Long Neck & Me

Natural News -Twelve unsustainable things that will soon come to a disastrous end on our planet

2011-03-13T21:26:00.000Z

This guy, Mike Adams just speaks so much sense. Lovely article pulling so many of our global problems together in one simple piece.

(NaturalNews) If you look around what's really happening in our world today, there's an inescapable pattern that curiously emerges: Much of what's going on is simply unsustainable. It can't go on for much longer, in other words. And it must collapse due to the laws of economics or physics... click to continue reading

Asked to leave a supermarket!

2011-03-09T14:37:00.002Z

Lady Isabella Boo is on Facebook!

Have you ever been asked to leave a supermarket? I have. It happened yesterday in a local Sainsburys. My crime? I was carrying 2½ pounds of Chorkie. She wasn't doing anything naughty, she wasn't making a noise, she wasn't dirty, infact she was not on the floor or in contact with anything but me. I was out with my 6 year old and needed a couple of groceries. I could have popped home and dropped her off, but that would have wasted half and hour.

As I passed the supermarket door I was complimented on my tiny puppy by a lady wearing the supermarket uniform. I looked wistfully at the supermarket door and mentioned that I needed to buy a few things, shame I could not go in. "Of course you can" she said, "You are ok so long as you don't put her on the floor." "Really" I said! So off I toddled, small puppy tucked firmly into the crook of my arm.

Well I had not got far when a very officious security guard pointed out that I should not be in there. I explained that a member of staff had already oked my visit. "OK, just this time, but not next time now that you know!" he said. Off I toddled, only to be accosted round the other side of the soap powder counter by an identically looking security guard. "Dogs not allowed" he stated aggressively. "Haven't we just spoken?". I replied. Clearly we hadn't as I was expected to leave NOW. I handed him my shopping basket of items and left with my tail between my legs, but in truth what nonsense! OK I know we cannot have supermarkets full of huge beasts, crapping and piddling on floors, but a hand held cannot really do much harm. If they carry germs, well we were already contaminated, are we going to have to start scrubbing up with bacterial gel next...

Aren't local supermarkets supposed to be convenient. Could I have left a dinky 2½ pound puppy tied up to a lamp post outside and have expected to find her there again 15 minutes later? I think not. Should I have left my 6 year old son outside the supermarket unattended but looking after a tiny puppy? Had I done so, I could have expected to return to find myself questioned by social services!

Last week, when I found myself in similar circumstances, in a Tesco, I popped in quickly, again puppy tucked firmly into my overcoat, the security guards very sensibly ignored me, and walked away when I got close, choosing not to see my offence.

Anyhow, now much to my displeasure, a Tesco local with it's own tiny rear car park with very obvious security cameras will be getting my custom, for all those last minute emergencies, I can leave them both locked into the car safely under the watchful eye of Tesco security. I never thought I would find myself feeling so thankful to those 'nice people at Tesco' after all it is Tesco who have fiddled us out of our lovely old Streatham Ice Rink.... But that is another story.....

Wrongly Convicted? The Case for Saturated Fat - Health & Wellness

2011-03-09T11:38:00.000Z

(sott.net) Recently the Harvard School of Public Health issued its criticism of the new USDA 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, complaining that among other things, the new guidelines were too soft on red meat. It points out that a porterhouse steak has 44 grams of fat, 16 of which are saturated fats, and that should mean eating red meat sparingly.

Sally Fallon Morell, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, disagrees and faults the guidelines for continuing to demonize saturated fats based on unsound science..... Click to continue reading

Feeling winter heaviness? Five common cleansing foods and herbs to lighten up

2011-03-08T18:47:00.007Z

(NaturalNews) If the approach of spring has you eager to get up and go, but you're feeling weighed down from winter hibernation and heavier foods, it's time to lighten up.

For most of us, especially those who live in colder climates, it's somewhat natural to feel sluggish after the winter months. However, the heavier foods and inactivity can lead to imbalances in the body that often create feelings of depression or moodiness, as well as laziness and/or congestion...... Click to continue reading

What could be more important than good health?

