Siani's Pot-Pourri

Siani goes a-hunting?

2009-09-14T13:52:00.000+01:00

I might be off to the Skirrid Mountain Inn soon. I called the pub today, and dogs are allowed in one of the bars, so Jake and I may well be heading off there, either tomorrow, or next week. It all depends on the weather, and how I feel on the day. Hopefully, it'll be tomorrow. I can catch the weekly bus from Swansea to Abergavenny Market, and then switch to a local bus. Don't know how Jake will feel about being stuck on a bus for an hour and a half on the way to Abergavenny. He's travelled around Gower on the bus without any problems. I'll take some clean-up stuff in case he gets travel-sick. I'll let you know how it goes - if I ever get there!

Long time, no post

2009-09-13T13:55:00.004+01:00

Seems like a lifetime ago since I last posted to this blog. Truth is, I've not had anything interesting to say, I've been nowhere worth writing about, and I thought it best to take a break.

There are a few changes in the offing. The elderly lady who lived in the flat downstairs, has moved out. So I'll be getting a new neighbour soon. I just hope Coastal Housing put someone decent in. I'm especially wary, because at previous addresses, they've housed me in the same blocks as drug addicts, alcoholics, armed robbers, perverts, mail thieves, wife beaters and a mad woman who tried to suffocate her baby.

My ideal neighbour would be someone who didn't make excessive noise, especially at night, didn't have a drink or drug problem, respected my space and privacy, wouldn't steal my mail, and wouldn't interfere with me in any way. Is that asking for too much?

I also hope that whoever moves in downstairs understands that I have a right to have visitors, have to walk up and down my stairs, open and close my flat door, and cannot possibly get to my bathroom without walking the length of the flat. Unfortunately, the previous neighbour was very sensitive to the slightest sound emitted from my flat, and took to shrieking abuse at myself and my visitors.

It seems it's all change here at Blogger, too, with a few new features since I last posted. I'm not sure if they're available in the regular Blogger - I use Blogger in Draft, where new features are tested before they become standard parts of Blogger. The post editor has changed, too - thankfully. It's a much more straightforward interface now. The only niggle I have, is that there no longer seems to be a spell checker - unless I'm missing something.

Anyway, that's enough from me. Hope to be back again soon.

University Clearing 2009 (UCAS)

2009-08-19T23:50:00.002+01:00

After months of nail-biting, the 'A' level results are finally out. How did you do? Perhaps you just missed getting the grades for your chosen university? Or maybe you didn't apply, thinking you wouldn't get good enough grades for university, and then exceeded your expectations. Don't worry, there's still a chance you can go to university this year, via UCAS Clearing.

Specifically, there are a number places available via the University of Bedfordshire's Clearing 2009. It's quick and painless to apply. Why not give their Clearing Hotline number a call on 0800 013 0925? You could be on your way to university sooner than you think. If phone calls aren't your cup of tea, check out what's on offer via the Internet:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/clearing?source=ppp09

Clearing vacancies are up for grabs from August 20th 2009, until the end of September. But the sooner you check out what's on offer, the better chance you have of securing the perfect course for you. Good luck!

Web hosting

2009-08-19T23:27:00.003+01:00

I'm still toying with the idea of starting my own paranormal podcast. I mentioned it here a few months ago. The main thing that has stopped me getting it off the ground so far, is cost. Regular podcasts take up a lot of web space. Also, many listeners like to listen online, so that means using streaming audio, which uses up costly bandwidth.

To be honest, I'm a little lazy when it comes to things like searching for a web host. There are so many of them, each offering different packages and different services, and by the time I've visited a few sites, my head starts to spin.

Luckily, I recently came across Web Hosting Geeks, an excellent site which takes all the pain out of hunting around for good, reliable web site hosting. The site is very easy to navigate, and offers extensive information and reviews about all aspects of web hosting. It sorts the online wheat from the chaff for you.

