UK Tour

Currently on our way to Sheffield for gig number three and things are going pretty well. Despite being a man or two down crew-wise load-ins and outs have been relatively stress free and have in fact proved a useful source of exercise, this being good as you'll never find me giving any of my hard-earned cash to a poxy gym. North Atlantic Oscillation (so nice to have a support act I like) have been chipping in, and the local crew at the Cathouse in Glasgow were supremely keen and helpful, making the hell of their steep sticky stairs that little bit more bearable. On the subject of the Cathouse, this was the gig I was least looking forward to on this jaunt. Last time we were there (on the day Obama won the 2008 presidential race) the band played to around eighty punters in a filthy room (or was it eighty filthy punters in a room?). The dressing room was a dimly lit pigsty (the shower would more aptly have been employed as a second toilet should the other be occupied and the need great), and the catering seemed the product of some nightmare that involved wandering aimlessly around Netto with a dole cheque. Not so on this occasion. It's amazing what a lick of paint and a bit of TLC can do to a place. Three hundred or so punters this time as well.

In other news, Vincent is playing a shiny new Paul Reed Smith for part of the set, leaving me with the formidable task of figuring out a way to purloin it without anyone noticing. It is a very nice guitar. Les currently has a form of beard growing on his face, causing some to liken him to the late Dennis Hopper. Personally, I see more of a resemblance to Albert Steptoe.

Best Price for Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Full Color Display, Includes Dummies Manual, Dark Pink

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Full Color Display, Includes Dummies Manual, Dark Pink

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank :

Color : Dark pink (as seen in the picture)

Amazon.com Price : $130.00

Features Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Full Color Display, Includes Dummies Manual, Dark Pink

pre-Algebra, Calculus,Algebra 1&2, Biology, Geometry, Chemistry
Statistics, Physics, Pre-Calculus, Business & Finance
color screen, use images, usb cable, dummies manual included
inequality Graphing, Polynomial Root Finder and Simultaneous Equation Solver
Conic Graphing, Cellsheet.vistit education.ti.com/84c/apps

Descriptions Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Full Color Display, Includes Dummies Manual, Dark Pink

Full-color graphing caculator with popular TI-84 Plus functionality for math and science.

High resolution, full-color backlit display
TI Rechargeable Battery
Familiar TI-84 Plus functionality
Import and use images*
Customizable color slide cases and faceplates

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The Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Silver Edition Graphing Calculator allows to view an equation, its graph, and the coordinates all at one time.

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What you need to know for 30X IIS Scientific Calculator

30X IIS Scientific Calculator

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank : 17838

Color :

Amazon.com Price : $27.99

Features 30X IIS Scientific Calculator

Ideal for General Math, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Science2-line display shows entries on the top line and results on the bottom lineScrolling - Entry line shows up to 11 characters and can scroll left and right up>Result line shows up to a 10-digit answer and 2-digit exponentSelect settings appropriate for your classroom needs2-Variable statistics

Descriptions 30X IIS Scientific Calculator

30X IIS Scientific Calculator

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Best Offers for Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator

Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank :

Color : BLACK

Amazon.com Price : $149.99

Features Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator

Graphing calculator handles calculus, algebra, matrices, and statistical functions
188 KB RAM and 2.7 MB flash memory for speed; plenty of storage for functions, programs, data
Large 100 x 160 pixel display for split-screen views
USB on-the-go technology for file sharing with other calculators and connecting with PCs
Backed by 1-year warranty

Descriptions Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium Graphing Calculator

