NO offence, but I decline your kind invitation to join Facebook.
I've been "poked'' (relax, it's Facebook speak) six times in the past fortnight - sent an email invitation to be someone's "friend'' (Facebook speak again) - and while I admit to feeling warmly wanted and kind of popular, it's just that I'm yet to see the point.
I have an email address that seems to work just fine. I also have a mobile phone.
And anyone who doesn't have access to these two vital connection portals, well it's probably for good reason.
To further throw open the lines of accessibility would surely mean having to filter unwanted and unwarranted attention and, frankly, who has the time?
I say all that, but it doesn't mean I don't fear social exclusion, cutting myself off to the movement of the times akin to not reading The Da Vinci Code or Harry Potter. (Confession: I've read neither. But then if I was on Facebook, that'd be common knowledge).
Facebook is the new going out. Who needs to step out the front door when you can see what your friends are up to, and even friends of friends, with a click.
There's no need to actually go to a party when you'll get to know everyone much better on your laptop.
No point shouting over doof-doof DJs when you can find out a man likes Thirsty Merc, works in adventure travel, roots for the Rabbitohs and you get to see him in Speedos and tux all in one hit.
You can also suss out his mates and get a handle on his exes.
Facebook isn't officially a dating network but then neither is going out. Just like going out, it's passed off as a harmless way of keeping in touch with a vast network in fast-paced times when all the while it's a covert ploy to trawl for potential loves.
Just as in a bar you may be approached by a total stranger who likes the look of your face, so with Facebook you may be "poked'' by someone who's only ever seen your carefully-selected, digitally-enhanced headshot.
The difference is, if you don't poke back, it's less offensive than being snubbed in the face.
It may have started as a niche, but Facebook is now mainstream for grown-ups. Thirty million users and, unlike MySpace, the bulk are in their 30s and beyond.
Let's not pretend it's to peruse friends' pics. It's tedious enough doing that when they're next to you on the couch, let alone by choice when the sender's none the wiser.
Facebook's about fitting in, a return to the cool gangs of our teens when we were defined by the company we kept. Facebookers brag of friend counts, revelling in rising daily tallies.
Just as I feel pressure from those inviting me to join Facebook, I'm also vaguely offended by those who haven't.
But I'm yet to be convinced that disclosing aspects of oneself (think Malcolm Turnbull in Speedos) opens you up to a whole new market rich with possibility.
It's an open invite to eavesdroppers to your conversation "walls'' ... stalking from the comfort of one's own home.
Potential suitors may "meet'' you and dump you all without ever clapping eyes on the real thing just because you read Deepak Chopra.
It's all very well to be a Facebook refuser but is it like shunning the telephone in favour of hand-written calling cards?
Worse, will it be used to explain why single people are single? Mothers will chide: "I don't know how you expect to meet anyone if you're not on Facebook. Orlando Bloom's on it, you know, and Prince Harry''.
It's enough to make you panic.
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Saturday, 28 July 2007
Alive but - Useless old Grandmother sent to the Garbage Dump. Also 82 year old Baby found - Mummified.
ALIVE but - Useless old Grandmother sent to the Garbage Dump.
MUMBAI (BOMBAY) INDIA: A sick 75 year old Indian grandmother thrown into the garbage by her relatives has died.
Chinnammel Palaniappan was rescued from the garbage dump in Erode town,400Km from Chennnai(Lahore)capital of southern Tamil Nadu state last week.
Police said she told her rescuers that, she had been taken from her home after her daughter had told her grandsons to dump her far away, so that she could not find her way back.
Before she died she told rescuers she woke up and found herself amongst a heap of rotting garbage.
OTTAWA: A Canadian man has found the remains of an infant Wrapped in news print dated September 12 1925 and stashed in the walls of an old house now under renovation.
You always hope to find something in walls - coins - antiques but never a baby, renovator Bob Kinghorn said.
He was about to drill a hole through a ceiling joist when he found a bundle of newspaper he first believed was Insulation. Inside was the infant believed to be four months of age.
HAVE You ever moved into an old house and never explored the closed Attic or Roof Cavity or even a bricked up fireplace. Get to it, you never know what treasures or horrors you may find, or if you have already done this I would love to hear of any bizarre discoveries or strange happenings you may have encountered.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
MUMBAI (BOMBAY) INDIA: A sick 75 year old Indian grandmother thrown into the garbage by her relatives has died.
Chinnammel Palaniappan was rescued from the garbage dump in Erode town,400Km from Chennnai(Lahore)capital of southern Tamil Nadu state last week.
Police said she told her rescuers that, she had been taken from her home after her daughter had told her grandsons to dump her far away, so that she could not find her way back.
Before she died she told rescuers she woke up and found herself amongst a heap of rotting garbage.
OTTAWA: A Canadian man has found the remains of an infant Wrapped in news print dated September 12 1925 and stashed in the walls of an old house now under renovation.
You always hope to find something in walls - coins - antiques but never a baby, renovator Bob Kinghorn said.
He was about to drill a hole through a ceiling joist when he found a bundle of newspaper he first believed was Insulation. Inside was the infant believed to be four months of age.
HAVE You ever moved into an old house and never explored the closed Attic or Roof Cavity or even a bricked up fireplace. Get to it, you never know what treasures or horrors you may find, or if you have already done this I would love to hear of any bizarre discoveries or strange happenings you may have encountered.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Crocodile Irwins Just Psuedo Croc hunters, Say's Sweaty armpit Mick Pitman.
A CROCODILE hunter has challenged the Irwin family to a public debate about the predators, accusing them of "not knowing what they are talking about".
Mick Pitman, a crocodile products industry consultant and taxidermist, and his business partner Michaela Johnston today criticised a north Queensland crocodile research centre to be built in memory of the late Steve Irwin.
Australia Zoo has said the reserve would protect a spectrum of wildlife species, including crocodiles.
However, Mr Pitman, known as "Crocodile Mick", today said the Irwins' latest venture would financially hurt the commercial crocodile industry.
"The Irwins state on their website 'sustainable use' of native wildlife in so-called modern nations like Australia and the USA has inadvertently created a multi-million dollar 'bushmeat' industry, where local people kill native wildlife for meat, skins and products," he said.
"Wake up Australians! The Irwins have rode off the back of the crocodile now for many years and have made a lot of money in the process."
Mr Pitman is now based in Darwin after living on Cape York for more than 20 years.
Ms Johnston said sustainable use was the "use of resources at a rate which will meet the needs of the present without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their needs".
"Crocodiles are no longer on the endangered list anymore - they have been downgraded to vulnerable. That's why sustainable use of our natural resources is so important," Ms Johnston said.
"People have and continue to use living, natural resources.
"The Irwins ... must remember that there needs to be a balance.
"They wear leather belts and shoes and probably sit down to a fat juicy steak at a night-time and voice their opinions publicly everyday.
"We are sick of their uninformed comments regarding what is good for the crocodile and the industry."
The pair challenged the Irwins to a public debate about the issue.
"We challenge the Irwins to a debate in the public arena where they like to play to show the public that there needs to be a sensible balance drawn," Mr Pitman said.
Mr Pitman, who has previously been involved in a legal tussle with the Irwins and Australia Zoo over the name "Crocodile Hunter", said an earlier call for such a debate had been turned down.
The World Wildlife Fund Australia has also taken a swipe at the federal government in the media over the funding of the Irwin reserve, saying $6 million represented the government's total yearly budget for wildlife habitat.
The Irwins could not be immediately reached for comment.
------
Seems this crochety north Queenslander, Sweaty armpit Mick Crocodile Pitman is seriously pissed off having missed the gravy boat and notoriety as a Croc Killer.
Surely this Dim head Pitman should have realised, the Irwins were not in the business of killing but entertainment, As was Mick Dundee, I would suggest that Mr Pitman with all his skills and bravado, should stop griping and follow on where the Irwins left off, in the entertainment industry.
