The bling saves

If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from chronic illnesses and allergies, you always have it at the back of your mind that you or they are not involved in an accident or incidents. Pray, I hope nothing eventful happens. In the unfortunate happenstance that there is one, you put in a lot of effort to make those who are trying to help – whether emergency services or the general public – of your or their conditions. Having these information on you all the time would definitely come handy. And having them “stored” on something that you would generally wear, like bracelet, necklace and watches, does not only make it convenient but it also makes it fashionable.

A Universal Medical ID has been established to serve this purpose described above. They provide various ways for a person to carry such information. The Medical Jewelry is sold as bracelets, necklaces, wristbands, watches, sportbands made of gold, silver or titanium. The medical history is engraved either on the bracelet itself or on the pendant/charm. When you design your ID, you are also assisted with medical terms, which are common and easily understandable to the person assisting you.

Universal Medical ID
(Image source: Universal Medical ID)

I certainly agree that it is a good idea but the worrywart in me thinks that eventhough you have this information easily accessible on your Medical ID, will the person helping you have the presence of mind to look for this in the first place? I have doubts on whether the emergency services would automatically try and check whether your chronic conditions are engraved somewhere on the jewelry that you are wearing. Perhaps they are trained to check, I don’t know. Also, what if, for some reason, the jewelry is yanked away from your body? Or if some sick loon has robbed it from you whilst you lie there helpless? I suppose these risks still exist but chances are, with the Universal Medical ID, you or your loved ones are better off.

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How many is many

How many email accounts do you have?

Are you using all of them? Which ones do you prefer? Which one is easiest to use?

I have seven (7) distinct personal email addresses. Eight, if you count my work one. I use each one for a different purpose but then listing them here may make me realise that I just got one too many. Let see…

ISP email – count: 1
Got no choice on this one, I needed it to establish my broadband account for my internet service provider. I don’t use it for communication with other people apart from my ISP, so no one else is aware of this address.

Yahoo Mail – count: 1
Being the first ones to offer web-based, FREE email, you weren’t considered cool if you didn’t have one. I use this for accounts I have with different establishments like British Airways, Hilton, Amazon, etc. I do receive personal emails here once in a while but that is only because I had this before I had my personal Google mail account.

Hotmail – count: 1
Technically, I had 3, that is if you count the MSN domain as the same. I had a hotmail.com and an msn.com before I settled on a hotmail.co.uk account. What do I use this for? Just one thing, for Windows Messenger. I wish you guys move to Google Talk or Yahoo Messenger!

Google Mail – count: 4
Yes, 4 Google accounts, one of which is my primary and personal email account that I give to family and friends. One is the account I use for my blogging activities so each time you, dear readers, leave a comment here or on my other blogs, I receive the notification on this one. The third Google mail is primarily for almost anonymous transactions. I use it to register with the likes of PayPerPost, online surveys, newsletter subscriptions, web competitions, etc. The last Google Mail account is technically not a Google account. Yes, it is powered by Google Mail but it under a different domain. I use that for subscribing to e-groups like Yahoo.

Do you think I have way too many? You may think that I should it keep it simple and only have one. Well, even if I streamlined it, I would still end up with more than one. That is simply because I wouldn’t want my online dealings to “mingle” with my personal communications. With the amount of spamming and phishing, it’s best that I safeguard my true identity.

So, how many do YOU have?

U2 3D

I’ve never seen them live. Well, almost during the Live 8 concerts but we were still in the queue to get into Hyde Park when U2 starting playing.

With U2 3D, you will have a larger-than-life experience when you see them at Imax size. Larger and all digital! Playing only between 20 February till 03 April at the London Imax.

For over 25 years, U2 have been recognised not only for their musical invention, but for their incomparable gift for reaching millions of fans through new technologies. This longstanding embrace of cutting-edge technology is evident in this stunning new film. U2 3D takes viewers on an extraordinary cinematic journey, a quantum leap beyond traditional concert films, in the first ever all-live, all-digital 3D experience. (Source: BFI What’s On)

Find me a (cheap) flight

It has been a long time since I went to Manila to see my mum and friends. Last time I was there was in November 2005. It would be almost three years now! Quite a long time considering that I used to spend every Christmas there since 1996 when I first worked on an assignment here in Europe. It was no brainer before since it was paid for by my company with my entitlement to 2 trips between home and the project site. This benefit also allowed for any member of my family to visit where I was currently located in lieu of me going back home, which made it possible for my mother to visit me in Madrid a while back now.

As I have long left that company, of course, the benefit had to go as well. Nowadays if I fancy a trip to Manila, I would have to pay for it from my own pocket. Sadly, fares are not cheap. It made it even more expensive for me since there are no more direct flights between the UK and Manila. British Airways discontinued that services after 9/11.

The average fare to Manila from London is £600, off peak. During peak season, i.e. Christmas holidays, I’d be lucky to find £700! It may be possible but I would have to book way, way in advance thus making my plans inflexible.

Anyway, I have decided that I will make the effort this year. I will go to Manila. This is primarily driven by 2 things:

  1. I haven’t been there for quite sometime now.
  2. I will attend the Grand Alumni Homecoming for UP Baguio.

I checked the best priced flights on DialAFlight and it is at £430 + £59 tax, totalling £489. Not bad! This would mean, however, that I have to book NOW and should the dates change, I might have to pay additional fees. And most likely, it will be saddled with a lot of restrictions.

So, what do I do? Should I go for this now or wait till the final dates of the events I am planning to attend be fixed?

Hmm… maybe I should go to Canada. Flights to Canada would cost me a total of £372 (£205 + £167 tax) for the same dates in December. Junnie, will you accommodate me? :wink: