tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220328132024-03-07T08:50:31.577+00:00this will improve your lifeGUARANTEED 37% IMPROVEMENT OVER 3 MONTHS <sup>* </sup>
<small><sup>*</sup><small> not guaranteed</small></small>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1147197929580319612006-05-09T17:50:00.000+00:002006-05-09T18:05:29.610+00:00Living the dream<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/ball%20of%20fire%20cropped%202.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/ball%20of%20fire%20cropped%202.jpg" border="0" title="Busy busy busy" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The thing about <a href="http://thiswillimproveyourlife.blogspot.com/2006/04/words-are-not-enough.html">living the dream</a> is that it can be intense, and the 40 hours a week mentioned in the hypothetical contract most likely refers to cat hours. (You know, like cat years, they last much longer than human hours).</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The other thing about living the dream is that, after three years of working towards it, I wouldn't even think about complaining. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >But sadly it does mean that blogging may be very sparse and sporadic over the next couple of months or so. I'm afraid you'll have to improve your own lives.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >But while you wait, now would be a very good time to air any views about what your ideal coffee bar would be like. And if you're lucky, I might just listen.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1145395048206820432006-04-18T21:09:00.000+00:002006-04-18T21:19:45.946+00:00Dialectic Delights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/flags%20of%20the%20world%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="Oooh arrrr, och aye the nooo, etc." /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I <i>love</i> accents. They bring me great amusement and joy. Not in a patronising way you understand - it's more about the variety and differentness.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In fact I'm sure you at least know someone who would profess to swoon over some fanciful young thing's dreamy Irish lilt. But I also enjoy the less celebrated regional intonations. To some, the South African accent is grating, but I love it, admittedly partly because it reminds me of my motherland. Others might find a thick Brummie accent offensive, but it brings a smile to my lips. And who doesn't enjoy the challenge of trying to understand what a Geordie is saying to them?</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >At the George Mason Univerity in Fairfax, Virginia, they are carrying out a research project around this. <a href="http://accent.gmu.edu/browse_atlas.php">Check it out</a> - have a play around and listen to some of them. Notice the Texan talking extremely fast so that he doesn't come across as dumb! (Without wanting to sound rude, there <i>are</i> certain accents that make it hard to take their owners seriously).</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >But this is an ongoing project - so can I plead with the northerners among us, don't just take a look at the site. For anthropological science, and for the good of my soul, please donate samples of your voice. The world wouldn't be the same without you!</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1144968684719796592006-04-14T09:06:00.000+00:002006-04-13T23:06:17.036+00:00Revolutionary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/jesus%20the%20revolutionary%20adjusted.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/jesus%20the%20revolutionary%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="Who do you say I am?" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To boldly speak out against the failings and abuses of powerful religious leaders.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To offer dignity to those who were considered an embarrassment to society.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To treat women with respect in an era that cast them as less than nothing.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To honour the humble and oppose the proud.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To show no fear before those who could order his execution on a whim.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To suggest that we should <i>love</i> our enemies!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To willingly submit to a humiliating death, deserted by the thousands who once adored him, and by his closest friends.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Now <i>that</i> is revolutionary.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1144967280175220132006-04-13T20:20:00.000+00:002006-04-14T11:54:46.290+00:00Words are not enough<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/ball%20of%20fire%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/ball%20of%20fire%20cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Three years ago, I began to dream.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Two years ago, I left my job to pursue this dream.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Yesterday, I was offered the opportunity to fulfil it.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Words are not enough.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me throughout this, and who hasn't told me to behave myself and get a proper career. Seriously, thank you.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1144701561830436642006-04-10T20:14:00.000+00:002006-04-10T21:15:52.796+00:00You know you should have gone to bed earlier the night before when....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/blurred%20alarm%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/blurred%20alarm%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="What the...!?!" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >...you are completely thrown by your alarm going off.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><i>"What's.....this....music?"</i> you groan in your subconscious state, barely aware of your own existence. <i>"It sounds so close."</i></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A quick, bleary eyed glance at the clock, and you just about register the time. <i>"But it's seven o'clock in the morning! Who on earth would put music on so early?!"</i></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><i>"Hang on, I know this song.......I think I quite like it......But it's the weekend for goodness sake!!"</i></span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><i>"Isn't it......?"</i></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><i>"Oh, b*%%*€£s!!!"</i></span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1144244444484846822006-04-05T13:25:00.000+00:002006-04-10T20:41:20.836+00:00Thought for the day...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/page%20underwater2%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/page%20underwater2%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="Thought provoking..." /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >At the moment I am reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0830738126/qid=1144242806/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/202-1821656-7999859">The Day I Died</a></i> by Steve Sjogren. This stood out to me:</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><blockquote>"<i>I am learning that listening is less about solving problems and more about helping a person uncover what he or she actually wants to say.