Improving LLM Output with Vector Focus (aka “How to write a creative song about politics”)

Large Language Models hold their “knowledge” (i.e. language training) in a large “Vector Space”. That’s hard enough to understand if you’re not a mathematician, let alone visualise.

Couresy of mind

I find it helps to visualise this vector store as a 3D space with connections between all its words. In fact, this is very nicely interactively visualised courtesy of https://moebio.com/mind/

In this space one connection leads to another based on statistical likelihood. Temperature controls in the model let you control how rigid this statistical connection is: at the outer temperature settings, you can force the model to behave with complete predictability (same input = same output every time) or the complete opposite.

What’s the Problem?

Ordinarily this doesn’t cause a problem, but lately I’ve been using LLM (chatGPT and Suno) to help me craft a lot of songs - over 500 to be precise.

It was round about the 200 song mark that I really started to notice the patterns and predictability of the underlying models. My songs were becoming stylistically (both lyrically and musically) similar, with similar structures, rhyming styles and choice of vocabulary, I needed to break free.

Enter Jethro Tull

Around about age 14 I fell in love. With “Broadsword and the Beast” - at the time the latest album release from Jethro Tull with a new synth-folk-rock style. Like Paul Simon and Suzanne Vega, Ian Anderson write songs that tells poetic stories, often by allegory or metaphor. This is what I found especially captivating about the album: it transported you to another world, where all the same principles applied, but the scenery was new and captivating.

So, I got to thinking, how do I get my LLM to write like this? This is where “vector focus” comes in. By the way, this is not an official technical term, it’s a term I created to keep me minded about the structure of the vector space and to constantly think about how to get the LLM to operate in the part of that space I want it to.

In the case of songwriting, if you ask an LLM for a song about apples and a song about the breakdown of civilization, when you peel back the skin (see what I did there?) you will find a lot of similarity of structure and basic vocabulary. This stands to reason, because the statistical model is picking the most likely content, which in many respects is the “lowest common denominator” of the language. If you ask it to be “poetic” or “flowery”, you might get some variation, but ultimately you will not approach anything like the genius of Ian Anderson et. al.

Focussing in the “write” space

What we want is the LLM to work deeply in the space that typifies and characterizes the type of output we want. How do we do this? It is simply insufficient to add “in the style of <artist name>” to your prompt: 1) because it’s a very weak connection to that area of the vector space and 2) It will almost certainly trigger RAI protection to avoid copyright issues. Fair play.

What we really want is originality grounded in a particular style.

Here’s what happens if you simply prompt chatGPT with “broadsword and the best”:

We can see this contains a myriad of really unique terms that drive the LLM straight deep into the vector space for this album. This is what we want to harness for our song creation prompt. (By the way, for the Eagle Eyed, the whole “Just cry bollards” thing is a really annoying facet of the chatGPT “memory” function, which I regret turning on now. It comes from a previous song, and now chatGPT things I want to speak like that).

So, how do we get the LLM to use this knowledge as part of its song creation? It probably knows all the lyrics on the album, and I want to use all that as grounding for my new song, which is going to be about Politics (also inclined to trigger RAI if I’m not careful what I’m asking for).

How about this as a prompt:

I'd like you to act as my songwriter and absorb everything you know about the above album, including lyrics you have reference to and the musical and literary stylistic elements. Using that as your grounding, I'd like you to write a new song for that album, entitled "fairyland" which is a coded message about the state of western politics.

The result is a song which has all the stylistic elements and metaphorical references of the original album but tackles a completely new topic in a way the LLM would never normally do. Here’s the song, produced in one hit. Not only was it good enough with just one prompt, I absolutely love it and the fantastic Tull-like metaphors it has created.

**"Fairyland"**

*(Inspired by the style and themes of Jethro Tull’s "Broadsword and the Beast")*

---

**[Verse 1]**

Through the tangled brambles of the border glade,

Where whispers of treaties in twilight fade,

A lantern’s glow on the merchant’s face,

Haggling dreams for a devil’s embrace.

Silver-tongued heralds, they circle the green,

Promising crowns for the low and the lean.

The fiddler’s song on the village square —

Dance if you’re willing, but mind the snare!

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Shadows in robes of velvet and thread,

Carving their laws with a fox’s dread.

While the jester’s grin grows ever so wide,

The king’s in his counting house, eyes open wide.

**[Chorus]**

Welcome to Fairyland, oh, what a show!

With bread made of sawdust and circuses below.

The crown’s a bit tarnished, but it’s worn just the same —

By princes and paupers who’ve mastered the game.

In Fairyland, every wager’s a sin,

But you’ll never know who’s out or who’s in.

**[Verse 2]**

Past the oak’s hollow where the council meets,

Fur-lined wolves plot in their cushioned seats.

Barons of honey and Dukes of the dirt

Draft decrees on the back of a shepherd’s shirt.

The watchman’s call is a call too late,

While magpies pick at the lock of the gate.

Beggars and lords trade cloaks in the dark,

Both claim the throne but neither leaves a mark.

