Rihanna's Shocking Look

What's going on here?

At first glance it looks like Rihanna is performing a gig in zero-G. But no, that's the outfit she choose to wear.

She was going in a gig in Chicago. It wasn't a long gig. She had to be quick in case someone came along and wanted to park their bike.

She is looking good but I think I preferred the good old days when she was known for just being a good singer.

These days she is looking like her boobs are so big they need to be held up by the mic stand. Have a look again.

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Hair School The Musical

Are you interested in going to a hair school? Well, Regency Beauty Institute, which has been in the field for over five decades now, is based in Minneapolis. It has been doing so well it has been growing and expanding. It now has nearly 30 campuses across nine states of America. That's a sure sign of success.

The campuses are like upscale salons where the customer get discounts and you get on-the-job training. If you want to find out more about these hair schools have a look at www.regencybeauty.com.

P.S. They're not musical per se, but that title was too good to pass up.

Big Bang

Here's a video for you...



Don't you love things that start: "Scientists have solved a 200 million year old mystery"?

It makes you think, "That much be one mother of a Su Doku".

It seems that Andromida suffer a massive collision that has created a huge ring of fire that is still expanding...

...and if they call Claims Line Direct now they could take the case on a No Win/No Fee basis...

3D TV

Sky is promising to 'blow away' viewers by introducing 3D television to millions of living rooms within the next year.

3D? I'm not sure we're ready to see Bruce Forcyth's chin and nose in 3D. You'll have to watch Strictly Come Dancing from behind the sofa.

The satellite broadcaster demonstrated the technology this week, showing images shot at rugby and football matches which made the action appear to leap out of the screen.

And if the game has Zinadin Zadan playing 3D could be painful.

(Yep, that topical reference is years out of date, but it's late and I'm going to bed soon)

Viewers will need to wear special glasses which allow the brain to process images so that they appear to be in your living room.

They say it could revolutionise sport, Pixar the animation studio that made Toy Story and The Incredibles, has announced that from next year all its films will be produced in the 3D format, and other films are following. But I won't get a 3D TV till one channel starts using the technology... Babestation.

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Silver

Silver is an interesting mental. It's good-looking. It's "Ag" on the periodic table, so it's a good conductor (in the same column as copper and gold) and it is resistant to corrosion. It has a soluble nitrate. That's getting too scientific now, but it's a good fact, trust me.

How about this as a silver fact - currently the world demand for silver outweighs the amount that is mined annually. So, when demand is greater than supply is pushes prices up. The production hasn't reached parity with demand since 1990 which has depleted the above-ground stocks.

That's why silver is a good investment option.

You can make your silver purchases via the Monex Precious Metals website.

Just keep it away from Nitric acid. See, I told you that scientific fact was a good one.

Last Tortoise Standing

Ah, ain't it sad? A Galapagos tortoise called Lonesome George was thought to have fertilised some eggs. Yep, he got his tortoise-sex moves on (I bet they go all night, because it's so slow) and knocked up some lady tortoises. But the scientists opened the eggs to find no sign of an embryo developing.

But on the plus side, I bet they had a great omelette.


Here's the video...

Anne Hathaway Dumps Over Flowers

I read this today:

"Anne Hathaway has revealed what drove her and her criminal ex boyfriend apart – a bunch of dead flowers."

Wow. I'm thinking I'd better pay attention to this... in case I ever get to date Anne Hathaway... or I become a criminal...

She said she realised Raffaello Follieri wasn’t the man for her when he insisted an arrangement of wilting cherry blossom branches be thrown out.

So let me get this straight. A conviction on charges of fraud? That's fine. Wanting to throw dead things out? You're dumped.

I wouldn't have thought Anne Hathaway would be so touchy about throwing things out that look like they're dead. John McCain, I'd expect it from.

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Wedding Flowers

A lot of my friends are getting married at the moment. I think I have reached that stage in life. That means I will have lot of nice weddings to go to. Should be a party time. I might as well enjoy it as soon everyone will be having kids. That will include just as many parties, but the sort they have balloons and clowns.

If you are involved in planning a wedding you will realise how much work is required. You have to arrange so much. If you have to sort out the flowers take a look at www.fiftyflowers.com. They have everything from wedding hydrangea to Ecuadorian long-stem roses, and loads in between. They have the flowers shipped straight from the farm so they are really fresh.

Scientists Offer Hot Housewives

Scientists have apologised after finding out the cover of their journal advertised a Hong Kong Strip Joint.

Apologised? Heck, that's the best sponsorship idea the scientific community has had in ages.

The prestigious Planck Research science mag had words on the front that offered "hot, young housewives".

Let's be honest, the scientists wouldn't know what to do with them, so it's goof the hot, young housewives were getting some action.

Calligraphy used on the prestigious scientific research institute publication's special Chinese edition was vetted by an expert before it went to print.

It was believed to have "depicted classical Chinese characters in a non-controversial context".

But internet users in China quickly spotted it was similar to wall posters found in Hong Kong's red light district promoting strip clubs and brothels.

That's amazing. Internet users in China actually got to see something? I thought Google filtered it all out for them.

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Computers Like Humans

Will computers take over the world? Let's be honest, not the ones we have today. Could you imaging a would filled with being that look like this...



Imagine that, something that looks like a person but is totally dependent on a mobile phone. It's basically like a teenager.

Accident Help

Being involved in a accident is never nice, but when it someone else's fault, it is even more annoying. Some people drive like they own the road, and that attitude can cause accidents.

There are some good lawyers out there now who can help in those situations. There's a Lincoln personal injury lawyer at www.demerathlawoffice.com who could be of service to you, should you find yourself involved in a prang.

It's not just car accidents that they deal with, they also help with dirt bikes accidents up to semi-trucks collisions, farm machinery accidents and even boating accidents.

Whether you were hurt in a crash or hurt at work they could help.

Dreams On Screen

Scientists say they will come up with new technology which shows what is on our minds when we're asleep.

Is that a good idea? I eat a lot of cheese, so some of the dreams I have are pretty freaky. They'd need to get a 18 certificate for that machine.

The Japanese research team claims its groundbreaking study could eventually display dreams on a computer screen.

Well, with the amount of time I have to spend on a computer at work I probably dream about computer screens, so at least we know it would fit.

A team at ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories said they have already succeeded in displaying images directly from the human brain. And even though they have only managed to reproduce simple images, they reckon they will eventually be used to figure out dreams and other secrets inside people's minds.

Let's hope we never have to get sent to a hospital to take that test, because most of the readings would say the same thing... "My god, that nurse is hot."

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Oscar Jackman

Take a look at this...



That's right, Wolverine is going to host the Oscars. What happened to the good old days when they had a comedian to present the thing?

But if they have a straight actor to host it maybe it means a comedy actor can win the best actor Oscar for once. Come on, someone put Bill Murray out of his misery.

Self-Improvement

Self-improvement is always a good thing but when faced with an economic downturn it becomes more of a survival strategy than anything else. You have to be qualified to get or keep the job that will see you through this recession.

If you think it's too late for you to get qualified, think again. You can get a degree online these days. Have a look at www.capella.edu. Capella University is an accredited university that is fully online. They provide master's and PhD degrees and it can fit around the work that you already do. So you don't have to worry about supporting yourself as a student.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.

Kids Are Back

Good news in TV land. Kids In The Hall is coming back. Here, have a read...


That's the comedy show you might have watched when you were in your teens. (Don't know who they are? Their wiki page is here. Follow the landing page. Or see them in action here)

Not to be confused with Saved By The Bell. I used to get those mixed up but I have sorted it now.

Either that or it was Dave Foley was the one who got his boobies out in the film Show Girls. Oh my word, I hope not. Not after what I did that drunken night...

Alternative Energy Cars

So we all know the future is alternative energy cars. Petrol is the past baby, it's so 90s.

Here's a little video if you want to learn more about these super alternative energy cars.



Seeing as my hamster in a wheel plan didn't work out this is the future.

Get Out Of Debt

Bad times in the economy means a lot of people can find themselves in debt. There are some quick fixes out there and they all have one thing in common, they won't work.

