Off to my favourite city in the world. They are talking about snow on Saturday, which would be quite ironic. No snow here yet, but in London... But it will probably just rain, exactly like here.
I'm happy and excited anyhow. Nothing beats London and I haven't been there since October last year. Happy, happy, happy!
January 31, 2008
January 30, 2008
Bad but still good
I had cake for lunch (Excuse: Meeting dragging over with an hour. Next meeting in 10 minutes. Whizzing through the office kitchen and there it was some left over birthday cake) and didn't feeling particular good about it. Mostly because I knew I was going get hungry in an hour or two, but also knowing that the sugar would make crash in the afternoon and the new meeting would feel so loooong. Last but not least I didn't like it because I have been doing all the right things lately. I have been eating three meals a day, five portions of fruit and veges, gone back to the gym, drinking a lot more water and written down every single piece of food I've eaten.
Yes, I crashed in the afternoon and I was starving by 4 o'clock, but somehow now I can live with it. I have still eaten my fruit and veges, drank my water, written down that piece of cake and yesterday I went to the gym. I slipped, but I'm still doing it, so worry? On the contrary, I've been good and worked hard on changing some habits. One slip up will not change that. I'm still on track and still in control.
Yes, I crashed in the afternoon and I was starving by 4 o'clock, but somehow now I can live with it. I have still eaten my fruit and veges, drank my water, written down that piece of cake and yesterday I went to the gym. I slipped, but I'm still doing it, so worry? On the contrary, I've been good and worked hard on changing some habits. One slip up will not change that. I'm still on track and still in control.
January 28, 2008
How to catch the bus
It is true. A book about how to catch the bus has just been published in the UK.
According to one biggest bus company in the UK many people are addicted to their cars so they fear and are uncertain of how to use public transportation.
Very, very obviously one would think, but apparently not. I must be living on the edge a bit then, going on the bus and tram every day...
According to one biggest bus company in the UK many people are addicted to their cars so they fear and are uncertain of how to use public transportation.
To help out, Stagecoach has published a step-by-step guide to Using the Bus. It begins reassuringly with: "Using the bus could not be easier."The book then tells you all about how to look at the number and destination, buying a ticket, which seats to use and how to press the bell when wanting to get off.
Thereafter, the guide leaves very little to doubt, warning the reader that they should "first of all decide on what bus you need" – just in case they are tempted to start jumping on buses at random.
Very, very obviously one would think, but apparently not. I must be living on the edge a bit then, going on the bus and tram every day...
January 27, 2008
At last sunshine
After, what at least feels like an eternity, today has been a perfect winter's day. Sunshine, no winds and about 5 degrees. Without any snow on the ground it almost felt like spring.
Sitting by the computer earlier I actually had to pull down the blinds, something that hasn't happened in months. All that sunshine coming through the windows also showed how dirty they have become after the last storms, but still a full day of sunshine. Nothing can beat that feeling.
Welcome Mr Sunshine! I missed you.
Sitting by the computer earlier I actually had to pull down the blinds, something that hasn't happened in months. All that sunshine coming through the windows also showed how dirty they have become after the last storms, but still a full day of sunshine. Nothing can beat that feeling.
Welcome Mr Sunshine! I missed you.
January 24, 2008
January 23, 2008
10 million dollar bill
The Zimbabwean bank has just issued a 10 million dollar bill which increases the denomination of the nation's highest bank note more than tenfold. Notes of 1 million and 5 million dollar bills have also been issued to try to stop the constant shortage of cash due to the 25 000 percent inflation.
The new 10 million note is the equivalent of about £2 at the dominant black market exchange rate. A hamburger at an ordinary cafe costs about 15 million Zimbabwe dollars (£3).The Zimbabwean people will also be allowed to daily withdrawal 500 million Zimbabwe dollars (£100) from 50 earlier only million (£10). Even though the government doesn't think it is desirable to see the people queuing for cash. So what is desirable for them? To see that what once was one of the most prosperous countries in Africa being ruined by man who only see to himself and blame the western world for every malice ever happened? Scary, very scary.
That hamburger has trebled in price this month amid shortages of bread, meat and most basic goods.
January 22, 2008
Bad day yesterday?
Did you have a bad day yesterday? I know I did. I even left work an hour early because I couldn’t stand people. At home I curled up in the sofa, and watched TV feeling that black cloud above my head somewhat disappeared but not totally. It was just not a good day.
Turn out yesterday was Blue Monday, Monday morning of the last full week of January. All over people are hanging on for the end of the month pay cheque. The weather is miserable, New Years resolutions are starting to failing and the memories of Christmas are starting to fade away.
According to Dr Cliff Arnall, a psychologist at Cardiff University there is even a formula to Blue Monday.
