Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Sky ceiling This is an interesting idea, its a ceiling that recreates the effect of a sunny day indoors. Called a SkyCeiling the ceiling creates the illusion that you are underneath a sunny sky and can be used to brighten up a room even it has no windows. It works by using high resolution photographs of the sky and overhanging trees which are suspended from the ceiling to create a 3 D effect. The photos are produced on transparent tiles and are lit from behind with high powered fluorescent lights. The system can be programmed to mimic the time of the day and different seasons. It is expected to be popular with offices and hospitals where it could be used to reduce stress and boost feelings of well being.

posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:41:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Tuesday, May 27, 2008

I often wonder why it takes so long to transfer money between bank accounts and why I can transfer it between two accounts with the same bank instantly but to transfer to an account with a different bank it takes a minimum of four days. Now it appears that there is a new system that will allow same day bank transfers. Customers will be able to make one off payments up to a maximum of of £10,000 that will leave their account and arrive at the destination on the same day. Among the banks that will be included in the scheme are Abbey, Alliance and Leicester, Barclays, Citi, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks (National Australia Group), Co-operative Bank, HBOS, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide Building Society, Northern Bank (Danske Bank), Northern Rock, and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (including NatWest and Ulster Bank).

posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:19:30 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Monday, May 26, 2008

DSC_0096 We had to take Oscar to the vet the other day because he had a problem with his right eye. He had been unable to open his eye for most of the day and was obviously in quite a lot of pain because he was not his usual happy self. The vet said that he has a eye ulcer and has given us some drops which we need to use three times a day. Oscar is now starting to look a bit better, he can open his eye and is bouncing around as usual. We have to take him back for a checkup at the end of the week but hopefully it will have cleared up by then. As to what has caused the ulcer, apparently it is commonly caused by fighting so I'm guessing one of my other cats is responsible.

posted on Monday, May 26, 2008 12:11:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [1] Trackback
 Sunday, May 25, 2008
DSCN1041We have just put our house on the market and are looking at moving to something a little bigger in Egham. Below is the description and the price is £219,950 so if you are looking at moving to Egham and are interested then let me know.

An extended end terrace property situated within a cul de sac and located within half a mile of Egham high street amenities and mainline train station. Accommodation comprises entrance hallway, lounge, kitchen, dining room, shower room, double bedroom, first floor bathroom, mezzanine study area, own private rear garden and off street parking.

house1
posted on Sunday, May 25, 2008 1:40:35 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Saturday, May 24, 2008

A donkey has been jailed after it bit and kicked two men in southern Mexico. After the attack the donkey was taken to the local jail which normally holds people. It will remain there until its owner agrees to pay the medical bills of the people it attacked.

posted on Saturday, May 24, 2008 11:25:28 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Friday, May 23, 2008

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This interesting looking treetop walkway has just opened at Kew Gardens. It is 200m long and has been designed by the architects behind the London Eye to allow visitors to enter the tree canopy and get a closer look at the birds and insects that live there. It certainty looks like it will be interesting to visit, although I will probably wait until it has been open a little while before going.

posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 2:30:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [1] Trackback

A government alcohol abuse expert has been banned from driving after being caught drink driving not once but twice. He was fined £1,500 for the two offences he committed in August and December 2006. It makes me wonder what hope there is for the rest of the population if the very experts put in place to make a difference break the laws themselves.

posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 1:31:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Thursday, May 22, 2008

If you like Champagne, then you might be interested to know that Sainsbury's own brand Champagne has recently won a gold medal at the annual wine awards. Judges rated the Champagne as highly as Piper Heidsieck, Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot's 1998 La Grande Dame which cost around £85. The Sainsbury's Champagne, however, has a rather more modest price tag at just £23.99 a bottle.

posted on Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:24:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback
 Wednesday, May 21, 2008

 

Burger

A New York restaurant is offering a burger that costs $175. At that price you would expect a little more than the average burger. For your money you get a burger made of Kobe beef, topped with gold flakes, black truffles, seared foie gras and aged Gryere Cheese. It is served with golden truffle mayonnaise, Belgian style fires and a mixed salad. It sounds tasty but a little pricey. Surprisingly the restaurant that makes them currently sells 20 to 25 of these every month in their fine dining room.

posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:50:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback

I read this article that suggests a kebab can contain as much as a wine glass full of cooking oil which amounts to around 111g of fat and 1,000 calories. Other fast food such a chicken korma or a medium pizza also had fairly high levels of both salt and fat. I find the article interesting not because it shows that fast food is bad for you, but because it implies that people still don't know that fast food is bad for you. We all know that a kebab is bad for you but that's why we don't eat them everyday and just indulge every now and again on the way home from the pub. mmm kebab.

posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:27:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [0] Trackback