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Shadows in robes of velvet and thread,

Carving their laws with a fox’s dread.

While the jester’s grin grows ever so wide,

The king’s in his counting house, eyes open wide.

**[Chorus]**

Welcome to Fairyland, oh, what a show!

With bread made of sawdust and circuses below.

The crown’s a bit tarnished, but it’s worn just the same —

By princes and paupers who’ve mastered the game.

In Fairyland, every wager’s a sin,

But you’ll never know who’s out or who’s in.

**[Bridge]**

The piper’s paid in counterfeit gold,

With pockets of promises centuries old.

There’s a map on the wall with no way to the end,

Where dragons’ lairs and black ships defend.

The queen’s on the run, her spindle’s gone slack,

She’s traded her crown for a wolf’s leather sack.

**[Instrumental Break]**

*(A mix of brooding flute melody and sharp synth stabs, evoking the tension of unseen schemes.)*

**[Verse 3]**

Firefly lanterns light up the hall,

Where once stood a castle, now crumbles a wall.

Goblins in wigs hand scrolls to the crowd,

Promises whispered, but never aloud.

The miller’s daughter counts barley and wheat,

But half of her harvest is dust at her feet.

With ink-stained fingers and a thousand-yard stare,

She’s learned not to follow the call to "beware."

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Shadows in robes of velvet and thread,

Carving their laws with a fox’s dread.

While the jester’s grin grows ever so wide,

The king’s in his counting house, eyes open wide.

**[Chorus]**

Welcome to Fairyland, oh, what a show!

With bread made of sawdust and circuses below.

The crown’s a bit tarnished, but it’s worn just the same —

By princes and paupers who’ve mastered the game.

In Fairyland, every wager’s a sin,

But you’ll never know who’s out or who’s in.

**[Outro]**

So step through the archway, mind how you tread,

For kings’ whispers are louder than thunder’s dread.

In Fairyland’s glow, the night’s never done,

Where pawns move the board, but the checkmate’s begun.

LOVE IT!

The next challenge is to render this song in a style that matches what I have in my head, incorporating similar Tull-like elements. That requires a whole bunch of prompting on Suno, and if you want to hear the result, it’s here (two versions):

https://suno.com/song/8eebb0da-efe5-4d79-896b-d52103e9adef

https://suno.com/song/667f8ab3-7655-445f-bc45-aafa9b27bdaa

Devices that contribute to base load / phantom load

Understanding Base Load Electricity in the Home

In the intricate world of home energy consumption, one concept that often gets overlooked but is of paramount importance is the "base load" electrical load. Essentially, the base load refers to the background level of electricity that is continuously consumed in a household, irrespective of peaks in usage during particular times or activities. This ongoing consumption is due to devices and appliances that are either always on or intermittently draw power, even when they seem to be off.

The significance of understanding our home's base load is multifaceted. Not only does it directly impact our energy bills and environmental footprint, but also, when optimized, can lead to energy savings and prolonged appliance longevity. As homeowners and environmentally-conscious individuals, pinpointing and managing this constant electrical draw is a step toward a greener household and a reduced energy bill.

In the sections that follow, we'll delve deep into the devices and systems that contribute to your home's base load. From the obvious culprits like refrigerators and water heaters to the less conspicuous ones like standby electronics and chargers, it's time to illuminate the silent energy consumers lurking in our homes.

Note: The specific devices and systems that make up the base load might vary based on the individual household and region, but the mentioned examples give a general idea.

Alright, considering the context of base load, here is a grouping for the devices:

1. Home Automation & Connectivity:

• Smart bulbs

• Smart devices (Alexa, Google Home, etc.)

• Smart plugs

• Smart sockets

• Digital wall thermostats

• Heating control systems (especially with internet control)

• Broadband hub; mesh network discs

• Networking equipment (routers, switches, access points, mesh networks)

2. Standby Devices & Chargers:

• Anything on "standby" (TVs, projectors, computers, etc.)

• Anything with a clock on it (oven, microwave)

• Kettle with lights and temp control

• Anything on charge (phones, batteries)

• Any chargers plugged in (even if not charging something)

• Laptops

3. Home Security & Surveillance:

• Baby monitors

• CCTV systems

• House alarms & other mains-wired security

• Movement sensing bathroom mirrors

• Movement sensing lightbulbs

• Nightlights or other constantly-on lights.

4. Kitchen & Appliances:

• Hobs with electronic control (e.g. induction hobs)

• Fish tanks (lights and pump running)

• Mains-powered smoke/carbon monoxide detectors

5. Vehicle Infrastructure:

• EV wallbox

• Electric/remote garage doors

6. Home Appliances:

• Refrigerators and Freezers (often a significant contributor to base load, especially older models)

• HVAC systems, especially those that are programmed or have consistent fan operations.

7. Entertainment Systems:

• Gaming consoles (even when off, they might be in a power-saving mode).

• Set-top boxes (like cable or satellite boxes, often consume power even in standby mode).

• Bluetooth adapters/receivers, IR Receivers/Relay

8. Miscellaneous:

• Water heaters, especially those maintaining a certain temperature.

