Articles written by Jeff Dray - Page 4

What is Helium

About me - Jeff Dray

I live in Dorset in the south of England, 200 yards from the beach. I earn my living by travelling the countryside fixing and installing office equipment and PCs.

I live in a 200 year old stone cottage with a wife, a lodger and four cats and I enjoy playing

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Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Teaching history: Why use BCE and CE instead of BC and AD: 7 of 12
BCE and CE against BC and AD? what a load of rubbish! Anyone in the western world and most people in al the other parts of the globe understand the BC and AD terms, so why mess with a working system? I've heard that using a Latin phrase is no longer relevant in the modern age, but for goodness sake, Latin is no more irrelevan... More..
Pets & Animals > Cat Breeds The Ashera: Would you pay $22,000 for a cat?: 26 of 44
No No No No No!There is no reason that I could comprehend why anyone in their right mind should blow $22,000 on a pet. We have four cats, all of which are natural or cross breeds which are a joy to own but if I had been asked to pay 100 for any of them I would have refused, not only because I don't have that sort of money to ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in the UK Has the British Royal Family become irrelevant?: 13 of 22
The Royal Family cannot be irrelevant, if it is how do you explain the huge crowds that they draw and the vast number of newspaper column inches that they generate?The Royal Family is a symbol of our nationhood. They are amazingly good value for money too, they cost the equivalent of 60 pence per year for each member of the U... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy Should schools be allowed to teach creationism alongside evolution as part of their science curriculum?: 31 of 52
There are people who believe both sides of this argument and schools should be able to provide the key facts to their pupils, so that they can make an informed opinion of their own.It is wrong to force an opinion on anyone, whether they be adult or impressionable children. people aren't stupid, but if they want to believe tha... More..
Entertainment > Musical Instruments When to start learning a musical instrument: 14 of 23
People often say that you must start to learn a musical instrument when you are very young. Whilst this is good idea, you should not be put off having a go, whatever age you are.I went off the rails a bit when my father died and needed some direction. At the age of 48 I needed to understand that life isn't a rehearsal, if you... More..
Food & Drink > Dining Etiquette Should cell phones be banned in restaurants?: 128 of 207
The phone itself should not be banned, it is an inanimate object that harms no-one.What should be banned is the lout who has a loud annoying ring tone and bellows into the phone when people around him (or her) are trying to enjoy a meal. Every cellular phone comes with an off switch. You can also mute the ring. It may also co... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Valentine's Day How Valentine's Day is celebrated worldwide: 10 of 16
If you were to ask a cross section of the British Public to say who St. Valentine was, very few of them would be able to give you a coherent answer.To most people here valentine's day is a day for sending and receiving cards and giving and receiving often expensive gifts of a personal nature. This is the fault of the usual co... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: My favorite guitar: 3 of 4
Over the years I have owned and played a wide variety of guitars, mostly budget models but my latest acquisition has to be my favourite.My first guitar was a 1970s classic, a Zenta. I haven't seen one of these for years but to my 16 year old mind it was the coolest thing imaginable. over the years I have owned a range of othe... More..
Hobbies & Games > Crafts (Other) How to use soap to fix a squeaky hinge: 3 of 4
Soap has a great number of uses other than for washing. Fixing squeaky hinges with oil is a short term remedy, dust and dirt clings to it and forms a gungey black paste that can make a mess when you accidentally rub against it.Soap will lubricate and clean at the same time, it is also a renewable material so does not deplete ... More..
Computers & Technology > Phone Technologies & Issues Cell phones: A love/hate relationship: 22 of 29
Being of the older generation I find myself amazed at the market penetration of mobile phones.Apparently there are more than two mobile phones for every man, woman and child in the UK and the lack of one has become a new indicator of poverty here.There's no question that they are a wonderful communication tool and they have r... More..