You want a solution that's a bit more serious. Have a look at www.debtfreellc.com because they have some great advice on how you can get out of debt.

They give you a personalised financial plan that is specifically tailored to your situation. Then you use that plan to sensibly head out of debt. No one is saying it's going to be easy, but if anyone says it can be easy they're probably lying.

Fart Free Pants

Some people don't understand what the deal is with science. They don't see the beauty.

Tell them this, and they will see it.

A US company invented an underwear fabric that absorbs all smells.

Now that's technology working for you. We should hand it out to tramps. Imagine how good the world could be.

The material is inserted into a pair of pants with two self-adhesive strips and traps any pongs or whiffs.

So the problems of farts will never be the same again. Of course if you get rid of the smell you will still have the noise. If people are free to let rip because they'd be no smell there will be a general background of fart noise.

And you thought kids trying out their ring tones was annoying.

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The Dark Side Of Cartoons

Do you sometimes suffer when you are surrounded by happy people and you're not quite in the mood?

Sometimes people are little rays of sunshine, and all you want is some sunglasses.

Well, you can take the edge of a happy person by showing them this.

It's kids' cartoon characters violently killed.



The images are part of an art exhibition. The pressure group Mothers Against Violence said it was “sick”. I couldn't give it a higher recommendation myself.

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The Age Of Information

Data Warehousing Software

In the past society has been through the age of farming, the age of iron, the age of industrialisation, but now I'd say we live in a time of information. Data rules. It's all about getting the data in, dealing with it well, and using it. That runs everything.

Syncsort Incorporated have high-performance software for data management and data protection. So if your business needs such a service you should check out what they can offer. Their products are used by 90% of all the companies who are listed on the Fortune 100. And their software is used by companies across 50 countries. So the pedigree is there.

Their software deals with speed data warehouse processing, they can improve database loads, and improve query performance.

If you need your data backed up and protected, they can do that too.

You can see more on their website, www.syncsort.com.

The Lego Of Evil

It's been a while since Lego was a hot, contentious issue. In fact I bet the last time you had an issue with Lego you were probably 7 and you couldn't find the roof bit you needed.

But now Lego has upset religious leaders. A range of Lego-style fighting figures that include an al-Qaeda terrorist has been made. Oooh, there's nothing like a mini terrorist to cause upset.

Mohammed Shaffiq, of Muslim organisation The Ramadhan Foundation, branded the toy “absolutely disgusting”. He said: “It is glorifying terrorism — the makers should be ashamed.

Wait a minute. When Lego made a Darth Vader figure no one thought they were glorifying the dark side. The makers weren't told to be ashamed of promoting the ways of the Sith.

If someone takes their moral judgements from the Lego they play with, they've got bigger issues to worry about.

I don't know why the religious people are upset, it's the Americans who have the right to be annoyed. Lego can be used to make a model of the Twin Towers, and now they've sent in the al-Qaeda Lego. Now that's taking the p***.

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News Round Up 05-12-08

If you're at work at the mo, look busy while doing no work by reading some news on the web. Here are some stories we've enjoyed here.

Amy Winehouse's farewell sex with Blake

Apparently Amy Winehouse had sex with her husband Blake Fielder-Civil before he was sent back to prison, as a final goodbye.

Ain't that just the final irony of life: the kind of woman who will have say to say goodbye is the kind of woman you don't want to leave.

David Van Day: How the I'm A Celebrity star became Mr Nasty

DVD has left the jungle. He was a drama queen, a pain, a manipulator but we'll be sad to see him go because when he cried like a baby when he had to do a trial, that was good TV.

Boy George guilty of falsely imprisoning male escort

Well, Boy George has bee convicted of falsely imprisoning a male escort. He admitted to police that he handcuffed Norwegian Audun Carlsen to his bed at his flat in Shoreditch, east London, on April 28 last year.

When he sings, "Do you really want to hurt me?" The answer is yes, if you come near me with those handcuffs again.

Just click the links (and follow the landing page) to read more on each story.

Gift Idea - Jewelry

Are you looking for a nice gift for someone who loves jewelry but you don't want to buy them expensive diamonds as it might send out the wrong signals? Then how about costume jewelry?

I've heard about Holsted Jewelers and they provide exclusively designed jewelry. You could be giving a beautiful piece that someone will love but won't think you're after a bit with them, if you know what I mean.

Holsted Jewelers work to really high standards. They have a strict quality-assurance policy and every item that leaves their hands has been inspected twice, just to make sure.

It won't break the bank and it will be highly fashionale. Plus, because you won't find this in any normal shop you know that the gift you are giving is unique and no one will be giving the same gift.

Check out the website www.holstedjewelers.com

Nerdy News Round Up 05-12-08

Here are some of the science and technology news stories I've been sneaking a read of at work.

Broadband speed regulations hit UK: Yey! At last. At the mo about 25% of homes are not getting the broadband speed they pay for. It's like going to the pub, buying a pint, only getting half a pint and the barman saying, "Read the small print. There are other people on this bar which means I only have time to serve you less."

Waste could fill many of nation’s wants: This was shocking. Apparently we can make energy from out waste water. What a feeling of warm pride within as you know your last poo could help light a small villiage.

TomTom launches route planner with traffic info: The Sat Nav people have launched a web site to plan your routes. Even though I thought the whole point of sat nav was that you didn't have to mess around planning your routes these days. And if the website is anything like real sat nav, it'll plan you a route that includes making a U-turn where you shouldn't and eventually driving you into a river.

Just click the links (and follow the landing page) to have a read for yourself.

Facebook

Here's technology working at its best.

The story of Georgina Hobday, who's parents Sylvia and Michael agreed to give their little Georgie a birthday party.

So she mentions it on Facebook and the next thing you know hundreds of people turn up and wreck the place.

Good. If there's something that can get teenagers of Facebook, it's a good thing.

People spend ages on that site. And it's not just the teenagers. Lots of people I work with waste most of their workday on it. If someone invented Facebook 100 years ago none of the great inventions we enjoy today would've been made. Apart from penicillin. That was discovered by someone not doing the dishes for a while. They'll be plenty of that happening.

But I suppose if we had Facebook 100 years ago we wouldn't have had the bad things either. If Hitler spent all day playing Scrabble we might not have had the Second World War. Just an update saying, "Hitler is... making plans for world domination". Or "Hitler invited you to join the Third Reich". Or even better, "Hitler has installed Super Wall... in Berlin."

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Good News

Here's the good news. My GF is no longer my GF. No, we haven't split up, she's gone from GF to F. No, that doesn't mean she's no longer a girl. As far as I know she hasn't had any gender reassignment work done. She's not the fiancée.

We go the ring sorted. It's white gold, so basically it looks like Silver, and the same will be true of the wedding ring.

And now the planning begins. It has meant I have learned of a Wedding Planning website WeddingChannel.com that has interactive planning tools to help you sort out the big day, it has advice sections on the site and lots more.

I'll keep you posted as and when I get more.

BBC, ITV And Channel 4 Are Anti-Competitive

Here's something in the world of tech news that I don't understand.

A plan by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to jointly create a competitor to YouTube may be blocked because it is anti-competitive.

Creating a competitor to a main provider who has a massive share is anti-competitive. But, erm, it's being competitive.

How can something that is competitive be anti-competitive? And is it like matter and anti-matter? Will there be a big bang and we all disappear?

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Holiday Glasses

If you wear glasses I hope you know that you have a lot of range to choose from these days. The options for the glasses-wearer these days are amazing. So much so, you could get yourself some new glasses this holiday time.

Have a look at the Holiday Glass Frames From Zenni Optical

For Xmas, these would be my fave. They're very festive...



The website is zennioptical.com and it is The popular online eyeglasses shop. The prices are great because they have eliminated the overheads. For example, look at their $ 8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses. With prices like that, you'll have a lovely time this Holiday time.

Ants

Spotted this in the news:

"A new ant which was discovered less than 20 years ago could be on the way to wreak havoc in parks and gardens of Northern Europe including Britain."

Ants? It's hardly going to be the next summer blockbuster is it? We get invaded and the scariest thing they could send is an ant.

They are the Lasius neglectus ant and when they move into a new area they quickly exterminate its local rivals.