Web Hosting Geeks will not only recommend the Top Ten general web hosts for you, but also offers Top Ten lists of web hosts according to an extensive range of specialized criteria. Looking for the best Unix hosting? Or the best forum hosting? Perhaps you're looking for top notch e-commerce hosting? Web Hosting Geeks offers guides to all these categories and many more.

Web Hosting Geeks also have an archive of independent customer reviews, where you can read about users' experiences, before selecting a host. So, if you're looking for a web host, especially if, like me, you're seeking specific criteria from a host, visit Web Hosting Geeks.

I'm on the radio today

2009-08-04T11:52:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the short notice on this. I posted an announcement on Facebook, but forgot all about my poor old blog. My friend, Alison Lenihan, has invited me on her radio show this afternoon, to talk about UFOs and other paranormal topics. If you're in the Penllergaer, Pontarddulais, Gorseinon, Pontlliw and Gowerton areas, you'll be able to listen live, on 106.5 FM, between 2-4 PM. No worries if you're not living locally. You can also listen online. I don't think there will be a downloadable versinn of the show, though. Hope you can tune in, and once again, sorry for the short notice.

Some new Jake pics

2009-07-20T17:31:00.005+01:00

It's been a while since I posted any pics of young Jake. Don't be fooled by the innocent face - he's been up to all sorts of naughtiness lately. I've stopped using his harness, because he's worked out how to escape from it. I've always fixed it as tight as it can go, without hurting or hampering him, but he's perfected the art of backing out of it and running away at breakneck speed. He also managed to get out of his collar a couple of times, so I changed it for a less flexible one.

Who would believe this innocent little face could front such a devious little mind? He's also taken to laying on dramatic performances, to try to manipulate me into giving him his own way. Alas for Jake, I'm wise to him! Although I find it hard sometimes, not to give in to him, I just keep telling myself it's for his own good, and mine, that I remain pack leader, and he remains a follower. Yes, I watch the Dog Whisperer - how did you guess? I reckon even Cesar Millan would be hard pressed to resist this little fellow's charms.

Here he is with his favourite squeaky toy. Yes, that is mischief you can see glinting in his eyes. His favourite game is to demand I throw the ball for him, but as I go to pick it up, he grabs it, runs off to the kitchen, and hides under the table with it. As soon as I return to the living room, so does he, for a repeat performance, until he finally decides to let me throw it.

I'm currently working on the 'leave it' command with him, and he's getting on well with that. The next bit of his training will involve getting him to drop his ball - it's the only thing he won't leave when told.

Oh well, the kettle's a-whistlin', so I'm off to make coffee. Sorry I've nothing very exciting to report.

Constitution Hill, Swansea - wall collapse

2009-07-14T20:32:00.004+01:00

A 32ft section of wall collapsed at around 00.30 on Sunday morning, on Constitution Hill, near Swansea city centre. Just hours earlier, we drove past. I'm so glad it didn't go then. I'm especially thankful that it didn't happen on a school day, whilst pupils were walking past on their way to, or home from, school. Although no official cause has yet been cited for the collapse, engineers suspect last week's torrential rain played a major part in it.

I'm also glad the occupants of this house, who have been evacuated, were not sitting outside enjoying a midnight drink or barbecue. That's not actually solid ground the patio furniture is sitting on, just a slab of concrete protruding over the crumbling earth bank.

I hope the council sends surveyors to inspect all similar high walls in the area. There's a lot of subsidence in this area, caused by geological factors, quarrying and wartime bomb damage. A number of walls have eroded, but none as suddenly and catastrophically as this one.

I was hoping to get a few more shots from different angles, but Jake suddenly decided to slip out of his harness and do a runner. Luckily, we managed to chase him onto Chaddersley Terrace, where there's no access for traffic, and eventually managed to catch the little devil. I might pop back down tomorrow, minus Jake.

Whatnot

2009-07-07T09:29:00.002+01:00

I've been quite busy recently, so I've not had much time for blogging. On Saturday, I took a break from everything, and had my first night out in months. I went to see my friend's band perform at a local pub, and had a pretty good night.

