This channel on YouTube is pretty good. Knowledgeable speakers discuss interesting and important topics and the animation is pretty neat!
Have a look at this talk from Sir Ken Robinson on 'Education Paradigms'.
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Monday, 13 December 2010
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Donkey Kong Country Returns - Wii
I wasn't expecting to like this game as I'm not the biggest fan of Super Mario on the Wii. However, it is great!
Pretty fast paced action and the two player mode is far better than the multi player Mario. I will say that it is difficult for both of you to stay on the screen at all times and there is no zoom out if one gets further ahead so you tend to drop off screen and inevitably die at more difficult parts.
I would highly recommend this game to anyone that likes a bit of non serious fun from a game!
Pretty fast paced action and the two player mode is far better than the multi player Mario. I will say that it is difficult for both of you to stay on the screen at all times and there is no zoom out if one gets further ahead so you tend to drop off screen and inevitably die at more difficult parts.
I would highly recommend this game to anyone that likes a bit of non serious fun from a game!
Yummeh and super easy carrots
Tasty honey glazed carrots. Soooo easy and yummy!
Ingredients:
750g carrots , the long thin ones , peeled
2 tbsp honey
25g butter
2 tbsp honey
25g butter
Method:
- Simmer the carrots in a large wide pan until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain off all but a few tbsp of the cooking water then add the honey and butter and season well.
- Turn the carrots over the heat until glazed and golden.
Friday, 3 December 2010
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Damn this gorgeously addictive game - Farm Frenzy 2!
This game is highly addictive, but then to someone that enjoys gaming what game isn't?!
You basically have to organise your chickens so they keep laying eggs so you can make stuff to either sell or make other stuff. The game develops from there.
I LOVE IT!
Sadly, my free version has just expired but it's ok I'm on the prowl for another free version (however this will mean losing my progress so far which is annoying but on the plus side means you can go back and better your times cos now you've learnt from your mistakes the first time around!).
Happy gaming!
You basically have to organise your chickens so they keep laying eggs so you can make stuff to either sell or make other stuff. The game develops from there.
I LOVE IT!
Sadly, my free version has just expired but it's ok I'm on the prowl for another free version (however this will mean losing my progress so far which is annoying but on the plus side means you can go back and better your times cos now you've learnt from your mistakes the first time around!).
Yummeh scone recipe
This is a really easy and tasty recipe for scones...
Ingredients
- 350g self-raising flour , plus more for dusting
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 85g butter , cut into cubes
- 3 tbsp caster sugar
- 175ml milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- squeeze lemon juice (see Know-how below)
- beaten egg , to glaze
- jam and clotted cream , to serve
Method
- Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Tip the flour into a large bowl with the salt and baking powder, then mix. Add the butter, then rub in with your fingers until the mix looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.
- Put the milk into a jug and heat in the microwave for about 30 secs until warm, but not hot. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, then set aside for a moment. Put a baking sheet in the oven.
- Make a well in the dry mix, then add the liquid and combine it quickly with a cutlery knife - it will seem pretty wet at first. Scatter some flour onto the work surface and tip the dough out. Dredge the dough and your hands with a little more flour, then fold the dough over 2-3 times until it's a little smoother. Pat into a round about 4cm deep.
- Take a 5cm cutter (smooth-edged cutters tend to cut more cleanly, giving a better rise) and dip it into some flour. Plunge into the dough, then repeat until you have four scones. By this point you'll probably need to press what's left of the dough back into a round to cut out another four. Brush the tops with beaten egg, then carefully place onto the hot baking tray.
- Bake for 10 mins until risen and golden on the top. Eat just warm or cold on the day of baking, generously topped with jam and clotted cream. If freezing, freeze once cool. Defrost, then put in a low oven (about 160C/fan140C/gas 3) for a few mins to refresh.
Snow again this morning
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Monday, 29 November 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
Nissan Cube
Saw one of these going down the A12 this morning and thought it looked more like a golf cart (at least from behind). Opinions?
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Monday, 1 November 2010
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Favourite Mucke words from Biomed lectures
Moocus (mucus)
Schwinkter (sphincter)
Kidneh (kidney)
Schwinkter (sphincter)
Kidneh (kidney)
More to follow I'm sure
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Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Belfast
Been to Belfast twice in the last month and it's a really great place. Stayed with my friend Jill so can't recommend any amazing hotels but it's definitely worth a visit.
Probably must love horses though... I don't, but they're growing on me :)
Good places to visit at night are Apartment for cocktails, 21 Social (the old Pothouse) although beware 1 particularly self important doorman, and Rain. However, I don't remember too much about Rain due to having waaaay too much to drink before heading there!
Probably must love horses though... I don't, but they're growing on me :)
Good places to visit at night are Apartment for cocktails, 21 Social (the old Pothouse) although beware 1 particularly self important doorman, and Rain. However, I don't remember too much about Rain due to having waaaay too much to drink before heading there!