</i>"</blockquote></span></p><br><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Could the ability and willingness to approach conversation with an attitude of service be one of the most undervalued skills in today's world?</span></p><br></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1143822064122939092006-03-31T15:58:00.000+00:002006-04-10T20:41:48.093+00:00Celebrity - a hijacked concept<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/paparazzi%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/paparazzi%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="I want to be like you..." /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We're all well aware that we live in a celebrity-obsessed culture. But perhaps it is so much part of the wallpaper of our lives that we are blind to its profound influence in the shaping of our culture.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This has struck me twice in the last couple of days. Once, when the word celebrity was used entirely unnecessarily - tautologically, almost - in the description of a television programme, presumably in order to boost its appeal.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And again, when reading <a href="http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1742457,00.html">an article</a> by Nicky Campbell about footballers, lamenting the way in which these highly paid, over-privileged young men can become self-absorbed and lose any sense of responsibility, other than that of carrying the hopes of the nation.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >But before we start to criticise, let's think again.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >What does celebrity mean? 'Celebrity' is what we 'celebrate'. And a quick inspection of the media tells us that the things we celebrate are good looks, wealth, talent, fame in and of itself(!), youth, success - not kindness, selflessness, humility, wisdom or integrity.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To borrow Campbell's closing words, perhaps we should ask ourselves this: do we want well-rounded men, or do we want to win the World Cup?</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1143655877503905852006-03-29T17:46:00.000+00:002006-04-10T20:42:16.683+00:00Gushing Praise for Sigur Ros<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/haskolabio%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/haskolabio%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="wow..." /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Monday night saw me at my second <a href="http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/">Sigur Ros</a> gig, and hopefully not my last. As friends will testify from the last time, I cannot overstate the depth of their talent. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >They were amazing. Geniuses. (Or genii if you prefer). They're proper musicians - in between songs, or sometimes during songs, they wander round and start playing a different instrument. The singer/guitarrist would go and play keys, the drummer would play glockenspiel (I don't know exactly what one is but I'm sure they had one), the keyboarder would pick up a piccolo...... The first encore ended with a piano solo from the drummer. Half the time Jonsi, the lead man, was playing his guitar with a violin bow, and for one song the bassist played his bass with a drumstick. Like I say, proper musicians.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >On top of this, their ability to capture emotion in words and music is one that would be the envy of many of their peers, and that wouldn't even occur to today's manufactured bands. Filled with melancholy, majestic, crafted crescendos, and everything in between, theirs is a sound that can transport you to another place. </span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Their abundant talent and creativity is also evident in their videos - from the hauntingly beautiful come-follow-me of <a href="http://www.emichrysalis.co.uk/quicktime/sigur_ros/glosoli/index.php">Glosoli</a>, to the wonderfully mischievous pensioners of <a href="http://befb.vortex.is/sigur_ros-hoppipolla300k.wmv">Hoppipolla</a>, to the deeply poignant <a href="http://www.vortex.is/festival/video/sigur_ros-vidrar-video.asf">Viorar vel til loftarasa</a>, which is said to depict the struggle of being gay in the church.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I'm torn between wanting to tell everyone I meet how great they are, and enjoying being part of a well kept secret. So please promise not to tell anyone.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1142843457683603832006-03-20T08:27:00.000+00:002006-03-20T23:16:08.316+00:00Animals - whose side are they on?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/suspicious%20cat%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/suspicious%20cat%20cropped.jpg" border="0" title="A cat acting suspiciously, earlier" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >For a long time we've lived in fear of a day when the machines will take over the world. But whilst we've been trying to make the machines submissive to us, it turns out that our efforts might have been better spent seeking allegiances in the animal kingdom.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >For it has become evident that animals will be the surprise key players in the success or failure of any attempted coup.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4810576.stm">emerged</a> over the last few days that a new 'smart barcode' can contain a computer virus, and already cats are being enlisted by both sides for their potential to spread malicious code in new hi-tech ID tags.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Meanwhile, the US army have <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1731037,00.html">plans to recruit insects</a>. They want to implant microscopic sensory devices into 'flying, hopping or crawling insects' which will then transmit vital information to their controllers. However as this is something that needs to be done at the larval stage, they are working hard to find donor parents who are willing to sign over some of their offspring, either because of ideological beliefs, or for financial reward.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Pet owners are advised to form loyal bonds wherever possible, and to report any suspicious behaviour.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1142411635624563882006-03-15T08:32:00.000+00:002006-03-15T08:33:55.636+00:00Offensive politeness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/holding%20door%20large%20cropped.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/holding%20door%20large%20cropped.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I'm a well brought up lad, and I was always taught to hold the door open for people. But I'm beginning to think that it's nicer not to.