This is one of the best things I have seen in a long time. Simon's Cat's book is out later this year and will be really really big. I have heard that the print run is not as big as it could be so order early.

Bear

These are just a few of the great free iPhone wall papers that can be downloaded from the Gelaskins website or from their free apps from the apps store.

Gelaskins website

I hope you have as much fun as I had with them.

Bear. x

Jay Brannan new t-shirt now available on his website, and you can now also pre-order his live album on there too.

I love this t-shirt design I can't wait to get one... his website is www.jaybrannan.com

So someone pointed out to me the other day it may have seemed I mistakenly had fallen off the earth for a bit...

But now I'm back, maybe not 24/7 but more often than I have been...

So what's been going on?

Baz and I got engaged... Before you ask we are not going to tie the knot till 2012 or when we sell up and move out of London. The reason being that we want to have a house that is ours together and we are away from the madness of 'the rat race'

Work is hard but so much fun. I'm now the full-time permanent assistant manager at the bookstore in Greenwich after being on secondment for 4 months.

I have also been reading like a demon so I will also be post some reviews for you over the next few weeks.

I have also found some new artists who's music I have come to love and will post links to their sites for you to check out.

We are still happy Vegan's and so I will also post some more great food tips and cookbook reviews to keep you more up to date of the culinary journey of 'Two Vegan Bears' in London.

I'll get back to you soon with some more...

Bear. x

 

If you've ever found yourself looking for a book similar to one you've just read, or maybe you've liked an author and they haven't written any new books lately, then this list may help you Discover something new to read... 

Dan Brown – Da Vinci Code 

• Raymond Khoury - The Last Templar 

Stephenie Meyer - Twilight 

• Anne Rice - Interview with a Vampire

Lionel Shriver - We Need to Talk About Kevin 

• DBC Pierre – Vernon God Little

Jodi Picoult – My Sisters Keeper 

• Lori Lansens – The Girls

Mark Gatiss – The Vesuvius Club 

• Gyles Brandreth - Oscar Wild and the Candlelight Murders 

Terry Nation – Survivors

• Max Brooks – World War Z

Carlos Ruiz Zafon – The Shadow of the Wind

• Markus Zusak – The Book Thief

George Orwell – 1984

• Cory Doctorow – Little Brother

Jo Brand – Sorting Out Billy

• Julian Clary – Murder Most Fab

James Herbert – Portent

• Clive Cussler – Polar Shift

Joseph O’Neil – Netherland

• Salman Rushdie - Fury

Well some would say it's been to long, and some will say thank the gods he's been able to keep his opinion to himself for at least some time over the holidays. But for those of you who have missed me I felt it was time to explain where I've been and what I've been up to.

Firstly let me just wish you all a happy New Year and for those of you in the USA it was about time! I hope you all enjoyed yesterday (20th Jan).

So the last time I was really with you was on the 18th November last year. I've been working very hard in my new job as Assistant Store Manager at Waterstone's bookstore in Greenwich, London. It's been the most amazing experience and I haven't had as much fun ever. But it's been taking up all of my time and still is for the most part. The only reason I'm able to update you now is that I've taken a days holiday. 

At home we have had a strange few months getting use to having to pay mounting bills as the economy slows and prices rise. I finally feel that we have got our head above water again and I can see a summer of smiles and relaxing evenings with Baz. We are days away from our third year anniversary with us being stronger than ever. It's true what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

The cats are well with Noah getting bigger all the time and never letting up on our other cat for one minuet.

I've learnt one very important thing over the last few months and that is don't believe everything that you read in the press no matter how small the story or how big the news.

A diet update for you I've lost another 4kg or almost 9lbs, making a total of 18kg or 39.7lbs thanks to the help of Reductil or as I like to call it my magic little helper. But best of all I've gone from a 44inch waist down to a 36inch waist and my hips are now wider than my belly. This means I have reduced my risk of getting Onset Diabetes.

I will try to keep you updated more often but I will have a lot less time over the next few months. So if I'm not around then please keep safe and look after the one's around you.