Friday, 27 August 2010
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Post Surgery - The First 2 Weeks
It's been just over 2 weeks since my surgery now and I'm please to say I've had no complications so far! (not that I expected any!).
For the first week I had to wear the eye shields at night. They're slightly uncomfortable at first but you do get used to them quite quickly. The annoying part is that you have to tape them to your face with surgical tape (the same tape I use to tape my eyes shut). This tends to leave some glue behind and the wipes that are supposed to remove it tend to just smear it around your face.
I also had to continue to tape my eyes shut at night for the first week to prevent them from overly drying out as I am still sleeping with my eyes partly open. This proved difficult! Taping one eye at a time does not work as the open eye pulls the shut one open slightly and you just end up taping the eye open. In the end I worked out that a routine of ointment in each eye, tape each eye and then blindly taping the shields to my face was the best (obviously this means I had to be fully prepared turn the lights out and go to sleep straight away otherwise the entire process would have to be repeated after sorely ripping all the tape off when I suddenly remembered I wanted a glass of water or to answer a text msg on my phone!)
For the first week I religiously used the antibiotic and Blink eye drops. I didn't feel that I experienced much dryness as I didn't give my eyes the opportunity to dry out.
The second week has been less demanding dropwise. I now only need to use the Blink drops and even those I can get away without using too often. I do find them more necessary at night however as my eyes become tired. I have used the ointment during the day for extra lubrication at times.
I have also taken the decision to continue to tape my eyes shut at night past the initial first week. I tried without and awoke in the morning with very dry, red and scratchy eyes. Best to be on the safe side.
My vision has also settled down now. I haven't had a hazy day since the first week and my night vision seems to be improving with the shrinking down of the starbursts and halos. I hope that that continues to avoid an adjustment in the future.
My next appointment at the clinic is on 29th July. I'll update more on my progress after that.
For the first week I had to wear the eye shields at night. They're slightly uncomfortable at first but you do get used to them quite quickly. The annoying part is that you have to tape them to your face with surgical tape (the same tape I use to tape my eyes shut). This tends to leave some glue behind and the wipes that are supposed to remove it tend to just smear it around your face.
I also had to continue to tape my eyes shut at night for the first week to prevent them from overly drying out as I am still sleeping with my eyes partly open. This proved difficult! Taping one eye at a time does not work as the open eye pulls the shut one open slightly and you just end up taping the eye open. In the end I worked out that a routine of ointment in each eye, tape each eye and then blindly taping the shields to my face was the best (obviously this means I had to be fully prepared turn the lights out and go to sleep straight away otherwise the entire process would have to be repeated after sorely ripping all the tape off when I suddenly remembered I wanted a glass of water or to answer a text msg on my phone!)
For the first week I religiously used the antibiotic and Blink eye drops. I didn't feel that I experienced much dryness as I didn't give my eyes the opportunity to dry out.
The second week has been less demanding dropwise. I now only need to use the Blink drops and even those I can get away without using too often. I do find them more necessary at night however as my eyes become tired. I have used the ointment during the day for extra lubrication at times.
I have also taken the decision to continue to tape my eyes shut at night past the initial first week. I tried without and awoke in the morning with very dry, red and scratchy eyes. Best to be on the safe side.
My vision has also settled down now. I haven't had a hazy day since the first week and my night vision seems to be improving with the shrinking down of the starbursts and halos. I hope that that continues to avoid an adjustment in the future.
My next appointment at the clinic is on 29th July. I'll update more on my progress after that.
Good Hotel in London
Forgot to mention that one of the hotels I stayed in whilst in London for my eye surgery was The Academy Hotel in Bloomsbury.
It was a pretty good little hotel and very central (well for that part of London).
I can highly recommend a stay in the Garden Suite for an extra £40 per night. Normal rooms are slightly on the small side but if you're staying in London then the chances are you won't be spending an awful lot of time in your room anyway.
Here's the link:
http://www.theetoncollection.com/content.aspx?pageID=410
It was a pretty good little hotel and very central (well for that part of London).
I can highly recommend a stay in the Garden Suite for an extra £40 per night. Normal rooms are slightly on the small side but if you're staying in London then the chances are you won't be spending an awful lot of time in your room anyway.
Here's the link:
http://www.theetoncollection.com/content.aspx?pageID=410
Triple Layer Mocha Cake
A picture of the cake I made last week. I won't post the recipe yet as I want to tweek it a bit from the one that I used in the recipe book. Thought I'd post the photograph anyway as it does look pretty good if nothing else!
My Amazing Orchid
Thought I'd just mention how amazing one of my orchids is this year! I've moved it to a new home on my kitchen windowsill and it apparently loves it (along with the occasional bit of orchid plant food). This is photographic proof....
