Clare Macnaughton's Blog, page 21

Military Life Means Expect The Unexpected

After 20 years of military disruption to my life, it really has become the norm for me to expect the unexpected. But those that are not connected to the military, or perhaps new to the lifestyle often don’t understand how the military mistress rules us all. When they have to go, they have to go and there is very little you […]

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Aladdin at Salisbury Playhouse A Lorra Lorra LOLs

I am a pantomime aficionado. “Oh yes I am!” This is due to that fact that my birthday falls on the 4th January and as a child my nana would take me to the Hull Theatre Royal to watch the panto. We would always sit in a box and they would read out my name and wish me happy birthday. […]

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Light Up Your Garden

The dual laser projector from RED5 is a decent quality bit of kit, at a very reasonable price, which is more than capable of livening up any party, inside or outside, with its laser sharp red and green laser projected patterns. We set the laser up, on the handy included flexi-tripod, on a first floor open window ledge, and aimed […]

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The Injury Compensation Calculator

Guest writer Gina Gough adds it up: I’ve never thought of myself as a person who needs to point the finger, to blame other people for my own misfortunes. Accidents happen, right, and there isn’t always someone to blame. Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be, isn’t it. Unfortunately, what I’ve discovered is that many of those ‘accidents’ didn’t need […]

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It’s Electrifying – 100 years of energy

As far as it is known, early attempts at man-made lighting happened about 70,000 years ago. The first lamp was invented made of a shell, hollowed-out rock, or something similar which wouldn’t set fire which was filled with stuff that would burn (probably dried grass or wood), with added animal fat (the original lighter fluid) and lit.

Over time, materials such as pottery and alabaster were used. Wicks were included in the lamp to control the rate of burning. About the 7th century BC, the Greeks began making terra cotta lamps to replace handheld torches. The word lamp comes from the Greek word lampas which means torch.

Lamp developments evolved but still used the same basic concept – control the burning of a fuel (natural oils, waxes, and the like) with wicks, tubes, chimneys, vents, and other similar devices, and put it in an attractive and/or practical recepticle.

It would be many centuries until the next big thing in lighting would be developed.

The first electric lamp was the CARBON-ARC LAMP, showcased in 1801 by Sir Humphrey Davy, an English chemist. Electric lights rose in popularity once the incandescent lamp was invented independently by Sir Joseph Swan in England and Thomas Edison in the United States. Edison patented his invention in 1880 and has made it the commercial success of today.

In the 1800s electric lights were in use, but they were messy, expensive, noisy, too bright, and not very practical. They could only be used outdoors and gas lights and candles were predominantly used to light  homes and offices. The race to find a better way to make light using electricity was on.

In 1860, English inventor Sir Joseph Wilson Swan created the first electric light bulb. The bulb was not usable because the filament burned up too rapidly. Swan over time improved his invention and presented the world’s first bulb light demonstration in 1878. But the bulb was still not practical because of the short life of the filament.

In 1878, Edison declared that his company would deliver the first practical light bulb. He used Lewis Latimer’s carbon filament to make a bulb grow brighter and last longer and his company installed a glass-blowing shed at the lab to make the bulbs.

Eventually in the same year Edison and his team of scientists discovered the answer. “The Wizard” received a patent and began work on more devices to make the light bulb available for the wider public. Beyond his 300 other inventions relating to the light bulb he also invented generators, cables, switches, fuses, and sockets. Edison’s bulbs were initially installed on a steamship and in a New York City factory. Edison Electric was the first organisation to build a power station, to generate and control electricity for an entire area.

Whilst Swan’s original low-voltage, high-current invention is still used in flashlights and used in automobiles, Edison is considered to be the inventor of the light bulb because he made it useful.

Edison’s Legacy

Edison developed more inventions than almost anyone and also continued improving his own and other people’s inventions throughout his lifetime. Before he died in 1931, “Edison’s Pioneers” was created – a select group of scientists working together to keep Edison’s ideas ignited.

100 years of energy | Smart Meters – E.ON

How far we have come EON energy now offer customers Smart Meters.

