Attention is focusing at the moment on female models, and not just on the clothes they are modeling. It has been apparent for years that the skinnier the better. Can't agree.
Fashion models also act as a role model for young girls, and if the impression is made that the aim is to be a matchstick, that is what they will try to emulate. Coupled to that the inherent uncertainty that all young teenagers experience, it is all too easy for them to slip over the edge of what is healthy.
Anorexia and boulimia are two eating disorders, which occur most frequently in teenagers. I learned this evening that there are websites, which actually advocate the anorexic. I find that quite sick. Anorexia kills, and the women shown on television tonight looked as if they were suffering from the terminal stages of starvation. Apparently, some of those sites have been closed down, and I think the rest should follow.
One model, Kate Winslet, has come out against this trend of "thinner than thin", and I hope that more like her will follow. As a male writer, I have to be careful not to sound sexist, but suffice to say that all people have their own beauty - it doesn't need to be accentuated either way.
Technorati Tags: models, anorexia
Monday, 12 February 2007
Euthanasia
Assisted Suicide
Mercy Killing
to quote a few other synonyms. This is an emotive and difficult subject, on which people hold strongly and sincerely held beliefs. On both sides of the argument. What I write below is my own personal opinion, and I do not ask anyone to agree with me. If I offend anyone, please accept my assurance that this was unintentional - if you find the subject matter too distressing, you may want to click the red X in the top right corner of this window.
BBC News this evening featured a woman, aged 30, who was crippled with multiple debilitating conditions, which reduced her quality of life to zero. She was in extreme pain, and the only way to control it would be to administer a large dose of morphine. So large in fact, that it would stop her breathing and end her life.
A year or so ago, a woman suffering from motor neurone disease, a progressive and incurable disease of the nervous system, travelled from the UK to Switzerland to be administered a fatal combination of drugs. Motor neurone disease ends in death through paralysis of the muscles, involved in breathing. Patients end up paralysed to increasingly large extent.
Euthanasia is illegal in the United Kingdom, and those found to have assisted someone to die can face prosecution under a murder or manslaughter charge. That was the reason why the second person, featured above, travelled abroad.
There is a fierce debate whether it should be legalised. Those in favour say that it curtails unnecessary suffering for those who cannot expect any improvement in their condition, only a deterioration, and for those who have no quality of life left. Those against state that it is premeditated murder, aided and abetted by doctors or other health professionals.
I would like to point to Holland, where the debate on euthanasia was conducted in the 1970s, resulting in a code of practice. Any patient who wishes to be euthanised needs to meet strict criteria. Any GP, confronted with such a request has to seek a second opinion. If all the criteria are met, an arrangement will be made with the local chemist to provide the necessary. Or, for treatment to be discontinued.
There is a section of patients who are unable to request euthanasia, or give consent - those who are unconscious, in a coma or what is termed a permanently vegetative state. Euthanasia is NOT permitted in these cases - it is a requirement for the patient himself or herself to state the request or agree to it. The only exception is if the patient made up a codicil with the request to withdraw or withhold treatment in such a contingency. Consent then has to be sought from next-of-kin for euthanasia to be carried out.
After the patient's death, the legal authorities have to be notified. They will then ensure that correct procedure has been followed. No prosecution will follow.
It is a model that has worked well over the last 30 years in The Netherlands, but is not a guarantee for success in other countries.
Generally, a debate has to be conducted in the United Kingdom on whether or not to permit euthanasia. There will be a steady trickle of cases, as outlined above, where people are suffering without prospect of improvement or amelioration of symptoms. It will be an emotional process, but a necessary one.
Technorati Tags: euthanasia
Mercy Killing
to quote a few other synonyms. This is an emotive and difficult subject, on which people hold strongly and sincerely held beliefs. On both sides of the argument. What I write below is my own personal opinion, and I do not ask anyone to agree with me. If I offend anyone, please accept my assurance that this was unintentional - if you find the subject matter too distressing, you may want to click the red X in the top right corner of this window.
BBC News this evening featured a woman, aged 30, who was crippled with multiple debilitating conditions, which reduced her quality of life to zero. She was in extreme pain, and the only way to control it would be to administer a large dose of morphine. So large in fact, that it would stop her breathing and end her life.
A year or so ago, a woman suffering from motor neurone disease, a progressive and incurable disease of the nervous system, travelled from the UK to Switzerland to be administered a fatal combination of drugs. Motor neurone disease ends in death through paralysis of the muscles, involved in breathing. Patients end up paralysed to increasingly large extent.
Euthanasia is illegal in the United Kingdom, and those found to have assisted someone to die can face prosecution under a murder or manslaughter charge. That was the reason why the second person, featured above, travelled abroad.
There is a fierce debate whether it should be legalised. Those in favour say that it curtails unnecessary suffering for those who cannot expect any improvement in their condition, only a deterioration, and for those who have no quality of life left. Those against state that it is premeditated murder, aided and abetted by doctors or other health professionals.
I would like to point to Holland, where the debate on euthanasia was conducted in the 1970s, resulting in a code of practice. Any patient who wishes to be euthanised needs to meet strict criteria. Any GP, confronted with such a request has to seek a second opinion. If all the criteria are met, an arrangement will be made with the local chemist to provide the necessary. Or, for treatment to be discontinued.
There is a section of patients who are unable to request euthanasia, or give consent - those who are unconscious, in a coma or what is termed a permanently vegetative state. Euthanasia is NOT permitted in these cases - it is a requirement for the patient himself or herself to state the request or agree to it. The only exception is if the patient made up a codicil with the request to withdraw or withhold treatment in such a contingency. Consent then has to be sought from next-of-kin for euthanasia to be carried out.
After the patient's death, the legal authorities have to be notified. They will then ensure that correct procedure has been followed. No prosecution will follow.
It is a model that has worked well over the last 30 years in The Netherlands, but is not a guarantee for success in other countries.
Generally, a debate has to be conducted in the United Kingdom on whether or not to permit euthanasia. There will be a steady trickle of cases, as outlined above, where people are suffering without prospect of improvement or amelioration of symptoms. It will be an emotional process, but a necessary one.
Technorati Tags: euthanasia
Computers vs Cars
Bill Gates, speaking at the COMDEX computer expo in 2006, reportedly compared the computer industry with the car industry and said: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25,000 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon".
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release, stating:
If GM had developed technology just like Microsoft has, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reasons whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car
3. Occasionally, your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason, you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run only on five percent of the roads
6. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a simple warning light: "This Car has performed an illegal operation".
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again, because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car
10. You'd have to press Start to turn the engine off.
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release, stating:
If GM had developed technology just like Microsoft has, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reasons whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car
3. Occasionally, your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason, you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run only on five percent of the roads
6. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a simple warning light: "This Car has performed an illegal operation".
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again, because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car
10. You'd have to press Start to turn the engine off.
Combating nerves
A new priest was so nervous at his first mass that he could barely speak. Afterwards, he asked the bishop how he had done. The bishop replied:
"When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip."
So next Sunday, he took the bishop's advice. At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink. He proceeded to talk up a storm. Upon his return to his office, he found this note on the door:
"When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip."
So next Sunday, he took the bishop's advice. At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink. He proceeded to talk up a storm. Upon his return to his office, he found this note on the door:
- Sip the vodka, don't gulp
There are 10 commandments, not 12
There are 12 disciples, not 10
Jesus was consecrated, not constipated
Jacob wagered his donkey, he did not bet his ass
We do not refer to Jesus Christ as the late J.C.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are not referred to as Daddy, Junior and the Spook
David slew Goliath, he did not knock the shit out of him
When David was hit by a rock, and was knocked off his donkey, don't say he was stoned off his ass
We do not refer to the Cross as the "Big T"
When Jesus broke the bread at the last supper he said: "Take this and eat it, for it is my body". He did not say "Eat me".
The Virgin Mary is not called "Mary with the Cherry"
The recommended grace before a meal is not "Rub-a-Dub-Dub thanks for the Grub, Yeah God"
Next Sunday there will be a Taffy pulling contest at St Peter's, not a peter pulling contest at St Taffy's.
Addition
Regarding previous post, I omitted to express my sympathies towards friends and family of the man who died in Glencoe; apportioning blame is actually not in order from my part. It is a good thing that the rescue services are there to help those in need, irrespective of the circumstances. I should also clarify that to my knowledge, the rescued are NOT charged the costs of the operation.
Monday notes
Very quiet day, with little or no wind. No surprise to find that a low pressure system is sitting directly overhead, with the barometer at 981 mbar.
Mountain rescuers have located three groups of walkers and climbers who had been missing overnight in Scotland.
It was not quiet in the Scottish mountains this weekend. The forecast on Friday made specific mention of winds reaching 45 to 55 mph on the mountain tops, with temperatures of -5C. That means a huge windchill, and anyone with a modicum of sense would have stayed off the hills. Plenty of people without any sense about, if this BBC report is anything to go by. I just knew I was going to read this.
One man died from his injuries after falling in Glencoe
|
Two ice climbers were found by search teams in Wester Ross, along with three others in Glencoe and three walkers missing in the Killin area.
It comes after a man died from head injuries suffered in a fall in Glencoe on Saturday afternoon.
The dead man was 34 and from Scotland but his name will not be released until relatives have been informed.
He had been out in the Bidean nam Bian area of Glencoe with a male companion, who suffered leg injuries. In a separate incident on Saturday a third man was also found injured nearby.
Members of Glencoe, Lochaber and RAF Mountain Rescue teams were called out along with search dogs and helicopters from HMS Gannet and RAF Kinloss.
Silent call
The three walkers reported overdue near Killin had been walking on Ben Lawers, Perthshire, when they were caught in whiteout conditions.
The two men and a woman, from Durham University, dialled 999 on Sunday morning but police only received a silent call.
They were located on Sunday afternoon and initial indications were that all of the group were well.
An RAF helicopter and mountain rescuers were involved in the search for the ice climbers located safely in Torridon, Wester Ross.
The RAF has been assisting the mountain rescue teams
Searchers said the men, who were well-equipped, were cold, but did not require medical treatment.
They had been due back on Saturday night but failed to return to their accommodation.
In Glencoe, a further three people contacted the emergency services on Sunday morning to say they had lost their way on Stob Coire Nam Beith.
Two of the men were traced at about midday suffering from hypothermia.
They were being taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William. A third member of that party walked off the hill and is safe and well.Sunday, 11 February 2007
J-land Chat
Tonight's J-land Chat was a great success, and as I'm typing it's still going on. From between the hours of 4 and 6pm EST (9 and 11pm GMT) I've compiled this log - you can read back here.
Old folk still think
An elderly man in Florida had owned a large farm for years. He had a large pond in the back, fixed up nice; picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some orange and peach trees. The pond was ideal for swimming, although he rarely did that anymore.
One evening he decided to go down to the pond, as he hadn't been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a five gallon bucket with which to bring back some fruit.
As he neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee. As he came closer he saw it was a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond. He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end.
One of the women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"
The old man frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or to make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."
Moral: Old men can still think fast.
CarnivAOL
Paul has informed us that he intends to take CarnivAOL on the road. Starting on March 6th, every fortnight a different blogger will host the blog carnival. Want to help out? Email Paul.
Sunday ferry
A few minutes ago we were treated to the unusual sight of the ferry, MV Clansman, coming into port, and it's Sunday afternoon. Having consulted the Calmac website, it became clear that the vessel stayed overnight in Ullapool on account of the near-gale force winds that lashed our coasts yesterday evening. The ship left Ullapool at midday and arrived on time at 2.45pm today.
The Glasgow Herald newspaper reported that moves are afoot to institute a Sunday ferry crossing during the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which will be held from July 11th until 14th this year. There were numerous complaints that people could not leave on Sunday, following the final events on Saturday evening, and either had to forfeit the Saturday events or take an extra day off work. Sunday sailings are a very contentious issue in the island, on account of a strong tradition of Sabbath observance.
The Glasgow Herald newspaper reported that moves are afoot to institute a Sunday ferry crossing during the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which will be held from July 11th until 14th this year. There were numerous complaints that people could not leave on Sunday, following the final events on Saturday evening, and either had to forfeit the Saturday events or take an extra day off work. Sunday sailings are a very contentious issue in the island, on account of a strong tradition of Sabbath observance.
Cannabis
The leader of the Conservative Party in the UK, David Cameron, is in the news this weekend, as it is alleged that he used cannabis whilst in school at Eton. Eton is a prestigious private school, just outside the town of Windsor, west of London.
Mr Cameron has declined to admit or deny the allegations, saying it is a private affair, and that all politicians are entitled to a private past. Several leading Conservatives have stated that they would prefer Mr Cameron to make a statement either way, to clear the air.
Whilst I am a strong supporter of privacy for figures in public life, this issue is linked to one of the major problems in society today. I agree with Mr Cameron that everybody has done things in the past that they regret now. However, whilst a lot of young people will have tried cannabis at some stage, David Cameron is now in a position that he could be Prime Minister within 5 years. I have to agree with the likes of Norman Tebbit (and it's rare for me to do so) that it's better to say "Yep, I did that, it was stupid, and I advise all young people NOT to even dabble with the stuff". Mr Cameron should get used to the idea that he now lives in a glass house. David Cameron is advised to recall what happened to the former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy. He had a drink problem, and did not own up to it. He is alleged to have led the 2005 general election campaign for the Lib Dems either drunk or hung-over. When Mr Kennedy finally did come out in the open with it, it cost him the leadership of the party.
Just for the record, I am not a political animal, and a political statement such as above is rare for me. I make it because the subject, drug abuse, is a very prominent problem in society today.
Technorati Tags: cannabis, david, cameron, conservaties, liberal, democrats
Mr Cameron has declined to admit or deny the allegations, saying it is a private affair, and that all politicians are entitled to a private past. Several leading Conservatives have stated that they would prefer Mr Cameron to make a statement either way, to clear the air.
Whilst I am a strong supporter of privacy for figures in public life, this issue is linked to one of the major problems in society today. I agree with Mr Cameron that everybody has done things in the past that they regret now. However, whilst a lot of young people will have tried cannabis at some stage, David Cameron is now in a position that he could be Prime Minister within 5 years. I have to agree with the likes of Norman Tebbit (and it's rare for me to do so) that it's better to say "Yep, I did that, it was stupid, and I advise all young people NOT to even dabble with the stuff". Mr Cameron should get used to the idea that he now lives in a glass house. David Cameron is advised to recall what happened to the former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy. He had a drink problem, and did not own up to it. He is alleged to have led the 2005 general election campaign for the Lib Dems either drunk or hung-over. When Mr Kennedy finally did come out in the open with it, it cost him the leadership of the party.
Just for the record, I am not a political animal, and a political statement such as above is rare for me. I make it because the subject, drug abuse, is a very prominent problem in society today.
Technorati Tags: cannabis, david, cameron, conservaties, liberal, democrats
Saturday, 10 February 2007
Hurricane Hunters Grounded
As you all know, I take an interest in tropical hurricanes. With the start of the 2007 season less than 4 months away, it was announced that the two aircraft which would fly into hurricanes approaching the US would effectively be grounded. This has implications for research into hurricanes, which has been going on for more than 50 years.
Please read the article from Dr Jeff Masters on Weather Underground.
I would like to make a special appeal to those in the USA.
Please write to your Senator to encourage NOAA to change their mind. If you live in hurricane territory, you will appreciate the importance of this work. Also, please spread the word in your local community by all means possible: copy this article to newspapers, radio and television stations to raise awareness of these cuts, and again get people to write to their Senator. Make reference to Hurricane Katrina and / or Rita to underline the importance of this issue. Hurricanes don't just look pretty on a satellite picture - they kill. If we are prepared, and know what's going to happen we may minimise their impact. Keeping the Hurricane Hunters flying helps. Grounding them will limit our knowledge and may cost lives. You may think that hurricanes only affect the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. You're WRONG. In the aftermath of Katrina, hundreds of thousands of displaced people from New Orleans and the Gulf coast had to be housed across all States of the Union. It is something that affects the WHOLE of the United States.
So: get writing.
Thank you.
Technorati Tags: hurricane, hunters, noaa
Please read the article from Dr Jeff Masters on Weather Underground.
I would like to make a special appeal to those in the USA.
Please write to your Senator to encourage NOAA to change their mind. If you live in hurricane territory, you will appreciate the importance of this work. Also, please spread the word in your local community by all means possible: copy this article to newspapers, radio and television stations to raise awareness of these cuts, and again get people to write to their Senator. Make reference to Hurricane Katrina and / or Rita to underline the importance of this issue. Hurricanes don't just look pretty on a satellite picture - they kill. If we are prepared, and know what's going to happen we may minimise their impact. Keeping the Hurricane Hunters flying helps. Grounding them will limit our knowledge and may cost lives. You may think that hurricanes only affect the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. You're WRONG. In the aftermath of Katrina, hundreds of thousands of displaced people from New Orleans and the Gulf coast had to be housed across all States of the Union. It is something that affects the WHOLE of the United States.
So: get writing.
Thank you.
Technorati Tags: hurricane, hunters, noaa
Call for support
Can I ask people (again) to call round at Jim's? It does not look too good at all for his son, who has had to undergo numerous operations to ascertain the nature of the mass in his abdomen, and Jim is having a hard time with it.
Saturday jottings
A near-gale blowing up here in the islands, with a temperature of barely 4C. Feeling very, very cold in other words. Snow is moving up through the Highlands, but not expected to reach here. Although we're 250 miles north of Glasgow, the Isle of Lewis is surrounded by the relatively mild Atlantic, which is a moderating influence. The mountains are battered by 60 mph winds with blizzards. Not a good day to be out and about.
Remember the containership Napoli, which was beached off Devon? Work on removing her cargo has been halted until after the weekend, on account of the bad weather that has now moved in. Daily updates are provided on the Coastguard website.
Remember the containership Napoli, which was beached off Devon? Work on removing her cargo has been halted until after the weekend, on account of the bad weather that has now moved in. Daily updates are provided on the Coastguard website.
Departure
I was very sorry to hear that Jackie [siennastarr] has decided to leave J-land. One of the reasons for that was the underground pettiness that appears to be pervading our wee community. That's something which has popped up again over the last week, and it's just beyond belief. Journaling is something that's supposed to give pleasure, I think. I think she did supremely well in the aftermath of losing her job, and
staying out there in the face of a barrage of barracking over the
VIVIs. Anyway, I wish Jackie well.
Passwords
Found this useful article on the BBC website about passwords. Bearing mind most of us have to remember 20 passwords, and that is increasing, there must be ways of storing them safely. There are plenty of folk out there who are trying to hack into our various accounts for their own reasons. Read more here.
Friday, 9 February 2007
Alerts
Just to clarify that I cut back on my alerts months ago, and I have not cut anybody off my list in today's review.
Alerts and Journals
Spent an hour or so going through my alerts, and linking them to actual journals. If you go to AOL Alerts, all you get is a list of journal names, there are no links. All the journals I read, including the ones not on alerts, are on Technorati, so a double-check was easily done. A few journals were discontinued, which I knew about, others had not been written in for a couple of months. I have about 125 journals on Technorati, but not all of them on alerts. I decided on a cut-back in order not to spend all day reading journals, however enjoyable that may be.
Summer is coming
Yes, I know it's only February 9th. But, just go over and have a look at these webcam images from Svalbard. This is a group of islands on the 80th parallel,
not far from the North Pole. Around Christmas, these do not see the
daylight. Now, there is daylight between about 9 am and 3pm, and I
think the sun is already above the horizon there at midday.
More info on this magnificent archipelago here.
More info on this magnificent archipelago here.
