http://myword.blog.co.uk/Every day thoughts and perceptions, random and considered.en-UKMokoFeed10http://myword.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/65/70273438c06f9b774adcc8ca044cc2_160x200.jpghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/can-anyone-help-please-7414371/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-19:/2009/11/19/can-anyone-help-please-7414371/Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:27 +0100 <p>Can anybody help with a problem I do not seem to be able to resolve, p.l.e.a.s.e.</p> <p>I used to receive email notifications of comments and replies to posts. This stopped working or happening, about the time the tags were re-invented. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" class="middle" border="0"> Anway, I have checked my personal profile several times, even re-input the data and saved it a couple of times. </p> <p>I have changed/corrected the url. It is now my blog address; for some reason that had changed to 'menhir', on its own, which is not usually a url form. </p> <p>Having done all this, I have absolutely no idea what else I can do to re-connect with email notifications to comments on my blog.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/can-anyone-help-please-7414371/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>emailnotificationlosthttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/can-anyone-help-please-7414371/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-7410741/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-19:/2009/11/19/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-7410741/Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:03:30 +0100 <p>Since the end of October, we have experienced a continuing roll of medical issues. </p> <p>We've just returned from a horrible journey to visit one sick relative, who was a dire emergency. Once, stabilised, an ambulance transfer 120 miles south was necessary because of existing complications for which there was no provision at the county hospital. Visiting the patient was restricted by virtue of the medical problem and the distance. </p> <p>The tyranny of distance increased when the patient was moved a further 100 miles on to a hospital that had assessment equipment that our REGIONAL hospital does not have. The assessment procedure, when started, could not be completed because of unforeseen medical difficulties. </p> <p>The journey to hospital number two is awful and takes as long to negotiate as one of the other cities even further afield. It required overnight accommodation, the hospital was too far in mileage and time to be able to cover everything in a day. Travel to one of the other major hospitals in Scotland would have been rather easier, even if more distant from us. There would be fewer farm tractors competing for the use of the main road. </p> <p>Our relative's choices were limited we heard; waiting at home for the grim reaper to arrive, fairly soon, or to undergo a different medical process, which would, if it succeeds, provide a better quality of life. The patient was to think about it, though in fact, the decision was firmly made as soon as the facts were stated. </p> <p>Overnight, another close relative was admitted as an emergency to the county hospital. There was talk this morning of arranging out-patients' appointments for tests, but that plan soon changed when the patient was seen to be quite distressed and simple medication could not be successfully given orally. When we visited mid afternoon, the patient was looking decidely unwell, and there was a canular in place for a variety of intravenous substances to be introduced to best effect.</p> <p>As we left the hospital, we saw the wife of a friend and she was waiting for him to be transferred by helicopter, as a priority, to a hospital further afield, as soon as a bed became available in one of three centres. She cut short her emergency call to NHS 24, telling them, there was no time for all their "nonsense" (menu-driven repeat questioning) and she called 999. </p> <p>Ho Hum....</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-7410741/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>emergenciesmedicalhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/19/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-7410741/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/17/feeling-wedded-bliss-7402850/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-17:/2009/11/17/feeling-wedded-bliss-7402850/Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:30:43 +0100 <p>ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS ONE?</p> <p>HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO BE MARRIED TO FEEL MARRIED? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/17/feeling-wedded-bliss-7402850/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>itweddedfeelblisshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/17/feeling-wedded-bliss-7402850/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/12/all-singing-all-dancing-7361256/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-12:/2009/11/12/all-singing-all-dancing-7361256/Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:00:33 +0100 <p>Oh blast! I could have done without the computer going 'phut' this morning. What it actually did was post me up a nasty message saying my system wouldn't burst into life, however, I could try booting up with my disk. After three or four tries at that, it was obvious that the optical drive was getting indigestion and not reading anything, so I gave up being a technician and worked at keeping my panic under control.</p> <p>All my important folders are on my computer. It's about 3 weeks since I did a folders back-up to an external drive. I wasn't concerned about reloading programmes, pain though that would have been, it was the access to my folders that niggled at me. What if my system had died? What if it was in need of memory...it's not that long since I put memory into it? What if.....</p> <p>My friendly expert answered his phone and offered to visit me this evening, saying he'd bring some extra bits with him in view of what I had tried already.</p> <p>By the time he left, the machine was up and running, I'd lost and reloaded my screen saver, (I'll have to) delete the defunct link but that can wait, and I had been encouraged to think about buying a brand new all singing, speedy dancing system. I don't think my expert was entirely surprised to find I wasn't in the market for a replacement of my I.T. arrangements. I am perfectly happy to keep going with what I have currently got.</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_wave.gif" alt=":wave:" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/12/all-singing-all-dancing-7361256/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>pc-corruptlinkhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/12/all-singing-all-dancing-7361256/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/ho-ho-santa-7340222/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-09:/2009/11/09/ho-ho-santa-7340222/Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:15:56 +0100 <p>Christmas will soon be upon us!</p> <p>I have posted two packages today, thought it was safer to do so now that the postal system is fully back to normal, (whatever that is). I have more to do yet, and I have every intention of keeping them as light as possible, to keep post costs very much down.