ME AND OPHELIA
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
THE ADOPT A BLOG PROJECT
Support free speech online
American blogger John Pasden of Sinosplice lives and works in China. Today, John blogged about the Chinese government's blocking of another blogging service, and his idea for the Adopt a Blog Project supporting free speech online.
See my previous post August 21, 2003 - re John Pasden and teaching job opportunities in China.
Support free speech online
American blogger John Pasden of Sinosplice lives and works in China. Today, John blogged about the Chinese government's blocking of another blogging service, and his idea for the Adopt a Blog Project supporting free speech online.
See my previous post August 21, 2003 - re John Pasden and teaching job opportunities in China.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/31/2004
- - -
BRITISH TELECOM
In Bangalore, India
Today, it took me from 9am to 3pm to publish my previous post. Five times my faulty computer switched itself off. Five times I had to wait for it to cool. Five times I had to switch it back on, dial up net connection, get into Blogger, key in password and - as per usual - key in the password again (don't know why Blogger needs it twice).
Then, when I finally got it published, I lost my net connection. My single landline phone was dead. Couldn't use it to phone British Telecom's fault reporting service.
Thankfully, I have an Orange mobile. Dialled 151. Nothing happened. Got up. Looked for phone directory. Could only find the heavy *groan* Yellow Pages. Could find nothing on BT. *Stress*. Dialled 100. Orange operator answered. Gave me 501 for BT fault repair. Dialled 501. Nothing happened. Dialled 100 again. Orange operator said to dial 0800 800 151. Which I did. And pressed a load of buttons. And waited on hold *stress* for an operator.
Then, a familiar sounding voice answered - a nice chap called Robbie. Sounded familiar because of all my phone dealings with Dell. Robbie was in Bangalore, India. He noted my mobile number. Checked my landline. It is faulty. He said they'd deal with it. And update me with text messages. I hung up. A few minutes later, I got my first text message confirming they were looking into it.
How about that? My British Telecom landline phone in England, UK was being fixed by an operator in Bangalore, India.
This is how my day passes. I awoke late at 7am - before Ophelia. She's not yet used to the hour we Brits lost. On Sunday our clocks moved forward one hour for British Summer Time.
Then, one hour to open door for Ophelia, bathe, dress, draw curtains, unlock back gate. One hour to check emails and blog first post before housekeeper arrived at 9am. Another hour slips by looking for a salad dressing recipe on the net and drafting a post about it.
So far, I've eaten lunch and dessert. And blogged two posts. It is now 3.10pm. BT have just phoned me on my landline. A chap with an English accent - sounding a lot closer in proximity - apologised for the glitch in this neighbourhood. They'll phone me again tomorrow, on my mobile, to check that the phone is OK.
It is now 3.24 pm and I'm exhausted. After three solid months of computer problems - I just want to throw this computer out of the window and into the sea.
BRITISH TELECOM
In Bangalore, India
Today, it took me from 9am to 3pm to publish my previous post. Five times my faulty computer switched itself off. Five times I had to wait for it to cool. Five times I had to switch it back on, dial up net connection, get into Blogger, key in password and - as per usual - key in the password again (don't know why Blogger needs it twice).
Then, when I finally got it published, I lost my net connection. My single landline phone was dead. Couldn't use it to phone British Telecom's fault reporting service.
Thankfully, I have an Orange mobile. Dialled 151. Nothing happened. Got up. Looked for phone directory. Could only find the heavy *groan* Yellow Pages. Could find nothing on BT. *Stress*. Dialled 100. Orange operator answered. Gave me 501 for BT fault repair. Dialled 501. Nothing happened. Dialled 100 again. Orange operator said to dial 0800 800 151. Which I did. And pressed a load of buttons. And waited on hold *stress* for an operator.
Then, a familiar sounding voice answered - a nice chap called Robbie. Sounded familiar because of all my phone dealings with Dell. Robbie was in Bangalore, India. He noted my mobile number. Checked my landline. It is faulty. He said they'd deal with it. And update me with text messages. I hung up. A few minutes later, I got my first text message confirming they were looking into it.
How about that? My British Telecom landline phone in England, UK was being fixed by an operator in Bangalore, India.
This is how my day passes. I awoke late at 7am - before Ophelia. She's not yet used to the hour we Brits lost. On Sunday our clocks moved forward one hour for British Summer Time.
Then, one hour to open door for Ophelia, bathe, dress, draw curtains, unlock back gate. One hour to check emails and blog first post before housekeeper arrived at 9am. Another hour slips by looking for a salad dressing recipe on the net and drafting a post about it.
So far, I've eaten lunch and dessert. And blogged two posts. It is now 3.10pm. BT have just phoned me on my landline. A chap with an English accent - sounding a lot closer in proximity - apologised for the glitch in this neighbourhood. They'll phone me again tomorrow, on my mobile, to check that the phone is OK.
It is now 3.24 pm and I'm exhausted. After three solid months of computer problems - I just want to throw this computer out of the window and into the sea.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/31/2004
- - -
MANUKA HONEY DIJON MUSTARD RECIPES
Manuka Honey Dijon Salad Dressing
Right now my housekeeper is making a Summer Leaf Salad with honey and mustard dressing: fresh raw spinach, bunch of watercress, Romaine lettuce, organic cooked beetroot diced, boiled eggs quartered, smoked streaky bacon bits fried with garlic til crunchy. That covers my daily diet of five fresh vegetables (par boiled broccoli florets have been added).
Two dinner plates of the salad will be set out for today's lunch and dinner, drizzled with honey and mustard salad dressing. The rest of the salad is stored, for tomorrow, in a lidded salad spinner outside in the cool because a few days after groceries arrive, there is not enough room in the fridge. In storage boxes, in the fridge, are the bacon pieces, cubed beetroot and brocolli florets.
Tomorrow, for lunch and dinner, I'll serve up two plates and drizzle the dressing. In time to come, I'll have menus planned that will give a two-day salad a twist on day two, ie: serving chicken strips, cooked Chinese style, instead of the bacon pieces. And I'll eat two portions of rhubarb crumble with raspberry and yoghurt topping. By my side here are two bowls of red and green grapes, plus a sealed box of shelled mixed nuts. So, that neatly covers - over two days - my daily programme of eating five times a day (almost every two hours) five vegs and four fruits. It has all taken my housekeeper one hour to prepare, including tidying the kitchen, washing up from yesterday and today, folding away clean laundry and bringing in the mail.
Summer Lead Salad is usually made with 200g trimmed cooked green beans. Grocer had none in stock, so I've substituted with fresh spinach. Also today, used red lettuce instead of Romaine.
Yesterday, my fortnightly grocery delivery arrived with a large jar of Comvita Active Manuka Honey. It's sourced from New Zealand's remote pollution-free forests and is world renowned for its unique properties. Special techniques are used to preserve Manuka Honey's exceptional health-giving activity ensuring that one receives the product in it's raw state just as nature intended.
GBP 10 per jar seems costly but it contains 500g/1.1lb and considering what those beautiful hardworking bees put in, and all their flying around, it seems worth every penny.
Over the years, I've collected well over 50 cookery books. Couldn't find a recipe for mustard and honey dressing, so looked it up on the net. Found this useful site for Honey Dijon Mustard Recipes and Honey Dijon Salad Dressing Recipes.
Enjoyed the ambiance. Soothing music. The view is almost identical to what me and ophelia see in front of us, hour after hour, day after day...
- - -
Here is a copy of today's recipe test. I don't drink milk, so I'll update the changes I've made and proportions. Ingredients:
2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
2 tablespoons grated onion
1/2 cup clover (or other mild) honey
6 tablespoons medium brown mustard (such as Gulden's), or coarse Dijon mustard
3/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise (1 fat gram per tablespoon)
2/3 cup low-fat (1 1/2-percent) buttermilk
Preparation: In a medium glass or ceramic mixing bowl whisk together all ingredients, cover and chill at least one-half hour. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
- - -
Update - A Honey of a Dressing Cuts the Mustard:
The finished honey mustard dressing has a nice bite and is very drizzable. Like the creator of this recipe, I believe there are few great-tasting commercial honey mustard dressings. Many are too sweet and few have enough mustard bite. That's why I too have created my own. Mine also has a bonus; it is low in fat and calories, and is easy and quick to prepare:
Using four clean tablespoons - and one teaspoon - here are the ingredients I put into a small glass jar with a lid:
2 tablespoons organic white wine vinegar (or organic cider vinegar)
2 tablespoons Manuka Honey (very level - or less)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (very level - or less)
2 tablespoons organic mayonnaise (rounded not heaped)
Shut lid. Shake. Open lid. Stir with a teaspoon. Shut lid. Shake. Voila. Done. Great consistency. No need for the buttermilk or grating of onion. These proportions could make at least four good servings.
Jar fits nicely in the door of the fridge. Because I did not use milk, it'll probably last for as long as mayonnaise usually does. Next time, I'll try doubling the proportions.
I'm very pleased with this innovation. The consistency of the mix is a great basis for experimenting further with proportions. I'll tweak and test it as a dressing for Caesars Salad. Next time I'll add 1-2 cloves crushed garlic. There was no need for salt or pepper. And no fiddling around with dried mustard, herbs and olive oil.
Dessert of Hot Rhubarb Crumble (4-6 servings) - topped with fresh raspberries mixed in thick creamy organic yoghurt and Manuka Honey:
Heat oven on high (as per roasting a chicken).
Wash and chop 2lbs of raw rhubarb - into inch pieces - and place in ungreased baking dish.
Put 8oz brown flour, 4 oz soft brown sugar, 3 oz butter into food processer and whizz with chopping blade for 30-60 seconds. (Note I used gluten-free brown flour).
Pour mix evenly over rhubarb. Place it into oven for 30 - 40 minutes according to taste.
Portions freeze well on plastic boxes or tinfoil. Can be eaten frozen like an ice cream -- don't laugh! one gets desperate at times for some instant sweet - and quite frankly, on a hot day, anything will do :-)
Fresh raspberries in thick organic yoghurt mixed with Manuka honey
Dollop 4-6 servings of thick creamy organic yoghurt into a shallow plastic box with lid.
Mix in one tablespoon of Manuka Honey.
Add one punnet of washed raspberries.
Store in fridge.
This acts as a dessert by itself (raspberries can be substituted with sliced banana - sprinkled with chopped nuts if desired) but because my special diet includes 4 pieces of fruit a day, I use this mix as a topping for the hot rhubarb crumble that I eat for a dessert at lunch and dinner. Heat up a bowl of rhubarb crumble in microwave for 1-2 minutes before topping with the yoghurt and raspberries.
A note and hello to any real cooks out there re above recipes: I've reduced the amount of detail one has to remember, plus the time, energy, standing, lifting, moving, chopping, cleaning etc., that is normally expended on preparing such dishes. Over the past few years, I've experimented with many recipes and grocery orders - and cut lots of corners - in order to try and maintain the style of eating that I was accustomed to before becoming ill. Groceries need to be planned two weeks in advance. Recipes are restricted to certain ingredients that store well up to two weeks at a time.
The end results are not chef's standard and many ingredients I use may appear expensive but I use food as a way of trying to recover my health. Many M.E. patients use costly pills, medicines and alternative therapies - and frozen/processed foods which are actually more dear. I take no medications or herbal remedies, not even painkillers. I use natural fresh organic non-processed food, liquid and herbs as my medicine.
Note for anyone interested in eating only fresh produce. My weekly grocery bill - and I eat organic fruit and veg and fresh meat, poultry and fish - for everything including herbs, olive oil, spices etc., roughly evens out to GBP 35 per week. That amounts to GBP 5 per day for great food. I *shudder* to imagine the checkouts at supermarkets where people fill their trolley with crisps, fizzy drinks and things in tins and packets that came from goodness knows where. I enjoy knowing exactly what I am eating and from where it originated.
If a war broke out and the supermakets no longer received processed food and packaged goods, I wonder how many people these days would know how to manage on a restricted budget. Domestic science in schools is an important subject. Like swimming is too. Every adult needs to know how to cook from scratch using basic nutritious ingredients. And how to swim. Survival could depend on it.
MANUKA HONEY DIJON MUSTARD RECIPES
Manuka Honey Dijon Salad Dressing
Right now my housekeeper is making a Summer Leaf Salad with honey and mustard dressing: fresh raw spinach, bunch of watercress, Romaine lettuce, organic cooked beetroot diced, boiled eggs quartered, smoked streaky bacon bits fried with garlic til crunchy. That covers my daily diet of five fresh vegetables (par boiled broccoli florets have been added).
Two dinner plates of the salad will be set out for today's lunch and dinner, drizzled with honey and mustard salad dressing. The rest of the salad is stored, for tomorrow, in a lidded salad spinner outside in the cool because a few days after groceries arrive, there is not enough room in the fridge. In storage boxes, in the fridge, are the bacon pieces, cubed beetroot and brocolli florets.
Tomorrow, for lunch and dinner, I'll serve up two plates and drizzle the dressing. In time to come, I'll have menus planned that will give a two-day salad a twist on day two, ie: serving chicken strips, cooked Chinese style, instead of the bacon pieces. And I'll eat two portions of rhubarb crumble with raspberry and yoghurt topping. By my side here are two bowls of red and green grapes, plus a sealed box of shelled mixed nuts. So, that neatly covers - over two days - my daily programme of eating five times a day (almost every two hours) five vegs and four fruits. It has all taken my housekeeper one hour to prepare, including tidying the kitchen, washing up from yesterday and today, folding away clean laundry and bringing in the mail.
Summer Lead Salad is usually made with 200g trimmed cooked green beans. Grocer had none in stock, so I've substituted with fresh spinach. Also today, used red lettuce instead of Romaine.
Yesterday, my fortnightly grocery delivery arrived with a large jar of Comvita Active Manuka Honey. It's sourced from New Zealand's remote pollution-free forests and is world renowned for its unique properties. Special techniques are used to preserve Manuka Honey's exceptional health-giving activity ensuring that one receives the product in it's raw state just as nature intended.
GBP 10 per jar seems costly but it contains 500g/1.1lb and considering what those beautiful hardworking bees put in, and all their flying around, it seems worth every penny.
Over the years, I've collected well over 50 cookery books. Couldn't find a recipe for mustard and honey dressing, so looked it up on the net. Found this useful site for Honey Dijon Mustard Recipes and Honey Dijon Salad Dressing Recipes.
Enjoyed the ambiance. Soothing music. The view is almost identical to what me and ophelia see in front of us, hour after hour, day after day...
- - -
Here is a copy of today's recipe test. I don't drink milk, so I'll update the changes I've made and proportions. Ingredients:
2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
2 tablespoons grated onion
1/2 cup clover (or other mild) honey
6 tablespoons medium brown mustard (such as Gulden's), or coarse Dijon mustard
3/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise (1 fat gram per tablespoon)
2/3 cup low-fat (1 1/2-percent) buttermilk
Preparation: In a medium glass or ceramic mixing bowl whisk together all ingredients, cover and chill at least one-half hour. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
- - -
Update - A Honey of a Dressing Cuts the Mustard:
The finished honey mustard dressing has a nice bite and is very drizzable. Like the creator of this recipe, I believe there are few great-tasting commercial honey mustard dressings. Many are too sweet and few have enough mustard bite. That's why I too have created my own. Mine also has a bonus; it is low in fat and calories, and is easy and quick to prepare:
Using four clean tablespoons - and one teaspoon - here are the ingredients I put into a small glass jar with a lid:
2 tablespoons organic white wine vinegar (or organic cider vinegar)
2 tablespoons Manuka Honey (very level - or less)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (very level - or less)
2 tablespoons organic mayonnaise (rounded not heaped)
Shut lid. Shake. Open lid. Stir with a teaspoon. Shut lid. Shake. Voila. Done. Great consistency. No need for the buttermilk or grating of onion. These proportions could make at least four good servings.
Jar fits nicely in the door of the fridge. Because I did not use milk, it'll probably last for as long as mayonnaise usually does. Next time, I'll try doubling the proportions.
I'm very pleased with this innovation. The consistency of the mix is a great basis for experimenting further with proportions. I'll tweak and test it as a dressing for Caesars Salad. Next time I'll add 1-2 cloves crushed garlic. There was no need for salt or pepper. And no fiddling around with dried mustard, herbs and olive oil.
Dessert of Hot Rhubarb Crumble (4-6 servings) - topped with fresh raspberries mixed in thick creamy organic yoghurt and Manuka Honey:
Heat oven on high (as per roasting a chicken).
Wash and chop 2lbs of raw rhubarb - into inch pieces - and place in ungreased baking dish.
Put 8oz brown flour, 4 oz soft brown sugar, 3 oz butter into food processer and whizz with chopping blade for 30-60 seconds. (Note I used gluten-free brown flour).
Pour mix evenly over rhubarb. Place it into oven for 30 - 40 minutes according to taste.
Portions freeze well on plastic boxes or tinfoil. Can be eaten frozen like an ice cream -- don't laugh! one gets desperate at times for some instant sweet - and quite frankly, on a hot day, anything will do :-)
Fresh raspberries in thick organic yoghurt mixed with Manuka honey
Dollop 4-6 servings of thick creamy organic yoghurt into a shallow plastic box with lid.
Mix in one tablespoon of Manuka Honey.
Add one punnet of washed raspberries.
Store in fridge.
This acts as a dessert by itself (raspberries can be substituted with sliced banana - sprinkled with chopped nuts if desired) but because my special diet includes 4 pieces of fruit a day, I use this mix as a topping for the hot rhubarb crumble that I eat for a dessert at lunch and dinner. Heat up a bowl of rhubarb crumble in microwave for 1-2 minutes before topping with the yoghurt and raspberries.
A note and hello to any real cooks out there re above recipes: I've reduced the amount of detail one has to remember, plus the time, energy, standing, lifting, moving, chopping, cleaning etc., that is normally expended on preparing such dishes. Over the past few years, I've experimented with many recipes and grocery orders - and cut lots of corners - in order to try and maintain the style of eating that I was accustomed to before becoming ill. Groceries need to be planned two weeks in advance. Recipes are restricted to certain ingredients that store well up to two weeks at a time.
The end results are not chef's standard and many ingredients I use may appear expensive but I use food as a way of trying to recover my health. Many M.E. patients use costly pills, medicines and alternative therapies - and frozen/processed foods which are actually more dear. I take no medications or herbal remedies, not even painkillers. I use natural fresh organic non-processed food, liquid and herbs as my medicine.
Note for anyone interested in eating only fresh produce. My weekly grocery bill - and I eat organic fruit and veg and fresh meat, poultry and fish - for everything including herbs, olive oil, spices etc., roughly evens out to GBP 35 per week. That amounts to GBP 5 per day for great food. I *shudder* to imagine the checkouts at supermarkets where people fill their trolley with crisps, fizzy drinks and things in tins and packets that came from goodness knows where. I enjoy knowing exactly what I am eating and from where it originated.
If a war broke out and the supermakets no longer received processed food and packaged goods, I wonder how many people these days would know how to manage on a restricted budget. Domestic science in schools is an important subject. Like swimming is too. Every adult needs to know how to cook from scratch using basic nutritious ingredients. And how to swim. Survival could depend on it.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/31/2004
- - -
THE NEW iPHOTO
View and sort photos faster than ever
Export your pictures from iPhoto to Gallery simply and quickly with the iPhoto to Gallery plugin. Seems one needs a website for this. Not sure how it'd work with a BlogSpot.
via Wirefarm and iPhotoToGallery
- - -
THE WEATHER PROJECT AT
London's Tate Modern, UK
Lucky are the ones who get to see the weather project at London's fab Tate Modern.
- - -
ADVENTURES IN REFLECTIVE SURFACES:
The Mirror Project
The Mirror Project is a growing community of like-minded individuals who have photographed themselves in all manner of reflective surfaces. Neat idea for photos. More...
[via Grey and Blue Sometimes Skies]
THE NEW iPHOTO
View and sort photos faster than ever
Export your pictures from iPhoto to Gallery simply and quickly with the iPhoto to Gallery plugin. Seems one needs a website for this. Not sure how it'd work with a BlogSpot.
via Wirefarm and iPhotoToGallery
- - -
THE WEATHER PROJECT AT
London's Tate Modern, UK
Lucky are the ones who get to see the weather project at London's fab Tate Modern.
- - -
ADVENTURES IN REFLECTIVE SURFACES:
The Mirror Project
The Mirror Project is a growing community of like-minded individuals who have photographed themselves in all manner of reflective surfaces. Neat idea for photos. More...
[via Grey and Blue Sometimes Skies]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/31/2004
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
HEIDI'S
101 cookbooks
Heidi's 101 cookbooks inspired her neat cookery site.
With thanks to Wendy's All Seasons blog - and for posting Pesticide Contamination and the shopper's downloadable wallet guide to Pesticides in Produce.
_ _ _
GETCRAFTY'S FOOD TIPS
Making art out of everyday life
Steak -
Recipe by Erin Hensley, an American who’s eating and loving in the UK:
Open window. Bring meat to room temperature. Heat grill pan or cast iron skillet to high and when a drop of water sizzles on the surface, add equal parts olive oil and butter to the pan, about 2-3 tablespoons of each for 2 10-12oz steaks. To cook rare, cook each side for approximately 3 minutes, there should be a dark crust but the meat inside should remain juicy.
Cook longer if you prefer your steak less rare, I won’t think any less of you. But be aware that most people overcook steak, and it is virtually impossible to undercook it as you can eat the stuff raw. Allow the steak to rest on a warmed plate, and once removed add a glug of red wine, brandy, or sherry, even a squeeze of lemon, to the remaining juices and allow to briefly reduce. Decant this over your steak and veg and let it double as a gravy and salad dressing. [via getcrafty]
_ _ _
1,750 SALAD RECIPES
Real recipes from real people
All Recipes has an entire area dedicated to just salads. Over 1,750 tried and true recipes. Real recipes from real people.
Including Caesar Salad Supreme - a meal by itself.
_ _ _
EASTER ENTERTAINING ADVICE
April 11, 2004
Easter entertaining advice from All Recipes.
Including Eggs Benedict at Home.
_ _ _
THE WEBTENDER
Mixed drink recipes and bartending guide
The Webtender for Mixed Drink Recipes and Bartending Guide.
_ _ _
DIABETIC MEALS AND ADVICE
Diabetes symptoms, diet and meals
Diabetes Help Center provides diabetic diet recipes for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert. And info on diabetes symptoms for type 1,type 2, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia.
101 cookbooks
Heidi's 101 cookbooks inspired her neat cookery site.
With thanks to Wendy's All Seasons blog - and for posting Pesticide Contamination and the shopper's downloadable wallet guide to Pesticides in Produce.
_ _ _
GETCRAFTY'S FOOD TIPS
Making art out of everyday life
Steak -
Recipe by Erin Hensley, an American who’s eating and loving in the UK:
Open window. Bring meat to room temperature. Heat grill pan or cast iron skillet to high and when a drop of water sizzles on the surface, add equal parts olive oil and butter to the pan, about 2-3 tablespoons of each for 2 10-12oz steaks. To cook rare, cook each side for approximately 3 minutes, there should be a dark crust but the meat inside should remain juicy.
Cook longer if you prefer your steak less rare, I won’t think any less of you. But be aware that most people overcook steak, and it is virtually impossible to undercook it as you can eat the stuff raw. Allow the steak to rest on a warmed plate, and once removed add a glug of red wine, brandy, or sherry, even a squeeze of lemon, to the remaining juices and allow to briefly reduce. Decant this over your steak and veg and let it double as a gravy and salad dressing. [via getcrafty]
_ _ _
1,750 SALAD RECIPES
Real recipes from real people
All Recipes has an entire area dedicated to just salads. Over 1,750 tried and true recipes. Real recipes from real people.
Including Caesar Salad Supreme - a meal by itself.
_ _ _
EASTER ENTERTAINING ADVICE
April 11, 2004
Easter entertaining advice from All Recipes.
Including Eggs Benedict at Home.
_ _ _
THE WEBTENDER
Mixed drink recipes and bartending guide
The Webtender for Mixed Drink Recipes and Bartending Guide.
_ _ _
DIABETIC MEALS AND ADVICE
Diabetes symptoms, diet and meals
Diabetes Help Center provides diabetic diet recipes for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and dessert. And info on diabetes symptoms for type 1,type 2, gestational diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/30/2004
_ _ _
SHROOK2 - RSS AND ATOM
The most advanced news reader for Mac OS X
Thanks to Liz Lawley for Aggregators: Pro and Con, Present and Future.
And for the link to Shrook 2. Apparently, it's the most advanced news reader for Mac OS X. Hopefully, I'll manage to set it up on my new Mac.
SHROOK2 - RSS AND ATOM
The most advanced news reader for Mac OS X
Thanks to Liz Lawley for Aggregators: Pro and Con, Present and Future.
And for the link to Shrook 2. Apparently, it's the most advanced news reader for Mac OS X. Hopefully, I'll manage to set it up on my new Mac.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/30/2004
_ _ _
DESERT REFRIGERATOR
Runs without electricity
This is Mohammed Bah Abba's Pot-in-Pot invention. In northern Nigeria, where Mohammed is from, over 90% of the villages have no electricity. His invention, which he won a Rolex Award for (and $100,000), is a refrigerator that runs without electricity.
Here's how it works. You take a smaller pot and put it inside a larger pot. Fill the space in between them with wet sand, and cover the top with a wet cloth. When the water evaporates, it pulls the heat out with it, making the inside cold. It's a natural, cheap, easy-to-make refrigerator.
So, instead of perishable foods rotting after only three days, they can last up to three weeks. Obviously, this has the potential to change their lives. And it already has -- there are more girls attending school, for example, as their families no longer need them to sell food in the market.
[With thanks to Sebastien Paquet]
_ _ _
THE COOLGARDIE SAFE
For food storage
Larry at Blogicity left this neat comment at Seb's re the Pot-on-Pot project:
"This idea reminds me of the Coolgardie Safe, invented in the late 1800s."
DESERT REFRIGERATOR
Runs without electricity
This is Mohammed Bah Abba's Pot-in-Pot invention. In northern Nigeria, where Mohammed is from, over 90% of the villages have no electricity. His invention, which he won a Rolex Award for (and $100,000), is a refrigerator that runs without electricity.
Here's how it works. You take a smaller pot and put it inside a larger pot. Fill the space in between them with wet sand, and cover the top with a wet cloth. When the water evaporates, it pulls the heat out with it, making the inside cold. It's a natural, cheap, easy-to-make refrigerator.
So, instead of perishable foods rotting after only three days, they can last up to three weeks. Obviously, this has the potential to change their lives. And it already has -- there are more girls attending school, for example, as their families no longer need them to sell food in the market.
[With thanks to Sebastien Paquet]
_ _ _
THE COOLGARDIE SAFE
For food storage
Larry at Blogicity left this neat comment at Seb's re the Pot-on-Pot project:
"This idea reminds me of the Coolgardie Safe, invented in the late 1800s."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/30/2004
_ _ _
OPHELIA'S SUNDAY TENT GAME
And Mac's furry reminders on Will's Mac
Yesterday, I left this comment over at Will Parker's blog:
Hi Will, found you in the comments over at Stephen's blog. Love the picture of you and your cat. It reminded me of the tent game I play with Ophelia each Sunday. Some sections of The Sunday Times are sturdy enough to stand on the floor - like a greetings card. Ophelia loves tunnelling underneath. It's pretty funny watching sections of newspaper moving around the room. Yes, I know - I don't get out much ;)
A few hours later, I received this email from Will:
Who needs to get out when there are cats? };->
That's Mac (short for Macintosh Geefour Parker), our five year old part-Abyssian. We took the picture when he was about 2 and only weighed about 8 pounds. He's currently about 17 pounds and a little over 3 feet long when he stretches out. Abbies take a long time to mature and he's our first, so we're starting to wonder whether we're going to wind up with a cat the size of a beagle. (Not that that would be a bad thing.)
His newest trick is to crawl up onto the keyboard of my 15" PowerBook while I'm working on it and present his tummy to be rubbed. I find it completely impossible to refuse him, so I keep finding little sheaves of cat hair coming out of the keyboard at the oddest times -- usually when I'm in a meeting.
Thanks for dropping by my blog! You're always welcome. - Will
OPHELIA'S SUNDAY TENT GAME
And Mac's furry reminders on Will's Mac
Yesterday, I left this comment over at Will Parker's blog:
Hi Will, found you in the comments over at Stephen's blog. Love the picture of you and your cat. It reminded me of the tent game I play with Ophelia each Sunday. Some sections of The Sunday Times are sturdy enough to stand on the floor - like a greetings card. Ophelia loves tunnelling underneath. It's pretty funny watching sections of newspaper moving around the room. Yes, I know - I don't get out much ;)
A few hours later, I received this email from Will:
Who needs to get out when there are cats? };->
That's Mac (short for Macintosh Geefour Parker), our five year old part-Abyssian. We took the picture when he was about 2 and only weighed about 8 pounds. He's currently about 17 pounds and a little over 3 feet long when he stretches out. Abbies take a long time to mature and he's our first, so we're starting to wonder whether we're going to wind up with a cat the size of a beagle. (Not that that would be a bad thing.)
His newest trick is to crawl up onto the keyboard of my 15" PowerBook while I'm working on it and present his tummy to be rubbed. I find it completely impossible to refuse him, so I keep finding little sheaves of cat hair coming out of the keyboard at the oddest times -- usually when I'm in a meeting.
Thanks for dropping by my blog! You're always welcome. - Will
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/30/2004
Monday, March 29, 2004
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IN PRIVATE
If you want to get the benefits nature's offered
Could this be true? Since Ophelia does not do such a thing, I wondered why. We humans are much taller than most animals. Animals may get their immune system boosted by licking other parts. What about big animals, like elephants. Elephants use their trunks for ingesting all sorts of things. And then there are the giraffes...what about the giraffes.
The hairs inside our noses are there for a reason. Perhaps to stop germs from entering the body. What's the point of eating stuff that the nose was designed to keep out? Maybe the hairs act like a filter to stop germs from entering the brain. And if the germs are eaten, the body acts as a filter stopping dangerous stuff getting to the brain. Heh. This story could be true. Now I am wondering about the fish ...
And Blogborygmi's hard to swallow post ...
[via Interested-Participant]
If you want to get the benefits nature's offered
Could this be true? Since Ophelia does not do such a thing, I wondered why. We humans are much taller than most animals. Animals may get their immune system boosted by licking other parts. What about big animals, like elephants. Elephants use their trunks for ingesting all sorts of things. And then there are the giraffes...what about the giraffes.
The hairs inside our noses are there for a reason. Perhaps to stop germs from entering the body. What's the point of eating stuff that the nose was designed to keep out? Maybe the hairs act like a filter to stop germs from entering the brain. And if the germs are eaten, the body acts as a filter stopping dangerous stuff getting to the brain. Heh. This story could be true. Now I am wondering about the fish ...
And Blogborygmi's hard to swallow post ...
[via Interested-Participant]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/29/2004
_ _ _
LIFE IMITATES CODE?
Kevin's baby spider cluster
At Technorati, British blogger Kevin Marks has been writing 'spiders' - little bits of code that scuttle over the web indexing pages when roused. He says they normally have hundreds running around at once. Last week, he watched some spider hatchlings in his garden. Swarming over a web. Trying to make sense of it. Life imitates code?
See Kevin's big picture of his baby spider cluster. I'm wondering what the single baby spiders are doing off on their own. And why the web, holding the cluster of baby spiders together, does not collapse with the weight.
Maybe they're grouped so closely together, it's strengthened the web. Heh. Reminds me of that song, "United we stand, divided we fall..."
LIFE IMITATES CODE?
Kevin's baby spider cluster
At Technorati, British blogger Kevin Marks has been writing 'spiders' - little bits of code that scuttle over the web indexing pages when roused. He says they normally have hundreds running around at once. Last week, he watched some spider hatchlings in his garden. Swarming over a web. Trying to make sense of it. Life imitates code?
See Kevin's big picture of his baby spider cluster. I'm wondering what the single baby spiders are doing off on their own. And why the web, holding the cluster of baby spiders together, does not collapse with the weight.
Maybe they're grouped so closely together, it's strengthened the web. Heh. Reminds me of that song, "United we stand, divided we fall..."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/29/2004
_ _ _
BRITISH FILM DIRECTOR MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM'S
Compelling film "In This World" written by Tony Grisoni
Yesterday at 9pm, BBC2 TV showed an unforgettable film "In This World", starring Jamal Udin Torabi and Enayatullah Jumaudin as two Afghan cousins living in Pakistan who set out for Britain in search of a better life.
British director Michael Winterbottom's disturbing gutsy road movie bravely challenges the 'send them all back' bile of the tabloids. By focussing on the journey taken by two Afghani refugees - and following their hazardous overland journey from Pakistan through Iran, Turkey, Italy, France and the UK, in search of a better life in London - he allows us to see them as human beings and not just as statistics.
About the film:
Winner of the Golden Bear, the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Peace Film Prize at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival, Michael Winterbottom's In This World tells the story of two Afghan cousins who embark on a refugee's clandestine odyssey from Pakistan to London.
Shot on digital video with a non-professional cast, In This World harnesses the immediacy of nonfiction techniques to create an urgent, intimate account of human beings driven by the fundamental urge to create a better life. It is a film that is both timely and timeless, and affirms Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, The Claim, Welcome to Sarajevo) as a one of cinema's strongest, most original talents.