Mick Pitman, a crocodile products industry consultant and taxidermist, and his business partner Michaela Johnston today criticised a north Queensland crocodile research centre to be built in memory of the late Steve Irwin.
Australia Zoo has said the reserve would protect a spectrum of wildlife species, including crocodiles.
However, Mr Pitman, known as "Crocodile Mick", today said the Irwins' latest venture would financially hurt the commercial crocodile industry.
"The Irwins state on their website 'sustainable use' of native wildlife in so-called modern nations like Australia and the USA has inadvertently created a multi-million dollar 'bushmeat' industry, where local people kill native wildlife for meat, skins and products," he said.
"Wake up Australians! The Irwins have rode off the back of the crocodile now for many years and have made a lot of money in the process."
Mr Pitman is now based in Darwin after living on Cape York for more than 20 years.
Ms Johnston said sustainable use was the "use of resources at a rate which will meet the needs of the present without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their needs".
"Crocodiles are no longer on the endangered list anymore - they have been downgraded to vulnerable. That's why sustainable use of our natural resources is so important," Ms Johnston said.
"People have and continue to use living, natural resources.
"The Irwins ... must remember that there needs to be a balance.
"They wear leather belts and shoes and probably sit down to a fat juicy steak at a night-time and voice their opinions publicly everyday.
"We are sick of their uninformed comments regarding what is good for the crocodile and the industry."
The pair challenged the Irwins to a public debate about the issue.
"We challenge the Irwins to a debate in the public arena where they like to play to show the public that there needs to be a sensible balance drawn," Mr Pitman said.
Mr Pitman, who has previously been involved in a legal tussle with the Irwins and Australia Zoo over the name "Crocodile Hunter", said an earlier call for such a debate had been turned down.
The World Wildlife Fund Australia has also taken a swipe at the federal government in the media over the funding of the Irwin reserve, saying $6 million represented the government's total yearly budget for wildlife habitat.
The Irwins could not be immediately reached for comment.
------
Seems this crochety north Queenslander, Sweaty armpit Mick Crocodile Pitman is seriously pissed off having missed the gravy boat and notoriety as a Croc Killer.
Surely this Dim head Pitman should have realised, the Irwins were not in the business of killing but entertainment, As was Mick Dundee, I would suggest that Mr Pitman with all his skills and bravado, should stop griping and follow on where the Irwins left off, in the entertainment industry.
Friday, 20 July 2007
Well wadya Know some old ghosts appeared from the past today
Today my wife and I were watching 'Parkinson' interview the late Sir John Mills on Foxtell TV, A re run from four years ago. I made a casual remark that I remembered a movie he was in; back in 1935.
The Movie had several titles, which I discovered on Google, listed downwards from the more recent it was numbered 117, then there were others down to the number 130 his first movie.
The 117 number titles were 1, Brown in the resolution 1935, 'Albert Brown'. 2, AKA, Born for Glory USA. 3, AKA, Forever England, UK re issue title.
I had no recollection of The death of Sir John Mills, although at the time of this interview he was aged 93 years, but there was one indelible thing in my mind and that was he was cast in that movie as a 17 year old British Navy sailor at the age of 27.
This Movie is without doubt the most remembered movie I can recall, it is mentioned as such in my Pseudo Memoirs, a Novel by J L Spencer,'Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies'. Quite a few of you reading this will have read this already. Below is anexcerpt.
Beautiful English summers do not last long. (I believe summer was on a Thursday last year.) I remember standing on the parade ground during the winter wearing shorts, a thin shirt, and football boots, waiting to play an hour of soccer. Our breath formed into icicles and the wind froze our pitifully underfed frames. The broken chill blains on our hands and pale scurvy faces were very painful. It was awful, especially when the smug people giving us orders were wearing great coats and scarves! It was hardly surprising that the main occupants of the small school cemetery were eleven and twelve-year-olds. It was obvious to most that only the strong would survive the early years.
The winter highlight was a cinema show in the dining hall on a Saturday after an early shower. I have a copy of ‘England Forever’ (1935. John Mills) it was shown quite frequently to expound the values of the Royal Navy. This movie shows the British putting one over the German navy in 1914,WW2.
The name of the school in my book states it is 'Halls Naval Academy' but in real life it Was 'Watts Naval Training School' WNTS College. Nth Elmham Norfolk. close by was the river Wensum. The college was demolished in 1949 or thereabout.
A further excerpt reveals the pseudo from the reality, and some of the creature discomforts I put up with and survived as a child.
Halls Naval Academy was a charity school with a nautical theme run on militaristic principles. The estate was located in the Suffolk rural countryside far from the outside world. It was situated on the edge of a plateau that sloped east to a valley near the river Eastham where the school farmed the land.
HNA had a population of a large staff and about three hundred students between eleven and sixteen years of age. The students were allowed to take two three-week vacations each year during the summer and at Christmas. All other holiday periods were spent at the school. Students without guardians never left the school. Students had no access to the outside world, arbitral access, or personal rights. Discipline was strict. Hunger and fear of punishment were constant. Love and affection were non-existent. All communication to and from the school was censored. Those boys who never left the school on vacation became conditioned to their surroundings and were probably happier at the school than those of us who had occasional release from our incarceration.
BTW. My real initials are L J B, and my school number strange as it may seem was 117. at W N T S.
Now we have a Short biography of Sir John Mills. This is what gave me the big surprise today.
Date of Birth
22 February 1908, The Watts Naval Training College, North Elmham, Norfolk, England, UK
Date of Death
23 April 2005, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. (chest infection)
Birth Name
Lewis Ernest Watts Mills
Nickname
Johnny
Height
5' 8" (1.73 m)
Mini Biography
Sir John Mills, one of the most popular and beloved English actors, was born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills on February 22, 1908, at the Watts Naval Training College in North Elmham, Norfolk, England. The young Mills grew up in Felixstowe, Suffolk, where his father was a mathematics teacher and his mother was a theater box-office manager. The Oscar-winner appeared in more than 120 films and TV movies in a career stretching over eight decades, from his debut in 1932 in The Midshipmaid (1932) through Bright Young Things (2003) and The Snow Prince (2007).
After graduating from the Norwich Grammar School for Boys, Mills rejected his father's academic career for the performing arts. After brief employment as a clerk in a grain merchant's office, he moved to London and enrolled at Zelia Raye's Dancing School. Convinced from the age of six that performing was his destiny, Mills said, "I never considered anything else."
After training as a dancer, he started his professional career in the music hall, appearing as a chorus boy at the princely sum of four pounds sterling a week in "The Five O'Clock Revue" at the London Hippodrome, in 1929. The short, wiry song-and-dance man was scouted by Noel Coward and began to appear regularly on the London stage in revues, musicals and legitimate plays throughout the 1930s. He appeared in a score of films before the war, "quota quickies" made under a system regulating the import of American films designed to boost local production. He was a juvenile lead in The Ghost Camera (1933), appeared in the musical Car of Dreams (1935), and then played lead roles in ***'Brown on Resolution (1935)', Tudor Rose (1936) and The Green Cockatoo (1937). His Hollywood debut was in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) with Robert Donat, but he refused the American studios' entreaties to sign a contract and returned to England.
It turns out Sir John Mills Father was a Math's teacher at WNTS college, Where I Vest Number 117
was forcibly educated; but prior to the time that I was there, between Wednesday Dec 16 1936 to Wednesday January 7 1942.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
The Movie had several titles, which I discovered on Google, listed downwards from the more recent it was numbered 117, then there were others down to the number 130 his first movie.
The 117 number titles were 1, Brown in the resolution 1935, 'Albert Brown'. 2, AKA, Born for Glory USA. 3, AKA, Forever England, UK re issue title.
I had no recollection of The death of Sir John Mills, although at the time of this interview he was aged 93 years, but there was one indelible thing in my mind and that was he was cast in that movie as a 17 year old British Navy sailor at the age of 27.
