Minimalist poet, minimalist lifestyle

I'm suffering with a bit of eczema on my neck at the moment and am using some emollient cream on one side and betnovate ointment on the other to see which is the more effective.

There's a machine in Sainsbury's supermarket where you can put your loose change and it sorts and counts it, and then prints out a voucher that can be spent in the store. The voucher is worth less than the actual value of the coins deposited and written in large lettetrs actross the front of the machine are the words 'Turn Your Change Into Cash.'

This is how they are described online:

Hooton Pagnell: The jewel in the crown of Yorkshire
Award winning village
Extensive views of the gleaming Yorkshire countryside

Hickleton: Fantastic panoramic views over South Yorkshire and the eastern Pennines
Magnificent scenery

I've spent the morning at Rossington leading the writers' workshop. The bus journey back into town takes twenty minutes and so I passed the time by writing this short poem.

NIGHT OUT

He noticed the sign that read
'No glasses beyond this point.'

He didn't see the next one though.

My pre-loaded mobile broadband modem usage is set at 12GB or 12 months, whichever I use up first.

I've now been back online for over three weeks and my current usage seems to be about 40% of my allocated daily average.

I still visit the library most days and use the computers there for about an hour, so that's keeping my usage at home down.

On current trends I might be able to start listening to a bit more internet radio from around the world.

My friend is a vegetarian and at every opportunity I keep reminding him that the best thing about not being a vegetarian is that I can also enjoy eating vegetables.

Wild animals I've seen on my walks:

Muntjac deer - Thorne Moors
Adders - Thorne Moors
Rabbits and hares - many places
Foxes - several locations
Lizards - Peak District
Mountain hares - Peak District

I took my netbook computer and mobile broadband dongle to my parents' house in Thurnscoe today but couldn't get a signal. My mum was really disappointed because she is thinking about getting mobile broadband because of the lack of cables everywhere, and there's no requirement to be tied in to a long-term contract.

I shall have to pop into the 3 Mobile shop tomorrow and see if there's a problem with service provision in Thurnscoe.

Many years ago when I was busy with my voluntary work I had the opportunity to be presented to Prince Charles, but declined. A few months later I had the chance to fly in a helicopter with David Bellamy -but I had to sign on at the jobcentre.

Salperwick
Humbercamps
Westhouse
Wintershouse

You'd think these places ought to be in England, but they're actually in France.

They're either Dutch or German names, modified by French and ending up looking English.

More people using telephone boxes - it must be the financial situation.

Age-based classification of theatrical shows.

Reduced opening hours at municipal buildings.

Free newspapers on most buses.

Even more young children calling adults by their Christian names.

The numbering of all footpaths here in Doncaster.

The new designs of coins.

Unusually for once I find myself in total agreement with the BBC about its decision not to broadcast the Gaza appeal.

BBC management says that the organisation is concerned about its impartiality. I'd go further and say that the BBC shouldn't be attempting to raise any money for charity...any charity at all; and that includes Children in Need. It should concentrate on making and broadcasting programmes; and nothing else.

This is the mock-up of the poster I was referring to in the earlier posting entitled 'Banned Poster.'

According to the local media last week it's the North of England. Icelandic schoolchildren heard reports that British pensioners are dying because of the cold and the high cost of fuel and so organised a collection of warm clothing.

I don't know how much electricity costs in Iceland, but it must be significantly cheaper than here because of all the geothermal and hydroelectric power the country is able to generate.

I was reminded of this yesterday.

This is a mock-up of a poster I produced a few years ago but the staff at the central library wouldn't let it be displayed on their noticeboard. Apparently the poster isn't clear enough in meaning; they said it might be for some sort of religious cult.

UPDATE: I think I've sorted the problem and you're now able to see the image.

I've just noticed something different when I'm using Google. When it returns my search results there are now two icons to click on to either promote or remove each link.

There''s something else I've realised recently as well about my computer; it displays a small icon in front of the webpage address in the address bar whereas those I use at the library don't. I suppose I must have a more up-to-date version of Windows XP installed.

Today was the first day of the writers' workshop I'm leading. Only two people showed up, but that was all I was told to expect for the first session.

It went well though; we had a general discussion about writing and literature and we all gave a brief introduction about ourselves.

