As we approach the finishing line of the struggle between right and left, the clash of the egos and the final call to vote, how many of us will be putting our feet up during the closing stages of the forthcoming Election? Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and David Cameron will most certainly not be relaxing until after May 6th when the voters of Britain decide who will form the next government. As an antidote to windbagging politicians droning on and on and on, uncork a bottle of your finest, take the weight off your legs and relax your feet on a footstool.
The 2010 General Election has just over a week to go before the decision is made about who should be given the keys to 10 Downing Street. This Election campaign
has been just about the most interesting I can remember with no single political party claiming more than about a third of poll support. The current talk is of a "hung parliament" where no one party assumes a clear majority of Members of Parliament. This brings into focus the prospect of a coalition government where "horse trading" and "back alley deals" become order of the day. Alliances are quickly established and bitter rivals are forced together by circumstances. With a reported UK debt over £160 billion, how quickly the personalities of government
come together around a table of consensus will be heavily scrutinised by all the financial markets. Funding an overdraft is never easy but one this size will exercise the great minds (and smaller minds!)of today.
The final television debate on Thursday assumes huge importance. How "presidential" will the candidates appear? Who can look into the camera with total sincerity and connect with the electorate? Which of the three Prime Ministerial candidates can persuade the voter that a tick in the box for him will result in a better Britain? All these questions will be decided on May 7th when either a Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat administration (or more likely a combination of any two of these!) will whistle off down the Mall to meet with the Queen. The successful candidate may well have some explaining to do! He will most certainly be in need of a relaxing footstool.
The author is taking a close interest in this General Election campaign as he runs a number of furniture businesses whose future prosperity depends on the right calls being made by whichever government comes to power on May 7th.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Large footstool suggestions
Such is the range on offer from various internet providers that even the largest footstool makes a welcome addition to any living room. A large footstool is a particularly valuable piece of furniture and benefits the homeowner by offering additional seating capacity during busy family get together. The size works well in a sizable room where a large footstool fills the spaces between sofas, chairs and tables. The presence of a large footstool is welcome where a roaring fire enables many people to put their feet up on what becomes "the central feature" of the room. Relaxation and bonhomie ensue.
It should always be remembered that a large footstool is an essential piece of furniture when weary limbs crave the moment to be rest. When tiredness can no longer be resisted “putting your feet up” on such a large receptacle of relaxation becomes the order of the day. Large footstools can indeed be used for dual purposes - informal seating, accent tables - in addition to their traditional, formal uses. A well designed large footstool will make a substantial decorating statement. Size matters! When you need to go large then it is a large footstool you need!
There is no point positioning your large footstool in anything but a large room. Stylish large footstools enhance the décor and what is most important is the upholstery choice. A bright, vibrant fabric selection will enhance almost any surroundings.
What further compliments the large footstool is the choice of feet and legs. The primary selection is between metal or wooden legs however within these options lay further choices. When choosing wood the discerning customer can ask for “turned” or “contemporary” legs. To enhance the choice metal or brass castors may be selected. Alternatively a fully “metallic” leg may be selected. This can include a “turned leg in metallic finish with chrome castors” or the sumptuous “tall polished metal leg”
Finally the height is an important facet of the large footstool choice. For instance a tall contemporary leg can give your footstool the presence it deserves. If the footstool is also to be used for occasional seating a minimum sitting height of 14" (36cm) is recommended. In conclusion whichever room you decide to place your large footstool it deserves to be shown in its full splendour and in the most palatial of surroundings!
It should always be remembered that a large footstool is an essential piece of furniture when weary limbs crave the moment to be rest. When tiredness can no longer be resisted “putting your feet up” on such a large receptacle of relaxation becomes the order of the day. Large footstools can indeed be used for dual purposes - informal seating, accent tables - in addition to their traditional, formal uses. A well designed large footstool will make a substantial decorating statement. Size matters! When you need to go large then it is a large footstool you need!
There is no point positioning your large footstool in anything but a large room. Stylish large footstools enhance the décor and what is most important is the upholstery choice. A bright, vibrant fabric selection will enhance almost any surroundings.
