Skip To The End » Meh News http://skip-to-the-end.com Giving you more time to waste time Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:58:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 Flower News of the Week http://skip-to-the-end.com/flower-news-of-the-week/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/flower-news-of-the-week/#comments Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:54:54 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1114 Good News! An environmental project is hoping to create the world’s first garden that grows all the plants used to make the Bach Flower Remedies. The remedies, discovered by Dr Edward Bach in the 1930s, are used to treat anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger and other issues affecting the mind and emotions. They are highly regarded as alternative therapies.

Bach Flower Remedies

The garden will be at the Offshoots permaculture project in Burnley, where expert Jackie Stewart will run workshops on how to grow and make remedies from the flowers for anyone interested. Finance from the Big Lottery Awards will pay for the work.

“Some of the Bach Flower Remedy plants are already on the site at Offshoots and surrounding Towneley Park. When we grow the remainder we believe this will make it a world first – there is a garden in Switzerland that grows 36 of the 37 plants, but we intend to grow them all. Two of the plants that will be grown are rare and declining, but we hope we can save these plants from disappearing altogether.”

The first training course begins on February 4th. There will also be regular green walks to learn about the therapeutic value of trees in the park. For details, go to http://www.offshoots.org.uk. The 12-week course costs £80, with greatly reduced concessions for anyone without a job.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/flower-news-of-the-week/feed/ 0 Sofa Trends in 2011 http://skip-to-the-end.com/sofa-trends-in-2011/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/sofa-trends-in-2011/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:37:07 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1106 Sofas are the most important piece of furniture in our living rooms and have seen many style changes over the years. They represent an important investment, in fact it might well be our most expensive piece of furniture, so we expect it to serve us well and to keep its good new looks well in to the future.

2011 Sofas

These requirements are born out by the sofa design trends we are seeing emerge for 2011. Just as good art is a reflection of society, good interior design is a reflection of the external environment. We have now emerged from the throwaway society of yesteryear, and the dominant forces now in operation are environmental concerns and a new austerity. This is reflected by a desire for sustainability and value, though with a refusal to compromise on quality and style.

This trend is also seen in the modern approach of designing sofas to achieving the optimum performance and beauty out of alternative materials by combining them in a single design. Often leathers are used to give sofas a sleek contemporary style whilst fabrics add comfort and warmth. There is also a trend of accenting sofas with complimentary armchairs.

This method can work very well when combining modern and classic styles, another interior design trend moving into the New Year. Functionality is also a driving force in 2011 and when purchasing a new sofa many of us find that it makes sense to seek to maximise its functionality by purchasing one which can also serve as a guest bed.

In current times far fewer of us are moving homes and consequently the need to maximise space is increasing. Many of us are finding that corner sofas can provide an answer to this problem. Colours tend to be on the neutral side as these are both a modern trend and sustainable as they will be as fashionable in the future as they are today. We are seeing much use of beiges and browns along with black, white and greys.

Although these colours are neutral, they are not necessarily cold or dull; on the contrary modern neutral colours can be warm and rich, yet they retain the ability to provide a neutral background against which rich saturated colours can be displayed.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/sofa-trends-in-2011/feed/ 1 60 Years of VW Vans http://skip-to-the-end.com/60-years-of-vw-vans/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/60-years-of-vw-vans/#comments Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:41:32 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1095 Everyone loves VW vans. They have a great history. The classic design of the original split screen van is a timeless design, that has lead to them now being worth more than they were new when they were released. They now have a huge cult following and you will struggle to find a car show that does not have one showcasing its classicness. Here is a video celebrating their awesomeness.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/60-years-of-vw-vans/feed/ 0 Toxic Sofa Sufferers Win Compensation http://skip-to-the-end.com/toxic-sofa-sufferers-win-compensation/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/toxic-sofa-sufferers-win-compensation/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:55:40 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1076 A court has sanctioned £1,800 payouts to 408 claimants in a multimillion-pound compensation battle over sofas made containing toxic materials. The claimants, which included 55 children, had all suffered skin complaints caused by the sensitising agent dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in the leather sofas. The furniture was made by Chinese companies Linkwise and Eurosofa.
sofas

In April a number of High Street chains agreed to pay £20m in total to those who had received chemical burns. This initial agreement meant that 1650 people would receive between £1,175 and £9,000 each, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

