New effective treatment for tinnitus?

A team of researchers from Maastricht, Leuven, Bristol and Cambridge demonstrated the effectiveness of a new tinnitus treatment approach in the journal The Lancet. Tinnitus is the perception of a noxious disabling internal sound without an external source. Roughly fifteen percent of the population suffers from this disorder in varying degrees along with the associated concentration problems, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression and extreme fatigue.

Read more in ScienceDailyNew effective treatment for tinnitus?

Unwelcome night-time swimming pool visitors.

I awoke with a start this morning and looked at the clock; it was 04:05 hrs. Natalie had been awoken as well and we could hear several loud voices very close to our house. At that time in the middle of the night we were of course very suspicious about people being about at that time. Because of the shutters on the windows of our Spanish house it is very difficult to discreetly see where the noise and the people are situated. If one raises the shutters the rattle of them immediately alerts those responsible for the noises that they have been noticed.

Amongst my concerns were that attempts were being made to break into our, or close neighbour's, house, or steal or damage a vehicle.

The easiest way for me to see what is happening around our house is to go up to the enclosed solarium on our top floor as there aren't any shutters fitted there.

Our Community has a communal swimming pool which happens to be next to our house. This (swimming pool) is surrounded by a 2 metre high wall on three sides and our boundary balustrade wall on the remaining side, with the only entrance gate being locked at all times.

I was totally taken aback to see that there were three teenagers sitting in the communal pool area chatting away as if they had not a care in the world. One of them was sitting on the edge of the pool paddling his feet in the water, the other two lounging on the poolside metal chairs. They would have used these as stepping stones when they climbed over the wall. None of them were family members of residents of the Community, not that this mattered as the area is out of bounds after 21:00 hrs.

I had no intention of approaching them to tell them to get out of the pool area, which is private property. I immediately telephoned the Policia Local to request their presence and assistance in removing the unwanted visitors. It was a coincidence that as I was making my telephone call that a police vehicle passed close by as presumably part of a routine patrol. The teenagers spotted it and calmly ducked down a little to make sure they couldn't been seen. The height of the surrounding walls made their action unnecessary.

Despite of my minimal Spanish language ability, my message was understood and within a very short period of time, it seemed ages but was actually less than 10 minutes, a police patrol car arrived. The culprits in the pool area, realising that their presence had been noted made no attempt to scarper over the walls to leave the area but waited for the police to open the locked gate with the key I had given them. The three amigos calmly exited as instructed. They did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They gave some feeble excuses to the two police officers, I assume as I couldn't fully understand their rapid Spanish, as to why they were in trespassing in the pool area. I gathered that they said that they lived in the neighbouring Community. They were told to move on and headed for it, disappearing as if going home. The police had no interest in recording any personal details of the youths. This seemed strange. Why were they in a private pool area at that time of night? Would this have been the case if the three had not been Spaniards? Or were they already known to the officers?

I doubted their story as I did not recognise them as living close by, having lived in our house for the past six years.

The police offices quickly left, without any attempted explanation to myself, to presumably continue their patrol that I had interrupted.

I knew something wasn't right and decided to remain on watch in our solarium for a short time.

Having waited a few minutes to give the police time to be away from the vicinity the three youths emerged from the Community, they went into, with one of them pushing a bicycle that he didn't have before. He walked a little way along the road away from our house. The other two turned and walked back towards our house and the pool area. I thought we were in for some more hassle. However they passed by, crossed the road towards the rough ground opposite the front of our property and collected three bicycles that they had hidden in the long grass. They then turned and headed off towards their mate. That meant they now had four bikes between the three of them! They carried on towards the far distance and disappeared into the rest of the night.

It was 04:45hrs when we settled back in bed and turned out the light. It took some time before I slept as I remember seeing 05:10 hrs. on the digital clock.

Our refurbished bathroom in Orihuela Costa

Can CLARO supporters be cured by Therapy?

Both in the United Kingdom and in Spain recently there have been reports of Catholic religious clerics, and devout followers of the church's teaching, who believe, the nonsense theory, that homosexuals can be cured of their sexual orientations by therapy!

