Mutterings for the Minority

Get to the top on Google

That’s my aim and one of the reasons why I’ve recently been reading David Viney’s book - ‘Get to the Top on Google: Tips and Techniques to Get Your Site to the Top of Google and Stay There‘.

David is a self confessed leading Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) expert and works with companies large and small to improve their search engine rankings. Which is one of the main reasons I decided to take the plunge and start reading it - courteousy of Swansea central library.

Whilst I’m not what you’d called an SEO virgin (is there such a thing?) I’m also far from being 100% au faux with the ins and outs of the SEO business - although I do intend getting there one day. Thankfully the book is set out in a way which caters for the lower to middle of the road SEO readers and as such has something for everyone.

It’s also reassuring to read the same fundamental rules and themes that I’ve picked up from reading about SEO elsewhere, as I’ve often found that some people proclaim to be SEO experts when in fact they merely provide their own (often mis-guided) judgements on SEO.

Aside from the usual SEO stuff, the book has provided me with a useful insight into how you could utilise Google Maps and Google Earth as part of an SEO strategy. Who’d have thought that a little ‘corner shop’ business could benefit from these tools in a search engine kind of way.

The section on links was also useful, providing some useful pointers to lots of web based link directories (with associated page rank) and other suitable avenues for exploring in order to boost your link strategy. Just one word of advice (warning?) - make sure you use a ‘disposable’ email address (e.g. links @ domainname . com) for registering your site with ANY of the directories. As of the ones I tried such as Jayde has insisted on sending me quite a few daily emails relating to my submission and SEO. But hey, what do I expect for a free directory submission.

One gripe I do have - which isn’t related to the book - is David’s website SEO Expert Services. Somewhat surprisingly the blog on the site was last updated in August 2008, which I’d have thought isn’t good in terms of both SEO and enticing new customers? Perhaps the site forum is a hive of activity, but as I was too tight to shell out for the subscription fee I couldn’t tell you

Anyway, don’t let the site put you off borrowing/buying the book it’s worth a read and will certainly give you some food for thought in terms of SEO and how it can be applied to your business strategy.

Just one parting shot though, don’t think that this book alone will get your website to rank number 1 in Google, it won’t. It will point you in the right direction, but only hard work will get your site to the top and keep it there. There is NO quick fix in terms of getting to the top in Google.

Tags: google, seo

Swansea v Blackpool

The Swans first season back at Championship level (Division Two to us oldies) in 24 years came to a close this afternoon with a 1 nil defeat against Blackpool.

With neither side having anything to play for - apart from pride and the odd contract perhaps - the whole atmosphere and approach to the game was more akin to a pre-season friendly than a league game.

It was little wonder then perhaps that the rather sleepy Swans defence leaked the only goal of the game inside the first half hour. Despite dominating possession - as per most of our home games this season - the Swans failed to capitalise on a host of chances.

I guess the fact that one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon was the news of Cardiff’s play-off capitulation at Sheffield Wednesday said it all really.

The final whistle blew and no-one was seemingly bothered by the result. Why, well quite simply it was put into context by the Swans having exceeded my (if not everyone’s) expectations. What a season it’s been!

Who’d have predicted an 8th place finish in our first season back at this level or the 2 nil humiliation of FA Cup holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Other highlights include being undefeated in 3 games against our arch-rivals Cardiff and the emergence of Joe Allen in midfield. But the biggest highlight for me has been the way we’ve played football and in doing so outclassed a number of the teams in the top 6 - including Wolves and Birmingham.

The most bizarre game would have to be QPR at home which saw Iain Dowie was sacked a few days after. It was little wonder really as his side camped in their own half for the entire 2nd half, quite surprising really as we had Alan Tate in goals (due to a Dorus DeVries injury).

The games against Reading and Preston stick in my mind the most though. Simply because of the way we dominated, outclassed and quite frankly annihilated the opposition - both of which were the ‘form’ teams at the time and riding high in the division.

So what better way to sum it all up than with a video of the Swans players doing a lap of honour at the end of the game today. Well done lads you did the Jack Army proud!

Tags: Football, Swansea

Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V Trainers

Yes these are the new running shoes I’ve bought and which duly arrived today.

My old trainers (running shoes?) - New Balance something or other - had began to fray and wear near the upper heal part. This made wearing them rather uncomfortable!

So I was in the market for a new running shoe that would cater for a overpronator like me. With this is mind I had to have a shoe that would offer me stability and support.

After doing some digging around on the web I headed off to M and M Direct whom stocked the Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V trainers - in size 12!

[EDIT] M and M Direct no longer have them in stock, but they are in stock on the Reebok running website.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were down to £39.13 from the RRP of £64.99, as a result I didn’t need to think twice about ordering them.

