Gift For Anniversary
Hi,
If you're looking for a gift for your anniversary then please check out our latest site, it is all about choosing the perfect anniversary gift. All the best, Allen
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Loans Finance Insurance
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Global Warming
I can't help but think that we're in trouble. Serious trouble. I read recently that scientists are predicting that one of the Poles will COMPLETELY melt by the summer of 2040. Rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, the end of the Gulf Stream? Blimey! I can just imagine the tide of humanity that will be forced to move to higher or more fertile ground. Of course, the people on that hallowed ground will not welcome all the millions of new 'invaders' with open arms and then the real trouble will begin. I think the weather will be the least of our problems. It will be a catastrophe of gigantic proportions and literally, God help us.
But that got me thinking, maybe we can help ourselves.
It is obviously not too late. Take the UK for instance, who are about 1% of the world's population and about 2% of the total carbon emissions (because the average UK citizen is twice as carbon greedy as the average Worldishman). But the whole country could become carbon neutral and the world would still have 98% of the problem. This is the real issue. This is a GLOBAL problem that needs GLOBAL co-operation. Everyone needs to work together to reduce the carbon levels and the other greenhouse gases. That is why I think we are in trouble. We are CRAP at co-operating globally because we all want to look after our own back yard, our own interests, our own countries, our own economies. Look at the UN. I rest my case.
No government has EVER been voted in on what they are going to do for the PLANET.
Look, we are not going to stop China or India developing at the rate they are going. They too will eventually catch up with the UK and become twice as carbon greedy as the average. But they are the average, they are HALF of the world's population!
So, science and industry got us into this mess and they are the ones that will have to get us out of it. Look, there are many, many solutions to the carbon level problem and personally, I think plankton has got great potential. But who is going to pay for the seeding of trillions and trillions of plankton just so that they can suck the carbon out of the atmosphere and die and fall to the bottom of the ocean (thereby trapping the carbon on the sea floor)? It is a global problem. It is a global bill. Who is going to pay? I fear, eventually, we will all pay a far greater price than we ever dreamed possible. Don't take comfort from those scientists that say global warming is not happening, they are probably on the payroll of some oil giant somewhere. Confusion and doubt in the public mind is their greatest ally. They want you to keep driving your car and burning that electricity oil. They are looking after their own interest. That's all. Isn't it time we looked after ours?
Look, I haven't got all the answers but I do know we need to take action and take it now, before it is too late. Over to YOU.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Antique Engagement Rings
Hi,
We've just added the finishing touches to our latest site, it's all about antique engagement rings and is well worth a visit. All the very best, Allen
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Start A New Religion
Enjoy Life Tip No 11
START A NEW RELIGION!
If you're fed up with what is currently on offer (religion seems to
cause a lot of death and mayhem if you ask me) then I think it is
time to start your own!
All you need to do is come up with a few 'rules' and start living
by them.
Here are a few of the 'rules' for my new religion, which is so new,
it doesn't even have a name yet (suggestions please)
FORGIVENESS
You need to forgive the past, forgive others and above all, forgive
yourself.
BIGOTRY
All humans are 99.99% identical. Don't let that 0.01% difference
bias your opinion of another, especially when it comes to color,
creed, religion or race.
EDUCATION
If your child's education does not EXPAND the mind then it is not
education at all, it is something entirely different.
FAMILY
Being 'family' does not legitimize intolerable or unacceptable
behaviour.
REGRET
Regret is a wasted emotion unless it is used as the propulsion to
move forward.
NOW
The past is set in stone, the future hasn't happened yet. There is
only NOW. But too often we spend time regretting the past, worrying
about the future and forgetting to live in the NOW.
So, to sum up, forgive, don't be a bigot, educate, do not accept
unacceptable behaviour, have no wasteful regrets and live in the
NOW.
So NOW, what shall we call it?
Ideas for names and new rules please....
Father's Day Gift
10th Edition - All About Fathers and Father's Day
Welcome! I'd like to talk about fathers. I know from my
own experience that fatherhood can be a difficult role and I think
many underestimate just how difficult it is, to provide the right
amount of freedom, guidance and discipline, a tricky balancing act
at the best of times. My own theory is that I will just love my
children unconditionally, forever, no matter what. Easier said than
done at times but it is my life's plan, even if at times it feels
like that love is not returned (but I did leave their mother so I
forgive and understand them).
