Web 2.0 Ultimate Reference

This is probably the most useful web resource I’ve found all year. For some time, I’ve been reading about Web 2.0. If you need to know what Web 2.0 is, Brenda Boggs explains it well. However, if tagging, social bookmarking, Gmail, Technorati and the like mean anything to you, chances are you’re already using the technology. The question is, how do you find Web 2.0 applications. Yesterday I found a page that removed some of the randomness a directory of Web 2.0 sites (about 900 of them) in 50 categories. This makes it simple to find the application you’re looking for. All I need now is a chart that compares the features and my life would be perfect. So, if you know of an online Web 2.0 calendar, that syncs with Palm, that allows natural language input and emailed tasks, please let me know. And if it’s pretty as well, so much the better.

Soulmate Saga – Part 5: Joining Forces

It was only a week after we got back from Lanzarote that we made the momentous decision to move in together. But how would we do it? Stephen’s job kept him in the East Midlands, while I could get to my job in Leicester from anywhere. We decided that I would move up to Stephen’s house in Nottingham and then we would look for a new place together.

There were mixed reactions from my friends when I said I was putting my house on the market. Some were supportive; others thought I was crazy. My view was that I had to make a commitment to the relationship. If we found out we couldn’t live together (which was unlikely, in my view) then I’d move out and buy another house.

The months sped by and my house was sold. We completed the move with the usual amount of hassle and I walked into the first of two new homes that year. Stephen had made a welcome banner, and had bought a few items in colours I liked. Even Jodie the dog came to give me a lick.

We didn’t rest on our laurels, though, but scoured three counties in search of land to build a house on. We didn’t find it and instead decided to build a new house. We looked at perhaps 100 houses and nothing seemed right.

One day I came home from work and Stephen said he’d seen the perfect house. It was only a shell, but he’d seen the neighbour’s house. I went to look at the half-constructed four bedroom house and fell in love again. We’d found our first home together.

Mothers Day

I love Mothers Day (also called Mothering Sunday) though I’ve never been able to figure out why it’s on different dates in different places. If you live in the UK, Mother’s Day was last Sunday. If you live in the US, you’ve got a while to wait, till May, I think.

I always enjoyed making a fuss of my mother on the day and now that I’m a mum, I get to be spoiled in turn. My daughter’s three and for the past couple of years, my husband has helped her to choose Mothers Day Flowers for me, but this year she chose my presents herself. (Do I hear ‘awww’?)

There was a bit of a chocolate theme going on. I got a DIY chocolate kit which had a mould and some chocolate to melt and pour. The mould had fashion accessory shapes, so we ended up with chocs in the shape of handbags, combs and shoes. That was fun. I also got Baileys Irish Cream chocolates (and yes, they were delicious and alcoholic).

So, if you celebrated this past weekend, did you get anything nice or do anything nice for Mothers Day?

Soulmate Saga – Part 4: Meet The Family

Over the next few weeks, we became nearly inseparable. We emailed regularly and were soon speaking every night. We went bowling, to look at Sea Life, to more films and saw each other at least once during the week as well as at weekends. The 30 mile distance between our houses was no obstacle. It was clear that this relationship was here to stay. The more we talked, the more we found we had in common.

Let me just say, though, that being a soulmate does NOT mean liking all the same things. Stephen loves football; I can take it or leave it. He likes rock; I’m an R&B kind of gal. What we shared was an acceptance that people are different and a willingness to accept each other as we were. And along the way we found lots of tastes we shared: for spicy Indian food, Jodie Foster films, and the new, improved Shania Twain films.

Things progressed and our romantic relationship was tender and electric. I knew he was the right man for me when we’d made a date one September Sunday. When Stephen arrived at my house, I was printing out my dissertation one sheet at a time, because the printer wasn’t working properly. Instead of making a fuss, he sat down with me and helped me get it finished and collated, and what could have been a major annoyance turned into an enjoyable time.

In October 1998 I threw a party and invited all my friends to come and meet him. Stephen handled even the most intrusive of inquisitions with aplomb. And when I met his friends, I was just as impressed. After all, your friends say a lot about you.

