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Office Chair

2008-01-08T15:11:00.000Z

Over the Christmas break the old chair I'd been using to work on my computer at home finally gave up the ghost, and I was forced to start looking to get another one from somewhere. Lately I've been doing a fair bit of shopping online and I though I'd see if Google could give me any good suggestions so I popped in a few search terms and found a few office furniture suppliers that seemed to have some really good offer on.
After much deliberation the company I finally decided to use was an office furniture supplier based in Letchworth, which is just down the road from me, called Inter County office furniture. I'm the sort of guy who quite meticulous when buying something and I will check several different suppliers out before parting with my hard-earned cash, and this was no different. I did a lot of research on office chairs, checking out what the various certificates meant, and out of all the office furniture sellers I found Inter County Office Furniture seemed to have the best items for the money I was looking to spend.
So after picking out a leather office chair I went ahead and bought it. Now I've read a few horror stories on the internet about furniture suppliers in general and I was a little anxious, but I have to say this company completely allayed my fears. A guy called Simon rang me up the next day and told me my chair would be with me the next day - wow! Less than 48 hours later. True to their word, my chair arrived the next day. At first I was a little worried about how easy it would be to put together, but it actually turned out to be really easy. 10 minutes later my chair was assembled!
It's amazing how good this chair feels to sit in, the leather really does look and feel the part, luxurious. Always when you see things for sale on the internet you are a little sceptical they may look better in the photo than the actually are, but not at all in this case. The chair is absolutely superb. The leather is really quite smooth, it's not as good as the stuff you'd find on a really expensive chair, but it's still not bad. For 60 pounds I'm certainly not going to nit pick.
Have a look at this picture I took, and tell me this office chair doesn't look the business? I really can't believe how cheap this was, even with VAT it was little over 60 quid and they had some which were even less. What I'd like to do next is maybe try and get myself a desk to go with it, I've been meaning to buy one for ages but just haven't got around to it. They had some of these on offer too and I may have a look and see if I can pick up a bargain.
What I really liked about this company was not the price I paid, which was good but you get good prices at lots of different companies. What I really liked was the customer service I received, how many companies would take the time to call you and let you know the item you ordered is on the way? I'm not sure anyone who sells furniture for the home would take the time to do this! It was a breathe of fresh air and if anyone is reading this article and thinking about forking out on office furniture I would strongly recommend Inter County Office Furniture. In a day and age when it often seems like businesses don't care anymore this company was extremely refreshing. When the guy said who he was I nearly choked on the cupa-soup I'd been indulging in!
On another note I realised I've now got to find a way of disposing of the old chair I was using. It's so clapped out there's no way anyone will buy it, especially with the price you can pick up an operator chair for these days. I'm not 100% sure I'll get it in the boot of my car, if I can I'll take it down to the dump in Letchworth. If not I'll have to see if I can get a friend with a bigger boot to help me out.
This is the link to the site I found this chair on, definately worth a try if you are looking for something to sit in - office chairs.

Moved to myspace!!!

2007-05-22T15:44:00.000+01:00

Because of the added features, I've now moved my blog to: www.myspace.com/stuntfrog

Monster day out!

2007-05-17T10:38:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to Debbie for arranging my belated birthday outing in London. We went to Madame tussards, Fire and Stone (pizza), and the new Lord of the Rings musical at the Theatre Royal. It was a fantastic show with amazing costumes, music and stage design. Click on the link to see for yourself: http://www.thelordoftheringsmusical.com/production_popup_1.php.
If you'd like to see our photo's from Madame tussards join www.facebook.com and link to me as a friend.

Donation page now Live!

2007-04-24T13:23:00.000+01:00

I've just set up an on-line donation page that pays Cancer Research UK directly. I thought it would make things allot easier for everyone who wishes to sponsor me on the epic 270 mile cycle marathon. Training is going well I'm getting much fitter now, my average speed is up, my weight is down to 14.12 stone (from 16.3) and I've clocked over 400 miles so far. I'm aiming to do 100miles a week now as time is short until the big ride, just a month left. We want to do a group day ride before we go as a dry run with fully ladened bikes (tents, sleeping bags, cloths etc.) I'm sure it's going to be allot tougher going once we are weighed down with kit.

http://www.justgiving.com/stuntdove

Thank you for giving, we may all benifit from what CRUK are doing one day.

Big News!

2007-04-19T10:08:00.000+01:00

It's offical, Debbie and I are getting married on the 22nd of August 2008!!! We've booked a venue St Pauls in Letchworth. On monday we went round to the Vicor's house to fill in some forms and have a chat. Just need to sort out 'calling of the bands' (don't ask) because I don't live in the parish of St Pauls. We've also booked the reception at Fanhams Hall in Ware. Sorry in advance if you don't get invited to the reception. It's not because we didn't want to envite everyone but we only have limited places. Good news is all (that know us) are invited to the wedding at St Pauls so please come along and give your support. We'll post the times when it's been given.

Charlie's Aunt

2007-04-17T09:12:00.000+01:00

Had a great time on Saturday. Debbie and I went with her dad and his friend to see “Charlie’s Aunt” with Stephen Tomkinson at the Milton Keynes Theatre. I feel confident in recommending this production of an old classic, very funny and Tomkinson plays a hilarious 'Monty Python' style man/women. It was a really nice day out and lovely weather too but best of all we had pizza!!!

stuntdove.com

2007-04-11T17:01:00.000+01:00

Ok it's up! some refining will be done asap but the gist of it is there. What am I talking about? Well myself and Adam who is also going on our A5 cycle ride have been working on an adventure website designed to provide a light hearted record of our exploits past, present and future and to help and encourage others who wish to follow in our footsteps. I hope you'll all be checking to see what we're up to next. I've put a link on the right hand of my blog but you can also click here: www.stuntdove.com

St Elmo's Fire

2007-04-05T13:49:00.000+01:00

My mate Dan (bass player) is in a band called St Elmo's Fire. Me and Debbie went to see them a while back and they rocked. Here is a live video of them in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iej8Mdrju94&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyspace%2Ecom%2Fstelmos It makes me want me to start playing agian!

