tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82472217209607269182024-02-07T05:24:17.372+00:00Chocolate Teapotsand their many other uses.Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-8713526578453181922011-09-25T15:53:00.001+01:002011-09-25T15:53:53.657+01:00How the public help science do amazing things<p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Last night while trawling the internet for something entertaining and interesting to do or read or watch or anything that wasn't mind numbingly boring or stupid really </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I : </span></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Read </span></span><a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19431_5-mind-blowing-things-crowds-do-better-than-experts.html"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">this article</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> and was particularly interested in number four.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So then I watched </span></span><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">this TED lecture</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> (about 15 minutes long) </span></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then read this </span></span><a href="http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/16/7802623-gamers-solve-molecular-puzzle-that-baffled-scientists"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">other article</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Which all lead me to </span></span><a href="http://www.zooniverse.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">zooniverse</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> that have projects for the public to help scientists do various things.</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So I decided on </span></span><a href="http://www.milkywayproject.org/tutorial"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">this project</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> and helped scientists map the universe for further investigation.</span></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And that is the story of how I mapped the universe on a dull Saturday night.</span></span></p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-11837658076519353772011-04-26T19:59:00.005+01:002011-05-03T22:46:35.440+01:00Pear, apple, onion and raisin chutney.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIzDxA0HoZnNpJrXYRf9pnNX0L_ui-0mluiunEnclXeTH7tHt3_gDmQhbH7Wv-YaBkhnTKuKowDUiuRY0QqZDPZP7KSTFcMxlmdNngzg9vmJ3SNnQ-MqJb15UabV-hm9BogvV05byycU/s1600/P1010511.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIzDxA0HoZnNpJrXYRf9pnNX0L_ui-0mluiunEnclXeTH7tHt3_gDmQhbH7Wv-YaBkhnTKuKowDUiuRY0QqZDPZP7KSTFcMxlmdNngzg9vmJ3SNnQ-MqJb15UabV-hm9BogvV05byycU/s320/P1010511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599973823818795010" /></a><br /><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">I made some chutney for the first time the other day and it is delicious. I thought I'd share the recipe</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. I got 5 little jars out of it and 1 fresh pasta sauce tub like the one you get in all the supermarkets next to the garlic bread and fresh pasta.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">5 pears</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">1 cooking apple</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">2 onions</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">½ </span><span style="font-size:100%;">lb raisins</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ½ </span><span style="font-size:100%;">teaspoon of chilli powder or cayenne pepper</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ½ </span><span style="font-size:100%;">teaspoon ground ginger</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">1 garlic clove</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ½ </span><span style="font-size:100%;">teaspoon salt</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">½ teaspoon nutmeg</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Juice and grated rind of 1 lemon</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ½lb </span><span style="font-size:100%;">soft brown sugar</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ½pint </span><span style="font-size:100%;">white vinegar</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><ol><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chop the pears and peel, core and chop the apple and onions. </span></li><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Crush the garlic.</span></li><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Put all of the ingredients into a large pan with the vinegar and stir well with a wooden spoon.</span></li><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. </span></li><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Reduce to a simmer and continue simmering for around 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until it looks like chutney.</span></li><li align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Spoon into still warm sterilized jars.</span></li></ol><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">To sterilize your jars put them in a clean pan with cold water and bring them to a fast boil then leave on boil for at least 10 minutes, while this is happening heat your oven to 120 degrees celsius. Use tongs or something similar to lift the jars from the water and place on a clean oven tray and place in the hot oven for another 10 minutes to dry completely. It is best to time your chutney being ready with the jars coming from the oven as you need to put the hot chutney into hot jars so that the glass doesn't crack when mixing different temperatures or cause bacteria to grow by using cold unclean jars.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you have a dishwasher you can clean your jars in there and then spoon in the mix while they are still hot.</span></p><p align="justify">The chutney is delicious and can be eaten straight away but I've been told by people with more experience than I have that leaving it to mature improves the recipe even more. You can leave it for up to 12 weeks in a dark cool place.<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-74167754146625500372011-04-20T21:59:00.007+01:002011-04-20T22:45:55.035+01:00Glasgow Botanic Gardens<p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmLBE56le5Buh5m6z7yS1BUCxEy-8zb4gzjgMtcAyR8Q_IwvQoun_bb7YH2nn77W3oPZ6_EDzZlGXcZRFlJquo3nlUTkENcpRxIUgjk1h3Q8Rm48Vb_CAA1STjK3ePJBEueXxHlfN6-Y/s1600/P1010461.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmLBE56le5Buh5m6z7yS1BUCxEy-8zb4gzjgMtcAyR8Q_IwvQoun_bb7YH2nn77W3oPZ6_EDzZlGXcZRFlJquo3nlUTkENcpRxIUgjk1h3Q8Rm48Vb_CAA1STjK3ePJBEueXxHlfN6-Y/s320/P1010461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597784167520721218" /></a><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1inomJR1Ft9CSncL1i8opdP8q5qPpg126xVlxq1LDpONGX8t6tZV5IH5nLrI23N-1l1awS2fGmdB5pRZUhnbGW-8C1ymkN8RPdQn3x2kiQWWV0mVmw64tjjG_xGeQ8UsPmhAOaKlvKMo/s1600/P1010470.