27 October 2011
26 October 2011
We all get wiser over 55?
The Daily Mail was delivered to us in error last Friday, so made an interesting read as it's quite different from The Daily Telegraph. In it, I noticed Tom Utley was discussing the theory propounded by Dr Oury Monchi, of the Institute of Geriatrics at the University of Montreal, that 'we all get wiser over 55'.
Apparently over a certain age the brain works much slower but more logically, so reaches the same conclusions as younger people, using much less brain energy.
I can't really see much advantage in using less brain energy if it takes more time to solve a problem. What are we going to do with the brain energy we've saved? Surely it's more advantageous to be young and more quick-witted. Chess players, mathematical geniuses and theoretical physicists tend to hit their most brilliant in the 20s (Einstein was only 26 when he gave us E = Mc2).
For example, don't post a photograph of yourself baring your bottom on a social networking site. You may think it hilarious as you tumble out of the nightclub at 18. But you won't find it half so funny when it's plastered all over the red-tops on the day you apply for that bishopric at 55.
Dr Oury Monchi
I can't really see much advantage in using less brain energy if it takes more time to solve a problem. What are we going to do with the brain energy we've saved? Surely it's more advantageous to be young and more quick-witted. Chess players, mathematical geniuses and theoretical physicists tend to hit their most brilliant in the 20s (Einstein was only 26 when he gave us E = Mc2).
The young knock spots off us over 55s when it comes to imagination, mental agility and intellectual problem-solving, although, strangely, cryptic crosswords seem to be an exception to that rule.
Thoreau
Apparently, we don't grow more intelligent as we grow older, although wisdom increases with age, owing more to experience. After all, you don't have to be bright to be wise. We oldies have other wisdom to impart, gleaned not from personal experience but simply from the general knowledge of the world.For example, don't post a photograph of yourself baring your bottom on a social networking site. You may think it hilarious as you tumble out of the nightclub at 18. But you won't find it half so funny when it's plastered all over the red-tops on the day you apply for that bishopric at 55.
25 October 2011
Looks Fun!
Being a great fan of up-cycling, I loved these two images from the site below:
Cow Cars
Rolling Pin Hooks
18 October 2011
November's Highlights High Five magazine
Fabulous illustration by Susan Mitchell for Highlights High Five Magazine:
17 October 2011
Daily Strategic Action ...
"What does it take to reach those important goals in life?
Simply put, it takes active daily involvement specifically focused on the mission at hand. In short, getting what you want out of life demands daily strategic action toward that objective. The link between what you want and what you do is critical to getting things done."
Putting the above into plain English: every day do something towards your goals. That way, they'll gradually become part of your lift, part of you.
At present my goals include the following:
As the song from the 1950's musical goes 'You've got to have a dream - if you don't have a dream, how're you going to make that dream come true?!' (The King and I - or was it South Pacific?).
The quotation at the top of this article came from: http://somethingmore-shantay.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog
Simply put, it takes active daily involvement specifically focused on the mission at hand. In short, getting what you want out of life demands daily strategic action toward that objective. The link between what you want and what you do is critical to getting things done."
Putting the above into plain English: every day do something towards your goals. That way, they'll gradually become part of your lift, part of you.
At present my goals include the following:
- digging the allotment (due to the recent very dry weather, this is coming along very well);
- eating less chocolate (quite a challenge);
- learning to draw (this I try daily and do manage weekly (or weakly));
- sorting out (and discarding) stuff (isn't freecycle great?!).
As the song from the 1950's musical goes 'You've got to have a dream - if you don't have a dream, how're you going to make that dream come true?!' (The King and I - or was it South Pacific?).
The quotation at the top of this article came from: http://somethingmore-shantay.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog
8 October 2011
Masses and Masses of Incredibly Interesting Facts and Fab Pictures
Anyone who knows me well will know that I collect bits of paper, not any old bit of paper, but interesting newspaper and magazine articles and fun pictures (esp the ads) but they take up lots of space and are very heavy when I do need to move them.
Somehow, it's so difficult to sort them out and decide what's important and what isn't. It seems that only after about 20 years do some of these become less interesting or even irrelevant, although others are iconic.
However, I saw an article in an old magazine today which might help me, and others, to start sorting through official paperwork. It says:
"Hang on to accounts and tax returns for six years, in case the taxman demands a recount. It's also wise to keep receipts for big purchases for six years, in case you need to claim. Then sort the must-haves from the disposable by dividing papers into four categories. In 'keep for ever' put birth, marriage and exam certificates, and anything legal. 'Essential' is for your passport, insurance and employment details, health records, benefits and pensions. Separate the rest into 'need it soon' (tax, receipts, current contracts and bank statements (if you get them)) and 'need it now' (mostly bills). Then shred and recycle what's left. Don't panic if you accidentally destroy a vital document - almost everything is also stored online, including your house deeds."