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Post Surgery - The First 3 Hours
Well I got back from London yesterday morning after having my eye surgery.
The surgery itself was postponed a day so it didn't take place until Thursday morning. It was a last minute thing, so last minute in fact that I had already been given and taken all my pre surgery medication (pain killers, anti inflammatories, anti sickness and relaxation drugs) as well as having had my relaxing head massage! Alas surgery on Wednesday was not meant to be...
Come Thursday morning I was beyond prepared and just wanted to get it over with but that's pretty much what happens anyway with laser eye surgery! I was called into the prep area around 10am and was out of the theatre by 10.20.
I had some initial black spots in my vision of my left eye but after 5 or so minutes these dispersed. I was told to keep my eyes shut as much as possible for the first 3 hours and personally I didn't really feel much like opening them before 2pm anyway.
I found the daylight (on a very sunny day) almost unbearable even with my sunglasses on and my eyes shut. In the taxi on the way to my hotel I had to place my hand over my eyes to sheild them further.
Upon arriving at the hotel the light in the lobby also proved too much when removing my glasses to apply the lubricating drops (which must be done every 15 minutes post op on the first day) so we moved to a very dark corner of the hotel bar whilst we waited for our room to be ready.
I could NOT have managed the first 3 hours (or any of the other appointments and stay in London) without the help of my mum. I can't stress how important it would be for anyone considering surgery similar to mine to have help and support by way of someone they know and trust being with them. Mum helped me from the moment I left the recovery room in the clinic by way of guiding me when walking so I didn't have to fully open my eyes, having the necessary drops and medication on hand as and when I needed them, reminding me when I needed them (as I couldn't see a clock), assisting me to find the toilets in the hotel lobby(!), ordering me drinks and helping me drink them without tipping them all over myself in the hotel bar, dealing with hotel staff and generally being there to comfort and reassure me.
That comfort and reassurance was much needed approx 30 mins after surgery when I started to get some pain in my left eye (the same one that had shown black spots earlier). Mum found the necessary pain medication among the different bottles and droppers in the medication pack and helped me apply it to my eye. The pain eventually subsided after another hour and I'm pleased to say did not return!
The surgery itself was postponed a day so it didn't take place until Thursday morning. It was a last minute thing, so last minute in fact that I had already been given and taken all my pre surgery medication (pain killers, anti inflammatories, anti sickness and relaxation drugs) as well as having had my relaxing head massage! Alas surgery on Wednesday was not meant to be...
Come Thursday morning I was beyond prepared and just wanted to get it over with but that's pretty much what happens anyway with laser eye surgery! I was called into the prep area around 10am and was out of the theatre by 10.20.
I had some initial black spots in my vision of my left eye but after 5 or so minutes these dispersed. I was told to keep my eyes shut as much as possible for the first 3 hours and personally I didn't really feel much like opening them before 2pm anyway.
I found the daylight (on a very sunny day) almost unbearable even with my sunglasses on and my eyes shut. In the taxi on the way to my hotel I had to place my hand over my eyes to sheild them further.
Upon arriving at the hotel the light in the lobby also proved too much when removing my glasses to apply the lubricating drops (which must be done every 15 minutes post op on the first day) so we moved to a very dark corner of the hotel bar whilst we waited for our room to be ready.
I could NOT have managed the first 3 hours (or any of the other appointments and stay in London) without the help of my mum. I can't stress how important it would be for anyone considering surgery similar to mine to have help and support by way of someone they know and trust being with them. Mum helped me from the moment I left the recovery room in the clinic by way of guiding me when walking so I didn't have to fully open my eyes, having the necessary drops and medication on hand as and when I needed them, reminding me when I needed them (as I couldn't see a clock), assisting me to find the toilets in the hotel lobby(!), ordering me drinks and helping me drink them without tipping them all over myself in the hotel bar, dealing with hotel staff and generally being there to comfort and reassure me.
That comfort and reassurance was much needed approx 30 mins after surgery when I started to get some pain in my left eye (the same one that had shown black spots earlier). Mum found the necessary pain medication among the different bottles and droppers in the medication pack and helped me apply it to my eye. The pain eventually subsided after another hour and I'm pleased to say did not return!
Monday, 28 June 2010
Trying out an allergy reliever
I've decided to try out a gadget called an allergy reliever. It didn't cost a great deal from a pharmacy website but it promises to reduce a great deal of the symptoms of my allergies such as sneezing, itchy nose, congestion etc.
Used it for only the second time just now and unfortunately the first thing I did upon removing the 2 nasal probes was sneeze! However, I'm hardly expecting great results after only 2 3 minute sessions.
I'll update as I use it more and see if I've managed to lessen my daily dose of antihistamines at all!
