The End is Nigh

As I posted yesterday this blog has been going for a year.

The Lady and the Villa and I are off on a 34 day cruise that we have been planning for 6 months now.
I will contemplate continuing the blog on my return.

Its this Blogs 1st Birthday

This blog started a year ago today.

I hope all the regulars have enjoyed it as well as the casual visitors.

Books read in December 2010

Resurrection Men. Ian Rankin. This is without doubt his best book. I was never entirely sure of the outcome, until the very end. I was enthralled by the twists, by the wide range of new characters. Siobahn gets a much greater billing (including the concluding chapter, a sign of things to come?) and you really feel what Rebus would be feeling, at each twist and turn. I loved it. No weak parts, well done Ian Rankin. I for one don’t want the series to conclude. 5 Stars.

A Question of Blood. Ian Rankin. A shooting at a private school and two seventeen-year-olds are killed by an ex SAS man. Ex-Army himself, Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone. Army investigators are on the scene, and won't be shaken off. Rebus has more than his share of personal problems, too. His hands are heavily bandaged, and he won't say how it happened. Could there be a connection with a house-fire and the unfortunate death of a petty criminal who had been harassing Rebus's colleague Siobhan Clarke? Rebus's bosses seem to think so. It is spoilt by the ending that clears everything up in not more than a sentence. Brilliantly written but poor plot ending. 3 stars.
 
The Stand. Stephen King. This is a long book, nearly 1200 pages and shows Stephen King at the peak of his powers. The basic plot is that a super-virus is accidentally unleashed on the public. 99.9% of the population is wiped out, and the few remaining survivors are drawn to two people they dream about. Flagg is one. Mother Abigail is the other. The story shows how people survived the outbreak, then begin to reform society and then decide how to fight against the evil Flagg. That is it in a nutshell - without spoiling anything too much. The way King writes about the books characters is excellent - you have to know what is going to happen to them. The plot is excellent, and moves well. It does lull in the middle a bit, but this is the lull before the storm, as the final section of the book moves on at a rip-roaring pace. Considering the length of the book it is amazing how it holds your attention all the way to the last page. 4.5 Stars.

A Short History of Nearly Everything. Bill Bryson. My eldest daughter bought me a Bill Bryson book many years ago and now I have revisited the author with this book. Bill brings science to the masses in an entertaining and easy understandable manner. If you've ever wondered for example, what the theory of relativity actually means, get this book. The size of the volume belies the breadth of topics covered.  Alongside the huge amount of science contained in this book, he takes a look at the bickering, back-stabbing and fallings-out of history's great scientists and revolutionaries and you have to wonder how scientific knowledge managed to advance in light of this. 3 Stars.

A Happy New Year

 

RBS Share Price 31/12/2010

The British Government and therefore the British taxpayer own around 86% of RBS shares having put in over £20Bn to save the Bank in 2009.

The average price, per share, paid is 50.53 pence.

The price today is 40.68 pence showing an overall loss.

Oh dear!

This is not a Moan but…..

On the fridge in our villa, attached by a magnet, is a score sheet, a golf score sheet. The card shows a score of 26 –16 (its a Stableford score). I am not the 26.
The lady of the Villa is!
This score sheet to my knowledge has been in its location ever since the day she beat me, which, was at least 5 months ago. No matter the hint given it is still there. She has not won since!

Off to watch the Reds tonight

Back from Spain and off to watch the The Reds tonight with the Lady of the Villa.

Looks cold so will be well dressed for a winters night. Looking forward to seeing the group of season ticket holders we sit next to. Especially Mike the taxi driver who will be dressed as Santa and does not need a false beard to look like him (honest).

Hangover Cures that I have Tried

This is a list of hangover “cures” I have tried and I think work – well for me!

Pour Yourself Some Fruit Juice

Drinking fruit juice which naturally contains fructose, will help you burn the alcohol out of your system faster. Whether it be orange, tomato, grapefruit or your favourite fruit juice, the fructose is the key to the cure!

Eggs Are Not Just For Chickens!

Did you know that eating eggs can help cure a hangover? This is because eggs have a natural protein called albumin in them. Albumin has an osmotic effect that helps to rehydrate your cells after the dehydrating effects of the alcohol. Eat them any way you want, fried, scrambled, poached or better yet, raw! The effect is marvellous.