On Wednesday, Mr Justice MacDuff said the latest resolution of the litigation for the last tranche of 408 claimants was a “very sensible and proper settlement” of their claims. The sofa makers had used DMF as an anti-mould agent to protect the leather, but the chemical is toxic in tiny amounts and can cause blistering and bleeding of the skin. The EU has banned the use of DMF after customers in at least five European countries suffered burns and breathing problems.UK manufacturers of sofas face much stricter rules on manufacturing.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/toxic-sofa-sufferers-win-compensation/feed/ 0 Snow Causes Accident Rise http://skip-to-the-end.com/snow-causes-accident-rise/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/snow-causes-accident-rise/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:45:23 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1070 People in the UK are making twice as many car accident insurance claims during the current cold weather, according to one insurance firm. AA Insurance believes 70% of all cases that reach it in search of financial aid after a crash or accident at this time are related to the snow and ice that has settled across the country.

Snow car crash

The firm also notes those that venture out on to the slippery highways that have become common in Britain are putting themselves and others at risk. Despite the 100% hike in car accident insurance claims compared with a average December, there is one bright spot for insurers.

“Thankfully, the number of personal injury cases is about 10% lower than on normal December days despite the high volume of claims, thanks to the low speed nature of most accidents.”

The Hull and East Riding Daily Mail recently noted East Riding Council is using the track record of personal injury claims to determine where to focus its resources when it comes to making road and pavement improvements in the area. So there you go, although the snow means there are more accidents, there are actually less injuries due to the extra cause for caution.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/snow-causes-accident-rise/feed/ 0 Savings Accounts to Suffer this Christmas http://skip-to-the-end.com/savings-accounts-to-suffer-this-christmas/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/savings-accounts-to-suffer-this-christmas/#comments Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:48:15 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1067 A influential staff member of Santander bank has suggested savings accounts in the UK are set to be raided over the Christmas holidays. Reza Attar-Zadeh, director of savings and investments at the firm, called on consumers to avoid spending too much during the festive season.

High Streets

He explained that individuals who manage to leave themselves in a reasonable financial position for the new year will be able to start saving again in 2011 without too many problems.

“While many people have decided to rein in their spending this year, Christmas still looks set to make a significant dent in the nation’s savings.”

Santander claimed that people will withdraw an average of £212 from their savings accounts to pay for Christmas, although 62 per cent of consumers are cutting back on the amount they spend this year.

Last week, the company’s head of current accounts Gillian Almond urged consumers to consider switching to the financial services provider due to the preferential rates its clients receive on several products.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/savings-accounts-to-suffer-this-christmas/feed/ 0 New Vans Efficiency Targets http://skip-to-the-end.com/new-vans-efficiency-targets/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/new-vans-efficiency-targets/#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:45:37 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1062 By Elena Price
The EU has moved to cut emissions from vans by imposing new fuel efficiency targets, although campaigners remain adamant the proposed standards are not strong enough to reduce businesses’ fuel bills. Environment ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday voted for a deal to cut carbon dioxide emissions from vans by around 14% to an average of 175 grams per kilometre by 2017.

Vans Emissions

An agreement was reached after Germany, home to car giants Mercedes and Volkswagen, objected to a much tougher target of 135 grams per kilometre by 2020, put forward by the European Commission last week. Germany’s environment minister, Norbert Roettgen, hailed the new standards as a good compromise deal.

“It achieves substantial CO2 reductions to my knowledge 27%. It is feasible, it is a technological challenge, but it keeps us in a leadership position.”

EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard similarly welcomed the deal, hailing the new rules as “an important step forward in curbing transport emissions”. However, green campaigners felt that given the significant efficiency improvements manufacturers have made in recent years, the watered down target will put little pressure on car firms to step up fuel efficiency efforts.

“The industry said it couldn’t make a 14% improvement in van efficiency over nine years, meanwhile, it managed to improve car efficiency at more than three times that rate last year. Policymakers must to a better job of holding the industry to account when it makes such claims.”

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/new-vans-efficiency-targets/feed/ 0 The year in Film: 2010 http://skip-to-the-end.com/the-year-in-film-2010/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/the-year-in-film-2010/#comments Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:42:48 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=1049 Yes folks, it’s getting to that time of year again where you can expect to see millions of videos summing up the year that has passed us from everything to music to moustaches. The first one to spread like wildfire across the web this year is Filmography 2010, a montage of some of the bet movie moments of the year.

