EEK GBP: £0.05

On one of the forums I'm on, someone posted about a 100 push-up training programme that spans 6 weeks.  The idea behind it is that at the end of the 6 weeks, you'll be able to do 100 push-ups.

When I was doing karate in my teens, we used to do 60 push-ups during training, and I remember finding them a struggle.  So I was interested to see how quickly a 12-stone weekling could get to the point where 100 push-ups was achievable.

The training programme is broken down into 6 weeks, and each week into 3 days.  You start off doing a test to see how many push-ups you can do before you start the programme.  This determines the number of repetitions you do as you progress.  The whole programme can be downloaded and printed off from the site.

Anyway, I managed 30 push-ups in my initial test, and according to the programme, that's not a bad starting point. 

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Amazing. I am living the dream composing an article on my phone whilst on a train between Brentford and Hounslow.

Admittedly, a train between Chiswick and Barnes might be a better dream but this is hardcore blogging! (Still, better keep it brief as the chance of the phone being snatched by a group of hoodies is not insignificant.)

So, point proved (to myself) an old dog can learn new tricks!!

Next challenge: uploading photos from the comfort of my train seat… before I arrive at my destination! Byeeeeeee…

There you go.  I've written it in black and white (or even a burnt orange colour if we're being pedantic).  The MMR vaccine does not cause autism.  Studies have proven this.  

One study, of only 12 children, supported the link between MMR and the increased risk of the development of autism.  This has been discredited by the scientific and medical experts.  However, none of the studies that prove the absence of a link have caused the media hysteria that accompanied this 'rogue' study.

I don't see front-page headlines in the press supporting and highlighting the proper scientific studies proclaiming "MMR does NOT cause autism", and  "Get your child vaccinated with the MMR jab and help prevent an outbreak of measles".

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The point of this particular blog was a moment of inspiration from a colleague who's currently on a diet. He was down the gym and weighed himself after visiting for 3 straight weeks, but in his words, "the scales must be wrong, 'cos they were saying I was the same weight as Simon Shaw from the England rugby squad - and yet I don't think I should be any heavier than Ben Cohen."

And at that point the idea was born - "Celebrity Scales". Instead of lbs & oz, or kilos - why not display the image of a celebrity who weighs that exact weight - far more empowering!

 "How much do I weigh? Glad you asked, way more than Kylie, but less than Russell Crow!" See - no more shyness! And then to my abject disappointment this evening - I discovered someone else beat me to it! Though I think these celebrity scales need images!! 

What good is genius if it's operating behind the times?

Having just returned from a terrifically relaxing holiday in Ireland I thought I'd share this dual purpose bin. 

Not only is it a bin - but it also tells you where you are going and, I suppose, where you've "bin"…. I haven't seen this used anywhere in the UK yet but it struck me as a particularly useful idea.

I have begun making initial enquiries about the patenting of this "where's you bin?" for use in the UK - so give me a shout if you think / know it's already been done. And, I have a great idea for the 1.1 version of the product - which sees the use of a more detailed map on a bigger, more mobile, bin. I'm calling it the "Where's you wheelie bin?" 

I also think there's the potential for a new tab on Google Earth where the user can opt to see the locations of bins around the planet… but Dan tells me this is a rubbish idea

This is genius.  No, it really is.  What's the worst name you could give a range of fragrances?  Give your loved one a bottle of Hummer eau de toilette to show what you think of them.

 "Here you go love, just what you need.  I saw this and thought of you.  You Hummer…" 

I wonder why it hasn't been released in the UK?  I'm sure it'd do a roaring trade in Boots on the run up to Christmas.

Even in America they mock the concept of Hummer bringing out a range of fragrances.  But they seem to focus on the incogruity of a manufacturer of an over-sized 4×4 bringing out aftershaves, and also the negative image Hummer has in relation to the it's military image and all that is wrong with American foreign policy.

They're missing the obvious though.  You don't call a range of fragrances 'Hummer'.  It's like saying it's the aftershave you need if you stink. 

Hummer makes a car called the H2.  Now, if they'd been clever, they'd have called their range H2eau.  But they weren't that clever.  Oh, it seems they nearly were… they have brought out a range for the H2.  They didn't call it H2eau though, they missed a trick there.

Description
The essence of adventure is captured in a fragrance for those who aren't content to simply watch the world go by. HUMMER fragrance is a fresh, exhilarating scent that blends organic essences of the natural world such as sandalwood and leather with exotic spices like cardamom and amber for a truly masculine adrenaline rush that can only be called HUMMER. (Available to ship within the U.S. and Canada only.)

I know what I'm getting the family for Christmas now anyway.