I have a number of 'Google Wave' invites. If you want one post a comment asking. First come first served.
Nov 25, 2009
Oct 25, 2009
Oct 23, 2009
Bad Karma
Oct 18, 2009
US balloon boy
US balloon boy case 'was a hoax'
A US sheriff has said the case of six-year-old Falcon Heene who was believed to be adrift in a hot air balloon, prompting a major alert, was a hoax.
Sheriff Jim Alderden said the parents of the boy were actors and had put on a "good show for us, and we bought it".
Oct 11, 2009
New Books in the Library
"Please Don't Hurt Me" by I. Bruce Easley
"The Proper Use of Sunscreens" by Justin Casey Burns
"Allegiance to the King" by Neil Downe
"Bad Falls" by Eileen Dover
"The State of General Motors" by Mitch Egan
"Karate and You" by Marsha Larts
"Cry Wolf" by Al Armist
"A History of the Tour de France" by Cy Kling
"Explaining Yourself" by Clara Fie
"The Lumberjack's Life" by Tim Burr
Aug 27, 2009
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | New Jersey fury at Gaddafi 'stay'
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | New Jersey fury at Gaddafi 'stay'
Where will he pitch his tent NOW!!
Where will he pitch his tent NOW!!
Aug 20, 2009
Lockerbie bomber freed from jail- "The Hero returns"
BBC NEWS | Scotland | South of Scotland | Lockerbie bomber freed from ja
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, anyone who thinks this man's release is about compassion and not oil & politics is mad.
His son did not meet with Mandelson for nothing.
Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, anyone who thinks this man's release is about compassion and not oil & politics is mad.
His son did not meet with Mandelson for nothing.
Jul 21, 2009
BBC - Newsbeat - Desperate Romantics 'the new Entourage'
Not watched this yet, but from the reviews and rushes I have seen this will be really dire
BBC - Newsbeat - Desperate Romantics 'the new Entourage'
BBC - Newsbeat - Desperate Romantics 'the new Entourage'
Jul 6, 2009
Stupid people doing stupid things
It always amazes me how some folk can get others to do stupid things. In Trafalgar Square there is an empty plinth as we no longer have any artists able to place a decent piece of art on here. Someone has conned people into standing on the plinth and got them to pretend to be works of art. It is rather like these email scams which purport to tell you that you have a large chest of money in Nigeria just waiting for you to collect it. There are always people who fall for this and there will always be people prepared to stand on a plinth in Trafalgar square also.
Jun 20, 2009
One of the strangest MP's Expense claim Lembit Opik
"Lembit Opik
Sometimes you just have to purchase hil-a-rious wigs as the best way of using taxpayers' money. Opik purchased two pieces of headwear - The Mother of All Wigs, costing £19.99, and a Filmstar wig costing £9.99 - to wear at a charitable event."
Quote from "Ten Funniest Expense Claims". Not only has this MP a 'funny' claim, he also has a 'funny' name. OK i know we should not mock people because of their parents.
Sometimes you just have to purchase hil-a-rious wigs as the best way of using taxpayers' money. Opik purchased two pieces of headwear - The Mother of All Wigs, costing £19.99, and a Filmstar wig costing £9.99 - to wear at a charitable event."
Quote from "Ten Funniest Expense Claims". Not only has this MP a 'funny' claim, he also has a 'funny' name. OK i know we should not mock people because of their parents.
May 23, 2009
"The campaign to expose MPs' Commons expense claims has become so personal that
it has started to resemble a McCarthy-style witch-hunt, a Tory backbencher
said today.
Nadine Dorries, the Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, also warned that the relentless drip-drip of leaked claims was creating such an atmosphere of terror that there was a real risk of an MP committing suicide.
"People are seriously beginning to crack," Ms Dorries told the Today
programme on BBC Radio 4. "The last day in Parliament this week was, I
would say, completely unbearable. "I have never been in an atmosphere or environment like it, when people walk around with terror in their eyes and people are genuinely concerned, asking, 'Have you seen so and so? Are they in their office? They've not been seen for days.'