So, it's an ant that invades but by doing so gets rid of the other ants that you were having problems with. That's almost quite kind of it.

It resembles the common black garden ant but the number of workers crawling around is between 10 and 100 times greater.

So it will look like a kid has dropped an ice lolly on the floor even when they haven't.

Maybe I should be more scared, but I'm not, and here's why. Dr Sylvia Cremer said: "We found that invasive garden ants developed from species in the Black Sea region that have natural populations with small networks of interconnected nests with many queens that mate underground and don't fly."

As long as they don't fly they can come round here any day. It's the flying ones that freak me out.

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Unusual Gadgets

You know me, I like my tech. So I mention some gadgets that have caught my eye.

Well this one certainly caught my eye. Here's the apparatus...



Anyone know what they does? I'll tell you.

It's the MaleEdge penis enlarger from www.maleedge.com.

What goes where? What do you press, and then what happens?

It's non-invasive and available in a variety of colours and sizes.

And hopefully it comes with instructions.

Remoting

I was driving to work today, listening to LBC and I heard that GoToMyPC.com had won awards as a remote PC access system for years in a row.

I'm shocked. Am I totally wrong in saying that using a free VNC program and setting up an Hamachi network to run as a service (both of which are free and not that tricky to do) will give you all the remote control you need.

With the Hamachi network you can do some crafty work with the IP settings and get access to things on the work network without any VNCing.

And yet to use GoToMyPC you have to pay.

Come on, people in business. Roll up your sleeves and do a little IT work. It'll save you cash.

A Football Something

Loads of people are into football. It's a way of life for some people. Well, if it's your passion there's something you can do, Taikai.

It's a sports prediction game and as a player you compete against others players using your knowledge of football, and if you're good you can win money.

You create the profile for you on the system, and that means it's more than just about sports. You can leave messages for each other on the profile walls, so it's social too.

It's linked to Betfair so you know it's a professional site.

If you want to see more check the Taikai homepage by clicking the link.

Sat Nav

A newlywed couple ended up stuck half-way up a mountain when their sat-nav went wrong on their honeymoon.

And to make things worse they were trying to get to Slough.

Not really. Who'd want to go to Slough?

Oliver Kohl and Angela were heading to a luxury hotel in the remote village of Willingen, Germany, after their wedding in Hamm, near Dortmund. But they got lost as their sat-nav guided them along a bumpy, unpaved forest road toward a tall mountain.

That's what happens when you tick the 'avoid motorways' bit.

Oliver said: "At one point there was a gate I had to open, and then eventually the road became a muddy swamp and we got stuck fast."

You'd think you would've spotted the clues and turned back. If you're following your sat nav and you drive past a goat, turn round.

To be honest, sat navs can be odd. On the way back from a gig this weekend my sat nav put me on the northbound Al and told me to make a U-turn... on a dual carriageway. But the difference is, I didn't do it. Just because a computer tells you to do something doesn't mean you should have to.

Or when Windows tells you to insert your floppy... well, you'd get barred from the internet cafe for a start.

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Oooooooooh, Gadgets

You know me, I love my gadgets. Even if it's not the most high-tech thing I love it. I recently sorted out a PC clock thing. It gets some radio signal that means it's always right. It was so old it plugged into a serial port. I know, not USB, an old serial port.

I've got my house so set up that I can put a radio station channel on the satellite box and listen to it on FM round the house, via the PC which records the audio. It's all pointless. And if I want to change the channel from anywhere I have a universal remote control and an IR relay. The GF loves it.

So, as a fan of the gadgets, I have found a site that's worty of a mention. It's the Gadget Advisor site at www.gadgetadvisor.com.

If you like to pass a bit of time flicking through some of the latest product releases and checking out some gadget news it's all there.

From reading about network media players to finding out about online backup services, you can get the details.

Another Kick In The DABs

So, Channel 4 says it's pulling out of commercial radio.

I wish I would've thought of that a few years back.

They were going to develop stations on DAB but as they look to make £100m in cost savings they have decided against it.

Why is it that TV can make digital work but radio can't?

Why is it that loads of station with bitrates so low they sound worse FM, on a radio that can be difficult to get reception, and when it does it probably is a machine with only one speaker, and it has an unupgradable codec that's now out of date, can't get people to like it?

I wonder why.

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Phones Are The Future

While the PC has revolutionised our lives over the last 10 years, I think the future belongs to mobile phones. It's small and soon will do all the computing we could need. Phones are amazing. But if you look around for some of the latest models you'll see what we're all getting excited about.

I've been checking out the Nokia N96. If you want to have a look there are some details at www.dialtosave.co.uk...



As you can see it's a dual-slide camera phone. But if you're after something to make calls on, and maybe take a few pictures, you don't have a clue of what you're in for.

This plays video files (MPEG-4 Part 2/MPEG-4 Part 10/Windows Media Video (WMV9) and others) so you can watch films as you're sat waiting for someone to call. You can watch vids that you have stored on your microSD memory card (hot swappable, of course), or watch TV over the web connection, or, and this is the brilliant part... watch digital TV. It can get DVB-H TV signals.

It has a 2.8" QVGA LCD TFT display, so the picture you're watching will look great.

It's also great for music, playing mp3s and other files, plus getting FM radio with RDS, but it's the TV that makes this Nokia phone a breakthrough.

You can take all the entertainment you need with you where ever you go. This is the point after which phones will be TVs.

It's not just a TV viewer. They have some other great tricks in this device. with Nokia Maps on it you can find addresses, so you'll never get lost again. And you can get turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation on it. Sat Nav for your legs.

Seeing as your phone always knows where on the planet it is, your photos will benefit. The pictures get tagged location they were taken in. You know how useful it is when you pictures have the timestamp on them? Well, this is the next logical step.

And when you're sat in a coffee shop boasting about how good you phone is, you'll be able to show your friends as it can connect to the local hotspot and you're on wifi.

When a phone does so much you start to worry about the battery. But with a talktime of around 4 hours, 5 hours of vid playback, and a standby time of 220 hours, there realty is nothing to worry about.

Wake On LAN

As I always say at work, "I'm not our IT guy, I'm just our best bet." And today I have cracked another issue, and I feel good.

A new PC was installed in one of the broadcast studios but for some reason it was placed where you couldn't reach it just as the boss wants to save the planet or something, so he wants us to turn it off when it's not in use.

That's fine, apart from you have to actually crawl under the desk to turn it back on.

Well, not any more. Thanks to a really good Hot To guide on setting up a PC to "Wake On LAN". If you want to see the guide, click here.

It was so easy to set up. It probably took about 4 minutes, and most of that time was waiting for the PC to rebook so I could check the BIOS settings.

And now I never have to bend under that desk. That's technology working for you.

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Spiritual Research

I have been reading about Emergent Church at www.horizon.org. It all started back in 1993 when about 75 people would meet up regularly. But it has grown from those origins to what you see today.

Today around 3,000 people attend and they now offer weekly services, as you'd expect. But it is more than just that, they also offer things like their youth programs, and the Bible Studies meetings.

Taking some time to investigate the spiritual side of life is something that not enough people make time for. We all get tied up in the material side of things, so it can be rewarding to take some time to go the other way.

They also do something I think you will find interesting, it's family ministries that could help you out. For those people who have found themselves thinking: "I Want a Better Marriage", the family ministries could be exactly what you need.

Even if your marriage just needs a tune up, it is something that is worth working on. And if you need more than just a tune up this is something that could save you.

If you have been trying to Find a Church in Rancho Santa Fe then check out the Horizon Christian Fellowship. It's at the web address www.horizon.org.

Eco PC

It's happened. Al Gore has got into your PC. PC World has been advertising its new Eco PC. Yep, you computer could save the planet.

The PC consumes only 25w. That's not bad. If your office is lit by an 8w energy efficient bulb you're bringing in the whole working profess for less than a normal bulb.

It should cost you about 2p a day to run, that compares to 11p for a traditional PC which consumes 105w.

But the trouble is, USB. You know what it's like, you just keep plugging thing in. You have an external hard drive, a USB webcam, USB lead plugged into your digital camera and probably your phone too. And then, because you use so many USB devices you'll go out and by a UBS hub that plugs into the mains.

