Could Not Resist – More Tory Posters

Check out http://mydavidcameron.com/posters2.html for more hilarious examples. Nice to see the public really does have a sense of humour …..

At last relief from embarrassing itching ..........

Fun : Tory Poster Campaign

Now - where is the poster for Brown !

To while away a few minutes of boredom, become your own political PR guru and design a new Cameron poster, courtesy of Andy Barefoot. What fun ! Just need a Labour/Brown version now (for balance, natch !).

Click here to jump to the site and have a go

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New Year Getaway – Picking An Online Travel Agent

From upper left: Manhattan south of Rockefelle...
Image via Wikipedia

The bigger European sites for booking late deals to travel are all much of a muchness. Digging a little deeper, which fare fairer and which deal dearly ? Planning a Christmas break, I took a quick punt on Opodo, Expedia and the market-making Lastminute.com. My mission was to pick either a week in the sun or 7 nights in the Big Apple. Here briefly are my experiences:

Worst of the bunch – LastMinute.com

The golden calf reared by Martha Lane-Fox and Brent Hoberman was my first stop to seek a quick and inexpensive getaway. The simpler layout on hitting the site is welcoming and the Flash adverts draw the eye towards some interesting packages. However, the initial looks were deceiving. Having dug into New York breaks without luck, I was tempted by the many adverts for Egypt all-inclusive packages. Pre-Christmas, I skipped through the links to be presented with a tempting array of sun, sea and sand options at tempting prices. Once I got far enough to determine the particular combination – and this exercise had taken 15 to 20 minutes – I was maddeningly informed by the site that the selected package was “…no longer available …”. This outcome was so common that I was beginning to think the site had a major bug so I did a few random flight searches which succeeded. The ‘draw’ of the package deals, then, proved to be a set of frustrating mirages. Lastminute.com adds in insurance and Carbon Offset automatically to the final itinerary (can be removed) and whatever package I selected, the price always jumped by a few pounds from the original quote for no other apparent reason. As with prior experiences on this site when searching for theatre and weekend jaunts in the UK, I will steer clear of LM in the future.

Middling Opodo

As much an aggregator with a less sophisticated interface, Opodo.co.uk yielded results with a relatively simple mechanism to customise the selected combinations of flights and hotels. Slow but steady, the system initially told me it had “… no packages for New York City” but then going via its City Breaks links generated over 100 hotel + flight combinations at reasonable prices. More fool them that I had to persevere with the site to get what I wanted. Flight selections in particular were sporadic and complicated – sometimes including layovers where I had asked for direct only. A poor selling site, then, but with a reasonable yet slow interface.


Best of the bunch – Expedia.co.uk

Expedia was a snap. Straight to a list with a suggested package that, whilst not the cheapest, was pretty close to my ideal. I could quickly run through the hotel and flight combinations and adjust my booking to create the perfect package. The jump to hotel details was smooth and informative. The combined itinerary was well presented with options available but not automatically added (unlike Lastminute.com) so that the base price is what was quoted on the initial search. So impressed, I added in limousine collection and helicopter trips which were not especially cheap but added finesse to a reasonably good deal. (I plumped for this and committed my credit card. The limo service in particular was excellent and avoided hassling with cabs on reaching Newark – having arrived 2 hours late amidst the worst East Coast snowstorm this year.) The onwards links to airline, hotel and ancillary booking systems were seamless and for the most part, transparent.

Neatly executed, honest and clear. Expedia is to be recommended.

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The Fine Art Of Political Spin

Thanks to Dani for this excellent contribution : Political Spin – How It Is Done !

It’s all in the wording you see. It just all depends on how you look at some things…

Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California , was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid’s great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor.

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory:

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory in 1889

On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: ‘Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.’

So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle. Believe it or not, Harry Reid’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

“Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed..”

Congressman Harry Reid:

Congressman Harry Reid

Congressman Harry Reid

That’s how it’s done, folks ! Realpolitik 1O1.

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Illegal Border Crossing – How to make it worth your while ……

The former border crossing at the summit.
Image via Wikipedia

Thanks to today’s Hotmail joke circulation for this little snippet:

Let me see if I understand all this…

IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOUR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.

IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE BRITISH BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET A JOB, A DRIVERS LICENSE, PENSION CARD, WELFARE, CREDIT CARDS, SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION AND FREE HEALTH CARE.

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Ferrari Fires Pit Crew …… :-)

Scuderia Ferrari Pit Stop at 2000 Italian Gran...
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Thanks to my big sis for sending in this little giggle whilst swanning round Vietnam :

“The Ferrari F1 team fired their entire pit crew yesterday.”

This announcement followed Ferrari’s decision to take advantage of the British government’s ‘Work for your Dole’ scheme and employ some Liverpudlian youngsters. The decision to hire them was brought about by a recent documentary on how unemployed youths from Toxteth were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds without proper equipment, whereas Ferrari’s existing crew could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of pounds worth of high tech equipment.

It was thought to be an excellent, bold move by the Ferrari management team as most races are won and lost in the pits, giving Ferrari an advantage over every other team.

However, Ferrari got more than they bargained for! At the crew’s first practice session, not only was the scouse pit crew able to change all four wheels in under 6 seconds but, within 12 seconds, they had re-sprayed, re-badged and sold the car to the McLaren team for 8 cases of Stella, a bag of weed and some photos of Lewis Hamilton’s bird in the shower.

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Turning training on its head …….

Scott Young - World Record Holder, Freerunner and Elite PT-trained by Dave Lewis

Another in a series of articles by Poliquin-trained Personal Trainer Dave Lewis. This week, he looks at some myths surrounding body styling and working out.