It has certainly been an amazing year for movies, with films like Inception, Social Network and Scot Pilgrim vs The World breaking the usual barriers of cinema. There is certainly a lot of new DVD releases to choose from this Christmas. But my personal favourite film of the year has to go the hugely controversial “Four Lions“. It is absolutely bang on the money. Hilariously funny yet horrendously poignant at the same time. This film dances mockingly with the most serious of subjects, yet is never unfairly portrays anyone.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/the-year-in-film-2010/feed/ 0 How Car Insurance Prices Work http://skip-to-the-end.com/how-car-insurance-prices-work/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/how-car-insurance-prices-work/#comments Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:13:32 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=995 In my usual trawl for useful and interesting things on the interwebs I came across this breakdown of how car insurance prices are calculated from confused.com. It’s nicely all in pictures, everyone love pictures cus they are nice and easy to understand. So lets take a look.

car-insurance-how-prices-are-worked-outAs you can see there are many factors that come into account when calculating a car insurance premium. Age is perhaps the biggest factor in how much you pay. But also surprisingly is your gender.

Women pay much less on their premium than men, as they are judged to be at a lower risk of being in an accident. If you are in your teens you can also expect to pay a mighty sum for your car insurance for a good few years. Older drivers have much cheaper premiums.

Where you live also plays a big part in how much your premium will be. North London is the most costly location to insure a car along with Northern Ireland and North East England. The cheapest locations are South West England and Scotland. Generally the more rural areas are cheaper than Urban ones.

Your occupation also makes a difference on your premium, especially if you use your car for work. However if you do a job with late working hours, you may be more inclined to get a discount for using the roads when they are quieter. If you do a job where you might mix with the rich an famous then your premium is likely to increase further. Teachers, police and solicitors are likely to have cheaper premiums.

Other things that will effect the cost include the length you have held you licence, if you have any previous motoring convictions, the vehicle type and age, no claims bonus and your yearly mileage.

So what’s the best and worse case scenarios for car insurance cost? The Best: An old female teacher living in the south west of England, with a small older car and low annual mileage. The worst: A 17 year old male that works with celebrities, drives a expensive new sports car and lives in London.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/how-car-insurance-prices-work/feed/ 0 Wonderbum Women’s Dresses http://skip-to-the-end.com/wonderbum-womens-dresses/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/wonderbum-womens-dresses/#comments Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:26:01 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=967 Bums. Sometimes they are brilliant. But a lot of women are never satisfied with theirs. But there may be a logical reason. A new study has revealed that diets and exercise have changed what the modern woman’s posterior looks like. It revealed that 85% of women are worried about the size and shape of their bottoms. So what is the solution I hear you cry? Enter the Wonderbum.

The study makes further claims that 55% of women are most self conscious when buying new woman’s dresses and 62% said they did not know how to “dress their behind”. That’s bum to you and me. The study claimed modern day diets and exercise had altered the shape of women’s bottoms from the traditional peach to the four new shapes.

wonderbum womens dresses

The tomato shape is the most common of the new categories covering 45% of women. It’s “bigger, plumper, rounder and squishy to the touch” their words not mine. The “less fortunate” potato shape, found on 30% of women, is wide, long and lumpy and most common with those in plus size dresses. The pear shape is narrower at the top and almost twice the size at the fullest part of the bum. Finally the nectarine is “close to the cartoonesque derriere perfection of two bowling balls pushed together”. Don’t hate me, this is what it actually said.

With this in mind, English retailer Asda have launched the Wonderbum. Working in a similar way to the Wonderbra, they are tights designed to “shape” the buttocks. Varsha Peshavaria, of DuPont Lycra, which designed the tights, says hosiery with a ‘shaping’ effect is becoming increasingly popular, and now accounts for 12 per cent of the market.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/wonderbum-womens-dresses/feed/ 0 Lingerie Addict Offers to Shop for You http://skip-to-the-end.com/lingerie-addict-offers-to-shop-for-you/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/lingerie-addict-offers-to-shop-for-you/#comments Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:58:49 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=953 Us men know that lingerie is one of the best Christmas presents to get that special girl (or girls if you are lucky) in our lives. Everybody wins. The guys get to see their other halfs look even sexier, and the girls get to look and feel sexier. It’s a win win. Except for one simple fact. Guys are rubbish at buying things.

