A blogger's tale

A while ago I was asked,
Why and when did you decide to start writing?
Furthermore - what persuaded you to take your talents to the Internet?

Here is what I wrote in reply.
In 2007 I was working in a pressurised environment for the NHS in the UK. My job held plenty of responsibility and hassle, for few rewards. Feeling that I was approaching breaking point I decided that it was time to walk away. As it has turned out I did return in a few short months but in a part-time capacity and different hospital environment.

When I first left though I took a drop in money. My new, temporary job was only just above the minimum wage and the 16 hours reduction in the working week added to the financial restraints.

Still I was much happier and the break gave me time to re-evaluate life and my priorities.

So, at home, with more time on my hands, and no money, I began to research ways that I could make a little extra money on-line.

Simply google "making money online" and all sorts of opportunities and scams are easy to find.

I wanted something that was legitimate, non pressurised and offered a little pocket money.

I began with surveys and mystery shopping and found the rewards nice. They were not always vast but they were steady extra cash.

English had been one of my best subjects at school and writing seemed a possibility. I had been good at art but my poor eyesight limited these opportunities.

I signed up at Dooyoo.co.uk and Ciao.co.uk and began to write product reviews. My initial reviews were dire. Whether it was lack of experience, my health at the time or simply lack of practice I do not know, but some reviews were dreadful. Still I earned a little money and built up a community. All in all I enjoyed these sites. Epinions was another that I joined, but only for a short time.

As my writing improved I gradually abandoned these sites and moved on. For a while I did go back and amend some of the reviews but as the rewards were small it felt time to move on.

I guess Helium was my first proper Internet writing site. It was in its infancy when I joined. Over the five plus years that I have been a member Helium has morphed into a new entity. Some of this I like. Some I do not.

Then in time I came across Hubpages. That site for me fulfilled many of my creative needs at least it did back then. It was user friendly, easy to get to grips with and did not make too many changes, too often. Yes, it has made some but most have been welcome improvements. Infobarrel was recommended by a fellow Hubber other sites followed. In time I streamline my Internet writing. There are only so many hours in a day and I do not want to be a, Jack of all trades, master of none, as the saying goes.

I guess on the whole I would say that I decided to try writing as a means to earn some extra money, but it turned out to offer so much more. Writing online offers flexibility, instant writing rather than jotting down notes and needs little initial financial outlay except for needing to have a computer.

It has helped me keep track of new technological innovations, make many virtual friends and stretch my brain. As practise makes perfect it has greatly improved my writing skills. At least I hope it has. It has become a big part of my daily life. I use it as a means to unwind from my daily part-time work.

As I am approaching retirement I have seen and experienced so much over the years that in some ways I have a wealth of knowledge. That is true of all of us as we go through life. The Internet enables us to share our knowledge and experience with people around the world.

The Internet was the place I chose to write mainly because it is accessible, relatively free, non restrictive and World wide. I also liked the possibilty to remain anonymous when required or wanted. I have no delusions about being another Jane Austen or J K Rowling but enjoy putting my thoughts into words.

Now with two websites under my belt I have gone from blogger to webmaster. Who would have though it? Certainly not I.

If you think that it is easy to make a bundle of cash writing online you are mistaken. It could however be the hobby for you.

2012 in the UK has been promoted as a time of celebration. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee has seen a surge in the British Royal family's popularity. Kate and William have helped secure the deal and of course the forthcoming Olympics have been pushed as a time for the UK to celebrate. 

In these austere times though cost must never be forgotten. For those who think that talking of the British Royals and money in the same breath is simply not done here is why Republicans such as this blogger have failed to be in 2012.

Messrs Cameron and Osborne have continued to preach austerity how who we are all in this heap of you know what together. As with flies in a pile of dung some are in deeper than others. Some simply flit around the surface whilst others stay well clear.

Public sector pay in the UK has continued to be frozen. Young people are paid £2 something an hour for a supposed apprenticeship. Welfare reform is set to prevent the under 25 years old age group claiming any housing benefit. The list of negatives is endless.

The words of the old song that "the rich get rich and the poor get poorer" has never been so true.

Enter Prince Charles, heir to the throne.

Spending figures from Prince Charles for the year ending March 2012 have been released today, June 29, 2012. Whilst much has been made of the fact that "The Duchess of Cambridge does her own cleaning at her cottage in Anglesey, pays for her own 'non-official engagement' clothing and does not use a dresser or a make-up artist" we are not amused.

Charles pays out some money for Wills and Kate from his private income. Clothing for official engagements. These come into the same category as his household staff budgets.

The official accounts though show that taxpayer funding of Charles rose from £2m to £2.2m in the last financial year.

That of course means that all of the British citizens who have experienced a reduction in income, in real or other term, have helped fund the Prince and his lifestyle.