But still, if it runs cheaper you'll save money and that's all good.

They cost £599 though. And if it saves you 9p a day, it would take 3,333 days before it pays for the difference from a £299 machine. That's 9 years. And according to Al Gore the world will have ended by then.

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Mass

One thing that stuck with me from my days doing a chemistry degree (and there's not a lot that has) is the beauty of a good set of scales.

In the labs we used to have some scales so accurate that the mass reading would change if you were a heavy breather. Now, no one needs that leve of accuracy, but once you have learnt what it's like to know the mass of something so precisely it's hard to go back.

But when it comes to weighing yourself and lot of people think they don't want the accuracy. They think, "If I don't know exactly what I weight I'll be better off." That's because we all assume an error in the reading will make us seem thinner. But what if that error is... wait for it... a higher reading! You'll look heavier.

That's what you want some digital bathroom scales. You can get some great looking ones from www.scalesetc.com so they will suit whatever your bathroom looks like, and because they are digital you can feel safe that the reading you get is from a well calibrated machine.

And soon you'll be enjoying weighing things as much as this ex-chemist does.

My Award Winning Laptop

I'm so happy. You know me, I'm a techno nerd, and a while back I bought a little laptop that has made my job (writing content for radio stations) so much easier. I can now sit in coffee shops and do all of my work. I can surf for news, write the idea, even edit audio, all before my cappuccino goes cold.

But the reason I'm happy is that my laptop has just one an award. Not just made, but the make and model.

The Asus Eee PC 901 won the top category of the Stuff Gadget Awards 2008 in London.

It's a brill machine. For around £300 you can a laptop that is small enough to actually carry in a bag, without the need for a laptop case.

Some laptops these days or so big they just aren't portable.

There's no hard drive so the storage is a little cramped. But anyone who uses this laptop won't be using it as their only PC. They, like me, will have a big old desktop that does everything and has huge storage sat at home. You only need the Eee PC when you're out and about. If you make any big files you just move them to your desktop when you get home.

I also got a 3 mobile broadband dongle so I could do all the work I need to do while have a latte.

I agree with the award. It's the first laptop that does what a laptop should do. If you want to burn DVDs use a desktop, if you want something that you can carry with you use a small laptop.

[source]

Selling Up

I have recently been doing some house visits. We're looking to buy and I'll tell you what I have noticed, a lot of places are chain-free at the moment.

It makes you wonder what the reasons are behind these sales.

A few years ago the biggest reason for the sale of houses was that the family was moving to a bigger house. But these days there are so man reasons to sell you house.

Some of the no chains places will be from repossessions, but there are no motives to analyse there so we're not looking at those.

A lot of those ones I have seen are people who bought-to-let realising there's no fun in that market now. So they're selling up. Otherwise they would be left with a lot of their money sat in a building and no way of getting to it.

But people are selling their houses these days to get their hands on the cash stored in it even if it's the house they currently live in. While people may say that house prices are down 10% year on year, anyone who bought a house last year probably isn't going to sell it yet. And if you bought your house a few years ago its value will now be greater than the mortgage you got on it. You are in positive equity and if you sell you can turn that equity into cash.

That would be very handy if you need some money. Of course the other factor in satisfying your monetary needs is the speed. If you need to get your hands on the money in your property you will need to get it quickly. If could do without using that money for months you wouldn't even be thinking about it now.

If you want cash for property in a timely fashion have a look at www.gateway-homes.co.uk

Eva Longoria Still Not Pregnant...Yet

Eva Longoria has claimed that rumours that she is pregnant only started because she recently got "fat".

In that case, Adele is about 132 weeks.

To be fair, if you look hard enough you can find that any celebrity has the signs of being pregnant.

Ann Widdecombe has the fatness.
Amy Winehouse probably has the morning sickness.
Matt Lucas has the boobs.

Eva said: "I'm not pregnant. I'm just fat. I gained 5lb over the summer so instead of a size zero, I'm a size one."

I don’t know why she keeps denying it. I’m not saying she is up the duff, I just think she should go with it. She’d get people giving up their seats for her. She’d get people throwing her a shower (eBay the stuff and make some money) and you have an excuse for gaining weight.

In fact I like it so much, I’m going to say this. “I’m pregnant.”

Well, men can do that now too.

[source]

A Business Tip

There's a guy at work who has just gone part time because he is doing well with his side-line business. He sells stuff online, he has am online store and it's doing OK.

But with the economic downturn he has been asking if there's anything he can do to make things go even better for him.

Step in, Rick Braddy. He's a guy who was Chief Technology Officer at one of the top 10 software companies. He's now retired but he runs a site to help people increase online sales.

He has written an e-book and an audiobook all about creating businesses and making them a success, and that specialises in Internet-based businesses. He produced something he called the "Online Business Gameplan, Executive Leadership Guide". I know, big title. He talks about the proven strategies that you could apply to get better growth.

He talks about how you can set sales goals and how you go about achieving them. How you can build a relationship with the customers so they use you as their number one choice for purchases. And how you can convert more visitors into customers, which really is the holy grail of having a business selling on the web.

I have passed the details on to my part-time co-worker. And if you want to find out more about him have a look at the site by clicking the link in the text above.

Ice A Lowest Levels - We're All Gonna Die!

The amount of ice in the Arctic Ocean has dropped to its second lowest level since satellite scanning began, it was revealed yesterday.

Anyone think all that satellite scanning could be to blame?

In fact every time you hear that something is the warmest since records began, I think, "Maybe all this record keeping is causing global warming. Quick, burn all the records. Hang on, no, don't burn them..."

The big meltdown has gone on despite a relatively cool summer in the region.

You know what that'll be, the council gritting again.

US scientists in Anchorage, Alaska, said losing so much ice was an “alarming” alert on global warming and was further destroying the habitat of polar bears.

Meanwhile Amy Winehouse is worried. A shortage of ice could really screw her up. What would she put in her drinks then?

[source]

Languages

If you stop to think about it, isn't it odd that there are so many languages on the planet? We're humans, nearly everything we have done and achieved has been the result of communication, yet we speak so many different languages.

That's why I think translation is the business to be in. As the world gets smaller in the future more people will need translation.

If you need some translation services now have a look at the PROMT Automatic Translation Solutions at www.promt.com.

Promt provide automated translation software, and they cover 7 different languages. And they are English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Russian. So communication could be flowing a lot better for you very soon. Because it is automated the wait time is minimal. And if a communication is important I guess there's someone who doesn't want to be kept waiting. That someone might even be you.

It's not just for business users either. The Promt system can be useful for the home users. If you need to contact someone abroad, for example you're booking hotels a lot, something like this could make your emails get a lot further.

But it clearly does have some very important business applications. If you can translate you can do business with far more people.

Konnie Huq Dresses Men

Konnie Huq is offering all fed-up girlfriends advice on how to style their men. She's going to be doing a show called "Thread".

I'm always weary of people trying to improve their partners. Don't you worry that you'll meet someone, think they have potential but need work, you help them out, make them more attractive, and then they'll leave you because they can do better now?

She'll be taking to the streets of London to quiz men about their clothes, and then she'll help them pick the most flattering outfits for their shape.

Don't do it in London, that's where the stylish people already are. Go to some local village were they only have electricity and see what you can do there.

The men will still look as bad, but the scarecrow will be well dapper.

[source]

3GP Anyone?

When it comes to file extensions I thought I was the daddy. I could spot an exe miles off. I knew my mp3s from my m4as and I always have the option in Windows set to show you the file extensions on the known file types, because I'm like that.

But what about the file extension 3gp? I drew a blank. But I found out that it is for multimedia files in general (video files specifically).

It's a new one, so I don't feel so bad about not really knowing it. If you want to read what I read about it have a look at http://3gp.file-extension-library.com/

World's Biggest Food Fight

I can't believe I missed it. The Tomatina festival was held a few days ago. That's where thousands of people from all over the world gathered in Bunol, Spain, for the annual food fight.

It's like the end of that Carry On film, only with fewer jokes about boobs.

They hurled an incredible 115,000kg of tomatoes in just an hour. And tomatoes are good for you, they're full of antioxidants. Of course, getting one thrown into your nads might not be the best way to get the health benefits from it.