By the way, if you haven't said 'I love you' to your father for a
while, I suggest you do. It just might help. Here are a few real
life examples of people doing just that. I hope you enjoy them. All
the very best, Allen
Goodbye Dad - Trust In The Lord
Mike's father was sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer and was
given only months to live. This is how Mike said goodbye:
http://www.agiftofpoetry.com/To_Parents/trust-in-the-lord.htm
Hello - Dad
On a much happier note, Jen wanted something from their unborn baby
to the new father, Jeff. The poem is written from the baby's
perspective which I think adds a nice touch...
http://www.agiftofpoetry.com/Birth/birth-newborn-dad.htm
Thanks Dad - An Unselfish Role
Why does everybody leave it until the last moments to say I love
you? A truly touching story...
http://www.agiftofpoetry.com/Death/poems_about_death_unselfish_role.htm
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Busy Fool?
There are some days I feel like a busy fool. But then again, my web-sites do attract 1,000's of visitors every day and that certainly wouldn't have happened without that ' busyness and foolishness', so I think on that note I will end this post and get back to being a busy fool, working on ALL of these web-sites.....
Home
Based Net Marketing Business
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Birth Records
Hi - Now that my own record of 5:43 is in the record books it's head down and bum up now that the running is over. I have decided to run another one so my marathon career is not quite over yet. In the meantime, I'm still working on a number of Internet business models, some of which are starting to bear fruit. I will keep you more informed on those as time goes on. This is one of them and I thought I'd share a very useful resource for looking up birth records or public records. I'm quite amazed at just how much information is available at the touch of a button. If you're looking for information on anyone, whether it be an employee, friend or partner, then I recommend http://www.usa-public-records.info/
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Preparation, Perspiration + Determination
Well, what can I say? I made it!In truth, there were many times I thought I'd never get to write this post, especially when I went down with a flu/chest infection only 6 weeks before the race. During that time I didn't train for 3 weeks so the last week before the marathon was quite intense, with me desperately trying to catch up with my planned training regime.
The Sunday before the marathon I just about managed a 3 mile run but then 6 on Monday, 9 on Tuesday, 12 on Wednesday and a 22 mile run/walk on Thursday had me in mentally good shape. We got to London on the Saturday to register and stayed overnight in a hotel. Early night after a bowl of pasta and woke early on the Sunday feeling relaxed. Had a healthy breakfast and left hotel with time in hand.
Then disaster struck!
A tube train decided to break down in the tunnel under the Thames, blocking all tube traffic, the only way to the start at Greenwich, on the other side of the Thames. After waiting on our train for 30 minutes and then being shuttled off to another stationary train, I decided to take my risks elsewhere. This was about 30 minutes from start time and I was still 4 mile from the start line!!
Of course, that part of London was cordoned off so there was very little transport around. My basic plan was to catch a cab and get as close as I could and then run from there. Best laid plans and all that. No cabs (I did flag 2 down but they told me there was no way through) so all I could do was run (and walk when I realized the cause was lost) to the start. With 26 miles to run, I went and added 4 miles to the journey!! Still, I managed to get across the start line around 30 minutes behind schedule and off I went.
To be honest, because of the train trouble I wasn't alone and it wasn't long before I was overtaking some of the early walkers. Mind you, my race plan had been shot to bits and I had to step on it to avoid being overtaken by the 'sweep up bus', which is the official tail of the marathon (which is followed by the paint removers, barrier removers, sweeper uppers etc.). I was determined to stay in the race proper and despite having already covered 4 miles prior to starting, I felt pretty good after the first 10km. The crowd were ABSOLUTELY fantastic and despite 'running' at our sedate pace the cheers for the laggards were as big as for the front runners. As the temperature started to rise, it got tougher. Officially, temperatures reached 23.5C but it felt a lot hotter in some places. I drank 7 litres of water! No wonder they ran out of water at some stations as we were all very thirsty (Note to organisers: The unfittest people are at the back of the race and they need water too!). As you can see from my times, after the first hour I started to slow considerably but I'm proud to report that I ran all the way around, apart from when I was drinking the water and then I walked. Like I said, the crowd were FANTASTIC and there must have been over 1,000,000 watching. What was so heartening was here were total strangers, shouting out your name and just ENCOURAGING. They also offered much needed jelly babies, slices of orange, boiled sweets etc.etc., all paid for out of their own pocket. IT WAS THAT SUPPORT THAT GOT ME THROUGH. Do you know what happens when you're knackered and someone offers you a jelly baby from their outstretched hand? You keep going, that's what. You know someone cares, enough to give you a jelly baby and trust me, that's more than enough.
