AMAZON is Rarely Best Value on Many Items!

In late September I ordered my annual supply of Senseo-machine coffee-pads (not pods) from a German business called Kaffeekapslen. Everything one can see in the image below cost me £81.75 including shipping, postage and packing. The large box of goods was delivered at the beginning of October - since when I have been slowly composing this blog-post.

Image description: 29 packets of coffee-pads; 1 bag of hot-chocolate pads; 2 small bottles of low-calorie coffee-syrups; 1 box coffee-machine filters; and, 2 Senseo cups.

Not all products are available on the UK Amazon website: however, I did find five of the coffees were available there. None of the five cost less: +£O.80; +£2.29; +£4.07; +£5.02; +£5.13 = +£17.31 extra via said wicked# company. I have taken screenshots (below - no image descriptions yet), and took the cheapest version available. Some items were retailing at a helluva lot more.

During the pandemic I have repeatedly gone to Amazon to check out products. Then I have done a Google shopping-search. Not once has the wicked company been the cheapest. Herewith a link to Wikipedia’s article “Criticism of Amazon” (#) - NB it is rather long, but there is a handy-index just under the précis.

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Just yesterday I was searching for an item I wish to remain private to help with some of my maladies. Amazon was not only not the cheapest, it was the most expensive (per Google shopping)!

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Caveat emptor!

(For those outside the UK, that is a commonly-used Latin expression meaning “Buyer beware!”)

Theo's Fish & Chips, Timperley: a Review

My home is actually closer to the Sale branch of Theo's - but neither myself, my housemate nor my neighbours frequent it. We have however used Theo's on Shaftesbury Avenue, Timperley, and have been content with their offering in the past.

[Image description: Google map of the location of my two local Theo's]

Coming from a fish & chip background, I know quite well that virtually no shops now double-cook their chips, and hence the soggy masses most of us put up with. Personally, I tend to go to the Chinese take-away if I want crispy chips. On this occasion, Theo's served up what appeared to be chip off-cuts, soggy and quite wan. They were pretty flavourless - other than the oil oozing all over the plate. I make my own oven chips at home, and know that there are plenty of good quality chipping potatoes available this year, so there really can be no excuse.

The fish had been over floured and the batter was another soggy, dense mass. Batter should be light and crispy. Firstly, the batter had not been sufficiently ærated and secondly the fish had not been cooked at a high enough temperature to make it crisp. The same goes for the chips.

Usually, the mushy peas have been of a good texture, so on this occasion we ordered large pots. Again we were disappointed. The peas swam out of their containers like a thick soup and across the plates.

To add insult to injury, the service was quite curmudgeonly. Whilst there was a steady stream of customers, it could not have been described as busy.

I hate wasting food; but this went in the bin.

Theo's have just lost two loyal if sporadic customers.

No More Austerity Demonstration, 21st June 2014

[Image descriptions: the crowd & the march; via One Honest Man © u/k]

According to The Guardian in an article published at 20.45:

"An estimated 50,000 people in London addressed by speakers, including Russell Brand, after People's Assembly march"

However, details of the number actually on the march are not known and are estimated at tens of thousands, because:

"The Metropolitan police [aka The Met] refused to provide an estimate."

As far as I am aware, of mainstream media (MSM) outlets, Russia Today or RT was the first to broadcast an item on the demonstration at 13.43. The news channel linked the march to recent reports on poverty in the UK:

"The Poverty and Social Exclusion project found that more than 500,000 children are living in families who can’t afford to feed them properly and 5.5 million adults have to go without essential clothing."

Under the title "Russell Brand Calls for 'joyful revolution'" ITV (via ITN) commented at 19.20 as follows:

"Comedian Russell Brand has called on thousands of protesters to be part of a "peaceful, effortless, joyful revolution" that seizes power back from Westminster.

The former Big Brother's Big Mouth presenter, who this year implored readers of the New Statesman magazine to abandon the current political system, told crowds gathered in London's Parliament Square that MPs no longer represented the people.

Speaking in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament at the end of a march marking the one-year anniversary of the People's Assembly being formed, Brand stripped off his T-shirt and replaced it with one carrying the message "Firefighters rescue people not bankers".

