What Is Natural Oak?
I found this advert rather strange.
What Is Natural Oak?
I suppose unnatural oak would be veneered chipboard or MDF.
They’ve Given Hugh A Voice!
Islington is unusual in that the most prominent statue in the main commercial and shopping area of the town is not of royalty, a politician or a military figure, who is probably best forgotten.
Statue Of Sir Hugh Myddelton On Islington Green
Their main statue on Islington Green is of Sir Hugh Myddelton, who is described like this in Wikipedia.
Sir Hugh Myddelton (or Middleton), 1st Baronet (1560 – 10 December 1631) was a Welsh clothmaker, entrepreneur, mine-owner, goldsmith, banker and self-taught engineer
The statue stands where his main creation; the New River, ended its journey to bring fresh water into London. I suppose a modern equivalent would be to put a statue of Lord Coe in the Olympic Park.
They’ve now given Sir Hugh a voice, which you can listen to on your mobile phone.
Listen To Sir Hugh
This picture shows a close-up of the plaque, which details how you listen. This link takes you there.
The Real Winners In The Scottish Referendum
I’ve just looked up the betting odds for the Scottish Referendum on Odds Checker.
Typical prices as I write this are.
No! – 1/8
Yes! – 9.2
The bookies are usually right and with these odds, I think there can be only one winner.
But odds change, so check the current odds before making a decision.
If I had a vote in this referendum, I would not have been impressed by the performance of Darling and Salmond. But then whenever I see a man called Darling, I’m reminded of Blackadder.
Does The NHS Need Physician Associates?
There have been reports about using these in the NHS over the last few days. One article in the Independent is entitled, NHS patients to be seen by doctors on the cheap. It starts with.
Patients will increasingly be seen by “physician associates” rather than doctors under Government plans despite fears they are “doctors on the cheap”, according to a report.
I have seen a lot of doctors and hospitals over the last ten years, what with the death of my wife and son to cancer and my stroke. What is different now, to what I remember of the NHS in the 1960s and 1970s, is that nurses now play a larger role.
Does anybody bother?
Some might, but I’ve never heard anybody complain, that the nurse did a job, that a doctor might have not delegated forty years ago.
So when it comes to physician associates, I have an open mind.
Or I did until I read the letters page of The Times today, where four serious letters from eminent medical professionals were very much supportive of physician associates.
Now I’ve changed my open mind to one that is totally in favour!
These Beheaders Aren’t Jihadists, They’re The Cast Of A Clockwork Orange
This is the title of an article by Dominic Lawson in the Sunday Times today.
This is a typical thought.
the Financial Times writer Gautam Malkani last week observed of the diatribe of Foley’s killer: “As recruitment material, video footage of beheadings seem tailor-made to lure the most unhinged of maniacs to the fray. And yet by labelling them ‘terrorists’ or ‘militants’ instead of ‘lunatics’ or ‘nutters’ we unduly dignify them. We also play to the vanity of many young militant Islamists.
Sometimes, I think we’re watching a Muslim version of A Life of Brain. Except it’s not as funny. Perhaps someone should make a version, as there is no more powerful weapon against fanatics, psychopaths and dictators, than humour. I wonder how, this famous line from Monty Python’s classic would translate.
He’s not the Messiah. He’s a very naughty boy! Now, piss off!
The trouble is, no-one would dare make the film!
Al Gore Invests In OVO Energy
This article in the Telegraph talks about OVO Energy and how Al Gore’s interests have taken a stake in the company in particular. Here’s the first bit.
OVO Energy has raised £8m in growth capital from former US vice president Al Gore as it prepares to ramp up its battle against the incumbent energy giants.
It’s all a very interesting article.
I’ve been with them for since December 2013 and I can’t say that I’m in the least bit unhappy. There have only been minor web site problems and if I want to change suppliers again, I now have a single sheet of A4 paper with all my details on it.
The only problem with the change was nPower, who took nearly nine months to pay me, what was still in my account. I would never use them again!
Nothing Changes On Smoking
I found this article on the BBC web site, about black market cigarettes. Here’s the first two paragraphs.
Attempts to cut the amount people smoke are being hit by a black market trade in millions of illegal cigarettes, council bosses have warned.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said such products posed a fire risk, hurt legitimate businesses and cost the UK about £3bn a year in unpaid duty.
I am a passionate anti-smoker as I believe that smoking was a major cause in the death of my youngest son.
As to black market cigarettes, I once had a meeting about fifteen years ago, with a task group in a UK Police Force, that was wondering if some of my software could help them find a pattern in illegal drug and black market cigarette sales. I was told by the officer in charge of the investigation, that cigarettes were then more profitable for smugglers, as there was no real penalty for being caught. But what worried me, was that I was told, the dealers targeted children in run-down areas, so that they would have the customers in the future.
Smoking, despite the fact, that I’ve never been stupid enough to indulge, has caused me a lot of pain.
A New Take On Dumbbells
I bought these dumbbells in John Lewis, as my fitness trainer, said I needed some heavier ones.
A New Take On Dumbbells
There was only one problem and that was bringing two 4 kilo dummbells home in two flimsy plastic carriers.
A Design Crime – Why I Didn’t Buy Another Pair Of DAKs Trousers
For the last twenty-five years, I’ve had a pair of DAKs cord trousers for when I need to be smart. Last year, I bought a replacement pair and they were fine.
The original pair were still comfortable and warm and I wore them on my holiday in Iceland. I unfortunately ripped them on something, so there was only one place for them – the bin!
So I thought I’d buy another pair and went to their shop.
But what a disappointment!
They’ve been designered and now there are three buttons to do the trousers up. With my gammy hand that is a no-no! Or imagine getting taken short and wanting to disrobe quickly.
It’s almost as bad as the dreaded button-fly!
I went elsewhere!
Flowers Maketh The City
Wandering round Birmingham yesterday, I was pleased to see the city was more colourful.
There’s no doubt in my mind, that flowers can improve the city.
Birmingham at the present time, also has a floral trail linked to the anniversary of the Great War.
The Anonymous Widower 