What further compliments the large footstool is the choice of feet and legs. The primary selection is between metal or wooden legs however within these options lay further choices. When choosing wood the discerning customer can ask for “turned” or “contemporary” legs. To enhance the choice metal or brass castors may be selected. Alternatively a fully “metallic” leg may be selected. This can include a “turned leg in metallic finish with chrome castors” or the sumptuous “tall polished metal leg”
Finally the height is an important facet of the large footstool choice. For instance a tall contemporary leg can give your footstool the presence it deserves. If the footstool is also to be used for occasional seating a minimum sitting height of 14" (36cm) is recommended. In conclusion whichever room you decide to place your large footstool it deserves to be shown in its full splendour and in the most palatial of surroundings!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Portsmouth FC and the Ottomans
While Portsmouth Football Club are facing up to administration and life in The Championship, researcher Oktan Keles claims the club was established by Sultan Abdülhamit II to conduct intelligence reports in Britain during the latter years of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish influence at the club was such that Portsmouth FC also adopted a "crescent" in its club badge.
The information came to light when Keles, a writer on Turkish affairs, was researching papers on Abdülhamit II on the build up to the First World War. In the early years of the Twentieth Century Great Britain was known to use sporting and cultural occasions to gather intelligence information. In an effort to redress the balance the Sultan employed some of the Portsmouth players to gather information relevant to Ottoman Empire interests.
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1914, relations between Britain and Turkey were not good. Turkey blamed Britain for stirring up incidents of unrest in the Balkans and the dominence of the Royal Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean was a persistent irritant to the Turks.
What information was forthcoming from Portsmouth appears to have had little effect on the course of history. When I put my feet up tonight on my footstool to watch the Portsmouth versus Tottenham FA Cup semi final I shall raise my glass to Sultan Abdülhamit II for his contibution to English football.
The information came to light when Keles, a writer on Turkish affairs, was researching papers on Abdülhamit II on the build up to the First World War. In the early years of the Twentieth Century Great Britain was known to use sporting and cultural occasions to gather intelligence information. In an effort to redress the balance the Sultan employed some of the Portsmouth players to gather information relevant to Ottoman Empire interests.
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1914, relations between Britain and Turkey were not good. Turkey blamed Britain for stirring up incidents of unrest in the Balkans and the dominence of the Royal Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean was a persistent irritant to the Turks.
What information was forthcoming from Portsmouth appears to have had little effect on the course of history. When I put my feet up tonight on my footstool to watch the Portsmouth versus Tottenham FA Cup semi final I shall raise my glass to Sultan Abdülhamit II for his contibution to English football.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Guide to Buying a Footstool Online
The footstool started out as something practical, but over the years it has evolved into something simply "decor". Over time, the theme of footstools seemed pretty consistent: small, made of wood, used as a foot-propper or a stair-stepper. Today the footstool is emerging as a separate class of furniture in its own right. It can now be used as something to sit on, place something on, hide something in, or as a decorative piece for an entire room.
With a choice so wide there is no better place to search for your new footstool than on the Internet. The range is large enough to satisfy any discerning furniture shopper and with fabric or leather footstools to choose from online shopping is unsurpassed. The footstool can be ordered in various sizes. Its shape can be organised to fit into the smallest or largest of spaces and the height of the footstool can be varied by an excellent choice of appropriate legs and feet. No suite of sofas and chairs should ever be without a footstool.
The footstool should be a central point of relaxation, becoming an oasis of calm after yet another weary day at work. Even if you can only grab yourself a few minutes of “quality time” ensure that you gather up your footstool and take the weight off your feet just for a few moments.
Style is also an important part of choosing a footstool, since you will want the piece to compliment the rest of your decor. Will a boxy footstool that is flush with the ground co-ordinate better with the clean lines of your existing furniture, or is your style more traditional, making a footstool with carved legs a better choice?
When selecting a footstool it is a good idea to apply pressure to it or to sit down on it to make sure it is sturdy. Don't forget to measure the width of the footstool to make sure it won't be too large and feel awkward in your space. Measure the height as well to ensure that your feet will rest comfortably when sitting on your chair or sofa. Price is a consideration and the internet provides the ideal platform from which to compare the market place. In this way you will soon find the perfect footstool custom designed to your taste, specifications, and your budget.
