Will Facebook Users Have to Change their Names ?
Will Facebook users one day be forced to change their names in order to avoid their online indiscretions ?
Well, that’s just one idea in this weeks Hot or Not list
A few things that caught my eye, and I thought worthy of minor note but not a full article, over the last few days
The Pill
Medical research shows the Contraceptive Pill improves memory.
Good news, let’s hope girls don’t forget to take them !
Digging for Britain
A TV programme on archaeology to watch - unbelievable - I enjoyed it too
Crashing for Cash
Having a deliberate car accident in order to claim compensation is on the rise (I never knew it was even happening)
Estimate: some 30,000 cases a year - adds £44 to the average insurance premium !
The honest amongst us once again penalised
Interest Rates
Some experts predict a steep rise in the next two years . . . good !
I’ve been very magnanimous, I think, despite low rates being bad for me personally I’ve been in favour of them as it gives people with mortgages and loans etc a break.
I’ve now decided to abandon this tact and pursue self-interest more - let’s have them as high as they can go 
Bebo
Facebook Indiscretion
One of Cyberspaces most influential people, Google’s Eric Schmidt, has predicted a lot of young people will one day be forced to change their names in order to get a decent job . . . why ?
To escape the things they’ve put on Facebook and other social networking sites - wise words - a lot of things will come back to haunt some people
Yasmina Siadatan
Described as a ‘Career Woman Role Model’ and an ‘Alpha Female’ she struck a blow for women in the workplace by beating men in something called The Apprentice and was rewarded with a high-flying career and job. Weeks after starting she is said to have begun an affair with a colleague, she’s now pregnant and due to go on ‘Maternity Leave’ shortly.
Didn’t even make it half way through the first year - must make some women weep with despair and set-in-their-ways men laugh and say told you so !
My Camera Bag
I have a special camera rucksack so I can cart all my gear about when I go on days out and trips etc - sometimes walk for 6 hours with it.
Now weighing in at 2.5 stone 
Do you really need all that to take a picture ?
The End of Summer
It really does fell like it’s the end, such as it was, of summer 
Nightmares
I woke up the other morning completely lost and convinced I had to be at work but couldn’t remember whether it was a day shift or a night shift !
It was a bit like one of those Vietnam Style Flashbacks so beloved of third rate movie directors
I went for composition as opposed to close up - I’m getting ever poncier !
A comments, opinions and alternative ideas or examples warmly welcomed
Pseudonymiously yours
Rod
History Hunter said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
Car Insurance premiums….tell me about it!!!
Just renewed my insurance this week. Last year i paid £304 and was seriously happy that it would obviously drop below £300 this year. Imagine my horror when my Insurance Brokers quoted me £489!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the nicest possible manner i told them to ensconce it in their intramural penetralia.
The insurance company that i had used for the last 4 years had decided to stop insuring anybody living in the DN postcode area, because of the number of claims.
Having looked around, and even had a look on certain comparison websites, the best i got was £289 but that never had the additional requirements that i need for my circumstances.
I managed to get one for £396 eventually, but that is nearly 33% increase! Scandalous is all i can say.
Why dont insurance companies have a ‘no-claims’ type yearly payment that would insure your payments do not rise year on year? Ooooh I may be on to something there. Dragon’s Den here i come!
stan said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Well it was a good rant anyway Rod.
Stan
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
HH,
are you driving a Ferrari
Mine’s only about £200
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
Stan,
it’s therapeutic !
I could probably do one of these articles everyday - everything seems to be making me shake my head in disbelief nowadays.
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 23, 2010 @ 8:07 pm
Rod,
“let’s have them as high as they can go Hear hear!
“Crashing for Cash” It should bring premiums down now, as, because everyone is now more aware of the scam, they won’t trust any vehicle in front of them so keep them more distant, therefore less ‘accidents’, also less real accidents due to driving too close! Less collisions should mean less genuine claims which should mean lower premiums…..
Won’t happen of course as greedy insurance providers don’t do such things as lower their premiums do they?
“It really does fell like it’s the end, such as it was, of summer” Its the government…..they’ve put the clock forward…..by three months!
Finally, I love the hoverfly’s smoketrail!
Regards,
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 23, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
You’d think i was driving a Ferrari wouldnt you. Mind you i have only had a car for the last 9 years so prices have steadily been coming down nicely.