Lingerie Not bought by Men

Ambitious representation of your girlfriend

Most of us don’t want to ask what size our girlfriend is for many reasons, if not only to give away the idea of the present. So we go out and buy what is most likely going to end up being the wrong size of lingerie. So what is the solution, apart from being a awesome boyfriends that you would actually know the size without asking?

Popular blogger “The Lingerie addict” is now offering to do your lingerie shopping for you personally. Inspired by feedback from male readers, many of whom requested help purchasing lingerie for their wives and girlfriends, ‘Treacle’ has decided to offer personal lingerie shopping for men.

“Treacle really helped with some excellent suggestions and tips for lingerie that I could get for my petite girlfriend who can be a tricky size to buy for. She has a ton of useful advice and information on new lingerie ranges and products as well as general lingerie tips.”

Alternatively, have you ever just asked a girl to help you out? They love shopping don’t you know. Just don’t let your misses catch wind of you shopping for lingerie with another woman, because that will most likely not go down well.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/lingerie-addict-offers-to-shop-for-you/feed/ 0 Christmas DVD Releases http://skip-to-the-end.com/christmas-dvd-releases/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/christmas-dvd-releases/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:57:15 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=950 Running out of ideas for christmas gifts. Lets face it, your going to end up buying them a new DVD aren’t you. Yes it is pretty impersonal and unimaginative for a present, but they are cheap and everybody likes them. At least the first time they watch them anyway.

So what are the best New DVD releases coming out in time for Christmas? Here are my top choices, if your thinking of getting me one ;P

Inception

I still haven’t seen this, which is a crime in itself. Perhaps one of the best mainstream releases of recent years? I’ll have to tell you after I buy it when it is released on the 6th of December. Stunning visuals and plot twists guaranteed. Although, probably not one for the kids or your gran.

The A-Team

This movie is ridiculous but great fun. It has some crazy insane action sequences and is certainly worth a watch. A good all round movie for anyone really and is unlikely to disappoint, unless perhaps you are a hardcore fan of the original series.

Toy Story 3

The obvious family choice this Christmas. I still again haven’t seen this one but these types of movies never disappoint to please everyone from the kids to the grandparents.

Other new DVD’s to watch out for before Christmas reaches us include “Salt”, “The Last Air-bender” and “Shrek 4″ all of which I have heard mixed reviews, but Salt is supposed to be quite good apparently.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/christmas-dvd-releases/feed/ 1 CFL Fans Stick to Sofas http://skip-to-the-end.com/cfl-fans-stick-to-sofas/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/cfl-fans-stick-to-sofas/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:35:54 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=922 Not literally though of course. That would be a strange turn of events. Unless perhaps it was a really hot day and they were leather sofas… Anyway, what I am trying to say is that the Saskatchewan Rough-riders, that’s a Canadian football team for those who don’t know, and by football I mean American Football, yes they have it in Canada but its quite rubbish and there are only 8 teams, and yes the really is a State called Saskatchewan. What was I saying again?

Mosaic Stadium

Ah yes. The Saskatchewan Rough-riders are facing a sudden void of ticket sales, as fans decided to watch their playoff games from the comfort of their own sofas in their own homes, leaving empty seats at Mosaic Stadium. It could be for many reasons. CFL (Canadian Football League) is generally a bit rubbish for one. It could be that the rise of HDTV has made many people feel they actually get a better view from their own homes. It could of course still be that people are still less likely to afford the leave the house after the recession. Whatever the reason, Jim Hopson, the president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders intends to find out.

“We’re certainly going to try and find out why by talking to our fans. We had a great response from our season-ticket holders, so where we didn’t get the turnout was in the walk-up crowd. The walk-up crowd tends to be based on how the team is playing and weather, but Sunday was just a perfect day for a November game. There was hardly any wind and the temperature was good.”

Why does this matter? I’m not sure that it does. I just thought you might like to know…

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/cfl-fans-stick-to-sofas/feed/ 1 Poppy Appeal: The Public Speaks http://skip-to-the-end.com/poppy-appeal-the-public-speaks/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/poppy-appeal-the-public-speaks/#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:20:04 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=900 Every year at this time, we take a moment to remember those who have died in battle. Namely those who perished in the first and second world wars. Many of us will do this with flowers, many more buy buying a Poppy from the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Somme Poppys

But a new battle has begun over the use of the poppy in modern society, with some claiming it glorifies war. You.Gov.co.uk asked a random selection of people their views and here is what they heard.

