Sunday 31 January 2016

MONDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2016 07:12 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1st February 1953

The North Sea Flood
The 1953 North Sea flood (Known in England as "the East Coast Floods" and in the Netherlands and Belgium as "Watersnoodramp", literally "flood disaster") was a major flood caused by a heavy storm that occurred on the night of Saturday, 31 January 1953 and morning of Sunday, 1 February 1953. The floods struck the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.

A combination of a high spring tide and a very deep depression over the North Sea caused a storm tide; the combination of wind, high tide, and low pressure led to a water level of more than 5.6 metres (18.4 ft) above mean sea level in some locations. The flood and waves overwhelmed sea defences and caused extensive flooding. The Netherlands, a country with 20% of its territory below mean sea level and 50% less than 1 metre (3.3 ft) above sea level and which relies heavily on sea defences, was worst affected, recording 1,836 deaths and widespread property damage. Most of the casualties occurred in the southern province of Zeeland. In England, 307 people were killed in the counties of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Nineteen were killed in Scotland. Twenty-eight people were killed in West Flanders, Belgium.

Another more than 230 deaths occurred on water craft along Northern European coasts as well as on ships in deeper waters of the North Sea. The ferry MV Princess Victoria was lost at sea in the North Channel east of Belfast with 133 fatalities, and many fishing trawlers sank.

Realizing that such infrequent events could recur, the Netherlands particularly, and the United Kingdom carried out major studies on strengthening of coastal defences. The Netherlands developed the Delta Works, an extensive system of dams and storm surge barriers. The UK constructed storm surge barriers on the River Thames below London and on the River Hull where it meets the Humber estuary.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
The Doctor's (under protest!)
Housework
Meditation
Missus Time
Me Time

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
I love all the modern utilities and conveniences of a city. It does however, come at a price, particularly CRIME. I am fortunate that I have not thus far been burgled, due to some precautions I've had installed to deter the opportunist, and partly luck. I did once (ten years ago?) have a "walk in theft" when all of us were in - an opportunist nabbed my mobile phone when the back door was unlocked. The back door has been permanently locked ever since, apart from forgetting a few times, and on those times I got away with it.

Some thefts were understandable - bikes and a wheelbarrow stolen from an insecure garage - now secure! The garden gate took me completely by surprise - I was warned it would happen due to the way the hinges were put in, but I didn't believe it! I never replaced the gate and the other gate is now chained! 

The meanest most pointless theft was of my house number plate. An inexpensive ceramic affair, someone unscrewed it off the wall one night. I assume the thief lives at no.26 somewhere! The other number plate on the back door has remained unmolested. I have now after three years or so replaced the front number plate with a very nice brass one - once Storm Henry has passed, I will glue the screws with Araldite, making the screws hard to remove.

The destruction of my exterior light this last week was probably not the act of a vandal but rather Storm Gertrude. A fragile all-plastic affair, it did well for 25 years, and I fear its destruction is self-inflicted - this summer I cleaned the plastic sphere enclosing the bulb and may not have screwed it properly back into place. Gertrude subsequently blew it off its mount and shattered it - this however is only a theory that best fits the facts.

Yesterday I went shopping for a replacement and decided on a robust security light - AND BOUGHT THE WRONG ONE! I can't be too hard on myself as I have no experience in such matters. It requires a 2.5 metre height to work, and the fitting is only 1.6 metres up, but I only found this on the bumf INSIDE the box. My options are now:
1. Go replace it with a decorative one
2. Fit it myself anyway - it should still come on and illuminate things
3. Hire an electrician to fit it at the correct height. 

On top of this unwanted hassle is a forced visit to the doctor's who won't prescribe more stomach medication until I take a blood test for liver function - I have better things to do with my life!

Of course, all these hassles need to be put in perspective - switch on the news any day and you'll see far more suffering than I have. I remain grateful, happy and at peace beneath the grumbles on the surface, and will simply respond to these challenges in the best way I can.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you responding in the right way to what you face?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

















Moon:






Weathertrack:















Air Pressure: 1005 millibars and static

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
My cat just swatted my dog in the face for yawning loudly and it was then I knew they were married. :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Delanie Fischer on her disastrous sexual encounter

8. TRIVIA
During a woman’s period, the opening of the cervix (Latin for “neck” or “nape of neck”) and uterus stretch slightly to allow the shedding of the endometrium. During this time, harmful sexually transmitted bacteria have easier access to the uterus, increasing the risk of serious pelvic infections. HIV is also more easily transmitted during a woman’s period.