• Dehumidifiers or air purifiers.

• Landline phone bases.

• Any continuously running pumping device (e.g. sewage processing systems, garden pond)

Planning for EV life

My planning for the arrival of my EV (Electric Vehicle) started about 10 months prior to its arrival - actually, about the time the car was ordered.

Hang on a minute? Planning? What planning?

Well, it turns out, if you want to get the most from going electric, you need to know what you are letting yourself in for and make some plans accordingly. Owning and running an EV is a shift in mindset and behaviour, which some may find easier than others.

Now, it just so happened in my case that I had some idea of what was involved, because I’d been dabbling in relevant forums even prior to this T-minus-10 point (particularly forums about solar power and going off grid).
It also just so happens that my home is all-electric. There is no mains gas where we live and we use heat pumps - so we are used to being all-electric, and on a green tariff. That meant I also had a good idea of what the domestic energy supply landscape looked like, what tariffs were available etc.

But let’s wind back a minute, and talk about some of the basics that are part and parcel of this journey.

• Where to charge: Hopefully you will be able to mainly charge your car at home

  • this is by far the most cost-effective and frictionless way of doing things. If you can buy a car that has a range larger than the number of miles you need on an ordinary day, then this option can work for you. Since many cars now offer 200 or even 300+ miles of range (depending on your budget), this is very achievable for many people.

  • This certainly was the case for me - although historically I was a high mileage driver (business miles) that reduced somewhat prior to the pandemic and even more so during it. Long trips are now mainly confined to family occasions, and 95% of all my trips are under 100 miles, starting from home.

  • So, the first bit of planning is to work out if the EV you want or can afford is suitable for your travel patterns, and preferably biased to charging at home

• Tariffs: Most of us are used to paying a fixed rate for our electricity units (kWh = kilowatt hours) because meter readings are taken at best once per month, and historically way less often. However, the advent of smart meters has changed that landscape, opening up the possibility of tariffs that change every 30 minutes (no kidding).

  • So what’s the point of that? The advantage of variable tarriffs is that energy suppliers can offer incentives (i.e. reduced rates) to use electricity when demand is low and where there may even be a surplus on the grid. This usually means outside peak times and overnight.

  • As a result, a number of suppliers offer “dual rate” tariffs which have low overnight price during a certain time window (e.g. 12.30 - 4.30, or 11.30pm - 5.30am)

  • These tariffs are perfect, indeed often designed for, charging EVs overnight at cheap rate. Remember that EVs use a lot of electric: a 77kWh car consumes (obviously) 77kWh energy to charge from 0 - 100%. For some people this might be equivalent to a fornight’s or even a month’s total normal electric usage. Therefore cheap overnight tariffs are massively beneficial financially.

  • Octopus Energy, at the time of writing, are leaders in this space. They even have a tariff system which can remote control the charging on your car, so that they can allocate the cheapest time slot to you!

  • If you have solar and/or a domestic battery, the landscape looks even better for you, with the potential to fill your car for nothing, nada, zero, purely on solar energy!

    • An alternative to having your own solar panels, might be ownership in a solar cooperative, such as Ripple. While this won’t give you free solar power, it will still provide you with discount based on how much solar your share generates.

• Smart Meters: the world of variable tariffs is opened up by, and only by, having a smart meter.

  • A UK smart meter records and send your usage data in half-hour time windows. Thus, not only can you track your usage with great accuracy over the course of a day, but your supplier can bill you differently during those time slots.

  • Part of my planning was to get a smart meter installed. I did this before doing anything about changing suppliers. Actually, originally I had been with Pureplanet, who went bust during the “Energy Crisis” in 2022, and I was moved by default to Shell Energy. So, as soon as I had ordered my car, I requested a smart meter.

  • It was fitted in about 6 weeks, and I had no idea if it would actually work. We live in rural Scotland and I’d heard stories around the village that they were “bricks” (not able to communicate). As it happened, it took about 2 weeks to fully come online, but it did indeed work. (It’s also stopped reporting data for 2 months which caused me great concern, but it started working again - touch wood).

  • With the smart meter up and running, I knew I was then free to start looking at new energy suppliers with good EV tariffs.

    • There was no real advantage in switching straight away, as over winter 2022, UK tariffs were “capped” by the government and basically the same everywhere; and also suppliers weren’t necessarily allowing switching. This was not a problem - good planning meant I had 10 months to go.

    • In the end, I actually switched to Octopus about a week after I took delivery of the car, and the process was really quick and simple, taking 2 days. After all my readings had stabilised (another couple of days), I switched to their Octopus GO tariff, which offers 4 hours of cheap rate (about 1/3rd the unit price) overnight, specifically for charging EV’s. (Again, this was easy and all done online)

    • This has been a brilliant tariff, which you’ll see when I talk about costs.

• Home charger: charging your car is easy, but it seems very complicated to begin with. For a start there are all these different numbers and units (kW and kWh), then AC and DC charging, then slow, fast, ultra fast, rapid charging, and so on. Let’s keep it simple and talk about home charging.