February 2002, in the northwest province of Peshawar, Pakistan, near the Afghan border. Sixteen-year-old Jamal, an orphan, lives in the sprawling Shamshatoo refugee camp and earns less than $1 a day working in a brick factory. Jamal's older cousin, Enayat, lives in the bustling heart of Peshawar, where he works at his family's market stall. At a wedding banquet, Jamal learns that Enayat's family has decided to send him to London, where prospects are brighter.
Jamal knows a man who can facilitate the journey, whom he later introduces to the family. Jamal is also quick to point out that since Enayat doesn't speak English, he will need a companion who does - like Jamal. The hefty upfront fee for the journey is paid in dollars and rupees, and Jamal and Enayat join the estimated 1 million people annually who place their lives in the hands of people smugglers. Lacking the cash for two air journeys, Jamal and Enayat must take the longer, more dangerous overland route, which will take them from Asia to Europe.
From Peshawar, they board a southward bus for Quetta, where they are to contact the fixer who will arrange their passage into western Pakistan. From here on, nothing is certain. The cousins endure days of tedium and anxiety, followed by sudden, frantic movement. They must decide whom they can trust, and try to parse unfamiliar languages in foreign lands. From Tehran, they travel into the country's Kurdish region, bordering Turkey; they cross the border at night, hiking in the bitter wind while armed soldiers patrol below.
Once in Istanbul, Jamal and Enayat face the most harrowing portion of the journey: 40 hours sealed in a freight container bound for Italy, crowded with other immigrants and refugees. Many suffocate in their metal cell before they reach Trieste, Italy. But for survivors, the journey must continue, through Italy and on to the refugee camp at Sangatte, France.
And at last, in June 2002, the final leg: stowing away underneath the chassis of a truck, which will link up with a freight train headed for the U.K.
BRITISH FILM DIRECTOR MICHAEL WINTERBOTTOM'S
Compelling film "In This World" written by Tony Grisoni
Yesterday at 9pm, BBC2 TV showed an unforgettable film "In This World", starring Jamal Udin Torabi and Enayatullah Jumaudin as two Afghan cousins living in Pakistan who set out for Britain in search of a better life.
British director Michael Winterbottom's disturbing gutsy road movie bravely challenges the 'send them all back' bile of the tabloids. By focussing on the journey taken by two Afghani refugees - and following their hazardous overland journey from Pakistan through Iran, Turkey, Italy, France and the UK, in search of a better life in London - he allows us to see them as human beings and not just as statistics.
About the film:
Winner of the Golden Bear, the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Peace Film Prize at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival, Michael Winterbottom's In This World tells the story of two Afghan cousins who embark on a refugee's clandestine odyssey from Pakistan to London.
Shot on digital video with a non-professional cast, In This World harnesses the immediacy of nonfiction techniques to create an urgent, intimate account of human beings driven by the fundamental urge to create a better life. It is a film that is both timely and timeless, and affirms Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, The Claim, Welcome to Sarajevo) as a one of cinema's strongest, most original talents.
February 2002, in the northwest province of Peshawar, Pakistan, near the Afghan border. Sixteen-year-old Jamal, an orphan, lives in the sprawling Shamshatoo refugee camp and earns less than $1 a day working in a brick factory. Jamal's older cousin, Enayat, lives in the bustling heart of Peshawar, where he works at his family's market stall. At a wedding banquet, Jamal learns that Enayat's family has decided to send him to London, where prospects are brighter.
Jamal knows a man who can facilitate the journey, whom he later introduces to the family. Jamal is also quick to point out that since Enayat doesn't speak English, he will need a companion who does - like Jamal. The hefty upfront fee for the journey is paid in dollars and rupees, and Jamal and Enayat join the estimated 1 million people annually who place their lives in the hands of people smugglers. Lacking the cash for two air journeys, Jamal and Enayat must take the longer, more dangerous overland route, which will take them from Asia to Europe.
From Peshawar, they board a southward bus for Quetta, where they are to contact the fixer who will arrange their passage into western Pakistan. From here on, nothing is certain. The cousins endure days of tedium and anxiety, followed by sudden, frantic movement. They must decide whom they can trust, and try to parse unfamiliar languages in foreign lands. From Tehran, they travel into the country's Kurdish region, bordering Turkey; they cross the border at night, hiking in the bitter wind while armed soldiers patrol below.
Once in Istanbul, Jamal and Enayat face the most harrowing portion of the journey: 40 hours sealed in a freight container bound for Italy, crowded with other immigrants and refugees. Many suffocate in their metal cell before they reach Trieste, Italy. But for survivors, the journey must continue, through Italy and on to the refugee camp at Sangatte, France.
And at last, in June 2002, the final leg: stowing away underneath the chassis of a truck, which will link up with a freight train headed for the U.K.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/29/2004
_ _ _
THE WORLD STAR GAZETTE
Makes news of your blog
"Superior News from a Source You Can Trust" is the slogan of The World Star Gazette. Heh. Must be true. Extracts from Scaryduck and this blog are on it's front page for Monday, March 29, 2004:
"Tide Turning Against Belle?" By Scaryduck
"Some Bloggers Ill-Informed" By Ingrid
Wonder how they found this blog. I did not submit it. Glad they did though. The World Star Gazette makes news of your blogs. Submit yours! All you need is a Headline and Synopsis (max 25 words).
THE WORLD STAR GAZETTE
Makes news of your blog
"Superior News from a Source You Can Trust" is the slogan of The World Star Gazette. Heh. Must be true. Extracts from Scaryduck and this blog are on it's front page for Monday, March 29, 2004:
"Tide Turning Against Belle?" By Scaryduck
"Some Bloggers Ill-Informed" By Ingrid
Wonder how they found this blog. I did not submit it. Glad they did though. The World Star Gazette makes news of your blogs. Submit yours! All you need is a Headline and Synopsis (max 25 words).
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/29/2004
_ _ _
BON VOYAGE MY NEW MAC
On its way again from Taiwan
This morning, I received Apple's Shipment notification.
Dear Customer, We are pleased to send you this shipment notification regarding your Apple Store order.
Order Date : 26-03-2004
Terms of Delivery CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/B
Ship Date : 29-03-2004
Weight : 4.69 KG
Volume : 28.77 CDM
Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. The Apple Store Team.
_ _ _
Anti-virus update
I've just received 3 virus alerts from Sophos anti virus. Three Win 32 worms are on the loose. When I use my new mac, seems I won't have to do Symantec Anti-Virus Updates every few days. Mac users say they don't get viruses, worms or trojans. Some weeks, my email inbox overflows with virus alerts for this Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Apple Store said it's not necessary to install anti-virus protection for macs. I wonder if macs do get viruses but are just not affected by them. Maybe macs can spread viruses to PCs. To be on the safe side, maybe I'll buy anti virus protection for mac. Can't bear any more stressful computer problems.
BON VOYAGE MY NEW MAC
On its way again from Taiwan
This morning, I received Apple's Shipment notification.
Dear Customer, We are pleased to send you this shipment notification regarding your Apple Store order.
Order Date : 26-03-2004
Terms of Delivery CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/B
Ship Date : 29-03-2004
Weight : 4.69 KG
Volume : 28.77 CDM
Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. The Apple Store Team.
_ _ _
Anti-virus update
I've just received 3 virus alerts from Sophos anti virus. Three Win 32 worms are on the loose. When I use my new mac, seems I won't have to do Symantec Anti-Virus Updates every few days. Mac users say they don't get viruses, worms or trojans. Some weeks, my email inbox overflows with virus alerts for this Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Apple Store said it's not necessary to install anti-virus protection for macs. I wonder if macs do get viruses but are just not affected by them. Maybe macs can spread viruses to PCs. To be on the safe side, maybe I'll buy anti virus protection for mac. Can't bear any more stressful computer problems.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/29/2004
Sunday, March 28, 2004
DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK
Elvis Roots in Scotland, UK
A remote Scottish hamlet is the ancestral home of Elvis Presley, it was claimed last week. Researcher Allan Morrison says Elvis is descended from blacksmith Andrew Presley who lived 300 years ago in Lonmay, Aberdeenshire. Their son, also Andrew, emigrated to North Carolina in 1745. But not everybody in the village is impresssed. Jim McCue, bar manager at the village hotel, said: "The Scottish Tourist Board brought in an Elvis impersonator for photos yesterday and I'm sure there'll be more. I wish it had been Jimi Hendrix."
[Extract courtesy The Sunday Times, London, March 28, 2004]
Warm hello to Gordon - thought of you and your Scottish Blogs WebRing when I posted this. Good luck with your webring's new database. Like the new Snowgoon Towers ;)
Elvis Roots in Scotland, UK
A remote Scottish hamlet is the ancestral home of Elvis Presley, it was claimed last week. Researcher Allan Morrison says Elvis is descended from blacksmith Andrew Presley who lived 300 years ago in Lonmay, Aberdeenshire. Their son, also Andrew, emigrated to North Carolina in 1745. But not everybody in the village is impresssed. Jim McCue, bar manager at the village hotel, said: "The Scottish Tourist Board brought in an Elvis impersonator for photos yesterday and I'm sure there'll be more. I wish it had been Jimi Hendrix."
[Extract courtesy The Sunday Times, London, March 28, 2004]
Warm hello to Gordon - thought of you and your Scottish Blogs WebRing when I posted this. Good luck with your webring's new database. Like the new Snowgoon Towers ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/28/2004
_________________________________________________
BLOGOSPHERE IS ZILLIONS OF CONVERSATIONS
That cannot be ordered, controlled, owned or told what to do -
Collectively, it sure is a power
Happily, Phil Wolff is well after his month's blogging break. Good luck with your new plans Phil. A few days ago, I left this comment at his post on Shirking the Power Law:
Phil, I followed your link to Bloggercon's Session on Shirky's Power Law - and read the comments. Could hardly believe I was seeing people being denigrated and the ugly and divisive language used, ie: "the have-nots - the lower ranks of the power distribution, the one's who feel unheard - the royalty and peasants". It made my stomach churn to see people describing others as "a lower order", thus making themselves feel superior by implying others, inferior to themselves, are "little people" - lowly second class citizens.
Anyone who speaks that language really does not *get* blogging and are just in it for money. Glad most will be disappointed. No doubt to them, time is money. Conversations take time. Blogosphere is zillions of conversations that cannot be ordered, controlled, owned or told what to do. Bloggers can do whatever they want with their blogs. No bosses. No schedules, timetables, no real costs... Collectively it sure is a power, so it's not a surprise to see many out there wringing their hands and scratching their heads, trying to find ways of getting a piece of the action. However, it is amusing to watch them clamouring for fools gold and the top 100 list - where there is only room for 100.
_ _ _
BLOGOSPHERE HAS NOT EVOLVED YET
We've barely made it past the first 5 seconds
After posting the above comment at Phil's, I found Philippe Lourier had added to the comments at BloggerCon's Session on Shirky's law. No doubt the great physicist, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who gave up a fortune so that the world wide web could belong to the people, would love Philippe's comment. Here is a copy:
Perhaps we need to look at this in historical terms. Here's a theory, based on an admittedly bad physics metaphor: We've barely emerged from the big bang. A new universe -the blogosphere- is born. It's expanding rapidly but its still dominated by a dense mass concentrated at its center. But matter is being dispersed at high speed away from this core and is starting to coalesce into independent gravitational centers, galaxies. As it coagulates communities emerge. So Shirky's law applies, but it applies equally to all these centers. So when we talk of the top blogs today maybe we should keep in mind that the blogosphere has not evolved yet -we've barely made it past the first 5 seconds- and this is why it looks like there's only one power center. But as we move forward each power center will have its own way of measuring and recognizing authority. Some centers will reward knowledge and analysis. Some will reward raw information. Others will reward partisanship. Instapundit will have little sway in a community concerned with hardcore, informed movie criticism. In each of these communities, the cream will rise to the top but the measure of what exactly is the cream will differ.
_ _ _
THE INTERNET IS NOT A MEDIUM
It is a conversation that has elements of a world
Yesterday, David Weinberger blogged the internet is not a medium. It's a classic. Incase the link ever breaks, here is a copy:
You know how Doc corrects people who talk about "consumers"? "As Jerry Michalski says," Doc objects, "consumers are gullets who live only to gulp products and crap cash."
I feel the same way about the word "medium" when applied to the Net.
A medium's job is to deliver a message. It does its job well if that message is delivered intact. But that's not how media actually work because we are not passive containers. Rather, in the process of understanding something, we let it affect us. It shapes us, and we shape it. We absorb it into the context of our lives. The more completely we absorb it, the "wronger" we get it from the point of view of, say, the marketer who wants us to take it exactly as he put it.
This is never so true as with works of art and creativity, which is why it's in the artist's interest to lose creative (but not necessarily economic) control of her work quickly and thoroughly. Unfortunately, the idea that works are content moving through a medium has led us to think that appropriation and reuse is an insult to the artist, and possibly a violation of copyright, when it is in fact a sign that the work is working on us. We honor it by making it our own.
The Internet is a medium only at the bit level. At the human level, it is a conversation that, because of the persistence and linkedness of pages, has elements of a world. It could only be a medium if we absolutely didn't care about it.
_ _ _
CULTURAL POSTMODERNISM
Wherein there are no hierarchical pyramids
In response to the above post by David Weinberger, Terry Heaton left this gem of a comment:
This is excellent thinking, David. I support your thesis entirely, and I want to encourage you. You're way over into cultural postmodernism, wherein there are no hierarchical pyramids. That's why I'm confused by those within the blogosphere (can we please have a different word?) who wish to use the conversations to climb their way to some non-existent top. A conversation isn't a conversation, when one (or more) party is lording over the other. Sooner or later, in that scenario, the "medium" meme must rear its ugly head.
If we are, in fact, in the throes of a massive cultural shift, I think we should just let it happen, rather than trying to manipulate it in any fashion. Chaos theory makes no sense at all to old world logical minds, but it's the hottest thing going in science. Discussions like the ones you have with your friends and readers, David, are more important than you realize, for -- like it or not -- you've been gifted with a vision into the new world. Keep asking your questions.
BLOGOSPHERE IS ZILLIONS OF CONVERSATIONS
That cannot be ordered, controlled, owned or told what to do -
Collectively, it sure is a power
Happily, Phil Wolff is well after his month's blogging break. Good luck with your new plans Phil. A few days ago, I left this comment at his post on Shirking the Power Law:
Phil, I followed your link to Bloggercon's Session on Shirky's Power Law - and read the comments. Could hardly believe I was seeing people being denigrated and the ugly and divisive language used, ie: "the have-nots - the lower ranks of the power distribution, the one's who feel unheard - the royalty and peasants". It made my stomach churn to see people describing others as "a lower order", thus making themselves feel superior by implying others, inferior to themselves, are "little people" - lowly second class citizens.
Anyone who speaks that language really does not *get* blogging and are just in it for money. Glad most will be disappointed. No doubt to them, time is money. Conversations take time. Blogosphere is zillions of conversations that cannot be ordered, controlled, owned or told what to do. Bloggers can do whatever they want with their blogs. No bosses. No schedules, timetables, no real costs... Collectively it sure is a power, so it's not a surprise to see many out there wringing their hands and scratching their heads, trying to find ways of getting a piece of the action. However, it is amusing to watch them clamouring for fools gold and the top 100 list - where there is only room for 100.
_ _ _
BLOGOSPHERE HAS NOT EVOLVED YET
We've barely made it past the first 5 seconds
After posting the above comment at Phil's, I found Philippe Lourier had added to the comments at BloggerCon's Session on Shirky's law. No doubt the great physicist, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, who gave up a fortune so that the world wide web could belong to the people, would love Philippe's comment. Here is a copy:
Perhaps we need to look at this in historical terms. Here's a theory, based on an admittedly bad physics metaphor: We've barely emerged from the big bang. A new universe -the blogosphere- is born. It's expanding rapidly but its still dominated by a dense mass concentrated at its center. But matter is being dispersed at high speed away from this core and is starting to coalesce into independent gravitational centers, galaxies. As it coagulates communities emerge. So Shirky's law applies, but it applies equally to all these centers. So when we talk of the top blogs today maybe we should keep in mind that the blogosphere has not evolved yet -we've barely made it past the first 5 seconds- and this is why it looks like there's only one power center. But as we move forward each power center will have its own way of measuring and recognizing authority. Some centers will reward knowledge and analysis. Some will reward raw information. Others will reward partisanship. Instapundit will have little sway in a community concerned with hardcore, informed movie criticism. In each of these communities, the cream will rise to the top but the measure of what exactly is the cream will differ.
_ _ _
THE INTERNET IS NOT A MEDIUM
It is a conversation that has elements of a world
Yesterday, David Weinberger blogged the internet is not a medium. It's a classic. Incase the link ever breaks, here is a copy:
You know how Doc corrects people who talk about "consumers"? "As Jerry Michalski says," Doc objects, "consumers are gullets who live only to gulp products and crap cash."
I feel the same way about the word "medium" when applied to the Net.
A medium's job is to deliver a message. It does its job well if that message is delivered intact. But that's not how media actually work because we are not passive containers. Rather, in the process of understanding something, we let it affect us. It shapes us, and we shape it. We absorb it into the context of our lives. The more completely we absorb it, the "wronger" we get it from the point of view of, say, the marketer who wants us to take it exactly as he put it.
This is never so true as with works of art and creativity, which is why it's in the artist's interest to lose creative (but not necessarily economic) control of her work quickly and thoroughly. Unfortunately, the idea that works are content moving through a medium has led us to think that appropriation and reuse is an insult to the artist, and possibly a violation of copyright, when it is in fact a sign that the work is working on us. We honor it by making it our own.
The Internet is a medium only at the bit level. At the human level, it is a conversation that, because of the persistence and linkedness of pages, has elements of a world. It could only be a medium if we absolutely didn't care about it.
_ _ _
CULTURAL POSTMODERNISM
Wherein there are no hierarchical pyramids
In response to the above post by David Weinberger, Terry Heaton left this gem of a comment:
This is excellent thinking, David. I support your thesis entirely, and I want to encourage you. You're way over into cultural postmodernism, wherein there are no hierarchical pyramids. That's why I'm confused by those within the blogosphere (can we please have a different word?) who wish to use the conversations to climb their way to some non-existent top. A conversation isn't a conversation, when one (or more) party is lording over the other. Sooner or later, in that scenario, the "medium" meme must rear its ugly head.
If we are, in fact, in the throes of a massive cultural shift, I think we should just let it happen, rather than trying to manipulate it in any fashion. Chaos theory makes no sense at all to old world logical minds, but it's the hottest thing going in science. Discussions like the ones you have with your friends and readers, David, are more important than you realize, for -- like it or not -- you've been gifted with a vision into the new world. Keep asking your questions.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/28/2004
_________________________________________________
HOW ANITA ROWLAND AND JACK BELL MET
Two of Dave Winer's readers woke up, met up and smelled the coffee
Anita Rowland - after reading Dave Winer's post on Geek Boyfriends - posted a comment to Dave in California, saying she was looking for a geek boyfriend. [scroll down to the bottom of this page to read Anita's comment]
Jack Bell (a VB programmer and single father, on contract at Boeing and living the same area of Seattle as Anita) also read Dave's post. And Anita's comment. He then followed some links and wrote to her.
They started corresponding. Anita, in a general sort of way, suggested they meet for coffee. Jack phoned her to meet up. They walked over to a cafeteria. She got a mocha. He got a double short cappuccino. It was a gorgeous afternoon. They sat outside. Chatted about work, family, motorcycles and journaling. It was fun.
That was back in 1998. And they're still together and in love. Thanks for sharing your story Anita. Best of luck to you both.
_ _ _
Update: Anita, thanks for your message letting me know that you and Jack were in Seattle and Dave Winer was living in California back then. And for confirming that it was you who suggested you meet face to face because the whole idea was that you were looking for someone to date. Just goes to show what can happen when females make the first move ;)
_ _ _
HOW I GOT A GEEK BOYFRIEND
By Julie Leung of Seedlings & Sprouts blog
Best wishes to Julie Leung and thanks for sharing the story of how she met her blogging husband Ted Leung.
_ _ _
NEW CALIFORNIAN BLOG
By David Allen in Ojai
Thanks to Julie Leung for pointing to a new blog by David Allen in Ojai, California, USA. David blogs about the Chinese paperback edition of his book Getting Things Done.
HOW ANITA ROWLAND AND JACK BELL MET
Two of Dave Winer's readers woke up, met up and smelled the coffee
Anita Rowland - after reading Dave Winer's post on Geek Boyfriends - posted a comment to Dave in California, saying she was looking for a geek boyfriend. [scroll down to the bottom of this page to read Anita's comment]
Jack Bell (a VB programmer and single father, on contract at Boeing and living the same area of Seattle as Anita) also read Dave's post. And Anita's comment. He then followed some links and wrote to her.
They started corresponding. Anita, in a general sort of way, suggested they meet for coffee. Jack phoned her to meet up. They walked over to a cafeteria. She got a mocha. He got a double short cappuccino. It was a gorgeous afternoon. They sat outside. Chatted about work, family, motorcycles and journaling. It was fun.
That was back in 1998. And they're still together and in love. Thanks for sharing your story Anita. Best of luck to you both.
_ _ _
Update: Anita, thanks for your message letting me know that you and Jack were in Seattle and Dave Winer was living in California back then. And for confirming that it was you who suggested you meet face to face because the whole idea was that you were looking for someone to date. Just goes to show what can happen when females make the first move ;)
_ _ _
HOW I GOT A GEEK BOYFRIEND
By Julie Leung of Seedlings & Sprouts blog
Best wishes to Julie Leung and thanks for sharing the story of how she met her blogging husband Ted Leung.
_ _ _
NEW CALIFORNIAN BLOG
By David Allen in Ojai
Thanks to Julie Leung for pointing to a new blog by David Allen in Ojai, California, USA. David blogs about the Chinese paperback edition of his book Getting Things Done.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/28/2004
_________________________________________________
I LOVE TAIWAN
Powered by Blogger
I love Taiwan is a new blog powered by Blogger that started on Sunday March 21, 2004 - a few days after the assassination attempt on Taiwan's President Chen.
The assassination attempt on Taiwan's President happened on the day before the election, while he was campaigning for re-election.
I LOVE TAIWAN
Powered by Blogger
I love Taiwan is a new blog powered by Blogger that started on Sunday March 21, 2004 - a few days after the assassination attempt on Taiwan's President Chen.
The assassination attempt on Taiwan's President happened on the day before the election, while he was campaigning for re-election.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/28/2004
_________________________________________________
THE APPEASERS OF MIDDLE BRITAIN
Telegraph's YouGov poll shows Britain's grinding to a halt?
Recently, Melanie Phillips analysed the Telegraph's recent YouGov poll on attitudes to the terrorist threat to this country, and wrote: "These poll findings correspond with my own personal observations made over some time now, that the real flakiness and appeasement is coming from conservative middle Britain, while old Labour remains as sturdy and steadfast as befits the traditional British way". Read more...
Meantime, Outlook India.com analysed the same YouGov poll, and reached the conclusion (erroneous I hasten to add!) that Britain is grinding to a halt. Read 'UK depression'...
THE APPEASERS OF MIDDLE BRITAIN
Telegraph's YouGov poll shows Britain's grinding to a halt?
Recently, Melanie Phillips analysed the Telegraph's recent YouGov poll on attitudes to the terrorist threat to this country, and wrote: "These poll findings correspond with my own personal observations made over some time now, that the real flakiness and appeasement is coming from conservative middle Britain, while old Labour remains as sturdy and steadfast as befits the traditional British way". Read more...
Meantime, Outlook India.com analysed the same YouGov poll, and reached the conclusion (erroneous I hasten to add!) that Britain is grinding to a halt. Read 'UK depression'...
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/28/2004
Saturday, March 27, 2004
REPLACEMENT POWERBOOK
Refund and Order Confirmation received from Apple
Yesterday, I phoned my credit card company. They confirmed Apple had refunded my Feb 27 powerbook that TNT lost in transit at Northampton in England, UK.
Next, I phoned Apple Store online sales and placed order again. Order Acknowledgement and Confirmation emails have arrived. Now awaiting Shipment Notification. Priority delivery from Taiwan. May arrive here in 10 to 14 days. Apple's Order Confirmation email:
Order Date: 26.03.2004
Est Build time 3 - 5 DAYS
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/
1GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM-2X256MB
60GB Ultra ATA Drive@4200rpm
Super Drive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Keyboard/Mac OS-B
Your order should ship on or before 02.04.2004. Please allow a further 3-7 days from this date to deliver your order. Please note that these are business days and are estimated leadtimes only. Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. Apple Computer International, Attn. Apple Store Europe, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland.
I've still received no word from Dell since their last call to me on Feb 26 (promising someone would call within a few days to pick up this faulty machine and process a refund) and no response re my two chase-up emails to Dell India on March 9 and 19.
Refund and Order Confirmation received from Apple
Yesterday, I phoned my credit card company. They confirmed Apple had refunded my Feb 27 powerbook that TNT lost in transit at Northampton in England, UK.
Next, I phoned Apple Store online sales and placed order again. Order Acknowledgement and Confirmation emails have arrived. Now awaiting Shipment Notification. Priority delivery from Taiwan. May arrive here in 10 to 14 days. Apple's Order Confirmation email:
Order Date: 26.03.2004
Est Build time 3 - 5 DAYS
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/
1GHz PowerPC G4
512MB DDR333 SDRAM-2X256MB
60GB Ultra ATA Drive@4200rpm
Super Drive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Keyboard/Mac OS-B
Your order should ship on or before 02.04.2004. Please allow a further 3-7 days from this date to deliver your order. Please note that these are business days and are estimated leadtimes only. Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. Apple Computer International, Attn. Apple Store Europe, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland.
I've still received no word from Dell since their last call to me on Feb 26 (promising someone would call within a few days to pick up this faulty machine and process a refund) and no response re my two chase-up emails to Dell India on March 9 and 19.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/27/2004
Friday, March 26, 2004
FREE TESTS FOR CAREER AND PERSONALITY
Find desired career and search minds for new friends
To take the career test click here.
My career test score showed ISTJ profile - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging. I am a Trustee type. Possible professions include: management, accounting, auditing, efficiency expert, engineer, geologist, bank examiner, organization development, electrician, dentist, pharmacist, school principal, stock broker, computer programmer, technical writer, chief information officer, police officer, real estate agent.
Determine compatibility with friends or find others that score similar to you on a personality test: SimilarMinds.com new Search Minds engine allows you to find people who score similar to you.
For the free Myers-Briggs-Jung Personality Test click here.
via Erica's Grey and Blue Sometimes Skies - "Journal of Me, Curious and Worrysomeblog". Sorry her blog's commenting won't open up for me on screen. Erica, this is to say hi and thanks for linking. Nice to meet you. Sorry about your Grandpa. Check out Scottish bloggers webring in my sidebar, it leads to many great bloggers in Scotland that may help you to make up your mind to move. PS Erica's test score showed INFJ profile and that she's a Guide type.
Find desired career and search minds for new friends
To take the career test click here.
My career test score showed ISTJ profile - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging. I am a Trustee type. Possible professions include: management, accounting, auditing, efficiency expert, engineer, geologist, bank examiner, organization development, electrician, dentist, pharmacist, school principal, stock broker, computer programmer, technical writer, chief information officer, police officer, real estate agent.
Determine compatibility with friends or find others that score similar to you on a personality test: SimilarMinds.com new Search Minds engine allows you to find people who score similar to you.
For the free Myers-Briggs-Jung Personality Test click here.
via Erica's Grey and Blue Sometimes Skies - "Journal of Me, Curious and Worrysomeblog". Sorry her blog's commenting won't open up for me on screen. Erica, this is to say hi and thanks for linking. Nice to meet you. Sorry about your Grandpa. Check out Scottish bloggers webring in my sidebar, it leads to many great bloggers in Scotland that may help you to make up your mind to move. PS Erica's test score showed INFJ profile and that she's a Guide type.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/26/2004
Thursday, March 25, 2004
DON PARK'S WONDERFUL FRACTAL BLOGSPACE
And Levitated's collection of awesome paintings
Last month, Don Park blogged some great links re the Emotion Fractal image at Jeneane Sessum's blog.
The Emotion Fractal (a recursive space filling algorithm using English words describing the human condition) he found was generated at Levitated using Flash.
On clicking through the links, he discovered a page full of Flash-based open source computational animations and interactive paintings that he says would be perfect for creating eye-candy banners for geeky websites - and are A Must See!
Don mentioned to Jared at Levitated that it would be cool to use his blogroll to build an Emotional Fractal.
Today, Jared sent Don exactly that and named it Fractal Blogspace. It's gorgeous.
And what a shock. My name is in top left hand corner *blush* Thanks Don :) xx I'll frame it.
And Levitated's collection of awesome paintings
Last month, Don Park blogged some great links re the Emotion Fractal image at Jeneane Sessum's blog.
The Emotion Fractal (a recursive space filling algorithm using English words describing the human condition) he found was generated at Levitated using Flash.
On clicking through the links, he discovered a page full of Flash-based open source computational animations and interactive paintings that he says would be perfect for creating eye-candy banners for geeky websites - and are A Must See!
Don mentioned to Jared at Levitated that it would be cool to use his blogroll to build an Emotional Fractal.
Today, Jared sent Don exactly that and named it Fractal Blogspace. It's gorgeous.
And what a shock. My name is in top left hand corner *blush* Thanks Don :) xx I'll frame it.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
_________________________________________________
AN AMERICAN SOLDIER BLOG
The Battle Turds
Victory Forge and the two turds. LOL from real life Army Drill Sergeant Rob :)
Thanks to Don Park - check out banana
AN AMERICAN SOLDIER BLOG
The Battle Turds
Victory Forge and the two turds. LOL from real life Army Drill Sergeant Rob :)
Thanks to Don Park - check out banana
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
_________________________________________________
BLAIR HAILS NEW LIBYAN RELATIONS
Have Your Say at the BBC
Tony Blair says Libya is to make "common cause" with the UK in the fight against terrorism, after his historic meeting with Colonel Gaddafi.
BBC NEWS Have Your Say: Is Tony Blair right to visit Libya?
"You look good, you are still young"
Col Gaddafi to Tony Blair.
Ed: Heh. That's nice. We are the same age ;)
BLAIR HAILS NEW LIBYAN RELATIONS
Have Your Say at the BBC
Tony Blair says Libya is to make "common cause" with the UK in the fight against terrorism, after his historic meeting with Colonel Gaddafi.
BBC NEWS Have Your Say: Is Tony Blair right to visit Libya?
"You look good, you are still young"
Col Gaddafi to Tony Blair.
Ed: Heh. That's nice. We are the same age ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
________________________________________________
BLOGGING ASSISTS US OUT OF "I" WORLD
And into the "we" world
Excerpts from a neat comment, left at Joi Ito's on Feb 2, by Mark of Everyday Guru:
"....Blogs have so much potential to transcend the relationship of individual identity to community and larger world identity and our connections within the world as long as we continue to push for openness and inclusion."
"Joi, you may want to pick up the current issue of What is Enlightment magazine. The majority of this issue addresses morality and ethics for this postmodern age. There are many discussions that easily apply to blogging and the potentials of social entrepenurism. "
"Blogging's emergent potential to assist us out of the "I" world and into the "WE" world is what excites me!..."
_ _ _
BLOGDIGGER GROUPS
Packaging other people's content
In Navigating the Info Jungle blog Susan Mernit talks about Blogdigger Groups which allow one to create a blog by grouping a selection of blogs together - like Phil Wolff's list of knowledge management blogs.
BTW Still no word or update at Phil Wolff's blog.
BLOGGING ASSISTS US OUT OF "I" WORLD
And into the "we" world
Excerpts from a neat comment, left at Joi Ito's on Feb 2, by Mark of Everyday Guru:
"....Blogs have so much potential to transcend the relationship of individual identity to community and larger world identity and our connections within the world as long as we continue to push for openness and inclusion."
"Joi, you may want to pick up the current issue of What is Enlightment magazine. The majority of this issue addresses morality and ethics for this postmodern age. There are many discussions that easily apply to blogging and the potentials of social entrepenurism. "
"Blogging's emergent potential to assist us out of the "I" world and into the "WE" world is what excites me!..."
_ _ _
BLOGDIGGER GROUPS
Packaging other people's content
In Navigating the Info Jungle blog Susan Mernit talks about Blogdigger Groups which allow one to create a blog by grouping a selection of blogs together - like Phil Wolff's list of knowledge management blogs.
BTW Still no word or update at Phil Wolff's blog.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
_________________________________________________
QUICK GUIDE TO TRACKBACKS
Thank you to Hazel
Grateful thanks to Hazel at Stitching up a Storm blog for emailing me the quick guide to trackbacks that she created. Here is a copy of that email:
Trackbacks are used to let people know that you are talking about them. I sent you a trackback when I was mentioning you in a post. If you talked about me in a post, you would send a trackback to me. They are often used by people that have memes (for more info on memes look here: http://www.iampariah.com/projects/memeslist.php) use trackback to have people notify them that they are participating in the meme. Here is how it would work if I was talking about you:
I would go to your blog and read a particular post that I wanted to post something about myself. I would click on the trackback link next to the entry I was reading. In the popup window, I would be given a url - the trackback url - then I can enter it in a box in my blogging software, that would then 'ping' that trackback url, and you would get the notification that I have 'pinged' you.
If you wanted to to talk about me: You would follow basically the same process that I went through. From what I have read of the tutorial at HaloScan.com Forums:
1. You would go to my site, and click on 'trackbacks' at the bottom of my posts (I haven't used it in the past but I have activated it on my posts now that there is more chance of people using it!) and a popup window would open with the trackback url. Copy this url.
