http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/Some general moans and musings.en-EUMokoFeed10http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/9f/cdc0ed45c295c993a43ce60be0e3dd_160x200.jpghttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/liquorice-allsorts-5184208/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-12-08:/2008/12/08/liquorice-allsorts-5184208/Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:32:59 +0100 <p>They're not what they were. I have a packet in front of me now and am disappointed at the relative quantities of the different varieties of allsorts.<br> Barely any solid liquorice ones which I like. Far too many of the round coconuty ones with the bit of liquorice in the middle, and pink aswell!<br> Thankfully there are quite a few of the nobbly aniseedy jelly ones.<br> Personally I like to bite the fondant off and leave the liquorice to savour. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/liquorice-allsorts-5184208/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>liquorice-allsortshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/08/liquorice-allsorts-5184208/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/07/the-rug-company-5174150/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-12-07:/2008/12/07/the-rug-company-5174150/Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:48:55 +0100 <p>Discovered that my debit card details had been used to buy a rug or something from this company. £183 out of my account and nothing to do with me. Either a fraudulent transaction or some sort of cock up. Anyway that was 8 days ago. The bank will refund me but my card was stopped and they said theyd send me a new one. Hadnt received it by today so phoned the bank only to find out that my account had been referred to collections for a reason that even they couldnt explain.<br> Anyway it turns out that I have to go into my branch and ask them to order me another one. God only knows why they couldnt do it over the phone. So Ill be another week without a card which has messed up a couple of direct debits and all my ebay transactions.<br> So ive been in a really bad mood today, resulting in me smoking far too many cigarettes and munching my way through a whole packet of hobnobs for comfort.<br> Im going through a period where previously straightforward aspects of life seem to be incredibly difficult and complicated. Nothing seems to go right. Admittedly the big issues seem to be behind me, its just an ongoing set of annoyances. I have such a level of free-floating anxiety now that I fully expect everything to go wrong and Im just waiting for the next issue to arise. Oh for a simple life! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/07/the-rug-company-5174150/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>rughttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/07/the-rug-company-5174150/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/02/pound-shops-5151452/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-12-02:/2008/12/02/pound-shops-5151452/Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:09:01 +0100 <p>I have to admit that prior to my drastic reduction in income, I wouldn't have stepped over the threshold into one of these establishments. But needs must and today I ventured into my local Poundland. In amongst the tat there really were some bargain products. I left the shop with a set of cutlery, a deodorant spray, medium sized jar of Nescafe (foreign label) and 3 tea towels, all this for a grand total of £4!<br> I've never been particularly frugal, but now that I have to be it really can be quite satisfying. I buy my clothes at Matalan or on ebay and the local indoor market is now a regular haunt. No more label snobbery for me! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/02/pound-shops-5151452/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>pound-shopshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/12/02/pound-shops-5151452/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/26/biscuit-of-the-day-5115596/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-26:/2008/11/26/biscuit-of-the-day-5115596/Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:57:37 +0100 <p>Borrowing a little from a certain website listed to the right, I will occasionally share with you the joys of the humble biscuit.<br> Today's biscuit is the McVities Fruit Shortcake. Im literally half way through a packet now having begun about an hour ago.<br> Anyway, to the biccy itself. Its 5.5cm in diameter, shortcake with around 6-8 currants embedded and a sugar dusting. Dunkable if that takes your fancy, though im not a dunker myself.<br> I think it probably appeals most to the more mature biscuiteer, kids don't normally like 'dead flies' in their biscuits. Its never the first to go in a selection but not last either. Its a mainstream biscuit with a bit of quality. Its one of my favourites.<br> <a href="http://s368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/?action=view&current=biscuit004.jpg"><img src="http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/biscuit004.jpg" border="0" alt="biscuit"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/26/biscuit-of-the-day-5115596/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>mcvities-fruit-shortcakehttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/26/biscuit-of-the-day-5115596/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/gourmet-night-5058525/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-18:/2008/11/18/gourmet-night-5058525/Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:38:13 +0100 <p>Basil: Come on, start, will you!? Start, you vicious bastard!! Come on! Oh my God! I'm warning you — if you don't start… (screams with rage) I'll count to three. (he presses the starter, without success) One…two…three…!!Right! That's it! (he jumps out of the car and addresses it) You've tried it on just once too often! Right! Well, don't say I haven't warned you! I've laid it on the line to you time and time again! Right! Well…this is it! I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing! (he rushes off and comes back with a large branch; he beats the car without mercy)<br> <img src="http://www.fawltysite.net/Images/gourmetnight01.jpg" alt="" title=""><br> <img src="http://www.fawltysite.net/Images/sign11.gif" alt="" title=""></p> <p>I feel better for that! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/gourmet-night-5058525/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>gourmet-nighthttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/gourmet-night-5058525/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/my-brain-5058453/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-18:/2008/11/18/my-brain-5058453/Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:25:41 +0100 <p>.....is a funny thing. Im not at all in control of it. Im not sure I can really trust it.<br> I have good days and I have bad days, but really it is only a symptom of how my brain is dealing with things. I can usually tell when I wake up on a morning what sort of mood my brain is in. Today its telling me that Im a bit pissed off. Tomorrow it will probably tell me Im contented.<br> Thinking this way may help deal with mood fluctuations. It isn't ME that is depressed. Its my brain having a bad day.<br> Having said that, my brain is ME. I don't believe in a seperate soul, or heart. So where does that leave me. Well from my days working in mental health I know something of how dopamine and seratonin levels in the brain effect our mood. So mine are probably not at the right levels right now. Can knowing that make me feel any better? Perhaps it can if I seperate MYSELF from the mechanics of my brain. mmmm, easier said than done.<br> So, I know that lower levels of chemicals in my brain can bring about low mood, therefore I can reassure myself with the knowledge that when the chemicals sort themselves out I will feel fine again. BUT, why are the levels low in the first place? Well that is because of reaction to outside events. Anti-depressant medication helps stabilise the levels of seratonin and/or dopamine in the brain, therefore it can help you keep things in perspective. Perhaps that is why instead of falling into a deep pit of despair I can be fairly objective about my low mood and see it as that imbalance of chemicals, rather than something bigger and deeper.<br> Perhaps I just need to dig out a fawlty towers quote. Hang on... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/my-brain-5058453/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>my-brainhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/my-brain-5058453/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/4-40am-5055448/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-18:/2008/11/18/4-40am-5055448/Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:49:47 +0100 <p>...and i'm still up! I know when its pointless going to bed. Not so good today and yesterday, feeling quite negative and a bit angry, manifesting itself in things like minor road rage. Thats always a sign that im not on form. Some deeper negativity too e.g. my purpose in life, my place in the world etc, pretty heavy stuff.<br> Perhaps if the money worries wern't there i'd probably feel a bit brighter. I'm spending more on cigarettes per month than my income on benefits. Ive got a prescription for stop smoking tablets off the GP but apparently they can make you feel depressed, so this is probably not a good time to start.<br> This money thing is really stressing me. A year ago I was on 30k, now im on 4k. When I was on 30k I never had anything left at the end of the month!<br> If anyone reads this im sorry for the miserable tone but that's how it is. Hopefully a bit brighter tomorrow (today). </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/4-40am-5055448/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>miserablehttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/18/4-40am-5055448/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/didier-drogba-5035205/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-14:/2008/11/14/didier-drogba-5035205/Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:29:51 +0100 <p>He threw a coin back into the crowd. Nobody died, nobody was hurt. Did this deserve any column space? Of course not, but what we got was police involvement and an inquiry by his club. Get over it FFS. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/didier-drogba-5035205/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>drogbahttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/didier-drogba-5035205/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/social-services-5035128/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-14:/2008/11/14/social-services-5035128/Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:15:26 +0100 <p>I worked closely with Social Workers for many years. Its not a job I would want. It seems that Social Workers can't win. Either they're interfering too much in people's lives, or they're not doing enough.<br> When horrendous events occur like those in recent days, the media would have you think that Social Services departments throughout the country are in disarray. Obviously something has gone badly wrong, but I dont think people acknowledge or understand how difficult their job is. Lets get things in perspective - every day children and other vulnerable people are being monitored and protected in often very difficult circumstances. Apparently Britain has just about the best record in the world for preventing child deaths, but this is not going to get headlines when there is an opportunity to have a go at Social Workers.<br> You can almost sense the glee that some people feel when a tragic event like this occurs. They can't wait to get in there and have a go at Social Services departments and Social Workers in general.<br> I have great admiration for people who choose to work in these areas. They're on a hiding to nothing. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/social-services-5035128/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/social-services-5035128/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/selling-stuff-5032725/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-14:/2008/11/14/selling-stuff-5032725/Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:04:25 +0100 <p>Well my finances are dire at the moment. So much so that ive reluctantly decided to flog a few things to keep the wolf from the door. Ive gone through my cd collection, of which a few are rare. I contemplated for quite a long time whether to put these on ebay and it was a real wrench. There is something about a cd or record collection, its very personal and part of me. Each cd means something to me. Having said that though, the particular cd's im flogging havn't been played for some time, but its still difficult. So far ive put two up, both of which should go for £30 - £40. The problem is that when things improve financially I probably wont be able to find them they're so scarce. Oh well. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/selling-stuff-5032725/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cdshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/14/selling-stuff-5032725/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/nothing-is-ever-easy-5008770/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-09:/2008/11/09/nothing-is-ever-easy-5008770/Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:16:07 +0100 <p>Ok im sorry that I sound like a stuck record but I had to get this off my chest. Has anyone ever had dealings with paypal? Well I had to update my account - address, card number, etc etc. For reasons I wont bore you with this didn't go smoothly due to not remembering my password. Now they couldnt send the password to my email because its an old email that I no longer have access to. So I get on the support phone line to them. Judging by the accent I reckon it was the far-east somewhere. This phone call takes around 15 minutes and I end up with a 20 step instruction sent to my new email with how to make the alterations. Well it didnt work so I had to get back on to them again and go through the whole palaver once again. Unfortunately she just didnt understand what I was trying to say and couldn't understand why it didnt work and proceeded to give me the exact same instructions again. I cant even cancel the account without being able to log in which now seems impossible. Im left with the only option of getting another email account and trying to set up a new paypal account that way. I think I can do that anyway.<br> Ultimately I've spent around £15 on my PAYG (no phone line in flat). Ive spent most of the afternoon trying to sort this. I cant use ebay without it, which is where im planning to sell a few things to supplement my meagre income. Im afraid I raised my voice a little during this marathon, but its just soooo frustrating. Aaaaahhhhh! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/nothing-is-ever-easy-5008770/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>paypalhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/09/nothing-is-ever-easy-5008770/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/08/lembit-opik-5005040/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-08:/2008/11/08/lembit-opik-5005040/Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:36:05 +0100 <p>Or Lemmy to his friends. Apparently he's not flavour of the month in the upper echelons of the Lib-Dem party. This is mainly due to the fact that he's a self publicist whose name crops up all too often in the gossip columns. I've got to say though that I quite like him. He certainly couldn't be described as dull, a description that would certainly fit many of his contemporaries.<br> He just lost the race for President of the Lib-Dems, apparently to the great relief of Nick Clegg. Opik had promised to bring a bit of colour to the role, which I'm sure he would have done.<br> You've got to admire someone whose name sounds like an anagram and with an unfeasably lop-sided grin to have pulled Sian Lloyd and Cheeky Girl2. Who next? Kerry Katona?<br> <a href="http://s368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/?action=view&current=Lembit.jpg"><img src="http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/Lembit.jpg" border="0" alt="lembit"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/08/lembit-opik-5005040/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>lembit-opikhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/08/lembit-opik-5005040/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/07/daniel-o-donnell-5001008/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-07:/2008/11/07/daniel-o-donnell-5001008/Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:45:30 +0100 <p>Just saw an advert for this person's latest album. What a strange creature he is. Im sure he must have had his testacles removed at birth.<br> His music is so inoffensive that it is offensive. On his latest 'production' he appears to have to taken a bunch of cheesy country songs and murdered them. They were already poor songs but he's taken them down to a whole new level. For example 'if I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me' sung without an ounce of irony and incredibly bland production values. His kind of music would make an elevator turn its nose up.<br> Apparently he is very popular with ladies of a certain age.<br> <a href="http://s368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/?action=view&current=daniel2.jpg"><img src="http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo123/Yorkieguy1/daniel2.jpg" border="0" alt="odonnell"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/07/daniel-o-donnell-5001008/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>daniel-odonnellhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/07/daniel-o-donnell-5001008/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/call-centres-4989898/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-05:/2008/11/05/call-centres-4989898/Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:36:49 +0100 <p>For 'a' press 1, for 'b' press 2, for 'c' press 3, for 'd' press 4, and finally for change of address press '9'! Why 9, what happened to 5. Of course I pressed 5 and had to start all over again. Just gone through £15 on my PAYG phoning my bank and the DWP. Lloyds TSB staff were unfeasably polite and friendly, which in itself is irritating. Ok i dont want the Capital One experience but just a businesslike effiency would do for me.