  • You can charge you car from a regular mains socket on what’s called a “portable charger” or “granny cable”. It has some built-in electronics, but basically, you plug it into your wall socket, plug the other end into you car, and it charges using 230V AC mains supply.

    • But it’s slow. The “granny cable” will deliver a peak of about 2.5kW (kilowatts) which is equivalent to 10A (amps) at 250V (volts). This is in the same ball park power-wise as running a kettle.

    • if you have a car with 50kWh battery (e.g. a Corsa-e) and charge from 0% at 2.5kW rate, then it will take 20 hours to fill the car. (Actually, it may take a bit longer if the car battery management system slows the charging down at certain points to protect the battery lifetime).

    • 20 hours is obviously longer than “overnight”, so unless you are really only doing a local miles each day, it can be an unsuitable solution, but good as a backup.

  • This is where a home charger comes in. This is an AC charger that attaches to your wall, is connected more directly to your electricity supply in the home (i.e. direct into your consumer unit), and charges at up to 7kW rate.

    • this is almost 3 times the rate of the “granny charger” so offers a significant speed reduction in charging. In a 4-hour window, for example, you can add 4x7 = 28kWh to your car, which for a 50kWh Corsa-e is over half a “tank” (battery).

      • At the time of writing, my tariff for this 4-hour window is 9.5p per kWh, so 28kWh costs 28x9.5 = £2.66. That 28kWh will give the car about 112 miles range, which works out at a cost of 2.4 pence per mile.

    • There is a large choice of home chargers and many installers, and another part of the planning is researching what is suitable for your needs and getting quotes to compare.

    • UK legislation has advocated that all new home chargers be “smart” meaning they have remote-control type capability and app connectivity. So, in actual fact, there is quite a high level of base functionality across all chargers, which may make choosing one a little less agonising.

    • The smartest chargers (such as OHME) can actually integrate with Octopus so they can remotely start and stop charging and give the most advantageous overnight costs, but you may not need these level of sophistication, or even if you do, your car itself may also integrate regardless of the charger.

    • In the end I went for a Vchrged charger, which looks neat, is simple to operate, and has an app with security features and the ability to schedule charges - that’s all we need

    • You will also have to think about whether you want a Tethered (comes with a cable built in) or Untethered charger (comes with a socket to use your own cable). There are pros and cons of each:

      • Tethered means you never have to think of the cable at home, but also means you have (usually) 5m of cable to stow on your wall. Also, you will need to commit to a connector type, and although these are more-or-less now standardised on “CCS” in Europe, some older/specific cars might not be able to connect to your charger. There’s also the possibility with a tethered charger that someone could try and charge their car, because the cable is already there.

      • Note that your car almost certainly will come with a suitable cable for AC and DC charging, so you will be able to use that cable if you have an untethered charger. This is the option we went for.

  • It’s useful to have your charger installed before you car arrives, but not essential if you have a “granny cable” and/or access to nearby public chargers. But it also makes sense not to go too long without it, as it will make charging very easy and quicker.

• Public Charging: this is something you may not need much of, but it pays to be aware of your options. Public charging is supported by a plethora of different suppliers, all in different locations, with different prices, and different charging machines. Frankly, to the beginner, it looks like a complex and unholy mess (and to some extent, it is).

  • It’s worth checking whether your car manufacturer offers any charging plans. This may bring together a network of charge providers, and even offer a discount rate. Kia, for example, offer “Kia Charge” which does exactly that.

  • So too, your electricity supplier might do something similar. Octopus offer, for example, Electroverse - a card which allows you to charge on a number of different networks, gives a small discount, and adds all the charges to your monthly electricity bill.

• Get to know your car: sounds odd if you haven’t got your car yet, but I joined the relevant online forums ( https://www.kiaevforums.com/ ) and started to soak up everything there was to know about the car, from hidden features, to things that rattle and issues to watch out for (Such as 12V battery going flat). By the time I came to do the paperwork for my car at the dealership, they admitted I was way more knowledgeable about the car than they were!

  • Yes, there are lots of things to know about an EV to get the best out of it, such as maximising range, optimising your battery lifetime, how to drive on “Regen” (braking regeneration) and much more.

  • Who knew that EVs have a 12V battery to power all the infotainment and other standard systems? And that if this battery goes flat, you can’t start the car? But you can jump start it like a regular car!

  • I also watched lots of videos about the car and EVs, such as how to charge them and experiences of doing so, what the range tests showed, and so on.

• Apps: the forums also taught me a lot about the apps that are going to smooth EV ownership. Aside from the apps that allow you to pay for, and get discounts, on charging (usually issued by the a particular charging network), there are apps for finding chargers and route planning with them.

  • Indeed, apps such as ABRP (a better route planner) will take account of your car’s stated range and battery performance, and plan trips for you based on how much charge you want to leave and arrive with, and how often you want to stop. Not only is this practically essential (at least in the early days of getting to know your car and routes), moreover, with a suitable ODB2 dongle plugged into your car, it will adjust your route real-time based on current battery and usage.

    • your car may actually have this facility built in too - an update on the Kia EV6 did provide this capability, but I don’t really like the display.

  • In Scotland, Chargeplacescotland is the a key network across the country especially in rural areas.

• All the usual car stuff: Don’t forget all the usual car stuff too, such as insurance quotes, private number plates, part-exchange, loans and finance, and even whether you will get your car protected with wrap, PPF (pain protection film) or Ceramic coating.

  • AT THE TIME OF WRITING (2023) in the UK the VED (Vehicle Excise Duty aka Road Tax) is £0 per annum due to an exemption, BUT you must actually have the car registered for VED at the zero rate, rather than simply not register it. A competent car dealer will handle this for you.

  • Note, however, the UK Government have declared that from 2025, EVs will pay VED, including the “expensive car” supplement.

So, - PHEW - once you’ve got all that lined up, you’re ready to sit back and await the great day of the arrival of your electric car!

ready to exchange our old car for the new one!

The dawn of a new EV-era

On 8th July 2023 my life changed forever.

That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Actually, there’s some truth in it: After 10 months of waiting I took ownership of my new/first BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle. And thus, for me, like many before me, personal travel has entered a new chapter.

My vehicle of choice is the 2023 Kia EV6 GT, World Performance car 2023, quite capable of holding its own against its fair share of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Teslas, at a price that looks like pocket change in comparison.

I’m going to blog here about my experiences so that others may benefit from my learnings. Whether BEVs in their current form are the saviour of personal travel in a World tackling climate change remains to be seen (unlikely), but they are certainly an important stepping stone in the here-and-now. The next iteration of BEVs will have super-long range and fast charging times, and before too long we may have hydrogen cars available. Who knows; but we certainly live in interesting times.

This moment has been 10 months in the planning and waiting, although some years of agonising before that. As my ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car continued to age during the COVID pandemic, I was left wondering “what next”? Knowing that ICE sales are (at the time of writing) forbidden in the UK beyond 2030, it seemed like either I buy my last-ever ICE, or make the leap now.

The lauch of the Ioniq 5 piqued my interest and it became top of my maybe-list, threatening to break my 17-year love affair with fast Skodas. It was the launch of the Kia EV6 (Kia is actually part of Hyundai group) that sealed the deal - at least in my head: here was a car that, like Skoda, was quick, practical, multi-function, and actually really good looking. If ever a car was going to tempt an anxious ICE driver into the world of range anxiety, this was it.

Finally, it was the high performance GT version that tipped the balance and won my heart: here was a vehicle capable of 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, yet also capable of carrying rear passengers in cavernous comfort and bikes on the back. In short, not unlike the skoda but twice the horsepower (and a lot less range)

And here it is, affectionately nicknamed The Stormtrooper.

The Electric Conundrum - an episode of the Simpsons about Electric Vehicles

Homer Simpson discovers the environmental and ethical issues surrounding electric cars and fossil fuels, leading him to rethink his views and become an advocate for clean energy and sustainable transportation in "The Electric Conundrum".

Title: The Electric Conundrum - Watt’s the deal?

Synopsis:

The episode begins with Homer Simpson driving his gas-guzzling car to work while listening to the radio, which announces the latest electric vehicle technology advancements. Homer scoffs at the idea of an electric car, believing they are expensive, unreliable, and can't travel long distances.

Later, at the Springfield Auto Show, Homer meets an electric car enthusiast who promotes the benefits of electric cars, such as reduced carbon emissions and lower fuel costs. But Homer remains skeptical and dismisses the electric vehicle as a toy for the rich and environmentally conscious.

However, things start to change when Homer learns about the negative impacts of fossil fuels, such as air pollution and climate change. He begins to research electric cars and discovers that they are becoming more affordable and have improved battery technology, resulting in longer ranges.

But Homer's skepticism is compounded when he hears critics of electric cars argue that they require rare earth minerals, which are often sourced from unethical or environmentally destructive mining practices. They also argue that electric cars create pollution through the manufacturing process, which offsets their emissions benefits.

Homer becomes even more conflicted about the electric car issue when he realizes that the same critics who are attacking electric cars for their ethics are themselves owners of smartphones and laptops that contain the same battery technology.

To make matters worse for Homer, he also learns about the dark side of the fossil fuel industry, including oil spills, fracking, and environmental degradation. He feels conflicted about continuing to support such an industry, especially since it's also hurting the planet.

Homer eventually decides to test drive an electric car, and he's pleasantly surprised by its performance and features. He also realizes that by driving an internal combustion engine car, he's contributing to the problem he's criticizing, which makes him feel hypocritical.

In the end, Homer decides to buy an electric car, and he becomes an advocate for clean energy and sustainable transportation. He even convinces his boss, Mr. Burns, to invest in renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging stations for the company's employees.

The episode ends with a shot of Homer driving his new electric car, feeling proud and empowered that he's doing his part to protect the environment. He also makes a point to recycle his old phone and laptop and to encourage his family and friends to do the same.

