Snap

Life is a bone. Sometimes it is going to get broken. Treat it right and it will grow back stronger than ever. Treat it wrong and you will bear the scars forever.

Hanging On The Telephone

I have followed the Sachsgate episode with only mild interest. I think it is very much a storm in a teacup. That doesn't mean I think that the call was right. It was certainly insulting. But I really think that it was an issue between individuals and should never have become the great public fiasco that it has developed into.

The BBC have apologised that this episode came so far below the audiences expectations. That isn't actually true. Of the people listening that night only 2 people complained. Those I have spoken to who are fans of the pragramme said it was funny, even if in bad taste. The complaints have come from people who never even listen to the programme and who don't like Brand or Ross anyway. It has simply turned into an opportunity for those who dislike them, their humour, and what they represent to have a go at them in the "told you so" kind of way. People hate Ross because he is paid ridiculous amounts of money, well, to be fair, that isn't his fault. If someone wants to give him loads of money why should he say no. It is the same as footballers, I don't think that they should be paid as much as they are, but I don't blame them for taking it. And Brand simply makes people feel uncomfortable, they don't know what to make of him, and our response to what we don't understand is to get defensive.

I don't like what they did. But it is what they are paid for, to be spontaneous and to break the boundaries.

All Ears

I love overhearing conversations. In the spa yesterday a girl said to her other half "let's go in there, I bet it's freezing". It took everything I had in me to refrain from saying "well doh, that's why it's called the ice cave".

In A Word

An interesting snippet of information (or at least I thought so). I hadn't realised that the word "wild" was derived from "willed, ie a wild animal has its own will.

And The Winner Is...

I am sure that I am allowed to mention the fact that I was at the Farmers Weekly awards last night (even though it's work, and as long as I promise to kill you afterwards). We are one of the sponsors so attendance is a must. I have never been before and I have to admit I was surprised by the amount of glitz. It was like a mini Oscars. A lot of music, lights, celebrities (Clare Balding and John Torode) and entertainment. As well as food and wine of course.

My favourite bit of the evening was the comedy provided by Rainer Hersch. If you ever get a chance to see him then I urge you to do so. The only problem was that his stint was too short. He needed to ahve at least an hour. Absolutely hilarious stuff.

What To Wear?

McCain must be regretting his choice of Palin as a running mate by now. Not that we are, too much entertainment, but if he thought he would make things more stable he was wrong. The idea of bringing in some youth to counter his grey hair, and a female to get the Hilary vote could still backfire. But as it backfires it will also bring a potential smile to our faces.

The revelation that this hockey mum has spent $150k on clothing does nothing to reflect the "in touch" feel that they were after. And I rather like the Republican excuse that a third has been returned which, it then transpires, is purely because it was the wrong size. As repossesions are on the increase and peoples savings are cut down by the credit crunch, there is some pain in hearing that a nominee has spent more than a mortgage on clothes alone. The smile has a certain degree of irony to it, but there is a smile none the less.

Fire, Fire

Gabriella Cimli - Sweet About Me

The Look - I Am The Beat

Chris de Burgh - Transmission Ends

What's It All About

So they have announced that sex education should be compulsory. I do have some problem with this. It isn't a moral problem or anything. And it is possible that I am looking at this at too superficial a level. But, it seems to me, as sex education has increased so have the problems with teenage pregnancy etc. I am not sure that education helps. In fact I am convinced it doesn't. I think that all that is happening is that we are telling children what they can do at an earlier and earlier age. By telling them about it we are inviting them to experiment. The two things seems completely linked to me. We need to let our children be children. 7 year olds being taught about intercourse, this seems ridiculous. And don't say this is what they are exposed to already, at this age they aren't. But once school exposes them to it then of course they will want to know more about what the teachers taught them. We are making children grow up too quickly.

One Way Or Another

"Thought for the Day" on Radio 4 this morning was about excelling at something. Apparently to excel you need to dedicate 10000 hours to your sport, music or whatever. A lot of your life. And I was thinking it is strange, society wants us to try and excel, excelling is seen as a virtue, and yet society also expects us to undersand that life is about family. These two paradigms are diametrically opposed to one another. Those who excel often later talk about how much they sacrificed. And a lot of what they sacrificed was those around them. They become heroes in society and at the same time ignore all those things that can give them personal value.

Wadyasay

How would you pronounce this student’s name: “Le-a”?

Leah? NO
Lee - A? NOPE
Lay - a? NO WAY
Lei? Guess Again.

It’s pronounced “Ledasha.” Oh, yes, you read it right. This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, LA. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong. If you see something come across your desk like this, please remember to pronounce it correctly.

I just couldn't work it out. How does Le-a sound like Ledasha? I could see no way to get from one to the other. Now see below for the answer:

When the mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, “The dash don’t be silent.”

Mental Block

I don't know if you have been watching "Greatest Cities of the World" with Griff Rhys Jones. I am a little behind with it, so only just watched last weeks where he was in London. It is an interesting series. Despite being slow it is interesting and, possibly because of its speed, relaxing. It could be manic but instead is a leisurely look around the city. But I did find one segment concerning. Griff spent some of the day playing on the stock exchange. Those he met there were as fast and furious as you might expect, shiffling millions of pounds around in seconds. Later the same day Griff went to a boxing club, and the sme people were there, not as spectators but as contestants. So these people who are responsible for the countries economy are happily destroying each others brain cells every evening. And we wonder why there is a crisis!