2011-03-07T01:21:00.004Z

A couple of years ago, after a series of family set backs. Double redundancies, business difficulties, selling our much loved home etc, I was left depressed, weak and debilitated. Visits to the doctor really achieved little as I was not in their eyes 'ill' but neither was I 'well'. It was left up to me to find a way of bringing my mind and body back to wellness.

I searched the internet, read everything I could lay my hands on about illness, nutrition and vitamin & minerals. By a combined effort I have coaxed myself back to heath. Initially, I learned about raw foods, and juicing and the wonders of superfoods, but I am sure that anyone who has tried juicing will admit that it takes a huge commitment to keep juicing all the time.

Imagine my excitement recently when I discovered some products that have the beneficial effects of juicing, without the continual fandango of shopping, washing, juicing and cleaning all the equipment afterwards. Oh it is nice to juice, but who has the time every day? I am told that there are 97 reasons to use Limu Plus! and I do not think convenience was even listed as one of them. Check out further the full benefits of this amazing tonic.

But perhaps my personal favourite item in this range is the VitaOne multi vitamin product. It has the benefit of the nutrition that I include in my home made juices, but it is just so convenient! Each daily allowance comes in a handy pack of that day's tablets. Conveniently priced too, as it works out at about £1 a day. Pop a few packs into a handbag or briefcase and they can be taken even after leaving home in the morning.

Ok, well I have to admit that I am so impressed that I now have my own website of these products. When I find something really good, I just want to share it with family and friends. I will tell you of the other great things in this range later, unless you want to have a look for yourself......... website here

If you would like to keep in touch with me, please 'like' my page on facebook

Please do feel free to drop me a line by email if you are interested in more info or would like to obtain any items other than via the internet.

Banana Ginger Cake Recipe

2011-02-28T00:53:00.003Z

Now this recipe is really yummy.

Cake:

6 oz sugar, (3 oz demerera, 3 oz caster)

2 oz butter, softened

3 medium bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
7 oz flour

1½ tsp baking powder

1 oz finely chopped glace ginger

2 tbps semi skimmed milk

Topping:

6 oz icing suger
2 oz butter

½ tsp ginger powder (or to taste)
Sprinkling of nutmeg

Preheat the oven to 180° C/350° F (Gas Mark 4)
Grease an 8" square cake tin
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, mix sugar and butter together. until blended. Add mashed banana, vanilla and egg. Mix well.
Add flour, baking powder, glace ginger, to mixture. Mix well, and add milk as needed.
Transfer to the cake tin.
Bake for around 25-35 minutes at 180° C, until a skewer into the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool, then turn out onto a cooling rack.
In a small bowl cream the butter, then mix in the icing sugar and ginger.
Cover the cake with the topping, leaving it rough or peaked. Sprinkle with the nutmeg powder. Cut into around 9 squares before serving.

Whenever I make this cake, it is well received. I have to say, I just love ginger, so this is one of my favourites too.

My Beautiful Christmas Present

2011-02-28T00:01:00.003Z

Christmas came and went this year, the Christmas Cards were left unmade, but hey, it is only a day, a holiday, not real life. The household was thrown into disarray by the arrival of my Christmas present. The arrival of the delightful Bella! She arrived a week before Christmas less than 2lbs of Chorkie. We set out in thick snow to collect her in time for her to settle in for Christmas. As DH put it, you get a lot more steak for your money!

The delightful, dainty, diddy Lady Isabella Boo is a Chorkie, a Yorkshire Terrier and Chihauhau cross. My last baby, the little girl of our family. She is my little princess....

She has a page on facebook, so feel free to follow her there. Lady Isabella Boo on Facebook....

Saturday 26th February 80 years commemoration outside Streatham rink 6.30pm

2011-02-26T00:27:00.004Z

This Saturday evening at 6.30pm we will be holding a gathering outside Streatham Ice Rink to give the old lady the last rights in her 80th year rather than celebrate her birthday we will be highlighting the ghastly fact that she will be demolished in September. Join us to commiserate together this untimely loss, we fear she will not return to Streatham.

