Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 72
January 30, 2013
I don't like cricket..
I love it. Soon be the cricket season, won't it? Now there's a thought to cheer up a January morning...
January 29, 2013
Bad news!
Turn off that TV!
Seriously. I don't care if it IS only the news. In fact, the news is the worst. Especially if it's bad. Because there would appear to be a correlation between bad news on the telly and the number of calories we crave. Scientists think there might be an evolutionary reason for it. Not 'eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die' as much as stuff your face while you can, there's trouble ahead.
The full study is entitled Life History Strategy, Food Choice, and Caloric Consumption and you can read it by clicking that link. And I think it's fascinating, partly because I think it might go some way to explain a lot of obesity mysteries, such as last week's contentious report that obesity and poverty and inextricably linked. I'd like to go further than the authors - Juliano Laran and Anthony Salerno of the University of Miami - and postulate that sitting on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle might make you fatter. But it's go nothing to do with sofa. It's the endless parade of misery-porn that does it.
Seriously. I don't care if it IS only the news. In fact, the news is the worst. Especially if it's bad. Because there would appear to be a correlation between bad news on the telly and the number of calories we crave. Scientists think there might be an evolutionary reason for it. Not 'eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die' as much as stuff your face while you can, there's trouble ahead.
The full study is entitled Life History Strategy, Food Choice, and Caloric Consumption and you can read it by clicking that link. And I think it's fascinating, partly because I think it might go some way to explain a lot of obesity mysteries, such as last week's contentious report that obesity and poverty and inextricably linked. I'd like to go further than the authors - Juliano Laran and Anthony Salerno of the University of Miami - and postulate that sitting on the sofa watching Jeremy Kyle might make you fatter. But it's go nothing to do with sofa. It's the endless parade of misery-porn that does it.
January 27, 2013
Site Review: Achica
I've been asked to write a post about Achica - The Members-Only luxury Lifestyle Store - and given a bit of pocket money to spend there too. So what am I going to tell you? That's it's another online store filled with lovelies that you probably didn't know you needed? That it's a great place to browse for present-buying inspiration? That Achica Homeware in particular will have you drooling. Or that it's special offers are a bargain?
Well, I could say that of course because as far as I can tell it's all true but instead I'm going to tell you what I like most about the site, and it's this: the sales.
Yes, sales.
I have a love-hate relationship with sales. Of course I love a bargain (who doesn't) and in the past I've got several through the medium of some judicious sales shopping. But increasingly, when going to 'The Sales' (that is, those in real shops on High Streets) I'm left disappointed and frustrated. There's nothing at all worth buying; worse, the stuff with the magic 'sale' stickers all seems to be sub-standard trash brought in specially for the occasion, rather than the real stuff on the rails that they're normally selling. Besides, negotiating the sales with a pushchair is a nightmare.
What I need is a sale brought to my door, daily, with different stuff all of which is quality worth buying. Which is where the continuous, rolling sales on Achica have the advantage. For a start, they're delivered daily to you inbox. (You sign up so this can happen, but it's free.) Next, if you don't like what's on offer you don't have to worry - like buses, there'll be another one along shortly - tomorrow, to be precise, with a different range of special offers on some top notch stuff. It's like wandering on-line round a top-notch department store and watching the staff put red 'sale' sticker on different items every day. Here's just a moment's cherry-picking from today's selection:
Chasseur French Cast Iron 26Cm Square Grill Pan, Claret £75.00 £37.50
Izziwotnot Bailey Cot Top Changer - Mahogany £79.00 £49.00
See what I mean?
Sign up and see if you can bag yourself a bargain!
Well, I could say that of course because as far as I can tell it's all true but instead I'm going to tell you what I like most about the site, and it's this: the sales.
Yes, sales.
I have a love-hate relationship with sales. Of course I love a bargain (who doesn't) and in the past I've got several through the medium of some judicious sales shopping. But increasingly, when going to 'The Sales' (that is, those in real shops on High Streets) I'm left disappointed and frustrated. There's nothing at all worth buying; worse, the stuff with the magic 'sale' stickers all seems to be sub-standard trash brought in specially for the occasion, rather than the real stuff on the rails that they're normally selling. Besides, negotiating the sales with a pushchair is a nightmare.
