Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 74
December 21, 2012
The end of the world... as we knew it!
Forget obscure Mayan prophesies; forget the apocalypse. Put down those binoculars and stop searching the horizon for four horseman ('you wait an eternity for one horseman of the apocalypse then four turn up at once') and listen to this:
In a matter of, oh... less than an hour the WORLD WILL END. It's happening now, right now, on BBC One. Hundreds of years (well, it seems like it) of this sort of thing...
...is about to vanish from BBC One forever. That's right: no more children's hour (or whatever they call it these days); no more Blue Peter; no more Newsround; no more Cuthbert, Dibble or Grub. (Especially not Grub.) Not on BBC One, anyway No more will the mainstream channels feed the stuff that we parents know backwards. It's over. The end is nigh. It's begun already.
And I, for one, am ever-so-slightly sorry.
In a matter of, oh... less than an hour the WORLD WILL END. It's happening now, right now, on BBC One. Hundreds of years (well, it seems like it) of this sort of thing...
...is about to vanish from BBC One forever. That's right: no more children's hour (or whatever they call it these days); no more Blue Peter; no more Newsround; no more Cuthbert, Dibble or Grub. (Especially not Grub.) Not on BBC One, anyway No more will the mainstream channels feed the stuff that we parents know backwards. It's over. The end is nigh. It's begun already.
And I, for one, am ever-so-slightly sorry.
Binatone Kidzstar eReader review
£34.99 (half price currently at Argos) doesn't seem too much to pay for reclaiming your iPad or Kindle or Nook HD or ASUS or whatever grown-up tablet device you might have bought in the mistaken belief that you were going to use it yourself.
And, of course, the good thing about a tech-savvy toddler is that they'll have almost any piece of kit out of the box and up and running while you're still signing for the delivery from the postman. So, what is it we were getting...
This Binatone Kidzstar eReader comes with a chunky rubber bumper (interchangeable if you want to try a different colour) which adds to its already robust appearance. The addition of some form of screen protection would be useful, though, as the 7 Inch Screen seems rather vulnerable in the presence of small children. The recommended minimum age for the device is three years although my almost two-year-old doesn't seem concerned about that.
It's a device that promises much (playing audiobooks, videos and music as well as displaying PDF, ePub, txt and a host of other docs as standard along with the ability to read a converted Kindle file). Not having touch screen capabilities (the device is controlled via buttons a bit like the original Kindle) could be considered a drawback although adding them would no doubt increase the price considerably. Like the LeapPad (reviewed here) downloads are managed via a USB connection on your PC (which also charges the unit's internal lithium-ion battery).
In short, if you're doing some late Christmas shopping, this might be last minute bargain worth considering.
December 19, 2012
O Tannenbaum
Is yours up yet? Ours is; has been for a couple of weeks, in fact. Here's a short film of the construction process made with a (loaned) filmed using a Panasonic HC-V500M HD Camcorder and complete with many a 'wow' and an excited squeal from a little girl...
December 17, 2012
What does Christmas mean to you?
That's what Becky at Baby Budgeting is asking. She's actually set it as a meme (remember them?) and although she's not tagged me, I thought I'd have a go. Becky's asking for a paragraph, too, but I can 'name that meme' in one word.
It was a word oft in evidence last night at the recording of the BBC Lincolnshire Carol Service in Boston Stump. It's a well-used word in choirs up and down the land from about mid-November. Last year, another choir I sing in (I know, I know - choral whore) recorded a selection of items defined by this word for use in the indie film Shadows of a Stranger as early as September! I never get fed up of them. I've recorded CDs of them; I've bought plenty more. Can you guess what the word is yet?
Of course you can. And that - in a small but perfectly formed little nutshell - is what Christmas means to me. Carols.
Of course, carols (like dogs) aren't just for Christmas. There are Advent carols ('tis the season for singing those at present), Easter carols, secular carols, sacred carols and mathematically-gifted Carols.
But it's the Christmas variety that I like the best. And they - and everything they say and the memories they evoke and the sentiments they express - are what Christmas means to me.
It was a word oft in evidence last night at the recording of the BBC Lincolnshire Carol Service in Boston Stump. It's a well-used word in choirs up and down the land from about mid-November. Last year, another choir I sing in (I know, I know - choral whore) recorded a selection of items defined by this word for use in the indie film Shadows of a Stranger as early as September! I never get fed up of them. I've recorded CDs of them; I've bought plenty more. Can you guess what the word is yet?
Of course you can. And that - in a small but perfectly formed little nutshell - is what Christmas means to me. Carols.