Contrary to Lambeth's and Tesco's assertions that she is about to fall to pieces, we know she could last another 20 years, however these bullies have presented false information about Streatham Ice Arena and the temporary rink in Brixton to justify it is equivalent, we all know it isn't but they have mugged us and this grand old historic Ice Rink will soon be gone forever.

What is worse Tesco's have played the long game, they never intended to do the original project, they always planned to vary the Section 106 and there will be nothing to stop them doing it again in the near future, whether we will ever see a replacement ice rink in Streatham is very debatable. Should Brixton fail in the three years it is due to be in Brixton, with all our clubs and teams gone,what is to stop Tesco's changing everything yet again. The section 106 is not worth the paper it is written on.

Please join us, bring your candles, crosses, wreaths, let everyone know how much we will miss our cherished Ice Rink just to make more profit quicker for Tesco's, come and show how much we disagree not just with Lambeth's approval but the Communities and Local Governments Eric Pickles failure to realise this rink is a Regional centre of excellence and cannot be dumped in Brixton and meet our needs, the mistakes these officers have made are unforgivable, currently they could renege on extending the opening hours from 7am till 11pm to 5am till 2am as promised, and no agreement has been set for the new management company (Planet Ice) to honour the current sessions for all our clubs and teams, some sold us out to get privilege and contributions to their teams or clubs costs, the distortion of information will only become fully apparent when this new temporary rink is opened in Brixton, when we will see just how cramped and unfit for purpose it will be, too late to change anything then.

Look forward to meeting all of you Tomorrow night, bring placards, slogans, banners and wear your team shirts, I will circulate pictures to all newspapers on Sunday, hopefully we should get decent coverage as a fitting tribute from the Millions of users that have skated there and remember the rink with fond memories. let's thank this lady for all the good times we have all enjoyed, the friends we have made, the girlfriends and boyfriends that became our partners, and the whole voluntary efforts by all the trainers and coaches that have encouraged us and helped us perfect our skating and the exhileration we have enjoyed for some of us for so many years, for me personally 58 wonderful years as a child, father and more recently grandfather..

Trevor Hutton (Save Skating In Streatham)

All are invited: Facebook Event: Goodbye Streatham Ice Rink

Further information about the campaign to save the rink can be found here: Save Streatham Skating Campaign

Dorset Apple Cake Recipe

2011-02-20T11:45:00.001Z

225g cooking apples
½ lemon, juiced
225g plain flour
1½ tsp baking powder
115g butter
165g soft brown sugar
1 egg
2-3 tbsp milk
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 180° C/350° F (Gas Mark 4)
Grease an 8" ring cake tin
Peel, core and chop the apples into small pieces, and toss in the lemon juice. This will keep the apples fresh and stop them discolouring.
Sift the flour and baking powder and using an electric whisk break up the butter, until like breadcrumbs. Alternatively rub in with your fingers.
Stir in just 115g of the sugar, saving the remainder for the topping. Mix the apple and the beaten egg, and the milk, a little at a time. Mix this to a dough.
Transfer to the cake tin.
Mix the remaining sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle this evenly over the top of the cake.
Bake for around 45-50 minutes, until a skewer proves the mixture is set. Leave to stand for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack.

I have made this cake in a normal round tin too, but it does require slightly longer cooking time. I also sometimes sprinkle a little caster sugar over the top after cooling, just because it looks pretty.

The cake is beautifully moist, which my husband is most fond of. He prefers this to the sponges that I sometimes make.

More Home Cooking and why.....

2011-02-20T02:29:00.001Z

Over the last couple of years, since I have been more home based, I have put a lot more effort into cleaning up our family diet. It has been a slow process in many ways, but out have gone the processed foods, containing dodgy chemicals and additives, and in have come organic produce and more raw foods. The process is by no means complete, but much progress has been made.