My cousin, Wayne, has just been offered a flat by Coastal Housing, which he's moving into in the next week. After he's moved all his stuff to the new place, I'm going to have a massive spring clean and do a bit of decorating. Not that he's wrecked the decor, or anything like that. The place needs a lick of paint, and it would be hard to work around all of Wayne's stuff, as well as my usual clutter.

I've started taking driving lessons again, after a gap of a few years. My first lesson, last night, went pretty well - far better than I expected. My main issue is forgetting to change gear - but I guess that will become second nature after while. Remembering to change gear, I mean. I don't want forgetting to become second nature.

Oh well. That's about it for now. Hopefully, I'll have something interesting to blog about soon.

Find Hotels With Twitter

2009-07-03T13:06:00.002+01:00

I absolutely love Twitter. It has many uses not immediately apparent. I've recently discovered it's an excellent online tool for discovering good hotels. People often tweet about their experience of a hotel they've stayed at, offering other Twitter users reliable and independent advice about where to stay and where to avoid.

Twitter is also used by some of the biggest online hotel providers, including Expedia, Last Minute, and Laterooms.com. I was recently able to find a great local hotel deal for a friend, by first checking out hotel providers on Twitter, then looking for comments about that hotel, by Twitter users who had stayed there. Give it a try. It's free, quick and easy!

Help Llys Nini provide a Safe Haven

2009-07-03T12:12:00.003+01:00

I can't remember whether or not I've blogged about my new job as a volunteer fundraiser at RSPCA Llys Nini Animal Centre, here in Swansea. I know I announced it on Facebook. I'm working with my long-time pal, Alison Lenihan, better known as Lenny. We're trying to raise awareness about our Safe Haven scheme.

I was shocked to discover that Llys Nini, although affiliated to the RSPCA, is independently funded. The centre receives no funding from the RSPCA, the government, or any other official body. It costs at least £1500 a day to run the centre - by my estimations, that amounts to at least £547,500 a year. Llys Nini is wholly dependent on the generosity of local individuals and companies, as well as funds raised via the local RSPCA charity shops.

The centre provides an essential lifeline for unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned animals. Some of the animals are given up voluntarily, but many of them are seized by RSPCA inspectors due to wilful neglect or cruelty.

If you love animals, please consider supporting Llys Nini's Safe Haven scheme, by sponsoring a dog kennel or cat pen at the centre. I know money's very tight for most of us right now. But, from as little as £1.25 a week - the price of a tea or coffee - you can help save the life of an unwanted cat or dog. You'll get a certificate detailing which animal space you're sponsoring, and you will be most welcome to pop into Llys Nini, at any time during visiting hours, to visit the animal occupying your space. Your name will also appear on a plaque outside the dog kennel or cat pen you're sponsoring.

If you love animals, especially if you live in south or west Wales, please give Llys Nini's Safe Haven scheme serious consideration. Without your help and support, the centre will be unable to continue saving lives, and rehoming abandoned pets. I would love to take home at least one of the dogs currently at the centre. Sadly, I don't have the time, money or space to welcome another animal into my home at the moment, so I've decided to become a Safe Haven sponsor. Remember - you can help from as little as £1.25 a month. That's not a lot to save a life, is it?

Dog Shampoo

2009-07-03T00:03:00.002+01:00

I'm fortunate enough to have a happy, well adjusted dog in almost every possible way. But I face a real conundrum when trying to select a suitable dog shampoo to bathe my Jake with. Luckily, as he's a Shih Tzu/Lhasa Apso mix, he's a low odor dog, but he still needs regular bathing, as he enjoys a good mud bath every now and then. However, most of the dog shampoos on the market play havoc with his skin and coat.

He has a very long, dense coat, which requires regular trips to the dog groomer, to prevent him from becoming tangled up. Sadly, even the high quality shampoo used at the grooming salon, makes him itch like crazy for several days after his visit. Perfumed shampoos are the worst for irritating his skin. Also, when his coat is long, most shampoos leave a sticky residue, which causes his fur to mat close to his skin. So how do I get a sweet-smelling dog, without irritating the poor fellow's sensitive skin, or tangling up his coat?