<br> I find the whole process of phoning these places to be anxiety provoking.<br> Off out for a pint tonight, see you in the middle of the night as usual. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/call-centres-4989898/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>call-centreshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/call-centres-4989898/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/woody-allen-4985807/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-05:/2008/11/05/woody-allen-4985807/Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:51:01 +0100 <p><em>If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank. </em><em><br></em><em><br></em><em> </em><em><br></em><em> </em><em><br></em><em> I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying.</em></p> <p><em><br></em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em><br></em><em> I had a terrible education. I attended a school for emotionally disturbed teachers.</em></p> <p><em><br></em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em><br></em><em> He was so depressed, he tried to commit suicide by inhaling next to an Armenian.</em></p> <p><em><br></em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em><br></em><em> Most of the time I don't have much fun. The rest of the time I don't have any fun at all.</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/woody-allen-4985807/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>woody-allenhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/woody-allen-4985807/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/my-flat-4985782/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-05:/2008/11/05/my-flat-4985782/Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:30:39 +0100 <p>Ive mentioned my flat before. Im not sure what the definition of a 'flat' is but its probably more of a studio flat..well actually...ill be honest its a glorified bedsit. Everything in one room plus a shared bathroom with the bloke next door.<br> Its a come down, but actually i quite like the 'compactness' of my home. It encourages me to keep it relatively tidy. Problem is the cooking smells and the cigarette smells never seem to leave. I open the window for periods but it doesnt help. Ill have to get a plugin air freshener and suffer the associated weeziness.<br> The guy next door keeps himself to himself. I dont hear much from him except for the occasional cough. I think he starts work early, about an hour after i eventually go to bed so our paths rarely cross.<br> When my circumstances were different i used to aspire to a better, bigger house. Always looking in the property listings. Well its unlikely that ill ever own my own house again, but Ive come to thinking that such things arn't really that important. Some of my stresses are starting to lift and my priorities are different now. All I want is to be financially stable and stress free. A simple life is my aim. Many of my aspirations of the past have gone but I aim to be contented in my little home. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/my-flat-4985782/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bedsithttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/my-flat-4985782/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/the-kipper-and-the-corpse-4968517/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-02:/2008/11/02/the-kipper-and-the-corpse-4968517/Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:54:09 +0100 <p>Dr. Price: I don't understand. He's been dead for about ten hours.</p> <p>Basil: Yes, it's so final, isn't it?</p> <p>Sybil: Basil!</p> <p>Basil: Well wouldn't you say it was final dear? I'd say it was pretty *bloody* final...</p> <p>Dr. Price: Do you mean to tell me you didn't realize this man was dead?</p> <p>Basil: People don't talk that much in the morning... Well look, I'm just delivering a tray, right? If the guest isn't singing "Oh What A Beautiful Morning," I don't immediately think, "Oh there's another snuffed it in the night." Another name in the Fawlty Towers Book of Remembrance. I mean this is a hotel, not the Burma Railway. I mean it does actually say "Hotel" outside, you know. Perhaps I should be more specific. What about "Hotel for people who have a better than fifty percent chance of making it through the night"? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/the-kipper-and-the-corpse-4968517/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>fawlty-towerskipperhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/the-kipper-and-the-corpse-4968517/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/google-earth-4968504/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-02:/2008/11/02/google-earth-4968504/Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:40:24 +0100 <p>Just downloaded Google Earth. Ive spent the last hour looking at all my recent addresses to see if I could spot my car. I couldn't. Should I have better things to do? Probably, yes. Unfortunately sleep is unlikely to be one of them. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/google-earth-4968504/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>google-earthhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/google-earth-4968504/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/capital-one-4966171/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-11-01:/2008/11/01/capital-one-4966171/Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:09:19 +0100 <p>Well I was a couple of months behind with payments. They told me my minimum payment was over £500 and were phoning 5-6 times daily. Well I managed to pay £100 to get them off my back for a while, they said that was fine. Well the bastards are still phoning me every few hours. Ive told them they can't get any more out of me for now they seem to accept that then phone again a couple of hours later. Im now ignoring my mobile but its bloody stressful when they wont leave you alone. I jump when the phone goes off now.