Then it was time for the family focus. I met his brother and sister-in-law; he met my mother, my sister and my brother-in-law. This was over the Christmas period and we were so comfortable that we started planning our first holiday together – to Lanzarote.

The planning threw up another difference. I liked to know where I was staying; Stephen was happy to pack a bag and turn up. We compromised, deciding on an apartment only three days before taking the flight.

The holiday was magical. Lanzarote was warm and sunny and we enjoyed exploring the country, seeing the sights and eating lots of fresh food and the best pizza I have ever tasted. Having a whole week together gave us a taste for more – and by the time we returned to the UK, it was clear that we couldn’t bear to be apart. Both of us were amazed by out mutual love and acceptance and although it was new, our relationship felt right in a ‘this is how it’s always been’ sort of way. It was time to take things to the next level.

Next instalment: moving in

Getting Domestik

The Domestik Goddess blog is always worth a read. This blog is full of tips on making the most of your space and time and decorating on a budget. It’s worth a look. I’ll admit to being biased, though, because Jen’s reprinted two of my articles on her blog. If you’re interested, the reprinted articles are on toddlers and moving house.

Doublehdesign site updates
I’ve changed a few things on the doublehdesign home page, including links to my two latest ventures at InspiredAuthor.com and Squidoo

Soulmate Saga – Part 3: Date With Destiny

Finally I was ready. I set off for Burger King in my white Mazda and pulled into the parking lot. As always, I was early. I waited five minutes, then got out of the car. To my surprise, someone was walking expectantly towards me – and he’d got out of a white Mazda as well!

We smiled nervously, while performing a quick silent assessment. I saw a pleasant-looking man of my height with neat brown hair. What I liked most was that his eyes smiled too. Satisfied that he wasn’t, to use his words from an email ‘an axe-murderer, rapist or wally’ (’wally’ is UK-speak for an idiot), I decided to go into Burger King with him.

We ordered the same thing – veggie burger and Coke. Now, here’s a bit of dating advice. This is not the perfect meal for a first date. Burgers are messy and Coke makes you burp. Since we both had a sense of humour, we got away with it.

From the start, communication was easy. We just couldn’t stop talking. He told me about the friend’s wedding he’d attended the previous day; I told him about my sister’s the previous summer. We talked and talked and talked and had a great time. Three huge Cokes later, we decided the time had come to leave Burger King, but we weren’t ready to part company yet. Since we were next door to a cinema, we decided to see a film.

Films can be another difficult first date choice, but given the time, we decided to see the next thing that was on that we both could stomach. It turned out to be Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, a violent but funny film set in the British gangster underworld. We both loved it.

Finally, reluctantly, we said goodbye at the end of the film and went home feeling that something good had started that night.

Next instalment: The relationship progresses

Soulmate Saga – Part 2: First (Virtual) Contact

By August 1998, I had completely forgotten about posting my profile. I was one month away from my MA dissertation hand-in and romance was the last thing on my mind. So I was completely flabbergasted when I checked my email one evening and found this:

My name is Stephen. I’ve seen your profile on Pete’s Dating Service. Why don’t you check mine out here?

Well, who wouldn’t be intrigued? I looked up his profile. He was my height and a few years older and lived in a town 30 miles away. Like me, he liked reading and films and wasn’t keen on Opera. He liked sport, which I didn’t particularly, but I thought there was no harm in replying positively to his email.

Thus began the most active email week of my life. From the start, communication was comfortable and we talked about everything, including subjects that are usually left till a relationship is established, such as marriage, children and so on. Neither of us thought that this was where we were headed, but if it came up naturally in conversation we discussed it. I found out that he had a dog; I told him about my dissertation. His sense of humour was similar to mine, a fact that was evident from our emails.

I warned him that we were from different cultures and ethncities; he replied that he had assumed that – and when could we book a holiday in Barbados?

Throughout that week, the emails grew longer and more frequent. We both had a good feeling about this and decided to meet. I suggested a local Burger King (not romantic, but safe) and we arranged to meet at 4pm one Sunday.

I was curious. Neither of us had managed to upload a photo to our profiles, so as far as looks went we were completely in the dark.

I called in reinforcements to pick an outfit that said smart, but not desperate and opted to wear contact lenses (the things we do!) Then I set off for my appointment with destiny.