In Spain, although it is denied by the government in the pretence of being a secularist society, there is a very strong link between the Roman Catholic church's utterances and government policy.

A source, thought to be close to the Orihuela government, has let it be known, although I have not been able to verify the validity, that the Town Council is to take the principle of therapy as a cure for orientations that deviate from, what is considered as, the norm a step further.

At the next Pleno the governing tripartite team intend to present a motion to invest some money into the Orihuela Costa area. A sum of 250,000 Euros is to included in the budget for 2012 for the setting up of a new psychiatric clinic.

It is to be modelled on similar principles of rehabilitation clinics, such as The Priory and the Betty Ford Clinic, which deal with drug and alcohol dependency, and depression. However it's aims will be to re-educate United Kingdom Ex-pats who have shown, and continue to show, an unhealthy dependence on the political teachings of the CLARO party and its leading guru.

The government believes that such a dependency is both unhealthy for the individuals affected by it, but also for the remaining 'normal' majority of the residents of the town. With the exclusion of the party's guru from the governing team it is felt that its dependent supporters will develop an even stronger feeling of isolation, rejection, invisibility to the rest of the local society, and depression. This view is supported by research into the behaviour of members of other extreme sects throughout the western world.

The proposal is that in the first instance the therapy sessions will offered 'free of charge' to volunteers from the CLARO UK Ex-pat supporters group. In order to get the sessions running without any unnecessary delay initially they will be held at the Pizzeria Asturias Restaurant, Punta Prima, in Orihuela Costa. It is felt that those needing the therapy will find this less stressful as they will feel they are on home turf. At a later date a bespoke building will be rented until the epidemic has been defeated and the 'Norm' has been re-established.

Should insufficient numbers take up this offer of their own accord; the Town Council are also looking at proposals that attendance on a course of treatment will be made compulsory as a criteria for being included on the town's 'Padron' (Register of Residents). Only those UK Ex-pats holding the certificate issued on successful completion of the course of therapy will be included on the register, and subsequently on the electoral role. Those wishing to claim an exemption from the psychiatric re-education will have to provide proof of membership of a legitimate Spanish political party.

Various titles for the clinic will be discussed when the motion is presented to the Town Council but it is thought that the most obvious name for consideration will be the 'Pedro Mancebo Clinic', although the 'Bob Houliston Clinic' and the 'Together We Can Clinic' are in the running.

Kindle Touch cheaper from Amazon.es

I ordered my Kindle Touch 3G on the Amazon.co.uk website and for this order selected my Spanish address for delivery rather than my UK address this time. I was therefore advised that it was necessary for me to be diverted to Amazon.es for this order.

Dam I thought, that's inconvenient and as electrical goods and computers are, from my experience, generally more expensive in Spain.

However I am very pleased to say that I was proved wrong. The Kindle Touch is cheaper in Spain than in the UK. I know there are complaints that the Touch is more expensive in Europe than America but that's another argument. On .co.uk website the price of the Kindle is £169.00, and the cost of the cover is £30.99. On the .es site the prices are €189.00 and €34.99. These seem to be at a £1 : €1.12 conversion rate. If my memory is right the last time we saw this rate was in May 2011. Now I know there has been a continued increase in the average exchange rate since then, but is it not a little strange that Amazon are pricing a product with a launch date of 27^th April 2012 and using such a low conversation rate? Having said this I'm certainly happy that they have done so because the exchange rate on my UK sterling credit card when they charged for the order was £ : €1.2197. this meant I gained a saving of £16.35 on the UK price. Thank you Amazon.

Since starting to think about this article I must also thank them again for an excellent delivery of my order. It arrived today; one day before they said in their emailed confirmation of my order, two days before the official launch date of the Kindle Touch range in Europe.

Now I have to learn how to use it properly to get all the benefits of its facilities.

Keeping older drivers on the road

A unique research car which monitors our concentration, stress levels and driving habits while we're sat behind the steering wheel is being used to develop new technologies to support older drivers.

The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have converted an electric car into a mobile laboratory. Dubbed 'DriveLAB', the car is kitted out with tracking systems, eye trackers and bio-monitors in an effort to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to identify where the key stress points are.

Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key factors responsible for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated and inactive.

