The Greek Legend of Hotstones . . .

Once, many years ago, there was a Seer, who foretold a tale of a brave young man who would travel the lands and slay the beast Medusa. Medusa was originally a beautiful goddess who used her long tresses to woo and seduce men. Outraged that her temple had been violated, Athena set a curse upon her, turning her luscious locks into snakes, and making it so that if her eyes were to fall upon any man again, they would instantly be turned to stone. People feared this vile beast, and so preyed that the Seer's words would become truth.

One day, upon his travels, the Seer came across a curious young man, basking in the sun. This man was called Iydalnis Basalt, and instantly the Seer saw his hero within, despite the sneers from his neighbours and rumours of his stubbornness and laziness. He tried to persuade Iydalnis that he had a destiny to fulfill, but all Iydalnis wanted to do was lay in the sun. Eventually the Seer had to resort to burning his home down on a quest to get Iydalnis into action, and it worked.

Together, Iydalnis and the Seer traveled across the land in hunt for the legendary fem-fatal, Medusa. Many adventures were shared, until eventually they came across the ruined temple where Medusa was said to reside. Iydalnis insisted on a sleep before entering to fulfill his destiny and slay the beast, but the Seer refused him, and so dubiously and lethargically, Iydalnis entered.

For an hour he silently scouted the ruins in search, and just before he was about to leave he saw her, with a head full of withering snakes. As he approached her from behind with his gleaming sword poised for certain slaughter, she turned to glare at him. Horrified by the sheer ugliness of the creature, Iydalnis froze in mid attack . . . and was turned to stone.

Yep, you guessed it. The Seer had been wrong. He should have foreseen Perseus slaying the beast instead of the lazy Iydalnis.

But one thing he did discover was that Iydalnis Basalt was now made of the smoothest stone he had ever seen. Eventually he called it Basalt stone, and that once heated, to get it into action, the lazy characteristics with which Iydalnis possessed would come forth. When placed on the body in certain areas, these heated up characteristics would transfer through the skin, and were found to be very calming and therapeutic - and before long these hot stones became famous throughout the world for their fantastic and detoxing relaxation methods.

http://sap027.channeladvisor.com/p-514-hot-stone-massage-kit-special-offer-price-free-pp-.aspx

A much plausible theory to believe as opposed to volcanic rock cooling and scientific blah blah blahs . . .

PS: I just have to add that it is our Spiritual Guide's `40th` birthday tomorrow. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing him a very happy birthday, and giving him a BIG HUG! He loves them....

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

The Humane Customer Services . . .

The point I've been trying to get across through numerous blogs is that we here at Gridstop Ltd, aka Cybercheckout, are genuine people, trying our best to provide you with a standard of service that is both professional, down to earth and friendly.

It's a proven point that people like to deal with people, not companies. How many times have you been on the phone to the customer services of some huge company, insurance for example (no offence), and the replies you get are bog-standard? It's as if these people have a textbook in front of them telling them what to say. Admittedly they answer your query, but there's no life to them. I often wonder if, when they turn up for work in the morning, the place automatically turns them into machines.

And it's here that I refer you to an episode of Friends, where Phoebe gets herself a job selling toner and meets a man who wants to kill himself. Her famous response: Is that because you're out of toner? But her textbook failed to explain how she should answer such a decline in sale, and she was stumped (notice how there's an episode of Friends for every occasion?)

It's not the case here. Here we are living and breathing - flesh and blood. We have no textbooks to follow. We answer your queries in a down-to-earth manner, and if you end up having a giggle at the same time, then so be it. It's not breaking any rules, and we're only human.

And to prove we are human, a classic blonde comment from a colleague whilst eating a Rice Cake.

"Are rice cakes made from the same stuff as Polystyrene . . . ?"

*rolls around the floor in a fit of giggly laughter . . .

I love working here . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Fishy going's on . . .

R.I.P

Our poor office fish died last week. After suffering from a very fishy illness for a while, it all eventually grew too much for him and he sadly passed away. Yes, Cy - for that was his name, Cy - will be sadly missed, with his big black googly eyes and his flapping, flowing fins and tail. It was all very sad, and a minute silence had to be held by the entire office in memory of him.

*sniff, sniff*

But our spirits were soon lifted by the purchase of another. Beanz, he is called, and he is now a happy, healthy and valid member of our team. He will soon be trained to answer calls and customer queries, and be just as good as Cy was. He's not the only one either. He also has a companion, newly named Baked, who is just getting over his grieving period for Cy.

And there is also a black dog that often graces us with her presence. A right little miss is our Missy. She has been a member of our team for sometime now, and by the evidence provided, she will soon be fully trained up to a standard where she can competently take your calls - competently? . . . comPETently, get it? . . . (Groans all round)

It took her a little while to get used to our working environment though, as she just couldn't get out of the habit of tearing around the office. Sometimes she takes a step backwards and still resorts to racing around, but we forgive her for these instances, purely for one reason. She never likes to see a full bin and does like to help empty them - all over the office floor . . . Bless her little furry cotton socks.

All this just goes towards my theory that Gridstop Ltd, aka Cybercheckout, is run by friendly, approachable, down-to-earth people who like their pets. We take pride in selling our pet products as well as all our other products, and will happily answer any question or query that you have, regardless of how small or how complicated.

Also, whilst on a fishy topic, just to warn everyone, we may soon be getting some brand new products - fishing tackle! Yes, we will soon be seeing Missy sitting beside Baked and Beanz's fish tank with a rod and hook, hoping to catch some classy, prized goldfish.

Don't be surprised if she never answers your call after that . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

U.F.B.B.Q . . .

They landed and would have slipped amongst us without notice had it not been for they're size.

First they began to invade our computer screens, and all you had to do was click a button, and before you knew it, one was sitting on your doorstep, disguised as a cardboard box. Curious, these unsuspecting victims would invite them inside their homes, and then into their gardens. Once in, their plans were in to unfold.

It's only in our nature to open a parcel once delivered to see what's inside, and once you took knife to packaging, there was no going back.

They would sit on a garden table in the centre of everything and mesmerise everyone. They're main target seemed to be of the male variety. Spellbound, they would dress in strange attire and stand beside it guardingly. If someone grew too close the danger of being stabbed by a prong was imminent. What exactly came over these men has yet to be answered, but it spread fear in people's hearts.

Panic became widespread. People had no idea what was happening, and it frightened them. In some places they were even seen fleeing from their gardens. This soon died down though, and it was all due to a few brave who learned to try and coincide with these beings.

The truth of the matter was, they were, at the time, very misunderstood. They didn't want to spark fear into our hearts. They only wanted to feed us, and we soon grew to love them. Every summer weekend was spent with them, and not just in the garden. People took them away with their families - camping, to the beach, and even mere days out.

Life became bliss after that, and eventually every household owned their own portable gas bbq.

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-1337-portable-gas-grill-bbq-barbecue.aspx

Yep, you guessed it. Hot weather is well on it's way again . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd