The Myriad Life Market Blog

Reasons to be Cheerful

Source: Myriad Life
Monday 7th April 2008, 8:37am

Mmmm let me think. Well I've recorded Desperate Housewives so I can look forward to watching that. The new Bond film will eventually be released and I can't wait to see it. It's Salsa tonight...

On Thursday I had my coat off while trading at Fakenham, on Friday we were eating ice creams, on Saturday I had my hood up and was hopping from one foot to the other trying to keep warm and holding my stall down in blustery winds.

I don't know what we did to deserve snow - again!

Reasons to be cheerful, I have many but the weather is not one of them.

Yesterday I got a new Samsung phone, although I am on contract with O2 I hadn't upgraded my phone for nearly two years and I am not the world's best phone custodian, let's just say I really need a phone that bounces well because I'm always dropping it. And before you suggest a case, I am not one of these patient people who can fiddle around opening up a case every time the phone rings.

The nice lady in the shop came up with the perfect answer, a plastic case that fits on the phone so you can use it without taking it out - perfect protection and ease of use. Also as I am classed as low usage I got a better deal on the monthly tariff. This is very good as I am cost cutting like mad at the moment.

Yes yesterday left me in a much better mood, especially as on Saturday I had Squeaky bleating away opposite all day. The man with the relentless voice box. By the end of the morning I had a blinding headache - I do not react well to constantly repeated high pitch noise. I felt like a rat being tested for noise toleration in a laboratory. Fortunately this was his last day in Norfolk so am looking forward to the peace this week. That isn't to say we won't miss him because such great characters are few and far between but in future I hope the casuals that turn up are a tad quieter!

If you want to know about Sheringham Market, thinking of paying a visit or just fancy being a bit nosy about us all check out www.sheringhammarket.blogspot.com.

If you are looking for great jewellery that won't cost the earth or a lovely pashmina wrap to keep you warm in these chill April days try www.myriadlife.co.uk.

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Blogging Heaven

Source: Myriad Life
Wednesday 2nd April 2008, 6:04pm

I've clocked up some serious hours this week working on my blogs and websites, my eyes are square, my head is throbbing and I have an annoying little knot in my left shoulder which I'm sure has been caused by keyboarditus.

As a sole trader will I have to sue myself for repetitive strain injury?

The trouble is the computer is becoming addictive and I do not have an addictive personality however I have begun to twitch when I have to keep away from it for more than a few hours. It is compelling and so much more fun than television.

Should I get out more?

Well on Monday night I ventured out (for the first time ever) to try out a Salsa class with my reluctant neighbour. After all day pounding the keys it was a pleasure to think about something else and use my feet instead of my fingers.

I had some serious concerns about learning Salsa, many years ago I tried Jazz dance and felt completely humiliated as the entire class managed to move in an entirely different direction to me for the whole lesson. And that was all my experience of dance apart from watching Strictly Come Dancing.

I didn't decide to try Salsa because of the above programme I hasten to add. I have always fancied having a go and when a leaflet dropped through my letterbox last week I set about persuading my neighbour to accompany me. Safety in pairs and all that.

It was fun, there was a good mix of people, a humorous teacher, a bar nearby, what more could I want? Well having to dance with the pot-bellied drunk who gatecrashed was a bit of a downside but thankfully he could dance a bit and didn't stay long.

I actually learnt a bit and am already looking forward to next week - if only to get myself away from the silver screen.

The Sheringham Blog Spot is coming along well - click on the link to find out all about it.

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Enough to drive you NUTS!

Source: Myriad Life
Sunday 30th March 2008, 8:44pm

I can't stand seeing any more propaganda re Alzheimers. All this rubbish about if you keep your brain active, if you eat folic acid, if you ease up on the alcohol and stop smoking, ENOUGH!

Dr Mark Porter in the EDP on Saturday needs to go back and read what he has written and perhaps think about the advice given in his column. To be fair he's only regurgitating the official lines of advice but it's time someone questioned the propaganda.

He mentions Terry Pratchett, a much loved author who has early onset Alzheimers. Mr Pratchett is being very brave about it, he's donated a vast sum of money and he talks a lot of sense.

Mr Pratchett is acknowledging the devastating effect this disease has and trying to give it publicity and financial aid while he still has time.