For example the Microwave has been discarded, initially, delegated to sterilysing dishclothes, but now removed completely. There are many articles on the internet casting doubt on the nutritional value of food after microwaving, so erring on the side of caution, this has gone!

High Fructose Corn Syrup, (HFCS) appears highly suspect. There is of course much data available disproving the dangers, but I have now read enough to be sure that it is not something I want in our diet. Most factory produced cakes, biscuits and squashes contain HFCS, so I am buying less and home baking more. Actually, the time usually runs out before I get round to baking so even better for us, eating less sugary foods altogether!

The Aspartame in most diet products means for me, dieting is back to eating sensibly rather than taking the easy 'low calorie' route. It seems clear that whenever a manufacturer removes sugar or fats to make a product 'low calorie' the chemicals that are added in their place are more harmful than the 'fattening' item that has been removed! If it says 'Diet' on the packet, it gets left on the shop shelf!

I could go on... I would love to be able to claim that we are all living a healthy vegan or raw diet, but that is not the case, but where I see enough credible evidence, I seek to remove the items from our diet.

For me over the counter pharmaceutical drugs are out now too. A glass of water, usually clears a headache. Alcohol is for special occasions, and even then in small quantities if at all, rather than an everyday item.

Is it worth the effort? It is for me. I have got rid of joint pain, brain fog, and many other horrid symptoms..... a few more to sort out still, but I am 100% that this is the way..... and now on with adding some recipes, even naughty ones... at least if I am making it I know what has gone into it.

I read somewhere, and cannot remember the exact quote, but if you read the ingredients on shop bought food, "If you cannot pronounce it, don't eat it!" Sounds right to me!

Say NO to Streatham Ice rink's DEMOLITION!

2010-09-13T21:51:00.004+01:00

"We say NO to closing Streatham Ice Rink before a replacement rink is built at the Streatham Hub site and is fully operational."

"We say NO to any Temporary Rinks that are not fit for purpose. The proposed Temporary rink in Brixton’s Popes Road breaks promises made to ensure continuity of ice skating provision in Streatham; it’s too small, has Health and Safety issues, not enough parking, too few seats, and travel from Streatham is snarled up daily. The people of Brixton do not want it there either."

"We say NO to any more losses of sports facilities in Streatham."

Sign the petition here. Please remember to click the link in the email that is sent to you to verify your signature.
________

The rink has been under threat of closure for years now, by Tesco who bought the building and land some years ago. However negotiations between Tesco and Lambeth Council had ensured that a satisfactory solution seemed to have been found. Tesco had agreed to build a replacement Ice rink on adjacent land before the existing rink was demolished to be replaced with a supermarket. However since the recession Tesco have now gone back on their word saying the solution is too expensive. Lambeth and Tesco have come up with an alternative plan to put a temporary rink into the centre of Brixton while the development is built in one go.

Problem is the Brixton solution does not provide the ‘Continuity of Service’ that has always been promised, as it is not full size, does not have adequate parking, is difficult to get to for people in cars and coaches because of its location and the existing traffic. Existing businesses there already have inadequate parking. There is also the risk that Tesco could in the end find it ‘too expensive’ to build the rink at all. Leaving us with only a fun size rink, and at that one that is not fit for purpose permanently.

Please help us by signing our petition to persuade Tesco and Lambeth to return to the original plan. http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savestreathamskating

Please after signing, check for a confirmation email in your inbox or spam folder and click on the link to verify your signature or it will not count.

Vaccine Zombie by Michael Adams - The Health Ranger

2010-08-31T11:30:00.001+01:00

Bookcrossing in a nutshell

2010-08-06T01:07:00.005+01:00

I'm a keen bookcrosser, both as a way of disposing of books that I don't choose to sell but also as a way of passing on and sharing my own beloved books. Lets face it we cannot keep them all, interesting and treasured as they may seem. Somehow registering them online and releasing them does not seem too much like losing them at all.

