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If you don't, you will in a minute. There are some really good websites around but just occasionally a truly great one comes along - and it has little to do with technology and everything to do with message, understanding and meaning. This is one of those. Just 50 years ago the world had a problem. It was huge. Now, to most decent human beings, it is a deeply uncomfortable concept that should never had played a part in the history of our world... Updated 26/05/2009 |
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Where does the time go? It only seems five minutes ago that the World Wide Web came into being and now it is apparently old enough to warrant nostalgic yearnings for ye olde sites of yesteryear. It was 1991 when Tim Berners Lee, the inventor of web, first made the technology available to the public. It was just a little while later that the UK started joining in the party... it might be interesting to take a look back... Updated 19/05/2009 |
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Breaking up a relationship is never easy. If you are the potential breaker, there are a hundred different ways to do the dirty deed. Most of these tried and tested methods are well documented in the many agony aunt columns and relationship guide books, not to mention the innumerable poems, movies and love songs devoted to the troubled hearts of the world. Updated 12/05/2009 |
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We've all heard how 'brain-training' can get your grey-matter going but there's a little thing called knowledge that's pretty useful too. And once you have a little knowledge, a little intelligence doesn't go amiss either but first things first, Luminosity.com helps with the brain training and this nifty little widget will help with the knowledge... Updated 05/05/2009 |
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I am not sure how long ago the bartering system was replaced by the money system but I have heard many people speculating about its return. And its seems they could be right. If you are looking to learn a new language and are in a position to repair someone's leaky pipes, this is the site for you. Although, somewhat worryingly, I have seen someone looking for a doctor in exchange for web design skills... Updated 17/03/2009 |
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It's that day again. Determined smokers smoke more. Determined quitters get their best opportunity to give it up once and for all. The 'No Smoking Day' site is a little boring but the NHS's support site has a few surprises in store with the 'Quit Tools' being a highlight... Updated 09/03/2009 |
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Stephen Fry does it. Phillip Schofield does it. Barack Obama did it and even Gordon Brown has started to do it. Twittering is now, apparently, well established as the latest craze to sweep the nation and despite a fair amount of scepticism from large numbers within the online community, its popularity shows no signs of abating. Updated 24/02/2009 |
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Surely the clearest indication that you need to change your life is when you put it up for sale and nobody wants to buy it. Can you imagine advertising your life to the world; your house, your job, your jet-ski and even your friends and the whole world says no thanks. That would be a crushing blow, wouldn't it? Not for this chap... Updated 10/02/2009 |
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In order to benefit from the content of this week's site, you are asked to prove you are not a moron by answering three questions as part of the registration process. Somewhat controversially, I am in! Now I can view all news sites without ever stumbling across a mention of the recession, I know how to solve the problem of making teachers accountable for bad teaching and I can fall in love... Updated 3/02/2009 |
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Some people always know what to say and when to say it. You can put them in any situation, at any time, and they will deliver a witty one-liner destined to be greeted by raucous laughter. Or, when the occasion demands, they will offer a profound observation delivered in a casual but effective manner, seemingly off-the-cuff, to be greeted with universal approval and a little awe for good measure. Updated 27/01/2009 |
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This coming Monday I am adopting the Chinese nationality for just one day. I am going to observe all their traditions for those 24 hours and I hope you will join me. I have good reason for inviting you along but my motives are not what could be described as honourable. Apparently one of the long-held traditions associated with the Chinese New year is for married couples to give unmarried adults money. I am unmarried and I have many married friends. It's an ingenious idea in these economically challenging times, no? Updated 19/01/2009 |
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Your challenge this week is to write down just six words. It may not seem much of a challenge considering that the Oxford English Dictionary lists over 171,000 words, all in current use, and another 45,000 obsolete ones but there's one important condition. The six words you choose have to constitute a short story. Ernest Hemingway did it so I am sure you can... Updated 13/01/2009 |