“We must remember”

“if anything reminds us of war it is not a glamorous or glorious thing”

“they are a glorification of war and doesn’t teach us anything”

“too much of a fasion accessory”

“it’s a practical way to raise badly needed funds”

“we should learn from wars”

“I resent contributing these days because I think we are fighting wars we have no business in”

“it’s time to leave the poppy appeal behind”

“without their sacrifise the critics would not be free to criticise”

All fair points but what do you think? I think to suggest it glorifies war is a bit over the top. It was a different type of war to any we could see in modern times. These were just wars that had the freedom of an entire continent of people at stake. I could not say the same for any wars since WW2, not that those men were any less brave for their sacrifice. But I think it is really important to remember those that fought in world war 2, but have we really learn the lessons from it? War should have no place in our society. It was a real genuine tragedy that so many people lost so much, yet they successfully defended so much more and for that we should be eternally in their debt.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/poppy-appeal-the-public-speaks/feed/ 0 What you think of your current account http://skip-to-the-end.com/what-you-think-of-your-current-account/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/what-you-think-of-your-current-account/#comments Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:29:26 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=894 Recent times have seen consumer confidence in financial institutions is at its lowest ebb for over 60 years. It makes sense, we did have to give them Billions of pounds to clear up their own mess. But how did this relationship breakdown effect those of us who mostly use banks for their most basic of services, the current account?

current account debit card

The Financial crisis left many of us wanting to make a demonstration to our banks, but left us with very little options. For many of us the best we could do was to switch and save with a new deal else where, but that still meant piling our money back into the system that nearly lost it all. But what really annoys us now?

A new study suggests that bank charges are the foremost consideration when consumers are looking for a new account. We were quick to forget and judge banks for their part in the recession, and surprisingly those that took a bigger bail out are not less desirable to the public as a place to care for there hard earnings. 54% of those asked agree that fines relating to exceeding an overdraft were ‘legitimate’, making it the most acceptable form of bank charge. However, only five percent of consumers are willing to tolerate monthly banking fees for banking services like debit cards, direct debits and standing orders.

In North America, you actually have to pay to have a debit or current account. This is almost unheard of over here. The American system must make so much money from the everyday people, not only from cooperate clients. Debit cards are not Visa over there, so you can rarely use them online to buy things, which basically bullies you into getting a credit card. Another way of getting more of your hard earned cash out of you and making you more dependant on the banks. We are lucky that it is not the same over here.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/what-you-think-of-your-current-account/feed/ 0 Palin’s Secrets Revealed http://skip-to-the-end.com/palins-secrets-revealed/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/palins-secrets-revealed/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:41:05 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=880 Former Governor of Alaska and FOX News contributor Sarah Palin has been thrust into the lime light once more by Vanity Fair Magazine, as well as a new viral website. After Republican’s took back the house of representatives in last weeks mid term elections, growing speculation is mounting that Sarah Palin is going to announce a run for the presidency.

Sarah Palin

This would perhaps, be one of the most ridiculous, aggressive, ignorant and down right stupid candidates ever to run for President of the United States (except for G.W. Bush perhaps). She thought Africa was a country. I’m not sure she has ever even left the United States, except to go to Canada for Health-care! Are American’s really stupid enough to vote for this woman? It’s fair enough that people may want to see how a woman handles office for the first time, but this is far from the right person for the job. You simply cannot vote opinionated and biased people into office! Our leaders need to represent everyone, not just the majority no matter how small or large they are. They have to accept responsibilities for all people, not just those that agreed with them. How can someone so ignorant accomplish this task?

A new viral website WTF has Sarah Palin done so far exposes some harsh secrets of hers such as:

  • She has made $12 Million since quitting her job as Alaska Governor half way threw her term
  • During her Vice Presidential Campaign she went on a $150,000 shopping spree of campaign money, including $3,000 on new underwear
  • She attacked Obama’s Heath-Care reform bill, then went across the boarder to Canada for her Health-Care
  • Since quitting her previous job, she has cut off all ties with friends and non direct family, so that there is no one close to her that can talk about her to the press

She has also been called out by a recent article in Vanity Fair:

“Even as Sarah Palin’s public voice grows louder, she has become increasingly secretive, walling herself off from old friends and associates, and attempting to enforce silence from those around her.”