After we'd finished I went to the Netto supermarket around the corner and bought some cheap food - this is very handy since we don't have any discount supermarkets in the town centre...and I'm able to claim my bus fare as expenses.

On a plaque near the entrance it's written in large, bold, capital letters:

OPENING TIMES
MON-FRI 0900-1700
SAT 0930-1300

And then underneath in small lettering, 'Please note: we open at 09:30 on Wednesdays.'

So; the bank doesn't actually open Monday to Friday from nine o'clock until five o'clock.

I'm aching all over today after going for a 4-5 mile walk yesterday - I've even re-opened an old blister which I picked up when I wore my smart but uncomfortable interview shoes the other week.

Things I was taught at school and haven't needed to use in the thirty years since:

How to calculate the standard deviation of a set of numbers.

How the spinning Jenny works.

There are probably many more.

That's what Mayor Winter is now being called. There's yet another scandal in the town; this time concerning children's services - seven toddlers have recently died whilst under the care of the local authority and the mayor is being blamed and asked to resign. Because the post is directly elected, even though there have been two votes of no confidence passed by his fellow councillors he's staying put and hanging on until the next scheduled ward election when he's due to stand.

It's quite a constitutional crisis...and totally unique; nobody knows what to do next.

This morning on TV the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the banks must be saved whatever the cost or consequences.

I wonder why the same attitude wasn't taken with the mining industry, the textile industry, steelworks, ship building or deep sea fishing?

I'm already bored with the excessive media coverage of the Obama inauguration - and it doesn't even happen until Tuesday.

A lot of people around the world are expecting a lot from the new US president; I'm not one of them though.

I've never been to one - the ticket prices and the train fare are far too expensive. I have been to see the ballet at the Royal Opera House; I went twice on subsidised organised trips.

I've just been looking at the West End listings in the Sunday Times and have chosen the productions I'd like to attend.

Mamma Mia
Carmen
Classical Spectacular
Cirque du Soleil

I've just been checking my stats on SiteMeter and noticed that one of my recent visitors was from Albania. This has got me into thinking how different the world, and the internet in particular, would be if Communism in Europe hadn't collapsed twenty years ago.

I've not eaten any baked beans for over a week now. I'm not prepared to pay 28p a tin. They were only 7p a tin when I moved to Doncastetr eleven years aago.

I received my latest electricity bill in the post this morning and it now shows how this quarter's consumption compares to the same period last year - and it shows I'm using 10% less power...but there's no cost comparison.

My pen is in my hand.
My hand is in warm water.

What is their significance?

Well; not only are they written in English, they've also been written in Afrikaans. Some of the words are pronounced slightly differently in Afrikaans though and the two meanings of the first sentence are identical, whereas the meaning of 'warm' in Afrikaans in the second sentence is slightly different.

Businesses plying for trade on the streets when I was a child in the 1970s:

Ice cream van
Rag and bone man
Knife sharpener
Mobile shop
Mobile fishmonger
Fruit and veg
Fresh farm produce
Chimney sweep

It's reported in the press this morning that a mechanic faces prosecution for playing the radio in his garage without having the appropriate PRS licence.

This reminds me that when I was licensee of Dearne Radio we even had a visit from one of their representatives and we were only broadcasting for a month.

Of course the paperwork was all in order, but I felt as though I was being treated like a criminal.

Doncaster has the largest area of all the metropolitan boroughs in the country and so has a lot of countryside. Much of this is flat boring farmland, but in the far west of the borough there are some lovely spots along the Yorkshire Limestone Ridge.

Here is a list of my favourite places:

The viewing platform at Howell Wood Country Park.

The bridge over the beck in Frickley Park, looking towards Frickley Hall.

Hooton Pagnell churchyard - especially at noon, 3pm and 6pm when the carillon chimes.

The western extremity of Barnburgh Crags with extensive views towards the Pennines.

A comfortable stile on the footpath between High Melton and Denaby Ings Nature Reserve.

The footpath that crosses over Conisbrough Viaduct.

A conveniently situated log just to the south of Watchley Crags.

The summit of Brodsworth Country Park.

Looking up the hill towards Cusworth Hall.

The public seating area down by the water at Sprotbrough.

