Sleep Problems
Posted by Dean Clinton | Filed under Personal
Those of you that are close to me, know that I have sleep problems.
They vary from sleep walking, sleep taking/arguing to not actually being able to sleep.
It started a few years ago, when I was living above a public house (aka Pub). I somehow sleepwalked all the way up the middle of street in the middle of the day (I was having a cat-nap). Yes, I managed to get myself dressed first. When I got back, I was still asleep, and got undressed and back into bed.
Sleep is a funny thing, isn’t it. You either can, or you can’t. If you are on-and-off throughout the night, then you may as well have not gone to sleep. Well for me, this is the case; often when I wake up, I have a really bad head - a splitting headache. It puts me off for the rest of the day, and nothing seems to shift the pain either.
Often, I can be sat up in bed till 3 or 4am, trying to get to sleep; it just doesn’t seem to want to happen. I can sit there counting sheep, or sit there on my laptop; both outcomes are the same - I stay awake.
So this week, I’m trying two new things. I’ll outline them below.
(1) BreatheRight Nasal Strips
These strips relieve nasal congestion, according to the box. Made by BreatheRight, they are a sticky thin strip that goes across the bridge of your nose. The strip is reinforced with plastic strips that physically pull your nostrils outwards, allowing more oxygen up your nasal passage.
The reason I’ve decided to try these is because I wondered if the headaches in the morning were caused by a lack of oxygen getting into my brain/system whilst I am asleep. This could be caused by my nose “closing up” whilst I’m sleeping. It could also explain why I sometimes stop breathing in my sleep (luckily my partner has woken up at the precise moment I stop breathing) It’s certainly worth a try - So far, I’ve been using them three nights in a row, and have been unable to decide if they are working or not yet.
The good thing about these strips, is that they are completely drug-free. I’m not pumping my body full of crap to cover up symptoms.
(2) Pzizz Sleep and Relaxation Software
This software (MacOSX & Windows compatible) seems to be really good - I’ve used it for two nights on the trot now. The first night was uncomfortable for me, as I was using my iPod’s headphones (and I nearly strangled myself). The second night, I used my newly-purchased speaker pillow, by SilentNight (£8/$16 from T.J.Hughes in Preston).
Anyway, about the software. It’s made by a company called Brainwave Enterprises. The software, downloadable from the website, generates sound files that you transfer to your iPod/MP3 Player. I was reading somewhere not to use CD, as it doesn’t work as good on it (To do with the Hz’s that stuff runs at).
Here’s some copied and pasted information from their website:
A new kind of insomnia treatment
pzizz is a powerful new kind of insomnia treatment that’s perfect for you if you have the kind of sleep problems where you can’t switch off when in bed. You’ll find pzizz gently eases you into restful sleep.
pzizz is non-addictive — there are no drugs. And because it’s possibly the most effective sleep treatment available it gives you back your sleeping and waking hours like no other remedy!
Increase energy and performance
In as little as 15-20 minutes, pzizz can help you control your day. It clears your brain, improves focus, lowers stress and lets you get on with your work by helping you take a short performance break.
High-powered corporations that subscribe to the idea
nike, british airways, great dane trailers, trc, gould evans goodman associates, u.s. army, burlington northern santa fe railroad, union pacific railroad… Read More
I set the software to generate 10 versions of the MP3’s, and left the other settings all at the defaults.
It took about 15 mins, and the software then imported it into my iTunes. I connected my iPod, synced it, and I was ready to go. Now, to try it out.
The first night, I did not like it at all. I couldn’t concentrate on listening to the voice, or relax. The earphones I was using (in-ear buds), were just to damn uncomfortable to lie on a pillow with. Then, I rolled over and nearly strangled myself.
Last night, however, was a different story altogether. I was using my new speaker pillow. It’s a normal pillow, with a speaker built into it. The speaker doesn’t turn up too loud, just loud enough to hear (and not irritate anyone else in the bed). It’s ideal for this use.
So, last night, I was laying on my bed, with my eyes closed, listening to my created MP3. I’ve got a playlist set on my iPod, where it’ll go through all ten of the MP3’s that I created, before switching off.
I don’t even remember getting through the first MP3 before I fell asleep. I actually fell asleep! Of course, I’d got my nasal strip on too. I woke up this morning, feeling nice and refreshed.
Don’t get me wrong, the Pzizz program isn’t for everyone; they’ve got a Safety Warning at the bottom of the site: “Do not use the pzizz product if you suffer from epilepsy, clinical depression or any other nervous or psychiatric condition. If you are in doubt please consult your doctor/physician before you use the pzizz product. The pzizz product should not be used when driving, operating machinery or at any other time when full alertness is required.”
So I’m going to try it for the next 7 nights (as that’s the amount of nasal strips I’ve got left), and then I’m going to update this review to let you know what my findings have been.
Check Back in 8 Days 
How to make Toad In The Hole
Posted by Dean Clinton | Filed under Personal
Toad in The Hole (serves 4)
- 8 sausages (or 4 large ones)
- Mustard
- 4 tablespoons of beef dripping OR lard
- 115g / 4oz plain flour
- Large pinch of salt
- 4 free range eggs
- 300ml / half a pint milk
- 2 tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves / sprinkle of mixed herbs
- Small tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper
- To make the batter, sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and break in the eggs. Gradually beat the eggs into the flour using an electric mixer and slowly add the milk until the batter is thick enough to coat the mixer’s blades. Stir in the thyme and season with black pepper. Cover and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 220c / 425f / Gas 7.
- Cook the sausages a large frying pan over a medium heat until golden brown all over (not completely cooked though otherwise they will burn). Remove the sausages from the pan, brush with the mustard (not too much otherwise it will burn on the sausages) and set aside.
- Put the dripping into the roasting dish and place in the oven for 5 minutes or until the dripping is hot and almost smoking.
- For this bit, you have to be quick; add the sausages to the hot roasting tin and pour in the batter. Immediately return the roasting tin to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes until well risen and golden. If the batter is becoming too brown on the outside reduce the oven to 190°C / 375°F / Gas Mark 5.
- To serve, place a portion of toad in the hole on a plate and serve immediately.
As another CMS ceases to exist, it makes me wonder…
Posted by Dean Clinton | Filed under Personal, Rant
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HostNine Review
Posted by Dean Clinton | Filed under Personal, Web Development
A day in the life of a HostNine Client ain’t all bad..
(But it wasn’t 100% what I wanted)
19 Hours ago (last night), I decided to take the plunge and sign up with HostNine as a Reseller.
I’d spent an hour looking around the site, which I was very impressed by. I logged into the LiveSupport Sales section and asked when the RC brief userguide would be available, and was told it’d be ready within the hour for me. I thought, “ay up! guess I won’t be signing up with these guys”.. I was more than shocked to come back an hour later and the guide was on the KB. [+1 H9] Read the rest of this entry »
Blackpool Pride
Posted by Dean Clinton | Filed under Personal
I attended Blackpool Pride yesterday : click here to view the pics.