I currently have my own bookshelf, Long Neck Books to look after. Released books were up to 1,500 the last time I looked. I have been releasing books for old school friends too, who have been passing on their recently deceased parent's books. Actually the bookshelf that takes more of my time is the one that I have set up at the Kiosk in South Norwood Park & Lake. The park is a beautiful one in South London. I hope that the South Norwood Bookcrossing Zone adds something to the park, I certainly believe it does.

For anyone who has not heard of bookcrossing, here are a few words in a nutshell. I am not sure who can be credited with writing this, certainly not me, but it does help to understand the whole concept.

Happy reading and sharing everyone!

what is bookcrossing?

BookCrossing is the act of releasing books “into the wild” and then following their journeys and the lives they touch. BookCrossing.com is the website that makes it all possible.

when did it start?

The BookCrossing idea was conceived in March of 2001, and the website was launched about four weeks later, on April 17, 2001. Growth the first eleven months was slow, with only about 100 new members each month. That all changed in March of 2002 with a one-page story in Book magazine, which started an avalanche of media attention that continues today. The result of the great press and the novel idea is that now around 350 new BookCrossers sign up at the website each day.

who is doing it?

The 287,000+ BookCrossers who have registered 1.37 million books (as of September 3, 2004) come from all age and demographic categories, the largest being women age 25-45. Membership at the website is free, so all that is required is access to the internet and a love for BookCrossing.

where are they doing it?

BookCrossing is a global phenomenon, with members from over 150 countries from Antarctica to Zimbabwe. The United States leads the way, followed by Canada, the UK, Australia, Italy, Spain and Germany. Books know no geographical boundaries, and are often released at overseas travel destinations.

how does it work?

BookCrossers register their books at the website so that each has its own BCID BookCrossing ID number), which is used to “tag” or label the book inside the cover. People who “catch” a wild book follow the instructions on the label to go to

www.bookcrossing.com to see where the book has been and to make a new journal entry so that other BookCrossers know it’s in good hands.

why are they doing it?

BookCrossing combines serendipity, adventure, altruism and literature in a unique mix that true bibliophiles find irresistible. With its similarity to releasing messages in a bottle, or notes in helium balloons, BookCrossing harkens back fond childhood memories. With its connection to literacy, BookCrossing makes an ideal activity with which parents and teachers can encourage children to appreciate both reading and sharing.

IT IS COMPLETELY FREE TO JOIN!
GO TO WWW.BOOKCROSSING.COM TODAY TO
BECOME A MEMBER AND START HAVING FUN!

What a brilliant man! Sir Ken Robinson

2010-08-03T19:59:00.001+01:00

Have just watched this video on TED.com. It is not the first time either, but he had me laughing out loud again! As a home educator someone who has rejected our existing school system in favour of an unschooled approach, I guess it is not surprising, but I do love to have my own gut feelings articulated occasionally by someone I can recognise as knowing what he is talking about. Someone who has an education, and all those qualifications to prove it.... Well if that proves anything at all of course.

I just wish that some of those 4 million people who watched his previous video were the people in this country responsible for our current schooling system. People who might have the ability if they had the will however to not just reform the system but take it apart and rebuild it. If only....

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

For anyone who has not seen or heard of Sir Ken Robinson before, here is his previous talk, inspirational and again funny.

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

I have read only read one of his books but I can thoroughly recommend it. The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

...there are a few more of Sir Ken's books here:

Eco Balls!

2010-08-03T00:47:00.004+01:00

It is ages since we moved house, and I have been meaning to post something here ever since, but life rushes on so fast, and what can I say after such a long absence. Well there is my bookcrossing zone to talk about, home education, health issues, religion, business, politics, the list is endless, but this is what has caught my attention.....
Ecozone Ecoballs! Well I cannot believe I am so amused with these. True, I have been cleaning up our act big time just recently, our food and drink is becoming clearer of chemicals and additives, much to the alternating amusement and irritation of the family! We are eating as much of our food organic as we can, as much still raw as is reasonable at this stage on our path to natural good health. But thanks to an occasional shopping trip with big son yesterday I came across Ecozone Ecoballs. Well these are a money saver as well as eco friendly. Two re-usable eco balls go into the washing machine along with the washing, no chemical detergent at all, and the washing comes out clean, infact sparkling white in the case of a white wash, clean smelling, well without a trace of odour of any type! How do they work? Well actually I am embarrassed to say I am not entirely sure, but I am fascinated!

