When GMail goes bad

Well, someone, from somewhere in Egypt (according to Google's assessment of the IP location) got into my GMail account. Thanks for that, I didnt have anything else planned for today so have spent hours changing passwords and contacting people to apologise for sending them links to Canadian Pharmacy websites.

Just in case you have any similar unfortunate experience here some basic instructions/recommendations from http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=44ef855684a3f46e&hl=en

If your account has been compromised/hacked/stolen you will need to check and fix at least all of the following settings.
But first you need to check the bottom of the Inbox and make sure your account is not open at any other locations.  If it shows additional locations, open the Details window and "Sign out all other sessions". 
Account Security:
Settings -> Accounts and Import -> Google Account Settings -> Change Password [pick a new secure password]
Settings -> Accounts and Import -> Google Account Settings -> Change Password Recovery Options [verify secret question, SMS and recovery e-mail address]
Potential Spam:
Settings -> General -> Signature [make sure nothing as been added]
Settings -> General -> Vacation Responder [make sure it's disabled and empty]

E-mail Theft
Settings -> Accounts and Import -> Send Mail As [make sure it is using your correct e-mail address]
Settings -> Filters [no filters that forward or delete e-mail]
Settings -> Forwarding and POP/IMAP -> Forwarding [disabled or correct address]
Settings -> Forwarding and POP/IMAP -> POP Download [disabled]
Settings -> Forwarding and POP/IMAP -> IMAP Access [disabled]
Additional Information
Keeping account secure:  https://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=46526
Protecting your account:  https://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=29407
More account security info:  http://www.google.com/help/security/
If your account is compromised:  http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=50270
Someone using your address:  http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=50200
Google Employee comments:  http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/gmail/thread?tid=560d53dee40be5e6&hl=en&start=70

Where's my dinner?

We feeds the birds from a bird feeder in our garden, just outside the kitchen window. We get Sparrows, Chaffinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Starlings, Blackbirds and occasionally Woodpeckers. Now we have for some time wondered at the way that when stocks run low we get Sparrows and Blue Tits on the window sill, tapping at the window. We are not sure whether they are just finding amusement at their own reflection or actually trying to get our attention – having made some sort of connection between the food appearing in the feeder and the people that live in the house.

Well, today i was sat here writing a different blog article and there is a knocking at the window and this is what I saw.

 

Yep, just to make sure, here is a close-up. The Woodpecker wants his dinner!!!

 

Apologies for poor exposure/composition but this guy is so timid and I had to get the camera and take the picture without disturbing him. This was all over in maybe 5-10 seconds. He'd gone almost by the time my camera was away from my face.

 

Today I feel lucky to be here, now. :)