As many of you who have been in earshot/sight of me will know I have a Nike FuelBand. In fact I have been wearing mine for 57 days now thanks to Sophie being aware of their existence when we were in New York. Now, anyone could look up a review of said product, and I'm sure there are people out there who have written very detailed reviews. Probably better reviews then I could write, which is exactly why I am not writing a product review.
I am going to write about the effect that it has had on me and my life. Now, this is the point where some people will scratch their heads and ask the question: "What is a Nike FuelBand??". Look it up. As mentioned, there will be better reviews on t'internet then I could give; you are already on the internet with google a meer second away! Are we all up to date? Good, I shall continue.
Ever since I got my band, I have been hideously aware of my laziness. As we are all aware, with Nike FuelBands, one sets a daily goal, and has to burn imaginary 'Nike Fuel' to reach their daily goal. If I don't reach my daily goal that my band tells me I should, I feel guilty. On the contrary if I over shoot my goal, I'm filled with a smug sense of self satisfaction. In the wise words of Boromir: "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing". But this is how it is starting to feel.
If I forget to put my band on in the morning, and walk around, (an action that would generate fuel) I will be annoyed at myself for missing out on an opportunity to generate points. If I feel I am not generating fuel quick enough, I will accentuate all of my movements in a desperate attempt to try to build up more points. It is getting to the point where the way I walk has changed...seem obsessive??
Maybe it is, but at least I'm moving, and trying to be as active as possible! I dread to think of how the readout would look back in my World of Warcraft days, probably like a flat line on a heart-rate monitor! I said I was aware of my laziness, but now I am aware of just how active I can be. There is no hiding from the figures on my wrist, and as a result I have never felt healthier!
I was asked by someone if I thought the band was more of a gimmicky piece of technology, something I would get bored of quickly and move onto the next toy that appeared. Answer: no. I feel my band is here to stay and that it has had a positive effect on my life. I've never felt healthier, been more aware of my activity (or lack of) or of how the smallest amount of activity can add up!!
On a serious note, I would seriously recommend FuelBands to anyone who wants to lose weight as it is a great way of keeping track of your activity levels!
PER
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Monday 19 March 2012
(Don't) Thank God!
I don't normally openly condemn religion, as for quite a few people religion is, and remains something of great importance. However, something today angered me, and I felt compelled to write about it. I am a firm believer in the concept of giving praise when it it is due. So why then did the Daily Star run a headline saying "In God's Hands". This headline is of course referring to Fabrice Muamba (the footballer who tragically suffered a heart attack whilst playing for Bolton against Spurs at the weekend). In God's hands...really?
If God has a plan for all of us, then God already tried to kill this man. It was us, humans who managed to bring him back. The man's heart could not beat independently for 2 hours. For 2 whole hours 6 specialists (plus a Spurs fan who happened to be a cardiac specialist) kept this man alive. He was then taken to the London Chest Hospital where he has been under consistent supervision, and it was recently announced that he has regained consciousness, and that fellow professional Michael Essien has been to see him and had conversations with the man in both French and English.
God did not keep this man alive. Science did. God did not rush onto that pitch and revive him, we did. To suggest he is in God's hands implies that God has some sort of say in the matter. He doesn't. If the paramedics hadn't been as alert and well prepared as they were the man would have died face down in front of 36,000 spectators. It is a testament to how far we have come as a species that we are able to pull people back, and to keep them going!
I understand why people want to pray, and I feel people shouldn't be discouraged, as it's a sign that people want to help, that they care, and that the person is in your thoughts, however in my opinion it is wholly ineffectual. If people want to make a difference, donate a small sum of money into cardiac research. The reason we are where we are is because of the on-going research done by scientists around the clock.
When I was younger a girl in my town suffered from Sudden Death Syndrome, and although I shall never profess to have been her friend, as I barely knew her, it has changed my outlook on these sort of events. Those with heart conditions are not always monitored by teams of specialists, and sometimes paramedics can not arrive in time. Unfortunately this was the case for the girl from Bishop's Stortford.