Embarrassing! I sound like the 2010 equivalent to a 1950's housewife, who would have thought it. It is all in the science, perhaps it will be next week's science project on our home education path......

A few more eco friendly products here. Think I will try the Anti-Limescale Ballnext...

Moving on....

2009-11-15T13:19:00.009Z

Sadly with our imminent move, I am having to come to terms with the fact that I am going to have to rationalise Long Neck Books radically, and clear much of my cheaper stock. I love books so this is hard for me. There is light at the end of the tunnel however, as I am moving my old friends on hopefully to new friends, via bookcrossing.com

This is me here.... Long Neck Books Bookshelf

I am also in the process of setting up a Bookcrossing Zone in Crystal Palace which will be our nearest shopping centre. Gladly, I get a little 'buzz' every time I go shopping in Crystal Palace, that buzz that says this is a place that I am comfortable and happy to be in. Anyway the zone is here, in a lovely cafe called La Bruschetta that I have found in the heart of Crystal Palace... Crystal Palace OBCZ @ La Bruschetta

Happy Days!

I am on a high

2009-09-30T02:09:00.010+01:00

A good day. I have successfully got Theo's home education diary blog up and running. Will be recording his day-to-day, week-to-week activities on it, with emphasis on him taking part and helping, and dictating text just as soon as he is interested and able. So any family or friends who are interested in reading it are welcome to, but you will have to ask first as it has been set up to be private for authorised readers only.

I am happy, happy, happy! I sold my first hand knitted tea cosy today! Well it might seem like just a small thing to you, but to me it is a significant step. I have always got a buzz, been put in my 'element' making things. Well after a life time of doing the right thing and leaving creativity behind, I have started making things again. In the dim and distant past I made a lot of things, for myself, for family, for friends, and they have all been appreciated, but this today, well this is the first piece I have made to sell and it has now sold! It is a great feeling. I have a few more things on my Craft website and will be adding more.

I have been 'bitten by the bug' most surely! Please if you like my work, on the Etsy website, please help me promote it, by making me your favourite......

The Green Revolution wasn't green enough - Graham Harvey - Times Online

2009-09-14T16:58:00.021+01:00

The Green Revolution wasn’t green enough Norman Borlaug saved a billion lives from starvation. But decades on, his farming methods threaten the health of the planet ...read full article

School is prison

2009-09-12T22:45:00.006+01:00

Have just read a blog article, that just hit me head on. It is not often that I read an article that so completely takes the words right out of my mouth, but this one does.

....so I am sharing it;

“Why Don’t Students Like School?” Well, Duhhhh…

Children don't like school because they love freedom.

Hand-knitted Pineapple Tea Cosy in Yellow and Green by LongNeckCrafts on Etsy

2009-09-03T00:53:00.002+01:00

Hand-knitted Pineapple Tea Cosy in Yellow and Green by LongNeckCrafts on Etsy

Shared via AddThis

Sometimes It's Peaceful: Stress testing the Badman report: points arising: Legal

2009-09-02T14:41:00.001+01:00

Sometimes It's Peaceful: Stress testing the Badman report: points arising: Legal

Catch Up....

2009-06-28T00:40:00.007+01:00

Not sure really where I have been for the last few months, in my head perhaps. Well I am emerging again.

Book selling is very slow, due to the slow down of the economy. Have now moved on to decluttering the house, so anything that is not nailed down, is in danger of being listed on ebaY on a 99p auction. Watch out kids! Have sold masses of stuff so far. Toby is paying off some of his recent holiday costs with his share, costs from when he went to watch the World Ice Skating Championships in LA. He came back fit and motivated and raring to go. Kevin is using the money from his sales to buy a new Apple Mac to get back to his IT studies. Sales from my share were used to by my husband a birthday present for his 40th Birthday. Yes he is now 40! Can he still pass for 'in his 20's?' Probably unfortunately, and we are not talking about when my next 'round' birthday is!