This Movie is without doubt the most remembered movie I can recall, it is mentioned as such in my Pseudo Memoirs, a Novel by J L Spencer,'Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies'. Quite a few of you reading this will have read this already. Below is anexcerpt.
Beautiful English summers do not last long. (I believe summer was on a Thursday last year.) I remember standing on the parade ground during the winter wearing shorts, a thin shirt, and football boots, waiting to play an hour of soccer. Our breath formed into icicles and the wind froze our pitifully underfed frames. The broken chill blains on our hands and pale scurvy faces were very painful. It was awful, especially when the smug people giving us orders were wearing great coats and scarves! It was hardly surprising that the main occupants of the small school cemetery were eleven and twelve-year-olds. It was obvious to most that only the strong would survive the early years.
The winter highlight was a cinema show in the dining hall on a Saturday after an early shower. I have a copy of ‘England Forever’ (1935. John Mills) it was shown quite frequently to expound the values of the Royal Navy. This movie shows the British putting one over the German navy in 1914,WW2.
The name of the school in my book states it is 'Halls Naval Academy' but in real life it Was 'Watts Naval Training School' WNTS College. Nth Elmham Norfolk. close by was the river Wensum. The college was demolished in 1949 or thereabout.
A further excerpt reveals the pseudo from the reality, and some of the creature discomforts I put up with and survived as a child.
Halls Naval Academy was a charity school with a nautical theme run on militaristic principles. The estate was located in the Suffolk rural countryside far from the outside world. It was situated on the edge of a plateau that sloped east to a valley near the river Eastham where the school farmed the land.
HNA had a population of a large staff and about three hundred students between eleven and sixteen years of age. The students were allowed to take two three-week vacations each year during the summer and at Christmas. All other holiday periods were spent at the school. Students without guardians never left the school. Students had no access to the outside world, arbitral access, or personal rights. Discipline was strict. Hunger and fear of punishment were constant. Love and affection were non-existent. All communication to and from the school was censored. Those boys who never left the school on vacation became conditioned to their surroundings and were probably happier at the school than those of us who had occasional release from our incarceration.
BTW. My real initials are L J B, and my school number strange as it may seem was 117. at W N T S.
Now we have a Short biography of Sir John Mills. This is what gave me the big surprise today.
Date of Birth
22 February 1908, The Watts Naval Training College, North Elmham, Norfolk, England, UK
Date of Death
23 April 2005, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. (chest infection)
Birth Name
Lewis Ernest Watts Mills
Nickname
Johnny
Height
5' 8" (1.73 m)
Mini Biography
Sir John Mills, one of the most popular and beloved English actors, was born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills on February 22, 1908, at the Watts Naval Training College in North Elmham, Norfolk, England. The young Mills grew up in Felixstowe, Suffolk, where his father was a mathematics teacher and his mother was a theater box-office manager. The Oscar-winner appeared in more than 120 films and TV movies in a career stretching over eight decades, from his debut in 1932 in The Midshipmaid (1932) through Bright Young Things (2003) and The Snow Prince (2007).
After graduating from the Norwich Grammar School for Boys, Mills rejected his father's academic career for the performing arts. After brief employment as a clerk in a grain merchant's office, he moved to London and enrolled at Zelia Raye's Dancing School. Convinced from the age of six that performing was his destiny, Mills said, "I never considered anything else."
After training as a dancer, he started his professional career in the music hall, appearing as a chorus boy at the princely sum of four pounds sterling a week in "The Five O'Clock Revue" at the London Hippodrome, in 1929. The short, wiry song-and-dance man was scouted by Noel Coward and began to appear regularly on the London stage in revues, musicals and legitimate plays throughout the 1930s. He appeared in a score of films before the war, "quota quickies" made under a system regulating the import of American films designed to boost local production. He was a juvenile lead in The Ghost Camera (1933), appeared in the musical Car of Dreams (1935), and then played lead roles in ***'Brown on Resolution (1935)', Tudor Rose (1936) and The Green Cockatoo (1937). His Hollywood debut was in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) with Robert Donat, but he refused the American studios' entreaties to sign a contract and returned to England.
It turns out Sir John Mills Father was a Math's teacher at WNTS college, Where I Vest Number 117
was forcibly educated; but prior to the time that I was there, between Wednesday Dec 16 1936 to Wednesday January 7 1942.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
A few laughs to finish the week
The previous fortnight has been intensely busy with family & friends and it continues with a reunion of ancient mariners tomorrow and visiting Gr/ Children Friday, which leaves little time for visiting my dear friends around the world, and no time for those who are less friendly. So; see you all later.
Here are 12 (unintentional) double-entendres aired on British TV and radio.
>>1. Pat Glenn, weight lifting commentator - "And this is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing!"
>>
>>2. New Zealand Rugby Commentator - "Andrew Mehrtens loves it when Daryl Gibson comes inside of him."
>>
>>3. Ted Walsh - Horse Racing Commentator - "This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother."
>>
>>4. Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 - "Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew."
>>
>>5. US PGA Commentator - "One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them ..... Oh my god!! What have I just said??"
>>
>>6. Carenza Lewis about finding food in the Middle Ages on 'Time Team Live' said: "You'd eat beaver if you could get it."
>>
>>7. A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked, "So Bob, where's that eight inches you promised me last night?" Not only did he have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, because they were laughing so hard!
>>
>>8. Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: "Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69 yesterday."
>>
>>9. Clair Frisby talking about a jumbo hot dog on Look North said: "There's nothing like a big hot sausage inside you on a cold night like this."
>>
>>10 Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on Sky Sports: "Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets."
>>
>>11. Michael Buerk on watching Phillipa Forrester cuddle up to a male
>>astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: "They seem cold out there, they're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts."
>>
>>12. Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: "Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny, other weeks he prefers to do it by himself."
Here are 12 (unintentional) double-entendres aired on British TV and radio.
>>1. Pat Glenn, weight lifting commentator - "And this is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing!"
>>
>>2. New Zealand Rugby Commentator - "Andrew Mehrtens loves it when Daryl Gibson comes inside of him."
>>
>>3. Ted Walsh - Horse Racing Commentator - "This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother."
>>
>>4. Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 - "Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew."
>>
>>5. US PGA Commentator - "One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them ..... Oh my god!! What have I just said??"
>>
>>6. Carenza Lewis about finding food in the Middle Ages on 'Time Team Live' said: "You'd eat beaver if you could get it."
>>
>>7. A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked, "So Bob, where's that eight inches you promised me last night?" Not only did he have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, because they were laughing so hard!
>>
>>8. Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: "Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69 yesterday."
>>
>>9. Clair Frisby talking about a jumbo hot dog on Look North said: "There's nothing like a big hot sausage inside you on a cold night like this."
>>
>>10 Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on Sky Sports: "Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets."
>>
>>11. Michael Buerk on watching Phillipa Forrester cuddle up to a male
>>astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: "They seem cold out there, they're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts."
>>
>>12. Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: "Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny, other weeks he prefers to do it by himself."
Monday, 16 July 2007
The Atomic Age commenced on Vests 19th Birthday, Sixty Two years Ago.. July 16 1945
Yes it is true. The first test of the bomb was in New Mexico Monday 16-7-1945.
Apollo 11 took off for the moon landing 9pm Bst 16-7-1969.
The Muslim calendar commenced 16-7-622, Wot a shame.
Thank you all for your Birthday greeting E mails and the birthday comments on the previous posts.
Apollo 11 took off for the moon landing 9pm Bst 16-7-1969.
The Muslim calendar commenced 16-7-622, Wot a shame.
Thank you all for your Birthday greeting E mails and the birthday comments on the previous posts.
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Saby Dasouza's Grand father DIOGO LEWIS FERNANDES is 100 Years Old Today July 14 - 07.
SEND BIRTHDAY WISHES TO THIS NICE OLD GUY WHO LIVES IN MUMBAI INDIA,
VIA E mail to sabydasouza@yahoo.com Thank you. He deserves recognition, as he really must have been good to get to the ripe old age of 100 years.