Incidentally Rod, are you the original Mr Angry who used to be on the Steve Wright in the Afternoon show?
Mick Deakin said,
August 23, 2010 @ 10:17 pm
My blood boils when I hear accounts such as the one from HH.
Insurance on the up, fuel, food,gas, electricity,taxes. The companies involved all give us their ‘off the shelf’ excuses to justify the increases THEN announce record quarterly,half yearly,annual profits.
I’m bloody well sick of the whole set-up and as I type, will have to control my rising blood pressure, lest I trigger the onset of spontaneous combustion.
Its obscene and I wish governments would legislate against this free for all charge anything they like attitude. The utility companies have got us by the short and curlies - although I for one have made my stance and had my whole heating system fine tuned for economy. I’m also in the second year of the wood burning stove installation. ( I get all my wood free from where I work) The whole lot is saving us a fortune in utility bills.
I despise with a vengeance, the people who KEEP ON knocking on our door to try and get us to change supplier. British Gas have tried twice in the past two months. Initially, I spoke myself to the short podgy red faced guy who called and I POLITELY told him what my stance was. The cheeky little so and so called again early one afternoon when I was at home on holiday. The wife answered the door and I heard him say who he was representing. I shot up out of the armchair and pushed past my wife to see it was the same guy who spoke to me a month or so earlier.
I vented my wrath on the guy and told him I would not go over to BG even if they gave it to me for free !
The cold calling telephone people are the worst as I cannot physically face them to vent my spleen. The alternative tactic I employ (which fills me with glee) is to make out I’m really interested, then lay the phone next to the television.
There are many many other tales I can recall, but shall refrain.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION
chris keyworth said,
August 23, 2010 @ 11:08 pm
Guys Guys Guys LOL there only doing a job, they have sales tagets to reach and get paid on commision so you have to understand there peristance….
regards
chris
hehehehe lol rofl…
History Hunter said,
August 24, 2010 @ 4:19 am
In that case then Mick you need help. If you take a look at the following website there maybe something that will aid you in your quest to rid your life of those stuffy little oiks.
h**p://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Should someone phone you with a cold call, trying to sell you something, or make you an offer you cant refuse……just tell them you are on the Telephone Preference Service and for them to stop calling with immediate effect. If, perchance, they continue to call, you can report the company and they will be made to remove your details.
This service is also available for mailshots, faxes and text messages.
Since we signed up, we get virtually nil. However it doesnt stop people knocking on your door, but either a hungry Rotty or an irate spouse meeting them at the door normally does the trick!!!
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 8:09 am
Neville,
if it wasn’t for the Scots we’d be doing some clock moving in the other direction - it would be marvellous for us but dark there around lunch time - seems like a price worth paying
Best
Rod
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 8:11 am
HH,
why not but a plane or helicopter and fly to work
As to Mr Angry - I remember that. Do you remember the strip cartoon of The Angriest Dog in the World
It was so angry it couldn’t move and could only think - the thought bubbles were superb !
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Mick,
now that’s what Im talking about - release those combustible gasses !
There’s no doubt we’re getting shafted left, right and centre - an alternative lifestyle is the only answer - even then there’s things that cannot be avoided.
Cost me well over £400 in gas last winter to keep warm for 3 months.
A friend of mine had one of those salesmen forge his signature and change his ga supplier over without his consent.
The whole thing was a protracted nightmare to sort out !
I’m with you on the revolution comrade it’s why I bought my hat
Best
Rod
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 9:18 am
Check out the last picture in the flashfader, header top right. . .
The Angriest Dog in the World:
The dog who is so angry he cannot move. He cannot eat. He cannot sleep. He can just barely growl. Bound so tightly with tension and anger, he approaches the state of rigor mortis.
Love it !
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 24, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Rod,
At the risk of giving the dog a stroke I’d like to say that I’ve just enjoyed listening to a Radio 4 programme about the Humber Bridge.
Lots of controversial issues I know but lovely to imagine I was back in the Home County, especially listening to a couple of interviewees, natives of New Holland and South Ferriby. Well done Radio 4, especially as there was hardly a hint of a Hull accent to be heard. If anyone wants to listen to it I’m sure it is available on the web. Politics aside, it was very interesting and for me, tinged with poignancy.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
Neville,
I’m personally in favour of blowing the Humber Bridge up as it only encourages Northerners to come down here to the south
tinged with poignancy.
