SCAM ALERT: Some Facebook Sponsored Ads (published on 15 Mar 2023)

Are These Sponsoreds Ads on Facebook A Scam Or Not? I was excited by these ads but my skeptical side kicked-in.  We will investigate these ads together and I will walk...

Making Custom RollerSkates in the Philippines (published on 11 Feb 2023)

I talk far too much!  You don't have to read it all, you can skip ahead if you want... Click here to skip to to Where To Have Custom Skates Made in the Philippines &g...

Is Singapore Good For Rollerskating? (published on 05 Feb 2023)

The answer is Yes.  Yes, it is!  Go to Singapore and go skating!  That's it.  That's the end of the article, thanks for reading! :) I really love Singap...

Lazada Lies (published on 02 Aug 2021)

Today I received an advertisement via email from Lazada.  I have spoken quite a lot over the years about dishonesty in sales, marketing and news media.  I think it i...

Roller skating rink at Burnham Park, Baguio, Philippines (published on 13 Mar 2021)

A word on Baguio City Baguio is really one of my favourite places in the Philippines.  I think that's because the city has a lot of the aspects of daily life that I l...

Amazon Not Sending OTP Email - Resolved (published on 26 Apr 2020)

I could not log in to Amazon because I was not receiving the Amazon OTP Email: When I try to login to Amazon I enter my email and password but then Amazon all-of-a-sudden o...

CoronaVirus Update 2: First Grocery Shopping (published on 18 Mar 2020)

I can't help if it makes me laugh.  Don't blame me, it's not my fault if everything is absurd.   "Sir, please don't pass the paper money to me."&nb...

How not to teach kids about making life choices (published on 17 Sep 2019)

I can still remember Mr Pearce shouting at me in front of our entire year group, in front of 120 students.  I was twelve years old.  And shy.  I hated attention...

A stroll to the market and back (published on 12 Sep 2019)

Ahh, the province life.  So simple and yet somehow so enjoyable. All I did was walk to the market and back, a couple of miles in each direction. When I was halfway thro...

Using Paypal with TransferWise (published on 29 May 2019)

On their website they specifically note that they do not accept payments from Paypal. It is not strictly accurate, it IS possible to transfer money from Paypal to TransferWis...

How I transfer money to Philippines (published on 29 May 2019)

I use an online remittance company called TransferWise .  I have been using their service for about three months so far after they were recommended to me by a relative a...

Your Name Says A Lot About You (published on 21 Apr 2019)

It started back in May, 2010, when I was living with my flatmate in France.  He kept pushing me to create a Facebook account, but I just could not bring myself to do it.&...

Eve Online MacMini No Valid Display Mode FullScreen Mode - working! (published on 22 Jan 2019)

Hi. The solution to getting Eve Online to run on MacMini that does not detect the valid fullscreen modes is at the bottom of the page. I have spent three very long e...

How To Make Money Through The Internet (published on 30 Dec 2018)

In the "real world" there are loads of ways to try to make money and the online world is no different.  You can work for somebody else, a bit like a regular job, either o...

An Opinion of the NHS - UK's National Health Service (published on 16 May 2017)

In the UK we have a "free health service" that we call the NHS (National Health Service).  I have visited a combination of public/private hospitals in China, Philippines,...

When I was 12 I had no idea what an entrepreneur was (published on 03 Apr 2017)

Perhaps I should have taken myself more seriously? haha, who knows? When I was twelve years old I made my first computer program, which happened to be a game about football...

Destiny Is The Ideology Of The Lazy Or Fearful (published on 03 Apr 2017)

I found her strange.  Head cocked to one side, eyes twinkling, she twiddled her fingers in her hair like a very young girl.  She was smiling.  She spoke of her ...

The Problem I Have With Uber (published on 23 Nov 2016)

The idea is genius.  You can use a modern mobile phone to hail a cab with a professional service, knowing prices up-front, that can be paid for automatically.  No ne...

Women Stll Do More Housework Than Men - BBC Article (published on 11 Nov 2016)

Why is this even a headline?? It really frustrates me that this is news.  This is the link to the article: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37941191   ...

I Tried To Go To Cambodia But Didn't Quite Make It (published on 24 Oct 2016)

Anybody staying in Philippines on a tourist VISA should be able to extend their VISA up to a maximum period.  These days I cannot seem to get a straight answer from the i...

It was a vote on the EU not a vote on Europe (published on 25 Jun 2016)

circa 52% of Briton voted to leave the European Union (around 70% voted, apparently, so around 40m people). Nobody voted to leave the continent of Europe. Is a European countr...