</p> <p>One child's gift was resolved today. Rather than put the present away, I got on with wrapping the two items, which are snugly sitting in a "Ho.Ho." Santa designed carrier bag (recycled from last year). </p> <p>The trouble is, if I post the UK gifts too early, I know for sure that some of them will be opened just that bit too soon. It means therefore, I can't make space just yet, I shall have to hold on to the items. They'll definitely go about the end of this month - November.</p> <p>I still have a few items to find. I have absolutely no idea what to do about them; I hope inspiration will suddenly surprise me. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/ho-ho-santa-7340222/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>xmasandgiftsposthttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/09/ho-ho-santa-7340222/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/guy-fawkes-pyrotecnics-7322630/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/guy-fawkes-pyrotecnics-7322630/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:14:38 +0100 <p>Depending which side you were on, a person was either labelled a freedom fighter or a terrorist. In that regard, we have just been paying annual homage to Guy Fawkes with the usual pyrotechnic displays, officially centred on a bonfire with an effigy on it, called a 'Guy'. No prizes for guessing why. These days what are we celebrating?</p> <p>The French don't ritually burn Jeanne D'Arc - who died at the stake - every year. But, we ritually ignite a long forgotten character who had every intention of blowing up the mother of all parliament's together with all who sat in her chamber, including the king.</p> <p>Nowadays, November the 5th is just an excuse to brighten up dark nights with a bonfire, buy and let off a few bangers sparklers and any other gunpowder designs in a firework. Who understands or bothers with;</p> <p><strong><em>"Please to remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot".</em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/guy-fawkes-pyrotecnics-7322630/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>guypyrotechnicsfawkeshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/guy-fawkes-pyrotecnics-7322630/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/thoughts-addressed-to-the-global-positioning-system-7322433/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-11-06:/2009/11/06/thoughts-addressed-to-the-global-positioning-system-7322433/Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:40:53 +0100 <p><strong>Dear GPS</strong></p> <p><strong>You are the guide for people wandering into the unknown. Much faith is placed in your ability, the prowess to lead the unwary. There is such trust that even the simplest of directions, offered by a person, (rather than an electronic device) is declined in preference to you. You have developed like an extra skin attached to homo sapiens ... "Me and my GPS will find it, it will get me there". When have I heard " Me and my partner will find it, we'll get there. " In truth, I have not.</p> <p>Why is it that you remain so dominant, ubiquitous, in the every day traveller's life? There have been some spectacular accidents caused because of the overarching faith in your directions. Driving up dead ends is generally no major deal, but how do you reconcile leading someone up a garden path to nowhere, you surely don't expect a driver to drive on through someone's private property as if it were a through road! Moreover, how do you correct your mistakes? I guess you know some of your GPS mates have even taken drivers over the edge. That is, over the edges of cliffs, river banks and so on, when according to the guiding light, there should have been road.</p> <p>I don't know who programmes in your information, nor do I know how well-informed or up-to-date it is; neither do I know how your electronic output capacities are quality assured. I am not convinced that a driver looking at you, GPS, while supposedly observing the road conditions is a really safe activity to be engaged in. Drivers may also be using audio equipment and hands-free telephones on occasion, to find locations you cannot truly guide them to. It seems to me, GPS, to be too much reliance on multi-tasking around you and your mates, while at the wheel of a car.</p> <p>However, I accept that you are here to stay GPS; that you are imperfect, but I also accept that there is room for improvement. Will you rise to the challenge?</p> <p>Regards,</p> <p>M</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/thoughts-addressed-to-the-global-positioning-system-7322433/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>gpsaddresshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/11/06/thoughts-addressed-to-the-global-positioning-system-7322433/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/three-s-definitely-a-crowd-7271405/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-29:/2009/10/29/three-s-definitely-a-crowd-7271405/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:36:32 +0100 <p>Things happen in threes. There are some events that I would rather not happen, not even in threes. The frustrating thing is, we usually do not have control over the happenings that occur in threes, they just happen.</p> <p>This week has been a case in point. On Tuesday I received two notifications; </p> <p>One was of the death of a beloved pet, a fabulous great dane, a gentle giant, a king of canines. I was most honoured, as this dog, who had a huge inside 'house/nest' invited me, on one occasion, to sit with him in it. I did decline and made a huge fuss of him instead. On another visit, dog also bared his tummy for tickles, not a feature of all his human contacts. He was a great character and will be sorely missed by his people and their friends.</p> <p>My next note was from a friend to say she was bereaved, her mother had died. Though not unexpected, it is usually a shock and a huge loss.</p> <p>Today, we had our day planned, nothing too strenuous. On leaving the dentist, twenty miles away from home, hubby received a call from a close relative who was about to be boarded into an ambulance. The good thing about this was that we were on the right side of the county and were able to meet the ambulance at the general hospital.</p> <p>I've been racking my brains in case there's been another threesome this week of a different sort. So far, we are up to two domestic appliance breakdowns; with one, a repair has been done, the bill has yet to be received. Just in case, I think I shall take superstition by the horns and break the spells. The domestic issues can stop at two. I've decided, that in this instance, three's a crowd! So, while it is fresh in my mind, I shall depart this blog and do what has to be done. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/three-s-definitely-a-crowd-7271405/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>losstoomanysuperstitionthreeshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/three-s-definitely-a-crowd-7271405/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/where-is-utopia-7265293/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-28:/2009/10/29/where-is-utopia-7265293/Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:15:16 +0100 <p>There seems to be a shower of cameras scrolling the listings of blog. I am sure I previously saw two or three 'blogs' for a different make to the ones I saw tonight.