That’s because you know where should be Neville !
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 24, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
King Rod,
I have a plea Sire. I feel that there is a need some diplomacy here as I have heard it said that ‘no man is an island unto himself’ and equally, nor is a kingdom. I feel that, as an exile, I have had plenty of experience in diplomacy and would request that your Majesty might invest in me plenipotentiary powers when beyond the Blessed County.
I have ulterior motives I must admit, in that to achieve a certain project related recently in a communiqué to your Grace I need to have flexible boundaries within which to manoeuvre. Pardon the non-AngloSaxon expressions aquired in foreign parts, these only demonstrate my qualification for the proposed role.
Grovellingly yours,
Neville Ion CD (hopefully!)
History Hunter said,
August 24, 2010 @ 2:25 pm
Neville Ion CD? Cross dresser? Is there something you are keeping from us Mr Ion? Or should that be Ms Ion (at the weekend)
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Neville,
you’re an Honorary Lincolnshire Man - there’s no question of that.
I also seem to recall you were awarded special status/a position when the Kingdom of Wybers Wood was first touted.
Arise Sir Neville
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 24, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
Mr. HaHa,
You might be surprised at some of the things I’ve done from time to time! Cross-dressing, gtts; more drag I suppose, and on stage at that, complete with moustache. More of a Dame you might say.
Corps Diplomatique, but one wouldn’t expect a flighty serf to know that would one?
By appointment,
Sir Neville Ion CD
Mick Deakin said,
August 24, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
Great piece of info HH - just completed and activated my registration.
Rod, I just love that Russian Hat. Do you wear it at all?
I bought a bush hat in South Africa six years ago. Its been everywhere with me. I wear it, particularly when its sunny, but also when its chucking down with rain. I also wear it when I’m gardening and its been soaked in blood, sweat, rain, pond water, grass juice, two stroke oil …just to name a few
I will not allow my missus to wash it. To do so would be analogous to Delilah cutting off Samsons hair !
Rod said,
August 25, 2010 @ 7:53 am
Mick,
do I wear it ? I certainly do
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/what-should-i-do-in-2010
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/celebrity-big-brother-sucks
Your wise not to allow any female interference with your hat - no good would come of it
Best
Rod
Cid said,
August 27, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Neville,
I patiently waited for your cooking article…. anything with cooking attached to it grabs my attention. Learned something new about the crazing effect after the immersion in water, very interesting. Perhaps they always used the same boiling flints and kept them clean for this purpose?
My early Lincolnshire ancestor invented the flint burger press you know…. two large hot flints (etched to produce the grilled look) hinged with an antler, marvelous bit of kit…… she knew it had potential but was years ahead of the sliced loaf and George Foreman
Cid
p.s. looking forward to old skinflints and a stitch in time. I love the Inuit skill when it comes to sewing reindeer skin boots, watching them work is like a snapshot of ancient times. Am I alone in wanting a shoe wardrobe to extend from Inuit boot to Manolo stiletto?
Amiguru said,
August 27, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Cid,
“Learned something new about the crazing effect after the immersion in water” Naturally this only affects silica based things - when I dip myself in water, I don’t go crazed, (though some might say I’m potty), I go wrinkly instead
I don’t think they would use the same flints twice as fresh ones would be rather clean after being in the fire
and anyway, ‘a pound of dirt in your lifetime…..’
I love the ‘burger-press’ thingie, do you still hold the patent? I wouldn’t mind going into business if your game - I have a marvellous ‘barb’ie sauce that would go down well with the flintburgers - don’t tell anyone else but the recipe is a scoop of mamoth marrowbone jelly, three hairs of a wildboar ground exceeding fine, all brought together with a pinch of powdered flint and stirred with a sabretooth, just to give it ‘bite’
I shall do the next episode as soon as I have time; its that silly ‘Bank Holiday’ thing isn’t it, when everyone charges to the ‘relies’ for a free meal. Don’t get me wrong, love to see my daughter and son-in-law but it doesn’t auger well for churning out prose. “I love the Inuit skill” - How did you read my mind Cid? - you’ll see what I mean when I do it!
Regards,
Neville