Thursday, 17 January 2013

Learning Wordpress

Why Wordpress?

First, I aim to improve this web site by making it more interesting - there is a distinct downside in all theposting being made chronologically - there are some great stories, pictures and videos that are buried and difficult to find. For this reason I'm going to change to Wordpress.

It's a source of software that will enable you to design very good web sites because it uses the world resources of free software brought together by a voluntary organisation with a web site called wordpress.org
This is very different to wordpress.com which is a commercial site that never-the-less offers free blogging facilities in the similar way that Google offers the blogspot.com facilities that I'm using now.

At the moment people are making money by :
1. Using it to design web sites
2. Teaching others how to use Wordpress sometimes at extraordinary prices .

However it doesn't have to cost more than £100 for a very good one day course which is what I paid for the course run by Pootlepress in Manchester this last Monday. Jamie did an excellent job of presenting his course tp ten of us. There's a lot to learn and for me with my old brain it was hard work but this course sets you up to teach yourself - you're given a web site to experiment - Here's mine 

Here's the Pootlepress training course details at the moment there are three places left in Manchester on Feb 8th  jump in if you're interested with hard work you could build a successful career - it will have to be done by personal contact and you'll have some stiff competition. Great if you like a challenge.

Recognition for an impressive young woman

Hannah Bell has been singled out by the Guardian to write about for her business enterprise.

She set up Lakes Legal to provide legal services for low, fixed rate fees.

I was immediately impressed with Hannah. She joined us in the male preserve of the Pool Room and started playing chess even though she was a beginner. There have been other women showing what they can do - playing pool for their pub team, for instance. The days when women feel the need to be pretty sit up dollies are changing, thank god. Now we're seeing people who can take the lime light  and perform with the slightest bit of kerfuffle : people who can show us to live as caring humans without making a thing about it. They just 'stand up' and have the balls to do it as though it comes naturally - and for them - it does.

Make contact with Hannah though her web site

Monday, 7 January 2013

Saturday, 5 January 2013

What an amazing project

The Landfill Orchestra
Children play classical music with instruments that are literally made out of trash they recover from a rubbish tip in Paraguay

I was deeply moved when listened to a teenager playing Bach on a tin can cello.

Saturday, 29 December 2012

Lovely to see people on Christmas Day at Ford Park

It was great to see dogs and a their people at the Christmas Dog get together  which has taken place every year now for four , or is it five years. We look forward to see you all next year, together with those that missed the dog chase around - same time. (10:00) same place.

Friday, 28 December 2012

The struggle up Hoad

Having Hoad to walk up on the edge of the town is a great opportunity.

It's a challenge that appeals to so many of us.

There are many that make it part of their daily routine. There are three main ways up with many variations. If it's windy, you can choose the route with the wind behind you going up. When you get to the top, there's the game of trying to push your way round against the full blast and see how far you can lean over and lie on the wind. Coming down you can buffet your way against gravity and take on the challenge of keeping your balance to the bottom.

There are usually two excellent places for coffee before entering into the mainstream of the town.

Today I met a young family struggling up against a wind with a touch of moisture in the air. Two plucky under fives led the way - a sight for sore eyes. These were going to be our leaders of the future. The challenge was one to be savoured and the views as they developed, enjoyed. No bribery to get to the top needed. Their parents reported there was never any suggestion of turning back with these two. This reminded of me of a young three year old that we have the privilege of accompanying, one morning a week. When at the bottom, asked which way up? She pointed straight up ; and off she went at pace leaving us to follow. Later on in the walk she was faced with mud, mud and more mud through a wood, she followed when other adults in the party turned back. She became apprehensive but still stuck to the task in hand. Only when we had navigated the muddy paths did she demand a halt and a sit down beside the road. This was the regime for the next half mile until she happily accepted a well deserved ride on old shoulders willingly offered.

Isn't great to witness the spirit some parents have instilled in their children. They are going to need it in their life ahead - wimps - stand aside.

Sunday, 23 December 2012