2. Log in to Haloscan. Click on "Manage Trackbacks" on your menu, and the 'send a trackback ping'.
3. Paste the url you copied in the 'urls to ping' box. Then enter the other boxes with your blog name, the permalink of the entry you are referring to my entry in, the title of that post, and an excerpt of the post.
4. Click on 'ping now'. Then you are done!
QUICK GUIDE TO TRACKBACKS
Thank you to Hazel
Grateful thanks to Hazel at Stitching up a Storm blog for emailing me the quick guide to trackbacks that she created. Here is a copy of that email:
Trackbacks are used to let people know that you are talking about them. I sent you a trackback when I was mentioning you in a post. If you talked about me in a post, you would send a trackback to me. They are often used by people that have memes (for more info on memes look here: http://www.iampariah.com/projects/memeslist.php) use trackback to have people notify them that they are participating in the meme. Here is how it would work if I was talking about you:
I would go to your blog and read a particular post that I wanted to post something about myself. I would click on the trackback link next to the entry I was reading. In the popup window, I would be given a url - the trackback url - then I can enter it in a box in my blogging software, that would then 'ping' that trackback url, and you would get the notification that I have 'pinged' you.
If you wanted to to talk about me: You would follow basically the same process that I went through. From what I have read of the tutorial at HaloScan.com Forums:
1. You would go to my site, and click on 'trackbacks' at the bottom of my posts (I haven't used it in the past but I have activated it on my posts now that there is more chance of people using it!) and a popup window would open with the trackback url. Copy this url.
2. Log in to Haloscan. Click on "Manage Trackbacks" on your menu, and the 'send a trackback ping'.
3. Paste the url you copied in the 'urls to ping' box. Then enter the other boxes with your blog name, the permalink of the entry you are referring to my entry in, the title of that post, and an excerpt of the post.
4. Click on 'ping now'. Then you are done!
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
_________________________________________________
SEARCHING FOR SCHUBERT
Ein Besuch nach Salzburg und Wien geschrieben von Lucy Huntzinger
Lucy lives in the Bay area, on the west coast of America, with her husband who teaches physics. Lucy needed to go to Austria and visit the places where her novel was set. She chose March, 2004, when the weather would be warming up with the onset of spring but still chilly enough to invoke her December setting. The thought of the upcoming trip got her writing again. By the time she set out she had written most of the book. Then she went off for a week in Salzburg and Vienna. This is her trip report...
[via Anita Rowland]
SEARCHING FOR SCHUBERT
Ein Besuch nach Salzburg und Wien geschrieben von Lucy Huntzinger
Lucy lives in the Bay area, on the west coast of America, with her husband who teaches physics. Lucy needed to go to Austria and visit the places where her novel was set. She chose March, 2004, when the weather would be warming up with the onset of spring but still chilly enough to invoke her December setting. The thought of the upcoming trip got her writing again. By the time she set out she had written most of the book. Then she went off for a week in Salzburg and Vienna. This is her trip report...
[via Anita Rowland]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/25/2004
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Sweets
Last month, Scottish blogger Gordon McLean blogged about a little olde fashioned shop selling all the sweets from his childhood. Flying saucers! Cinder candy! He spent the best part of 10 minutes oohhh-ing and ahhhh-ing over the display. Cherry Lips! ABC Letters! From the expression on the shop owner's face he wasn't the first person to react that way and he got the feeling that half the fun of the shop was taken from watching people's reactions.
Heh, flying saucers. I remember them. Here's my memory lane although not sure if I have the names exactly right: sherbert dabs, pineapple cube chunks, pear drops, sour cherry balls, gobstoppers, aniseed balls, pink shrimps, acid drops and other things that took the roof off your mouth off or made your lips peel.
Great new invention in early 1960's was Jublies - an orange juice in a trianglular carton which we got the corner shopkeeper to freeze - as a big wodge of ice lolly - much better value for our handful of big copper pennies, golden threepenny pieces and silvery sixpenny pieces.
That was back in the days of farthings, ten bob notes, florins, half-crowns and guineas - and when one shilling (5p or 10p? can't remember) went a long way and stretched to most of the above along with a halfpenny box of matches and a few Park Drive/No. 6 smokes...sold in singles under the counter...
_ _ _
TOLKIEN AND CS LEWIS
The real fellowship of the ring
How JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis' all-night argument about God paved the way for both "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia."
On a warm September night in 1931, three men went for an after-dinner walk on the grounds of Magdalen College, part of Oxford University. They took a stroll on Addison's Walk, a beautiful tree-shaded path along the River Cherwell, and got into an argument that lasted into the wee hours of the morning -- and left a lasting mark on world literature.
At the time, only one of the men had any kind of reputation: Henry Victor Dyson, a bon vivant scholar who had shared tables and bandied words with the likes of TE Lawrence, Virginia Woolf and Bertrand Russell. His two companions were little-known Oxford academics with a shared taste for Icelandic sagas, Anglo-Saxon verse and the austere cultural mystique of "the North." Few people remember Dyson now, while millions celebrate the names of his companions: CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien.
Yet the works that made their reputations -- "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" for Tolkien, "The Chronicles of Narnia" for Lewis -- were profoundly shaped by that night-long argument and the bond it cemented. It's possible that Tolkien's Middle-earth would have remained entirely a private obsession, and quite likely that Lewis would never have found the gateway to Narnia.
[via Gary Santoro via Salon.com]
Sweets
Last month, Scottish blogger Gordon McLean blogged about a little olde fashioned shop selling all the sweets from his childhood. Flying saucers! Cinder candy! He spent the best part of 10 minutes oohhh-ing and ahhhh-ing over the display. Cherry Lips! ABC Letters! From the expression on the shop owner's face he wasn't the first person to react that way and he got the feeling that half the fun of the shop was taken from watching people's reactions.
Heh, flying saucers. I remember them. Here's my memory lane although not sure if I have the names exactly right: sherbert dabs, pineapple cube chunks, pear drops, sour cherry balls, gobstoppers, aniseed balls, pink shrimps, acid drops and other things that took the roof off your mouth off or made your lips peel.
Great new invention in early 1960's was Jublies - an orange juice in a trianglular carton which we got the corner shopkeeper to freeze - as a big wodge of ice lolly - much better value for our handful of big copper pennies, golden threepenny pieces and silvery sixpenny pieces.
That was back in the days of farthings, ten bob notes, florins, half-crowns and guineas - and when one shilling (5p or 10p? can't remember) went a long way and stretched to most of the above along with a halfpenny box of matches and a few Park Drive/No. 6 smokes...sold in singles under the counter...
_ _ _
TOLKIEN AND CS LEWIS
The real fellowship of the ring
How JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis' all-night argument about God paved the way for both "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia."
On a warm September night in 1931, three men went for an after-dinner walk on the grounds of Magdalen College, part of Oxford University. They took a stroll on Addison's Walk, a beautiful tree-shaded path along the River Cherwell, and got into an argument that lasted into the wee hours of the morning -- and left a lasting mark on world literature.
At the time, only one of the men had any kind of reputation: Henry Victor Dyson, a bon vivant scholar who had shared tables and bandied words with the likes of TE Lawrence, Virginia Woolf and Bertrand Russell. His two companions were little-known Oxford academics with a shared taste for Icelandic sagas, Anglo-Saxon verse and the austere cultural mystique of "the North." Few people remember Dyson now, while millions celebrate the names of his companions: CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien.
Yet the works that made their reputations -- "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" for Tolkien, "The Chronicles of Narnia" for Lewis -- were profoundly shaped by that night-long argument and the bond it cemented. It's possible that Tolkien's Middle-earth would have remained entirely a private obsession, and quite likely that Lewis would never have found the gateway to Narnia.
[via Gary Santoro via Salon.com]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/24/2004
_________________________________________________
WHO SAYS BBC PROPAGANDA
Is working in the best interest of our nation?
Seems like the BBC have not learned much post Hutton. I cannot see how they are providing a public broadcasting service. Looks to me like they're still continuing on their own agenda. I'd vote for scrapping the compulsory household TV Licence asap. Here's why.
Firstly, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, if you live in the UK and your household (even if you live in a caravan or whatever) owns a colour receiving TV set - regardless of your age up to 75 or financial circumstances - whether or not you watch the TV set, or even the BBC - you must pay GBP 116 every 12 months to the BBC (50% off if you are blind). If you install or use any equipment to receive TV programme services - for example a TV set, video recorder, set-top box, PC with a broadcast card or any other TV receiving equipment - and don't pay up, they'll come to your home in unmarked vans with surveillance equipment. If they catch you not paying, they'll extort from you a huge fine. If you refuse to pay, you are sent to prison. It's as simple as that.
Secondly, it seems to me the BBC are against the British government that was elected into power by the people. Freedom of speech is one thing, but aiming to affect National Security and pull down a democratically elected government or its leader is something altogether different. The words traitors and treason spring to mind.
Thirdly, I did not vote the BBC into power. I feel they are undermining our government and democracy. Whose side are they on I ask myself. The BBC seems to be a law unto themselves. Their self elected power base needs to be dismantled. Let them fend for themselves financially and see who buys their sloppy cavalier reporting, manipulative words, twisted truths and downright propaganda.
Below extracts are from a BBC NEWS online report Who is winning the war? by BBC Panorama reporter, Jane Corbin. [Note Panorama: Terror - Are We Next? was broadcast on BBC One on Sunday, 21 March 2004 at 2215 GMT]
Note here how the reporter quoted one man's personal view - and chose to start it with the word "However":
"However, back in the spring of 2002 an American intelligence officer at Bagram airbase told BBC's Panorama that he feared the American military boot had not crushed al-Qaeda but merely scattered them to the far corners of the earth, where they would prove impossible to eradicate".
Note here how the reporter drove home her personal view, endorsed by the BBC (and repeated, as a highlight, in a side panel of the report):
"A very real terror threat has been created in Iraq where little existed before - and Europe will feel the effect of that".
The report also stated:
"Yet as the months have passed the war in Iraq has exposed the hollowness of US claims that al-Qaeda and Saddam were linked. It has also resulted in the creation of a new terror threat from one of al-Qaeda's franchises, and a virulent and deadly one that numbers hundreds of westerners among its victims.
Bin Laden has every reason to believe that he is so far winning the battle - not the "war on terror" waged by US helicopters and special forces on Afghan borders - but the war against innocent civilians and western democracies."
And finally - so there can be no mistaking the BBCs message - they drove it home with their selection of photos and this summary in captions:
Al-Qaeda's attack could have had political motive. (captioned with a photo of train carnage in Madrid)
In December, on Islamic websites that have carried al-Qaeda statements in the past, Islamist militants were discussing how attacks might bring about a socialist victory in Spain.
The Istanbul bomb came as Bush and Blair gathered at an anti-terrorism gala.
A very real terror threat has been created in Iraq where little existed before - and Europe will feel the effect of that.
The Iraq war could have led to more al-Qaeda recruits.
_ _ _
Here's what American Tantor over at Conservative Propaganda had to say about the BBC in his post dated January 30, 2004:
BRITISH GOVERNMENT DECLARES BBC TO BE PACK OF LIARS
BBC's Lefty Leaders Jump Ship Like Rats
Link
A British government enquiry led by Lord Hutton into the BBC's wartime propaganda campaign against the war found that its editorial system is fundamentally flawed, which is another way of saying that it's radical lefty editors were not running a news service, but a lefty propaganda bureau with little regard for the truth. The bias was so bad that BBC came to be known as the Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation, so bad that it was turned off on British warships. Reporter Andrew Gilligan was at the center of the vortex of lies, rivalling the Iraqi Minister of Information in preposterous assertions. Gilligan stood at a quiet corner of the Baghdad airport while it was being taken by American forces and claimed no Americans were there. He claimed that the US military was dishonest and inept, as it took Iraq in six weeks. He said that the liberation of Iraq from Saddam by America plunged the country into more fear than they had ever known. Finally and fatally, he sliced and diced the opinion of a British weapons inspector, David Kelly, and assembled them into a sensational and false charge that Tony Blair had lied to lead Britain to war.
What a tangled web the lefties weave, when first they practice to deceive. The leaders of the BBC are resigning and good riddance. Gilligan is doomed, though his lefty journalist friends defend him because after all, what does it matter if the stories aren't technically true as long as they promote the greater truth of the socialist cause?
Expect to hear wild accusations of a blacklist now that the lefty liars have been exposed and trashed.
# posted by Tantor : Friday, January 30, 2004 - 2:22 AM EST (Washington, DC Time)
_ _ _
Update: Wednesday 24 March 2004
Copy of my response to a comment on this post:
Daniel, Thanks for commenting. Nice to meet you. Followed your link to your sites and see you are a journalist, researcher, commentator and economist in London and Calcutta. Guess from your mosquito post you are in India right now. How interesting. Looking forward to catching up on your blog. Please forgive if this reply sounds disjointed. I've been doing too much reading and writing, I've just posted to my blog, am over tired and struggling this morning with concentration. It's 8.37 am right now on a cloudy and cool morning here by the seaside in England.
The point I was making in my post is that the BBC are not serving the public as an unbiased public broadcasting service. They are not just reporting news and facts. Sadly, they are creating their own news stories from the way they see things. Even more disturbingly, they are regularly slanting reports taken from a particular political viewpoint.
As a public broadcasting service they are paid to report the news and facts. So that every licence paying household in the UK - no matter what their political persuasion - can get timely world news and facts to make up their own minds on political and other issues. Where else can we get this if not from our PBS?
We have no real PBS because the BBC has taken it upon itself to serve as a left wing organisation. How can that be right. It's not a case of State dictating the news agenda. It's a matter of licence fee payers expecting that they are funding a public broadcasting service - to be free from commercial and political constraints and corruption - to report unbiased news and facts freely to the whole nation - not creating their own stories and putting their own politics and slant on deadly serious issues.
No doubt every single Brit would love and respect the BBC if it reported just the news and facts. But because the BBC wants to be biased and innovative in its style of reporting and create its own stories and news, digital channels, ventures etc., I would vote to let them do so. I am in no way suggesting the BBC is scrapped. I'd like to see the BBC freed from its PBS obligations to enable it to continue operating like any other commercially run news service.
WHO SAYS BBC PROPAGANDA
Is working in the best interest of our nation?
Seems like the BBC have not learned much post Hutton. I cannot see how they are providing a public broadcasting service. Looks to me like they're still continuing on their own agenda. I'd vote for scrapping the compulsory household TV Licence asap. Here's why.
Firstly, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, if you live in the UK and your household (even if you live in a caravan or whatever) owns a colour receiving TV set - regardless of your age up to 75 or financial circumstances - whether or not you watch the TV set, or even the BBC - you must pay GBP 116 every 12 months to the BBC (50% off if you are blind). If you install or use any equipment to receive TV programme services - for example a TV set, video recorder, set-top box, PC with a broadcast card or any other TV receiving equipment - and don't pay up, they'll come to your home in unmarked vans with surveillance equipment. If they catch you not paying, they'll extort from you a huge fine. If you refuse to pay, you are sent to prison. It's as simple as that.
Secondly, it seems to me the BBC are against the British government that was elected into power by the people. Freedom of speech is one thing, but aiming to affect National Security and pull down a democratically elected government or its leader is something altogether different. The words traitors and treason spring to mind.
Thirdly, I did not vote the BBC into power. I feel they are undermining our government and democracy. Whose side are they on I ask myself. The BBC seems to be a law unto themselves. Their self elected power base needs to be dismantled. Let them fend for themselves financially and see who buys their sloppy cavalier reporting, manipulative words, twisted truths and downright propaganda.
Below extracts are from a BBC NEWS online report Who is winning the war? by BBC Panorama reporter, Jane Corbin. [Note Panorama: Terror - Are We Next? was broadcast on BBC One on Sunday, 21 March 2004 at 2215 GMT]
Note here how the reporter quoted one man's personal view - and chose to start it with the word "However":
"However, back in the spring of 2002 an American intelligence officer at Bagram airbase told BBC's Panorama that he feared the American military boot had not crushed al-Qaeda but merely scattered them to the far corners of the earth, where they would prove impossible to eradicate".
Note here how the reporter drove home her personal view, endorsed by the BBC (and repeated, as a highlight, in a side panel of the report):
"A very real terror threat has been created in Iraq where little existed before - and Europe will feel the effect of that".
The report also stated:
"Yet as the months have passed the war in Iraq has exposed the hollowness of US claims that al-Qaeda and Saddam were linked. It has also resulted in the creation of a new terror threat from one of al-Qaeda's franchises, and a virulent and deadly one that numbers hundreds of westerners among its victims.
Bin Laden has every reason to believe that he is so far winning the battle - not the "war on terror" waged by US helicopters and special forces on Afghan borders - but the war against innocent civilians and western democracies."
And finally - so there can be no mistaking the BBCs message - they drove it home with their selection of photos and this summary in captions:
Al-Qaeda's attack could have had political motive. (captioned with a photo of train carnage in Madrid)
In December, on Islamic websites that have carried al-Qaeda statements in the past, Islamist militants were discussing how attacks might bring about a socialist victory in Spain.
The Istanbul bomb came as Bush and Blair gathered at an anti-terrorism gala.
A very real terror threat has been created in Iraq where little existed before - and Europe will feel the effect of that.
The Iraq war could have led to more al-Qaeda recruits.
_ _ _
Here's what American Tantor over at Conservative Propaganda had to say about the BBC in his post dated January 30, 2004:
BRITISH GOVERNMENT DECLARES BBC TO BE PACK OF LIARS
BBC's Lefty Leaders Jump Ship Like Rats
Link
A British government enquiry led by Lord Hutton into the BBC's wartime propaganda campaign against the war found that its editorial system is fundamentally flawed, which is another way of saying that it's radical lefty editors were not running a news service, but a lefty propaganda bureau with little regard for the truth. The bias was so bad that BBC came to be known as the Baghdad Broadcasting Corporation, so bad that it was turned off on British warships. Reporter Andrew Gilligan was at the center of the vortex of lies, rivalling the Iraqi Minister of Information in preposterous assertions. Gilligan stood at a quiet corner of the Baghdad airport while it was being taken by American forces and claimed no Americans were there. He claimed that the US military was dishonest and inept, as it took Iraq in six weeks. He said that the liberation of Iraq from Saddam by America plunged the country into more fear than they had ever known. Finally and fatally, he sliced and diced the opinion of a British weapons inspector, David Kelly, and assembled them into a sensational and false charge that Tony Blair had lied to lead Britain to war.
What a tangled web the lefties weave, when first they practice to deceive. The leaders of the BBC are resigning and good riddance. Gilligan is doomed, though his lefty journalist friends defend him because after all, what does it matter if the stories aren't technically true as long as they promote the greater truth of the socialist cause?
Expect to hear wild accusations of a blacklist now that the lefty liars have been exposed and trashed.
# posted by Tantor : Friday, January 30, 2004 - 2:22 AM EST (Washington, DC Time)
_ _ _
Update: Wednesday 24 March 2004
Copy of my response to a comment on this post:
Daniel, Thanks for commenting. Nice to meet you. Followed your link to your sites and see you are a journalist, researcher, commentator and economist in London and Calcutta. Guess from your mosquito post you are in India right now. How interesting. Looking forward to catching up on your blog. Please forgive if this reply sounds disjointed. I've been doing too much reading and writing, I've just posted to my blog, am over tired and struggling this morning with concentration. It's 8.37 am right now on a cloudy and cool morning here by the seaside in England.
The point I was making in my post is that the BBC are not serving the public as an unbiased public broadcasting service. They are not just reporting news and facts. Sadly, they are creating their own news stories from the way they see things. Even more disturbingly, they are regularly slanting reports taken from a particular political viewpoint.
As a public broadcasting service they are paid to report the news and facts. So that every licence paying household in the UK - no matter what their political persuasion - can get timely world news and facts to make up their own minds on political and other issues. Where else can we get this if not from our PBS?
We have no real PBS because the BBC has taken it upon itself to serve as a left wing organisation. How can that be right. It's not a case of State dictating the news agenda. It's a matter of licence fee payers expecting that they are funding a public broadcasting service - to be free from commercial and political constraints and corruption - to report unbiased news and facts freely to the whole nation - not creating their own stories and putting their own politics and slant on deadly serious issues.
No doubt every single Brit would love and respect the BBC if it reported just the news and facts. But because the BBC wants to be biased and innovative in its style of reporting and create its own stories and news, digital channels, ventures etc., I would vote to let them do so. I am in no way suggesting the BBC is scrapped. I'd like to see the BBC freed from its PBS obligations to enable it to continue operating like any other commercially run news service.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/24/2004
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
TNT LOST MY POWERBOOK
Apple process refund
Yesterday, Apple phoned to say that their carrier TNT had lost my delivery. Today, they processed my refund. I'll have to wait 4-5 working days for it to show on my credit card before charging another PowerBook, 30-days interest free. Still waiting for Dell to pick up this faulty machine and process the refund.
Apple will give my order priority, and ensure that the Applecare 3-year guarantee I purchased takes effect after the Mac arrives so a month is not lost. Because the Apple software arrived here a few weeks ago, along with the Applecare 3-year guarantee, I'm out of pocket GBP 400 for stuff that I paid for a month ago and can't use until next month.
On March 9 and 19 I emailed Dell India because I'd heard nothing since their Feb 26 phone call to me. They'd said someone from Dell would phone me within a few days to arrange pick up of this faulty laptop and process a refund. To date, I've still heard nothing.
_ _ _
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
[via Tao of Pauly]
Apple process refund
Yesterday, Apple phoned to say that their carrier TNT had lost my delivery. Today, they processed my refund. I'll have to wait 4-5 working days for it to show on my credit card before charging another PowerBook, 30-days interest free. Still waiting for Dell to pick up this faulty machine and process the refund.
Apple will give my order priority, and ensure that the Applecare 3-year guarantee I purchased takes effect after the Mac arrives so a month is not lost. Because the Apple software arrived here a few weeks ago, along with the Applecare 3-year guarantee, I'm out of pocket GBP 400 for stuff that I paid for a month ago and can't use until next month.
On March 9 and 19 I emailed Dell India because I'd heard nothing since their Feb 26 phone call to me. They'd said someone from Dell would phone me within a few days to arrange pick up of this faulty laptop and process a refund. To date, I've still heard nothing.
_ _ _
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
[via Tao of Pauly]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/23/2004
________________________________________________
WE QUIT DRINKING BLOG
How to test if someone has a drinking problem
The last time I had a drink was about five years ago, after the funeral of my Austrian Aunt. Finest whiskey and crystal tumblers. It sure turned a grim situation mellow. Everyone glowed. The whole room glowed. The gathering became jolly. A late night party. People laughed. And joked. Drinking sure made one feel better. It was the warmest atmosphere you could imagine. My Aunt would have loved it. Must be difficult for anyone to refuse a drink in such a situation.
In the We Quit Drinking blog, someone posted this comment:
A counselling prof once told us that a relatively accurate way to test if someone has a drinking problem (notice I don't say alcoholic, since not all people with a drinking problem are alcoholics. Although all alcoholics have a drinking problem.) Anyways, the test is this:
Can the person with the drinking problem come home and drink just one drink every night for a month?
His point was that it is easier to go on the wagon completely than hold yourself to one drink if you are in the grip of a drinking problem.
[via Halley's Comment]
WE QUIT DRINKING BLOG
How to test if someone has a drinking problem
The last time I had a drink was about five years ago, after the funeral of my Austrian Aunt. Finest whiskey and crystal tumblers. It sure turned a grim situation mellow. Everyone glowed. The whole room glowed. The gathering became jolly. A late night party. People laughed. And joked. Drinking sure made one feel better. It was the warmest atmosphere you could imagine. My Aunt would have loved it. Must be difficult for anyone to refuse a drink in such a situation.
In the We Quit Drinking blog, someone posted this comment:
A counselling prof once told us that a relatively accurate way to test if someone has a drinking problem (notice I don't say alcoholic, since not all people with a drinking problem are alcoholics. Although all alcoholics have a drinking problem.) Anyways, the test is this:
Can the person with the drinking problem come home and drink just one drink every night for a month?
His point was that it is easier to go on the wagon completely than hold yourself to one drink if you are in the grip of a drinking problem.
[via Halley's Comment]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/23/2004
________________________________________________
CONSERVATIVE PROPAGANDA BLOG
Tantor, the World's Leading Authority, dissects
Right from Wrong in current events and random topics
Yesterday, I found Conservative Propaganda blog via the fab new Technorati. Tantor, the author, may be a male living on the east coast of America. It's the first blog I've found that speaks my views. The first time I voted in a General Election was for Labour, in the hope of Tony Blair becoming Prime Minister, and I've not wavered in my support since.
On the graph of the political compass test, my score appeared in exactly the same spot as Mahatma Gandhi, and in the same corner as Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. My score showed Economic Left/Right -5.50, Libertarian/Authoritarian -3.13.
Going by their graphs and categories, my score appears in the same corner as the UK Greens - and the US politics of Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton. I wonder what that makes me - a Green Libertarian Lefty? I've never considered myself a Liberal nor would I vote Liberal. Maybe I'll start looking out for the Greens and see what they are up to in this country.
Tantor has style, does not mince words, gets straight to the point, and hits the nail right on the head - quite something on complex issues. I wonder who Tantor is? Sounds well informed and clever too. Here's an example of three recent posts:
Thousands Of Lefties Around The World March In Protest Of The Gulf War - Hundreds of thousands of knucklehead lefties took their protest of the Gulf War to the streets of Italy, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, India, the Philippines, Egypt, the United States, Turkey, and Yemen, among other countries. The only place where the locals did not protest the Gulf War was Iraq.
Appeasing The Jihadis Will Not Spare Europe From Further Attacks - History shows that appeasement encourages the predators, who seek easy prey. By preaching appeasement, the Europeans become useful idiots of the Muslim fanatics who seek their destruction.
Zawahiri Boasts Al Qaeda Has A Nuke - Mr. Brains Behind Al Qaeda, Dr Ayman Zawahri, brags that Al Qaeda bought a backpack nuke on the black market in Russia. The Soviet Union developed such small nukes to be smuggled into America by special forces in the event of WWIII. It sounds like a punk threat from a terrorist who lacks the muscle to actually do something. With any luck, Zawahiri's dead now.
CONSERVATIVE PROPAGANDA BLOG
Tantor, the World's Leading Authority, dissects
Right from Wrong in current events and random topics
Yesterday, I found Conservative Propaganda blog via the fab new Technorati. Tantor, the author, may be a male living on the east coast of America. It's the first blog I've found that speaks my views. The first time I voted in a General Election was for Labour, in the hope of Tony Blair becoming Prime Minister, and I've not wavered in my support since.
On the graph of the political compass test, my score appeared in exactly the same spot as Mahatma Gandhi, and in the same corner as Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. My score showed Economic Left/Right -5.50, Libertarian/Authoritarian -3.13.
Going by their graphs and categories, my score appears in the same corner as the UK Greens - and the US politics of Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton. I wonder what that makes me - a Green Libertarian Lefty? I've never considered myself a Liberal nor would I vote Liberal. Maybe I'll start looking out for the Greens and see what they are up to in this country.
Tantor has style, does not mince words, gets straight to the point, and hits the nail right on the head - quite something on complex issues. I wonder who Tantor is? Sounds well informed and clever too. Here's an example of three recent posts:
Thousands Of Lefties Around The World March In Protest Of The Gulf War - Hundreds of thousands of knucklehead lefties took their protest of the Gulf War to the streets of Italy, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, India, the Philippines, Egypt, the United States, Turkey, and Yemen, among other countries. The only place where the locals did not protest the Gulf War was Iraq.
Appeasing The Jihadis Will Not Spare Europe From Further Attacks - History shows that appeasement encourages the predators, who seek easy prey. By preaching appeasement, the Europeans become useful idiots of the Muslim fanatics who seek their destruction.
Zawahiri Boasts Al Qaeda Has A Nuke - Mr. Brains Behind Al Qaeda, Dr Ayman Zawahri, brags that Al Qaeda bought a backpack nuke on the black market in Russia. The Soviet Union developed such small nukes to be smuggled into America by special forces in the event of WWIII. It sounds like a punk threat from a terrorist who lacks the muscle to actually do something. With any luck, Zawahiri's dead now.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/23/2004
Monday, March 22, 2004
THE FACT IS THAT WE ARE AT WAR
It's the Islamist war against the West
Seems to me the blogosphere is full of people with a narrow and naive view of what's going on in the world. Their blog posts clearly show they do not read enough to know what they are talking about. And yet they talk like they know what's best for us. It's like they're judging the picture of a hugely complex jig saw puzzle based on their knowledge of only a few pieces. They can't possibly get the whole picture.
Maybe they don't like to read, or don't have enough time to read properly. Their views are so simplistic. It's scary. These people are voters. How can they be expected to vote for what's right if they don't have all the facts. Ill informed voters could endanger not only the whole future of Europe and America but also the rest of the world. Voters, including myself, need educating on world history and the geography of Europe and the Middle East over the past few hundred years.
_ _ _
WE MAY BE WITNESSING A STRANGE REVERSAL OF THE 1930's
With Islamo fascists in place of Euro-fascists
Washington-based British born Andrew Sullivan is outraged by Spain's surrender to al-Qaeda's deadly blackmail - and by the Tory voices joining the clamour for capitulation to evil.
Yesterday, a major report written by Andrew appeared in The Sunday Times of London. It explains why we are at war and why the terrorists must not be appeased. Because he explains complex political issues so well, I've extracted the following, from his report, and broken it up into bite size pieces - adding my own headings.
Title of Andrew's piece: "Europe's Appeasers: We may be witnessing a strange reversal of the 1930's, with Islamo-fascists in place of Euro-fascists".
_ _ _
EUROPE IS MOST AT RISK
And it is not the fault of the US
The latter-day Halifaxes and Chamberlains, when they are not busy running from danger, are busy denying that it even exists. One thing is as true today as it was in the 1930s: it is Europe that is most at risk. It is Europe that is closest to the explosive Middle East - which is growing demographically as rapidly as Europe is declining.
It is Europe that has a Muslim population most receptive to the toxins of anti-semitism and medieval theocracy that sustain the new fascists. It is Europe that is most vulnerable to terror because it is geographically far more accessible across borders and national frontiers. Yet it is Europe that is most set on pretending that it is not at risk. Or worse: pretending that the risks Europe confronts are somehow the fault of America.
_ _ _
THE ISLAMIST WAR AGAINST THE WEST
Its roots and goals
The Islamist war against the West existed and grew in strength and potency throughout the 1990s. It draws its roots from the Muslim Brotherhood of the 1970s and 1980s. It is quite candid in its goals: expulsion of all infidels from Islamic lands, the subjugation of political pluralism to fascistic theocracy, the elimination of all Jews anywhere, the enslavement of women, the murder of homosexuals and the expansion of a new Islamic realm up to and beyond the medieval boundaries of Islam's golden past.
_ _ _
DON'T BLAME THE GOOD GUYS
For exposing and punishing the bad guys
Bin Laden spoke of reclaiming Andalusia long before Bush was president. He was building terror camps and seeking WMD while Bill Clinton was in the White House. Blaming the policeman for exposing and punishing the criminal may feel good for a little while but it is a fool's errand.
_ _ _
WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN AND/OR IRAQ
Would be catastrophic for them and for the West and the entire Middle East
For Americans and Europeans to bicker among themselves about the past when their shared and mutual future hangs in the balance is almost suicidal. We are in danger of missing the most important fact in front of us. It's a fact that, to his credit, Blair has long grasped and refuses to abandon. That fact is that we are at war.
_ _ _
APPEASING TERRORISTS
Plays into the hands of the enemy
Global terrorism, fuelled by a unifying Islamist ideology and potentially armed with weapons more powerful than anything used by terrorists before, is a formidable foe. Appeasing this force will strengthen it. Blaming allies because they have dared to confront it is simply to play into the hands of the enemy.
It's the Islamist war against the West
Seems to me the blogosphere is full of people with a narrow and naive view of what's going on in the world. Their blog posts clearly show they do not read enough to know what they are talking about. And yet they talk like they know what's best for us. It's like they're judging the picture of a hugely complex jig saw puzzle based on their knowledge of only a few pieces. They can't possibly get the whole picture.
Maybe they don't like to read, or don't have enough time to read properly. Their views are so simplistic. It's scary. These people are voters. How can they be expected to vote for what's right if they don't have all the facts. Ill informed voters could endanger not only the whole future of Europe and America but also the rest of the world. Voters, including myself, need educating on world history and the geography of Europe and the Middle East over the past few hundred years.
_ _ _
WE MAY BE WITNESSING A STRANGE REVERSAL OF THE 1930's
With Islamo fascists in place of Euro-fascists
Washington-based British born Andrew Sullivan is outraged by Spain's surrender to al-Qaeda's deadly blackmail - and by the Tory voices joining the clamour for capitulation to evil.
Yesterday, a major report written by Andrew appeared in The Sunday Times of London. It explains why we are at war and why the terrorists must not be appeased. Because he explains complex political issues so well, I've extracted the following, from his report, and broken it up into bite size pieces - adding my own headings.
Title of Andrew's piece: "Europe's Appeasers: We may be witnessing a strange reversal of the 1930's, with Islamo-fascists in place of Euro-fascists".
_ _ _
EUROPE IS MOST AT RISK
And it is not the fault of the US
The latter-day Halifaxes and Chamberlains, when they are not busy running from danger, are busy denying that it even exists. One thing is as true today as it was in the 1930s: it is Europe that is most at risk. It is Europe that is closest to the explosive Middle East - which is growing demographically as rapidly as Europe is declining.