“Warm and effusive in public, indifferent or angry in private: this is the pattern of Palin’s behavior toward the people who make her life possible. The intensity of Palin’s temper was first described to me in such extreme terms that I couldn’t help but wonder if it might be exaggerated, until I heard corroborating tales of outbursts dating back to her days as mayor of Wasilla and before.”

“Early in the 2008 campaign, when John McCain’s aides discovered that Alaska-size gaps existed in Palin’s general knowledge (among those previously unreported: she had no idea who Margaret Thatcher was), they from time to time would give her some books to read in hopes of improving the candidate’s learning curve. On one such occasion, Palin accepted the books, set them aside, and for the next 25 minutes was held rapt by one of her three BlackBerrys. Eventually, an aide asked, “What are you working on?” “I’m reading these great e-mails,” she said, “from the prayer warriors.””

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/palins-secrets-revealed/feed/ 0 You Know it’s Nearly Christmas When… http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-know-its-nearly-christmas-when/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-know-its-nearly-christmas-when/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:49:00 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=860 Marks & Spencer release there Christmas TV ads. Yes I hate to admit it but Christmas is well and truly on the way and this year I wont be able to hide away in the mountains like last time. At least I don’t work in retail any more, where Christmas essentially starts in September.

The M&S Christmas adverts have become a iconic part of UK Christmas TV over the past few years. This year is no different. Peter Kay is the surprise addition to the Celebrity fronted advertising campaign along side Dannii Minogue, Twiggy and Jamie Redknapp. Seriously though, who actually likes Dannii Minogue? Why is she on TV at all for that matter? She is supposed to be a singer and she can’t even mime in the advert properly. If she tried to make a record no one would buy it, so why do they think that people will buy their dresses because she is wearing them?

Caroline Quentin is also called up to front the Mark & Spenser’s Christmas hampers and food for the season, in a series of separate TV adverts. Myleene Klass is also set to front a series of dedicated Christmas videos that will run on M&S’s online TV service. The videos will include a lingerie buying guide, party wear tips and food ideas. At the moment it is unclear if anyone will actually watch it. I will if Myleene Klass is in lingerie, that’s for sure. Here is the Advert.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-know-its-nearly-christmas-when/feed/ 0 Mumbai gets Comedy Store http://skip-to-the-end.com/mumbai-gets-comedy-store/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/mumbai-gets-comedy-store/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:31:54 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=748 Monsoon thunderstorms are not the only thing heading to Mumbai. With them comes a wave of western Comedy, courtesy of the London first Comedy store.

comedy store

The doors to the First international comedy club to open in India’s Capitol of Mumbai opened to more than 1000 attendees last weekend. There is a large amount of British expats living in Mumbai. The opening of the comedy store had been delayed since last year.

The Mumbai Comedy Store took over two years to build at a cost of more than £3m and joint owner Don Ward called the venture his most exciting and risky of his career. In India, you must be Indian to own a business in the country, so Ward has gone into the Mumbai venture with local businessman Amar Aggarwal.

“In England, there are 400 comedy venues, India had none and now it has one in a city which is home to more than 22 million people. To celebrate 30 years of London’s Comedy Store we decided to look East for our next major project and I am glad we did. People will see here exactly what you will see in the the UK.”

3 Comedians will fly to Mumbai each week to perform to the Indian crowds which will certainly prove to be a challenge compared to what they are used to. India is a country which only recently removed a ban on kissing in films.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/mumbai-gets-comedy-store/feed/ 1 A Quiet Week in Flowers News http://skip-to-the-end.com/a-quiet-week-in-flowers-news/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/a-quiet-week-in-flowers-news/#comments Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:33:11 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=704 I’m sorry. I have searched and searched all week but it doesn’t look like anything is happening in the world of flowers. People are still talking about the controversy of the poisoned flowers in the Bloom of Britain that we talked about last week. But fear not.

In my great quest across the wilderness that is the internet, I have found some worthy flowers news to fill your cravings for the week. It even involves tanks!

