Posted in January 2009

Is This Global Warming?

Source: hazel eyes
Thursday 29th January 2009, 4:44pm

Another spate of bonkers weather. Is this what we've got to look forward too I wonder.

In 2007 we experienced some really bad flooding in summer – the damage of which is still being repaired. Towards the end of last year, Ottery St Mary was the centre of a microclimate that involved feet of hail and snow falling within the space of a couple of hours, plus devastating flooding.

This year we’ve had unseasonably cold temperatures, not helped by preceding winters being relatively mild. I am still walking to work with my woolly hat, long coat and gloves.

What More Can We Expect From Climate Change

Southern Australia is facing its worst heat wave in 100 years, with temperatures of >40C for the past 6 days. Chaos has ensued with buckling rail lines and homes without power. Officials there are linking the weather directly with climate change.

Back in the UK we are expecting another blast of icy arctic weather next week. No doubt that will cause all sorts of problems once more. I'm glad energy prices are coming down.

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Plastic Surgery Booming

Source: hazel eyes
Monday 26th January 2009, 12:48pm

One area of business which is remaining bouyant in the recession is plastic surgery. Boob jobs are on the up as people splash out to make themselves feel better.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS- no really) reports that 'boob jobs' are up 30% in the last year, despite the recession.

UK Jobs To Get Into

Plastic surgery could be the place to be in the current climate as 34,000 aesthetic surgical procedures were carried out in 2008, each procedure costing thousands.

Plastic surgery isn't the sole province of women - men are also splashing out to achieve prefection. Nose jobs are the most popular male procedure, although brow lifts and 'moob jobs' are becoming increasingly popular.

Plastic Surgery No Longer Just For The Rich

The surge in demand for these procedures is further evidence that procedures such as these are not just for the rich and famous any more. Ordinary people are willing to stump up the cash and pay too.

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Chris Evans Pulls Over Police Car

Source: hazel eyes
Friday 16th January 2009, 5:05pm

One of the funniest stories I read this week. Chris Evans pulled over a cop car on the A40 which had its blue lights flashing.

On his way home from work, Chris Evans was following a marked police car which had its blue lights flashing, but didn't appear to be responding to any emergency or be involved in police business of any kind.

His blog entry reads:

"Anyway, guess what I did last night on the way home? I pulled a police car over. What a laugh.

"I was behind him for about two miles, for the duration of which his flashing lights were on but he was doing 40 miles an hour and didn't seem to be in the middle of any sort of 'police' action, other than just driving his car.

"'I don't think he knows his lights are on,' I thought to me-self.

"So, gingerly (of course), I edged up alongside him, opened my window and mouthed that he might want to pull over.

"Looking more than a little surprised, to say the least, he did so and duly thanked me, for his lights were indeed a-flashing by mistake.

"I'm still laughing about it now."

Chris's Interesting Car History

Evans, who is famously passionate about fast cars, was once banned from driving.

In 2001 he was fined £600 and banned from the road for 56 days for doing 105 miles per hour on the A3 in Esher, Surrey.

His silver Ferrari Maranello was stopped by Surrey Police and Evans admitted the charge at Staines Magistrates Court.

In May last year, the disc jockey spent more than £5 million on a Ferrari.

The car, a 1961 250 GT SWB California Spyder, was once owned by Hollywood actor James Coburn.

Evans paid twice the estimated price for the car, which was sold at auction in Italy.

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Summer 2009 - Sun and Fun Please

Source: hazel eyes
Tuesday 13th January 2009, 3:28pm

With all the gloom and doom of the economy, are we going to get a summer full of sunshine and frolics to take our minds off the crisis?

More Job Losses On The Way

The News doesn't make very cheering reading at the moment, thousands of jobs on the line across the country as the recession deepens. With retailers reporting a dismal December, even the pre-christmas sales and discounts didn't bring the shoppers in, some are predicting that this year could be as bad as the 1980's.

Tesco is one of the few bucking this trend, they are planning to create 10,000 jobs with the opening of new stores.

Its Not All Bad

Having had a chat with my financial advisor today (thanks Pasty, what a top bloke) he reckons that whilst its all pretty pants, a nice hot summer will cheer everyone up. I hope he's right.

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Christmas Over - Next Stop Valentines Day

Source: hazel eyes
Friday 9th January 2009, 4:41pm

I always feel sorry for blokes at this time of year. They've managed to get the wife/girlfriend something for Christmas and now they've got to do it all over again for Valentines.

This year for xmas My other half and I decided not to exchange pressies as we both needed new biking gear. Phew thats all sorted for another few years hopefully.

This approach takes a lot of pressure of the poor chap I think. If a guy gets it wrong at xmas with his other half's present, he may be obliged to spend lots on Valentines Day gifts to make up for it.

On the other hand, if said guy plays a blinder and gets excellent presents, he has now got to keep to the same standard or exceed it on Valentines.

I might be a bit odd for a girlie, but I really enjoyed the LandRover Experience day I went on and this year I'm hoping to do a BikeSafe course and perhaps get an assessment of my car driving from the Advanced School of Motoring. If we suddenly find some money under the sofa, we'll do some sort of Race School thing - heard good things about the Ron Haslam School. But That is looking more unlikely as the sofa is a bit bare at the moment.

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Dreaming Of Holidays

Source: hazel eyes
Wednesday 7th January 2009, 5:06pm

Now Christmas is over we are getting bombarded by holiday adverts. Looks tempting - if only I had some money....

Car Hire in Europe

In my old age I quite fancy a trip around Europe exploring the countryside. That is why we bought the gsx, I just have to be persuaded that camping is fun at thirty something.

An alternative would be to hire a car, maybe a couple of weeks around the South of France - the scenery is supposed to be stunning, not to mention the luxury of staying in a nice holiday let or hotel. There might be some sun too.

Roll On Summer

Now Christmas is over again for another year, the telly is full of adverts for holidays in the sun. After last years washout - again, lets hope we actually see the sun this year. I probably won't be going abroad this year, but it would be nice to clock up some miles on the bike out and about as well as walking on some of our footpaths. We don't do too badly for nice countryside and scenery down here in the South West and it would be quite pleasant to spend a few days wandering around locally.

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