The Disappearing Homepage
One or two people have noticed that the root homepage of this domain has been showing a page with nothing to it but a title that says "Nothing Here" for a little over a week now.
The reason, for anyone who's wondered, is that I inadvertently sent a mail to one of my clients from the wrong email account (ie, this one), and in order to avoid any issues should they have backtracked the domain, I went into hiding. As most people seem to come in directly via the journal index page anyway, I didn't think it would catastrophically affect many people's browsing.
I'll put it back to normal at the weekend probably.
Anyway, that's that. No great mystery, I'm afraid.
Self Vs Littlejohn – Radio History In The Making
Charles pointed me at this transcript of an interview on Nicky Campbell's show, which had Barnaby and I in hysterics this evening. Highly recommended reading.
Looky-Likeys
So I've been talking about whether people look like celebrities today, and discovering that everyone seems to be told that they look like someone, even if they can't see it themselves.
Someone I was talking to was told they look like Shane Ritchie as he is in Eastenders. Someone else told me they're regularly mistaken for Dermot O'Leary.
And just recently, I've been told by a few people that I look like Richard Schiff from The West Wing. And I really don't. I really, really don't.
But then I see a photo like this one.
And I think, "Damn but I'm sexy!" 
So.....
....Who do you look like?
Friendster Update
As of right now, I'm linked to 39,999 people through Friendster. That's a lot of people, considering I only have 13 direct links to 'friends'. Clearly some people have far wider social circles than I.....
So… Again
I'm breaking my own golden rules here, but I'm actually watching V Graham Norton, because Patrick Stewart is on. And oh how he's being wasted.
It's really quite tragic.
And….He’s Out!
The King of the Arrogant Squad bites the dust!
Hoo-Hah!
(Updated with link)
Grrrrr
I just received an email that opened with the words "Would it not be a good idea....?"
Translation: "I think it's a good idea, and I'm telling you so whether you want to hear it or not."
Wimbledon Watch 2003
Well, as I generally do at this time of year, I'll be watching the events at Wimbledon with interest. The BBC previews the tournament, and the openness of the Men's event seems the most interesting element before things kick off, with several big hitters not fit enough to be taking part, and King of The Arrogant Squad Lleyton Hewitt hasn't been on the greatest form so far this year, leaving Andy Roddick looking well-placed to go far.
(I'm assuming that none of the British 'talent' will win, by the way. Please do tell me if you feel I'm being unfair.)
The Women's event looks likely to be another minor incident in the ongoing march of Serena Williams, though after being whupped in Paris, one could live in hope for another upset.
The full draws are here, starting with the Men's Singles.
The Mystery Referrer
As you'll know, I don't dwell on my site statistics overmuch, but I do take an occasional look at what's going on, and I confess to a small degree of bafflement just at the moment.
This month only, one particular site has started showing up in my referrers, and try as I might, I can't see a single thing on it that can be the point of origin of these arrivals.
The specific page that shows up is this one - it's a splash page with practically nothing on it but some images and a bit of JavaScript - the only link is further into the same site. In less than a week it's provided over a dozen referrals. Every other link that shows up as a referrer I can see exactly why, but not this one.
I just thought it was odd, and I'm always happy to spread a bit of odd around.
On Names
I've mentioned before that I spend a great deal of time in contemplation of names.
Names are important. The names we're given usually define us in terms of other people - family names denote belonging, membership, possibly even ownership to some eyes. 'Given' names reflect the preferences of one's parents, the fashion of the time, occasionally family traditions. The labels that define us are usually nothing to do with who we are at all.
So what is it that prevents us changing them when we reach the point where we're old enough to decide the name that is 'us'? The legal process isn't that strenuous, and though obviously there'd be a huge amount of administration to deal with, given how bureaucracy-bound our society is (which may be a good thing, as it would stop people changing their names frivolously), what, actually, stops us?
I suspect habit is a large part of it. By the time we reach the age where we might want or need to express our own identity, things have become too ingrained. It's not just the legal stuff, it's the automatic, everyday stuff. Signatures and nicknames, the fact that everyone you know, knows you by the old name, and re-education can be a bugger - people will keep slipping.
Just changing a surname might be easier - at least then it's not like the people you deal with every day will slip too much, but if anything, it's the given name that ought to be the one we'd want to change; most people are probably relatively happy to indicate a connection to their family after all.
So what stops us from changing our names?