Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 116
May 8, 2010
The MADs.... (we must be!)
Fed up with the election?
Unable to work out why they're STILL showing 'election specials' when nothing much seems to be happening? Frustrated by the fact that a handful of votes makes such a huge difference to the number of seats? Bemused by the fact that the beeb still sends reporters with umbrellas to stand outside 10 Downing Street?
Me, too. What we need is...
The MADs - which stands for 'Mums and Dads' - is sponsored by Butlins and celebrates the best in UK parent blogging. And it's...
Unable to work out why they're STILL showing 'election specials' when nothing much seems to be happening? Frustrated by the fact that a handful of votes makes such a huge difference to the number of seats? Bemused by the fact that the beeb still sends reporters with umbrellas to stand outside 10 Downing Street?
Me, too. What we need is...
The MADs - which stands for 'Mums and Dads' - is sponsored by Butlins and celebrates the best in UK parent blogging. And it's...
May 6, 2010
How to...
... write an e-course* whilst looking after a toddler:
*for e-course substitute book, blog-post, article, or shopping list as appropriate
*for e-course substitute book, blog-post, article, or shopping list as appropriate
May 5, 2010
Ready, Steady... Write!
Well, it's the start of term and here's lesson one of the creative writing e-course. You can hear the squeak of brand-new school shoes in the corridor, cut your finger on the crisp white shirts and smell the unmistakable aroma of new pencil cases. Or is that just me? Old habits die hard I suppose, and I have tried to bring a little of my educational experience to bear in writing the course. But don't worry - as already stated, homework will be optional and no one will get sent to the Headmast...
May 1, 2010
It's the National Dottery Draw
You've got to be in it to win it!
OK So this is The Dotterel's Dad aka Appaddict21 posting on his behalf. He was half way through recording the numbers of the lucky winners when both his phone line and internet connection went down (c'est la vie!). So Dad came to the rescue - with apologies for lack of words from The Dotterel and a brief explanation that the numbers drawn by Charlie relate to the corresponding comment on the relevant post - so there we are!
OK So this is The Dotterel's Dad aka Appaddict21 posting on his behalf. He was half way through recording the numbers of the lucky winners when both his phone line and internet connection went down (c'est la vie!). So Dad came to the rescue - with apologies for lack of words from The Dotterel and a brief explanation that the numbers drawn by Charlie relate to the corresponding comment on the relevant post - so there we are!
April 29, 2010
The potato story
No, not that potato story... We all know that they were discovered first by Sir Francis Drake. You didn't think that it was Walter Raleigh did you? Oh no! You see, Sir Francis stopped off in Columbia in 1586 after another run in with the Spanish Armada. He needed to collect provisions for the journey home, and one such was a bundle of potato tubers. The rest, as they say, is history and had nothing whatever to do with Walter Raleigh! Besides, the term 'discovery' is a bit misleading when you ...
April 27, 2010
Creative Writing
From tiny acorns, eh?
Earlier today a fellow-blogger had some bad news: a creative writing course that she'd signed up for had been cancelled. I was disappointed for her, and slightly disbelieving at the stated reason - lack of interest. This was a free course, run in the community and accessible to all. There were no barriers to enrollment, no qualifications necessary, no grade to make apart from the single quality of enthusiasm. And enthusiasm for one of the fastest growing areas of educat...
Earlier today a fellow-blogger had some bad news: a creative writing course that she'd signed up for had been cancelled. I was disappointed for her, and slightly disbelieving at the stated reason - lack of interest. This was a free course, run in the community and accessible to all. There were no barriers to enrollment, no qualifications necessary, no grade to make apart from the single quality of enthusiasm. And enthusiasm for one of the fastest growing areas of educat...
April 25, 2010
The Leaders' Debate
So, who's your money on? Mr Macaroon? Mr Brooon? Or Mr Nice Leg? No idea what I'm talking about? Well have a look at this...
Brilliant, isn't it? And equally brilliant are the DVDs produced by nowyouknowabout.com, featuring famous artists, scientists and explorers AND I've got one of each to give away to three lucky blog readers! All you have to do is leave a comment.... no, too easy. All you have to do is answer this simple question: which famous explorer also gives his name to not one, bu...
Brilliant, isn't it? And equally brilliant are the DVDs produced by nowyouknowabout.com, featuring famous artists, scientists and explorers AND I've got one of each to give away to three lucky blog readers! All you have to do is leave a comment.... no, too easy. All you have to do is answer this simple question: which famous explorer also gives his name to not one, bu...
April 23, 2010
Parents' Evening
No, not the Friday night 'kick-your-shoes-off-lie-on-the-sofa-never-mind-the-glass-give-me-the-bottle' evening once the kids are safely tucked up in their little beds. And not that kind of parent's evening either, Heather. Do behave yourself! No, I mean the one where you go along - by appointment - to your child's school and sit on a too-small chair and nod and smile (or groan and grimace) while a teacher tells you how your child is doing, what level they've been working at and whether their ...
April 20, 2010
Amazing Babies Giveaway
I've been asked to mention the new range of titles in the 'Amazing Babies' series by Templar Books, and although Charlie's now a little too old to appreciate them, I jumped at the chance. These best-selling books for babies from 3 to 24 months reflect the key developmental milestones in a baby's life, and use a combination of text, images and novelty to make them both fun to read and stimulating. The new titles are Baby Face! Baa Baa Black Sheep! Black and White! and Move it! and there will a...
April 18, 2010
Dumb and Dumbo
Blu-ray, eh? And HD? What's all the fuss about?
I must say I've been distinctly underwhelmed by all the hoo-ha over HD-ready TV and the super-duper blu-ray DVD extravaganza. But then, I still watch videos. And on Betamax. (No, only joking! They're VHS!)
On my old cathode ray-tube steam-powered telly, the picture's always pin-sharp anyway. My theory is that the need for HD/Blu-ray only becomes apparent when you upgrade to a cinema-size plasma flat-screen TV when the 'normal' stuff begins to ...
I must say I've been distinctly underwhelmed by all the hoo-ha over HD-ready TV and the super-duper blu-ray DVD extravaganza. But then, I still watch videos. And on Betamax. (No, only joking! They're VHS!)
On my old cathode ray-tube steam-powered telly, the picture's always pin-sharp anyway. My theory is that the need for HD/Blu-ray only becomes apparent when you upgrade to a cinema-size plasma flat-screen TV when the 'normal' stuff begins to ...