Crackers and honey

Eating crackers with honey on them is yet another way to flush the alcohol out of your system. Honey contains a very concentrated amount of fructose in it, that again, rids the body of alcohol faster.

Water

Drink plenty of water to replenish your dehydrated cells. Do so on the night that you drink, before you go to bed and immediately when you rise in the morning to relieve the effects of the hangover.

Plop Plop Fizz Fizz Oh What a Relief It Is!

Just from my own experience, taking an Alka Seltzer when you rise in the morning after the fact will help heal your throbbing head. Add 2 aspirin with the Alka Seltzer and the combined effect will prove itself a worthy cure.

Have a Nice Cup of Coffee

Try drinking a few cups of coffee with your hangover. The caffeine in the coffee acts as a vasoconstrictor that helps to shrink dilated blood vessels that are causing your headache.

Cup of Tea and Honey

Better yet have a cup of hot tea with honey in it and kill two birds with one stone! 

Sometimes I try them all at breakfast!

Weather in Spain 20th December – 26th December 2010

Monday: Lovely Sunny day with a temp of 13C. Cooler overnight with a temp of 9C.
Tuesday: Overcast and rain showers with a temp of 10C.  Overnight temp of 5C. 
Wednesday: A mostly sunny with lots of high cloud. Temp of  13C. Cooler overnight with a temp of 8C.
Thursday: Bright and sunny day. Temp of 12C. Cool overnight with a temp of 9C.
Friday: Sunny day with a strong cold wind kept temp to 9C. Overnight temp of 6C.
Saturday: Sunny spells with a temp to 13C. Overnight temp of 9C.
Sunday: A very sunny day. Temp of 15C. Overnight temp of 10C.

Boxing Day

I have always wondered why the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day, so i Googled it, here is the result (well one of them).
The traditional recorded celebration of Boxing Day has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions.
The European tradition has been dated to the Middle Ages, but the exact origin is unknown and there are some claims that it goes back to the late Roman/early Christian era; metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen.
In the United Kingdom, it certainly became a custom of the nineteenth-century Victorians for tradesmen to collect their "Christmas boxes" or gifts on the day after Christmas in return for good and reliable service throughout the year.
Another possibility is that the name derives from an old English tradition: in exchange for ensuring that wealthy landowners' Christmases ran smoothly, their servants were allowed to take the 26th off to visit their families. The employers gave each servant a box containing gifts and bonuses (and sometimes leftover food).
In addition, around the 1800s, churches opened their alms boxes (boxes where people place monetary donations) and distributed the contents to the poor. However, the exact etymology of the term "boxing" is unclear and for which there are several competing theories, none of which is definitive.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my Readers

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Inventions from Space Exploration

I had an argument recently in a bar. I was asked when Teflon was invented in the Space program. Being a bit of a quiz man and knowing something about NASA. I replied that Teflon was invented in the 1930’s and not in the space program.
However, it got me thinking about what has come from the Space Program and I did some research. All of the following technologies or materials were originally developed for the space program.

The one I like is the pen. The Russians used a pencil! Simpler.

TV Satellite Dish
NASA developed ways to correct errors in the signals coming from the spacecraft. This technology is used to reduce noise (that is, messed up picture or sound) in TV signals coming from satellites.

Medical Imaging
NASA developed ways to process signals from spacecraft to produce clearer images. This technology also makes possible these photo-like images of our insides.

Vision Screening System
Uses techniques developed for processing space pictures to examine eyes of children and find out quickly if they have any vision problems. The child doesn't have to say a word!

Ear Thermometer
Instead of measuring temperature using a column of mercury (which expands as it heats up), this thermometer has a lens like a camera and detects infrared energy, which we feel as heat. The warmer something is (like your body), the more infrared energy it puts out. This technology was originally developed to detect the birth of stars.

Fire Fighter Equipment
Fire fighters wear suits made of fire resistant fabric developed for use in space suits.

Smoke Detector
First used in the Earth orbiting space station called Skylab (launched back in 1973) to help detect any toxic vapors. Now used in most homes and other buildings to warn people of fire.

