The Mexile

Small Business Voip Costs Less, Does More

2009-07-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

The internet has revolutionized the way we communicate with each other. I'm not referring simply to email, instant messaging and social networks, which have replaces more traditional means of keeping in touch. I'm referring to a means of communication that the internet isn't replacing, but is in fact improving. The telephone.

Voip solutions that use the internet to make and receive telephone calls have gained in popularity as the quality and features available have improved. The one thing that has not increased by any great margin is the cost. This is why companies are increasingly looking for Small Business Voip solutions, especially in these economically troubled times, to reduce overheads and improve the service they can offer to their business partners and customers.

Pri-fect

2009-07-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

Here's something I didn't expect to see in my time in this country. When I first came here the PRI political party had lost the previous presidential election having ruled the country for 70 years, with the help of a little corruption here and there. They were in bad shape and their future very uncertain. They definitely weren't expected to recover any time soon. Not for a decade or three anyway.

Things didn't improve either. Their leader, Roberto Madrazo, was caught cheating in an international marathon in Berlin. And yet here we are, less than a decade later, and they are back. Not just back in fact, but back on top. They triumphed in the recent elections, as the voters showed their disdain for the antics of leftist Obrador, and frustration with the policies and drug war of ruling centre right PAN party.

Who knows where we go from here. The next presidential election is in 2012, and I would say that at the moment it looks a very open race.

A Cheap Seat

2009-06-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

Looking for the best seats in town to the best events? Aren't we all. Looking for the best seats at the best prices? Yes, me too! And the good news is I've found them. Maybe you're after some Radio City Christmas Spectacular tickets. ACheapSeat.com has them.

They've got tickets to all the hottest events, shows and big games, including Dora the Explorer Tickets and Jersey Boy Tickets. Go and have a look at their easy to navigate website now and begin choosing the tickets you want at prices you'll definitely like!

BBC Podcasting

2009-06-25T11:13:00.003-05:00

As a Brit living a million miles from home, I miss the odd piece of familiar Brit stuff that has gone from my life. Cheddar cheese, Match of the Day, gold top milk, roads without holes...

But I don't miss one of my favourite British institutions - the BBC. I've take it with me. I can view a few bits of news on the web, and there is the possibility of downloading some programming using BitTorrent peer to peer. But the best (and legal) BBC radio product that I peruse is their wonderful podcasting service.

My beloved multi function Archos!

Whether I fancy listening to Five Live's 'Sports Talk' or news bulletins, or Radio 4's 'From Our Own Correspondant', it's there ready for me to download at a time of my choosing, to be sent to my equally wonderful Archos AV440 media player, and listened to during the many hours a week I spend on buses and the metro.

Whether you are reading this blog in the UK or any other part of the world, I can heartily recommend you get yourself an MP3 player, follow this link and indulge in the finest radio programming in the world!

Gold Coins

2009-06-18T10:37:00.002-05:00

Gold has been used as the standard of many currencies for hundreds of years, and has long been considered one of the safest investments you can make. Recession proof, and guaranteed to maintain its value, people buy gold to make sure their nest egg remains secure even in troubled times.

But why just buy gold bullion when you can invest in far more interesting gold objects such as gold coins? Gold Coins Gain is the ultimate resource on gold whatever you interest in gold, and you can buy gold coins from their website. These fabulous gold coins celebrate many international icons from the US, to China, and include South Africa, Canada and Austria.

But why just buy gold bullion when you can invest in far more interesting gold objects such as gold coins? Gold Coins Gain is the ultimate resource on gold whatever you interest in gold, and you can buy gold coins from their website. These fabulous gold coins celebrate many international icons from the US, to China, and include South Africa, Canada and Austria.

The New Olympus Pen

2009-06-18T10:28:00.000-05:00

This is the camera I have been lusting after since its first teaser shots, of a prototype actually, were released last September. A camera with a DSLR sensor, interchangeable lens and top photo quality packaged in a body no bigger than some compact point and shoots. And it is finally here!

And cheaper than was thought. You can't buy one till the end of September, which gives me time to save up! I've been writing about it more on my photography blog.

Farreys Lighting

2009-06-10T13:08:00.001-05:00

Have you been decorating or rearranging your home recently? I have spent much of the last year going from room to room painting, decorating, refitting. And when I've finished each room does look much improved. But it's not until you add some new lighting that all your efforts really come alive. Proper lighting adds ambience, atmosphere, attitude. You just need to find the perfect lighting fixture to go with the new look of each room.