Having now tried them on and gone for a light jog I can honestly say that they are not only extremely comfortable, but also offer the stability/support I needed (especially in my right leg).

I never cease to be amazed how a trainer can be so comfy - like wearing slippers in fact - and yet still feel sturdy regardless of the running terrain.

Anyway, suffice to say that the Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V trainers get a big thumbs up from me!

Tags: Reebok, Reebok Premier Road Plus KFS V, Running, Trainers

Replacing a Vauxhall Meriva Pollen Filter

Ok before I start describing how I went about changing the pollen filter on my 04 plate Vauxhall Meriva, I just want to make it clear that I’m a web developer by trade - not a car mechanic!

So if my descriptions are somewhat non-car-mechanic speak I apologise, but at least the pictures should help everyone.

Firstly the reason for changing the filter was simple - the misting in the Meriva had become almost unbearable and having tried all of the other suggestions muted on the Vauxhall Owners Network forum, I was left with only one choice.

Spurned on by the purchase of the replacement pollen filter for just £7.20 (including delivery) from VauxWorld on eBay and the thought of saving myself some ‘labour’ fees at the local garage I started my task.

Replacing the pollen filter should take no more than 20 to 25 minutes at most - this included the time for me to fumble around to find where everything was and to take these pictures!

The first step is to locate the pollen filter - so open the bonnet and take a look at the passenger side of the Meriva just behind the battery and on a ledge below the windscreen wipers. Here you’ll see a plastic flap which lifts up.

When you lift the flap up, you’ll notice an oblong shaped box which I think houses the electrics for the windscreen wipers.

You’ll need to unclip the box by simply lifting it up towards you. When you have done this, try and position it as far over to the right hand side as possible.

Now if you look to the left of where the box was, you’ll see the outside cover of the pollen filter compartment.

[UPDATE] The other thing you’ll need to do to get full access to the pollen filter is bend back the perforated piece of scuttle panel next the to access flap (as shown in picture 2). The plastic is quite flexible and bends back easily.

You now need to remove the cover by slowly lifting it up so that it unclips from its seating and then you can pull it away to reveal the pollen filter. The above can be tricky if like me you’ve got big hands!

As you can see from the picture this filter was well past its best! The darker the filter in colour the less efficient it will be.

Pull the filter away from the casing and pull it out through the gap - leaving an empty casing behind.

OK now it’s time to put your brand new pollen filter in - remembering to fit the pollen filter with the grooves in a vertical position.

When you had put the filter back into the casing, the tricky bit is actually putting the pollen filter cover back on. This is done by slowly sliding the cover down over the casing until you feel it clip back into position.

Don’t be put off by the fact that the pollen filter peeps over the top of this outer casing - that’s the way it’s meant to be apparently.

Anyway, I hope that those of you who have a need to replace a Meriva pollen filter find this post useful. For the experts out there who spot any glaring mistakes, please let me know and I’ll update the post accordingly.

Thanks for reading!

Tags: car, meriva, pollen filter, vauxhall

Chicken Pox

All of the excitement I felt with Mrs DDWT and the kids impending arrival home - after their mini-break in Ceredigion with Nanny - was quickly dampened with a 07:30 am telephone call.

It was Mrs DDWT ringing to tell me the kids had the classic symptoms and signs of chicken pox!

I couldn’t believe it and just to compound matters I’ve booked a week’s leave next week to do lots of family things - so we had lots planned. A train trip to Cardiff, a day in Folly Farm or Dan-yr-Ogof and a couple of 5th birthday parties (which DDWT Junior had been invited too).

The thought of Baby DDWT (@ just 10 months old) having chicken pox fills me with trepidation as well. Bless her.

The missus and I had it when we were kids so we’ll be ok and I suppose in a weird kind of way it’s good that the kids have it whilst they are very young as well - as opposed to their teens or even adulthood.

Oh well time to head off to the pharmacy for some calamine lotion I think and some antihistamines for children!

Boy is it going to be a fun week off in the house of DDWT *raised eyebrows*

Tags: Chicken Pox

I wasn’t ready

I attended the funeral of my work colleague’s late mother today as a gesture of my support, just as he had done for me back in September.

In retrospect, I perhaps somewhat foolishly thought that I would be ok and would be able to deal with the tide of emotions that only a funeral can evoke - especially as it was at the same crematorium as where my Dad had been laid to rest.

My train of thought had been that I’d have to face up to it sometime and that it was better to do that sooner rather than later.   This was partly based on the experiences of my wife whom had been in a simialr situation.

So here I was almost 5 months since I laid my Dad to rest and I now realise I wasn’t ready to face such a range emotions, not yet anyway.  