Of course, carols (like dogs) aren't just for Christmas. There are Advent carols ('tis the season for singing those at present), Easter carols, secular carols, sacred carols and mathematically-gifted Carols.
But it's the Christmas variety that I like the best. And they - and everything they say and the memories they evoke and the sentiments they express - are what Christmas means to me.
December 13, 2012
It's for yoo-hoo!
My daughter (the older of the two) is guest-posting today. And why not? Some time ago - at about the time she was taking a serious interest in mobile phones and I was getting seriously worried about the potential financial disaster it might spell, Tesco mobile got it touch about their new capped tariff. I wrote about it here. But then, I'm not the 'phone user. She is. So I thought it only fair that she should be allowed her say. Here it is..
5000 texts, 750 minutes and 500 MB data, all for £15.00 a month? Add a free Blackberry Curve into the mix and you have yourself a bargain! When in comparison with pay monthly tariffs offered by other networks, this fab offer by Tesco Mobile comes out right on top, and Tesco also offer a range of other small touches that really seal the deal!
One of Tesco Mobile’s bright ideas is the Capped Tariff option that they offer. This free scheme is perfect to prevent the unexpectedly huge phone bill we all dread at the end of the month! Free and easy to activate, the capped tariff reminds you when you are nearing the end of your included allowance, and simply prevents outgoing calls, texts or internet use when the allowance for any of these is used up. However, the Capped Tariff is easy to turn off, and if you find yourself out of allowance with some of the month left to go, simply follow instructions, top up, and keep talking!
Dont know how to finish?????
Never mind dear, you've done very well. Hasn't she everybody? And so has Tesco. She's happy, I'm happy, we're all happy. If you're launching one of your offspring into the world of mobile phone-owning this Christmas, this contract is well worth considering.
December 11, 2012
Get stewed...
...Books are a load of crap. So said Philip Larkin in his poem, A Study of Reading Habits. And he made his living - as a librarian - curating them.
But he'd have probably used an even more offensive expletive if he'd been subjected to the ever increasing pile of celebrity, ghost-written tat that arrives in time for Christmas and sells by the bucket load. While some Booker-nominated tomes sell as little as a couple of hundred copies, these heavy, tree-hungry volumes sell by the tonne.
Do people read them? Clearly most are bought as Christmas presents by people struggling for inspiration and given to those who probably need nothing. Just like the majority of Christmas presents then. George Monbiot writes a very pointed article about present buying in yesterday's Guardian. Read it before doing any more Christmas shopping. It could save you a fortune as well as help save the planet.
But don't read it before you've finished reading this, please. I've just a couple more things I want to say. The first is - please don't buy this book:
'You won't believe that's in this book' writes Jeremy Clarkson on the cover: 'I know I don't.' And I know I'm not on the 'A' list of book reviewers, but being sent the sleb memoirs of a fictional TV character is probably about as far down the list as it's possible to get.
Second, buy one of these instead. This one raises money for SANE:
Proceeds from this book go to Young Minds:
This one is still trying to raise a bit of cash for BBC Children in Need:
And these, dear reader, these raise a tiny weeny fraction of a penny for me...
Happy reading!
But he'd have probably used an even more offensive expletive if he'd been subjected to the ever increasing pile of celebrity, ghost-written tat that arrives in time for Christmas and sells by the bucket load. While some Booker-nominated tomes sell as little as a couple of hundred copies, these heavy, tree-hungry volumes sell by the tonne.
Do people read them? Clearly most are bought as Christmas presents by people struggling for inspiration and given to those who probably need nothing. Just like the majority of Christmas presents then. George Monbiot writes a very pointed article about present buying in yesterday's Guardian. Read it before doing any more Christmas shopping. It could save you a fortune as well as help save the planet.
But don't read it before you've finished reading this, please. I've just a couple more things I want to say. The first is - please don't buy this book:
'You won't believe that's in this book' writes Jeremy Clarkson on the cover: 'I know I don't.' And I know I'm not on the 'A' list of book reviewers, but being sent the sleb memoirs of a fictional TV character is probably about as far down the list as it's possible to get.
Second, buy one of these instead. This one raises money for SANE:
Proceeds from this book go to Young Minds:
This one is still trying to raise a bit of cash for BBC Children in Need:
And these, dear reader, these raise a tiny weeny fraction of a penny for me...
Happy reading!
December 9, 2012
Christmas gift guide, part 2
Today's post is by way of a supplement to the supplement, if you like. When I was compiling the Christmas gift guide a couple of weeks ago I was still waiting for certain online orders to complete. Now they have, it's time for me to tell you about...