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1inomJR1Ft9CSncL1i8opdP8q5qPpg126xVlxq1LDpONGX8t6tZV5IH5nLrI23N-1l1awS2fGmdB5pRZUhnbGW-8C1ymkN8RPdQn3x2kiQWWV0mVmw64tjjG_xGeQ8UsPmhAOaKlvKMo/s320/P1010470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597784159703353634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2lfF1SqmhGkIREplxwkqUdAUNirk_D-pTaZdztbyncOc4sf47s2vvZQkBlovMT_bP4xVWstDgIkWkRVSnQtV_hQWjGl-7fHq3hZOUeT9yjiidhAVsBlD1DMsdkd5EvFB6dPrjez_5Ag/s1600/P1010455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2lfF1SqmhGkIREplxwkqUdAUNirk_D-pTaZdztbyncOc4sf47s2vvZQkBlovMT_bP4xVWstDgIkWkRVSnQtV_hQWjGl-7fHq3hZOUeT9yjiidhAVsBlD1DMsdkd5EvFB6dPrjez_5Ag/s320/P1010455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597784173646777954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaLtAj68vS7K4D0iQxAHjqBUxCYcD_j7r9euo4zXOqG82kb5zv0MAk5Dcdy8HpWHqGs0BYDJS3xiLpQJQmHiHyOqpKdqDbE2NB1LxCyGmM43ZLLIgYoL4PQMxPC_tcDZoMTMGdZ4U7JM/s1600/P1010453.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaLtAj68vS7K4D0iQxAHjqBUxCYcD_j7r9euo4zXOqG82kb5zv0MAk5Dcdy8HpWHqGs0BYDJS3xiLpQJQmHiHyOqpKdqDbE2NB1LxCyGmM43ZLLIgYoL4PQMxPC_tcDZoMTMGdZ4U7JM/s320/P1010453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597780950844948194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt80O4JQ5NOsCUnRanzcQHn8bU8Lmg2IIRUN5RgfaL94Pfov6J_lI2ua3Y3JCLVEN86swFf3RUbRUmU6PqQKvuHh-5jENzzeQ6awIHZqNgQjAYammbyazyk4MNHt_VWtZVK0cGliJHaA/s1600/P1010499.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt80O4JQ5NOsCUnRanzcQHn8bU8Lmg2IIRUN5RgfaL94Pfov6J_lI2ua3Y3JCLVEN86swFf3RUbRUmU6PqQKvuHh-5jENzzeQ6awIHZqNgQjAYammbyazyk4MNHt_VWtZVK0cGliJHaA/s320/P1010499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597775697407075650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUG7ro6R73qy7khDvYx36ForWc6tFpj0NlD7iw_6pDDS5f12J71D1gkXYut7lUyqAAblMLq_JqkDOI7QjFsMihHPO-PEND37meS5chmamzajF-oLYAp3wwlnCLuDt5Og9i1970H3acNs/s1600/P1010487.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUG7ro6R73qy7khDvYx36ForWc6tFpj0NlD7iw_6pDDS5f12J71D1gkXYut7lUyqAAblMLq_JqkDOI7QjFsMihHPO-PEND37meS5chmamzajF-oLYAp3wwlnCLuDt5Og9i1970H3acNs/s320/P1010487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597775691582959890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVHrZM03jnz7pemALuzvA5IJT7cYB6-jKqSBek2mNI8uS2N3CdwVyxuby3sRTG7Av5bCgEQ7oT36EIuqRF5H0fCMF4k5l74A4DhcmXJ5WNMRi8NGAp3lfr7UFJfRX49vXLC_Suh_AP_s/s1600/P1010476.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVHrZM03jnz7pemALuzvA5IJT7cYB6-jKqSBek2mNI8uS2N3CdwVyxuby3sRTG7Av5bCgEQ7oT36EIuqRF5H0fCMF4k5l74A4DhcmXJ5WNMRi8NGAp3lfr7UFJfRX49vXLC_Suh_AP_s/s320/P1010476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597775683959506658" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqA4u7FH2OTEIsdPNFQtQnBvk520RYSTibP50_ZCkzvKO_feEv8tgOrut7TwQ98_efR0KmxBaQlrq-zveb2DJXUc1PCjiJ3krRDZnFJ4QVKl7kBozXq_1e46Ilg2T0D7Fx23RqArgFEA/s1600/P1010464.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqA4u7FH2OTEIsdPNFQtQnBvk520RYSTibP50_ZCkzvKO_feEv8tgOrut7TwQ98_efR0KmxBaQlrq-zveb2DJXUc1PCjiJ3krRDZnFJ4QVKl7kBozXq_1e46Ilg2T0D7Fx23RqArgFEA/s320/P1010464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597775674821390562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq5w9FRO71KDSL5REfjtFwpOhvtFfChsGUKblYOGPdDAAwst40cQI07mZRCsnRzkCjf29TvFfjnshMa1Sa5eYo6WDqViSJSLYldbmLxcyLG08ht9Lg0sFQdAFipEgTEoGsm9tpfiZ-7E/s1600/coffee+in+glasgow+19.4.11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq5w9FRO71KDSL5REfjtFwpOhvtFfChsGUKblYOGPdDAAwst40cQI07mZRCsnRzkCjf29TvFfjnshMa1Sa5eYo6WDqViSJSLYldbmLxcyLG08ht9Lg0sFQdAFipEgTEoGsm9tpfiZ-7E/s320/coffee+in+glasgow+19.4.11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597775701001036994" /></a><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7IRbxEOB7Rm0x7fq_hkNYz2SBqUZCYBA29a1e-uh6fGW0sYDEenes8Ft14MSkuJMD4wfQ-Dp0puvkC4k7n83vd3Kd1xWjWIgW4s2msACS1KCsRwR_Xo4q5xBUXpKToxUcsDGDAb2lxQ/s1600/P1010450.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7IRbxEOB7Rm0x7fq_hkNYz2SBqUZCYBA29a1e-uh6fGW0sYDEenes8Ft14MSkuJMD4wfQ-Dp0puvkC4k7n83vd3Kd1xWjWIgW4s2msACS1KCsRwR_Xo4q5xBUXpKToxUcsDGDAb2lxQ/s320/P1010450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597773873865999730" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>I think this will become a photo blog. I'm not great with words and they often hold me back.</p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-16520265456005159082011-01-04T13:30:00.003+00:002011-01-04T20:01:47.688+00:00Blergh.<p align="justify">I am not particularly well at the moment so have had to call in sick to work today, a good start to the new year or what? There was quite a lot in my diary too but if I remember correctly none of it was urgent so can wait until I go back...hopefully. </p><p align="justify">Unfortunately it is still a public holiday in Scotland today so I can't get an appointment with the doctor until tomorrow. They have been closed for 4 days now because of the new year so wish me luck please, I may need it to actually get a chance to see them. I must also remember to call the dentist tomorrow to reschedule my next appointment as my days off have changed and if I cancel too late they will charge me for the appointment anyway. </p><p align="justify">Hope you're all having a better start to the year than I am :) </p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-29551278245351978852011-01-01T19:11:00.002+00:002011-01-01T19:29:24.837+00:00And so it starts again.<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/Photo021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/Photo021.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Well another year is over and this is just a little message to say I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a very happy new year. I'm developing a cold so was in bed for 10.30pm feeling pretty grim and totally asleep when midnight came round. I'll just have to make up for it during the year I guess. </span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Above is my Grandad on Boxing Day when me and mum went to visit him and take him his gifts. I think a very big thank you is in order for the carers in the home he lives in. They have been excellent with him since he moved there at the end of 2009. They take him out on day trips and for his lunch and dinner and have lots of activities on to keep all the residents occupied and happy. They went out and got everyone their own box of truffles then left them on their bedside tables during the night to wake up and find on Christmas morning and had dotted random sweets through out the home for people to find and help themselves to through the day. We really couldn't think of anywhere better for him to be.</span><br /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Just one final thing, you'll know if you've swung by here before we've had some pretty terrible weather in December but it's more or less all cleared except for some solid ice that is still melting. Now it's just bitterly cold.<br /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#993399;">Wishing you all an excellent 2011</span></span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/DSCF0011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/DSCF0011.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-50546289234529082942010-12-18T20:31:00.006+00:002010-12-18T20:44:13.422+00:00T Ann Cake<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/HighresLogo26text26strap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/hollie-f-/HighresLogo26text26strap.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A lovely lady has opened up a cafe in Dundee. <a href="http://t-ann-cake.blogspot.com/">Here</a> is the link to her blog, I think you should all go have a look. I had a very tasty mocha, caramelised onion, sundried tomato and gruyere tart and an apple pie. Yum yum yum.</div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-39365050573114433092010-12-11T17:43:00.003+00:002010-12-11T17:55:54.900+00:00Standing on ice.