Happy Birthday, DIOGO LEWIS FERNANDES.
VIA E mail to sabydasouza@yahoo.com Thank you. He deserves recognition, as he really must have been good to get to the ripe old age of 100 years.
Happy Birthday, DIOGO LEWIS FERNANDES.
Be KInd To Your Well Intentioned Friends.
Subject: Detainees...
Detainees...
A lady libertarian wrote a lot of letters to the government, complaining about the treatment of a captive insurgent (terrorist) being held in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities. She received back the following reply:
National Defence Headquarters
MGen George R. Pearkes Bldg, 15 NT
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K2
Canada
Dear Concerned Citizen,
Thank you for your recent letter expressing your profound concern of
treatment of the Taliban and Al Quaeda terrorists captured by Canadian
Forces who were subsequently transferred to the Afghanistan Government
and are currently being held by Afghan officials in Afghanistan
National Correctional System facilities.
Our administration takes these matters seriously and your opinions
were heard loud and clear here in Ottawa. You will be pleased to
learn, thanks to the concerns of citizens like yourself, we are
creating a new department here at the Department of National Defense,
to be called 'Liberals Accept Responsibility for Killers' program, or
L. A. R. K. for short.
In accordance with the guidelines of this new program, we have decided
to divert one terrorist and place him in your personal care. Your
personal detainee has been selected and is scheduled for
transportation under heavily armed guard to your residence in Toronto
next Monday. Ali Mohammed Ahmed bin Mahmud (you can just call him
Ahmed) is to be cared for pursuant to the standards you personally
demanded in your letter of complaint. It will likely be necessary for
you to hire some assistant caretakers. We will conduct weekly
inspections to ensure that your standards of care for Ahmed are
commensurate with those you so strongly recommend in your letter.
Although Ahmed is a sociopath and extremely violent, we hope that your
sensitivity to what you described as his 'attitudinal problem' will
help him overcome these character flaws. Perhaps you are correct in
describing these problems as mere cultural differences. We understand
that you plan to offer counseling and home schooling.
Your adopted terrorist is extremely proficient in hand-to-hand combat
and can extinguish human life with such simple items as a pencil or
nail clippers. We advise that you do not ask him to demonstrate these
skills at your next yoga group. He is also expert at making a wide
variety of explosive devices from common household products, so you
may wish to keep those items locked up, unless (in your opinion) this
might offend him.
Ahmed will not wish to interact with you or your daughters (except
sexually) since he views females as a subhuman form of property. This
is a particularly sensitive subject for him and he has been known to
show violent tendencies around women who fail to comply with the new
dress code that he will recommend as a more appropriate attire. I'm
sure you will come to enjoy the anonymity offered by the burka over
time. Just remember that it is all part of 'respecting his culture and
religious beliefs' as described in your letter.
Thanks again for your concern. We truly appreciate it when folks like
you keep us informed of the proper way to do our job and care for our
fellow man. You take good care of Ahmed and remember . . . we'll be
watching.
Good luck and God bless you.
Cordially,
Gordon O'Connor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detainees...
A lady libertarian wrote a lot of letters to the government, complaining about the treatment of a captive insurgent (terrorist) being held in Afghanistan National Correctional System facilities. She received back the following reply:
National Defence Headquarters
MGen George R. Pearkes Bldg, 15 NT
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K2
Canada
Dear Concerned Citizen,
Thank you for your recent letter expressing your profound concern of
treatment of the Taliban and Al Quaeda terrorists captured by Canadian
Forces who were subsequently transferred to the Afghanistan Government
and are currently being held by Afghan officials in Afghanistan
National Correctional System facilities.
Our administration takes these matters seriously and your opinions
were heard loud and clear here in Ottawa. You will be pleased to
learn, thanks to the concerns of citizens like yourself, we are
creating a new department here at the Department of National Defense,
to be called 'Liberals Accept Responsibility for Killers' program, or
L. A. R. K. for short.
In accordance with the guidelines of this new program, we have decided
to divert one terrorist and place him in your personal care. Your
personal detainee has been selected and is scheduled for
transportation under heavily armed guard to your residence in Toronto
next Monday. Ali Mohammed Ahmed bin Mahmud (you can just call him
Ahmed) is to be cared for pursuant to the standards you personally
demanded in your letter of complaint. It will likely be necessary for
you to hire some assistant caretakers. We will conduct weekly
inspections to ensure that your standards of care for Ahmed are
commensurate with those you so strongly recommend in your letter.
Although Ahmed is a sociopath and extremely violent, we hope that your
sensitivity to what you described as his 'attitudinal problem' will
help him overcome these character flaws. Perhaps you are correct in
describing these problems as mere cultural differences. We understand
that you plan to offer counseling and home schooling.
Your adopted terrorist is extremely proficient in hand-to-hand combat
and can extinguish human life with such simple items as a pencil or
nail clippers. We advise that you do not ask him to demonstrate these
skills at your next yoga group. He is also expert at making a wide
variety of explosive devices from common household products, so you
may wish to keep those items locked up, unless (in your opinion) this
might offend him.
Ahmed will not wish to interact with you or your daughters (except
sexually) since he views females as a subhuman form of property. This
is a particularly sensitive subject for him and he has been known to
show violent tendencies around women who fail to comply with the new
dress code that he will recommend as a more appropriate attire. I'm
sure you will come to enjoy the anonymity offered by the burka over
time. Just remember that it is all part of 'respecting his culture and
religious beliefs' as described in your letter.
Thanks again for your concern. We truly appreciate it when folks like
you keep us informed of the proper way to do our job and care for our
fellow man. You take good care of Ahmed and remember . . . we'll be
watching.
Good luck and God bless you.
Cordially,
Gordon O'Connor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
Kiss a Non Smoker And Taste The Difference.
This is a Re-run
WHAT happened to the slogan 'Kiss a non smoker and taste the difference'?
Did the tobacco companies buy the copyright and ban its publication? if so what about having a new slogan! But remember the kids will have to see it too.
My partner and I are non smokers and only experience this dreadful problem at alcohol pumped up parties and other social gatherings.
What have you experienced when kissing a tobacco smoker? be careful now.
What are your thoughts on tobacco usage in general? like ban Smokes, ration them or tax them out of reach of people, or should we wear a non smokers badge which states,
"Blow that smoke in my face and you will die you bastard"
Remember you dopey smokers, It will reduce your shagging days considerably and each smoke an hour of your life.
Maybe smokers should be fitted with smoke stacks!!
ADD: My two local social clubs which are in a medium size category, segregate smoking areas, however, the gaming areas are all smoking areas, which in my opinion is totally wrong.
I try when possible to occupy an area in the clubs well away from the smokers but my clothing stinks of tobacco smoke when I arrive home.
If we non smokers survive another year we will see ALL smoking banned in pubs and clubs, then a rise in fees and possibly a few establishments going to the wall.
posted by Vest @ 5/29/2006 02:38:00 PM 5 comments links to this post
5 Comments:
At Monday, 29 May 2006 10:29:00 PM EST, Jeannie said...
Our community was a flagship for banning smoking in public places. I have been a non-smoker for about 25 years. While I appreciated non-smoking areas in restaurants prior to this, I thought it would be terrible for smokers not to be able to enjoy a smoke with a drink in the pub. However, when it finally came thru, it was very nice to go out and not stink of smoke or have irritated eyes or throat. There were a couple of dives that went under because the little business they drew decided to take it home. Our favourite pub however had a 40% increase in food sales. Without the smoke, appetites were bigger, when food was delivered to another table, you could smell it and wanted some. Pubs were still packed. Restaurants - no prob. Now, I find it disgusting to enter a restaurant or coffee shop with smokers. I wouldn't buy a donut from one of these places ever. The part I don't like about it is seeing grown-ups standing outside the doors of a bar smoking, littering the sidewalk with butts. Some bars have covered, heated patios for smokers which hides them away from the public eye. These do well.
