Music

It's been a while since I posted here but here's a link to some very beautiful music : http://www.soundsblue.com/

In Case You Were Wondering...

In case you were wondering where I stand on the Lisbon Treaty, I attach my views in a heart ! The unmitigated nerve of these pirates - We voted NO the last time, the treaty hasn't changed. What part of NO do they not understand ? Sheeeeesh !

I Recently found this Brochure on the net

Protecting Your Eyes from UV Radiation in Sunlight

Sun Safety for your eyes

A recent survey showed that while the majority of the public were aware of the damage UV light can do to the skin, the majority of individuals surveyed, did not know that UV light can seriously damage the eyes. So, the Association of Optometrists is urging the general public to take care and be sun aware.

Exposure to UV light, found in sunlight can cause damage to or lead to cancer of the eye lids and skin around the eyes. It can speed up and increase the risk of sight threatening conditions such as cataracts and age related macular degeneration (AMD). It can also cause problems such as pterygium and pinguecula, which are growths which form on the conjunctiva of the eye and can lead to problems with the eyes in the future. Even just one day exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn of the cornea, which is painful and can cause temporary vision loss.

Just as sunlight ages the skin, it ages the eye. Research indicates that wearing the correct sunglasses can reduce aging in the eye by 20 years and reduces the risk of early cataract formation by up to 40%.

In choosing the right sunglasses, the advice is;

· Use lenses which block out 99% of UVA and UVB light

· Mirrored, polarizing and photochromatic lenses may not provide enough UV protection, additional UV filters may be required

· Fashion and designer sunglasses may not provide adequate protection or give good clarity of vision

· Lenses should provide clear distortion free vision and should not affect colour perception

· If participating in outdoor sports, choose sunglasses which suit the visual requirements of the sport and are impact resistant

· Frames should be wide and deep enough to cover the whole eye area. They should have wrap around or thick sides to prevent light leaking in.

· Most prescriptions can be made up in proper sunglass frames with lenses which are fully UV protective, polarizing and anti-glare.

· If you wear contact lenses talk to your optometrist about lenses which have built in UV filters in the lens material.

· Wear a wide brimmed hat as well as your sunglasses in very sunny conditions to maximise protection.



Children are most at risk. They are outside more and their delicate eyes are more permeable to UV radiation. 80% of sun damage to the eyes is done by the age of 18! Parents should encourage children to wear good sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.



Some medications can increase your sensitivity to light. These drugs can make your eyes more prone to sun damage. If you are taking such drugs, remember to take extra care with your eyes and be extra vigilant about protecting them from light, even in dull conditions, when outdoors.

Reprinted from the Website of the Association of Optometrists

The Summer's here - Anyone for Tennis ?

I have to say this is one of my favourite posters from the 1970's !

Latest Update

I've just added a guest book - anyone visiting, please stop by and say hello !

Two of my ships

I served on both these ships The Munster is in the foreground and I worked there in 1972. I served on the Leinster (in the background) in 1969, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78.

ALESSIA

I've just heard that one of my neighbours has launced her music career. Check her out on her Facebook Page. She is called Alessia Macari and she's going to be big ! Remember, you saw her here first ! Chek out her fan club on this link : http://www.facebook.com/pages/ALESSIA/84020032981

My New Car

I bought a new car in February and she's a beauty. I bought it from Westbrook Motors in Parnell Street and got a teriffic deal. Westbrook looked after me very well. Here is a link to their website :
http://www.westbrookmotors.com/contentv3/

The car is efficient powerful and economical I couldn't ask for more !

Not So Green After All

There are a number of intiatives undertaken by the various Green Parties in Europe that do not do what they say on the tin. Two examples that come to mind are the low energy bulbs that the greens are trying to impose on us as replacements for your standard Thomas Edison light bulb that we all know and love and the wonderful chip oil that they are trying to foist on us as a replacement for petrol and diesel.

In the case of the light bulbs, the latest research shows that they emit very high levels of UV in the band that causes wrinkling of skin, damage to the cornea and lens and carcinomas - Hmm, lets save a few kWH but never mind the cancer victims !

In the case of the biofuel, this also produces carcinogenic fumes. What price a green agenda ?

The trouble with these eco hooligans is that they jump on to bandwagons that are ill conceived, badly planned, not scientifically validated an poorly executed.

Let us drive these enviro-vandals from parliaments everywhere !


I am looking for further information on the sheer wonkeyness of green policies - if anyone knows of instances like the above, I'd love to hear about them !!!

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

http://tiny.cc/fm2009

May 12, 2009

Objective:
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day aims to increase awareness of FM and provide support to those coping with the illness.

May 12 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, a time to increase awareness of this chronic and life-altering disorder by educating the general public, healthcare professionals, government officials, and legislative bodies.

About Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia syndrome affects the muscles and soft tissue. Fibromyalgia symptoms include chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points or trigger points at certain parts of the body. Fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms can be sometimes be relieved or eased through medications, lifestyle changes, stress management, and other fibromyalgia treatment.