Which is why I recommend Farreys for all your lighting needs. They have a huge range of lighting fixtures, including fine art lamps, george kovacs lamps, hinkley lighting and so much more, all at very competitive prices and with a service other comapnies envy.

The Honda S Wing

2009-06-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

I've thought of another thing I really miss from the UK. Motorcycling! I just don't dare do it here in Mexico City, so I get around on bus and metro. But I do really miss my old Honda Pantheon motorbike.

One of the first things I will do when I return to the UK is get a new scooter. The Pantheon was sold before I moved here, so I'll get the latest version, now known as the S Wing. Can't wait....!

Bulk Foods Direct

2009-06-10T11:03:00.001-05:00

Do you remember, many years ago now, when the big food warehouses opened their doors to the general public, revolutionizing how we shopped by offering big discounts on normal supermarket prices, on products bought in giant sized tins and packets? You quite often had to pay for expensive membership cards which rather took the edge off the potential savings a bit, but for sure you ended up saving money in the long run.

It's taken some time for a company to truly turn this way of shopping to an online experience, but it is now possible to buy supplies of Bulk Foods on the web and have them delivered directly to your door. There are so many pros to this way of shopping and precious few cons, if any at all. Bulk Foods Direct offer the highest quality goods available at prices so low you'll think you've not quite read it right. Without the overheads of the big warehouse type centers, they beat even them on price, by up to 40%.

They stock an ever growing range of dry goods including very healthy whey protein concentrate, lentils, dry mil and brown rice. Plus you don't need to leave your home, wasting money on petrol, time on driving and parking and your patience trying to navigate busy aisles. The even have a wonderful selection of recipes on the internet in case you are lost for inspiration when it comes time to prepare a meal!

Green Party for Death

2009-06-10T05:53:00.000-05:00

In the up coming elections, the Green Party have made a bold, perhaps bizarre and undoubtedly populist move by including in their manifesto the promise to reintroduce the death penalty. The plan goes against the general perceived ethos of a Green party, and follows calls from mayors in the northern states to bring back the death penalty there.

Whilst it is unlikely that the Greens will win enough public backing to enable them to enact this plan, the death penalty has once again been brought to the fore of the political world as the country battles the corruption and ineffectiveness of the legal system in an effort to bring stability to the country.

Climbing Gear

2009-06-08T17:53:00.000-05:00

Last year I embarked on a trip the likes of which I had never done before, but which I will most definitely do again. And again. And again. I climbed a mountain. Not any old mountain, mind you. I went straight for a big one, the third highest in Mexico. It might not be Everest but it does tower more than 5,000 metres, or 15,000 feet, into the atmosphere. I climbed Iztaccihuatl, an extinct volcano that sits next to another volcano, Popocatapetl which on the other hand is very much an active one.

It was an exhilerating trip. Nothing before or since has matched it. I learned plenty of things that weekend, and one of the most important ones was that you must go prepared, with equipment that will stand up to the task. It´s no good wearing a normal jacket. You´ll need something much more substantial at that altitude. A North Face jacket, specially designed for those sort of conditions, is ideal.

You´ll also need some basic mountaineering equipment, including head lamps, ropes and a body harness. Petzl are an excellent choice for this sort of stuff. It´s also vital to ensure you have the right sort of footwear. A pair of La Sportiva boots will sort you out on that front.

It´s essential that you take just the right amount of gear. Not too much, not too little. And don´t just go into the first place you find - shop at a specialized online retailer who know their stuff and care about their customers. Buying quality has never been as important.

Museo de el Carmen

2009-06-08T13:15:00.000-05:00

Finding a little peace and quiet in a city with more than 20 milliona inhabitants packed in together cheek by jowel is no easy feat. But it is possible, and one of the best places to go looking for it is in a monastery.

We went yesterday to San Angel for breakfast (where I received some of the tastiest enchiladas in mole sauce I've ever eaten) and then into the nearby Museo de el Carmen. It's a fabulous place with murals and antiques going back hundreds of years.

San Angel itself is a great place to visit on a Sunday, with flowery streets, great eateries and the Museo de Carrillo Gil within walking distance. Click here to see my photos on Flickr.

Feasts - Mexico

2009-06-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

I've just finished watching the rather brilliant BBC series Feasts, with Stefan Gates. There were, sadly, only three episodes, but all were good. India came first, followed by Japan. But the highlight for me obviously was the final episode - Mexico.

