There is definitely another division between the haves and have-nots in this country among the poor, working, and under-classes: those with secure affordable housing and those without. The ones that I know with it are self-righteous in their uber cheap, semi-bougie digs. They don’t have to deal with greedy landlords and when they are trying to break free of the benefit trap aren’t sweating about what will happen when their housing benefit stops. He is right for his part, because, if you don’t have secure affordable housing, it can be impossible to move into work without moving, but there is no place to move, so the choice is then to stay unemployed if you want to stay in your home.

The question is if council housing is cheap housing used as storage units for the lazy or simply affordable and doesn’t everybody have a right to an affordable home? In my family budgeting class in high school we learned that the right percentage of your income to spend on housing is 25 percent, 30 percent max. So, to afford a home that is 500 pounds a month, you should earn 24,000 pounds a year. On minimum wage, full time, one earns just over 12,000 pounds a year. Where could you house a family for 250 pounds per month? Only in the council of course, but, unless you are homeless, waiting lists are excessive in most places. Its all really too depressing to contemplate, and I suppose maybe David Cameron sees himself as a bit of a Robin Hood, stealing from the haves and giving to the have nots.

Basically, a hybrid car utilizes an electric engine in addition to a gasoline engine to improve performance and efficiency. After that, it all depends on how both the engines are tweaked together to utilize their properties for performance. There are a set of routines which basically all hybrid cars follow with their own mix and match of innovations. Each routine or protocol usually is the property of the firm concerned.

Fuel efficiency and lower emission are the main things which drive the hybrid car market. However, there is a bit of investment involved initially when you opt for a new hybrid car. The technologies that go into making hybrid cars are innovations which were researched for many years and involved quite a huge sum of money. As such, the relative price is little higher. However, lately because of all the benefits that are associated with hybrid cars, even the governments from various countries have stood up to it and are actively investing capital for more proliferation. This a significant move as far as cost is concerned, because it is a good indicator that hybrid cars are going to rule the future automobile industry.

Even for a normal consumer, a hybrid car in the long run saves a lot on fuel cost and usually this covers up for the initial cost. Also, these types of cars will make sure that the world we are staying in will become greener for future generations.

Growing up, I thought nothing of wasting heat, leaving the lights on when there was absolutely no need and wasting energy at every blissful opportunity. My logic was this: energy (according to old ‘eggy mCeggy’, our science teacher) never disappeared, so how could it be wasted? That just didn’t make sense!

Then, when I moved out, I discovered that wasting energy really was a bummer; not just a minor bummer either, but a major big fat one. Not only was it something that could be avoided quite easily if you actually bothered–it was also extremely expensive! Suddenly we had bills coming through the door which were saying we were terrible energy wasters. You could say that we had a lot to learn–

Wasting energy in the home is the topic of discussion at the following blog post.

Reading this is a very good idea if you live in a conventional bricks and mortar home; chances are that you are just one of many millions of people who are happily wasting energy (make that money–) and doesn’t even know it–

These simple tips for Enigin, which show you what to do and what not to do, really are worth reading. Seeing as brick houses are very good at loosing heat, and most of the people who live inside them don’t have any idea how much, you could do a lot worse than take this advice more seriously than I took my dad when he used to say “you’ll know when you move out just how expensive wasting energy is!”

My mobile phone is a classic. If it was a film it’d be “The Birds”or maybe even “Escape From Alcatraz”. In fifty years time it’ll be on Antiques Roadshow, and that generation’s version of a smiling Fiona Bruce will be singing its praises. “This was one of those phones you had to use your fingers to text with!” she’ll say. “This was back when mind-reading was said to be science fiction!”

One thing they won’t talk about is the apps that my brick phone had. Why? Because it doesn’t have any, obviously. Not like the Apple ipad. Putting my Nokia next to an ipad is like putting Dean Gaffney next to Brad Pitt.

Now, new as the ipad is, some people with (people with half a brain between them and a determination to actually help the planet rather than hinder it) are already making use of its impressive potential. Click the link to see what Enigin are doing with the ipad.

Yeah, that’s right, you’ve been there haven’t you? If you haven’t then we can’t do much until you have.