Here are a few potential jokes that could be used in "The Electric Conundrum" episode:

1. Homer: "Electric cars? You might as well ask me to ride a bike to work. Actually, no, scratch that. I'd rather walk."

2. Bart: "Hey Dad, did you hear about the new electric car that's so fast it can outrun the police? They call it the Shockwave."

3. Marge: "Homer, have you ever considered how much money we could save on gas if we got an electric car?" Homer: "Have you ever considered how much money we could save if we stopped eating donuts?"

4. Homer: "An electric car? I don't want to be the laughingstock of the town. What's next? Solar-powered underwear?"

5. Lisa: "Dad, did you know that electric cars produce zero emissions?" Homer: "Wow, imagine how fresh the air will smell when we're stuck in traffic!"

6. Marge: "Homer, I heard that electric cars can charge up in as little as 30 minutes." Homer: "Great, so now we can go from being stranded on the side of the road with an empty gas tank to being stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery."

7. Mr. Burns: "Electric cars? I thought those were just a myth, like the Loch Ness Monster or the perfect cup of tea." Smithers: "Actually, sir, there are millions of electric cars on the road today." Mr. Burns: "Well, I suppose we'll just have to create a monopoly on electric charging stations then."

UK Pendolino Class 390 name list

Unfortunately, the excellent Wikipedia page for class 390’s, something we regularly used as reference, was singlehandedly demolished by an over-zealous and self-appointed page editor who subscribes to the notion that Wikipedia should not contain lists, and should have no names that do not have an external reference. The names are, of course, captured hundreds, if not thousands of times, in photographs across the web.

However, in order to preserve this valuable resource, I collected the data from Wikipedia and published it here.

Full list of UK Pendolino Class 390 names as passed from Virgin Trains to Avanti in 2019.

Note that Avanti inherited some names and have either removed them, changed them or left them unchanged.

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The data block below is the source information in our google spreadsheet. It’s here’s purely as backup in case the above table breaks.

Advice for entrepreneurs taking their first steps

Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging journey. As a new entrepreneur, you will be faced with many decisions, challenges, and opportunities. However, it's not uncommon for first-time entrepreneurs to make rookie mistakes that can hurt their business. In this article, we'll explore common rookie mistakes and strategies on how to avoid them, to help make your journey as an entrepreneur smoother and more successful.

Not Conducting Enough Market Research

One of the most common mistakes made by new entrepreneurs is not conducting enough market research. It's essential to research your target market, your competition, and the trends in your industry. This information can help you create a business plan that is tailored to your specific market and can help you avoid costly mistakes down the road.

To avoid this mistake, spend time researching your market, talking to potential customers, and analyzing your competition. Use this information to refine your business plan and ensure that your product or service meets the needs of your target market.

Mistake #1: Lack of Market Research

One of the biggest mistakes that new entrepreneurs make is not conducting proper market research. Without understanding the market, it’s difficult to develop a product or service that meets the needs of potential customers. Market research involves identifying the target audience, analyzing competitors, and determining the demand for your product or service.

Strategy: Conduct thorough market research before launching your business. This can include online research, surveys, and focus groups. Once you have a good understanding of the market, you can use the information to refine your product or service and develop a marketing strategy.

Not Having a Clear Business Plan

Another common mistake made by new entrepreneurs is not having a clear business plan. A business plan outlines your goals, strategies, and tactics for achieving success. Without a clear plan, it's easy to lose focus and direction.

To avoid this mistake, create a detailed business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and tactics. Make sure your plan includes financial projections, marketing strategies, and a timeline for achieving your goals.

Mistake #2: Poor Financial Management

Many new entrepreneurs struggle with financial management, including underestimating start-up costs, not keeping accurate records, and failing to plan for unexpected expenses. Poor financial management can lead to cash flow problems, debt, and even bankruptcy.

Strategy: Develop a realistic budget and financial plan. Consider all costs associated with starting and running your business, including equipment, inventory, rent, utilities, and marketing expenses. Keep accurate records and regularly review your financial statements to monitor your cash flow and make adjustments as needed.

Not Having Enough Funding

Starting a business requires capital, and many new entrepreneurs underestimate the amount of funding they need. Without enough funding, it's challenging to get your business off the ground and grow it.

To avoid this mistake, create a realistic budget that includes all of your startup costs, such as equipment, inventory, and marketing expenses. Consider applying for loans, grants, or other forms of funding to help finance your business.

Not Focusing on Customer Acquisition

Many new entrepreneurs focus on product development and forget about customer acquisition. Without customers, your business will struggle to survive.

To avoid this mistake, make customer acquisition a priority. Develop marketing strategies that target your ideal customer, and focus on building relationships with your customers to keep them coming back.

Mistake #5: Overreliance on a Single Customer or Client

Relying too heavily on a single customer or client can be risky. If that customer or client decides to take their business elsewhere, it can have a significant impact on your revenue and profitability

Not Having a Support Network

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, and many new entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of having a support network. Having a mentor or advisor can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate the challenges of starting a business.

