Free Talk

I just got Freetalk, from the guys who started freeserve (which became wanadoo). Read about it over here. I got a good local number and can now get free calls within the UK. I've got a router and fair amount of network set-up here, but it worked "out the box". I'll write up a review after we've used it a while, but initially its great!

Lottery results for Charity

Another site I run is called www.yourlotteryresults.co.uk I took it over a couple of years ago. It got a bit boring, then I thought I'd try and raise money through it, so I implemented an automated paypal payment system. We charge £3 for a years subscription, and each year we buy cuddly toys, dvds and other good stuff for Ward E39 at Nottinghams Queens Medical Centre, and if we can we give more money to Childrens Brain Tumour Reseach at Nottingham University.

You can see how badly me and a friends lottery syndicate, which we started when working in Milan when the lottery started here.

Charity Golf Day

We held a charity golf day at Southwell Golf Club on Friday. We raised nearly £350 towards Childrens Oncology and Neurosurgery wards at Nottinghams Queens Medical Centre where a freinds little girl has been getting care and of course where Sam was too. Thanks to Fraser for so much organising and everyone who took part on the day.

Su Doku

Last night I completed my first Feindish level Su Douko puzzle. It was number 182 from The Times. You can read and find lots of puzzles over at The Times. I guess this one puzzle took about 2 or 3 hours althogether.

Updated I've been complting The Times Feindish level puzzles in 30 to 40 minutes now. No. 279 seemed very easy to be honest, although the writers of these puzzles say there is no scientific answer to a particular puzzles difficulty.

Phones

Recently I tried using the UK Three (3g) network. I got a nice new Nokia 6680 with half price for a year line rental. Problem was calls dropped at every opportunity and every time I rang the customer service centre I couldnt understand a word they said. Nice phone, too big - still. I found this good tip though for Nokia phones - reset them before you send them back or sell them on - key in *#7370# and it'll do a full reset.

10 x Dial Up Speeds

So, now I'm back on track with my Orange phone. I've tried www.onspeed.com recently and what they claim is true. I get 10x speed on GPRS dialled in.

I've also been impressed with www.skype.com with calls to Europe and theres a nice add on messaging system too. Calls to America seem to suffer from too much with delay/echo.

Charity Concert

The Wigston Brass Band are helping raise money for Children's Brain Tumour Research with their annual charity concert being held on 7th May at Wreake Valley College in Leicestershire. More details soon over at www.wigstonbrassband.com

The Wigston Band are this year a Midlands Regional Qualifying Brass Band and will play later this year in the National Finals in Harrogate. The concert evening promises to be a great evening.

UPDATED: We raised nearly £500. Thanks to everyone who attended and everyone at the Wigston Brass Band.

Wear Yellow Update

I've sold all the bands now, and we've raised over £2600 for charity, plus the original donation to Lance Armstrong Foundation. Please see over at www.wearingyellow.co.uk for the latest news there. I've some quanities left but am keeping these now for a charity auction and a concert being organised for more fundraising later this year.

Microsite Launched for Wear Yellow

UPDATED!
Over £2000 raised and donated to Childrens Brain Tumour Research. Read more over at www.wearingyellow.co.uk

Original Post: 5/1/2005
These bands are so popular. New microsite launched at http://www.wearingyellow.co.uk/ Buy Yours there and check latest stock. Over £400 raised so far...

Is that me?

Today I have lost 12.75kg (or 2 Stone in old money) over the past two months. Have I been going to the gym? No, I've been using http://www.ultralife.uk.com/ ;)

Unsubscribe

I just unsubscribed from a mailing list over at pixmania, where I've never even bought anything, and guess what? Yep, they sent an email to confirm it! Not quite thought that one through..