It’s free to have a smart meter installed
No need to give them meter readings, your smart meter will take care of it
No more estimated bills
You can see how much energy you’re using and how much it costs in real time with your Smart Energy Display

This post is brought to you in partnership with E.ON Energy. See if you could save money with their gas and electricity deals today. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Enriching Your Life One App at a Time

 

 

 

Apps are almost infinite in their uses. You can look on the Android or Apple store and find thousands of different apps that each have varied uses. There are apps for work, sport, news, fun, science, technology and much more. There can easily be at least one app that enriches your life but finding it can be tough, especially if you don’t even know what to look for. If you want to improve yourself with some apps, then read on for some suggestions.

Cooking can always be a chore. Even if you enjoy doing it, you can be at odds with what to make. You may want to try different things, whether that’s changing recipes or tackling completely new types of food. It can be challenging to just jump in, so there are a couple of apps that can help. The Food Network has it’s own app that provides recipes, tips, ideas and recommendations from celebrity chefs with ratings and images to make things easier. SideChef has detailed instructions for a wide variety of recipes with text, audio, video and images to make things simple for novices. It has numerous features such as voice commands, timers and checklists. Both apps are available for free.

Keeping fit is important. Whether you are doing it to look good or stay healthy, you will need to keep on top of things and make sure you are doing it correctly and often enough. Of course, there are apps to help. Lose It! is a free app that is designed to log your exercise and food habits. It will count calories and is compatible with various fitness devices such as Nike+ and Fitbit. Map My Fitness is a bit different and is useful for people who walk, jog, run or cycle for exercise. It is used to map out routes you can take and gives you details on the length, time it will take, etc. and then will give you a report when done. The app is free but additional features can be purchased with a subscription.

Making life better doesn’t always have to be about important things like your health or the food you eat, as it applies to having fun too. There are plenty of entertainment apps you can download but you can’t beat a good game. You can have fun with online Bingo wherever you go on your phone, with Coral’s online bingo caller. The app creates an authentic bingo experience that you can play for free or for real money. Bingo isn’t the only game that comes with the free app, so you can stay entertained for a long while. The Room is a great puzzle game if you want to have fun and give your brain some exercise. Use the touchscreen to solve 3D puzzle boxes that have multiple solutions so you can try your own approach and redo levels. The app is available on Android for just 79p.

However you want to enrich your life, you’re sure to find an app for it, so consider these suggestions and take a look at what you can find.

 

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School’s Out For Summer #BritsAbroad

According to AutoEurope most Brits will drink 56 alcoholic drinks, have 4 rows and moan about being too hot 8 times during an average fortnight abroad!

This won’t be me! I love the sun and two week holiday – pah! This year we are spending three weeks in the sun and we won’t be complaining about the heat. Well, I won’t be anyway – the British summer has been slow coming this year, and whilst it’s here at the moment, it still seems to defy the weather forecasters and rains when it’s supposed to be sunny. I will relish the heat and bask in it like a beached whale. My son, however, no doubt, will complain about the heat 8 times a minute!

Blimey –  56 alcoholic drinks in a two week holiday. That’s only 4 drinks a day – it’s possible that this statistic is grossly under-estimated! Only 4 rows – are these people not going on holiday with their spouse and children. It’s likely we would have had 14 rows before we even get to the airport!!

For more #FunFacts check out the infographic below.

Happy Holidays folks – see you on the other side.

 

 

 

#BritsAboard

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Real life: Macnaughty’s Manifesto – Vote For Me

I am devastated by the Referendum. It consumes me. I am ranting on Facebook, but like any bad drug, it’s not helping and instead, making the despair worse. I am getting stuck into conversations with people who are impolite and cannot debate without slinging insults. This is annoying.

People assume they know my politics and they don’t; so I have decided to lay it out in a makeshift manifesto. I doubt once you’ve read it you’d vote for me and no doubt will shout, “Off with her head” the treasonous tart.

but I am just going to put it out there.

There are not any parties representing my interests at the moment, apart from the Women’s Equality Party.

Where to start:

Monarchy

Dissolve the Monarchy in entirety

Parliament

Get rid of First Past the Post and change to Proportional Representation
Shut Westminster down and build a campus style Government in the centre of the United Kingdom, with childcare facilities
Get rid of all the traditions and stupid clothes
Get rid of the House of Lords and create an elected Senate
Change the way the House of Commons does business to Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with 25 days holiday a year.
Create mandatory voting and virtual access so MPs can operate effectively in their constituencies
Make voting mandatory for all over 18s
Ensure that women are equally represented in Parliament

Religion

Separate Religious doctrine from Law. Law is secular device to create rules by which society should live
Abolish Religious marriage and create civil partnerships based on equal rights

Federalisation

Remain part of Europe

Education

Reform education so that schools operate Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 25 days leave for teachers. Create stages rather than years and minimum age entry (4) and maximum age exit (20). Teach children not based on the age but their ability.
Prioritise education funding

Gender Equality

Make it so

Health

Preserve the NHS

That’ll do for now. But I can tell you that categorically there is not a single party that represents my interests.

I have to go and do some actual work and get distracted, maybe joust with some people on Facebook.

Time will tell our EU outcomes and no doubt May the Merciless will take the reins of the country and make Thatcher look like a yoghurt knitting leftie. I have nowhere to go. The BeLeavers have said things like ‘if you don’t like it then go and live elsewhere.’ But the reality is now they have fucked it up for all of us we are going to be stranded, barefoot, penniless on an island with English loyalists eating endless apples and potatoes, with nowhere else to go. Ok I am exaggerating. But FFS!

I can’t see me making office any time soon. What would your manifesto be?

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What’s Love got to do with it? Cheaper to Cheat than Divorce

I have just received this revolting press release which simply states that divorce is not cost effective and so it’s more cost effective to stay married in an unhappy relationship and have an affair then it is to get divorced. Indeed, everyone should conduct themselves with complete and utter disregard for another human being’s feelings and a lack for respect for another human being and put finances above all else. I’m not advocating divorce but I am huge fan of not being an asshole! So here’s some advice for those of you that are unhappily married and contemplating an affair, do something, anything but don’t have an affair, and do stop yourself from being a complete and utter Dick. This advice is free!

Read it and weep fellow humans. I’d love to hear your thoughts or am I just being a sentimental old humanitarian?

Cheaters say staying married is a great financial decision

82% of people are terrified  the financial horror that comes with a divorce
4 out of every 10 cheaters say fear of loneliness stops them from divorcing
60% of people also say they stay married because they are ‘best friends’

 

The majority of marriages don’t end happily ever after, however according to revealing results from a new survey, being best friends with your partner, harboring a fear of loneliness or your mutual bank account might just save your relationship.

The survey, conducted by VictoriaMilan – a dating website for married or attached people looking to cheat – asked 4,517 of its male and female members what their main reasons for not divorcing are.

The main reason for not divorcing is the fear of loneliness; with 4 out of every 10 people saying the thought of being alone terrifies them. Consideration for children and not breaking up the family unit comes a close second, according to just under a quarter of survey respondents.

Divorce often has huge financial implications: a whopping 82% of cheaters say it would be easier to stay in a loveless marriage than face the financial horror that comes as part of the divorce package. Alimony payments and housing/rental arrangements are just the beginning of consequential money troubles.

There are some deal-breakers however, that would guarantee instant divorce. Physical or mental abuse would see 85% of cheaters sign the separation papers immediately. 70% say they might reach their limit and not be able to bear co-existence any longer.

Founder and CEO of Victoria Milan, Sigurd Vedal, said divorce might seem like an easy way out to many, but when it comes down to the details, staying married is easier.

“Freedom comes at a huge price, and when there are children and investments involved, often it becomes easier not to rock the boat and just stay married. Cheaters say money and loneliness are the number one reasons they don’t divorce, but for 6 out of every 10 it’s not so bad – they love their partner as a friend,” Mr Vedal said.

Victoria Milan is one of the world’s leading discreet social networks for men and women seeking a secret affair. The service was launched by happily married media executive Mr. Sigurd Vedal in 2010, and has today become one of the world’s fastest-growing and leading social networks for discreet extramarital affairs, surpassing 6 million members worldwide in more than 33 countries.

SURVEY DATA

4,517 male and female members of Victoria Milan polled

 

What is your main reason for not divorcing?