</p> <p>Talk about selling opportunities, if that's what these "reviews" are. It seems the perpetrators of the information just cannot use the usual marketing sites. At least though, the snippets of information appear to be written in our universal tongue, rather than gobbledygook. I would prefer it, if blog sites were spam free. That is, of course, like seeking Utopia...a dream! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/where-is-utopia-7265293/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>sellingspamadvertshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/29/where-is-utopia-7265293/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/hey-what-about-the-kids-7256294/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-27:/2009/10/27/hey-what-about-the-kids-7256294/Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:50:02 +0100 <p>I've been thinking about the parents in America who acted out accidentally sending their youngest son off in un-piloted flight in a silver saucer-shaped air balloon.</p> <p>The child had been 'hiding' in the house loft for several hours while the charade was being acted out, while it was filmed and the alarm being raised with the emergency authorities, including the police. The happy families game was then paraded before the media cameras with the youngest child evidently miserable, sitting on the lap of one of his parents, saying he wanted to go that he wanted to vomit. </p> <p>The parents, who are trained actors, have set stunts before to publicize themselves, though, I believe the stunts were not quite at the level of this one. Following investigation, these hedonistic adults have admitted wasting everyone's time and are now being charged with offences.</p> <p>What I have not heard, is anything said about the psychological cruelty that has been inflicted on to the youngest child, the poor parenting that has been demonstrated by these morally deficient individuals. I believe this family are worthy of closer examination by the child welfare organisations in America. I hope that not hearing anything about it, does not mean this aspect of the parents' performance has been neglected by the public child protection agencies. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/hey-what-about-the-kids-7256294/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>protectionflightballoonsilverusachildhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/hey-what-about-the-kids-7256294/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/wild-west-post-deliveries-7249407/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-26:/2009/10/26/wild-west-post-deliveries-7249407/Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:30:50 +0100 <p>As the door opened you could hear a droning, five...four...three...two... then the door shut before the final number was counted. The shop mail was hastily placed on the reception counter and the flustered-looking postman rushed out, without even a greeting to the staff in the shop. The urgency was to get back to the delivery van, press the off switch before the count of 'one' was complete.</p> <p>The post delivery round is in a remote rural area, covering various villages and their businesses, the businesses get priority for the morning delivery over domestic post. No doubt, the postman had to get to the other villages and businesses on the route, each time, being counted out of his van with the individual deliveries and then being counted back. No two places have their counters or mail boxes in the same place.</p> <p>Five seconds is a hellish and unrealistic time scale to work to per mail drop. What if it is not possible to park the van, (leaving the engine running for quick departure, which is illegal) close to where the mail needs to go. The postman is forced to double park as close as he can get. Other road users be damned! What if the conditions underfoot are slippery? We tend to have very inclement conditions; it can be icy in Winter; if there is a gale blowing, a regular feature of our climate, that can be another obstacle to timed speed deliveries. It is, in my view a recipe for an accident, it is also a recipe for developing, amongst other things, health problems. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/wild-west-post-deliveries-7249407/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>westwildtimeddeliveriesposthttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/26/wild-west-post-deliveries-7249407/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/nourishment-does-not-hamper-recovery-7236921/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-24:/2009/10/24/nourishment-does-not-hamper-recovery-7236921/Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:57:51 +0200 <p>Research undertaken by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8286816.stm">Cardiff University</a> on a sample of 121 patients who have had major surgery, (because of cancer of the pancreas, stomach or oesophagus)has shown that feeding via tubes has speeded up recovery times. Apart from benefiting patient welfare, this research will also be attractive because of its potential cost savings. </p> <p>In the past it was believed that introducing nourishment to such patients would hamper recovery. It was commonplace for there to be nil by mouth or fasting for up to ten days post-operatively. </p> <p>What a thought. Patients would have to be selected for a strong constitution to survive that level of nourishment deficiency.</p> <p>In the process of [disproving] the old theory, the Cardiff team introduced feeding by tube into the intestines, then observed and measured the results. Recovery times shortened as much as by three days. </p> <p>I can't help but think, on a lay level you understand, that anyone deprived of balanced nourishment at a time when they are medically, highly vulnerable on many fronts, would physically struggle to overcome such a major trauma. Common sense has always supported 'keeping up your strength'. It's not just an adage is it. I am pleased that the deprivation theory has been challenged and found wanting.</p> <p>Today, when there are so many medical techniques available that did not exist previously, it would not surprise me to see other older theories re-examined. A cautionary note though, unless the bottom line can be satisfied in some way, it could be much more difficult for a new process to develop, irrespective of how medically successful it might be. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/nourishment-does-not-hamper-recovery-7236921/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>medicalbetterfeedingfasterhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/nourishment-does-not-hamper-recovery-7236921/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/two-places-to-stay-and-no-porridge-7235674/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-24:/2009/10/24/two-places-to-stay-and-no-porridge-7235674/Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:36:51 +0200 <p>I was away for a couple of nights, in Scotland. The differences in the standards of the accommodation were notable. The formal 3* hotel room that was reserved for me was totally underwhelming. It was sub-standard. The floorboards sounded and felt like you would walk through them to the joists. Once upon a time, the floor covering had been a carpet. The bathroom presented a scalding opportunity. I was grateful the single bed was comfortable. The heat in the room was unbearable, hot pipes to other floors 'travelled' through it. As I was tired I did get some sleep. </p> <p>The hotel breakfast coffee was like tar and allowed to set like it. I was told breakfast was an either/or; that is, either continental or cooked. The natural smoked haddock, for me, was by far the best breakfast option.