Zalando
The multi-talented people at online retailer Zalando are currently offering everyone a chance to create a Christmas song to compete with their own take on 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' (which you can see here). Furthermore you can win a £250 Zalando voucher simply for sharing your best Christmas present ever, something which could certainly come in handy at this time of year.
Idealo
Idealo did get a mention in the last post. But it is worth mentioning again that their research suggests that we're approaching the optimum time to buy presents online. Their analysis of price-trends (and that's what they do - compare the price of products across a range of different sites to find the cheapest) last year suggested that it was up to 24% cheaper to buy online through Idealo in the week before Christmas than earlier in the month.
Flubit
A not dissimilar online buying service is now being offered by Flubit. In this case, you find the cheapest you can online, enter the details, and see if they can beat it. And they usually do. I tested them with a price I was convinced they couldn't even match but they not only matched it but smashed it. But hurry! The offers they create don't last forever: you have to act fast.
Stocking fillers, Santa and more...
Many people, of course, like to buy presents that do some good for those less fortunate. Making an ideal stocking filler, The Royal British Legion have just launched a 'colour me in' Nativity Scene priced at £9.99 and available from the http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/. It comes with 12 card figures, 1 card scene, 12 colouring pencils and 12 stands. And the money raised through the sale of the product goes to help forces families.
Of course, the kids might not be getting anything at all if they don't behave themselves. I must admit the mechanism whereby Santa kept a tally of our offspring's good (or bad) deeds has always been something of a mystery. I had no idea that the whole thing involved 'magic jars' until news of the Magic Jar App appeared in my inbox.
It's developer Steve Jones has this to say: 'Last Christmas I wanted to create something magical for my own two children, and came up with the idea that they had a secret magic jar which would fill up when they were well-behaved. So I quickly built an iPhone app to let them see their magic and how well they were doing. The phrase “daddy, can we check our magic” was the soundtrack to the holidays! My partner Lee Ellis and I decided to make it into a proper app this year for others to enjoy, and we get such a kick out of seeing parents and kids playing with it, making it part of their own Christmas story.'
Once the kids are in credit, they might have the courage to go online and find out what Santa's up to at the North Pole - all without leaving the comfort of your knee or armchair. Because - thanks to an outfit called Portable North Pole - you can access video, an interactive advent calendar or even take phone calls from Santa either on your PC or (via the app) on a mobile device. What's more, much of it is free. But if you want to buy some of the premium features you can get now get a ten per cent discount using this unique voucher code:
BLOG10BK
Another app launched this week is My Very First! Songs. Containing over 90 nursery rhymes with video, it's aimed at children of all ages - and is completely free. You can download it here
Finally, if you're doing any travelling over the festive period (and who isn't?) then you might want to consider asking Santa for one of these:
It's not strictly for you, of course, but will certainly make for a pleasant journey. And it's available from The Snugg.com at just £19.99 (currently down from £24.99).
All that remains is to find out how good you've been...
Zalando
The multi-talented people at online retailer Zalando are currently offering everyone a chance to create a Christmas song to compete with their own take on 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' (which you can see here). Furthermore you can win a £250 Zalando voucher simply for sharing your best Christmas present ever, something which could certainly come in handy at this time of year.
Idealo
Idealo did get a mention in the last post. But it is worth mentioning again that their research suggests that we're approaching the optimum time to buy presents online. Their analysis of price-trends (and that's what they do - compare the price of products across a range of different sites to find the cheapest) last year suggested that it was up to 24% cheaper to buy online through Idealo in the week before Christmas than earlier in the month.
Flubit
A not dissimilar online buying service is now being offered by Flubit. In this case, you find the cheapest you can online, enter the details, and see if they can beat it. And they usually do. I tested them with a price I was convinced they couldn't even match but they not only matched it but smashed it. But hurry! The offers they create don't last forever: you have to act fast.
Stocking fillers, Santa and more...
Many people, of course, like to buy presents that do some good for those less fortunate. Making an ideal stocking filler, The Royal British Legion have just launched a 'colour me in' Nativity Scene priced at £9.99 and available from the http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/. It comes with 12 card figures, 1 card scene, 12 colouring pencils and 12 stands. And the money raised through the sale of the product goes to help forces families.
Of course, the kids might not be getting anything at all if they don't behave themselves. I must admit the mechanism whereby Santa kept a tally of our offspring's good (or bad) deeds has always been something of a mystery. I had no idea that the whole thing involved 'magic jars' until news of the Magic Jar App appeared in my inbox.