It is Europe that has a Muslim population most receptive to the toxins of anti-semitism and medieval theocracy that sustain the new fascists. It is Europe that is most vulnerable to terror because it is geographically far more accessible across borders and national frontiers. Yet it is Europe that is most set on pretending that it is not at risk. Or worse: pretending that the risks Europe confronts are somehow the fault of America.
_ _ _
THE ISLAMIST WAR AGAINST THE WEST
Its roots and goals
The Islamist war against the West existed and grew in strength and potency throughout the 1990s. It draws its roots from the Muslim Brotherhood of the 1970s and 1980s. It is quite candid in its goals: expulsion of all infidels from Islamic lands, the subjugation of political pluralism to fascistic theocracy, the elimination of all Jews anywhere, the enslavement of women, the murder of homosexuals and the expansion of a new Islamic realm up to and beyond the medieval boundaries of Islam's golden past.
_ _ _
DON'T BLAME THE GOOD GUYS
For exposing and punishing the bad guys
Bin Laden spoke of reclaiming Andalusia long before Bush was president. He was building terror camps and seeking WMD while Bill Clinton was in the White House. Blaming the policeman for exposing and punishing the criminal may feel good for a little while but it is a fool's errand.
_ _ _
WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN AND/OR IRAQ
Would be catastrophic for them and for the West and the entire Middle East
For Americans and Europeans to bicker among themselves about the past when their shared and mutual future hangs in the balance is almost suicidal. We are in danger of missing the most important fact in front of us. It's a fact that, to his credit, Blair has long grasped and refuses to abandon. That fact is that we are at war.
_ _ _
APPEASING TERRORISTS
Plays into the hands of the enemy
Global terrorism, fuelled by a unifying Islamist ideology and potentially armed with weapons more powerful than anything used by terrorists before, is a formidable foe. Appeasing this force will strengthen it. Blaming allies because they have dared to confront it is simply to play into the hands of the enemy.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/22/2004
Sunday, March 21, 2004
THE LEGENDARY MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK
Used by Van Gogh, Matisse, Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin
Moleskine™ is a Trademark of Modo & Modo. Moleskine notebooks, a real cult item, are now available in a whole range of styles. Ideal for travelling, all Moleskine books have a hardback cover, an elastic closure and the hidden secret - an inner pocket which is perfect for keeping loose notes, bills, tickets and more.
Moleskine is a family of notebooks for different functions. Each Moleskine has a rigid, oilcloth bound 'moleskine' cover, and the acid free paper pages are thread bound. They also have an elastic closure and an expandable inner note holder made of cardboard and oilcloth and a removable card with the Moleskine history.
The pocket notebooks come in a variety of styles, including a Japanese pocket album with 60 pages of long continuous fold-out sheet for making visuals, photo albums etc. The plain notebook has a small pocket in the back cover to stick receipts, mementos, ticket stubs. It has a well built-in ribbon bookmark and an elastic strap to keep the book closed. The notebooks lay flat when open.
Modo Modo, located in Milan, Italy, is the current manufacturer of the legendary Italian made Moleskine notebooks, having revived it recent times. Retailers in the United States use the US distributor Kikkerland Design Inc of New York, NY.
_ _ _
MOLESKINE POCKET SIZE NOTEBOOKS
Neat gifts for birthdays and Christmas
Because Moleskine notebooks make such neat gifts, I'm thinking of buying a load for birthday and Christmas presents. They'd be simple for me to wrap, pop into an envelope and mail with a letter or card. Every person I know, would use one. Bloggers love them so much, they even dedicate blog space to them.
Yesterday, I found a UK Worldwide Trading Company website for Moleskine where £300 is the minimum first order they'll accept. Which involves ordering by the dozen in one go. Suits my purpose fine. But £300.... maybe I'll ask a friend to split part of the order with me.
We'd need to decide and agree on the best size - and paper, ie ruled, squared or plain. Right now, I'm thinking of the Pocket size 9 x14 cm with plain paper as it's described as a reliable, pocket-size travel companion for sketches, thoughts and passing notes. Trouble is, there are so many to choose from...
_ _ _
MOLESKINERIE
And other moleskine blogs
Bloggers love their Moleskines. Greg van Eekhout is completely sold on his, along with Joi Ito (sorry can't find link) and Lisa Williams who uses ruled paper - and a Fisher Space Pen that writes anywhere -- upside down, in the wet, in the cold -- and ink never leaks or smears.
Armand B Frasco welcomes writers, travellers, artistes, dreamers and all to his Moleskinerie blog.
And, there are 79 comments at Metafilter's Moleskine-ing discussion that may give some tips on a nifty pen or pencil to match the Moleskine pocket size notebook.
[With thanks to pomegranates and paper via A Life in Wales]
Used by Van Gogh, Matisse, Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin
Moleskine™ is a Trademark of Modo & Modo. Moleskine notebooks, a real cult item, are now available in a whole range of styles. Ideal for travelling, all Moleskine books have a hardback cover, an elastic closure and the hidden secret - an inner pocket which is perfect for keeping loose notes, bills, tickets and more.
Moleskine is a family of notebooks for different functions. Each Moleskine has a rigid, oilcloth bound 'moleskine' cover, and the acid free paper pages are thread bound. They also have an elastic closure and an expandable inner note holder made of cardboard and oilcloth and a removable card with the Moleskine history.
The pocket notebooks come in a variety of styles, including a Japanese pocket album with 60 pages of long continuous fold-out sheet for making visuals, photo albums etc. The plain notebook has a small pocket in the back cover to stick receipts, mementos, ticket stubs. It has a well built-in ribbon bookmark and an elastic strap to keep the book closed. The notebooks lay flat when open.
Modo Modo, located in Milan, Italy, is the current manufacturer of the legendary Italian made Moleskine notebooks, having revived it recent times. Retailers in the United States use the US distributor Kikkerland Design Inc of New York, NY.
_ _ _
MOLESKINE POCKET SIZE NOTEBOOKS
Neat gifts for birthdays and Christmas
Because Moleskine notebooks make such neat gifts, I'm thinking of buying a load for birthday and Christmas presents. They'd be simple for me to wrap, pop into an envelope and mail with a letter or card. Every person I know, would use one. Bloggers love them so much, they even dedicate blog space to them.
Yesterday, I found a UK Worldwide Trading Company website for Moleskine where £300 is the minimum first order they'll accept. Which involves ordering by the dozen in one go. Suits my purpose fine. But £300.... maybe I'll ask a friend to split part of the order with me.
We'd need to decide and agree on the best size - and paper, ie ruled, squared or plain. Right now, I'm thinking of the Pocket size 9 x14 cm with plain paper as it's described as a reliable, pocket-size travel companion for sketches, thoughts and passing notes. Trouble is, there are so many to choose from...
_ _ _
MOLESKINERIE
And other moleskine blogs
Bloggers love their Moleskines. Greg van Eekhout is completely sold on his, along with Joi Ito (sorry can't find link) and Lisa Williams who uses ruled paper - and a Fisher Space Pen that writes anywhere -- upside down, in the wet, in the cold -- and ink never leaks or smears.
Armand B Frasco welcomes writers, travellers, artistes, dreamers and all to his Moleskinerie blog.
And, there are 79 comments at Metafilter's Moleskine-ing discussion that may give some tips on a nifty pen or pencil to match the Moleskine pocket size notebook.
[With thanks to pomegranates and paper via A Life in Wales]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/21/2004
Saturday, March 20, 2004
AUTOPSY REPORT BLOG
Log of experiences as a Medical Examiner Intern
Brian's sidebar at Autopsy Report blog shows it is powered by FreeFind. There's a Blogger icon too. And a familiar banner ad at the top of the page. Wonder if it's a BlogSpot. I like his layout. And colour of text and links.
Note: Hello to blogging pathologist Madhu - this post is for you ;)
_ _ _
CHEMIST GOES TO MED SCHOOL BLOG
British blogger living in the Philippines
Found above Autopsy Report blog in Cathleen's sidebar at chemblog. In June, Cathleen, a chemist from the UK, is due to go to med school in the Philippines where she's lived for the past six years.
Last year, I found her blog through Technorati as she'd put me and ophelia in her sidebar. Her blog had no commenting facility or email for me to say thanks, nice to meet you. I've just found her other blog a chemist goes to med school which has a neat post on people's names: A Rhose, by Any Other Name. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" -- (Proverbs 22:1)
_ _ _
NO FERTILIZED DUCK EGGS FOR YOU!
Balut: A matter of taste
Excerpt from Cathleen's post on BALUT at chemblog:
"...BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can't see how gross it is. It's meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can't imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially-formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernable feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called 'soup', the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus... excuse me, I have to go and throw up now. I'll be back in a minute."
Log of experiences as a Medical Examiner Intern
Brian's sidebar at Autopsy Report blog shows it is powered by FreeFind. There's a Blogger icon too. And a familiar banner ad at the top of the page. Wonder if it's a BlogSpot. I like his layout. And colour of text and links.
Note: Hello to blogging pathologist Madhu - this post is for you ;)
_ _ _
CHEMIST GOES TO MED SCHOOL BLOG
British blogger living in the Philippines
Found above Autopsy Report blog in Cathleen's sidebar at chemblog. In June, Cathleen, a chemist from the UK, is due to go to med school in the Philippines where she's lived for the past six years.
Last year, I found her blog through Technorati as she'd put me and ophelia in her sidebar. Her blog had no commenting facility or email for me to say thanks, nice to meet you. I've just found her other blog a chemist goes to med school which has a neat post on people's names: A Rhose, by Any Other Name. "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" -- (Proverbs 22:1)
_ _ _
NO FERTILIZED DUCK EGGS FOR YOU!
Balut: A matter of taste
Excerpt from Cathleen's post on BALUT at chemblog:
"...BALUT, for those still blissfully ignorant non-Pinoys out there, is a fertilized duck egg. It is commonly sold with salt in a piece of newspaper, much like English fish and chips, by street vendors usually after dark, presumably so you can't see how gross it is. It's meant to be an aphrodisiac, although I can't imagine anything more likely to dispel sexual desire than crunching on a partially-formed baby duck swimming in noxious fluid. The embryo in the egg comes in varying stages of development, but basically it is not considered macho to eat one without fully discernable feathers, beak, and claws. Some say these crunchy bits are the best. Others prefer just to drink the so-called 'soup', the vile, pungent liquid that surrounds the aforementioned feathery fetus... excuse me, I have to go and throw up now. I'll be back in a minute."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/20/2004
_______________________________________________
BLOGGING SPRING SNOW IN BOSTON, USA
Phew, what a scorcher in Australia
Picturing Jim Moore's two sugar maples in Boston, enjoying themselves in the snow.
And John Rowbottom's dogs Charlie and Sam in Australia's 100 degree Fahrenheit this weekend.
_ _ _
JOZAN MAGAZINE
Oriental rug news
Jozan Magazine is an International web-site and digital magazine about oriental rugs and carpets. Includes Danish, Swedish and Norwegian versions. Articles on oriental rugs and carpets, auction calendar, sales gallery with rugs from their members and a very large educational rug gallery.
The educational photo-gallery with more than 1450 Persian, Anatolian, Caucasian, Turkmen and Balouch rugs is a important part of the magazine. Most of the images are published with permission from friendly dealers, auction houses, collectors and museums.
This post is a warm hello to Jim O'Connell to say sorry you are having such a horrible time with Bird et al. Just ignore them like they don't exist and keep on blogging ;)
BLOGGING SPRING SNOW IN BOSTON, USA
Phew, what a scorcher in Australia
Picturing Jim Moore's two sugar maples in Boston, enjoying themselves in the snow.
And John Rowbottom's dogs Charlie and Sam in Australia's 100 degree Fahrenheit this weekend.
_ _ _
JOZAN MAGAZINE
Oriental rug news
Jozan Magazine is an International web-site and digital magazine about oriental rugs and carpets. Includes Danish, Swedish and Norwegian versions. Articles on oriental rugs and carpets, auction calendar, sales gallery with rugs from their members and a very large educational rug gallery.
The educational photo-gallery with more than 1450 Persian, Anatolian, Caucasian, Turkmen and Balouch rugs is a important part of the magazine. Most of the images are published with permission from friendly dealers, auction houses, collectors and museums.
This post is a warm hello to Jim O'Connell to say sorry you are having such a horrible time with Bird et al. Just ignore them like they don't exist and keep on blogging ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/20/2004
______________________________________________
CANCER GIGGLES BLOG
Cancer, Life, Death, Illness and Politics
Excerpt: "This site is hopefully an idiot's guide to accepting, living with, laughing at and dying from cancer. The very, very last bit I can't be absolutely sure of but then who the hell can? I could have put together some beautifully crafted, grammatically correct essays but I hope you will understand, that when I say "I don't have a lot of time" I mean it far more literally than you do. I wanted to publish some thoughts which may just light a spark in some people."
_ _ _
GOODBYE CANDY GIRL
A celebration of a wonderful life
Emma Candy, known as Candygirl, got cancer and decided to write about it and other things. Emma faced her ordeal with great courage and dignity as her journal shows: may I be Frank?
CANCER GIGGLES BLOG
Cancer, Life, Death, Illness and Politics
Excerpt: "This site is hopefully an idiot's guide to accepting, living with, laughing at and dying from cancer. The very, very last bit I can't be absolutely sure of but then who the hell can? I could have put together some beautifully crafted, grammatically correct essays but I hope you will understand, that when I say "I don't have a lot of time" I mean it far more literally than you do. I wanted to publish some thoughts which may just light a spark in some people."
_ _ _
GOODBYE CANDY GIRL
A celebration of a wonderful life
Emma Candy, known as Candygirl, got cancer and decided to write about it and other things. Emma faced her ordeal with great courage and dignity as her journal shows: may I be Frank?
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/20/2004
________________________________________________________
THANK GOD THE ANTI IRAQ WAR PROTESTORS
ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING US
Even the Iraqis say life has got better since the war
Don't you wonder why people, after eleven years and acres of news on Iraq under the full glare of the world's media, still bang on about wanting to know why we were taken to war? I do. Even in today's report on the demo in London to mark the Iraq war anniversary, it quotes Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, as saying: 'We reiterate our call for a full public inquiry because the public has a right to know why we were taken to war.'
I don't get what the anti Iraq war people are talking about or how they would protect us. See why in my comment below. Note the above report links to a wide-ranging poll, commissioned by the BBC in association with other international broadcasters, that has given a fresh insight into the views of Iraqis a year after the US-led war. Of 2,652 Iraqis surveyed, the majority said life has got better since the war. Even more expected further improvements.
_ _ _
DO NOT APPEASE THE TERRORISTS
Neutrality is not an option
Yesterday, in response to a post and comment made by an American blogger Fran, aka Redondowriter, I left the following comment over at Adagio's Life in Wales:
"My guess is that most people are against war. Hopefully too, most are opposed to terrorism. Terrorists must not be appeased. Neutrality is no option. Saddam Hussein for eleven years defied (too much to list here) and was given every opportunity to come clean and document what weapons he had stockpiled. In front of the world's media, he refused to do so. Even after defying UN resolutions. And in the last three days before March 18 2003, he was defiant. Why? What was he hiding?
He'd invaded, attacked his neighbour Iran. For what? He lost. As a result, he was not allowed to build up weapons of mass destruction. Why was the work of the UN weapons inspectors made so difficult, and for months at a time impossible? People who are anti the Iraq war seem to gloss over many issues, including the atrocities that Saddam Hussein committed, even against his own people - civilian men, women and children, not to mention the gassing of some 5,000.
I do not agree that the Americans are the laughing stock of the world nor that this is a very dark time for the US. Take the long view. History will vindicate President George Bush. To me, the world felt a mighty unsafe place on 9/11. I, for one, am grateful to the US and our Prime Minister for taking such bold and decisive action. It saddens me that the complexity of protecting us from mass murdering terrorists, in this day and age, is such an unappreciated and thankless task.
Recently, I blogged a post about the stomach churning walk through the deadly silence of Chernobyl. Click through the pictures of today. Read about the 400,000 people that have died and the countless others still suffering and dying. See all 17 pages of that site to remind yourselves everything - at any cost - must be done to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again - either by accident or chemical, biological or nuclear warfare.
What happened at Chernobyl shows that when it does happen, it's too late for man to do anything about it."
_ _ _
HAVE YOUR SAY
Are Iraqis better off now than before the war?
An opinion poll In Iraq suggests that people are happier than they were before the invasion, optimistic about the future and opposed to violence.
57% of Iraqis think their lives have improved since the former president, Saddam Hussein, was deposed.
Almost half (49%) believed the invasion of Iraq by the US-led coalition was right, although 41% felt that the invasion "humiliated Iraq".
The poll, of more than 2,500 adults, was carried out by Oxford Research International between February 10 and 28. It was commissioned by the BBC in association with other international broadcasters and coincides with the first anniversary of the start of the war that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Is Iraq a better place now? Here's what people are saying.
THANK GOD THE ANTI IRAQ WAR PROTESTORS
ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING US
Even the Iraqis say life has got better since the war
Don't you wonder why people, after eleven years and acres of news on Iraq under the full glare of the world's media, still bang on about wanting to know why we were taken to war? I do. Even in today's report on the demo in London to mark the Iraq war anniversary, it quotes Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, as saying: 'We reiterate our call for a full public inquiry because the public has a right to know why we were taken to war.'
I don't get what the anti Iraq war people are talking about or how they would protect us. See why in my comment below. Note the above report links to a wide-ranging poll, commissioned by the BBC in association with other international broadcasters, that has given a fresh insight into the views of Iraqis a year after the US-led war. Of 2,652 Iraqis surveyed, the majority said life has got better since the war. Even more expected further improvements.
_ _ _
DO NOT APPEASE THE TERRORISTS
Neutrality is not an option
Yesterday, in response to a post and comment made by an American blogger Fran, aka Redondowriter, I left the following comment over at Adagio's Life in Wales:
"My guess is that most people are against war. Hopefully too, most are opposed to terrorism. Terrorists must not be appeased. Neutrality is no option. Saddam Hussein for eleven years defied (too much to list here) and was given every opportunity to come clean and document what weapons he had stockpiled. In front of the world's media, he refused to do so. Even after defying UN resolutions. And in the last three days before March 18 2003, he was defiant. Why? What was he hiding?
He'd invaded, attacked his neighbour Iran. For what? He lost. As a result, he was not allowed to build up weapons of mass destruction. Why was the work of the UN weapons inspectors made so difficult, and for months at a time impossible? People who are anti the Iraq war seem to gloss over many issues, including the atrocities that Saddam Hussein committed, even against his own people - civilian men, women and children, not to mention the gassing of some 5,000.
I do not agree that the Americans are the laughing stock of the world nor that this is a very dark time for the US. Take the long view. History will vindicate President George Bush. To me, the world felt a mighty unsafe place on 9/11. I, for one, am grateful to the US and our Prime Minister for taking such bold and decisive action. It saddens me that the complexity of protecting us from mass murdering terrorists, in this day and age, is such an unappreciated and thankless task.
Recently, I blogged a post about the stomach churning walk through the deadly silence of Chernobyl. Click through the pictures of today. Read about the 400,000 people that have died and the countless others still suffering and dying. See all 17 pages of that site to remind yourselves everything - at any cost - must be done to ensure that nothing like it ever happens again - either by accident or chemical, biological or nuclear warfare.
What happened at Chernobyl shows that when it does happen, it's too late for man to do anything about it."
_ _ _
HAVE YOUR SAY
Are Iraqis better off now than before the war?
An opinion poll In Iraq suggests that people are happier than they were before the invasion, optimistic about the future and opposed to violence.
57% of Iraqis think their lives have improved since the former president, Saddam Hussein, was deposed.
Almost half (49%) believed the invasion of Iraq by the US-led coalition was right, although 41% felt that the invasion "humiliated Iraq".
The poll, of more than 2,500 adults, was carried out by Oxford Research International between February 10 and 28. It was commissioned by the BBC in association with other international broadcasters and coincides with the first anniversary of the start of the war that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Is Iraq a better place now? Here's what people are saying.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/20/2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
NO CHICKEN FEET FOR YOU!
And snails in Cyprus
Enoch's No Chicken Feet For You! brought back memories. I'm sure I have eaten them in the way he suggests, but now wish I could say I had not.
My father served 25 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps and we lived for 3 years in Cyprus during the Eoka troubles. My brother was born at the British Military Hospital in Nicosia. As a child living near Famagusta - 200 yards from the beach - my friends and I sometimes played with chicken feet. The fun bit was (gross when I look back on it) if you pressed the ankley bit, the toes would wiggle :)
Now I've just remembered where we got the feet. An elderly Cypriot lady, dressed from head to toe in black, lived in the house behind ours. Her name was Despina. From our balcony, I'd watch her chase chickens around the back yard. As soon as she caught one, she'd chop off it's head, drop the chicken and walk back indoors, leaving it to run around until it dropped.
Later, she would return to cut off its feet and pack the unplucked chicken into a large ball of wet mud. An old clay oven sat at the end of her garden. She'd roll the mud ball into the oven, heated by a bed of white hot burning charcoal.
At sundown, she'd open the oven door, roll out the mud ball and give it one karate chop. The mud would crack open into two halves with all the feathers stuck inside. The heavenly aroma was unforgettable. Because the weather was very hot, I would sit on our balcony, in a tin wash tub filled with cold water, and watch her do all of this. I was six years old.
Despina spoke not a word of English, and I not a word of Greek. Somehow we understood each other, and spent hours together. On warm dewy mornings, at the crack of dawn, I'd creep over to her house for breakfast. Together we'd collect snails from her lush garden and put them into a galvanised bucket filled with vinegar water. After boiling the bucket on her indoor stove, she would carry it outdoors, with chunks of unlevened bread gathered in her apron. We'd sit together on a bench in her garden, under her dreamy hanging vines heavily laden with black grapes (the size of plums) and, using a pin, ate the bucket load - while watching the sun come up.
Each day, Despina brewed fresh Turkish coffee that you could stand a spoon in. After drinking a cup, she'd do her daily 'reading'. And cried when she told us of our posting date back to England, even before we and the British army knew of our leaving.
And snails in Cyprus
Enoch's No Chicken Feet For You! brought back memories. I'm sure I have eaten them in the way he suggests, but now wish I could say I had not.
My father served 25 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps and we lived for 3 years in Cyprus during the Eoka troubles. My brother was born at the British Military Hospital in Nicosia. As a child living near Famagusta - 200 yards from the beach - my friends and I sometimes played with chicken feet. The fun bit was (gross when I look back on it) if you pressed the ankley bit, the toes would wiggle :)
Now I've just remembered where we got the feet. An elderly Cypriot lady, dressed from head to toe in black, lived in the house behind ours. Her name was Despina. From our balcony, I'd watch her chase chickens around the back yard. As soon as she caught one, she'd chop off it's head, drop the chicken and walk back indoors, leaving it to run around until it dropped.
Later, she would return to cut off its feet and pack the unplucked chicken into a large ball of wet mud. An old clay oven sat at the end of her garden. She'd roll the mud ball into the oven, heated by a bed of white hot burning charcoal.
At sundown, she'd open the oven door, roll out the mud ball and give it one karate chop. The mud would crack open into two halves with all the feathers stuck inside. The heavenly aroma was unforgettable. Because the weather was very hot, I would sit on our balcony, in a tin wash tub filled with cold water, and watch her do all of this. I was six years old.
Despina spoke not a word of English, and I not a word of Greek. Somehow we understood each other, and spent hours together. On warm dewy mornings, at the crack of dawn, I'd creep over to her house for breakfast. Together we'd collect snails from her lush garden and put them into a galvanised bucket filled with vinegar water. After boiling the bucket on her indoor stove, she would carry it outdoors, with chunks of unlevened bread gathered in her apron. We'd sit together on a bench in her garden, under her dreamy hanging vines heavily laden with black grapes (the size of plums) and, using a pin, ate the bucket load - while watching the sun come up.
Each day, Despina brewed fresh Turkish coffee that you could stand a spoon in. After drinking a cup, she'd do her daily 'reading'. And cried when she told us of our posting date back to England, even before we and the British army knew of our leaving.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/19/2004
_______________________________________________
NEW BLOG SURVEY RESULTS
Expectations of Privacy and Accountability
Today, I received the Summary of Findings of a blog survey that I participated in late last year.
NEW BLOG SURVEY RESULTS
Expectations of Privacy and Accountability
Today, I received the Summary of Findings of a blog survey that I participated in late last year.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/19/2004
Thursday, March 18, 2004
CLIVE SOLEY'S HISTORIC FABIAN PAPER
One year on from the start of the Iraq war
One year ago, on March 18, 2003, 412 MPs voted for military action in Iraq and 149 voted against.
One year ago today, 18 months after 9/11, Saddam Hussein hunkered down in defiance of years of UN resolutions. He gambled that the USA and its European allies: Britain, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Poland and most of the other eastern European countries, were bluffing. Who wants him back in power now?
The Fabian Society scheduled March 18, 2004 as the date for publishing a paper, written by Clive Soley MP, on failing states and dictators. Clive has published the whole paper on his weblog. It's the first time that a Fabian Society paper has appeared on a weblog.
One year on from the start of the Iraq war
One year ago, on March 18, 2003, 412 MPs voted for military action in Iraq and 149 voted against.
One year ago today, 18 months after 9/11, Saddam Hussein hunkered down in defiance of years of UN resolutions. He gambled that the USA and its European allies: Britain, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Poland and most of the other eastern European countries, were bluffing. Who wants him back in power now?
The Fabian Society scheduled March 18, 2004 as the date for publishing a paper, written by Clive Soley MP, on failing states and dictators. Clive has published the whole paper on his weblog. It's the first time that a Fabian Society paper has appeared on a weblog.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/18/2004
___________________________________________
NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT MUST NOT APPEASE THE TERRORISTS
Neutrality is not an option
BBC news report Spain to re-join 'Old Europe' extract: "Along with Spain - the closest European allies of the US over Iraq and its strategy against terrorism - are Britain, Denmark, Italy, Poland and most of the other eastern European countries - which will join the European Union in May.
The winner of the Spanish general election, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has promised to end Spain's close alliance with the US over Iraq and to revive its traditional ties with France and Germany. The political landscape of Europe may again be split in two.
Within hours of the election result, Mr Zapatero condemned the Iraq war and its US-led occupation as "disasters". He said President George Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair should engage in "self-criticism" for their mistakes."
IMO the new Spanish government - and others - must not appease the terrorists. Neutrality is not an option. Take the long view. US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Blair and their European allies will be vindicated.
_ _ _
PAULY MCGRUPP
And Schanzer's Garage blog
Here's a copy of my recent comment to Pauly:
Pauly, I hope Schanzer writes a piece in his blog on the recent elections in Spain and what happened in Madrid.
I'm trying to understand the logic of people's varying opinions, and figure whose side they are on.
Would those who were anti the war in Iraq prefer that Saddam Hussein was still in power, committing atrocities, posing a threat to the region and future oil supplies?
Recently, the Spaniards voted out their Conservative government because it supported the US-UK led war against terrorism.
Instead, they've voted in a Socialist government that announced - on day one in office - its top priority will be to fight terrorism.
Maybe I've not read enough background information on this. If voters read even less than I do, what hope is there that they are understanding the issues?
_ _ _
THE RAIN IN SPAIN
By a British Blogger in Australia
John Rowbottom is English and lives with his wife in Australia – in Mandurah, on the Indian Ocean about an hour south of Perth in Western Australia. In a few months time, they'll get Australian citizenship.
John immerses himself in UK culture as he still works in the UK. It was his homeland for some forty years. One of his jobs is writing quiz questions for pubs in England. He keeps abreast of news, TV, sport etc. in the “mother country” where his children still live, and tends to blog mostly about English things (politics, English cricket, Sheffield Wednesday etc).
He has an interesting point of view on terrorism and the terrible bombing attacks in Madrid, Spain.
_ _ _
AL-QAEDA ADMITS IT CARRIED OUT ATTACKS
In Madrid, Istanbul and Iraq
BBC News reports that al-Quaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks in Madrid, which killed 201 commuters last week, and bombings in Istanbul and Iraq. A statement, claiming to come from al-Qaeda, has warned of imminent terrorist attacks in Britain and other countries.
The statement e-mailed to Arab news organisations on Wednesday night was signed by a group which said it carried out attacks in Madrid and Istanbul. It warned the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia that a "brigade of death" was targeting them and other countries.
But it also said it was freezing its operations in Spain as a reward for the new government's stance on Iraq. Spain's prime minister-elect, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has said he will pull Spain's 1,300 troops out of Iraq unless the UN intervenes.
NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT MUST NOT APPEASE THE TERRORISTS
Neutrality is not an option
BBC news report Spain to re-join 'Old Europe' extract: "Along with Spain - the closest European allies of the US over Iraq and its strategy against terrorism - are Britain, Denmark, Italy, Poland and most of the other eastern European countries - which will join the European Union in May.
The winner of the Spanish general election, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has promised to end Spain's close alliance with the US over Iraq and to revive its traditional ties with France and Germany. The political landscape of Europe may again be split in two.
Within hours of the election result, Mr Zapatero condemned the Iraq war and its US-led occupation as "disasters". He said President George Bush and Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair should engage in "self-criticism" for their mistakes."
IMO the new Spanish government - and others - must not appease the terrorists. Neutrality is not an option. Take the long view. US President Bush and UK Prime Minister Blair and their European allies will be vindicated.
_ _ _
PAULY MCGRUPP
And Schanzer's Garage blog
Here's a copy of my recent comment to Pauly:
Pauly, I hope Schanzer writes a piece in his blog on the recent elections in Spain and what happened in Madrid.
I'm trying to understand the logic of people's varying opinions, and figure whose side they are on.
Would those who were anti the war in Iraq prefer that Saddam Hussein was still in power, committing atrocities, posing a threat to the region and future oil supplies?
Recently, the Spaniards voted out their Conservative government because it supported the US-UK led war against terrorism.
Instead, they've voted in a Socialist government that announced - on day one in office - its top priority will be to fight terrorism.
Maybe I've not read enough background information on this. If voters read even less than I do, what hope is there that they are understanding the issues?
_ _ _
THE RAIN IN SPAIN
By a British Blogger in Australia
John Rowbottom is English and lives with his wife in Australia – in Mandurah, on the Indian Ocean about an hour south of Perth in Western Australia. In a few months time, they'll get Australian citizenship.
John immerses himself in UK culture as he still works in the UK. It was his homeland for some forty years. One of his jobs is writing quiz questions for pubs in England. He keeps abreast of news, TV, sport etc. in the “mother country” where his children still live, and tends to blog mostly about English things (politics, English cricket, Sheffield Wednesday etc).
He has an interesting point of view on terrorism and the terrible bombing attacks in Madrid, Spain.
_ _ _
AL-QAEDA ADMITS IT CARRIED OUT ATTACKS
In Madrid, Istanbul and Iraq
BBC News reports that al-Quaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks in Madrid, which killed 201 commuters last week, and bombings in Istanbul and Iraq. A statement, claiming to come from al-Qaeda, has warned of imminent terrorist attacks in Britain and other countries.
The statement e-mailed to Arab news organisations on Wednesday night was signed by a group which said it carried out attacks in Madrid and Istanbul. It warned the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia that a "brigade of death" was targeting them and other countries.
But it also said it was freezing its operations in Spain as a reward for the new government's stance on Iraq. Spain's prime minister-elect, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has said he will pull Spain's 1,300 troops out of Iraq unless the UN intervenes.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/18/2004
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
WHERE'S PHIL WOLFF AND JAMES K LEE?
Obits and blogs frozen in time and space
So glad Lisa's asked where's Phil Wolff? Last week, I thought of writing the same post but did not want to appear alarmist. Like Lisa says, some bloggers do take breaks.
Phil of Blogcount is a prolific veteran blogger. Recently, he took a short blogging break but warned us in advance. On Feb 16, his main blog froze, without warning. Hope he is OK.
Lisa also linked to Phil's Obituaries A La Blog, which I'd earmarked for a draft post on my blogging friend James K Lee.
James lives with his wife and their children on the west coast of America. I've not heard from him since mid December. His blog has been dangling - frozen in time - since Christmas. No update. No word. No reply to my emails or comments. Strange. Out of character. Can't help feeling it's bad news. Here's pinging American blogger Don Park via Technorati to ask what he thinks could have happened to James.
Obits and blogs frozen in time and space
So glad Lisa's asked where's Phil Wolff? Last week, I thought of writing the same post but did not want to appear alarmist. Like Lisa says, some bloggers do take breaks.
Phil of Blogcount is a prolific veteran blogger. Recently, he took a short blogging break but warned us in advance. On Feb 16, his main blog froze, without warning. Hope he is OK.
Lisa also linked to Phil's Obituaries A La Blog, which I'd earmarked for a draft post on my blogging friend James K Lee.
James lives with his wife and their children on the west coast of America. I've not heard from him since mid December. His blog has been dangling - frozen in time - since Christmas. No update. No word. No reply to my emails or comments. Strange. Out of character. Can't help feeling it's bad news. Here's pinging American blogger Don Park via Technorati to ask what he thinks could have happened to James.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/17/2004
_______________________________________________
JIBOT'S
Fun brain
Not sure how Jibot's brain came about, but it's fun. Thanks Lisa.
_ _ _
ECTO NOW SUPPORTS DEL.ICIO.US
Delicious feed as an RSS feed
Joi Ito explains Ecto now supports del.icio.us. Seems Ecto is a great blogging tool.
