Martin Lewis and The Power to Change

When I changed fuel supplier many years ago, it was far from straightforward. A few months of incorrect bills, followed by a few months of no bills and then a few more months of errors, final demands and costly phonecalls put me right off the whole process. On many occasions since, I've honestly told a prospective new supplier, "I'm not interested in changing supplier, it may be cheaper but I can't be bothered with the hassle."

Eventually though, no amount of hassle would counter the Martin Lewis  factor. After years of getting his weekly Money Saving Expert emails, his face got to me. He looks so kind and supportive - like that new young teacher you once had who only wanted the best for you. Remember how he or she inspired you to do your best? Well I look at Martin's face and I feel like he's saying to me. "There's a recession on Mo, and you've got a family to think about. Are you absolutely sure you've done everything you can to save money?"

So, I consulted the Money Saving Expert site and clicked through to U-Switch. Bingo! Cheaper fuel, cash back and a case of wine? Don't mind if I do.

The switch hasn't completed yet, but the paper mountain has started arriving. So far seven letters from the original supplier, and five from the new. Phone calls as well, asking "Why are you leaving us?" but not going far enough to keep my business. I have yet to see whether this will go smoothly in the end and I don't know anyone who has made a smooth transition. Do you?

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Why Maria Miller shouldn't have joined The Blame Game

There’s a Danish proverb that says, “Blame is a lazy man’s wages”.  Whilst there is a need for humans to find someone or something to blame when something goes wrong, the institutional blame culture is lazy and counter-productive.

The political blame game is now so transparent as to be scarcely credible. How often do we hear “…the mess left behind by the previous Labour government…” and “…because of the coalition’s cuts” or other such glib comments?

Sadly, the current government’s propensity to blame the victim (the unemployed, the disabled) or external forces (the Eurozone crisis, the previous administration) for current problems  is now fuelling a blame culture within society itself. What’s more it doesn’t actually do anything to promote sensible debate or any desire to work together to overcome the issues.

Worse, it is actually causing us to turn on each other in the most hateful of ways as described here by The Guardian.

Small wonder when the Minister for Disabled People is busy playing the blame game too. 

Maybe if we could stop looking for someone to blame and start trying to fix things in a more compassionate, honest way we can stop this slide towards an entirely divided society.

4 Reasons My Journal is my New Best Friend

Me Time.
Writing in my journal is time dedicated to me. Even if I just write the date and doodle for a few minutes it feels like time off. It helps me get a good night’s sleep. I can feel myself relax while writing and if I want to I can just write down any issues or problems and then close it up to be dealt with another day. My journal gives attention to me and only me; always there when I need it and happy to great me with a blank page ready for my thoughts.

Goals and ideas. 
Journaling keeps my connected with my goals. I don’t just write my journal, I read it too. Goals, resolutions, wishes, good ideas and even vague aspirations are all in there. Sometimes I will change modify or add to the list, but they can’t be forgotten like previous years, because they are in the journal. I have set a theme for the year, an overall aspiration that I write on every page, in the corner, down the side in different colours or styles. This keeps it in the forefront each day and is a real spur to achievement.

The Happiness factor.  
I have frequently read about gratitude being a factor in happiness, but now that it's a tool I use in my journaling I know it makes a huge difference. Every time I write in my journal I try to think of something I am grateful for and write it down. Even if I have to dig deep for the thought, once I have it, the smile always follows. My journal is also a place where I work things out; writing it down really does help. Whether it is a practical or emotional problem that needs sorting out, my journal can act like a coach or counsellor and guide me to the answers I have inside.

It’s fun! 
In my journal I have my own logo, designed by me and for only me with a felt tipped pen. I have mottoes, jokes and quotes. I choose themes for the day, week, month and year. I can draw badly, write beautifully or ‘shout’ in red pen or capitals – it doesn’t matter. My journal is my own private place, like a childhood den with a favourite toy, big cushions and some snacks.

Journaling equipment:

·         A pen.

·         A notebook or some paper.

That is all.  For many years I have promised myself I would keep a journal, looked out for the right pen, the right leather-bound notebook etc. It has never really happened. I have tried journal apps on my android phone as well, but they are not as welcoming, not as much “me” as simple pen and paper.

This year my only resolution at midnight on New Year’s Eve was to write a journal, no matter what. So my journal started in my son’s old Harry Potter notebook with an old biro that I had lying around. Now, the very fact that the journal exists has given me a place to put those nice pens and a reason to buy a pretty notebook when I see it reduced. Harry Potter will be my journal until it is full, and then the little pink silk-backed number I picked up last week in the sale.

