douglasmcgregor.co.uk

So, I decided to reactivate my old Facebook account, now that I’ve risen above all the awkwardness and that kind of rubbish that has been going on between supposed friends.

Before I deactivated my old Facebook account, I did a big clear out of all the groups and fan pages that I joined. Now I find that there seems to be some sort of bug – so far I’ve only become a fan of two pages, and yet Facebook says I’m a member of 19. It only displays two pages in the list. I noticed that when I found a page that looked familiar, and clicked “Become a fan”, it said “You are already a fan”. I just don’t remember at all what the other 17 pages could be that I supposedly am a fan of. Facebook seem to have changed their help section as well – I eventually found a form to report the bug on, and sent them a screenshot as requested, but it appears that with Facebook being so “big”, they just ignore individual emails.

If anyone has a solution to this bizarre problem, I’d love to hear from you.

Following up on this article about the most annoying Facebook habits, I decided to put my views forward on this in the safe environment of my own website.

I think that if we go deeply into the psychology of online behaviour, we'll only end up becoming paranoid, and there's enough of that in the world already.  While some of them may be true in a funny way, it can scare some sensitive people like myself, since it could easily reflect on the kind of person you are in real life. 

I've often wondered if some people think they know the kind of person you are, say, if you know them from school, and think it's weird if you're not the sort of person they expect you to be, and that's the sort of thing I think is weird.  Obviously I've been through a lot since school, and I've changed, I've become more confident and I know how to stick up for myself (most of the time).  I think a lot of comes down to personality clashes – people might just not be suited to each other. 

The point about Facebook statuses is that people could feel intimidated if they're classed into a certain category, like in the article linked to above.  I'm a really honest person, and sometimes can't help posting how I feel, like last night, when I said I could do with a shoulder to cry on.  People who know me will know I'm very stressed out, while looking for work, and people who I don't see that often, well, don't.  It's logical really. 

Another issue, and something I think is a very good point, is annoying people who have hundreds of Facebook applications and annoy everyone with quiz updates.  I think this is fine for one or two, but not to do it every hour.  The applications I mainly have on display are:

• What I'm Listening To
• Star Trek Quotes
• weRead (Books iRead)
• Which Star Trek Voyager Character Are You
• Twitter
• Notes

The Star Trek applications are obvious, since I'm a serious Trekkie, and often think of Star Trek was reality, that I'd be an Ensign or Liutenant on a Starship by now.  Or maybe a engineer in the Temporal Mechanics Department.  Oh, before I leave the subject, it says my Star Trek Voyager character is Captain Kathryn Janeway, and she is my favourite character! I think the What I'm Listening To is obvious as well, since I studied classical music, and people can see I'm listening to respectable stuff.  My point is that everything is personal, like this website. 

If you define various status updates to annoying people, then it kind of spoils things.  Anyway, I just think we should stop analyzing things too much and enjoy what we have in life.  It's fine to analyze things like music, and politics, but that's about all I would do outside of work. 

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Hello all,

Well it's the end of yet another weekend.  I find that Sunday nights usually drag on forever, so I'll probably stick on a video.  Where would we be without YouTube?!  It has almost every single episode of Star Trek on it.  Joy.

I was at the pub last night for a few quiet drinks with my friend David.  He actually said I have muscles, which I didn't expect.  I haven't been working out at all.  Muscles are probably a good thing for a man.  We went to Weatherspoons up in Anniesland, for a change of scene.  The pub is the best place to be on a Saturday night. 

I'm fed up of being by myself all the time.  I need to improve my lifestyle.  The best way to do that is to get a job, any job.  Ideally I'd like an Admin or Web Design position, but with the way the economy is heading, that may not happen in the near future.  Having said that, I have very good IT skills, so I'd probably be valuable in an Admin position.  As I said, I just want to improve my lifestyle, like get out every day and meet people.  Even if it's just a job in a shop. 

I'm going to take some action tomorrow and try and pull some strings to persuade someone to employ me.  I obviously won't put it like that when I'm talking to them.  I've not been away from Glasgow for over 2 years now.  I'd love to just even go down to Hull for a break, or hook up with some of my pals from University, wherever they may be.  I just can't afford it.  This is probably what is causing a bit of depression. 

I guess the first thing to do is get a long sleep tonight and I'll feel so much better in the morning.  Hope everyone has a good week!

Ronnie Walker is practically a legend in the world of classical musicians and teachers in Scotland. Tonight I learned that he has unfortunately passed away at the age of 63. Read this link: Ronnie Walker.

He conducted the first ever musical performance I was in, complete with orchestra – Ocean World. It inspired me to study a career in music. I since got the vocal score and tape recording of Ocean World. Unknown to me, I'd go on to perform in one of Ronnie's productions, African Jigsaw, which was absolutely amazing – first I sang in the choir, then I played the clarinet in the wind-band.

Scottish composer James MacMillian, who you've probably heard of if you're into your classical music, composed this piece called "The Company of Heaven", and probably because of our success with African Jigsaw, Ronnie chose our school wind-band to perform the piece, as well as the usual suspects. I managed to have a chat with Ronnie during the rehearsal breaks, and also on the phone a few times, and he's a really nice guy. Hence why I'm sad about his passing.

Ronnie, may your spirit find happiness in the light. Rest in peace. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll drink to Ronnie this week!

Douglas

Probably the most random "tribute" I've ever done. Mr Kelly was my science teacher at school in first year, and he was the best one there in my opinion.  He was absolutley crazy, always jumping up on tables, and being silly.  I continued to be friends with him until he left at some point in my fifth year.  I remember when I went up to see him one lunchtime, he did a fake run down the corridor, and hid behind the wall, and peered out at me from round the corner. Once in Chemistry, the science teacher we had at the time, Mrs Sneddon, spoke to me sharply, and without reasaon as far as I could see, so I told Mr Kelly, and he said if she does it again, he'll have a word with her.  He's a good guy, that Mr Kelly. I didn't get to say goodbye to him before he left, and I've always regretted that.  I've been trying to find out a way to get in touch with him, to say hello.  I may have to end up going to the school to ask.  I had a dream that I randomly met him again in the street near the school, and we went for a couple of cheeky pints.  Who knows, maybe my dream will come true. Anyway, if anyone knows how I can contact Mr Kelly, don't hesitate to get in touch.  Or if you're reading this yourself Mr Kelly, I'd really appreciate it if you could give me an email.