If you live in the UK you can go and watch this episode on BBC's iPlayer, for as long as it remains available. If you live elsewhere you'll just have to hope it comes to either BBC World or BBC Entertainment some time in the future. Or you could, if you feel daring, investigate the possibility of downloading it in naughty fashion from a bittorrent site....

Airguns

2009-06-05T15:26:00.002-05:00

I've always loved sports, and particularly sports which appeal to my basic human instincts. That usually means a competitive sport, and as I'm part of a race who are natural hunters, I find shooting guns very appealing. I'm really not into guns per se. It's more the challenge of aiming, firing and hitting the target that I enjoy, and I can do that perfectly well with a decent airgun. No need for extremely expensive bullet firing guns and the legal complications of ownership.

You don't need to buy an expensive gun firing real, deadly ammunition to enjoy the sport of shooting. An airgun achieves the objectives of challenge and satisfaction perfectly. And an airsoft gun of decent quality can allow you to put your skills to the test fully.

You can choose from a huge range of products from airsoft pistols through to rifles with high quality sights fitted. And you don't need to break the bank either. You can buy a perfectly good, high quality airgun for less than $50, although of course if you want to pay more, there are some superb airguns to be had for more generous budgets. Like most products, you get what you pay for, and if you step into the $00 to $500 range, you will be buying yourself a fine piece of equipment.

Stand Down Mr Brown

2009-06-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

I don't often write anything political on my blog, but I'm going to make an exception today, seeing as the circumstances are themselves exceptional. The UK government is falling to pieces, surrounding by scandals over expenses, centred around a government lacking sufficient support even from within its own party, and lead by a man who has never actually been elected to lead.

I do feel a little sorry for Gordon Brown. A lifelong political animal, a heavyweight in the Labour party for decades, always dreaming of the day he would get the top job. And finally in 2007, he got it. Prime Minister of the UK. Almost immediately, everything went horribly wrong.

The economy didn't just tank. It burned up and disappeared into the ether. The biggest bust in most of our lifetimes. And Gordon couldn't really blame it on his predeccesor. After all, he had been the Chancellor for the last decade, with his mantra of 'No more boom and bust' coming back to haunt him.

But unlucky or not, and it's 'not' in my opinion, his leadership now has the substance of a watery jelly left out in the sun on a hot day. He's leaking government ministers like Scunthorpe FC leak goals.

Gordon....you have to go. And you have to go now. Country before ego my friend.

Wall Clocks

2009-06-05T13:39:00.001-05:00

When my mother remained, many decades ago, she brought to the marriage two young children. One of them, of course, being myself. My new father brought four. Two girls, one boy and a grandfather clock. It had belonged to his father before him, and was, as far as he was concerned, as much a part of the family as the rest of us!

It was an impressive clock. Traditional. Reliable. Seemingly ageless. Pretty much like its owner really! It took pride of place in the lounge, and tick tocked steadily away for the whole of my childhood, letting us know the turn of each hour with a reassuring bong. I've left home now, but the clock remains, like an old friend of the family, resolutely keeping immaculate time as ever.

I've liked clocks ever since. I miss the sound of the ticking. The mechanical whirring. The bong. It won't be mine to inherit, so perhaps it's time for me to take possession of my own clock, a new heirloom for my family. Whether I will choose a more traditional grandfather clock, or one of the more modern wall clocks that you can buy these days, I haven't yet decided.

I have come to the conclusion, however, that there are few places with a better selection of clocks, more competitive prices, greater knowledge of their products than 1-800-4clocks.com. They even have a great blog with alsorts of information, including this piece about grandfather clocks. Which of all the clocks they stock do I like the most? I really rather like the look of this Kieninger wall clock which would fit perfectly on an open space of wall I have in my lounge next to the television.

Palenque

2009-06-05T13:21:00.001-05:00

Continuing my internet tour of Mexico to try and encourage people from around the world to visit this fabulous country, I present to you the most fabulous set of ruins, and the most incredible stretch of river that the country has to offer. Palenque. Located in Chiapas, it has to be said that it is a place more on the radar of backpackers, because of it's location far from any international airport. But for those who make it to Palenque, they will experience a place that they will never forget.

The ancient ruins themselves are the most impressive in the country in my opinion. Set amongst hilly jungle scenery, the scale and beauty of these ruins take the breath away. And a short drive from them lies a turquoise stretch of water with a series of swimmable waterfalls that will equally leave you breathless.