Loneliness scares me – 42%

My children – 23%

I’m afraid of what my family and others will think – 18%

Financial issues – 17%

 

What other reasons influence your decision not to get divorced? (multiple choice)

We love each other as friends – 60%

Being unfaithful achieved a good balance – 55%

The fear of being wrong – 40%

I fear not finding anyone else – 38%

The uncertain future – 25%

 

Did monetary issues influence your decision to not leave your partner?

Yes – 82%

No – 18%

 

What would make you ask for divorce without hesitation? (multiple choice)

Physical or mental abuse – 85%

Being in love with another person – 65%

The co-existence becomes unbearable – 70%

That he/she is being unfaithful  – 55%

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Real Life: Back in Business

The life of a freelancer is peaks and troughs and despite living in The Shire for around 5 years it has taken me a long time to find my footing amongst the local business community. I think partly because I have been trying to transition into becoming a more established journalist and partly, because it’s taken me a while to work out how to articulate my commercial offer beyond journalism.

What does my business look like?

Writing is my passion and now I have been writing regularly for Wiltshire Life magazine for almost 5 years. It has definitely helped me find my voice. My fantasy memoir ‘Looking For Mr Rabbit’ sits with a new agent and I am waiting to hear feedback. The screenplay ‘Ugly Birds’ is on hold to some extent but not forever and I could tell you why but I would have to kill you. It’s TOP SECRET. #Thatisall

My work with Juno Theatre enabled me, unexpectedly, to reach out more conclusively into the Wiltshire business community and also, by simply attending some local key network events, I  finally broke the ice and business enquiries began to trickle in.

So now I am working with The Enterprise Network supporting them with their social media strategy and managing their social media. It’s great to be working with a business whose mandate is so close to my own heart. They support and encourage entrepreneurship providing business advice and reasonably price serviced office space.

I am, also providing some creative consultancy to a local professional services business and it’s fun to be back in an office again and having to think about what to wear. I can manage that business dilemma one day a week.

In addition, I wrote Firstnet Solutions award entry for the 2016 Comms Business Awards Reseller of The Year Award (small) and I am delighted that they have been shortlisted. Good luck to them! Fingers crossed they win on the night because they deserve it.

Talking of awards, I was persuaded to enter one myself – the South Wilts Business Awards in the category of Enterprising Business Woman. They have had 27 entries and Russ and Rachael from The Enterprise Network came over to judge me. I have no idea what the outcome will be but I’m glad the category is most enterprising and not richest. Enterprising I am, rich I am not.

Is this me? Only the judges can decide #watchthisspace

 

My first foray into networking

 

At the Salisbury Big Business events and the Wiltshire Business Expo,  I met Eliot Jones from e-Cleen and laid down the gauntlet to see if his lads could come and clean the uncleanable house. They rose to the challenge. It was a great laugh and magic Mark did wonders with my Aga and removing some of the trickiest stains from the carpets, while Dan got to work on my old paths. I love it when a plan comes together.

 

eCleen did some lovely work on my paths and Aga

Back on the homestead – my running duck Jerry is sitting on a nest of eggs that are due to hatch in the next two weeks. Running ducks are not very good mothers so if I can keep the cats and the buzzards at bay I might have some ducks to give away when they get a bit bigger.

My greenhouse is propagating – cucumber, tomatoes, aubergine, baby corn, dwarf beans, runner beans and I have bags of potatoes, onions and garlic on the go. Two of my raised beds have carrots and never ending spinach in them. I am hoping that I will do better with the carrots this year as I have planted them in looser top soil. And I have two sheep being delivered soon to become resident lawn mowers.

My bedouin pallet area has been erected for the summer with a new addition – a hot tub! I vowed I would never get one but now I have one I love it.

C’mon on summer – in your own time. I’m ready for you!

 

The best feature of the Bedouin is it provides a perfect, waterproof, outside space for me to work and enjoy the summer.

Home office is looking luscious

 

Ps: The children are fine. They are growing and negotiating their way through life trying to avoid homework, tidying their bedrooms, chores and other childish pursuits, whilst playing, expressing themselves, questioning, challenging and generally living life to the full.

Clare Macnaughton; a modern military mother; a feminist, British military spouse, and lifestyle journalist, writing about real life adventures.

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