You look at the pictures and you think, "It's a bit of a waste of time, and the cost of food is on the increase, so it's a waste" but you have to remember this is Spain. Anything that keeps them so busy they don't have time to kill some bulls or throw a goat from a tower, has to be a good thing.

[source]

Go To Beds

We get work experience people here from time to time, and when they are school people it's rubbish, but when it's university people, they're really good.

The last one was from the University of Bedfordshire (just up the road from us). And as we are in the clearing process you should check out to see what courses they have.

To read about University of Bedfordshire -Clearing 2008 have a look at www.beds.ac.uk.

It's ongoing till the middle of September, but better do it sooner rather than later, because you don't want the course that you want to get full without you.

Get cracking right now, call them on 0800 013 0925. And if you fancy work experience later, give us a call too.

Olympic Winner

Olympic winner Rebecca Adlington returned to Mansfield where 15,000 people turned up to congratulate her, and they bought her some gold high-heel shoes worth £450. Brilliant!

But it really shows how the people from Mansfield are tight. That works out at 3p each in a whip-round. How stingy is that?

You see, the thing is, Mansfield is my home town, and to see someone from the same place as me achieve so much and return home for a hero's welcome in an odd feeling.

But don't worry, when I got back I get the same welcome. I look great in those shoes too.

Get In The Game

A lot of people get their kicks from gambling on the web in an online casino. Whether it be playing blackjack or trying your hand at roulette, there's fun to be hand, and it seems like it's always someone else getting that fun.

You hear of people talking to their friends about what they were doing online in the casinos last night and you think, "I want to get in on that."

The tricky thing is, if you have never gambled on a certain game on the web you can feel you don't know where to start to get into it.

Even if you used to do it, the rate at which the world of online gambling is evolving, you can easily feel out of it.

That's why I thought I'd mention the www.gamblerhowto.com site. That site has information on issues like strategies, table games, online casino tips, and on how you can play free bingo win money. They talk about the web-based online casinos and how you go about downloading an online casino game to play on your PC.

Plus on the right-hind side of the page there's the casino news section, so there's always something when you go there that you can read.

So if you want to get back in the game, or just get in the game for the first time, go and have a look at www.gamblerhowto.com.

Stevie's Log 220808

Another day in the life of an IT fixer.

We didn't have email coming in or going out of the building. Well, day one: now outgoing mail. Day two: no incoming or outgoing mail. Day three: fixed.

Eventually we tracked it down to the IP address for the SMTP server had changed, and we weren't using the DNS for it, for some reason.

I know what you're thinking, that only explains the outgoing mail's blockage.

Well, it's amazing what you can switch off while you're trying to fix something else. Oops!

Adult Learning

At the moment on the radio station I present on we have some 'reads' to do. These are where you read out something to advertise a product or service. It's like a getting an advert, just without the production cost I guess.

One of them is about ALG, the Adult Learning Grant. I love the idea of going back to studying. In part it is because I secretly would like to think that adult education is the informative cousin of adult entertainment. But mainly I think it is because I would do better as a student these days.

You see, today, thanks to websites like custom-writing.org you can get some help in getting those good grades.

They are a professional essay writing service for students. They produce work that, after a little re-write to make the work your own, you can submit and get a good grade. The work you get from them is '100% plagiarism free', and that means you work won't be flagged up as copied from the internet (oh yes, the colleges check that these days).

It's not just essay help they off, they can also write research papers, work for your dissertation, they can do a book review, or even knock up the work into a Powerpoint Presentation for a project you have to do.

If I went back to education, I'd use that. It's like having a study partner who's really clever, but who won't steal your thunder in the lessons.

Stevie's Log 180809

There's a guy in town today who was in the shopping centre selling balloon animals. The kids were queuing up and loving it. I didn't get one because I know what I'm like.

Man: What animal do you want?
Me: Sea urchin! Good luck with that!

But really, when you think about it, what are you buying from that bloke? You're buying old man breath. Sure, there's some rubber in there but you could buy those balloons elsewhere, so you're paying a premium for the old man breath.

Still, might be handy if you're stopped by the police and given a breathalyser test. You'd be off the scale on the Wurther's Original content, but fine on the drink.

Betting Time

If you're up for some casino action you should check out Casino-on-Net.

They won so many awards back in 2007 that you are pretty much sure to have heard of them. But if you haven't got round to trying it out yet, now is a good time to do it.

At www.888.com they have recently started a new section of extra games. At the moment there are three games up there, but more will be added soon. And they have 8 progressive jackpots on the go.

Stevie's Log 040808

Back off holiday and I think I'm the only person ever who has got sunburn in the place I have it. I got it on the bottom of my shins.

So while the rest of me is lightly browned my shins are still and angry read. So now I'm back in normal work dress I look normal but the longer socks are breaking me.

I don't know what's worse, the sunburn or the people saying, "Ooooh, weren't you wearing suncream?"

I was, on every inch of me apart from the bottom of my shins. I didn't know.

So next year, to solve the problem... socks and sandals.

Poker

Have you checked out the new bits on 888.com recently? There are better graphics and a new points-based bonus system. For example, when you join there's a Welcome Bonus up to $400. Straight away you get a credited 25% instantly and then the remaining 75% is pending.

Plus they do $80,000 guaranteed tournament every Sunday. That's something better than watching Sunday night TV. So if you like a bit of poker have a look at www.pacificpoker.com

Stevie's Log 290708

Just been packing to go on holiday. How is it that I am about a foot taller than my GF and a heck of a lot wider, and therefore I have much bigger clothes, yet all of my packing fits in a small pocket while hers takes up the rest of the car?

I think I have found the flaw with 3 dimensional physics, because it can't explain that.

Exam Stress

So, the G has just finished some exams. I helped her revise and I think I miss the good old days of learning things. I know the stress of exams isn't fun but all that time spent learning information and learning how to apply it. It makes you feel like you're bettering yourself.

But courses these days are more based on course work than exams. The thing with that is I would be so tempted to use one of those internet services where they research and produce the course work for you. You write it up, maybe even re-write a few bits so that it suits you style more, but the lion's share of the work is done and it's done to a very high standard.

Like custom-essay.org where you can get work done in different dissertation styles on loads of different subjects, like fashion essays or some science subject.

And it's not just the content they produce that will get your a good grade, they know how about formatting appendices and other important skills of course work producing.

And they can help with the different levels of education, from University Coursework to High School Essays or even College Term Papers.

And you know how colleges these days run all the work past plagiarism testers? Well, the work you get from Custom-essay.org is guarantied plagiarism free.

It doesn't too much imagination to realise what you could do with this service and a course that's 100% course work with no end exam.

Stevie's Log 120708

What's going on with the weather? It's meant to be July but we have had some cold wet days. It's like it's October.

In fact, that's a theory I think we should look at. They keep saying that the climate change and global warming mean we are having milder winters and wetter summer. Has anyone checked to see if we just got the calendar wrong?

Did someone forget to turn and page and we've been out ever since?

Glasses

As a glasses wearer people often ask me, "Where can I get great glasses without spending too much?"

Well, actually no one has ever walked up to me and said that, and even if they did I probably wouldn't tell them the answer I'm about to give you, I'd probably say, "Er, do I know you?" Before running off scream "freak - get away from me!"

But, if that didn't happen, I'd say ZenniOptical.com. You see they have low overheads so they can afford to offer you things like the Zenni Optical $ 8 Rx Eyeglasses. Zenni Optical was on FOX news! So we should be saying, "As seen on TV." And they have Incredible Stylish New Frames From Zenni. So have a look at the site.

I'm Evil

I got a text today that read...

"You lookalike just helped me out. I put my books up on train then couldn't reach them again. He had to get them for me. What a nice man your lookalike is. Well done."

We all think that out there somewhere there might be a double for us, maybe a long lost relative, maybe even an evil twin. But let me tell you, it's a dark day when you realise you don't have an evil twin, you ARE the evil twin.

I guess the signs were there. I spend most of my 'me time' sat in a swivel chair stroking a cat, and I rent an underground layer.

