Sparkly USB flash drives

Swarovski and Philips have produced a range of quite glam USB flash drives, called Active Crystals, to make storing your computer files a more sparkly experience.

There are four different models: two heart-shaped pendants on chains and two padlock-shaped ones, to be hung from a key ring. They are all made from polished stainless steel, and decorated in various ways with crystals. The hearts and padlocks open out to reveal a standard USB 2.0 memory key, with 1 GB of storage space.

Some of the pics on the Philips site show the actual devices plugged into a laptop. I thought they looked a bit chunky and seemed to obscure the other ports (sockets) slightly, but presumably they're fine if you don't have loads of other things to plug in. There aren't any prices, but they're supposed to be on the market now.

In case you get the wrong idea, I should point out that I don't like any of the designs I've just mentioned. I'm definitely not a heart fan, and the padlocks are too... well, padlocky.... but I do like the idea of sparkly diamante USB storage devices, though I wouldn't wear a bit of IT kit round my neck - bags are fine for that stuff. Still, if you've got to do something a bit boring but necessary, like backing up your computer files, it's nice if the gadgets and storage devices are a bit more desirable - glamorous or kitsch is fine!

I had to write a paper for our students last term, about sensible computer practice. I was encouraged to point out the possible doom-laden scenarios where they could lose all their precious work - laptops being lost or stolen, computers blowing up and houses burning down (believe it or not!). The point of being a techie gloom-monger was to highlight the importance of making various digital copies of work on disk, memory stick, the network and in different geographical locations (copies at home and college).

Perhaps encouraging slightly paranoid and obsessive computing back-up habits would be a bit easier if students (and staff) had storage devices they actually liked using, whether they're glammed-up and encrusted with crystals, or anything that appeals really... it would work for me!

Mummy, but not yummy

According to my blog stats, one of the most frequent searches from new visitors is for 'mummy's bracelets' in Google. I feel a bit guilty when I see that, as they're likely to be horribly disappointed when they start reading.

It's 'mummy' as in preserved dead bodies in the Egyptian Galleries at the British Museum, or scary, un-dead creatures capable of superstitious cursing in theatrical horror films. As opposed to a particular range of bracelets for the 'yummy mummy': sentimental gifts for new mums, or for that special mother and daughter bonding relationship. Well, I never knew these things existed until I started this blog, proving what an educational activity blogging can be.

So I'm terribly sorry if that's what you were looking for. This blog is named after a novelty song by Lee Ross on a compilation of 1950s rock 'n' roll horror tracks. Not actually very horrible, luckily for delicate people like me, as it's the 1950's, so predating the expected graphic detail of blood, guts and gore for contemporary equivalents. It's a perky little song about the myths that become attached to a bracelet stolen from a mummy's wrist, leaving a curse on those who wear it. Sentimental, but probably not very yummy... think tacky Halloween songs, rather than maternal bonding.

Ah well, the strangeness of the English language can be vaguely amusing sometimes, same word, but very different meanings...

Songs about Jewellery

'The Mummy's Bracelet' by Lee Ross is a song on 'Horror Hop', a compilation of horror-themed '50's rock 'n roll tracks from Raucous Records . I like the lyrics. I want a diversion from my PhD. It's a good enough reason to start a blog, along with a little gentle persuasion from some blogging friends.

"Last night at the museum, they're searching for a trace
Of the thief who stole the mummy's bracelet from its case.
And now tonight the mummy's curse is on his thievin' head,
For tonight the mummy's come to life, awakened from the dead.

"The thief who stole the mummy's bracelet gave it to his love,
And now tonight she wears it, while the full moon's up above,
But as she dances in his arms, a chill is in her veins...
She seems to hear the ghostly voice echo this refrain...
Give me my bracelet back!

"At last the dance is over, it's time to say goodnight,
Her lover sees her to the door, she holds him very tight...
She whispers please don't leave me, then upon the stairs
Their blood runs cold because they see the mummy standing there...

"The mummy, he stretched out his hand to take his bracelet back
And where his fingers touched the flesh it began to crack,
And then before her lover's eyes she turned to stone.
At least, that's what they told him when they took him to the home...."