Blog nightmares

It's been quite a while since I posted here. I've been having a total nightmare with Blogger. I've been able to log in, but when I've been trying to create new posts, my browser's been freezing. It's happened with both Internet Explorer and Firefox. It seems to be something to do with the Zemanta plug-in. Haven't yet worked out how to disable it, so I've had to download the Safari browser, just to be able to create new blog posts. Hopefully, Safari will continue to work for me, until I can fix the other browsers.

Siani goes a-hunting?

I might be off to the Skirrid Mountain Inn soon. I called the pub today, and dogs are allowed in one of the bars, so Jake and I may well be heading off there, either tomorrow, or next week. It all depends on the weather, and how I feel on the day. Hopefully, it'll be tomorrow. I can catch the weekly bus from Swansea to Abergavenny Market, and then switch to a local bus. Don't know how Jake will feel about being stuck on a bus for an hour and a half on the way to Abergavenny. He's travelled around Gower on the bus without any problems. I'll take some clean-up stuff in case he gets travel-sick. I'll let you know how it goes - if I ever get there!

Long time, no post

Seems like a lifetime ago since I last posted to this blog. Truth is, I've not had anything interesting to say, I've been nowhere worth writing about, and I thought it best to take a break.

There are a few changes in the offing. The elderly lady who lived in the flat downstairs, has moved out. So I'll be getting a new neighbour soon. I just hope Coastal Housing put someone decent in. I'm especially wary, because at previous addresses, they've housed me in the same blocks as drug addicts, alcoholics, armed robbers, perverts, mail thieves, wife beaters and a mad woman who tried to suffocate her baby.


My ideal neighbour would be someone who didn't make excessive noise, especially at night, didn't have a drink or drug problem, respected my space and privacy, wouldn't steal my mail, and wouldn't interfere with me in any way. Is that asking for too much?

I also hope that whoever moves in downstairs understands that I have a right to have visitors, have to walk up and down my stairs, open and close my flat door, and cannot possibly get to my bathroom without walking the length of the flat. Unfortunately, the previous neighbour was very sensitive to the slightest sound emitted from my flat, and took to shrieking abuse at myself and my visitors.

It seems it's all change here at Blogger, too, with a few new features since I last posted. I'm not sure if they're available in the regular Blogger - I use Blogger in Draft, where new features are tested before they become standard parts of Blogger. The post editor has changed, too - thankfully. It's a much more straightforward interface now. The only niggle I have, is that there no longer seems to be a spell checker - unless I'm missing something.

Anyway, that's enough from me. Hope to be back again soon.

University Clearing 2009 (UCAS)

After months of nail-biting, the 'A' level results are finally out. How did you do? Perhaps you just missed getting the grades for your chosen university? Or maybe you didn't apply, thinking you wouldn't get good enough grades for university, and then exceeded your expectations. Don't worry, there's still a chance you can go to university this year, via UCAS Clearing.

Specifically, there are a number places available via the University of Bedfordshire's Clearing 2009. It's quick and painless to apply. Why not give their Clearing Hotline number a call on 0800 013 0925? You could be on your way to university sooner than you think. If phone calls aren't your cup of tea, check out what's on offer via the Internet:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/clearing?source=ppp09

Clearing vacancies are up for grabs from August 20th 2009, until the end of September. But the sooner you check out what's on offer, the better chance you have of securing the perfect course for you. Good luck!

Web hosting

I'm still toying with the idea of starting my own paranormal podcast. I mentioned it here a few months ago. The main thing that has stopped me getting it off the ground so far, is cost. Regular podcasts take up a lot of web space. Also, many listeners like to listen online, so that means using streaming audio, which uses up costly bandwidth.

To be honest, I'm a little lazy when it comes to things like searching for a web host. There are so many of them, each offering different packages and different services, and by the time I've visited a few sites, my head starts to spin.

Luckily, I recently came across Web Hosting Geeks, an excellent site which takes all the pain out of hunting around for good, reliable web site hosting. The site is very easy to navigate, and offers extensive information and reviews about all aspects of web hosting. It sorts the online wheat from the chaff for you.

Web Hosting Geeks will not only recommend the Top Ten general web hosts for you, but also offers Top Ten lists of web hosts according to an extensive range of specialized criteria. Looking for the best Unix hosting? Or the best forum hosting? Perhaps you're looking for top notch e-commerce hosting? Web Hosting Geeks offers guides to all these categories and many more.

Web Hosting Geeks also have an archive of independent customer reviews, where you can read about users' experiences, before selecting a host. So, if you're looking for a web host, especially if, like me, you're seeking specific criteria from a host, visit Web Hosting Geeks.

I'm on the radio today

Sorry for the short notice on this. I posted an announcement on Facebook, but forgot all about my poor old blog. My friend, Alison Lenihan, has invited me on her radio show this afternoon, to talk about UFOs and other paranormal topics. If you're in the Penllergaer, Pontarddulais, Gorseinon, Pontlliw and Gowerton areas, you'll be able to listen live, on 106.5 FM, between 2-4 PM. No worries if you're not living locally. You can also listen online. I don't think there will be a downloadable versinn of the show, though. Hope you can tune in, and once again, sorry for the short notice.

Some new Jake pics

It's been a while since I posted any pics of young Jake. Don't be fooled by the innocent face - he's been up to all sorts of naughtiness lately. I've stopped using his harness, because he's worked out how to escape from it. I've always fixed it as tight as it can go, without hurting or hampering him, but he's perfected the art of backing out of it and running away at breakneck speed. He also managed to get out of his collar a couple of times, so I changed it for a less flexible one.

Who would believe this innocent little face could front such a devious little mind? He's also taken to laying on dramatic performances, to try to manipulate me into giving him his own way. Alas for Jake, I'm wise to him! Although I find it hard sometimes, not to give in to him, I just keep telling myself it's for his own good, and mine, that I remain pack leader, and he remains a follower. Yes, I watch the Dog Whisperer - how did you guess? I reckon even Cesar Millan would be hard pressed to resist this little fellow's charms.

Here he is with his favourite squeaky toy. Yes, that is mischief you can see glinting in his eyes. His favourite game is to demand I throw the ball for him, but as I go to pick it up, he grabs it, runs off to the kitchen, and hides under the table with it. As soon as I return to the living room, so does he, for a repeat performance, until he finally decides to let me throw it.


I'm currently working on the 'leave it' command with him, and he's getting on well with that. The next bit of his training will involve getting him to drop his ball - it's the only thing he won't leave when told.

Oh well, the kettle's a-whistlin', so I'm off to make coffee. Sorry I've nothing very exciting to report.