J-land Chat
Occasion: J-land Chat
Date: Sunday 11 February 2007
Time: 2100 / 9pm UK time, which is:
1600 / 4pm EST
1500 / 3pm CST
1400 / 2pm MST
1300 / 1pm PST
Duration: 2 hours, or however long people feel like
Subjects: Nothing specific
Location: Special Interests - Journals Cafe (AOL only)
Hosts: Yours truly and Cathy [Luddie343]
Date: Sunday 11 February 2007
Time: 2100 / 9pm UK time, which is:
1600 / 4pm EST
1500 / 3pm CST
1400 / 2pm MST
1300 / 1pm PST
Duration: 2 hours, or however long people feel like
Subjects: Nothing specific
Location: Special Interests - Journals Cafe (AOL only)
Hosts: Yours truly and Cathy [Luddie343]
Friday jottings
Cloudy but fairly bright day today, continuing chilly with temperatures of 5C. Today, 46 people lost their jobs as a contracting firm went into receivership. They appeared to have done well in previous years, taking over three other businesses in the town.
The tropical cyclones I reported on over the past number of days have all disappeared from the map, which should be a relief to people in northern Australia.
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment
Actor Ian Richardson, who uttered this famous one-liner in the 1990 BBC sitcom "House of Cards" died today at the age of 72. He was a versatile actor, who acquired widespread fame with his role as a Macchiavellian politician Francis Urquhart. Richardson, who died suddenly, also played roles in "Bleak House" and "Gormenghast", to name but a few. I was sorry to learn of his death.
The tropical cyclones I reported on over the past number of days have all disappeared from the map, which should be a relief to people in northern Australia.
You may very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment
Actor Ian Richardson, who uttered this famous one-liner in the 1990 BBC sitcom "House of Cards" died today at the age of 72. He was a versatile actor, who acquired widespread fame with his role as a Macchiavellian politician Francis Urquhart. Richardson, who died suddenly, also played roles in "Bleak House" and "Gormenghast", to name but a few. I was sorry to learn of his death.
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Security
What will people think of next?
After her handbag was stolen, this lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone. Her handbag, which contained her mobile, credit card, purse etc.... was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says "I've just received your text asking about our pin number and I replied a little while ago." When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account. Moral of the story: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Dad, Mum etc.......And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru texts, CONFIRM by CALLING BACK. Please pass this on to your family and friends.
After her handbag was stolen, this lady has changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone. Her handbag, which contained her mobile, credit card, purse etc.... was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says "I've just received your text asking about our pin number and I replied a little while ago." When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The pickpocket had actually used the stolen phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from the bank account. Moral of the story: Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, sweetheart, Dad, Mum etc.......And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked thru texts, CONFIRM by CALLING BACK. Please pass this on to your family and friends.
Technorati
Whenever I go to Technorati, I keep getting queasy when I see that link WTF. In their context, it means "where's the fire" in other words, what's the hot topics. But, dirty mind that I have, to me it reads "what the f***". Sorry.....
A little late night humor
With thanks to Liza
On opening his new store, a man received a bouquet of flowers. He became dismayed on reading the enclosed card, that it expressed "Deepest Sympathy". While puzzling over the message, his telephone rang. It was the florist, apologizing for having sent the wrong card. "Oh, it's alright." said the storekeeper. "I'm a businessman and I understand how these things can happen." "But," added the florist, "I accidentally sent your card to a funeral party." "Well, what did it say?" ask the storekeeper. "'Congratulations on your new location'." was the reply.
On opening his new store, a man received a bouquet of flowers. He became dismayed on reading the enclosed card, that it expressed "Deepest Sympathy". While puzzling over the message, his telephone rang. It was the florist, apologizing for having sent the wrong card. "Oh, it's alright." said the storekeeper. "I'm a businessman and I understand how these things can happen." "But," added the florist, "I accidentally sent your card to a funeral party." "Well, what did it say?" ask the storekeeper. "'Congratulations on your new location'." was the reply.
Einstein's Chauffeur
When Albert Einstein
was making the rounds of the speaker's circuit, he usually found himself eagerly
longing to get back to his laboratory work. One night as they were driving to
yet another dinner, Einstein mentioned to his chauffeur (a man who somewhat
resembled Einstein in looks & manner) that he was tired of speechmaking.
"I have an idea, boss," his chauffeur said. "I've heard you give this
speech so many times, I'll bet I could give it for you."
Einstein
laughed loudly and said, "Why not? Let's do it!"
When they arrived at
the dinner, Einstein donned the chauffeur's cap and jacket and sat in the back
of the room. The chauffeur gave a beautiful rendition of Einstein's speech and
even answered a few questions expertly.
Then a supremely pompous
professor asked an extremely esoteric question about antimatter formation,
digressing here and there to let everyone in the audience know that he was
nobody's fool.
Without missing a beat, the chauffeur fixed the professor
with a steely stare and said, "Sir, the answer to that question is so simple
that I will let my chauffeur, who is sitting in the back, answer it for me."
Windfarm
Anyone interested in my local temperature - the Weatherpixie in the sidebar has all the info.
The North Lewis Windfarm has been approved by Western Isles Council. The revised plans are now going to the Scottish Executive for approval. Can't say that the prospect of 181 turbines, each standing 460 feet tall, marching across the island from the Butt of Lewis to Bragar, and then across to Stornoway really appeals to me. Neither does it appeal much to 50 to 90% of the islanders, it would seem. The RSPB says it'll wreak havoc with the birdlife, and environmentalists say that digging up the millions of tons of peat will blithely offset any benefits in terms of carbon dioxide emissions that the windfarm is supposed to bring. There are council elections in May, but about half the councillors here have expressed an interest in a severance package, which gives them a 5-figure sum of money provided they do not stand for re-election. The Council is opposed to organising a secret ballot on the windfarm issue.
Correction: The Environmental Services Committee has approved the application; it will now go before full Council next Thursday.
The North Lewis Windfarm has been approved by Western Isles Council. The revised plans are now going to the Scottish Executive for approval. Can't say that the prospect of 181 turbines, each standing 460 feet tall, marching across the island from the Butt of Lewis to Bragar, and then across to Stornoway really appeals to me. Neither does it appeal much to 50 to 90% of the islanders, it would seem. The RSPB says it'll wreak havoc with the birdlife, and environmentalists say that digging up the millions of tons of peat will blithely offset any benefits in terms of carbon dioxide emissions that the windfarm is supposed to bring. There are council elections in May, but about half the councillors here have expressed an interest in a severance package, which gives them a 5-figure sum of money provided they do not stand for re-election. The Council is opposed to organising a secret ballot on the windfarm issue.
Correction: The Environmental Services Committee has approved the application; it will now go before full Council next Thursday.
Thursday jottings
I think I'm an exception weather-wise - nice and sunny, and actually not at all cold. No snow in sight, ours has melted. I gather from the news that thousands of schools have shut all over England and Wales, with up to 4 inches / 10 cm of snow on the ground. You can keep it there.
It emerged today that the council here is aiming to relocate the landing of bulk cargoes, such as oil and gas, from the number 2 pier in the centre of town to Glumag Harbour, a few miles to the south. My UK readers will no doubt remember the massive fire at the Buncefield Depot, Herts, in December 2005. The storage tanks for oil and gas are in the centre of Stornoway. Although they have been safe there since 1969, it's only prudent to locate them outside the town's perimeter. The users, BP and Scotia Gas, are not happy to move, but I think the council is quite determined on this one.
To answer a question left in a comment to the Luskentyre video:
The Golden Road, as you will have seen on the picture of the roadsign, is a local name for the road on the eastcoast of Harris. It is named as such because it cost a million pounds to build - in the 19th century. My route took me to the west side of Harris, where Luskentyre is located, but the east coast road is circuitous and it takes an hour to drive from Tarbert to Rodel, a distance of 24 miles / 39 km.
It emerged today that the council here is aiming to relocate the landing of bulk cargoes, such as oil and gas, from the number 2 pier in the centre of town to Glumag Harbour, a few miles to the south. My UK readers will no doubt remember the massive fire at the Buncefield Depot, Herts, in December 2005. The storage tanks for oil and gas are in the centre of Stornoway. Although they have been safe there since 1969, it's only prudent to locate them outside the town's perimeter. The users, BP and Scotia Gas, are not happy to move, but I think the council is quite determined on this one.
To answer a question left in a comment to the Luskentyre video:
The Golden Road, as you will have seen on the picture of the roadsign, is a local name for the road on the eastcoast of Harris. It is named as such because it cost a million pounds to build - in the 19th century. My route took me to the west side of Harris, where Luskentyre is located, but the east coast road is circuitous and it takes an hour to drive from Tarbert to Rodel, a distance of 24 miles / 39 km.
Luskentyre Video
Give it an hour or so after I post this - I've uploaded only a few minutes ago. Enjoy this compilation of pictures I took on a drive to Luskentyre, Harris, last August.
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Wednesday 07/02/07
Cold night, which saw the moon out very brightly. At the moment, the sun rises at 8.15 a.m. and set at 5pm, which means we've gained 2½ hours of daylight since Christmas. A layer of ice, 3mm thick, sits in a watering can outside, bearing out the overnight low of -2C. A chemicals tanker, the Keewhit, sits stationary off Holm Point for a few hours, until she sails off at 3.30pm. AIS stated her destination as Stornoway, but she did not dock. Snow is set to affect England overnight. Mrs B and myself hang out birdfeeders, because the ground is now frozen. Supper is chicken curry. Watch an interesting program on the cataclysmic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia, which happened in 1883. This killed 36,000 people in tsunamis up to 30 metres (100 feet high), which reached as far as the English Channel. Flows of ash which had a temperature of 500 degrees Celsius scorched the neighbouring coasts of the islands of Java and Sumatra. The soundwave of the explosion of Krakatoa was the loudest noise in recorded history, and circled the world seven times. The ash and fumes from Krakatoa caused a temporary reduction in temperatures around the world, for more than 20 years. They created weird optical phenomena, such as green sunsets. I rate it as the worst natural disaster in written history.
