Like so many people in Belgium at the moment, my young son has a lung infection. He said he felt "in hell" with the painful throat, high temperature, difficulty in breathing and sickness.
A hundred years ago he would probably have died as did so many people from simple colds and similar infections but thanks to the discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming, a professor of bacteriology at St. Mary's Hospital in London, my son is sure to survive. One bottle of Amoxycillin anti-biotics is making him better quickly.
Therefore, today I am very grateful that Fleming discovered penicillin and that so many scientists labour everyday to find new medical advancements.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Your Kid Has Been Kidnapped
A blonde, out of money and down on her luck after buying air at a real bargain, needed money desperately. To raise cash, she decided to kidnap a child and hold him for ransom.
She went to the local playground, grabbed a kid randomly, took her behind a building, and told her, "I've kidnapped you."
She then wrote a big note saying, "I've kidnapped your kid. Tomorrow morning, put $10,000 in a paper bag and leave it under the apple tree next to the slides on the south side of the playground. Signed, A blonde."
The blonde then pinned the note to the kid's shirt and sent him home to show it to his parents. The next morning the blonde checked, and sure enough, a paper bag was sitting beneath the apple tree. The blonde looked in the bag and found the $10,000 with a note that said, "How could you do this to a fellow blonde?"
She went to the local playground, grabbed a kid randomly, took her behind a building, and told her, "I've kidnapped you."
She then wrote a big note saying, "I've kidnapped your kid. Tomorrow morning, put $10,000 in a paper bag and leave it under the apple tree next to the slides on the south side of the playground. Signed, A blonde."
The blonde then pinned the note to the kid's shirt and sent him home to show it to his parents. The next morning the blonde checked, and sure enough, a paper bag was sitting beneath the apple tree. The blonde looked in the bag and found the $10,000 with a note that said, "How could you do this to a fellow blonde?"
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Best News Headlines of 2007
THE YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES OF 2007:
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
[Imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]
Enfield Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity
and send this to someone to whom you want to bring a smile (Maybe even a chuckle).
We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young...
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
[Imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]
Enfield Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
[he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity
and send this to someone to whom you want to bring a smile (Maybe even a chuckle).
We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young...
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
London Fireworks at New Year 2008
I took my children to London over the New Year and for the first time ever, was in Central London with the crowd of tens of thousands. I am ashamed to say as a Londoner that I had never done this before but this year made the effort to watch the live fireworks show over the river around the London Eye and Big Ben.
Here is someone's video posted on YouTube:
If you ever have a chance, go to London over New Year. You can arrange all your travel on EuroTravel.
Here is someone's video posted on YouTube:
If you ever have a chance, go to London over New Year. You can arrange all your travel on EuroTravel.
Viagra Recipe
The Recipe
I knew it......I knew it!
I knew they would finally release the ingredients in Viagra!
3% Vitamin E
2% Aspirin
2% Ibuprofen
1% Vitamin C
5% Spray Starch
87% Fix-A-Flat
I knew it......I knew it!
I knew they would finally release the ingredients in Viagra!
3% Vitamin E
2% Aspirin
2% Ibuprofen
1% Vitamin C
5% Spray Starch
87% Fix-A-Flat
A Meditation on Presidential Faith
By Barbara Brotman of the Chicago Tribune, December 14, 2007
Moderator: Governor, some voters have expressed concern about your faith. How would you respond to them?
Former Gov. Mitt Dharma: I want to assure the American public that while my religion will never interfere with the performance of my office, I am a true Buddhist. I believe that life is suffering, that suffering is caused by desire and that it is possible to eliminate desire and suffering and thus achieve nirvana. My fellow Buddhists can rest assured that I am one of them.
Former Gov. Mike Anapanasati: I'd like to say that I respect Gov. Dharma and his beliefs, whatever they may be. Far be it from me to question another man's Buddhism. But let me just say that I have spent my life trying to follow the eightfold path. I believe the American people are looking for a mindful and meditative leader. I am mindful; I am meditative; and I believe I can lead this contemplative nation into a great future.
Former Sen. Fred Koan: For myself, I don't apologize for my relationship with the Buddha or the bodhisattvas. I don't apologize for my daily meditation practice. I'm all right with the Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama's all right with me, as far as I know.
Moderator: Could you discuss the differences between your religious beliefs?
Gov. Dharma: My opponents have tried to paint themselves as better Buddhists than I. But I have striven all my life to conquer ambition and desire. I want nothing. There is no one who wants nothing more than I do, and I think the American people know that.
Gov. Anapanasati: Excuse me, but I take exception. The fact is, as the American people know, that I want nothing more than anyone in this race. I am proud to want nothing, and I can say without hesitation that I have spent my entire life wanting nothing.
Moderator: Don't you want to be president?
Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a contemplative way that in no way detracts from my Buddhist beliefs.
Sen. Koan: I think it's clear that you can want something and still be committed to a life of not wanting anything. The question here is which candidate is most likely to transcend the cycle of birth and death. And I think it's clear to the American people which candidate that is.
Moderator: Are you saying, senator, that you are going to transcend the cycle of birth and death?
Sen. Koan: That is my intention.