</p> <p>In the next place I had booked myself into a 3* (Scottish Tourist Board) B&B hotel. Here, I had a bigger room, mostly taken up by a really comfortable double bed. It was clean and the décor was fresh. For sitting in, the room was a pleasant warmth, for sleeping in, it proved too hot. In the early hours though, I half awoke, feeling cold, and needing to put on more bed covers. I hope I don't get a chill. </p> <p>Breakfast was being taken quietly and intently by all the other guests. The only sounds were that of cutlery in use as they dug into the continental <u>and</u> cooked foods on offer. You helped yourself to the filter coffee and what a pleasant cuppa it was to start the day. </p> <p>Neither place had porridge on the menu. It is as if there is a fear to present Scotland's national breakfast cereal in Scotland. True, I once got a lump of spikey looking dough in a bowl at one place where I stayed. I hear via the grapevine, those B&B people have transformed their skills in porridge-making. With today's almost instant varieties, that should not be a difficult level to aspire to. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/two-places-to-stay-and-no-porridge-7235674/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>comparingb+bporridgehotelstourismscotlandhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/24/two-places-to-stay-and-no-porridge-7235674/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/fur-coat-and-no-knickers-7211189/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-20:/2009/10/20/fur-coat-and-no-knickers-7211189/Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:15:15 +0200 <p>It defies belief. Maybe not for the organisation I have in mind. Happily, I shall not be requiring too much of them in the future, it is obviously too taxing for them to get things right.</p> <p>Wouldn't you expect that when you check your banking online, (there are times when it is unavoidable) you would be able to see a statement that at least was bang up to date, with a 'today'. The site I visited tonight, all very bright and snazzy, like wearing a fur coat and no knickers, just could not do it.</p> <p>It did not matter how hard I tried, for the one account, the best information I could bring up, was up to early October. One other type of account gave me today's details. If they can do it for one, why not the other? They have received a polite but patronising email from me. I wish they would be less interested in sub-headings for their emails and get their main act together. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/fur-coat-and-no-knickers-7211189/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>onlineupdatesbankinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/fur-coat-and-no-knickers-7211189/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/18/comparing-is-worth-it-7197098/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-18:/2009/10/18/comparing-is-worth-it-7197098/Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:54:47 +0200 <p>Small apples are often better the bigger apple of their type for juiciness and flavour, <a href="http://www.btinternet.com/~hamptonfarmshop/pages/fruitpages/appcox.htm">the Cox apple</a> which we only see for a very short time, being an example of this. The packs of little apples on the shop shelf - sadly not Cox's - looked like a good alternative to the non-existent Cox. I would need two bags because of the size of the apples. I checked the price, thought they would be okay, and then thought again. I wondered what the total weight of the purchase would be, so, went in search of weighing scales and weighed the pack.</p> <p>Twenty per cent difference...never! I studied the pre-wrapped wee apples, about six of them in the bag, that were now sitting on the scales. I weighed them again, just in case I had misread the dial. The fruits really were perfectly formed, they were also very small. Each bag was a fixed price of £1.35p.</p> <p>Just below the pre-packed apples, on another shelf, the same apple was sold loose. These were larger pieces of fruit priced at £1.37p <em>per kilo</em>. The pre-packed bag of small apples weighed <em>800grms.</em> The loose apples I could weigh up to the kilo,and obtain the weight value.</p> <p>There is so much shopping psychology at play today, which to a large extent relies on people who do not take the time to make comparisons. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/18/comparing-is-worth-it-7197098/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>comparisonshoppingcommercepsychologyhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/18/comparing-is-worth-it-7197098/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/you-might-also-like-7176914/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-15:/2009/10/15/you-might-also-like-7176914/Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:50:19 +0200 <p>An automated gizmo called 'links within' refers people to other articles they might wish to read, rather like the 'more interesting posts' feature on blog.</p> <p>You can understand my bemusement after I had written up a description of a screwed up family to see that there were three photographs of links referring readers to further reading, as follows: </p> <p>"You might also like"</p> <p>A flood in full flow, depicting a drowning flower head;<br> A bleak coastal scene; or<br> A pawing bull amongst a herd of cows. </p> <p>This is worthy of analysis.</p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/you-might-also-like-7176914/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>familyfurtherguidereadingscrewed-uppictorialhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/15/you-might-also-like-7176914/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/it-speaks-for-itself-7146426/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-11:/2009/10/11/it-speaks-for-itself-7146426/Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:52:00 +0200 <p>It is less known that the Vikings enjoyed cultural interests and a Christian faith. <a href="http://www.stmagnus.org/"> St. Magnus Cathedral</a> in Kirkwall, Orkney, is testament to it. From what we are told of our ancient history, the Vikings were warrior seafarers, indeed their striking double- ended long-ships together with the warriors' cone shaped helmets, are often seen as emblems of Viking aggression. </p> <p>Fittingly, today, Sunday 11th October 2009, a memorial service took place in St Magnus Cathedral, the early construction of which, is Viking. The service was in memory to the crew of the HMS Royal Oak, who, like the Viking's before them, were at sea, but as warriors to defend the UK. in World War 2.</p> <p>There were over 1000 men on board <a href="http://http://www.hmsroyaloak.co.uk/">HMS Royal Oak </a> on the 14th October 1939, when the ship was hit twice by torpedoes fired from a German U-boat in Scapa Flow, Orkney. The carnage amounted to 833 crew dead. About 400 crew were saved, many burned and badly injured. The ship is now one of a number wrecks below the clear waters of the North Atlantic and is a maritime grave.