Tuesday 06/02/07
Fair layer of snow on the ground by sunrise, and temperatures around freezing. As the sun gets to work, only the snow in the shade remains, indication of the cold weather. Maximum temps 5C today. I go to the shop for the usual and make supper. After nightfall, the mercury nosedives again. In the Indian Ocean, Dora hangs on as a tropical storm, and northern Australia copes with cyclone Nelson. A vet who worked on the turkey farm in Suffolk where 160,000 birds had to be culled because of bird flu falls ill, but not with that particular ailment. I noticed a large increase in attendance at my tropical cyclones blog, particularly from Mauritius and Bulgaria. I eked out the chappy from Bulgaria by inviting all readers to sign the guestbook. Mauritius is in the firing line from Dora, but she's too far away.
Monday 05/02/07
Monday dawns cold with the odd shower. There are moves afoot to extend the Cairngorms National Park southwards into Perthshire. Snow affects roads in Aberdeenshire. In the southern hemisphere, the hurricane season continues apace. Up here, it's just plain cold: +3C. Later in the afternoon, the rain turns to sleet and snow. It's not nice going outside, and a sleetshower catches me on the way back. After supper, soup with rolls, snow falls and leaves 1 cm / ½ inch on the ground. Temperature sinks towards freezing by 10pm.
Call for support
Can we all call round at Jim's [halliday0957] - his son in America has had bad news, in that 'something' has been found between liver and heart, which will be biopsied today and may require surgery on Friday.
One sunny Wednesday afternoon
Still nice and sunny, but discovered a 3 mm sheet of ice in the watering can outside. Overnight low was -2C / 28F, again. A couple of things caught my attention on the newsfeeds that I subscribe to, partially following up stories I mentioned over the last few days.
Opening hours at Stornoway airport will be reduced on a couple of days until April, in addition to three half-hourly breaks for airtraffic control staff. New staff is being trained, but subject to them passing exams, they will not be on stream until the spring. Local politicians have been huffing and puffing, but safety comes first. The rules and regulations in the ATC business are apparently very strict.
A second teenager has died as a result of the collision between a car and a train at Invergordon last Friday. The driver is being treated at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
I was quite worried to read on the BBC website that there are apparently no technological barriers to burying nuclear waste underground. In the late 1980s, the UK authority charged with dealing with nuclear waste, Nirex, investigated several sites across the country, two of which are in the Western Isles - the islands of Sandray and Fuday, near Barra, 120 miles south of Lewis.
Opening hours at Stornoway airport will be reduced on a couple of days until April, in addition to three half-hourly breaks for airtraffic control staff. New staff is being trained, but subject to them passing exams, they will not be on stream until the spring. Local politicians have been huffing and puffing, but safety comes first. The rules and regulations in the ATC business are apparently very strict.
A second teenager has died as a result of the collision between a car and a train at Invergordon last Friday. The driver is being treated at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
I was quite worried to read on the BBC website that there are apparently no technological barriers to burying nuclear waste underground. In the late 1980s, the UK authority charged with dealing with nuclear waste, Nirex, investigated several sites across the country, two of which are in the Western Isles - the islands of Sandray and Fuday, near Barra, 120 miles south of Lewis.
Wednesday notes
Nice sunny day, but occasional snow showers are drifting down the Minch. They present a beautiful subject for pictures, and I'll post my latest harvest later this afternoon. A chemicals tanker, the Keewhit, is stationary just southeast of here, within my direct sight. Because of the glare of the midday sun, it does not show up on the webcam.
It would appear that hackers tried to bring the whole of the Internet down last night. They obviously failed, as we're all still able to post. Read more here in this report from BBC News.
Snow is likely to bring major disruption to England over the next few days, with 6 to 8 inches forecast to fall. The battleground between mild air to the southwest and colder air to the north will slowly shift north in the next 7 days, dumping snow as it progresses.
Both tropical cyclones I mentioned over the last few days, one in the Indian Ocean and one in the Gulf of Carpentaria, are on their last legs. The one in Australia could re-emerge over open water and regenerate. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has NOT picked this up. Hope they do once ex-Nelson pops up over Cairns.
It would appear that hackers tried to bring the whole of the Internet down last night. They obviously failed, as we're all still able to post. Read more here in this report from BBC News.
Snow is likely to bring major disruption to England over the next few days, with 6 to 8 inches forecast to fall. The battleground between mild air to the southwest and colder air to the north will slowly shift north in the next 7 days, dumping snow as it progresses.
Both tropical cyclones I mentioned over the last few days, one in the Indian Ocean and one in the Gulf of Carpentaria, are on their last legs. The one in Australia could re-emerge over open water and regenerate. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has NOT picked this up. Hope they do once ex-Nelson pops up over Cairns.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Iolaire Disaster
As some may know, I did a little research into a shipwreck that took place 2 miles south of Stornoway in January 1919. Some 205 sailors drowned when the admiralty yacht Iolaire foundered. I have compiled a list of names, and placed it on the Internet, as part of a webpage, dedicated to this tragedy. Every now and again, a story comes up, and this one is particularly poignant.
They all are.
My grandmother was due to marry William Head that very day. She was there wating for him.She gave birth to my mother six months later. Her life and my mother's life would have been very different if he had survived. I wondered whether it was a story, but his name is there (201). Thank you, We shall visit some time.
They all are.
My grandmother was due to marry William Head that very day. She was there wating for him.She gave birth to my mother six months later. Her life and my mother's life would have been very different if he had survived. I wondered whether it was a story, but his name is there (201). Thank you, We shall visit some time.
Transport links
Western Isles council is looking into the possibility of establishing fixed links between all main islands within their area, as well as the Isle of Skye, 20 miles to the southeast. The first set of dams would link Harris to Berneray, a connection currently maintained by ferry. The distance in a direct line is 5 miles. The navigation of this channel is tricky, and it takes the Loch Portain ferry one hour to make the circuitous crossing. This proposed causeway could be the home for wave and tidal power generators.
The link with Skye would be in the shape of a 20 mile tunnel, which would land at either Rodel or North Uist. The cost would be some £10 billion, the same as the Channel Tunnel between England and France.
The link with Skye would be in the shape of a 20 mile tunnel, which would land at either Rodel or North Uist. The cost would be some £10 billion, the same as the Channel Tunnel between England and France.
Late night notes
A vet is in hospital in Nottingham, after he contracted a flu-like illness following work at the poultry farm in Suffolk. Tests are being carried out to investigate whether he has a seasonal flu of the normal variety, or whether he has contracted H5N1 flu. This is not without risk. A vet in Holland died of birdflu a few years ago, after being in close contact with diseased bird during a devastating outbreak in that country.
A ship, anchored off the Mauretanian coast (West Africa) has been supplied with food and water for the 400 migrants on board. They are said to be from Kashmir (the disputed border area between India and Pakistan) and various African countries. A Spanish boat found the vessel a number of days ago, adrift after its engine failed. Mauretania and Senegal have refused to allow the people on the ship to come ashore. There is a huge problem with migrants, bound for Europe, travelling through Africa. Some make their way to Spain out of Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar. Not all reach the other side alive. Spanish authorities have extended their patrols to African waters to intercept any boats heading their way. More often than not, the ships are decrepit and hardly fit for purpose. The number of people who have perished at sea in these wrecks is unknown.
Northern Australia is getting worried about cyclone Nelson, which is making its way from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east coast of the York Peninsula. Nelson is anticipated to reintensify over water; the storm currently packs winds of 90 to 100 mph in gusts, which will decrease over land.
A ship, anchored off the Mauretanian coast (West Africa) has been supplied with food and water for the 400 migrants on board. They are said to be from Kashmir (the disputed border area between India and Pakistan) and various African countries. A Spanish boat found the vessel a number of days ago, adrift after its engine failed. Mauretania and Senegal have refused to allow the people on the ship to come ashore. There is a huge problem with migrants, bound for Europe, travelling through Africa. Some make their way to Spain out of Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar. Not all reach the other side alive. Spanish authorities have extended their patrols to African waters to intercept any boats heading their way. More often than not, the ships are decrepit and hardly fit for purpose. The number of people who have perished at sea in these wrecks is unknown.
Northern Australia is getting worried about cyclone Nelson, which is making its way from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east coast of the York Peninsula. Nelson is anticipated to reintensify over water; the storm currently packs winds of 90 to 100 mph in gusts, which will decrease over land.
Tuesday notes
Afternoon all. We've got a thin layer of snow on the ground here today, following some falls which started at 8pm last night. Overnight low -2C, 28F, which is quite low for this corner of the country. Remember, I'm right on the seashore. Looks pretty, but as per usual, there is disruption to traffic.
Here in Northern Scotland, there is concern over the continuing discovery of radio-active particles on a beach near the nuclear plant at Dounreay, 35 miles west of John o' Groats. The particles were discharged into the sea between 1963 and 1975. Dounreay is currently being decommissioned after more than 40 years.
Here in Northern Scotland, there is concern over the continuing discovery of radio-active particles on a beach near the nuclear plant at Dounreay, 35 miles west of John o' Groats. The particles were discharged into the sea between 1963 and 1975. Dounreay is currently being decommissioned after more than 40 years.
Hurricane update - 6 February
Tropical cyclone Nelson has formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia. The strength of the cyclone is giving cause for contradiction between the Hawaii-based JTWC and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. I'll quote the latter's latest bulletin:
TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 36
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 8:21pm on Tuesday the 6th of February 2007
A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities from BURKETOWN to PORMPURAAW.
At 7:00 pm EST [6:30 pm CST] Tropical Cyclone Nelson, Category 2 with central pressure 985 hectopascals, was relocated near latitude 16.6 south and longitude 140.4 east which is 110 kilometres north northwest of Karumba and 190 kilometres southwest of Kowanyama.
Tropical Cyclone Nelson is expected to resume its east-southeast motion while intensifying up to landfall on the coast between KOWANYAMA and KARUMBA early on Wednesday morning.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with are likely to develop on the coast between Pormpuraaw and Karumba tonight with gusts to 140km/h near the centre of the cyclone.
Coastal residents between Pormpuraaw and Karumba are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so
by the authorities.
TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 36
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 8:21pm on Tuesday the 6th of February 2007
A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island communities from BURKETOWN to PORMPURAAW.
At 7:00 pm EST [6:30 pm CST] Tropical Cyclone Nelson, Category 2 with central pressure 985 hectopascals, was relocated near latitude 16.6 south and longitude 140.4 east which is 110 kilometres north northwest of Karumba and 190 kilometres southwest of Kowanyama.
Tropical Cyclone Nelson is expected to resume its east-southeast motion while intensifying up to landfall on the coast between KOWANYAMA and KARUMBA early on Wednesday morning.
DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with are likely to develop on the coast between Pormpuraaw and Karumba tonight with gusts to 140km/h near the centre of the cyclone.
Coastal residents between Pormpuraaw and Karumba are specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast. The sea is likely to rise steadily up to a level well above the normal tide, with damaging waves and flooding of some low-lying areas close to the shoreline. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to follow instructions regarding evacuation of the area if advised to do so
by the authorities.
Monday, 5 February 2007
Note from Sugar
I'm taking the liberty of copying a note that Sugar sent to Joyce - and the news is not bad.
Please let all know I am doing some better, still have my alerts
off, only reading email, ecards, & comments from my journals...but
hope to back in a few days. Tell everyone how grateful I am for their
warm wishes & prayers. {{{{ }}}}
Can't sit up for very long, wanted to update you that I'm still alive & still at home with the furrs! :)
God Bless, Sugar
Round the Creed
A video of Friday's (2 Feb) walk round the Castle Grounds, compiled from some of my pictures. Enjoy!
Sunday 04/02/07
Another reasonably nice day, but the temperatures are taking a tumble. Our long-stay guest has to return home, South Uist, to attend to the funeral of a relative. Now that the full moon is past, the Chinese are celebrating their New Year. It'll be the Year of the Pig. Over in America, they're getting ready for the Superbowl. In the north and centre of the US, temperatures are falling to between -15 and -20C - in the daytime. Down here, we have two light hailshowers during the evening. I spend the afternoon uploading 1,400 pictures to FlickR, which leaves me with a wee job in terms of annotation. Mrs B cooks me a nice dinner, in the shape of a Greek pastabake.
Saturday 03/02/07
Quite a nice day, in spite of an increase in cloud. Am horrified to learn that a policeman was killed at a football match in Sicily last night. All football matches in the whole of Italy are postponed indefinitely. H5N1 birdflu has struck a turkeyfarm in Suffolk, and 160,000 birds have to be culled. Exclusion zones are set up around the place, which employs 2,000. The carcasses will be destroyed at a plant in Staffordshire, 200 miles away. The Indian Ocean has a category 4 hurricane; northern Australia is threatened by two developing systems. Head into town for the papers and find the centre bombed out with kids. Supper tonight is chicken tikka massala for me and a chicken madras for mrs B, accompanied by a glass of Rivaner Black Tower wine.
Friday 02/02/07
Wake up to blue skies, which makes for a pleasant change. A teenager was killed on a level crossing west of Invergordon this morning, when his car slammed into the early morning train from Inverness to Wick. Two others in the vehicle were injured. In Russia, snow fell which was yellow in colour, oily to the touch and foul by smell. I go out for a walk round the Creed. I need to check my Walkingworld walk, revise the instructions and take new pictures. It's a pleasantly cool day, with the sun giving no warmth. The sun is low in the sky; combined with the pale greens that abound makes a strange hue. A tree that fell along the path in the 2005 hurricane is now reduced to just a stump. Gorse is in flower, a full 4 weeks earlier than last year. Pop into Somerfields on the way back to get the necessary. Mrs B is also out shopping and she returns at sunset (first pic above) at 5.30pm. Spend the evening watching rubbish on TV.
Thursday 01/02/07
Cloudy day, with occasional chinks of sunshine, temperatures like yesterday up to 10C. Ferry is its usual 30 minutes late. Rain commences very gradually as I go out for the papers. A new monthly paper is out with a lot of features on regional news. A ferocious debate is raging about the statement by the RSPB that the number of jobs that the proposed windfarm would bring is lower than suggested by the developer - 70 rather than 233. The Free Press is strangely all in favour of the windfarms, even though 90% of the people in the island are against. However, its founder, Brian Wilson, has a stake in the energy industry. The motto of the Free Press is "The Land, The Culture, The People". Well, I've written a letter to them before now, saying that they're betraying their own principles. They even published it! The row continues about air traffic controllers at the airport. Just before 8pm, we observe a virtual black-out for 5 minutes to draw attention to climate change. It rains through the evening, but there is not much wind.
Wednesday 31/01/07
Today, a report was published of the findings into the causes of the sinking of the fishingboat The Brothers off Skye last June. Fatigue was quoted as the main contributory factor. Very misty and grey today, totally uninspiring. Head for the shop to get the necessary in. A couple got arrested in Bo'ness on the River Forth west of Edinburgh for the supply of base materials for the production of metamphetamine to the USA. Red phosphorus and iodine crystals are freely available in the UK, but their supply is outlawed in the US. There was also the story of the orcas in the Firth of Forth, eating seals under the Forth Rail Bridge. The report showed our tanker, the Border Heather, steaming upriver towards Grangemouth. Cyclone Dora is intensifying in the Indian Ocean, but is 750 miles from the nearest land. Of more concern is a developing cyclone east of Darwin, Australia. Whilst browsing the Net, I read the weather report from Oimyakon, Russia, which has an average temperature of -50C during the winter months.
Tuesday 30/01/07
Not a nice day, strong winds and occasional showers. An announcement is made about a supercasino, which is to be sited in Manchester. Another 16 will be scattered across the UK. Right in the teeth of the near gale, workmen are on the roof of the Coastguard Station. Head into town at 2.45, just as the Clansman departs for Ullapool. I nip into the library, to look for a birdbook - with reference to the bird pictured in the entry for last Friday, 26 January. This week will see roadshows across the island about the proposed windfarm. The announcer on Isles FM is incapable of pronouncing the name of the village Airidhantuim - you've got to know that it's "Aree-an-hime" - and founders in a shower of giggles. Spend the evening watching Forensic Detectives.
Monday 29/01/07
Our guests left on the 7.15 am ferry, as of today operated by MV Clansman. I rise at 8 am, when it isn't even properly light yet. Isles FM tells us there is no news from the island. No? How about a car crash near the airport which injured 5? Was mentioned on Radio Scotland at 7.50. The installation of new seating and lighting at the ferry terminal was news to Isles FM. Oh dear. Our haulage ferry, MV Muirneag, comes in at 9 o'clock. Mrs B goes to Somerfields for some early shopping. The Border Heather is on its way in, according to AIS; I spot the MV Isle of Lewis in dry dock in Birkenhead on the same system. Nip into town myself at 2.30pm for papers, computer magazine and a new notebook. Won't be needing that for a little while yet. Currently at page 1470, and still have about 35 pages left in it. The webcam has had more than 40,000 visitors since I set it up in December 2005. Go over to Goat Island to picture the boats that have suffered badly in the winter storms. A fishing vessel is up on the slipway. It doesn't get properly dark until 5.30 now. Apart from the odd shower, it's a fairly nice day. On exposed coastlines, like on Goat Island, a cold bwind blows. The Border Heather, our tanker, arrived at 3 o'clock.
Sunday 28/01/07
Very dreich day, with "thin rain" which can soak you right through. The ferry Isle of Lewis has left for Birkenhead for refit, and the Clansman has taken over. Five people died in the one carcrash near Crieff, Perthshire last night. In all, 14 people lost their lives this weekend. A couple arrived on Friday, who had driven up all the way from London to Ullapool, 600 miles. They had left snow in England, but they were surprised at the mild conditions up here. The two are birdwatchers, and they are out at first light on Saturday and Snday. Yesterday saw them at Aird Uig, today was a bit of a flop due to poor visibility. Nonetheless, a golden eagle is a sight not many get to see. Drizzle continued all day, and visibility remained poor. Supper was a medium curry with chicken and rice.
Saturday 27/01/07
Fairly nice day with the odd light shower. Today is Holocaust Memorial day and I dedicate an entry on this blog to that. Tropical cyclones have now disappeared from the South Pacific, but the Indian Ocean is now brewing up something nasty near Diego Garcia. Head to the shop for the last bits and pieces, including papers. Catch up with some photowork on FlickR, which has 4,500 pictures on it to date. A fair number of viewers. Sunset at 4.35pm, but not with the brilliant colours of yesterday. Have steaks, potatoes and carrots for supper. End the evening watching car-crash TV.
Friday 26/01/07
After breakfast, last night's dishes are done. Mrs B heads off for a few appointments in the town. I meanwhile monitor the progress of the gastanker Sigas Laura on AIS, and it duly appears in port at 2.20pm. Mrs B's granddaughter is sick off school and spends the afternoon sleeping in front of the TV. It's a fairly bright day, although high cloud slowly creeps across. Two tropical cyclones have appeared in the South Pacific, but both Zita and Arthur did not stay for long. A trip to Somerfields brings in the remainder of the shopping for the weekend. Supper is chili con carne with sliced peaches.
Wales
Quite unintentionally, I posted two stories from Wales this afternoon, which is rare for me. However, the Scottish news is drab by comparison - arguments about the extension of the Cairngorms National Park into Perthshire, the county to its south. I've visited Wales a few times in the 1980s, and used to know people there on the border with England near the town of Knighton. My abiding memory is of a beautiful if small place, with some stunning mountain scenery. I climbed Cadair Idris, a mountain in the west of the principality, in 1984. 
Three years after that, I had an interminable train journey when travelling to Knighton on a round-UK train holiday. The last leg of the journey that day, which started in Salisbury, southern England, led me from Swansea in South Wales to Knighton, right through the heart of Wales. It took 3 hours on a small diesel train, which stopped at every post. A few months later, the same train ended up in a river when one of the bridges collapsed as a result of flooding.
Love Lost
It is one thing that you hate your erstwhile boyfriend. Relationships break down. But it's quite another to take it out on his innocent cat, by putting it into the washing machine. The animal died of a heart attack, after suffering burns and loss of fur. The girlfriend, a woman of 42, was given a suspended sentence, ordered to pay £300 costs and banned from keeping pets for life. The woman said she didn't realise the cat could die. More here on this page from BBC Wales.
Fishing in Fog
Holyhead Coastguard has helped 57 anglers to
safety on Saturday evening after they were lost in fog on sands at Talacre Beach
near Prestatyn, North Wales.At 6pm Holyhead Coastguard were alerted by Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team who had come across a large group of anglers, taking part in a competition, who had become lost and disorientated on the sands after thick fog came down. The majority of the group reached the shore and after the Coastguard made a head count, five people were still missing.
Hoylake and Rhyl RNLI lifeboats attended the scene, but the search was hampered by the fog even after Holyhead Coastguard managed to establish a communications link by mobile phone with the missing party. Rescuers were unable to use either flares or search with a rescue helicopter due to the fog. By about 8pm, the missing men were finally guided back to the shore through the use of sirens on the Coastguard Rescue vehicle.
Monday jottings
Very cold day by recent standards - only 3C / 37F at the moment. Snow is possible in mainland Scotland. Tonight a hard frost is expected on the same mainland, down to -6C. I'm anticipating 0C / 32F up here. The sea moderates our weather, although deep falls of snow have been known to happen. People are now looking back to the winter of 1947, which was the hardest on record. This apparently also began unremarkable, only to show its teeth in February.
On the hurricane front, things are livening up. Dora is beginning to fade, losing its hurricane status this morning with winds dropping below the 72mph threshold. Attention now switches to northern Australia, which has two tropical lows making noises. One is in the Gulf of Carpentaria, where it has been raining heavily and lots of wind. Atmospheric conditions are changing, making it more likely that this system will turn into a low-grade tropical cyclone - a category 1 hurricane looks probable.
This is the latest warning from the Bureau of Meteorology:
A CYCLONE WATCH continues for coastal and island communities from Port Roper in the Northern Territory to Kowanyama in Queensland, including Borroloola and Mornington Island.
At 3:30 pm CST [4:00 pm EST] a TROPICAL LOW was centred near the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, about 115 kilometres east northeast of Borroloola and 230 kilometres west northwest of Mornington Island moving east northeast at 2 kilometres per hour. The low is expected to remain near the coast tonight before moving east into the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday.
GALES are not expected in coastal areas within the next 24 hours, however gales could develop on Tuesday night if the low develops into a tropical cyclone.
HEAVY RAIN is expected to cause significant stream rises across the Top End, increasing to widespread flooding in the Roper-McArthur and northern Barkly Districts.
Another system has developed 55 miles east of Cairns, which may blow up into something as well, which may give some large waves.
On the hurricane front, things are livening up. Dora is beginning to fade, losing its hurricane status this morning with winds dropping below the 72mph threshold. Attention now switches to northern Australia, which has two tropical lows making noises. One is in the Gulf of Carpentaria, where it has been raining heavily and lots of wind. Atmospheric conditions are changing, making it more likely that this system will turn into a low-grade tropical cyclone - a category 1 hurricane looks probable.
This is the latest warning from the Bureau of Meteorology:
A CYCLONE WATCH continues for coastal and island communities from Port Roper in the Northern Territory to Kowanyama in Queensland, including Borroloola and Mornington Island.
At 3:30 pm CST [4:00 pm EST] a TROPICAL LOW was centred near the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, about 115 kilometres east northeast of Borroloola and 230 kilometres west northwest of Mornington Island moving east northeast at 2 kilometres per hour. The low is expected to remain near the coast tonight before moving east into the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday.
GALES are not expected in coastal areas within the next 24 hours, however gales could develop on Tuesday night if the low develops into a tropical cyclone.
HEAVY RAIN is expected to cause significant stream rises across the Top End, increasing to widespread flooding in the Roper-McArthur and northern Barkly Districts.
Another system has developed 55 miles east of Cairns, which may blow up into something as well, which may give some large waves.
Sunday, 4 February 2007
FlickR
The eagle-eyed among readers will have noticed that the counter on the FlickR widget in my sidebar has jumped today from 4484 to 5638. I've now got virtually all pictures on FlickR. The counter is a wee bit out, because I have a number of private pics and it's not that accurate. On the FlickR page (that I see), it says that there are now 5,721 pictures, which about fits my own unofficial tally.
All these pics were taken since April 2005. Descriptions still need to be put on the pictures from June 2006 until the end of January 2007, with the exception of a 7 week stretch from 1 August until 19 September 2006. Apart from descriptions, I also have to add tags and put them in sets.
All these pics were taken since April 2005. Descriptions still need to be put on the pictures from June 2006 until the end of January 2007, with the exception of a 7 week stretch from 1 August until 19 September 2006. Apart from descriptions, I also have to add tags and put them in sets.
4th Journals Tournament
Registration for the 4th Journals Tournament has started, and if you haven't taken part before, please do so now. All you need to do is visit Kellen's Journals Tournament IV journal and register. You have until February 17th to do that, and the Tournament proper commences on February 20th. Happy New Year
It's Happy Chinese New Year, and I take the liberty of copying this information:
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR.
2007 IS THE YEAR OF THE PIG.
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR.
2007 IS THE YEAR OF THE PIG.
Forget everything you know about the easy going, laidback, roll-in-the-mud Pig. This is the year of the Fire Pig, and there will be fireworks aplenty. It should be a feel-good year, loaded with excitement
Water is the Pig's fixed element. In Chinese, water plus fire equals disaster. Also, the fifth month of the Chinese calendar is the month of the Fire Horse. This will be a time of daring accomplishments and serious calamities.
The Fire Pig is nevertheless a Pig, and we need to remember what that means for us. The Pig is the 12th and last sign of the Chinese zodiac. We have come to the end of the cycle, and it's time to celebrate our accomplishments. Yes, it's party time! Be good to yourself this year; you've earned it. Family reunions, extended holidays and a spa membership are in order.
Like last year's sign, the Dog, the Pig calls us to focus on family. Now we need to concentrate more on relationships. It's a Fire year, a year filled with passion. What a great time to begin a new romance or take an existing one to a new level. A holiday in Paris or Bali might be just the thing. When is the last time you shared a hot tub with your sweetheart? Make it a priority this year.
The West has its fat cats and the Chinese their fat pigs. We're talking money! Yes, this is a year to make more than a little, so be alert for opportunities.
It may seem incongruous to link the Pig with scholars, but the association is there; and it's a positive one, due in part to the fact that the Pig's fixed element is Water. This could therefore be a very good yearfor those in academia.
Although Pig is the last year in the 12-year cycle, it is only the 24th in the larger, 60-year cycle. At this point it should be emphasised that 2007 is a Fire year. This is not a year for the faint-hearted. On the positive side, Fire provides each of us with the energy we need to initiate action, regardless of whether or not immediate attention is required. It is not a time to sit on the sidelines.
Fire and Pig together call us to work on vigorously attacking existing projects and completing them. It is not a particularly favourable time to conceive or begin new ventures. With the clash of Fire and Water, now is not the time to take risks. Use the energy of positive Fire to raise your work level to a high intensity, but avoid the foolhardiness associated with negative Fire, and your business interests will prosper.
Since this is a Fire year, those people born in an Earth year will generally fare better than others of their animal sign, while those born in a Metal year are likely to do worse than those born in Wood, Fire, Earth and Water years.
Health issues vary not only by sign but by each individual. Your best bet is to visit a Chinese doctor to have your balances checked and get some advice for the coming year. It is a Fire year, so one thing we can say in general is to be on the lookout for signs of stress and a tendency to over extend one's self.
2007 will be an exciting year, with passion and crises coming in equal measure throughout the year. The Pig is a go-with-the-flow type. If you follow the Pig's example by enjoying life's pleasures and heating up your relationships, this will be a very memorable year indeed.
To find our your Chinese Sign, try this link.
My Chinese Sign is the Dragon:
The Dragon is one of the most powerful signs in the Chinese Zodiac. Lucky as well. Dragons are giving, intelligent, tenacious and know exactly what they want and are determined to get it. Further, they can easily influence their peers and often find themselves the centre of attention in social situations. As if all this wasn't enough, Lady Love is the Dragon's best friend. The rest of the Dragon's friends are always keen to hear what their Dragon pal has to say, and when it comes to dispensing advice, the Dragon is the best one to do it.
It's ego that can get the Dragon into trouble, but even so, this larger-than-life creature has an ability for initiating projects and keeping everyone motivated. According to Dragons, it's their natural born right to lead the way. As luck would have it, Dragons are likely to achieve considerable material wealth during their lifetime, although they aren't motivated by the pursuit of money. That said, Dragons are quite the opportunists, forever searching for ways in which to consolidate their considerable power. And power it must be, for a weakened Dragon is a sad sight, a creature that refuses to take defeat with even a modicum of grace. Question authority? That's what the Dragon does best!
The role of leader is the only one the Dragon wants, a better position to give orders and be king of the hill. They are good leaders, too, knowing instinctively what needs to be done to succeed. Crossing the Dragon is never a good idea -- the Dragon's flame can burn! A valuable life lesson for this clever creature would be to absorb the principles of flexibility, compassion and tolerance. Being high and mighty can serve to inspire others, but it also keeps Dragons from living their life to the fullest. If Dragons can learn to balance their quest for results with an appreciation for the little things, their life will be more than worthwhile.
Super Bowl
Gather the Super Bowl is on this evening over in the States - and I don't even know who's playing who. Anyway, have a great time if you're watching the match and may the best team win.
Sunday notes
Nice sunny day, but quite a bit cooler than of late.
The authorities are working to cull 160,000 turkeys on a farm in Suffolk, where H5N1 birdflu was confirmed on Friday. An exclusion zone remains in force, but there is no cause for concern.
I was pleased to hear one of the contestants in Celebrity Big Brother, which ended a week ago, calling for the axing of the show. CBB caused controversy when alleged racist bullying took place towards a Bollywood actress from two other contestants.
On Friday, a lad of 11 decided to reenact a stunt, shown on a DVD called Jackass - the Movie. All sorts of stupid and dangerous stunts are depicted on the 18-rated film. This includes a scene where a man pours deodorant liquid over himself and puts a match to it. The boy concerned had invited a friend, who had taken the DVD from his own home and they copied the stunt. The victim was admitted to hospital in Glasgow and is no longer in danger. It does say on the DVD box not to try this at home. The boy's father has called for the disc to be banned.
The authorities are working to cull 160,000 turkeys on a farm in Suffolk, where H5N1 birdflu was confirmed on Friday. An exclusion zone remains in force, but there is no cause for concern.
I was pleased to hear one of the contestants in Celebrity Big Brother, which ended a week ago, calling for the axing of the show. CBB caused controversy when alleged racist bullying took place towards a Bollywood actress from two other contestants.
On Friday, a lad of 11 decided to reenact a stunt, shown on a DVD called Jackass - the Movie. All sorts of stupid and dangerous stunts are depicted on the 18-rated film. This includes a scene where a man pours deodorant liquid over himself and puts a match to it. The boy concerned had invited a friend, who had taken the DVD from his own home and they copied the stunt. The victim was admitted to hospital in Glasgow and is no longer in danger. It does say on the DVD box not to try this at home. The boy's father has called for the disc to be banned.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Date for diary
Occasion: J-land Chat
Date: Sunday 11 February 2007
Time: 2100 / 9pm UK time, which is:
1600 / 4pm EST
1500 / 3pm CST
1400 / 2pm MST
1300 / 1pm PST
Duration: 2 hours, or however long people feel like
Subjects: Nothing specific
Location: Special Interests - Journals Cafe (AOL only)
Hosts: Yours truly and Cathy [Luddie343]
J-land Chat
Last autumn, J-land chats were held in the aftermath of the 3rd anniversary of AOL Journals. Would there be an interest in another? If there is, I was thinking of Sunday, February 11th, which is in 8 days time. Time would be 9pm GMT, 4pm EST, 1pm PST.
Let me know what you think.
Let me know what you think.
Hurricane update - 3 February
Category 4 hurricane Dora continues to wander around the Indian Ocean, 750 miles east of La Reunion and Mauritius. She shows signs of heading west, but whether the islands are threatened is not clear.
The tropical depression in the Gulf of Carpentaria off Australia is now not likely to develop into a tropical cyclone; another system near Fiji has popped up and is making ominous noises.
The tropical depression in the Gulf of Carpentaria off Australia is now not likely to develop into a tropical cyclone; another system near Fiji has popped up and is making ominous noises.
Bird flu
Tests have confirmed that a disease which killed 2,600 turkeys on a farm at Holton, Suffolk, is the deadly H5N1 strain. This is the variety of the virus which could potentially mutate into a form, contagious to humans. All 159,000 turkeys on the farm will now have to be destroyed. An exclusion zone has been set up, shown on map below. Holton is located 17 miles southwest of Lowestoft. More details here.
Source: Defra
1: Scene of outbreak
All poultry to be culled
Visitors disinfected and restricted access
2: 3km Protection Zone
Poultry kept indoors and tested
3: 10km Surveillance Zone
No movement of poultry to or from area except for slaughter
Rail transport restricted to non-stopping movements
Bird fairs and markets banned
Increased surveillance of wetland areas
Domestic birds not to share water used by wild birds
Footpath restrictions likely only on free-range farms
People in towns not affected unless they keep poultry.
Source: Defra
Football
All matches in the Italian football league have been cancelled this weekend, and a friendly match between Italy and Romania next Wednesday has been called off as well. The reason for this was the death of a police officer at a match between Sicilian sides Palermo and Catania. He was struck in the face by a small explosive in last night's tie.
Another match official was killed in a football match elsewhere in Italy earlier in the week. Italian football has become increasingly dogged by violence, and a senior official of the Italian league has stated that measures need to be taken, as the current state of affairs cannot continue. "This is not like football, so football has to stop".
Football has been dogged by a series of lethal incidents over the years. The worst was the Heizel Stadium disaster in 1985, when clashes between rival Liverpool and Juventus fans in Brussels left 39 people dead. Violence between rival fans (or hooligans more appropriately) is a world-wide problem.
My interpretation is that a football team is a source of local, regional and national pride, which evokes a mob-mentality in people. Someone wrote that Football is War. I have to say that I find the amounts of money paid for players to move from club to club are plain ridiculous - you're talking millions of pounds. Just for them to cavort a grassy field for 90 minutes once or twice a week??
Another match official was killed in a football match elsewhere in Italy earlier in the week. Italian football has become increasingly dogged by violence, and a senior official of the Italian league has stated that measures need to be taken, as the current state of affairs cannot continue. "This is not like football, so football has to stop".
Football has been dogged by a series of lethal incidents over the years. The worst was the Heizel Stadium disaster in 1985, when clashes between rival Liverpool and Juventus fans in Brussels left 39 people dead. Violence between rival fans (or hooligans more appropriately) is a world-wide problem.
My interpretation is that a football team is a source of local, regional and national pride, which evokes a mob-mentality in people. Someone wrote that Football is War. I have to say that I find the amounts of money paid for players to move from club to club are plain ridiculous - you're talking millions of pounds. Just for them to cavort a grassy field for 90 minutes once or twice a week??
Journals Tournament IV
The real, one-and-only, Journals Tournament IV is about to kick off. Put Kellen's dedicated Tournament Journal on alerts for further updates!
Friday, 2 February 2007
Lawyers
With thanks to Rosie
Lawyers should never ask a Southern grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer. In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the
stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs.. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"
She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."
The defense attorney almost died.
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you to the electric chair."
Lawyers should never ask a Southern grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer. In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the
stand. He approached her and asked, "Mrs.. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"
She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."
The defense attorney almost died.
The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you to the electric chair."
CarnivAOL
Paul has issued a summons for submissions to next week's CarnivAOL. Please email links to any entry you'd like to see highlighted to plittle@aol.com. Please use the full URL to the individual entry; you can find that by switching to Previous Entries and Right-Click > Copy Link Location.
Friday notes
The sun has just set on a very nice Friday, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Been for a walk round the Castle Grounds for an hour or two, also to update a subscription-only walk I have waymarked round there.
Check out www.walkingworld.com, walk 3424. For £1.50 you can have the description. You may have to wait a while before you see today's pictures on there, as they have a large backlog.
I was saddened to learn of the devastation wrought by tornadoes, striking Lake County during the night. Apparently, houses were flattened and 14 people were killed. For the moment, the danger is not yet over as the NWS warns of a possibility of further tornadoes.
Down under, around the Gulf of Carpentaria, residents in the Queensland - Northern Territory border region of Australia are warned of gales, carrying winds of 100 kph (62 mph). The weather system responsible could develop into a formal tropical cyclone.
Check out www.walkingworld.com, walk 3424. For £1.50 you can have the description. You may have to wait a while before you see today's pictures on there, as they have a large backlog.
I was saddened to learn of the devastation wrought by tornadoes, striking Lake County during the night. Apparently, houses were flattened and 14 people were killed. For the moment, the danger is not yet over as the NWS warns of a possibility of further tornadoes.
Down under, around the Gulf of Carpentaria, residents in the Queensland - Northern Territory border region of Australia are warned of gales, carrying winds of 100 kph (62 mph). The weather system responsible could develop into a formal tropical cyclone.
Rotten snow
The BBC featured a report that snow had fallen in the area around the central Siberian town of Omsk which was oily to the touch, yellow in colour and had a rotten smell. The cause of the discoloured snow is being investigated, but it has already been reveiled that it contains four times the normal level of iron. Omsk is a centre for the Russian oil industry.
Residents have been advised not to use the snow for household purposes or allow animals to graze on it.
Residents have been advised not to use the snow for household purposes or allow animals to graze on it.
Railroad crossings
One teenager was killed this morning and two injured when their car collided with a train on a level crossing in Invergordon, Easter Ross. The crossing had lights and an acoustic signal. People running the gauntlet of trains on level crossings play with their lives. A train weighs upward of 100 tonnes, and can take hundreds of yards to stop. In a contest, the train always wins. Even with lights and barriers, some people cannot be bothered to wait for the minute or two it takes for the train to pass through. There is this sorry litany of drivers who think they can beat the trains and lose. More often than not, they lose and pay with their lives.
Railroad Crossing in Montana, USA (Picture courtesy Wikipedia)
Foreign AOL sites
Germany: www.aol.de
France: www.aol.fr
Mexico: http://www.aol.com.mx/
Argentina: http://www.aol.com.ar/
Thursday, 1 February 2007
Roadsigns
Beware: May offend.
You may be aware that AOL operates in other countries apart from the UK, USA and Australia. It also has subsidiaries in places like France and Germany. I was browsing through the German AOL site when I came across these hilarious signs.
From the Canaries. "Do not drive through a cloudburst". Personalised cloudbursts provided, according to one comment.
A wee bit cheeky, but this IS an actual Swedish roadsign, warning drivers against elks. To me, it looks more like "beware of a shag".
Finally, from Germany itself. The sign obviously means "no shitting in the forest" and the little sign underneath reads "Use Toilets".
You may be aware that AOL operates in other countries apart from the UK, USA and Australia. It also has subsidiaries in places like France and Germany. I was browsing through the German AOL site when I came across these hilarious signs.
From the Canaries. "Do not drive through a cloudburst". Personalised cloudbursts provided, according to one comment.