Now comes the part where praying makes no difference, and the end result is down to you.
CRY or Cardiac Risk in the Young is a charity that campaigns for proactive screening of young people. It offers help and support to those who have suffered a loss, provides medical information, carries out Mobile Cardiac Screening and ECG Testing Programmes within local communities and contributes to medical research...Whilst it may be too late for you to help Muamba, you may save the next young footballer, or shop assistant, or waiter. Anyone can become victims to SDS therefore why not make a donation today, and help save someones life.
If you feel like making a difference, follow the link and donate. Too little doesn't exist.
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/donate.htm
PER
If God has a plan for all of us, then God already tried to kill this man. It was us, humans who managed to bring him back. The man's heart could not beat independently for 2 hours. For 2 whole hours 6 specialists (plus a Spurs fan who happened to be a cardiac specialist) kept this man alive. He was then taken to the London Chest Hospital where he has been under consistent supervision, and it was recently announced that he has regained consciousness, and that fellow professional Michael Essien has been to see him and had conversations with the man in both French and English.
God did not keep this man alive. Science did. God did not rush onto that pitch and revive him, we did. To suggest he is in God's hands implies that God has some sort of say in the matter. He doesn't. If the paramedics hadn't been as alert and well prepared as they were the man would have died face down in front of 36,000 spectators. It is a testament to how far we have come as a species that we are able to pull people back, and to keep them going!
I understand why people want to pray, and I feel people shouldn't be discouraged, as it's a sign that people want to help, that they care, and that the person is in your thoughts, however in my opinion it is wholly ineffectual. If people want to make a difference, donate a small sum of money into cardiac research. The reason we are where we are is because of the on-going research done by scientists around the clock.
When I was younger a girl in my town suffered from Sudden Death Syndrome, and although I shall never profess to have been her friend, as I barely knew her, it has changed my outlook on these sort of events. Those with heart conditions are not always monitored by teams of specialists, and sometimes paramedics can not arrive in time. Unfortunately this was the case for the girl from Bishop's Stortford.
Now comes the part where praying makes no difference, and the end result is down to you.
CRY or Cardiac Risk in the Young is a charity that campaigns for proactive screening of young people. It offers help and support to those who have suffered a loss, provides medical information, carries out Mobile Cardiac Screening and ECG Testing Programmes within local communities and contributes to medical research...Whilst it may be too late for you to help Muamba, you may save the next young footballer, or shop assistant, or waiter. Anyone can become victims to SDS therefore why not make a donation today, and help save someones life.
If you feel like making a difference, follow the link and donate. Too little doesn't exist.
http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/donate.htm
PER
Thursday 1 March 2012
World Book Day!
With it being world book day, I decided to write about books! But after I had spent about 1 hour this morning writing about one of my pet hates (people telling me they don't read), I accidentally closed the tab without saving what I had written, resulting in me losing everything. Which was probably a good thing, as it was more of a rant than a blog post. I had written about how I worked out that on Facebook there were about 30 groups titled "I don't read", with about 4 millions likes (which is about the population of the Republic of Ireland). About how I found this ridiculous that so many people would openly profess their dislike for books. I had written about how I felt as a society people were becoming lazy, and instead would rather watch a film than read a book. At how they thought it was easier to have the special effects produced for them, instead of realising that their brain could create images so spectacular it would make Michael Bay look like he created his special effects on Microsoft Paint.
But sadly, no. All of that rant was lost...shame. So instead of a rant, here is a picture of my dog with his favourite toy "Scooby". Enjoy xx
PER
Thursday 23 February 2012
What am I giving up for lent??
"Remember two years ago when you tried to give up alcohol for lent?" This was a text message I received a few days ago, and yes. Yes I do. I lasted 30 minutes before caving in. It would be fair to suggest it was the least impressive display of willpower I know of, but this year I shall do no such thing!
