Selling stuff - EBay versus free to use sites

Recently, I've been forced into the position where I need to sell a lot of stuff. I've also taken tons of stuff to the local charity shops, but so much of it is too valuable to just give away, especially when I could do with the money, so I've started to sell on online sites. First port of call was EBay. Now I've not done badly as an ebayer, although I suppose I could do better; at first there was a promotion on so I could put as much stuff as I liked on for sale, and listing fees were free. This was fine as I ploughed a lot of items on, had a few sales, and for those that didn't sell, nothing was lost. The problem began when the free listings ran out as I was racking up listing fees which was a waste of money for my non sales. The 20 free listings a month just isn't enough for me. But apart from this, I found ebay an excellent way to say, it's straight forward and well  run and I've had no problems with my buyers so far. They have all paid promptly and in the case of home collections, have arrived when they said they would.

The next online market place I tried was Shpock, currently advertised on television as a sort of online car boot sale. Totally free for the standard service. I immediately listed several items with plenty of decent photographs.........and heard nothing! I persevered with Shpock though and finally got some offers through, but not one of them he been finalised. After showing interest or making offers, people just seem to disappear. A couple of people who have made offers on very low cost items of around £5 (and worth a lot more) have expected me to travel to town to meet them and bring the item, which would cost me about £3.50 for the train fare. One man made a £5 offer on a brand new child's duvet and pillow set, still in its plastic wrapping, which I accepted, stating that it would be a home pick up or he must pay postage. I then asked him if he lived close to me and he sent a curt message back just containing the word 'no' and nothing else. I tried to instigate some further correspondence on how we will proceed, but have heard nothing further from him. Don't people understand that if they can't collect they must pay postage? So now I'm tied into what Shpock call a legally binding arrangement with someone who doesn't intend to take up the offer after all. The trouble with Shpock seems to be that people make offers without any serious intent to buy or without finding out collection details. Unfortunately, this experience isn't unusual and sadly some people seem to act like idiots on this site. I have also tried selling on Gumtree and Preloved and haven't had a single successful sale through any of them. I thought that Preloved seemed to be a slightly better organised site and invested £25 for a year of the premium option, but don't know whether I've wasted my money. Reading some of the blogs that people have written on Preloved, it seems maybe I have, as there are complaints of it being a waste of time from the selling community. 

Another option I looked at was Amazon and I registered as an Amazon seller. Somehow though, it all seems far to complicated, although people do very well on there as there is a vast global market place. I don't think it's for me though.
Meanwhile, back to EBay, and quite a few of my items have been bid on this week, although sellers charges are mountin up significantly. It seems like Ebaying is the only viable option for me and I am wasting far too much time listing items on sites that don't seem to have the traffic or where people want stuff for next to nothing. Or actually nothing! Perhaps other people have had great experiences with the likes of Shpock, Gumtree or Preloved; If anyone has, please let me know, I'd like to know what I'm doing wrong...........

Last day of the year in 2015 (Thank God)

Well here we are, facing the last day of the year again. New Years Eve! It's always a bit scary; the thing is, it always feel like you have to have a great time on New Years Eve or it doesn't bode well for the coming year. This year has been so bad, I don't want to celebrate, I want it to pass painlessly so we can glide smoothly into 2016. At the very best, I want to spend the time quietly with my children, maybe a meal out or a takeaway meal. I'd like to watch Jules Holland on the television in his annual hootenanny, large drink in hand.

So what are the highlights and lowlights of this year. Definitely more lowlights in 2015.

So I'll deal with them first.

Lowlights

My much loved mum passed away

My Uncle George (mum's oldest brother) passed away.

My Uncle Ronnie (mum's youngest brother) passed away.

I've piled on weight

My masters dissertation has come to a standstill

I've hardly done any paining 

Am feeling sluggish and unwell.

Miss my mum and my uncles

Highlights

I acquired some keyboards and have taken up piano again (which I love)

Have started to sing again

Have started to improve a bit on the guitar

Have met some nice people

Had a holiday in Rhodes with the girls

Got an IPad

Got  a variety of musical equipment

Started a local arts group 

There's so much to think about for 2016, so many projects that I need to complete. 

Finish my masters degree

Sort out domestic affairs

Complete some business ideas

Expand arts group

Paint more

Write more

Improve musical skills

Improve my YouTube channels and blogs

Socialise more

Get away more

And the usual .......... Lose weight and get fitter :-)

So wish me luck. And I wish you all a Happy New Year and only great things for us all in 2016

Far From the Madding Crowd

I was really looking forward to this film, and certainly wasn't disappointed! The word I would use to describe it, if I had to use only one, would be enchanting.

The rather gorgeous Gabriel Oak, was well cast, although perhaps a bit more handsome than the 'original oak' was meant to be; comparisons with the tree in Sherwood Forrest are intentional as Gabriel is as solid and incongruent with nature, as the ancient oak itself. Sergeant Troy, played by Tom Sturridge seemed far less appealing in comparison with Matthias Schoenaert's Oak, a conceited and irresponsible boy, no less; unfortunately, unlike the book, far less handsome than Gabriel. Bathesheba, played by Carey Mullighan, was not as heart stoppingly beautiful as Julie Christie in this role, but perhaps delivered a more convincing performance as the feisty Miss Everdene. The best performance in the film however, is that of Mr Boldwood, played by Michael Sheen. The sensitive and heart wrenching portrayal of the shy, sincere man, misled by Bathsheba's joke Valentine card, is perhaps the best performance of the film. Michael Sheen lends an element of sheer pathos to this adaptation, in his unrelenting devotion to Bathsheba.

The cinematography has to be mentioned; the Stunning west countryside is as much a part of the film as the cast. A criticism, which is probably a natural consequence of fitting a book into the relatively small time frame of a film, is that there is much omitted from this production. It is never really explained, for example, that Bathsheba saves Gabriel's life, which serves to put there relationship on an equal footing. 

All in all, an exquisite film.

Truly delicious!

The Theory of Everything

I've been hearing good things about The History of Everything, so really had to see if for myself while it was still on he big screen. And I wasn't disappointed. It was a delight of a film!  Starting from the opening scenes of a 1950s Cambridge, a young and charmingly gauche Stephen Hawkins begins a hesitant romance with the pretty, quietly religious Jane. But it is obvious, inspite of his burgeoning feelings for sweet Jane, that Stephens real passion  is for his work,   Not long into their romance and Stephen's research for his PHd study, he begins to develop some worrying symptoms. Upon medical investigations, Hawkins is revealed to have Motor Neurone Disease, a neurological disorder that brings with it a prognosis of gradual physical decline resulting in death within two years. After a period of shock and depression, Jane convinces him that her feelings for him are those of love and that they will make the most if their remaining time together. We see the marriage of the young couple on one hand,  and also Stephen's  return to his doctoral studies with vigour.

Time passes, and Stephen's  thesis is completed, just before his health takes a serious turn for the worst. In spite of this, Hawkins manages to father two children and continue to produce groundbreaking work, before the eventual deterioration of this marriage, which sees Jane seek comfort in the affections of another man. However, Jane's loyalty to Stephen, renders her unable to leave him, so her affair is brought to an end, only to resume when sometime later Hawkins departs for New York, with formidable nurse.

This remarkable film is beautifully acted by all concerned, but Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Stephen Hawkins is ultimately rewarded by his amazing accolade at the 2015 Oscars.

"British star Eddie Redmayne was overcome with emotion as he was named Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance as Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything"

Merry Christmas for 2014

The Walking Dead; Carol and Daryl (Season 5, Episode 6) CONSUMED.

Episodes: season 5

"No Sanctuary"

"Strangers"

"Four Walls and a Roof"

"Slabtown"

"Self-Help"

"Consumed"

"Crossed" 

"Coda"

This is proving to be one of the greatest seasons on The Walking Dead. The inclusion of the 'leg eating' scene in 'Strangers' is one of the most disturbing scenes in the series and has been the subject of much black humour and Bob jokes bouncing round the social networking sites. However, probably the most genuinely moving episode is 'Consumed' the episode focusing upon Carol And Daryl.

The last two episodes, 'Slabtown' and 'Self-Help' have been decent enough episodes, but most viewers have been waiting for a return to the storyline about core characters, namely an explanation of what happened to Carol after she was taken in the white van at the end of Slabtown. There were some complaints about the lack of action and 'gore' in 'Consume' but to my mind, it was good to learn a bit more about two of the most popular characters in TWD. Neither Carol or Daryl are the most garrulous of people, but somehow their silences are companionable rather than uncomfortable.

The development of a deep friendship between Carol and Daryl is somehow more moving than had these two characters embarked on a romantic liaison. There is without a doubt a connection between these two, and perhaps a sort of love, but it does not seem to be a passionate love. It leaves the unanswered question of Daryl's sexuality; although perhaps the most overtly masculine of all the characters, is Daryl gay, straight or asexual? 

Whatever Daryl's sexual orientation, he is without doubt my favourite TWD character, followed closely by Carol; the two of them together are the perfect combination, two damaged characters who are strong together. 

Some of the poignant moments of the episode, include Carol noticing Daryl picking up the book about surviving abuse; she takes it in silently and without comment. He knows she has seen but it isn't an issue for either of them. It was also good to learn a little more about Carol after she split from the group over the body burning incident in the prison; it was sad, yet  somehow comforting to learn that Carol sobbed and struggled with loneliness after her expulsion from the group. I always felt that Rick was too hard in his decision to expel her.

