Organic-Ally

A few weeks ago I was served with a PCN (Penalty Charge Notice) for allegedly making a Right Turn into a section of the High Street where there was a No Right Turn. My husband was driving and he promptly paid off the fine of £60 (reduced from £120 if paid withing 14 days or something like that) to avoid having to pay a higher penalty of £180. We were furious but did not have the time to appeal this charge. Until we learned that another family at church made the same mistake and was fined £50 (reduced from £100). I searched online for all kinds of related information and finally sent a letter, recorded delivery, to protest the following: That 46 days had elapsed since the alleged offence. According to my research these notices ought to be sent within a 28-day period, after which it is unenforceable. Returning to the scene of the alleged contravention, I saw that there are large arrows indicating traffic to go straight on in the left lane and a right turning arrow for a right turn into t

In today's news, Pakistani Taliban flog girl accused of affair . I learned from a friend's blog that new British citizens have a choice of not shaking hands when receiving their new citizenship certificates in Sexism, sanctioned without a handshake : "It seems that certain people object, for religious or cultural reasons, to touching someone of the opposite sex who isn't related to them, and the citizenship ceremony has been designed to accommodate them." But as the writer pointed out, "The British government has recently been making a lot of noise about ensuring that immigrants embrace 'British values'." In their 'test on British values' specific instructions on the status of women in Britain highlight that they are not "merely considered as sexual objects; that they are not the property of their husbands or fathers; and that men and women can interact in everyday life without its being a clandestine sexual transaction, and without

Nicked this from Straits Times ============================== March 30, 2009 5% off meals if you bring own container By Goh Yi Han IN THE past, many Singaporeans would carry along their own tiffin carriers when they bought food from street hawkers. Now, foodcourts in Singapore are helping to revive the practice of using one's own containers for takeaway food. Most local chains already charge customers an extra 10 or 20 cents for takeaway food in plastic microwaveable containers. This is to cover the extra costs incurred by stallholders. However, at least one operator is now offering a discount on food purchased if patrons provide their own containers. Banquet Holdings, which runs the Banquet chain of halal foodcourts, gives customers a 5 per cent discount if they supply their own containers. This promotion is available at most eateries owned by the company, including more than 10 Banquet foodcourt outlets located across the island. 'This is a step that we have taken in order to

News last week -- OK, old news -- that 'Sir Fred' had his house vandalized. OK, I do not condone vandalism. But it was the editor of the Business Times, I think, according to a little video clip on a news site that says, "Look, Sir Fred is a private citizen now. You may not agree with his pension and all that, but that was in accordance with his contract, etc. Think of his children. He might now have to move his children to another school because of this act ...." Think of the children. Think of the children. Think of the children. I thought of the children and wonder if Fred the Shred ever thought of the children when he acted in those (now generally considered) despicable ways not only with his bank business (the mismanagement of it) but also with his pension (the sheer audacity and greed), etc. Did he think of the children -- other people's children -- when he made those corporate decisions that led to his eventual downfall? I think of two children in particul

I've just despatched a letter to my local council to appeal for a 'Penalty Charge Notice' (PCN) for making a prohibited right turn into the High Street. Forty-six (46) days after the alleged contravention we were sent this PCN. There were several things not correct about this PCN and in my view unenforceable. Basically what happened was there was a blaze of publicity about how our local High Street has reopened to traffic in both directions. Yippee! we said, and at the next opportunity drove into it to celebrate. The shops here have had a dire time since they closed the High Street more than ten years ago. We believe in supporting 0ur local shops and so wanted to spend some money there. We followed the road markings to keep right and came to a point where we realized that as we were neither a bus nor a push bike we were not permitted to 'turn' onto the High Street from this direction. By this time it was not possible to do anything but make that prohibited turn. Whi

I had put my baby in the push-chair. Had to go back to the kitchen to clean my hands. Looked across the road and saw the side door to my neighbour's house flapping about. Strange. I knew they were away. I had been given the keys to go water the plants and did once. Why was the door open? I wheeled baby over, unlocked the door and stepped into their house to the scene I want to but cannot forget. My Brazilian neighbour (now a court interpreter) is the most meticulous housekeeper. She even irons her underwear. Everything has its own place. What I saw was dirty footprints on the carpet, drawers left open, some garden tools and the door still flapping about. Clearly someone had broken in. I locked the door, got the baby back into the house and phoned 999. I was hyperventilating. The police operator kept telling me, "Calm down, calm down. Take a deep breath." I was so angry, so cross, that someone had broken into my neighbour's house while it was 'in my care'. How

This was the sequence of events: 6.50pm: Son and I returned from his 'Sung Vespers' service at school chapel. I noticed that a small car was parked just left of our boundary fence. There were four young people in there. I've lived long enough in this part of the world to know not to stare too hard at strangers. We just sort of averted our gaze and walked on and hurried into our house. c7.20pm: Loud music from the parked car started filtering in through our double-glazed windows. I was busy and ignored it and hoped that it would go away. 7.40pm: Music was getting louder. I looked up the local police station website to see what I should do. It is a nuisance, but not an emergency, so I wanted to find a non-999 number to ring. I didn't spot it, but spotted an email form I could use. I filled it in, expecting answers "within three days" as published. As I wrote the folk started tooting their horn as well. Things were getting a bit raucous (spelling?). I then went t

I'm on the prowl again for clothes. ( Compare/contrast previous post here and here ) Smarter, slightly more formal, well-tailored clothes. So I found myself at a local store looking at all the 'petite' consignments. Can't believe the Size 8 were so large ten years ago. Perhaps I have shrunk. It is well-known that women are prone to become smaller and slimmer after having a baby, you know, after all that running around after a bundle of energy ... not. Perhaps I need to go for a size 6 instead, but if these stores have a size 6 they are hung up on a rail where a normal size 6 (unless she is very, very tall) cannot reach them. Some just can't be bothered to stock a size 6. Maybe I am living in a part of UK where size 6 (previous size 8) do not exist. Normal size eight, "Extra Small"? The sleeves or trouser legs are always too long. Bah! Back to Organic-Ally . Become our fan on Facebook .

I've been thinking a lot -- off and on -- about the current 'economic crisis'. Some thoughts have been well covered. Eg: it has made many people re-think their priorities. For many, out of necessity, having had an income disposed of, a disposable lifestyle comes under re-evaluation. This past weekend we were at a sewing machine shop. And my! it was busy. Suddenly it seemed everyone is thinking of sewing their own clothes. Then we read about allotments coming back into fashion. Both because people are more concerned with what goes into their food as well as saving those few pennies (which add up to pounds) and what a lovely way for a family with young children, for example, to do something together and literally see the fruit of their labour. It's highly recommended. Today we were woken up by news of a van manufacturer (Russian owned) facing financial woes. Whilst no one is surprised by that I cannot help but think: what audacity! To ask the government (ie me the taxpaye

Monday: snow. About to get son up for breakfast when I thought I had better check the school website to see if school is open. Surprise, surprise. The headmaster had decided to close the school. Some of our staff and families do have a long way to come. Just as well I had cancelled my eye appointment, knowing that it would be snowing. Son was happy to stay at home but wanted to follow the school timetable. Sure. So we started with prayers. Then 'Maths' on a website. Then spelling. Then it went to pot. Meanwhile husband had trudged off to work at 6.45am as usual. Son rang him at about 8am to say 'school's closed'. He was stuck down the road, north of Wembley. At about 9am he rang to say he's at Baker Street but could go no further and was heading home. Fiasco. Tuesday: no new snow but school only opening at 10am. Very sensible. They had taken care to clear the snow and gritted where it matters. Unfortunately the public roads and pavements were not gritted at all.

I was alerted to this gadget and thought it interesting. It's supposed to be a button that helps your computer 'go to sleep', saving you energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Actually not just sleep but 'eco-sleep'. It's supposed to be able to save about £50 a year just by using it for three hours a day. Above and beyond what the normal standby features in a computer would do. I haven't used it so can't say whether it is great or not, but might be worth putting on a Birthday Wish List, I guess. Then I think why don't manufacturers put this feature in computers in the first place? Or why don't governments insist that this becomes a required feature in new computers, like seat-belts in cars? In fact, why doesn't the government legislate that all new homes should come with solar panels? The husband is thinking of doing major works in the house (again, sigh, I HATE builders' dust). This time the plan is to put in some solar panels. Our &

Not a fan of coffee. Not a fan of George Clooney or the nespresso machine. Not surprised to learn how 'unethical' and useless it is here . Tickled pink. Not a fan of Lang Lang, the Chinese pianist whose constipated looks while performing is such a pain to watch. Pain ist, not pianist, there. But this guy is so popular, or so I thought, and sometimes he plays very well, if very loudly. So I was glad to learn that he is also much 'reviled' amongst some critics. Andre Previn has said of his antics, "he might as well get up and juggle". Earl Wild called him "the J-Lo of piano". And other ( Telegraph ) critics have called him the "piano star the critics love to hate" , criticized his "bravura display of preening" , and described his antics as "better suited to a circus" . I guess what I am saying is, "It's nice to know I am not alone." Back to Organic-Ally . Become our fan on Facebook .

Back tot he Wedgewood story. £415 millions of debt. I don't know how companies could be allowed to run on such a level of debt. To my simple mind (dare I stress), it is not ethical. Because if the company goes under -- as Wedgewood has -- then the employees are the ones who suffer. Not too many years ago I remember fuming in the same way when a particular manufacturing company in Singapore laid off hundreds of workers -- mainly women, mothers wanting to improve their children's lives -- because their orders were down. This same company, as I remember, went all out to recruit these women when the going was good. As soon as there was a downturn, the women were laid off. Few benefits to talk about. In fact it was such 'flexibility' with hiring and firing that attracted such 'investors' into Singapore then. Such employers do not realize, or worse, do not care, that mothers make a lot of sacrifices to work in factories like that. Yes, they gain in earning some wages,

Decided to re-sole my old brown boots instead. They are still comfy. Must get at least another year of wear out of it. I have brown polish which I can use on scuffed surfaces. Sale season still on. I look on with envy. Some organic, ethical, fairtrade outfit has got a massive sale on, but nothing for me. I live in hope that these outfits would do something in my size soon before my current batch of clothes (some organic, some not) become rags. Or fall back on 'poisonous cotton'. The following retailer also has an interesting 'Library' section: I'm not asking for much. Just simple sensible clothes in size 8 please. The good news is I've got my physio appointment (re arthritis) in mid-February. Yay! Back to Organic-Ally . Become our fan on Facebook .

The sale is on at my favourite shoe store. Husband has already acquired a couple of pairs of smart working shoes and the question was do I replace my current pair of brown boots. When the prices seem so 'reasonable' one is tempted to go, "O! Just get them. They would come in useful." But this pair has come with a spare set of rubber soles for the heels. True, I've worn them for a year, or was it two?, O, I don't remember. What I remember is when I first put them on, they were so very comfortable. Shall I get them re-heeled? The cobbler would do it for £7.99, minus £1 if I brought in my spare heel-soles (whatever they are called). The sale means it does not cost that much more to get a new pair. However £6.99 and a bit of time would (1) prevent this pair from going into landfill, (2) provide some business for the cobbler, and (3) I get to keep my slightly scuffed but comfortable brown boots. Hmm. What should I do? Yesterday I read about how Wedgewood will not b

Last Saturday we ran into Mr H at the supermarket carpark. He's our school gardener. He normally goes about doing his work quietly. For some reason we always greet each other and often stop for a chat. Then recently he lost his wife of many years (50-something?) very suddenly. He was making lunch. She went to the toilet, he heard a bang, and she was gone. Wedged behind the door, he could not even get to her and had to call in the Fire Brigade. This year while making cookies for the school staff at Christmas I decided to also give him a little bag. A sort of 'thank you' for keeping the school grounds pristine and planting the little flowers that have added some needed colour everywhere. And the first Christmas after the death of a loved one must be so, so difficult. Back at the carpark he told me even before I could ask that he'd spent time with his relations. O good, I said. Then he went on to say how delighted he was with the cookies. He didn't want to eat them and

Malawi strikes organic gold What a marvellous story. This and other stories like this formed part of the impetus for me to start up Organic-Ally . Some scientists might pooh-pooh the idea about going organic, that we cannot feed ourselves, etc. Well, maybe if we ate less but ate better? Or how about eating less meat so that we could share the grain around? I am a meat-eater, I must put my hand up to that, but I am also conscious that our family do not eat huge slabs of meat every day. The other issue is of course scientists who focus on GM and conventional agriculture work on a very different scale whem compared with the smallholder farmers. The latter have a different set of problems and their problems need a different set of solutions. There is a Chinese proverb that roughtly translates as "a long barge pole could knock everyone off the barge" (akin to not tarring everyone with the same brush). It's easy to understand the mentality that we must not "rock the boat&q

This bit of information has come at a good time for me, and so I'm sharing it. Our family have slowly over the past years switched to using greener, organic skincare, shower lotions, etc. My son and I have switched to organic toothpaste without all the foaming ingredients. Husband is a bit slower to change. I think this is because I remember my first toothpaste as being a 'cake' of powdery stuff in a little flat circular case. We rubbed the toothbrush onto this cake till we had enough on the brush. This toothpaste -- like the one I now use -- often leaves a residue on the toothbrush because it does not get 'foamed away'. That is why I still have the habit of tapping my tooth brush rather hard on the edge of the sink to get rid of this residue. You can now save £5 at Green People on orders over £35 when you apply this code AF27740957 at checkout. Code expires on 31st January 2009 . Back to Organic-Ally . Become our fan on Facebook .

UK's holiday waste smashes all records Too much packaging. Haven't we heard it before? These days I tend to walk away from stuff that I might buy, but don't, purely because there is too much unnecessary packaging. (Or if the packaging is not as eco-friendly as comparable products.) Of course this has its roots in 'stuff' travelling very long distances to come to us. Toys, fruit, cake, etc. Where food is concerned we also have the problems with preservatives . Take festival times. It used to be -- at least in my experience with Chinese New Year, Autumn Festival, etc -- that festive goods were made in our locality and we bought these as close as possible to the times we needed these items. My father was a pork butcher, and two nights before Chinese New Year the wet market would open in the evening instead of the morning. There the housewives gathered to 'fight' over the freshest seafood, pork and vegetables they could get their hands on. At home, in between ho

We did something unusual this year. We took off to mum-in-law's the week before Christmas. It was a short, pleasant visit. Amidst the doom and gloom I had to fight my own battles. On the Friday before Christmas my GP told me rather nonchalantly that I have arthritis. Nothing much we could do, it seems. Physiotherapy was prescribed and if I am lucky (lucky??) I might be seen by a physio six weeks down the road and he/she might be able to prescribe exercises to prevent the arthritis from getting worse. Ouch! Surely I am too young to get arthritis? GP said he's had arthritis since he was 32. Was that supposed to cheer me up? Apparently my kind of arthritis has to do with 'things' growing from my spine affecting the spinal cord. This was causing numbness in my fingers, leading to an x-ray which confirmed it. Well, if my body can make boney material where there isn't supposed to be, does that mean that I am in no danger of suffering osteoporosis then? Dunno. Actually I w