It's developer Steve Jones has this to say: 'Last Christmas I wanted to create something magical for my own two children, and came up with the idea that they had a secret magic jar which would fill up when they were well-behaved. So I quickly built an iPhone app to let them see their magic and how well they were doing. The phrase “daddy, can we check our magic” was the soundtrack to the holidays! My partner Lee Ellis and I decided to make it into a proper app this year for others to enjoy, and we get such a kick out of seeing parents and kids playing with it, making it part of their own Christmas story.'
Once the kids are in credit, they might have the courage to go online and find out what Santa's up to at the North Pole - all without leaving the comfort of your knee or armchair. Because - thanks to an outfit called Portable North Pole - you can access video, an interactive advent calendar or even take phone calls from Santa either on your PC or (via the app) on a mobile device. What's more, much of it is free. But if you want to buy some of the premium features you can get now get a ten per cent discount using this unique voucher code:
BLOG10BK
Another app launched this week is My Very First! Songs. Containing over 90 nursery rhymes with video, it's aimed at children of all ages - and is completely free. You can download it here
Finally, if you're doing any travelling over the festive period (and who isn't?) then you might want to consider asking Santa for one of these:
It's not strictly for you, of course, but will certainly make for a pleasant journey. And it's available from The Snugg.com at just £19.99 (currently down from £24.99).
All that remains is to find out how good you've been...
December 7, 2012
Rockin' Robin
The thing about writing - books that is - is that you never catch anyone reading anything you've written. Well, I haven't. I've never before met anyone who's ever heard anything I've been pontificating about on the wireless either. Until this morning, that is.
There I am, soaked to the skin at the school gates when another dad comes up and says he wished he'd brought his Christmas round-robin for me to take a look at. You see, yesterday morning I was invited to preach unto them that do write such on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. At this point I should add that the dad in question who'd heard the item hadn't heard it when it went out live yesterday morning, but when it repeated at ten to seven this morning.
Anyway, having been inundated by at least one request to elaborate on my tips, here they are. And if you'd like to listen to the broadcast, here it is on BBC iPlayer (ff 1hr45m).
Now almost everyone has a computer Christmas letters have come into their own.
But they're not new. Years ago we used to get one of possibly the oldest examples from an elderly relative who'd type one letter at a time but with about three or four carbons copies - about the maximum you could do with an old typewriter - which meant her round robins weren't all exactly the same. And if there is a secret to writing them, that's probably it. Trying to make one letter do for everyone is where most of us are failing.
Another thing many letter writers are guilty of is going into too much detail. Some letters run into thousands of words and take almost fifteen minutes to read - at the busiest time of the year! We don't need to know that dad was asked to propose the toast again at the annual Kettering Society for the Prosecution of Felons Annual Dinner, or that he made an 'amusing' reference to the new Police and Crime Commissioners by giving his own rendition of Koko's Little List from Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado. Especially as it probably wasn't. Amusing, that is. And even if it was we're not told so how are we to judge?
Avoid medical ailments too - completely if at all possible. As Philip Larkin (who was a great letter writer) said of misery, yours might be awful but mine is happening to me. We've all got troubles but some people seem to want to parade their woes for all to see.
But if misery is bad, joy can be even worse. Some people's live are so perfect it makes you want to scream. Try to be modest. Especially where offspring are concerned. 'Tarquin's progress on the violin continues apace. He has already completed his first solo recital and the YouTube video of him playing the Mendelssohn Concerto has gone viral...'
And finally...
Don't write the letter from your pet.
Don't try to write in verse.
And above all, try to be yourself.
Finally, remember - it's not for everyone. If you're struggling, it's probably a sign that you shouldn't do one. A few handwritten lines in a Christmas card can be every bit as interesting.
So, those are my top tips to write an entertaining Christmas letter. And if you've got any of your own - or any examples from the good, to the bad to the cringe worthy - to share, I'd love to hear about them.
There I am, soaked to the skin at the school gates when another dad comes up and says he wished he'd brought his Christmas round-robin for me to take a look at. You see, yesterday morning I was invited to preach unto them that do write such on BBC Radio Lincolnshire. At this point I should add that the dad in question who'd heard the item hadn't heard it when it went out live yesterday morning, but when it repeated at ten to seven this morning.
Anyway, having been inundated by at least one request to elaborate on my tips, here they are. And if you'd like to listen to the broadcast, here it is on BBC iPlayer (ff 1hr45m).
Now almost everyone has a computer Christmas letters have come into their own.