An estimated 50,000 people took part in the march, which started at the BBC in Portland Place where protesters accused the broadcaster of ignoring the plight of impoverished Britons."

A little later, at 20.17, The Huffington Post also reported on the protest in central London. They quoted Sam Fairbairn, the national secretary of the People's Assembly:

""Soon we will reach a size and influence where neither the BBC nor this austerity Government will be able to ignore us."

He said the group will aim to hold the biggest protest in British history later this year."

Even the normally right-wing Express newspaper reported on the events and even-handedly at that, saying:

"An estimated 50,000 people took part in the march, which started at the BBC in Portland Place where protesters accused the broadcaster of ignoring the plight of impoverished Britons."

Whilst Google did not provide me with a link, I checked Sky News and they also reported on the demo at 10.09 quoting and character-assassinating Russell Brand:

""This will be a peaceful, effortless, joyful revolution and I'm very grateful to be involved in the People's Assembly."

Around 50,000 people took part in the march and Brand was joined by speakers who also included comedian and commentator Mark Steel, MP Caroline Lucas and journalist Owen Jones."

So, the reader is perhaps wondering where are the link to and quotations from Britain's national broadcaster, paid for by every television-owner via the licence fee, the once balanced BBC. Well, Auntie Beeb apparently did not notice the marchers meeting outside its news-gathering HQ, nor the 50K folk who streamed through London. It is really odd, because I live in Manchester, and find that London and the South-East (London's Hinterland) are usually the idée fixe of the Corporation's reporting.

As on previous occasions when I have criticised the BBC, I tried to ensure that I had not missed anything from its website.

At 22.10 I searched for "austerity march". The Beeb had reported nothing, but did give a link to Russia Today:

At 22.15 I searched for "Russell Brand". Again nothing from the BBC, but links to Russia Today again plus The Guardian and The Huffington Post articles:

I tried a several searches for "London demonstration", but kept getting the following screen (I took screenshots at 22.17. and 22.19):

Finally, at 22.20 I succeeded in obtaining the following search result, which only referenced an article in the London Evening Standard from Friday:

What possible explanation could there be for the BBC failing to cover a huge demonstration about a subject clearly of national interest and, as such, importance? The ONLY possibilities now have to be political interference or political bias. Whichever: the BBC can no longer be considered an unbiased, balanced and fair news outlet.

The BBC has form: it failed to report on "Manchester’s largest protest in modern history" back in October last year when a similar number of demonstrators, including this author, protested outside the Conservative Party Conference.

Should you be unhappy with this situation you might wish to lodge a complaint; but don't raise your hopes, for as reader of this blog know, the BBC will just refuse to even take any notice. However, if like the chap in this video, you really want to have a go - he had his call cut off twice - he gives you the telephone number to ring at the end. Good luck!

For anyone interested in following events of the day, check out the hashtag #NoMoreAusterity on Twitter.

UPDATES

BBC

Some time between ten and eleven on Sunday 22nd June, the BBC finally put up a news report entitled "Thousands attend People's Assembly's first austerity protest". The full text reads:

"The first austerity protest organised by the People's Assembly campaign group has taken place in London.

Organisers say tens of thousands of people met at Portland Place and marched to Parliament Square on Saturday.

The group included politicians and union leaders and was protesting about the impact of cuts around the country."

ESTABLISHMENT

I should also point out that besides the Met refusing to provide an estimate of numbers on the actual march and the BBC failing to adequately nor appropriately report, the Guardian article referenced above also points out that the Prime Minister's spokesperson also refused to make any comment. It really does look like the Establishment closed ranks, doesn't it?

LAMPOON

[Image © Rick Campbell]

Caitiff Computer Companies?

After more than a month, I have finally managed to update my Apple laptop with software that both it and my new Nikon camera can cope with.

[Image description: link icons on my desktop to Apple, Firefox, Safari & ViewNX]

The ramifications are that I can now publish several reviews as well as details of my current sojourn in southern Spain.

