Simon Howes

New Blog

Posted by: Simon on: 05/19/2009

I have a new web site Audio Guy: http://www.audioguy.co.uk

The five minute chocolate cake

Posted by: Simon on: 03/02/2009

So, today I endeavoured to make what is quoted to be the “most dangerous cake recipe in the world”.  It’s a chocolate cake made in a cup that should take no more than 5 minutes.

You can find the recipe at the Birmingham cake blog.

I used a 3/4 pint mug, seemed to be the right size.

IMG_0271 by you.

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Meet Cookie Bear, he decided to come and watch.

IMG_0275 by you.

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He said he wanted to watch it cook, but I had to tell him to get out the microwave,

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Yummy, it’s cooking!

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All cooked.  I had half to eat, now I feel sick!

Very deadly chocolate cake, a little tough and dry, perhaps a little less than three minutes in my microwave next time.

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My Graduation and Award

Posted by: Simon on: 01/30/2009

I had my graduation yesterday.  Too sleepy now to write much, so here are the photos.

Graduation by you.

In the afternoon I was awarded the Sir Henry Royce Award, the IET also have a list of case studies of previous winners.  I had a very nice 5 minute citation from Dr Andrew Bourbon, followed by the award being given to me by John Lowe from the Sir Henry Royce Foundation.  Included a certificate, medal and £500.

Sir Henry Royce Award by you.

Sir Henry Royce Award by you.

Sir Henry Royce Award

Sir Henry Royce Award

Sir Henry Royce Award


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I have won an award!

Posted by: Simon on: 12/20/2008

As I walked into my home freshly back from the Birmingham Media Social meet today *waves to all BSMC peeps*, I found that I had a letter.   It was to inform me that I had been nominated for an award (yay!), and then to find I had won the “Sir Henry Royce Memorial Award” for being the “best all-round contributor” for Birmingham City University. (yippee!)

I’m guessing it was for all the extra hours I put in for the university over the four years, whether it being working in live sound, television production projects, general help to everybody (I helped more than I did doing my own work), or being both the student academic rep for my course and also faculty rep for over 3,000 under and post graduate students at the engineering faculty for the university.

I have an award ceremony on the 29th January at the ICC.

Apologies for lack of blogging since the weekend, I promised I would, but I had the flu earlier this week.

It was nice to meet new and familair faces at the social media cafe. :)

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The Job Centre

Posted by: Simon on: 12/11/2008

The Job Centre, where can I start.  Well, I hate the damn places!

I had to go to the Job Centre today to take proof of identity and to sign an agreement to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance.  I have no clue how much I’m getting, just a little something to keep the cash flowing over Christmas.  I managed to dodge the airport terminal style security control (yes, lots of security guards, magnetic scanners and body searches), guess I stood out amongst the very intimidating dodgy crowd (can I say chavs?) that were queueing.  Guess my local Job Centre has had many problems.

I saw two different people, one person to check my details and the second was for a 10 minute interview.  They then helped me look for jobs listed on their systems, zero bogo jobs found.  Great!

Next step, contact as many local production and post production businesses around Birmingham.  Paid or unpaid for now, I need the experience first and foremost.  I’d even be happy to make cups of tea for people, as long as I learn how they work and communicate with clients.

Oh, my planning process is fine, apparently bigger and better than most business plans they see.

Today’s feel good factor, 3/5 – I have some form of money coming in.

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Let’s get this blog started!

Posted by: Simon on: 12/10/2008

Well, welcome to my new blog.

This blog will track my new journey in life as a ’sound man’ within the TV and film industries.

My interests are quite wide within the field of audio, from live sound, music recording to television and film post production.  I hope this blog can be of use as a resource for others wanting to start out within these industries.

A little about me.  I recently graduated from Birmingham City University studying BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production.    The course is run at the Technology and Innovation Centre which is the engineering school for the university, and is directed by Dr. Andrew Bourbon.  I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in sound within the creative industries.  I’m currently unemployed, looking to gain experience and credit to go with the skills and knowledge I gained through my degree.  It feels daunting and a major minefield of an industry to tackle, but I will get through it all and succeed… I hope.

Before anything, I need to come up with an action plan, life plan, career plan or whatever you want to call it.  I need to work out my aims for what I want to do, and measurable and realistic objectives to how I fulfil my aims.  I will be off to the Job Centre tomorrow for a meeting to get this plan sorted so I can get this ball rolling.  I’ll blog back tomorrow, I hate job centres, so it may be a vehement and clamorous post indeed.

Wish me luck!

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