Bear. X 

Lego Yule

Lego Christmas
Originally uploaded by Balakov

Happy Yule Everyone...

Vegan Bear XXX

I thought I would just post a quick one to let you all know I'm still alive and that I've not forgotten you. My new job is taking up all my time including my days off and even my evenings. The store is really starting to feel like home (in a good way) I work with some really great people and I'm making the most of being there.

I will try and post some kids book ideas this weekend so any of you looking to get some books as gifts can see some that are not maybe around in every book store.

If I get it up this weekend you will still have time to order them or ask your book store to order them in time for the big day.

You'll have to forgive the photos but as always I'm pushing some of my own...

Bear. X

I haven't in the past posted may photo's of my work but I thought I would change that and give you a little snap shot of our Christmas window displays. 

I know if your like me it freaks you out to see Christmas things in stores this early but I have to say that it has been nice this year with all money problems it's just made it feel a little better.

I've now been at my new store for just under a week and it's been hard work but so much fun. Twice this week I've come home and just fallen asleep in front of the T.V, but I don't mind being exhausted from working hard as I feel it is appreciated.

I thought as we are coming up to gifting time that I would start to look at what books are out there and maybe pointing the ones I like out. It's meant as nothing more than to help you out and maybe show you some books that you don't always see. 

I would always say 'support you local book store' they need you now more than ever, and what better way than giving a gift of a book. 

Giving someone you love the right book is not only cheap but it's one of the best ways to show you've thought about what someone would love.

Bear. X  

Tomorrow is the day that all of you in the USA have the chance to change the world as we know it. 

Please for the sake of the rest of the world use your vote.

Bear. X

So with only a few hours to go before I start my new job I thought I would post some photo's from the Halloween party at a friends house we went to last night.

I not only did our make-up but made Tiffin Cake and Coconut Flap Jacks...

We had a lot of fun playing around in the hall of the house. I think the hall was our party in the kitchen...

Well it's time to do some more work for tomorrow but I will let you know how I got on...

Bear. X

I thought I would give you a quick update and let you know what I've been up too and why I've not been posting for the last few weeks...

So I went for a drink with a mate who runs one of the shops in the company I work for. She told me that they had been talking about me in her area meeting and how I was good at my job and all. *BLUSH*

She told me there was a job going at one of the stores in her area. She said that I should give them a call and see what was going on. The job applications had closed the day before but they were interested in talking to me about it if I was game.

So Baz and I headed down the next day and I spoke to the manager and he did indeed want me to apply. So after three long hours of filling in my application I sent it in. 

They offered me a interview this Monday just gone and late yesterday they called and offered me the job as assistant manager of the Greenwich store in south London. It's just next to the Thames and a minuet walk from the big park with the Royal Observatory in it. I can get to work by boat most of the way or I can travel through the docklands, it's so nice I can't wait to start... 

Talking of starting thats only 3 days away (Monday) and tomorrow is my last day at my old job. I'm sure over the next week or so I will have time to update you but please don't think I've forgotten you...

Bear. X

Vegan Chocolate Tiffin/Fridge Cake.

250g of Digestive Biscuits or Plain Hobnobs
50g of Raisins

50g of Macadamia Nuts
400g of chopped up Dark Chocolate or Chocolate Chips
100g of Vegan Margarine
4 tablespoons of Golden Syrup or Agave Nectar

1. Crumble the digestive biscuits or hobnobs into a bowl. You’re aiming for them to be in small pieces, not like the dust you’d want for a cheesecake base.
2. Add the raisins and chopped nuts to the biscuits and mix well.
   
3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan, and then add the syrup/nectar, heat for a couple of minutes - gently - stirring frequently. 
   
4. Add the broken chocolate to the mix and mix till it has melted, don't over heat.
   
5. Tip the chocolate mix over the crushed biscuit mix and stir until the dry ingredients are all thoroughly coated.
   
6. Press the mixture into an 8-inch tin, and smooth with the back of a spoon. It’s best to line the tin with some clingfilm to make it easy to remove the cake later.
   