I struggled to keep myself from becoming a blubbering wreck before, during and after the service but thankfully managed to hold it back long enough to make my way from the crowds.    

Upon reaching the car, I released the pent up emotions I was feeling and it made me realise just how raw my feelings still are.

They say time is a great healer on on today’s evidence I can see why people say that.  

Such sayings might be old adages, but this one certainly rings true for me in this instance.

Tags: Funeral, Grieving

Valentines Gift Ideas

Let’s talk Valentine’s Day.  A day when all hopes of love and romance are heightened, only to be thwarted with an onslaught of tacky toys and materialistic junk that collects in our attics, before being taken to a car boot sale 8 years on.  A day of sulking, presents, proposals and high expectations.

Every girl dreams of something special for Valentine’s Day. Diamonds perhaps?  A lovely meal? A romantic poem that could very well have been written by Byron himself, yet written by your partners own fair hand…? Every guy dreams of, well, getting laid thanks to his efforts of bringing home a cuddly toy devil and box of Chocolate Fingers.

Valentine’s Day is in fact homage to a bishop by the name of Valentine.  Whilst the Pagans were happily putting girls names into a box and drawing one out for each man to have sexy time with for a year, Valentine decided it was high time that people should be allowed to get married.  Idiot.  Under the blanket of night…or just a blanket, people would tippy-toe up to his church to be wed, so that they could be together forever.  When Emperor Claudius II found out about all this marriage rubbish, he had Valentine tortured and slung into jail before being beheaded.  Valentine apparently took a fancy to the jailers blind daughter, magically restoring her site and leaving her a farewell note signed ‘From Your Valentine.’

Thus a day of lushy red hearts and Eskimo kisses was born, to strike depression into the hearts of every singleton on Earth.  If it wasn’t for Valentine, we could have been celebrating a day of sexual liberation and still been picking names out of hats, much like people do with car keys at parties.

So what are you going to do this year?  Go all out with the champers and jewellery after a private jet ride to the Bahamas?  The credit crunch is affecting all of us and we can’t even get those cuddly devils from Woolworths anymore!  With a tight budget and a little creativity you could have the best Valentine’s Day yet!  Show you care with a little bit of help from Find Me a Gift.

Why not start the day off with breakfast in bed?  Freshly squeezed orange juice, fried egg and a toasted bacon sandwich may sound basic, but by using something like the Mood Message Toast, you can imprint ‘I Love You’ and ‘Good Morning’ into the bread when toasting.  Use a Heart Frying Pan to cook the egg into a heart shape for added effect.

See?  By 10am you have already scored brownie points!  Why not purchase a packet of cornflakes that have a free toy, open it from the bottom and exchange the toy for a romantic gift such as a Silver Love Token set with a real diamond.  Everyone knows that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach (and pants) so a romantic breakfast in bed could be all you need to make your loved one feel appreciated and spoilt.

So what should you do with the rest of the day?  Why not create a Valentine’s treasure hunt!  Hide clues and treats around the garden, or sprinkle a path of Freeze Dried Rose Petals for your lover to follow.  Whether you are leaving love notes dotted around, chocolates or gifts, a Valentine’s Treasure Hunt is a great way to create a unique and fun afternoon!  The fact that you planned such an event in their honour, may possibly get you out of the washing up AND let you watch CSI Miami tomorrow.

Now that you have both worked up an appetite you can impress with your creative culinary skills!  Sprinkle some Red Heart Confetti on the table and dish out some Heart Shaped Pasta with a homemade sauce, followed by strawberries and marshmallows dipped in a Chocolate Fountain!

Time for a little pampering and relaxation before bed!  The 52 Weeks of Romance or Bed of Roses kits have everything you need for a pleasurable and stimulating evening in for two.  Why not sprinkle rose petals on the bed, light scented candles and treat each other to a relaxing massage before getting into a bath of colour changing Bath Pearl Lights.  Spending some quiet time together and getting to know each other’s bodies again can spark off forgotten passions and romance.  Using massage oils can help relax the body and mind, aiding the self conscious to feel more at ease and helping the masseuse to glide their hands across your skin effortlessly.  Trying to wind down after a stressful day at work can be difficult, but a foot or back massage can aid sleep and provide much appreciated ‘us’ time for many couples.