The TI-89 Titanium lets you perform basic math, algebra, calculus, graphs, matrices, and statistical functions and creating animations, graphing 3-D rotations, and plotting contours. Graphing functions include basic function graphing, parametric graphing, polar graphing, sequence graphing, 3-D graphing, and differential-equation graphing. Additionally, the TI-89 Titanium includes symbolic manipulation, constants and measurement units, statistics and data plots, a numeric solver, a text editor, programming capabilities, tables, a split-screen function, variable management, and the ability to link to other calculators or a computer. The TI-89 Titanium's flash technology allows upgrading to future software versions without having to continually invest in new calculators. The 188 KB of RAM, combined with an impressive 2.7 MB of flash memory (three times the memory of the TI-89), are more than sufficient for stored functions, programs, and data, and add welcome speed to go with the TI's reliability. Create custom menus or use the default menu. Another feature is the Program Editor, which gives you the ability to write custom applications. The large LCD is adjustable to your environment and can be viewed clearly under a variety of lighting conditions. The calculator also comes with an input/output port and cable, letting to synch up with other TI-89s or TI-92s, as well as a USB port and cable. An attached, hard slide cover protects the calculator.

Amazon.com Product Description This advanced graphing calculator is packed with more features than you might know how to use. The TI-89 Titanium lets you perform the expected functions of an advanced model--basic math, algebra, calculus, graphs, matrices, and statistical functions--and do cool stuff like creating animations, graphing 3-D rotations, and plotting contours. Graphing functions include basic function graphing, parametric graphing, polar graphing, sequence graphing, 3-D graphing, and differential-equation graphing. Additionally, the TI-89 Titanium includes symbolic manipulation, constants and measurement units, statistics and data plots, a numeric solver, a text editor, programming capabilities, tables, a split-screen function, variable management, and the ability to link to other calculators or a computer.

The TI-89 Titanium's flash technology allows you to upgrade to future software versions without having to continually invest in new calculators. The 188 KB of RAM, combined with an impressive 2.7 MB of flash memory (three times the memory of the TI-89), are more than sufficient for your stored functions, programs, and data, and add welcome speed to go with the TI's reliability. You can create custom menus or use the default menu. Another cool feature is the Program Editor, which gives you the ability to write custom applications.

The large LCD is adjustable to your environment and can be viewed clearly under a variety of lighting conditions. The calculator also comes with an input/output port and cable, letting you synch up with other TI-89s or TI-92s, as well as a USB port and cable. An attached, hard slide cover protects the calculator from getting knocked around in your backpack.

What's in the Box
The TI-89 Titanium calculator, a slide case, 3AAA batteries, a quick reference card, 1 USB computer cable, 1 USB unit-to-unit-cable

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Best Price for Texas Instruments TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator

Texas Instruments TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank :

Color : Grey

Amazon.com Price : $8.94

Features Texas Instruments TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator

Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides fractions entered in traditional numerator/denominator format
Performs trigonometric functions, logarithms, roots, powers, reciprocals, and factorials. Polar/rectangular conversions
Battery powered
Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides fractions entered in traditional numerator/denominator format
Performs trigonometric functions, logarithms, roots, powers, reciprocals, and factorials
Polar/rectangular conversions
1-variable statistics include results for mean and standard deviation
Battery powered; slide case included

Descriptions Texas Instruments TI-30Xa Scientific Calculator

Basic, battery-operated scientific calculator with one-line display and general math and science functionality.

Key Features:

One-line, 10-digit display

Fraction features

One-variable statistics

Conversions

Basic scientific and trigonometric functions

Ideal For:

General math

Pre-Algebra

Algebra 1 and 2

General science

Once you get to a certain level of math classes, a regular old calculator just isn't good enough anymore--you need a high-functioning calculator that can perform algebraic, trigonometric, and statistical problems in addition to general mathematical tasks. The Texas Instruments TI-30XA scientific calculator can do this for you. It is extremely handy when it comes to figuring tricky fractions. It can add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions when entered in a traditional numerator/denominator format. This calculator can also do a variety of conversions, from fractions to decimals, degrees to radians to grads, DMS to decimal to degrees, and polar to rectangular. The display screen holds up to 10 digits.

For high school or college students tackling advanced math, this is a great tool (and a thoughtful back-to-school gift), and with more professors allowing the use of calculators during classes and exams, it's a necessary one. Easy to use and easy to slip into a backpack, the TI-30XA will soon become indispensable for both the serious and the striving math student. --Dana Van Nest

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Best Offers for Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank :

Color : Black

Amazon.com Price : $26.49

Features Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

Performs common math as well as various financial functions
Worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest
Built-in memory for storage of previous worksheets
Can perform cash-flow analysis and advanced list-based statistics
Slide-case included to protect screen

Descriptions Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

Texas Instruments BA II plus Financial Calculator for business professionals and students features are that it performs common math as well as various financial functions; the Worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest, Built-in memory for storage of previous worksheets, Can perform cash-flow analysis and advanced list-based statistics and a Slide-case included to protect screen.

We're definitely taking this along with us the next time we shop for a house. Though it takes a little effort to master the collection of financial worksheets available on the Texas Instruments BA II Plus, you'll be glad you invested the time and money in this fine financial calculator.

The BA II Plus operates in standard calculator and worksheet modes. The standard mode lets you perform common math as well as operations involving the time value of money--that is, applications such as mortgages or annuities in which payments are equal and evenly spaced. You can also perform trigonometric functions in standard mode.

The more hard-core worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest. If you're not familiar with such calculations, the very helpful user's manual will guide you through the process. All previous worksheet values are stored in memory, so you don't have to retype all the bond maturity or cash flow analysis figures.

The average user who wants to calculate a basic loan payment will be more comfortable working in the standard calculator mode. We were using the BA II Plus tools for calculating basic interest and payment periods within minutes. Still, it's good to know that the more advanced features are available for those who require heavy-duty financial computing.

Finance students and average users alike will find much to like in the Texas Instruments BA II Plus. --John Frederick Moore

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Texas Instruments Nspire CX CAS Graphing Calculator

Brand : Texas Instruments

Sales Rank :

Color :

Amazon.com Price : $138.82

Features Texas Instruments Nspire CX CAS Graphing Calculator

Backlit Color Display
Deeper understanding of abstract concepts in math and science
Enter notes, steps, instructions and other comments on the screen alongside the math

Descriptions Texas Instruments Nspire CX CAS Graphing Calculator

Our latest graphing handheld with a powerful Computer Algebra System that enables a deeper understanding of abstract concepts in math and science subjects.

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Courtesy of our helpful stand-in driver...

Three things I learned on this tour:

1. Flies can survive an awful long time in a microwave. I discovered this when heating milk for a poor man's cappuccino one hung-over morning. I didn't realise there'd been one in there until I opened the door and it flew out, continuing about its business seemingly un-nuked.

2. Having spent much time in the company of our esteemed drivers, I now know that the 1970s English sitcom "On The Buses" was in fact a documentary.

3. Matt, our front-of-house sound man, has the worst musical taste of any human being in history.

Drachten

Bit of a funny gig really, what with the mysterious and rather large stranger getting in my way at the side of the stage, the most feeble drunken stage invasion I've ever witnessed, and my utter conviction that I'd been belmed at for no good reason, knocking my chipper mood for six. It all came good in the end as it always does somehow, and thankfully the post-show shower was nice and hot. Dinner was lovely as well - top marks to the chef.

The ferry ride home from Zebrugge (much nicer than the Rotterdam boat) almost rivalled the now legendary Stockholm/Helsinki Viking Line crossing for sheer bizarre drunken tedium. This time we had loudly farting pensioners, cabaret turn Rocker-Fella sticking noodly guitar solos where they're least wanted in his you'll-never-guess-what-I'm-going-to-play-next set, and a hyperactive French version of the Kids from Fame leaping about the place. I also experienced what it feels like to eat the world's most disappointing pizza.

Turkey next week.