Cycle update

2007-04-04T10:41:00.000+01:00

The cycling has been going well. At the weekend I went to Kimpton and back 20miles, and today was my first consecutive commute to work (Royston 18miles each way) and although my legs felt it on the hills, it went ok. I've managed to clock up 189miles so far despite a virus that put me out for two weeks. I've also gone from 16.3stone to 15.8 already. I plan to do a longer ride over Easter, probably to St Albans and back which is a 36mile round trip. Sponsorship is going ok too. I've handed out some extra forms to friends and family and my form at work has got up to £113. Please keep the money coming in!

Ride2Work!

2007-04-04T10:29:00.000+01:00

Buy tax free bikes and cycle to work with the Ride2Work programme! Did you know that a Government scheme exists that can save you around 50% off the price of a new bike? It's called the Green Transport Plan, and it aims to make cycling more attractive and more accessible by taking advantage of some unique tax incentives. Many Cycle shops have developed the Ride2Work programme to help you take advantage of the benefits of the Green Transport Plan. This allows you to buy bikes via your employer at a massive discount!
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work.jsp;jsessionid=51BE56E7AA374672C5F3A689271862C8.tomcat2

I love it when a plan comes together!

2007-04-03T11:06:00.000+01:00

Greg and I finally managed to get his fence finished on Saturday. He has kindly agreed to help me finish off my kitchen so hopefully it'll go better than the last time he helped as I drilled straight through a water pipe and haven't done much in the kitchen since repairing it.

Armadillo's!!!

2007-03-28T08:53:00.000+01:00

Adam, Phil, Neil and I had an 'A5' planning meeting last night (down the pub of coarse) to look over some of the finer details of our trip. Any way one of the things that came out was to set up a designated web site devoted to our adventures. So hopefully with the help of the very talented Adam, and not to far in the future I'll be posting a link to that very site. After a late night down the pub I got home motivated and charged with energy so decided to get up early and ride to work (first time since the dreaded virus). I've never found it easy getting out of bed at the best of times, least of all at 6.45 after a late night out, but that I did and I was soon on my way to Royston. Disaster nearly struck as I climbed out of Wallington, I heard a faint click, click, click as the wheel rotated so I stopped to examine the tyre (of which I've only just replaced after the last mishap). Sure enough a tiny piece of sharp flint was patroding out from the back tyre. Gutted, and expecting a Pissssstt sound, I pulled it out but the Specialized Armadillo tyres had done their job and the kevlar belt had prevented any tube damage. Harrah for Armadillo's!!!

New posts

2007-03-23T09:01:00.000Z

I've been helping Greg put up a new fence. We made a slow start last week but hopefully it'll get finished tomorrow. Read how we got on in Greg's blog... http://gemars.blogspot.com
Just seen the verse of the day “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,” That should be our motto Greg!
(James 1:12)

98 miles sponsored 182 miles to go

2007-03-22T09:55:00.000Z

Well done, 98 miles gets us to about Coventry, please keep the donations coming in. Starting to feel better now after that nasty virus. I went to choi last night for the first time in over a week and although I was very short of breath I got through the class. I will be trying to build my fitness up again now so I'm going again tonight. I'll have a bit of a rest at the weekend (apart from finishing Greg's bottom fence and hopefully back to my training program next week.

How many places have you visited?

2007-03-13T16:03:00.000Z

I've visited 6: Canada, UK, France, Spain, Czech Republic & Austria. Lets see who's got the most then I'll make a map with every country we've been to between us.

Make your own map if you want by clicking here:
http://www.world66.com/myworld66/visitedCountries

Under the weather

2007-03-13T14:09:00.000Z

Not feeling to good today. I went to Choi last night and I was burning up and sweating like a pig. I think I may of picked something up, like a virus or cold? Really gutted because I've spent allot of time getting fit and I won't be able to do any Choi or Cycling now until I'm better. Hopefully it will go away soon and I won't lose to much fitness.

Blomming Tractor

2007-03-09T09:27:00.000Z

Ok I've given in to temptation and brought a new road bike. I had a look at my friends old bike which he said I could borrow but knew I'd never keep up with them on their ultra light weight new racers no mater how fit I get. The bike I really liked (scott speedster s60) cost over £500 which is well out of my price range but I managed to find the exact same bike which was last years model and had streight handle bars for £200 less so I was well chuffed. I already had some money that I was saving for a better mountain bike so with that, my overtime and birthday money I thought well it saves me £4 petrol a day too, so why not?

I cycled to work on it today but it went 'Pete Tong' just after Kelshall about 13 miles in to the ride. A tractor had been up the road and left the road covered in mud and stones, to many to avoid and sure enough I earned myself my first puncture on my new bike. Realising I still had 5 miles to go and less than an hour to get to work I new walking wouldn't be fast enough so I managed a faux march (run,walk,run) to Royston town centre where two serious racers with (carbon fibre bikes) and broken spokes soon joined me outside the bike shop waiting for it to open. I left my bike with the shop to be fixed and was only 10minuites or so late but very tiered. I am probably going to train it home tonight because 2 punchers in one day is likely to kill my moral. Next time I will walk my bike through stoney mud but hopefully there will be rain to wash the mud away soon.

Made it...

2007-03-07T09:00:00.000Z

I made it to work today on my bike. I left a change of cloths at work yesterday so I wouldn't have to carry anything with me. The trip went ok though getting out of bed that bit earlier is a struggle and it was a bit nippy to start with though I soon got a bit to hot. I have to say that although the first bit is rather unpleasant and a bit of a shock to the system it's really enjoyable being out in the country and watching the sun break through the clouds and brighten up the day. I road past a pheasant that was only about 8 feet away and it didn't even flinch (probably thought 'nutter'). Everyone at work seems to think I'm insane which I have to say I quite like. I'm going to try and do some sponsorship forms at lunchtime today while people are taking such an interest at work.

