There seem to be a load of US websites popping up giving website visitors free SMS text messages. Hell, even Google’s at it. But what about us Brits? Here’s a list of the current websites supporting free text messaging.

TxtParty - www.txtparty.co.uk/lp-txtparty4.0
Simple text messaging.

GizmoSMS - www.gizmosms.com
SMS to over 20 countries. Part of GizmoProject.

Kazooii - www.kazooii.com/freesms
SMS to the UK, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Philipines, Sri Lanka, Iran, USA, Malaysia, Singapore and many more countries.

Wadja - www.wadja.com
Wadja is a mobile web, media and social messaging service, managing your communication and interaction from trusted sources (friends, family and address book contacts). Requires registration.

Bloove - www.bloove.com
Goes further than other providers, allowing full web-based mobile phone management. Requires registration.

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Sadly, word has reached me that Alison’s planned memorial service in London has been cancelled. It is immensely sad that this is the case.
Alison’s brother Alan has put some further thoughts here:
“I thought the funeral was a wonderful send off to Alison, who incidentally was not a strongly religious person, and the Obituaries (thanks Jeremy) was another recognition of her achievements. I think that it is better now to leave her to rest in peace.
It is possible I shall turn up outside the church in case anyone has not been notified and take them off for a drink and/or a bite to eat in Alison’s memory.”

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“We apologise for the inconvenience this delay may cause. Again.”

I’m beginning to tred a well-worn path to Ireland. My first trip - on the Wibbler Tour of Dublin 2003 - was a triumph of unbelievable proportions, fuelled by alcohol and only partially memorable because of it. Sadly, every other time I’ve arrived on the Emerald Isle, the main purpose has been business. Shannon was the first business trip, where I found a country so laid back and quiet that I recommended taking a good book. Cork has been the destination of choice ever since, and I’ve discovered that almost everywhere I stay around the town, there’s a wonderful view out of the window - sumptuous rolling hills and wide landscapes framed by the grey interior of a taxi’s rear window, followed by picturesque buildings seen through white blandness of a hotel’s PVC window. And, in reality, that’s about as much as I see of the glamorous locations I sometimes visit.

However, tonight I think I’ve seen enough of the glass-filled interior of Cork Airport. I’m currently sitting in the airport lounge, having just been informed of a two hour delay on the last flight home to London. It’s 10pm, and there are children getting angry and staff looking tense. My bladder is weakening with every moment. Who needs Terminal 5 when there’s Aer Lingus, eh?

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Linkblog between April 13th and April 17th:

• Tim Robbins: The Power and Responsibility of our Nation's Broadcasters - Awesome speech from an awesome actor. I recommend listening to it rather than reading…
• The Wheel - If you've got a spare 8 minutes, this is a great idea for an animation.
• How to Win at Monopoly - a Surefire Strategy - Now i can finally beat my dad…
• Previously on Lost : What? - Hilariously awesome, even if you've never seen Lost. In fact, *especially* if you've never seen Lost.
• TED | Talks | Johnny Lee: Creating tech marvels out of a $40 Wii Remote (video) - Astonishing innovation.

Just so you know, this is an automated recent overview of the Linkblog, a collection of interesting links I find on my travels. The archives are here: http://www.wibbler.com/tag/linkblog/

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It’s not often I see a programme I want to sing multiple praises of - but I’ve just watched Clowns, a documentary following 4 clowns around their daily lives. Tommy Tickle was the star for me - genuinely funny, combined with prolific swearing - just how we suspect clowns always are behind the scenes. You can still watch it until Monday on the BBC iPlayer - here’s the link (and when it expires, I’m sure it’ll be in Google Video).

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“Come round for dinner. We’ve got something to tell you.”

Nick’s revelation caused options to race through my mind. What was it? Moving house? Possible - Nick’s always been a secret moneybags. Divorce? Surely not - that would be an awkward dinner party if ever I saw one. Pregnancy? Now, just a second…

And so it was that Michelle and I visited Nick and Sarah’s house for a spot of dinner, an already-written Congratulations card stowed in Michelle’s handbag. They’ve only just got married, for crying out loud - and here Sarah was, 3 months pregnant. We all agreed that Nick plainly wasn’t past his prime, and celebrated with a gargantuan chilli with a superdose of spice. “Sorry about that,” Sarah said, “my tastebuds are all over the place at the moment…”

So, congratulations to your both. Looks like it’s got your nose, Nick!

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Update: Unfortunately, this event has been cancelled. See here for further details.

Many of you have been asking when the London memorial for Alison Richards will be. Here are the details:

Date: 23rd May, 2008 @ 12 noon
Place: St. Paul’s Church, Bedford Street, Covent Garden
(church website, Wikipedia information, map location, how to get there)

All are invited. See you there!

—————-
Update: Kerry McIvor, who worked with Alison at The Pier, is running the Race For Life in Alison’s memory. If you would like to find out more and DONATE, here’s where you can do it.

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Linkblog between February 9th and February 21st:

• Why You Fail To Make Money Online | John Chow dot Com -
• Lost Accounts -
• 12 Hours to Better Time Management - Lifehack.org -
• Start Your Own Business : Journal : Mark Boulton -
• How to make Coca-Cola at home -
• Catch of the day: Cocaine - Drugged up heaven, if you’re into that kind of thing…

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“Yeah, I’ve just been to Mexico. 5 star hotel, 3 weeks. It was brilliant.”
I bristled a little, if I’m honest.
To give you an idea why, let me give you a little timeline up to this event.

December 2007 - Renewed my various house insurance covers, but told myself that boiler and central heating cover was not needed due to budgetary constraints. The house is only 4 years old - what could go wrong?
15th February 2008 - I watched a jolly weatherman tell us that we were in for “a cold snap”. Siberian conditions, he warned. We should stay inside.
16th February - It seems that my boiler also heard that broadcast, became faint at the sheer thought of the impending usage, and promptly broke down.

So, here we are, a donated heater on each floor, trying to keep warm in the Siberian blast while boiler man upon gleeful boiler man comes round, shake their heads and mutter how unlucky we are. It’s something we’re very keenly aware of. Another thing I’ve become aware of is how rich Central Heating engineers must be - the Mexican comment just confirmed my suspicions.

So, £1800 for a new boiler, or £500 to repair. Choices, choices. Perhaps we should just put on an extra jumper?

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Linkblog between February 7th and February 8th:

• Some of the Best Speaking Advice Ever - People might actually listen to me now…
• 10 Email Addresses That Will Be Useful When You Have No Internet Access -
• Auto-Tune Abuse in Pop Music - 10 Examples - If you can’t sing, fake it. Naughty Avril…

Just so you know, this is an automated recent overview of the Linkblog, a collection of interesting links I find on my travels. The Linkblog on on the right hand side of the site, and the archives are here: http://www.wibbler.com/tag/linkblog/

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