Accident

Have you been watching Big Brother? Mario is up for eviction this week, and while I do hate Bex who is also up, I'm getting annoyed at Mario. Everything he says is all about 'health and safety'. He nominated someone this week on health and safety grounds. Even his girlfriend Lisa, who is also in the house, was making fun of his health and safety obsession. She must get it all the time in their normal life. Before he goes down on one knee he'll have to do a risk assessment. If that engagement ring isn't COSH approved, it will never happen.

It's a shame, because health and safety in the workplace is a serious thing. It's just when people have that attitude that Mario has it makes everyone pay less attention to it.

But if someone has been negligent in some way and you get involved in an accident at work at least there's more of a path of recourse these days. There are firms that can help you with the accident compensation. For example, have a look at www.claimsforyou.com.

But the key is really to make sure you work place isn't a health risk because it's better to be healthy than t have some compensation. So if you have a Mario in your workplace who bores people into not caring about the health and safety, you have to ignore him... for health and safety reasons. He'll understand.

Ode To... Coffee Shops

As I sit here drinking coffee
I see a barista who is bossy
She's shouting at the other drink makers
A shrew, a nightmare, a coffee ball-breaker(s)
As she shouts she does no work
But I see she has a different shirt
She is a pain to all who hear her
I wish my seat wasn't quite so near her.

Pet Project

We all know the web these days is all about social networking. I think that's ironic as computers were probably invented by people who didn't have social skills and that's why they stayed in working with transistors and software.

But everything comes full circle, so we're back to the social model.

And there's a new social site for you if you're a pet person. Indeed it's called a pet portal, cute.

It'sAnamigo The Pet Social Network and it's at www.anamigo.com

The good thing about this is you can get into it right now and be there at the start. With every other social site it's all up and running and when you join you feel like you don't really belong as people seem to be experts on it with the little codes and shorthand in messages.

But if you get in on the ground floor you can be the ones making suggestions that will turn that site into what it eventually becomes.

Stevie's Log 0890708

I've been watching Big Brother again (I know, I'm sorry) and I think I'm in love with Sara.

It's amazing that when someone it's a loud mouthed show off pain in the back side, you can actually get to like them.

Sara hasn't tried to sleep with anyone, she hasn't played Stu off against Dale and she hasn't been getting her bits out in a bid for attention.

Bex, take note.

Glasses

As a wearer of glasses I know what its like when you have to pick out new frames. You walk round that store for hours and you just don't see anything you want. Well, you don't have to buy from what they show you that day. You can take your prescription and get them from elsewhere. Like zennioptical.com who sell prescription glasses online. And the prices start at $8. See, that's worth looking at.

I could see me wearing something like this...

Stevie's Log 080708

Today I have been listening to some really old crappy songs. And I've loaded then on so we can play them at the radio station.

Let's see if you remember...

Stakka Bo - Here We Go (Hey, it's all about consumerism, so Gordon Brown should have it as a theme tune).

Dream Warriors - Wash Your Face In My Sink (I have no idea what that is about. A sink I guess.)

They don't make songs like that anymore. For obvious reasons.

Monologues

Did you ever go to see The Vagina Monologues when it was in a theatre near you? It's seems a little one way. Where's the place to go if you want to hear people talking balls? What if you want to have discourse about man meat?

Well there's www.cocktalkonline.com. Brilliant name?

There you can find out about penis extenders, penis enlargers and penis enlargement in general.

Percents

Brill. It's regional Maths week in the East of England and today in the news we were told 11% of people don't have good maths skills.

I have to do it. I know it's obvious but I just have to. I tried not to but it didn't work...

"That's terrible. 11%? That's nearly half!"

I know, it was obvious, but 11% of people don't have a great sense of humour either.

Rob Paul To Pay For Peter

I know it's a little rude, but some people feel that they need a little more size on their, oh how to phrase this, on their old Johnson. They want a bigger Mr Happy. They wish they had a larger trouser friend. Their Monster In My Pocket isn't quite what they wanted. They would like more meat with their two veg. They want to be more willy than won't he. You get my drift?

Well, www.x4extender.net have a penis extender that give you penis enlargement without needed penis enlargement surgery.

Nuff said.

Stevie's Log

I found a shopping list the other day, and it's amazing what you can learn about a person from their lists.

It included...

Always (Green)
Soya milk x2
Ibuprofen

OK then, single woman who won't me meeting Mr Right this week.

Dream

We all spend so much of our time at work you have to have a job that does it for you. you know, one that floats your boat. It's like breathing. We all do it so much, and if you're breathing some air that you think stinks, you'll be a grumpy little so and so.

So here’s me trying to help by giving you some ideas of careers that will be rewarding and you can enjoy them.

How about Accountant Jobs? They are well paid and if you have a mind that likes to accomplish things you'll get good job satisfaction. You will feel the buss of finishing a report or a document that you know someone who isn't as skilled at the maths wouldn't be able to do.

If you are interested in that go and have a look at www.martinwardanderson.com.

On that site you can search by location and by salary and rate. You can look to see if there's a job out there that suits what you want in your life. You can even find your nearest office and go and have a chat.

And the next thing you know you won't be a grumpy little so and so. Sorted.

To Do

I'm a big fan of the 'to do' list. I've been using them more and more lately.

Here's my tips for making a good to do.

Give yourself plenty of room to add ones at the bottom or you'll find yourself spending time remaking the to do list when you should be doing the to dos.

Put somewhere near the top 'make to do list'. That way as soon as you have made the list you can tick one off. You're off to a great start.

Try and use code in case someone picks it up. Having you boss see, "Search for new job" might not help you cause.

Don't use a really touch code. I've had "make D for H" on a list for ages and I have no idea what that means. So I copy it to a new list every time I write one in case it comes back to me.

Pasty

Today is the day we have had Gordon Brown telling us the way to save the planet and solve all of our problems is to.... not throw away as much food.

Whoo! Guess that war on terror wasn't interesting enough so he thought he'd go for the big one. Food. He says throwing away food costs us loads across the year, and I'm all for anything that saves us, the consumers, money.

Apparently he wants shops to stop their buy one get one free deals so that we don't buy as much. But wouldn't that mean we spend just as much to get less food. So we save the planet but we don't save any money. Darn it!

How about a way to save money and have a good conscience over your carbon footprint? Like having a holiday in the UK. That way you don't have a massive carbon consumption when you fly and it will be cheaper for you, yet you'll still have the same good time.

So I'm suggesting a UK holiday, and if you are interested in a Holiday Cottage Cornwall is a great place to go. You can see a wonderful part of the UK and know you're doing a good thing at the same time.

Milkshake

"My milkshake brings all he boys to the yard."

Let's have a look at the sentence.

Firstly, 'boys'? What are group are you trying to attract Kelis? Didn't watching the R Kelly thing teach you anything?

"Yard"? Where do you find yards? Well, there's your back yard but I don't think she means that. So what other yards can we think of? I can only think of three. Prison yard, scrap yard, and shipping yard. Either way, you don't want to be attracting men from there Kelis, aim higher, you're a good looking lass.

And 'milkshake'. That must been her boobs right? But why are they milky? Dude, I don't want to scare you Kelis, but you should check to see if you have recently given birth.

Cornwall

Are you feeling the stress? The daily grind getting you down? Tense, nervous headache?

That was me a few weeks ago. I was so stressed I was snapping at people in the office. Don't get me wrong, they probably deserved it, and I'm quite good at snapping, so I didn't really mind. But it was a sign that I was working more that maybe I should.

So I took a little break and it did me the world of good. I'm still snapping at people in the office, but just for my own personal entertainment now.

So if you're feeling the stress I'm going to prescribe a day out in Cornwall. You can find out more about Days out in Cornwall by looking at www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk.

You can get some times to chill and relax, you can see some of the amazing scenery and you can take some time back for you. And a lot of people have been there when they were younger so you have the amazing response when you go back, because those memories come flying back and you get that warm feeling of nostalgia. You remember things with so much details, it's shocking, but in a good way.

Stevie's Log 28-06-08

I'm off to see the film 'Wanted' after the show today.