What I need is a sale brought to my door, daily, with different stuff all of which is quality worth buying. Which is where the continuous, rolling sales on Achica have the advantage. For a start, they're delivered daily to you inbox. (You sign up so this can happen, but it's free.) Next, if you don't like what's on offer you don't have to worry - like buses, there'll be another one along shortly - tomorrow, to be precise, with a different range of special offers on some top notch stuff. It's like wandering on-line round a top-notch department store and watching the staff put red 'sale' sticker on different items every day. Here's just a moment's cherry-picking from today's selection:
Chasseur French Cast Iron 26Cm Square Grill Pan, Claret £75.00 £37.50
Izziwotnot Bailey Cot Top Changer - Mahogany £79.00 £49.00
See what I mean?
Sign up and see if you can bag yourself a bargain!
January 24, 2013
We're Big, We're Bad, We're Stay-at-Home Dads!
Really big! Well, for us. (And you know what we're like...)
Because according to the latest employment figures, 10% of the nation's childcare is now done by men - dads, that is - while mum goes out to work. That's 227,000 in old money. And while some are doing it reluctantly for reasons like redundancy, others are embracing it as a positive lifestyle choice best-suited to the circumstances of their family.
As I did, five years ago.
But the really big news, according to the Wall Street Journal, is that 'Mr Mom' is dead; we dads now have the confidence and skills to do it our way. (Which doesn't need to resemble the scarier moments of Three Men and a Baby either!) The new breed of stay-at-home dad 'puts a distinctly masculine stamp on child-rearing and home life' says columnist Sue Shellenbarger.
She goes on: 'At-home dads aren't trying to be perfect moms, says a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Instead, they take pride in letting their children take more risks on the playground, compared with their spouses. They tend to jettison daily routines in favor of spontaneous adventures with the kids. And many use technology or DIY skills to squeeze household budgets, or find shortcuts through projects and chores, says the study...'
Of course, not everything is hunky-dory in house-husband land. Some dads feel emasculated adopting a role still traditionally thought of as women's work. I once took part in a TV debate with a dad who thought like that, and was so depressed about the whole stay-at-home experience he went back to work as soon as he could.
In my case though, I'm happy and even happier not to be in such a tiny (almost invisible) minority. I'm not saying everything in the garden is rosy. The money's rubbish, but it's still a real privilege being a hands-on parent for so long. There are some things money can't buy and childhood's one of them.
And we're lucky. With a bit of belt-tightening we can manage on one salary and I've never been the kind of bloke to feel defined by my occupation. I don't mind being a 'kept' man; that old-fashioned macho pride thing wouldn't last long in the mums-and-toddler groups anyway.
But what I like best of all out of today's news is the fact that, when they start school and I go back to work I'll be able to singalonga ol' blue eyes himself and say...
I might not have been the best, I might have need more rest and in five years I never did get round to doing the dusting but...
I did it my way!
Because according to the latest employment figures, 10% of the nation's childcare is now done by men - dads, that is - while mum goes out to work. That's 227,000 in old money. And while some are doing it reluctantly for reasons like redundancy, others are embracing it as a positive lifestyle choice best-suited to the circumstances of their family.
As I did, five years ago.
But the really big news, according to the Wall Street Journal, is that 'Mr Mom' is dead; we dads now have the confidence and skills to do it our way. (Which doesn't need to resemble the scarier moments of Three Men and a Baby either!) The new breed of stay-at-home dad 'puts a distinctly masculine stamp on child-rearing and home life' says columnist Sue Shellenbarger.
She goes on: 'At-home dads aren't trying to be perfect moms, says a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Instead, they take pride in letting their children take more risks on the playground, compared with their spouses. They tend to jettison daily routines in favor of spontaneous adventures with the kids. And many use technology or DIY skills to squeeze household budgets, or find shortcuts through projects and chores, says the study...'
Of course, not everything is hunky-dory in house-husband land. Some dads feel emasculated adopting a role still traditionally thought of as women's work. I once took part in a TV debate with a dad who thought like that, and was so depressed about the whole stay-at-home experience he went back to work as soon as he could.
In my case though, I'm happy and even happier not to be in such a tiny (almost invisible) minority. I'm not saying everything in the garden is rosy. The money's rubbish, but it's still a real privilege being a hands-on parent for so long. There are some things money can't buy and childhood's one of them.
And we're lucky. With a bit of belt-tightening we can manage on one salary and I've never been the kind of bloke to feel defined by my occupation. I don't mind being a 'kept' man; that old-fashioned macho pride thing wouldn't last long in the mums-and-toddler groups anyway.
But what I like best of all out of today's news is the fact that, when they start school and I go back to work I'll be able to singalonga ol' blue eyes himself and say...
