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July 2015

Book Review: The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-zombie-survival-guide-max-brooks-book-cover The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks was disappointing. Although it was informative and a worthwhile read if you’ve ever contemplated or seriously thought about what you’d do in a zombie apocalypse, it lacked any real hooks to keep the reader captivated.

The Zombie Survival Guide is split into sections, covering: The Undead, Weapons and Combat Techniques, Defence, being On The Run and going On The Attack.

The is a section of Recorded Attacks – evidence of zombie outbreaks from history that were both fascinating and enjoyable to read.

UK readers may dislike the Americanism in The Zombie Survival Guide. However to be fair, Brooks did address this in an Author’s Note right at the beginning of the book.

Overall The Zombie Survival Guide is worth a read, mainly for the Recorded Attacks section at the end of the book.

Brooks also wrote World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, which I have reviewed here.

Review soon,

Antony

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Sunday 12 July 2015

A Celebration of Love: Mum & Ian’s Wedding

By Friends & Family, Happiness & JoyNo Comments
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Ian & Mum, with the Bagpiper playing in the background.

 On Wednesday 1st July 2015, during the hottest afternoon of the year, Mum & Ian celebrated their love for one another by getting Wed. I’ve never seen my mum so full of excitement, she was like a child on christmas day. She looked exceptionally divine.

Even notoriously grumpy Ian, smiled and laughed often.

Mum and Ian were both lit up with happiness and radiated joy. I have never seen either of them so ecstatic. I was lovely and I felt honoured to see it and share the day with them.

As the Best Man, I had come up with the idea for the fishing trip stag do. But my role on the day was to get the men dressed in full traditional Scottish dress – including kilt and sporran. I think looking at the photos below, I did a pretty good job.

As Son of the Bride (I’m not sure if this is an official wedding role, but if it isn’t, it should be), I spent my time greeting, getting and entertaining.

Being so busy doing these two roles, I didn’t get time to take many photos. I was too busy being in them! But here’s a few photos I’ve managed to get hold of from other people:

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Ian and Mum.
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Left to Right: Neil (my brother), Me, Ian, Mum & the Bagpiper.
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Left to Right: Auntie Sue, Me (showing off in a kilt) and Chris

After the ceremony, we all went back to Mum & Ian’s for a barbecue that went on late into the evening. This was followed up on the Friday by a much bigger party. It was a joint celebration of Mum and Ian’s Wedding and Mum’s Fiftieth Birthday (which had been on the same day that they had got married on).

I had a great time and wish them many, many more happy, joyful and exciting times ahead.

Write soon,

Antony

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Wednesday 8 July 2015

Health Tech Review: Contour Next USB Glucose Meter by Bayer

By Health, Reviews, TechnologyNo Comments
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Diabetes/Health Illustration Logo.
© Antony Simpson/Sye Watts.

 I’m a type 1 diabetic. See my blog post How I was diagnosed with Diabetes to learn more about my diabetes story. Anyway today I’m reviewing the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter.

Sometime ago, I switched to the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter. It was one of the best diabetes-related things I’ve ever done.

The Contour Next USB Glucose Meter is small, easy to use and track trends. There’s so many good things about the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter, that I’ve put together a list of features that I like:

  • It’s small – tiny in comparison to most other Glucose Meters. Something I appreciate and that I imagine others would.
  • It’s easy to use – with it’s big colour display and three options. It’s three options being: Logbook, Trends and Setup.
  • As well as logging blood sugars it has the options to log carbs and/or insulin.
  • USB connection to the computer with java-based software that’s Windows & Mac compatible.
  • Software – That creates great detailed reports in PDF format that you can then share with your GP, Diabetes Nurse, Diabetes Consultant, etc.
  • Both the device and software track trends – the software reports giving much more details on trends.
  • USB charges meter battery – not that in the plus 6 months I’ve had it I’ve needed to charge it.
  • Meter allows you to fill the same strip with extra blood if you didn’t put enough blood in the first time. Rather than starting again.
  • No coding or quality testing required.
  • Finger-pricking device is small.
  • Comes with a slightly bulkier case that keeps everything together – the meter, the testing strips and the finger-pricking device.

Here are some images of the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter:

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Contour Next USB Box
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What The Meter Looks Like
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Sample of PDF Report that the software creates.

The only thing I dislike is that the java-based software can be slow and occasionally crashes. But the benefits the software brings far outweigh these slight annoyances.

Overall the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter is by far the best glucose meter I’ve used. It’s probably the best on the market. An improvement on future models could include connection/communication with Apps that could be used on the iPhone or iPad.

You can Request a FREE Contour Next USB Glucose Meter or Find Out More about the Contour Next USB Glucose Meter here.

Review soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Sunday 5 July 2015

Enjoying The Sunshine

By Friends & Family, Happiness & JoyNo Comments
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My Brother, Me and My Nephew

 On a glorious summer’s day, my brother, my nephew and I decided to go for drinks and dinner. We caught up, exchanged views on all manor of topics and talked about the future.

You can’t beat those wonderful and spontaneous good times. With life being so busy they can be rare, but that just makes you appreciate them more.

I appreciate everyone in my life – my family and my friends and I love spending time with them all.

Take care,

Antony

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Saturday 4 July 2015
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