<br> They phone from India and there's always a bloomin lag on the line, which combined with obvious communication problems makes it incredibly difficult to communicate with them.<br> I hadnt missed a payment for about 3 years prior to my recent problems and Ive told them that im not going to run away from the debt but thats not good enough for them. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/capital-one-4966171/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>moneycapital-onehttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/11/01/capital-one-4966171/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/oops-4959476/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-31:/2008/10/31/oops-4959476/Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:12:49 +0100 <p>I just penned a post which I seemed to have accidently sent to 'friends' only. It was meant to be public, so if anyone who receives it thinks it was something private, it was just a slip of the cursor. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/oops-4959476/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/oops-4959476/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/ssshhhh-4959450/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-31:/2008/10/31/ssshhhh-4959450/Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:43:12 +0100 <p>The problem with being an insomniac in this flat, is that every single movement I make seems to reverberate. Its a converted house with lots of laminate floors and is incredibly echoey.<br> Even just typing this im sure it can be heard below. A minute ago I put a cup rather loudly on my drainer, and I heard a loud cough from next door and a mumbling from the flat below.<br> Heaven forbid if I bring a lady back....it'll be like an earthquake...for all of 2 minutes. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/ssshhhh-4959450/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/31/ssshhhh-4959450/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/communication-problems-4943237/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-28:/2008/10/28/communication-problems-4943237/Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:11:00 +0100 <p><em>Mrs Richards:- "When I pay for a room with a view, I expect to see the sea."<br> Fawlty: "You CAN see the sea! It's over there, between the land and the sky!"<br> MR:- "Well, it's just not good enough!"<br> F:- "Well, may I ask what madam was expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom? Sydney Opera House? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain?"<br> MR:- "I expect a discount"<br> F:- "Why? Because Krakatoa isnt erupting at the moment??"</em></p> <p><em><br></em>Couldn't sleep<img src="/img/smilies/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" class="middle" border="0"><em> </em></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/communication-problems-4943237/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farty-towelshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/communication-problems-4943237/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/loft-style-apartment-4943022/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-28:/2008/10/28/loft-style-apartment-4943022/Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:30:24 +0100 <p>I had arranged through a newspaper ad to view a 'loft style apartment' tomorrow. The rent seemed very reasonable. Anyway I was looking on the net for similar properties and came across the self same 'loft style apartment'. There are a couple of pics of said 'apartment' which turns out to be a 'loft' as opposed to a 'loft style apartment'! Its a terraced house converted into flats including the loft area which looks just about big enough to swing a small cat in.<br> 'Loft style apartment' my arse! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/loft-style-apartment-4943022/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>loft-style-apartmenthttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/28/loft-style-apartment-4943022/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/jean-charles-de-menezes-4940268/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-27:/2008/10/27/jean-charles-de-menezes-4940268/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:51:24 +0100 <p>What happened to this chap was absolutely tragic. The security services have a lot to answer to, theres no doubt about that. But three years on we're still hearing his name in the news almost every day.<br> While justice has to be seen to be done, surely this issue shouldn't still be so high on the news agenda. There are other bad things going on!<br> Menezes's family and other groups seem to conveniently forget about the human rights issues in their own country when constantly having a go at Britain.<br> The police and the authorities have not exactly helped themselves against accusation of cover-ups so lets hope that the inquest will not leave any further unanswered questions.<br> I just get the feeling that certain groups will never let the issue lie for their own ends.<br> I hope I dont sound too harsh.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/jean-charles-de-menezes-4940268/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>jean-charles-de-menezeshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/jean-charles-de-menezes-4940268/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/you-are-sunrise-you-enjoy-living-a-slow-fulfilling-life-4937347/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-27:/2008/10/27/you-are-sunrise-you-enjoy-living-a-slow-fulfilling-life-4937347/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:30:53 +0100 <span> <strong>You Are Sunrise</strong> </span> <img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whattimeofdayareyouquiz/sunrise.