Since becoming a volunteer worker at an animal shelter, I've discovered that the best shampoos to use for bathing dogs, are made from high quality natural ingredients. Dinovite produces a great range of natural, Dogosuds dog shampoos at very competitive prices. Made from natural, therapeutic grade essential oils, such as lavender, tea tree and peppermint, Dogosuds shampoos also come in a variety of bottle sizes. There is even an unscented option, with yucca extract, which has soothing and healing properties. Lavender, tea tree and peppermint are all effective, natural flea repellants, which also have anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, as well as a long-lasting, fresh scent. Should you live in an area where your dog has regular run-ins with skunks - Dogosuds shampoos are also effective at eradicating skunk odor.

There's nothing worse than an itchy, smelly, tangled-up dog. He suffers, and so do you. Dinovite dog shampoos are chemical and irritant-free. Although they produce a nice, rich lather, they also rinse out very easily, and leave behind no sticky residue to clog up your dog's coat. Why not give your dog a treat today, and give him a lovely, itch-free Dogosuds bath?

Busy bee

2009-07-02T23:36:00.006+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts here over the last few days. My laptop is out of action, so I'm having to borrow Wayne's. I don't have access to any of my files or software, and it's driving me nuts. I don't really like Wayne's computer. The touchpad is weird - it's too close to the edge of the laptop, and I keep resting my hand on it, so the computer then does weird things. Also, it has an Intel Celeron processor - yuk! I much prefer my AMD Turion dual core processor, even if it does get a little hot on times.

On the subject of hot - I thought the warm weather was wonderful when it first arrived. Now, I'm just so sick of this stupid heatwave. I can't sleep because night time temperatures are so high. To add insult to injury, it's absolutely peeing down outside, yet it's really muggy, humid and oppressive. I really wish we could have an almighty great thunderstorm to cool everything right down. But it's not all bad. My strawberry plants, salad crops, flowers and herbs are having a whale of a time, and have put on an impressive spurt of lush growth almost overnight. I've put down organic-approved, pet-safe slug killer, so hopefully, none of that lush growth will get chomped by slimy little beggars.

Poor little Jake hates the heat. Luckily, I took him to the groomer last week, just before the weather really heated up, so his coat is nice and short now. Look:

Please click to enlarge, so you can see how gorgeous my boy is. I've been taking him to work with me at the Llys Nini Animal Centre, and he's a big hit up there, even if he does try to guard the office.

Oh well, that's all for now. Hopefully, I'll have my own laptop back soon, repaired and ready to go.

Damn you, Acer

2009-06-24T18:36:00.002+01:00

I called Acer on Saturday, about my laptop problem. It seemed to be an issue with the power adapter. They asked me to email them proof of purchase, and they would get right back to me. They didn't. I've bought a new power adapter, as I got sick of waiting for them to sort things out. Well, it turns out it's the laptop, not the adapter, that's at fault. It still won't charge up, and is now dead, as the battery is empty. Been trying all day to get sense out of Acer. There's only about six weeks of waranty left on it. I'm having nightmare visions of the warranty expiring before I can arrange the repair. They really are a shower of sh*te. Never, ever will I buy another Acer laptop, however cheap and tempting it looks.

Damn you, Acer

2009-06-20T15:38:00.002+01:00

My laptop's power cord died a death overnight. I've changed the fuse, but nothing happened. I've got 50 minutes of battery power left. Ugh. Luckily, the laptop is still under warranty, so I'm just waiting for Dabs.com to send me a copy of my e-receipt, to forward on to Acer. I should have known better than to get another Acer. Grr. I should still be around, as I can use Wayne's laptop until I get the new power cord.

Web Hosting Geeks

2009-06-19T12:37:00.002+01:00

You may remember, a few months ago, that I had plans to start my own podcast. After some research, many of the free podcast hosting services left a lot to be desired. So if this project is to be a success, I need to get dedicated hosting.