Sun Tiger Glasses
From research done on materials to protect the eyes of welders working on spacecraft, protective lenses were developed that block almost all the wavelengths of radiation that might harm the eyes, while letting through all the useful wavelengths that let us see.

Automobile Design Tools
A computer program developed by NASA to analyze a spacecraft or airplane design and predict how parts will perform is now used to help design automobiles. This kind of software can save car makers a lot of money by letting them see how well a design will work even before they build a prototype.

Cordless Tools
Portable, self-contained power tools were originally developed to help Apollo astronauts drill for moon samples. This technology has lead to development of such tools as the cordless vacuum cleaner, power drill, shrub trimmers, and grass shears.

Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheel
A special bike wheel uses NASA research in airfoils (wings) and design software developed for the space program. The three spokes on the wheel act like wings, making the bicycle very efficient for racing.

Thermal Gloves and Boots
These gloves and boots have heating elements that run on rechargeable batteries worn on the inside wrist of the gloves or embedded in the sole of the ski boot. This technology was adapted from a spacesuit design for the Apollo astronauts.

Space Pens
The Fisher Space Pen was developed for use in space. Most pens depend on gravity to make the ink flow into the ball point. For this space pen, the ink cartridge contains pressured gas to push the ink toward the ball point. That means, you can lie in bed and write upside down with this pen! Also, it uses a special ink that works in very hot and very cold environments.

Shock Absorbing Helmets
These special football helmets use a padding of Temper Foam, a shock absorbing material first developed for use in aircraft seats. These helmets have three times the shock absorbing ability of previous types.

Ski Boots
These ski boots use accordion-like folds, similar to the design of space suits, to allow the boot to flex without distortion, yet still give support and control for precision skiing.

Failsafe Flashlight
This flashlight uses NASA's concept of system redundancy, which is always having a backup for the parts of the spacecraft with the most important jobs. This flashlight has an extra-bright primary bulb and an independent backup system that has its own separate lithium battery (also a NASA developed technology) and its own bulb.

Invisible Braces
These teeth-straightening braces use brackets that are made of a nearly invisible translucent (almost see-through) ceramic material. This material is a spinoff of NASA's advanced ceramic research to develop new, tough materials for spacecraft and aircraft.

Edible Toothpaste
This is a special foamless toothpaste developed for the astronauts to use in space (where spitting is not a very good idea!) Although this would be a great first toothpaste for small children, it is no longer available.

 Joystick Controllers
Joystick controllers are used for lots of things now, including computer games and vehicles for people with disabilities. These devices evolved from research to develop a controller for the Apollo Lunar Rover, and from other NASA research into how humans actually operate (called "human factors").

Advanced Plastics
Spacecraft and other electronics need very special, low-cost materials as the base for printed circuits (like those inside your computer). Some of these "liquid crystal polymers" have turned out to be very good, low-cost materials for making containers for foods and beverages.

Heart Attack

Until now, no blood test has been able to give an indication of a person's risk of heart failure. However,  a team in America have adapted a test normally used to establish if someone is having a heart attack to predict one years in advance.
The more sensitive test identified proteins in the blood that signal heart cells have been dying in seemingly healthy people with no outward signs of heart disease.
The development could allow those at high risk to take action such as adopting a healthier lifestyle and taking drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Now this affects me, as a diabetic I am advised to take medicine to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol levels low. I will be speaking to my doctor soon!

Scouse and a recipe

Being a bloke from Liverpool, I am called a scouser. Why? Well here goes…

Scouse was brought to Liverpool by Northern European sailors, it was originally called Labskause. This was finally shortened to Skause and over time the spelling changed to the more Anglicised version we have today, Scouse.
The people who ate Scouse were all generally sailors and their families and eventually all sailors within Liverpool were referred to as Scousers. Time has now taken its turn and everyone from the region of Liverpool is known as a Scouser.
Scouse holds a place in the heart of most Liverpudlian's as the taste of their hometown and is still regularly eaten today by a great number of families, including my own.
There are records showing that it was also served to the inmates of the Birkenhead workshouse way back in 1864. The recipe was much simpler then than today's refined version but was predominantly the same staple ingredients - meat, vegetables and potatoes.
Scouse can be ready made and kept for up to 2 days. Keep it covered in a refrigerator and reheat in a saucepan. Most people prefer the added depth of flavour that reheating adds.
Blind scouse was a variation on the above recipe and was eaten by the poorer people as it was cheaper to make because it did not contain meat.

