Haje's Writings

iPhone owners are gullible

hajejan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:59:04 +0000

Having bought an iPhone is kind of like being in an abusive relationship with an extremely attractive martial artist. You just know you should get the hell out while you’re ahead, but you always get lured back for another beating. Except in this case, you’ll be tied in to an 18-month contract, with no chance for reduced time for good behaviour. (more…)

My book goes on sale!

hajejan — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:32:35 +0000

Hi guys,

Sorry about the lack of updates recently, it’s been rather hectic in Haje-World recently: I’ve recently moved, and I’ve got a new job, so I’ve been a bit stacked with stuff to do. Finally, I haven’t got the internet sorted at home yet, so I’m typing this from an internet cafe with sticky keys, bad coffee and worse music.

Getting an ITIN number

hajejan — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:29:14 +0000

I recently had the fantastic opportunity of writing a book about photography for an US publisher. Of course, with the publisher being abroad, there were some tax issues with the venerable Internal Revenue Service. Basically, I was given the choice between a) giving the US Internal Revenue Service 30% of my earnings, and subsequently pay another significant percentage to the Inland Revenue (which are, of course, the UK tax authorities), or somehow get out of the US tax, and pay tax only in the UK. (more…)

Selling £0.99 items at £35 on eBay

hajejan — Sat, 13 May 2006 08:54:55 +0000

Quite frequently, when I search for parts for my car on eBay, I come across auctions for power boosting chips promising the world. Based on the description, however, it becomes quite clear what it actually is, and what it does:

you would be buying a Performance Boost Resistor, which would add 5-20 BHP to your engine. it will fit any fuel injected vehicle that has an ECU, but not turbo or diesel models. it takes about 5 minutes to fit, and can be removed without any adverse effect to your engine. so you can put it in your next car.

(more…)

Koumpounophobia: Fear of buttons

hajejan — Sun, 07 May 2006 23:42:13 +0000

The fear of buttons on clothing, known as button phobia or koumpounophobia, is an irrational phobia which is, perhaps surprisingly, a fairly common fear.

Most people who suffer from this phobia are convinced that they are the only ones in the world to suffer from such a strange fear, and they are often teased or taunted by others who do not understand or believe that they are telling the truth. (more…)

Musings on the Six Degrees of Separation theory