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It's time to lighten up. It is more important than ever to count your blessings as the daily news bulletins continually deliver depression, angst and concern. Of course, it's important to contribute to the world in a positive way but you can't do that if you're enveloped in a cloud of doom. Humour has long been the saving grace of our nation and it seems that the year ahead will dictate that now is the time to bring this to the fore... Updated 06/01/2009 |
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What do you want for Christmas this year? Whiter teeth? Clearer skin? Bigger eyes? Smaller nose? Maybe you lust after a bigger bum, smaller waist or longer legs. Whatever your wish, it can come true. At least it can in the digital world... Updated 09/12/2008 |
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Apparently, a quarter of children associate junk food with life expectancy. That means that 25% of all 8-15 year olds know that if they eat too many mcburgers, they will die sooner than if they chose a healthier option. This figure is being bandied around as a negative statement, i.e. three-quarters of them are blissfully unaware that not only is 'a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips', but that lifetime is getting shorter by the mouthful. I wouldn't have known this at that age, would you? Updated 02/12/2008 |
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This is an odd little site but definitely worth checking out - if only for the poem that took me there. I know that poetry is not everyone's cup of tea but if you are only ever going to read one poem in your life make it If by Rudyard Kipling. And if you can manage two, make it this one. Updated 18/11/2008 |
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Some of you will remember Jacques Cousteau's popular television series in the seventies. Many of you won't but it matters not. This week sees the return of the Cousteau dynasty to our screens, this time in the form of Jacques' grandson, Philippe Jnr, in the new BBC2 series, Oceans. It is important to point out that not only does this programme look fascinating, it will educate us to how the oceans affect our daily lives, it will remind us how we can help our planet but most importantly it will show us that Philippe Cousteau is hot! Updated 11/11/2008 |
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Apparently, if you would like to meet a witch, you just have to put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night. Although, for some, this is normal Friday night behaviour, this particular Friday may bring about unforeseen consequences with or without the aid of alcohol. To increase your chances of meeting up with an old crone or even the ghost of a poor soul, this is the place to go... Updated 28/10/2008 |
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In Cornwall, I would probably be a grockle having a oggy whilst a few years ago, in Lancashire, I would have been a chitty probably having a butty! And if my chips did not come with a wolly in London I would have had a benny in Lancashire! Updated 21/10/2008 |
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There are few subjects than draw more opinion than who should be in the line-up as part of Britain's finest football team. Would you include Billy Bremner or Robert Crompton. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography does. But it doesn't stop there, this resource is described as 'The greatest reference work on earth' by the Daily Telegraph and it certainly lives up to its reputation... Updated 14/10/2008 |
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Off the top of your head, how many books could you name? Let's assume you have one minute. Give it your best shot. And no cheating. I would guess that most people would stumble at around their fifteenth classic or Dan Brown novel. Anymore is just showing off. Any less than 10 is simply disgraceful; you should hold your head in shame or, even better, in the pages of a good book... Updated 06/10/2008 |
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Picture the scene. It's Christmas Eve. It's 3.30pm. You still haven't bought all your Christmas presents. Panic sets in. You dash around the Henley shops looking for inspiration. All you get is perspiration. The following day you deliver a weak apology as you hand over the box of chocolates you managed to grab just before you were kicked out of the shop. Well, no more... Updated 30/09/2008 |
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Did you know that around 40% of lots purchased at charity auctions go unredeemed? It seems that the rich and famous go along to enjoy the wine, the a la carte menu and the buzz of bidding but fail to claim the fruits of their donation. Updated 23/09/2008 |
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Fact: There is never a wrong time to save money. Unfortunately, many of us don't get round to thinking about it until times are hard. In case you haven't heard, times are hard. Even if you have managed to avoid the news headlines, the debate and the predictions of economic catastrophe, the rising costs of domestic bills, shopping bills, and travel will have alerted you to the fact that we are in a spot of trouble. I am definitely not the one to advise you in this area (my mother will vouch for me) but luckily (for us all) I have found the information we need... Updated 16/09/2008 |
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For the attention of all parents... Ah, the teenage years. Do you remember yours? The drugs. The sex. The drink. The stealing. The pregnancies. The self-harming. The diseases. No? You mean you didn't wake up every morning wondering just how you maximise the probability of giving your parents a nervous breakdown? Well, apparently, these days, your children will do and if you are the parent of one of these little cherubs, this site is for you. Not them. You. Updated 09/09/2008 |