Russia

Another flight at bollocks o'clock (or bollocks-hundred hours if you've done military service) in the morning from Heathrow meaning a through-the-night slog down the M6 from Heckmondwike via Liverpool. Basically you miss a night's sleep doing it this way, one you'll never get a chance to catch up on. I bet I missed some great dreams. The fatigue does make for quite a pleasant floaty feeling on the plane after a couple of ales though, and conveniently helps one overlook the rude behaviour of French fellow passengers (you know who you are Madame avec le gros cul). Mark (from Cornwall) quite sensibly booked himself a hotel room near the airport for the night so he's nice and fresh, the bastard. Now why didn't I think of that? Les was most impressed with Terminal 5, particularly the thoughtful inclusion of a bar right next to our boarding gate. I don't know how but we managed to shrink our check-in baggage tally to nine items from nineteen - a miracle of downsizing if ever I saw one, though Dan still carries with him a suitcase the size of a chest freezer. First time flying with British Airways for me - might as well have been EasyJet. Most unremarkable. Our Russian hosts met us at the airport. They are called Igor and Dmitri. It's like arriving in Scotland and being met by Jimmy McSporran. Perfect.

Graspop

A nice mellow voyage to Zebrugge on the North Sea ferry for the band to play a blinder in a packed marquee, opening with a mighty rendition of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir. Afterwards I met someone who is kind of partially responsible for my being there. The gentleman's name is Biff Byford and his band is Saxon. When I was fifteen my uncle took me to see them play at Sheffield city hall. It was the first gig I'd ever been to. Not too long after that I bought my first electric guitar, and now I make a living travelling the world tuning and re-stringing the things. So I shook Biff's hand and said thanks. All he had to say in response was "Who are you?" It meant something to me though. I also met a very knackered Lips, lead singer with Anvil. He's just as nice a bloke in the flesh as he is in the highly entertaining documentary, "Anvil: The Story of Anvil".

Jamie was rather keen to show everyone his very smart yet curiously branded sunglasses which apparently he found in his car. Here's a photo of him wearing them (click for larger view):

How they came up with that name I've no idea, but I reckon they should team up with the company that makes the television we saw in Turkey. I'd buy shares in Arcelik and Knobbout.

Wurtzburg

Show number two of the German bit. We spent our day off after the Krakow show parked up at Auschwitz and took the opportunity to have a good look around, both there and at Birkenau (Auschwitz 2) a little way down the road. If you ever get the chance  go and have a look - it's a most sobering experience, and a reminder of how very close we are to quite staggering acts of inhumanity given the right (or wrong) set of circumstances.

Boredom kicked in big time in Leipzig the following day what with the lack of laptop, early load-in and having only one guitar to restring. Luckily we had ping-pong, pool and table football close to hand in the great little Anker venue. I had a bit of a kick around outside with a couple of the local kids as well, one of whom insisted on running home to get a present for me. He came back with a "Wales - Land of my Fathers" football scarf - a baffling gift I found quite touching. It was Dan's birthday but he didn't seem to chuffed to be another year older. Hope you had a good birthday mate.

Paris

A big show in the Elysee Montmartre, an old theatre somewhere in this great mess of a city with about fifteen hundred punters expected. Petter is a little nervous, bless him, so I reminded him that all guitarists are show-offs at heart and that he shouldn't have any trouble, being as sickeningly talented as he is.

I've found the perfect use for my Wales scarf, when Jay isn't draping it over his amp in an act of patriotic fervour that is (I thought the surname Cavanagh would have given him Irish ancestry). Anyway, I employ the aforementioned kneckwear as a handy hassock, making the act of kneeling to gaffer cables and pedals to the stage a far less arduous experience.

I write this on a laptop kindly loaned to me by our driver so posts should be a little more frequent for the rest of the tour. Cheers Tim.