What I don't understand is that with all the knowledge of how bad smoking is, how come the kids get started on it? What makes it cool? When I started, 75% of people smoked. I guess we knew it was bad then too but the majority did it anyway. Now that's not the case at all.
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 12:21:00 AM EST, Notta Wallflower said...
Blech - I hate smoke and I refuse to be with someone who smokes. I have never been a smoker, though, but have had to live with people who do. Probably why I have a low tolerance for it.
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 08:24:00 PM EST, zed said...
hi mr vest ...i forget to tell you that i dont smoke any more and the bosses grandaughter is is nice too
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 09:09:00 PM EST, ParlayPicks said...
wow nice blog..yeah i agree..its like in china too..i went to their internet cafe to check some mails..and inside was all smokers under aircon playing the games and etc..my whole body rids of ciggies within minutes
At Tuesday, 10 July 2007 08:22:00 PM EST, Vest said...
As from July 2 07. All clubs a pubs are smoke free in our state of NSW Australia.
Contact Blog Owner Direct
Waving Goodbye To A Thousand Flies
Recommended Reading
WHAT happened to the slogan 'Kiss a non smoker and taste the difference'?
Did the tobacco companies buy the copyright and ban its publication? if so what about having a new slogan! But remember the kids will have to see it too.
My partner and I are non smokers and only experience this dreadful problem at alcohol pumped up parties and other social gatherings.
What have you experienced when kissing a tobacco smoker? be careful now.
What are your thoughts on tobacco usage in general? like ban Smokes, ration them or tax them out of reach of people, or should we wear a non smokers badge which states,
"Blow that smoke in my face and you will die you bastard"
Remember you dopey smokers, It will reduce your shagging days considerably and each smoke an hour of your life.
Maybe smokers should be fitted with smoke stacks!!
ADD: My two local social clubs which are in a medium size category, segregate smoking areas, however, the gaming areas are all smoking areas, which in my opinion is totally wrong.
I try when possible to occupy an area in the clubs well away from the smokers but my clothing stinks of tobacco smoke when I arrive home.
If we non smokers survive another year we will see ALL smoking banned in pubs and clubs, then a rise in fees and possibly a few establishments going to the wall.
posted by Vest @ 5/29/2006 02:38:00 PM 5 comments links to this post
5 Comments:
At Monday, 29 May 2006 10:29:00 PM EST, Jeannie said...
Our community was a flagship for banning smoking in public places. I have been a non-smoker for about 25 years. While I appreciated non-smoking areas in restaurants prior to this, I thought it would be terrible for smokers not to be able to enjoy a smoke with a drink in the pub. However, when it finally came thru, it was very nice to go out and not stink of smoke or have irritated eyes or throat. There were a couple of dives that went under because the little business they drew decided to take it home. Our favourite pub however had a 40% increase in food sales. Without the smoke, appetites were bigger, when food was delivered to another table, you could smell it and wanted some. Pubs were still packed. Restaurants - no prob. Now, I find it disgusting to enter a restaurant or coffee shop with smokers. I wouldn't buy a donut from one of these places ever. The part I don't like about it is seeing grown-ups standing outside the doors of a bar smoking, littering the sidewalk with butts. Some bars have covered, heated patios for smokers which hides them away from the public eye. These do well.
What I don't understand is that with all the knowledge of how bad smoking is, how come the kids get started on it? What makes it cool? When I started, 75% of people smoked. I guess we knew it was bad then too but the majority did it anyway. Now that's not the case at all.
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 12:21:00 AM EST, Notta Wallflower said...
Blech - I hate smoke and I refuse to be with someone who smokes. I have never been a smoker, though, but have had to live with people who do. Probably why I have a low tolerance for it.
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 08:24:00 PM EST, zed said...
hi mr vest ...i forget to tell you that i dont smoke any more and the bosses grandaughter is is nice too
At Tuesday, 30 May 2006 09:09:00 PM EST, ParlayPicks said...
wow nice blog..yeah i agree..its like in china too..i went to their internet cafe to check some mails..and inside was all smokers under aircon playing the games and etc..my whole body rids of ciggies within minutes
At Tuesday, 10 July 2007 08:22:00 PM EST, Vest said...
As from July 2 07. All clubs a pubs are smoke free in our state of NSW Australia.
Contact Blog Owner Direct
Waving Goodbye To A Thousand Flies
Recommended Reading
Apes Endangered. Or are Endangered African Children More Important
APES: Why should G R A S P grab the funds of well meaning Ape sympathisers, who are targeting the public in order to support the people who in turn give assistance to the various types of dwindling Ape populations on mother earth. Why not, you might say.
Well I think not! with reservations of course. Those kind hearted people presently involved are doing a good job, No doubt about that, but how far from extinction are these Apes, now living in their rapidly diminishing rain forests? could they be relocated to other rain forest areas like in Australia? unlikely, might be the reply from the Oz Immigration Dept, A spokes person ; believed to be a liberal politician stated, "If they tend to be more human than other animals - repeat animals, it would not be long before they claimed social security benefits - like haven't we got enough bone idle apes on the dole already.
Would they assimilate into our suburban population and become model citizens?
If so, what particular suburb would you recommend they be directed to, would they more likely settle down in places like Appin or Chimpindale or maybe they would be happy in Forestville, where there are lots of rich silver tail humans who may find mateship with a few silver back Gorillas rewarding.
Or, forget this hotchpotch and direct all available assistance to our own species, the hordes of starving children in war torn African countries.
Whatever you decide, do it by opening your purse or wallet, make a real decision.
A Charity re-run, a former post by Vest.
Well I think not! with reservations of course. Those kind hearted people presently involved are doing a good job, No doubt about that, but how far from extinction are these Apes, now living in their rapidly diminishing rain forests? could they be relocated to other rain forest areas like in Australia? unlikely, might be the reply from the Oz Immigration Dept, A spokes person ; believed to be a liberal politician stated, "If they tend to be more human than other animals - repeat animals, it would not be long before they claimed social security benefits - like haven't we got enough bone idle apes on the dole already.
Would they assimilate into our suburban population and become model citizens?
If so, what particular suburb would you recommend they be directed to, would they more likely settle down in places like Appin or Chimpindale or maybe they would be happy in Forestville, where there are lots of rich silver tail humans who may find mateship with a few silver back Gorillas rewarding.
Or, forget this hotchpotch and direct all available assistance to our own species, the hordes of starving children in war torn African countries.
Whatever you decide, do it by opening your purse or wallet, make a real decision.
A Charity re-run, a former post by Vest.
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Basa fresh water fish fillets??? Not quite, More like Mekong river Sewer dwellers.
Every year Australians eat around 13 kilograms of fish per person. And if health authorities had their way, we'd be eating even more. But in the face of that increasing demand, the local fishing industry is facing declining stocks and fewer licences, meaning we have to get used to having less home grown fish. Consequently, in recent years, the relatively cheap Vietnamese or Mekong catfish has made huge inroads into our market. Not that most consumers would know. Lax naming laws mean the imported fish is often sold under more familiar, local sounding names. Of particular concern is the fact that some of this fish has been found to contain traces of a suspected carcinogen. The same problems have occurred in and around Sydney Australia and bans were imposed on recreational and commercial fishing over a year ago. yet the govt is allowing this suspect fish to be imported with impunity because of its weak inspection guidelines
Australians love their seafood and are being urged to eat more for health reasons. Increasingly it comes from overseas, so what exactly are we eating?
Over the past few years, there's been an influx of this boneless, skinless lightly flavoured fillet. Generally it is called basa.
It has penetrated the market quite drastically and most of the fish and chip shops are using it in place of the more expensive fish.
What most Australians probably don't know is it's a Vietnamese catfish, farmed in the waters of the Mekong Delta.
Might as well be called Tongan terakihi for all I care but it should be known as Vietnamese catfish.
