Articles written by Kate Gowers

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About me - Kate Gowers

Some of you may know me as mattygroves elswhere on this world wide web. I am a transplanted American (I've been in the UK now nearly 20 years) and a hopeful writer.

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Incorrect grammar usage: 1 of 23
I spent much of my childhood having my grammar corrected by my father. Worse, he corrected my friends' grammar as well. How embarrassing.The consequence of this (apart from a slightly neurotic personality) is that I too am a stickler for grammar. Not to the same extent, mind you. I do correct my daughter's English (although n... More..
Computers & Technology > TV HDTV buying guide: 1 of 15
Back in July a couple of years ago, we moved house. The house we've moved into is bigger than the one we left, and has a bigger lounge. The JVC 22" telly that has served us so well for going on 11 or 12 years looked really, really dinky in the new house. So it was decided to do a touch of shopping.Shopping with a man and a te... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Terrorism Terrorism: An epidemic of fear: 3 of 36
"Freedom is a possession of inestimable value." (The War Against Terrorism)"A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said. It is thought the plan was to detonate up to three explosive devices smuggled on aircraft in hand luggage. " From www.bbc.co.uk/news 10 ... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking Meats Best way to roast a chicken: 3 of 27
Roast chicken with stuffing and all the trimmings is still too time consuming and filling for a weekday (in my opinion, anyway). Much easier, and very tasty, is chicken with roasted vegetables - a sort of Mediterranean medley.I am American, though I've lived in the UK for nearly 20 years. Therefore, for 20 years, I've missed ... More..
Health & Fitness > Nicotine Dependence Smoking: Products or willpower: 1 of 6
I quit smoking on 30 January 2004. As I was smoking 40 a day (and probably more if I was doing some serious drinking), I knew I couldn't quit alone. I needed help. More to the point, I needed *nicotine*.Nicotine is the substance in tobacco that makes us addicted. There are loads of other chemicals in cigarette smoke which cau... More..
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: Serenity: 2 of 9
Ever seen a series called Firefly? There's a pretty good chance that not only have you not seen it, but until last year, you'd never heard of it. That's because it only ran for 15 episodes (including the two part pilot...which was actually broadcast last), despite generally good critical reception and fan appeal. However, sou... More..
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: The Corpse Bride: 2 of 6
Tim Burton is well known for taking light, cheery tales and turning them on their head...or vice versa - taking dark, morbid situations and turning THEM on their head - witness The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands. So you won't be surprised to discover he has done much the same in his most recent stop-motion... More..
Pets & Animals > Dog Breeds Dog breed: Komondor: 1 of 2
So, you're thinking of getting a purebred dog. But you don't want a breed that everyone else has - oh no, you're thinking of getting a rare breed.Think carefully. Any dog is, as they say, for life. You want to ensure that you know what you are committing yourself to - perhaps that's why you've opted for a purebred rather than... More..
Travel > United States Getting around Long Island in New York State: 1 of 2
Are you visiting New York City? I suspect you are planning on visiting shops, museums, tall buildings, and maybe even a big statue of a lady holding a torch. It is, however, entirely possible, that unless you have friends there, the suburbs on Long Island are not part of your plans. But perhaps they should be. After all, The ... More..
Travel > Hotel Reviews Hotel reviews: Clube do Lago, Estoril, Portugal: 1 of 1
When is a hotel not a hotel? When it's an apartment, of course! A normal hotel room is more than adequate for a couple, however, when travelling with another couple, you have a choice (particularly when travelling to Spain or Portugal, it seems) between renting two double or twin rooms in a hotel, or sharing a two bedroom hol... More..