David

How Green are you prepared to be?

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:12:43 GMT

I read a supply chain article recently where it talked about 'Slowgistics' (increased use of Britain's canals, rail networks, coastal shipping routes, and even the re-introduction of airships) for delivering goods to distribution networks; distribution networks collaborating together to deliver goods thereby reducing the use of half empty vans - lowering carbon emissions, and even the growing of produce while in transit (e.g. successful experiments have already been conducted with producing mushrooms en route to their destination).

The question was, as a consumer would you be prepared to wait longer for your goods if it meant being greener?

You realise you are going bald when...

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:41:48 GMT

1. You get a hair cut and your work colleagues don't notice.

2. You get a hair cut and your wife doesn't notice.

3. You now have to start applying sun block to your head as well as other parts of your body.

4. Your child gets nits and whilst it's recommended all family members are checked and precaution taken - you don't need to.

5. Running your fingers through your hair has the same effect as using a comb or brush.

6. Getting a haircut they no longer ask "square or tapered at the back sir?"

7. Having your fringe cut you no longer need to close your eyes.

8. The hairdresser has to find ways to prolong the session to justify the cost.

9. The hairdresser spends more time on your sideburns than the hair on your head.

10. The hairdresser no longer asks you "what would like done today sir?", they just proceed.

Sex education for four year olds?

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:47:34 GMT

Can you believe it....a couple of well known charities are suggesting that sex education should be taught at the age of 4 (yes that's four years old).

My DD is 3.5 years old and has only begun to read, yet in 6 months she could be taught sex education. This is crazy!

Is there not a danger that if you expose a child to this type of information at such a young age that they will want to experiment just to see what all the fuss is about? When I was 9 years old I was taught that razor blades were sharp and very dangerous. So what did I do? I got hold of a razor blade and tested how sharp it was on my leg. My parents were right - and I still have the scar today to prove it. My point is that yes we need to teach our kids about sex but it needs to be at a mature enough age where they can understand what it means and more importantly understand the consequences.

At 4 years old they cannot even say the word consequences...

What do you think?

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Petrol prices - who's to blame?

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:59:34 GMT

Over the last few months we have seen petrol prices soar. It now costs me double what it cost me last year to fill up my car. So who is to blame?

If we look at the fuel companies, their argument is that there is more demand for fuel from the consumer and therefore they need to increase prices to increase productivity and to look into fuel alternatives. Yet Shell's annual profits jumped by 21% to £12.72 bn (that's BILLION!) this year (source: guardian.co.uk/oilprices).

However the fuel companies are blaming the government stating that the majority of the money we pay for fuel is tax. This is true. We pay 50.35p fuel tax on every litre of petrol. We then pay a VAT on the petrol. And we pay VAT on the fuel tax too (8.81p per litre) This means 60% of what we pay for fuel is government tax (source: Association of British Drivers)

Now all that tax on fuel must amount to billions of £'s in the bank for the government each year.

So what does the government do with all those billions? Reinvest back into society to improve the roads and transport links etc...whereas majority of the the fuel companies profits go into shareholders pockets.

So don't be fooled by the misdirection of the argument from the fuel companies on who is blame.

Britain does have Talent!

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:47:13 GMT

So it is over, and we have a winner.....Britain!

I have not enjoyed a reality TV show as much as I enjoyed "Britain has Talent" over this last week. The variety of the acts was fantastic and the talent was exceptional (well I have to exclude the old guy playing the organ) and the final was brilliant.

Here are my views on the acts:

George Sampson
He was a worthy winner. Was he the most talented? No. But he has a self-taught talent and has an endearing quality about him that stole our hearts. Out of all the acts, he was the one that really needed to win to make a difference to his life. No complaints.

Signature
Wow. More of a sketch than an act but very funny to watch. Where can they go from here? Who knows but I am sure they will get something out of the show.

Escala
Absolutely amazing. Original act, beautiful girls, with an extraordinary talent. They are world class and have a huge career ahead of them. Should of been in the top 3.

Faryl Smith
Music is in my soul and Faryl's performance did make the hairs on my neck stand up. I love opera music anyway but the control she had was just stunning - a music master class. Paul Potts was just ok for me last year, Faryl was a million times more impressive and that is not even taking into consideration the fact that she is only 12 years old. Like Escala she is world class and has the most amazing career ahead of her. The purity in her voice was like fresh snow on a winters day as dawn is waking, and the fact she was pitch perfect on that stage in front of 14 million viewers was amazing. Well done and I will certainly be queuing to buy her albums. Find of the series - maybe of all the reality music shows.

Andrew Johnson
Not a big fan to be honest. The bullying thing is awful, and it saddens me that kids can be so cruel. However bullying aside and focusing purely on the talent he didn't deserve to be in the top 3.

Nemisis
Great act, however they are not as good as Flava.

Strike
Liked them - did a good job but they peaked in the semi final.

All other acts aren't really worth discussing.

However I do have a grievance about the show. Flava should have been in the final. I have the greatest respect for Simon Cowell. He is honest and true to his principles but I was disappointed - no really angry with his decision to put Cheeky Monkeys through instead of Flava all because he didn't want to be seen to be kicking the cute kids off the show. It is a talent show Simon! Flava were an unbelievable talent. The choreography was fantastic and the execution was phenomenal - you even said so yourself, so how could you not put them through? I have watched the act numerous times since the show (thanks to Sky+) and I still find myself bopping away to the routine. I seriously hope that Flava get something out of this as they deserve it. They are an inspiration to all young kids out there and the youth work they do to help others is highly commendable. Flava - you deserved to progress further on the show, however I am sure you will you will go far and I wish you all the best.

I am really looking forward to next years show. Variety shows are definitely part of the British culture and it has been a shame that they have disappeared over the last decade or so. I'm sure they are now to make a big comeback and that we will start to see a spate of variety shows popping up around the country.

Well done Simon Cowell and co - great shows, thoroughly entertaining with the winner undoubtedly being Britain.

All images are courtesy of itv.com

Car indicators are there for a reason!

Tue, 27 May 2008 09:15:34 GMT

Have you noticed that people are using their car indicators less and less these days?

The amount of times that people have cut in front of me, without indicating, giving me little to no time to avoid ramming into the back of them has been off the scale.

I may of only been driving for a couple of years, but I still use my indicators as much as I did when I first passed my test. It's common sense surely!

I don't know if this is down to a lack of understanding of how important it is to other drivers to know what you are doing, or whether it is just laziness with a bit of arrogance thrown in. Whatever the reason it is dangerous for you and other drivers if you do not use your car indicators appropriately.

So please next time you are driving, apply some driving etiquette and indicate when changing lanes, or turning off (particularly at roundabouts) and let other drivers know exactly what you are planning to do.

US Presidential Race - Do we care?

Sat, 24 May 2008 09:29:40 GMT

I understand that the US is a world power.
I understand that whoever becomes president will play a highly influential role in world politics.
I also understand that the UK and the US have a "special" relationship.

However, I do not understand why it is necessary to show every single stage in our media leading up to the candidates being selected to fight for the presidency.

Does the British public really care who wins the California primary? Does the British public actually know what a primary is?

Let's be honest, many of us couldn't even name 10 states in the US let alone where they reside geographically so why is it deemed so news worthy if Clinton wins West Virginia? With so much going on in the world today it's not like there is nothing else to write about!

So my message to the media - keep us informed of progress yes, but summarise; and focus on more news worthy items that the British public can relate to.

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"Off my soap box..."