Eindhoven

Second of the Dutch dates and Les finally gets the office he deserves. You'll generally find him tucked away in some dingy, brutally lit hole in the bowels of any given venue, hunched in front of his laptop taking care of the intricate and demanding bureaucracy of touring. Not today though. In Eindhoven he is king of his domain, floor to ceiling windows bathing the workspace in drab autumnal light and providing a commanding view for those moments of relaxation and contemplation when the mind is free to ponder such things as Jack Daniels, cheap cigs and midi. So here's to you Les - keyboarder, tour manager, sound engineer, driver, bank, agony aunt, travel agent, arbitrator, arse-displayer, booze-touretter and all round sorter-outer. Enjoy it, you deserve it

Treviso

Back at the New Age club where two years ago, if memory serves, Matt got rather hammered on red wine and vodka and as a result spent much of the day giggling like an idiot into the PA system. Talking of being hammered, a certain Norwegian singer/songwriter who shall remain nameless is currently on a period of probation after waking the hard-working crew on several occasions during the night with his debauched drunken behaviour. As a result ear plugs will from this moment onwards be referred to as "Anti-Petter Plugs" (ah, I wasn't supposed to name names now was I).

Earlier when we were setting up the stage, a single black sock fell out of a flight case, and out of that sock flew a moth. It was a moment of quiet poetic beauty that nicely broke up the drudgery of the tour.

It's driver Tim's birthday today so I expect we'll be having a few drinks in his honour later, and perhaps a whip-round for a present. It shouldn't be too difficult to find something for him - his two favourite things in the world are sports cars and breasts.

Bucharest (part 1)

I write this on the bus as it makes its way towards our gig in Bucharest. It's currently seven pm local time and we're still a good fifty kilometres from our destination. The doors are already open to punters and the venue has a strict ten o'clock curfew. We left Budapest at two in the morning and have done what seems to be the equivalent of driving the length of the British Isles via the back roads. Seriously, we've been through some proper nutty terrain - village after remote mountain village of tumbledown shacks, the only indication someone's living in them being the lines of washing hanging outside. Cows are herded across the (very busy) roads, donkeys pull hay-filled carts and entire families wander along with little regard for the trucks thundering by mere inches from them. Add to that the suicidal overtaking manoeuvres attempted by local drivers and the manky stray dogs running out to attack passing vehicles and you've got one seriously uncomfortable ride.

Bucharest (part 2)

We got there alright, setting the stage in record time in front of a sizeable and impatient crowd. We had to pack down pretty sharpish afterwards as well, the stage being required for the Romanian equivalent of Fat Boy Slim or somesuch. We were in the venue for a grand total of four hours and now we have to negotiate the same roads again (but with the added twist of it being dark and foggy) as we make our way to Sofia for the band's first ever show in Bulgaria.

Home soon. Mine's a pint of Landlord.

Happy 2011

2010 ended a bit weirdly really, what with the mini tour of Ireland which for me was broken up by the funeral of a friend. We then had a charity show for the poorly kiddies in Liverpool and all of this was only a few days before the massive pig-out that is, at least in my calendar, Atheist-mas. What I will say though is that despite the entire British Isles being crippled by snow and ice and all major airports being full of disgruntled, stymied, would-be passengers we managed to take a tour bus across to Ireland (by means of the roughest ferry crossing I've yet encountered) and drive around unhindered for three days. Leaving everyone behind in Belfast I flew (with only half an hour's delay) to Exeter and then from there to Manchester a couple of days later. I then took a coach to Liverpool and rejoined the bus which dropped me off the day after just in time for me to catch a train back home. I really don't know what all the fuss was about.

Happy New Year from all (i.e. me) at Das Bunk.

Rennes

Back in the Antipode where I did sound for Ruby Throat a couple of years ago and we seem to have arrived in the middle of a cigarette smoking convention. Also, rather worryingly, the catering lady puked into a waste paper bin while preparing our sandwiches. Things have been a little subdued of late - the dressing room in Caen was rifled and laptops, wallets and phones were taken. Still, last show today and everyone seems pretty chipper, if a little hung over.