</p> <p>Earlier this year I visited St Magnus Cathedral and spent quiet contemplation time at the memorial plaque, erected with respect and in honour of the crew, in particular, those who lost their lives on the 14th October 1939. So many young valuable lives extinguished in one fell swoop. Trying to comprehend the horrors of warfare, any kind, was, and still is, hard. These men and boys suffered, drowned, like many did, in World War 2.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/204/3991204_971a780cd5_m.jpeg" alt="HMS Royal Oak"></p> <p>Subsequently, what are known as the <a href="http://http://www.orcadian.co.uk/features/20thcentury/8.htm">Churchill Barriers,</a> were built to keep out enemy boats of any kind. The block ships, (wrecks) that were used as blockades, were proved to be inadequate by the U47 getting past them and sinking the Roal Oak. The Churchill Barriers, which have proper roads built upon them, have linked some of the smaller Orkney Islands to the main island. It took a war to do it. Prior to their war time construction, the main island was reached mainly by small boats, weather permitting.</p> <p>War, so horrible an event, often produces innovation that can be used peacefully. In this case the conjoining of the small islands to the Orkney mainland is one of those peaceful and innovative outcomes that has occurred, as a result of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak and the heavy loss of life that day. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/it-speaks-for-itself-7146426/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>churchilloakvikingshmsroyalhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/11/it-speaks-for-itself-7146426/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/u-k-man-did-not-always-have-the-right-to-vote-7133021/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-09:/2009/10/09/u-k-man-did-not-always-have-the-right-to-vote-7133021/Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:40:37 +0200 <p>While sharing a lunch time with a business friend, we touched on the subject of these interminable political party conferences. To my utter surprise,she said her husband was "<em>fed up with the lot of them, they were all the same, equally as bad</em>"... and, she continued, he wasn't going to bother to vote for anyone come the general election. This business man is considered to be clear-headed. When he decides he's had enough of all-comers, alarm bells need to be ringing. The lady was also taken aback by this. She felt it was her duty to vote. The voting choices apart, for women, she said, obtaining the franchise of the vote was a hard fought right, one that should not be easily relinquished. Many women make the same observation.</p> <p><a href="http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRbright.htm">'The common man'</a> did not always have the franchise of a vote in the UK. With limitations, that right was given in 1884. Universal male suffrage was given in 1918 when <u>all</u> men over the age of 21 were given the vote. The current voting age is eighteen.</p> <p>It might be that men are not so aware of the history of gaining their right to vote, their enfranchisement. It is by no means the first time I have heard men choosing to not use their voting power. Some make it sound like a positive virtue not to do so. It would be interesting to know the public gender breakdown of votes caste in elections. If men were better informed on how they acquired their right to vote, would it make any difference?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/u-k-man-did-not-always-have-the-right-to-vote-7133021/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>franchisesvotingwomenpoliticshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/09/u-k-man-did-not-always-have-the-right-to-vote-7133021/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/the-survival-of-the-besieged-7120502/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-07:/2009/10/07/the-survival-of-the-besieged-7120502/Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:29:01 +0200 <p>Aaaah! I am so very sick of the party political conference season. They occur every year in England for this that or the other party. Now, in addition, I have to survive the annual conferences for the Scottish and the Welsh politicos. Strange to say, I am not aware of anything quite so similar for Northern Ireland, but then that corner of the United Kingdom is always bubbling with some political foray or other.</p> <p>Anyway, to get back to the ever so tedious situation we are currently and hopefully coming to the end of for a week or two. These blasted conferences are for the media, and what expensive circuses they prove to be. Rarely, if ever, are the politicians talking to the people, to the nation they are supposed to be serving. These gatherings are blatantly self-serving jamborees.</p> <p>The speeches at the conferences, the sideshows, are all designed for the media, to make<strong> most</strong> impact, not necessarily the best one. The individuals all vie for biggest headlines. The latest fad, is to create the most stark promises and offer the deepest doom and gloom. There is a putsch to develop a national siege psychology; there are scare tactics, running through every thread of thought uttered, and each party is trying to outdo the other in the art.</p> <p>I, for one, am not looking for false happiness, nor am I wanting a ruddy great slough of political despond. Current day politics and many of the politicians we have, of all shades, I might add, are very flawed. They are depressing enough in their own right. I just want a space, a peaceful one, where I can regenerate my energies to motivate myself to ordinary every day life before the next round of political fisticuffs start with the General Election Campaign, which draws ever nearer.......<em>help</em>! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/the-survival-of-the-besieged-7120502/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>siegepoliticsconferenceshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/the-survival-of-the-besieged-7120502/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/forgetfulness-just-as-well-we-can-laugh-at-ourselves-7086861/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-02:/2009/10/02/forgetfulness-just-as-well-we-can-laugh-at-ourselves-7086861/Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:24:03 +0200 <p>I was so engrossed in commenting on other posts, I forgot the focus for this post. My forgetting is rather apt, because the post is about memory loss. The article that took my interest on this subject was still open on my desk top and so reminded me what I intended to do. Should I be personally concerned at needing a memory aid?</p> <p>Many people go to collect something from, say, a drawer,and forget what it was they wanted. It is quite a common event. There are sillier forgetfulnesses and distractions, such as putting something in the oven instead of the fridge. Thank heavens we can laugh at ourselves! Lots of people have done it. Is it really funny?</p> <p>There could be a range of reasons for increased confusions and exacerbated memory loss, especially in older people. Infection is certainly one possibility, there are others. For now, there does not seem to be any magic answer for the prevention of chronic cognitive decline.