Flowers Huge Hanging BasketYes, it’s official, this is the biggest hanging basket of flowers ever. Weighing a massive 1.5 tonnes with a circumference of 18 feet, it is so big it needs a tank to lift it (I told you it had tanks). It was made by gardener Wil Thomas to raise money for soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Britain is Brilliant.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/a-quiet-week-in-flowers-news/feed/ 0 Men to get off Sofas? http://skip-to-the-end.com/men-to-get-off-sofas/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/men-to-get-off-sofas/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:43:21 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=694 The Men’s Health Forum is to attept to prevent the early deaths of 1 million men by urging them to get off their sofas. Initial reports say that men can’t be bothered at the moment and “will do it later”.

Lazy Sofa ManThe Men’s Health Forum is calling for the government, NHS, local authorities, sports organisations & charities to work together, in an attempt to make more middle aged men more active by the 2012 London Olympic games. The challenge is prompet by National Men’s Health Week (14-20th June). It will be the first week to specifically encourage men to get up off their sofas and become more physically active through things like sport.

It coincides with the beginning of the World Cup in South Africa, which is likely to have men across the nation making it to at least the very edge of their sofas, hopefully bouncing up and down on them with joy. The NHS has launched a campaign challenging England fans to see how their fitness compares to the fans of other nations. Action is needed as 22% of men still die before the age of 64 in the UK, compared to 13% of women.

It is thought that higher levels of physical activity could make a big impact. Physically active men have a 20-30% reduced risk of premature death and up to 50% reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases. Physical inactivity is directly linked to a wide range of major health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and several cancers.

Men of England. It’s time to get off the sofas!

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/men-to-get-off-sofas/feed/ 1 Facebook Bigger than Newspapers in Abu Dhabi http://skip-to-the-end.com/facebook-bigger-than-newspapers-in-abu-dhabi/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/facebook-bigger-than-newspapers-in-abu-dhabi/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:31:59 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=665 Yes it’s officially. In Abu Dhabi there are now more people reading their Facebook news feeds that reading actual news in newspapers. A study by Dubai-based marketing and communications agency Spot On Public Relation has concluded that there are more Facebook users across the Arab-speaking world than there are newspaper readers.

Camel chilling

The study found that there are now more than 15 million people using Facebook. Only 14 million newspapers are sold in the region including Arabic. English and French languages. Facebook is now believed to be the number one method of communication and source for news in the area.

The largest number of Facebook users are found in Egypt with 3.5 million, far larger than the biggest newspaper. In the United Arab Emirates, which includes Abu Dhabi, a third of the population had a Facebook profile.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/facebook-bigger-than-newspapers-in-abu-dhabi/feed/ 1 You Could be a Lingerie Model http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-could-be-a-lingerie-model/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-could-be-a-lingerie-model/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:51:40 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=653 Fancy yourself as being the next Noemie Lenoir? Do you look good in Lingerie? Do you have DD+ Boobies? If you said yes to all of these questions then I would love to meet you, but more importantly, you could be the next lingerie model for Marks & Spencer.

dd lingerie

Newspaper The Sun is running a competitions in partnership with M&S to find their new face, and body, of the DD+ M&S lingerie range. The lucky winner needs to be beautiful, with beautiful big boobies and will feature in the Autumn advertising campaign, a spread in The Sun and will get a 6 month contract with the agency that launched the career of current M&S super babe Natalie Suliman.

The winner also gets £1000 of M&S lingerie. To Enter, you need to send 2 clear pictures (1 head and shoulders shot and 1 full length of you wearing a 2 piece bikini or lingerie set) via email to modelsearch@the-sun.co.uk along with your contact details. Or you can visit here for more information.

To enter you need to be over 18 and a non enhanced bra size DD or above, finalists will be chosen by a panel of experts from The Sun and M&S and the overall winner will be determined by a Sun reader vote later this summer.

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/you-could-be-a-lingerie-model/feed/ 1 Rainbow Roses: It’s Flowers News http://skip-to-the-end.com/rainbow-roses-its-flowers-news/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/rainbow-roses-its-flowers-news/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:40:37 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=645 Yes it’s that time again, after the success of last weeks critically acclaimed ‘flowers news update‘ it’s time for this weeks flowers news. This week, the Britain in Bloom competition turns nasty and no, you’re not taking drugs (or are you?), those roses are multi-coloured.