Recipe

INGREDIENTS
Serves 4-6 people
Half a Pound of Stewing Steak
Half a Pound of Lambs Breast
A Large Onion
1lb of Carrots
5lb of Potatoes
2 Oxo Cubes
2 Teaspoons of Vegetable Oil
Worcester Sauce
Salt and Pepper
Water

HOW TO COOK
Takes 4 hours of slow cooking
Cut the meat into large cubes and fry in the vegetable oil until lightly browned all over. You may wish to add some Worcester Sauce at this point for added flavour.
Transfer the meat to a large saucepan and add the onion that should have been chopped into large chunks. Follow this by chopping the carrot into medallions and place this on the meat. Peel and then Finely dice 1lb of the potatoes and place on top of the carrots.
Fill the pan with cold water until it is half full. Break up the Oxo cubes and sprinkle into the water. Add salt and pepper for seasoning. Let the pan simmer gently, stirring occasionally. The large pieces of onion will start to break up and the potato will become soft and will make the final sauce thick.
Simmer for a total of two hours, then add the remaining potatoes that should have been peeled and roughly chopped, along with a few splashes of Worcester Sauce. Then simmer for another two hours.
Serve piping hot with red cabbage, beetroot, pickled onions and crusty bread. You may add Ketchup and HP for flavouring.

Weather in Spain 13th December – 19th December 2010

Monday: Overcast day with a little sunshine, temp of 13C. Cooler overnight with a rain showers temp of 9C.

Tuesday: early rain giving way to a sunny day with a temp of 14C.  Overnight temp of 8C. 

Wednesday: Sunny but cold day. Wind from North kept temp to 8C. Cold overnight with a temp of 4C.

Thursday: Bright and sunny day. Temp of 9C. Cool overnight with a temp of 7C.

Friday: Sunny all day. Temp of 10C. Overnight cooler due to rain showers with a temp of 5C.

Saturday: Overcast day with a temp to 9C. Heavy rain overnight with a temp of 6C.

Sunday: Rain off and on all day. Temp of 10C. Overnight temp of 6C.

American Football on TVu

The Lady of the Villa is a sports fan of sorts. She has a season ticket with me at Liverpool FC (even though we live in Spain) and will watch some sports on TV.

I, on the other hand, will watch almost anything (not horse racing, no WWW (which is not a sport but Theatre) and no Sumo). So apart from that anything.

Being in Spain and not able to get Sky, I have been missing some of my favourite sports including American Football. Now the Lady of the Villa hates American Football but now I have found an Internet TV site, TVu, which not only shows American Football but a lot of other sports, world news and movies.

A Sunday night has me glued to our large computer screen with head phones on while she watches the TV.

Peace in our time!

Tetris eases your stress says report

I must admit that one of the few games I play on a computer is Tetris. I find it soothing. OK it is a bit childish but what the hell.

Now I find that a report from the BBC suggests that playing puzzle games like Tetris is good for your mental health. A study discovered that the simple puzzle building block game aided people suffering from stress.

So its a win – win. I like the game and it keeps m y stress level down.

LOL. I just like the game!

The Telegraph

I was you may remember a reader of The Times and I had been for years and years. Having moved to Spain and being an IT geek I followed The Times on the Internet.
Early this year The Times required a payment to follow the paper on the Internet. After much turmoil in my mind I left The Times and followed the Telegraph on the Internet, although I still bought The Sunday Times in paper format at 5 euros for a cut down International edition.
Now The Telegraph are hinting at a charge for reading it on the Internet. Gulp where too next?

Apple iPad wins 'best gadget' award

Apple has trumped Amazon and Sky to win a prestigious best gadget accolade with its iPad.
The iPad beat the Amazon Kindle and Sky 3D to win both the gadget of the year and readers' gadget of the year gongs in the 2010 Stuff Gadget Awards.
I think that it is the best gadget this year, but, it's expensive and functionally limited.  I will wait until the next version appears before deciding to buy one.