</p> <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8241833.stm">Research</a> is indicating that body infections may speed up memory decline, especially in Alzheimers disease. Researchers at Southampton University say that infections increase an inflammatory protein in the blood, known as a tumour necrosis factor (TNF). The obvious defensive responses to this, are good observation, devising fast action to deal with suspected infections, and providing skilled care, especially in residential, nursing homes and hospitals. Preventing infections from spreading is nigh impossible.</p> <p>This is the point where it is necessary to think outside the box (lateral thinking). It is where the researchers and pharmacological experts join forces. One thought is to try to protect the human system by blocking TNF to prevent more inflammation of the brain. Research into cognitive decline is a growth area. TNF is just one aspect of it and like many others, needs further research. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/forgetfulness-just-as-well-we-can-laugh-at-ourselves-7086861/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cognitive-impairmentalzheimersdiseaseforgetfulnesshealthhttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/02/forgetfulness-just-as-well-we-can-laugh-at-ourselves-7086861/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/sale-of-the-century-7079735/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/sale-of-the-century-7079735/Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:23:01 +0200 <p>The sales and auction site Ebay had a rather unusual item uploaded for auction on its British site; someone's grandmother. Granny was described amongst other things, as...... can be difficult to get on with, but not bad looking, </p> <p>It is no surprise however, to hear that the listing was removed by Ebay. When asked for a comment, the Ebay representative stated that they do not auction or sell people. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/sale-of-the-century-7079735/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>ebaypeopleauctionsaleshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/sale-of-the-century-7079735/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/did-prehistoric-man-do-risk-assessments-7072349/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-30:/2009/09/30/did-prehistoric-man-do-risk-assessments-7072349/Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:19:59 +0200 <p>Alright, I admit it, I was over-dressed in my all-weather coat with a fleece lining. How was I to know that even in the exposed areas of the latest archaeological walking experience, the sun would be streaming down with great warmth. Unlike the last walking party, this was an altogether fitter and larger group of people. Even so, we all ended up taking off warm layers, panting and puffing at some stage. It was an arduous guided walk around 'ancient feet', on land we would not normally have free access to. Most of the area is owned by one landowner who 'gates' off this Northern section of it, and it was she who who easily bestrode this land as our guide.</p> <p><em>"Maybe I should have done a risk assessment first</em>", murmured the lady guide, as she swung her long rubber booted legs over a fence, expecting all of us to follow suit. We also had to cross a raised loch, all the while holding on to a rail on a narrow concrete ledge, doing a balancing exercise. (See below).</p> <p>Our first stop was a ruined cairn, where, when I tried to sit on a piece of ancient mineral aggregate to gain my breath, I tipped over and ended up prone. The stone's positioning, would not allow for any dignified balancing act. It was explained that the ancients exposed bodies here and the bones were then stored in a very orderly manner in the cairn. I did not aim to emulate the experience!</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/826/3952826_6fd47ca3f7_m.jpeg" alt="P1010848"></p> <p>We ended up at a couple of ancient standing stones, further on up the hill, likely, BCE, (Bronze Age perhaps). Most of us huffed and puffed from the work-out (more energetic than the stepper at a gym) with the guide saying, she could take us on further. We must have already covered three or four miles, up hills, over peat ditches, hillocks, dale, rabbit hole, mole hill, gorse, heather and anything else that was difficult to negotiate. You needed lots of stamina for this tour.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/827/3952827_b739ee4265_m.jpeg" alt="P1010851"></p> <p>The general consensus was that we probably had experienced enough excitement! But, we all had to trail back the way we came. It was no easier, as all the lumps and bumps came at us in reverse. One poor lady missed her footing, fortunately landing on soft springy peat turf, and adamant she needed no help in returning to her usual perpendicular position. The lady was okay, and in due course, balanced herself on the ledge across the loch along with the best and the worst of us.</p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/828/3952828_493e567b64_m.jpeg" alt="P1010853"></p> <p>My coat got mucky. I had attempted to tie it about my waist by its arms so I could cool off, but the weight of it would not hold the coat high enough from the vegetation, just below knee level. Eventually, I had no option but to put it back on, so I could negotiate the trickier bits of the return trail. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/did-prehistoric-man-do-risk-assessments-7072349/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>trailbodiesprehistoricexposinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/30/did-prehistoric-man-do-risk-assessments-7072349/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/27/sex-icons-dolly-birds-and-the-bbc-7051150/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-27:/2009/09/27/sex-icons-dolly-birds-and-the-bbc-7051150/Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:44:37 +0200 <p>The esteemed BBC TV has been openly accused of being ageist on a number of occasions. This policy, which is what it appears to be, plays one way, and that is to remove any woman who shows signs of a wrinkle, naturally changed hair colour, or the merest sag in the jaw line. There are any number of men over a certain age, which seems to be arbitrarily about 50 years old. Why is this? Do men wear any differently; is their screen image enhanced by growing into old age any differently from women?</p> <p>If women can no longer be publicly presented as sugar babes, dolly birds and sex objects that support the ratings, (this includes news-readers), women get unceremoniously 'dumped'. There was public protest at the disappearance of some well-liked personalities. We, the public, who pay license fees, and have a fair sprinkling of over 50's amongst us, did not want them to disappear, but the arrogant organisation, decided it knew better. The clearance of the older female from public view, continued.</p> <p>Recent resistance by some attractive and mature television presenters has highlighted the apparently sexist nature of the BBC's employment policy. The outome is, that one very well known mature lady is now advising in the background as to how this gender fissure should be repaired. The first step is to advertise that the BBC are seeking a mature lady presenter. As a number of ladies who were really good at their jobs have been sidelined in recent years, there shouldn't be a major problem finding the talent. The big problem, as I see it, is enticing any of them to return to perform the figurehead role.