One MP is very concerned that the expenses row will cause a suicide, this would be very sad. Is they saying that they should not have been exposed with their snouts in the trough because the revelations are upsetting their delicate feelings.It does seem that this Ms Dorries is not in touch with reality, folks don't trust MP's unde normal circumstances this has just confirmed our suspicions.
Apr 26, 2009
U.N. Surprise: Victim of Qaddafi Torture Confronts Libyan Chair of Durban 2
"Must-See Video: Head of U.N.’s “Anti-Racism” Conference Caught Like a Deer in Headlights
Today Iranian President Ahmadinejad — the world’s leading Holocaust denier — will be in Geneva to address the U.N.’s “anti-racism” conference, known as Durban II. The U.N. gathering claims to be about fighting racism and discrimination, but in fact it’s organized by the world’s worst perpetrators of racism, discrimination and human rights abuses, and was designed to scapegoat Israel, America and the West. A representative of Libyan dictator Col. Muammar Qaddafi, Mrs. Najjat al-Hajjaji, chaired the Durban II Preparatory Committee for the past two years, and today was elected chair of the Durban II Main Committee.
In an unprecedented coup, the rank hypocrisy of Durban II was exposed before the world this week when UN Watch surprised the Libyan chair — by bringing a victim of Qaddafi torture to confront her on Libya’s brutal torture and scapegoating of five Bulgairan nurses and a Palestinian doctor. The video clip has been broadcast around the globe."
Apr 18, 2009
MIHALNA - Great singer
I spotted this really great jazz singer purely by accident when someone posted another band.
Apr 13, 2009
The Lost Book
How is this for a lost book story. On Thursday last, Maundy Thursday, I went to Exeter to go to a Service at the Cathedral. As I passed "Waterstones" book shop Satan tempted me and I went in. There he passed before my eyes a wondrous world of books. Then he dangled before me final temptation 3 for 2 three books for the price of two. He had me in his evil grip I could not resist. I bought 'Marlborough' the new biography in paperback 'Requiem' by Robyn Young and 'The Shack' to give to a friend. I handed them in I did notice the assistant had some trouble with scanning the books in, but that was all. I arrive home later that day with my bag of books ready to read my 'Marlborough' At this point I can hear Satan laughing or is it the Lord?. My beloved "Marlborough" has been replaced by a 'Phillipa Gregory bodice ripper. "Woe is me, I cry". Exeter is 40 miles from my home town.
Mar 23, 2009
Vatican disappointed by sequel
It looks like the publicists are gearing up to try and promote the new film follow up to the Da Vinci Code. Angel & Demons a film based on Dan Brown's best seller is due out soon. I enjoyed both books, but I hope the new film is better than the Da Vinci Code film it was mind blowingly boring. The height of the excitement was when our hero said 'We must find a library'
Mar 8, 2009
Mandy and the Green Custard
It seems that Mandy did not like the green custard thrown at him by Ms(she would have to be a Ms) Deen of Plane Stupid. See BBC video
My thoughts are as one famous statesman said 'It is the unalienable right of every Englishman to have the freedom to throw a dead cat at any politician'. Cat or Custard Ms Deen is following in a great English tradition more power to her elbow. Applaud her and sack Mandy's security people.
My thoughts are as one famous statesman said 'It is the unalienable right of every Englishman to have the freedom to throw a dead cat at any politician'. Cat or Custard Ms Deen is following in a great English tradition more power to her elbow. Applaud her and sack Mandy's security people.
Mar 6, 2009
MY EVIL PLAN
Created at Darksites Congratulations on being the creator of a new Evil Plan (tm)!
Your objective is simple: Widespread Misery.
Your motive is a little bit more complex: Sadistic pleasure
Stage One
To begin your plan, you must first assassinate a wall street executive. This will cause the world to sense a grave disturbance in the force, terrified by your arrival. Who is this nightmare beyond comprehension? Where did they come from? And why do they look so good as a dark gunslinger?