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100"> <span> You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary.<br> You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward.<br> Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts.<br> All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be. </span> <a href="http://www.blogthings.com/whattimeofdayareyouquiz/">What Time Of Day Are You?</a> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/you-are-sunrise-you-enjoy-living-a-slow-fulfilling-life-4937347/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/you-are-sunrise-you-enjoy-living-a-slow-fulfilling-life-4937347/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/waldorf-salad-4937057/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-27:/2008/10/27/waldorf-salad-4937057/Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:45:47 +0100 <p><em>Mr. Hamilton: What I'm suggesting that this place is the crummiest, shoddiest, worst-run hotel in the whole of Western Europe.</p> <p>Major Gowen [angrily]: NO! No I won't have that. There's a place in Eastbourne...</p> <p>Basil: This is typical. Absolutely typical&hellip;of the kind of&hellip;[shouting loudly] ARSE I have to put up with from you people. You ponce in here expecting to be waited on hand and foot, well I'm trying to run a hotel here! Have you any idea of how much there is to do? Do you ever think of that? Of course not, you're all too busy sticking your noses into every corner, poking around for things to complain about, aren't you? Well let me tell you something - this is exactly how Nazi Germany started. A lot of layabouts with nothing better to do than to cause trouble. Well I've had fifteen years of pandering to the likes of you, and I've had enough. I've had it. Come on, pack your bags and get out.</em></p> <p><em><br></em>Never fails to cheer me up.<em> </em></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/waldorf-salad-4937057/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>-fawlty-towerswaldorf-saladhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/27/waldorf-salad-4937057/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/question-for-experienced-bloggers-4936704/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-26:/2008/10/26/question-for-experienced-bloggers-4936704/Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:23:38 +0100 <p>What the hell is trackback and what the hell is permalink. Perhaps im thick!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/question-for-experienced-bloggers-4936704/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/question-for-experienced-bloggers-4936704/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/what-isstress-4936569/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-26:/2008/10/26/what-isstress-4936569/Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:49:41 +0100 <p>Ive got a few issues at the moment which are causing me anxiety. I wont bore anyone with the details but things are pretty bad. It raises the question though of what is stress?<br> No matter how bad or worrying things are its our response to them thats the problem. Its how we interpret these events and how we allow our brain to effect the rest of our central nervous system. The bad events may be bad but in isolation theyre just events which we will most likely survive.<br> Its ok saying to yourself 'don't worry' but that really doesn't help much. Ive noticed that if im very anxious late at night im less so when I wake up in the morning although the issues are still there.<br> Adrenalin produces anxiety and anxiety produces adrenalin. Its a bit of a vicious circle. Relaxation methods can help a bit as can benzo's. The brain brings about raising adrenalin in response to stressful situations i.e. 'fight or flight'. Its a primative instinct to get us out of sticky situations. The difference here though is there is nowhere to run. So its up to me to keep telling myself that its just my brain's response to the situation, not the situation itself. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/what-isstress-4936569/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>anxietyworrystressbrainhttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/what-isstress-4936569/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/radio-4932044/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-26:/2008/10/26/radio-4932044/Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:51:20 +0200 <p>Ive started listening to radio6 and it really is up my street. Perhaps its because im getting on. They play the quality stuff that bypasses radio1 and other stations. As a fan of americana im pleased they play a reasonable amount. Have belatedly come across the Fleet Foxes. Hard to believe theyre only in their early 20's. Theyre the sort of band we dont produce in the UK. Thoughtful, etherial and tuneful. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/radio-4932044/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>radio6fleet-foxeshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/26/radio-4932044/#commentshttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/25/questionableblogdesign-4931263/tag:insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk,2008-10-25:/2008/10/25/questionableblogdesign-4931263/Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:28:03 +0200 <p>Is this blogs presentation as dull as its content? It took me a good half hour to put the colour combinations together but it just looks to me a bit dull! Im going to have to be extra interesting to compensate....give me a minute..... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/25/questionableblogdesign-4931263/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bloghttp://insomniacramblings.blog.co.uk/2008/10/25/questionableblogdesign-4931263/#comments