7. Cover the top with more clingfilm, and when cooled place the cake into the fridge for at least a couple of hours to become firm.
   
8. Take out of the fridge; turn out onto a plate, cut into 12 pieces.

I hope you enjoy this quick and easy cake. It's a great store cupboard cake that you can put together if you have friends or family coming over for Thanks Giving...

Bear. X

For todays Blog I will be talking about Poverty...

For many people in the U.K and around the world Poverty is something that happens in third world and developing countries and without saying it doesn't I wanted to point out how its happening right here, and across the world in the developed countries.

The old saying when I was a child was 'the haves and the have nots' never is that truer than in 2008. I'm not talking about people who have been affected by the credit crunch but by everyday people who before prices of food began to rise had problems feeding and clothing themselves and their family. 

I know of a young girl who at the age of 15 became pregnant. Now I know some may think this is a dumb kid she shouldn't have got pregnant, but you know she did and she kept the baby. She had grown up in care and for the first time it was something she could love and would love her back without adding conditions onto it.

Now she is 22 and she has a son of 7 who is a great kid who is loved more than any child I know. But his mother is so unhappy and lost because every day is a fight to put food on the table and cloths on his back. Simple things like having heating and hot water mean that often they go without thing we take for as given. She had never taken her son to see the sea or out to the movies. He has no toys but from Oxfam or things people have given her second hand. Most if not all of his cloths are hand me downs and his best cloths are his school uniform that is often two sizes to small for him.

She gets some help from the government but it mostly now goes on food and paying back the loan sharks that she had to borrow money off last year to pay the bills and the back council tax that she owed, it was that or be kicked out of their home. Once a week a man knocks on her door and takes most of the money she has to pay the sharks. She has tried to get a job but having left school at 15 she has no exams and the jobs she can get means that she would be working when she needs to be home looking after her son. 

The government of this great country of our doesn't see the little people any more, it has bigger things to think about. The sub-prime index, banks going bust, fuel prices that could cost them the next election, and even a war on the other side of the world where fathers, sons, mothers and daughters are being killed every day because one mad president blames a religion for some crazy peoples actions seven years ago. 

So winter is coming and how will she heat their home or pay the bills, put food on the table and a smile on her sons face. 

'POVERTY' comes in many forms and affects many people all over the world, it's sometimes harder for people to see what's not on the television and right in front of them every day.

Bear. X

Make poverty history for everyone all over this world.

  

I would like to point out that it was not only the 5 of us at this party but a whole lota Bears... Baz and I went to a friends birthday party on Saturday night and had lots of fun. Our friend then posted this very funny photo on his Face Book page and sums up just how much fun we had...

I should say also our host for the evening did lay on some nice Vegan food for Baz and I. It's the first time I've been to a party and someone has laid on some food we can eat... 

Bear. X

You may have noticed the new application on the side bar that appeared yesterday... You can now see I have joined the many in tuning into www.Last.fm.com the great new radio station that creates a playlist around bands you like to listen to...

Along with the new iTunes application 'Genius' (see iTunes new update) I have been introduced to loads of bands I use to listen to when I was young. Yesterday you saw 'Bronski Beat' and today it's 'King'. King is very electro 80's music and I only really use to play this one album 'steps in time' Click on the title of the album to be taken to Last.fm where you can play a few tracks.

Below you can see the track playlist that 'Genius' on iTunes picked for me from using 'Love & Pride' by King as a start track...

So I'm sitting back and playing some cool tracks... I could think of nothing better to do on a Monday...

Bear. X

I thought I would post these YouTube videos as it reminds me of a part of my life that made me who I am today.

I went to a party last night and found myself having a 'so, how did you come out as being Gay?' conversation with a group of gay men of very differing ages.

I came out to myself when I was 13 and it took another 2 to 3 years before I told my family. It is very hard to know when and if you should tell someone about your something as important as this and you have to judge how safe it is to do so.

The day I came out to my mum she hit me and did a lot of shouting, but as with any thing she came around in time. But the time when you need the most support she became part of the problem.

