Summer so far...

Thought I would do an update...

Summer so far, well, it's been pretty quiet and boring lately, got myself an imac, which has been good fun playing with, hopefully with get a new camera for my 21st next month, so more tech to play with.

New photos at my flickr.

June was more eventful for trips and travelling about. July on the other hand has been quiet, too quiet. I have made a website, it's on my university page at users.aber.ac.uk/gjh8. It was made from a simple free template which I then edit and changed, I am planning on developing it over the come year, so it's a bit flashier.

Now, something that's been bugging me, the phone hacking here in the UK. Not really sure on my thoughts on this really, I have never liked News International, News Corp or the Murdochs due their power and control over the British media.

I am glad that the deal for BSkyB have been called off, as I feared this would mean way too much control for one private company, and the practices of the News International have been exposed to the public. Now we see how they gone are their "big stories".

The problem is some of the reactions reported in the media, I find it hard understand how people can't understand why the Met Police or the Prime Minister had to cosy up with News International. Both need public option on their sides and News International as the greatest share of the readership in the country for one media company. Now I think that this is completely wrong for one company to have this power and the fact this people have to play their game to get their stories. But I can understand why it happened, as unfortunately this is the way of this country and the world we live, and that will not change over night. And the problem is the fact News International still have this power is not in the reports, I fear that their grip over the British media, still hasn't really change. Time will tell.

I do feel after watching some to the police being interviewed, they didn't help their cases, and they should have investigated the backgrounds of the former News International staff, rather than just asking them, were you involved in the phone hacking and just taking their answer as truth, it did friends getting jobs friends, the same can be said for the Prime Minister, and Downing Street.

However, it is important to remember that this is a free country, where I can write this, publish it and not live in fear for doing so.

Until next time.

PS, in writing this post, the end of the shuttle era occurred with the safe return of Atlantis back to Earth, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14220423 . This will be the topic of my next post I feel.

Time for an update...

Seems a long time since I last wrote a post here, well I have been busy... and frankly lost interest in the blog, however, I am now on another summer break from uni, (which is currently going pretty well) anyway this means more free time.

Also I now own a "smartphone", therefore one of my plans is it have short side notes/photos from where ever I maybe roaming in the country, this brings me to my rant, over the last week and a bit I have been in Aberystwyth, Bath and back home in Kent, this has require me to spend over 24 hours in a train, on a platform or such like. Now first point, LEG ROOM, I am not hugely tall about 6 -6'1 foot (changes with air pressure), but trains seats are too small ie the sit in in front to close.

So on one train I decided to sit at a table. Midday train, pretty quiet, what do I get opposite me, a child who was only 4 foot something, who managed to repeatedly stand on my feet... HOW?

Second point, LACK OF INFO, today the train sat in the middle of the Welsh countryside, for about 10 mins before a reason was given, in result the train was stopped for about 25/30 mins.
Finally get to Aber, after another stop this train without reason.

Third, when the train finally leaves some 45 mins late, the sorry, well to be fair, he might as said "well this was an Arriva Trains Wales train , and this is the final stop, be happy you got here." Also why say thank you for choosing Arriva Trains Wales, like I had the choice in the first place...

However, on a positive note, I did get to read Stephen Hawking's latest book, "The Grand Design", so for my next post I will review/sum up the book.

Until next time.

Ps follow me at twitter http://twitter.com/eosgreg

1st Timelapse test

1st Timelapse test a video by Gregory Hunt on Flickr.

I am back, this is first post in a very very long time I am sorry work load, anyway enjoy my first efforts in to timelapse photography.

BBC Stargazing live

Over the past three nights the BBC has ran live shows from Jodrell Bank in the UK. Called Stargazing live.

The first night started a bit shaking, which was to be expected as it's a live broadcast with Brian Cox, who probably never really presented a live show on TV, and I felt sorry for Dara O'Briain by the end, who himself has a degree in physics was force to ask simple questions.

Although I didn't really learn anything new, it was brilliant to get a chance see some UK research being shown live on the BBC at prime time in the evening. For example to see images of the Andromeda and the uses of the UK's merlin radio telescope network.

Hopefully, this series of programs has helped the general pubic see why investment in the UK's space research is vital, as shown in Hawaii, the UK is world leader in this field. We can not let this disappear.

Another point of the in the final program was the importance of space exploration beyond the moon, however with the current economic problems in the World, see I it hard for one country ie USA to do is alone with before, and therefore more likely to be a group of countries working together to achieve in my eyes man's greatest achievement to date, to step on to another planet in the solar system.

I do however have some criticism, I thought there was possibly slightly too much stock and pre recorded features for a live show. Also what was the point of the feathers with Jonathan Ross, were they intend to make him look like a complete fool... however I am probably slightly bias as I don't find him funny and fact he had expensive telescopes, yet not a clue on how to use them, or what he was looking at.

However overall it was great to see the BBC recognising the importance of British science and have a live show at prime time to cover it. Hopefully in the future there is more shows like this and less pointless reality TV dribble.

Now back to revision for my upcoming exams.

Until next time.