Just a quick note to draw attention to the new domain name I’m using for this website. I’ve used Mullen.org.uk for email purposes for quite some time, but I chose Mullen.tv to use as the primary domain for this site when I first launched it in 2006.

I’ve decided to streamline my domain name portfolio somewhat and .tv domains are quite a bit more expensive than the more common TLDs, so as of today you should go to www.mullen.org.uk. www.mullen.tv will redirect here for the next few months but will be obsolete by the middle of December 2011.

Don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

Tags: domain name,Mullen.org.uk,Mullen.tv
Categories: Computing, General
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If you’d like to sponsor me in the Sunderland 10K this Sunday in aid of Cancer Research UK, you can now do it quickly and easily via your mobile.

Simply text DANM76 £1 to 70070 to donate a pound – every penny helps!

Thanks for your support

Tags: 10K,Cancer Research UK,charity,CRUK,running,Sunderland
Categories: General, Sport
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Last night I signed up for the Sunderland City 10K Run. As someone who has not run before, I’m finding the prospect quite daunting but exciting at the same time! The run takes place on Sunday 26th June 2011. I plan to begin my 13 weeks training tonight, so hopefully I’ll be able to complete the course in one piece

Starting and finishing at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light, runners will be taken round the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Wearmouth Bridge, Mowbray Park and the Sunderland Marina. You can view the course on my Endomondo page.

I’ve decided to try to raise some money for Cancer Research UK. The first time I was affected by cancer was when my Nana died in 1996. More recently, I lost my Dad in 2008. Not only do I know how cancer affects those suffering from it, but also the devastating affects it has on entire families. By sponsoring me on this 10K run – something I never thought I would be able to tackle – you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer. You can donate via my JustGiving page.

Wish me luck!

Tags: Cancer Research UK,charity,Endomondo,running,Sunderland City 10K
Categories: General, Sport
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I went to see the surgeon today for a check up following my appendicectomy. The scar is healing well and he was happy with my progress, so I’ll be back to work tomorrow. It’ll be nice to get into a normal routine again!

I found out two things today that I hadn’t been told previously:

1. My appendix ruptured while I was being operated on – a bit too close for comfort!

2. This one is incredible… apparently it’s a two-man operation – one to pull you open, one to do the removal of the appendix. Well, one of the surgeons FAINTED during the operation! The one remaining conscious surgeon had to do the rest of the job on his own! Considering he’d been at work all day, it was the early hours of the morning and he was doing the work of two people, I think he did a cracking job

Tags: appendicitis,hospital,operation,surgeon
Categories: General
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Just a quick post from my mobile. I’m currently in Sunderland Royal Hospital after having my appendix taken out in the early hours of Thursday morning.

I took ill on Monday night and stayed off work on Tuesday, hoping it was just a 24 hour thing. However on Wednesday I was in agony with my stomach and ended up calling 999. The doctors quickly diagnosed appendicitis and I was added to the emergency surgery list.

They attempted keyhole surgery at first but they couldn’t get to my appendix. After making a very long, deep cut, (including through some muscle), the surgeon was able to remove it. He said it was tucked behind my bowel and was almost black – sounds like I almost left it too late!

Anyway, it’s very sore and I’m going to be in hospital for at least the next couple of days. If I lie still for long enough the pain goes off, so I’m trying not to move too much. I’ll post an update once I’m home.

Cheers,
Dan

Tags: appendicitis,hospital
Categories: General
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The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) is accepting donations online now to help victims of the devasting earthquake that has hit Haiti.

Donate Now

Tags: Haiti
Categories: General, Videos
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Well, it’s been six months since I’ve posted anything on here! Nowadays, there are so many sites to update – Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc… I’ve been thinking of trying to consolidate so I only have one or two to update.

I recently signed up to Tumblr and my first impressions are it’s a very good service. I’ve pointed the very first domain name I registered back in 1999 to my new Tumblr site – danmullen.co.uk

My current plan is to wind this site down and update danmullen.co.uk on an almost daily basis. My photos will be available on Flickr. I’ll be keeping Mullen.tv online for the foreseeable future and, who knows, I might do a U-turn and decide to keep going with this site.

Tags: Mullen.tv,Tumblr
Categories: General
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I just got my new car today – a Ford Mondeo 1.8TDCi Zetec. It was actually delivered on Friday 27th February, but as it’s on a “09″ plate and was registered from 1st March I wasn’t able to collect it until today.

I got up early and drove through to Darlington with Katie. (It’s the first time Katie has seen where I work). She loved the ride to work, especially the country lane between Bradbury and Darlington – we passed three farms and saw a field full of sheep! We left the Ford Fiesta that I’d borrowed in the company car park and got in my new vehicle. I spent a few minutes finding all the little cubby holes, my favourite being the overhead glasses case! I also messed around with the stereo and paired my Bluetooth phone.

We drove home via the A19 and put the cruise control to the test. It’s a much nicer drive than my old car and I think it will be a pleasure to drive to work, for a while at least!

Here’s the details of the model I went for:

• Ford Mondeo
• 5 Door
• Zetec
• 1.8 Duratorq TDCi 125ps
• Durashift 6-Speed Manual
• Panther Black Metallic

(N.b. Thanks to Northgate, the vehicle hire company that I work for, without whom I would still be driving around in my T-reg Citroën Xsara!)

Tags: car,Ford Mondeo,Northgate
Categories: General, Work
3 Comments »

You can now follow me on social networking and micro-blogging site, Twitter.

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

You can read my latest updates or follow me – my username is danmullen.

Tags: Twitter
Categories: Computing, Friends & Family, General
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Looking for a gift for that special someone? Need a novelty item for a friend’s birthday? Look no further – Urban Jumble is here!

Thought I better give a quick plug for my brother’s online shop, Urban Jumble. It’s a gift shop with a focus on fun, novelty items such as lighters, mugs and T-shirts. He’s adding more stock each week so why not have a look and see if there’s anything takes your fancy? If you’re looking for a particular item but having trouble finding it, get in touch with him as there’s a good chance he’ll be able to track it down for you.

Tags: Jay,shop,Urban Jumble
Categories: Friends & Family, General
1 Comment »