MORAL TO THE TALE
In the last 6 months, I have lost around 18lbs. I am now fitter than I have ever been. I have also raised over $2500 for my chosen charities, with more to come. (A sincere thanks to all those that have donated). I've also had a lot of quiet running time, a time for reflection (never could get my mp3 to work) and many of my 'problems' I have found a solution to. I have made remarkable progress in my business and that will come to fruition later this year. I still have work to do on some relationships but I will work on those in the coming months (now I'm not running so much). I guess what I'm trying to say is that this whole thing has been an immensely satisfying and rewarding experience. Just think, I couldn't run a mile 6 months ago! I encourage you, no, I implore you, to challenge your future, to see what you can achieve with a little bit of Preparation, Perspiration + Determination.
I'm sure, that like me, you will be amazed at the results.
Finally, there must have been every nationality, creed, color and religion in that crowd on Sunday and it gives me great hope for the future. I didn't see anybody in that crowd wanting to go to war or to see people suffer. No, they just wanted a good time and to help so as not to see others in too much pain.
Now, there's a recipe for the future, let's get rid of all these weapons and spend that money helping others from around the world get through their own individual marathon of life. We can do it! Regardless of creed, color, race or religion, if we just cheered each other on and gave a little bit of help when we could, I'm sure as a race, as a human race, we would be, just like I was, amazed at the difference we would all make.
Trust me, one jelly baby goes a long way...
Friday, April 06, 2007
Thank You
Hi,
This is a just a quick thank you to all those out there who have lent their unwavering support. Thank YOU! To be honest, your generosity overwhelms me and I feel very humble. Thanks again, your thoughts and deeds do not go unnoticed. All the very best. Allen
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Off The Island + Running For Charity
Well, we're getting serious now. Ran 18 miles on Friday (well, walked 2 of them but had to get off the island as the island is only 12 miles in circumference) and the plan was to run 20 this week. However, my wife has decided to give me her lurgy so I'm not feeling up to anything at the moment. Anyway, good for weight loss as I sweated buckets last night (urrgghh!) as the good guys (white blood cells) waged war with whatever is trying to undermine my efforts to finish this marathon in one piece. That reminds me of how all this started:
It was mid October 2006 and I was lying there, soaking up the last of the summer sun in the south of France. We'd had a sumptuous lunch of local cheese, crusty bread and the obligatory bottle of red wine. I was just about to doze off but something was blocking my view – my stomach!! In fact, if we'd been on the beach Greenpeace would have tried to put me back in!! Over 15 stone and 5 foot nine shouldn't belong in the same sentence but that is where I was, technically obese.
I also couldn't run a mile.
It was in that moment I decided I had to do something about my 'growing' problem.
"I think I'll run a marathon" was just one of 12,000 thoughts I had that day but it has led to number 41750 running around the inner London suburbs on April 22nd, all 26 miles and 385 yards of them! In fact, it has led to a whole lot more than that and I am now in training proper. I also ran in a half marathon at Silverstone (see below) so with that, I was just about halfway there.
It's not all about my stomach though and I'm hoping to raise £4,000 for Mencap (helping people with learning disability), a school in Ghana (can't afford a padlock, let alone books and desks) and the homeless in Colchester (why are they so?).
This is where you come in. On Friday I ran/walked 18 miles and there was nothing left in the locker. What with jogger's nipple and other delicate parts becoming far too delicate to mention, I was struggling. My legs had given way and my puff was gone. I'll be 49 this year, I'm just too old and too unfit to do this and I need your help to get me over the finishing line. I know by the time mile 20 comes, all I will be thinking of is how much money I'm raising by doing this. Literally, those thoughts will fuel each staggered step. So, please find below a donation button and just do what you can. 100% of the proceeds are going to the above causes so please ask friends and family to help if you want to. Please complete by April 14th so I have an idea what's at stake, especially for those last 6 miles.