To avoid this mistake, seek out mentors and advisors who can provide guidance and support. Join networking groups, attend industry events, and connect with other entrepreneurs to build your support network.

Mistake #3: Not Building a Strong Team

Another common mistake is not building a strong team. Many first-time entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves or hire friends and family members without considering their skills and experience.

Strategy: Hire the right people for the job. Look for individuals with experience and skills that complement your own. Consider outsourcing tasks that you don’t have the expertise for. Develop a strong company culture and invest in training and development for your team.

Not Being Flexible

Starting a business requires flexibility, and many new entrepreneurs struggle to adapt to changing circumstances. It's essential to be open to new ideas, feedback, and opportunities.

To avoid this mistake, be willing to pivot your business strategy if necessary. Be open to feedback from customers, employees, and advisors.

Mistake #4: Failing to Adapt to Change

Businesses are constantly evolving, and new entrepreneurs must be willing to adapt to changes in the market, technology, and consumer preferences. Failing to adapt can lead to missed opportunities and decreased competitiveness.

Strategy: Stay informed about industry trends and changes. Be open to new ideas and be willing to make changes to your business model as needed. Build a culture of innovation and encourage your team to share their ideas and suggestions.

“Alternative” Fragrances - a review

Welcome to my page exploring and reviewing alternative fragrances in the UK! If you're tired of the same old scents and want to discover something new and unique, you may find something of interest here.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to buy an alternative fragrance.

One of the foremost reasons may be to find a scent that is “inspired by” a well known brand, but which is much cheaper to buy. The makers are careful to emphasise that they do not claim to be copies of the big brands, though very often the can be almost identical! e.g.

1. Chanel

2. Dior

3. Gucci

4. Dolce & Gabbana

5. Versace

6. Calvin Klein

7. Tom Ford

8. Yves Saint Laurent

9. Jo Malone

10. Creed

11. Hermes

12. Prada

13. Armani

14. Marc Jacobs

15. Viktor & Rolf

16. Carolina Herrera

17. Ralph Lauren

18. Bvlgari

19. Estee Lauder

20. Givenchy.

Another reason is that alternative fragrances can offer a unique and distinctive scent profile that sets them apart from more mainstream fragrances. They can also be a way to express individuality and personal style, as some alternative fragrances are more niche and exclusive.

Additionally, alternative fragrances often use high-quality and natural ingredients, which can result in a more complex and sophisticated scent experience. Ultimately, choosing an alternative fragrance can be a way to discover something new and exciting, and to break free from the constraints of traditional fragrance categories.

From “The Essence Vault” - 10% discount

10% discount code off all purchases: SMGPR8168 theessencevault.co.uk

• 197 - inspired by Dior “Sauvage” (men) and very true to the original

From “Copycat Fragrances”

Pleasantly wearable

• intense lavender

• fleur - mother’s bathroom after talc explosion

• leather x

• Ombre

• Oud intense

“OK”

• Just Neroli

• oud wood

Best used for destroying insects

• 540

• executive (should be called fly spray)

• DS

Odd

• leather - smell of a leather car seat with a stale lingering aftersense of old farts

The Meaning of Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns (with translation)

Auld Lang Syne is a traditional poem/song by one on Scotland’s most famous historic writers, Robert Burns. It’s sung after “the Bells” on New Years day (i.e. as “Hogmanay” closes at midnight and the new year begins) as a celebration of friendship.

To start with, here’s the original.

The song is asking whether old friendships should be forgotten, and the answer is no. The lyrics are reminiscing about old times with friends and the good memories shared, and wishing to continue these friendships in the future. The chorus repeats the phrase "For auld lang syne", which means "For the sake of old times". The last verse of the song is inviting someone to take a drink together to remember old times and to continue the good memories.

Auld Lang Syne

Verse 1:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

Verse 2:

And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

Verse 3:

We two have run about the slopes, And picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot, Sin auld lang syne.

Verse 4:

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared Sin auld lang syne.

Verse 5:

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught, For auld lang syne.

---

Now here is a translation of all the Scottish words in the lyrics of "Auld Lang Syne" into English:

• "Auld" - Old

• "Lang syne" - Long ago

• "Acquaintance" - Friendships

• "Forgot" - Forgotten

• "Brought" - Brought

• "Mind" - Mind

• "Tak" - Take

• "Cup" - Cup

• "Kindness" - Kindness

• "Pint-stoup" - Pint glass

• "Run" - Run

• "About" - About

• "Slopes" - Hills

• "Picked" - Picked

• "Daisies" - Daisies

• "Wandered" - Wandered

• "Weary" - Tired

• "Foot" - Foot

• "Sin" - Since

• "Paddled" - Paddled

• "Stream" - Stream

• "Morning sun" - Morning sun

• "Dine" - Dinner

• "Seas" - Seas

• "Between us" - Between us

• "Braid" - Wide

• "Hae" - Have

• "Roared" - Roared

• "Hand" - Hand

• "Trusty" - Trustworthy

• "Fiere" - Comrade

• "Gie's" - Give me

• "Thine" - Your

• "Right gude-willy waught" - A good drink

---

Finally, a rewrite of Auld Lang Syne with the Scots translated into English:

Verse 1:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten And old times gone!