Training in a gym can be a daunting prospect. Most people see the long line of mechanical running machines and think “yes, slaving away on there for hours will give me the body of my dreams.” Well I am happy to tell you that it is not the only way.

1.Resistant training increases your Metabolism. We briefly mentioned in last months article, that for every pound of lean muscle you put on, you burn an extra 50 calories a day. However this is not the end of the benefits. Using weights increases the amount of powerful fat burning hormones like Growth hormone and IGF-1. It also improves bone density, warding off osteoporosis. This is all great but what does it mean to you ? Well the simple answer is it is a quicker and more beneficial way to change your body shape.

2.There is no such thing as toning up! Trainers hear this every day, “I don’t want to get big I just want to tone up!” NO NO NO and, well, No ! Let’s set this straight. If you want a muscle to be more “defined”, decrease your body fat and increase the muscle mass by weight training. Putting on muscle is a very hard thing to do, so just by lifting one dumbbell I promise you that you will not become The Hulk.

3.Get the Cover model look. If you want to burn fat and increase muscular tone you need to be doing 12 – 15 reps on big-bang exercises (exercises that work lots of muscle groups) such a Snatch grip dead lift, split squats and pull ups. These work by producing large amounts of lactic acid and increasing production of growth hormone – a key fat burning hormone. Make sure you keep the rest periods short: 45 – 60 seconds. There is so much more to it than this but the idea should be enough to get you started.

If you need a simple, easy-to-follow programme designed for you or just straightforward advice on following a healthy training regimen, we can do so through the power of the internet. You can get in touch with me through this blog by leaving a comment against my articles (don’t worry – I will respond to the email address you provide which is not displayed to other readers and I will absolutely not use your address for anything other than contacting you to provide advice).

Dave’s training firm – Elite Personal Training – provides dedicated and focused biosignature and training advice to professionals, athletes and those looking to improve their overall health and fitness. He trains World Record freerunner Scott Young amongst others.

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Hidden Skiing Gems – Mzaar, Lebanon

Lebanon
Image by space_monkey via Flickr

Hunt around for somewhere new to ski and Lebanon might not exactly stand out – especially at the moment. Its political troubles aside, Lebanon has something to offer and in recent history has been a playground for the rich and fabulous. Its excellent climate, striking scenery and surprising geography combine to offer some unique experiences. An old friend living in the seaside town of Byblos recently recommended to me the skiing areas of Mzaar, Cedars and Laklouk. There is a mature set of resorts and slopes here which have been operating commercially since the 1950’s and provide the opportunity to sample alpine skiing with the chance to go swimming in the Mediterranean in the same day.

Worth a look and despite the troubles in the Middle East, the British Foreign Office Travel Advice is calm, albeit with a few words of caution. Steering clear of downtown Beirut is wise, and staying completely away from Tripoli and the Palestinian camps remains essential. That aside, traveling to Mzaar via the coast around Byblos is easy and relatively safe. Perhaps something for the 2010 season depending on the political situation.

Lebanon winter sports remain on my list to sample. Check out the dedicated website to find packages and prices. There is an article there by Frank Coles of the UK Guardian newspaper which describes the charms of Mzaar well. The scenery is breathtaking and the pistes professionally maintained with good resort facilities, accommodation and some of the best cooking in the world.

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Looking past Christmas to that slimmer 2009 ?

Personal trainer showing a client how to exerc...
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Welcoming the first in a series of articles from Dave Lewis, here are his top tips for fighting the flab after the holiday period. David is a CHEK and Poliquin-trained Personal Trainer based in the UK. Through his company, Elite PT, he offers planning, training and nutritional advice, as well as an advanced bio-signature service that teaches you some unique and effective tips in eliminating fat and keeping those pounds off.

We all make New Year’s resolutions and if yours is to lose fat, then there are a few things you need to consider if you are really going to succeed.

1. No bread, Pasta or sugar. I know all those celebrity-endorsed books will be telling you to eat a low-fat, high-carb diet, however they know as much about nutrition as they know about quantum physics – which of course, is absolutely nothing ! In most cases diets high in carbohydrates will make you fat, especially around the love handles and lower abdominals. The science behind this is perhaps too indepth for this blog but just try and cut the ‘bad’ carbs such as pasta, sugar, bread and cereals for two weeks and you will notice the difference.

2. The Power of the Cheat Meal. Losing that Christmas weight does not mean you cannot enjoy a treat from time to time. We all love eating comfort food and, used properly, the occasional cheat meal has been proven to speed up the fat loss process. So once you have completed your two weeks of low-carb eating you can enjoy a cheat meal once every 5-7 days. Go mad and enjoy a little of what you like.

3. Train Smart. Running monotonously on a treadmill or slaving away on an Cross-trainer is not the ideal way to lose that Christmas fat. If you want to get rid of fat fast and keep it off, then a well-designed resistance-training program will have a far more positive effect on your metabolism (excessive aerobic exercise destroys muscle tissue decreasing metabolism). Of course I would say this, but a quick review with an experienced trainer can pay dividends in achieving what you really want from any exercise programme.

Have a fantastic Christmas and enjoy the New Year.

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Financial news just in from Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the U...
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Financial Crisis Latest from Japan:

In the last 7 hours Origami Bank has folded

Sumo Bank has gone belly up

Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.

Yesterday, it was announced that:

Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song
while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived.

Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks

Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.

Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report that
there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that
staff may get a raw deal.

[I am grateful for this contribution from our Far East correspondent, Ian Dixon]

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