Update: More on ecto and del.icio.us from Ado and Elizabeth Lane Lawley
_ _ _
BEST OF BRITISH
Angle-Grinder Man
Recently, James Heming the Radio Invicta D.J. did a feature on Angle-Grinder Man and gave out the website on his breakfast show.
In appreciation, Angle-Grinder Man offered him and his team the special 'Gold-Star' cover, entitling them to preferential protection against wheel-clamping 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the whole Kent and London. Heh. Best of British luck to the ingenious showman. [via Joi Ito]
_ _ _
POOKIE ITO
More fun for Bo
Mizuka and Joi Ito now have a second puppy named Pookie. Other than the photo, no intro posted. Maybe Joi's fiancee, Mizuko, surprised him with Pookie when he arrived home from one of his trips. Heh. Big softies. All four of them.
Update Mar 20: Three dogs
Extract from Joi's Diary: "Not that most of you will care, but we have three dogs now. Our friend moved to a new apartment and couldn't keep her dog, Dino. Dino's a bit stressed from being in quarantine at Narita for a month. We got Pookie from another neighbor. Anyway, Bo, Pookie and Dino are running around the house right now like the cartoon Tasmanian devil."
JIBOT'S
Fun brain
Not sure how Jibot's brain came about, but it's fun. Thanks Lisa.
_ _ _
ECTO NOW SUPPORTS DEL.ICIO.US
Delicious feed as an RSS feed
Joi Ito explains Ecto now supports del.icio.us. Seems Ecto is a great blogging tool.
Update: More on ecto and del.icio.us from Ado and Elizabeth Lane Lawley
_ _ _
BEST OF BRITISH
Angle-Grinder Man
Recently, James Heming the Radio Invicta D.J. did a feature on Angle-Grinder Man and gave out the website on his breakfast show.
In appreciation, Angle-Grinder Man offered him and his team the special 'Gold-Star' cover, entitling them to preferential protection against wheel-clamping 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the whole Kent and London. Heh. Best of British luck to the ingenious showman. [via Joi Ito]
_ _ _
POOKIE ITO
More fun for Bo
Mizuka and Joi Ito now have a second puppy named Pookie. Other than the photo, no intro posted. Maybe Joi's fiancee, Mizuko, surprised him with Pookie when he arrived home from one of his trips. Heh. Big softies. All four of them.
Update Mar 20: Three dogs
Extract from Joi's Diary: "Not that most of you will care, but we have three dogs now. Our friend moved to a new apartment and couldn't keep her dog, Dino. Dino's a bit stressed from being in quarantine at Narita for a month. We got Pookie from another neighbor. Anyway, Bo, Pookie and Dino are running around the house right now like the cartoon Tasmanian devil."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/17/2004
_______________________________________________
GENUINE 24/7 DEAL @ VIRGIN.NET
Beware of Tiscali's Anytime package
Hello to Wendy in Scotland (and Big T out catching shrews). Thanks for your email. I've tried to make sure my POP server is set to pop.virgin.net for the virgin.net account and my outgoing server should be set to smtp.virgin.net for all accounts. Trouble is I'm unsure where to find it.
And this computer is driving me crazy. Blogging has taken hours today> It's switched off three times, six times yesterday and half way through registering with Virgin.net for their 24/7 unmetered access deal. Virgin deducted GPB 13.49 from my card for a month in advance. Connection took effect right away.
Unsure if it was my imagination but everything seems speedier online using Virgin.net. I wonder if there are variations in speed between ISPs. Net access through Tiscali was grindingly slow, especially at weekends. Never knew if it was too many users on Tiscali or the net itself.
After my email address changed to Virgin.net I got confused. Emails were slow going out. Incoming emails were arriving in duplicates. Outgoing emails would sit in outbox and not budge for an hour or so. Got over tired. Concentration slowed. Email seems OKish now.
Still awaiting an email from Dell India. Worried it might not get through. So I entered Tiscali's site to change my account - from Daytime Plus to Anytime - because I saw the first month of Anytime is free. Daft decision. Tried to amend to the GPB 4-5 per month package but it had already gone through and could not be changed. Oh well, at least I have two months - at a cost of around GBP 7.50 each month - to keep Tiscali alive until I get things sorted with the new computer.
Thanks to Michael in Wales for the comment warning users of fine print on Tiscali's ANYTIME access. At GBP 14.99 per month, it's not what it seems: users are restricted to 150 hours a month. One has to regularly logon at Tiscali with passwords to check usage. Tiscali provide no running tally - need to figure totals manually. Many pages and hundreds of entries - it's a hassle to calculate. Last October, I moved away from Tiscali's Anytime. I would not recommend Tiscali.
_ _ _
TNT CAN'T FIND MY NEW POWERBOOK
In Northampton, England
Yesterday afternoon, I phoned TNT for delivery news of my new PowerBook. They've not been able to trace it since its arrival last week at Northampton, England where it should have been forwarded to TNT Exeter.
This morning, TNT International phoned me to report no news. TNT Security are in meetings about it right now. Along with Apple Logistics - a special department for this sort of thing - who were alerted by TNT, and myself, yesterday.
According to TNT, it's not the first time this has happened. Sounded like they've had a spate of "several" expensive boxes disappearing. Not wise of the TNT operator to tell me that.
This morning, over the phone, Jen at Apple advised that if there's no trace of my PowerBook by today, they'll order me another - by express delivery - from Taiwan. It will take another two weeks to get here. But whatever happens, she assured me I won't be out of pocket. If necessary, Apple will refund my credit card, make out a fresh Order and charge my credit card again or, if need be, pay for any credit card interest incurred (I can't get a refund from Dell until they pick up this machine. I'm still awaiting word from Dell when they are going to do this. And I'm not sure I can transfer my folders - from the Microsoft over to the Mac - without a Dell engineer's help because this machine keeps switching itself off).
All this stuff is stressful while training a new housekeeper at the same time. This morning, I've had to change her hours and days in order to get more rest. Yesterday, my two week grocery delivery arrived. They forgot to include three large organic yoghurts - some of which was needed today. Yesterday, I phoned to tell them. Tomorrow they'll re-deliver.
_ _ _
UNSOLICITED TELEMARKETING CALLS
How to bar UK phone spam
At least twice a day, I receive unsolicited calls from double glazing, conservatory builders, or recorded messages shouting that I've won a free holiday. Yesterday, I phoned BT to bar these callers. British Telecom said no problem (for UK customers). Just call Freephone 0800 398 893 (which I did) - or go to TPS online.org.uk. Register. It's free and takes 28 days to take effect. Unfortunately, BT's unable to bar international telemarketing calls.
GENUINE 24/7 DEAL @ VIRGIN.NET
Beware of Tiscali's Anytime package
Hello to Wendy in Scotland (and Big T out catching shrews). Thanks for your email. I've tried to make sure my POP server is set to pop.virgin.net for the virgin.net account and my outgoing server should be set to smtp.virgin.net for all accounts. Trouble is I'm unsure where to find it.
And this computer is driving me crazy. Blogging has taken hours today> It's switched off three times, six times yesterday and half way through registering with Virgin.net for their 24/7 unmetered access deal. Virgin deducted GPB 13.49 from my card for a month in advance. Connection took effect right away.
Unsure if it was my imagination but everything seems speedier online using Virgin.net. I wonder if there are variations in speed between ISPs. Net access through Tiscali was grindingly slow, especially at weekends. Never knew if it was too many users on Tiscali or the net itself.
After my email address changed to Virgin.net I got confused. Emails were slow going out. Incoming emails were arriving in duplicates. Outgoing emails would sit in outbox and not budge for an hour or so. Got over tired. Concentration slowed. Email seems OKish now.
Still awaiting an email from Dell India. Worried it might not get through. So I entered Tiscali's site to change my account - from Daytime Plus to Anytime - because I saw the first month of Anytime is free. Daft decision. Tried to amend to the GPB 4-5 per month package but it had already gone through and could not be changed. Oh well, at least I have two months - at a cost of around GBP 7.50 each month - to keep Tiscali alive until I get things sorted with the new computer.
Thanks to Michael in Wales for the comment warning users of fine print on Tiscali's ANYTIME access. At GBP 14.99 per month, it's not what it seems: users are restricted to 150 hours a month. One has to regularly logon at Tiscali with passwords to check usage. Tiscali provide no running tally - need to figure totals manually. Many pages and hundreds of entries - it's a hassle to calculate. Last October, I moved away from Tiscali's Anytime. I would not recommend Tiscali.
_ _ _
TNT CAN'T FIND MY NEW POWERBOOK
In Northampton, England
Yesterday afternoon, I phoned TNT for delivery news of my new PowerBook. They've not been able to trace it since its arrival last week at Northampton, England where it should have been forwarded to TNT Exeter.
This morning, TNT International phoned me to report no news. TNT Security are in meetings about it right now. Along with Apple Logistics - a special department for this sort of thing - who were alerted by TNT, and myself, yesterday.
According to TNT, it's not the first time this has happened. Sounded like they've had a spate of "several" expensive boxes disappearing. Not wise of the TNT operator to tell me that.
This morning, over the phone, Jen at Apple advised that if there's no trace of my PowerBook by today, they'll order me another - by express delivery - from Taiwan. It will take another two weeks to get here. But whatever happens, she assured me I won't be out of pocket. If necessary, Apple will refund my credit card, make out a fresh Order and charge my credit card again or, if need be, pay for any credit card interest incurred (I can't get a refund from Dell until they pick up this machine. I'm still awaiting word from Dell when they are going to do this. And I'm not sure I can transfer my folders - from the Microsoft over to the Mac - without a Dell engineer's help because this machine keeps switching itself off).
All this stuff is stressful while training a new housekeeper at the same time. This morning, I've had to change her hours and days in order to get more rest. Yesterday, my two week grocery delivery arrived. They forgot to include three large organic yoghurts - some of which was needed today. Yesterday, I phoned to tell them. Tomorrow they'll re-deliver.
_ _ _
UNSOLICITED TELEMARKETING CALLS
How to bar UK phone spam
At least twice a day, I receive unsolicited calls from double glazing, conservatory builders, or recorded messages shouting that I've won a free holiday. Yesterday, I phoned BT to bar these callers. British Telecom said no problem (for UK customers). Just call Freephone 0800 398 893 (which I did) - or go to TPS online.org.uk. Register. It's free and takes 28 days to take effect. Unfortunately, BT's unable to bar international telemarketing calls.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/17/2004
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
NARROWBAND BROADBAND DIVIDE
Narrowband users in rural areas are
discriminated against by British telco monopoly
Narrowband dial-up is costly, slow and restricts users from selecting services that are available only to Broadband users.
My internet service provider, Tiscali, charges around GPB 8 each month for unlimited access between 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. Fair enough. Trouble is, I get up around 6am and I've not waited two hours before checking emails and visiting blogosphere.
Evening TV news between 6pm and 7.30pm is a repeat of what's on my homepage during the day at BBC News online. Concentration wanes by evening time. Too tired to watch TV, write or absorb a book. Hours pass more quickly surfing bits and bobs and reading snippets of news online.
Felt lonesome over Christmas and New Year. Computer was troublesome and slowed things up. Took hours to blog a post. Got lax with surfing timeframe. Had no idea it was so costly.
In addition to my landline phone bill, my January Tiscali bill - including 17.5% value added tax - was GPB 111 and December was GBP 95. Bang goes my savings for new food freezer for the kitchen.
Narrowband users in UK rural areas are discriminated against by British Telecom - who have a monopoly on installing Broadband. Schools and businesses in rural areas without Broadband, are working at a disadvantage. Narrowband dial-up is extremely slow - even sluggish at times - and costly. Users cannot compete globally.
Other users around the world, with access to Broadband, have a distinct advantage. Which is unfair to those whose telco has a monopoly - and is permitted by their Government - to decide which areas (or not) to install Broadband.
Why should British Telecom volunteer to spend their huge profits on installing broadband in rural areas? By doing so, it would reduce their landline revenue from narrowband dial-ups. Despite what BT say, unless pressure is put on them by the Government department that issues the telco Licence, they will never install Broadband in small seaside resorts like here.
Wish my MP, Dr Oliver Letwin, was a blogger like Clive Soley MP and Tom Watson MP. Then he'd have first hand experience of this important issue and advise other MPs, whose constituencies are in rural areas, to take note: to compete globally, the whole of the UK - the land of the English language - needs access to Broadband.
Note this report, quoting the Chairman of BT - Rural areas face 20-year wait for broadband.
Narrowband users in rural areas are
discriminated against by British telco monopoly
Narrowband dial-up is costly, slow and restricts users from selecting services that are available only to Broadband users.
My internet service provider, Tiscali, charges around GPB 8 each month for unlimited access between 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. Fair enough. Trouble is, I get up around 6am and I've not waited two hours before checking emails and visiting blogosphere.
Evening TV news between 6pm and 7.30pm is a repeat of what's on my homepage during the day at BBC News online. Concentration wanes by evening time. Too tired to watch TV, write or absorb a book. Hours pass more quickly surfing bits and bobs and reading snippets of news online.
Felt lonesome over Christmas and New Year. Computer was troublesome and slowed things up. Took hours to blog a post. Got lax with surfing timeframe. Had no idea it was so costly.
In addition to my landline phone bill, my January Tiscali bill - including 17.5% value added tax - was GPB 111 and December was GBP 95. Bang goes my savings for new food freezer for the kitchen.
Narrowband users in UK rural areas are discriminated against by British Telecom - who have a monopoly on installing Broadband. Schools and businesses in rural areas without Broadband, are working at a disadvantage. Narrowband dial-up is extremely slow - even sluggish at times - and costly. Users cannot compete globally.
Other users around the world, with access to Broadband, have a distinct advantage. Which is unfair to those whose telco has a monopoly - and is permitted by their Government - to decide which areas (or not) to install Broadband.
Why should British Telecom volunteer to spend their huge profits on installing broadband in rural areas? By doing so, it would reduce their landline revenue from narrowband dial-ups. Despite what BT say, unless pressure is put on them by the Government department that issues the telco Licence, they will never install Broadband in small seaside resorts like here.
Wish my MP, Dr Oliver Letwin, was a blogger like Clive Soley MP and Tom Watson MP. Then he'd have first hand experience of this important issue and advise other MPs, whose constituencies are in rural areas, to take note: to compete globally, the whole of the UK - the land of the English language - needs access to Broadband.
Note this report, quoting the Chairman of BT - Rural areas face 20-year wait for broadband.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/16/2004
_______________________________________________
WELSH LOVE TO SURF THE NET
Web User magazine and Virgin.net survey
We surfers in rural areas are good revenue for the ISPs and telcos. Our telco says it is too costly for them to install Broadband in some rural areas.
According to a new report the Welsh spend the most time surfing the internet. Could the reason be that large areas of Wales are rural?
Going by the figures in the report [sorry, I've mislaid the link] most of the users are spending the equivalent of two hours a day online. Fourteen hours a week. Wow - almost the equivalent of two working days on a normal shift. That's a lot of concentration, reading and attention to detail - much more than just passively sitting in front of a TV.
Web users in Swansea spend an average of 66.7 hours online each month, almost 50 per cent more time than users in London, the Virgin.net survey reveals.
Towns in the East-Midlands and North-East, where internet surfing patterns were found to be sporadic and intermittent, feature near the bottom of Virgin.net's Surfing Scales.
Scottish surfers spend 15 per cent more time online than surfers in the South-East, according to Virgin's survey - carried out with customers of its unmetered internet access service, which costs £13.49 a month.
TOP TEN UK CITIES/TOWNS
Average number of hours spent online per customer/month
1 Swansea 66.7
2 Reading 62.7
3 Guildford 62.9
4 Dundee 59.8
5 Liverpool 57.1
6 Sheffield 55.7
7 Blackpool 55.6
8 Manchester 52.9
9 High Wycombe 51.1
10 Bournemouth 51.1
WELSH LOVE TO SURF THE NET
Web User magazine and Virgin.net survey
We surfers in rural areas are good revenue for the ISPs and telcos. Our telco says it is too costly for them to install Broadband in some rural areas.
According to a new report the Welsh spend the most time surfing the internet. Could the reason be that large areas of Wales are rural?
Going by the figures in the report [sorry, I've mislaid the link] most of the users are spending the equivalent of two hours a day online. Fourteen hours a week. Wow - almost the equivalent of two working days on a normal shift. That's a lot of concentration, reading and attention to detail - much more than just passively sitting in front of a TV.
Web users in Swansea spend an average of 66.7 hours online each month, almost 50 per cent more time than users in London, the Virgin.net survey reveals.
Towns in the East-Midlands and North-East, where internet surfing patterns were found to be sporadic and intermittent, feature near the bottom of Virgin.net's Surfing Scales.
Scottish surfers spend 15 per cent more time online than surfers in the South-East, according to Virgin's survey - carried out with customers of its unmetered internet access service, which costs £13.49 a month.
TOP TEN UK CITIES/TOWNS
Average number of hours spent online per customer/month
1 Swansea 66.7
2 Reading 62.7
3 Guildford 62.9
4 Dundee 59.8
5 Liverpool 57.1
6 Sheffield 55.7
7 Blackpool 55.6
8 Manchester 52.9
9 High Wycombe 51.1
10 Bournemouth 51.1
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/16/2004
_______________________________________________
FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING
Ferreting under my bed too Suw!!
In bed this morning felt especially warm and cosy. Something was telling me to get up. Opened eyes. Pitch dark. Silence. No seagulls. Too early. Bliss. Closed eyes. Rolled over. And then....it started. Noises from underneath my bed. Gripple. Gripple. Scratch. Scratch.
It's Ophelia - crawling over boxes under my high Victorian brass bed. Pawing and scratching at the lid of a cardboard box. Trying to squeeze inside. Full to the brim with books. New books. Might scratch the glossy covers. She's doesn't give up.
Switch on light. Go to kitchen. Open back door. Pitch dark, foggy and cold. Ophelia skips out. Here I am, writing this. Looking at the clock. It's 10 to five in the morning.
FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING
Ferreting under my bed too Suw!!
In bed this morning felt especially warm and cosy. Something was telling me to get up. Opened eyes. Pitch dark. Silence. No seagulls. Too early. Bliss. Closed eyes. Rolled over. And then....it started. Noises from underneath my bed. Gripple. Gripple. Scratch. Scratch.
It's Ophelia - crawling over boxes under my high Victorian brass bed. Pawing and scratching at the lid of a cardboard box. Trying to squeeze inside. Full to the brim with books. New books. Might scratch the glossy covers. She's doesn't give up.
Switch on light. Go to kitchen. Open back door. Pitch dark, foggy and cold. Ophelia skips out. Here I am, writing this. Looking at the clock. It's 10 to five in the morning.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/16/2004
Monday, March 15, 2004
COUCH SURFING
Social networking
Couch Surfing. Catchy name. Wish I'd have thought of it for this blog.
What is Couch Surfing? CouchSurfing.com helps you make connections worldwide. You can use the network to meet people and then go and surf other members couches! When you surf a couch, you are a guest at someone's house. They will provide you with some sort of accommodation, a penthouse apartment, or maybe a back yard to pitch your tent in. Stays can be as short as a cup of coffee, a night or two, or even a few months or more. When you offer your couch, you have complete control of who visits. The possibilities are endless and completely up to you. Find out more ...
_ _ _
FUN IN THE AIR
Social airline
BackpackersXpress will be the world’s first low-cost, long-haul budget airline.
The flights will offer backpackers a fun flight, with a pub instead of a 1st class department, karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza: targeted towards the backpacker’s culture and experience.
In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between passengers, and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers on indigenous culture.
The first flights of BackpackersXpress (from the UK to Australia) for the summer of 2004 seem to be nearly fully booked.
The company is aiming at the half-million predominantly young budget travellers who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year. Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.
Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow at 40 per cent a year, according to the Millen, the brain behind all this.
Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of exported coal.
[Source courtesy House of Innovation via Dave Winer]
Social networking
Couch Surfing. Catchy name. Wish I'd have thought of it for this blog.
What is Couch Surfing? CouchSurfing.com helps you make connections worldwide. You can use the network to meet people and then go and surf other members couches! When you surf a couch, you are a guest at someone's house. They will provide you with some sort of accommodation, a penthouse apartment, or maybe a back yard to pitch your tent in. Stays can be as short as a cup of coffee, a night or two, or even a few months or more. When you offer your couch, you have complete control of who visits. The possibilities are endless and completely up to you. Find out more ...
_ _ _
FUN IN THE AIR
Social airline
BackpackersXpress will be the world’s first low-cost, long-haul budget airline.
The flights will offer backpackers a fun flight, with a pub instead of a 1st class department, karaoke, dance-offs, beer and pizza: targeted towards the backpacker’s culture and experience.
In-flight staff will be trained in stimulating interaction between passengers, and young Aboriginal people will brief inbound travellers on indigenous culture.
The first flights of BackpackersXpress (from the UK to Australia) for the summer of 2004 seem to be nearly fully booked.
The company is aiming at the half-million predominantly young budget travellers who flock to Australia from the northern hemisphere every year. Backpackers-Xpress will offer open-ended return tickets from Manchester to Melbourne for $1290 starting in June 2004.
Backpacking generates $2.5 billion every year and is forecast to grow at 40 per cent a year, according to the Millen, the brain behind all this.
Federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey has compared the economic benefits of one backpacker to 17 tonnes of exported wheat or 77 tonnes of exported coal.
[Source courtesy House of Innovation via Dave Winer]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/15/2004
Sunday, March 14, 2004
IMPEACHMENT OF KOREAN PRESIDENT ROH
By American-Korean blogger Don Park
Impressive post, written by American-Korean blogger Don Park, on the impeachment of Korean President Roh - with amazing pictures.
Don lives with his wife on the west coast of America. He's a talented self-employed technologist with a lifelong passion for mathematics. Loves techie coding problem solving and creating solutions. Has a keen eye for detail, is creative and artistic, speaks fluent English and Korean (his mother tongue) and has a great sense of humour. A good chap.
_ _ _
FANTASTIC NEW PAINTING PROGRAM
Available for free from Ambient Design
Love this painting that Don Park created using a fantastic new painting program - ArtRage 1.0 - available for free from Ambient Design. Don says that having a graphics tablet helps, but one can draw some good paintings without one.
With thanks to Joi Ito [who on 9 March announced his decision to accept an additional role, outside of his company, working with Technorati's team heading their exploration of opportunities in the mobile and international realms]
By American-Korean blogger Don Park
Impressive post, written by American-Korean blogger Don Park, on the impeachment of Korean President Roh - with amazing pictures.
Don lives with his wife on the west coast of America. He's a talented self-employed technologist with a lifelong passion for mathematics. Loves techie coding problem solving and creating solutions. Has a keen eye for detail, is creative and artistic, speaks fluent English and Korean (his mother tongue) and has a great sense of humour. A good chap.
_ _ _
FANTASTIC NEW PAINTING PROGRAM
Available for free from Ambient Design
Love this painting that Don Park created using a fantastic new painting program - ArtRage 1.0 - available for free from Ambient Design. Don says that having a graphics tablet helps, but one can draw some good paintings without one.
With thanks to Joi Ito [who on 9 March announced his decision to accept an additional role, outside of his company, working with Technorati's team heading their exploration of opportunities in the mobile and international realms]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
________________________________________________
THANKS TECHNORATI
Love Technorati
Long live Technorati. Blogosphere would not be the same without Technorati. Wonder how they make their money. They deserve to make heaps of it. Just noticed these stats, in top left hand corner of their page:
1,877,650 weblogs watched.
250,748,689 links tracked.
THANKS TECHNORATI
Love Technorati
Long live Technorati. Blogosphere would not be the same without Technorati. Wonder how they make their money. They deserve to make heaps of it. Just noticed these stats, in top left hand corner of their page:
1,877,650 weblogs watched.
250,748,689 links tracked.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
_______________________________________________
IN GOOGLE WE TRUST
Perseus answers my question
Thanks to Jeffrey Henning, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, of Perseus, for picking up on my post and answering it by blogging this:
Ingrid Jones of Me and Ophelia asks:
Perseus estimates that 4.12 million blogs have been created on these services: Blog-City, BlogSpot, Diaryland, LiveJournal, Pitas, TypePad, Weblogger and Xanga. Recently, I visited Google's Web Directory where it states that the Google directory contains over 1.5 million URLs. But the Perseus survey estimates there are 4.12 million hosted blogs. Does Google not know everything, or are there a lot less blogs than estimated?
Currently Google is programmatically indexing 3.3 billion web pages. The 1.5 million URLs are pages that have been manually classified by people as part of the Open Directory Project. As one indication of the disparity, Google has over 23.1 million pages using the word "blog" in its index.
No official estimate yet from Google on the number of blogs, but - despite that - I hope I've restored your faith in an omniscient Google.
IN GOOGLE WE TRUST
Perseus answers my question
Thanks to Jeffrey Henning, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, of Perseus, for picking up on my post and answering it by blogging this:
Ingrid Jones of Me and Ophelia asks:
Perseus estimates that 4.12 million blogs have been created on these services: Blog-City, BlogSpot, Diaryland, LiveJournal, Pitas, TypePad, Weblogger and Xanga. Recently, I visited Google's Web Directory where it states that the Google directory contains over 1.5 million URLs. But the Perseus survey estimates there are 4.12 million hosted blogs. Does Google not know everything, or are there a lot less blogs than estimated?
Currently Google is programmatically indexing 3.3 billion web pages. The 1.5 million URLs are pages that have been manually classified by people as part of the Open Directory Project. As one indication of the disparity, Google has over 23.1 million pages using the word "blog" in its index.
No official estimate yet from Google on the number of blogs, but - despite that - I hope I've restored your faith in an omniscient Google.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
______________________________________________
THE PERSIAN CARPET BLOGS
A comprehensive look at Persian carpets and rugs
Enjoyed Barry O'Connell's two BlogSpots on Persian Rugs and The Persian Carpet, and his main site of various notes and guides to The Persian Carpet in its many forms. Fascinating pictures and links. A great find.
Thanks to American blogger Jim O'Connell in Tokyo (Barry's brother).
_ _ _
SOCIAL NETWORKS' ORGANISED LEECHING
And the pickled dragon mystery
In a recent post about Google's Orkut, Jim O'Connell referred to Orkut's social networking site as "organised leeching". I did wonder what people got up to when they entered Orkut.
Beauty of the blogosphere is that it's not divisive. People's doors are wide open. Can pop in and say hi - anytime of day or night - anywhere in the world.
Hundreds of bloggers raced to register their personal details behind Orkut's "closed" doors. Wonder what's being done with all that data. Heh. Google are smart.
btw In January, I found the Pickled dragon mystery over at Jim's. Didn't want it deleted from my folder, so I'm posting it here for future reference as an example of great German engineering ;)
THE PERSIAN CARPET BLOGS
A comprehensive look at Persian carpets and rugs
Enjoyed Barry O'Connell's two BlogSpots on Persian Rugs and The Persian Carpet, and his main site of various notes and guides to The Persian Carpet in its many forms. Fascinating pictures and links. A great find.
Thanks to American blogger Jim O'Connell in Tokyo (Barry's brother).
_ _ _
SOCIAL NETWORKS' ORGANISED LEECHING
And the pickled dragon mystery
In a recent post about Google's Orkut, Jim O'Connell referred to Orkut's social networking site as "organised leeching". I did wonder what people got up to when they entered Orkut.
Beauty of the blogosphere is that it's not divisive. People's doors are wide open. Can pop in and say hi - anytime of day or night - anywhere in the world.
Hundreds of bloggers raced to register their personal details behind Orkut's "closed" doors. Wonder what's being done with all that data. Heh. Google are smart.
btw In January, I found the Pickled dragon mystery over at Jim's. Didn't want it deleted from my folder, so I'm posting it here for future reference as an example of great German engineering ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
______________________________________________
BBC ISLAND BLOGGING 'PROJECT'
BBC Where I Live - Western Highlands and Islands - Island Blogging
Extracts from the BBC's Island Blogging project:
"Welcome to Island Blogging, a website about life on the islands of North Argyll: Coll, Tiree, Mull, Iona, Colonsay, Lismore, Kerrera, Seil, Easdale and Luing. You can view a map showing where these islands are situated in Scotland. If you live on one of the ten islands you can contribute by creating your own blog. If you live elsewhere, why not post a comment to the island bloggers? If you'd rather search the site by theme, you can.
We've organised the blogs into the broad categories of 'work', 'community' and 'home.' Select a category from the list below. 'Home' is anything with a domestic or personal nature. It could be a hobby or a diary of family life. "How do you do your Christmas shopping from the islands?" It could be a blog about transport links, a new village hall, some hot local gossip, or plans for the Christmas panto or the Hogmanay ceilidh. This section is for blogs related to working life. On a lot of islands folk do several jobs to make ends meet. So don't be surprised if the postie's the ferryman too.
This is the contribute section of island blogging. This is where you can go to create your own weblog, upload images and tell your story to the world. In order to contribute you have to live on one of our islands which you can find on the maps page above. Don't be disheartened if you don't though, you can still contribute by commenting on other people's entries.
Those who do live on the islands require to Sign In with their BBCi membership. If you do not have one, select you can Create a Membership now in just a few minutes."
_ _ _
BBC WORLD SERVICE
Getting involved in blogging?
For a living, Margaret Telfer at Little Blip, makes radio programmes. Brief synopsis of her life: Stavanger then Oslo then Motherwell then Edinburgh then Hatton then Surabaya then Stavanger. And then she spread her wings and travelled some and in 1989 moved to Glasgow.
I found the above Island Project site through Margaret's Little Blip blog last year. She has not posted since December, when she blogged that Martin from The Copydesk told her World Service are also getting involved in blogging.
BBC ISLAND BLOGGING 'PROJECT'
BBC Where I Live - Western Highlands and Islands - Island Blogging
Extracts from the BBC's Island Blogging project:
"Welcome to Island Blogging, a website about life on the islands of North Argyll: Coll, Tiree, Mull, Iona, Colonsay, Lismore, Kerrera, Seil, Easdale and Luing. You can view a map showing where these islands are situated in Scotland. If you live on one of the ten islands you can contribute by creating your own blog. If you live elsewhere, why not post a comment to the island bloggers? If you'd rather search the site by theme, you can.
We've organised the blogs into the broad categories of 'work', 'community' and 'home.' Select a category from the list below. 'Home' is anything with a domestic or personal nature. It could be a hobby or a diary of family life. "How do you do your Christmas shopping from the islands?" It could be a blog about transport links, a new village hall, some hot local gossip, or plans for the Christmas panto or the Hogmanay ceilidh. This section is for blogs related to working life. On a lot of islands folk do several jobs to make ends meet. So don't be surprised if the postie's the ferryman too.
This is the contribute section of island blogging. This is where you can go to create your own weblog, upload images and tell your story to the world. In order to contribute you have to live on one of our islands which you can find on the maps page above. Don't be disheartened if you don't though, you can still contribute by commenting on other people's entries.
Those who do live on the islands require to Sign In with their BBCi membership. If you do not have one, select you can Create a Membership now in just a few minutes."
_ _ _
BBC WORLD SERVICE
Getting involved in blogging?
For a living, Margaret Telfer at Little Blip, makes radio programmes. Brief synopsis of her life: Stavanger then Oslo then Motherwell then Edinburgh then Hatton then Surabaya then Stavanger. And then she spread her wings and travelled some and in 1989 moved to Glasgow.
I found the above Island Project site through Margaret's Little Blip blog last year. She has not posted since December, when she blogged that Martin from The Copydesk told her World Service are also getting involved in blogging.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
______________________________________________
FIRST QUARTER OF 2004
Almost over and Spring is here
Last Friday afternoon, a dear friend brought me daffodils and greenery fresh from her garden, along with shopping from an out of town village farm and nearby supermarket:
Big wedge of Somerset Brie cheese - cut into three, wrapped in clear film and foil for freezer. Brie is usually made in France but the British (who are great cheese makers too) are producing excellent Brie here in the SW of England, in the neighbouring County of Somerset, famous for it's scenic countryside, cider making and world class cricket.
Slab of Gruyere cheese which is easier to find than Parmesan, less costly and does the same job when grated for Caesars salad, Italian food, dressings etc. Cheeses that can be grated, like Cheddar, freeze well if grated beforehand.
Eight cans of tuna steak in brine, and large jar of French mayonnaise. Fresh tuna has only just become avail here. Small portions suffice as it's dense, rich and filling. Tins of tuna in brine or oil are good, quick, nutritious, versatile standbys to keep in cupboard:
Drain tin of tuna. Mix with two big dollops of mayonnaise. Add lemon, salt, pepper - plus some drops of tuna brine or oil to moisten mix (sandwiches become soggy if too much is added). Serve as a quick topping on shredded lettuce, salads, sandwiches, toast, crispbread, baked potatoe, hot pasta with grated cheese.
Usually, I add crushed garlic and finely chopped crunchy things like capers, gherkins, spring onions (aka scallions in USA), bellpeppers, corn, celery. Chopped cucumber works OK but turns mix watery if not first sprinkled with salt, left to stand for a few hours, and drained before adding to tuna mix -- or to thick Greek yoghurt for Indian curries etc.
Lastly, in the shopping, was a tin (not spray) of Liquid Gold wood cleaner and preservative - not a wax or a polish - with many uses, plus a huge box of Persil non bio washing powder - and a treat of wonderful pastries that we enjoyed with cups of organic green tea.
Glad it's the weekend. Rest from domestic scene. Too much activity going on here past four weeks. TNT delivery of Apple PowerBook has not arrived. New housekeeper induction means I'm still explaining food stuff and what needs doing around the house.
