Somebody that I used to know.

But you didn't have to cut me off, Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing, And I don't even need your love, But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough. Gotye - Somebody That I Used to Know click link to view video. This is what I'm listening to today.

Between the Wars

I kept the faith, and I kept on voting, not for the iron fist but for the helping hand.

Between the Wars - Billy Bragg  - click link to view tune.

As true today as it was in 1985.

200 smoke free days!

I have been 200 days GENUINELY smoke free TODAY! Which is the longest time period I have ever gone without putting a cigarette in my mouth.

I can categorically confirm there are no benefits to stopping smoking.

1) My blood pressure has gone up. Probably stress related.

2) I'm drinking more... Little and often... Probably stress related.

3) I don't have any more money. It has been spent on other things - some more enjoyable than smoking, some less enjoyable.  Overall, this effect cancels itself out.

4) Improved taste is good on the days you eat a well cooked meal, but not so good on the waist line over a long period. This effect cancels itself out.

5) Getting your sense of smell back is not good if you use public transport in London. I have major problems with this.

The only thing that is keeping me going is the sense on achievement that I feel against myself and the hope that one day I might be able to enjoy a cigar.... as long as I, ahem, don't inhale.

How long  before I'm considered 'out of the danger zone' ?

The evolutionary importance of Valentines Day.

Men and women view Valentines Day differently, and there is an evolutionary story that can be told to explain this:

In days gone by, when we lived in a hunter-gatherer society, men and woman had clearly defined roles. Men provided all the protection from potential threat and woman bore and raised children. What each brought to the table in the relationship was also predefined and agreed upon, in the most literal sense.

Men would go out and 9 out of 10 day would return without any food. Woman on the other hand would go out everyday, collecting wood, berries, herbs. Everyday the woman would bring back something, no matter how small. When the men did return with a catch, although not as frequent, it was large, significant and everyone was impressed.

Men were able to let external factor dictate their hunting regime. If the longest day of the year arrived and it was raining, the men would stay inside. There would be no point in going hunting to day; all the food would be hiding away from the rain. For woman this was not so. If the longest day of the year came and it was raining, woman would still have to go and gather what they could. The berries would still be there.

And so the way men and women learned to think was different. Women learned to give value to small things, which were to happen at a fixed point in time, regardless of and outside influences. For men, the larger the offering, the more value it was given, and the timing of events could be altered to maximize its potential value.

Now to Valentines Day…

Women:

Valentines Day is on 14^th Feb and should be celebrated on that day.

A card will be enough to impress her - this is a must!

A single rose or £3 bunch of flowers is enough.

Men:

Valentines Day can be celebrated either the weekend before or after 14^th Feb.

The larger and more expensive gesture, the more impressed she will be.

A card is not necessary - this is not true.

Tips for lovers:

For her: If Valentines Day falls on a week day let him make pans for the weekend after, he will feel that he can ‘go all out’ and treat you to something extra special.

For him: If you must defer Valentines Day to a later date, make sure you at least send her a card on 14^th Feb and if possible give her a single flower every day leading up to the big event.

Giving of oneself is priceless.

  
I feel that there is genuine value in giving time to voluntary causes, especially when I consider how regularly I am stopped on the streets of London and asked to donate money to charity. 

Giving an hour of my time, I feel, is of more value than giving the equivalent of my hourly wage… and if I am honest I consider an hour of my ‘free’ time to be worth more than I charge my employer.