</p> <p>It would be interesting to see, where the BBC is pressured to lead, if tomorrow, Hollywood will follow! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/27/sex-icons-dolly-birds-and-the-bbc-7051150/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>bbcdollysexiconsageismbirdshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/27/sex-icons-dolly-birds-and-the-bbc-7051150/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/how-did-it-happen-7041161/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-25:/2009/09/25/how-did-it-happen-7041161/Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:44:28 +0200 <p>Spent most of today sorting out possibilities for a wee holiday. By the time I've done, I will be too weary to reserve anything. Putting together our own package is more effort than I realised, and that's with using the guidance of tour operators. It is time to rest my weary eyes and head, put all that internet researching out of my mind, then go and visit the Sandman.</p> <p>Chasing after an accidentally deleted email this evening, I found another one I had put in the 'bin' two weeks' ago that definitely should not have been binned. I can't think how it happened. I hastily replied to it.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/how-did-it-happen-7041161/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>findemailholidaypackagehttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/25/how-did-it-happen-7041161/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/what-an-epitaph-7027475/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-23:/2009/09/23/what-an-epitaph-7027475/Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:15:32 +0200 <p>Ancient peoples used burial chambers, cairns, for example. Our far ancestors have used burial formalities that, like all else, evolved over the centuries. For example, a grave marking could be simple, with some symbol, like a wooden cross, if it was a Christian burial. This in itself, may not have been proof that the remains were that of a fellow Christian, just that a particular kind of burial was undertaken. Some graves were marked with stones and in Scotland, there are many stone piles to be found, especially on hills, built up as memorials to an event. They have become the smaller, modern version of the cairn.</p> <p>War graves are commonly marked with a religious symbol, or a stone with a symbol incised on it. Today, in war torn areas where many inhabitants have been forced to become desensitized to the constant violence and carnage around them, and where it has been possible, some kind of marker is placed on a grave, just so that, apart from the practicalities of burial, it feels like what is ‘ decent ‘ has been done.</p> <p>Some of the grandest monuments were saved for emperors, kings and princes, the obvious ones being the Egyptian Pyramids. From this, it can be safely deduced, I believe, that there was a lot of preparation for death and perversely, a celebration of or for the dead. There are classical stories that relate to journeys into the afterlife which, perhaps, these celebrations were designed to ease.</p> <p>Highly decoratively carved tombs, would be afforded by the wealthy. Or, the money raised for a grand memorial would have been obtained from the immediate society that should have been grateful for the existence of the exalted personage. One of the Dukes of Sutherland’s Memorial, high on a hill in Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland, is such an example.</p> <p>All this, leaves us to suppose, justifiably, that the poor could not rise to anything memorially noteworthy and had to keep their funeral arrangements low key. The parish poor committee would often be called upon to arrange anonymous paupers' graves, a practice that continued for centuries. There are still similar practices in force, though not necessarily quite so stark. Also, today, religious organisations can be called upon to bury members of their community, unfortunate enough to be without means, and at the very least, with an identity marker on the grave and a record of where the individual lies.</p> <p>However, it can be seen, over the centuries there have been some very ornate tombs and mausoleum designs, a great number for churchmen. There are plenty neo-classical stone features to be found in many a necropolis, which are recent additions. Observing the gravestones, the mausoleums, the ornamentation in the cemeteries we have today, we can see they tell us social stories,some are ones, where lives have been cut off too soon. Others are surprising, that in times when life expectancy was much lower, (you were lucky to get to the biblical three score years and ten) following amazing exploits, wars, social deprivation, and so on, they lived to ripe old ages that would be great even by today’s standards.</p> <p>A recent visit to a cemetery left me pondering about the incumbent of one tomb. The table top stone was weather worn, so it was difficult to identify who lay within. However, incised on one of the sides of the top stone, therefore, much protected from the elements, was carved;</p> <p class="center"><strong>” TIME FLIETH….. DEATH PERSUETH”</strong></p> <p><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/403/3929403_7995171eb8_m.jpeg" alt="P1030944 copy"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/what-an-epitaph-7027475/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>epitaphtombsancient-burialnecropolishttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/23/what-an-epitaph-7027475/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/birthday-gift-dilemmas-7019995/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-22:/2009/09/22/birthday-gift-dilemmas-7019995/Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:08:07 +0200 <p>Another birthday present, one which had to be posted, was not quite complete. A voucher would add to the gift quite nicely, I thought. One store, a national chain, only one of two in our town, provided gift vouchers from the till receipt roll. I could see it getting thrown out with the paper waste. It was just a horrible scrap of paper. No way was I giving something looking like that!</p> <p>Now you would think my next idea was a good one wouldn't you. A book token that can be exchanged for a purchase in any bookshop in the land that participates in the scheme. <em><strong>"Oh there's none left. They're on order. The organisation is changing from card tokens to a plastic electronic card system. We should have them in a couple of weeks." </strong></em> Yeah, tell me another one. I know this shop's business patter. You wait and return, to find they still haven't got what you wanted or ordered.</p> <p>I was frustrated, bordering on annoyance. Over a cup of coffee and a good home made cheese scone, I considered my options. There weren't very many. Although there was one more national chain store to try, it was by no means certain that they had gift vouchers in this branch. I rang sprog 300 miles away. Yes, a voucher could be purchased and sent direct by sprog, if I emailed the address etc. What a convoluted way to have to do things!