Moderator: Gov. Dharma? Do you intend to transcend the cycle of birth and death?
Gov. Dharma: I do, with all my heart. And yet without actually desiring it, because, as I say, I am a true Buddhist, and desire is the cause of all suffering.
Gov. Anapanasati: I think it's for the American people to decide which candidate will transcend the cycle of birth and death, as I was saying to Richard Gere the other day.
Moderator: More voters are questioning candidates' spiritual practices. Can each of you answer the question – do you meditate?
Sen. Koan: Every day.
Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a full lotus position? I meditate twice a day in a lotus position.
Gov. Dharma: I have to question whether the other candidates really empty their minds. I think the American people are looking for a president who can empty his mind completely. And I am proud to say that when I meditate, you can hear crickets.
Moderator: May I ask each of you, have you achieved enlightenment?
Sen. Koan: Absolutely. I am completely enlightened, and I'm not ashamed to say it.
Gov. Anapanasati: I achieved enlightenment early in life, and have been steadfast in my enlightenment ever since.
Gov. Dharma: With all due respect for my worthy opponents, I have achieved perfect enlightenment in which all dualities have fused and ceased to exist as separate entities. I am every bit as Buddhist as the other candidates. I think the American people know genuine Buddhism when they see it, and I think they know that our shared beliefs make me ideally suited for the presidency. Although, of course, I don't really want it.
Moderator: Thank you. And now can you each answer the following question: What is the sound of one candidate losing?
Sen. Koan, we'll start with you.
Barbara Brotman is a Tribune staff reporter.
Chicago Tribune
Moderator: Governor, some voters have expressed concern about your faith. How would you respond to them?
Former Gov. Mitt Dharma: I want to assure the American public that while my religion will never interfere with the performance of my office, I am a true Buddhist. I believe that life is suffering, that suffering is caused by desire and that it is possible to eliminate desire and suffering and thus achieve nirvana. My fellow Buddhists can rest assured that I am one of them.
Former Gov. Mike Anapanasati: I'd like to say that I respect Gov. Dharma and his beliefs, whatever they may be. Far be it from me to question another man's Buddhism. But let me just say that I have spent my life trying to follow the eightfold path. I believe the American people are looking for a mindful and meditative leader. I am mindful; I am meditative; and I believe I can lead this contemplative nation into a great future.
Former Sen. Fred Koan: For myself, I don't apologize for my relationship with the Buddha or the bodhisattvas. I don't apologize for my daily meditation practice. I'm all right with the Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama's all right with me, as far as I know.
Moderator: Could you discuss the differences between your religious beliefs?
Gov. Dharma: My opponents have tried to paint themselves as better Buddhists than I. But I have striven all my life to conquer ambition and desire. I want nothing. There is no one who wants nothing more than I do, and I think the American people know that.
Gov. Anapanasati: Excuse me, but I take exception. The fact is, as the American people know, that I want nothing more than anyone in this race. I am proud to want nothing, and I can say without hesitation that I have spent my entire life wanting nothing.
Moderator: Don't you want to be president?
Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a contemplative way that in no way detracts from my Buddhist beliefs.
Sen. Koan: I think it's clear that you can want something and still be committed to a life of not wanting anything. The question here is which candidate is most likely to transcend the cycle of birth and death. And I think it's clear to the American people which candidate that is.
Moderator: Are you saying, senator, that you are going to transcend the cycle of birth and death?
Sen. Koan: That is my intention.
Moderator: Gov. Dharma? Do you intend to transcend the cycle of birth and death?
Gov. Dharma: I do, with all my heart. And yet without actually desiring it, because, as I say, I am a true Buddhist, and desire is the cause of all suffering.
Gov. Anapanasati: I think it's for the American people to decide which candidate will transcend the cycle of birth and death, as I was saying to Richard Gere the other day.
Moderator: More voters are questioning candidates' spiritual practices. Can each of you answer the question – do you meditate?
Sen. Koan: Every day.
Gov. Anapanasati: Yes, but in a full lotus position? I meditate twice a day in a lotus position.
Gov. Dharma: I have to question whether the other candidates really empty their minds. I think the American people are looking for a president who can empty his mind completely. And I am proud to say that when I meditate, you can hear crickets.
Moderator: May I ask each of you, have you achieved enlightenment?
Sen. Koan: Absolutely. I am completely enlightened, and I'm not ashamed to say it.
Gov. Anapanasati: I achieved enlightenment early in life, and have been steadfast in my enlightenment ever since.
Gov. Dharma: With all due respect for my worthy opponents, I have achieved perfect enlightenment in which all dualities have fused and ceased to exist as separate entities. I am every bit as Buddhist as the other candidates. I think the American people know genuine Buddhism when they see it, and I think they know that our shared beliefs make me ideally suited for the presidency. Although, of course, I don't really want it.
Moderator: Thank you. And now can you each answer the following question: What is the sound of one candidate losing?
Sen. Koan, we'll start with you.
Barbara Brotman is a Tribune staff reporter.
Chicago Tribune
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
Snoopy Talks About Santa Ant
I compiled this years ago and it appears every Christmas with our decorations - a cartoon of Snoopy discussing so-called Santa Ant. Always a favourite.
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