Super Ball ended up becoming the idea for the term "Super Bowl." The first two contests between the NFL and the AFL were labeled the "World Championship Game." After the second such contest, the owners were sitting around trying to come up with a snappier name when Lamar Hunt, the guiding light of the American Football League, and the owner of the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs, remembered watching his daughter play with a high-bouncing Super Ball a few days earlier and 'ball' morphed into 'bowl. 'Voila...Super Bowl!
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Well what words can I use to describe this trip; fantastic, sensational, mind-blowing, fascinating? In fact all of the above and more!!!!
Having visited the far-east for many years, I decided to venture into somewhere new, and thought of an African Safari; Kenya being the favourite.
It was a very interesting experience to take part in something that I wanted to do for many years, and I wasn't disappointed.Kenya is quite a weird Country, being one of the more 'developed' and established African countries, and like some others being a former British Colony, it certainly lives up to its expectations.But there is still grave povety, and we were even told that the common monthly wage was 7000-8000 Kenyan Shillings (that's equivalent to 60-70GBP - yes a month!!).
The Animals
The animals and the incredibly changing but marvellous landscape were sights that couldn't be missed.Actually, we were slightly disappointed that we 'missed' the migration herds - we were about 2-4 weeks too late to see the main herd travelling through Kenya to Tanzania, but there was still hundreds of animals around to see (instead of the thousands that we would normally expect to see).
The 'Big 5'
And we saw all of the “big 5” – in fact several times - but across different days!We were even fortunate to see 4 out of 5 in one day - which wasn't bad at all!They sure were magnificent animals.Shame we weren't able to 'witness' a kill, but we were told other groups had done so on the same trip.Bummer, you can't have it all I guess!Still, there were carcasses to show it was nature at work.
The Safari Trip
We flew to Nairobi, stopping overnight at Outspan Lodge in Aberdares; Outspan was a old Colonial building with its charming features.We then travelled north across the Equator to Samburu where the game drives began.Samburu was located next to a river where crocodiles as well as Elephants frequented, which was a sight when you were having your afternoon tea.I would rate the game lodge very highly compared with the other lodges we stayed at.After two days, we travelled back to Outspan for lunch, moving to the infamous Treetops, where Princess Elizabeth became a Queen overnight, following death of her father.The original Treetops was destroyed by fire, but it has been largely re-built albeit extended and modernised.We managed to see herds of Elephants, the odd Rhino and Water Buffaloes drinking from the waterhole.
The next day we left for LakeNakuru, which was one of the biggest lakes in Kenya where millions of flamingos were located.It literally covered the shoreline creating a pink (and noisy!) landscape – Marvellous!
We had an extra stop to see another Lake (LakeNaivasha) which was the home for several hippo families.We saw Eagles, Vultures and lots of other birds (too many names to remember!).This was an added bonus and treat as it was not a planned stop in our itinerary.
Leaving Lake Naivasha we travelled South-West to the largest game reserve in Kenya, the famous 'Masai Mara', where we stayed at Keekorok lodge with further game drives, seeing the amazing Lions, Lioness and their Cubs, Cheetaes and Cubs, Leopards (up in the trees with it's kill!), Hyenas, and many more.A lot more variety and numbers were seen in the Masai Mara than Samburu. Another treat was during our stay at the Keekorok lodge, we viewed the Masai Mara Tribe dances, and listened to the talk from the Tribe representative, who attends conferences and other events worldwide, promoting the values of the tribe across the world. In fact, it was during this conversation we learnt that the representative was involved with setting up the BBC1 'idents' - the movie/sound sequences between programmes. This ident was first aired in January 2004 to the present date.
The Beach Break
After leaving the Mara, we travelled upon what became known as the 'bumpy roads' of Kenya to Nairobi where we caught a flight to our Beach resort in Mombasa.We stayed at the Southern Palms Beach Resort which was a good way of unwinding after a long hard week’s safari!It was very relaxing, and I must say a place where a lot of German tourists were staying.Very interesting!In fact, one of the families had two very nice looking early 20’s daughters; I just wished I had the courage to chat to them before they left.The morning I was about to relax and talk to them, unfortunately was the morning after they had left!Oh boy, just my luck! If only....ho-hum.They certainly were a sight for sore eyes - they were both beautiful with the older girl having such as a fantastic figure, it was outstanding - and on a hot, sunny and sandy beach - in a bikini - well, hubba hubba! :o)
My Birthday and Masters of Science Results Not only was it my 26th Birthday on 26th October, it was also the week when my Masters results were out. They were formally out on 27th, but as I had missed getting them that week, I had to wait for the Monday - and boy what a wait that was. The very good news is that I Passed with a Distinction (similar to a Upper First in the Bachelor world!). So this was the cherry on top of the very big cake! This also brought be back to earth in thinking that I it was towards the end of the holiday, and work was beckoning on Wed (2nd Nov!).
