I feel like I’m the only person in the world who does not like the look of Metro style apps from Windows Phone and Windows 8. I don’t like the simplistic large font with basic colours. I prefer something with more depth. But, the economic beast has to feed itself and we can’t keep the same stuff all the time, so we are moving to Metro.

Apple unveiled its Mountain Lion OS yesterday. I didn’t watch the keynote, but I did see a lot of people talking about it on Twitter. Apple fans were gushing all over the new OS—no criticisms. When you’re a fan, I guess, you can’t criticise. People on the other side—on the Windows side—are gushing over Windows 8 and Metro too.

There’s something very strange about the world we live in where the economy has to be growing or it is failing. If we are not selling, then we are stagnating. Of course, when we have all we need, there is no reason to buy. So, the economy needs Metro. But we don’t need Metro. They need to convince us that it is necessary.

I know it makes me sound old, but I think about the big TV we had when I was growing up. It wasn’t just a TV—it was a piece of furniture. It was huge with a rotary channel changer—but it was a big investment. We had it for at least 10 years that I can remember. If it broke, we could get it repaired.

Now, we needed to go for the flat screen TVs when they came out (they were far better than the old TV Set of the past). Then we needed digital tv. Then we needed to get rid of that piece of junk and get HD. Now, they need to push 3D. We already have a TV—but with that attitude this recession will go on forever.

Was it always this way? I know we never needed economic growth to be this strong before. Or is it exponential? Has it snowballed so much that there is no way we can keep it up. We need this recession. We need the economy to slow down so we can regulate our buying habits.

Because I don’t want Windows 8 with Metro.

I woke up this morning to watch the Obama State of the Nation speech.  I only caught the tail end of it, so am trying to find a recording. 

However, CNN has done something interesting with Facebook.  When I clicked on the media player to watch the event, a Facebook sidebar was displayed in the window so people could update their profile.  A scrolling list of other people’s comments.  While watching the video, I could easily comment onto facebook about anything that was said.

Facebook has been able to reach out to people far better than other mediums.  Blogs were difficult and too self-indulgent for some.  Twitter is still too new.  But in the past year, it seems like everyone is getting into Facebook.  So much so that CNN could use it for it’s prime tool of keeping the public involved.

We’ve moved so far past television.

Charles Nwokolo, a friend and former colleague, has posted this video on You tube regarding the credit crunch:

If you like it, be sure to go to youtube and leave a comment:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RB5hghM90nI

I took a half-day off yesterday so I could be home to watch the inauguration at 4pm. I think most people watched it live. Even though it is so easy to record it (especially in the age of hdd recorders), it’s the kind of thing you want to experience with everyone else, as it happens.

This inauguration was more like a holiday. I can’t remember so much excitement before.

I remember watching the George Bush (senior) inauguration speech in Algebra class when I was in the 11th grade. I never paid much attention to the Clinton or Bush Jr festivities.

So, it was a nice afternoon off. Like most people, I feel relieved. It’s finally over with.

My current client has lowered contractor rates by 10%. I could either take it or leave.

I’ve gotten this kind of offer before, but always turned down the rate cut– I always have a suitcase packed when on contract. That’s the nature of the gig. You stay as long as they need you. At any given day, you can come to work and be told, “Thanks for your services. We think we can get on okay now without you.” That’s fine– that’s the way it should be. So, I don’t like mid-contract renegotiations as a rule. But the economy is different now.

Everyone is suffering everywhere.

I spoke to a contractor friend of mine who has been a contractor developer for well over 15 years and asked what he does. Rate cuts are a fact of life. Sometimes, you just have to take it. Sometimes, it’s the right thing to do.

So I took it. But my suitcase it still packed. This recession is just getting started.

According to the news last night, BBC has 30,000 complaints about the Russell Brand radio show.  Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.  How many of them were fans?  How many of them listened to the show?  Why did they all come almost two weeks after the show aired?

The news gave everyone something to be outraged about, so then they could report on the outrage.

Most Republicans I talk to say “We really don’t have a good choice this year in either candidate.”

Most Democrats say this is the most important election in generations.

It’s nearly over.

As a long-time Republican, I have become extremely disillusioned with the current state of the party. The Neo-Conservatives have ruined the party and helped to discredit America all over the world. Living abroad as I do, I often see the hypocrisy of the current administration (who doesn’t?). I no longer consider myself a Republican—but I could never be a Democrat.

The war in Iraq is unjustifiable. Do 50% of Americans really still believe that Saddam Hussein had a part to play in September 11? After 4 years, the Republican presidential candidates are still talking about winning the war in Iraq. Except one.

Ron Paul is taking a lot of flak for speaking out about current foreign policy. It’s refreshing to hear someone talking about the war for what it is—a failed foreign policy.

Ron Paul doesn’t stand a chance of winning with the base of the party that votes in the primaries. He’s very popular on the internet, but not in the polls. Still, it’s nice to hear him say the things that need to be said. When he drops out, it will be time to start looki:ng at the Democrats, unfortunately.

Here’s a Youtube video from a CNN interview recently