9. ZEN WISDOM
A truly beautiful person is one who gratefully appreciates beauty

Saturday 30 January 2016

SUNDAY 31st JANUARY 2016 07:54 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

31st January 1578

The Battle of Gembloux
The Battle of Gembloux took place at Gembloux, near Namur, Low Countries, between the Spanish forces led by Don John of Austria (Spanish: Don Juan de Austria), Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands, and a rebel army composed by Dutch, Flemish, English, Scottish, German, French and Walloon soldiers under Antoine de Goignies, during the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604).

The Spanish cavalry commanded by John's nephew, Don Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, after pushing back the Dutch cavalry, attacked the Dutch army, causing an enormous panic amongst the rebel troops. The result was a crushing victory for the Spanish forces. The battle hastened the disintegration of the unity of the rebel provinces, and meant the end of the Union of Brussels, a rebel alliance of Protestants and Catholics opposed to Spanish rule. The southern Low Countries (what is now Belgium) were thus kept firmly under Spanish rule. 

The north (The Netherlands) however, exclusively Dutch and Protestant, did not suffer the disunity that undermined the resistance of the south, and remained unconquered and defiant

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Finance
The Paper Run/getting up Missus
Ironing
Lunch
DIY Shopping
Meditation
Me Time
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,069 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 1

untraced
Unfollowers eliminated = 0

-
New Followers followed back = 1
@TheToriHarris
Spammers not followed back = 0
-

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
Some annoyances have occurred! A recent storm has destroyed my outside light and the doctor won't prescribe any more stomach medication until I take a blood test for liver function. This will require unwanted trips to B&Q today, the doctor's tomorrow and some DIY. I really do have better things to do with my life! In addition, the financial realities of our Pearl Anniversary Weekend must be confronted.

However, I have not forgotten to count blessings amidst these annoyances. The Weekend Job went smoothly despite "Calamity Chris" being in charge and home life continues to be Shangri-La. I am feeling the fear but doing things anyway, and I have rejected delusions of security for the path of fulfilment. I have a clear set of goals for my character (a self-supporting Practice) and spiritually (total internal silence) and I feel peace-of-mind, living quietly under-the-radar, free of grief. Thank you universe, I have no complaints whatsoever!

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Is your life fulfilling a purpose? Who's purpose?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

Moon:






Weathertrack:














Air Pressure: 1006 millibars and falling

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
Aren't feet really just crap hands? :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
The Graham Norton Show: Lady Gaga on epic fails

8. TRIVIA
When an injured and dying former SS man asked Holocaust survivor Simon Wiesenthal for forgiveness for his role in wiping out the entire Jewish population in a small Ukrainian town, Wiesenthal answered with silence rather than forgiveness. Haunted by the experience, Wiesenthal published an essay called The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, which is now a classic of Holocaust literature.

9. ZEN WISDOM
The seeds of firm conviction already contain within them the flowers and fruits of happiness. But if we plant the seeds of self-doubt, naturally, only noxious weeds will sprout.

Thursday 28 January 2016

FRIDAY 29th JANUARY 2016 07:20 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

29th January 1856

Establishment of the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. It is first in the order of wear in the United Kingdom honours system, and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals, including the Order of the Garter. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. The VC is usually presented to the recipient or to their next of kin by the British monarch at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace.

The VC was introduced on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to honour acts of valour during the Crimean War. Since then, the medal has been awarded 1,358 times to 1,355 individual recipients. Only 15 medals, 11 to members of the British Army, and four to the Australian Army, have been awarded since the Second World War. The traditional explanation of the source of the metal from which the medals are struck is that it derives from Russian cannon captured at the Siege of Sevastopol. Some research suggested a variety of origins for the material actually making up the medals themselves. Research has established that the metal for the medals came from two Chinese cannons that were captured from the Russians in 1855.

Owing to its rarity, the VC is highly prized and the medal has fetched over £400,000 at auction. A number of public and private collections are devoted to the Victoria Cross. The private collection of Lord Ashcroft, amassed since 1986, contains over one-tenth of all VCs awarded. Following a 2008 donation to the Imperial War Museum, the Ashcroft collection went on public display alongside the museum's Victoria and George Cross collection in November 2010

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Meditation
Me Time
Shift 1 of the Weekend Job
TV Comedy Night

Twitter Followers = 2,069 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 0

-
Unfollowers eliminated = 0

-
New Followers followed back = 0
-
Spammers not followed back = 0
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3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
After spending the best part of a day on it, I finally solved my e-mail glitch. As with most things computer software, the corrective action was an easy matter, establishing what the problem actually was caused all the grief. What it boiled down to was that if several devices are accessing your mailbox, only one can be on the POP3 protocol. In the process of finding this out, I had something of a crash-course in e-mail in general. It was all stuff I needed to know so there are plenty of positives from the incident.

