Today I thought I'd dig into my inbox archive and bring you ten emails I was sent in October 2004. Twenty years ago was a different time.
From londonmobs(1/10/04)
The flashmob that was due to take place next week has been cancelled for security reasons. There will be no event taking place next week. Please cancel your plans and await for further details.
(and that was it, no further London flashmobs were organised)
cc-ed from my work address(5/10/04)
A new extractor fan was fitted in my kitchen by your electrician yesterday to meet the requirements of the landlord's annual gas safety certificate.
The extractor fan comes on when I turn my kitchen light on, but then remains on for 45 minutes after I turn my kitchen light off. Even if I just turn the light on for 5 seconds, the extractor fan stays on for 45 minutes before automatically switching off. I would expect an extractor fan to remain on for a few minutes after turning off a kitchen light, but 45 minutes does seem extreme. I know that my new extractor fan is an important safety feature, but I am concerned by the noise pollution and by the electricity costs of running such a fan at least 10 times longer than would appear to be necessary.
May I enquire if the 45 minute switch-off time is part of the specification of my new extractor fan, or whether perhaps the timer mechanism is malfunctioning?
(my extractor fan still stays on for 45 minutes, grrr)
Here are the top phrases searched:
2 for "beer bellies", 2 for "dfs music", 2 for "krays", 1 for "babes", 1 for "belle de jour", 1 for "blue room", 1 for "dfs advert", 1 for "flash mob", 1 for "geezer du jour", 1 for "grannys garden"
(these days the blog gets over 3000 Google searches every week, apparently)
From a reader(10/10/04)
Oh my gawd. How, erm, exciting.
I need you to promise me that you will never volunteer to be the first aid or fire warden at work.
(I have held to this advice to this day)
From United Mileage Plus(12/10/04)
Now is the time to secure your elite status for 2005. Or, if you are within reach of the next level, secure a higher elite status level in the Mileage Plus® programme next year. Enjoy all the privileges and benefits that come with elite status by earning double Elite Qualifying Miles and Segments (EQM/EQS)*.
(I had 40000 Redeemable Miles when they zeroed my total in 2008)
From Mum(20/10/04)
At the bottom of the item... hadn't 'been' possible anywhere else.
Enjoyed reading all this.
(I have just the one parental proof reader these days)
Attached please find details of the characters for next week's murder :)
I'll mail separately re which character you've been 'allocated to'.
We're going to aim to start the game at 7pm, but do turn up anytime after 3pm.
(I was particularly surprised when I turned out to be the murderer)
From another reader(27/10/04)
Hope you're well.
My house mate was watching the National TV Awards last night - obviously I wasn't watching it myself - and David Jason won an award for best actor or some such thing. He wasn't there to collect his award and the person who collected it on his behalf said that David Jason was off on a night shoot for a programme to be broadcast next year called "Diamond Geezer". It seems your reputation has spread. Have you been turned into a series?
(ITV broadcast Diamond Geezer five months later, and Google sent hundreds of viewers to my blog)
From Celebdaq(29/10/04)
Hi ... here's your weekly email update from Celebdaq, the celebrity stock exchange! Who are the top movers and the big losers in this week's market? Which of your shares paid out this week? It's all here...
4000 shares in Bono earned you £1917.24
80 shares in Britney Spears earned you £26.11
5000 shares in David Beckham earned you £18708.50
5000 shares in Matt Lucas earned you £0.00
5000 shares in Prince Charles earned you £43598.50