I remember part of the conversation with her when she was going on about wanting me to be 'normal' and me saying that, 'the only 'normal' thing about me was me being Gay'

Bronski Beat and Jimmy Somerville just spoke to me about my life and who I was. The first track here is 'Small Town Boy' 

The second video is 'Why' a song that gave me so much strength and power. I use to have the crap kicked out of me everyday at school and I would come home at night and play this and it would mend all of my wounds. 

It's very easy some 25 years on to think that it must be so much easier for people to come out now, but one thing I learned from last night is that whenever you come out to people you love be it now or 25 years ago we all still want them to love us as much as we love them. Coming out to a loved one is about trusting them as much as it is about the act of doing it. You don't tell someone something this important to have them hate you and reject you. You want them to know because they are important to you and the fact that you can't be 100% yourself when you are with them starts to eat you up from deep inside.

One thing for sure you will know when to tell someone and if they love you and you love them in time they will come around.

Bear. X

366-280
Originally uploaded by mr_moog

Rev Peter Mullen

Is this man a person of God?

A Church of England vicar could face disciplinary action for saying in his blog that gay men should have 'sodomy' warnings tattooed on their bodies.

The Rev Peter Mullen, who is a parish priest and rector in the City of London, made the remarks on his blog, which has since been removed from the web under an agreement with diocesan officials, (or more like to stop him finding out how people really feel about him and his ideas).

Mullen, 66, wrote it was time for religious believers to recommend the discouragement of homosexual practices in the style of cigarette packet warnings.

'Let us make it obligatory for homosexuals to have their backsides tattooed with the slogan sodomy can seriously damage your health and their chins with fellatio kills'.

The gay rights group Outrage described the comments as 'Neanderthal'.

A Diocese of London spokeswoman said the remarks did not reflect its views.

Rev Mullen said 'I certainly have nothing against homosexuals. Many of my dear friends have been and are of that persuasion', (and I'm sure they all wish you the best of health every day you are on this planet).

In the same blog, Rev Mullen called for all gay pride parades, which he branded "obscene", to be outlawed.

The Diocese of London spokeswoman said officials had met Rev Mullen and it had been agreed that the comments should be removed.

She said 'While clergy are entitled to their own personal views, we fully recognise that the content of this text is highly offensive and it is in no way reflective of the views of the Diocese of London'.

Later in todays press Rev Mullen said 'The comment was made in a joking manner and not as a serious statement'. So the Rev Mullen will not mind me calling him a 'Nazi Tosser and a Servant of the Devil' (but please remember that this comment is made in the joking way that the Rev feels his statements should be taken).

Bear.  

Uploaded on Flickr by Sam & Kosmo

So I've been off work for a week on holiday, though I haven't really left my flat for a week (apart from the trip to Brighton) I have been trying to rest up and hopefully repair my muscles in my legs.

For the best part this has worked, but after a 8 1/2 hour shift back at work today I'm now in as much pain as I was before I had the week off. So it's back to the physiotherapist next Wednesday for some more treatment.

I'm so longing to start running and going to the gym but I was clearly told to not over do it. I just wish I hadn't slipped that day four weeks ago.

Bear. X

Here are some photo's from our day trip to Brighton. As you can see it was really sunny and hot so it made for a great day by the sea.

Brighton has two piers, but one of the burnt down years ago and all that is left is the shell. Someone has done this great bit of street art on one of the posts.

There were loads seagulls around all day with some of them as big as a dog. Here are just a few sitting around enjoying the sun.

This was on a market stall back in London but it reminded me that Fall is only around the corner.

Brighton has always been known for it's street art.

If only we had time to sit and watch the sea every day, what a amazing world it would be...

Baz looking cute as usual. You can see in the background Brighton burnt out pier.

Oh and a shot of me. Just to piss the person off who said I post a lot of pictures of myself. You should note in the early days of this blog I never posted photos of myself or if I did it would have been only ones of my face, your getting to see just a little bit more of me as my weight goes down... Who knows one day you may see my feet. *grin*

Bear. x

I thought I would shoot another slimmer photo of myself for you all to see. I lost another 2kg this week so it's a happy smile on my face...