On the character front, the aim continues to be personal development, particularly in my Practice. I have identified that "being very interesting to talk to" is a different thing to getting hired! I need to examine deeper why one is not always leading to the other. This will be a project for the next few months.

On the spiritual front, I have the same ongoing aim - total internal silence, letting intuition "run the show". As time has gone on, my spirituality has become increasingly less spiritual and more scientific. I increasingly attribute "what's going on" to activity within the brain itself rather than spiritual forces beyond it. However, I remain firmly Nondualist in outlook - that seems to me to fit best with scientific understanding of the universe. 

I retain however a broader concept of consciousness than simply electrical activity in a nervous system - I would argue that even plants have consciousness - an awareness of their environment and can communicate with each other. What makes human beings special is that they can process and store knowledge of things beyond themselves. Human beings are superconscious - conscious of consciousness itself - they can see the "bigger picture" although they can also decide not to!

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
What does being "you" actually mean

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
















Moon:





Weathertrack:














Air Pressure: 1006 millibars and static

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
Someone needs to invent an alarm clock that, if you hit snooze more than three times, will call in sick for you. :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
The Graham Norton Show - Feisty Cher and Hashtag Howlers

8. TRIVIA
Because Pluto’s moon Charon and Pluto orbit each other, Charon appears to stand still in Pluto’s sky an the same sides of Pluto and Charon always face each other.

9. ZEN WISDOM
Our hopes, desires and ambitions are powerful forces existing within us for the shaping of the future. They are the generating forces that create the future. To lose hope or give up one’s goals because of the setbacks of the moment is to diminish one’s own life potential. Hopes, dreams, faith and sense of mission enable us to open up our lives.

Wednesday 27 January 2016

THURSDAY 28th JANUARY 2016 06:51 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

28th January 1958

Lego is patented
Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks accompanying an array of gears, figurines called minifigures, and various other parts. Lego pieces can be assembled and connected in many ways, to construct objects such as vehicles, buildings, and working robots. Anything constructed can then be taken apart again, and the pieces used to make other objects.

The Lego Group began manufacturing the interlocking toy bricks in 1949, but it was not until 1958 that the current versatile and fully interlocking brick was patented. It then took another five years to develop the most durable plastic for the brick (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Since then a global Lego subculture has developed. Supporting movies, games, competitions, and six Legoland amusement parks have been developed under the brand. As of July 2015, 600 billion Lego parts had been produced.

In February 2015, Lego replaced Ferrari as Brand Finance's "world's most powerful brand".

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Online technical and business promotional work
Meditation
Me Time
Business promotional work

Twitter Followers = 2,069 (up 2)
Non-followed eliminated = 0

-
Unfollowers eliminated = 0

-
New Followers followed back = 1
@MilesOcampoLife 
Spammers not followed back = 1
@LyndalesLawyers

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
Time-wasters!! They go with the territory if you're a therapist in the private-sector, so you simply take measures to minimize the time they waste. I don't count enquirers as time-wasters, they are legitimate "window shoppers" who are welcome to ask about and discuss their options. If ultimately decide not to buy, that's fine, understandable and reasonable. Time-wasters are those who say they will and then don't show up or come up with the wonga!

I found myself surprised at who the time-wasters are. They can be of literally ANY status. I have had another professional person turn out to be a time-waster. Another unwanted surprise was technical difficulties with my e-mail, which though not blocking my e-mails needs sorting and its not a quick fix.

I was made aware of my vulnerabilities as these two intertwining incidents disrupted my sleep. Never mind, I will respond appropriately. The sleep can be caught up on and the mailbox issue will get sorted eventually. Regarding time-wasters, I have learned not to book appointments before I've got the fee! It's all about fortifying borders. Having suitably dealt with the predators and tormentors, I have now identified and shut down a vulnerability to time-wasters. 

I am pleased with my own response to these new challenges! 