No matter where you decide to purchase your footstool, or even if you decide to build one yourself, function, style, and value are the key elements to bear in mind prior to making that all important purchase descision.
With a choice so wide there is no better place to search for your new footstool than on the Internet. The range is large enough to satisfy any discerning furniture shopper and with fabric or leather footstools to choose from online shopping is unsurpassed. The footstool can be ordered in various sizes. Its shape can be organised to fit into the smallest or largest of spaces and the height of the footstool can be varied by an excellent choice of appropriate legs and feet. No suite of sofas and chairs should ever be without a footstool.
The footstool should be a central point of relaxation, becoming an oasis of calm after yet another weary day at work. Even if you can only grab yourself a few minutes of “quality time” ensure that you gather up your footstool and take the weight off your feet just for a few moments.
Style is also an important part of choosing a footstool, since you will want the piece to compliment the rest of your decor. Will a boxy footstool that is flush with the ground co-ordinate better with the clean lines of your existing furniture, or is your style more traditional, making a footstool with carved legs a better choice?
When selecting a footstool it is a good idea to apply pressure to it or to sit down on it to make sure it is sturdy. Don't forget to measure the width of the footstool to make sure it won't be too large and feel awkward in your space. Measure the height as well to ensure that your feet will rest comfortably when sitting on your chair or sofa. Price is a consideration and the internet provides the ideal platform from which to compare the market place. In this way you will soon find the perfect footstool custom designed to your taste, specifications, and your budget.
No matter where you decide to purchase your footstool, or even if you decide to build one yourself, function, style, and value are the key elements to bear in mind prior to making that all important purchase descision.
Monday, 15 March 2010
Footstools and the Erotic
The perfect solution for large rooms is to present a bench footstool. Whether for practical purposes or simply as a gift, bench footstools or “benchstools” combine elements of size and practicality to help make your room complete as they offer both style and functionality.
Not only can two or more people use a benchstool as a footrest they can employ it for seating or to function as a low table. Originally bench stools were modified furniture pieces or contraptions used for various judicial corporal punishments and erotiscism.
The 19th century dominatrix, Mrs. Theresa Berkley became famous for her invention of the Berkley Horse, a multi-functional device which combined being a spanking bench with several other functions. Berkley, made an estimated £15000 (£1.5 million in todays money) during the eight years in which she operated her flagellatory brothel in Charlotte Street, London.
The spanking bench or spanking horse was a piece of furniture whereby a spankee was
positioned for punishment, with or without restraints. The spanking bench was employed in the practice of erotic spanking with either Mrs Berkley or one of her female operatives supervising the practice of sadomasocichistic activity over her (largely) male clientele.
Fetish benchstools have developed over time and come in many sizes and styles, the most popular of which is similar to the original sawhorse with a padded top and rings for restraints. They are located in clubs where the spanking community socialise to enjoy their unique and fascinating activities, away from the prescence of "prying eyes".
Many such items currently available to buy on the net and are designed to perfectly coordinate with room colour schemes. Appropriate bench and footstools combine the practicality of hardwearing yet easy to clean faux leather. Fine upholstery and workmanship add to the allure of these erotic stools whether they are applied to significant recreational activity or are seen as pieces of artistic furniture.
The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing and has recently been specialising in company start ups
Not only can two or more people use a benchstool as a footrest they can employ it for seating or to function as a low table. Originally bench stools were modified furniture pieces or contraptions used for various judicial corporal punishments and erotiscism.
The 19th century dominatrix, Mrs. Theresa Berkley became famous for her invention of the Berkley Horse, a multi-functional device which combined being a spanking bench with several other functions. Berkley, made an estimated £15000 (£1.5 million in todays money) during the eight years in which she operated her flagellatory brothel in Charlotte Street, London.
The spanking bench or spanking horse was a piece of furniture whereby a spankee was
positioned for punishment, with or without restraints. The spanking bench was employed in the practice of erotic spanking with either Mrs Berkley or one of her female operatives supervising the practice of sadomasocichistic activity over her (largely) male clientele.
Fetish benchstools have developed over time and come in many sizes and styles, the most popular of which is similar to the original sawhorse with a padded top and rings for restraints. They are located in clubs where the spanking community socialise to enjoy their unique and fascinating activities, away from the prescence of "prying eyes".