Personalised gifts can really show how much you care about someone.  Why not put some special or naughty photos onto a Digital Photo Frame Fridge Magnet for instance?  The frame also has a hidden stand so it can be placed on your office desk or bedside table.  When I was young, you would declare your love by carving your initials into a tree and exchanging mix tapes.  Oh how times have changed.  Relive some of that retro romance by carving a message into the Carve Your Own Card and sending it with the equally cool USB Mix Tape.  Just download your favourite smoochy crooners or rave favourites and leave in your loved ones school locker/ letterbox.  If you fancy something a little more home made then the YouDoo Dolls offer a blank canvas in which to recreate your hubby or yourself in a weird voodoo doll type way.  Iron on a transfer picture of your face, dress it up, fill it with more padding, a secret love note or lavendar.  Blue Peter eat your heart out!  Add accessories and hair to your doll before sobbing uncontrollably, as you realise you have to give your masterful creation away to someone else.

For little sentimental gestures with big impact, get a silver or gold Rolo or even a Love Heart sweet.  Each of them is presented in a presentation box, but why not take them out and place at the middle or bottom of a real roll of Rolos or Love Hearts.  A fantastic idea for those with a sweet tooth and love of surprises!

Climbing into bed at the end of a gloriously romantic Valentine’s Day…what is that on your pillow?  A beautiful Secret Message Arrow!  As if fired from Cupids bow itself, the Secret Message Arrow opens up to reveal a hidden compartment where you can pop a roll of paper with you secret love message written upon it.  What will it say?  “Will you Marry me?”… “I Love You”…or “Get your crash helmet on Love, cos your about to go through the headboard.”

Tags: love, valentines day

Pool party

We all had a wicked time today at DDWT Junior’s pool party in celebration of his 5th birthday, which is on Tuesday.

Some 14 or so of his classmates turned up and they - and their parents - had a whale (pun intended) of a time at Pontardawe swimming pool, splashing, diving and swimming about the massed array of kids floatables!

The little fella was so excited bless him and at the end of the hour you could see that all of the kids were quite literally out on their feet having had so much fun.  It was certainly £60 well spent to hire the pool for the hour.

It was the perfect way to celebrate his birthday with all of his friends, leaving the traditional family party to his actual birthday on Tuesday.

Somewhat reluctantly I decided to weigh myself this morning - fearing the worst - having munched my way through a KFC and a box of maltesers yesterday *blush*

Thankfully it was good news though as I was still 15st 12lbs.  Although this was after having a re-weigh as I wasn’t starkers the first time around!  Who’d have thought that a pair of PJ’s would weigh 2lb eh?

Back to work

I decided to go back to work today and break myself back into work mode gently rather than face a full on onslaught on Monday morning!

Thankfully the plan seemed to work as I managed to get the usual pleasantries out of the way and clear most of my stock piled Christmas/New Year emails.  So hopefully come Monday things should be more relaxed - which is always a nice thought when it’s your first full week back.

No doubt I’ve just put the mockers on it now though…..

As I was in work it also meant back to having a lunchtime run along Swansea Bay and my word what a run I had today!  Somehow I managed to set myself a new personal best time of 41 minute 6 second run for my regular 5 mile run.

I was all the more surprised by my time as despite having put the miles in over Christmas I personally felt that the intensity was missing.  I was also feeling physically tired and the bitterly cold wind made for rather uncomfortable conditions.  Still I’m chuffed to bits and am now more eager than ever to try and nail a sub-40 minute time!

Continuing with my recent spate of watching films, tonight was the turn of ”Ghost Town‘ starring Ricky Gervais.  It reminded me a lot of ‘Ghost‘ but without the gorgeous Demi Moore and was considerably more funny in a way that only Ricky G could carry off.  Not great but well worth watching, especially if you like/loath dentists

What’s on TV?

I don’t know what you guys think, but personally I thought the stuff served up on television (including satellite) over Christmas and New Year was pretty pants on the whole.  It seemed to be the typical re-runs of previous years ‘top rated’ films - as far back as you could imagine.

In retrospect though, is this any different from any year?

Perhaps this will explain why I spent so much time watching DVDs over the holiday period - especially as I don’t tend to watch too much TV as I’d rather be physically doing something rather than sitting on my bum.  Still it made a refreshing change I guess and allowed me some time to catch up on what I’d been missing or in some case thought I had!

I sat myself through - ‘Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull‘, ‘Quantum of Solace‘, ‘The Love Guru‘, ‘Kung Fu Panda‘ and ‘Mamma Mia‘.

As with most things people watch on TV there is a level of expectation, often raised by previous films or indeed particular actors.  With this in mind, I suppose that is why I felt ‘Quantum of Solace’ in particular was a major disappointment - the emphasis (for me) being far too much on the stunts and not enough on the substance of the script.

I’ll be honest though, despite ‘Mamma Mia’ being what I’d call a chick flick it was the one film out of the lot that I enjoyed the most.  So if I were you I’d take a chance and watch it