At the moment in Australia there are laws saying what a fish must be called. For example, this piece from a Coles supermarket came from a batch simply labeled "fresh water fillets" although basa appeared on the price tag. Coles said that was an exception to store policy, which is to label it at the deli counter as both imported and basa. Elsewhere the fish is sometimes called freshwater dory or more controversially pacific dory or pacific roughie.
This basa fillet is neither from the Pacific or is it a dory so that name is purely a promotional name and very deceptive to the public.
The reason this naming issue is so crucial is that if consumers knew it came from the Mekong Delta they might think twice about eating it.
The Mekong River is a known SEWER. The fishing industry is not that big an industry worldwide. We know what sort of waters people are taking fish out of.
The concerns I have with basa as a fish is basically the innuendos about its quality and the safety assurance that the consumer has with it.
The committee that's currently deciding on the official names for all fish sold here are saying the naming issues are real, but the health concerns are a beat up.
A strong supporter of the local industry importing selectively for his business said he doesn't worry about the basa's living conditions. He probably doesn't eat the shit laden fish
Internationally, there's also been concern that traces of a chemical called malachite green have been found in basa. It's a green textile dye approved in pet shops for aquarium fish, but using it on aqua culture fish is illegal here, in the US, the UK, China and many other countries. It's been used as a fungicide but it's suspected of causing cancer and leaves behind a harmful residue called leuchomalachite.
It's a safety issue in Europe, safety issue in the US. Why not in Australia.
The organisation governing food standards says malachite green is not being tested because of safety concerns, but because no one has applied to approve the chemical for use, maximum residue levels have not been set, hence it is illegal. Supporters of basa argue the proven health benefits of eating fish would far outweigh any suspected harm of levels of malachite green found so far. Australian authorities started testing for the chemical in September last year. Five per cent of all farmed fish imports is only tested on a random basis. Well, 5 per cent is a very small figure. It's a very small figure, indeed, when you consider the tonnage that's involved.
Australia's testing was prompted by what was found in 60 fish samples a few months ago. Ten tested positive for leuchomalachite and in some cases malachite green. The food standards body says that very small levels of the chemicals did not present a public health concern. The seven foreign positive tests were all basa
Last October, 10 days after testing began. Two of the three samples showed leuchomalachite green. One sample showed 10 times the detectable amount. The lab involved confirmed the document was from one of its reports, but wouldn't say who commissioned the tests. This argument about basa comes as the Australian fishing industry feels the pinch. Australia produces relatively low volumes of high-quality fish and the costs of being clean and green make it vulnerable to large quantities of cheap imports like basa.
As far as the naming issues go, it's thought officially enforceable titles should be standardised early next year. Consumers might then be able to separate shitfish and sewer born catfish from the roughies. basa Freshwater fish my arse.
These fish are river cleaners, living in waters that are virtual sewers if you are offered this for your next meal tell them where to stuff it, it will feel at home.
Australians love their seafood and are being urged to eat more for health reasons. Increasingly it comes from overseas, so what exactly are we eating?
Over the past few years, there's been an influx of this boneless, skinless lightly flavoured fillet. Generally it is called basa.
It has penetrated the market quite drastically and most of the fish and chip shops are using it in place of the more expensive fish.
What most Australians probably don't know is it's a Vietnamese catfish, farmed in the waters of the Mekong Delta.
Might as well be called Tongan terakihi for all I care but it should be known as Vietnamese catfish.
At the moment in Australia there are laws saying what a fish must be called. For example, this piece from a Coles supermarket came from a batch simply labeled "fresh water fillets" although basa appeared on the price tag. Coles said that was an exception to store policy, which is to label it at the deli counter as both imported and basa. Elsewhere the fish is sometimes called freshwater dory or more controversially pacific dory or pacific roughie.
This basa fillet is neither from the Pacific or is it a dory so that name is purely a promotional name and very deceptive to the public.
The reason this naming issue is so crucial is that if consumers knew it came from the Mekong Delta they might think twice about eating it.
The Mekong River is a known SEWER. The fishing industry is not that big an industry worldwide. We know what sort of waters people are taking fish out of.
The concerns I have with basa as a fish is basically the innuendos about its quality and the safety assurance that the consumer has with it.
The committee that's currently deciding on the official names for all fish sold here are saying the naming issues are real, but the health concerns are a beat up.
A strong supporter of the local industry importing selectively for his business said he doesn't worry about the basa's living conditions. He probably doesn't eat the shit laden fish
Internationally, there's also been concern that traces of a chemical called malachite green have been found in basa. It's a green textile dye approved in pet shops for aquarium fish, but using it on aqua culture fish is illegal here, in the US, the UK, China and many other countries. It's been used as a fungicide but it's suspected of causing cancer and leaves behind a harmful residue called leuchomalachite.
It's a safety issue in Europe, safety issue in the US. Why not in Australia.
The organisation governing food standards says malachite green is not being tested because of safety concerns, but because no one has applied to approve the chemical for use, maximum residue levels have not been set, hence it is illegal. Supporters of basa argue the proven health benefits of eating fish would far outweigh any suspected harm of levels of malachite green found so far. Australian authorities started testing for the chemical in September last year. Five per cent of all farmed fish imports is only tested on a random basis. Well, 5 per cent is a very small figure. It's a very small figure, indeed, when you consider the tonnage that's involved.
Australia's testing was prompted by what was found in 60 fish samples a few months ago. Ten tested positive for leuchomalachite and in some cases malachite green. The food standards body says that very small levels of the chemicals did not present a public health concern. The seven foreign positive tests were all basa
Last October, 10 days after testing began. Two of the three samples showed leuchomalachite green. One sample showed 10 times the detectable amount. The lab involved confirmed the document was from one of its reports, but wouldn't say who commissioned the tests. This argument about basa comes as the Australian fishing industry feels the pinch. Australia produces relatively low volumes of high-quality fish and the costs of being clean and green make it vulnerable to large quantities of cheap imports like basa.
As far as the naming issues go, it's thought officially enforceable titles should be standardised early next year. Consumers might then be able to separate shitfish and sewer born catfish from the roughies. basa Freshwater fish my arse.
These fish are river cleaners, living in waters that are virtual sewers if you are offered this for your next meal tell them where to stuff it, it will feel at home.
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Lucky Seven 07-07-07. Or will these flim flam nuptials defy the 'Seven Year Itch.
I do hope I am proven wrong, but a bunch of nuts marrying for all the wrong reasons is what I perceive here.
SEVEN-tier cakes, 7pm receptions, seven types of flowers - for couples who plan to marry on 07/07/07, that is the number.
Wedding celebrants will today experience one of the busiest days in the industry's history, with thousands choosing the special date to exchange vows.
In Sydney, the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has extended its opening hours to cope with demand for the date as 24 couples will be married there, the first service at 9am and the last to finish after 8pm.
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages registrar Greg Curry said the date had caused a "sensation" with couples looking to kick-start their marriages.
For Jeff Chen, 25, and 24-year-old Angela Feng, to be married during the registry's all-important 7pm timeslot, the date and time were simply a happy accident.
"It's not a special date for us . . . it's coincidence that we're getting married at 7pm," Mr Chen said. "They'd extended the opening hours and that time was the first available slot so we said, 'Oh, all right then – that's when we'll get married'.
"My fiancee is pregnant so we just wanted to do it quickly. Our parents will be there and we're having a dinner afterwards."
Why 07/07/07 is considered a lucky date:
According to Christian doctrine, God created the world and rested on the seventh day
For gamblers, 777 is the top slot-machine jackpot; the digits add up to 21 for blackjack; and in craps a roll that adds up to 7 wins
Christians celebrate seven sacraments and seven virtues. Native Americans honour seven directions. Hindus recognise seven chakras, or energy centres in the body
The seventh day falls on Saturday for Jews and Seventh Day Adventists
There are seven wonders of the world
The list of lucky sevens is inexhaustible, but after taking seven years to knock out seven children, Comes the SEVEN YEAR ITCH, or in Hollywood the 'Two Year Scratch'.