Les Miserables Bring Joy To Manila (published on 02 Apr 2016)

"These singers are among the best in the world.  This is something you will never forget for the rest of your life," I said as we entered the theatre.  It is somewha...

Lazada's Imaginary Sale (published on 17 Feb 2016)

Now, I am pro online shopping and online trade in general.  I do want to be able to book my flights and hotels online and I want to be able to pay by debit card ahead of ...

My take on THAT penalty (published on 17 Feb 2016)

A lot of people seem to be discussing whether it was the greatest penalty ever or whether it was cheeky, rude, disrespectful, clever, selfless, fearful or something else. ...

Dragon Flowers by Margie (published on 31 Jan 2016)

Dragon Flowers available at P500 plus shipping.  Contact me for more details.

Mystery of the Missing Socks Solved! Oh, wait a minute... (published on 04 Aug 2015)

There are lots of things that are peculiar about foreign countries.  I suppose that is what the word "foreign" means, isn't it?  Peculiar, alien, different.  On...

Aston Villa Preview 2015/16 (published on 04 Aug 2015)

Aston Villa Preview of 2015/6 Season What Happened Last Year? Villa almost sank! The Villans started the season in spectacular fashion, winning three of their first four ma...

When Is Top Gear Coming Back On? (published on 03 Aug 2015)

Is Top Gear Coming Back? Yes it is! Top Gear's new series will be shown on BBC2 without Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, because the trio will be making ...

The Philippines Through Alien Eyes (published on 27 Jul 2015)

  "I am not like the other Filipinos!" As an alien visitor to The Philippines I have heard that phrase so many times.  It is almost as if common knowledge dic...

Good Food Comes Cheap (published on 10 Mar 2015)

I noticed that over the last two to three years I have been getting fatter.  It may not come as much of a surprise that I put this down to being less active than before a...

The Perils of Finding a Job (published on 23 Aug 2014)

For those of us who choose to go and find a job or new income, the act of finding a job should become a full-time job in itself and as such requires some skills and a lot of e...

Pyramid Schemes Lack Moral Responsibility (published on 23 Aug 2014)

A pyramid scheme is never called a pyramid scheme Pyramid schemes have a bad reputation and are even illegal in some countries. Therefore, they often use other name...

Free Sunflowers at the Triangle (published on 31 Mar 2014)

I went for a relaxing walk with a close friend through Ayala Triangle Park on Sunday night.  The fresh, early evening breeze was soothing and gave some respite from the i...

Davao City: Best City in Philippines? (published on 23 Mar 2014)

I had been planning to go to see Davao City for a very long time.  So many people have told me that it is the best city in Philippines.  The previous mayor was famou...

Another Taxi Experience in Manila (published on 15 Mar 2014)

I was on my guard as I always am when taking a taxi across Manila.  The driver asked me if I knew the way to my destination, the airport.  Really?  I was puzzle...

Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj Prophecy (published on 25 Feb 2014)

In April of 2013, a man called Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj visited the Philippines and spoke of his visions.  He spoke of great ruin to be cast by the hand of God.  A grea...

Sungka Flies To Russia With Love (published on 27 Jan 2014)

A few days ago I received an order for a Sungka board.  There is nothing unusual about that in itself.  This order is interesting because it came from a man living i...

A Blueprint for Economic Utopia (Guest Post) (published on 14 Jan 2014)

When I first created this site I aimed to be the only contributer.  The site's design, programming, graphics and content would all be entirely written, made, by me. ...

Beautiful Red Arrows Wooden Model (published on 04 Jan 2014)

I had a great idea last year to commission a company to make high-quality wooden yachts and to ship them to Cannes for distribution.  I found it very difficult to find th...

Vivitar DVR 690HD Underwater Camera Product Review (published on 12 Dec 2013)

I bought this camera from Amazon for £33.79 (approx $55) and it was delivered within a few days.  I bought the camera because I was looking for a camera that could ...

Snorkeling and Diving in Apo Island (published on 12 Dec 2013)

Apo Island is quite rightly proud of its octopuses and turtles and is a favourite spot for snorkeling and diving.  I highly recommend walkng through the village and passi...

Weekend in Dumaguete City, Philippines (published on 12 Dec 2013)

Dumaguete: City of Gentle People I have been to Dumaguete several times and each time I visit, I am reminded of the friendliness of the people of Dumaguete.  The city ...

Freddie Aguilar Live at Ka Freddie's (published on 01 Dec 2013)

I have just come home from watching Freddie Aguilar and his sons and nephew playing the most amazing set of music I have ever seen.  I am totally buzzing, they were sensa...

