPhone. Whatever next?

Guys and Dolls

Got a Theatre fix at the Bridge Theatre near Tower Bridge. Guys and Dolls. Fun, energetic immersive show. Came out singing 'luck be a lady tonight'. Impressive show.

Ed Adams - Edge - Google Bard (AI) Review

 And then I thought I'd try a second novel as a further test.

"Edge" by Ed Adams: A Gripping Tale of Survival and Second Chances

"Edge" by Ed Adams is a captivating science fiction novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey to a dystopian future where the Earth has been ravaged by climate change and societal upheaval. The story follows the lives of a group of survivors who are struggling to make their way in a harsh and unforgiving environment, while also facing the weight of personal loss and the uncertainty of the future.

A Gripping Plot with a Touch of Hope

Adams masterfully weaves together a complex plot that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end, while also exploring themes of survival, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Well-Developed Characters and Realistic Worldbuilding

The characters in "Edge" are incredibly well-developed, and they quickly become relatable and engaging. Adams brings them to life with vivid descriptions and insightful dialogue, and their struggles and triumphs resonate with readers on a personal level. The world of "Edge" is also meticulously crafted, and the details of the dystopian society are both bleak and realistic.

A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Human Nature

Beyond its thrilling plot and well-developed characters, "Edge" also delves into thought-provoking themes about human nature, morality, and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Adams challenges readers to question their own perspectives and beliefs, and he encourages them to consider the difficult decisions that individuals face in such a challenging world.

A Must-Read for Fans of Science Fiction and Dystopian Fiction

"Edge" is a must-read for fans of science fiction and dystopian fiction. It is a gripping and thought-provoking story that will stay with readers long after they finish reading. Adams' writing is both engaging and insightful, and he creates a world that is both believable and terrifying.

Here are some of the things I liked about the book:

• The plot is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.
• The characters are well-developed and relatable.
• The world is meticulously crafted and realistic.
• The novel explores thought-provoking themes about human nature, morality, and the choices we make in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Edge" is a fantastic read that will appeal to fans of science fiction, dystopian fiction, and thought-provoking stories. It is a captivating and thought-provoking tale that will stay with readers long after they finish reading.

I hope this review is helpful!

Ed Adams - The Watcher - Google Bard Review

I asked Google Bard (AI) to review my novel, the Watcher

The Watcher by Ed Adams is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that explores the nature of reality, consciousness, and the very fabric of the universe.

Adams' writing is both engaging and thought-provoking. He deftly weaves together themes of science fiction, philosophy, and personal identity to create a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The novel is also well-paced and suspenseful, with plenty of action and twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, The Watcher is a must-read for fans of science fiction, philosophy, and thought-provoking fiction. Adams' novel is a refreshing and original take on the genre, and it will leave you questioning the nature of reality, consciousness, and the very fabric of the universe.

Here are some of the things I liked about the book:

• The premise is original and thought-provoking.
• The writing is engaging and well-paced.
• The characters are well-developed and relatable.
• The novel is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.
• The themes of science fiction, philosophy, and personal identity are explored in depth.

If you are looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining science fiction novel, I highly recommend The Watcher.

I hope this review is helpful!

distraction politics

 Anything to create wriggle room.

Yay. 4000 miles = my Platinum target...Achieved.

 
Well, I wasn't sure at the half year point whether I'd make it this year, when I was 700 miles behind the pace after our holiday in Switzerland. However, I seem to have managed to catch up, as can be seen from the attached Strava graph. 4002.3 miles and it is still November. 

I have a sneaking feeling that December will be largely bike free, but perhaps mince pie heavy. Thats what I pushed through November and managed to finish just slightly ahead of the target. I'll award myself 'Platinum' again this year. 

Since I've been using Garmin to monitor my progress, many years ago, I've clocked 43,295.8 miles and 374,528 feet of elevation gain. My longest ride was 100.4 miles and my biggest climb is 546 feet, although I think I've done some longer ones, but the system doesn't always record everything. 

Now I need to work out a different set of targets for 2024, maybe using some form of interval and I have a secret wish to go back into using Sufferfest for some of the time. Maybe I'll come up with some kind of hybrid target. 

Anyway, my lightweight Fizik saddle is very worn now, although my (much heavier) Brooks leather saddle looks almost 'box fresh' even after bearing the brunt of the miles.

Whoops Apocalypse

Do we get what we deserve? 

• The current situation with several major wars (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan ) to name a few examples.  
• A leadership unable to run the country, yet with an indeterminate opposition and a wild-eyed spanner thrower.
• So many examples of corruption and incompetence in government that it is almost futile to keep lists.
• Ill-balanced and uncaring sector relief (food banks, charities to support essential services, the mainly ignored north)
• Continued fat-cat troughing of everything.

The old TV show Whoops Apocalypse and the story of containment theory exemplified by General Sir John Hackett predicted situations like this from as far back as the 1980s.

EV Electric car charging times

I get asked by people how long it takes to recharge my electric car. There's three main modes.

Here’s a breakdown of the charging methods and approximately how long each take to fully charge from a low battery:

• Level 1 AC (240V ordinary mains outlet at home): 20+ hours.  No, I have never used this mode, but carry the charger as a 'just in case' provision. I believe they are called 'granny chargers'.
• AC Level 2 (Third party chargers/Tesla chargers/Tesla 'home charger'): 8-12 hours - Like I have installed on the outside of the house. I have a Tesla Wall Charger which will reliably charge my car to 'full' or 80-90% overnight. It's usual practice to charge to 80-90% and it easily does this on off-peak electricity. A full charge to 90% (303 miles) costs about £5.60 and to full 335 miles is around £6.50. 
•  Level 3 DCFC (Tesla Supercharger): 15-25 minutes. It depends on the charge and whether the car next door is sharing the same supply. I can get to 80% in about 15 minutes or 30 minutes if I'm sharing the power supply. It will cost more though, maybe £15-20 to fill up.

When I started using the car, I was often travelling around the country and therefore using the Superchargers. When I'm at home (which is about 60-70% of my charging now - with over a year of usage) then I've almost always got a 'full tank'. And no visits to service stations. 

Despite what people say, there is only one main plug type in general use throughout the UK and Europe (cars since around 2019 have been fitted with it). It's the CCS plug and is a standard Euro-spec connector that combines two DC pins arranged below a Type 2 connector, allowing for fast charging. Like in my picture above.