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >All too often, holding the door for the person behind you forces them to break into a little trot in order to accept your kind gesture. And I'm sure that given the choice between an enforced and ungainly semi-jog and opening a door, they would really rather have opened the door for themselves.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I'm working hard to perfect my it's-because-I-care-that-I'm-not-holding-this-door-open-for-you look. For those of you trying this at home, the eyebrows are the key.</span> </p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1141826616903646512006-03-08T13:55:00.000+00:002006-03-08T14:03:36.923+00:00They well and truly got me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/England%20away%20kit%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/England%20away%20kit%20cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And the worst part was that I didn't even know it.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The new England away kit <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/photo_galleries/4754528.stm">went on sale</a> last week. Like many football fans, I decided that it would be a good buy with the World Cup fast approaching - as we all know, wearing last year's kit just doesn't cut it.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Despite being pretty similar to the one it's replacing, the latest kit is not a bad design. New this season is the option to have someone's squad number on the front as well as the back. To accommodate this, the manufacturer's logo has been moved up onto the shoulder.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I wasn't planning on getting one with a name and number, but looking at it I thought "the logo up there on the shoulder would look stupid without a number underneath, maybe I'll get a number 4 shirt" (I love Steven Gerrard!).</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And without even realising, I had played straight into their hands - they had got the add-on sale out of me, and I didn't even realise until my friend <a href="http://www.andybastable.com/">Andy</a> pointed it out to me on the weekend. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The sad thing is, I'll probably still do it.</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1141666506358903642006-03-06T17:29:00.000+00:002006-03-06T17:37:26.513+00:00Crash and the human heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/crash%20pulled%20over%20cropped.0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/crash%20pulled%20over%20cropped.5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(211, 0, 19);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >WARNING - MAY SPOIL THE FILM IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Congratulations to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/">Crash</a> for winning Best Film at the Oscars last night. I'm no film buff but I know that I enjoyed it a lot.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >One of the things I liked about it was that it caught me out.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >All the way through the film I found myself strongly identifying with Hanson (the good young cop played by Ryan Phillippe) whilst intensely disliking Ryan (Matt Dillon). And if you've seen it you'll know there was much to dislike about him. Yet towards the end we see that the very same person is also capable of a noble and courageous act.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My smug satisfaction at feeling superior to him was blown away in a moment, and I could not deny that I too am capable of both. I have in me things that are beautiful and honourable and right, and things that are to my shame.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Thanks to the makers for reminding me that the human heart is not black and white.<br /></span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1141417153348378592006-03-03T20:02:00.000+00:002006-03-06T13:15:53.806+00:00One Billion Views - Megalomaniac Websites<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/another%20old%20gas%20meter%20cropped.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/another%20old%20gas%20meter%20cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >After the success of Alex Tew's <a href="http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/">million dollar home page</a>, plenty of people have had similar ideas.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Alex, a 21 year old from Wiltshire (he’s English – hurrah!), sold space on his website one pixel at a time. With a 1000 by 1000 pixel canvas, you could say it’s worked out alright for him.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This spawned plenty of copycat sites which, satisfyingly, haven’t done so well. But the next big one is the race to have a website with one billion visitors. The original appears to be <a href="http://www.onebillionviews.com/">onebillionviews.com</a>, who registered the page on the 30th October just gone, and opened for business in November. An imaginatively titled <a href="http://www.onebillionpageviews.com/">rival</a> started up on the 17th January, shamelessly claiming the idea as his own.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Things are currently pretty tight, with both sites working towards their first half million, but I know whose side I’m on!</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Meanwhile, my ambitions are more modest – double figures in the comments count would make me a happy man!</span></p> <br><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms; font-size:70%;" >P.S. A special hello to anyone who has come here from onebillionviews.com - Welcome!!</span></p></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1141342577886100012006-03-02T22:58:00.000+00:002006-03-02T23:36:17.900+00:00Official - Working in a coffee bar is social work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/Coffee%20bar%20cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/Coffee%20bar%20cropped.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Being a qualified social worker whose dream is to run a coffee bar, I am frequently asked whether I plan to go back into social work at some point in the future. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >My stock answer for the last couple of years has been a protest that actually, the coffee bar in my head will be more like traditional social work than my last job where my title was 'Social Worker'.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I often get slightly puzzled or sceptical looks by way of reply.</span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >So I was quite pleased when I came across <a href="http://observer.guardian.co.uk/7days/story/0,,1681694,00.html">this article</a> in the paper a few weeks ago. According to two American sociologists, the well documented fragmentation of society over the past few decades has led to a culture where we place far more value on individualism and non-dependence on others than we do on connecting with those around us. </span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This has left many of us dependent on 'hits of intimacy' with strangers as a substitute for the more meaningful sense of belonging that comes from being part of a wider family or community.