<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-vyJQvIAcZ1siaRlw25GhVmFgLmrvtWh2GPUSQmVsAghtRK23F-t7OSHbht_Iam_lBx3SGcNgIrohP-RADRwhpFBXxHpgp426OM0d2dCfEz3dIil-JiTvWiqQHdbhj1YSsk5Y14r9Gs/s1600/P1010267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-vyJQvIAcZ1siaRlw25GhVmFgLmrvtWh2GPUSQmVsAghtRK23F-t7OSHbht_Iam_lBx3SGcNgIrohP-RADRwhpFBXxHpgp426OM0d2dCfEz3dIil-JiTvWiqQHdbhj1YSsk5Y14r9Gs/s320/P1010267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549483676926918562" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHkzRGe-qsmYwmQqewHjTi9fOjak7WLKe47b4I60cls104kjJ_EwE1_jZ_H0e7VBcJu8gKGagLtDB58gz1I6b891LsbxIBomMTFhw3N7ntv6GBmAyUdvtVSk3Cs_91Dei-eBEh64tRAQ/s1600/P1010262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHkzRGe-qsmYwmQqewHjTi9fOjak7WLKe47b4I60cls104kjJ_EwE1_jZ_H0e7VBcJu8gKGagLtDB58gz1I6b891LsbxIBomMTFhw3N7ntv6GBmAyUdvtVSk3Cs_91Dei-eBEh64tRAQ/s320/P1010262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549482986066758946" /></a>I've been away this week visiting friends in Glasgow. I got there just as things ground to a halt because of the bad weather. Despite that a good time was had and successful Christmas shopping was completed. The picture above is of the Clyde which in parts was frozen solid. You can see a great chunk of the water by the shore frozen over here. Things were starting to thaw by the time I came back to Dundee but apparently there is more to come.<br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-66213128151487481182010-12-04T19:39:00.010+00:002010-12-05T15:50:57.742+00:00Coming to you from the state of New Siberia.<div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL0AH_NuXH_jV-iHDWf5_qpsWkST-H21am4fjLMamMXyrq_QqSCx-5JFquNb6EmKTEJlynZDqwZegFfQ2Jz6aQRx2N8TAiuHRNnPLDeEjWge1xdbASXJzbvwilJB3ajky0XuzXpSmwzk/s1600/Photo005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL0AH_NuXH_jV-iHDWf5_qpsWkST-H21am4fjLMamMXyrq_QqSCx-5JFquNb6EmKTEJlynZDqwZegFfQ2Jz6aQRx2N8TAiuHRNnPLDeEjWge1xdbASXJzbvwilJB3ajky0XuzXpSmwzk/s320/Photo005.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546918432219546786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M-IOkU1KCcUE9EK40PIeh_w2rSxXYnX3iEjtBMlt3t8UYE4-C2eTNTE_sclyr10Qx4K0OjJlhM6qGmCRbbJXmM4xFZug2I9IK_Pwcn-Mddkfu1vZOLxCdMmFkd7K57YaDV1IiuNyp2M/s1600/Photo013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M-IOkU1KCcUE9EK40PIeh_w2rSxXYnX3iEjtBMlt3t8UYE4-C2eTNTE_sclyr10Qx4K0OjJlhM6qGmCRbbJXmM4xFZug2I9IK_Pwcn-Mddkfu1vZOLxCdMmFkd7K57YaDV1IiuNyp2M/s320/Photo013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546918162542056722" /></a><br />While the weather has been terrible I have moved back to my mums house because it's warmer than my own. We ventured outside today and went to my grandads house on the outskirts of the city just to check everything was ok. It was thankfully and I got some lovely photographs of the house and garden, two of which can be seen above. Luckily he has recently had the guttering checked so there were no icicles or worry of burst pipes but some of the other houses near him couldn't claim the same. We also went to my flat to make sure everything there was ok. The building has police tape outside because some guttering has come down along with some roof slates so hopefully the landlord is dealing with that. Inside the flat was all fine though so that is good news. Not long after that I had to go home, one of my feet was so cold I couldn't tell if it was wet inside of my welly boot or not. By the time I got back to mums house the sole of my foot and two of my toes were completely numb and took a good long time and a hot water bottle before they were back to normal. I hope everyone is faring well no matter how the weather is where you are.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gx907BF5bl5jKEkX4yU_j_55oWTLDnZObpGOzU3erF5K4FPcJ_novG4wzu9ZkToDW4ErjFmmfT9sxP-3fHlp9k4x-fSkbYvp9rC3Vf7Qu1gfW-dMIH6KsITZI8tw26xi28er-1ND37c/s1600/Photo014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gx907BF5bl5jKEkX4yU_j_55oWTLDnZObpGOzU3erF5K4FPcJ_novG4wzu9ZkToDW4ErjFmmfT9sxP-3fHlp9k4x-fSkbYvp9rC3Vf7Qu1gfW-dMIH6KsITZI8tw26xi28er-1ND37c/s320/Photo014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546917759234525666" /></a></div><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVxrDjiIBvewRWTgXkIph08p6UE7DDAKGwAazaGSpOk9iYYliSdgs3O-gr_5CO6buj0AcivLkBB2rT0WjxDN3ASNU63D0d4K-kQ_TYP7SuVjq3iaeqk71yjODldh6jQBBh_y_dgwPypU/s1600/Photo011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVxrDjiIBvewRWTgXkIph08p6UE7DDAKGwAazaGSpOk9iYYliSdgs3O-gr_5CO6buj0AcivLkBB2rT0WjxDN3ASNU63D0d4K-kQ_TYP7SuVjq3iaeqk71yjODldh6jQBBh_y_dgwPypU/s320/Photo011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546917258553072898" /></a><br /></p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-73099688150903395552010-11-28T21:39:00.007+00:002010-11-28T22:08:22.371+00:00Living in a winter wonderland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADLVh3F9-9S8Mu8rw3I6w9ch2Gn277IZsnl2VwueKtU1BRSGkEH8a-ZtOWrvYvfWqfsKc1WpQHaS16emp3SlODOn3keDpAST8RCouZCPZM9mpijswa98BJOtR-dnHX7skHvt5cBmVN2o/s1600/eskimos.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADLVh3F9-9S8Mu8rw3I6w9ch2Gn277IZsnl2VwueKtU1BRSGkEH8a-ZtOWrvYvfWqfsKc1WpQHaS16emp3SlODOn3keDpAST8RCouZCPZM9mpijswa98BJOtR-dnHX7skHvt5cBmVN2o/s320/eskimos.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544723616362636802" /></a>So it's been a long long time since I've posted on here but I am having a bout of self expression so thought I would reprise my blogging ways. <p align="justify">This mainly came about now that I'm reading a few other blogs and I wanted to join in the fun once more. Also the fact I've been in the house all day doing not much of anything and thought it would be a good way to fill some time.</p><p align="justify">I was stuck in by the way, not because I'm lazy but because it is not entirely dis-similar to the arctic outside (although being lazy was part of it too). It's been snowing for over 24 hours now and no particular sign of stopping any time soon. I live in the middle of town and because Dundee is right on the river Tay and not more than a stones throw from the North Sea the city center doesn't usually get much snow and when we do it doesn't lie for long. Not this time I tell you! We've got about 3 inches so far so goodness knows what it's like out in the sticks. There was lightning last night too. Lightning and snow...at the same time! This may not strike anyone else as strange or unusual but it's not a combination I'd ever thought of. I can tell you being woken up from sleep at 5am with lighting going off like canons is not a good way to start a Sunday morning. I expected the rain to be pelting down so imagine my surprise to look outside and see the snow still going strong and the place looking particularly Lapland like.</p><p align="justify">Aside from all this I'm now pondering the trip to work tomorrow. The local buses were taken off as were the taxis so if that hasn't changed by morning then it's a treck through the snow for me. I wonder if I have any tennis rackets I can tie to my feet to help my journey. Taking the buses off confuses me somewhat, the roads will only get worse with less traffic on them to keep them clear. But I have heard from friends that the motorways around the city have been closed so like I thought, out of the center has it bad. </p><p align="justify">Wish me luck for my trip tomorrow, mostly can you please wish that I get a call saying work is closed and not to come in. That would be ace!</p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-25361724355580396102009-05-16T12:42:00.002+01:002009-05-16T12:47:45.920+01:00Ouch<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It is not so much the sore throat that is the problem, it's the ear and jaw ache that come with it. One of those dull slow pains that just lingers, enough for you too feel all the time, except when you do anything at all then it turns into a blinding shooting pain. More pills all round I think.