Now you’ve been there – I’m trusting you so don’t let me down – you’ll see how valuable this kind of technology is. Gone are the days when you had to make a slew of annoying phone calls to a slew of annoying people, just to find out how much energy you’ve really used. The ipad and this particular app (though I’m sure there are many others which do equally cool things) means that you can be anywhere in the world. A beach. A desert island. Another planet soon enough. I’m sure Apple will have an interplanetary app out before you know it.

Why do so many of us women accept that getting paid less than our male colleagues is acceptable? That’s a question that’s been bothering me for some time. Which is why, when I recently went for a job interview, I brought it up.

I should say that it was a strange kind of interview. Mainly because I had a perfectly good job and had no intention of taking this one if it was offered to me (not to mention they were a kerosene suppliers, and I wouldn’t have known kerosene if it punched me in the face). No, the interview was merely an experiment. Instead of them interviewing me, I’d be interviewing them.

How exciting!

I arrived early for my interview, and wasn’t nervous at all. After all, I had nothing to loose. I could just march in there and get this off my chest. Which explains my weird smiling and happy behaviour before I went in. The other woman sitting near me was certainly worried by this.

I walked in and allowed the interview it commence as normal. Then, when we got to the “have you any questions bit?” I said, “I do have one, actually,” and the bald man looked as though he’s just wet his pants.

“Go on,” he said.

I said, “will I get as much money as my male colleagues?”

He looked suspiciously to each side of him, then beckoned me forward and whispered “more actually–from experience the women tend to do better. Would you like the job?”

I said, “yes I would, thank you very much”.

The strangest interview I have ever had. But trust me, this does happen!

When I was a little girl, about the same time that I learned what Gastric band surgery was (when people are made in to walking balloons, of course), I wanted to be a director. Not just any director–.Not just the director of a children’s TV show, or the director of something mediocre yet big–No–I wanted to direct the biggest films that were out there. But when I was old enough to read I stumbled across a rather enormous problem: it seemed there were no female directors. And my little mission to uncover them all – because I was sure they had to be out there, somewhere – revealed precisely nothing. Then, at sixth form college, after I’d told my tutor what I wanted to do, she laughed. “You can’t be a director,” she said, “simply because you are a girl.”

And what a blow it was–

A few years go by and this article puts an enormous smile on my face: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8597266.stm

Oh yes!

If you follow the movie industry at all you’ll know that a female director getting the same recognition as a male director is something to REALLY get excited about!

And I still can’t work it out: why are there so few notable female directors? OK, I understand that the industry is male dominated, but are we still so governed by male rule in the world that things can’t change? Apparently so. But this article at least proves that we appear to be moving in the right direction. Who knows? In a few years time it could all be a very different story. We could see men being the ones who have to fight to get acclaim. Wishful thinking may be, but a bit of that never did any harm, at least as far as I’m concerned.

To be a lady in this decade of Medical micro-dermabrasion. Ladies who are men, and Ladies who want to be men, and ladies who act like men and act as though ladies are some kind of thing that nobody would ever want to be in a million years is tough. It’s really very troublesome. Fashion is one problem, but meeting a fine Gentleman is another. There are dating sites, yes, but there are none which cater exclusively for the Ladies and Gentleman of this humble earth. Which is why, when I inherited some money from my great aunt Hilda, I decided upon a course of action to change the face of humanity forever: a Lady and Gent dating site!

Now, I was strict about who joined. I am even more strict now. For example, my service only employs Ladies and Gents, and we have a very strict policy about who may and may not join. For example, should you wish to join we will fist ask, very politely, to see photographic proof of your dress collection (if you are a Lady) and suit collection (including cuff-links, if you are a man). Then we will make our appraisals. Then, if we think we can work together with no problems, we ask you to take a strict grammar test. The test concerns olden-day language: the true language of the finest Ladies and Men of this world. Only upon passing this test is one allowed to access our online database and commune, via the wondrous technology of our times, with other such people who share similar characteristics. Right now it is in its infancy, but I have every faith that it will soon work!

God, how good would that be?