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Operationimmortality.com openly accepts that not just individuals are mortal but the demise of humanity itself is a foregone conclusion. It's just a question of when and how, not if. But, instead of accepting the fact and simply pondering over the possible causes - errant asteroids, genetic science and bio-terrorism - this site offers you the chance of achieving immortality. Sort of... Updated 02/09/2008 |
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There are some questions that you just don't ask. You can enquire as to someone's health and wellbeing, their work, their mood, their family, their pets and, with a few carefully chosen words, you can even ask about their weight but you cannot ask about their salary. Any questions aimed at extracting this confidential information are perceived as impertinent or intrusive and would probably be met with an uncomfortable silence or, worse, an indignant departure. But, don't worry, now you may not need to ask... Updated 26/08/2008 |
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Each time there is a UK poll asking people for their favourite Olympic moment, it is the coxless four that triumph and not many would argue that Sir Steve Redgrave, in particular, earned his place after winning his 5th Gold in Sydney 2000. But there is another side to the Olympics that brings out the hero that we like to think resides in each of us and love to witness in others... Updated 19/08/2008 |
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With the arrival of each online service there are as many detractors as there are supporters; for every positive angle, there is a negative. Google Earth was feared as a gift to burglars who could suddenly view the layout of a property. The Street View debate is still going on as many discuss whether or not this will also be an unwitting aid to criminals planning their next strike. Now we have beatcrime.info... will this one serve good or evil. What do you think? Updated 12/08/2008 |
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A little while ago, The Times Online published their top 20 film endings of all time. I didn't agree with the top spot but the article resulted in a huge response with hundreds proffering their views via the 'leave a comment' feature. Now they have published the top 20 worst film endings of all time and there are some very surprising entries... Updated 22/07/2008 |
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If you're about to go on holiday and about to visit a country for the first time, you have probably checked out the language and the currency but what about those other little things that count for so much; gestures, taboos, etiquette and social graces. Look no further, if you want to invest a little time in finding out about cultural differences, this will do the trick. Updated 08/07/2008 |
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If you never look at another website for the rest of your life, look at this one. It states simply that the world needs more people like Nelson Mandela. Never has a truer word been spoken and you can become part of the great man's 90th birthday celebrations by signing what is hoped will be the biggest birthday card ever made... Updated 01/07/2008 |
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Forgiveness is a tricky little subject. Actually, it's a tricky big subject... how do those people find forgiveness when their loved ones have been murdered, maimed or tortured. How? And, on the other side of the coin, how does someone who has committed those atrocities forgive themselves? How? Updated 10/06/2008 |
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I cannot believe I have only just found this site. It's huge. It's comprehensive. It's life in a jug... a video jug. And, conveniently, this also doubles as the title of the site. Think of a question, any question. If the answer is not addressed on this site, I'll eat my hat. I know how to do that now... Updated 03/06/2008 |
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Did you know that there are two distinct branches of palmistry? There are the psychic palm readers and then there are chirologists who claim a more scientific approach with a dash of intuition. I have searched high and low for a site that does not ask that I reach for my purse before telling me the secrets that are in the palm of my hand... Updated 20/05/2008 |
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Would you credit it? Of all the Olympic events, as a Brit, the ones that hold the least expectation for success are those belonging to that chilling category, the Winter Olympics. And yet, today, I discovered that we invented the Bobsleigh. Not 30 years ago, not 70 years ago but over 100 years ago. Surely we should be good at it by now! This isn't the only somewhat surprising British invention, there are so many more... Updated 13/05/2008 |
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Go on, admit it, you want to know if you will ever reach the dizzy heights of the the Times Rich List. Well, stop spending your pennies on the psychics and soothsayers and visit this site. Just fifteen questions and not only will you know if you will be rich, you will be told exactly how much money you are going to have and when you're going to get it! It's in dollars so take a currency calculator with you! Updated 6/05/2008 |