<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-6017136996263747002009-05-15T21:40:00.002+01:002009-05-15T21:51:41.206+01:00Sleeping<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That's how I've spent most of this week. I had a tonsil removed on Monday morning, maybe I got to keep the other one for luck? Anyway, I was sent home with a pile of different pain killers and after a short debate with my mother regarding where I should go (her house, she won) I spent a couple of days sleeping on her sofa and being fed and watered while she took pity on me. I'm home now and having had a sore jaw for 2 days now it's getting better. Apparently the pain is worst on the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> and 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> days so this was all expected. However, I've not had any medicine in 6 hours so I'm thinking I may go have some more so it's all kicked in for bed time. I don't know about you but I can't get to sleep with an ache.<br /><br />Aside from that I've not really been up to much, I got some flowers for the flat to cheer me up, not that I've not been cheerful of course. Pictures tomorrow I think, once they have had a chance to open. Peonies and white snap dragons seeing as you asked. This post is really just me thinking I need to be as good with updating this as I once was, so any random babble that comes to mind will be posted to get me back in the swing of things.<br /><br />Also, a favour to ask for anyone out there, I assume there is someone out there? Can you recommend a book I have to read or a film I have to see. I'll buy any book if you tell me why I must and I will add any film suggestion to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lovefilm</span> account. Broaden my horizons people, thank you please.<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-68937543876903310642009-04-23T12:23:00.003+01:002009-04-23T12:38:01.327+01:00Your Tax Form Explained<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5HbpEPxJsUAUAXolUyyiwvM82pDFzmTn2FpHlNYEFaInbVvkAsWsUObns3osXTTccA8BAMVox6cPAPiHWFpFQ9vOXGQEoikSFUE9G1LfkmeHkavTBuLHxbRkEIAx8IGlXuLbYZPBkE0/s1600-h/card2098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5HbpEPxJsUAUAXolUyyiwvM82pDFzmTn2FpHlNYEFaInbVvkAsWsUObns3osXTTccA8BAMVox6cPAPiHWFpFQ9vOXGQEoikSFUE9G1LfkmeHkavTBuLHxbRkEIAx8IGlXuLbYZPBkE0/s320/card2098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327849686810912658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I got my Tax Return the other week, this says it all really :<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Enclosed is your 1998 United States Internal Revenue Service Tax Form 1040-ES OCR: “Estimated Tax for Self-Employed Individuals.” You may use this form to estimate your 1998 fiscal year tax IF:</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. You are the head of a household AND the sum of the ages of your spouse and dependents, minus the ages of qualifying pets (see Schedule 12G), is divisible by a whole number. (Use Supplementary Schedule 142C if pets are deceased but buried on your property.)</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. Your Gross Adjusted Income does not exceed your Adjusted Gross Income (except where applicable) AND you did not pay taxable interest on dividend income prior to 1903.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">3. You are not claiming a foreign tax credit, except as a “foreign” tax credit. (Warning: Claiming a foreign tax credit for a foreign “tax” credit, except where a foreign “tax credit” is involved, may result in a fine of $125,000 and 25 years‘ imprisonment.)</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">4. You are one of the following: married and filing jointly; married and not filing jointly; not married and not filing jointly; jointed but not filing; other.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Instructions</strong></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Type all answers in ink with a number two lead pencil. Do not cross anything out. Do not use abbreviations or ditto marks. Do not misspell “miscellaneous.” Write your name, address, and social security number, and the name, address, and social security numbers of your spouse and dependents, in full on each page twice. Do not put a check mark in a box marked “cross” or a cross in a box marked “check mark” unless it is your express wish to do the whole thing again. Do not write “Search me” in any blank spaces. Do not make anything up.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Complete Sections 47 to 52 first, then proceed to even-numbered sections and complete in reverse order. Do NOT use this form if your total pensions and annuities disbursements were greater than your advanced earned income credits OR vice versa.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Under “Income,” list all wages, salaries, net foreign source taxable income, royalties, tips, gratuities, taxable interest, capital gains, air miles, and money found down the back of the sofa. If your earnings are derived wholly, or partially but not primarily, or wholly AND partially but not primarily, from countries other than the United States (if uncertain, see USIA Leaflet 212W, “Countries That Are Not the United States”) OR your rotated gross income from Schedule H was greater than your earned income credit on nontaxable net disbursements, you MUST include a Grantor/Transferor Waiver Voucher. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $1,500,000 and seizure of a child.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Under Section 890f, list total farm income (in none, give details). If you were born after January 1, 1897, and are NOT a widow(er), include excess casualty losses and provide carry-over figures for depreciation on line 27iii. You MUST list number of turkeys slaughtered for export. Subtract, but do not deduct, net gross dividends from pro rata interest payments, multiply by the total number of steps in your home, and enter on line 356d.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">On Schedule F1001, line c, list the contents of your garage. Include all electrical and nonelectrical items on Schedule 295D, but DO NOT include electrical OR nonelectrical items not listed on Supplementary Form 243d.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Under “Personal Expenditures,” itemize all cash expenditures of more than $1, and include verification. If you have had dental work and you are not claiming a refund on the federal oil spill allowance, enter your shoe sizes since birth and enclose specimen shoes (right foot only). Multiply by 1.5 or 1,319, whichever is larger, and divide line 3f by 3d. Under Section 912g, enter federal income support grants for the production of alfalfa, barley (but not sorghum, unless for home consumption), and okra WHETHER OR NOT you received any. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $3,750,000 and death by lethal injection.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">If your children are dependent but not living at home, or living at home but not dependent, or dependent and living at home but hardly ever there AND you are not claiming exemption for leases of maritime vessels in excess of 12,000 tons deadweight (15,000 tons if you were born in Guam), you MUST complete and include a Maritime Vessel Exemption Form. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $111,000,000 and a nuclear attack on a small, neutral country.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">On pages 924-926, Schedule D, enter the names of people you know personally who are Communists or use drugs. (Use extra pages if necessary.)</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">If you have interest earnings from savings accounts, securities, bearer bonds, certificates of deposit, or other fiduciary instruments but DO NOT know your hat size, complete Supplementary Schedules 112d and 112f and enclose with all relevant tables. (Do not send chairs at this time.) Include, but do not collate, ongoing losses from mining investments, commodities transactions, and organ transplants, divide by the total number of motel visits you made in 1996, and enter in any remaining spaces. If you have unreimbursed employee expenses, tough.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">To compute your estimated tax, add lines 27 through 964, deduct lines 45a and 699f from Schedule 2F (if greater or less than 2.2% of average alternative minimum estimated tax for last five years), multiply by the number of RPMs your car registers when stuck on ice, and add 2. If line 997 is smaller than line 998, start again. In the space marked “Tax Due,” write a very large figure.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Make your check payable to “Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America and to the Republic for Which It Stands,” and mark for the attention of Patty. On the back of your check write your social security number, Taxpayer Identification Number, IRS Tax Code Audit Number(s), IRS Regional Office Sub-Unit Zone Number (UNLESS you are filing a T/45 Sub-Unit Zone Exclusion Notice), sexual orientation, and smoking preference, and send to:</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Internal Revenue Service of the United States of America<br />Tax Reception and Orientation Center<br />Building D/Annex G78<br />Suite 900<br />Subduction Zone 12<br />Box 132677-02<br />Drawer 2, About Halfway Back<br />Federal City<br />Maryland 100001</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">If you have any questions about filing, or require assistance with your return, phone 1-800-BUSY SIGNAL. Thank you and have a prosperous 1999. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $125,000 and a long walk to the cooler.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">From "Notes from a big country" by Bill Bryson. </span></p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-45437646601002022292009-02-09T19:14:00.001+00:002009-02-09T19:16:50.947+00:00Keys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn0TKlCtpyidWL9eHerxjHLATzqQqLyueEI8c7z-pFc7REA7oGmE78hm-BH0kH6EWP91hHEDxrXyLKVOewhyphenhyphenjdXudwHJJ_-PK4iHzB0Kp92rJpLe2K3nmKjrm8zs8HVSL5mu3ZimtGdQ/s1600-h/35083986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn0TKlCtpyidWL9eHerxjHLATzqQqLyueEI8c7z-pFc7REA7oGmE78hm-BH0kH6EWP91hHEDxrXyLKVOewhyphenhyphenjdXudwHJJ_-PK4iHzB0Kp92rJpLe2K3nmKjrm8zs8HVSL5mu3ZimtGdQ/s320/35083986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300878710893641378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Finally got them!</span><br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-27829598055066510862009-02-01T14:49:00.004+00:002009-02-01T18:41:38.049+00:00Take a breath.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_nf7BCAyyeJJVD1_cGxgQ9pYKA7iPvjxvwil5x3A-m2npbKXcWjq6f6Sz6K2tqGvMc5Puzj3LGcJ8uEFLI07njJGRjSDvTSmDVY3gh4skEB4orsd8tz2Ud8z9I8zz48SyKQTh5RuHX8/s1600-h/ball+cufflinks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_nf7BCAyyeJJVD1_cGxgQ9pYKA7iPvjxvwil5x3A-m2npbKXcWjq6f6Sz6K2tqGvMc5Puzj3LGcJ8uEFLI07njJGRjSDvTSmDVY3gh4skEB4orsd8tz2Ud8z9I8zz48SyKQTh5RuHX8/s320/ball+cufflinks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297848442393559506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Where have the last few months gone exactly? How can it be the first of February <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">all ready</span>? It is frightening to think how long ago my last post was and how very little work I have done. The danger in having a part time job is that, over Christmas, the hours you work sky rocket. So while previously I was just having a little rest before cracking on, I really didn't have time to think about anything other than getting to work on time, and getting all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">necessary</span> things done each day like food shopping, gift buying and general upkeep of me and my flat. Now however things have relaxed a little, although I have to say I'm still on full time hours but I think I will just suck it up and crack on.<br /><br />I have an exhibition opening in a couple of weeks so I have put some more thought into this personalised gift box idea I mentioned a while ago. It's looking like I'll be going with this after all:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFUtB5WCYUbJQxv0KscCrhymrgxRQJTlYMjL8mox-wDWxTtcEWRYReaDH2kXOIJ8GTdKL8KlioFejM9fhr3fsAR24P3JX7Tfsnzw9gFnj04U9fgxW9qJAhGNDb-5akCh1izxHvVW1Z00/s1600-h/potters+stamp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFUtB5WCYUbJQxv0KscCrhymrgxRQJTlYMjL8mox-wDWxTtcEWRYReaDH2kXOIJ8GTdKL8KlioFejM9fhr3fsAR24P3JX7Tfsnzw9gFnj04U9fgxW9qJAhGNDb-5akCh1izxHvVW1Z00/s320/potters+stamp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297842358207953714" border="0" /></a>I <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">still</span> haven't managed to visit Chrissy to collect keys to the workshop, but it's fairly certain that when I am there it will be unsocial hours. I hope to pop by her office this week and get that all sorted out. The list of things that have been highly neglected over time is getting ever longer so it is most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">definitely</span> time to rectify the matter.<br /><br />What else has been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">happening</span>? Well... Some of my work was down in London last week being photographed for Easy Living Magazine, how entirely random yet exciting! So I've been advised that it should appear in the May edition. I'm not really sure what their plans are for it but I guess I'll find out soon enough.<br /><br />The sudden jolt back into posting on here was because of my online store. For a reason that I don't know, the visiting numbers went up 7 fold in the last couple of weeks, I have no idea why. What happened to cause this? Do you know? Not that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> appreciate it of course. Shall be adding a few more bits and bobs on there later in the day I think.<br /><br />Talk to you soon (deffinitly).<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-22128981988525436822008-09-26T20:52:00.006+01:002008-09-26T21:11:43.477+01:00Grown up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO69gAs5ThAGGKirZ2cmcSYlDlKgi_WCGIr2Y35X8C36Ad06IM0i2RSQf-YzQQ8BRObsu7gViC5wlw_nu7PagNIf771a2xfihLJgAFlejiZa7OafPJku_gA6yMzuP8EfREC38_SQJqsE/s1600-h/IMG_0726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinO69gAs5ThAGGKirZ2cmcSYlDlKgi_WCGIr2Y35X8C36Ad06IM0i2RSQf-YzQQ8BRObsu7gViC5wlw_nu7PagNIf771a2xfihLJgAFlejiZa7OafPJku_gA6yMzuP8EfREC38_SQJqsE/s320/IMG_0726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250421767503716802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hello all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Fear not, I have not fallen from the face of the planet, I have just been very busy this past month. I have been doing very grown up things that are in fact very dull so I won't bore you with details. I did realise the other day that it was more than past time that I check in here again and make an effort. I apologise for being so lazy by way of posting for the last little while. I will do better from now on, I promise.