In the next instalment: There are a couple of surprises at our first meeting.

Soulmate Saga – Part 1: Before

I’d never really believed in soulmates. Being the child of divorced parents is not the best foundation for a belief in true love. I’d also had my share of imperfect, unsuitable and downright dangerous relationships, so by the age of 32 I was looking for something more. By that time, I’d already been single for the last two years, which was good timing, as I was completing a postgrad degree while holding down a full-time job. That was such a drain on my mental resources and time, that it was just as well I had no distractions.

It was Christmas 1997 and as usual I was spending the holiday with my best friend S, her husband and my two year old godson. After a bit too much festive wine, S issued a challenge: ‘Since you’re such an internet whiz, why don’t you look for a boyfriend on the internet.’ I was just tiddly enough to think this a good idea and we both rushed to the computer to find an online dating site.

Enter Pete’s Free UK Dating Service. Exactly what it said on the tin, the site was plain but effective. In a few minutes I was able to enter my name, origin, interests, likes and dislikes. When there had been no replies by January. I promptly forgot about it.

February brought the first bite – a guy who lived not far away in Birmingham. We arranged to meet at the local TGI Friday’s (not romantic, but safe) and had a drink and a meal. We chatted amicably, but there were NO sparks, not even a faint fizzle. By the end of the meal, we both knew this was going nowhere.

Soon after, I got an email from someone else, G, who lived quite close by – so close that it would have been silly not to meet up. G was a humongous trucker type with a sense of humour. Although I didn’t think this would turn into a lasting relationship, I figured a couple of dates would be OK. Things were going fine till he matter of factly told me how he’d thrown a computer to the end of his driveway in frustration because he couldn’t get it to do what he wanted. I could see the EXIT sign flashing in big letters. I made my excuses, sidled to the door, drove home like a maniac and sent an email explaining why it was over before it had started. (Would you take a chance on that violence being turned your way?)

I went back to my studies and forgot about men. I even forgot that I had posted my profile on a site. Then, in August 1998, I got an email that would change my life.

In the next instalment, I meet my soulmate – virtually.

Vacation Spots

If you wanted to live abroad, which country or location would you choose? I’ve got two front runners. The first is Barbados – it’s got brilliant blue skies, decent temperatures (around 30 degrees year-round) and good telecommunications, so I wouldn’t have to give up my blogging addiction. But the cost of living is high and you hardly ever get to see big name acts. So how do you combine the advantages of the climate with the refinements you’re used to in developed countries? Simple buy a vacation home Orlando has always looked like a good choice to me. It’s got the same climate, lower cost of living, and major theme parks and attractions. You know the one I’m talking about – Disneyworld. When I was at school, the kids who had been always had an edge on those of us who went on more conventional holidays. And since I’m a child at heart, I still want to go. What’s top of your travel list?

One for the road

Here’s my last post before Sharon returns. Enjoy!

Win

Verse 1

You are a dreamer
You have a plan
You strive to be a winner
Not an also-ran
Since you were little
Oooh, you�ve worked so hard
If they asked an inch of you
You give more than a yard

Chorus

The thrill of victory
Disappointment of defeat
Part of the history
The desire to compete
Sometimes you falter
But then again
If you believe, you can achieve
You can win
Your faith will make you win

Verse 2

This is the moment
This is the point of truth
To go the distance
To stand out from the group
This is the reason
You�ve cried all those tears
Suffered all the treason
Striven all these years

Chorus

The thrill of victory
Disappointment of defeat
Part of the history
The desire to compete
Sometimes you falter
But then again
If you believe, you can achieve
You can win
Your faith will make you win

Bridge

Sometimes the road is cold and lonely
Sometimes the goal feels much too far
But you know the gold
Belongs to you only
So be the winner
Be the winner that you are

Verse 3

The game is over
The fame is yours
You are the victor:
Got what you were working for
For all the times
When you thought you�d drop
Now you know it�s worth it
Now you�re at the top

The thrill of victory
Disappointment of defeat
Part of the history
The desire to compete
Sometimes you falter
But then again
If you believe, you can achieve
You can win
Your faith will make you win

� LISA DOWNER, 2006