But they're not new. Years ago we used to get one of possibly the oldest examples from an elderly relative who'd type one letter at a time but with about three or four carbons copies - about the maximum you could do with an old typewriter - which meant her round robins weren't all exactly the same. And if there is a secret to writing them, that's probably it. Trying to make one letter do for everyone is where most of us are failing.
Another thing many letter writers are guilty of is going into too much detail. Some letters run into thousands of words and take almost fifteen minutes to read - at the busiest time of the year! We don't need to know that dad was asked to propose the toast again at the annual Kettering Society for the Prosecution of Felons Annual Dinner, or that he made an 'amusing' reference to the new Police and Crime Commissioners by giving his own rendition of Koko's Little List from Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado. Especially as it probably wasn't. Amusing, that is. And even if it was we're not told so how are we to judge?
Avoid medical ailments too - completely if at all possible. As Philip Larkin (who was a great letter writer) said of misery, yours might be awful but mine is happening to me. We've all got troubles but some people seem to want to parade their woes for all to see.
But if misery is bad, joy can be even worse. Some people's live are so perfect it makes you want to scream. Try to be modest. Especially where offspring are concerned. 'Tarquin's progress on the violin continues apace. He has already completed his first solo recital and the YouTube video of him playing the Mendelssohn Concerto has gone viral...'
And finally...
Don't write the letter from your pet.
Don't try to write in verse.
And above all, try to be yourself.
Finally, remember - it's not for everyone. If you're struggling, it's probably a sign that you shouldn't do one. A few handwritten lines in a Christmas card can be every bit as interesting.
So, those are my top tips to write an entertaining Christmas letter. And if you've got any of your own - or any examples from the good, to the bad to the cringe worthy - to share, I'd love to hear about them.
December 5, 2012
December 2, 2012
Great Dad Stuff Giveaway from Mum Stuff
A few weeks ago Nicola Morrow - mum-in-charge of the fabulous online retailer MumStuff - got in touch. As you'd expect (given the title) MumStuff is mainly for mums, mums who, as they say, don't want to be 'bombarded with toys, nappies, prams and cots'; mums who have 'spent hours trawling through ‘Baby’ websites to try and find something for [themselves] – only to be disappointed' or those who have 'tried to find a gift for a new mum or mum-to-be that wasn’t baby clothes or flowers'.
It's also got a few things for dads, including the exclusive and wonderful 'Pint & Preparation' box for new dads which includes a copy of my 'Fatherhood' guide. That was one of the things Nicola and I discussing.
But then, disaster struck. There was a fire, next door, and MumStuff was almost no more.
Phoenix-like, however, the family owned/designed website for mums has risen from the ashes not only resuming business-as-usual almost immediately (initially from Nicola's garage) but now, winning a top online award.
To help celebrate the #WOW (Women on Wednesday) Award (as judged by Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox, Jacqueline Gold) I'm going to tell you what else (apart from my book) we were discussing - a competition. Nay, giveaway. And with not one, not two, but THREE chances to win.
Being a dad I'm giving away one of the 'specially for dads' items, something guaranteed to raise a smile from even the most olfactory-challenging of parenting duties - nappy-changing. Ok, the kit is called the Do-it-Yourself Diaper Duty Kit but nappy, diaper, no matter. They all smell the same. And with this kit, no dad can ever have an excuse not to change one:
How do you enter? Well, thanks a bit of hand-holding from Laura at Littlestuff I'm trying out Rafflecopter this week, so...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It's also got a few things for dads, including the exclusive and wonderful 'Pint & Preparation' box for new dads which includes a copy of my 'Fatherhood' guide. That was one of the things Nicola and I discussing.
But then, disaster struck. There was a fire, next door, and MumStuff was almost no more.
Phoenix-like, however, the family owned/designed website for mums has risen from the ashes not only resuming business-as-usual almost immediately (initially from Nicola's garage) but now, winning a top online award.
To help celebrate the #WOW (Women on Wednesday) Award (as judged by Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox, Jacqueline Gold) I'm going to tell you what else (apart from my book) we were discussing - a competition. Nay, giveaway. And with not one, not two, but THREE chances to win.
Being a dad I'm giving away one of the 'specially for dads' items, something guaranteed to raise a smile from even the most olfactory-challenging of parenting duties - nappy-changing. Ok, the kit is called the Do-it-Yourself Diaper Duty Kit but nappy, diaper, no matter. They all smell the same. And with this kit, no dad can ever have an excuse not to change one:
How do you enter? Well, thanks a bit of hand-holding from Laura at Littlestuff I'm trying out Rafflecopter this week, so...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