Finally, let me say a big THANK YOU in advance. I really do appreciate your help and I know I won't make it without you.
Thanks again and all the very best, Allen
100% Of Proceeds To Charity
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Allen Jesson Beats Nigel Mansell At Silverstone!!
If you know anything about Formula One racing, particular the UK racing scene, you will know that today's headline is a little far fetched. But it's true! Yes, on Sunday 18th March 2007 I ran in the Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon (13.1 miles). So did Nigel Mansell (3 times winner of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone) and I beat him!! I came in at 2 hours and 33 minutes (don't laugh, it's the taking part that counts :o) and Nigel was somewhere behind me. Eat my dust! Seriously, I felt very pleased with myself because I ran most of the way. So I'm half way there and I have just over 4 weeks before the big one. Wish me luck!! Friday will see my first attempt at 16 miles.
If you know anything about the home auto travel insurance market you know it can be a very competitive industry. That's why I've put a site together that covers all aspect of home auto and travel insurance. Please check it out and let me know what you think!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Die Trying
.bmp)
It's official! I am now a globe trotter! I have trotted, or jogged, in the UK, China, Australia, South Africa and now back in the UK. China was very interesting, so a big thanks to Tim and Emma for hosting us in their Shanghai apartment for a night. I managed a short run around Century Park but I must admit the smog was a little heavy and it felt like I'd smoked 20 cigarettes when I'd finished. We then went on to sunny Australia to renuite with my beautiful children and before I knew it I was running along the sandy shores of the NSW South Coast, Lake Conjola and Wollongong in the main. Then on the way back to the UK we jogged around Joburg and finished with a few days in spectacular Camps Bay, Cape Town. Along the way I've struggled with this calf muscle so I am nowhere near where I wanted to be with only 7 (gulp) weeks to go before the main event. Today I ran 8 miles and it really hurt and I know there wasn't another mile left in the locker, let alone another 16 miles. But even if it kills me, I am going to run that marathon on April 22nd. That got me thinking, I wonder how many ideas just wither on the vine because of lack of determination, or the lack of will? I wonder how many opportunities get missed? Because it occurred to me, that to die trying is a much better way to go than to live a life that is not lived at all. Much better to fail in one big swoop than to fail a little bit every single day. Worth thinking about? I bet my life on it.
PS I've also being some market research so please check out these pages if you're looking for the best hosting packages or are interested in getting a personal loan of any description.
Monday, January 15, 2007
How Big Is This Universe?
Hi,
It's been a manic month. What with starting several new sites about capital and internet marketing I haven't had time to scratch myself. I am also pleased to report that I am now an official runner in the London Marathon in April 2007. Look out for runner number 41750, that's me! I'm running for Mencap, the homeless and a school in Ghana.
Just prior to Christmas I got up to 9 mile in one hit but then I pulled a calf muscle. I've had a couple of try outs since then but without success. I'm now resting it and will have another short run tomorrow, so wish me luck. I really miss it. Sadly, my no alcohol campaign also hit the rocks over the Christmas period but I am now (nearly :o) back on track. To be honest, I think I need the discipline of running to replace it so it will be easier when the muscle heals.
Now, let's get to today's big question: Just how big is this Universe? I'm reading a couple of books on the subject at the moment and I'm absolutely astounded at the size of all that surrounds us. Whenever they talk about light years (the distance light travels in one of our years at the speed of light, which just happens to be exactly 299,792,458 metres per second or 670,616,629.384 miles per hour) I start to lose focus and my eyes start to glaze over.
So, enough to say that a light year is a long way, a very long way indeed. But it's when they start talking about this place being so many MILLION light years away, I then start to lose perspective. Blimey! How far? For example, the closest spiral galaxy to our own, Andromeda is 2.5 million light-years from Earth. So the way I understand it, I've got to sit in a spaceship, if it were possible, that travels at 670.6 million miles per hour, for around 2.5 million years and I can then get a postcard to say that I've visited the CLOSEST spiral galaxy. Blimey! Double blimey! I have also recently read that several leading physicists reckon that there may be TRILLIONS of Universes!! I'm sorry, I'm going to have to lie down, my brain has just exploded.