Kilrea Spring Training Camp

Just back from Kilrea, Co. Derry, where we had a brilliant Silat seminar. Guru Liam Mc Donald really played a blinder by organising this event. A healthy number of students travelled north and many of the local Ballymena Club came over. There were over 40 of us training and there was a great atmosphere there - Roll on the next one

Art Classes in Dublin

My good friend and noted artist, illustrator, bon vivant,raconteur, and all round genius, Kevin Mc Sherry has just started to teach his art in Dublin. For anyone thinking of taking up art, this is a golden opportunity to be coached by a man of pure genius ! Check out his website or go to www.irish-art.com/artschools.php

Hunger and Hope Day

As a member of Bloggers Unite, I am supporting this day. You can make a difference by joining in and posting this text to your blog and by sharing with everyone

Unite For Hunger And Hope

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.slI3IdNVJuE/b.4861851…

April 29, 2009

Objective:
All you have to do to help end world hunger is to join thousands of others bloggers on April 29 and write a post about world hunger.

BlogCatalog members and Heifer International are partnering to call for the end of world hunger and start of hope on April 29. All we ask is that you join thousands of other bloggers and write a post about world hunger on April 29. You can make a difference.

• Right now, more than 500 million people are living in "absolute poverty" and more than 15 million children die of hunger every year.

• World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the population is underfed and another third is starving.

• Even in the United States, 46 percent of African-American children and 49 percent of Latino children are considered chronically hungry.

Organizations like Heifer International are the solution. Every day in April, Heifer International is lifting people out of poverty by providing communities with livestock and agricultural training to improve lives and inspire hope. What can you do?

• Join this event and add a badge to your blog before April 29.

• Watch for upcoming news releases and topic backgrounders.

• Visit Heifer International to learn more about Pass On The Gift.

• Make a small donation or take some other action to end world hunger.

• Post about world hunger on April 29 with links to solutions all over the world.

Select posts will be featured by BlogCatalog; Heifer International; Copywrite, Ink.; and on the future Bloggers Unite blog. Details to follow.

World Autism Awareness Day April the 2nd 2009

As a member of Bloggers Unite I am supporting World Autism Awareness Day. This year it will be held on April the 2nd.

I am giving the following link to anyone in Ireland who wishes to participate : http://www.autismireland.ie/

Weekend at Work

I spent Sat Morning delivering fliers for my business - over 500 went - A lot of walking for me but great exercise. When I get my camera phone to speak to my computer I will upload some of the photographs I took on my travels

The Missing Victory Log

Today, I managed to find my missing Victory Log. It forms an important part of my Personal Development Plan.

If you want to start keeping one, you should record everything that puts you one up as Stephen Potter would have said.

Examples of things you should record are :

Learning :

Tests, quizzes, class averages, awards, scholarships, IQ test scores (These improve with practice), Mind Maps, diplomas etc.

The Opposite Sex :

Was flirted with, phone call, etc.,

Sports :

Rugby Trys, hits, takedowns, baskets, goals, etc.

Work :

Promotions, sales, raises, savings etc.

Do these for all areas of your life -

Personal, Social, Physical development, Work, Emotional IQ, Mental development Spiritual practices and disciplines observed.

Do it and refer back daily to these victories - they will help keep you strong in your darkest hours.

Don't think that it is not important It is everything, everything.

I have never kept one of these before but I started this one in August of last year.
You can go back as far as you like - your 100 yd swimming cert is perfect.

Art and my friend Kevin

I have started to place art on my blogs to add interest and colour. There are Gadgets that allow you to place Art of the Day paintings on here and I have placed some on the blog but I have been able to track down the Blog of my friend Kevin Mc Sherry (see link). He places a painting on his blog every so often so it is worth checking out ! I also have found his official website and have included it in my list of sites (at the very end of this blog) Please check him out, he is original, unique and I am not the only one who believes that he is a genius !!!

FAQ Continued (Reprinted from D.MlveyOpticians Ltd Blog)

How Does My Optical Benefit Work ?

Optical Benefit is provided by the (Irish) State in two different ways.

The Medical Card (HSE, Department of Health)

If you are aged over 16 and are entitled to a Medical Card you can claim Optical Benefit through your local Health Service Executive (HSE) Health Centre. They will provide you with the application form. Alternatively, you can call in to us at 179 Crumlin Road Dublin 12 to collect a form here or telephone us at 01 4542306 or 0868532931 or email info@mulveyopticians.ie and we will post out an application form to you. Once you have completed the application, you then need to send it in to your local office or return it to us and we will forward it on for you. The HSE will process the application and return the Authorisation to you. Once you have that, you can call us to arrange an appointnent.

PPS (PRSI) Benefit (Department of Social & Family Affairs)

If you are working and paying PAYE and PRSI, provided you have enough contributions, you may claim Optical Benefit from the DSFA. It works exactly like the Medical Card Benefit and wou are covered for the same things. Application forms are available from us (as above) or from the Department of Social & Family Affairs, St Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal.
You can Call them on Lo Call 1890 400 400 or locally in Dublin at 01 874 8444.

What Am I entitled to ?

Under both schemes, you are entitled to an eye examination and either a pair of distance spectacles and a pair of reading spectacles OR a pair of bifocal spectacles made up to the standard (Class 1) frame - completely free of charge.

If you wish to opt for more expensive frames, lenses, coatings etc., then you would have to pay the extra cost yourself.

John Scottus School

The School that I believe is the Best School in Dublin is the John Scottus School. I am sending my son there and so far the results have been terriffic ! I am hoping to start a fundraiser for them in the next few weeks. Check out their website at http://www.johnscottus.ie/