Archive for January, 2006

Because I am so irrate by the bus fares charged in my area (£3.30 a day for a ten mile round trip) I decided to write to my local MP and councillors to highlight this problem. While I don’t think they can wave a magic wand and reduce the cost of the fares I think the rising prices of public transport needs to be adressed. The Government should be encouraging us to use public transport more so we can cut fuel emmisions and congestion on the roads.

I found the easiest way to contact my MP is to use the WriteToThem.com service which simplifies the whole process. Their sister site HearFromYourMP is also noteworthy. This site allows you to sign up to get emails from your local MP about local issues and discuss in an online forum.

Went to the Chinatown in Manchester to celebrate Chinese New Year where there was a dragon procession around Chinatown and lots of firecrackers were set off (to scare away the evil spirits). There were a few stalls selling rice, noodles and souvenirs, including these really naff looking dog marionettes.

On the Bank of China’s stall and they were giving away lucky money envelopes filled with a 10p and for the men there was a free “silk” tie! In the evening there was a firework display which was hard to see as there was a large crowd and stalls in the way. C and I rounded the day off with a tasty Chinese meal.

Adult nappies the new ‘must have’ in China – “As a result of the length of the journeys and the huge crush of passengers that Chinese public transport systems tend to encounter, many adults are thinking ahead to avoid any uncomfortable situations and buying up nappies in bulk”

and I thought travelling on Firstbus’s buses was bad

‘Novel remedy’ for illness

“Librarians and doctors have joined forces to set up scheme which prescribes a course of novels for patients suffering from a range of illnesses.
Instead of relying on medication, GPs in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, will have the option of sending patients suffering from stress, depression and anxiety to local library.

The patients will be “referred” to a bibliotherapist, who will scour a database for suitable books.”

I would make such a good bibliotherapist! I know my books, I would like to help people and god knows I’ve been depressed and come through the other side.

She has a cigarette in her hand in case you haven’t noticed

I’m not usually one for celebrity gossip but I can’t stop sniggering over this story:

Ricky Martin ‘golden shower’ frankness
The Latin star originally told America’s Blender magazine, “I love giving the golden shower.

“I’ve done it before in the shower. It’s like so sexy, you know, the temperature of your body and the shower water is very different.”

China bans Memoirs of a Geisha
“New movie MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA has been banned in China amid fears it will encourage widespread anti-Japanese ideologies.

The casting of Chinese actresses ZHANG ZIYI and GONG LI in the Japanese drama has already caused outrage in China – because many regard geishas as prostitutes.”

Balm Balm is an all natural lip balm made from organic ingredients and with no petroleum.
Balm balm comes fragrance free but the makers suggest putting it in the microwave for 60 seconds until melted and add a drop of essential oil and leave to set in the fridge. Balm balm can be used on lips, heels, cuticles, lashes and on your baby too.
I’ve got a couple of pots and it really moisturises your lips a treat.

“Squeeze the boob to release the gel… Having a shower has never been so much fun!

Shower Breasts are guaranteed to make you want to wash more often. This naughty nipple-topped pair attaches to your shower wall with the suckers provided, with each bosom having a compartment for shower gel, shampoo or conditioner. To dispense, simply squeeze away – but be warned, you could run out of shower gel very quickly…”

Oh dear

C and I went to the cinema and saw Memoirs of a Geisha which I thoroughly enjoyed and thought was absolutely stunning. It’s a long movie, at nearly 2 1/2 hours long, but worth it. Ziyi Zhang (lead actress) is a great actress but I still wonder at the logic in choosing a Chinese actress for a Japanese role. Indeed the film is jam-packed with chinese actresses. The girl that plays Chiyo (a young Sayuri) is adorable and an acting talent to note for the furture. I think. I can’t wait to get the soundtrack (with haunting melodies from cellist Yo-Yo Ma). Although the book will always be far better than the film I still think they did a pretty good job.

Website Finds of the Year 2005 awards is a celebration of the most unusual, creative and inspirational websites on the Internet.

My favourites are:
Shop Horror – tour of Britain’s most amusing shop fronts including “Pizza the action”

Punch a celeb – I really wanted to punch Carol Vorderman but they don’t have her yet so I made do with Natasha Kaplinsky

I wrote this post for my nightmare of the X84 blog but as it the subject makes me so mad I’m adding it here.

As if the bus service couldn’t get any worse the ticket price goes up again today. An off peak fare for me one way costs £1.50, a peak fare one costs £2.00 and a dayrider costs £3.30. The “cheapest” way for me to travel each day is buying a dayrider as I often make two peak fare journeys. The smelly, noisy bus service is now alot more expensive than the local quick and clean trains.