Great Britain: responsible for adopting the ise of the travel pillow for long car journeys, such wonders as Stephen Hawking’s brain, swearing for the sake of it as an art-form, and also home to my (now deceased) good friend Greta Britain. As well as having the best name in the world, Greta had, for many years, bequeathed formerly untold knowledge to this lucky writer who writes here before you now. And Greta had many things to say. One of these things was “don’t believe someone if they tell you something is ‘as easy as falling off a log!” For many years I had no idea what Greta was on about. Although her knowledge had never let me down before I couldn’t really believe this statement. Sadly, I thought she was just talking rubbish. That having a first name which was an anagram of the first word in Great Britain had suddenly gone to her head–

Then one day I thought I am going to try and fall off a log, for Greta. (It should be known that I was very bored and slightly drunk–drunk enough to believe that the willpower of Great Greta was bearing down on me.

Here is how it went: 1) I tried to fall off a log and I could not. No matter how hard I tried, it was the hardest thing I had ever tried to do. First there was the initial fear, which was bad enough, then came the debilitating paranoia–and Greta was right! Those people were liars! Falling off a log, even while slightly drunk was the hardest, most terrifying thing in the world!

I never did try falling off a log again. In fact, I stayed clear off al logs. Especially the big brown ones which looked malevolent, beckoning me to sit and fall off them with their smooth, splinter-free bark–

Stress can happen from many different things such as people, incidents and issues that we deal with from day to day. If we allow stress to overtake us, it could lead into more serious issues such as illness. Although we cannot eliminate stress from our lives completely, we can reduce it significantly with some proven methods.

Although studies have shown that women handle stress more effectively than men in certain areas such as multi-tasking, juggling everyday tasks and other responsibilities, they are not free and clear from stress. Because of what is expected of women every day, they can experience a stress breakdown or burnout if they do not take measures to relax a bit.

Women when stressed are more prone to mood swings, anxiety, fear and panic. Women who experience stress on a more regular basis can end up with unpleasant side effects such as bloating, hot flashes, night sweats and cramping due to the overproduction of cortisol, adrenaline and estrogen hormones.

A few things you can do to minimize your stress is:

* Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation. This allows your body to release the tension build up and rejuvenate itself. Also, you can try walking, swimming, jogging, sports or other activities to reduce stress and keep you active.

* Get yourself organized. Lack of organization can definitely trigger stress. Because women tend to be so busy juggling around work, household chores, errands and children, a cluttered house, car or environment can get overwhelming. Take some time to get organized so you feel more in control.

* Hang out with a friend. Women tend to lean on friends more than men when it comes to getting rid of stress. Let yourself unwind with a fun afternoon out with your friend. Go to the movies, grab a cup of coffee or just laze around the swimming pool.

You do not have to let stress take control of your life and health. You can take control of it by allowing yourself some time to unwind, relax and get back to tip top shape.

Bald people get a hard time, but there is a category of people who get an even harder time, and it’s entirely understandable: they are the inbetween people. Those who lack enough hair to be worth keeping, and don’t have the courage or conviction to shave it off and go bald. It really is a tragic affair. I think that when you continue reading you will share my opinion wholeheartedly and realize that I speak only the truth.

The most famous of all these people is, of course, Prince William. Legendary for his shambolic mop—a truly disastrous affair which, in recent months, has become so unbearable to look at that doing so will ruin not only your day, but your week, guaranteed—the man clearly doesn’t know what to do with himself, and who can blame him? But someone is to blame, of course. And I blame his advisors. I just can’t believe that they think it looks really good. Which begs the question: why hasn’t just one person stepped forward and told William that his hair is atrocious and a disgrace to the monarchy? Ask yourself: if William was not royal, where would he be in obtaining the babe stakes? I mean, how many women really want that next to them in bed? I realise, I honestly do, that removing the hair will be a painful and humiliating affair, but what other choice does he and other have? No, it’s about being brave, people. So if you are one of these people be brave. I assure you, you will not forget it.

It may seem like I am being slightly harsh on William, bit someone has to be, because the man is, after all, setting an example to everyone else. The sooner he sorts his hair out the sooner the rest of the population will realize that parading about such ‘hair’ is simply unacceptable.

It was my birthday last week, and my friend Abigale gave me a chemical face peel as a gift. Now I have to say, I have no idea what she was trying to tell me; but after I got over the relative disturbance of how add the present was, I went and realized that it was actually quite lovely. I would suggest it to anyone if they have the spare time and inclination.