Many such items currently available to buy on the net and are designed to perfectly coordinate with room colour schemes. Appropriate bench and footstools combine the practicality of hardwearing yet easy to clean faux leather. Fine upholstery and workmanship add to the allure of these erotic stools whether they are applied to significant recreational activity or are seen as pieces of artistic furniture.
The author has over 20 years experience running companies involved in furnishing fabrics and furniture manufacturing and has recently been specialising in company start ups
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Medical uses for footstools
You may have heard about the benefits of wearing tight "air socks" to reduce the likelihood of thrombosis in the legs during long aircraft flights but are you aware of the health benefits of "putting your feet up" to revive blood circulation in the legs?
After muscle pulls or breaks to the bone legs doctors often prescribe sitting "with your feet up" to aid convalesence. This takes pressure away from the point of the injury allowing better blood circulation. It allows oxygen and the body's natural nutrients to the affected areas.
When this author had a recent serious calf injury whereby the the muscle fully "snapped" away from the holding ligaments the doctor's advice was to spend as much recovery time as possible with the calf resting on a bench or footstool. With the leg positioned higher than the hip reduced pressure via blood circulation allowed the injury to repair far quicker than had the leg been subject to the normal forces of gravity.
Doctors advise similar relaxation techniques when recovering from serious abrasions or cuts: - skin tissue repairs itself far quicker (and is less susceptible to infection) if the leg is held in temporary suspension via an appropriate foot rest.
A proven way to assist recovery is to use a medical footstool. This item is really a standard domestic stool upholstered with a special polyureathane coating with added chemicals to reduce the spread of infection. Resting feet on the footstool helps to increase the circulation
in the lower legs and foot area. Use of such a footstool in a medical environment vastly reduces the liklihood of infection and is easy for staff to sterilise and wipe clean. Most operating theatres have beds with PU coated fabric mattresses which comprise a knitted cotton or polyester substrate over a rigid foam composite. The benefits of this upholstery material are plain to see. Not only do they relieve pressure and reduce the incidence of bed and leg sores they are easy to work with and maintain.
Recovery from any kind of illness is enhanced by ‘putting your feet up’. When the illness is leg related quick recuperation by using a well designed stool is further improved when choosing a practical, well designed and aestheticaly pleasing footstool.
After muscle pulls or breaks to the bone legs doctors often prescribe sitting "with your feet up" to aid convalesence. This takes pressure away from the point of the injury allowing better blood circulation. It allows oxygen and the body's natural nutrients to the affected areas.
When this author had a recent serious calf injury whereby the the muscle fully "snapped" away from the holding ligaments the doctor's advice was to spend as much recovery time as possible with the calf resting on a bench or footstool. With the leg positioned higher than the hip reduced pressure via blood circulation allowed the injury to repair far quicker than had the leg been subject to the normal forces of gravity.
Doctors advise similar relaxation techniques when recovering from serious abrasions or cuts: - skin tissue repairs itself far quicker (and is less susceptible to infection) if the leg is held in temporary suspension via an appropriate foot rest.
A proven way to assist recovery is to use a medical footstool. This item is really a standard domestic stool upholstered with a special polyureathane coating with added chemicals to reduce the spread of infection. Resting feet on the footstool helps to increase the circulation
in the lower legs and foot area. Use of such a footstool in a medical environment vastly reduces the liklihood of infection and is easy for staff to sterilise and wipe clean. Most operating theatres have beds with PU coated fabric mattresses which comprise a knitted cotton or polyester substrate over a rigid foam composite. The benefits of this upholstery material are plain to see. Not only do they relieve pressure and reduce the incidence of bed and leg sores they are easy to work with and maintain.
Recovery from any kind of illness is enhanced by ‘putting your feet up’. When the illness is leg related quick recuperation by using a well designed stool is further improved when choosing a practical, well designed and aestheticaly pleasing footstool.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Footstools in The Battle Hymn of the Republic
"He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on."
This, the final verse of the Battle Hymn, was written by Julia W. Howe (1819 - 1910) in 1861 during the early days of the American Civil War. Howe was visiting a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. when she heard soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat.
She wrote the words early the next day. "I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper.
The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and Howe received five dollars for her literary effort. It was sung at the funerals of among others, Winston Churchill (1965),the assasinated American senator Robert Kennedy in 1968 and former US president Ronald Reagan.
Some commentators argue that The ‘Battle Hymn’ theme has nothing to do with Christianity or God. It is a political-patriotic song about the destruction of the South, written in religious terminology. Howe deliberately created the idea that the north was doing God’s work. It paints a picture of a vengeful God destroying His enemies the South, and elevating the north’s cause to that of a ‘holy war.’ In doing so, Howe portrayed the South and its people as evil and the enemy of God.
As a Unitarian, Julia Ward Howe believed the Unitarian doctrine that man is characteristically good and he can redeem himself by his own merits without any help from a saviour. She rejected basic Biblical truths such as a literal Hell “I threw away, once and forever, the thought of the terrible Hell which appears to me impossible.” Mrs. Howe also refuted the exclusive claim of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6] by saying, “Having rejected the exclusive doctrine that made Christianity and special forms of it the only way of spiritual redemption, I now accept the belief that not only Christians but all human beings, no matter what their religion, are capable of redemption. Christianity was but one of God’s plans for bringing all of humanity to a state of ultimate perfection.”
Others suggest the song does not praise war however it praises the cause that war was being fought for. There is surprise in the shallowness of people who assume the cause for the abolition of slavery was centered in a small band of anti-christian radicals. There is nothing in the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic that
any liberal, right thinking person could not agree with.
And so with the words "the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave, Our God is marching on." Julia Ward Howe was describing far more than the conflict between Unionists and Confederates. Indeed this was a matter of good versus evil, right againt wrong with Howe firmly on the side of the Abolistionists.
The author has been making footstools and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
He is wisdom to the mighty, He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on."
This, the final verse of the Battle Hymn, was written by Julia W. Howe (1819 - 1910) in 1861 during the early days of the American Civil War. Howe was visiting a Union Army camp on the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. when she heard soldiers singing the song “John Brown’s Body,” and was taken with the strong marching beat.
She wrote the words early the next day. "I awoke in the grey of the morning, and as I lay waiting for dawn, the long lines of the desired poem began to entwine themselves in my mind, and I said to myself, “I must get up and write these verses, lest I fall asleep and forget them!” So I sprang out of bed and in the dimness found an old stump of a pen, which I remembered using the day before. I scrawled the verses almost without looking at the paper.
The hymn appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and Howe received five dollars for her literary effort. It was sung at the funerals of among others, Winston Churchill (1965),the assasinated American senator Robert Kennedy in 1968 and former US president Ronald Reagan.
Some commentators argue that The ‘Battle Hymn’ theme has nothing to do with Christianity or God. It is a political-patriotic song about the destruction of the South, written in religious terminology. Howe deliberately created the idea that the north was doing God’s work. It paints a picture of a vengeful God destroying His enemies the South, and elevating the north’s cause to that of a ‘holy war.’ In doing so, Howe portrayed the South and its people as evil and the enemy of God.
As a Unitarian, Julia Ward Howe believed the Unitarian doctrine that man is characteristically good and he can redeem himself by his own merits without any help from a saviour. She rejected basic Biblical truths such as a literal Hell “I threw away, once and forever, the thought of the terrible Hell which appears to me impossible.” Mrs. Howe also refuted the exclusive claim of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6] by saying, “Having rejected the exclusive doctrine that made Christianity and special forms of it the only way of spiritual redemption, I now accept the belief that not only Christians but all human beings, no matter what their religion, are capable of redemption. Christianity was but one of God’s plans for bringing all of humanity to a state of ultimate perfection.”
Others suggest the song does not praise war however it praises the cause that war was being fought for. There is surprise in the shallowness of people who assume the cause for the abolition of slavery was centered in a small band of anti-christian radicals. There is nothing in the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of the Republic that
any liberal, right thinking person could not agree with.
And so with the words "the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of wrong His slave, Our God is marching on." Julia Ward Howe was describing far more than the conflict between Unionists and Confederates. Indeed this was a matter of good versus evil, right againt wrong with Howe firmly on the side of the Abolistionists.
The author has been making footstools and other soft furnishing items for over 20 years.
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