This then brings me back to the 12-14hr journey home – including two flights in total, from Mombasa to Nairobi and Nairobi to London Heathrow, and the journey back to Haywards Heath.But as they say a holiday has to end at some point.
Holiday Photos / Gallery (with new Camera!)
As I had purchased a brand new camera before I went away, the Sony CyberShot DSC T5, you will find the pictures from the Safari (as I ran out of room of the Memory Stick for the Beach Resort), at my On-line Gallery.Bring on my next holiday!
Well it's been quite a grueling 2 months or so, work has increased immensely - nothing like a challenge, and sleep hours have diminished - nothing new there either!
Having said that it's been quite a rewarding few months, and coming after I have completed a 2-yr Masters (MSc), a holiday was well over-due. So, today I'm off to Kenya, for a great 2 wks + 2 days Safari and then relaxing for at a Beach resort - a week in both.
I can't wait.....till the next time, ciao for now!
Well the time has come, I've finally completed my Masters (MSc) thesis/dissertation report, following the 2-year part-time course at the University of Sussex.
Been a challenging and long two years, but it has certainly been worth it. A lot of pros and cons, but alas it's a distant memory allowing me to concentrate on my full time career ambitions. In fact, no sooner than I had completed and submitted my report on 28th August 2005 - ahead of the 1st September 2005 deadline, I had requested to increase my hours to full time (37.5hrs / wk). This has commenced since Thursday, 1st Sept. The bad news, long gone are those Monday's off where I could 'study' at home, but at least I am now getting my long overdue full-time pay! Wahoo!
The University Development Centre @ American Express, held a Celebrations of Completion evening at Al Fresco's on the sea-front in Brighton, this was fun and a great opportunity to see everyone, including those who went onto pastures new!
Like everyone in the UK and around the world, I was urgently trying to find out the whereabouts of close friends and work colleagues who i knew were in and around the City of London during the barbaric attacks on Thursday morning. Luckily, all of whom were accounted for - although it was an anxious feeling when one can't get through to them by mobile. I still feel that the government knocked out the network in case this was the way the timers were controlled!
In any case, the AMEX Dashwood House office was quickly and safely evacuated as it leans over the Liverpool Street station - it must have been pretty chaotic scenes. I am truly lucky that I am based outside of London (in Brighton), but my feelings and thoughts go out to those who have been affected.
As everyone has been saying, we must not yet terrorism ruin our way of life, we must pick up the pieces, recover and move on. It is easier said than done - but this is the victim's way to say we will not be defeated.
My thoughts go out to everyone who has been directly or indirectly affected by these truly inhumane and despicable acts of terror! Let’s unite and bring those people who did this to justice!!
Well, I've written approx 7,500 words of my 12,000 word dissertation/thesis on Wireless LAN Technology and Corporate Strategy. It's over half-way there - that's the good news. The bad is that there is still a long way to go, but I don't have long!!! It's due in the first week of September 2005!
I believe the key issue is how to keep oneself motivated and willing to progress the word. On top of pretty working a full time job (meant to be 30 hours a week - but realistically this is more like 35-40 hours each week!), it's just the ability of being able to squeeze the study work in between everything else. Oh, and try to have a social life as well - very important!!! Bring on the next few months - I will get there!
Well two years ain't bad. Thing is about glasses that are quite delicate, all it took was a slight twist and and one of the frames legs broke off.
Following a few recommendations and their recent store opening in Haywards Heath, I decided to give SpecSavers a go. They had some nice offers, including:
Two For One Glasses
Designer sunglasses only £99
Free prescription sunglasses
FREE Reactions lenses
Very friendly staff, and after some time I managed to locate a pair of specs which seemed to suit me!
The problem is that it is becoming more of a battle ground of Microsoft Vs Google (remember the days of Microsoft Vs Netscape - well here we are in the 2005 version of the ultimate battle of man vs machine! Well okay man vs. man!)
Bring on the Google Browser - rumours are flying of one in the works! Watch this space for news on what happens with the www.gbrowser.com domain name!!
Well it seems that even the biggest powerhouses, use the power of chanch for critical decisions. A £10.5m contract was settled through a playground game - the cunning strategies behind "games of chance".
Well another day another upgrade, MSN Plus is a great add-on to the imfamous MSN Messenger, enabling you to securely store your chat dialogue files, rename contacts, customise away/busy messages and more!!
Download the new Messenger Plus! 3.50, now with custom emotion sounds, and get the chance to win a PSP every week!
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Well, I've written approx 7,500 words of my 12,000 word dissertation/thesis on Wireless 
Very friendly staff, and after some time I managed to locate a 