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you responding appropriately to challenges?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
















Moon:





Weathertrack:














Air Pressure:
1017 millibars and falling

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
This is the second time this week I've been late - this means it's Tuesday :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Chris Turner oneliners

8. TRIVIA
It is still technically a hanging offence in Texas to steal cattle or to put graffiti on someone else’s cow. It is also illegal to indecently expose or swear in front of a corpse in Texas. In Galveston, Texas, it is illegal to have a camel run loose on the beach.

9. ZEN WISDOM
Art is to the spirit what bread is to the body: a necessity without which it cannot renew itself.

Tuesday 26 January 2016

WEDNESDAY 27th JANUARY 2016 07:09 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK
 
WISDOM, HUMOUR, AND LOTS OF OTHER INTERESTING STUFF CAN BE FOUND ON MY PINTEREST PAGE and FACEBOOK PAGE
TO FIND OUT WHAT I DO, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE

1. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

27th January 1944

The Siege of Leningrad is lifted
German forces and their Finnish allies had surrounded the city on 8th September 1941. The Germans then pursued a deliberate policy of starving the city into submission. However, the Germans were never able to completely isolate the city as their forces halted a few miles to the east and much of Lake Ladoga remained in Soviet hands. When the lake froze in Winter, a limited trickle of supplies could be driven across it and others could be evacuated. 

This road was named the Road of Life (Russian: Дорога жизни). As a road it was very dangerous. There was the risk of vehicles becoming stuck in the snow or sinking through broken ice caused by the constant German bombardment. Because of the high winter death toll the route also became known as the "Road of Death". However, the lifeline did bring military and food supplies in and took civilians and wounded soldiers out, allowing the city to continue resisting their enemy.

Nevertheless, the 872 days of the siege caused extreme famine in the Leningrad region through disruption of utilities, water, energy and food supplies. This resulted in the deaths of up to 1,500,000 soldiers and civilians and the evacuation of 1,400,000 more, mainly women and children, many of whom died during evacuation due to starvation and bombardment. On Hitler's express orders, most of the palaces of the Tsars, such as the Catherine Palace, Peterhof Palace, Ropsha, Strelna, Gatchina, and other historic landmarks located outside the city's defensive perimeter were looted and then destroyed, with many art collections transported to Nazi Germany.

The land siege was partially broken after a Soviet offensive in January 1943 when a six-mile wide land corridor was punched through on the southern shore of the lake. Finally on 27 January 1944, the Soviet Leningrad-Novgorod Strategic Offensive expelled German forces from the southern outskirts of the city. This was a combined effort by the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts, along with the 1st and 2nd Baltic Fronts. The Baltic Fleet provided 30% of aviation power for the final strike against the Wehrmacht.

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
Shopping
Lunch 
Meditation
Business promotional work
Making Supper
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 2,067 (no change)
Non-followed eliminated = 0

-
Unfollowers eliminated = 0

-
New Followers followed back = 0
- 
Spammers not followed back =0
-

3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
My overriding personal passion is my hypnotherapy practice, and I have been fortunate enough to see a flurry of activity in January to fire my blood. Though not every initial consultation needs to business, it nevertheless heightens morale, as it is what I really love to do. It took more than half-a-lifetime to figure out a fulfilling role for myself, but having finally found it, I truly love it!

Poor Son has now contracted the virulent Common Cold that myself and Missus have already suffered. Lacking the decades-worth of antibodies that we have accumulated, it has hit him worst of all, striking rapidly and severely. He is in for a very uncomfortable five days. Missus has now fully recovered and I am at the back end with sniffles and nasal soreness.

As an additional blessing I didn't have to do the "loonwalk" this morning, where I have to escort Missus to the top of the road to stop Shadow the cat following her (Missus is not assertive enough to shoo the cat away) - it was pissing down and this deterred the cats from going out. 

My main focus today is Total Internal Silence - being directed by intuition rather than thought. I have been distracted from this goal of late, and though this character is fulfilling fun to play, I want to get back to Universal Consciousness, the most satisfying and fulfilling state of consciousness.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
What brings peace-of-mind

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD

















Moon:





Weathertrack:














Air Pressure: 998 millibars and rising rapidly

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
My one-man show, "I Will Unload All These Groceries In One Trip If It Kills Me" is getting rave reviews from the neighbours. :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Jim Meskimen - Hamlet In Celebrity Voices

8. TRIVIA
The term “junk food” was initially used in the 1960s but was popularized during the following decade when the song “Junk Food Junkie” reached the top of the US charts in 1976.

9. ZEN WISDOM
Our ability to respect others is the true mark of our humanity. Respect for other people is the essence of human rights.