Debs came up with a good suggestion so I rang Cancer Research UK and ordered their fundraising pack. We'll get proper sponsorship forms and possibly tee shirts too. Makes it more official and also saves me the work.

Spurred on by the prospect of not having to wait for a late train and saving £5.20 on a ticket I mustered the will to ride home. Leaving work at 5.30 prompt I shot off through Royston town and out towards the golf coarse. A sharp left takes you up a never-ending hill towards Therfield, which took me real determination to keep the momentum going. The rest of the ride was ok though the light was fading fast and by the time I got into Baldock it was pitch black. I choose to go though Willian but it was very hard riding with bike lights as the only source of light making dogging potholes and twigs almost impossible. Next time I shall drop down onto the 505 at the bypass roundabout and stay on it home. I drove today as riding both ways a total of 36 miles over hilly terrain took allot out of me and I'm going to Choi tonight. Hopefully I'll be recovered enough to ride to work tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2007-03-06T09:15:00.000Z

Yes it's that time again, time to reflect on whats gone and whats to come! Unfortunately my dad's having an exploratory op to look at his kidney today so I'm not in much of a party mood. I'm seeing him later then Deb's and I are going for a meal which I'm looking forward too very much.

38 miles sponsored 242 miles to go!

2007-03-05T09:15:00.000Z

The Royston bike ride was almost suspended due to Greg needing help moving his new concrete fence posts and gravel boards, which eat up the entire morning. Under pressure to complete the ride, and get home for an evening out with Debbie at her friends’ birthday meal I left my house at 2.30 on the nose. Passing heavy Saturday traffic I found riding the back way to Willian a good choice and didn't feel the burn until the first testing hill coming out of Willian. Then took a right across the A1 (roundabout) and down into Baldock. The next bit I knew would be more challenging so after negotiating the bridge and bridle way over the Baldock bypass I stopped for water and to check the map. It had taken half an hour to get to this point and I did consider turning back 'but no' I got back on and peddling hard made up another taxing hill and down into Wallington. I started to get into a good rhythm after this point and soon found myself passing Sandon, Kelshall (where I was soaked going through water across the road) and Therfield. Passed Therfield is an exhilarating drop down to Royston where I managed to reach 35mph before having to break for a junction. Royston train station soon appeared and I'd covered 18.04 miles taking me 1.35 hours. I was pretty shattered and needed to get home fast so I court the train back. Over all I was pretty pleased with how it went for a first run and considering I was on my very cheap Halfords mountain bike I should be able to make a reasonable dent in that time when I'm on a road bike and a bit fitter. I think this ride is commutable on a week day, at least in the morning as the evenings still get dark pretty early so I'm hoping to give it a go again later this week.

Now sponsored for 38 miles that's enough to get me Dunstable please keep the money rolling in.

First bike ride

2007-03-02T16:07:00.000Z

I saw Neil one of the other guys who is going on the A5 ride last night at Choi and it occurred to us that we havn't got that long until May. I've decided to get some time in the saddle tomorrow morning. I've been thinking about the possibility of riding to work one day a week so I've planned out a back way route from Hitchin to Royston that I'm going to try tomorrow and see if it is do-able in a reasonable time without getting lost. As it's somewhere between 15-20 miles one way I may be catching a train home from Royston.

10 Miles sponsered- only 270 to go!

2007-03-01T10:35:00.000Z

Thanks to Jonny his payed for 10miles that will get me past Burnt Oak near Edgeware. Another 10 miles will get me to St Albans, can anyone help?

Can anyone help me find a cycling machine to borrow untill the end of May to train on when the weather isn't good enough to be out on the bike? Please ask around as I'm sure someone must have one stuffed up in there loft gathering dust.

Check out my photos...

2007-02-23T12:37:00.000Z

www.ringo.com/i.html?i=162010447x359100

New Album

2007-02-15T09:08:00.000Z

Congratulations to Jonny Moore-Crispin for getting his songs on yet another children's album. You are a very gifted man! His songs are 'I worship you Lord Jesus Christ (Tk 1)', and 'Jesus, How I Love You (Tk 10)'. Also, on the kingsway website you can purchase the sheet music.
http://shop.childrensministry.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=746
Please let us know the other albums your songs are on (especially the ones we played at Easter People, they rock!). Good luck with the studies in Vancouver bro!

London Marathon

2007-02-15T08:56:00.000Z

No not me (I wish I was that fit) my friend John Geaney. He is running the London Marathon (again) to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital who are providing care for his daughter Caitlyn. Please dig deep in your pockets and sponsor him. The address is www.justgiving.com/johngeaney.

This ones for Debbie

2007-02-14T10:18:00.000Z

Will you be my Valentine xxx

The Road Back

2007-02-12T10:33:00.000Z

As many of you know I've been doing Choi Kwang Do since 2003. Though after an injury which tore a tendon in my foot and other commitments I've been a lot more off than on for the last year. Anyway I've decided now is a good time to make a come back and start training again. I went along to a grading yesterday to show my face and give my support to the people grading. I don't know what it is about being in the room with the instructors lined up behind a table at the far end of the gym but it always makes me apprehensive and I wasn't even grading. I could see them staring at me but they didn't acknowledge me which at the time I thought was a bit weird. At lunch they have a recess so I went up and introduced myself and it was quite funny because they hadn't recognised me until they saw me laugh. I had a good chat with all the instructors and they were really pleased to see me and said it would be fine to start training again and as my insurance is still valid I'm going tonight. Hopefully I've not forgotten to much but I know it's going to take a while to get my fitness and flexibility back. It's really gutting seeing the people who used to be several belts below me now several belts in front. I'm a blue belt but used to train far above my grade and know every thing up to black belt doing both Junior and Senior classes 3or4 times a week and training to be an Assistant Instructor. This time I've decided to concentrate on flexibility and technique for this year and fixing the things that have frustrated me in the past especially my reverse swing kick which never had the power it should. Hopefully I will survive tomorrow without passing out or getting my arse handed to me by a newbe. I'll let you know how I got on tomorrow.