Final thought for today, if you are right at this moment worried about something. Try putting that problem or worry into the perspective of the Universe. It probably won't seem so big after all....wishing you a life free of worry and problems.....all the very best, Allen
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Making Sense of Internet Marketing
I have a lot to think about on my runs now. I'm up to 7 miles and that takes me around 90 minutes. If I can keep that pace up that means I will finish in under six hours, which will do nicely thank you. One of the things that has kept me puzzling is the vast difference between the MSN and Google algorithms. You see, a site I launched a few months back, all about vintage engagement rings, went just about straight in on MSN at positions 1, 2 + 3 (you can sign up for my FREE internet marketing course) and do the same for your sites. But that same site, on Google, has just bombed. Nowhere to be seen. I checked out Google Sitemaps and they seemed to have spat out the dummy. It happens. That's why I have launched the 'sense' group of web-sites, whose aim is try and make sense of it all. The latest is www.online-sense.com and on that site we explore various ways how to make money, especially online.
Sorry this blog has been a bit business like but Google is front and centre of mind, normal service will be resumed next week, after I've had a chance to think this out on my next (8 mile!) run. Until then, all the very best, Allen
Friday, November 24, 2006
WInter, Porridge, Barley and Six Miles
Well, where did that month go? Can't believe that I can see December on the horizon. Actually, there is no question that winter is here, the second quilt is on the bed, I no longer walk naked around the house (the budgie says thank you) and yes, Jilly's delicious breakfast crumble has been replaced by steaming bowls of porridge, topped with a few tinned prunes, some almonds and a spoonful of honey. It's great! You should try it. The honey keeps the colds and coughs away, the prunes keep me regular, the almonds keep my usual winter depression at bay and the porridge, well that just keeps me going!!
I need to keep going these days because in truth, I've never been so busy. Not only have I just launched a whole suite of sites that focus on internet marketing but of course, I am still running. I have just gone through the 6 mile barrier so that puts me on track with around 20 weeks to go, give or take, to keep increasing my distance by a mile every week. My initial course is well and truly waterlogged so I am starting to run round in circles (or figures of eight for a change :o).
To be honest, I'm enjoying it and what with the exercise, keeping busy, the almonds and staying off the alcohol (yes, still) I have kept my usual mind numbing and debilitating dark clouds away. If you too suffer from depression then I certainly recommend it. I'm actually enjoying have to light a log fire in the evening (as long as I don't think about global warming for too long).
I think that's about it for now (sorry, no poems about sex today :o) but I just want to mention barley for a second. You see, a friend of mine is a farmer and he told me that winter barley always crops better than the barley sown in spring. You see, even though the winter barley doesn't grow that much in the winter months, its roots have a chance to go deeper. When growing season finally comes with the warmer weather then whoosh! Off it goes. What's this got to do with this blog? Well, as I've just told I've just launched a site that specializes in internet marketing strategy and one of the tactics we talk about a lot of article marketing.
Well, think of articles as winter barley and you'll start to get the idea. The more articles you sow, the more time you allow to pass, the deeper the roots of those articles go. If you write and submit your articles correctly then it wont be long before other sites start to publish those articles. Over time, those articles get sucked into 'publishing databases' and then more sites publish your articles. Those early sites also start to mature, gaining pagerank and links of their own, thereby passing some of that authority to you. So there you have it, winter barley. It may seem that on the surface that not much is happening but there is a lot going on just below the surface, just like your articles.
Monday, November 06, 2006
New Words For 2007
I've started to hit a little wall as far as the running goes. I'm trying to get past the 5 mile mark but my left foot starts to get pins and needles and then it falls asleep!!! It's very frustrating really. It may be the new running shoes, it may be poor circulation caused by 30 years of smoking, it may be not stretching my calf muscles enough before I start. Don't know but like most boulders you coem across, with the right thoughts they can become pebbles (just hope I don't get one in my shoe :o). Anyway, enough of the marathon man, this came across my desk today and I thought it was well worth sharing :o) Apologies to those who are easily offended, please switch off your sets now...
New words for 2007
TESTICULATING. Waving your arms around and talking Bollocks.
BLAMESTORMING. Sitting around in a group, discussing why a deadline was
missed or a project failed, and who was responsible.