Why should I even give up anything? I am not religious, and although I like chocolate at Easter, and presents at Christmas (and I loved the pancakes I had on Tuesday night) I feel no need to give up anything to mimic Jesus in the wilderness. In fact I find the whole concept of giving up something for lent incredibly negative! I am very happy with my life, so instead of giving something up, I am going to take on an activity. Twice a week outside of hockey I am going to go out running. A little bit of extra fitness never hurt anyone, and I have been looking for an excuse to get out running again, so what better time than now!
So this year, instead of giving something up, make a change for the better and try something new!
PER
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Because I say so!
It has been a while since I have written a post, and I knew it had been too long when friends asked why I had given up! Just to clarify, I haven't given up, I have just been waiting for something to inspire me! Sure, I could have written about the snow, but everyone with a window saw that, or about my trip to see Jersey Boys (if you can, see this show) however, if you want to see it, I'm sure you will. But a topic of conversation has been appearing fairly frequently in my life, so I took it as some sort of sign. I must write about it, so here it goes: What is freedom of speech?
The right to Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one's ideas via speech. Wikipedia also "reliably" informs me that under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of speech is recognised. The article states that "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice"...Yeah right.
Although if freedom of speech is supposedly there, we live in a society happy to suggest one thing, and act in the opposite way. Recently the boxer Chisora was arrested for stating he was going to "literally shoot" David Haye, yet when Jeremy Clarkson suggests all protestors should be shot, no such action was taken. This is not the only level at which this hypocrisy exists. If freedom of speech is truly real, why was John Terry reprimanded? Surely he should be allowed to voice his thoughts? Or do we have to accept that freedom of speech does not exist? I understand that threatening to kill someone like Chisora did is more extreme than John Terry's case. However when Terry called upon his limited intelligence to construct a sentence, he based his insult purely on the aesthetics of his target. In other words he called Anton Ferdinand Black. This is considered a heinous racial crime, yet when a trio of muslim girls beat a white woman shouting obscenities such as "death to the white girl" they were acquitted of the crime due to the fact they were not used to drinking alcohol. Now this is not me ranting about racism or race, but simply highlighting that freedom of speech, isn't.
Everyone should be able to voice their opinions, that is how a democracy works!
If however you disagree with anything I have said, tough, it's my opinion! :)
PER
The right to Freedom of speech is the political right to communicate one's ideas via speech. Wikipedia also "reliably" informs me that under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of speech is recognised. The article states that "everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice"...Yeah right.
Although if freedom of speech is supposedly there, we live in a society happy to suggest one thing, and act in the opposite way. Recently the boxer Chisora was arrested for stating he was going to "literally shoot" David Haye, yet when Jeremy Clarkson suggests all protestors should be shot, no such action was taken. This is not the only level at which this hypocrisy exists. If freedom of speech is truly real, why was John Terry reprimanded? Surely he should be allowed to voice his thoughts? Or do we have to accept that freedom of speech does not exist? I understand that threatening to kill someone like Chisora did is more extreme than John Terry's case. However when Terry called upon his limited intelligence to construct a sentence, he based his insult purely on the aesthetics of his target. In other words he called Anton Ferdinand Black. This is considered a heinous racial crime, yet when a trio of muslim girls beat a white woman shouting obscenities such as "death to the white girl" they were acquitted of the crime due to the fact they were not used to drinking alcohol. Now this is not me ranting about racism or race, but simply highlighting that freedom of speech, isn't.
Everyone should be able to voice their opinions, that is how a democracy works!