SEVEN-tier cakes, 7pm receptions, seven types of flowers - for couples who plan to marry on 07/07/07, that is the number.
Wedding celebrants will today experience one of the busiest days in the industry's history, with thousands choosing the special date to exchange vows.
In Sydney, the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has extended its opening hours to cope with demand for the date as 24 couples will be married there, the first service at 9am and the last to finish after 8pm.
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages registrar Greg Curry said the date had caused a "sensation" with couples looking to kick-start their marriages.
For Jeff Chen, 25, and 24-year-old Angela Feng, to be married during the registry's all-important 7pm timeslot, the date and time were simply a happy accident.
"It's not a special date for us . . . it's coincidence that we're getting married at 7pm," Mr Chen said. "They'd extended the opening hours and that time was the first available slot so we said, 'Oh, all right then – that's when we'll get married'.
"My fiancee is pregnant so we just wanted to do it quickly. Our parents will be there and we're having a dinner afterwards."
Why 07/07/07 is considered a lucky date:
According to Christian doctrine, God created the world and rested on the seventh day
For gamblers, 777 is the top slot-machine jackpot; the digits add up to 21 for blackjack; and in craps a roll that adds up to 7 wins
Christians celebrate seven sacraments and seven virtues. Native Americans honour seven directions. Hindus recognise seven chakras, or energy centres in the body
The seventh day falls on Saturday for Jews and Seventh Day Adventists
There are seven wonders of the world
The list of lucky sevens is inexhaustible, but after taking seven years to knock out seven children, Comes the SEVEN YEAR ITCH, or in Hollywood the 'Two Year Scratch'.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
Just Thinking, That's All.
JUST thinking. As my youngest son drove off to work a few minutes ago I realized he had reached the exact age that I was when I left the British Royal Navy on terminal leave; having completed 24 and a half years of service.
Like he is now so was I; one month from reaching forty years of age. However that was forty one years ago and since then my former employer has paid to me a quarter of my former salary equal to ($574,000) in todays terms, but I am fully aware that what I have received was in compensation for sticking my neck out for the benefit of the British public in general, and unfortunately for them being a infrequent survivor of the system, and to them a rarity.
In hindsight I would never allow this to happen, but being ill informed and impressionable, I allowed myself to be carried away by the euphoria of the conflict between nations at that time, surviving became all important to me and survive I did, although many others who may have had similar aspirations fell foul of the system.
Although much of my naval experiences were during non violent times, separation from family for long periods was painful and the wealth of experience gained from foreign travel hardly compensated for the feeling of home and family. So it all seems to me like a wager(A bet) 'Their Lords and Commissioners of the Admiralty; bet you don't make it all the way alive, and with your sanity', well lucky me!.
However, in reality, there is only one success and that is to be able to live your life in your own way and not give others absurd, maddening claims upon it. VEST.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSEMARY" 5-7-34. X.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like he is now so was I; one month from reaching forty years of age. However that was forty one years ago and since then my former employer has paid to me a quarter of my former salary equal to ($574,000) in todays terms, but I am fully aware that what I have received was in compensation for sticking my neck out for the benefit of the British public in general, and unfortunately for them being a infrequent survivor of the system, and to them a rarity.
In hindsight I would never allow this to happen, but being ill informed and impressionable, I allowed myself to be carried away by the euphoria of the conflict between nations at that time, surviving became all important to me and survive I did, although many others who may have had similar aspirations fell foul of the system.
Although much of my naval experiences were during non violent times, separation from family for long periods was painful and the wealth of experience gained from foreign travel hardly compensated for the feeling of home and family. So it all seems to me like a wager(A bet) 'Their Lords and Commissioners of the Admiralty; bet you don't make it all the way alive, and with your sanity', well lucky me!.
However, in reality, there is only one success and that is to be able to live your life in your own way and not give others absurd, maddening claims upon it. VEST.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSEMARY" 5-7-34. X.
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Monday, 2 July 2007
Prime Miniature 'The John' chicken hawk Howard say's "Real Threat of terrorism in OZ ".
UP to 3000 young Muslims in Sydney alone are at risk of becoming radicalised by fundamentalist Islam as community leaders warn that Australia has become a "prime country" for hardliners pushing extremist ideologies.
The Australian reports today Howard Government-funded research has also found there are more young Muslims per capita who are vulnerable to the influence of radical Islam in Australia than in any other western country.
The revelations came as John Howard warned that Australians needed to remain vigilant about the threat of terrorism.
While Australia's security threat level would not be heightened following foiled terrorist attacks in Britain since Friday, the Prime Minister criticised those who sought to play down or dismiss the danger of an attack on home soil.
"What is happening in Great Britain is a reminder to all of us that, despite all the talk on occasions from some that the threat of terrorism is exaggerated in our society, it is not, and we must remain vigilant," he said.
"It is just a reminder again that we can't rest, we have to remain vigilant."
The Federal Government's project looking into the radicalisation of young Muslims is headed by a former member of Mr Howard's Islamic advisory board, Mustapha Kara-Ali, who yesterday warned that Australia's mainstream community should not take comfort in the fact that a terrorist attack has not yet been carried out on our shores.
He praised the efforts of national security agencies in arresting 22 alleged Melbourne- and Sydney-based terrorism suspects in November 2005.
"We're finding out that per capita we've got a huge number of young Muslims (vulnerable to radicalisation) compared to other countries where there's a bigger community but yet relatively the same number of extremist youth," he said.
Mr Kara-Ali – who was given a $200,000 grant by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in June last year to investigate the radicalisation of young Muslims in Sydney's southwest – told The Australian there were up to 3000 young Sunni Muslim in that region of the state who were part of "ideological sleeper cells" on the brink of becoming radicalised.
"I believe in Sydney alone there's about 2000 and 3000 young Muslims vulnerable to being radicalised," he said.
"There are ideological sleeper cells waiting to be completely radicalised. Because radicalisation ... is to act upon your extremist teachings."
Mr Howard said September's APEC summit in Sydney and the World Youth Day next July would have the "inconvenience" of appropriate security, but altering or cancelling the events would be a victory for terrorists.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd yesterday called on Mr Howard to implement a recommendation in the 2005 Wheeler report regarding the screening of cargo on passenger flights after two men tried to drive a blazing Jeep through the doors of the Glasgow airport terminal on the weekend.
"Terrorism represents a threat to all civilised countries including Britain, including Australia, and therefore it is incumbent upon Australia to make sure that all practical measures are in place when it comes to dealing with any terrorist threat on our shores," hesaid.
"I would again ... implore the Federal Government to examine very carefully their commitments to implement fully the Wheeler report when it comes to airport and airline security, particularly that which goes to the whole question of the proper screening of air cargo travelling on passenger jets."
Mr Kara-Ali said his project would publish a 100-page guide book – The Way Forward for Australian Muslims: A Good Practice Guide for Building Identity and Resisting Radicalisation – which is currently under review and is expected to be distributed in Sydney's southwest this month.
The Muslim leader said the detention of five Australian Muslims by Lebanese authorities should not be seen as the beginning of a new trend of young community members travelling overseas to perform their jihad.
"It just so happens that some of those arrested had been in Lebanon for the last couple of years, so they were not there in anticipation of the refugee camp going off and blowing up," Mr Kara-Ali said.
Australian boxing champion Ahmed Elomar, Ibrahim Sabouh, Omar Hadba, Mohammad Basal and a fifth man believed to be Hussan Sabagh were arrested by authorities in Lebanon two weeks ago over their alleged links to Fatah al-Islam, which had been locked in a bloody battle with the Lebanese military since May.
Mr Hadba's father said his son had been moved to a defence department prison in Beirut as prosecutors prepared to lay terrorism charges against him.
It is expected Mr Hadba will be charged with facilitating the terror group Fatah al-Islam. Lebanese intelligence officers have been trying to establish the source of the estimated 500kg of military weapons found in his shed.
