Work put me through a Prince2 Foundation training course during December, booked through Focus Training and delivered by Datrix Training. Prince2 is pretty much the standard for Project Management in the UK, coming from the government’s experiences in areas such as the NHS. Having done the course, it all seems like blatant common sense, but it’s surprising how powerful it can be.
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The common stereotype is that garages rip you off. Unfortunately, I have found this to be the case too. I know a fair bit about how cars work, how long things take and what parts cost. Therefore, I can spot when I am being scammed.
Having just started my new job, I was looking for an independent garage within walking distance of work. I don’t use main dealers as I have found them expensive and indifferent towards older cars like mine. I found Vauxmoore, just off Radford road, opposite the Horse and Groom pub. Chris the owner is polite, customer focused and extremely knowledgeable, especially on Vauxhalls having worked for them as a mechanic. Vauxmoore aim to give dealer quality service or better, at realistic prices.
I had a full service and some odds and sods sorted, including a petrol leak in the engine bay. They kept me up to date with progress during the day, and asked before carrying out any extra work. Parts were well priced, and labour charges matched the work done, not rounded up to an hour for each five minute task.
All in all, I am really happy with the care taken with my car, the price and the excellent service. Vauxmoore are my new garage 
Vauxmoore
Universal Court
Radford Rd
Nottingham
NG7 7NQ
0115-970 0101
No website yet, but they are working on it!
I was bought this book as a present by someone and he told me it is “the scariest book I have ever read”. I agree, but for a different reason. The basic premise of the book is that due to evolution, we have inherited mating strategies that result in us promoting our family line. Sperm Wars describes a hypothesis to “explain” this. Essentially, women aim to confuse their partners as to their fertile time, fuck as many men as possible and then let the sperm battle amongst themselves to fertilise her egg. May the best sperm win.
While Baker makes a strong argument for this hypothesis, the book and methodology sets off red flashing lights to me.
I went on a Shell STEP course last year, and one of the previous winners of Livewire (another Shell project) were Glasses Direct. After I saw the way their business worked I had a peek and ended up buying some new specs. Basically, you get your eyes tested on the high st, then buy your frames online. Glasses that were £80 in the shop were £17 online, and you can upload your face to try the specs on virtually to see what you look like in them.
There is no reason to buy specs on the high street anymore
http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/
I have been experimenting with various shaving techniques to find one that suits me. Disposable razors are mostly crap, and throwing that much plastic away irks me. Electric shavers give a razor burn. I won’t buy anything from Gillette because of their insulting and retarded adverts. So I came to traditional shaving. I was going to buy a cut throat razor, but then realised it was a six month training course before I would get a decent shave, and the risk of killing myself while not paying attention first thing in the morning was too great. So I asked for a Merkur Futur razor for my birthday.
First off, this thing is heavy and solidly built. It takes proper razor blades, which are the scariest things I have ever handled. They are right up there with scalpel blades in the League of Ridiculously Sharp Items. I got some lovely posh shaving foam too, so lathered myself up and stood terrified in front of the mirror. I gingerly swiped a few hairs off my cheek, expecting it to skin me alive. As scared as I was, I managed to shave myself with only minor injuries and was impressed with the closeness of the shave. There are a couple of bits I cannot shave with the Merkur – over the mole on my chin (because the blade chops it off) and just underneath my nose and bottom lip (due to the chunky head not fitting in there).
Using this has worked out cheaper than using disposables, and shaving irritation is greatly reduced. Overall, shaving has now become a careful, satisfying ritual instead of a painful annoyance and I would recommend that anyone looking for a new razor to try this bad boy out 
My Merkur Futur came from Mankind, who were really good to deal with.