Read more on this very interesting subject for us more senior drivers in the ScienceDaily article: Keeping older drivers on the road

UK National Lottery block access to website from abroad.

Once again I have received an email from the National Lottery confirming that from the 23rd April 2012 I will no longer be able to access the lottery website to purchase entry tickets.

Dear Elliot,

This is an important reminder that, from 23rd April 2012, any player attempting to access their National Lottery Account from outside of the UK or Isle of Man will be prevented from doing so, as our location software will block any access.*

As you are aware, to play National Lottery games online or by text you must be a UK or Isle of Man resident and be physically located in the UK or Isle of Man when buying a ticket. If you play by Direct Debit, not only must you be physically located in the UK or Isle of Man when setting up your Direct Debit but also when making amendments to it, including buying additional tickets, or changing your numbers or payment details.

Why are we implementing a block?

As operator of the UK National Lottery, Camelot clearly wants to pay out prizes where it can - and we don't want anyone to miss out on a prize because they haven't complied with the Rules. We're therefore always looking at ways we can improve the quality of information we give players. Although we give clear warnings about playing from overseas, we believe this change makes it even clearer and simpler for players.

In line with this, we have updated our Interactive Terms and Conditions to ensure they reflect this amendment - to cover that National Lottery players will now be prevented from accessing their National Lottery Account if our software detects that they are intending to play National Lottery games from any jurisdiction other than the UK or Isle of Man.

Kind regards,

Interactive Customer Care Team

The National Lottery
www.national-lottery.co.uk

 Further information is available in an article in 'This is Money'

It's alright to talk to myself – it helps me!

My wife often asks me: “Are you talking to yourself again”, when I'm tackling a new or complicated task and discussing my next move with myself, as if concerned that I'm showing early signs of madness. It's alright when she talks to herself because it's natural, but when I do it the inference is that I'm going crazy!

Well now it's OK for me as well because a recent study by psychologists Gary Lupyan (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Daniel Swingley (University of Pennsylvania), published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, suggests that chatting with your own psyche about difficult tasks helps solve them.

Previous research has shown that a large majority of people talk to themselves on a regular basis and in children this can help them develop their skills. The new research suggest that adults can benefit from a quick chat to oneself.

Of course there is the advantage as Franklin P. Jones suggested "One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody's listening."

Read more in ScienceDaily :It doesn’t mean you’re crazy –- talking to yourself has cognitive benefits, study finds

Don't blame the Partido Popular for Bob Houliston crossing the Council Chamber!

Councillor Bob Houliston

There has been a tremendous amount written in the last few months and weeks, including some by myself, about the relationship of CLARO Councillor, Bob Houliston with his former tripartite (Partido Socialista Obrero Español, Los Verdes and Centro Liberal Renovador) government colleagues and the Partido Popular opposition of the Orihuela Town Council.

Since his election as the first CLARO Councillor in May 2011 we have read of; his greedily accepted appointment as Councillor for the Coast, Beaches and International Residents, independent of his CLR/CLARO election list coalition agreement; expulsion from the CLR/CLARO group on the Town Council; reduction of his duties as Councillor for the coastal area of the Orihuela municipal by the Mayor; his resignation as Councillor for the Coast; his threats to vote with the PP opposition in the Pleno (Town Council Meeting); his crossing, metaphorically, of the Council Chamber floor when during the Pleno on the 29^th March 2012 he voted with the opposition in a vote of no confidence against the Alcalde's (Mayor) decision to cease with the position of Councillor for the Coast.

His actions have put the future of the tripartite government in jeopardy. The electorate that voted for the parties of the coalition are, naturally, looking for someone or some group to lay the blame upon for the current situation and the uncertainty for the future of Orihuela.

Ultimately almost all the blame falls fairly and squarely upon the head of Bob Houliston. But there are others who must bear some of the resentment.

The next possible candidates could be the members, the electorate who voted for them, and the elected Councillors of the PP. However I don't blame them for Bob Houliston crossing the chamber. I accept the opportunistic strategy they have adopted in capitalising on the opening given to them on plate by him and others.

Those who created Councillor Bob Houliston must all share their portion of blame!

Having said this I don't think one should include his parents and family as they couldn't have known how their offspring would develop seventy plus years later.