I am now back to looking for a house for us to buy. Much too early really, as I am still expecting the market to crash again later in the year, but well, we need a home and stability for our family, and maybe, that is more important than getting value for money. I must admit that I find it hard to deal with that one, having spent a lifetime making my limited amount of money go as far as I can make it. Houses do seem to be selling very quickly right now, if they are sensibly priced, and unfortunately there are still too few of those, masses still hanging around with a 100k price tag over value!

The biggest catch up of all right now, is my endeavour to get right up to date with all the recent writing on home schooling. This of course has been a fast increasing movement in recent years as many more people fed up with the education system in this country have been removing their children from school and teaching them themselves. Well the government is catching up and trying to strangle it as they have the existing schooled system. I am currently half way through the 'Review of Elective Home Education in England' report by Graham Badman, will no doubt comment further when I have finished it. http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/HC-610_Home-ed.PDF

Will report back on this last subject when I have been able to digest more info. But for a taster, here is some interesting info. http://www.pjrothermel.com/

Hi-tech brings families together

2008-10-21T02:40:00.007+01:00

An interesting article appeared on the BBC website. I could not help agreeing. There is a perception that hi tech or computerized activities are solitary. They can be of course, but it does feel that we are coming full circle.

Before the technological media took a hold, families ate together, worked and lived close. Radio came along and families listened together. The same thing with TV. Again the perception is that this took something away from family communication etc, but sharing an activity can create a feeling of togetherness.

When I was a kid growing up in the 1960's, we used to watch TV as a family, we shared a telephone and would chat to callers before passing the handset on. We have of course moved towards solitary viewing, and mobile telephone have allow kids to have exclusive access to their friends with parents sometimes having little contact.

Perhaps, because humans are primarily social beings, the circle is now being completed, in using these mediums to return to closer links with family and friends, but when necessary this is by phone and connecting using online social networking sites such as Facebook. It has been interesting to watch this spreading quite rapidly from students to people now in retirement. When I joined Facebook about 18 months ago, I was in a minority in my age group, but I am now finding a larger and larger pool of computer literate friends online.

Fascinating really isn't it?

BBC: Hi-tech brings families together

Twittering - been doing it all my life

2008-10-21T01:35:00.007+01:00

Now twitter, this is more up my street! I tend to talk all the time, filling all gaps with a fair amount of whitter, so as you can imagine twitter is for me.

Like all new gadgets, it takes a while for it to filter through to friends and family, so when I signed up on the 5th September, I was searching frantically for someone to follow, or to follow me.

Ah phew, husband to the rescue, although that just gives him another way to ask if dinner is ready yet!

Still it is now catching on with friends and my followers are increasing. This may have something to do with the fact that I let slip that Stephen Fry no less is following me! I don't need to tell everyone that he is following me because I follow him do I?

The ability to feed Twitter updates to my Facebook, Plaxo, this blog, updating my status from my iPhone while sitting on a bus, train, beach, cafe, park, son's activities all really appeal to me. I have lost count of the the number of times over the years I have meant to write down all the funny things that kids say to me, well now I twitter it!

Take a look to the right of the page and you will see my twitters for the day. Follow me at: www.twitter.com/KarenAtLongNeck

Opted out for a while

2008-10-21T01:20:00.005+01:00

Well I started this blog, over a month ago, my intention was to write about my thoughts as I go about the activities of my home based mail order business and to mention the odd things that happen to make me laugh and cry bringing up my two boys. However the global financial markets rather overtook all my thoughts. I am not an economist so decided not to comment any further.

All I will say is 'What a horrible mess!' I just hope that we are not back where we were last month in the new year, having spent billions of our own money to bail the banks out. I will not be holding my breath!