The bus stop right next to Conisbrough Castle.

The bird hides at Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve.

The gardens at Brodsworth Hall.

Both yesterday and today I've received a letter with a stamp that's not been franked and so I'm able to re-use both stamps. This will save me about 50p.

It seems that my mobile broadband is back to normal; providing me with a reliable connection...unlike the last couple of days when it has been intermittent.

I always have been; I've been online since six o'clock. At least I'm guaranteed a good connection this early in the day.

I've been having a frustrating time this afternoon with an intermittent internet connection.

Everything was fine for the first week I had the mobile broadband, but since teatime yesterday the service has been rubbish.

I've had some good news though; I'm due to start leading a writers' workshop next week.

Firstly, my missing blog visitors have returned; it must have been a webpage containing a permalink that was temporarily offline.

Additionally; my mobile broadband is working again. I lost my connection at tea-time yesterday and couldn't get back online for the rest of the day.

A good start to the day!

I was watching President Bush's press conference this afternoon and he used a phrase I'd never heard before - 'third rail' when referring to an issue. To my understanding this could mean either that the issue is very important, or even vital, like the third rail which supplies electricity to trains in the south of England; or conversely it might mean that the issue is irrelevant like a third rail would be on the railway tracks in the north of England and Scotland where power is provided by overhead cables.

So which is it I wonder?

I was watching Poirot on one of the digital channels on TV and the episode was partially set in Doncaster; at the old [18th century] racecourse grandstand. It's about the only place in the town that's unchanged since the 1930s.

I'm not an expert on the history of Doncaster but I think that there used to be many 16th and 17th century buildings in the town centre - the area is now dominated by an indoor shopping centre.

Here's a list of three jobs that seem to no longer exist in England.

Bus conductor
Park-keeper
'School bobby'

I think that if these posts were re-instated the country would be a safer, more pleasant and more civilised place to live.

I bought a box of 100w incandescent light bulbs yesterday whilst I'm still able to get them - the EU has banned them for so-called environmental reasons [even though they contain mercury and can present a serious health hazard if broken.]

So in the future I'll have to rely on low energy bulbs, and I hate the damned things - the quality of the light is very poor and isn't instantaneous [very dangerous in areas such as stairwells.]

On the TV news it was also reported that using low energy bulbs can cause eye strain and migraines...and even trigger epileptic fits.

Is this change really making life better for us?

It went okay. I genuinely liked the two people interviewing me - we had plenty to talk about and even shared a few jokes.

There's a problem though; at the moment there is no specific job they can offer me - they just want me to be available for a few hours when they're busy, but I'm unable to even consider this possibility. I told them I need to pin them down to specific hours and a stated minimum weekly wage.

They didn't seem to be too shocked about this comment and said they needed time to think and would be in touch with me.

The day has finally arrived.

I don't know many details about the job apart from the fact that my English language skills will be important.

The interview was arranged when an employer phoned me in response to one of the many spec letters I've sent off. He didn't seem to know much about the job, leaving everything rather vague.

So I'll need to find out about the duties, tasks and responsibilities, numbers of hours to be worked, rate of pay and holiday entitlement etc. etc. etc. - at least I'll seem to be keen and interested by the large number of questions I'll be asking.

It came to me this morning when I was in the supermarket and getting frustrated because the things I needed had been moved to another shelf, in another part of the shop.

Why hasn't someone devised some sort of Dewey System for food products, similar to the one used in libraries where you're able to find the book you're looking for?

Of course, I'm talking about supermarkets owned by multinational companies - global capitalism won't allow it.

I'm still posting from the library even though I've now got mobile broadband. I might as well; I'm able to use the computers here for ninety minutes a day...and it's a lot warmer than at home.

On December 29th the number of visitors to the blog fell by 80-90% and has stayed at this low level ever since. I wonder what caused this; maybe it was a permalink to another site that now no longer exists.

I've got internet access at home now; and everywhere else for that matter since I'm using mobile broadband.

It's a limited service, but a lot cheaper and more flexible than BT's landline service.

So, the latest actor to play Dr Who is Matt Smith...I've never heard of him.

The price of a dozen breadcakes has been reduced by 10p and my post was delivered at eight o'clock this morning - the earliest I can remember.