Turn out yesterday was Blue Monday, Monday morning of the last full week of January. All over people are hanging on for the end of the month pay cheque. The weather is miserable, New Years resolutions are starting to failing and the memories of Christmas are starting to fade away.
According to Dr Cliff Arnall, a psychologist at Cardiff University there is even a formula to Blue Monday.
1/8W+(D-d) 3/8xTQ MxNANot that knowing that made me happier, but one thing is for sure. Today is Tuesday and another day. Another day closer to both the weekend and pay cheque. And the days are getting longer every day. We will survive this too.
Where T equals time since Christmas, D equals debt, W is weather, d is money due in January pay, Q time since failed quit attempt, M general motivational levels and NA is the need to take action, today.
January 21, 2008
It happened again
Personal data has again been lost in Britain. This time the personal details of 600 000 people interested in joining the Armed Forces. The data stored on a laptop belonging to a to a Royal Navy officer was stolen from a vehicle in Birmingham.
This is the third time in two months that personal data has been lost in the UK. First it was 25 million child benefit records, then the details of three million learner drivers and now the 600 000 records of would-be recruits.
The British people are of course wondering how things like this can happen over and over again, and I have to agree. It doesn't take a genius to understand that one should not leave a laptop over night in a car or sending data disks containing 25 million records with the mail. Wonder if not using common sense is a requirement when applying for work at the British government?
This is the third time in two months that personal data has been lost in the UK. First it was 25 million child benefit records, then the details of three million learner drivers and now the 600 000 records of would-be recruits.
The British people are of course wondering how things like this can happen over and over again, and I have to agree. It doesn't take a genius to understand that one should not leave a laptop over night in a car or sending data disks containing 25 million records with the mail. Wonder if not using common sense is a requirement when applying for work at the British government?
January 20, 2008
Annual January storm
The annual January storm ripped through the country yesterday. Maybe not leaving as much devastation as the last years, but still making people stay inside and watch what strong winds can do to things. Tearing down street signs, trees, scaffolding and of course making the sea look like it's boiling.
January 17, 2008
Children glued to the box
I'm probably getting old and I do not have any children, but an an article in the Daily Telegraph today really got me wondering.
Somehow it seems like TV has turned into a cheap and rather safe babysitter while you as a parent do other things, because what is really lacking is time. Time to spend with the children, time to cook dinner, time to simply be a family. I'm all for development and new and better things, but sometimes I wonder if the last 10-20 years of technical development and society changes are not all good. Something has been lost along the way. Time and core values.
Television is "woven" into the fabric of childhood, with 65 per cent watching before school, and 83 per cent when they get home again.Whatever happened to playing, reading or doing some sort of sport? What do children of today actually do besides watching TV? 68% watch in bed as they fall asleep. Can that really be good for you? I hate to come off as an old grumpy lady, but I do not believe this is good for our children.
More than half are "glued to the box" during their evening meal and 68 per cent watch in bed as they fall asleep.
Children of school age now watch television for 2.6 hours a day on average, according to the report by Childwise, the market research company.
One in 10 say they watch more than four hours every day.
Somehow it seems like TV has turned into a cheap and rather safe babysitter while you as a parent do other things, because what is really lacking is time. Time to spend with the children, time to cook dinner, time to simply be a family. I'm all for development and new and better things, but sometimes I wonder if the last 10-20 years of technical development and society changes are not all good. Something has been lost along the way. Time and core values.
January 16, 2008
Men think they're cleverer
The battle between the sexes goes on. According to Professor Adrian Furnham, of University College London, men overstate how clever they are and women underplay how intelligent they are.
But the general understanding is that men and women do differ in specialised features of intellectual development. Men tend to do better with navigation skills and numerical skills whereas women do better with emotional intelligence and language. Proofs that really shows that am I a woman all right. Hate maths and love words, languages and to talk.
The studies show women tend to give significantly lower estimates than men of their own intelligence - about five IQ points - while men tend to overestimate their brain power.In some sense I really think this is true, but I also think it is a bit sad. Why do women understate their intelligence? Is it because women are weaker than men? Because we use other parts of the brains? Or simply because we are smarter, but hiding it just to make the men feel cleverer?
But the general understanding is that men and women do differ in specialised features of intellectual development. Men tend to do better with navigation skills and numerical skills whereas women do better with emotional intelligence and language. Proofs that really shows that am I a woman all right. Hate maths and love words, languages and to talk.
January 14, 2008
January 13, 2008
Not tired
I guess I had a bit of strange revelation the other day. I realized that I'm not tired or feel completely worn out even though I'm back at work. Having been tired and worn out most of the autumn I first almost thought it was something wrong with me since I wasn't at sleep on the sofa by 9 pm, but then understood. This is the way one is suppose to feel. Not the other way around. Interesting how easy the abnormal becomes the normal...