Two Packets of Crisps

After a while, as a parent you get used to being a source of disappointment for your child. For instance, today we went to Woburn Safari Park, I recounted a story of when I had to stitch a lions tail after it had been in a fight. You'd think that that should be reasonably impressive. No, I got a tut for not being able to remember if it was a daddy lion or a mummy lion. Anyway, it's bad enough when it is your own child. But the School Council, which is a body of children elected by their class mates (and remember this is primary school) have sent a message to all parents that they are disappointed in the snacks being sent in lunch boxes. Apparently the snacks aren't healthy enough. Yes, that's right, we are being told off by children for giving them nice things to eat!

Banged Up

It is unfortunate that Michelle comes from Rutland. It probably didn't help her case the moment she said that in court.

Formula One (Over)

A fast moving man was old Tony. So fast it was easy to miss him misleading everyone.

Equus

I had another riding lesson today. And boy, don't my legs know about it. When I dismounted I nearly fell over, my thighs and knees have suffered. But I spent most of the time laughing. Why you may ask (go on, ask, you know you want to).

Well, although I can't recount all the stories from earlier this week, I see no harm in saying we were in Portugal in a town called Golega, the Capital of the Horse. I don't know if you have ever seen a Lusitano stallion. Absolutely beautiful beasts. And we went to the Portugese School of Equestrian Art. Now for those not quite in the know, that isn't a museum with loads of horse paintings, that is where you go to see stallions being ridden with some of the best control you will ever have the priviledge of witnessing.

So, having seen this I was acutely aware of my rather feeble efforts. Hence a lot of laughing.

Golden Boy

It never rains on Mandelsons parade does it? Even when he resigns things still work ot for him. Resigning twice from UK Government he still got a handsome job in the EU. Then he is brought back by someone desperate to shore up his reputation (Brown if I am not clear here) meaning he has to resign from the EU. And for his pains he gets a lovely £1 million pay off, coming from tax payers money. OK, it isn't £1 million straight in the pocket, it is made up in a number of ways, but it was his choice to resign. Hell, if I tell my job that I resign tomorrow then they won't be exactly lavishing me with gifts.

On top of everything, Brown had to work out how to bring Mandelson back. So he gets ennobled. Mandelson is to become a Lord.

And why do people think politics a farce.

Colbie Caillat - Bubbly

And for nothing else I am in love with Colbie

Sink or Swim

When is a ship not a ship? When Gordon Brown is Prime Minister apparently. Not the funniest joke, but true. You may find this one hard to track dowwn. In fact if it was April 1st I would think I had imagined it. But "J" saw it as well, on the news this morning.

There has been a long standing arrangement that sailors who are away from home for 8 months a year do not have to pay tax (I believe it was the poll tax but could be corrected). Anyway, the dear old inland revenue have found a loophole. It is simple enough. Reclassify ships as "floating platforms". Suddenly the men on board are no longer sailors and no longer eligeble for the tax break. A nice extra income for the government, on a group of people who won't be noticed.

Visitation

A new preacher was visiting in the homes of his parishioners.

At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer
came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out his
business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card
had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis3:10.'
Reaching

for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 'Genesis
3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was
naked.'

Freedom

So after a week of being banished I have relented. It really was impossible to look at the sad little faces pressed against the door. But they have had the riot act read to them. They hopefully realise that should another piece of furniture be ruined then I cannot be held responsible for "J"s actions. House rules have changed, upstairs door kept closed at all times, at night the cats aren't allowed in the sitting room. We will see!

Not Fair

4 days away in Portugal. And I really could regale you with some fantastic stories. From start to finish. real tears to the eyes stuf. But I can't. Because it was work. So you will just have to trust me. Laugh, it was worth it.

Dee Dah

It's no wonder that everyone rubber-necks at accidents on the motorway. I've worked it out. Every child from the moment they are born has to put up with their parents pointing out to them every passing police car, ambulance and fire engine, especially if the blues are going. We are indoctrinated from the outset.

Miaow

Blasted cats. And everything was going so well. But in the last two months we have had three pieces of furniture ruined by pee. And I am rather stuck for a reason why.

It isn't cystitis. As a vet I hope I'd be able to spot that one. Nothing has changed in the house so it shouldn't be stress. The litter trays are in the garage so nice and secluded, and anyway the three pieces of funiture have been in the open so it wasn't that one was wanting to hide away. And it isn't the same place, three pieces of funiture in different places. Litter trays cleaned out regulalry (now twice a day).

All the things I can think of aren't the reason for it. So I am stuck.

Which means the cats are now banned to the conservatory. Which is miserable for them, they stand at the door crying to come in. And is miserable for us, I feel guilty that they are in a cold conservatory, every time we have to go to the garage then we have to sneak in trying not to let them through, and I miss having them in the house and around our feet. And getting rid of them would break "A"s heart, she loves them so much.

The Come-Back Kid

You know, I really don't care how many people think that Peter Mandelson has done an excellent job in the EU. He has had to resign twice. He has repeatedly shown incredible poor judgement. And to bring him back also shows poor judgement. Is there really no-one else that Brown can turn to? Has the barrel really got that low? There is a message there though. Brown and the old guard can see that they are losing their hold, the tenure is slipping. What else can they do but turn to the old team, those that were there at the birth of New Labour?

Biffy Clyro - Mountains

Interesting, the video is set in a masonic temple.