Chorus:

For old times' sake, my dear, For old times' sake,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For old times' sake.

Verse 2:

And surely you'll be your pint glass! And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet, For old times' sake.

Verse 3:

We two have run about the hills And picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot, Since old times gone.

Verse 4:

We two have paddled in the stream, From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us wide have roared Since old times gone.

Verse 5:

And there's a hand, my trusty comrade! And give me a hand of yours!
And we'll take a right good-drink together, For old times' sake.

How I eventually cured 2 years of back pain in 2 weeks

In March/April 2019, I did the first lawn-cut of the season. Nothing too strenuous, but I noticed afterwards a twinge in my back. Of course, after a bit of exertion that may not be unusual, so I just assumed it would pass over the next day or two.

It didn’t.

I hadn’t felt anything unusual whilst mowing the lawn, so I was staggered that I had some muscle pain down below my right kidney. And even more staggered that as time went by, it wasn’t cured with rest.

Over the course of the next year (2020) I tried many remedies, including some absolute quackery, out of pure desperation. Amongst them:

• Purchase of a “Rem-Fit” hybrid mattress (which was way too firm and was sent back)

• Purchase of a “Nectar” memory phone mattress, which was more comfortable and supportive, but did not improve anything.

• “The cubes” memory foam pillow ( https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1468455840/the-cubes-the-worlds-first-geometric-structure-pil ) - which is a brilliant pillow by the way, and helped with a lot of neck ache. (But not back-ache)

• Switching to a “sit/stand” electric desk. I’m a full time homeworker, and I thought being able to stand and improve posture at my desk, might help

• Purchasing a massage cover for my office chair (this type of thing: https://amzn.to/3QClIJz ) which allows you to heat and massage your back and neck while sitting at work (or in the car, for that matter).

• Heat Pads and heat cream

• Kailo Patch (complete scam and quackery - claims to interrupt nerve signals)

It has to be said, apart from the final item, all of these did provide some sort of relief, albeit temporary. Nothing would actually cure what was really just a bit of muscle strain, and it got to the point where i couldn’t sit on the sofa, or the dining chairs, or any seat in the house without being in agony. It was ridiculous!

Now, it just so happens that I’m a “side sleeper” and I happened to notice one night that how when I moved/lifted my head, it affected the painful back muscles near my pelvis/kidney. Likewise, how I moved my leg and feet did the same. It was suddenly obvious that there is inter-connectivity of the muscle structures and posture from head to toe. This made me realise that my posture in bed, especially when lying on my side, could be putting strain on my back and side muscles, due to improper alignment.

It was an epiphany.

That night I tried to concentrate on removing this strain, and found that lying more on my front seemed to relax my muscles the most. Now, I don’t mean flat on my stomach with face in the pillow, but something more like 135 degrees over from flat on my back. (45 degrees facing the bed). The next morning, my back was a little easier, so I kept up this posture.

Within days, I could really tell the difference, which encouraged me to keep going: after a week, my pain was reduced by about 60%. I kept going and after 2 weeks I had no pain at all! It was incredible - literally 2 weeks of sleeping on my front had cured 2 years of back pain.

And, if I had written this article at the time, the story would have ended there.

Then, about a year later (2022), my wife needed hospital treatment and recovery and couldn’t make it upstairs to bed, so she spent sometime recovering in the spare room.

During those few weeks, I started spreading out in bed a bit more and changing my posture. I also noticed that the Nectar mattress had deformed. It was depressed/compressed where we each would lie, and higher/uncompressed in the middle. (Nectar offer a lifetime guarantee, but only if the mattress sinks by 4cm, which this hasn’t). The long and short of it is, I started to lie in different postures, partly trying to figure out if the mattress needed replacing, and my back pains started to come back again in the same place.

It underlined the fact that this back pain was almost entirely caused by sleeping posture, and that the current mattress was ok in some positions, but not in others.

As my wife recovered, she wanted to get out of the spare room again, and use the main bed; in order to make that more manageable for her, we added the Panda Memory-foam topper ( https://amzn.to/3vNXDWq ) we had for our spare room sofa-bed. Wow, what a world of difference that made. Within only ONE night, I woke up with the pain in my back gone, though I felt a few twinges during the day, After the second night it was cleared again, and this time during the day, it was all clear.

What I did notice were a few neck twinges, so I need to adjust my pillow again, so my neck is straight.

In conclusion

So what can I conclude? Basically that years of back pain was ultimately being prolonged by sleeping position. Sleeping in on my front on the existing mattress eliminated the pain (caused by uneven tension on my back muscles in bed). When that mattress started to age and no longer offer quite the same support at exactly the right height, a memory foam topper got everything back on track again. (As an aside, I use the Nuzzle pillow system now, and it’s amazing.)

I couldn’t believe it was so simple.