If however you disagree with anything I have said, tough, it's my opinion! :)
PER
Tuesday 31 January 2012
"A Work In Progress"
Yesterday was a good day. A day when the term 'value for money' was re-defined. Sophie and I saw Michael McIntyre perform new material for about an hour and a half and managed to eat dinner before the show for the grand total of £18 pounds (I made sure my maths was correct before uploading this time). £18 pounds for two tickets, and two steak baguettes. Amazing. What made it more exceptional was that our seats from Michael McIntyre were front and centre due to keenness on my behalf (we only queued for 15 minutes before anyone else). Him and I had eye contact during his show, and I can honestly say I have never felt more vulnerable or exposed in all my life!
It is always interesting when you see celebrities in real life, especially when you see them as close up as Sophie and I did yesterday, purely because it is easy to forget that he is just a person (albeit a very funny one), and not just an image from inside the T.V. In fact his humanity, and modesty took me by surprise, as when I think of his comedic styling, I tend to think of a comedian whose material is highly polished and very slick. Yesterdays show titled 'A Work In Progress' was not the finished article. Not at all. The first thing he told us was that he had no idea if he would be funny, as due to the fact his show was still 6 months away, he was under prepared and that his work tonight was not representative of his best (quite frankly Newcastle United's last 2 performances should have come with a similar warning). But that was not the case. He was hilarious. Within minutes he had the audience in stitches, however, it wasn't his new and slightly un-refined jokes that did the most damage, but his improv. The way he dealt with people was incredible. The speed at which stand-up comedians must think to deal with hecklers is sensational!
Now I am sure you are all aware with Michael McIntyre and his comedic genius, and a review by myself will do nothing to increase his already fantastic reputation, yet I feel credit should be given when credit is due. Michael McIntyre, you are a funny funny man, and after last night I am already looking forward to October, when I am seeing him perform once again, this time at the 02!
PER
It is always interesting when you see celebrities in real life, especially when you see them as close up as Sophie and I did yesterday, purely because it is easy to forget that he is just a person (albeit a very funny one), and not just an image from inside the T.V. In fact his humanity, and modesty took me by surprise, as when I think of his comedic styling, I tend to think of a comedian whose material is highly polished and very slick. Yesterdays show titled 'A Work In Progress' was not the finished article. Not at all. The first thing he told us was that he had no idea if he would be funny, as due to the fact his show was still 6 months away, he was under prepared and that his work tonight was not representative of his best (quite frankly Newcastle United's last 2 performances should have come with a similar warning). But that was not the case. He was hilarious. Within minutes he had the audience in stitches, however, it wasn't his new and slightly un-refined jokes that did the most damage, but his improv. The way he dealt with people was incredible. The speed at which stand-up comedians must think to deal with hecklers is sensational!
Now I am sure you are all aware with Michael McIntyre and his comedic genius, and a review by myself will do nothing to increase his already fantastic reputation, yet I feel credit should be given when credit is due. Michael McIntyre, you are a funny funny man, and after last night I am already looking forward to October, when I am seeing him perform once again, this time at the 02!
PER
Wednesday 25 January 2012
My first time...
I have a confession to make. I am a murderer. I have killed. Not only have I killed, but I ate part of the evidence and binned what I could not chew. But I tell you what, my first experience of eating what I killed was sensational, and has opened a lot of new doors! To clear up any confusion, yesterday Sophie and I cooked mussels for the very first time. Of course I have eaten them at home, but never had I cooked them from scratch. In fact we didn't realise they were alive until they started opening and closing their shells in the bowl. It was at this point we were faced with a serious moral dilemma. Do we, or do we not cook them? After very little deliberation we held a moments silence before throwing them into the pot, along with the wine, butter, garlic and onion. Four minutes later, dinner was ready!
All this happened yesterday, and I was tempted to write this up there and then, but I wanted to make sure we hadn't poisoned ourselves before telling the world about our culinary success.
 |
| Look at those mussels! |
If you are tempted to try cooking them from scratch, all you need to do is follow this link and get cooking! http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/moulesmarinierewithc_71787
"What a ghastly way to go, steamed alive in cheap white wine" Paul Round-last night
PER
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