Things to see In Bruges - Part 1 The Belfort

Apart from the very lovely Colin Farrell, and the immensely talented Brendan Gleeson the main reason I watched the movie In Bruges was to prepare for a long weekend in that lovely city. It’s a funny, exciting and moving film and Bruges is a novel and stunning backdrop. The atmosphere as well as the sights are captured perfectly and one of the architectural stars of the film is the Belfort.

Anyone who has seen the film and visits Bruges will enjoy a trip up the Belfort all the more, but it is well worth the climb up 366 steps anyway and there are plenty of stops along the way for a quick rest.

The Belfort (or bell tower) was built in the 13th Century and its bells were intended to warn the city of impending attack. It also houses a carrillon. Many of the inside workings of the bell tower and carrillon can be seen on the trip to the top and the panoramic view across Bruges and beyond is a true reward for climbing to the top.

One of my favourite lines in the film is imortalised in graffiti, half-way up.

You will need a beer after all that exertion and people will tell you that the bars near the Markt (the large square on which the Belfort stands) and the adjacent Burg are pricey. However, there are many little side streets and alleyways where you can find lovely atmospheric pubs with a range of beers and much more reasonable prices.

Op uw gezondheid!

A votre sante!

Whose is that gorgeous baby?

"Whose is that gorgeous baby?" Asked a lady we met, while shopping in Next. She looked from me to my daughter and I realised she genuinely wasn't sure. Having a grandchild at 48 isn't so unusual I suppose, and my youngest is only 11, but I had felt a bit frumpy and grandmotherly until that lovely comment.  Now I'm back on track. I am still only 48 and the only difference is an extra person to love.
Whose is that gorgeous baby? He's ours.

Information Fatigue? Not me!

In an unusual move today, I decided to renew my library books online before they became overdue. For once, I had time in hand so I decided to have a browse around the Wirral Libraries website and it was really rewarding.
Did you know just how much information is available to you online, simply for being a borrower at most UK libraries? Now that I have registered for free I can access:
The Heinemann World Book
19th Century Newspapers
OED online
Oxford Art Online
Oxford Music Online
Oxford Dictionary of National Blogs
Oxford Reference Online
Encyclopaedia Brittanica
and the voracious reader's friend "Who else writes like?"

OED online has a marvellous function for the dictionary lover - a button that selects a random word for you. I simply couldn't resist, and which entry appeared when I pressed the button, already drunk with pleasure at all the information at my fingertips?  "Information fatigue, n. Apathy, indifference, or mental exhaustion arising from exposure to too much information, esp. (in later use) stress induced by the attempt to assimilate excessive amounts of information from the media, the Internet, or at work. "
How appropriate, but certainly not something that I am suffering from right now.

If you don't already use your local library, and I think you should, it is worth registering as a borrower just to access these marvellous online resources.

A Joyful Day
What an extraordinary day to start my blog. The rescue of the Chilean Miners began this morning and is still going on now.
“A flash of global joy.”
I love this phrase, in the Guardian today, referring to the ongoing rescue operation. It certainly is a joyful event to watch and although repetitive, I could watch it for many more hours. Joy at Camp Hope.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/13/chilean-miners-rescue-why-global-euphoria
Liverpool FC
RBS won their court action against Tom Hicks and George Gillett, giving some hope to Liverpool FC fans that new owners may soon be in charge and the club’s fortunes could be turned around. Now that Hicks and Gillett are unable to legally block the sale to NESV which the board recommended, I wonder if the board will push it through or have another look at the increased bid from Singapore Billionaire, Peter Lim. Many fans don’t really care as long as Hicks and Gillett go.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/10/03/liverpool-fc-ownership-protest-picture-gallery-100252-27393833/
Irony
It has been pointed out to me that on Margaret Thatcher’s birthday it is ironic to see news pictures of Scousers and Miners all cheering. This also makes me feel joyful.
Language Learning and Fair Trade
I am learning Spanish at the moment in evening classes. It is interesting to me that in a class of 10, half own property in Spain. Some enjoy peace and quiet in the mountains, others a periodic ex-pat lifestyle in areas dominated by English people. It’s interesting to hear their stories and discussions on car hire, and food and Spanish friends. As I have family living in Tenerife, I hope to learn more of the similarities and differences between the Canary Islands and mainland Spain.
Language lessons are great exercise for the mind and I find it very therapeutic, although tiring. Having taught English myself, I also enjoy observing different teaching methods and especially the increasing use of the internet in language learning and teaching. I have recently read about Fair Trade Language Teaching. What a fantastic idea, being able to learn and practise with native speakers and put money directly into their pockets and local economies. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11286290