Priorities For Government

anonymous person magnifying view of coins shaped in world map

I had an e-mail recently from the Tories asking me what my top 3 priorities for this country are. I think I picked housing, deficit/debt and welfare.  I cannot remember for definite, it doesn’t really matter for this post. What amused me is that a Labour-voting friend then received something similar a week later:     ****, We are the party of the many. Ed Miliband and our whole team here are clear: our policies and vision for Britain must be grounded in the ideas, lives and views of as many Labour supporters as possible. As of now, that includes … Continued

Lower Inflation – When To Worry?

pink flamingo inflatable ring and green inflatable ring on swimming pool

So inflation has reduced again, now to 1.9%. Taken as good news – prices are therefore rising at a slightly lower rate than a month ago.  They may even soon be rising at less than wages are. But at what point does a reduction in inflation become bad news? Deflation has to be something for the Bank of England to cautiously watch for.  You may think deflation – falling prices – is a good thing. However, if prices are falling, consumers and firms put off purchases in the expectations that prices will fall further, and firms will then have to … Continued

To The One I Love Most In The World…

If I cannot treat the one I love most in the whole world today, when can I? Yes two Sirloin steaks for the bargain price of £4 all for myself. If you are a hot chick reading this, don’t even think about worming your way into my Valentine’s plans tonight, I wouldn’t even share them in exchange for a blow job. I did have a little love for those around me so I bought my colleagues some Love Hearts. And finally I treat myself to a very overpriced bit of heart-shaped chocolate with little bits on it that are all … Continued

The Detox

beer bottles in a night club

The aim is for all of February – no intoxicants, not even caffeine. Why the fuck am I doing a detox?  I used to be a proper party animal.  Friday to Sunday – Mango, after-party, pub breakfast, all day session, quick shower, Mango, after-party, Sunday lunch beers and finally to bed for a 14 hour sleep before work.  Always going out, always clubbing, always partying.  Granted I am too old and eminently sensible for that kind of regime now! I have come to the conclusion that after nearly 20 years of drinking every weekend, normally heavily (though less so in … Continued

The End Of The End Of The World Hole

Back in December 2012 when those wise scribes who believe everything on the internet, but nothing from the likes of government, scientists, etc, were predicting the end of the world I was convinced that nothing would happen. Imagine my shock the next day when I found this hole on a grass verge near where I live.  Clearly a lucky escape from some kind of meteorite. Or was it?  Were we doomed to some kind of poisonous radiation seeping into the atmosphere and sending the local residents crazy? It does seem now that the danger is over as Reading Council have … Continued

A Day In London With No Beer

I like to extend my birthday celebrations as long as possible, so 10 days after my actual birthday I headed to London to meet my sister.  Shoreditch, to be exact.  On day 2 of my detox, to be exact.  Much more sober than those asking me for money.  I don’t give to those begging on the street and certainly will not be contributing to their merriment if I am not allowed.  Rant over. First stop was a roast.  It was National Yorkshire Pudding Day so I had an extra Yorkshire Pudding and they were the best. I wanted to have … Continued

And Today’s Forecast Is…Embarrassing

people walking on the snow

I take every opportunity possible to ridicule the Daily Express for their sensationalist front page weather forecasts. So imagine my horror when I read this article on a local news website, quoting James Winfield, with the headline of: Get ready for the snow – up to 12 inches predicted for the Thames Valley. It stems from me posting a piece of model output which I thought I made clear was exceptionally unlikely, and it was to show the range of model outputs and why weather forecasting isn’t that easy. In hindsight I shouldn’t have posted it – I see why … Continued

(It Was) Happy Birthday To Me

So I turned 34.  No car, no mortgage, no wife, no children, no caravan but enjoying my life.  Up yours societal expectations! Having a birthday in January, a week before payday is arguably the worst time of the year to have one.  But I am slowly growing to appreciate it in my wanting to be different kind of way. I did want a few days off work but alas, circumstances didn’t turn out to allow it but I would only have been stuck at home by myself, and I work with nice people (I am not saying that just because … Continued

2014 Goals

soccer field surrounded by trees

So these are my goals for 2014. 1. A normal one to start – continue to do well at work.  I am hoping that there may be further opportunities seeing as we have just taken over a company 2-3 times our size.  I am happy in my job and would only move for a significant pay rise. 2. Studying.  I have much more to learn about Photoshop though at £27 a month I won’t be using it often!  I need to decide what else to learn in terms of web development later in the year – Javascript or PHP seem … Continued

Counting Calories

A while back I was taking the piss out of my housemate for scanning every single thing he ate to count calories.  Though I probably had a point as Kate Moss needs to lose more weight than he does. However I have finally succumbed to yet another layer of life administration after hearing further commendations to said calorie counting app – as beautiful as I may be, arguably I could do to lose a fair few kilograms (or lots of 2.2046226218 pounds for those of you still spending shillings). 2014 is the year that I will lose weight.  I have … Continued