The morning after and I'm a bit stiff today. Training at Hitchin club went ok considering and I was surprised to see quite allot of new faces and most of the old ones. I'm glad I waited until after the grading to come back because they go through your syllabus for your next belt also the class is a little less intense physically while you learn new techniques. I managed to collar and instructor after class to go through my old patterns/combinations and refresh my memory. I was pleased to find it all come flooding back as I was doing it. Phew, I wasn't shore how much I'd retained but it's all still there. Just need to concentrate on my fitness and flexibility. My belt kick is downwards kick (axe kick in Karate) so it's important to get your leg as vertical as possible so there's greater momentum/force coming down so I'm going to work on that. My belt hand technique is rising palm strike, which has changed slightly since I done it last. I need to work on bending my fingers back out the way, which I find hard to do. They've also changed a kick, the names of some other things and added an extra defence drill but everything else is the same. Can't wait to go again, I'm going to train at Stevenage club on Wednesday (Yeah I know it's Valentines day but we're going to a show in London on Thursday as Debbie has a short day and Friday off).

New brochure

2007-02-02T15:29:00.000Z

I spent the whole of last weekend rebuilding the fence that blow down in the storms. It was quite exhausting getting the old posts and concrete out and the new ones in, but I'm ready to put the panels on this weekend and fix a nice sturdy gate which my neighbour Bob kindly sold me second hand.

Work has been hectic too, this week I've been overseeing a photo shoot of the new products that will be featured in our 2007 brochure that I'm currently designing. I feel pretty shattered but very happy that I got the shots I wanted. Can't wait to finish it and have it sitting in my hands. There's a massive sense of achievement and relief you get when all that hard work and late nights come together in the finished product.

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

2007-01-23T09:42:00.000Z

Yes, I've finally plucked up the courage to shave my hair off. Well actually Debbie done it, but you know what I mean. I got feed up trying to cover up my reseeding hair line so

buzzzzz...all gone! As a reminder of my beautiful mop I thought I'd post a pick of me when it was nice and long. I will post a pick of how I look now asap (please no references to Shrek, Grant or fights with a lawnmower lol).

Austria

2007-01-19T11:48:00.000Z

Austria was amazing this year although unlike last year it had been warm thus there was very little snow on the lower slopes. We arrived in Kirchdorf at midday on Saturday and headed straight to the ski hire shop ahead of the crowds. Getting up early, on Sunday, came as a bit of a shock (If you want a relaxing holiday, don’t go skiing!). After getting kited up Debbie, Jane, Nick and I wadded down to the Ski School in our ski boot’s (not easy). We got there eventually and were issued with our lift passes and told that we had to ski in front of the instructors so they could divide us into groups. Nick went first Woshh - straight in the top group, which put the pressure on big time as I wanted to be with him and I was up next. Unbelievably they put me in the top group which I think may of had more to do with Nicks pleading with the instructor than with my ability. Debbie and Jane were put in different groups but thankfully ended up as the week progressed. After that they took our group to St Johan which is about 10 minutes on the bus. Skiing there was really hard going because it was quite soft and lumpy. After a few easy runs our instructor Ernie (a local from Kirchdorf) made us go to the very top which I found pretty scary. I didn’t really enjoy the morning and seemed to be spending far to much time on my backside to the amusement of the group. For a time I thought ‘what am I doing in this group’ but after lunch I was doing much better so I stuck with them. Being in Ernie’s group defiantly made me a much better skier than I would have been in an easier group. Ernie pushed us all the time and just as you thought you’d nailed something he’d take it up a gear. The next day we went to the Stighn Platter, which I’d been to last year. After a few blue and easy red runs he said ‘right where going to the top!’ and I’m thinking ‘Gulp! Not up there surly!’. By the end of the day it was ok, it’s amazing what you get used to. He even sent us down a Black run and I didn’t fall though some did including Melvin who managed to do the whole thing on his back headfirst. After a few more days at Stighn Platter we went to Fieberbrunn, which is the highest Mountain I’ve been on and stands over 2000 meters. On the Friday the ski school always organises a slalom race at Kirchdorf which I hadn’t planned on doing this year but everyone else seemed to want to do it so I got talked into it. Last year I got Silver, but when you’re a beginner you only race the people in your group (about 10). This year I was an Intermediate so you have to race against all the other Intermediates in 4 groups (about 40 people). I tucked down low and tried to carve as close to the poles as possible. I got Silver!!! (sorry Nick). We all wanted to bet a bloke in our group called Tony who seemed to be taking it all a little to seriously. He seems to win every year and seeing that his been skiing for 20years it’s hardly suppressing. But just to make sure his got his own ski’s and even gets them waxed the day (We all called him Swiss Tony by the end of the week!). At the presentation I got pretty tipsy and poll danced again. (Though thankfully they didn’t turn the shower on this year). I’ve just found out that Nick showed the video to his parents. Is that revenge for my Silver Medal?

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T13:03:00.000Z

Hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and a good start to 2007. I'm back at work today and hoping this week flys by as I'm off to Austria on Saturday with Debbie and friends Jane & Nick for 7 fantastic days of skiing.

Christmas was mard by being apart from my beloved Debbie, who was called away to keep her Gran company in Cornwall. Not the best time of year to start comfort eating so inevitably I've suffered, as most, from a some what expanded waist line. Which reminds me did anyone make any new year resolutions? I started to think of a few but lost count after double figures. I don't know if all this is totally unrealistic but I think its good to have something to aim for.