SEAGULL MANAGER. A manager, who flies in, makes a lot of noise, craps on
everything, and then leaves.
ASSMOSIS. The process by which people seem to absorb success and
advancement by sucking up to the boss rather than working hard.
SALMON DAY. The experience of spending an entire day swimming upstream only
to get screwed and die.
CUBE FARM. An office filled with cubicles.
PRAIRIE DOGGING. When someone yells or drops something loudly in a cube
farm, and people's heads pop up over the walls to see what's going on.
(This also applies to applause for a promotion because there may be cake.)
SITCOMs. Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage. What yuppies
turn into when they have children and one of them stops working to stay
home with the kids or start a "home business".
SINBAD. single working girls. Single income, no boyfriend and desperate.
STRESS PUPPY. A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and
whiny.
PERCUSSIVE MAINTENANCE. The fine art of whacking the crap out of an
electronic device to get it to work again.
ADMINISPHERE. The rarefied organisational layers beginning just above the
rank and file. Decisions that fall from the "adminisphere" are often
profoundly inappropriate or irrelevant to the problems they were designed
to solve. This is often affiliated with the dreaded "administrivia" -
needless paperwork and processes.
404. Someone who's clueless. From the World Wide Web error message "404
Not Found," meaning that the requested document could not be located.
OHNOSECOND. That minuscule fraction of time in which you realize that
you've just made a BIG mistake (e.g. you've hit 'reply all')
GOING FOR A McSHIT. Entering a fast food restaurant with no intention of
buying food, you're just going to the bog. If challenged by a pimply staff
member, your declaration to them that you'll buy their food afterwards is
known as a McShit with Lies.
AEROPLANE BLONDE. One who has bleached/dyed her hair but still has a 'black
box'.
AUSSIE KISS. Similar to a French Kiss, but given down under.
BEER COAT. The invisible but warm coat worn when walking home after a booze
cruise at 3am.
BEER COMPASS. The invisible device that ensures your safe arrival home
after booze cruise, even though you're too drunk to remember where you
live, how you got here, and where you've come from.
GREYHOUND. A very short skirt, only an inch from the hare.
MILLENNIUM DOMES. The contents of a Wonderbra, i.e. extremely impressive
when viewed from the outside, but there's actually naught in there worth
seeing.
MONKEY BATH. A bath so hot, that when lowering yourself in, you
go:"Oo!Oo!Oo! Aa!Aa!Aa!".
MYSTERY BUS. The bus that arrives at the pub on Friday night while you're
in the toilet after your 10th pint, and whisks away all the unattractive
people so the pub is suddenly packed with stunners when you come back in.
MYSTERY TAXI. The taxi that arrives at your place on Saturday morning
before you wake up, whisks away the stunner you slept with, and leaves a
10-Pinter in your bed instead.
PICASSO BUM. A woman whose knickers are too small for her, so she looks
like she's got four buttocks
SALAD DODGER. An excellent phrase for an overweight person
SWAMP-DONKEY A deeply unattractive person
TART FUEL. Bottled premixed spirits, regularly consumed by young women
Wipe that smile off your face. All the very best, Allen
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Poems About Sex
I've just realized that I've been letting a few of you down. Some people would arrive here looking for poems about sex and all I've done is rabbit on about diet and running the marathon (going great by the way, weight still on the slide and will break the 5 mile barrier this week, will add sad map next time). Anyway, to right the balance and keep everybody happy, especially those looking for poems about sex, here's one from a few years back, you'll soon get the drift...
The Affair
Another row at home,
I'm feeling all alone.
I know her name is Pearl,
she's the office girl.
A twinkle in her eye,
glimpse of stockinged thigh.
Should I take a chance,
with hidden romance?
Then one night, stopped back late,
excuse for a date.
We went for a long walk,
a chance to small talk.
Opened up aching heart,
got hit (Cupid's dart).
Such a passionate glance,
then the naked dance.
Oh My! Steaming showers,
then, guilty flowers.
Such beautiful cream turned sour,
and within the hour.
So back to married life,
to my faithful wife.
Then it is those kids thoughts,
feeling out of sorts.
Plenty, heaps of remorse,
consider divorce.
Don't like thirty per cent,
or paying the rent.
Neither kids that are sad,
with their weekend Dad.