Australian officials are not expecting any further information about the detained men until the end of the week when military intelligence officers finish interrogating them.
Mr Kara-Ali said hardline clerics in Australia were continuing to exploit community divisions and global political hotspots such as the Palestinian territories and Iraq to recruit young Muslims between the ages of 15 and 25.
"Australia is a prime country for radicalisation," Mr Kara-Ali said.
"Because the Muslim community in Australia is still new, there isn't a strong established Islamic order and that means the (fundamentalist) Wahabi movement can penetrate the community further and recruit more at ease then they would be able to do in the Middle East where there is an establishment – a traditional Islamic order in place which would resist them."
---------------------------------
Adding a further threat of violence, are possible anti terrorist cells who have been recruited from an undisclosed clandestine Govt funded body. These persons will take the necessary steps to ensure that for each act of terrorism a prearranged counter strike or strikes of a much greater magnitude will take place on previously selected targets deemed to be involved in subversive or pro terrorist activities.
Right or wrong, it would imply that it is a "You hit me once, and I'll hit you ten times harder policy.
listening in on a conversation at a club some months back after viewing a television coverage of a terrorist strike in England I first thought that, these people were on a bravado trip, but after a couple of minutes of listening I became more convinced that, what they were discussing could be in fact a reality. the Identity of these persons have vanished from my mind, they could be anyone of thousands of people visiting this holiday town. The mind boggles.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
The Australian reports today Howard Government-funded research has also found there are more young Muslims per capita who are vulnerable to the influence of radical Islam in Australia than in any other western country.
The revelations came as John Howard warned that Australians needed to remain vigilant about the threat of terrorism.
While Australia's security threat level would not be heightened following foiled terrorist attacks in Britain since Friday, the Prime Minister criticised those who sought to play down or dismiss the danger of an attack on home soil.
"What is happening in Great Britain is a reminder to all of us that, despite all the talk on occasions from some that the threat of terrorism is exaggerated in our society, it is not, and we must remain vigilant," he said.
"It is just a reminder again that we can't rest, we have to remain vigilant."
The Federal Government's project looking into the radicalisation of young Muslims is headed by a former member of Mr Howard's Islamic advisory board, Mustapha Kara-Ali, who yesterday warned that Australia's mainstream community should not take comfort in the fact that a terrorist attack has not yet been carried out on our shores.
He praised the efforts of national security agencies in arresting 22 alleged Melbourne- and Sydney-based terrorism suspects in November 2005.
"We're finding out that per capita we've got a huge number of young Muslims (vulnerable to radicalisation) compared to other countries where there's a bigger community but yet relatively the same number of extremist youth," he said.
Mr Kara-Ali – who was given a $200,000 grant by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in June last year to investigate the radicalisation of young Muslims in Sydney's southwest – told The Australian there were up to 3000 young Sunni Muslim in that region of the state who were part of "ideological sleeper cells" on the brink of becoming radicalised.
"I believe in Sydney alone there's about 2000 and 3000 young Muslims vulnerable to being radicalised," he said.
"There are ideological sleeper cells waiting to be completely radicalised. Because radicalisation ... is to act upon your extremist teachings."
Mr Howard said September's APEC summit in Sydney and the World Youth Day next July would have the "inconvenience" of appropriate security, but altering or cancelling the events would be a victory for terrorists.
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd yesterday called on Mr Howard to implement a recommendation in the 2005 Wheeler report regarding the screening of cargo on passenger flights after two men tried to drive a blazing Jeep through the doors of the Glasgow airport terminal on the weekend.
"Terrorism represents a threat to all civilised countries including Britain, including Australia, and therefore it is incumbent upon Australia to make sure that all practical measures are in place when it comes to dealing with any terrorist threat on our shores," hesaid.
"I would again ... implore the Federal Government to examine very carefully their commitments to implement fully the Wheeler report when it comes to airport and airline security, particularly that which goes to the whole question of the proper screening of air cargo travelling on passenger jets."
Mr Kara-Ali said his project would publish a 100-page guide book – The Way Forward for Australian Muslims: A Good Practice Guide for Building Identity and Resisting Radicalisation – which is currently under review and is expected to be distributed in Sydney's southwest this month.
The Muslim leader said the detention of five Australian Muslims by Lebanese authorities should not be seen as the beginning of a new trend of young community members travelling overseas to perform their jihad.
"It just so happens that some of those arrested had been in Lebanon for the last couple of years, so they were not there in anticipation of the refugee camp going off and blowing up," Mr Kara-Ali said.
Australian boxing champion Ahmed Elomar, Ibrahim Sabouh, Omar Hadba, Mohammad Basal and a fifth man believed to be Hussan Sabagh were arrested by authorities in Lebanon two weeks ago over their alleged links to Fatah al-Islam, which had been locked in a bloody battle with the Lebanese military since May.
Mr Hadba's father said his son had been moved to a defence department prison in Beirut as prosecutors prepared to lay terrorism charges against him.
It is expected Mr Hadba will be charged with facilitating the terror group Fatah al-Islam. Lebanese intelligence officers have been trying to establish the source of the estimated 500kg of military weapons found in his shed.
Australian officials are not expecting any further information about the detained men until the end of the week when military intelligence officers finish interrogating them.
Mr Kara-Ali said hardline clerics in Australia were continuing to exploit community divisions and global political hotspots such as the Palestinian territories and Iraq to recruit young Muslims between the ages of 15 and 25.
"Australia is a prime country for radicalisation," Mr Kara-Ali said.
"Because the Muslim community in Australia is still new, there isn't a strong established Islamic order and that means the (fundamentalist) Wahabi movement can penetrate the community further and recruit more at ease then they would be able to do in the Middle East where there is an establishment – a traditional Islamic order in place which would resist them."
---------------------------------
Adding a further threat of violence, are possible anti terrorist cells who have been recruited from an undisclosed clandestine Govt funded body. These persons will take the necessary steps to ensure that for each act of terrorism a prearranged counter strike or strikes of a much greater magnitude will take place on previously selected targets deemed to be involved in subversive or pro terrorist activities.
Right or wrong, it would imply that it is a "You hit me once, and I'll hit you ten times harder policy.
listening in on a conversation at a club some months back after viewing a television coverage of a terrorist strike in England I first thought that, these people were on a bravado trip, but after a couple of minutes of listening I became more convinced that, what they were discussing could be in fact a reality. the Identity of these persons have vanished from my mind, they could be anyone of thousands of people visiting this holiday town. The mind boggles.
Vest Daily Gaggle.
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Male versus Female at the A T Machine
Thought you might like this.
MALE VS. FEMALE AT THE ATM MACHINE
A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:
"Please note that this Bank is installing new
Drive-through ATM machines
enabling customers to withdraw cash
without leaving their vehicles.
Customers using this new facility are
requested to use the procedures outlined
below when accessing their accounts."
"After months of careful research, MALE
& FEMALE Procedures have been developed.
Please follow the appropriate
steps for your gender."
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
Unfortunately, most of this part
is the Truth.!!!!
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required
amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents
on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will
call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access
to machine due to its excessive distance
from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary;
with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate
wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register
and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card
holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
SEND THIS TO A MAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH
AND TO THE LADIES YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT!
MALE VS. FEMALE AT THE ATM MACHINE
A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:
"Please note that this Bank is installing new
Drive-through ATM machines
enabling customers to withdraw cash
without leaving their vehicles.
Customers using this new facility are
requested to use the procedures outlined
below when accessing their accounts."
"After months of careful research, MALE
& FEMALE Procedures have been developed.
Please follow the appropriate
steps for your gender."
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
Unfortunately, most of this part
is the Truth.!!!!
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required
amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents
on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will
call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access
to machine due to its excessive distance
from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary;
with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate
wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register
and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card
holder, and place card into the slot provided!
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
SEND THIS TO A MAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH
AND TO THE LADIES YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT!
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