I'm seeing it for many reasons. It looks good, the stuff with the bullets looks cool, I have free tickets, I have some spare time for the first Saturday in months, but mainly I'm seeing it because I need to know, does Angelina still have it going on.

I'm thinking we may have hit that stage where Megan Fox takes over from her in the relay of hotness that goes off in my head.

I'll keep you posted.

End Of The Month

Are you getting that end of the month feeling where you realise you need to get your head around your money situation? I feel your pain.

I think we all feel it but it's made worse by the ever present threat of the credit crunch.

Then check out the George Divel site, because he knows his way round money.

George has worked in financial since 1998. So he's seen the economic climate do similar things before.

And this time it's not even a full-blown recession, so if you keep your head, with the help of someone like George, you should all be fine.

Stevie's Log 27-06-08

I was in a coffee shop again this morning, doing some writing (you know, like poncy people like me do. We go to coffee shops, get out a laptop and let the world know we don't have a proper job) and I saw a woman who blew my mind. Don't worry, no affair on the horizon, I just couldn't reconcile what I was seeing.

I looked up and saw the hands of a woman stood near as she sorted out her little sachets, and they were the most beautiful hands I'd ever seen. OK, I don't normally notice hands, so I don't have a lot to compare them to, but these were good 'uns.

Well manicured, petite, dainty. Oh, and skilled at putting a Splender into a cappuccino, which is a quality I like in a woman.

But as she walked away, I was ready to look up and check out the face of this stunner and.... dude, it was like someone's granny!

Gulp!

Seriously! Beauty parlours, stop doing pensioner discounts!

Diaz

As much as it may make me sound stuff, I have to agree with people who say that education is the most important thing. It's not about what you learn (although that stuff about the Ox-bow lake will always come in handy) is that you learn how to learn. That's the thing that will do you well for the rest of your life.

But to teach others you have to have the right energy.

I've just stumbled across a very interesting site. It's the site of Norberto Diaz and this dude has some energy. You could wire him up and run a small town off him.

And energy is contagious. I defy anyone to not feel a little more buzzy after going to his site.

He's a school principal who the kids like, and I think that's a step in the right direction to getting them to enjoy learning.

To read more have a look at norbertodiaz.wordpress.com

BB Spitgate

Just been reading about the issue of Dennis spitting on Mohamed in the Big brother house. Oh my god, get him out. That is waaaaaaaaay over the mark.

I have to say, I'm going to be biased about this. I know I shouldn't be, but spitting just pushes my buttons.

If I see people spit in the street I start to feel like I'm going to be sick. If I don't get away from them I start to get that lump under the jaw that tends to be before throwing up.

Now, the logical part of my brain tells me that throwing up in the street is far more disgusting than spitting in the street, but my logical side doesn't get a say in this.

MPG

With the price of gas being so high lately it's nice that I can feel good about having an economical car. There's a thing in the car that tells me how good it's been. I'm getting around 38mpg from that thing. Not bad.

So now when some massive car rips me up at the lights I just think, "At the current price that's about a tenner he's just wasted."

But, if you're into cars have a look at a nice Car Blog I found, it's www.moddedautos.com. It's a good read. And if you're really really into cars, join the forum. I might do that right now just to boast about my 39mpg. Read 'em and weep ladies!

Stevie's Log 21-06-08

Tonight I went out for a celebratory meal, kind of an anniversary thing, and I did something that I think proves that the relationship is good.

My GF used to be a veggie and now still only eats certain meats. And tonight I ordered the 16oz steak, medium-rare.

It was big, it was bloody and it was good.

And as I eat this massive thing that a good vet could've saved, she didn't moan at all.

That's the true sign.

A Dream Location

Do you have those dreams where you're reliving something you went through a few years back? I get it a lot with my degree finals. It's the third year and I haven't been to any lectures and the exams are that day. I can tell you I'm over the flipping moon when I wake up and realise it was all a dream.

But the other night I was reliving the time when I didn't have a place to stay and had to find one in two days. Every where I called they had already let it. Now, in real life I found a place, jumped on it and it turned out the landlady was a nutter. Happy days.

So my advice would be to use something like roomster.net. It is a great site for finding a place to live. You can search for places where you are sharing with only women (because men are pigs, we know this) or you could search for places where you're sharing with only men (because women's cycles synchronise and that's like crop circles, no one knows why but it is a little bit scary) or you could even search to share a place with people of a certain star sign.

You can search by the size of the place or the location. Here's what it looks like...



I like the bit that says "Looking For: Either Sex". I'm thinking, "Either sex or what?"

It is a really 'useable' site though, which I think is the most important thing. Oh, and when you see the prospective landlady ask her if she thinks it's acceptable to leave moaning letters taped to the toilets cistern. If she says yes, trust me, don't take it.

Stevie's Log 19-06-08

I know it's been a while since I did a diary entry thing, but I've been busy getting another two jobs. I'm now up to four jobs, which means I never get a second to do anything that's fun, but on the plus side... in your face credit crunch!

In fully intend to let my spending get a little out of control and ever so slightly over heat the economy.

Oooh, I'm a rebel.

ID Cards

I used to work in a place with ID cards to get you in from one part of the building to another. It was a place that broadcast live TV so you couldn't just have any old so and so walking into the studio. But it had the effect of making you feel safe. We didn't mind leaving our bags on our desks because you knew there were only 7 people who could get into that bit. And you also kept the place tidier because you knew that if it looked a mess there was no one else you could blame, you were clearly the responsible one.

I have also worked in places where there weren't any ID cards and everyone was free to go where ever they wanted. It wasn't as much fun. For a start you didn't feel special about working there.

I know that some places with security issues have to have employee ID cards, like hospitals and TV studios, but I think more and more places should get them. From my own experience I know it makes the work environment feel safer and it also makes you feel like doing more work. You feel more motivated, if that makes any sense.

If you run a place and you think you could buy into my idea have a look at www.id-cardsolutions.co.uk. That's a place that does id card printing systems so you could get yourself all set up with a new system in no time.

As an employer you will benefit from the increase organisation, and as an employee you will feel better about the job.

In fact there's only one down side to having employee ID cards, it's when you get sacked. That's bad enough but when you have to hand in that ID card, man that hurts.

Still, if you can't get a job again just buy your own ID card printing system and run in round your own house.

"What's that gas man, you want to check the meter? Well, sign in and I'll get someone to walk you through."

Nerd Alert

I spent another day doing IT work when really I'm meant to be a DJ. Here's a lesson for life, don't let people know what you can do, because they'll expect you to do it. But seeing as they don't have any other IT support it gives me quite a lot of power. The network is now set up that I can VNC and not have to walk all the way upstairs to restart a program that crashes all the time.

And finally I'm starting to see why a lot of IT people are fat.

Linux Me Up Baby

Well, an update from the Nerd part of my brain. We had a knackered old computer at work which was left behind my chair, so every time I got up I hit it, and that started to annoy me. but you can't just throw things away that are company property, so I fixed it.

Hard drive was shot, so we did a mean old format and then installed a linux distribution. And then I juiced it up with some VNC bits.

I then plugged it into the network and put the machine under my desk at the back of some drawers. Now I can log onto it VNC-stylee, and control it from there.

here is totally no point in it. We didn't need it at work and I doubt I'll use it, but it's out of my way and now I can limewire while no one's watching.

Nerd update over.

Can't Help Blogging?

If you're a blogger you might know what I mean by this. The more you blog the more you just have to blog.

It's habit forming and the next thing you know you'll be sat in traffic and think, "Oooh, I must remember to put that thought on a blog".

Well, if you are spilling with blog-verbiage have a look at this link for a Paid Article Submission Program.

They give you some keywords and you write, and then you get paid. Now that's the kind of maths I can get on board with.

Stevie's Log 06-05-08

It's been a busy bank holiday. Not filled with lots of time off or anything, but more work than usual.

I did a gig in Hereford on Friday night, and it was my first 40-minute headline spot. To be honest, it was my first 40-min spot headline or otherwise.

It all went well and now I don't know what I was worried about.

You know how some people who work in accounts try and throw in a joke when they are doing an accounts presentation? Well, I was thinking, to make my 40 min set up to and hour, should I throw in a few profit and loss accounts? You know, something to spice it down a little?