Bear. X

Finding Vegan candy in the U.K is really hard and we only tend to stock up once a year at the London Vegan Festival, but that may have all changed. Last week we were out shopping in Camden Town market and came across the Candy Cabin a great little shop with loads of Vegan hard candy for sale.

We went for the RHUBARB & CUSTARD a very english candy that taste as it sounds and better still they do a sugar free version.

If you want to try them then you can order them on line. You will have to e-mail them at the moment to find out what one's are Vegan as they are updating the website at the moment and haven't put the Vegetarian/Vegan information on, but most of the hard candy on the site is Vegan. The woman who owns the site/shop was so nice you couldn't ask for a nicer person to deal with.

You can get to the website by clicking here... The Candy Cabin

Enjoy...

Bear. X

Makes you think...

Is there an answer to the world problems? 

I know it will not take much to push us over the edge...

Bear. X

The End of the World as we know it...

004hfe66
Originally uploaded by EnhydraSF

I had to post this picture. I thought you would all like it...

Bear. x

The Magical Loaf Studio

Design Your Own Adventist-Style Vegan Dinner Loaf!
created by Jennifer McCann for the Vegan Lunch Box Blog.

I came across this great website while browsing Planet Vegan Freak a trawling website that collects vegan blog postings so you don't have to spend hours clicking on every site.

But getting back to The Magical Loaf Studio and why I think it's so good. If you ever wanted to make a vegan 'meat'less loaf but didn't have all the items in the recipe or you wanted to make it healthier. Well stress no more go to the website and just follow the instructions and it will create a recipe for you.

Here is an example of one I created, but you should really try it out for yourself...

Vegan Bear's Lentil loaf

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 TB vegetable oil
One onion, diced
One large garlic clove, minced
One large carrot, peeled and grated
Two celery ribs, diced
2 cups cooked lentils
1 cup dry whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 to 1/2 cup liquid from cooked or canned beans, as needed
1 heaping TB flaxseed meal
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 TB ketchup
2 TB soy sauce

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray a loaf pan or 8x8 square baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside (an 8x8 pan makes a crisper loaf).

Grind the sunflower seeds into a coarse meal using a food processor or spice/coffee grinder. Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Sauté any vegetables you've chosen in the vegetable oil until soft. Add to the large mixing bowl along with all the remaining ingredients. Mix and mash together well, adding only as much liquid as needed to create a soft, moist loaf that holds together and is not runny (you may not need to add any liquid if the grains and protein are very moist). Add more binder/carbohydrate as needed if the loaf seems too wet.

Press mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until cooked through.

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a plate or platter and slice. Serve with potatoes, vegetables, and vegetarian gravy, if desired.

Cold leftover slices of Vegan Bear's Lentil loaf make a great sandwich filling.

So why not give it a try and let me know how you got on.

Bear. X

Some photos from yesterday that I thought I would post for you to see...

Baz chillin after a hard day on the sofa

Reflections on the Thames

Curved Building 

Tower Block

Here are some photo's from Tree-Athlon London 2008.

As you can see it was a sunny day with lots of people around having fun.

I hope that next year I will be one of the many people running to help put trees in our cities and make them greener for our next generation.

I did go for a walk/run this morning but I discovered that my injury is still not as giving me a bit of trouble. I walked slower than I did before I fell and hurt myself over 3 weeks ago.

As my friend said I'm just going to have to take it slowly and build it up. I may go for a swim tomorrow and see how that feels.

So today I have set up my Nike+ training program. Although I'm still in some pain from my accident I now feel able to start to train. So putting my new toy to work I have set up my walk/run training program starting tomorrow.

I find nike+ website a bit slow and not very user friendly but I'm sure I will get use to it over time.

Here are two screen shots from the site.

On other news I have now picked my first run to take part in and it will be a 5k in December.

I'm now off to watch a Tree-Athion that I would like to do next year. I will try to post some photo's later.