I might not have been the best, I might have need more rest and in five years I never did get round to doing the dusting but...
I did it my way!
January 23, 2013
Wonderful, councillor!
I don't ask much of my district council. In ten years I've asked them for help about three times: once, to let me park outside my house; another time to arbitrate when the neighbours decided it was acceptable to keep six large dogs in a concrete yard no bigger than twenty metres square. And this week I asked if they might consider putting some grit down on the footpaths in the park. But on each occasion the answer has been a resounding... We'll think about it/we can't do it/we're not the right people for it/we are the people but we haven't the resources/what did you say you wanted?
I'm sure this accounts for my rather jaundiced view of local democracy. I've got nothing against local authorities per se. My father worked for one (for several, in fact) for years. Heck, I even worked for one myself once. And there are things about my local authority that are fine and dandy: the bins get emptied fortnightly, they cut the grass regularly and the flower displays are always very pretty.
But if I were of a paranoid disposition or writing a la Franz Kafka I think I'd be wondering if there's someone out there in town hall land whose job is to think up things specifically to annoy the local population. A Head of Irritating Everyone or a Director of Obstruction or something. Because in spite of all representations and in the face of every possible petition... 'puter says 'nah'.
No you can't have a residents parking permit. (The reasons for this ten-year-long piece of intransigence have ranged from 'all the other district councils have to want one at the same time' to the latest, 'we don't think there's a need for one'. This in spite of the fact that at least one district authority in the county - and hundreds elsewhere up and down the country - already have them and the fact that one of the first things I was asked to do when I moved here ten years ago was sign a petition asking for, thats right... a resident's parking scheme. No need for one indeed!)
No, we can't do anything about the smell and noise of a yard full of dogs (although, as the environmental health officer who visited told us, 'I wouldn't like to live next to it').
And no, we're not going to grit the footpaths in the park. We're going to do this instead...
I could do it myself; it would take me no more than an hour to shovel some grit on these footpaths. I WOULD do the job myself if they'd let me! And, of course, some might point out that I could put my money where this blog post is and stand for election to the council myself while I'm at it.
But to do that with a realistic prospect of success requires nailing your colours to a party mast and - IMHO - political ideology is one of the things that's wrong with local democracy. Too often it seems to lead to petty squabbles and tit-for-tat voting rather than serious consideration of the issues.
So in the meantime it's yah boo sucks to you, voters of Bostonshire. Because it's not getting any better.
I'm sure this accounts for my rather jaundiced view of local democracy. I've got nothing against local authorities per se. My father worked for one (for several, in fact) for years. Heck, I even worked for one myself once. And there are things about my local authority that are fine and dandy: the bins get emptied fortnightly, they cut the grass regularly and the flower displays are always very pretty.
But if I were of a paranoid disposition or writing a la Franz Kafka I think I'd be wondering if there's someone out there in town hall land whose job is to think up things specifically to annoy the local population. A Head of Irritating Everyone or a Director of Obstruction or something. Because in spite of all representations and in the face of every possible petition... 'puter says 'nah'.
No you can't have a residents parking permit. (The reasons for this ten-year-long piece of intransigence have ranged from 'all the other district councils have to want one at the same time' to the latest, 'we don't think there's a need for one'. This in spite of the fact that at least one district authority in the county - and hundreds elsewhere up and down the country - already have them and the fact that one of the first things I was asked to do when I moved here ten years ago was sign a petition asking for, thats right... a resident's parking scheme. No need for one indeed!)
No, we can't do anything about the smell and noise of a yard full of dogs (although, as the environmental health officer who visited told us, 'I wouldn't like to live next to it').
And no, we're not going to grit the footpaths in the park. We're going to do this instead...
I could do it myself; it would take me no more than an hour to shovel some grit on these footpaths. I WOULD do the job myself if they'd let me! And, of course, some might point out that I could put my money where this blog post is and stand for election to the council myself while I'm at it.
But to do that with a realistic prospect of success requires nailing your colours to a party mast and - IMHO - political ideology is one of the things that's wrong with local democracy. Too often it seems to lead to petty squabbles and tit-for-tat voting rather than serious consideration of the issues.
So in the meantime it's yah boo sucks to you, voters of Bostonshire. Because it's not getting any better.
January 21, 2013
Snow joke!
Amazing what you see on your way back from the school run. Here's BBC's Scott Dalton out and about in the snow and broadcasting - live - from an iPad, via Skype on 3G. The future of broadcasting...