Well, that takes care of most of our filing cabinet but there's still the (many) boxes of interesting stuff to sort through and filter, perhaps put them on the computer and save on external hard drive? . . . roll on the winter when I might get round to it . . . .
A good example: It's a recent ad in a magazine
(no idea what for!) and and I love it.
(no idea what for!) and and I love it.
However, I saw an article in an old magazine today which might help me, and others, to start sorting through official paperwork. It says:
"Hang on to accounts and tax returns for six years, in case the taxman demands a recount. It's also wise to keep receipts for big purchases for six years, in case you need to claim. Then sort the must-haves from the disposable by dividing papers into four categories. In 'keep for ever' put birth, marriage and exam certificates, and anything legal. 'Essential' is for your passport, insurance and employment details, health records, benefits and pensions. Separate the rest into 'need it soon' (tax, receipts, current contracts and bank statements (if you get them)) and 'need it now' (mostly bills). Then shred and recycle what's left. Don't panic if you accidentally destroy a vital document - almost everything is also stored online, including your house deeds."
Well, that takes care of most of our filing cabinet but there's still the (many) boxes of interesting stuff to sort through and filter, perhaps put them on the computer and save on external hard drive? . . . roll on the winter when I might get round to it . . . .
7 October 2011
Torbay Geopark Status
Great news via Creative Torbay.
http://creativetorbay.com/englishrivierageopark/geopark-revalidation-results/
http://creativetorbay.com/englishrivierageopark/geopark-revalidation-results/
The report of the two UNESCO evaluators that visited the Geopark back in June recently went before the European Geoparks Network Coordination Committee in Norway.
Great news! The English Riviera has been awarded another 4 years membership of the rapidly expanding UNESCO supported Global Geoparks Network.
Nick Powe, chairman of the English Riviera Global Geopark, said:
“This is a great success for Torbay. We may be the smallest Geopark in the world but we are recognised across the global network as one of its gems. Many aspiring Geoparks are encouraged to look at the English Riviera for best practice when it comes to combining geology, the natural environment and tourism.
“The Global Geopark designation, endorsed by UNESCO, is hugely important to Torbay’s ambitions for economic regeneration. During the revalidation we were able to list £5.4million of inward investment projects secured for the resort as a direct result of the Geopark designation.
Geopark Coordinator Melanie Border said
"The inspection with the UNESCO evaluators was an intensive experience for all involved but they where really impressed by the strength of the Geopark Partnership and all of the achievements that have been made over the last 4 years.
"There are now 87 Global Geoparks in 27 countries around the world and it is fantastic to think that our place within this growing global network is secured for another 4 years. This designation is not just about one or two sites of geological importance but recognises the significance of the entire bay, celebrating our natural environment alongside our history, heritage, art and culture. It places the English Riviera on the map with some of the most stunning places around the world"
"There are now 87 Global Geoparks in 27 countries around the world and it is fantastic to think that our place within this growing global network is secured for another 4 years. This designation is not just about one or two sites of geological importance but recognises the significance of the entire bay, celebrating our natural environment alongside our history, heritage, art and culture. It places the English Riviera on the map with some of the most stunning places around the world"
For more information visit http://www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk/
2 October 2011
http://ukhandmade.co.uk/local/scene-christmas-craftfest-virtual-extravaganza
I found the above link from: http://www.ukcraftblog.com/2010/01/really-helpful-blogs.html
Looks interesting: http://madebypin.wordpress.com/
1 October 2011
The New Chic
Did you know that John Lewis, the Department Store (http://www.johnlewis.com/), offers a Home Consultation Service? It's probably rather pricey but well worth it for someone, like me (only with more money), who has absolutely no idea where to start when planning rooms.
The Consultant will know exactly what's in their store, saving wandering around endless looking at stuff and becoming confused with the variety on offer.
According to John Lewis (as reported in the Saturday Telegraph today) what's in and what's out at the moment is as follows:
In: bold colours, boutique-hotel chic, carpets on floor, voiles, teal, kitchen as the hub of the home, personality.
(And what's Out: Beige, teracotta, peach, minimalism, stripped-wood boards, formal living rooms, net curtains.)
Although beige, at least this room has a certain amount of colour but I think it's still rather boring and impersonal. There are no indicators of what sort of people live here, what their hobbies and interests are. It could be a room designed by a committee!
To quote: 'People are emotional about their homes understandably, and they don't like change' - well that sounds like a generalisation. I love changing houses - and changing things in the house - and am sure lots of other people do too.
To quote: 'People are emotional about their homes understandably, and they don't like change' - well that sounds like a generalisation. I love changing houses - and changing things in the house - and am sure lots of other people do too.
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