Nonetheless, it is a good job I am not totally naïf when it comes to I.T. (whilst not being any kind of expert nor wishing to appear au-fait with technology, as I am not so); for, if I had resolved to merely follow the printed guides, I should have had to capitulate to the computer companies’ (supposed does one think?) intentions and purchase a brand new computer - otherwise why not provide exhaustive guidance, at least on-line? Thankfully I have sufficient nous to find back-entry points to achieve my aims. In this instance, it entailed ignoring the European website for the camera software and sourcing my requirements from the United States. Furthermore, I had to use a search-engine, Google via the Firefox browser, to track down the most appropriate software for browsing purposes, the relevant version of Safari. Funny (though I was certainly not amused at the time!) how my computer software did not simply update with all the required programs, etc. necessary to carry on as normal!

Now why would computer manufacturers not want consumers to find ways to extend the life of the latter’s current machines, I wonder?

Anyhow, over the next week or so, I shall hopefully be publishing several reviews of places visited in the past couple of months; so, one may wish to keep an eye out for one or more of them. %)

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2013 (REVISED)

This is a revised version of the blog I published a week too early due to my dyscognition!

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2013. The theme for this year is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”

This is what the United Nations Enable site has to say:

"It’s time to effectively implement the Outcome Document of the High Level Meeting and to break barriers and open doors: to realize an inclusive society and development for all!

 The commemoration of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity to further raise awareness of disability and accessibility as a cross cutting development issue and further the global efforts to promote accessibility, remove all types of barriers, and to realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all!"

One might have thought that this would be an important and newsworthy event. Well if Google is anything to go by, it looks as if there has not been a single UK main-stream media news story about it in the last twenty-four hours. Though stories have appeared in inter alia Kuwait, Oman, India and New Zealand.

I have also ploughed through my feedly newsfeed for the past twenty-four hours. Not a hoot from the BBC nor ITN.

So maybe one might expect the UK Government's department, the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) [which incidently is run within the notorious DWP] specifically set up to look out for disabled people's interests to cover the day, even if it does not wish to celebrate disabled folk. Well, I first of all checked out their news page - [as at 10.42] it has not been updated since July 2013 - see the screen-shot below.

However, to give the ODI their due, I did find a link on their home-page. It reads:

21st International Day of Disabled People – 3 December 2013Every year the International Day of Disabled People is used to promote an understanding of disabled people and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.The United Nations chooses a different theme for the Day and in 2013 it’s going to be: ‘Break barriers and open doors: to realise an inclusive society for all”.We know that the barriers that disabled people face can take a variety of forms. They might relate to the physical environment or to information and communications technology (ICT) which are not accessible. They could result from legislation or policy. Or they might be the result of attitudes in society, or discrimination.The International Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of disabled people and their contribution to society. This year’s theme offers the opportunity to highlight barriers, and how they have been successfully challenged and overcome. This year on 3 December, ODI will be publishing the second edition of Aspire 2, the online magazine which aims to inspire young disabled people to get involved with disability issues. The magazine’s theme will be Attitudes and it will include articles by the Minister of State for Disabled People, Mike Penning;  Channel 4 presenter Alex Brooker; and Paralympian Louise Hunt.Find more information about the International Day including how the United Nations encourages it to be commemorated, and the themes adopted in previous years.We are encouraging disabled people and their organisations to celebrate the Day. We want to help share information about what is going on, and think how we can collectively make an even bigger splash next year.So if you are planning an event, you can let us know by emailing ODI at:fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.ukPlease head your email: International Day of Disabled People.

Interestingly, despite the glib spin, the ODI does not acknowledge its part nor it's parent department's huge influence in actually creating barriers to independent living. Nor do they confess to starving the disabled of funds to pay for the essentials of quotidian life: vital food, heating, medications, transport, education and jobs, due to the incompetence, negligence and in some cases deliberate actions inspired by their harmful ideological policies.

In the UK two hashtags are being used on Twitter. As far as I can tell the main ones are #IDPD and #IDPwD, but some are using #IDPD2013. The latter has a more international flavour.

I have been connected with the WoW Campaign for more than a year now. We are fighting for rights and in many cases the right to live. The WoWpetition has just nine days before it expires. It has already garned the 100,000 signatures needed to ensure the petition is considered for debate in the House of Commons (the elected part of the UK Parliament).