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Anyway, I'm taking part in an exhibition that opens soon so I have to deliver my work to the gallery on Monday. I am highly unprepared so we will move on quickly from this fact. I also have work on a website that is going live pretty soon, so more on that once it's up and running. How very exciting!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">As for next week I have more grown up boring things to do so </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size:85%;">that's</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> an awful sad thought! BUT... I'm finally getting into my shared workshop so expect new things soon and a lot more effort on this page and a lot of change in my store. While I've had a fairly lazy summer I realise it's now time to crack on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Here we go!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">P.S The pictures above and below are from one of my days this summer wasting time on beaches around fife when I really should have been working hard.</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqW06bwBcYuW6y9oLgee5Wp6nX6uO9IC3idNe5SLen6sEEGIpYoyHv7VllbMvKVRfCH-JRZpR_wT4xqlPItMMy-CfRRiTnZDY1VfQw7Z7_qb8STqh6otk1chrTJuyRzjyYMKK46Z4BNI/s1600-h/IMG_0745.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqW06bwBcYuW6y9oLgee5Wp6nX6uO9IC3idNe5SLen6sEEGIpYoyHv7VllbMvKVRfCH-JRZpR_wT4xqlPItMMy-CfRRiTnZDY1VfQw7Z7_qb8STqh6otk1chrTJuyRzjyYMKK46Z4BNI/s320/IMG_0745.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250424740178388082" border="0" /></a>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-91259451926645671072008-08-16T21:11:00.005+01:002008-08-20T15:39:38.358+01:00Productive week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/43986807_782d9931d3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/43986807_782d9931d3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Finally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This week I have spoken to:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1) A gallery about possibly showing work, </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">2) Two speciality stores in Dundee about socking pieces. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This is resulting in me being productive once more after a month of bumming around. It really was getting boring but you know it's tough once you get in a rut. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So expect posting to return to normal some time in the next week as I come up with new things...finally. Which in turn should result in a makeover for my online store with new work. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hoorah</span>.<br /><br />On an entirely unrelated topic, for some reason my flat smells of roast chicken dinner. I'm sure you all agree it's one of the best smells known to man but I'm not aware of one ever being cooked here... maybe it's the neighbours?<br /><br />{UPDATE}<br /><br />I have been invited to take part in another Exhibition, this time in Crieff. Also, the flat no longer smells of chicken.<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-64242575957100772352008-08-08T07:54:00.004+01:002008-08-08T08:32:44.694+01:00Deliveries result in tales of my general existance.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I am waiting for a delivery today, one of those "it'll be there between 8am and 6pm" affairs. So I have been up since the crack of dawn just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">incase</span></span>. No doubt it won't arrive until about 5.45 at best. This means you can expect regular updates and wittering today on my part as the boredom really begins to set in. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I have to admit though that I have been very productive already, for I did battle with a mighty foe.<br /><br />When I went to bed last night there was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">monstrously</span> huge daddy long legs kicking about in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">living room</span>, I went to bed and hoped against hope it would find its way to and out of the window overnight. No luck! So for the first 10 minutes I tried ignoring it but all the while having one eye firmly on it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">incase</span></span> it sprang into action and attacked. Just because it has never happened before doesn't mean it can't happen now. After I had wound myself up to being near convinced I could see the beasts blood dripping fangs I decided action must be taken. It was cunning and had chosen a spot up at the ceiling, which is very high up in these old flats so out came the broom...to no great effect. Note to self : soft bristle brooms do nothing but upset them. This resulted in much flapping about on my and my visitors part so the broom went away and out came the hoover. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't get me wrong, I don't freak out over any old bug. Mostly I am completely indifferent to them. These things on the other hand put the fear of god in me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So out was the hoover and to be honest I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wasn't</span> hoping for the best because it really was struggling to reach and the suction is not amazing. So I did try, and as predicted it only upset the poor thing. I'm guessing by this point it no more appreciated me than I appreciated it. So it was wise and off out the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">window</span> it finally went. A non exciting finish to this gripping tale but I must say and satisfactory end non the less.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Until later, once I have exhausted the Sunday <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">supplements</span> I expect, enjoy your day and wish me luck.<br /><br />Update 1 : Is anyone else scared to do anything beyond sitting and breathing just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">incase</span> you miss the door bell going while you are waiting on something arriving? Plus the longer you wait the less likely you are to move because said delivery is ever more imminent and you down right refuse to have to miss it.<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-75248038010124573462008-08-04T15:46:00.003+01:002008-08-04T15:57:54.886+01:00In working order once more<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/WIL/PEA0321%7EPeanuts-Celebrate-the-Little-Things-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/WIL/PEA0321%7EPeanuts-Celebrate-the-Little-Things-Posters.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For some reason, unknown to me, the Internet in my new flat suddenly decided to work today. Probably just to make me look bad. One of my good friends came up to see if he could get it working and as soon as he turned the computer on all was working fine, I promise it has never once worked since I moved here and I have witnesses to prove it if I need to. Anyway, hopefully it will decide to stay this way, it really was like losing a limb.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I see in my absence my blog counter has passed the 1000 views mark, so HOORAH! in a rather belated manner. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I don't think I really have much to tell, I've just had a little break from jewellery since I got back from London and taken the time to settle into my new part time job which I'm enjoying a lot. Aside from that I've just been considering my options and what I want to do. However, I was also becoming pretty lethargic and was in danger of not doing anything any time soon but a well timed letter from a gallery has once more spurred me into action... but more on that later. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Hope you've all been well this last month and can anyone believe it's August already??</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Speak to you all soon x</span><br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-24760941350869325202008-07-08T17:02:00.005+01:002008-07-09T13:54:41.308+01:00Home again<div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2068523365_fd00b5d1c2.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2249/2068523365_fd00b5d1c2.jpg?v=0" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify"><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;" > </span></div><div style="font-family: georgia;" align="justify"><span style=";font-size:85%;" >I have returned from London, and thankfully in one piece. I do love it down ther</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >e but it's not as much fun as it could be when you have few pennies to your name.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-size:85%;" >New Designers went well for all, everyone gaining interest and details being taken for people to get back in touch. Hello to all of the 3rd years who made the trip down to say hello and have a look around. My only great problem while I was there was restraining myself from buying work from anyone else. Standing on a stall for 4 days solid can get pretty boring at times and I did wander off occasionally to have a look around. I did manage to hold of a spending spree knowing full well that the bank manager would be unimpressed with any purchases I would have liked to have made. "But sir, what do you mean a ceramic rabbits face mounted on my bedroom wall isn't a necessity in life?" You see my problem?</span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Anyhoo, having only arrived back last night I haven't managed to coax my laptop into playing nice with the internet connection in my new flat yet.</span> I have two choices in what I can do about this, either take it someplace to see if it's broken and pay for it to be fixed or sweet talk a friend or two and let them loose with it. Unfortunately one of the people who I was counting on fixing it is off on his travels at the moment, but as soon as he's back I'll be waiting at his door with cake to try and persuade him that he really does want to help me out. </span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">So as you could have guessed I had to go on the hunt for public access to the internet again, finding that the Overgate Center has a Dundee College Learning Center on the top floor was the answer to my predicament. I may become a regular face here for the next week or so until I get everything working at home. So if any of you try to get in touch and I take a couple of days to reply it isn't that I'm ignoring you I just haven't got the message yet but I'll reply as soon as I can.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hope you're all well and having a good start to your week, hear from you soon x</span><br /></p>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-90386080684144612242008-07-01T12:32:00.003+01:002008-07-01T12:37:08.904+01:00London<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/London%20Underground.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/London%20Underground.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:georgia;">Hey all, it's been an age since I last posted, or so it seems. I moved into my new flat and am having issues with the i<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nternet</span> :(</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">At the moment I'm in an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">internet</span> cafe in London updating my store so I thought I'd add a quick note here too. The jewellery bunch are down here to show at New Designers in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Islington</span> at the Business Design Center so if you're able swing by and say hello, and if you can't at least wish me luck. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">I best trot off, the minutes I've paid for are quickly slipping away and there is much to do, hope you're all well and that the weather is as excellent for you as it is here. x</span></div><br /><br /><div></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-57031692865864405542008-06-20T15:33:00.006+01:002008-08-19T21:50:06.065+01:00Strawberries and Cream.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVBu-8h2siprSal4qGMxfa_N0bmXOPoil2nZC4OWuXDaQ4F6F8cLS17WPl4UMTA422cG-VLtQCmSUupFJxwckGy9GPZQXEGtjtU96eKgXxxKgP5MsVePL66Qxk9NWSD50WpCzwQlmlWg/s1600-h/IMG_0532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVBu-8h2siprSal4qGMxfa_N0bmXOPoil2nZC4OWuXDaQ4F6F8cLS17WPl4UMTA422cG-VLtQCmSUupFJxwckGy9GPZQXEGtjtU96eKgXxxKgP5MsVePL66Qxk9NWSD50WpCzwQlmlWg/s320/IMG_0532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213972479693640770" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Graduation was yesterday as you can see from the get-up in the picture above. We managed to gather together about half of the class in one go, it was so busy at the garden party after the ceremony that I think some people missed the call. However, we are all off to London in a weeks time so plenty time for a full group photo shoot. Anyway, just a quick one today to let you know I'm still kicking around and to say congratulations to everyone graduating this week and hope you all have an excellent time like we did yesterday. x<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-53705171967197012952008-06-13T16:19:00.005+01:002008-06-14T22:41:47.892+01:00Jump and shout<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6qW7ZfDit1YjbFJ9msmuLbBAJvZ1FsuB94DtSKXITnzceYNLzl-Kh2DNjMrIf_JlliT9CjHM-t29M2sc_EDE9twLGPoMwFZvSbRH-lhsyB6MUL2v7TO-ktHQmkPxyqPTq7Ypu1N8rpU/s1600-h/IMG_0464.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6qW7ZfDit1YjbFJ9msmuLbBAJvZ1FsuB94DtSKXITnzceYNLzl-Kh2DNjMrIf_JlliT9CjHM-t29M2sc_EDE9twLGPoMwFZvSbRH-lhsyB6MUL2v7TO-ktHQmkPxyqPTq7Ypu1N8rpU/s320/IMG_0464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211855259943411042" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Not been up to much today really, hung about and waited on some business cards to be delivered. Please be at home between the hours of 9am and 6pm to receive your delivery. Sound familiar? I'm sure everyone has had to put up with that at one time or another. Rather irritating but luckily they were delivered about 11am so I had the rest of the day to kill. By the way everyone <a href="http://www.studentartcards.com/">www.studentartcards.com</a> are excellent. Very good quality and so fast to be made and sent out. I ordered them online and 3 days later here they are. Also a very good price, I'll be using them again for sure. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So after they arrived and I had the rest of my day to fill I went for a little wander with Eleanor, you can see her up there jumping for joy at the delightful weather. Unfortunately the weather is turning a bit grey now but hopefully the rain won't come to much. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anyhoos</span>, just a quick note today to say I hope you're all having fun in your respective weather conditions and I hope to hear from you soon.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Cheerio x</span><br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-28967532880546586792008-06-11T18:09:00.003+01:002008-06-11T19:04:03.899+01:00The Back of Beyond<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.transcotland.com/dunkeld.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.transcotland.com/dunkeld.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A day trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dunkeld</span></span> is in order, have you ever been? I've not, neither has Andy. No doubt we'll get lost. I have to drop of a piece I sold at the degree show, sometime on Tuesday I think. Random tours of Scotland A-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hoy</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm feeling quite guilty, I haven't been in the workshop for about 3 weeks now...maybe more, time seems to be flying these days. So tomorrow I am going and I am making. Not really sure what at the moment, I'm thinking maybe some rings. It's strange now to think I can make what I like when I like and not a brief or a deadline in sight, unless you're counting commissions of course. It's a hard change to get to grips with, so easy to just do nothing. Lots of self <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">motivation</span> is needed so I shall pop off and practise talking myself into working hard before tomorrow rolls on in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Speak to you all soon.</span><br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-85103794295281536272008-06-05T18:59:00.003+01:002008-06-05T19:13:13.559+01:00Midas Touch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAya6RJdN662BEE71bDNsmw_DPyGmbDiuBCISZvV83WYkGdE9wp0hHu2tdWGR62h6yWppxEjvIlFxzHSX-Kndte06Znos3PHySfVLfss8kAgTbbtgZXXf8KwH_LpdifYgrAfaXQzPKhbU/s1600-h/TP2120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAya6RJdN662BEE71bDNsmw_DPyGmbDiuBCISZvV83WYkGdE9wp0hHu2tdWGR62h6yWppxEjvIlFxzHSX-Kndte06Znos3PHySfVLfss8kAgTbbtgZXXf8KwH_LpdifYgrAfaXQzPKhbU/s320/TP2120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208458586761130882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is my new toy, or it will be once it's delivered. As you may have noticed a lot of my work involves gold plating, and seeing as I have now graduated I felt I needed to find a way to still get this done. So it was either find a company to do it for me or get some equipment of my own. Guess which choice won. This little thingy isn't like any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">plater</span> I've used before though, so I will need some time to work it out but hopefully it'll go well.<br /><br />The plating machine in the university is like a bath, the whole piece gets submerged in the solution, and because I only wanted to plate specific areas this meant I had to play around a lot with lacquer to block out the areas I wanted to keep silver. This nifty little thing though, is a pen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">plater</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ooooh</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">aaaah</span>) which, theoretically, you turn on (its attached to a power supply as you may have noticed) dunk in some solution and draw the plating on where you want it. If that doesn't sound like fun I don't know what does! So hopefully that will work and all will be well.<br /><br />I never did make a decision about the packaging logo that I mentioned yesterday so that job has been pushed back, I don't think there is a big rush at the moment so I think I will take my time to decide. I did however sort out everything to do with my hallmark so the final order form gets sent off tomorrow then I'm all set as far as that is concerned. I also did the most boring job on my list and cleared out my room of all the random junk I have so I can move over the next couple of weeks to my new flat. I couldn't believe how much stuff I have managed to accumulate over the past year. I've decided to give most of it to the charity shop around the corner from the flat I'm in now and then the rest to the recycling bank and the last <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dribs</span> and drabs in the bin.<br /><br />Making a list of jobs is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">definitely</span> the way forward, I've never been a big fan of lists but with so many things to do just now it's helping me keep on track. So I shall be off for now to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">write</span> yet another list.<br /><br />Hope you're all setting up for a good weekend. x<br /></span></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247221720960726918.post-55759317156814423912008-06-04T18:40:00.005+01:002008-06-04T19:02:07.706+01:00Busy Bee<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhm7FYhVIm02ZKCbFOcFv5swTaEBp0UpVcKCvOUykKX4LheW0jnU7rTrwPtfHEX4QtPWjs1tglCjbvovHvBCGbFK6FDlF4akA7YgN5_vdjd_t3S07I_jvi0PCsUSPIyUC8JbQRrwdhnc/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhm7FYhVIm02ZKCbFOcFv5swTaEBp0UpVcKCvOUykKX4LheW0jnU7rTrwPtfHEX4QtPWjs1tglCjbvovHvBCGbFK6FDlF4akA7YgN5_vdjd_t3S07I_jvi0PCsUSPIyUC8JbQRrwdhnc/s320/logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208083624408738770" border="0" /></a><br />Well another productive week under way, as soon as I think I have everything done I remember something else. Mostly it seems to involve me phone some company or other so I never have much to show at the end of the day, and by the next day there is yet another list of calls to be made. Today I tried to sort out ordering my hallmark punch, I've managed to order the mark I want, I just need the punch made. However, the lady I was speaking to wasn't too sure which size I should go for (punch sizes range from 0.5mm - 6mm) because my work is jewellery and silverware. She thinks I could maybe end up needing 2 separate ones made, the same mark but different sizes. To cut a long boring story short I'm expecting a phone call tomorrow from a man who knows what to do. More time for me to have my phone attached to my head. I should maybe get one of these...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/04/handsfreecell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/04/handsfreecell.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I could definitely rock that look.<br /><br />My job for tomorrow is sending off the image at the top of the page to a company you can order packaging from, they emboss logos or whatever you like onto said packaging. I haven't really decided if I like it or not, tonight job is to make a final decision as well as general cleaning of my flat. I also have to go through my copious amounts of junk and decide what I will take with me to my new flat, what can go to charity and what is total rubbish. Exciting times I'm sure you'll agree.<br /><br /><br />Finally, I have managed to sort out a bench share here in Dundee, for the time being I will keep using the university workshop but come September, when term starts, I will move out and to a new space. Now those are exciting times.<br /><br /><br />Hope you're all enjoying the fab weather, see you soon.</span><br /></div>Holliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08395513044950707001noreply@blogger.com0