A wee bit cheeky, but this IS an actual Swedish roadsign, warning drivers against elks. To me, it looks more like "beware of a shag".
Finally, from Germany itself. The sign obviously means "no shitting in the forest" and the little sign underneath reads "Use Toilets".
MSC Napoli
Anyone interested in following developments surrounding the continuing recovery of the MSC Napoli of the South Devon coast can consult this webpage, belonging to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. This is also the source for the above image of the Napoli, from January 21st.
Five minutes
So we switched all the unnecessary lights and appliances off for 5 minutes between 7.55 and 8.00pm tonight. Think we were the only ones in town. I know the people who sent me the email I relayed, and they may have had contacts elsewhere in the Hebrides and Scotland. The idea was there, the signal. You can of course switch off ALL unnecessary lights, stand-bys and appliances at any time. If only, in the case of stand-by, for safety's sake. Many's a television has gone up in flames sitting on stand-by.
J-land update
Just a brief note on behalf of Jim who asked word to be passed round that he's back, and back on form. Call round and leave a comment. Thanks.
Teabreak
Here at Stornoway Airport, passengers have been getting all blown up over teabreaks. There are not enough air traffic controllers to provide a continuous service during the opening hours of 0700 to 1900 each day. As a result, the airport has to shut down for 30 minutes while the controllers go for their statutary teabreaks, a few times a day.
Local politicians have been inconvenienced, but if you can't get the staff, you can't get the staff. And what's wrong with the ferry service? I know the Clansman is a slower boat, but it's a better ship than our usual tub, the Isle of Lewis.
Fancy that, shutting down Heathrow because the air traffic controller needs his break?
Local news
Our museum looks as if it will be closed through the summer, as of March, for refurbishment work. The Western Isles Museum, situated along Francis Street here in Stornoway, will be emptied of its entire collection, which will then be relocated to the Council Repository in Marybank, to the north of the town centre. In the six months to September, a comprehensive stock-take will then take place. The refurbishment work is necessary to comply with legislation for disability access. At the moment, the disabled are only able to visit the groundfloor of the museum, whilst there is a substantial amount to see upstairs as well. I took the pictures above on 7 March 2006 during a visit to the museum. At the time, an exhibition had been set up to commemorate the evacuation of St Kilda in August 1930, then just over 75 years ago.
St Kilda is a small group of islands, 45 miles west to the Hebrides in the Atlantic. They are home to large bird colonies, a unique breed of sheep (Soay sheep), a tracking station for the Ministry of Defense and passing visitors and volunteer workers. The indigenous population was removed, at their own request, on 29 August 1930. A large number ended up in the district of Lochaber, between Oban and Fort William. Only a few of the 30-odd souls removed are alive today.
This film, dating back to 1928, shows the excitement around the arrival of a supply ship, and reactions to islanders to the first-ever movie camera. More images can be seen on this webpage from the Royal Scottish Geographic Society.
St Kilda was an isolated community, isolated not just geographically. The unforgiving climate of the North Atlantic frequently made it impossible to get supplies through. Until the end of the 19th century, infant mortality reached the staggering rate of 50% at times. This was attributed to infantile tetanus, transmitted through the umbilical stump due to unhygienic practices at birth. Another factor, only discovered last year, was the unbelieveable levels of pollution within the houses.
The St Kildans primarily lived off the sea and seabirds. They would scale cliffs, rearing more than 1,000 feet out of the sea, and cull the seabirds nesting in their crevices. Seabirds have a high fat content, and have a substantial amount of heavy metals, occurring naturally, in their bodies.
Cadmium and lead are two examples. After the birds were eaten, their remains were ploughed into the ground, together with seaweed for fertiliser. The cycle would start again once any crops or animals, reared on the land, were consumed.
Another pollutant, dioxins, was created by the islanders themselves. Their main source of fuel was peat. St Kilda being only a small island, these were drenched in seawater, which contains salt - sodium chloride. When you burn organic material in the presence of large amounts of chlorine, you create dioxins. These are extremely toxins, and harmful in minute amounts. The ashes of fires were ground into the floor, and the dioxins contained in them ever-present.
Nowadays, there are a few communities left in Scotland which have a similarly harsh environment. The two I have in mind are Fair Isle and Foula, islands to the southwest and west of Shetland. However, they have survived and modernised. It is a subject for academics to decide what made the difference. My opinion is that the governments of the day couldn't be bothered with the St Kildans. A more pro-active approach from London might have kept St Kilda populated. Their unique way of life was doomed, whatever the eventual outcome.
St Kilda is a small group of islands, 45 miles west to the Hebrides in the Atlantic. They are home to large bird colonies, a unique breed of sheep (Soay sheep), a tracking station for the Ministry of Defense and passing visitors and volunteer workers. The indigenous population was removed, at their own request, on 29 August 1930. A large number ended up in the district of Lochaber, between Oban and Fort William. Only a few of the 30-odd souls removed are alive today.
This film, dating back to 1928, shows the excitement around the arrival of a supply ship, and reactions to islanders to the first-ever movie camera. More images can be seen on this webpage from the Royal Scottish Geographic Society.
St Kilda was an isolated community, isolated not just geographically. The unforgiving climate of the North Atlantic frequently made it impossible to get supplies through. Until the end of the 19th century, infant mortality reached the staggering rate of 50% at times. This was attributed to infantile tetanus, transmitted through the umbilical stump due to unhygienic practices at birth. Another factor, only discovered last year, was the unbelieveable levels of pollution within the houses.
The St Kildans primarily lived off the sea and seabirds. They would scale cliffs, rearing more than 1,000 feet out of the sea, and cull the seabirds nesting in their crevices. Seabirds have a high fat content, and have a substantial amount of heavy metals, occurring naturally, in their bodies.
Cadmium and lead are two examples. After the birds were eaten, their remains were ploughed into the ground, together with seaweed for fertiliser. The cycle would start again once any crops or animals, reared on the land, were consumed.
Another pollutant, dioxins, was created by the islanders themselves. Their main source of fuel was peat. St Kilda being only a small island, these were drenched in seawater, which contains salt - sodium chloride. When you burn organic material in the presence of large amounts of chlorine, you create dioxins. These are extremely toxins, and harmful in minute amounts. The ashes of fires were ground into the floor, and the dioxins contained in them ever-present.
Nowadays, there are a few communities left in Scotland which have a similarly harsh environment. The two I have in mind are Fair Isle and Foula, islands to the southwest and west of Shetland. However, they have survived and modernised. It is a subject for academics to decide what made the difference. My opinion is that the governments of the day couldn't be bothered with the St Kildans. A more pro-active approach from London might have kept St Kilda populated. Their unique way of life was doomed, whatever the eventual outcome.
Five minutes for Climate Change
The “Alliance pour la Planète” (a
national grouping of environmental associations) appeals to all citizens to give
the planet 5 minutes respite : everybody to extinguish all their lights and
illuminations and turn off equipment on stand-by on the 1st February 2007 from
19h55 until 20h00.
The purpose is not just to save electricity for 5 minutes that day, but to draw the attention of citizens, the media and the authorities to the waste of energy and the need to initiate action! 5 minutes respite for the planet: that’s not long, it costs nothing and will show our politicians that climate change is something which should figure prominently in political debates.
Why the 1st February? Because that
is the day on which the latest report of the United Nations Panel of Experts is
to be released in Paris. Although this event is scheduled to take
place in France, we should not miss this
opportunity of drawing attention to the global climatic situation.
If we all participate our actions
will have great public and political resonance, at an important moment in our
political life.!
Please make this appeal as widely known as possible in your own circles and networks ! please also publish it on your websites and in your newsletters.
Hurricane update - 1 February
Cyclone Dora is still spinning away in the Indian Ocean, far from land.
The people around the Gulf of Carpentaria are having an unwelcome visitor, in the shape of a developing tropical cyclone. I relay the detailed warning:
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 6
Issued by the BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY, DARWIN
at 8:00 pm CST [8:30 pm EST] Thursday 1 February 2007
A CYCLONE WARNING continues for coastal and island communities from Nhulunbuy to Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt.
A CYCLONE WATCH continues for coastal and island communities from Numbulwar to Weipa, in Queensland, including Mornington Island.
At 6:30 pm CST [7:00 pm EST] a TROPICAL LOW
centred in the Arafura Sea about 130 kilometres east of Nhulunbuy and 270 kilometres northeast of Alyangula moving south at 16 kilometres per hour.
The low is forecast to continue moving south into the Gulf of Carpentaria on Friday and develop into a tropical cyclone, but is not expected to cross the coast in the next 24 hours.
GALES with gusts to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop on Groote Eylandt during Friday. GALES may extend to the mainland coast between Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar later on Friday or during Saturday as the developing cyclone approaches the coast.
HEAVY RAIN is expected to cause flooding in the Arnhem region during Friday night and Saturday, extending into the Roper-McArthur region later.
The people around the Gulf of Carpentaria are having an unwelcome visitor, in the shape of a developing tropical cyclone. I relay the detailed warning:
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 6
Issued by the BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY, DARWIN
at 8:00 pm CST [8:30 pm EST] Thursday 1 February 2007
A CYCLONE WARNING continues for coastal and island communities from Nhulunbuy to Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt.
A CYCLONE WATCH continues for coastal and island communities from Numbulwar to Weipa, in Queensland, including Mornington Island.
At 6:30 pm CST [7:00 pm EST] a TROPICAL LOW
centred in the Arafura Sea about 130 kilometres east of Nhulunbuy and 270 kilometres northeast of Alyangula moving south at 16 kilometres per hour.
The low is forecast to continue moving south into the Gulf of Carpentaria on Friday and develop into a tropical cyclone, but is not expected to cross the coast in the next 24 hours.
GALES with gusts to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop on Groote Eylandt during Friday. GALES may extend to the mainland coast between Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar later on Friday or during Saturday as the developing cyclone approaches the coast.
HEAVY RAIN is expected to cause flooding in the Arnhem region during Friday night and Saturday, extending into the Roper-McArthur region later.
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