Runnin On Empty - The "C" Word

The show is great, but this yearly trial is cruel and unnecessary and despite complaints continues to run.  So normally there’s big fat witchetty grubs wiggling around on a plate and the celebrity has to bite their heads off and eat the body, or there’s live cockroaches, grasshoppers etc all of which they have to consume.  But this year there was an added Water spider under a glass, it was absolutely huge and seemed to be panicking to get out.

Ant & Dec laughed that it probably knew what was about to happen to it before advising the Only way is Essex star Ferne Mcann to swirl the glass around until the spider was stunned and curled itself into a ball and then to pop it quickly into her mouth….and much to my horror she did, gagging, and crunching the innocent frightened creature until it was no more.

It was one of the most sickening things I’ve witnessed, nobody asks to be born into the form they are, we were blessed to be born human, but we could’ve quite easily been born an animal or an insect.  Will I watch the show again?  No, not unless they remove this trial, there’s nothing entertaining about killing a helpless, defenceless living thing, it sends out the wrong message. Every year Offcom are hit with 100’s of complaints but fail to do anything, its time  both they & ITV get their act together and start listening, there’s nothing wrong in pushing TV boundaries but this trial is a step way too far.

News from the Lets Do It For ME team http://ldifme.org/ that every week up until 28th Feb 2016 Galaxy Hot Chocolate are looking for local community  groups and charities to help by choosing five a week and giving out cash awards of £3000, you can read more about it here: http://ldifme.org/galaxy-hot-chocolate-fund-lets-do-it-again/ where you can also click on another link and vote for the charity Invest In ME so please take a moment to do that, it can really make a difference

Onto a feast of Gizmo/Gadget/Gifts this week and the juvenile geek in me thought Christmas had come early when I discovered an American site called Uncommon Goods, it brings talented designers all over the world together under one roof, better still they’ve  started shipping to the UK although be aware that some of the creators don’t ship internationally, but with so many quirky off the wall things I was spoilt with what to share with you: But first up is this human bird feeder which tickled my fancy  and can hold up to 32 Ounces of small snacks like smarties, M&M’s or for the more healthy amongst you, Nuts…the snacks not you, & it comes in at  £26.67 http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/people-feeder

Then my eyes lit up at these Ooma Bowls, chips one end, dip the other…sorted £17.55  http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/ooma-bowl

For Music Retroheads what about this Cushion printed with various types of cassette tape?  £21.95 from Iminto  http://www.iminto.co.uk/music-c970/cushions-c979/cassettes-filled-cushion-p6208 where you’ll be able to find plenty of other music themed gifts too.

For all you Doggy lovers, how about an all in one santa suit complete with hat? Catering for all dog sizes, prices start from £17.95 if you head over to Canine & Co  there’s even a limited offer of 20% discount, but it ends  this Saturday. http://www.canineandco.co.uk/products/detail/dog_christmas_outfits__massive_3_day_sale/486/

Last butt not least The iBooty Call Phone Case in the shape of…..er…a Booty. For those unfamiliar with the term it’s a bottom. I don’t know how practical it would be, but it will certainly give people a laugh when you take it out…..the case, not your own. Available from Gadgets + Gear   £8.57 https://gadgetsandgear.com/ibooty-iphone-case/

Local news this week actually covers everywhere, because it’s about used stamps. What with all the Christmas cards flying about you’re bound to get a few and many charities including animal ones really appreciate you saving them and sending them in because they’re sold on in bulk and it helps to raise funds.  A number of years ago I found out that Watford Peace Hospice http://www.peacehospice.co.uk/index.asp collected them so my mother and I both started saving ours all year round. It takes little effort and is a way of helping to make a difference. You can send them to : Stamps c/o Peace Hospice Care, Peace Drive, Watford.

The national animal trust http://www.nawt.org.uk/   also  recently put a call out for your used stamps too, and the address to send them is:

NAWT Head Office, Tylers Way, Watford By Pass,Watford, Herts WD25 8WT

Just make sure that when you tear or cut around the stamp on the enevelope you leave a border around it so as not to damage it.

So wherever you live in the world, just check with your fave charities if they take stamps and then you can start doing your bit to help out.

Staying on the topic of helping out, In this build up to Christmas please spare a thought for those less fortunate, especially those left homeless due to the devastating floods in Cumbria, anyone who would like to make a donation to the Cumbria flood recovery appeal can do so by going to:    http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/cumbriafoundation/cumbriafloodappeal2015

There are many families that have lost absolutely everything and are literally just left with the clothes they are standing in. It certainly makes you look around and count your blessings.              

And on that note I’d just like to send my dad best wishes for his birthday on Monday, it’s going to be a difficult gathering without my brother and sister, but hopefully we will find strength from coming together to share in his special day.

                                   Til Next Week, Stay Blessed

                                        Back Before Elvis X

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