1. Exercise to some extent everyday (sit ups and press ups minimum)
2. Work on my ability to kick (yoga stretching exercises minimum)
3. Read a book or blog at lunchtime instead of surfing the net
4. Make sandwiches at home instead of buying them from a shop
5. Make a concuss effort to become more organised and plan ahead
6. Make time for Guitar practice once a week
7. Go to Church at least once a month
8. Go back to Choi on 12th Feb and go at least twice a week when possible
9. Stop swearing
10. Make time for Spanish once a week

It was good to catch up with Jonny who has been working and studying in Romania for the past year for his Masters in Divinity coarse. A definite highlight was heading to Cambridge on Christmas Eve to attend the Nine Lessons at King's College. This service is probably the world's most famous carol service so inevitably its pretty hard to get into! I went with Jonny and we arrived at Cam at 9 for a service at 3 (Had we arrived half an hour later I don't think we would have got in!). After finding out at 10 that we had made the final 600 cut, Jonny and I queued for a further 5 hours which was actually quite a good laugh as we befriended those around us. Some of the people that we spoke to had come over from the US just so that they could attend the service! When we finally got in we enjoyed the highly impressive architecture, and then a very peaceful and awe inspiring celebration of the Christmas story through Scripture and song. All in all it was well worth the wait, and the day was rounded off nicely with an all you can eat Chinese back in good old Letchworth. 'All the best for your final year in Vancouver Jonny!'

Wolff's law

2006-11-30T15:34:00.000Z

For thousands of years it has been excepted in Martial Arts that conditioning your body (hitting solid objects in this case) over time causes your bones, joints and muscles to grow harder, denser and stronger. I'm sure you've all seen MA films with people hitting walls, kicking tress etc. It's nice to find that science approved the idea and called it 'Law'.

Wolff's law is a theory developed by the German Anatomist/Surgeon Julius Wolff (1835-1902) in the 19th century that states that bone in a healthy person or animal will adapt to the loads it is placed under. If loading on a particular bone increases, the bone will remodel itself over time to become stronger to resist that sort of loading. The opposite is also true. (Davis' Law explains how soft tissue remolds itself according to imposed demands).

I have found that true science can co-exist if not re-enforce cultural beliefs/knowledge/religion. I think it's unnecessary one side to see the other as an enemy. May be we shouldn't think of something that hasn't been proved as wrong. A kind of innocent 'till proven guilty philosophy. It's good to see more co-operation happening in general between ancient knowledge and modern science and more acceptance that each can learn from the other.

Result from Woff's law!

Don't bother trying this at home!

Clip of the Month

2006-11-28T09:27:00.000Z

Cure for shyness

top banner (please ignore)

2006-11-08T12:41:00.001Z

The banner parts keep disapearing so I'm going to leave them posted up.

Happy Birthday Charlie

2006-11-08T12:38:00.000Z

Hope you have a great time

Quote of the Month

2006-11-01T18:07:00.001Z

I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them."
- George Bush, former U.S. President

Skiing

2006-10-31T17:00:00.000Z

Finally got around to paying for my skiing holiday. It's so much money and to be honest I'd of rather spent it finishing my kitchen but then again I remember how much fun we had last time. For those of you who have never tried skiing I'd have to recommend it as the best activity holiday I've been on. It's definitely worth forking out to join a good ski school as we did. I think you learn so much quicker when you have professional instruction for a week. By the end of our week I felt pretty confident to be able to handle myself on most moderate-intermediate slopes on my own. Though saying that I've not quite mastered the jumps...
Skiing clip

Drag

2006-10-26T13:43:00.000+01:00

Greg is a huge fan of Drag Racing and he was telling me the other day about how the tyres become thinner and taller upon acceleration through the centrifugal forces. I thought you may be interested to see what happens just before that effect:
Drag Racing

Halloween Horror!

2006-10-24T09:12:00.000+01:00

Today I'm happy, Debbie will be back in just two days (Thursday) and I can't wait. It feels like she's been gone forever and it's been really hard not having her around but she's nearly back so Harrah! Also my Uncle Chris is over from New Zealand for my Mums 60th with his new girlfriend. Plus his daughter Jenny and her bloke are going to be there as well.

Only one week until Halloween and I am once again reminded that it is at this time of the year when an evil ritual is carried out all around the country under our very noses and it's growing in popularity. Stand up for those who can't stand up, Stop the cruelty! Save the Veg!

Save the Veg!

Altered perception

2006-10-20T11:00:00.001+01:00

I stumbled across a clip (below) on the Internet today and it brought back memories of when I was learning about ‘perception’ at KIAD and the perculiar question "how does a frog perceive the world?" and thinking what's that got to do with design. Then later as a youth leader being acutely aware of an underlying pain of some of the young people who found it difficult to 'fit in' at school or be accepted in a peer group and more often than not it was because of their 'look'. Maybe they didn't have the right trainers, maybe they had spots, maybe they were a little overweight. Maybe they were a little skinny. I'm guessing every one of us wanted to change something about the way we looked when we were at school. I can't think of a boy who didn't want bigger muscles and the latest trainers, I know I did. Now along way down the line it is blatantly obvious to all of us that advertisers and the media play on this same desire to 'look' good in their pursuit of profit. Most of us live in a world where we are judged by the way we look, whether we like it or not. It's a part of our culture and we've learnt it from childhood up, so we can't blame it all on glossy magazines. I don't think anyone would deny that it's a huge advantage being attractive ('nearly' all of the time) so it's hardly any wonder we desire it. Which leads to the question, what is beautiful? Our perception of beauty can depend on our culture. Some cultures persive a fuller (plump, even fat) figure to be more desirable. Leonardo da Vinci studied human proportions and came up the ‘Vitruvian Man’ as an ‘Ideal’ of body proportions. There have been countless studies into what makes the ideal ‘beautiful’ face including mathematical equations and ‘Eurasian’ a mixed race highbred of perfection. Rather than go into great depth I think it’s safe to say we all ‘know it when we see it’. The point is that someone could never fit that mark because they simply don’t exist, their not real. You would never believe the amount of ‘touching up’ that’s done on photos in tabloid newspapers let alone fashion magazines. We spend so much energy trying to keep up with fashion and not just cloths, our bodies are just as much victims of fashion. Film stars are now re-writing the rulebook with there Size 0 clothes (no the 0 isn’t a mistake) and Eva Longoria is a size 00. It’s been written that ‘0 is the new size 8’ that’s more than unhealthy its dangerous but I’d imagine that in Hollywood you’ll soon be perceived as fat if you’re a 6. It’s ridiculous but that perception it will undoubtedly filter down to Jo pubic just the same as the style of cloths on their backs. I was shocked to see a programme called ‘Extreme Makeover’ where women with low self-esteem and a belly or buckteeth are given every cosmetic ‘enhancement’ under the sun and changed to the degree of being unrecognisable (I’m thinking a bike, brace and some counciling would of sorted that). My fear is that as these type of treatments become more and more accessible, by the time I have kids your going to be the ‘odd one out’ if you’ve got real boobs and your own teeth. Don’t get me wrong I believe you should look after your body, you’ve only got the one (at the moment) so exercise, eat healthy food etc. that’s common sense but if we don’t want our children to live in a world where everything is fake then we all need to love our bodies a little more and look a little further than skin deep (in ourselves and in others) we should (in my opinion) be using Jesus (even Martian L King or someone who has actually done something would be a huge step up) as our ideal not Paris Hilton – and stop buying those flipping magazines!

Alter your perception

One in a million

2006-10-20T09:54:00.001+01:00

To the best brother-in-law in the world. Happy birthday Lee, hope you have a fab day.

Air mail

2006-10-19T09:01:00.000+01:00

Yay, I got a postcard from Debbie today (can't think why she got me a card with a frog on it, lol). I think it got muddled in the post because mum and dad got theirs ages ago. It says:

Hey babe, we have just got back from Darwin having done a 3 day, top end tour of Oz. Went to Kakado National Park and saw loads of Crocs and great Aboriginal art. Also went to Edith Falls, swimming was great. Going to Ayers Rock tomorrow before heading to Perth on the West Coast. Miss you tons, lov you honey. Debbie xxx

We all miss you tones too, especially me. Kitchins going well now and managed to muddle through without a plumber so far (no flood, fingers crossed). I see your on your way to Bangkok tomorrow. Hope you have an amazing time. Wish I was there with you. lov you tons Richard xxx

Holidays are coming

2006-10-18T12:41:00.000+01:00

Somebody at work yesterday mentioned Christmas is only 9 weeks away. It’s shocking how quickly things come around, so rather than be my usually unorganised mess I thought I’d turn over a new leaf (before it drops off) and sort out what I’m going to be doing now.

Firstly, All Saints’ Eve (that’s All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween to you heathens, lol) is almost upon us and I was wondering if anyone had anything planned. If not would anyone be interested in coming to a fancy dress Barbecue at mine? I am thinking that Saturday 4th November would be the most appropriate weekend.

Secondly, I’ve had a tradition for a long-long time to go to St Paul’s on Christmas Eve for midnight mass. It’s not a particularly riveting service though it does help remind me of what it’s all about, something that’s easily lost in the ever-lengthening run up to Christmas. I also quite enjoy singing a few carols once a year. I thought it would be nice if this year we meet down a Pub and those how wish to continue to Church can go and those who would rather get an early night can wonder off when they feel the need.

And last but not least New Years Eve, this is an event I often overlook and therefore rarely do anything pre-planned. I think it would be good if this year we sorted something out, even if it’s just meeting down the Pub for a few pints and a laugh. It’s always good to have something to look forward to don’t you agree…

Dying to get in

2006-10-16T17:41:00.000+01:00

The manager of an apartment house was surprised to find the legs of a corpse sticking out an apartment window. Police entered the apartment and found the deceased man's head soaking in a sink full of hot water.
Apparently the out-of-work Austrian had returned home after a night of drinking and drugs. He decided to slip in through the kitchen window. The window was fixed at the base and tilted out, giving him just enough room to squeeze his head through as far as the sink before he got stuck. While flailing around trying to escape, he turned on the hot water tap.
Police were not sure why he had not turned off the water, pulled the plug, or--perhaps most important--entered through the front door, since they found the keys in his pants pocket.
(26 May 2004, Wolfsberg, Austria)

Beyond the Horizon (making monkeys out of men)

2006-10-11T20:43:00.000+01:00

Many of you may of seen last nights episode of Horizon ‘Chimps are humans too’ which prodictably drove (‘I woke up this morning and decided’) along a predetermined path towards 'proving' (not) in any way possible (regardless of common sense, let alone science) that Chimps should be classed as human. Comparing fully grown Chimps to babies, mentally disabled and the clinically insane is not a good benchmark. Nor is throwing around %’s through the whole programme, like saying that they have a 99.4% DNA match. I found that it there are differnt results - ‘Dr Wildman's team found that chimps and humans are 99.4% similar, other researchers last year put the similarity at around 95%; the figure you get depends on precisely which genetic differences you look at’. There was even a scientist in that programme that said "well all this shows is what a huge difference a tiny amount of DNA can make" and something like: "some DNA controls what other DNA does, may be the different DNA is control DNA?"
Did you now we have 46 chromosomes and chimps have 48, sound pretty close I make it 95.8%. That’s pretty close until I tell you a Potato has 48 chromosomes does that make us 95.8% Potato? Cannibal!
Other examples they use to justify so called Humanness included:
‘They are anatomically similar’ – didn’t say much about the differences like there feet
‘They use tools’ – Sea Otters use stones to break through shells open shells, Dolphins use sea sponges to protect there snouts when foraging for food on the sea bed, load of birds use tools including South American Macaw that actually fashions pieces of wood and hold them in there beak to open pine nuts. Elephants break off branches and use them to swat flies.
‘They have culture’ – ‘while it's difficult to study dolphins and whales closely in the wild, some biologists suspect that cetaceans rival chimpanzees when it comes to culture’.
They can perform human tasks – mimicking human behaviour doesn’t make you human I can mimic a dog. You can teach a dog to fetch, speech (bark), sniff drugs out, attack, guide you around (guide dog) ect.
‘They have language’ Do they though? (not to be confused with communication) - You can teach a parrot to speak any words. Most animals have some form of communication. Bees have a very complex communication so do Marine Mammals. But non have ‘language’
The following properties of human language have been argued to separate it from animal communication:
'Arbitrariness:' There is no rational relationship between a sound or sign and its meaning (There is nothing "housy" about a house.) 'Cultural transmission:' Language is passed from one language user to the next, consciously or unconsciously.
'Discreteness:' Language is composed of discrete units that are used in combination to create meaning.
'Displacement:' Languages can be used to communicate ideas about things that are not in the immediate vicinity either spatially or temporally.
'Duality:' Language works on two levels at once, a surface level and a semantic (meaningful) level.
'Metalinguistics:' Ability to discuss language itself.
'Productivity:' A finite number of units can be used to create an infinite number of utterances.