Toasters

2009-06-05T11:44:00.000-05:00

Breakfast isn't breakfast without at least a couple of slices of toast. With butter spread on top of course. Whether you have jam or marmalade is up to you! Do you need a new toaster? There's no great need to spend a fortune on one, but you will want to know that it can do the job properly! Perhaps you should do a little research first and find the best best cheap toaster currently available.

Last Three Days

2009-06-04T09:40:00.000-05:00

There are just three days left to vote for your favourite photo from my 365 project for May. So far Ocean Drive is in the lead, but there are only a couple of votes in it, so your decision could be decisive! Vote now by clicking here. Every vote counts, and more importantly, is appreciated!

Online Degrees

2009-06-04T09:34:00.001-05:00

It's never too late to start learning, or resume learning as the case may be. And it also has to be said that in the current economic climate, there is no such thing as a job for life, and nor do career opportunities disappear with increasing age. The workforce of all industrial countries needs to be more flexible that ever before, and although the prospect of studying for a new career and changing your type of work may seem daunting, it can be done, and whilst challenging, it can be fun and highly rewarding.

So what would interest you if you had to change direction? Corporate Citizenship perhaps? Organization Psychology? There are lots of distance learning graduate courses on offer at this respected educational center, with a innovative learning methods and effective programs available along with high levels of support and help to ensure that your future is as bright and productive as possible.

You can study online with a schedule that suits your needs and fits around your current work and personal life, and you may even be able to gain financial help to get you through your course of studies. It's in your own best interests to find out more about the courses on offer and the positive changes you can make to your life.

A Small Taco

2009-06-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

Introducing another blogger who is living in Mexico, this one originating from my home town London. She's also been here, I believe, roughly the same length of time as I have. Catherine's blog is a delightful tour around the city with liberal use of photos and informative descriptions of places, people and sounds. Some famous, others not so. You can visit her blog by clicking here.

Super Charged

2009-06-03T22:42:00.000-05:00

There are some great cars out there, both in the new and used market, well worthy of your dollars. But there is a certain 'sameness' to a lot of them, and as you can well imagine that doesn't sit well with human nature. We like to be unique, different and better than the rest.

Well SuperchargerPros.com can help you out, selling a range of products to soup up your motor, no matter what the make of your car is. Got a Buick? No problem. Chevy? Ford? No problem. They're all covered. Want a pontiac supercharger? It's ready and waiting for you.

They only sell new products, not used on 'spray and pray' units. And at the most competitive prices on the market, with a sales team who really know their stuff and offer you all the support you could ever want. Myself? I've always fancied owning a supercharged car. No one likes to be beaten away from the lights when they flash green!

It Shall Be Mine

2009-06-03T22:36:00.000-05:00

My collection of photos on Flickr has long since passed the 5,000 mark, all taken since the year 2000, beginning with my old Nikon Coolpix 880 in Egypt. Over the years I've changed cameras a few times, and have owned models by Nikon, Fuji and Panasonic. But never a Canon, the most famous brand in photography.

That's going to change. I've found my next camera, and with a bit of luck it will be mine by summer. It's the new SX1 IS, a superzoom compact. Ten megapixels, 20x zoom, CMOS sensor, full HD video, stereo mics, a fully articulating 2.8" widescreen LCD. It really has the lot.

When I finally get my hands on it, I will do a full review, so stay tuned!

Looking Your Best

2009-06-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

I think it is fair to say that each and every one of us sees faults and flaws in our face and body. Some of these are really nothing more than a degree of over self consciousness, but many of these flaws are real and could be corrected, or even perfected. For many women the obvious procedure that is high on the wanted list is breast augmentation, but there are procedures available for all parts of the face and body.

And these days there are plenty of qualified surgeons who specialize in such treatments, and as a result prices have become competitive and affordable. It is of course essential that you find a reputable and professional company to seek advice from first, and that is exactly where LookingYourBest.com can help you to take the first step to a better, more confident, more beautiful you.

Mexico City Marathon Details

2009-06-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

I managed to get my first run in after about 2 months of injury laden setbacks....and there were no bad reactions in either my ankle or knee. Which was good news.

Bad news? There seems to be some confusion, a dispute even, between the city's government and the organisers of the event over who is actually in charge of the event and when it is going to be run. I'll be writing more about that on my Mexico City Marathon blog.

At least there is now an official website up and running and a map of the course though!