Stage Two
Next, you must sabotoge the internet. This will all be done from a obsidian citadel, a mysterious place of unrivaled dark glory. Upon seeing this, the world will die in a way you just don't want to think about, as countless hordes of the undead hasten to do your every bidding.
Stage Three
Finally, you must let loose your plague of doom, bringing about rivers that run red with blood. Your name shall become synonymous with fuzzy bunnies, and no man will ever again dare cross you. Everyone will bow before your superior firepower, and the world will have no choice but to whisper your name in fear.
Mar 4, 2009
Feb 27, 2009
Anti Semitism in Tennis
Something I did not know,, and as far as I can tell has not been reported on the BBC The American tennis star Andy Roddick withdrew from the Dubai tennis tournament in protest for the ban of Shahar Peer the Israeli tennis player.
Feb 25, 2009
The Hill of Crosses
I was watching a programme on TV about different faiths. The programme seemed to be fronted by some sort of crazy Anglican Priest. I was very intrigued with with a reference to 'a hill of crosses', this I discovered is in Lithuania and has a fascinating story attached to it.
Feb 12, 2009
Geert Wilders Banned from England
"A Dutch MP who called the Koran a "fascist book" has been sent back to the Netherlands after attempting to defy a ban on entering the UK.
Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders had been invited to show his controversial film - which links the Islamic holy book to terrorism - in the UK's House of Lords.
But Mr Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, has been denied entry by the Home Office.
He told the BBC it was a "very sad day" for UK democracy.
The Dutch ambassador was also at Heathrow to make clear his government's opposition to the ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK."
This it appeared has backfired, I tried to check out the 'controversial video'. The demand on the site was so great it had collapsed.........O'Dear. I like most people I imagine had never wanted to watch the video until my caring government thought I shouldn't.
Feb 8, 2009
Feb 3, 2009
The Day the Music Died
"In one of music's most tragic accidents, a light plane carrying three people who changed the face of Rock forever crashed in an Iowa field shortly after leaving a concert on Feb. 3, 1959. Buddy Holly had chartered the plane to take his band to their next gig in North Dakota while other artists and staff took the usual means of tour bus."
From the Yid with the Lid
Jan 14, 2009
Inventory of Normality
From Paulo Coelho and his Warrior of Light blog
I decided to conduct a survey among my friends about what society considers to be normal behavior. What follows is a list I have made of some of the absurd situations we face in day-to-day life, just because society sees them as normal:
1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.
2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).
3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a job.
4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after 30 years.
5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.
6] Using Botox.
7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking happiness.
8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling them “people with no ambition”.
9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the true reason for being alive.
10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our neighbors.
11] Thinking that parents are always right.
12] Getting married, having children and staying together even though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).
12ª] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.
14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.
15] Believing absolutely everything that is printed.
16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck for no apparent reason and known by the pompous name “necktie”.
17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person understands what you want to know.
18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.
19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or else that it is worth absolutely nothing.
20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the “necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are missing.
21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and uncomfortable.
22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money saved up.
23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention to interior beauty.
24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.
25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce them.
26] When you enter an elevator, looking straight at the door and pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.
27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny the story is.
28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).
29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.
30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what is wrong.
31] Going to a charity event and thinking that in this way you have collaborated enough to put an end to all the social inequalities in the world.
32] Eating three times a day, even if you’re not hungry.
33] Believing that the others are always better at everything: they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.
34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the world.
35] Using foul language in traffic.
36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of the company he or she is keeping.
37] Marrying the first person who offers you a position in society. Love can wait.
38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.
39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until you no longer have the strength to do them.
40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television programs.
41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you have won.
42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t like interior decoration.
43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.
44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to manipulate.
45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in treating others are signs of a powerful personality.
46] Being afraid of fibroscopy (men) and childbirth (women).
47] And finally, thinking that your religion is the sole proprietor of the absolute truth, the most important, the best, and that the other human beings in this immense planet who believe in any other manifestation of God are condemned to the fires of hell.