Still planning menus, recipes, shopping lists for ingredients and household supplies. Phoning orders to greengrocer and butcher. Receiving deliveries and making payments. Sorting lists for errands to bank, fishmonger, supermarket, arranging cheque encashment and wage payments.
Starting to taking its toll on my health. Things are not happening with a certain swing. Yet. Time will tell. Soon, it will be April. Quarter of year gone. On what?
_ _ _
TOMORROW NEVER COMES
Life is for living today
Recently, I explained to someone that in order to manage, I have to spend each day's energy on advance planning for the next day and week -- by not living life today, I'm living in the future. They replied "ah well...that's life".
My answer was, "No, that's not life -- spending days laying here alone is no life. My limited daily energy is expended on organising basic household tasks, personal care and food. Apart from blogging, that is all I do. Each and every day. Day in day out. Week after week. I want to scream."
When helpers forget to do stuff - it spells frustration for me. Explaining what's needed each time and the materials to use. It's getting too much for me at the moment juggling housekeeping tasks and supervising seven hours of work for two people. Not to mention dealing with everyone else who turns up at the door or on the phone.
Each morning takes up every ounce of my day's energy. I'm losing ground I gained in January. By the afternoons, my breathing becomes so laboured that I don't have the energy to lift a fork or chew. Evening passes by in a blur, feel too ill to be hungry.
If only daily household stuff could get magically sorted without my input and management. I could then utilise the stamina I have to walk 50 yards down to the beach and back. Or be up to having more visitors and conversation. Or writing emails and letters. I've still not been beyond my front gate since last March. Can't imagine when I can start on the six-week-total-rest-programme.
Years ago, my parents had a pub restaurant. On their first opening day, for a laugh, they chalked up a sign behind the bar saying: "Free Beer Tomorrow". The locals eagerly turned up, asking for free beer. My mother chuckled "tomorrow". They laughed. Next day, they turned up early again and asked for free beer. My father chuckled "tomorrow".... Took them quite a while to get the joke. Tomorrow never comes.
_ _ _
DIAL UK
For help
Further to my post yesterday: carers or patients in need of practical help and advice could phone Dial UK and ask to speak to a local adviser.
FIRST QUARTER OF 2004
Almost over and Spring is here
Last Friday afternoon, a dear friend brought me daffodils and greenery fresh from her garden, along with shopping from an out of town village farm and nearby supermarket:
Big wedge of Somerset Brie cheese - cut into three, wrapped in clear film and foil for freezer. Brie is usually made in France but the British (who are great cheese makers too) are producing excellent Brie here in the SW of England, in the neighbouring County of Somerset, famous for it's scenic countryside, cider making and world class cricket.
Slab of Gruyere cheese which is easier to find than Parmesan, less costly and does the same job when grated for Caesars salad, Italian food, dressings etc. Cheeses that can be grated, like Cheddar, freeze well if grated beforehand.
Eight cans of tuna steak in brine, and large jar of French mayonnaise. Fresh tuna has only just become avail here. Small portions suffice as it's dense, rich and filling. Tins of tuna in brine or oil are good, quick, nutritious, versatile standbys to keep in cupboard:
Drain tin of tuna. Mix with two big dollops of mayonnaise. Add lemon, salt, pepper - plus some drops of tuna brine or oil to moisten mix (sandwiches become soggy if too much is added). Serve as a quick topping on shredded lettuce, salads, sandwiches, toast, crispbread, baked potatoe, hot pasta with grated cheese.
Usually, I add crushed garlic and finely chopped crunchy things like capers, gherkins, spring onions (aka scallions in USA), bellpeppers, corn, celery. Chopped cucumber works OK but turns mix watery if not first sprinkled with salt, left to stand for a few hours, and drained before adding to tuna mix -- or to thick Greek yoghurt for Indian curries etc.
Lastly, in the shopping, was a tin (not spray) of Liquid Gold wood cleaner and preservative - not a wax or a polish - with many uses, plus a huge box of Persil non bio washing powder - and a treat of wonderful pastries that we enjoyed with cups of organic green tea.
Glad it's the weekend. Rest from domestic scene. Too much activity going on here past four weeks. TNT delivery of Apple PowerBook has not arrived. New housekeeper induction means I'm still explaining food stuff and what needs doing around the house.
Still planning menus, recipes, shopping lists for ingredients and household supplies. Phoning orders to greengrocer and butcher. Receiving deliveries and making payments. Sorting lists for errands to bank, fishmonger, supermarket, arranging cheque encashment and wage payments.
Starting to taking its toll on my health. Things are not happening with a certain swing. Yet. Time will tell. Soon, it will be April. Quarter of year gone. On what?
_ _ _
TOMORROW NEVER COMES
Life is for living today
Recently, I explained to someone that in order to manage, I have to spend each day's energy on advance planning for the next day and week -- by not living life today, I'm living in the future. They replied "ah well...that's life".
My answer was, "No, that's not life -- spending days laying here alone is no life. My limited daily energy is expended on organising basic household tasks, personal care and food. Apart from blogging, that is all I do. Each and every day. Day in day out. Week after week. I want to scream."
When helpers forget to do stuff - it spells frustration for me. Explaining what's needed each time and the materials to use. It's getting too much for me at the moment juggling housekeeping tasks and supervising seven hours of work for two people. Not to mention dealing with everyone else who turns up at the door or on the phone.
Each morning takes up every ounce of my day's energy. I'm losing ground I gained in January. By the afternoons, my breathing becomes so laboured that I don't have the energy to lift a fork or chew. Evening passes by in a blur, feel too ill to be hungry.
If only daily household stuff could get magically sorted without my input and management. I could then utilise the stamina I have to walk 50 yards down to the beach and back. Or be up to having more visitors and conversation. Or writing emails and letters. I've still not been beyond my front gate since last March. Can't imagine when I can start on the six-week-total-rest-programme.
Years ago, my parents had a pub restaurant. On their first opening day, for a laugh, they chalked up a sign behind the bar saying: "Free Beer Tomorrow". The locals eagerly turned up, asking for free beer. My mother chuckled "tomorrow". They laughed. Next day, they turned up early again and asked for free beer. My father chuckled "tomorrow".... Took them quite a while to get the joke. Tomorrow never comes.
_ _ _
DIAL UK
For help
Further to my post yesterday: carers or patients in need of practical help and advice could phone Dial UK and ask to speak to a local adviser.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/14/2004
Saturday, March 13, 2004
WOMAN, 81, ADMITS KILLING HUSBAND
Elderly care in the Devon community
Reading between the lines of this report made me wonder how an 81-year-old lady had been coping with taking care of her 83-year-old husband at their flat. He was a retired butcher with deteriorating health, heart problems and asthma.
She stabbed him to death in August 2003, and is being jailed for two years. Prosecutors said the couple had a happy marriage, but that the lady was frustrated at her husband's deteriorating health.
Surprisingly, this story didn't shock me. I've read that in close relationships, where one is the "carer" and the nearest and dearest is the "patient", the carer can suffer as much - if not more - than the patient.
Carers can also become a prisoner within their own home. Unless friends, relatives or health professionals rally around, to arrange respite care, the carer can become isolated, cut off and depressed. Emotions build, of resentment, isolation, loneliness, grief and boredom. Many don't feel able to complain or ask for help themselves. Makes them feel guilty.
Some carers feel unable to leave their loved one, alone at home, for more than 10 to 20 minutes. Feels like leaving a baby alone. Around the world, millions of uncomplaining carers carry on like this for years. I recall that when my father was dying of throat cancer at home, towards the end, we didn't want to leave him alone. One of us was with him, at all times, to ensure he could swallow liquid morphine every four hours.
Carers are unsung heroes. Thankfully, at least some are starting to get recognition, in terms of appreciation and public funding. They are relieving the State of a huge burden because most of us are living longer than ever before. Carers are saving a huge strain on the public purse.
The lady, in the report, may have been at the end of her tether for a very long time. It's quite something, living around the clock with an elderly person who has heart problems and asthma. Taking care of their hourly needs. She must have snapped - and lashed out with frustration in a fit of anger. Patients can be pretty difficult at the best of times. Self centred and awkward too. I throw wobblies once in a while. Frustration must be rife amongst those who care for people suffering from heart breaking diseases like Alzheimer's and who need watching every minute, for fear they'll go wandering or get hurt.
Years ago, before our National Health Service became the single largest employer in Europe, all sorts of places were provided for those with health problems. I seem to recall 'geriatric' wings - and other wards in hospitals where the elderly and infirm were nursed and taken care of, when they could not be expected to manage at home. Other special places existed too, where convalescents could be cared for to aid recovery from illness, accident, surgery etc. TB patients needed special rest places for several months at a time to recuperate and heal.
Many of the large English hospitals and institutions built around the Victorian era have been sold off. Institutional care has been replaced by "Care in the Community". Patients are encouraged to remain in hospital for the least time possible and to remain independent at home for as long as possible. Some senior citizens are unwittingly "blocking beds" in hospitals because doctors have nowhere else for them to go - and refuse to send them home because they are in need of specialist care or just won't be able to manage with "Care in the Community".
My late father served 25 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps. British Military Hospitals were excellent wherever we went in Europe. Why can't they run our hospitals? Our hospitals are getting a reputation for being dirty and unhygienic. People don't know how to clean properly. Starchy Matrons have been replaced by managers and administrators.
Bring back the Matron is what I say! Bring in some military discipline - doctors and nurses. Matrons used to sort everyone out, make sure everything was ship shape, hygienic and up to scratch. No sloppy work or dilly dallying. And bring back the Community Health Visitor! Or whatever the person used to be called. No-one ever pops round here to check on how I'm doing. No doubt it's like that for most who are chronically ill out here in "the community".
Wonder if that lady was of the 'old school' and did not realise one has to request to be helped these days, and in some cases, push and battle for help. Some people, especially the elderly, don't like asking. It's not in their upbringing to ask for help or charity. Mostly, it's every man for himself - and he who shouts loudest, gets. And, those who do not ask, usually do not get. Wonder how long they were married -- and if there are any other relatives -- and what prison will be like for her... What a story.
Elderly care in the Devon community
Reading between the lines of this report made me wonder how an 81-year-old lady had been coping with taking care of her 83-year-old husband at their flat. He was a retired butcher with deteriorating health, heart problems and asthma.
She stabbed him to death in August 2003, and is being jailed for two years. Prosecutors said the couple had a happy marriage, but that the lady was frustrated at her husband's deteriorating health.
Surprisingly, this story didn't shock me. I've read that in close relationships, where one is the "carer" and the nearest and dearest is the "patient", the carer can suffer as much - if not more - than the patient.
Carers can also become a prisoner within their own home. Unless friends, relatives or health professionals rally around, to arrange respite care, the carer can become isolated, cut off and depressed. Emotions build, of resentment, isolation, loneliness, grief and boredom. Many don't feel able to complain or ask for help themselves. Makes them feel guilty.
Some carers feel unable to leave their loved one, alone at home, for more than 10 to 20 minutes. Feels like leaving a baby alone. Around the world, millions of uncomplaining carers carry on like this for years. I recall that when my father was dying of throat cancer at home, towards the end, we didn't want to leave him alone. One of us was with him, at all times, to ensure he could swallow liquid morphine every four hours.
Carers are unsung heroes. Thankfully, at least some are starting to get recognition, in terms of appreciation and public funding. They are relieving the State of a huge burden because most of us are living longer than ever before. Carers are saving a huge strain on the public purse.
The lady, in the report, may have been at the end of her tether for a very long time. It's quite something, living around the clock with an elderly person who has heart problems and asthma. Taking care of their hourly needs. She must have snapped - and lashed out with frustration in a fit of anger. Patients can be pretty difficult at the best of times. Self centred and awkward too. I throw wobblies once in a while. Frustration must be rife amongst those who care for people suffering from heart breaking diseases like Alzheimer's and who need watching every minute, for fear they'll go wandering or get hurt.
Years ago, before our National Health Service became the single largest employer in Europe, all sorts of places were provided for those with health problems. I seem to recall 'geriatric' wings - and other wards in hospitals where the elderly and infirm were nursed and taken care of, when they could not be expected to manage at home. Other special places existed too, where convalescents could be cared for to aid recovery from illness, accident, surgery etc. TB patients needed special rest places for several months at a time to recuperate and heal.
Many of the large English hospitals and institutions built around the Victorian era have been sold off. Institutional care has been replaced by "Care in the Community". Patients are encouraged to remain in hospital for the least time possible and to remain independent at home for as long as possible. Some senior citizens are unwittingly "blocking beds" in hospitals because doctors have nowhere else for them to go - and refuse to send them home because they are in need of specialist care or just won't be able to manage with "Care in the Community".
My late father served 25 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps. British Military Hospitals were excellent wherever we went in Europe. Why can't they run our hospitals? Our hospitals are getting a reputation for being dirty and unhygienic. People don't know how to clean properly. Starchy Matrons have been replaced by managers and administrators.
Bring back the Matron is what I say! Bring in some military discipline - doctors and nurses. Matrons used to sort everyone out, make sure everything was ship shape, hygienic and up to scratch. No sloppy work or dilly dallying. And bring back the Community Health Visitor! Or whatever the person used to be called. No-one ever pops round here to check on how I'm doing. No doubt it's like that for most who are chronically ill out here in "the community".
Wonder if that lady was of the 'old school' and did not realise one has to request to be helped these days, and in some cases, push and battle for help. Some people, especially the elderly, don't like asking. It's not in their upbringing to ask for help or charity. Mostly, it's every man for himself - and he who shouts loudest, gets. And, those who do not ask, usually do not get. Wonder how long they were married -- and if there are any other relatives -- and what prison will be like for her... What a story.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/13/2004
Friday, March 12, 2004
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Official umbrella for CF/ME/PVFS
In the UK, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is officialdom's umbrella term for Chronic Fatigue (CF), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Post Viral Fatigue Sydrome (PVFS).
CF and ME/PVFS are two separate conditions. In America, ME/PVFS is known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Sydrome (CFIDS).
For many adults and children suffering from ME, their illness started too slowly for onset to be pinpointed in a laboratory to a period of viral infection. In my case, because the onset of severe ME happened following a flu-like viral infection - that came and went and showed up in laboratory tests - the diagnosis, after six months of blood tests and debilitating illness, was confirmed as ME/PVFS.
Yesterday morning, I got upset over a comment, left by someone called Noah, at Joi Ito's in response to a post about a meeting with Nathan Grey and Michael Mitchell of the American Cancer Society. Here is a copy of Noah's comment, and my response:
Noah's comment: Here's an example of a disease-specific support site for victims of a rare disease: http://www.ramsayhunt.org/. It uses a BBS format, rather than a blog format; in most cases BBS or forum software is probably more appropriate than blog software, especially since blogs don't lend themselves to continuing discussions, as comments fade off into the ether as the blog rolls down.
One problem with many disease victim/caregiver sites is their tendency to veer off into crackpot cures, conspiracy theories about how the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry is suppressing treatments, "alternative medicine," rumors, and the like. Actually, an even bigger problem is the way complete diseases that are non-existent and bogus get traction and take on a life of their own, like chronic fatigue syndrome and its ilk.
My response: Ref Noah's comment above: *..Actually, an even bigger problem is the way complete diseases that are non-existent and bogus get traction and take on a life of their own, like chronic fatigue syndrome and its ilk.*
Noah, In future, I suggest you check your facts and be more thoughtful about what you communicate. Your comment is insulting to medical and health/care professionals, a countless number of patients around the world and millions of chronically ill and profoundly disabled children and adults suffering chronic fatigue syndrome (aka CFS/CIFDS/ME/PVFS). Shame on you.
Your comment is especially cruel and insensitive because not only don't know what you are talking but you feel free to publish such ignorant statements (for whose benefit, I cannot imagine) without any sense of care, understanding or compassion. Your wicked comment made me cry. Uncaring and thoughtless people like you, making harmful ignorant comments, cause much hurt. Here's wishing you the best of health for the rest of your life.
_ _ _
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CFS AND ME
By Dr Betty Dowsett - Britain's leading ME specialist
Excerpt: "There are actually 30 well documented causes of ‘chronic fatigue’. To say that ME is a ‘subset’ of CFS is just as ridiculous as to say it is a ‘subset’ of diabetes or Japanese B encephalitis or one of the manifestly absurd psychiatric diagnosis, such as, ‘personality disorder’ or ‘somatisation’.
ME is a systemic disease (initiated by a virus infection) with multi system involvement characterised by central nervous system dysfunction which causes a breakdown in bodily homoeostasis (The brain can no longer receive, store or act upon information which enables it to control vital body functions, cognitive, hormonal, cardiovascular, autonomic and sensory nerve communication, digestive, visual auditory balance, appreciation of space, shape etc). It has an UNIQUE Neuro-hormonal profile."
Official umbrella for CF/ME/PVFS
In the UK, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is officialdom's umbrella term for Chronic Fatigue (CF), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Post Viral Fatigue Sydrome (PVFS).
CF and ME/PVFS are two separate conditions. In America, ME/PVFS is known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Sydrome (CFIDS).
For many adults and children suffering from ME, their illness started too slowly for onset to be pinpointed in a laboratory to a period of viral infection. In my case, because the onset of severe ME happened following a flu-like viral infection - that came and went and showed up in laboratory tests - the diagnosis, after six months of blood tests and debilitating illness, was confirmed as ME/PVFS.
Yesterday morning, I got upset over a comment, left by someone called Noah, at Joi Ito's in response to a post about a meeting with Nathan Grey and Michael Mitchell of the American Cancer Society. Here is a copy of Noah's comment, and my response:
Noah's comment: Here's an example of a disease-specific support site for victims of a rare disease: http://www.ramsayhunt.org/. It uses a BBS format, rather than a blog format; in most cases BBS or forum software is probably more appropriate than blog software, especially since blogs don't lend themselves to continuing discussions, as comments fade off into the ether as the blog rolls down.
One problem with many disease victim/caregiver sites is their tendency to veer off into crackpot cures, conspiracy theories about how the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry is suppressing treatments, "alternative medicine," rumors, and the like. Actually, an even bigger problem is the way complete diseases that are non-existent and bogus get traction and take on a life of their own, like chronic fatigue syndrome and its ilk.
My response: Ref Noah's comment above: *..Actually, an even bigger problem is the way complete diseases that are non-existent and bogus get traction and take on a life of their own, like chronic fatigue syndrome and its ilk.*
Noah, In future, I suggest you check your facts and be more thoughtful about what you communicate. Your comment is insulting to medical and health/care professionals, a countless number of patients around the world and millions of chronically ill and profoundly disabled children and adults suffering chronic fatigue syndrome (aka CFS/CIFDS/ME/PVFS). Shame on you.
Your comment is especially cruel and insensitive because not only don't know what you are talking but you feel free to publish such ignorant statements (for whose benefit, I cannot imagine) without any sense of care, understanding or compassion. Your wicked comment made me cry. Uncaring and thoughtless people like you, making harmful ignorant comments, cause much hurt. Here's wishing you the best of health for the rest of your life.
_ _ _
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CFS AND ME
By Dr Betty Dowsett - Britain's leading ME specialist
Excerpt: "There are actually 30 well documented causes of ‘chronic fatigue’. To say that ME is a ‘subset’ of CFS is just as ridiculous as to say it is a ‘subset’ of diabetes or Japanese B encephalitis or one of the manifestly absurd psychiatric diagnosis, such as, ‘personality disorder’ or ‘somatisation’.
ME is a systemic disease (initiated by a virus infection) with multi system involvement characterised by central nervous system dysfunction which causes a breakdown in bodily homoeostasis (The brain can no longer receive, store or act upon information which enables it to control vital body functions, cognitive, hormonal, cardiovascular, autonomic and sensory nerve communication, digestive, visual auditory balance, appreciation of space, shape etc). It has an UNIQUE Neuro-hormonal profile."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/12/2004
Thursday, March 11, 2004
TNT DELIVERED TODAY
But only one of two boxes
This morning, TNT delivered one small box from Apple. Probably contains the Apple Move2Mac software. PowerBook should be in the second box delivery tomorrow. Poor TNT delivery chap. All he had on the label was my name and road. No house name. Weather was stormy. He'd found parking (a nightmare here) and been around the houses looking. Even with a full address, this place is hard to find. Wonder how he found me. Good chap. I gave him a couple of pound coins for a beer.
________________________________________________
NOT LAZY OR CRAZY
Learning to do less living with M.E.
Today, I received a lovely email from Michael, a fellow blogger and ME sufferer, in reply to a comment I left yesterday at his blog.
Michael blogs about art, books, food, shopping, technology and general day to day life at his home in Wales, UK. Lately, he's cut down expending energy on doing major art projects and has started sketching pictures for each of his posts. They're for sale for any price you wish. Some of Michael's oil on canvas pieces were up for sale on eBay last year. It's been a couple of months since he wrote the post about his decision to "stop everything" - change the way he was leading his life - accept that he was ill - and work instead on a recovery plan. I must have found it in his archives - sorry, can't find it to link here. Here's the comment I left:
Michael, excellent decision. It took me a few years to come to terms with accepting that I was so ill. And that the only way to heal and get better was to stop - "really stop" - and accept that I was trying to battle against chronic illness. Thought if I gave in to it, it'd be the end of me. Trouble is, I realised it too late. Because of poor medical information and advice, I didn't know how to pace and rest and, as a result, have deteriorated even further. For the past year, I've been horizontal 23.5 hours every single day and not been able to walk beyond my gate since March of last year.
Over the past year and half, all of my limited energy each day has gone into planning, organising and implementing basic household, food and personal tasks into a labour saving programme and routine. Eventually, I hope that the limited energy I have can be applied instead to something more productive - to do with life, people and creativity. I know I have gambled this past year - hope it works and pays off. They say you have to speculate to accumulate...
The reason all of this is so difficult is that (and I speak for myself only) some of us define who we are by what we do. I've done the job of three people over the past 30 years and found my identity through helping other people, whether it was promoting their career, being a good friend or whatever... The 'vibrant, hard-working, industrious and creative' role I had in life defined who I was. When I was no longer able to work and put myself out for others, I realised I was a shadow of my former self and could not identify with the person I had become. It was as if the past 50 years had been erased.
Because of this, during the first three years of illness, the word "invalid" felt literal. Like I was not a valid person - of no worth to society. Not making a contribution. Being of no use to anyone. I fought against being "in-valid" and soldiered on, trying to fit in with life as I once knew it... not only did it highlight my uselessness and lessen (I don't know how to describe it - my raison d'etre, self worth/esteem?) - it made my condition worse.
Happily, I'm pleased to confirm that one can adapt and change and lead a whole new way of life that is worth living. It's hugely frustrating and takes a long time to achieve - but I promise you it is possible.
That is the reason I blog about M.E. and am open about personal details as it may help raise awareness of severe ME and contribute something towards making chronic illness less of a stigma among those who are, at the moment, fit and healthy. Who knows, one day, it may happen to them and they may be glad to know that they are not alone in the blogosphere.
Because of my blog, I've met some neat people who suffer with ME - including Wendy Callan, Adagio in Wales, and yourself. It gives me help and encouragement to know that others are facing similar struggles and battles to survive.
Here's wishing you all the very best of luck with your sensible new Pacing regime - and life.
But only one of two boxes
This morning, TNT delivered one small box from Apple. Probably contains the Apple Move2Mac software. PowerBook should be in the second box delivery tomorrow. Poor TNT delivery chap. All he had on the label was my name and road. No house name. Weather was stormy. He'd found parking (a nightmare here) and been around the houses looking. Even with a full address, this place is hard to find. Wonder how he found me. Good chap. I gave him a couple of pound coins for a beer.
________________________________________________
NOT LAZY OR CRAZY
Learning to do less living with M.E.
Today, I received a lovely email from Michael, a fellow blogger and ME sufferer, in reply to a comment I left yesterday at his blog.
Michael blogs about art, books, food, shopping, technology and general day to day life at his home in Wales, UK. Lately, he's cut down expending energy on doing major art projects and has started sketching pictures for each of his posts. They're for sale for any price you wish. Some of Michael's oil on canvas pieces were up for sale on eBay last year. It's been a couple of months since he wrote the post about his decision to "stop everything" - change the way he was leading his life - accept that he was ill - and work instead on a recovery plan. I must have found it in his archives - sorry, can't find it to link here. Here's the comment I left:
Michael, excellent decision. It took me a few years to come to terms with accepting that I was so ill. And that the only way to heal and get better was to stop - "really stop" - and accept that I was trying to battle against chronic illness. Thought if I gave in to it, it'd be the end of me. Trouble is, I realised it too late. Because of poor medical information and advice, I didn't know how to pace and rest and, as a result, have deteriorated even further. For the past year, I've been horizontal 23.5 hours every single day and not been able to walk beyond my gate since March of last year.
Over the past year and half, all of my limited energy each day has gone into planning, organising and implementing basic household, food and personal tasks into a labour saving programme and routine. Eventually, I hope that the limited energy I have can be applied instead to something more productive - to do with life, people and creativity. I know I have gambled this past year - hope it works and pays off. They say you have to speculate to accumulate...
The reason all of this is so difficult is that (and I speak for myself only) some of us define who we are by what we do. I've done the job of three people over the past 30 years and found my identity through helping other people, whether it was promoting their career, being a good friend or whatever... The 'vibrant, hard-working, industrious and creative' role I had in life defined who I was. When I was no longer able to work and put myself out for others, I realised I was a shadow of my former self and could not identify with the person I had become. It was as if the past 50 years had been erased.
Because of this, during the first three years of illness, the word "invalid" felt literal. Like I was not a valid person - of no worth to society. Not making a contribution. Being of no use to anyone. I fought against being "in-valid" and soldiered on, trying to fit in with life as I once knew it... not only did it highlight my uselessness and lessen (I don't know how to describe it - my raison d'etre, self worth/esteem?) - it made my condition worse.
Happily, I'm pleased to confirm that one can adapt and change and lead a whole new way of life that is worth living. It's hugely frustrating and takes a long time to achieve - but I promise you it is possible.
That is the reason I blog about M.E. and am open about personal details as it may help raise awareness of severe ME and contribute something towards making chronic illness less of a stigma among those who are, at the moment, fit and healthy. Who knows, one day, it may happen to them and they may be glad to know that they are not alone in the blogosphere.
Because of my blog, I've met some neat people who suffer with ME - including Wendy Callan, Adagio in Wales, and yourself. It gives me help and encouragement to know that others are facing similar struggles and battles to survive.
Here's wishing you all the very best of luck with your sensible new Pacing regime - and life.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/11/2004
_______________________________________________
A STORY ABOUT A RUSSIAN BABE
On a motorcycle riding through the "Dead Zone" of Chernobyl
Here is an update on my March 7 and 9 posts re the stomach churning walk through the deadly silence of Chernobyl: Wally, in his March 6 post at Hiddenpcmaster's Headquarters blog, has found a new link to the story "Pripyat Ghost Town (1970-1986) - My Chernobyl Rides".
Thanks to Wally for emailing me the new link ;) I am pinging this news - via Technorati - with thanks to: Tom Watson MP and Collision Detection and Abstract Dynamics.
A STORY ABOUT A RUSSIAN BABE
On a motorcycle riding through the "Dead Zone" of Chernobyl
Here is an update on my March 7 and 9 posts re the stomach churning walk through the deadly silence of Chernobyl: Wally, in his March 6 post at Hiddenpcmaster's Headquarters blog, has found a new link to the story "Pripyat Ghost Town (1970-1986) - My Chernobyl Rides".
Thanks to Wally for emailing me the new link ;) I am pinging this news - via Technorati - with thanks to: Tom Watson MP and Collision Detection and Abstract Dynamics.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/11/2004
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
APPLE MAC POWERBOOK ORDER
On its way to England from Taiwan
On March 3rd, Apple in Ireland emailed me to confirm my new PowerBook was shipped that day. Yesterday, as it still hadn't arrived, I phoned Apple. They explained it was shipped from Taiwan on March 3rd but had just arrived in The Netherlands. From there, it'll be handed over to TNT and is due to arrive here tomorrow, Thursday March 11th. Wow. I thought it was coming from Apple in Ireland and had got lost on the way. Sure glad carriage and insurance is free of charge ;)
I've heard nothing since Dell India's call to me on February 26th. In that call, they promised that someone from Dell would phone me within in a few days to arrange a refund and pick-up of this faulty computer.
Twelve days have passed since I purchased the PowerBook, charging it to my credit card. I'm concerned that it will iincur interest if Dell do not refund me within 30-day interest-free period. Last night I emailed Dell India to chase them up.
On its way to England from Taiwan
On March 3rd, Apple in Ireland emailed me to confirm my new PowerBook was shipped that day. Yesterday, as it still hadn't arrived, I phoned Apple. They explained it was shipped from Taiwan on March 3rd but had just arrived in The Netherlands. From there, it'll be handed over to TNT and is due to arrive here tomorrow, Thursday March 11th. Wow. I thought it was coming from Apple in Ireland and had got lost on the way. Sure glad carriage and insurance is free of charge ;)
I've heard nothing since Dell India's call to me on February 26th. In that call, they promised that someone from Dell would phone me within in a few days to arrange a refund and pick-up of this faulty computer.
Twelve days have passed since I purchased the PowerBook, charging it to my credit card. I'm concerned that it will iincur interest if Dell do not refund me within 30-day interest-free period. Last night I emailed Dell India to chase them up.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/10/2004
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
PRIPYAT GHOST TOWN (1970-1986)
My Chernobyl Rides
Re my March 7th post A STOMACH CHURNING WALK - Through the deadly silence of Chernobyl. Here is an update:
Chris Lightfoot has cleverly managed to salvage the site from the Google cache and elsewhere. He's put up a mirror here -- Mirror: Pripyat ghost town -- at least until the copyright holder objects.
He has removed the advertising banners inserted by the Angelfire hosting service, but in other respects the site is presented as it originally appeared. Thanks Chris ;)
[With thanks to Tom Watson MP]
Pinging this news and hello - via Technorati - to: collision detection and Abstract Dynamics :)
My Chernobyl Rides
Re my March 7th post A STOMACH CHURNING WALK - Through the deadly silence of Chernobyl. Here is an update:
Chris Lightfoot has cleverly managed to salvage the site from the Google cache and elsewhere. He's put up a mirror here -- Mirror: Pripyat ghost town -- at least until the copyright holder objects.
He has removed the advertising banners inserted by the Angelfire hosting service, but in other respects the site is presented as it originally appeared. Thanks Chris ;)
[With thanks to Tom Watson MP]
Pinging this news and hello - via Technorati - to: collision detection and Abstract Dynamics :)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/09/2004
_______________________________________________
LESS SEAGULL NOISE
And fewer small birds visiting here
Usually, there are lots of birds here by the seaside. Hundreds of seagulls perched on buildings all around. Dozens stomping on my rooftop at the crack of dawn. Tiny exotic and colourful birds often flit and dance along the balcony rail in front of me, while Ophelia sleeps. Her ears flicker the moment she hears one. Eyes zoom like paparazzi, whiskers curve forward, nose twitches, tail swishes, mouth opens and teeth chatter with a rat-a-tat-tat of the "killer bite" (sounds like kha/kha/kha - only the cats taught by their mothers do this). She pays no attention to the seagulls.
There's not much greenery by the sea, so I hang a bird feeder outside, filled with peanuts, along with a ball of mixed seeds and fat. They've turned all soggy. Not a single nut eaten. Twice I've refreshed the hangers. But still no sign of any birds. Not much noise from the seagulls either.
I'm wondering if some of the seagulls have been culled. No sight of dead birds. Maybe eggs have been taken from the seagulls' nests. Local newspapers regularly report that seagulls are becoming more aggressive and a nuisance to tourists. Swooping down and snatching holidaymakers' picnics, and ice-cream cones from kiddies in prams. Pecking holes in rubbish bags left out in street for collection. Strewing garbage along streets and pavements. Creating mayhem and loud shrieking whilst protecting their young.
Or maybe Ophelia is efficient in keeping her fab territory to herself. Somehow, I don't think so. She's a friendly cat. Wonder if others have noticed fewer birds around this past year. Maybe there's an environmental reason why the small birds don't stop by here anymore.
_ _ _
MANY THREATENED BIRDS 'NEED HELP'
One in eight of the world's bird species faces extinction
The following extracts, from a recent BBC report, state that birds are very good at revealing the health of the wider environment and show it is in trouble - and, because they are excellent environment indicators, what they are telling us is that there is a fundamental malaise in the way we treat our environment:
"A third of the world's most threatened bird species still need urgent action in order to survive, campaigners say. Half of Africa's key bird areas are threatened by agriculture. Europe's farmland birds have declined by a third in 40 years. The warning comes in a report, State Of The World's Birds 2004, produced by BirdLife, a global partnership of almost 100 conservation groups. The RSPB is its British partner.
The report shows that birds are excellent environment indicators and what they are telling us is that there is a fundamental malaise in the way we treat our environment. BirdLife's director, Dr Michael Rands, said: "State Of The World's Birds presents firm evidence that we are losing birds and other biodiversity at an alarming and ever-increasing rate.
According to IUCN-The World Conservation Union, 1,211 bird species are globally threatened, an eighth of the world's avian species. The BirdLife Partnership is directly helping to implement actions for 42% of globally threatened birds, but needs support from others, particularly national governments, both in terms of financial help and in establishing and maintaining protected areas.
BirdLife International and the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds say 400 species still need help, which is often fairly simple to give. Many species already receiving help are responding, showing that help in time can help to prevent them disappearing. The two groups say birds are very good at revealing the health of the wider environment and show it is in trouble.
