Wednesday February 09, 2005

What next for purchasing music ?

After reading about Chris bringing his steam driven sound system back to life and his son's successful attempts to decide what they should be listening to I found myself thinking how will kids of today buy music when they become old enough to do so ?

I remember visiting my grandmother and being fascinated by the old 78's they had. At home we had a mono record player on which we played LP's and 45's . The first single I wanted to buy was Bowie's Life on Mars but it was always sold out. Perhaps when we put landing craft on mars they should play this song ? My single and LP collection is in the attic with no system to play it on now . Some of the 45's might be valuable as they were limited editions on different coloured vinyl.We have bought several CD replacements for the albums we still want to listen too. I still think the LP package although bulky and easily damaged was the ideal vehicle for more than just the music. Favourite cover has to be Led Zeppelin's third album.

Car sharing the Singapore way..

Perhaps this is the way to reduce the number of cars that are made and owned. Of course it demands people are open to car sharing and are prepared for a little bit of extra planning before they travel. But in high density areas like Singapore it has to be considered for adoption.

I will be there soon and travelling on the MRT system sharing the 'train car' with lots of other travellers. It is nice not having to drive while I am there, using the light railway system and walking from Bedok station to the Sun office up the road. I use the system from Changi airport to my hotel at Bugis junction and from there daily to Bedok .The locals think I am mad to do so in that heat.

Learning to drive

I learnt to drive with the BSM training school in the UK driving a Triumph Dolomite ( with a BSM pyramid on top of course). I then continued my education in a white mini with a local driving instructor who called his company Y-Worry.. I failed the UK driving test twice. I then joined British Telecom who had a great driving scheme. You and another learner spent a week with an instructor driving around. It really did drill into you how to drive. This was in a Vauxhall Viva . I think I had more meals in greasy spoon transport cafe's than ever before.

It seems Spain might be the hardest for learner drivers where as Turkey not yet in the EEC has the strangest demands.....

Meanwhile having past the test my first BT van was a Bedford HA110 van and then a Commer . I owned a MG Midget ( sorry rubber bumper variety) and then a Ford Escort ( not an XR3i ). I then graduated onto VW's with two Golfs before my first company car a Passat.