I decided to conduct a survey among my friends about what society considers to be normal behavior. What follows is a list I have made of some of the absurd situations we face in day-to-day life, just because society sees them as normal:
1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.
2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).
3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a job.
4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after 30 years.
5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.
6] Using Botox.
7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking happiness.
8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling them “people with no ambition”.
9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the true reason for being alive.
10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our neighbors.
11] Thinking that parents are always right.
12] Getting married, having children and staying together even though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).
12ª] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.
14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.
15] Believing absolutely everything that is printed.
16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck for no apparent reason and known by the pompous name “necktie”.
17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person understands what you want to know.
18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.
19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or else that it is worth absolutely nothing.
20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the “necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are missing.
21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and uncomfortable.
22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money saved up.
23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention to interior beauty.
24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.
25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce them.
26] When you enter an elevator, looking straight at the door and pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.
27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny the story is.
28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).
29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.
30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what is wrong.
31] Going to a charity event and thinking that in this way you have collaborated enough to put an end to all the social inequalities in the world.
32] Eating three times a day, even if you’re not hungry.
33] Believing that the others are always better at everything: they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.
34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the world.
35] Using foul language in traffic.
36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of the company he or she is keeping.
37] Marrying the first person who offers you a position in society. Love can wait.
38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.
39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until you no longer have the strength to do them.
40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television programs.
41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you have won.
42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t like interior decoration.
43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.
44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to manipulate.
45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in treating others are signs of a powerful personality.
46] Being afraid of fibroscopy (men) and childbirth (women).
47] And finally, thinking that your religion is the sole proprietor of the absolute truth, the most important, the best, and that the other human beings in this immense planet who believe in any other manifestation of God are condemned to the fires of hell.
Jan 10, 2009
Either/Or/Or
The Rev. Susan Bear, sent this letter-to-the- The ReThe Living Church:
"I was chosen by the Church Pension Group to participate in a survey more or
less about ordained women and second-career clergy that evidently was
mandated by General Convention. It had the usual "extremely satisfied, somewhat
satisfied . . .dissatisfied . . ." opportunities to respond. There were some
yes/no, etc. The survey took more than an hour.
Finallly the survey asked for biographical data. Are you "married,"
"single," "remarried after a divorce," "widowed," "living with a partner not
married," and several other options. Mind you, this is a survey that targets mostly
ordained people. The clincher was "Gender." There were three choices--Male,
Female, Other (type in something). Evidently "male and female God created them"
is no longer adequate for our sophisticated, politically correct times.
Frankly, I always thought if you had something whacked off or something
added on you simply moved to the other side of the aisle. Silly, old-fashioned
me. I guess this means I'll have to add a third bathroom in the Parish Hall."
At first I thought this was really funny, but the more I considered it I realised it is very very sad.
"I was chosen by the Church Pension Group to participate in a survey more or
less about ordained women and second-career clergy that evidently was
mandated by General Convention. It had the usual "extremely satisfied, somewhat
satisfied . . .dissatisfied . . ." opportunities to respond. There were some
yes/no, etc. The survey took more than an hour.
Finallly the survey asked for biographical data. Are you "married,"
"single," "remarried after a divorce," "widowed," "living with a partner not
married," and several other options. Mind you, this is a survey that targets mostly
ordained people. The clincher was "Gender." There were three choices--Male,
Female, Other (type in something). Evidently "male and female God created them"
is no longer adequate for our sophisticated, politically correct times.
Frankly, I always thought if you had something whacked off or something
added on you simply moved to the other side of the aisle. Silly, old-fashioned
me. I guess this means I'll have to add a third bathroom in the Parish Hall."
At first I thought this was really funny, but the more I considered it I realised it is very very sad.
Jan 6, 2009
Epiphany Adoration of the Magi
Epiphany (Pieter Dancart; ca. 1488), Cathedral of Santa María Seville, his depiction of the Adoration adorns the high altar:
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