The programme simply proves that Chimp and Human bodies share some ‘design’ characteristics and that many animals are far cleverer than people think. The thing that really peeves me is that this sort of programme yet again reinforces the ‘mater-to-man’ theory that 99.4% (do you like the irony) of people outside the scientific community take as fact.

Sources include: BBC, Natonal Geographic, Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Watch a Crow make a tool
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Another near miss

2006-10-10T09:28:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I think I have a target painted on my car. I don't know how I managed to avoid this one but I'm so happy my lovely car wasn't totaled. I was so relieved that we didn't crash that I was extremely polite to the other driver. The worrying thing was that when I pulled over to speak to the Elderly Indian Gentleman he seemed not to have grasped the concept of giving way to the right! Watch out, it could be you next!
(he drove a bright green Ford CA - I've shown it as the red car in the pic as my car's green too).

Birthday Girl

2006-10-09T22:40:00.000+01:00

Had another busy day, Photography meeting at work went well. Then round the flat for a bit more tiling. Bit risky using one of those circular saw type cutters out side the back door it the dark. Had a bit of a dilemma whether to see better and risk getting chips in my eye's or whether or to wear sunglasses and risk shorting the length of my fingers. Opted for the latter and got away with it this time (praise God). Debbie rang today (Yahoo!). Tried to ring her all weekend through one of those cheap international numbers, not much good if you ask me, kept getting cut off after about 30 seconds though knowing me I was probably doing something wrong. I mean how hard can it be to make a poxy phone call? Oh well all is well now, and I found out where they hide the corkscrew, in a cupboard above the cooker. Why there I ask myself (secretly think it is a conspiracy to keep me out of there wine rack - resistance is futile) though I know they're entitled to do with it what they want.
Worked out that they've got didgi TV on the computer which I'm ecstatic about as I've managed to somehow render the didgi box on the tele inoperable (surprise-not). Watched Birthday Girl tonight, really good film. Not an Oscar winner in any way but the kind of film that I love (though I love loads of types of films, they just have different things to offer). You know, boy meets girl, bit of turmoil, things go Pete Tong and you think 'Oh no!' there doomed (well at least you pretend to yourself and play along) but some how everything works out and they live happily ever after, (with the added bonus of 'Nicole-the-gorgeous-Kidman' thrown in for good measure) nice bit of escapism. Got to go now trying to watch a Korean war film called Brotherhood - gruesome...

Birthday Girl Page

Clip of the month

2006-10-09T17:56:00.000+01:00

Super Colossal clip
Super Colossal music video

Quote of the month

2006-10-09T10:38:00.001+01:00

"Oh God no, I couldn't stand it! I'd go mad or sane. I don't know which." - Rosaleen Norton 1952
(When asked whether she ever considered leading an ordinary life)

A bit down under

2006-10-07T01:00:00.001+01:00

Umm, yes another interesting evening. Kind of opted out of DIY for some R&R. Even that was a saga. ‘Bloody hell’ where’s the cork screw! I mean all I wanted was a nice quite evo with a glass (or four) of nice, lovely, juicy red wine (Only £7 for two at your local BP Garage, I couldn’t bring myself to raid Robin’s reserves ‘yet’) but what I got was a shower of crimson stain as I forced the cork into the bottle. I must sound like a complete wining Muppet (believe me I’m not) but nothing is ever straightforward in this life. May be that’s why I long for the next, though in some ways that’s what I love about this one, it’s so unpredictable, exciting, risky, dangerous, addictive (Debbie I miss you x) **** I’ve just knocked the bottle over, (no lie) I’m dead Ahh, (5 mins of frantic cleaning) Why do I feel that was slightly predictable? I mean if I knew it was going to happen I wouldn’t of planted it on the floor (on a make shift caster, post-it note mind) Yet I sense ‘de ja vo’ (I’m dreadful at English so don’t expect correct French). I’ve done a bloody good job of cleaning the cream carpet if I say so myself, though I may have to delete this line as it’s kind of a smoking gun. Anyway this wine is bloody good (still got another bottle though I’m actually struggling to see the screen as it is). I tried to call my ‘Boo’ this morning but no joy, and as the postcard hasn’t materialised yet I thought I’d cheer myself up with some Aussie thoughts.

Ok for starters if Australia is so great why are all the Aussies working in Bars over here? Let’s look at the facts:

* ‘ALCOHOL!‘- It has been reported that the first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per head of population than any other community in the history of mankind.
*Sir John Robertson, five times premier of New South Wales, drank a pint of rum every morning for 35 years. Later said 'none of the men who have left footprints in this country have been cold water men.
* In 1954, Bob Hawke was immortalised by the Guinness Book of Records for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Bob later became the Prime Minister of Australia.
*Australia is the smallest, flattest, and ‘DRIEST! ‘, inhabited continent in the world. It is the only country, which is also a whole continent. (Umm I’m seeing a theme. It’s suddenly dawned on me why Debbie’s such a fan (tong in cheek… or neck in rope!).

