“Get yourself another tasty helping, as long as you are in possession of the requisite spondulicks.” Salman Rushdie; The Ground Beneath Her Feet; Picador Books; 2000.

This word just came out yesterday at work, or rather it’s shorter form sponds did. I don’t think I’ve used the word in years but it seemed appropriate at the time. Of course one reason for not using it is a general shortage of spondulicks, hard to talk about what you don’t have.

Ok, if you’re really too lazy to go google yourself…. it’s a (popular?) British slang for money, cash, moola, etc…

Well, not quite, but last week version 1.6 of the PS3 firmware trickled out to users and contained the infamous Folding@home application. If you’ve not heard of it, basically it adds your machine to a huge network of computers each running a piece of a simulation that in some way it is hoped will contribute to cures for diseases. The simulations are so huge that it could never be done with just one machine, or even one institution, but perhaps with millions around the world…

Anyway, if you have a PS3 you can enable it to run some folding of its own during its idle moments and therefore feel good about yourself. The interesting thing is the power of the beast as these figures show:

Now, many of the Windows machines are probably old pieces of junk but the difference between PS3 and Windows performance is huge. Its also beating out the Macs pretty good, too.

Finishing up some last-minute work on my web application, then its home tonight and Vegas in the morning! If you don’t follow my MINI blog, then you may not be aware that this weekend is A MINI Vacation in Vegas. 383 MINIs pre-registered for a long weekend of motoring and, er, spending money I am sure. Lots going on… we’re off to see Phantom of the Opera Thursday night, Friday sees us on a group jaunt to Death Valley, cruise up the Strip in the evening. Saturday I might be getting a little cosmetic modification done (to the MINI, not me!!), followed by a Poker Run and a big get together in the evening. And maybe I can throw a few quarters on the craps table, too.

Most of all its Vegas, baby. Pictures when I get back.

Ever the glutton of punishment that I am, this weekend I finally got all the application forms and supporting materials together to kick off my application for US Citizenship. I think its a 6 month process so I’ll start learning my “civics” information after the summer.

Yea, its March 17th again so lets all wear green and pretend we’re really Irish, or genuinely claim we’re Irish because 5 generations ago a cousin once ate a potato that they’re pretty sure was grown by leprechauns.

I totally don’t get it, really. But I think it’s time to give St. Andrew his turn in the spotlight. So this year, November 30th, lets everyone wear blue and get smashed on whiskey or good Scottish Ale. And, let’s face it, the Scots can drink way more than the Irish. You calling my pint a poof?