If you are a UK citizen resident at home or abroad, you are entitled to add your electronic monicker here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43154

Signing the petition might lead to governmental barriers to independent living being removed. Thanks. %)

WoWPetition's 100K

Some time shortly after eight this evening WoWPetition reached and breached the 100,000 signatures needed for consideration of a debate in Parliament. It attained the target not with a trickle but with a flood with some five hundred signatures in that hour.

This means that WoWpetition is one of two current epetitions that has exceeded the 100K required to trigger a debate.

However, WoWPetition is the number one (#1) epetition effecting the notorious Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). It is only the third ever petition relating to this noxious department of government ever to attain the necessary 100,000 signatories.

As far as I know, thus far - at the time of publishing according to Google - only the Mirror has covered WoWPetition's success.

WoWPetition does not close until 12th December at 12.12. One still has an opportunity to add one's monicker and metaphorically stand in solidarity with disabled &/or chronically sick folk. To those of you who already have signed, my and my fellow WoWriers' gratitude. %)

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2013

Edited at 14.00: Note I suffer from dyscognition and memory problems; I am a week ahead of myself; no wonder there's no news!!!!

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2013. The theme for this year is “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”

This is what the United Nations Enable site has to say:

"It’s time to effectively implement the Outcome Document of the High Level Meeting and to break barriers and open doors: to realize an inclusive society and development for all!

 The commemoration of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity to further raise awareness of disability and accessibility as a cross cutting development issue and further the global efforts to promote accessibility, remove all types of barriers, and to realize the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in society and shape the future of development for all!"

One might have thought that this would be an important and newsworthy event. Well if Google is anything to go by, it looks as if there has not been a single UK news story about it in the last twenty-four hours (see the screen-shot below for confirmation).

So maybe one might expect the UK Government's department, the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) [which incidently is run within the notorious DWP] specifically set up to look out for disabled people's interests to cover the day, even if it does not wish to celebrate disabled folk. Well, I first of all checked out their news page - it has not been updated since July 2013 - see the screen-shot below.

However, to give the ODI their due, I did find a link on their home-page. It reads:

21st International Day of Disabled People – 3 December 2013Every year the International Day of Disabled People is used to promote an understanding of disabled people and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.The United Nations chooses a different theme for the Day and in 2013 it’s going to be: ‘Break barriers and open doors: to realise an inclusive society for all”.We know that the barriers that disabled people face can take a variety of forms. They might relate to the physical environment or to information and communications technology (ICT) which are not accessible. They could result from legislation or policy. Or they might be the result of attitudes in society, or discrimination.The International Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of disabled people and their contribution to society. This year’s theme offers the opportunity to highlight barriers, and how they have been successfully challenged and overcome. This year on 3 December, ODI will be publishing the second edition of Aspire 2, the online magazine which aims to inspire young disabled people to get involved with disability issues. The magazine’s theme will be Attitudes and it will include articles by the Minister of State for Disabled People, Mike Penning;  Channel 4 presenter Alex Brooker; and Paralympian Louise Hunt.Find more information about the International Day including how the United Nations encourages it to be commemorated, and the themes adopted in previous years.We are encouraging disabled people and their organisations to celebrate the Day. We want to help share information about what is going on, and think how we can collectively make an even bigger splash next year.So if you are planning an event, you can let us know by emailing ODI at:fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.ukPlease head your email: International Day of Disabled People.

Interestingly, despite the glib spin, the ODI does not acknowledge its part nor it's parent department's huge influence in actually creating barriers to independent living. Nor do they confess to starving the disabled of funds to pay for the essentials of quotidian life: vital food, heating, medications, transport, education and jobs, due to the incompetence, negligence and in some cases deliberate actions inspired by their harmful ideological policies.

I have been connected with the WoW Campaign for more than a year now. The WoWpetition has just nine days left to garner the remaining 6,000 or so signatures needed to attain the 100K that will ensure the petition is considered for debate in the House of Commons (the elected part of the UK Parliament).

If you are a UK citizen resident at home or abroad, you are entitled to add your electronic monicker here:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/43154

Signing the petition might lead to governmental barriers to independent living being removed. Thanks. %)