Used it for only the second time just now and unfortunately the first thing I did upon removing the 2 nasal probes was sneeze! However, I'm hardly expecting great results after only 2 3 minute sessions.
I'll update as I use it more and see if I've managed to lessen my daily dose of antihistamines at all!
Friday, 25 June 2010
Laser Surgery
Had my pre op tests on Monday. It was an intense range of scans and opthalmic tests carried out over 3 1/2 hours at the London Vision Clinic on Harley Street.
The scans were all fine, not a problem with any of them. There was about 8 in total measuring all different factors such as eye pressure (the puffer test machine that is usually used for glaucoma), prescription, retinal function etc.
The drops that the optometrist put in my eyes in order to carry out the tests for corneal thickness and to measure the size of my pupil were strange to say the least. The anesthetic drops (yellow in colour) made my eyes feel as though they were drunk when the rest of me wasn't! The pupil dilation drops (clear) just made my vision blurry which is something I'm very used to having such bad eyesight anyway!
Tests showed an above average pupil size (hence the cow eyes!) and an above average cornea thickness. Corneal thickness is a plus whereas pupil size is a slight negative. However nothing was discovered that could contraindicate me for surgery, yay!
I do have some slight scarring on both my corneas however, in the lower right (left eye) and lower left (right eye) quadrants. They have sent me away with some artificial tears and eye ointment to use at night in the hope that it has just been caused by my contact lens wear or dryness. Fingers crossed that they're working. I am using the drops countless times a day!
Meeting Professor Dan Reinstein on Monday. He is my surgeon so I'll update then on my progress.
The scans were all fine, not a problem with any of them. There was about 8 in total measuring all different factors such as eye pressure (the puffer test machine that is usually used for glaucoma), prescription, retinal function etc.
The drops that the optometrist put in my eyes in order to carry out the tests for corneal thickness and to measure the size of my pupil were strange to say the least. The anesthetic drops (yellow in colour) made my eyes feel as though they were drunk when the rest of me wasn't! The pupil dilation drops (clear) just made my vision blurry which is something I'm very used to having such bad eyesight anyway!
Tests showed an above average pupil size (hence the cow eyes!) and an above average cornea thickness. Corneal thickness is a plus whereas pupil size is a slight negative. However nothing was discovered that could contraindicate me for surgery, yay!
I do have some slight scarring on both my corneas however, in the lower right (left eye) and lower left (right eye) quadrants. They have sent me away with some artificial tears and eye ointment to use at night in the hope that it has just been caused by my contact lens wear or dryness. Fingers crossed that they're working. I am using the drops countless times a day!
Meeting Professor Dan Reinstein on Monday. He is my surgeon so I'll update then on my progress.
One of the best desserts... EVER!
This is one of the best dessert recipes I have ever come across. The dessert is totally sinful and calorific but tastes absolutely devine!
Tarte de Natas - Portuguese Fresh Cream Cake
1lt Fresh cream, chilled
1 can sweetened condescend milk
10 sheets gelatin
1 Tbsp vanilla
200g Chocolate digestive cookies
2 Tbsps unsweetened cacao powder or 3oz melted dark chocolate
2 Tbsps unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsps fine sugar
Crust
Crush the cookies in food processor until they are fine and crumbly, add cacao power, melted butter, 1/2 the vanilla and sugar. In a medium bowl, blend together by hand until the mixture binds together if you put pressure on it. It should be just a tiny bit moist, not wet or sticky, if you squeeze some in your hand and it doesn’t just try to bind together its too dry and you can add a little bit more butter. If its sticky add a few more cookie crumbs. The cream filling will soften the crust so better on the dry than wet side. Once the mixture is ready, press into the bottom of a spring form pan, the same you would use for a cheesecake. Pat the mixture firmly into the bottom to coat the base and come up just above the lip of the bottom seam that joins bottom and side of pan. Then refrigerate until filling is ready. * Note: You can replace the cacao power with 3oz melted dark chocolate, but if you do, you can omit the butter.
Gelatin mixture
In a small sauce pan, pour 1/4 quantity of cream. On low heat gently warm cream in sauce pan, then add gelatin and mix until completely dissolved, turn off heat and set aside to cool slightly and until rest of filling is ready. *Note: Gelatin comes in a variety of forms and strengths in different countries, 10 sheets here equals to about 18 grams, in North America this might equal about 2 of the knorr gelatin envelopes. Good rule of thumb is to check a regional no bake cheesecake recipe, and adjust to similar quantities, to be safe add a little extra as cream tends to need a bit more.
Filling
In large bowl pour remaining cream, sweetened condensed milk and rest of vanilla. Beat cream mixture until incorporated, then add cooled but not set gelatin mixture. Beat until just slightly fluffy and pour into chilled and prepared spring form pan. Cover and place in coldest part of refrigerator overnight.
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