Trouble is, there are so many web hosts around, from large, professional operations, to chancers hosting sites on an old server in their spare bedroom. It's hard to tell which is which, simply by visiting their websites. Yet the choice of web hosting service is crucial to the success of any online project. Visitors need fast and reliable access to your website, or they go elsewhere.

I've just started looking for webhosting, and the Web Hosting Geeks site has saved a lot of time. It's a must for anyone planning their own website. I really like the site's independent reviews of a wide range of web hosting services. Their Top 10 handpicks the very best web hosts, focusing on those that offer free domain name registration, along with unlimited traffic and web space. It takes many tedious hours of research to hunt down these hosts independently. Why waste all that time when you can visit Web Hosting Geeks?

Another great feature of the site, is the listing of top web hosts by hosting category. Of particular interest to bloggers, is the Best Blog Hosting list. The site also offers guides to the best forum hosts and the best dedicated hosting, amongst many other useful categories. The site's blog is also a valuable resource. I'm often confused by the options offered by web hosts, especially when it comes to deciding which web hosting platform to choose. The Web Hosting Geeks blog provides a lot of useful, easy-to-understand technical information for those of us who don't understand the pros and cons of Linux, Windows or Unix hosting platforms.

So, if you need a web host, check out Web Hosting Geeks, and save yourself a heap of time and money. Finding the right web host can be a tedious and protracted process, so let Web Hosting Geeks do all the hard work for you.

I'm still around

2009-06-18T11:48:00.002+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts here recently - I've been a bit busy with various things. Remember me mentioning that I had been mistakenly told the creep who stole my bag had been sentenced to 2½ years in jail, when he hadn't? Well, he has been sentenced now:

Three year jail term for knifepoint robbery

I've also been working on a new article, Strange Days: Ghosts of the Skirrid Mountain Inn. Please feel free to check it out, if you have a few free minutes.

From next week, I'll be doing voluntary work up at the RSPCA's Llys Nini Animal Centre, alongside my old pal, Alison Lenihan, or Lenny, as most people know her. I'll be involved in fundraising, for a very worthy cause, Llys Nini's Safe Haven scheme. If you can spare a pound a week, why not pledge your support? For less than the price of a cup of coffee at your favourite coffee shop, you could help ease the suffering of poor, abandoned, often sick, animals. That's bound to leave you with a nicer taste in your mouth than anything Starbucks can offer you, isn't it? Go on, you know you want to :).

Anyway, that's what's been going on in my life. How are you, and what have you been up to?

Microspec CRM software

2009-06-14T16:11:00.003+01:00

Probably one of the most crucial aspects of running any business, whatever its size, is Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The contact management features of most office suites are often rather basic, so what can you do to enhance your business's CRM implementation? Dedicated CRM software such as Sage's Act 6, which can be integrated with Microsoft Office, would offer a significant enhancement of your CRM system. A free trial means you can try before you buy.

Another key aspect of running a business, is the management of financial data. Using spreadsheet software to manage your business finances, is an outmoded and inefficient system of data management. For optimum efficiency, consider one of the Datafile financial systems. Available in four versions, whether you're a sole trader, or manage the finances of a major corporation, Datafile can help streamline your financial data management.

If your small to medium-sized business is heavily reliant upon Microsoft Office, Microsoft CRM solutions could be the best option for you. It is integrable with MS Office and MS Business Solutions, and its interface is very similar to MS Outlook - which means less disruption as you and your colleagues get used to the new system. Whatever you decide, don't allow your current Customer Relationship Management system to let you down.

Birthday boy and house fires

2009-06-08T15:03:00.001+01:00

It was Jake’s birthday yesterday. He’s now two, bless him. He looked a bit bemused when I sang Happy Birthday to him, a la Marilyn Monroe singing to the president (but without looking like her, alas). But he graciously accepted a handful of mini doggie biscuits.

I took the little man for his birthday walk, which he enjoyed, followed by at least twenty high speed laps of the front lawn, before I finally got him indoors. I hasten to add that it was Jake only who did the high speed laps.