Those long, lonelier nights,
pained custody fights.
So now, feeling stupid,
I'm blaming Cupid.
Do I bare all and tell?
(No way, go to Hell).
Wish I'd never seen her,
grass wasn't greener.
You silly little cow,
finish it. Somehow.
Copyright Allen Jesson 1998-2006
Okay, that's about it for this post. Please comment of you want more....all the very best, Allen
Monday, October 30, 2006
How I Lost 7Ibs In ONE Week!!
Hi,
Quite remarkable really but I got on the scales this morning and yes, it was official, I had lost 7lbs in just one week!!
How did I do it? Of course, my running helped, I have been slowly increasing the length of my runs each day and now I am nearly up to three miles. Today I will run the 3 miles and will keep going like that until I get to the 26.
So that extra exercise has obviously helped. The other major factor has been my detox diet, which effectively means coming off caffeine (so no tea or coffee), dairy (no milk, cream), preservatives, flavourings and colourings. Sugar and fats such as butter are also out. By the way, so are wheat based products, such as bread. Blimey, what's left to eat then? Plenty!! I haven't been hungry once. By the way, the first time you try such a drastic change to your diet you are going to feel pretty strange for a few days, but by the 3rd or 4th day you should start to feel pretty good, with a lot more energy in fact. One word of caution, this is obviously a major change to most so if in doubt, please seek medical advice first, I am not a dietician, I'm just sharing what has worked for me.
Of course, I'd already given up alcohol a few weeks back so that was one major hurdle I'd already overcome. I do miss my morning cup of coffee though and I'm looking forward to the gurgling sound of my coffee maker on Friday morning when I finish this detox stint. Actually, in those 7 days I haven't been totally good and I've had about 4 cups of (caffeined) tea and a couple of chocolate bars. But apart from that, no problems really. For the record, this has been the diet:
Breakfast: Jilly's Breakfast Crumble. Made with plums from the garden and the crumble is made of rolled oats and olive oil, instead of the traditional topping. Jilly adds honey and some mixed fruit to the mix and bakes it in the oven for about an hour. We eat it cold every morning, topped with some low fat yoghurt or fromage frois. Delicious!!!
Hot Drinks: Dandelion Tea mostly, we also have this toasted dandelion root tea which is quite nice too. Any herbal tea will do but watch out for the flavourings in the fruit teas.
Lunch: Of course, it's my Turkey and Tomato Soup. Delicious!!!
Afternoon Snack: Normally an apple (or a spoon or two of that crumble, can't stay away from it :o)
Evening Meals: Easy really. Grilled fish or chicken, served with steamed, grilled or roasted vegetables. We use an olive oil spray for the grilling and roasting and that works well. Sprinkle with a few fresh or dried herbs during or after cooking. For a dressing, I normally mix some lot fat fromage frois with some dijon mustard and some lemon juice. Again, add fresh herbs if in the mood.
That's it really, not rocket science. Plenty of exercise and food NOT ready made out of a packet.
To finish off I thought I'd share my updated map because I've now found a new tool on the marathon site that maps and measures out the distance for you. How sad!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Commitment and Sad Maps
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While running yesterday, in driving cold rain, I realised what a difference my sad little map had made. To be honest, it would have been far easier to quit and sit in front of a warm fire. But no, I persevered, all because of my sad little map. In that moment of decision, I thought: 'I can't stop, the lines on the map will be shorter'. How sad. But how revealing. It is when we commit to something, that things start to happen, thoughts change, things change. Dreams BECOME reality. Commitment also gets more powerful when it is 'committed' to paper and is further strengthened when that commitment is shared with others i.e. this blog. But of course, I am not the first person to discover this, as Goethe, the 18th century poet and philosopher (one of my mentors) spoke eloquently about the subject:
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now".
But I think Bill Murray, who led the Scottish Himalayan expedition in 1951, said it best:
"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now".
But I think Bill Murray, who led the Scottish Himalayan expedition in 1951, said it best:
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative ( and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way."
So quite naturally, I will end this blog with my sad little map, which is no longer sad because it is now a dream bringer. PS I've had to change course because the initial track is now waterlogged…I think I'm up to around 2 mile and I've lost 5 pound so far, I'll share some diet tips in the next blog. Until then, all the very best, Allen
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