I got Baz a Nike+ iPod kit and hope he joins me in my training... watch this space.

Bear. X

The Looniness of the Long Distance Runner:

An Unfit Londoner's Attempt to Run the New York City Marathon from Scratch
By Russell Taylor

Synopsis

Take one unfit 39-year-old Londoner and present him with the challenge of training for, and running, the New York City Marathon. This is Russell Taylor's humorous account of his journey from its unwise inception after too many beers, through the first teetering steps on the treadmill to the big show-down in NYC. Inspired by the charity running of his friends, Russell Taylor decided to spare himself the post-event trauma of trying to extract money from reluctant sponsors by writing this book and donating the proceeds to charity instead. This account follows our intrepid runner north London gym to the mean streets of Manhattan as we discover what lurks within the breast of the endurance athlete: an unreasonable hatred of his fellow runners (except nubile females of the species), a contempt for the idiocy of stadium announcers and a strange fear of spectators inanely shouting, "Keep going," by way of encouragement. Written with panache and self-deprecating humour, this is ideal entertainment for anyone who has ever run any distance on their own two legs.

Dude

Uploaded on Flickr by aknacer 

So I'm very stiff but I managed to walk my 3.5k yesterday in about 30 minuets which I thought wasn't to bad considering I'm still in some pain. I find that if I warm up by walking slowly my muscles warm up and give more easily and I have less pain.

I do think that I need to see a physio at some point though so I can get some tips on what is the best way to help it heal better. I have a feeling that I'm going to have more problems with this injury than I'm currently aware of.

So all being well I will call my personal trainer tomorrow and see what he thinks about me coming back to the gym at some point next week. I think I'll start with some swimming and then move up to the running machine by the weekend if I feel up to it.

I never thought I would long to start running but I guess I've read so much about other peoples achievements and personal goals and stories that I too want to be there and be able to shear it with you. I now see myself as a mental runner, I just now have to get the physical part up and going, and get it right.

What's the old cliché 'every journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step' well I took my first step and now I want to make my journey of 1000 miles. I still don't see myself every doing a full Marathon, but who knows. For me it's not about the length or millage it's about achieving the action and maintaining it.

I wish I could get Baz to do it with me, and I know if I lead by example then maybe he will do it by himself. If I can I will take him out and get him fitted for a pair of running shoe when I get some money. 

So on another note I'm on day 2 of my 7 days in a row at work. I even dreamt that I was half way through it last night... I get the feeling it's going to be a long week.

I also decided I'm going to ask to be moved from the basement floor in the shop to the leisure department after academic season. (I manage the academic floor in a book store). I would really like to work in the leisure section for christmas. 

Any ways I'm off or I'll be late. 

Bear. X   

So I was planning to start my recovery training on Monday next week having given myself two weeks to repair the damage done to the muscles in the tops of my legs caused by an accident in a supermarket.

But as with all good plans they have to be flexible, and when I turned on the television to watch the news this morning I found out that they bus service I use to get to work was not running due to a 48 hour strike by the drivers.

The good news is that it is only the last part of my journey that's affected so it will mean walking the last 5k. I was planning to start my walk to run training again on Monday so it will just mean brining that forward by two days.

I will also go back to the gym if all goes well over the next four days of walking and with any luck I will be back on my training plan by the end of next week.

This is the training plan I have developed to make the most of the next 10 weeks I have at the gym. I have tried to make the most of all parts of the gym as well as using my new love for walking/running. As I was saying above it will have to be flexible as shifts at work and other outside forces do change things and I will be digging out my new unused exercise bike, or as we like to call it the cloths horse thing in the bedroom.
I'm in love with the new application 'Genius' on the iTunes up-date. 'Genius' is essentially an automated DJ that once activated can build genre-based playlists based on the music in your library. You are able to fine tune it by going into your listings and creating your own genres in the 'Get Info' section when you've highlighted a track or an album. I have created a 'Warm Up' and a 'Run' genre to help create my play lists.

If you have the new up-date then why not give it a try.

Bear. X