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And one of the prime examples offered is that of a smile or kind word from the person who serves you coffee every day. </span> </p> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >So it's official - working in a coffee bar<i> is</i> social work. Now I just have to convince the General Social Care Council so I can re-register next year. </span></p> </div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1140716869444697632006-02-23T17:42:00.000+00:002006-02-23T18:08:18.856+00:00Send an Atheist to his local church!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/for%20rent%20sign%20on%20lawn%20zoomed%20out%20cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/for%20rent%20sign%20on%20lawn%20zoomed%20out%20cropped.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This was the somewhat intriguing title of a recent <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5660982226">ebay auction</a>. Hemant Mehta, a 22 year old student from Chicago, proposed to visit his local church (or any other, of any flavour or religion) with an open mind for $10 a time. </span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The auction closed at $504.</span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><i>Much</i> to my relief, it was won by a guy called Jim Henderson – not the creator of The Muppets, but the executive director of an organisation who often describe their mission statement as “trying to help Christians learn how to not be jerks”.</span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I sometimes think we have a lot to learn. </span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To his great credit Jim is genuinely attempting to learn from Hemant, and not trying to ‘convert’ him. And to Hemant’s credit, he is being very fair and open minded, and extremely gracious in light of a few arrogant and unhelpful commenters.</span> <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >You can follow the action from both parties’ perspectives – on <a href="http://ebayatheist.blogspot.com/">Hemant's blog</a> and the <a href="http://www.off-the-map.org/atheist/">Off The Map website</a>. Let’s hope the Christians are listening. </span> <br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1140546620209483362006-02-21T18:30:00.000+00:002006-02-21T18:51:56.316+00:00Brussel Sprouts - what they don't want you to know<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/brussel%20sprouts%20cropped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/brussel%20sprouts%20cropped.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Some sociologists argue that Brussel sprouts have long played a central role in the British psyche. No one likes them, yet almost without fail we honour them by embracing them into the culinary bosom of our Christmas dinner.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Some people even eat them.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Yesterday, thanks to an industry whistleblower, I got hold of documentary evidence sensationally revealing what was once a closely guarded secret.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >What they don’t want you to know is that </span><em><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >brussel sprouts are grown on <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/Brussel%20sprouts%2C%20yesterday.jpg">long green sticks</a></span></em><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. These sticks, complete with blemished camouflage markings, are used by scientists to pump water and other nutrients to each sprout ‘node’. Once fully formed, they are removed and replaced by a new sprout seedlet.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >No one from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs was available for comment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Meanwhile in related news, many holiday makers appeared visibly shaken on their return from a half-term winter sun getaway, having learnt that bananas grow upside-down. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ></span><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1140441415234144822006-02-20T13:10:00.000+00:002006-02-20T13:16:55.236+00:00Get it off your chest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/crying%20man%20cropped.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/crying%20man%20cropped.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Have you ever had a secret buried somewhere deep inside?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Part of you wanted to tell someone, so that it wouldn’t hold you captive anymore. And part of you could think of nothing more terrifying than anyone finding it out.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I’m sure we all carry these things around with us at some point or other. A few people have decided that telling a trusted friend is not for them. They’ve decided instead to tell <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span>. Take a look at <a href="http://postsecret.blogspot.com/">PostSecret</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >New posts are put up every Sunday. Some are heart warming and will make you smile. Others will stop you in your tracks as you choke up.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >And now would it surprise you if I told you that it was the third most popular blog <span style="font-style: italic;">in the world</span>?</span><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22032813.post-1140440458417458752006-02-20T12:54:00.000+00:002006-02-20T20:26:23.406+00:00And we're off!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/1600/wheelspin%20orange%20and%20blue%20car%20cropped.3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1508/2236/400/wheelspin%20orange%20and%20blue%20car%20cropped.3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It gives me great pleasure to announce the arrival of one of the most <a href="http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:soOAg2PDEPcJ:fishing.nafc.net.ph/fishing/indexF-page18.html++%22eagerly+awaited+website%22+of+2006&hl=en&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=4">eagerly anticipated websites</a> of 2006. And coincidentally, today also sees the launch of my blog, which has been eagerly anticipated by <span style="font-style: italic;">at least</span> three of my friends, if not more.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I’m proud to say that, by allowing the geek in me to come to the fore, I coded a lot of it myself – aren’t I clever? Many thanks to my friend Andy for his help in getting it up and running. He has his very own rather interesting blog – check it out by following the link on the right.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Anyway, we must press on. Check back regularly to find a whole host of interesting bits and pieces, and some rubbish.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Pretty soon you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">p.s. Anyone wanting to link to individual posts – the permalink is in the timestamp</span></span><br /></div>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11702966303579670794noreply@blogger.com4