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That apple didn't fall far from the tree! I have heard this saying many times but I didn't realise there may be more to it than meets the eye. This week's Web Watch trail has discovered a site that tells you which tree represents your birthday. But it doesn't stop there, this site tells us that the tree governs our character so you no longer have to rely on astrology, numerology or any other ology... you can check out treeology! Have fun! Updated 29/04/2008 |
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Looking for what I wrote or the time to write it again! Ooops... Updated 22/04/2008 |
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I have been writing Web Watch for two years and, in that time, I have covered a huge range of sites; some funny, some interesting, some entertaining, educational or useful. On a really good day, they may be all of these things but this weeks site is nothing less that brilliant. If you are remotely interestedin music, you will love this site... Updated 15/04/2008 |
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If you are under 5 years old, there is a real possibility that you will never receive a personal, handwritten letter. In the last fifty years, the telephone, the mobile phone, texts and the internet have all conspired and declared that letter writing is a lost, or at least dying, art... so can email give you the same buzz as a traditional letter? There's at least one web site giving it a go... Updated 08/04/2008 |
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All the newspapers have been competing with each other to put together the best April Fool hoax. The flying penguins and the Darling lottery are two of the strongest contenders but these are both up against strong competition when we look into history's rich archive. This week, the Museum of Hoaxes offers us the 100 top April Fool hoaxes of all time... and some of them are simply inspired... Updated 01/04/2008 |
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Have you heard enough doom and gloom in the news to last you a lifetime? I know I have. Just looking at the main headlines today we have heavy fighting erupting (again) in Basra, a 60 car pile up in Austria killing at least one person, a teenage murderer who posed for a photograph with the body of his victim, fighting in the Indian Ocean and the heart-wrenching murder of Lindsay Hawker in Japan. Her killer remains at large a year after her death. Having had my fill of sad and bad news, I was so happy to find a haven dedicated to all that is good about the world. Bring it on... Updated 25/03/2008 |
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Have you ever dreamed of having all your favourite sites, search engines, blogs, radio stations, address books, videos and photographs in one place. Imagine opening your browser and being presented with all this and more; weather, news, blogs and social networking updates. Now you can... Updated 18/03/2008 |
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Have you ever read the Bible? I am not talking about flicking through a few pages to find out what John 3:16 or Psalm 23 are all about; I am asking if you have read it from cover to cover... Updated 04/03/2008 |
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A weird and wonderful world... Despite being fully aware that knowledge is no substitute for wisdom, I have to confess to an overwhelming desire to accumulate obscure facts. My father used to claim to have 'a headful of useless information' and I, as a mini human vacuum, hoovered up many of his more unusual facts and figures. These trivial gems probably take up that vital space in my head that should be reserved for... Updated 26/02/2008 |
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Delia Smith's latest book, How to Cheat at Cooking, has received a huge amount of press coverage. No surprise there, then. More surprising has been the amount of negative reviews highlighting the promotion of branded products such as frozen mash, tinned mince and grated cheese to name but a few. Delia is apparently totally out of step with the current penchant of other top chefs who continue to bang the drum on behalf of organic, local and fresh produce... Updated 19/02/2008 |
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There are some ideas that should never see the light of day. Take the pogo-copter, an ill-advised merger between the pogo stick and the helicopter. The word 'crash' should have been uppermost in the minds of the creators of this one and, somewhat predictably, was heavily involved in the results. Luckily, the invention died a death before anyone else did... Updated 12/02/2008 |
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There is an acronym which, when expanded, creates a wise maxim for anyone thinking about doing, well, anything at all. It's a saying that benefits all who adhere to it and if you don't know it already, then let me be the first to introduce you to this once heard, never forgotten, phrase. Updated 05/02/2008 |
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In recent years, the 'gap year' has become firmly established as a rite of passage for many teenagers. Nestled neatly between hours of cramming for A level exams and hours of watching daytime television at university is the opportunity to take time out to experience a different culture, to raise money for charity, to take on a new sporting challenge or to navigate a path from Paris to New Delhi with only a compass and a box of matches for company... Updated 29/01/2008 |
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Can you really train your brain to improve its functionality? Since the arrival of several products all designed to motivate us to give our brain a regular work-out, there have been detractors either telling us that they don't work or complaining that we are being encouraged into yet another sedentary activity in a time when... Updated 22/01/2008 |