The report shows how acting in time on the basis of good science can reverse the slide to extinction."
_ _ _
HOW DO HOMING PIGEONS NAVIGATE?
They use the roads, not just the sun
According to Marginal Revolution's blog, pigeons use their own navigational system when doing long-distance trips or when they do a journey for the first time. But when they have flown a journey more than once they home in on an habitual route home.
In short, it looks like it is mentally easier for a bird to fly down a road...they are just making their journey as simple as possible.
LESS SEAGULL NOISE
And fewer small birds visiting here
Usually, there are lots of birds here by the seaside. Hundreds of seagulls perched on buildings all around. Dozens stomping on my rooftop at the crack of dawn. Tiny exotic and colourful birds often flit and dance along the balcony rail in front of me, while Ophelia sleeps. Her ears flicker the moment she hears one. Eyes zoom like paparazzi, whiskers curve forward, nose twitches, tail swishes, mouth opens and teeth chatter with a rat-a-tat-tat of the "killer bite" (sounds like kha/kha/kha - only the cats taught by their mothers do this). She pays no attention to the seagulls.
There's not much greenery by the sea, so I hang a bird feeder outside, filled with peanuts, along with a ball of mixed seeds and fat. They've turned all soggy. Not a single nut eaten. Twice I've refreshed the hangers. But still no sign of any birds. Not much noise from the seagulls either.
I'm wondering if some of the seagulls have been culled. No sight of dead birds. Maybe eggs have been taken from the seagulls' nests. Local newspapers regularly report that seagulls are becoming more aggressive and a nuisance to tourists. Swooping down and snatching holidaymakers' picnics, and ice-cream cones from kiddies in prams. Pecking holes in rubbish bags left out in street for collection. Strewing garbage along streets and pavements. Creating mayhem and loud shrieking whilst protecting their young.
Or maybe Ophelia is efficient in keeping her fab territory to herself. Somehow, I don't think so. She's a friendly cat. Wonder if others have noticed fewer birds around this past year. Maybe there's an environmental reason why the small birds don't stop by here anymore.
_ _ _
MANY THREATENED BIRDS 'NEED HELP'
One in eight of the world's bird species faces extinction
The following extracts, from a recent BBC report, state that birds are very good at revealing the health of the wider environment and show it is in trouble - and, because they are excellent environment indicators, what they are telling us is that there is a fundamental malaise in the way we treat our environment:
"A third of the world's most threatened bird species still need urgent action in order to survive, campaigners say. Half of Africa's key bird areas are threatened by agriculture. Europe's farmland birds have declined by a third in 40 years. The warning comes in a report, State Of The World's Birds 2004, produced by BirdLife, a global partnership of almost 100 conservation groups. The RSPB is its British partner.
The report shows that birds are excellent environment indicators and what they are telling us is that there is a fundamental malaise in the way we treat our environment. BirdLife's director, Dr Michael Rands, said: "State Of The World's Birds presents firm evidence that we are losing birds and other biodiversity at an alarming and ever-increasing rate.
According to IUCN-The World Conservation Union, 1,211 bird species are globally threatened, an eighth of the world's avian species. The BirdLife Partnership is directly helping to implement actions for 42% of globally threatened birds, but needs support from others, particularly national governments, both in terms of financial help and in establishing and maintaining protected areas.
BirdLife International and the UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds say 400 species still need help, which is often fairly simple to give. Many species already receiving help are responding, showing that help in time can help to prevent them disappearing. The two groups say birds are very good at revealing the health of the wider environment and show it is in trouble.
The report shows how acting in time on the basis of good science can reverse the slide to extinction."
_ _ _
HOW DO HOMING PIGEONS NAVIGATE?
They use the roads, not just the sun
According to Marginal Revolution's blog, pigeons use their own navigational system when doing long-distance trips or when they do a journey for the first time. But when they have flown a journey more than once they home in on an habitual route home.
In short, it looks like it is mentally easier for a bird to fly down a road...they are just making their journey as simple as possible.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/09/2004
Monday, March 08, 2004
PUZZLE OVER THREE-HEADED FROG
An early warning of environmental problems?
According to a March 5th BBC news report, a three-headed frog found in Somerset, England, UK, has fused bodies and six legs - children in a nursery were shocked when they spotted it hopping in their garden.
The report states that the creature - which has six legs - has stunned a BBC wildlife expert who said it could be an early warning of environmental problems. Laura Pepper, from the Green Umbrella nursery in Weston-super-Mare, said: "We thought it was three frogs huddled together at first. "It is very strange. The children couldn't believe it."
Mike Dilger, from the BBC Natural History Unit, said: "I have never seen anything like this. Frogs are primitive animals - so the occasional extra toe is not that unusual. But this is very unusual." All the creature's eyes and legs appear to function normally, but it is not known whether it eats using all three of its mouths.
The amphibian was kept in a container for several hours but hopped away later while nursery staff were showing it to curious parents."
An early warning of environmental problems?
According to a March 5th BBC news report, a three-headed frog found in Somerset, England, UK, has fused bodies and six legs - children in a nursery were shocked when they spotted it hopping in their garden.
The report states that the creature - which has six legs - has stunned a BBC wildlife expert who said it could be an early warning of environmental problems. Laura Pepper, from the Green Umbrella nursery in Weston-super-Mare, said: "We thought it was three frogs huddled together at first. "It is very strange. The children couldn't believe it."
Mike Dilger, from the BBC Natural History Unit, said: "I have never seen anything like this. Frogs are primitive animals - so the occasional extra toe is not that unusual. But this is very unusual." All the creature's eyes and legs appear to function normally, but it is not known whether it eats using all three of its mouths.
The amphibian was kept in a container for several hours but hopped away later while nursery staff were showing it to curious parents."
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/08/2004
Sunday, March 07, 2004
A STOMACH CHURNING WALK
Through the deadly silence of Chernobyl
"PRIPYAT ghost town (1970-1986) - MY CHERNOBYL RIDES" is the first website that has stunned me speechless and moved me to tears. Every adult and school child around the world ought to read the 17-page site. Existing and future generations need to understand why every effort - at any cost - must be made to ensure that "it" (or anything like it caused by weapons of mass destruction) never happens again.
Here is an excerpt, written in broken English, by the site's Russian author (a female biker on a big kawasaki zzr 1100 cc sport touring motorcycle, aka ZX-11, whose father is a nuclear physicist):
"All photos on this site either my photos or from my dad archives. Also I got a few photos by e-mail from someone who work in Chernobyl.
They call it a city where time stands still. Maybe it is because clocks in this town don't show real time, they are showing radiation level. In any way, 81,6 microroengen per hour isn't bad for this place. Few years ago level has been two times more of that and in a May of 1986 it was hundreds of times more then that.
Losses. Who can calculate the amount of people that died of radiation? No one, even approximately. Some tell about 400.000 dead, other about half million. Dad says that those figures rised very high and so far death rate is 80.000-120.000 but it will be more because people will die within next 50-70 years. However, it is easier to count material losses. For a country that just got independence it is catastrophe.
A new beginning. People had to leave everything, from photos of their grandparents to cars. Their clothes, cash and passports has been changed by state authorities. This is incredible, people lived, had homes, country houses, garages, motorcyles, cars, money, friends and relatives, people had their life, each in own niche and then in a matter of hours this world fall in pieces and everything goes to dogs and after few hours trip with some army vehicle one stands under some shower, washing away radiation and then step in a new life, naked with no home, no friends, no money, no past and with very doubtful future.
End of Journey. Someone appreciated Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata."
[Source: with thanks to Tom Watson MP]
_ _ _
March 8th - Postscript:
Update re the website "PRIPYAT ghost town (1970-1986) - MY CHERNOBYL RIDES beginning of a story about town where one can ride fast, with no stoplights, no police, no danger to hit some cage or some dog..":
Apologies - link above [www.angelfire.com/extreme4/kiddofspeed] has broken. Thanks to collision detection via Abstract Dynamics, I've just discovered why. Apparently, the site is undergoing construction with more photos. Hope to re-post, when site is due back in May.
March 9th - Update:
The link to a mirror website is in my post dated March 9, 2004.
Through the deadly silence of Chernobyl
"PRIPYAT ghost town (1970-1986) - MY CHERNOBYL RIDES" is the first website that has stunned me speechless and moved me to tears. Every adult and school child around the world ought to read the 17-page site. Existing and future generations need to understand why every effort - at any cost - must be made to ensure that "it" (or anything like it caused by weapons of mass destruction) never happens again.
Here is an excerpt, written in broken English, by the site's Russian author (a female biker on a big kawasaki zzr 1100 cc sport touring motorcycle, aka ZX-11, whose father is a nuclear physicist):
"All photos on this site either my photos or from my dad archives. Also I got a few photos by e-mail from someone who work in Chernobyl.
They call it a city where time stands still. Maybe it is because clocks in this town don't show real time, they are showing radiation level. In any way, 81,6 microroengen per hour isn't bad for this place. Few years ago level has been two times more of that and in a May of 1986 it was hundreds of times more then that.
Losses. Who can calculate the amount of people that died of radiation? No one, even approximately. Some tell about 400.000 dead, other about half million. Dad says that those figures rised very high and so far death rate is 80.000-120.000 but it will be more because people will die within next 50-70 years. However, it is easier to count material losses. For a country that just got independence it is catastrophe.
A new beginning. People had to leave everything, from photos of their grandparents to cars. Their clothes, cash and passports has been changed by state authorities. This is incredible, people lived, had homes, country houses, garages, motorcyles, cars, money, friends and relatives, people had their life, each in own niche and then in a matter of hours this world fall in pieces and everything goes to dogs and after few hours trip with some army vehicle one stands under some shower, washing away radiation and then step in a new life, naked with no home, no friends, no money, no past and with very doubtful future.
End of Journey. Someone appreciated Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata."
[Source: with thanks to Tom Watson MP]
_ _ _
March 8th - Postscript:
Update re the website "PRIPYAT ghost town (1970-1986) - MY CHERNOBYL RIDES beginning of a story about town where one can ride fast, with no stoplights, no police, no danger to hit some cage or some dog..":
Apologies - link above [www.angelfire.com/extreme4/kiddofspeed] has broken. Thanks to collision detection via Abstract Dynamics, I've just discovered why. Apparently, the site is undergoing construction with more photos. Hope to re-post, when site is due back in May.
March 9th - Update:
The link to a mirror website is in my post dated March 9, 2004.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/07/2004
_______________________________________________
SHELLEY'S EXPLODING CAN
How to clean a fridge
Yesterday, I left this comment over at Shelley's Burningbird: "Great post. I'm in awe of that can. Wonder where the rest of the metal has gone. And what would've happened if you'd opened the fridge the moment the can exploded. Think I've heard of a similar thing happening with a ketchup bottle. I've always considered fridges as friendly and welcoming - that you open with anticipation of delights, treats, ideas, tastes or just gaze into for inspiration...never imagined anything lethal..."
My fridge is usually empty before each fornightly fruit and veg delivery. By then it's cleaned with soft cloth and warm soapy water. And, as I don't buy any processed foods, drinks or milk, there's not much expired stuff to sort - except for cheese, pots of yoghurt, jam, pickles etc., inside the fridge door with a tub of bicarbonate of soda to absorb odours. OMG: read the cockroach comments in Shelley's post... Here's how to clean a fridge.
SHELLEY'S EXPLODING CAN
How to clean a fridge
Yesterday, I left this comment over at Shelley's Burningbird: "Great post. I'm in awe of that can. Wonder where the rest of the metal has gone. And what would've happened if you'd opened the fridge the moment the can exploded. Think I've heard of a similar thing happening with a ketchup bottle. I've always considered fridges as friendly and welcoming - that you open with anticipation of delights, treats, ideas, tastes or just gaze into for inspiration...never imagined anything lethal..."
My fridge is usually empty before each fornightly fruit and veg delivery. By then it's cleaned with soft cloth and warm soapy water. And, as I don't buy any processed foods, drinks or milk, there's not much expired stuff to sort - except for cheese, pots of yoghurt, jam, pickles etc., inside the fridge door with a tub of bicarbonate of soda to absorb odours. OMG: read the cockroach comments in Shelley's post... Here's how to clean a fridge.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/07/2004
Saturday, March 06, 2004
THE SEARCH FOR THE BEST
British designer of the year...
Who's a charming sweetie pie? Jim. That's who :)
Love from little old me and ophelia in the stratosphere of Harvard. Heh ;)
British designer of the year...
Who's a charming sweetie pie? Jim. That's who :)
Love from little old me and ophelia in the stratosphere of Harvard. Heh ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/06/2004
_______________________________________________
YOUR BLOGGING SPACE
What does it look like?
Dutch blogger and technologist Adriaan Tijsseling (aka Ado) lives in Tokyo, Japan with his Japanese wife and their young daughter. Ado has a witty (British like) fun sense of humour and works in Tokyo for the technology venture capitalist firm Neoteny, owned by veteran master blogger Joi (pronounced Joey) Ito.
Here's Ado's blogging space in Tokyo where he blogs on a PowerBook and chats on iMac.
_ _ _
THE CASE OF THE MISSING KEYS
An adventure with IRC
Love Ado's adventure on IRC.
YOUR BLOGGING SPACE
What does it look like?
Dutch blogger and technologist Adriaan Tijsseling (aka Ado) lives in Tokyo, Japan with his Japanese wife and their young daughter. Ado has a witty (British like) fun sense of humour and works in Tokyo for the technology venture capitalist firm Neoteny, owned by veteran master blogger Joi (pronounced Joey) Ito.
Here's Ado's blogging space in Tokyo where he blogs on a PowerBook and chats on iMac.
_ _ _
THE CASE OF THE MISSING KEYS
An adventure with IRC
Love Ado's adventure on IRC.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/06/2004
Friday, March 05, 2004
STALIN'S LAST ARMY
Hordes of gigantic crabs on their way to invade Europe
Just seen this over at Scaryduck's - with thanks to Neil Gaiman.
_ _ _
CRAB FRITTERS
Recipe - excerpt:
Seafood lovers, take heart. Summer's nearly here and the native oysters and mussels will soon be off the menu until September.
But in season instead are lobster, crab and langoustine. Crab's the bargain of the three, with creamy yellow and sweet white meat that's a match for any lobster. That's especially true if you can lay your hands on a delicious, spiny spider crab, or a fresh cooked Cornish or Cromer one.
Choose a "dressed" one, with the meat already taken out and prettily arranged back in its shell, or pick a whole boiled crab and ask the fishmonger to pull out the inedible bits for you.
Even a ready-cooked crab involves a certain amount of work, which explains the extra cost of a dressed one. Scooping the yellow-brown meat out with a teaspoon and smashing the claws to extract the pads of pink-skinned white flesh is easy enough. But teasing out the morsels from the cave complex of the body and the legs takes patience.
One solution is to let it become a social event. A whole crab makes a fantastic centrepiece to a summer lunch in the garden. Pile the table with bread, salad and home-made, garlicky mayonnaise. Arm your guests with nutcrackers and poking implements - fondue forks, skewers or even crochet hooks - and let everyone dive in.
Hordes of gigantic crabs on their way to invade Europe
Just seen this over at Scaryduck's - with thanks to Neil Gaiman.
_ _ _
CRAB FRITTERS
Recipe - excerpt:
Seafood lovers, take heart. Summer's nearly here and the native oysters and mussels will soon be off the menu until September.
But in season instead are lobster, crab and langoustine. Crab's the bargain of the three, with creamy yellow and sweet white meat that's a match for any lobster. That's especially true if you can lay your hands on a delicious, spiny spider crab, or a fresh cooked Cornish or Cromer one.
Choose a "dressed" one, with the meat already taken out and prettily arranged back in its shell, or pick a whole boiled crab and ask the fishmonger to pull out the inedible bits for you.
Even a ready-cooked crab involves a certain amount of work, which explains the extra cost of a dressed one. Scooping the yellow-brown meat out with a teaspoon and smashing the claws to extract the pads of pink-skinned white flesh is easy enough. But teasing out the morsels from the cave complex of the body and the legs takes patience.
One solution is to let it become a social event. A whole crab makes a fantastic centrepiece to a summer lunch in the garden. Pile the table with bread, salad and home-made, garlicky mayonnaise. Arm your guests with nutcrackers and poking implements - fondue forks, skewers or even crochet hooks - and let everyone dive in.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/05/2004
________________________________________________
VIRUS ALERT
Update and scan pc
A friend of mine has spent two days dealing with an email virus and had to call in a computer consultant. He has Windows XP Pro and is now so fed up, he's thinking about giving up email and closing down Outlook Express - forever. Said he may as well forget about the Internet until after Summer, and just use his pc for word processing and spreadsheets.
I'm receiving email alerts from Sophos anti-virus every few hours and doing anti-virus updates nearly as often. Spent the past two days trying to complete a virus scan. Takes hours. Machine keeps switching itself off half way through. Scanned only half so far.
Because the latest virus "war" is fuelled by publicity seeking virus writers, I'm not providing a link here to the news story. For details on the viruses flying around, look in my sidebar to see the live feed from Sophos Anti-Virus, and click on any field.
_ _ _
DO MACS GET THESE VIRUSES?
If so, what's best protection for Mac?
Wonder if Mac users are affected by these email viruses. The sales consultant at Apple assured me there was no need for me to purchase anti-virus software because Apple computers were so good. She said if I felt it was a must-have, I could try dot.com email anti-virus for a 60-day free trial (£69 to buy).
Blogging posts here over the past few days while trying to complete a virus scan has been an ordeal. Machine shut down three times, half way through. Today is the end of my new housekeeper's first week. Twice daily nuisance robotic spam marketeers ring my phone shouting messages that I've won a holiday or something. Another sales consultant phoned me from Apple in Ireland and left a message. Thought it was to do with my order. Called her back in Ireland, she was out, left her a message. She called me back, wanting to know if I was interested in buying a Mac. And dropped me like a hot potatoe when I told her I'd just ordered one. Must have got my phone number from my registration details at Apple Stores Online. On Tuesday, I ordered fortnightly groceries which arrived just before window cleaner turned up out of the blue. Glad it's weekend.
Don't know how I am going to handle the delivery of a new Mac, transferring Internet connection, doing a back up onto two CDs (can't figure how to split the back up), transferring everything from the Dell, figuring how to use the Move2Mac software and cable, re-setting the Epson printer. Never done such things before.
Roll on Easter when these months of upheaval are over. And my new housekeeper will have completed induction phase. Last week, I gave my other lady J two weeks paid leave because, very sadly, her mother died. I've missed J. Ophelia is curled up asleep on her chair by the fire. Air is cold and foggy. Sea and sky all grey. Cannot see the horizon.
VIRUS ALERT
Update and scan pc
A friend of mine has spent two days dealing with an email virus and had to call in a computer consultant. He has Windows XP Pro and is now so fed up, he's thinking about giving up email and closing down Outlook Express - forever. Said he may as well forget about the Internet until after Summer, and just use his pc for word processing and spreadsheets.
I'm receiving email alerts from Sophos anti-virus every few hours and doing anti-virus updates nearly as often. Spent the past two days trying to complete a virus scan. Takes hours. Machine keeps switching itself off half way through. Scanned only half so far.
Because the latest virus "war" is fuelled by publicity seeking virus writers, I'm not providing a link here to the news story. For details on the viruses flying around, look in my sidebar to see the live feed from Sophos Anti-Virus, and click on any field.
_ _ _
DO MACS GET THESE VIRUSES?
If so, what's best protection for Mac?
Wonder if Mac users are affected by these email viruses. The sales consultant at Apple assured me there was no need for me to purchase anti-virus software because Apple computers were so good. She said if I felt it was a must-have, I could try dot.com email anti-virus for a 60-day free trial (£69 to buy).
Blogging posts here over the past few days while trying to complete a virus scan has been an ordeal. Machine shut down three times, half way through. Today is the end of my new housekeeper's first week. Twice daily nuisance robotic spam marketeers ring my phone shouting messages that I've won a holiday or something. Another sales consultant phoned me from Apple in Ireland and left a message. Thought it was to do with my order. Called her back in Ireland, she was out, left her a message. She called me back, wanting to know if I was interested in buying a Mac. And dropped me like a hot potatoe when I told her I'd just ordered one. Must have got my phone number from my registration details at Apple Stores Online. On Tuesday, I ordered fortnightly groceries which arrived just before window cleaner turned up out of the blue. Glad it's weekend.
Don't know how I am going to handle the delivery of a new Mac, transferring Internet connection, doing a back up onto two CDs (can't figure how to split the back up), transferring everything from the Dell, figuring how to use the Move2Mac software and cable, re-setting the Epson printer. Never done such things before.
Roll on Easter when these months of upheaval are over. And my new housekeeper will have completed induction phase. Last week, I gave my other lady J two weeks paid leave because, very sadly, her mother died. I've missed J. Ophelia is curled up asleep on her chair by the fire. Air is cold and foggy. Sea and sky all grey. Cannot see the horizon.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/05/2004
Thursday, March 04, 2004
ENGLISHMAN IVE - THE GENIUS BEHIND THE iPOD
UK Designer of the Year 2003 is on the Jury for 2004
Don't you admire good designers, how deeply they see and feel things, their attention to detail and perfectionism. Simple design is a great art. I love it when they are British and can fly the flag.
UK Designer of the Year, launched last year, is the brainchild of Alice Rawsthorn, director of the Design Museum London. 37-year old Englishman Jonathan Ive - the genius behind the iPod, PowerBook and iMac - won last year's twenty-five thousand pound prize.
I'd read in last Sunday's Style magazine, in the Times newspaper, that Jonathan Ive - probably the best industrial designer in the world today - is literally shaping our future. GQ recently named him one of its most influential people.
The article explained he is shy, softly spoken, modest and lives in a pretty but small two-bedroomed house in San Francisco's Twin Peaks district with his wife, Heather, a writer he met while at college in Newcastle.
Apparently, he loves sushi but misses curries on Brick Lane. Some of his friends, including the DJ John Digweed, didn't even know what he did at Apple until they had known him for some time. The most ostentatious thing about him is his car, a sleek Aston Martin that he uses for the daily commute to Cupertino.
At Apple HQ in Cupertino, he works with a small, carefully picked team of designers from the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and America. They've been together for nearly a decade now, and he counts them among his closest friends. What they share, he says, is the ability to look at an object anew, even if it's something they use every day - or something that they have made.
There is nothing on anything he has designed that isn't there for a good reason. This explains why every iPod has its serial number individually etched onto the back, rather than on an ugly sticky label. Ive and his team spend a great deal of time simplifying their products, getting rid of clutter and solving petty problems so that the user doesn't have to think about them.
When asked about the nicest thing he owns, he says that he really doesn't surround himself with a great deal of gadgetry. He chooses his watch - a beautiful piece of precision engineering on a white natural-rubber strap, designed by his friend Marc Newson. He is obsessed with music, and never travels anywhere without his iPod.
The same magazine profiled the nominees and Jury for the Oscars of the design world:
The Nominees
1. Sam Buxton: Folding Sculptures - Best known for his MIKRO-Man folding sculptures, Buxton made a thin stainless-steel business card, which unfolded into a 3-D figure of himself working at his computer.
2. Craig Johnston: Football Boots.
3. Daniel Brown: Websites - A first-generation computer child, Brown was born in Liverpool in 1977. He became entranced by early video games and computer graphics. How he makes lyrical interactive computer images. His aim: "to harness computer game-like technology for artistic and aesthetic purposes". Many of us consider PCs to be for work, but Brown hopes his web pages harness "the same sensory effect as listening to a beautiful piece of music". Far Fetched? Look at some of his sites - such as noodlebox - and you'll get his drift. Brown works for SHOWstudio, a kind of online fashion salon, where he serves an "adult, cultured audience for a new interactive entertainment medium".
4. Paul Cocksedge: Lighting.
The nominees' work is on show at the Design Museum from March 6 to June 13. Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1.
_ _ _
UK DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2004
The Jury
The winner will be announced on May 24. Here's the Jury:
1. David Adjaye (1966-) Architect, is the "rising star of British architecture", known for Browns Focus shops and houses for the likes of Alexander McQueen.
2. Brooke Hodge is curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
3. Jonathan Ive is vice president of industrial design at Apple and was responsible for the design of the iBook, PowerBook G4, iPod and the iMac.
4. Alice Rawsthorn (1958-) is director of the Design Museum.
5. Neil Stevenson was a leading light of www.popbitch.com, the celebrity gossip website. He now edits The Face magazine.
[Source courtesy The Sunday Times 29.02.04 Style magazine, UK]
UK Designer of the Year 2003 is on the Jury for 2004
Don't you admire good designers, how deeply they see and feel things, their attention to detail and perfectionism. Simple design is a great art. I love it when they are British and can fly the flag.
UK Designer of the Year, launched last year, is the brainchild of Alice Rawsthorn, director of the Design Museum London. 37-year old Englishman Jonathan Ive - the genius behind the iPod, PowerBook and iMac - won last year's twenty-five thousand pound prize.
I'd read in last Sunday's Style magazine, in the Times newspaper, that Jonathan Ive - probably the best industrial designer in the world today - is literally shaping our future. GQ recently named him one of its most influential people.
The article explained he is shy, softly spoken, modest and lives in a pretty but small two-bedroomed house in San Francisco's Twin Peaks district with his wife, Heather, a writer he met while at college in Newcastle.
Apparently, he loves sushi but misses curries on Brick Lane. Some of his friends, including the DJ John Digweed, didn't even know what he did at Apple until they had known him for some time. The most ostentatious thing about him is his car, a sleek Aston Martin that he uses for the daily commute to Cupertino.
At Apple HQ in Cupertino, he works with a small, carefully picked team of designers from the UK, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and America. They've been together for nearly a decade now, and he counts them among his closest friends. What they share, he says, is the ability to look at an object anew, even if it's something they use every day - or something that they have made.
There is nothing on anything he has designed that isn't there for a good reason. This explains why every iPod has its serial number individually etched onto the back, rather than on an ugly sticky label. Ive and his team spend a great deal of time simplifying their products, getting rid of clutter and solving petty problems so that the user doesn't have to think about them.
When asked about the nicest thing he owns, he says that he really doesn't surround himself with a great deal of gadgetry. He chooses his watch - a beautiful piece of precision engineering on a white natural-rubber strap, designed by his friend Marc Newson. He is obsessed with music, and never travels anywhere without his iPod.
The same magazine profiled the nominees and Jury for the Oscars of the design world:
The Nominees
1. Sam Buxton: Folding Sculptures - Best known for his MIKRO-Man folding sculptures, Buxton made a thin stainless-steel business card, which unfolded into a 3-D figure of himself working at his computer.
2. Craig Johnston: Football Boots.
3. Daniel Brown: Websites - A first-generation computer child, Brown was born in Liverpool in 1977. He became entranced by early video games and computer graphics. How he makes lyrical interactive computer images. His aim: "to harness computer game-like technology for artistic and aesthetic purposes". Many of us consider PCs to be for work, but Brown hopes his web pages harness "the same sensory effect as listening to a beautiful piece of music". Far Fetched? Look at some of his sites - such as noodlebox - and you'll get his drift. Brown works for SHOWstudio, a kind of online fashion salon, where he serves an "adult, cultured audience for a new interactive entertainment medium".
4. Paul Cocksedge: Lighting.
The nominees' work is on show at the Design Museum from March 6 to June 13. Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1.
_ _ _
UK DESIGNER OF THE YEAR 2004
The Jury
The winner will be announced on May 24. Here's the Jury:
1. David Adjaye (1966-) Architect, is the "rising star of British architecture", known for Browns Focus shops and houses for the likes of Alexander McQueen.
2. Brooke Hodge is curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
3. Jonathan Ive is vice president of industrial design at Apple and was responsible for the design of the iBook, PowerBook G4, iPod and the iMac.
4. Alice Rawsthorn (1958-) is director of the Design Museum.
5. Neil Stevenson was a leading light of www.popbitch.com, the celebrity gossip website. He now edits The Face magazine.
[Source courtesy The Sunday Times 29.02.04 Style magazine, UK]
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/04/2004
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
NEW 15-INCH POWERBOOK G4
Shipped today
I've just received this email from Apple: "Dear Customer, We are pleased to send you this shipment notification regarding your Apple Store order. Order Date: 27-02-2004. Carriage and Insurance Paid.
APP FOR POWERBOOK-E/K-INT
APPLEWORKS 6.2.7 - SINGLE-INT
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/B
DETTO-MOVE 2 MAC WIN-MAC MIGRAT UTIL-INT
ETHERNET CROSSOVER CAT5 RJ45 14' CBL-INT
Ship Date: 03-03-2004 Weight: 5.48 KG Volume: 36.27 CDM
If you have any queries regarding this shipment, please contact the Apple Store at the numbers below. Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. The Apple Store Team. Apple Store Europe, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland."
Ed: Soon no more daily exhausting pc problems here. Rock on ;)
Shipped today
I've just received this email from Apple: "Dear Customer, We are pleased to send you this shipment notification regarding your Apple Store order. Order Date: 27-02-2004. Carriage and Insurance Paid.
APP FOR POWERBOOK-E/K-INT
APPLEWORKS 6.2.7 - SINGLE-INT
PBG4 15.2/1GHZ/512/60/SD/B
DETTO-MOVE 2 MAC WIN-MAC MIGRAT UTIL-INT
ETHERNET CROSSOVER CAT5 RJ45 14' CBL-INT
Ship Date: 03-03-2004 Weight: 5.48 KG Volume: 36.27 CDM
If you have any queries regarding this shipment, please contact the Apple Store at the numbers below. Thank you for choosing the Apple Store. We appreciate your business. The Apple Store Team. Apple Store Europe, Hollyhill Industrial Estate, Hollyhill, Cork, Ireland."
Ed: Soon no more daily exhausting pc problems here. Rock on ;)
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/03/2004
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
OK, I JUST CREEPED MYSELF OUT
By blogging pathologist Madhu
Pathologist Madhu started her blog Chai Tea Latte in November 2003. Bio: Female. Doc. Daughter. Sister. Ex. Happy. Interests: Yoga. Books. Magazines. Parties. Sports. People.
Madhu works hard, keeps fit, eats healthily and works out with yoga. She blogs about dating, sexy clothes and cool eye makeup. Has a great attitude towards life and, despite being diagnosed with MS, sounds more fit and healthy than most people. Says she can still kick mega butt in yoga and do positions plenty of non-MS people couldn't even dream of.
60-70% of MS patients will keep walking their whole life. It is rarely fatal. Madhu points out that if it weren't for MS, she wouldn't pursue healthy living options as vigorously as she does - nor would she have such a rapidly improving (hottifying) bod that makes young guys at the gym give her a second, and sometimes third, look.
Madhu, born in India, lives and works in America. She is sensitive and caring, has a fine mind and writes a beautiful blog. Down to earth, fun to read and mesmerising. Has the sensibilities, passion and soul to be an artist and writer. A good catch for any of you singletons out there...
Given her profession, the title of this post of hers made me smile:
OK, I JUST CREEPED MYSELF OUT - I hate scary movies and books and haunted houses and all that stuff. Yuck. I must now de-creep out myself by thinking girly happy thoughts. Here they are: chocolate, new shoes, sangria and margaritas, Stevie Nicks, Russell Crowe (in Gladiator, yummy), new blush (Cargo - ok) new lip color (Cargo - not good, wrong color) Sleepless in Seattle and finally, moisturizer. Ok. Feel better now. Bye. Have a nice weekend.
Thanks to Lisa for pointing to this gem of a blog.
_ _ _
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A DEAD BODY?
Asks blogging lady doctor Madhu
Bones is Madhu's story of her first day in the morgue when they brought in some bodies that had been recovered from a plane crash.
Check out this comment left by Chakra - it's enough to turn us into vegetarians for life.
Chakra is a 34-year-old American woman living in the Ouachita National Forest. She's building her dream home with her soul-mate. They're doing the work themselves. Chakra is a conservationist and an herbalist/healer, loves animals and nature and fights to protect them.
Click into Real Women Online - We are as real as it gets for more essays by Madhu and Chakra.
_ _ _
BLOGGING DONAVON AKA SON OF STAN
Has a crush on Madhu
American blogger Donavan Freberg AKA Son Of Stan (who also refers to himself as The Recovering Hypochondriac/Lay Pathologist and An Adoring Fan of Madhu's) is not a medical doctor but says Madhu's blog keeps on giving his medical mind something to chew on. Donavan confesses in Madhu's comments that he has a crush on her. Heh ;)
If you like Ozzy Osbourne's family (I do) and Hollywood lifestyles (I don't), Donavan's fascinating "About Me" page is a must read.
By blogging pathologist Madhu
Pathologist Madhu started her blog Chai Tea Latte in November 2003. Bio: Female. Doc. Daughter. Sister. Ex. Happy. Interests: Yoga. Books. Magazines. Parties. Sports. People.
Madhu works hard, keeps fit, eats healthily and works out with yoga. She blogs about dating, sexy clothes and cool eye makeup. Has a great attitude towards life and, despite being diagnosed with MS, sounds more fit and healthy than most people. Says she can still kick mega butt in yoga and do positions plenty of non-MS people couldn't even dream of.
60-70% of MS patients will keep walking their whole life. It is rarely fatal. Madhu points out that if it weren't for MS, she wouldn't pursue healthy living options as vigorously as she does - nor would she have such a rapidly improving (hottifying) bod that makes young guys at the gym give her a second, and sometimes third, look.