Avenue Ridiculous Burger Challenge (published on 19 Aug 2013)

Today, I had a go at eating a ridiculous burger from the famous Avenue Burger on Makati Avenue in Manila.  This was not planned, so I will explain why this formed the lar...

English Premier League Football Predictions (published on 17 Aug 2013)

I suppose it's that time of year where everybody is declaring their predictions and hoping that in 9 months time, their prophecies have played out and they can declare themsel...

Baclaran Man's Desperate Plead For Help (published on 22 Jul 2013)

Baclaran Church is very well-known in Philippines as being one of the churches visited by the great Pope John Paul II.  It was a very controversal visit as Marcos had ord...

The Greatest Salesman in the World (published on 21 Jul 2013)

I was staying at Cebu Guesthouse and met a girl also staying there and both of us had nothing to do so opted to take a day trip to Kawasan Falls together. She had collected...

Is Yahtzee A Game Of Luck? (published on 21 Jul 2013)

Yes, of course it is, it is a dice game.  But, it is not purely a game of luck, there is also skill and method to the gameplay.  If you have a good player and a bad ...

Manila: Gates Of Hell (published on 21 Jul 2013)

I was very interested to see some people taking offence to Dan Brown's latest book, Inferno. The problems seem to be that in the fictional story, Inferno, Dan Brown compare...

Music And Films Today Are All Rubbish! Back In My Day... (published on 06 Jun 2013)

Do your parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, always talk about how useless the music and film industry are today and quote endless lists of films, songs, musicians, actors...

Movie Stars Cafe Manila (published on 30 May 2013)

  I would like to first set the scene.   I had been touring Manila with my Korean friend, Bryan, who grew up in America.  We had three amazing days wh...

Mario, Manila Taxi Driver: The Importance of Enjoying Life (published on 04 Apr 2013)

A lot of people talk about the taxi drivers of Manila.  There are many stories of pushy drivers, rude drivers, drivers with a poor standard of English, dishonest drivers,...

White Alien goes to One Laiya, Batangas (published on 20 Nov 2012)

Going to the beach from Manila is not quite as simple as it can be in other places that I have lived. From my home town of Colchester in the UK, I would walk to the train s...

Ayala Christmas Lights Show (published on 21 Dec 2012)

  This year it's back! Allow me to introduce the 2012 Ayala Triangle Christmas Lights and Sounds Show in Makati City , Philippines. When you arrive in Aya...

The Balloon Blower: "Truth doesn't matter when you're telling a good story" (published on 01 Dec 2012)

Ah, the balloon blower, I remember him well.  Him, but not his name.  He was a tall man, in his mid-50s, from the American countryside: a farmer. We were sitting at...

Scammers at Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand (published on 01 Jul 2010)

I come to the end of my very brief two day trip in Bangkok and feel that even in this short time I have had a strong taste of the city. M y first impression of Bangkok was th...

Anti-racism artist in Avila, Spain (published on 18 Jul 2003)

I visited a small city named Avila in Spain during a two-week road-trip around the North of Spain.  A small town of medieval feel, surrounded by castle walls, Avila, Spai...

Filipino Hospitality: Kindness At Manila Airport (published on 21 May 2008)

I don't know what to say, nor do I know exactly how I feel, so I will tell only what happened. I am in a country where it is normal to earn $5-$8 per day in the city, and ...

Travel Review of Boracay Island, Philippines: First Impressions (published on 16 Jan 2012)

Whenever I meet natives here in Philippines, they always ask me "Where have you been? Have you been to Boracay?" Their eyes are alight with excitement and prejudice.  My ...

First Trip To Amsterdam: Part 3 of 3 (published on 03 Sep 2006)

Followed by more fast threatening dutch.  I think it meant, "I'll kill you if you don't stop, moron" I turned right.  Walked faster "HEY!  HEY!" I turned left...

First Trip To Amsterdam: Part 2 of 3 (published on 03 Sep 2006)

I don't remember much of the following day.  I don't remember at all what I did in the daytime so it could not have been very interesting...oh yes, hahhaa, I went for a w...

First Trip To Amsterdam: Part 1 of 3 (published on 03 Sep 2006)

August 2006: From Nice to Amsterdam My employers decided that I was looking decidedly stressed so they opted to give me one week's paid leave and also send me to Amsterdam fo...

Fred: "I Am Not A Lucky Man" (published on 01 Sep 2012)

Fred is a poor man. He works planting rice, earning just a few pesos every day. When he is not working, he sits with his friends, family and neighbours at the roadside.  ...