</p> <p>At the post office counter, I moaned about my experiences. "<em><strong>I think we sell vouchers"</strong></em>, said the counter clerk, disappearing as she spoke, into the back office and returning with the information. I bought one of their gift vouchers. It could be spent in many stores nationwide, the majority of which don't exist where we live, but do trade where the birthday present was going. I unsealed the parcel and put in the plastic electronic card with its presentation envelope. The counter clerk offered to tape up my re-opened package. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/birthday-gift-dilemmas-7019995/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>giftvoucherpostofficeshoppinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/birthday-gift-dilemmas-7019995/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/19/nearly-a-head-on-collision-6998350/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-19:/2009/09/19/nearly-a-head-on-collision-6998350/Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:58:17 +0200 <p>I sat behind the wheel of the car, with my brakes on, motionless. I couldn't carry on driving, otherwise I would have been in a head-on collision with a maniac overtaking three vehicles, who was zooming towards me and was perilously close. There was nowhere else I could go other than stay where I was motionless in my car on the road. Realising where he was heading at speed, directly into me, the idiot applied his brakes and got back into his lane by the skin of his and my teeth.</p> <p>I sounded my horn, the prospective killer responded with a polite wave and a nod. And so he damn well should, at the very least. I gingerly started to drive on. </p> <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> grrr </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/19/nearly-a-head-on-collision-6998350/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>collisionneardrivinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/19/nearly-a-head-on-collision-6998350/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/official-it-s-now-outdoor-decorating-gardening-6986349/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-17:/2009/09/17/official-it-s-now-outdoor-decorating-gardening-6986349/Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:03:12 +0200 <p>Gardening is outdoor decorating. The newer, younger potential customers wandering through garden centres today, appear to know nothing about traditional and muck raking gardening. They just want a straightforward weekend project to do some external decorating.</p> <p>To take advantage of this purchasing opportunity, which apparently the UK garden centres have not yet got anywhere near germinating, according to marketing consultants, the garden centres' management have to start dressing up their presentation like furniture stores. There is no suggestion that you put your bedroom furniture amongst the pot plants - though that might be a great sales pitch. The idea is, that you colour scheme and dress up corners and sections of the garden centre to show plant types, products and their colours to the best advantage and presentation, for transplantation to the customer's window sill, roof garden, pots on the doorstep, or a back yard. </p> <p>There is just one little problem, a cloud on this decorating horizon, and that is the small matter of rain. Wet weather is not ideal for external decorating. If you have a long period of inclement conditions, the new breed of outdoor designers will not be encouraged to seek the wares of garden centres for their external rooms. Do plants run in the rain, do the colours on the foliage fade, does a plant or leaf wither in the rain? No, none of these things. This leaves me bemused. What flustering and fluttering in this way with external décor does for plant life, I cannot think.</p> <p>So what is gardening today, according to the fledgling 'giardinieros'? Like so many descriptive words in the English language, it seems there is slippage or a re-definition revolution afoot, in the land of 'gardening'. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/official-it-s-now-outdoor-decorating-gardening-6986349/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>designoutdoorgardeningdecoratinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/official-it-s-now-outdoor-decorating-gardening-6986349/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/stumped-in-inter-faith-understanding-6971310/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-15:/2009/09/15/stumped-in-inter-faith-understanding-6971310/Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:21:49 +0200 <p>London has a maverick mayor by the name of Boris Johnson, who, according to this week's UK Jewish Chronicle, suggested that non-Muslims have a go at fasting during Ramadan to understand better, other faiths. </p> <p>It was on the cards therefore, that someone should ask Boris if the same invitation should be made, for the same inter-faith understanding, to fast for Yom Kippur. </p> <p>There was some difficulty obtaining a timely response, it seems. Eventually, Boris' spokesperson, a recent ex-BBC political reporter by the name of Gito Harri, (he of lovely Welsh dulcet tones) came back with an answer. <em><strong>It was easier to suggest a fast during Ramadan as there are more days to choose from</strong></em>! </p> <p>A comment was sought from the previous Mayor of London, (described as Boris' nemesis) who said, and here I paraphrase "<em><strong>I am an atheist. However, you don't have to be circumcised and not eat pork to respect people's beliefs</strong></em>". </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/stumped-in-inter-faith-understanding-6971310/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>inter-faithfastingunderstandinghttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/15/stumped-in-inter-faith-understanding-6971310/#commentshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/feline-confusion-and-dead-cool-gifts-6949307/tag:myword.blog.co.uk,2009-09-12:/2009/09/12/feline-confusion-and-dead-cool-gifts-6949307/Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:59:48 +0200 <p>I think the cats are confused, one more so than the other. We've just got back from using a friend's cottage and their two pet cats were in residence instead of where they are usually at. One looked as if she was pining - the mum - the other bigger one, her daughter, was constantly out killing things at night to bring us back gifts to put on our bed during the night.</p> <p>Do you fancy having a half dead dragon fly or the heart of a rabbit, or maybe it was the stomach, laid on your pillow while you sleep? We saw the cat jump into the bathroom sink to lick the water. There was fresh water laid out by the the cats food bowls; there was one bowl of food and one bowl of water for each one.</p> <p>Sure these pets are confused, the cottage guests work by different rules to those they have got used to. They hadn't got the run of the whole of the house nor the kitchen work surfaces, that was definitely OUT. We had bathroom and bedroom doors closed at night and during the day. Their food was regularly given and their water bowls refreshed. The cat flap was used readily by the hunter/killer, and only when the door was open and the weather was okay, her mum sauntered out to explore. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/feline-confusion-and-dead-cool-gifts-6949307/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>giftsdeadconfusedcatshttp://myword.blog.co.uk/2009/09/12/feline-confusion-and-dead-cool-gifts-6949307/#comments