I got stuck into cooking a late Sunday dinner. Wayne had been asked to do extra hours at work, after I’d got the meat out of the freezer. I decided to cook an evening roast dinner, so we could eat together. As I was preparing the vegetables, Jake suddenly launched himself at the back door, in an absolute fury of barking and growling. I opened the door to see what was there, expecting to see either a strange cat, or one of the cheeky brats from along the street, invading the back garden. But no, Jake raced up the back steps to the back gate, growling and barking like a mini Cujo.

I could hear the static, hiss and tinny voices emitted by an emergency services radio. I then spotted a ladder and blue lights looming just above my neighbour’s garden wall. I could hear a lot of activity, men calling out instructions to one another, with radios going nuts, as I spotted a policeman running past, through the slats of my fence.

Uh oh, I thought, another dumped and torched stolen car. Nothing new there. However, there was very little smoke for a car fire, so curiosity got the better of me. I scooped Jake up, to stop him getting out on to the road, and stuck my head out through the back gate. There were two or three fire engines, police vehicles, as well as ladders up against a couple of the houses. I couldn’t see very well past some trees, and as there was no-one available to make enquiries of, I returned indoors, to check on my dinner.

I popped out again, a while later, to put a bag of veggie peelings in the green recycling bin. I heard a raised and angry voice in the street. So, I went out for another nose. Some dippy woman was giving a poor fireman hell. Apparently, she’d continued to drive along the narrow road, despite seeing it blocked by emergency vehicles, until she could advance no further. She finally got the message, went into reverse, and promptly scraped her car along a stationary vehicle.

Somehow, that was the fault of the fire brigade, for having the audacity to park their vehicles in the road, whilst responding to an emergency call. She expected them, en route to a call-out, to stop, and cordon off the road, to warn drivers of an obstruction, thereby wasting valuable time that could be used for saving lives. Silly moo.

Anyway, I got talking to the fireman, and learnt that there were two house fires in progress, just down the road from me. Luckily, no-one was hurt, the fires were confined to the roof spaces of both houses, and brought under control before the flames could travel along the rest of the terrace. Phew! Jake thoroughly enjoyed himself, barking at all the activity, and scaring the wits out of a poor fireman, by lunging at him, teeth bared. Anyway, that’s all for now. Sorry about the long post.

Criminal Justice System sucks!

2009-06-04T13:44:00.001+01:00

Just had a call from the Witness Care Unit. They got their facts all jumbled. The pig who mugged me hasn't been sentenced. He's due for sentencing on June 10th. Why the hell can't these people get it right? That said, this gives me a chance to get a victim impact statement written up, which the judge will consider when sentencing this horrible man.

Siani's veggie spaghetti and 'meatballs' recipe

2009-06-03T22:20:00.004+01:00

Made a really nice dinner tonight, which was totally vegetarian. It was pretty simple to make. And because I'm feeling generous, here's my recipe.

Veggie Spaghetti and Meatballs

(serves 4)

1 bag Swedish-style Quorn balls
1 medium onion
1 green pepper
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tin chopped tomatoes with herbs
1 carton of passata
2 dried chillis, crumbled
½ tsp oregano
2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
2 tsps Marigold salt-reduced veggie bouillon powder
salt and pepper to taste (optional)
1 500 g packet of dried spaghetti
100-125 g grated Cheddar cheese

Heat half the oil in a frying pan, and gently cook the Quorn balls until they're browned all over, and heated through. Remove from the pan. Add the rest of the oil to the pan, chop the onion and green pepper, and cook until the onion starts to brown.

Crumble in the dried chillis, cook for a minute or so, add the crushed garlic, and cook for another two minutes. Pour in the passata, water and tinned tomatoes, then add the oregano and bouillon powder. Stir thoroughly, bring to the boil, then transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Add the cooked Quorn balls and water, and simmer the sauce for 15-20 minutes, until thickened, making sure the onion and green pepper are cooked.

Keeping the sauce and Quorn balls simmering, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the packet of spaghetti, bring back to the boil, add a few drops of olive oil to prevent the strands clumping together, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until it is al dente. Drain the spaghetti, return to the large pan it was cooked in, then blend in the sauce and Quorn balls. Add the grated Cheddar to the pan, and stir it all together well, over a low heat, until it is piping hot and the cheese is melted. Add seasoning to taste, if required. Serve and enjoy!

Variation: add a glass of red wine to the sauce, instead of the water.

Pain in the neck

2009-06-02T12:12:00.004+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts here lately. I've had a nasty flare-up of my spinal arthritis and cervical spondylosis, and didn't want to write a pile of 'woe is me' type posts. It's still very painful, but rather than sit around feeling sorry for myself, I'm off to do something positive. I'm going to ask the lady who lives downstairs to look after Jake for a couple of hours, whilst I go to town in search of orthopaedic pillows and essential oils. I think doing something positive is a lot more empowering against a painful medical complaint, than simply sitting around whingeing about it.

Trendy ergonomic office furniture?

2009-05-31T18:17:00.004+01:00

As regular readers of this blog know, I have cervical spondylosis, a form of spinal arthritis. It makes sitting at a desk to use a computer very painful and difficult. It also means I have to take great care in my choice of Home Office Furniture. I usually go for ergonomically designed office furniture, as it eases the pressure on my spine, and keeps me in the correct typing position.

Unfortunately, not all ergonomic furniture is especially nice to look at. However, Spacify offers a range of ergonomic furniture, such as the chair shown (right), which is trendy, easy on the eye, and offers comfort and support exactly where needed.

T-Shirt weather!

2009-05-30T16:31:00.002+01:00

I've lost interest in knitting now the warm weather's here. I might get into customising my own T-shirts instead. I have some nice design ideas that would be ideal for T-shirt printing. Let's hope this gorgeous weather lasts long enough for me to wear them.

Cancer and asbestos exposure

2009-05-21T15:32:00.001+01:00

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which affects the body's mesothelial cells. These cells form a protective layer around the outer surfaces of most of our internal organs. This protective lining is referred to as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer, which is almost always fatal. It is also one of the most avoidable forms of cancer. The overwhelming majority of incidents of the disease can be linked to exposure to asbestos.

Workers in numerous industries are at risk of contracting cancer from asbestos exposure. Workers in the construction, demolition and ship-building industries are most at risk. However, there have also been numerous cases of mesothelioma in individuals who have not contacted asbestos in the workplace. They contracted it through regular contact with affected workers. For example, wives have been known to develop the disease after regularly washing their husbands' asbestos-impregnated work clothing. It is also possible to contract mesothelioma by working in buildings which contain high levels of asbestos in their structures. Such buildings may include schools, hospitals and office blocks.

If you, or a loved one, has been diagnosed with cancer as a result of workplace asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. The best thing you can do, in the circumstances, is to hire an experienced and tenacious Mesothelioma Lawyer. No amount of money in the world can ever compensate adequately for the contraction of such a pernicious and avoidable disease. But it can help to pay for the latest, most advanced medical treatments and palliative care. So, if you, or a loved one, has contracted cancer from asbestos exposure, remember - you have rights, and can get help to enforce your rights.

Mugger sentenced

2009-05-21T15:22:00.002+01:00

I've just been told that John Mylan, the man who mugged me, has received a 2½ year prison sentence. Alas, chances are, if he behaves himself inside, he'll be released on licence after serving half of that. So by August 2010, chances are I could come face-to-face with him somewhere again.

I think it's appalling that this person is eligible for early release. He was out on licence after a number of previous muggings, when he attacked me and some others. It's obvious that being on licence has no impact on this man's criminal behaviour, so he should be made to serve his full time. I'm also a little bit annoyed that I was never offered the opportunity to submit a victim impact statement to the court.

Never mind. At least he's off the streets for now. I hope he gets the treatment he needs for his drug problem, and decides to sort himself out. He could have hurt me physically, but he chose not to, so maybe there's hope for him yet. I certainly hope so, because I'd hate to think of him leaving anyone else with the psychological scars he's inflicted upon me.