January 20, 2013
Review: Britax Versafix car seat
The other day (before being made a laughably low offer for our existing car) I took the new Toyota Prius+ seven seater for a test drive. The logistics of doing such a thing with children, I need hardly tell you, is never easy. But surely the most difficult thing should be - should be - carrying your child's car seat from one vehicle (yours) to another. Not struggling to locate Isofix fittings that seem both less frequent and distributed entirely differently to those in your existing (Toyota, five years old) vehicle.
I had thought Isofix was the new and wonderful industry standard. I hadn't expected to find - where I had two connections - just a single, central seat fitting. Not on a new car by the same manufacturer.
In case you don't know, ISOFIX (now an international standard for child seats) was created by BRITAX in co-operation with VW in 1997. Research has shown that as little as 30% of car seats installed using a three point seatbelt anchoring are installed correctly compared to 96% using the ISOFIX system and the seat in question was the rather wonderful and plush new Britax Versafix, boasting:
Deep, softly padded side wings to ensure greater protection and comfort for your child
A cover that is quick removable and washable
A buckle that stays in the forward position so it is easy to put your child in the seat
Multiple recline positions for when your little one is sleeping
Lightweight and stylish design
Fortunately for me, the new Britax Versafix - designed especially for busy, two-car families - has three different fitting options: the Isofix bars, top tether anchorage points and a three-point seatbelt fitting for older cars - or baffling new ones like the Prius+!
The Versafix is suitable from 9 months to 4 years (or 9-18kgs), retails at £225 and is available in a range of colours. For more information and details of where to buy visit www.britax.co.uk or call 01264 386 034.
I had thought Isofix was the new and wonderful industry standard. I hadn't expected to find - where I had two connections - just a single, central seat fitting. Not on a new car by the same manufacturer.
In case you don't know, ISOFIX (now an international standard for child seats) was created by BRITAX in co-operation with VW in 1997. Research has shown that as little as 30% of car seats installed using a three point seatbelt anchoring are installed correctly compared to 96% using the ISOFIX system and the seat in question was the rather wonderful and plush new Britax Versafix, boasting:
Deep, softly padded side wings to ensure greater protection and comfort for your child
A cover that is quick removable and washable
A buckle that stays in the forward position so it is easy to put your child in the seat
Multiple recline positions for when your little one is sleeping
Lightweight and stylish design
Fortunately for me, the new Britax Versafix - designed especially for busy, two-car families - has three different fitting options: the Isofix bars, top tether anchorage points and a three-point seatbelt fitting for older cars - or baffling new ones like the Prius+!
The Versafix is suitable from 9 months to 4 years (or 9-18kgs), retails at £225 and is available in a range of colours. For more information and details of where to buy visit www.britax.co.uk or call 01264 386 034.
Win Milk by Michael Klim goodies
Finally, I have three set of these to give away courtesy of Boots. In each, there's a pack of Michael Klim Scrub and Cleanse wipes (a quick and simply method of transporting the modern day male from work to play!) plus a bottle of Michael Klim Moisturising Shave Milk (a unique formulation that is custom designed to give you the ultimate shave experience).
Please enter (via the comment box below).
After all, I've got a beard.
Review: Vax Air Mini pet 3
Not for the first time, today's guest post in by Dotterel senior. Before he begins, I should explain that the people over at Vax HQ have, in the course of the past twelve months, sent several of their vacuum cleaners for me to trial. So many, in fact, that as the delivery driver arrived the other day with the latest model he grumbled, 'don't have a lot of luck with these, d'you?'
Well, no. Or yes. Actually, I rather like vacuum-ing but there's only so much a man can do, so when Dotterel senior offered to try out the latest offering I jumped at the chance. Here's his report:
Those kind people at Vax sent this Air Mini pet 3 at a most appropriate time. I was just wondering how best to clean up all the mess on the stairs and landing after having taken down the Christmas decorations. You know what it's like, with flakes of artificial snow and bits of Tinsel everywhere!
My normal vacuum cleaner is an upright model (not ideal for staircase use) so I was pleased to try out this small cylinder model that looked just right for the job. I was not wrong as it did prove ideal and I was able to try out all the included tools. These comprise the main large cleaning head, a small power brush, crevice tool, small dusting tool suitable for curtain cleaning and another small brush. The tools enabled me to clean right up to the edge of the staircase and landing and do a really good job.