The issue of the zombies wriggling and struggling to get out of their sleeping bags was puzzling to say the least; It appears they had all been shot whilst sleeping. But why? Was it looters, a government plot? It was a pathetic sight to see those frantic corpses, slain and robbed of their humanity while they slept, a micro story within the greater plot. The pair's encounter with Noah highlighted the fact that in spite of their toughness, they have not lost feelings of compassion. First Daryl prevents Carol from shooting Noah; later when they encounter Noah again, it is Carol who entreats Daryl not to kill the hapless Boy as he is trapped beneath the wooden bookcase. Just as he is about to be savaged by a hungry walker, Daryl's crossbow shoots out to piece the skull of the zombie, saving Noah by the skin of is teeth.

It did however, seem quite implausible that the street smart Daryl and Carol, would get into the van that was toppling precariously over a bridge. And that the van would land on the relative safety of it's four wheels. But the last and perhaps greatest quandary of the episode, is the nature of the strange hospital. In the last scenes, Carol is smashed into by the white van. As Daryl goes to try to help her, Noah indicates that the hospital would be the best place to help save Carol and that later on, they can rescue both her and Beth. Daryl's face is a mask of pain and chagrin as he returns to the church without either Beth or Carol. So, the question is, does the hospital deliberately hurt people so they can save and then enslave the unlucky victims? They seek to only save people who are not too strong and are unlikely to fight back. It seems they have made a mistake with Carol.

All in all, this has to be one of my favourite episodes in what is probably the best series, after the initial one. Sad to think there is only two episodes to go before the long wait until the next season.

My first commissioned painting framed and hung

Framed and hung, my first commissioned painting hung on a wall, designed to accompany the uplifting quotation.

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass

Its about learning to dance in the 

Rain"

Some of my recent paintings

Remembrance day

Remembrance Sunday is always a poignant day in our family, as in many others around the globe. Having lost my own father through a tragic incident in the Armed Forces, we chose to think about him and the man he would have become, on this day. Although I can't actually remember him, being only 9 months of age when he was killed at the age of 23, my family like to attend the Remembrance service at our local church and lay a small cross along side the numerous wreaths outside of the church. I would like to think that everyone will spare at least a few minutes to think about those poor souls who lost their lives in the service of our country.

                We will remember them.

Mr Turner

As a big fan of the work of JMW Turner, I had awaited the release of Mike Leigh's latest  film, Mr. Turner, with great anticipation. It wasn't a disappointment; Timothy Spall's portrayal of Turner was inspired, but somehow I left the cinema feeling a little deflated. If this film was true to life, Turner seemed to be an unusual and uncompromising character, but also, sadly, a rather unpleasant one. The frequent growling, bear -like sounds that Spall produced were strangely endearing; What was not so endearing was Turner's apparent cavalier treatment of women. It left me wondering why his house-keeper Hannah, although in all probability in love with Mr. Billy, allowed him to abuse her in a fashion that was tantamount to rape. And why did Turner compassionately write off the dept to his fellow artist, but did nothing to help Hannah with her increasingly disfiguring skin condition. He did thankfully seem to truly love his Margate landlady, Mrs Booth and we see a more sensitive side of Turner. Yet in spite of Turner's terse and insular manner which was occasionally sprinkled with flashes of his extrovert and gregarious side, we get glimpses of the intelligent and single minded attitude that contributed to his developing into one of Britain's greatest artists. 

I  had to wonder however, why the film, which was set around 1928 onwards, was began in Turner's middle age, leaving much of his earlier life unexplained. It has to be wondered why he deserted his two daughters and their mother? What had happened with his own mother to make him and his father turn against her? Perhaps this could have gone some way to explain his frequent misogynistic behaviour towards woman. 

On a more positive note, the film itself is a work of art; beautifully filmed, it is a pleasure to see some of Turner's greatest works viewed by the artist as he formulates the idea of a potential painting in his mind. The greatest scene though, has to be the Varnishing Scene at the Royal Academy. The paintings packed tight from walls  to ceiling, we see the artists add their finishing touches to paintings as Turner strides cheerfully through the gallery loudly greeting each artist. We see a Turner's frenzied spitting on his work as he paints at a rapid pace; His mocking treatment of fellow artist John Constable marks the known rivalry between the two artists. His more vulnerable side is shown by the devastation upon the death of his much loved father and at a later point when the disparaging remarks from Queen Victoria cause his work to fall from public favour. 

The incredible performance by Timothy Spall, who spent two years learning to paint in preparation for this role, imbibes the character of Turner with the air of a classic Dickensian character. His performance was admirably matched by Dorothy Atkinson as his housekeeper, Marion Bailey as Mrs Booth and Paul Jesson as the elder Mr Turner.