Madhu, born in India, lives and works in America. She is sensitive and caring, has a fine mind and writes a beautiful blog. Down to earth, fun to read and mesmerising. Has the sensibilities, passion and soul to be an artist and writer. A good catch for any of you singletons out there...
Given her profession, the title of this post of hers made me smile:
OK, I JUST CREEPED MYSELF OUT - I hate scary movies and books and haunted houses and all that stuff. Yuck. I must now de-creep out myself by thinking girly happy thoughts. Here they are: chocolate, new shoes, sangria and margaritas, Stevie Nicks, Russell Crowe (in Gladiator, yummy), new blush (Cargo - ok) new lip color (Cargo - not good, wrong color) Sleepless in Seattle and finally, moisturizer. Ok. Feel better now. Bye. Have a nice weekend.
Thanks to Lisa for pointing to this gem of a blog.
_ _ _
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A DEAD BODY?
Asks blogging lady doctor Madhu
Bones is Madhu's story of her first day in the morgue when they brought in some bodies that had been recovered from a plane crash.
Check out this comment left by Chakra - it's enough to turn us into vegetarians for life.
Chakra is a 34-year-old American woman living in the Ouachita National Forest. She's building her dream home with her soul-mate. They're doing the work themselves. Chakra is a conservationist and an herbalist/healer, loves animals and nature and fights to protect them.
Click into Real Women Online - We are as real as it gets for more essays by Madhu and Chakra.
_ _ _
BLOGGING DONAVON AKA SON OF STAN
Has a crush on Madhu
American blogger Donavan Freberg AKA Son Of Stan (who also refers to himself as The Recovering Hypochondriac/Lay Pathologist and An Adoring Fan of Madhu's) is not a medical doctor but says Madhu's blog keeps on giving his medical mind something to chew on. Donavan confesses in Madhu's comments that he has a crush on her. Heh ;)
If you like Ozzy Osbourne's family (I do) and Hollywood lifestyles (I don't), Donavan's fascinating "About Me" page is a must read.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/02/2004
______________________________________________
LEONIE'S FRACTALS GALLERY
And The Cluetrain Manifesto
Leonie, of Leonie Gallery in BC, Canada, blogs about reading the book The Cluetrain Manifesto by Christopher Locke, Rick Levine, Doc Searls and David Weinberger. Says she was felt a bit teary-eyed due to the wonderful optimistic spirit of the writers. Check out the entire text for free at The Cluetrain Manifesto.
LEONIE'S FRACTALS GALLERY
And The Cluetrain Manifesto
Leonie, of Leonie Gallery in BC, Canada, blogs about reading the book The Cluetrain Manifesto by Christopher Locke, Rick Levine, Doc Searls and David Weinberger. Says she was felt a bit teary-eyed due to the wonderful optimistic spirit of the writers. Check out the entire text for free at The Cluetrain Manifesto.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/02/2004
Monday, March 01, 2004
MISSED YOU
Glad to be back
Not posting here for the past three weeks was emotionally painful. Like giving up smoking, alcohol, caffeine, etc Definite withdrawal symptoms. Got depressed first three days and nights. Felt grief and out of synch. Like a bereavement. Missed everyone and the routine of Technorati, seeing visitors and who's new.
Happily (for me anyway) it didn't take long to discover that the next best thing was blogging in other people's comments box. Heh :) Wonder what the addiction is? Truly, it's like a drug. Think it was the fear of losing my blog's visitors. That they may never return. And I'd lose all my newfound friends.
Some days received as much traffic as before. Not sure what to make of that. Maybe there's a closer bond between bloggers than one realises. Real comrades here in the blogosphere. Most of us will never meet up in person. But we do seem to be building community together. Feeling loyalty to familiar blogs, as in meatspace with the friendly faces of neighbours and friends.
Ophelia and I have been doing just fine. Visited many blogs around the world. Saw tonnes of posts in different languages. Copied and pasted dozens found on the way - to write posts around at a later date. And, decided to experiment with a new style of blogging, ie posting comments that I've written elsewhere - to save energy and create more of a dialogue between blogs.
Spent the past few days putting together a string of posts. Dozens of them. Capturing the URLs for linking causes the most problems with this machine. If I can manage to post quickly enough before it shuts off. I'll try publishing several in one go. Depending on how long it takes to publish this, I'll try posting again soon. In the meantime, I need to tidy pc folders and learn how to use the free trackbacks that Jeevan at HaloScan kindly installed here last week.
Today's posts are catching up on personal news. Next posts are about other bloggers, And, after my new Mac is up and running (seems unreal) I'll blog about what I found recently. Pinching myself that the endless hours of pc troubles, viruses and worms, and wasted energy, will soon be over. Fingers crossed.
Glad to be back
Not posting here for the past three weeks was emotionally painful. Like giving up smoking, alcohol, caffeine, etc Definite withdrawal symptoms. Got depressed first three days and nights. Felt grief and out of synch. Like a bereavement. Missed everyone and the routine of Technorati, seeing visitors and who's new.
Happily (for me anyway) it didn't take long to discover that the next best thing was blogging in other people's comments box. Heh :) Wonder what the addiction is? Truly, it's like a drug. Think it was the fear of losing my blog's visitors. That they may never return. And I'd lose all my newfound friends.
Some days received as much traffic as before. Not sure what to make of that. Maybe there's a closer bond between bloggers than one realises. Real comrades here in the blogosphere. Most of us will never meet up in person. But we do seem to be building community together. Feeling loyalty to familiar blogs, as in meatspace with the friendly faces of neighbours and friends.
Ophelia and I have been doing just fine. Visited many blogs around the world. Saw tonnes of posts in different languages. Copied and pasted dozens found on the way - to write posts around at a later date. And, decided to experiment with a new style of blogging, ie posting comments that I've written elsewhere - to save energy and create more of a dialogue between blogs.
Spent the past few days putting together a string of posts. Dozens of them. Capturing the URLs for linking causes the most problems with this machine. If I can manage to post quickly enough before it shuts off. I'll try publishing several in one go. Depending on how long it takes to publish this, I'll try posting again soon. In the meantime, I need to tidy pc folders and learn how to use the free trackbacks that Jeevan at HaloScan kindly installed here last week.
Today's posts are catching up on personal news. Next posts are about other bloggers, And, after my new Mac is up and running (seems unreal) I'll blog about what I found recently. Pinching myself that the endless hours of pc troubles, viruses and worms, and wasted energy, will soon be over. Fingers crossed.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
PURCHASED NEW 15" APPLE MAC POWER BOOK
Arriving here in 10 - 12 days
Dell India phoned me on Thursday Feb 26 and kindly agreed to refund my laptop. They'll phone in a few days to arrange the refund and computer pick-up.
Next morning, I logged on at The Apple Store (UK) and purchased - via credit card and phone - a new 15" Apple Power Book with superdrive, extra memory and 3-year tech support and service warranty for same price as my Dell laptop. Delivery is expected in 10 - 12 days.
I moved swiftly in order to have possession of both machines to simplify data transfer. Purchasing via credit card is free of interest for 30 days. Should give enough time for the new Mac to arrive and transfer the Microsoft data, before Dell picks up their machine and credits my account.
Heartfelt thanks to a very dear friend, the CEO of Dell UK and Dell India for all their superb help. And to British blogger and technologist Pete Barr-Watson for allowing me to pick his brain on which Mac to choose and where to purchase.
PURCHASED NEW 15" APPLE MAC POWER BOOK
Arriving here in 10 - 12 days
Dell India phoned me on Thursday Feb 26 and kindly agreed to refund my laptop. They'll phone in a few days to arrange the refund and computer pick-up.
Next morning, I logged on at The Apple Store (UK) and purchased - via credit card and phone - a new 15" Apple Power Book with superdrive, extra memory and 3-year tech support and service warranty for same price as my Dell laptop. Delivery is expected in 10 - 12 days.
I moved swiftly in order to have possession of both machines to simplify data transfer. Purchasing via credit card is free of interest for 30 days. Should give enough time for the new Mac to arrive and transfer the Microsoft data, before Dell picks up their machine and credits my account.
Heartfelt thanks to a very dear friend, the CEO of Dell UK and Dell India for all their superb help. And to British blogger and technologist Pete Barr-Watson for allowing me to pick his brain on which Mac to choose and where to purchase.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
PURCHASED MOVE 2 MAC SOFTWARE
And cross over cable
My order included Move2Mac software (plus cross over cable) to ease the transfer of my XP Pro stuff and Outlook Express emails over to the new Mac. My Dell notebook is 12". It's said that size does not matter. In this case, it does. Squinting at blogs through a 6 x 6 inch pane in Blogmatrix is no fun.
PURCHASED MOVE 2 MAC SOFTWARE
And cross over cable
My order included Move2Mac software (plus cross over cable) to ease the transfer of my XP Pro stuff and Outlook Express emails over to the new Mac. My Dell notebook is 12". It's said that size does not matter. In this case, it does. Squinting at blogs through a 6 x 6 inch pane in Blogmatrix is no fun.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
MICROSOFT – VIRTUAL PC 6.1 – WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL
Gives your Apple Mac the power to run Windows software
I've ordered AppleWorks software. Would have liked the package that includes Virtual PC 6.1 for Microsoft Windows XP Professional but it's priced at £400. Decided I can do without any more worms and viruses and that the refund would be better spent on a DVD burner, extra memory and Apple's extended 3-year tech support service warranty.
Virtual PC for Mac as a stand-alone program costs £214.00 via Apple Store Online UK. It lets you run Windows software on your Mac, giving you access to the wide array of software written for Windows, easy file sharing, and compatibility with Windows networks.
Thanks to Pete Barr-Watson for this tip. Pete, of Kerb and flash fame, lives and works in the English coastal town of Brighton. In his blog sidebar at Pete's Eats is a Feb 15 2004 picture of his magnificent pet dog Kai after he'd (the dog) been in and out of the sea fetching his ball... (if you drag the picture to the address bar on your browser it should open up fully).
MICROSOFT – VIRTUAL PC 6.1 – WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL
Gives your Apple Mac the power to run Windows software
I've ordered AppleWorks software. Would have liked the package that includes Virtual PC 6.1 for Microsoft Windows XP Professional but it's priced at £400. Decided I can do without any more worms and viruses and that the refund would be better spent on a DVD burner, extra memory and Apple's extended 3-year tech support service warranty.
Virtual PC for Mac as a stand-alone program costs £214.00 via Apple Store Online UK. It lets you run Windows software on your Mac, giving you access to the wide array of software written for Windows, easy file sharing, and compatibility with Windows networks.
Thanks to Pete Barr-Watson for this tip. Pete, of Kerb and flash fame, lives and works in the English coastal town of Brighton. In his blog sidebar at Pete's Eats is a Feb 15 2004 picture of his magnificent pet dog Kai after he'd (the dog) been in and out of the sea fetching his ball... (if you drag the picture to the address bar on your browser it should open up fully).
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE PARTY
Afternoon tea at The Ritz
Afternoon tea (what afternoons are made for) is an old English custom.
Even these days, it's not unusual for "afternoon tea" to involve one's best china and silver, damask tablecoths and napkins. Freshly cut flowers, tiered cake platters with lace paper doilies. Loose leaf tea in pre-heated teapot, tea strainer, milk (poured into cup after tea), tongs for sugar cubes. Dainty cucumber sandwiches (no crusts) with fresh pastries and scones with butter, clotted cream and jam. Leisurely sips and nibbles and light hearted conversation.
In the early 1980's an American friend treated me to tea at The Ritz Hotel London. It was unforgettable experience as waiters silently swished around us every ten minutes with mouthwatering culinary delights and amazing mini pastries elegantly sculpted into swans and powdered with snow white icing sugar.
Last week, three super lady friends visited me here at 3 pm on Shrove Tuesday for afternoon tea and pancakes. A wonderful day. Table was nicely laid and decorated with their gifts of yellow and white, long stemmed daffodils, exquisite snowdrops (tall, a rare species) and lush greenery fresh from their gardens. Served sherry, followed by Indian and Chinese tea, steaming hot paper thin crepes sprinkled with a selection of cinnamon sugar/lemon juice and caster sugar/home made plum jam. And freshly ground Austrian coffee in my Bavarian porcelain coffee set. The aroma, festive cheer and colour, charming and fun company was a real treat and like Christmas. On top of all this generosity, I was given a framed antique pencil drawing of the sweetest looking pussy cat anyone ever saw.
For Lent, I've given up whingeing. Seem to recall that forty days of Lent is to do with Jesus going into the desert for forty days and forty nights, but I can't remember the meaning of Pancake Day. Here's an explanation of Shrove Tuesday.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE PARTY
Afternoon tea at The Ritz
Afternoon tea (what afternoons are made for) is an old English custom.
Even these days, it's not unusual for "afternoon tea" to involve one's best china and silver, damask tablecoths and napkins. Freshly cut flowers, tiered cake platters with lace paper doilies. Loose leaf tea in pre-heated teapot, tea strainer, milk (poured into cup after tea), tongs for sugar cubes. Dainty cucumber sandwiches (no crusts) with fresh pastries and scones with butter, clotted cream and jam. Leisurely sips and nibbles and light hearted conversation.
In the early 1980's an American friend treated me to tea at The Ritz Hotel London. It was unforgettable experience as waiters silently swished around us every ten minutes with mouthwatering culinary delights and amazing mini pastries elegantly sculpted into swans and powdered with snow white icing sugar.
Last week, three super lady friends visited me here at 3 pm on Shrove Tuesday for afternoon tea and pancakes. A wonderful day. Table was nicely laid and decorated with their gifts of yellow and white, long stemmed daffodils, exquisite snowdrops (tall, a rare species) and lush greenery fresh from their gardens. Served sherry, followed by Indian and Chinese tea, steaming hot paper thin crepes sprinkled with a selection of cinnamon sugar/lemon juice and caster sugar/home made plum jam. And freshly ground Austrian coffee in my Bavarian porcelain coffee set. The aroma, festive cheer and colour, charming and fun company was a real treat and like Christmas. On top of all this generosity, I was given a framed antique pencil drawing of the sweetest looking pussy cat anyone ever saw.
For Lent, I've given up whingeing. Seem to recall that forty days of Lent is to do with Jesus going into the desert for forty days and forty nights, but I can't remember the meaning of Pancake Day. Here's an explanation of Shrove Tuesday.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
SEASIDE SNOW
Magical sights and silence
Last week, hail and snow storms here by the seaside took us by surprise. Hail beat against the windows. Ophelia raced under the bed. Opened back door to take a look. In flew a carpet of polystyrene cornflakes. Made two hot water bottles. One for Ophelia's hidey hole under the bed. Two minutes later she came out of hiding ;)
Snow fell thick and silent. Streams of feathers from sky to sea, creating a total white-out. Not a soul in sight. The sea sounded strangely hushed. Seemed like me and Ophelia were the only beings in existence. Fire burned brighter. Table lamps shone amber. Toasty warm under duvets and pillows. Magical and cosy.
Right at that moment, I found Rayne's blog and gazed in wonderment at her Night snow and Night snow, redux. It echoed the heavy silence of the snow falling here. And reminded me of the magical winter wonderland of my mother's homeland and my favourite country: Austria. Fellow blogger Suw, who also lives in Dorset, blogged her snowflakes and sneeuw! pics.
SEASIDE SNOW
Magical sights and silence
Last week, hail and snow storms here by the seaside took us by surprise. Hail beat against the windows. Ophelia raced under the bed. Opened back door to take a look. In flew a carpet of polystyrene cornflakes. Made two hot water bottles. One for Ophelia's hidey hole under the bed. Two minutes later she came out of hiding ;)
Snow fell thick and silent. Streams of feathers from sky to sea, creating a total white-out. Not a soul in sight. The sea sounded strangely hushed. Seemed like me and Ophelia were the only beings in existence. Fire burned brighter. Table lamps shone amber. Toasty warm under duvets and pillows. Magical and cosy.
Right at that moment, I found Rayne's blog and gazed in wonderment at her Night snow and Night snow, redux. It echoed the heavy silence of the snow falling here. And reminded me of the magical winter wonderland of my mother's homeland and my favourite country: Austria. Fellow blogger Suw, who also lives in Dorset, blogged her snowflakes and sneeuw! pics.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
HOUSEKEEPER/COOK
Another new energy saver
Last week, I hired a new housekeeper/cook, starting today, March 1st. I've retained my other lady for two hours each Tuesday morning. Now that I have two multi-skilled people set to help on each week day - for a total of 7 hours - I can concentrate on other things and in future be more up to receiving visitors.
The extra help will enable me to implement the lifestyle management programme that I've been planning over the past two years. And venture out beyond my gate for the first time since last March. Things are looking up.
_ _ _
ENERGY SAVING LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Six week recovery programme planned for this Summer
By summer I hope to start a six week recovery programme that's taken me two years to plan and organise. It's not a treatment but an aggressive rest and activity programme. Over the past year, I've managed to fine tune it in part: but the eating five times a day made me realise that I needed more help with the organising and preparation.
The six week programme is a strict regime of eating five times a day, resting and graded activity. It's quite a feat to accomplish because so much goes into running a household and the ins and outs of daily living, food ordering, planning etc. I've hired the additonal help because the planning and organising that's needed for all household tasks along with eating daily five veg, four fruits and main meal (fish, poultry or red meat with potatoes, rice or pasta) required too much input and management on my part.
On weekedays, we're up at 6 am. Let Ophelia out. Wash, dress, open curtains and windows, switch on hot water. Serve our breakfast, load up washing machine or take a bath. Unbolt back gate for Js 9am arrival. Expend more energy on what goes on in that hour. By the time 10am arrives, my day's energy is used up. Slows me up. Doc says like trying to run a Pentium on a 386. Takes all day to publish a post to my blog, eat, rest and manage stuff like this faulty computer. By late afternoon, I get so ill and exhausted it affects my breathing.
In January, I experienced the reduction of symptoms - the first time in four years. Over Christmas week all I did was rest, eat and blog. Had no home helpers to deal with. No postmen, workmen or deliveries turning up. No doors to unlock. No distractions or interruptions. No unexpected visitors. I need that sort of week - for six weeks in a row. Roll on Summer.
_ _ _
M.E. HOSPITAL IN ROMFORD, ESSEX, ENGLAND, UK
Energy saving six week stay
Last July, the specialist GP Consultant from the Clinic visited me here at home. She identified my "baseline" as being 15 minutes. Which means my energy lasts 15 minutes before symptoms start to escalate, ie sore throat, muscle and joint pain, fever, slowing up of concentration and memory. She advised me to rest for five minutes every 20 - 30 minutes. Sounds simple in theory but impossible in practice. And, believe it or not, it's stressful (and tedious) living by 30 min alarm bells.
Searched the internet (in vain) for a silent clock or watch with 30 min alarm. Experimented with a kitchen timer but the ticking was too distracting. Tried keeping timer in kitchen but walking to and fro, every 30 mins, all day long, defeated the object. Muffled timer under a pillow but still could hear annoying ticking, like a dripping tap.
Most of us take for granted just how much goes into running a home and the daily ins and outs of living. With M.E., unless one has enough help to take care of things, it's impossible to recuperate. There's always something. Postmen, workmen, meter readers, parcel deliveries, home helpers, grocery deliveries, phone etc.
It's like trying to heal a broken leg without plaster - hoping it will just fix itself - while walking around each day to answer the door and deal with hundreds of other things that fit folks do without a second thought.
I've looked into a system for opening front and back door - and courtyard gate - by remote control but I'd need to have three wooden doors and frames replaced with pvc which would be a major project and expense. Wood doors and frames contract and expand and get a bit stuck, in the seaside air, more often than not.
Ophelia has a cat flap in front and back door but doesn't use them. Gets stormy here and unlocked cat flaps make a flapping noise and let in draughts. It's too much to keep checking on whether cat flap is locked or unlocked. It's easier to open the door at routine times. Plus, I like knowing when she is in or out - and not letting others in.
The Consultant offered me a six week stay at the M.E. Hospital in Romford, Essex. Apart from measured rest and activity, there's no medical treatment at the hospital, it's respite care. I was grateful for the offer but declined. Places at the specialist NHS & PrivateClinics are precious. My place could be put to better use by a patient with young children who is desperately in need of respite care and risks deteriorating even further if it takes too long to be offered a bed at the hospital.
Apart from that, the journey alone would cause me a six week set back, not to mention the return journey. Being away from Ophelia and my comfortable home and its upkeep. And returning home without the right help in place could make me end up back to square one and take a further year to make progress. It's taken me since last July to get, identify and train the right help.
The beauty of planning my six week rest and activity programme at home - with the right help in place 5 days a week - means that I can keep repeating the programme until there's progress. I plan to call my GP for a Physio to visit so I can learn a good fitness regime. For three years, I've aimed to walk to the beach (50 yards) and back without it making me bedbound 24/7 for 3 months afterwards. By next Summer, I feel sure that aim will be achieved. Hehe :))))
HOUSEKEEPER/COOK
Another new energy saver
Last week, I hired a new housekeeper/cook, starting today, March 1st. I've retained my other lady for two hours each Tuesday morning. Now that I have two multi-skilled people set to help on each week day - for a total of 7 hours - I can concentrate on other things and in future be more up to receiving visitors.
The extra help will enable me to implement the lifestyle management programme that I've been planning over the past two years. And venture out beyond my gate for the first time since last March. Things are looking up.
_ _ _
ENERGY SAVING LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Six week recovery programme planned for this Summer
By summer I hope to start a six week recovery programme that's taken me two years to plan and organise. It's not a treatment but an aggressive rest and activity programme. Over the past year, I've managed to fine tune it in part: but the eating five times a day made me realise that I needed more help with the organising and preparation.
The six week programme is a strict regime of eating five times a day, resting and graded activity. It's quite a feat to accomplish because so much goes into running a household and the ins and outs of daily living, food ordering, planning etc. I've hired the additonal help because the planning and organising that's needed for all household tasks along with eating daily five veg, four fruits and main meal (fish, poultry or red meat with potatoes, rice or pasta) required too much input and management on my part.
On weekedays, we're up at 6 am. Let Ophelia out. Wash, dress, open curtains and windows, switch on hot water. Serve our breakfast, load up washing machine or take a bath. Unbolt back gate for Js 9am arrival. Expend more energy on what goes on in that hour. By the time 10am arrives, my day's energy is used up. Slows me up. Doc says like trying to run a Pentium on a 386. Takes all day to publish a post to my blog, eat, rest and manage stuff like this faulty computer. By late afternoon, I get so ill and exhausted it affects my breathing.
In January, I experienced the reduction of symptoms - the first time in four years. Over Christmas week all I did was rest, eat and blog. Had no home helpers to deal with. No postmen, workmen or deliveries turning up. No doors to unlock. No distractions or interruptions. No unexpected visitors. I need that sort of week - for six weeks in a row. Roll on Summer.
_ _ _
M.E. HOSPITAL IN ROMFORD, ESSEX, ENGLAND, UK
Energy saving six week stay
Last July, the specialist GP Consultant from the Clinic visited me here at home. She identified my "baseline" as being 15 minutes. Which means my energy lasts 15 minutes before symptoms start to escalate, ie sore throat, muscle and joint pain, fever, slowing up of concentration and memory. She advised me to rest for five minutes every 20 - 30 minutes. Sounds simple in theory but impossible in practice. And, believe it or not, it's stressful (and tedious) living by 30 min alarm bells.
Searched the internet (in vain) for a silent clock or watch with 30 min alarm. Experimented with a kitchen timer but the ticking was too distracting. Tried keeping timer in kitchen but walking to and fro, every 30 mins, all day long, defeated the object. Muffled timer under a pillow but still could hear annoying ticking, like a dripping tap.
Most of us take for granted just how much goes into running a home and the daily ins and outs of living. With M.E., unless one has enough help to take care of things, it's impossible to recuperate. There's always something. Postmen, workmen, meter readers, parcel deliveries, home helpers, grocery deliveries, phone etc.
It's like trying to heal a broken leg without plaster - hoping it will just fix itself - while walking around each day to answer the door and deal with hundreds of other things that fit folks do without a second thought.
I've looked into a system for opening front and back door - and courtyard gate - by remote control but I'd need to have three wooden doors and frames replaced with pvc which would be a major project and expense. Wood doors and frames contract and expand and get a bit stuck, in the seaside air, more often than not.
Ophelia has a cat flap in front and back door but doesn't use them. Gets stormy here and unlocked cat flaps make a flapping noise and let in draughts. It's too much to keep checking on whether cat flap is locked or unlocked. It's easier to open the door at routine times. Plus, I like knowing when she is in or out - and not letting others in.
The Consultant offered me a six week stay at the M.E. Hospital in Romford, Essex. Apart from measured rest and activity, there's no medical treatment at the hospital, it's respite care. I was grateful for the offer but declined. Places at the specialist NHS & PrivateClinics are precious. My place could be put to better use by a patient with young children who is desperately in need of respite care and risks deteriorating even further if it takes too long to be offered a bed at the hospital.
Apart from that, the journey alone would cause me a six week set back, not to mention the return journey. Being away from Ophelia and my comfortable home and its upkeep. And returning home without the right help in place could make me end up back to square one and take a further year to make progress. It's taken me since last July to get, identify and train the right help.
The beauty of planning my six week rest and activity programme at home - with the right help in place 5 days a week - means that I can keep repeating the programme until there's progress. I plan to call my GP for a Physio to visit so I can learn a good fitness regime. For three years, I've aimed to walk to the beach (50 yards) and back without it making me bedbound 24/7 for 3 months afterwards. By next Summer, I feel sure that aim will be achieved. Hehe :))))
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
BLOGGING CHICKS AT BLOGGERCON 2004
Lisa's organising a blogger's pj party
Lisa's organising a virtual and real blogging chicks pj party. I'll write more on this at a later date. In the meantime, thanks for the invite Lisa. I'll think of some more gals (and guys) to suggest later on.
BLOGGING CHICKS AT BLOGGERCON 2004
Lisa's organising a blogger's pj party
Lisa's organising a virtual and real blogging chicks pj party. I'll write more on this at a later date. In the meantime, thanks for the invite Lisa. I'll think of some more gals (and guys) to suggest later on.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCARYDUCK
Two years old and millions of laughs
Scaryduck, Alistair Coleman's award winning blog, has reached it's second birthday. Clocking up over one quarter of a million visits, it must be true to say that Alistair's responsible for millions of laughs. If you feel like partying, here's some top shelf stuff from Scaryduck's celebratory piece.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCARYDUCK
Two years old and millions of laughs
Scaryduck, Alistair Coleman's award winning blog, has reached it's second birthday. Clocking up over one quarter of a million visits, it must be true to say that Alistair's responsible for millions of laughs. If you feel like partying, here's some top shelf stuff from Scaryduck's celebratory piece.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
HOT WEATHER PROJECT
At the Tate Modern, London
Fellow blogger Suw Charman, who lives in the same county as me and Ophelia, moblogged her bloggers meetup at the Tate Modern in London. Please do not miss her post Fancy a little lie down?. I lived in Pimlico, London SW1 for seven years and often walked to the Tate. Would have loved to have been able to get to see the fab new Tate Modern. Suw, your post was the next best thing to being there. Thanks.
HOT WEATHER PROJECT
At the Tate Modern, London
Fellow blogger Suw Charman, who lives in the same county as me and Ophelia, moblogged her bloggers meetup at the Tate Modern in London. Please do not miss her post Fancy a little lie down?. I lived in Pimlico, London SW1 for seven years and often walked to the Tate. Would have loved to have been able to get to see the fab new Tate Modern. Suw, your post was the next best thing to being there. Thanks.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
______________________________________________
DUNSTAN'S AMAZING POPPY DOG PIC
Neat photography tip
British blogger Dunstan Orchard is based in the English countryside - in the same county as me and ophelia: Dorset! Hey there Dunstan!
Dunstan blogs that he spends his days being told to Get washed and dressed before you start work, Stop working and go to bed and to Leave that computer alone and go out and meet a girl. So far he’s managed to ignore all these orders. He says he's a wally. Well there's nothing wallyish about Dunstan's neat blog.
Take a close look at this picture of his dog Poppy: Poppies. Neat photography tip eh? He just takes a bunch of photos of Poppy running around (without moving the camera), then he cuts out the dog from each photo (says you don't have to do that very carefully either because as the camera hasn't moved, the backgrounds will match) and stick them all together. The camera he uses is a digital SLR, Karen - a Canon EOS-10D
_ _ _
DUNSTAN'S BLOG PANORAMA
Dorset viewed from his window
Check out the image displayed across the top of Dunstan's site. For those using CSS compliant browsers, it is a 1600 pixel wide panoramic view from the top of his house, in Dorset. The scene was originally captured as a series of photographs, before being traced in Xara X and Photoshop 7 to produce the cartoony version you (hopefully) see here.
The position and distribution of the sheep are copied exactly from the photographs: some face left, some right, some forwards, some away, some are standing up, and some are lying down. The sheep alternate their positions every other day, and also respond to their environment, sheltering when necessary, and huddling together at night to sleep. The textures on the tiled roof, and on the Dutch barn are taken from the photographs and superimposed onto the cartoons. The fog and darkness are built up using ten semi-transparent layers, depth-positioned for realism. The stars are positioned in various signs of the Zodiac, he can’t recall which ones, but Leo (his) is in there somewhere.
Here are ninety versions of this panorama, each depicting the same scene under a different weather condition, time of day, and (at night) phase of the moon. Dunstan says that thanks to an XML feed from weather.com, and some PHP jiggery pokery, the end result is a fairly accurate representation of what he currently sees when he looks out of his upstairs windows.
DUNSTAN'S AMAZING POPPY DOG PIC
Neat photography tip
British blogger Dunstan Orchard is based in the English countryside - in the same county as me and ophelia: Dorset! Hey there Dunstan!
Dunstan blogs that he spends his days being told to Get washed and dressed before you start work, Stop working and go to bed and to Leave that computer alone and go out and meet a girl. So far he’s managed to ignore all these orders. He says he's a wally. Well there's nothing wallyish about Dunstan's neat blog.
Take a close look at this picture of his dog Poppy: Poppies. Neat photography tip eh? He just takes a bunch of photos of Poppy running around (without moving the camera), then he cuts out the dog from each photo (says you don't have to do that very carefully either because as the camera hasn't moved, the backgrounds will match) and stick them all together. The camera he uses is a digital SLR, Karen - a Canon EOS-10D
_ _ _
DUNSTAN'S BLOG PANORAMA
Dorset viewed from his window
Check out the image displayed across the top of Dunstan's site. For those using CSS compliant browsers, it is a 1600 pixel wide panoramic view from the top of his house, in Dorset. The scene was originally captured as a series of photographs, before being traced in Xara X and Photoshop 7 to produce the cartoony version you (hopefully) see here.
The position and distribution of the sheep are copied exactly from the photographs: some face left, some right, some forwards, some away, some are standing up, and some are lying down. The sheep alternate their positions every other day, and also respond to their environment, sheltering when necessary, and huddling together at night to sleep. The textures on the tiled roof, and on the Dutch barn are taken from the photographs and superimposed onto the cartoons. The fog and darkness are built up using ten semi-transparent layers, depth-positioned for realism. The stars are positioned in various signs of the Zodiac, he can’t recall which ones, but Leo (his) is in there somewhere.
Here are ninety versions of this panorama, each depicting the same scene under a different weather condition, time of day, and (at night) phase of the moon. Dunstan says that thanks to an XML feed from weather.com, and some PHP jiggery pokery, the end result is a fairly accurate representation of what he currently sees when he looks out of his upstairs windows.
# posted by Ingrid @ 3/01/2004
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______________________________________________
VIVANCO OPTICAL MOBILE NOTEBOOK MOUSE DRIVE
With built in 64MB flash memory
A friend phoned me to tell me about this amazing digital mouse. Holds 64k data. If I was into buying shares, I would buy shares in this little gizmo. Can think of a huge number of applications for it. Hopefully it is made in the UK. Available through the Electronic Centre and costs £64.99 STG or EURO 92.58:
The OPTICAL MOUSE DRIVE 64 is the optimal product for every mobile user. It allows easy transmission of any data between notebook and mouse. By combining input device and memory the users can not only save a USB port on their notebook but are also able to carry their data anywhere.
• optical notebook mouse
• integrated 64MB flash memory
• USB plug
• flexible connection lead
• 400 DPI resolution
• special covering for highest haptical quality
• USB 2.0 compatible
• leathercase included
VIVANCO OPTICAL MOBILE NOTEBOOK MOUSE DRIVE
With built in 64MB flash memory
A friend phoned me to tell me about this amazing digital mouse. Holds 64k data. If I was into buying shares, I would buy shares in this little gizmo. Can think of a huge number of applications for it. Hopefully it is made in the UK. Available through the Electronic Centre and costs £64.99 STG or EURO 92.58:
The OPTICAL MOUSE DRIVE 64 is the optimal product for every mobile user. It allows easy transmission of any data between notebook and mouse. By combining input device and memory the users can not only save a USB port on their notebook but are also able to carry their data anywhere.
• optical notebook mouse
• integrated 64MB flash memory
• USB plug
• flexible connection lead
• 400 DPI resolution
• special covering for highest haptical quality
• USB 2.0 compatible
• leathercase included
ME AND OPHELIA
This is the personal blog of Ingrid Jones.
I live by the sea in Dorset, England, United Kingdom.
Here on my PowerBook G4 I communicate to my friends.
About things in general and my life with M.E. and cat Ophelia.
Home user technology and business services.
Food and household management.
How it all impacts on my *lifestyle management programme*.
And my battle for more energy.
See Blogger Profile
Additional blogs:
N Korea
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