Magazine

I recently put out the very last issue of my magazine Ancient Heart Magazine. It was a strange time, putting in all the copy and poetry submissions, knowing it would be the last ever time I was engaged in the process. Meanwhile, I've received quite a few messages from contributors whose work has appeared in the mag. They were all kind messages, thanking me for editing the magazine over the years and wishing me well. It did make a difference reading those kind words and it dawned on me that through the poetry magazine I had made some wonderful friends, poets and poetry-lovers all. You can't beat the human touch, I say.

Mortgages and such

The current UK mortgages market is one that is never out of the headlines. Also, there is much interest in remortgages and house prices and mortgages in general .

Applying for a mortgage can be time consuming enterprise but one that is definitely worth it if you shop around. The consumer these days has so many more options to choose from. There are of course all types of mortgages to share your individual needs and wishes. With house prices ever increasing it is not easy for young people to get a foot on the property ladder. Yet more and more youngsters are sharing ownership of a property and there are various different mortgages to accommodate this manner of home ownership.

It’s not always easy but I would always prefer to be a home owner than a tenant, that’s for sure!


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Friday

Already it is another Friday and the long-awaited weekend beckons and winks in an ever-so-cheeky manner. After having done much home decorating recently, this weekend will be one of calm and relaxation. We may opt to go out for a meal, perhaps we'll grace the local Indian restaurant with our presence, or we may just stay in, cosying up by the fire, all wintry and snug.

It's not my favourite time of year but it does have its charms, I suppose. A few more weeks and it will be Christmas all over again although I don't really want to think about that just now..

To be insured is to be assured

The world of insurance is a complicated one. Whether it is travel insurance, home insurance or just your car insurance we all have to deal with it and it is something that is important to all of us in modern day life.

I would love to live in a world where there was no need for insurance and where I could just go along happy-go-lucky, trusting fate and assuming nothing unfortunate would ever happen to me or my loved ones. Of course, that is not how it works. For instance, last summer we had terrible flooding problems in parts of England. Hardly any lives were lost, which was a blessing, but many families saw their homes and possessions destroyed, causing hurt and grief and financial devastation. Some of these people had insurance, others did not.

Enough said.

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Football und Rugby

So, the England football team messed up in Moscow by losing the vital qualifier 2-1 to Russia who, I'm sure, couldn't believe their good fortune in seeing the England players lose it and concede two goals in quick succession. The hapless England goalkeeper is a liability and should be replaced with someone with more confidence and skills. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any such accomplished keeper in England so we're probably stuck with him. Whether we qualify for next year's tournament is now in the hands of the gods. We would be very lucky indeed to scrape through now, having lost this crucial match.

Yet, there is always the rugby and the team is playing South-Africa tomorrow in the final of the World Championships. This could be another classic and I will certainly be watching it. Of course, the French have chosen this weekend for a rather comprehensive transport strike. Would they have if France were playing the final? Hmmm...

Business smarts

Recently I came across this site for Business Intelligence Consultants which seemed interesting. The site is clear and well laid-out; not too fussy with easily accessible headings and tabs. There is a prominent feature of a number of videos that explain what this company can do for your business.

For instance there is a video entitled: Business intelligence, what is it and what does it offer my organisation?, and so on. There are a great number of very helpful and illuminating videos that go into detail about the phenomenon of business intelligence and how this may be of benefit to you and your company or business.

There is an email address and telephone number you could use if you want additional information. This is a company that presents itself in a coherent, professional and business-like manner, inducing a feeling of trust in their services.

This company’s strap line is ‘we deliver understanding’ and this motto features at the website’s head, clear for all to see. There are also some more tabs such as: training, consulting, technologies, clients, and events. There is also a button where you can view some consulting services.

I think the clever use of video presentation enhances the company’s profile on this well-designed website. The site makes a good first impression for this firm.

Football plastic

England are playing Russia in a Euro qualifier in Moscow today. In fact, they have just this minute kicked off. If England win they are qualified for next year's European Championships. A lot of debate has been spent on the fact that they have to play on a plastic pitch, doubtless an advantage to the home side.

There was a news item about some England fans being attacked in Moscow city centre. With football it seems there always has to be some nonsense like that surrounding the actual event.

I'm listening to the radio as Sky television has this match and so people who don't subscribe to that channel can't watch this vital match. This means that I am now listening to two commentators relating the match proceedings on mobile telephones back to the Radio Five Live studio in England. Not very high-tech but it's sort of exciting and atmospheric.