Alzheimers affects just as many people as cancer and yet it has nowhere near the same public profile. Several years ago in Australia I saw on the news information about a drug that delays the progression of this disease, it was cheap. I wondered why we don't have it over here. I think we do now but surprise surprise it's very expensive.

Telling us that if we exercise our brains we can stave off brain disease is ridiculous, use it or lose it is the message, do crosswords, suduko, etc etc. Excuse me but isn't Mr Pratchett a very fine writer who has sold millions of books, does he not use his brain on a daily basis to do this?

Iris Murdoch, one of the great writers of our time, she had Alzheimers and continued to write as she suffered. Assumably she was exercising her brain to write.

Countless other highly intelligent people have been lost to Alzheimers, daily crosswords and brain training machines would not have made the slightest bit of difference, they were using their brains to good effect anyway.

My father died at the age of 64, he had Alzheimers. When it started he was still in full time employment as a Personnel Officer, his brain was exercised constantly by his work but this awsome & evil disease stole him piece by piece until he was a mere shell.

All this 'useful advice' is a smokescreen, the truth is there is very little help for the increasing number of carers and sufferers, research makes very slow progress and the government doesn't want to pay out for the drugs or practical help. My father died twenty two years ago and not much has changed.

Alzheimers is a ticking time bomb. Don't believe the propaganda.

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Hubble Bubble Van & Trouble

Source: Myriad Life
Friday 28th March 2008, 11:24am

There are those who might think I am a witch at times but some days I wish a was. I'd love to cast a spell across my van dashboard right now and make the flashing lights disappear but guess I'll have to stick to less mystical solutions!

I have had it confirmed that the lights are telling me porkies, the glow plug thingy is perfectly all right and there is absolutely nothing wrong with the brakes but now I have to go to VW for an expensive diagnostic test to determine which wires have come lose.

My regular mechanics simply can't sort this irritating problem out.

I am grateful that there is nothing wrong but all I want is a quiet life with things going smoothly for a while.

We've endured the family health problems, the revolting weather casting a damp and windy impossibility on business, please stars, try and line up sensibly in the heavens and grant us some plain sailing for a while. There that's a prayer, not hocus pocus!

Meanwhile I've been working away on the Sheringham Market blog gradually adding pictures of stalls and brief descriptions. The traders on the whole seem to be very happy that something is being done. Everyone is feeling somewhat battered by the outrageous misfortune the weather has brought.

On a more cheerful note, The Apprentice is back to entertain us. It really is such a fabricated masterpiece featuring unbelievable characters. I wonder if they do really just employ a bunch of actors. I don't care, as it is most compelling and I love Sir Alan's cutting and direct approach, "what does outstanding mean regarding your bar exams?" He grunted at the instantly dislikeable upstart barrister "that the results aren't in yet?" Or something along those lines. Classic.

As for their foray to the market to sell fish - what a load of cobblers. Arriving at market at midday - I don't think so. Loved the comment by a trader "oy, I want to make an official complaint - no vans on." For goodness sakes, this is a TV programme, they can do whatever they like. So selling at market isn't just a case of "Come and get your luverly bananas then." Golly gosh, one has to set up stall, mark things up to make a profit and everything, and my word, it takes hours!

Reality bites - loving it!!!

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Fordham Market Easter Monday is cancelled

Source: Myriad Life
Sunday 23rd March 2008, 6:34pm

Thankfully this is supposedly the last early Easter for sixty years. Four precious days without trade has left us cursing at this most holy of times but in truth I was much in need of a holiday.

Thanks to the white stuff...

The last six months have been a true test of will and endurance, life threatening illness, ambulances at 1am, bedside vigils, you name it, we've been through it.

Sleeping in until 10am - pure luxury. It's a strange thing to become like the rest of the human race again, days off, sleeping in, meals at proper times, before I know it I'll be soft as putty. As for spending a couple of hours in the local pub at lunchtime with the neighbours well I feel truly decadent! I am writing this after a couple of hours snoozing. I couldn't keep my eyes open for the Chelsea, Arsenal game which considering the result is just as well.

Late night TV is my favourite indulgence. Anything after 10pm I usually miss though of course I can record it's even better to watch it at the right time.

Soon all this will change and we'll be chasing our tails once more but I have to say I am enjoying this enforced rest not to mention the chocolate (well I do feel a bit sick come to mention it!) Happy Easter.

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