The Guardian reported that, "Prince Charles's income from grants-in-aid, to subsidise his royal duties, and from government departments, rose by £298,000 to £1.962m. His main income, which comes from the duchy of Cornwall – the ancestral estates of princes of Wales – was up by nearly 4% last year to £17,796,000, owing to profits from his bonds portfolio." 

The Duchy of Cornwall is something that the Prince had given to him on a platter. Many people who are Cornish residents struggle to survive financially.

In spite of the many increases to his wealth Prince Charles tax bill only rose slightly from £4.4m to £4.5m. Much has also been made of the Prince's contributions to charities but of course that helps reduce his tax bill. "The prince's tax bill – paid on the duchy's surpluses at 50% – plus VAT, national insurance contributions for his employees and council tax payments, increased by £900,000 to nearly £4.4m"

The Prince of Wales charities have performed well in the financial year. He has helped raise millions of pounds but it has of course been at a price to the taxpayer.

In mitigation as to his many overseas trips it has been claimed that his carbon footprint is improving. The Prince has invested in solar energy at Clarence House but of course he can afford to. Claims that he simply travels abroad where the government send him are also a bit of a nonsense.

The official figures also showed that "Spending on official travel by air and rail came to £1.3m up 22% from the previous financial year, but the amount spent on official entertaining and receptions was down from £323,000 to £298,000."

Details of expenses has been a mixed bag. The cost of clothing has not been revealed nor has the cost to the UK taxpayer of the wedding of Kate and Wills last year. Sir Michael Peat private secretary to Charles said, 
"What really counted was the happiness of the occasion. I am not going to say how much money was spent. Obviously, the Prince of Wales spent the majority of the costs but I don't think generally people say how much weddings cost do they?" 

No they do not when they pay for the wedding themselves. When people who are being told to tighten their belts ultimately foot the bill the decent thing would be to reveal the full cost.

So no I will not be flag waving in 2012. I will not stand and watch a nonsensical Olympic torch carried in the rain and feel emotional. I will not respect people who it is impossible to respect.

And the next person who tries to tell me that our Royal Family are worth every penny may just feel my wrath.

Tags: British Royal Family, UK flag waving, Prince Charles taxpayer funding increases, Prince Charles wealth, Prince Charles wealth increases, Duchy of Cornwall investments

Ladies Days at the races in the UK is an institution. Whilst so many people around the world struggle make ends meet, or even eat each day, vast sums of money are spent on Ladies Day preparations. Ah only in the UK!

In the past Ladies Day at Royal Ascot was just that. A day when upper crust females strutted their stuff. In recent years the gates have been open to a wider section of society. That's all to the good. However things have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Big, fancy hats are worn by women who would never dream of wearing any type of hat for other occasions. Strappy dresses and strappy shoes are viewed as essential parts of an Ascot wardrobe whether it is sun or snow on the day.

The problem is that standards have been slipping. The event as far as those "in the know" are concerned has hit rock bottom. The dressing up has gone just that bit too far. Tacky is now the name of the game at Ascot.

Quick, send for the fashion police.

Dress restrictions have been in place for a few years now. On the whole these have been ignored. However it all depends on what sort of ticket you have. Entrance to the Royal enclosure demands strict adherence to the established dress code. In 2012 stewards will make sure that the fashion rules are obeyed.

Royal Ascot 2012 will run from Tuesday June 19 to Saturday June 23, inclusive. Fascinators those hugely popular forms of head wear, so often sported these days, have now been banned from Royal Ascot. As the Duchess of Cambridge often wears a fascinator this could prove interesting to royal watchers.

Stewards are set to enforce the rules this year. Pashminas and suitable head wear will be supplied. Agree to cover up or face exclusion from the Royal enclosure.

Check out what not to wear here

Opinion: Wouldn't it be fun if the Queen or another leading Royal broke the rules. If she turned up in a mini skirt wearing a tacky fascinator on top of a punk hair do. We wonder if she would be turned away,

Those who will be attending Royal Ascot 2012 bear in mind the weather is set to be atrocious.

British Royal watchers around the World were in for a treat today. It was Trooping The Colour in London and in this the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year it was more entertaining than ever.

Sadly the weather would not play ball and dark clouds with some rain dogged the events. Those who turned out in force for a glimpse of the British Monarchy would not be disappointed though.

Trooping of the Colour celebrates the Queen's official birthday. It has an associated birthday honour's list which honours those deemed worthy in the UK and beyond.

It was the Duke of Edinburgh's first public outing today, June 16, 2012, since the Jubilee weekend when he was hospitalised. Early in the day the Queen's latest Honours were announced. There were no surprises that many who had helped the British Royals during William's and Kate's wedding last year and the Queen in this year's Jubilee were honoured.

Gary Barlow of Take That received an OBE for his services to the country. As chief organiser of the music during the Jubilee events and joint composer of the Jubilee "anthem" he has had a busy year.

The full list of Birthday honours published by the Telegraph is very long. The list includes the rich, the famous and the downright ordinary.