The spotlight should shine on the following conspirators. All of them in varying degrees of complicity acted in a Frankensteinian manner and created the monster, a CLARO Councillor, that by natural selection would not have been brought to life. Having created him, like Dr Frankenstein with his version, the creators have lost control of their prodigy! It didn't surprise me.

Firstly the members and executive committee of the CLARO party who for the last six years, since the 2006 conception of the party, have allowed themselves to be fooled by the public relations deluge, a lot of it being economical with the truth, from Bob Houliston and his closest allies as to the future power and influence of the party lead by him. The levels of his egocentrism were amazing. Were the party members being naïve in their belief that Bob Houliston as a CLARO Councillor would be the panacea to all problems in Orihuela Costa?  Yes!

Secondly Clr. Pedro Mancebo, the leader, and his executive committee of the CLR party. Without them the possibility of life would not have existed for a CLARO Councillor, the monster would have remained lifeless. It would not have been born as there would not have been enough life force (votes) from CLARO supporters power base alone. Because of the CLR's own desire for extra political power (councillors) it entered into a bipartite coalition election group with CLARO in the hope of gaining a transfusion of their votes. By placing CLARO nominees low in the election list I believe they hoped for the votes but didn't really want a CLARO Councillor. They miscalculated and some of the power surge went the wrong way. It went from CLR to CLARO. The monster's heart received its life blood, it started to beat and it drew its first breath. They helped to create a creature that they later found they could not control.

Thirdly Councillor Monserrate Guillén, leader of the LV party, who is currently holding the position of Alcalde (Mayor). Having been appointed; or is it more accurate to say assumed by default as the lesser of three options ('evils' is too strong a word); as Mayor he gave an additional surge of power to Bob Houliston by appointing him Councillor for Orihuela Costa. This was done without consultation with, the life giving, CLR/CLARO group leader. This added fuel to what I believe are NPD (Narcissistic personality disorder) tendencies of BH. Having realised what he had done, the Alcalde has shown his green party credentials by recycling ('changing' to non-environmentalists) time and time again his decisions on the responsibilities of the Councillor for the Coast, in order to alter and reduce the power of this position, depending who was shouting loudest.

A megalomaniac has the desire for power and more power. Bertrand Russell in his interpretation of megalomania is reported as saying: "The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved” Little did those responsible, in particular Pedro Mancebo and Monserrate Guillén, for the current political situation in the Orihuela Town Council realise at the time (hindsight is an excellent quality) that they were creating the ideal scenario for Councillor Bob Houliston's desire.

With there being 25 Councillors in the Pleno, 12 for the tripartite government (PSOE 6, CLR 3, LV 3) and 12 for the PP opposition, he (BH) as the only independent (CLARO) Councillor would have all the power he desired with his deciding vote. He needed to isolate himself from the tripartite group so he resigned as Councillor for the Coast, Beaches and International Residents. He expounded spurious reasons for this decision but none of them can hide what I believe was his real reason. I tend to favour Bertrand Russell's interpretation.

I don't blame the Partido Popular for Bob Houliston crossing the council chamber to support them when he wants to, to suit his needs. I think they are being used. He is cleverly seeking  to use the PP's own group narcissistic tendencies to his advantage to attain a personal ambition of political utopia for himself.

Is some homophobia self-phobia?

A series of psychology studies have been reported as demonstrating that 'Homophobia' is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires.

The study, conducted by a team from the University of Rochester, the University of Essex, England, and the University of California in Santa Barbara, is the first to document the role that both parenting and sexual orientation play in the formation of intense and visceral fear of homosexuals, including self-reported homophobic attitudes, discriminatory bias, implicit hostility towards gays, and endorsement of anti-gay policies.

Netta Weinstein, a lecturer at the University of Essex and the study's lead author makes the point that "Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves". Co-author Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester who helped direct the research made the further point that "In many cases these are people who are at war with themselves and they are turning this internal conflict outward".

Read more of the interesting article on ScienceDaily: Is some homophobia self-phobia?

This article does make me wonder about the attitiude towards homosexuality of the, enforced, celibate clergy of the Roman Catholic Church amongst others!