I've actually been quite enjoying my month without meat. Other than one inclination for a post-beer(s) burger, I can, hand-on-heart, guarantee it's been a delight not stuffing dead animal down my gullet unthinkingly.

One of the nicest, and least expected, aspects has been the reception I've had from friends, colleagues etc, who have generally agreed with the motivations (see previous post). So, imagine my delight upon reading the Times today, to see Giles Coren endorsing the very same carnivrous-restraint. Which will probably have more effect on the nation's eating habits than my grandstanding.

I generally try and support British products (honestly, that's why I drink Fuller's beers, not because, erm, I like a good ale). The British bee keeping association (or whoever takes responsibility for such things) have done a great job of their PR in 2009 - I know there's a crisis in British bee keeping, and they had a great story about urban bee keeping. Plus Sarah Brown backed them at some point.

This story about declining sales and rising prices genuinely tug at my heart strings. I want to buy more honey. And consequently eat more honey.

But how? Other than the occasional slice of bread and honey, what can I use substantial quantities of it in? Give me some recipes, and I'll eat it. But total charity as I stockpile honey? Hmmm.

My personal appeal, to follow up Meatfreejanuary (MFJ)? Honey-based recipes. February will be the month of the bees.

A seriously odd comparison to make between a huge basket of sweets, and a small dog, but it's probably a more positive comparison to make than "imagine how much weight on your belly 13.6kg of sweets equates to?"

It does look nice though... anyone got a spare ton to buy me one?

Image by garryknight used under a Creative Commons licence

What have New York, the FBI and 34 US states got that nowhere in England has? To avoid any unfortunate gags we'll tell you: their own tartans. This might have something to do with England and Scotland being auld enemies but tomorrow, on St Andrew's Day, a competition is being launched to find a tartan for London.

The Scottish Tartans Authority will have a design app on its website from tomorrow where you can have a stab at making your own pattern. They say the tartan should have a minimum of two colours and a maximum of six, and be made up of broad bands and narrow lines. They also suggest using red for London buses and green for our parks: how about pigeon grey or police siren blue? A shortlist will be announced at Hogmanay and the winner, declared on Burns Night, will be properly registered as our official tartan.

The competition launch is part of a night at Kings Place celebrating 250 years since Rabbie Burns's birth, with appearances from poets Jackie Kay and Liz Lochhead, Burns biographer James Fairbairn, and folk singers Annie Grace, Corrina Hewat and Karine Polwart performing songs written and collected by Burns.

Robert Burns - 250th Anniversary Celebration on 30 November, 7pm in Hall One of Kings Place, York Way. Tickets £9.50. For more information see the Kings Place website.

This is right up my street.

I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with Scotland anyway (I think it's growing up so close, yet so far, in Northumberland). I've alos always been rather envious of Scots ability to wear kilts at formal events. beats a Dinner Jacket anytime.

But this is great PR.
1) providing a 'design your own tartan app' on the website helps creater greater engagement with interested consumers (such as myself).
2) To get us to use it, as opposed to filing it under 'that's cool, maybe when I've got more time', they incentivise with a competition
3) They raise awareness amongst Londoners (not natural Kilt-afficiandos, one might presume), by generating targeted PR by suggesting the design of an 'official' London tartan for us sassenachs.

Bonnie work.

KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Always the best strategy, and this video is true to it. As a comms person, loving the concept of just asking a single question which really connects with people. Plus use of 'case studies'.

As a Labour member, I'm loving the positivity (although I question use of 'still believe', rather than 'I believe', as a certain Mr Pollard opted for in the video. No need to remind people of the potential negative of apathy/disillusionment).

As a consumer, loving the use of '80s power rock. No, seriously.

And, finally, as a social meedja type, loving the fact I came across this via Mr Goldie. TBH I get ground down by the unrelativng partisan negativity of most political blogs, and read his because he does provide a balanced, if Lib Dem leaning perspective. The fact it's via his blog I picked up a Labour campaign video says all you need to know about the value of providing useful content to ensure readers.

Great film promo; personalise it, and take me into the heart of a proper cinema classic. Not just that, but the use of Facebook works brilliantly for the 'Facebook generation'; this was a key film for most uf when growing up.

When people discuss:

a)cool place to work
b) engaging your employees
c) cost-effective marketing

This has to be what they have in mind.

Awesome work innocent.