Anyhow it's very nice to feel this after the first week back and I really hope the feeling will last, regardless of the hectic weeks that awaits me. One can only hope and wish.
Anyhow it's very nice to feel this after the first week back and I really hope the feeling will last, regardless of the hectic weeks that awaits me. One can only hope and wish.
January 10, 2008
January 09, 2008
A healthy combo
Drinking is healthy, exercise is healthy and doing both is even healthier Danish researchers reported today.
So here's to moderate drinking and exercise!
Several major studies have found that light to moderate drinking -- up to two drinks a day on a regular basis -- is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and some have also found this leads to a lower risk of some cancers.People who not drink or exercise has 30-49 % higher risk of heart disease than those who do both activities. 30-31% higher risk of heart disease has the non-drinker compared to the moderate drinkers no mater level of exercise. Teetotallers who exercise at least moderately is able to reduce their risk of heart disease where as the persons at highest risk is physical inactive and heavy drinkers.
But the Danish study, one of the largest of its kind to examine the combined effect of drinking and exercise, found there were additional protective effects gained from doing both.
So here's to moderate drinking and exercise!
January 08, 2008
Pat on the back
I went to the gym today. The first time sine late May or early June. I really can't remember since last year feels like a whirlwind of working and travelling. The circuit class I had my eyes on was signed up already yesterday. My immediate thought was to not going at all, but then I decided to go and just walk on the the treadmill and use the elliptical.
30 minutes of walking and some intervals of light jogging undoubtedly raised my pulse but not as much as I had expected. Either I didn't walk fast enough or some of all that training the last couple of year is still lasting. Probably the first one. Not fast enough. At the elliptical I did 10 minutes and the last 2-3 minutes I felt like dying. I've always hated that machine, and tonight was no exception. Ugh! But I did it!
If I survive tomorrow and the day after that without being too sore my plan is to schedule in at least one visit to the gym every week. Once at week is so much better than nothing.
30 minutes of walking and some intervals of light jogging undoubtedly raised my pulse but not as much as I had expected. Either I didn't walk fast enough or some of all that training the last couple of year is still lasting. Probably the first one. Not fast enough. At the elliptical I did 10 minutes and the last 2-3 minutes I felt like dying. I've always hated that machine, and tonight was no exception. Ugh! But I did it!
If I survive tomorrow and the day after that without being too sore my plan is to schedule in at least one visit to the gym every week. Once at week is so much better than nothing.
January 07, 2008
Word of the year
The American Dialect Society chose "Subprime" as the word of the year last Friday. The word has been around in the banking business for a long time, but last year was probably the first time the man in the street heard about subprime. All due to the deepening mortgage crisis in the US.
About 80 members of the organization spent two days debating the merits of runners-up "Facebook," "green," "Googleganger" and "waterboarding" before voting for an adjective that means "a risky or less than ideal loan, mortgage or investment."Personally my favourite is Googleganger which is person who shows up with your name when you Google yourself. Just like a doppelganger.
January 06, 2008
Blitz
Last night I finished reading the book Blitz - The story of 29th December 1940 by M. J. Gaskin. A book I picked up visiting St Paul's Cathedral last year. (I had probably not been there in 20 years and not as an adult so it was a really nice visit. Especially since I think St Paul's are one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, which also explains all the pictures I keep taking when in London...)
The book tells the story of the night when the City more or less was bombed and burned to pieces by the Blitz, but when daylight came one thing was miraculous still standing tall and proud – The St Paul's Cathedral. Amazing!
Last spring Philip showed me around in the City a couple of times showing me both buildings and historical sites, which the London and history buff in me just loved. So when reading the book I more or less knew most of the places where this brave and historical night took place, something that I always like. What fascinates me most though is that one can never tell now that the City was almost abolished just 67 years ago. All those buildings (most of them) look like they have been there since Dickensian time or even before that, not built in the later part of the 20th century. Very British I think. Because whatever happens it's always business as usual. Brush yourself off and keep going. Tomorrow is another day.
The book tells the story of the night when the City more or less was bombed and burned to pieces by the Blitz, but when daylight came one thing was miraculous still standing tall and proud – The St Paul's Cathedral. Amazing!
Last spring Philip showed me around in the City a couple of times showing me both buildings and historical sites, which the London and history buff in me just loved. So when reading the book I more or less knew most of the places where this brave and historical night took place, something that I always like. What fascinates me most though is that one can never tell now that the City was almost abolished just 67 years ago. All those buildings (most of them) look like they have been there since Dickensian time or even before that, not built in the later part of the 20th century. Very British I think. Because whatever happens it's always business as usual. Brush yourself off and keep going. Tomorrow is another day.