Multi-coloured Rose Flowers

Yes apparently mother nature was slacking off a bit so good old science came to the rescue. These multi-coloured flowers, known as rainbow roses or happy roses, are genetically mutated cream roses. Various food dyes were placed in the flowers water supplies one at a time so they get sucked up by their stems. The new flowers are to be brought to the UK where they will be sold to the public for the first time.

The reputation of this years Britain in Bloom competition has been thrown into doubt after flowerbeds in one town have been purposely poisoned. Organisers of the lavish flower beds at Cayton on the Yorkshire coast between Scarborough and Filey have been told by detectives that the care and planning of the attack smacks less of vandalism than a “calculated and malicious act”. Sodium chlorate, withdrawn from shows last year for being too toxic for plants, has been found in over 30 flower beds around the town. Police are now looking into likely rivals that might be responsible.

Seriously people? What the F? What are you doing? People will cheat for anything nowadays. Sort your lives out!

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/rainbow-roses-its-flowers-news/feed/ 1 England: Who is on the plane? http://skip-to-the-end.com/england-who-is-on-the-plane/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/england-who-is-on-the-plane/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:28:46 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=639 So Fabio Capello has finally announced his squad of 23 men, 23 English men, with the hopes of a nation riding on their shoulders, that will be flying from the UK to represent England in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Fabio Capello

The headlines will be full of the absence on Theo Walcott. But lets be honest, he has been poor this season, and poor for England for quite a while. Aaron Lennon should be the first choice left winger with Joe Cole a worthy replacement. Ledley King also makes the cut despite long term injury worries, another great call in my opinion as he has been one of the best (if not the best) defenders in the Premiership last season. His Tottenham co defender Michael Dawson misses out on a place on the flight, but to be honest he did have a great season, but perhaps this is a bit beyond him.

So far so good. but he did make a very poor call in my opinion. Do we seriously live in a country that chooses a 32 yr old Emile Heskey as one of it’s elite athletes? Darren Bent had a great season, and although rarely performed for England, he is surely better than Heskey. God help us if he actually gets picked over Rooney, Defoe and Crouch. Here is the full list of the 23 men that have perhaps the best chance of winning the World Cup since the legendary team of 66. Don’t let us down boys.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

]]> http://skip-to-the-end.com/england-who-is-on-the-plane/feed/ 0 Apple vs Microsoft http://skip-to-the-end.com/apple-vs-microsoft/ http://skip-to-the-end.com/apple-vs-microsoft/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:08:46 +0000 Skip To The End http://skip-to-the-end.com/?p=622 So yeah I tried to avoid talking about this but nothing much else is happening on the internet at the moment so I guess I have to. Last week was a big week for Apple as their new product, the “iPad” hit stores in the UK on Friday, days after officially becoming bigger than Microsoft. The iPad is deemed likely to fail miserably or transform portable computing, creating a new category of product that we will all end up needing.

Apple iPad

I personally am not an Apple fan boy. However, looking at me and what I own you might say that I am. I have an Macbook Pro with Final Cut Studio and Logic 9, an iPhone, and I used to have an iMac. The reason I have these things is not because I think they are cool, or because I want to look cool like the Apple stereotype would have you believe. I have them because they are the best tools for the job that I use them for. Period.

I do sound engineering, I do video editing and live video mixing. The best software for these tasks run on Macs and they work well on Macs. I can’t be doing live visuals only to have windows cut in half way through saying you have committed an illegal operation and need to shut down. I have seen that happen first hand and it can destroy shows. So there you go, at the end of the day if you look past all the bullshit arguments between Mac or PC, Macs are better for this situation that I am in, by a long way.

Anyway back to the iPad. It is basically just a massive iPhone lets be honest. Lets be brutally honest here: iPads are cool. They are fun to play with and it is much more exiting to view web pages with. But is it useful? That is what really matters. I wont buy one, because I don’t need one. For me it would essentially be a toy. I can do far more things with the combination of my smart phone and my laptop than I could with an iPad. But if you want to give me one for free, I would love it.

This viral video however tries to prove that iPads can be more than a toy. So how do you make the iPad useful? No, not through modern technology, you need something from the past to help you out. Velcro. The video shows off it’s many uses from using as a digital picture frame to a sat nav for your car hire journeys. I’m still not buying one.

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