My only slight criticism concerns the mini power-brush attachment - it just didn't look right when attached to the end of the hose - it appeared to be set at the wrong angle and as it was flexible the angle couldn't be adjusted. However, I was wrong; appearances can be deceptive and I found that it was set just right for cleaning staircase treads - so one up to Vax.
Overall I was very impressed and pleased with the results but was left with just one puzzle. Included among the tools was a small plastic holder with a plastic clip that is clearly supposed to be a holder for two of the supplied tools. However, I could find nowhere on the body of the cleaner to clip it, and neither the brief 'getting started' guide (supplied) nor the rather more detailed 'on-line' manual were any help. So if anyone can give me a 'polite' suggestion of where to clip it I would be very pleased.
Thanks, dad. According to the blurb, the Vax Air Mini is '...our most powerful compact multi-cyclonic cylinder yet. Designed in Britain, it’s light and compact with 30% more suction power and 60% more capacity than the average multi-cyclonic cylinder.' And it can be had currently for just £120 direct from the Vax website.
Now all we need is 'polite' suggestions as to where dad can clip his holder.
Answers below...
Well, no. Or yes. Actually, I rather like vacuum-ing but there's only so much a man can do, so when Dotterel senior offered to try out the latest offering I jumped at the chance. Here's his report:
Those kind people at Vax sent this Air Mini pet 3 at a most appropriate time. I was just wondering how best to clean up all the mess on the stairs and landing after having taken down the Christmas decorations. You know what it's like, with flakes of artificial snow and bits of Tinsel everywhere!
My normal vacuum cleaner is an upright model (not ideal for staircase use) so I was pleased to try out this small cylinder model that looked just right for the job. I was not wrong as it did prove ideal and I was able to try out all the included tools. These comprise the main large cleaning head, a small power brush, crevice tool, small dusting tool suitable for curtain cleaning and another small brush. The tools enabled me to clean right up to the edge of the staircase and landing and do a really good job.
My only slight criticism concerns the mini power-brush attachment - it just didn't look right when attached to the end of the hose - it appeared to be set at the wrong angle and as it was flexible the angle couldn't be adjusted. However, I was wrong; appearances can be deceptive and I found that it was set just right for cleaning staircase treads - so one up to Vax.
Overall I was very impressed and pleased with the results but was left with just one puzzle. Included among the tools was a small plastic holder with a plastic clip that is clearly supposed to be a holder for two of the supplied tools. However, I could find nowhere on the body of the cleaner to clip it, and neither the brief 'getting started' guide (supplied) nor the rather more detailed 'on-line' manual were any help. So if anyone can give me a 'polite' suggestion of where to clip it I would be very pleased.
Thanks, dad. According to the blurb, the Vax Air Mini is '...our most powerful compact multi-cyclonic cylinder yet. Designed in Britain, it’s light and compact with 30% more suction power and 60% more capacity than the average multi-cyclonic cylinder.' And it can be had currently for just £120 direct from the Vax website.
Now all we need is 'polite' suggestions as to where dad can clip his holder.
Answers below...
January 17, 2013
Zip it!
Following my Daphne Oxenford post yesterday, I read that another lady to whom all fans of children's television are indebted, Violet Philpott, has died. She was the hand behind - and indeed, up - that iconic big-mouthed puppet, Zippy from ITV's Rainbow
Like Daphne Oxenford, she lived to a ripe old age so there must be something life-affirming and longevity-giving about working in children's television. I want a bit of that.
And I always had a soft spot for Zippy, too. He was a know-all, yes, and bossy. But he was an enthusiast. He had a 'can do' attitude, not least in respect to his own abilities. Not for him the shrinking timidity of that fey pink hippo George nor the bumbling incompetence of Bungle. (I think we'll leave Geoffrey out of this analysis.) Zippy wasn't always popular with his so-called friends but then, we've all been there haven't we?
So, to an amusing conversation with Charlie yesterday on the way to school.
Charlie: hmmm, I won't be able to play with Lief today.
Me: why not Charlie? And who is Lief anyway - a new boy? You haven't mentioned him before.
Charlie: no - Leaf. The leaf that I play with when nobody else will play with me.
Me: ???!
Charlie: yes, he'll be frozen to the ground today...
Poor leaf! Poor Charlie. Although the above was delivered matter-of-fact-ly and without any trace of self-pity.
But it's coming to something when your best friend is a leaf.
Still, creative.
And imaginative.
In fact, I'm quite impressed.
A leaf'll never let you down.
Well, unless it's covered by an inch of frozen snow and ice, that is.
Wonder who Charlie did play with yesterday?