Live TV

The web is filled with video content these days, and that's a great thing. It's just much more fun to watch the clips.

But recently I found a site that isn't just about pre-recorded content.

You can see live tv at www.blogtv.com where there are live show being live broadcast.

There are different types of shows. But you can sign up and host your own.

I like the idea of doing that. My plan is to do a show every week that's filled with content. Have a few bits planned, but fill the rest if it with just the flow of consciousness.

So, keep an eye out for it.

Stevie's Log 21-04-08

I'm loving the eye-drops I have. They contact Witch Hazel. I know, it's not something you think should go near your eyes, and you're almost right.

When the drops go in it's cool and soothing... for about 2-seconds. And then the stinging starts. But like banging your head against a wall, ooooh, it's so sweet when it stops.

Thank Crunchie...

There's a thing in the paper today about how families will be struggling with the increase cost of credit cards because of the credit crunch.

Yes, not only have mortgage rates gone up (and then stayed up even when the nation's interest rate was lowered) but not the interest rates on credit cards are increasing. Hmm.

I'm starting to think that this credit crunch thing is just a good excuse of the lending companies to hike up prices. If you heard all the papers talking about a labour shortage just before you went in to ask for a pay rise you'd ask for that little bit more, wouldn't you?

The worry is that by making out there's a credit crunch they will make on happen. Fewer people will borrow so the economy slows down and then we're all in a recession, including the lending companies.

But for the person on the street, the problems are in the here and now. If you can't pay the credit cards bills you'll get in debt, and getting out of bad debt can be tricky. Have a look at www.nodebttoday.com to see how you can consolidate your debts and improve credit rating.

Hope that helps.

4 Hour Day

I read a thing in the news today saying that scientists think 4.5billion years ago a day on this planet was only 4 hours long.

It's because the planet was spinning so much faster.

A day of only 4 hours. That means you'd have to miss a night's sleep to watch a Kevin Costner film.

Dirt Bikes

At work there was an offer to go "dirty biking" for free. It sounds like pulling the unwashed one in a nightclub, but it's not. I turned down the offer, and there was a bit of pressure to do it so I could "talk up what the advertising is offering".

Oooooh, pressure is it? So I said no. With more pressure! And I'm taller, so they didn't try again.

I'm sure it would've been fun but it's not a risk I want to take. Here's the reason. A while back I was working on a show and we did a stunt of recording a show while on minimoto bikes. Basically, I fell off and broke my ribs. Thankfully I'm northern, so I didn't take any time off.

But if I get injured and can't work I'd be in a right state. If I had to wait to get treatment all of that time would be costing me money.

That's why you need some good health insurance. You can search round for health insurance online deals.

Have a look at www.ez-insuranceportal.com because it has a health insurance section. It's an insurance portal that offers various types of insurance, but check the health part.

And avoid dirty bikes. That's got to be good advice too.

Gig Update 17-04-08

I did a gig last night in West Hampstead. My favourite bit was when I asked two people (man and woman, you know the sort) if they were a couple. She said 'no' and he added 'sadly not'.

I said, "Oh, she's putting up a fight is she?"

And he said, "Yeah."

I then accused him of being a "Sexual Kato figure" to her Inspector Clueso. Hiding in wardrobes all day, and yet she still fights him off.

Well, he never denied it.

More Budget

Oh, here's another upshot of the budgetary analysis of my own life I did. Bank charges are massive.

You can have the most accurately balanced budget but if you go in the red for half a day your bank will send you a stroppy letter and charge you for the privilege.

What do you think the production costs of such a letter are? Well, there's the stamp, 36p for a first class stamp, because it's urgent.

Then there's the letter itself. You can buy 100 sheets of A4 for £1.50. The envelope is about £1 for 20. Even assuming they have to buy a whole pack of each just to send your letter, and then they throw the rest away, we're up to £2.86.

But they charge you £30. Now, unless they are using some pretty expensive ink, I don't see where that money is going.

The best way round it is to know get the fee in the first place. And to do that you can use payday loans to fill the gap up to the next payday.

If you never go in the red the banks can't send you the most expensive letter you've ever had.

And you don't want one, because while it costs you £30, it's resale value is rubbish. I know, I tried.

Stevie's Log 17-04-08

Today has been a long one. I'm working nights and days this week, which can be tricky. But I have found one thing that helps to keep me away...

Chocolate.

I had some 70% Columbian last night and it really gave me a boost.

Of course, it's not the only thing that comes from Columbia that helps you stay away. I'm amazed they ever get any sleep there.

Car Insurance

I was sat with the other half last week working out our budgets. We're trying to keep an eye on where our money goes, because what with the credit crunch and whatever we thought it would make sense to know where the cash is flowing to.

The one thing that ruined my score was auto insurance. And why does my other half get cheaper car insurance? Because she has two X chromosomes. I have an X and a Y, and as if the higher risk of colour blindness and the shorter life span aren't punishment enough, I have to pay more car insurance.

They why is it when we go anywhere, she wants me to drive?

The statistics that are getting you cheaper insurance are saying you are a safer driver, so for the health of us both surely you should drive, and I should put the seat back and sleep.

So I need a better deal on car insurance. Have a look at www.carinsurancerates.com because you can track down better rates. It's a portal that specialises in helping you get through complications of it all.

And if you get a better rate of car insurance you'll be surprised how much it will improve your monthly budget.

Z

I got an email from a listener today. We were talking on the show about American pronunciations being used in the UK too often these days.

Her email read:

Hi Steve,

Here's one for you. My son who's at school was being taught the alphabet, and he was taught the letter Zee, not Zed.


I know. I was outraged too. What's wrong with zed? It's a good letter, a proud letter. The kind of letter that won us the war.

Sure, we don't use it a lot, but that doesn't mean we don't hold it warmly in out hearts.

We don't use it in words like "categorise" and "specialise", and we don't even use it in the word "xylophone", but we save it for Sunday Best.

We love you Z!

Open Source

I think in the future, everything will be Open Source. With computers being everywhere we can't have a world where the software people have us by the short and curlies.

That's why I'm trying to go Open Source on as much as possible.

Have a loko at Ron Bongo's website at www.solutionslinux.fr

He is a leading executive in the open source software industry.

Stevie's Log 10-04-08

I got people at work playing on FreeRice.com. it's great for many reasons. One is that when you work our the meaning of words on that site you donate rice to some poor people, secondly it's good because I'm sick of everyone at work playing on Scrabble on FaceBook. But mainly it's good because no one at work is as good at it as me.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Far From The Madding Crowd

A mate of mine just got back from a trip to Israel. He had a great time and he said the best thing about it was avoiding the tourists.

I know what he means. I don't like being swarmed with sunburnt kids making noise while I'm 'chillaxing'. It's odd that the worst thing about being a tourist is the other tourists.

The way he stayed away from the madding crown was by driving. In israel car renting is simple and easy at www.carrentalisrael.com, and it's low cost too. You can reserve online so there's no messing when you get there. Simple.

Snoop Dogg

Just played the new Snoop Dogg song on my show, Sensual Seduction. Well, that's what it is in the single form.

On the album it's called Sexual Eruption.

I don't know what it says about me but I found the first title a lot sexier. Sensual Seduction is a warm, close naked thing. Hmm.

Sexual Eruption? Is that a spot on your *ahem*?

5%

So, the Bank of England has dropped the interest rate down to 5% to stimulate us. I don't know about you, but a quarter of one percent, or in real numbers, 0.00025, don't get me horny.

But it may do what they are after in the housing market. The property market in the UK has been slowing down a lot and a cut in interest rates like that might help more people get out there and get a new place.

If you are looking to sell your place, this will come as some really good news.

But it can still be tricky to get the sale done quickly. And if you have a need, a need for speed, have a look at www.propertiesdirectltd.co.uk.

They help out the people who need to sell their house the quickest, the ones who can't afford it as it is and are at risk of getting repossessed. That causes so many problems for you in the future, that it is clearly best to avoid it. Even after you get back on your feet, the damage to your credit rating can take forever to sort out, and that will stop you doing things in the future.

So, if you need cash for property, have a look at www.propertiesdirectltd.co.uk.