January 05, 2008
Lighter
Everybody who knows me cannot have missed how much I hate the lack of daylight this time of the year. When it starts getting dark and cold in October-November all I want to do is to go into hibernation and get back out some time in March. The many days to the Winter Solstice almost makes me go crazy, and when the day finally comes around I celebrate that I've made it another year.
And now two weeks later I can already notice the change. The days are getting longer, if only with 15 minutes so far, but the days will only get longer. Not darker and shorter. I can finally see the light again.
And now two weeks later I can already notice the change. The days are getting longer, if only with 15 minutes so far, but the days will only get longer. Not darker and shorter. I can finally see the light again.
January 03, 2008
Cooking chilli
Still being in a very relaxed and carefree mood after the holidays I decided to make chilli for dinner tonight. The recipe I have from Texas called for 5 pounds of lean beef which was sort of out of the question. Another recipe from Spain said to use nice and lean grounded beef which I did. Still having to dived the recipe in half to avoid cooking for an army I continued with adding onions, red peppers, black beans, both fresh and canned tomatoes, chilli powder, paprika, garlic, dried chillies, some water and then let everything simmer very slow for about 20 minutes.
When the divine smell of home made chilli lingered all over my flat it was time to eat. I almost screamed when I had my first spoonful since it tasted freaking good. Needless to say I ate a lot and what was left I put in the freezer for a day when I need some cheering up.
Just writing this I'm amazed of how this could make me so happy. Comfort or feel good food at its best I guess.
When the divine smell of home made chilli lingered all over my flat it was time to eat. I almost screamed when I had my first spoonful since it tasted freaking good. Needless to say I ate a lot and what was left I put in the freezer for a day when I need some cheering up.
Just writing this I'm amazed of how this could make me so happy. Comfort or feel good food at its best I guess.
January 02, 2008
Small changes
People have asked me about New Year's resolutions and since I fall through on them most of the time when I've decided to call them small changes. Less pretentious I think...
One of my favourite blogs The Happiness Project, which now also is a group on Facebook, had a message about resolutions last night. A sentence really stood out to me:
Little changes can make a big difference
So that's what I'm doing - small changes.
- Going back to the gym, even if it's only once a week. Once a week is better than nothing.
- Give myself more me-time and listen to my body both physical and mentally. When I have had enough I have had enough. There is only one Cathy.
- Be nice and forgiving to myself. I'm only human after all and all I can do is to try. And try again and again. And again.
Small changes.
One of my favourite blogs The Happiness Project, which now also is a group on Facebook, had a message about resolutions last night. A sentence really stood out to me:
Little changes can make a big difference
So that's what I'm doing - small changes.
- Going back to the gym, even if it's only once a week. Once a week is better than nothing.
- Give myself more me-time and listen to my body both physical and mentally. When I have had enough I have had enough. There is only one Cathy.
- Be nice and forgiving to myself. I'm only human after all and all I can do is to try. And try again and again. And again.
Small changes.
January 01, 2008
A new year
Having just updated the calenders for 2008 and looked back on all those things I managed to do in 2007 I'm very surprised and a bit amazed too. So many things. Where did I find the time.
What stands out most is probably 10 trips to London. Sometimes just with a week in between or the week after. No wonder people at the baggage drop started to recognize me or the waitress at the wine bar at Heathrow. She even knew when I was in need of chocolate... We'll see how many trips it will be this year. The first one is already planed later this month.
What a I hate most with New Years is all expectations and feelings that one has to start over again, to become a better person and do better. Why? Isn't that what every new day is for? To try again and again and again. In my book that's called living. Some days are better and some are worse, but we keep going. And that's what I'm going to do. To keep going, try hard in some case and not so hard in other. To enjoy life and know that I'm doing my best, no matter what I think at the moment or believe other thinks. I'm me and very unique!
What stands out most is probably 10 trips to London. Sometimes just with a week in between or the week after. No wonder people at the baggage drop started to recognize me or the waitress at the wine bar at Heathrow. She even knew when I was in need of chocolate... We'll see how many trips it will be this year. The first one is already planed later this month.
What a I hate most with New Years is all expectations and feelings that one has to start over again, to become a better person and do better. Why? Isn't that what every new day is for? To try again and again and again. In my book that's called living. Some days are better and some are worse, but we keep going. And that's what I'm going to do. To keep going, try hard in some case and not so hard in other. To enjoy life and know that I'm doing my best, no matter what I think at the moment or believe other thinks. I'm me and very unique!
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