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Culturally diverse, visually stunning In this era of so-called globalisation, we seem fated to experience another year of political bulletins emerging from all quarters. Not only have we got the seemingly endless run-up to the US presidential elections to contend with, we have micro-politics causing havoc across the world and, closer to home, although we do not have an officially elongated prime ministerial campaign, we all know that Mr Brown, Mr Cameron and whoever the liberal leader is this week, are... Updated 15/01/2008 |
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Congratulations to all of you who, in this second week of January, are still displaying determination, commitment and resolve during the season of new beginnings. Whilst there are a few who will be sticking to their guns, the reality is that most of you will have already broken your New Year resolutions. I haven't, but before you think I am being smug and self-congratulatory, I am not. Nor am I sporting a natty little halo... Updated 08/01/2008 |
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Amongst all the gadgets, gizmos, toys and trinkets that will be unwrapped in a few days time, it is soothing to know that one enduring favourite will be delivered without the need for reams of instructions, numerous battery requirements or a supposedly user-friendly 'getting started' booklet. Updated 18/12/2007 |
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I give up. I have trawled through the web looking for something that would serve as a valid excuse for not serving up a host of Santa silliness but it's impossible to avoid. Updated 11/12/2007 |
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Even if you have finished your Christmas shopping, please tell me that there will be at least one person you have forgotten. Perhaps a great uncle who has moved to foreign shores or an old friend who has somehow managed to miss being on your Christmas list this year; whoever it is, that person will help those of us yet to get started feel a whole lot better... Updated 4/12/2007 |
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I have just been told that I am in the prime of my life. Is that a compliment? What exactly is the prime of one's life? Is it an expression that relates to age, experience or achievement? Will I only realise I am in it after I have passed it? Updated 27/11/2007 |
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Call me Ishmael... or John.. or Luke... or... It's difficult to now when to write this article. Too early and I will be accused of joining in with the commercialisation of Christ's birth. Too late and I will be accused of not giving everyone enough time to take advantage of this idea. Updated 20/11/2007 |
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I was lucky. During my weeks after my son's birth, he didn't cry. He made noises and whinged but never howled. Unfortunately, this meant that I was lured into a false sense of security so when he first exercised his lungs to deafening effect... Updated 13/11/2007 |
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Bleary eyed and suffering the after effects of a busy weekend, I awoke on Monday to find a distinct lack of food in my kitchen. Determined not to go hungry but acutely aware that I looked remarkably like a cross between Nebuchadnezzar and Catweazle... Updated 6/11/2007 |
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I let a guy think that I love him. He pays for everything including my rent, cell phones and a laptop and I save the money I earn... Updated 30/10/2007 |
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Occasionally, we are shocked to our core when an unexpected, perhaps unthinkable, event occurs... Updated 23/10/2007 |
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More and more companies are using handwriting analysis as part of their filtering process when recruiting a new member of their personnel. When you next apply for your dream job, you may well be asked to write a page of text in freehand Updated 16/10/2007 |
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..switch off your television and do something less boring? If you are a child of the seventies, you may have a vague memory of this oxymoronic title and the... Updated 02/10/2007 |
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I am not sure if it started with Schindler's, Lloyd's or Craig's but the western world seems to have become obsessed with lists. Whether it is the a-list, z-list, the rich list... Updated 25/09/2007 |
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Did you know that one of the most commonly misspelled words is, somewhat ironically, 'misspelled'? Updated 18/09/2007 |
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Last week, if you had asked me what the word pertinacious meant, I would have hazarded a guess and then grabbed my handy thesaurus to confirm a few approximate equivalents Updated 11/09/2007 |
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Did you know that a certain Major Peter Labelliere, having accurately prophesied the date of his own death in the year 1800, expressed two rather eccentric wishes in his will? Updated 04/09/2007 |
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There are certain people we love having in our world. For some, it will be their family. For others, it will be their friends. Maybe even a pet. But, for me, it's Patrick Moore. Updated 28/07/2007 |
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