One of the Reasons I Don't want an iPhone

Apple boss Steve Jobs proudly unveiled the new iPhone this week promising that the latest must-have gadget would see the beginning of a new era in robbery-with-violence. ... Possession of the much-hyped device means that there is almost nothing that a busy iPhone owner cannot do while on the move, apart from going outside.

Obviously, I've reduced my muggability by about 80% just by moving out of Lewisham. And probably another 10% by learning to drive, thus ensuring that I'll be moving too fast for all but the most determined (and athletic) mugger*. But having lost a mobile phone, an iPod, a minidisk player, a PDA and a radio to muggers, the idea of 'losing' them all in one package really doesn't appeal.

*Red lights still an Opportunity, of course: but I lock the doors when I'm driving.

Shive Tor

Yesterday I went to look at Shive Tor, "a certain lonely castle that stands off the Isle of Grain, in view of the open sea, and that may be reached directly from the Continent without interference by Her Majesty’s Customs agents." (Neal Stephenson, The System of the World).( Read more... )

The king is of divine gasoline

I'm trying to determine the meaning of the French phrase "sacre du vivant de son pere" (first noted as an inscription at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Paris).

There may be a definition, in French, here. But my French is not up to it (they don't teach medieval theological / monarchic terminology at 'O' level).

The last line is "Philippe Auguste est ainsi, en 1179, le dernier roi sacré du vivant de son père." And yep, that's the fellow in Saint-Denis.

Google translates it very elegantly (see title) but -- how shall I say? -- not entirely comprehensibly:
"Philippe Auguste is thus, in 1179, the last king crowned of living of his father."

Can anyone translate Franglais, please?