I’m not being funny but why is it that everything that moves in Australia is a killer?

*The male platypus has a poisonous spine that can kill a dog and inflict immense pain on a human.
* The box jellyfish is considered the world's most venomous marine creature. The box jellyfish has killed more people in Australia than stonefish, sharks and crocodiles (stingrays :( poor Steve) combined. R>*The Sydney Funnel web spider is considered the world's most deadly spider. It is the only spider that has killed people in less than 2 hours. Its fangs are powerful enough to bite through gloves and fingernails (Debbie once said she had a Redback in the shower, apparently this doesn't mean that the water was too hot, but that she narrowly escaped being killed by a deadly spider).
The Fierce Snake or Inland Taipan has the most toxic venom of any snake. Maximum yield recorded (for one bite) is 110mg. That would probably be enough to kill over 100 people or 250,000 mice, (and we moan about daddy-long-legs and the odd rain cloud).

Mind you it does have it's upside, people are so pre-occupied with avoiding the wildlife that crime is 400% lower than in the US. Or is that more down to CANNABIS?

*Cannabis arrests- In 1999, 46,000 Australians were arrested for possession or use of Cannabis.
*Cannabis use - It is estimated that 50% of Australians aged 14-19 are active users of Cannabis.
*Cannabis industry - The sale of illegal cannabis industry constitutes 1 percent of Australia's GDP and is twice the size of the Australian wine industry.

There’s defiantly a bit of course and effect going on here:

* Swimming - In 1838 it was declared illegal to swim at public beaches during the day! This law was enforced until 1902.
Dawn Fraser is the only athlete to ever win gold in the same event at three consecutive Olympics. At the 1964 Olympics, Dawn Fraser marched in the opening ceremony and wore a custom made swimsuit. For these breaches of protocol, the Australian Swimming Federation banned her from competition for ten years (a bit harsh one thinks).
Susie Maroney is a swimmer who from time to time feels inclined to swim long distances - such as Cuba to Florida (yeh, cos she can’t swim in Aus even though there’s 36,735km of coastline and if she did she’d get skewered, stung or eaten, and if she survived that they’d through her in jail!).

I mean if 70% of the population choose to live in the 10 largest cities, then it's safe to prosume they must be the best bits those cities are:
(only 1% are of Aboriginal descent, probably because most of them came to there senses long ago and buggered off to pastures green)

Sydney - Australia's first and largest city. Also known as Sin City. Wanted to be Capital of Australia but its convict stigma counted against it.
Melbourne - Wanted to be the Capital of Australia on the basis that it was the home to the Australian establishment and was not founded by Convicts. (Founded by John Batman; son of a Convict)
Canberra - Because Sydney and Melbourne kept bickering over which city should be the capital of Australia, it was decided that neither of them would be capital and instead, a new capital would be built in the middle of them both (I like that logic).
Hobart - Australia's second oldest city. The too-frequent visits by French explorers concerned the British authorities and in 1803 it was decided that a colony should be established on the island to secure British territorial claims. Convicts were then sent.
Newcastle - Newcastle's coal deposits were discovered by a party hunting escaped Convicts. Sydney's difficult Convicts were then sent to Newcastle to mine the coal. Known as an egalitarian city where miners and winemakers share a beer or a fine drop.
Adelaide - Claim to fame is that it is a City that has lots of Churches. Adelaide is the Capital of the only Australian state never to have received Convicts. Is universally recognised as a hole (they must of miss spelt whole).
Perth - The last Australian state to receive convicts. It has been said most of them now work in parliament or business.
Brisbane - In 1824, a southern state governor sent a party of difficult Convicts to found a new settlement in Queensland. These days, southern state children send their difficult parents to Queensland to retire. Also a Mecca for Southern State teenagers, who upon finishing school, l head north for a week of booze and debauchery (sounds like the new Bournmouth).

Yeh, yeh I'm well awear that I’m jealous my Fiancée is scooting around the four corners of the glob while I’m stuck here bashing incoherent gobbledegook into a keyboard, but it passes time and heck my glass suddenly feels half full... O' it is…

All for One

2006-10-06T09:43:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Greg and Rachael for their first child Layla. Born on Sunday with the assistance of Gas and Air (no I wasn’t referring to Greg or Rachael though they may of had something to do with it) Layla entered our world for the first time. Getting off to less than perfect start when you have a 'Martin' for a dad means she’s going to need all the help she can get (only joshing). I’m really looking forward to meeting your little bundle of joy and I’ll be praying that God would protect her and bless her with a happy and fulfilling life…

Hell's kitchin

2006-10-05T19:37:00.000+01:00

Well I've been up to my neck fitting a new Kitchen for the past week, and I've had enough already. Working a full day then having to 'DIY' all evening is taking it's toll. I keep running into problems, I can't get the flaming taps unscrewed and even if I could the stop cock doesn't work so that would spell disaster. Ho Hum (as Debbie would say). I've decided that plumbing is best left to the professionals, because the last thing (Bob and Hazel down below wouldn't be best pleased) we all need is a flood. O’well I feel like I've started to make a bit of headway, as most of the cupboards are up and I've made a start on the tiling. Though unfortunately I’ve inherited a kitchen that's tiled from floor to ceiling with tiles of the William Morris era (those of you who have made it round to my humble abode will know what I'm talking about) and thus am forced to retile the entire kitchen. Now you have to understand I find tiling a daunting job at the best of times and I just know it's going to be an epic challenge and one I'm not savouring. Anyhow it‘ll all be worth it when it’s done, only 4 weeks till Debbie’s back from Australia (miss you x) and I promised her it would be finished (no pressure then) note to self – never make promises…

First Post

2006-10-05T11:08:00.000+01:00

Jonny had a brain wave (his bright like that!) and thought of a fab way to keep in tough with loads of people with the minimum of effort (minimal is always good). So as my phone is out of action I thought it would be a good opportunity to join in the hyper test fun. Well I guess here it goes...

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